The Mayfair Magazine May 2014 by Runwild Media Group

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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents May 2014 051

regulars

Collection

012 | Contributors

027 | Royal blush Calleija’s stunning pink diamond

014 | Editor’s letter 017 | My life in Mayfair: June Kenton 018 | Couture culture Our latest dispatch on the top books, film and plays of the month

029 | Jewellery news 030 | Best of Baselworld 2014 The latest dispatches from the fine jewellery and watch event of year 038 | Watch news

117 | Remembering Mayfair: Lansdowne House

Art 021 | Art news

Features 051 | Mayfair’s summer season From Royal Ascot to the Cannes Film Festival, your guide to the social events of the season, 056 | The Dinner Diaries Daniel Cappello’s shares his tips on how to throw the ultimate dinner party 060 | The lost art of letter writing Hand-written notes and fine writing instruments are making a comeback, writes Kate Racovolis 064 | Who’s really who We meet the original society journalist, Richard Compton Miller 068 | Racing’s finest In the spirit of one of the 8

most famous horseracing events in the world, we trace the history of Royal Ascot 073 | Made in Britian Bonhams’ annual Aston Martin Works Sale arrives 074 | The march of time Lord March explains how he transformed the Goodwood estate into a modern setting 078 | Breaking the mould Can David Brown Automotive’s new Speedback take on the big brand luxury cars? 082 | The fast lane Why The Monaco Grand Prix is set to thrill once again

022 | Prize lots 024 | Exhibition focus: ‘Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs’ at Tate Modern

021

029

EMPRESS COLLECTION

REGENT STREET | OLD BOND STREET | FENCHURCH STREET

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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents May 2014 041

Beauty

Property

101 | Beauty news

144 | Hot property The penthouse at Trafalgar Square’s only residential address debuts

102 | Sleeping beauty How to get beautiful skin while you sleep

154 | Property news 109 | Spa review: Chuan at The Langham

Food & Drink 094

111 | Royal in the afternoon The Season Afternoon Tea arrives at The Goring 113 | Food & drink news 115 | Dining out: Quattro Passi

111

Fashion

Travel

041 | Style spy

087 | Leave London behind Escape the city with Celebrity Cruises ‘Italian Renaissance’ journey

043 | Style update 044 | Full bloom Think bright whites and pastel pinks for a spring and summer wardrobe in this month’s fashion shoot

Interiors 067 | Interiors news Fornasetti designs a sofa with Nigel Coates while Linley launches a set of covetable outdoor furniture 10

089 | Travel news 090 | City break: Antwerp The captial of diamonds and a hub for art, design and waffles, Antwerp has it all 092 | Suite dreams: Cliveden, Taplow 094 | Escape to the country The best hotels in Britain for weekend retreats

156 | A style icon Brigitte Bardot’s former villa on the Côte d’Azur becomes available for rent

154

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Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

MAY 2014 s issue 032

Editor Elle Blakeman

The

contributors

Deputy Editor Kate Racovolis Art Editor Carol Cordrey Food & Drink Editor Neil Ridley Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Assistant Bethan Rees Brand Consistency 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 Head of Finance Elton Hopkins Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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Daniel Cappello

Daniel is based in New York and has written for The New Yorker, George, and the Harvard Current, and is currently the fashion director at the luxury publication, Quest. This month, he shares an extract from his book Dinner Diaries, a tome that celebrates the art of dinner parties.

Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

Amanda Stretton

Formula 1 and motoring expert Amanda Stretton meets Lord March to find out how he turned a beautiful country estate into the perfect setting for modern adventures. We are, of course, referring to Glorious Goodwood – the motorsport event of the season.

Richard Yarrow

Richard is a motoring journalist and a former associate editor of Auto Express. This month, he finds out whether independant newcomer David Brown Automotive’s innovative new creation – the Speedback – can really take on the big brands in the automotive world.

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. This month, she reports on a new exhibition that celebrates the work of Henri Matisse at Tate Modern.

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On the

Nacho Figueras captaining St. Regis against Prince Harry’s team in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, Greenwich 2013. Photography by Dominic-James.com

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Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

editorI

From the

EDITOR’S PICKs

#1 Fringe 18ct white gold and white diamond pendant (part of Scroll Tiara), from a selection, Garrard (garrard.co.uk)

1 2 3

#2 Headband £910, Dolce & Gabbana (net-a-porter.com)

#3 Perfume, £145, Rodin (liberty.co.uk)

n the 18th century, The Season was defined by the Royal Family, whose residence in the capital during the summer months prompted members of the ruling classes to abandon their estates up and down the country and move into their smaller townhouses in London. Once here, they would dine, dance and present their young daughters at court in an attempt to secure appropriate marriage proposals, in order to continue this circle of upper-class life. So far, so Downton. Given that ‘debs’ stopped being presented to the monarch in 1958 and our future King picked his bride from the University common room, it might seem odd that the British still cling to The Season with vigour. And yet each year, more and more people turn up to Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and The Cartier Queen’s Cup Polo, Hendricks and tonic in hand, something madly large and colourful pinned to their heads to enjoy this most established of schedules. In typical English fashion, there are hundreds of rules and conventions, the origins of which are often long since forgotten. But love of tradition far outweighs any desire for change – how you arrive, what you wear and where you stand when you get there are all matters of utmost importance if you are to play the game correctly. Of course, today, the point is more to enjoy oneself than to elevate social status, and with this in mind we have dedicated this issue to the pursuit of fun over the summer months; our social guide will explain all of the key diary events (page 51), while several journalists report back from the front line of The Season (from page 68). Someone crack open the Bolly…

Elle Blakeman Editor Follow us on Twitter @MayfairMagazine

above: gleneagles hotel; below: below: Victoria Pendleton (Photo: Henry Harris, © Featureflash)

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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

My life in MAYFAIR June Kenton rigby & peller, corsetier to the Queen

I ‘Mayfair has the most amazing amount of upmarket shops and stores in the whole country’ – June Kenton

Clockwise from top: june kenton; a piece from the s/s14 swimwear collection; rigby & peller in mayfair; Shirt, £295, anne fontaine (annefontaine.com); sotheby’s cafÉ (image courtesy of sotheby’s)

t is impossible to talk to June Kenton, and not bring up the fact that she has a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen. ‘It’s the biggest privilege that you can have,’ she enthuses, still evidently excited by it. ‘It shows that you are giving an honourable and good service to your customers as a retailer. I’ve had it for over 30 years and I’m incredibly proud of it.’ Although Rigby & Peller held the Royal Warrant when Kenton bought the business with her husband back in 1982, it was not automatically transferred, belonging, as connoisseurs will know, to the person rather than the company. And so one of Kenton’s first tasks at Rigby & Peller was to head over to the Palace and earn her place in HM The Queen’s wardrobe. That she did and Kenton went on to measure many more women, from Princess Diana to Margaret Thatcher, before a documentary on ITV – Giving the Empire a Lift in 1993 – showed the rest of the country what they were missing out on with their outdated, one-size-fits-all approach. ‘Black, white and beige were the only colours when we started, and DD was the biggest size you could get,’ recalls Kenton. The programme made the business soar and it soon became necessary to expand from Knightsbridge into Mayfair. ‘We opened Conduit Street as we had three-hour queues in Knightsbridge. With the new store opening we were able to give our services to many more women and make a positive impact on their lives. Occasionally we’d pay for their taxis to send them over directly from Knightsbridge to Conduit Street for their fittings. ‘It was wonderful to be in the hustle bustle and the best shops in Britain – Mayfair has the most amazing amount of upmarket shops and stores in the whole country. And it’s a great location for events as it’s so central – we are launching our Rigby & Peller Swimwear collection there in May.’ As someone who’s been in the area for three decades, I am keen to hear Kenton’s favourite local spots. ‘Sotheby’s Café is one of my favourite places for lunch or coffee, it’s so peaceful and tranquil. And Anne Fontaine does wonderful things, I buy all my shirts there.’ Have things changed a lot since those early days? ‘Rigby & Peller has evolved a lot over the years. When I first started we only did made-to-measure. Now there is a huge selection of ready-to-wear and beautiful fashion colours. We still offer made-to-measure from our Knightsbridge boutique, but it’s much easier for women these days to buy lingerie off the hanger. There is an unbelievable choice of fashion colours and sizes these days – it’s glorious. ‘In terms of Mayfair, I personally think it hasn’t changed too much, which is a good thing – it’s still only upmarket retailers. Conduit Street years ago used to be full of travel agents so it’s fantastic it’s now become such a fashionable shopping destination with lovely boutiques.’ 17

agenda

books

The golden ticket On your marks, get set, go! This month, luxury luggage company TUMI has organised a grown-up treasure hunt to celebrate the launch of its exciting new store on Regent Street. On 1 May, five golden TUMI trunks will be hidden around London. If you spot one, simply take a photograph and post on Instagram along with #tumigoldenticket, and you will be entered into a draw to win a seriously indulgent holiday for two, flying first-class to Los Angeles, New York and the Virgin Islands for an incredible two weeks – treasure indeed! (uk.tumi.com)

Couture culture Grace of Monaco debuts at Cannes Film Festival; meanwhile we get competitive with grown-up versions of childhood games and we go treasure hunting with Tumi

theatre

A Taste of Honey

‘Sharp’s performance is full of vitality; she pirouettes around the stage oozing theatrical self-admiration’

THE literary read Underlands by Ted Nield £20, Granta Nield eloquently explores the foundations on which our cities have been built and the geological wonders that lie beneath us. THE sleep read Night School: Wake Up to the Power of Sleep by Richard Wiseman, £20 Macmillan Sleep makes up a third of our lives, so Wiseman delves into the unconscious world to reveal how we can make the most of dreaming and sleep.

t just 19 years old, Shelagh Delaney penned her polemic debut play, A Taste of Honey, which became one of the great defining and taboo-breaking plays of the 1950s. Set in the decaying, back-to-back terraces of Salford (peeling wallpapers and a smoke-stained fireplace), she focuses on portraying the relationship between a vivacious teenager, Jo (Kate O’Flynn) and her incompetent mother Helen (Lesley Sharp). Bijan Sheibani’s production of this compelling script manages to be both comical, while examining the multifaceted relationship of the mother-daughter bond vibrantly captures the similarity between these two women. Sharp’s performance is full of vitality; she pirouettes around the stage oozing theatrical self-admiration. Yet, there is a glimmer of maternal instinct in Helen, fearing that her daughter will repeat her own mistakes. And her instincts are spot on. Jo is not only repeating

THE fashion read The Shoe Book by Nancy MacDonell £32, Assouline With contributions from Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and the queen of shoes, Sarah Jessica Parker, this book forms a beautiful homage to footwear.

her mother’s past by getting pregnant young, but she also shares an inherent need for attention and self-glorification. The run-down setting is beautifully contrasted with Paul Englishby’s cheery jazz score – a fantastically entertaining show. Runs at the National Theatre until 11 May (nationaltheatre.org.uk) words: DANIELLA ISAACS

the art read The Art of Fashion Photography by Patrick Remy, £35, Prestel This beautiful hardback book reads like a roll-call of all the emerging names in fashion photography to know. THE inspirational read Our Time by Cat Garcia £35, Cat Garcia Cat Garcia’s stunning self-published book draws together some of the greatest British creative minds of our time, from Sir Peter Blake to David Downton among many more – a true inspiration in itself.

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

Games

Remember it’s not about the winning or losing, it’s about the taking part. Unless you win. Then it is about the winning. This month, get competitive with a selection of classic games

film

#1 Monopoly Nostalgia, £35, available from The Conran Shop (conranshop.co.uk)

Grace of Monaco

fter disgruntled directors, numerous premiere date changes and backlash from the Royal family of Monaco, Grace of Monaco will finally be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this month. The much-anticipated biopic about Grace Kelly set in the early 1960s, starring Nicole Kidman, captures Kelly’s world at its most tumultuous. After life as a Hitchcock blonde and Hollywood silver-screen beauty, not to mention style icon (Hermès named a bag after her and it is one of the most recognisable accessories of our time), the actress seemingly lived a real-life fairy tale, as she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco and receiving her own royal title. But among difficulties in her marriage,

her longing to return to the acting world all against the backdrop of the imminent French invasion of Monaco and political tensions between her husband and Charles De Gaulle, the film is to capture this world in all of its high-society glory. Although some of the scenes in the film have been condemned by the Monaco Royal family as fictional and historically inaccurate, one thing we can be certain of is that Kelly’s eternal elegance, beauty and style will continue to influence and inspire for many years to come, and this film celebrates precisely that. And who better to portray the poise of Princess Grace than Nicole Kidman. Grace of Monaco premieres at the Cannes Film Festival this month

#2 Scrabble Board Set £4,250, Linley (davidlinley.co.uk)

#3 Sandringham Croquet Set, £3,699 Jaques of London (jaqueslondon.co.uk) #4 Playing cards £75, Asprey (asprey.com)

Giant Magnolia Ring, from a selection, Fabergé (faberge.com)

Fabergé takes over the windows of Harrods and opens a stunning pop-up boutique #5 Backgammon game £3,400, Alexandra Llewellyn (alexandralldesign.com) 19

Exclusive The Mayfair Magazine Arabic Edition Volume 3, Issue 1 out 2 June 2014

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The mayfair Magazine | Art

Society sculpture Mayfair’s Sladmore Contemporary gallery is understandably proud to be hosting the annual exhibition of work by the esteemed Society of Portrait Sculptors. A showcase for fine quality figurative sculpture by the Society’s members from around the globe, alongside that of some non-members whose artistic skills have earned the respect of the Society and with it, an invitation to exhibit. Sladmore’s Director, Gerry Farrell, will be awarding a prize of £3,000 to the artist who produces the best human portrait. ‘Society of Portrait Sculptors’ is at the Sladmore Contemporary gallery from 12 – 17 May (sladmorecontemporary.com)

Q&A with… Robert Bowman on his landmark Auguste Rodin exhibition Q: Why is the exhibition on at this particular time? A: This is the 100th anniversary of Rodin’s gift of 18 sculptures to the V&A Museum. Originally planned as an exhibition, Rodin came to London and supervised the display of his works. Within six months he had decided to gift the works in honour of the soldiers who had died in the war. Q: Will we see any iconic works in the exhibition? A: There will be several, including bronzes of The Thinker, The Kiss and Eternal Spring in both the original and later format. Also, one of the last large bronze casts of his famous figure of the Prodigal Son not in a museum, and sculptures that were personal to Rodin – including his portraits of Rose Beuret, his wife and Camille Claudel, his lover. Works like Iris Messenger demonstrate how Rodin’s sculpture was at the forefront of modern art; it would have been very shocking in 1900, but equally at home in any collection of contemporary art today. The majority of works will be for sale.

Art news Mayfair plays host to some iconic sculptures with both Sladmore’s Society of Portrait Sculptors and a landmark Rodin exhibition words: carol cordrey

Awesome architecture Ben Johnson’s work on cityscapes, notably a panoramic interpretation of Liverpool in which he combined his fascination for computer technology with a passion for architecture and precision drawing, has long since intrigued me. Liverpool was a tour de force and commissions for other panoramic views of cities around the world quickly descended upon his studio. Architecture is the theme at this Museum Rooms exhibition but, this time Johnson applies his forensic eye to create large-scale paintings that take us up close with museum interiors, making us feel as though we are actually walking into their imposing spaces, restored forms and subtle scars from the ravages of time. Together, this gives us the fullest, most awesome experience of these historic buildings. ‘Ben Johnson’ is at the Alan Cristea Gallery from 9 May – 7 June (alancristea.com)

Q: As the world’s leading Rodin specialist, has this helped you to source so many sculptures? A: Consistently exhibiting works by Rodin around the world at international art fairs has placed us in many people’s minds when they think of buying or selling a work by Rodin. Much of the work we currently hold are pieces we have bought back from clients. Q: What would your advice be to investors? A: Each year the number of available pieces decreases as works go into collections that will never release them to the market. There is an established market for work by Rodin so collectors can be confident that purchasing a sculpture will prove a solid investment that also pays a wonderful visual dividend. Values for his key images have increased in value by over 400% in the last eight years. ‘Rodin – In Private Hands’ is at Bowman Sculpture, 1 May – 31 July (bowmansculpture.com)

PRIZE LOTs #1 Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, 1954 by Garry Winogrand Few poses in history have managed to reach the iconic status of this one of Marilyn Monroe, as she stood over a subway grate as the wind rose from below, sending the hemline of her white halter-neck dress soaring, as she threw her head back in laugher in a glamorous attempt to keep it down. This scene is, of course, from The Seven Year Itch, and this image was captured by street photographer Garry Winogrand which forms just one of 50 lots from the online Hollywood Icons Sale at Christie’s this month, which draws together some of the most famous faces from the silver screen. Winogrand’s photograph is featured as a lot from the John Kobal Foundation collection, while images of Raquel Welch and Paul Newman come from Terry O’Neill’s portraits of 1960s and 1970s film stars, some of which are previously unseen and arrive at auction for the first time. Leonardo DiCaprio poses with vintage boxing gloves and Gwyneth Paltrow poses half-nude (as featured on one of Vanity Fair’s covers) by Mark Seliger. Expected value £6,000 – £8,000. The Hollywood Icons Sale at Christie’s, 27 May – 5 June (christies.com)

#2 Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Pandora It has been 50 years since Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s famous painting entitled Pandora has appeared at auction, which is why this marks an important occasion in the art world. The stunning oil painting is signed and dated 1871 and captures an important representation of the myth of Pandora. At the time, Rossetti was besotted with the muse in this portrait, a woman named Jane Morris who was married to the artist’s friend and associate. Rossetti’s wife,

clockwise from right: christie’s images ltd; Image: © sotheby’s; image courtesy of bonhams

Lizzie Siddal, had died in 1862, and in 1869 – around the same time the painting would have been designed – he was persuaded to open her grave to retrieve a manuscript of poems. His affection for Jane only strengthened, even although she was a married woman, she became his muse. It is a dark yet beautiful piece that is considered part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, inspired by complicated relationships and love realised through the stories of Greek mythology. Expected value £5 million – £7 million. The British and Irish Art Sale at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street, 22 May (sothebys.com)

#3 Les Girls by Demetre Chiparus The glamour of the Golden Age will never go out of style. As Art Deco sculptures continue to make their way into auction houses, and following the success of pieces such as The Dolly Sisters in 2012 and Almeria in 2013 by Demetre Chiparus, one piece in particular has caught our eye from Bonhams’ Decorative Arts Sale in June. A carved ivory and patinated bronze sculpture, entitled Les Girls, captures the harmonised beauty of three Jazz Age dancers, as interpreted by Chiparus – a Romanian sculptor who lived in Paris whose work focused on ballet dancers and femme fatales of the stage. The girls featured in this piece are said to be representations of three members of the Tiller Girls who performed in Paris during the 1920s. The synchronised movement of the dancers is mesmerising, along with their lizard-skin patterned costumes, which charmed audiences at the time. Expected value £160,000 – £180,000. The Decorative Arts Sale at Bonhams, New Bond Street, 18 June (bonhams.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Art

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Exhibition Focus:

Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs This month, Tate Modern pays tribute to one of the greats with an exhibit of over 120 works by Henri Matisse – prepare yourself for a sensation of colour words: carol cordrey ABOVE, FROM LEFT: MEMORY OF OCEANiA; The Snail; Large Composition with Masks, Memory of Oceania and The Snail in Henri Matisse’s studio

n the dwindling decades of life, it takes huge strength of character and talent to overcome failing health, depression and confinement to a sickbed to produce any work, let alone some of your finest, most innovative pieces. Henri Matisse (1869-1954) did exactly that. This month, Tate Modern reveals all in its landmark exhibition of more than 120 of Matisse’s works that dominated his creative output during the last 15 years of his life (1936-54). They are his cut-outs, predominantly figurative images which emerged from shapes cut from pre-painted paper. That description makes them seem unsophisticated, childish even; yet, in the hands of this great artist, they became a new art form that appeared to fuse sculpture, painting and collage that took the art world by storm. Throughout his life, he had demonstrated his ability to adapt, initially abandoning a career in law for that of an artist who painted with a sober palette. Influenced by the Impressionists, around 1896 Matisse started to work with a lighter palette, but gradually abandoned it for vibrant, wild colours that he used unmixed, straight from the tube. When his vivid, non-naturalistic work was exhibited alongside that of like-minded artists at the legendary Salon d’Automne (1905), it caused a sensation and earned them the sobriquet, ‘Fauves’, meaning ‘wild beasts’. Matisse was a prolific painter, graphic artist, sculptor, print-maker, designer and popular teacher. From the 1920s, he and Picasso enjoyed international reputations as two of the most significant artists. The cut-out technique began for Matisse as a compositional necessity during

worsening health that forced him to spend his days in a wheelchair or a bed. A commission from America, for a mural that became The Dance II set the artist on cutting paper shapes to experiment with ideas for a composition. ‘Instead of drawing the outline and putting the colour inside it… I draw straight into the colour,’ is how Matisse described his technique that departed from the medium of paint to that of coloured paper. Lydia, a young Russian living in Nice, had been brought in to assist Matisse in painting the large paper sheets, and so on, but she would later become his model and devoted supporter. The two of them are seen in photos in this exhibition, sometimes with Matisse cutting the coloured paper whilst around him lay dozens of discarded pieces strewn on the floor. Eventually, Lydia’s role was considered to be too intimate for Matisse’s wife, Amélie, to tolerate and she eventually divorced him in 1939. In 1941, Matisse was diagnosed with bowel cancer and although he managed to survive serious surgery, it reduced him to a life in a wheelchair with Lydia by his side, facilitating his creativity. The Tate Modern’s photographs reveal his determination to develop his new modus operandi – we see the artist in bed holding a very long pole with charcoal attached to its tip so he could draw trial motifs and big compositions on his walls and ceiling which substituted for otherwise unmanageable, large canvas. He would place simple, individual shapes on the wall then slide, rearrange and re-pin them in experimental positions until content

The mayfair Magazine | Art

BELOW: Icarus, Maquette for plate VIII of the illustrated book Jazz

with his compositions. The wartime bombing of Nice in 1943 convinced Matisse that he and Lydia should move inland from Nice to Vence; at the Villa le Rêve his bedroom became his new studio. The palm trees, exotic fruit and flora and fauna of the area provided artistic inspiration for Matisse, exemplified by Still Life With Pomegranates. In his Seventies, Matisse made 100 cut-out designs that were published in his groundbreaking book Jazz, published in 1947. The most famous of them was Icarus, a simplified, dramatic scene of a man falling from the night sky. A copy of the book will be at Tate Modern, made all the more fascinating because it can be seen alongside the exhibits of the actual cut-outs that formed the book’s illustrations. Although he declared himself to be a figurative artist, the ease with which Matisse could cut angular shapes from the coloured sheets probably led him to move occasionally towards abstraction, typified by Memory of Oceania (owned by New York’s MoMA) and The Snail (owned by Tate Modern). We can see that this latter composition was partly constructed

the richly coloured designs for its stained-glass windows and vestments. All that was a gift to someone who had nursed him after his surgery but became a nun at that Dominican convent. The strains of failing health, years of war and depression took their toll, resulting in a fatal heart attack at the age of 84 years. The cut-outs had occupied a dual role, offering, initially, a swift and manageable technique for him to trial compositions for his paintings but eventually becoming permanent compositions in their own right. ‘What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or disturbing subject matter,’ he declared. His cut-outs gave us just that and they represent some of the most joyous works of art ever created. To see such an extensive display of his work at Tate Modern is an opportunity not to be missed. These pieces are made all the more impressive when viewed against the background of his declining health and his determination to find a way to release his remarkable talent. Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, Tate Modern, 17 April – 7 September (tate.org.uk)

‘What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity’ from torn paper, suggesting Matisse made The Snail with a sense of joyous liberation as if, simultaneously, tearing himself free from the controls of previous artistic practices. A photo in the exhibition of Matisse’s studio reveals that these two important works were originally combined with Large Composition with Masks (owned by Washington’s National Gallery of Art) to produce a huge triptych. We also see with Memory of Oceania that health and problems of insomnia forced his inspiration to rely, sometimes, on memories of places he had once visited and would return to no more, in this case, Tahiti. Amazingly, from 1949-51, and as an octogenarian, Matisse created some of his most brilliant work. It came in the form of the wonderfully simple line drawings for the wall tiles for the Chapelle du Rosaire in Venice, plus

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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Royal blush

ince it was discovered in 1979 by a group of geologists exploring north-west Australia, the Argyle pink diamond has captured the imagination of collectors and investors across the globe and among these is luxury jeweller Calleija. Founder John Calleija, a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia, developed a passion for this rare and exquisite coloured diamond and is today recognised as one of its leading suppliers, creating the finest pieces as worn by royalty, actresses and loyal clients. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Calleija will be presenting its latest Argyle pink diamond creations, including Antoinette, Aurora and Ava Rose. ‘These incredible diamonds are one of nature’s rarest creations and one of the world’s sublime wonders,’ comments John Calleija. (calleija.com)

www.bachet.fr

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Jewellery news With spring comes a bouquet of sparkling and vividlycoloured flowers, courtesy of Piaget and Tessa Packard WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

No smoke without flowers ‘There always has to be a story behind it,’ explains Tessa Packard. The designer’s latest collection, No Smoke without Flowers, was inspired by the 19th century opium dens of the Chinese Qing dynasty. It follows Packard’s debut collection, Mexicana, and the new selection of floral pieces pays tribute to the female courtesans, or ‘flowers’, who worked in the opium dens while being courted by the male clientele. The collection also features strong, geometric pieces with brightly coloured gemstones; we love the Madam Pistil ring set with amethysts, garnets and black sapphires. No Smoke without Flowers, from £200 to £20,000 (tessapackard.com)

CUTTING EDGE Lydia Courteille’s whimsical and surreal creations never fail to charm and amuse us, as shown by the Parisian jeweller’s latest high jewellery collection, Animal Farm:

Taking inspiration from Orwell’s classic novel, Courteille’s Animal Farm features a farmyard full of familiar faces set in rings, including a crown-wearing cow, a golden goat and a diamond-encrusted pig. The collection is made up of 12 rings, with matching earrings in the pipeline for later this spring

Coming Up Roses To celebrate the newly expanded Piaget boutique, this month sees Harrods’ Fine Jewellery Room play host to an exclusive preview of six never-before-seen white gold and diamond pieces from the jewellery house’s Rose Passion collection, launched in January. Pieces include the Rose Elegance high jewellery necklace and bracelet set, and two necklace and earring sets from the Rose Garden. The in-store boutique has now doubled in size and brings with it a comprehensive assortment of Piaget’s fine jewellery and watch collections. Bespoke orders and personalisation services are also available. Piaget Rose Passion collection, presented exclusively from May in the Harrods Fine Jewellery Room (harrods.com) The Strongest Link Those of you who’ve sauntered down the King’s Road of late will not have failed to notice that Links of London has relocated from its Sloane Square location and reopened on the King’s Road. The new concept boutique pays tribute to the jewellery and watch brand’s British heritage, incorporating bespoke furniture and decorative details from established British designers, and offers a more relaxed and informal setting where customers can browse the latest collections, including the new skinny friendship bracelets, precious charms and the Hope collection, all of which are now available in store. 9 King’s Road, SW3 (linksoflondon.com)

(lydiacourteille.com) 29

Best of

Baselworld 2014 J E W E L L E R Y

Each spring, Basel hosts the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest watch and jewellery extravaganza, an event that sees 1,500 exhibitors showcase their wares to more than 150,000 international visitors. Here are the pieces which most caught our eye during the eight day bonanza. w o r d s : O L I V I A S H A R P E & R I C H A RD B ROW N 30 ÂŠ MCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AG

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Rainbow wave

Basel stands were awash with colour this year as jewellery houses showed off their stunning collections of coloured diamonds and gemstones, proving how size is no longer the only thing that matters when it comes to stones. Graff demonstrated why it is famous for being the supplier of the largest and rarest Natural Yellow diamonds with a magnificent yellow and white diamond Fringe necklace. When it came to gemstones, brands experimented with various colour combinations. Like purple, Pantone’s ‘colour of the year 2014’, green pervaded the Halls of Baselworld.

Chopard presented two new pairs of earrings as part of its Green Carpet Collection, the first composed of diamond briolettes and emeralds, and the second of amethysts and diamonds. At Sutra Jewels, the Texan company mesmerised visitors with its vivid display of Paraiba tourmalines. Finally, never one to do things by half measures, Stephen Webster presented his magnificent Magnipheasant collection featuring a rainbow of coloured gemstones, including citrines, amethysts, red garnets, blue topaz and peridots.

#1 100.88-carat fancy intense yellow cushion-cut diamond centre and 164.60-carats of emerald and pear shape white diamonds set in platinum, from a selection, Jacob & Co; #2 Emerald earrings from the Red Carpet Collection 2014, from a selection, Chopard; #3 100.86-carat ruby earrings with 8.6-carat diamonds, from a selection, Jacob & Co #4 Magnipheasant Feathers collar, from a selection, Stephen Webster

Sweet sundae

While the brightly coloured diamonds and gemstones on display certainly packed a punch, the politely pretty pastel pieces which made their debut at Basel were by no means outdone. Pascale Bruni’s reimagined signature Bon Ton collection in rose and milky quartz was well-received, as were Wendy Yue’s feminine and romantic candy coloured designs. This Madame Butterfly necklace is inspired by the 1898 short story turned opera and is a medley of purple sapphires, rhodolite garnets, pink sapphires, opals, tsavorites and brown diamonds.

#1 18-karat rose gold earrings with pink opal and diamonds, $20,000, Sutra Jewels; #2 Bon Ton rings in pink gold, milky quartz, smoky quartz, pink quartz and white diamonds, from £2,000, Pascale Bruni #3 Delicati rose-cut cushion amethyst and diamond pendant, £705, Marco Bicego #4 Butterfly necklace, from a selection, Wendy Yue

Show-stopper

It was Graff’s first year at Baselworld and the international jeweller certainly made it count. Arguably the most talked-about timepiece of the entire fair, the unveiling of the Hallucination watch not only caused an immediate Twitter sensation but broke the record of the most valuable watch ever created, priced at $55million. The masterpiece features a phantasmagoria of more than 100 carats of rare fancy coloured diamonds and for Chairman Laurence Graff, it has made his “diamond

dream a reality”. For many of us without £33million as pocket change, however, owning it shall remain a fantasy.

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The rites of spring

Taking a leaf out of the fashion industry’s book, florals were once again a key trend at this year’s fair. Due mention must firstly be given to Chanel, which presented its latest line of Mademoiselle Privé timepieces. Inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel’s favourite flower, the Gold Camellia motif is engraved and polished by hand and features a matte black dial set with five brilliant-cut diamonds and five navette-cut yellow sapphires, while the new ‘Maki-e

dial’ is the result of a partnership with Japan-based artists and employs the ancient skill of lacquering dating back to 794 AD. Continuing to look east, Wendy Yue’s much-anticipated new collection did not disappoint. The Tears of the Forbidden Fruit necklace presents a melancholy depiction of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. Italian jeweller Roberto Coin similarly paid homage to nature with his Garden collection rings.

#1 Mademoiselle Privé Gold Camellia watch, from a selection, Chanel #2 Emperatriz Cascada medium necklace in white gold and diamonds, from a selection, Carrera y Carrera #3 Tears of the Forbidden Fruit necklace, from a selection, Wendy Yue

A stitch in time

Spanish jeweller Carrera y Carrera’s latest collection, Seda Imperial, is based on an Eastern legend said to have occurred 46 centuries ago and tells the story of a Chinese princess named Liu-Tsu who was forced to marry a barbaric Khan. In revenge, she hid in her shawl the secret of Imperial Silk embroidery and threw it into the ocean. This compelling tale has been reimagined in a series of fine jewellery pieces. Emperatriz is inspired by the shawl’s floral patterns and features a variety of flowers, from the English rose to cherry blossom (reminiscent of China), to illustrate the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. In Sierpes (named after one of Seville’s

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most iconic streets), delicate lattices imitate the shawl’s silk fringing, while the translucency of the chalcedony (sourced from Brazil) and moonstones creates a crystal ball effect. Garzas, meaning heron, was another typical decorative element and one of the pieces presents two of the birds linked together in an embrace. Finally, Orquideas or ‘orchid’ – a symbol of status in the 19th century – is represented in ruby, yellow gold and diamond pieces.

Time to Shine

#1 Garzas maxi ring in white gold and diamonds, #2 Sierpes maxi ring in white gold, chalcedony and diamonds #3 Sierpes maxi earrings in white gold, onyx and diamonds, all from a selection, Carrera y Carrera

2014 marked an impressive year for women’s jewellery watches. Boucheron unveiled its pièce de résistance; the Cristal de Lune watch – a three-dimensional timepiece that has been classified as ‘a masterpiece in 3D watch-making’. And while Chanel may be a relative stripling in comparison to some of Basel’s watchmakers, it is by no means inferior, and this year saw the release of its first high jewellery J12 Flying Tourbillon, the result of an exclusive collaboration between Chanel and Renaud & Papi, it has been adapted from the Premiere Flying Tourbillon for a round J12 dial. Meanwhile, springtime was the focus of Dior’s new Plissé Soleil models (part of the Dior VIII Grand Bal collection) and reflected in the dials, while Harry Winston and Bulgari dazzled viewers with their diamondencrusted timepieces.

Dentelle de Monogram watch, from a selection, Louis Vuitton;

18-carat white gold rock crystal and diamond ‘Cristal de Lune’ watch with diamond tassel, from a selection, Boucheron

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Heritage pieces

Carrera y Carrera wasn’t the only brand to delve into its the past for inspiration. For Garrard’s latest collection, Albemarle (named after the London flagship store’s location) the royal jeweller based it on the tiara of ‘the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’, commissioned in 1893 at Garrard by the ladies-in-waiting of Princes Victoria Mary of Teck. The tiara has since become one of the most familiar of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s, also appearing on English

and Commonwealth banknotes and coinage. Its intricate ‘diamond and dot’ design can be noted throughout the collection, which has been split into two: Albemarle London (fine jewellery) and Albemarle Heritage (high jewellery). Garrard has also released new, one-of-kind high jewellery tiaras. The beautiful Fringe white diamond and white gold tiara can be adjusted by hand to form a necklace, while the Timeless tiara can be taken apart to form a pair of earrings.

#1 Fringe 18-carat white gold and white diamond tiara by Garrard, from a selection #2 Earrings part of the Timeless tiara piece #3 Tiara can be adjusted by hand to form a Fringe Necklace

Pearls of wisdom

Pearls in all shapes, sizes and lustres reigned supreme. After setting the bar extremely high last year with its 120th anniversary collection, all eyes were on Mikimoto to see whether the ruler of the pearl industry could live up to its high standards and it certainly did. The ethereal Sun & Clouds necklace got visitors talking with its seamless three-colour graduation (the yellow diamonds placed around each pearl reflect the glowing sun, while the white and grey pearls represent the darkening clouds as they move further away) but for us, the heavenly Angelic creation was the star. The chain of pearls and diamonds designed to adorn the body include a

#1 ‘Lady Stardust’ South Sea pearl ring set in 18-carat white gold with white diamonds, £13,550, Stephen Webster #2 & #3 Sun & Clouds necklace and Brio necklace, from a selection, Mikimoto

countless number of flawlessly round and lustrously large Akoya cultured pearls. Over in Hall 2, Rocks god Stephen Webster created a considerable amount of noise with his David Bowie-inspired Lady Stardust collection which celebrates the famous lightning bolt motif. The designer’s Lady Stardust ring brought a modern twist to the traditional mineral with the large South Sea pearl embedded within a geometric, v-shaped pattern set in white diamond pavé. #1

J12 flying tourbillon watch with black Mississippiensis alligator strap, from a selection, Chanel

Dior VIII Grand Bal Plisse Soleil, £11,100, Dior

Avenue Classic diamond drops in 18-karat white gold, from a selection, Harry Winston

Diva watch with 302 baguette-cut diamonds, 16 round-cut diamonds and 394 brilliant-cut diamonds from a selection, Bulgari

Best of

Baselworld 2014

From stopwatch show-stoppers to symphonic delights, here’s what impressed The Mayfair Magazine most

W AT C H E S

words : R I C H A R D B R O W N

Symphonic seduction In complication terms, it’s the holy grail of watchmaking; the pièce de résistance in any watchmaker’s arsenal; proof that a brand has mastered the most complex of horological pursuits. All hail the revered minute repeater. Originally designed as a way of telling the time in the dark – examples chime the hours, quarter-hours and minutes of the day – minute repeaters are the most complicated of all watch complications, requiring between 200 and 300 hours, and decades of experience, to put a single one together (and that’s according to Patek Phillipe). As such, they’re impossible to mass produce and constitute the halo pieces in a brand’s portfolio. Which is why it’s worth shining a light on two beauties debuted at Basel. It may have launched watches with every sports star under the sun, but Hublot’s Cathedral Tourbillon Minute

Repeater (£191,700 in titanium and £216,700 in ‘King gold’) is only the second watch from the brand to physically sound the minutes of the day. Housed in a 45mm case, the watch’s hand-winding calibre incorporates a tourbillon escapement and comprises 319 components. Equally hypnotic was Ulysee Nardin’s Imperial Blue. While you might not be the biggest fan of the brand’s brasher creations, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the intricacy and elegance of this minute repeater. With a flying tourbillon ‘floating’ on a transparent mainplate, the watch is a thing of jaw-dropping good looks, even before its silver hammers dance into action to produce an enchanting symphony. It costs £510,000. Revisit the first paragraph for as to why.

BEST IN SHOW

#1 Hublot’s Cathedral Tourbillon Minute Repeater #2 Ulysee Nardin’s Imperial Blue

A pilot of epic proportions In 2012, Zenith went big; the newly launched Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 came with a preposterous 57.5mm case. Two years later, the company has gone even bigger. Flying in the face of the pragmatic, the Pilot Type 20 Grand Feu measures a monstrous 60mm. Too big for mortal wrists? Then again, this is a watch dedicated to the fantastic rather than the practical. The timepiece’s white-gold crown, bezel and lugs are adorned with an ornate, hand-engraved, garland pattern, while its beautiful white dial is made from Grand Feu enamel. Arabic numerals, blued-hands, a power-reserve indicator and subsidiary seconds register complete proceedings. Ten of the giant pieces will be made. Expect each to cost £108,400. (zenith-watches.com)

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Defying gravity

Invented by Breguet, who patented it in 1801, the tourbillon aims to improve a watch’s reliability by countering the effects of gravity. It does so by placing a watch’s escapement and balance wheel (it’s most important time-keeping elements) inside a rotating cage, therefore negating the effects of gravity when a timepiece is left in a fixed position, such as on your bedside table. It is one of the most prized, and difficult to master, components in mechanical watchmaking – commanding a suitably-high price point to boot. So which tourbillons stole the show at Basel? Harry Winston’s Histoire de Tourbillon 5 (POA) was one example. Having been brought into the fold of the Swatch Group less than a year ago, you’d forgive the brand for taking the time to settle themselves under the new boss. Not so. HW has spent the last 10 months perfecting the latest creation in its Historie de Tourbillon line, which, this year, for the first time, laid bare the exceptional mechanism behind its movement. Presenting different levels of components inside an 18-karat red gold case, the piece was a three-dimensional tribute to its namesake. Elsewhere, Bulgari gave the world the thinnest tourbillon it had ever seen, a feat it achieved, in part, by using ball bearings,

rather than jewels, for many of the Octo Finissimo’s (£18,000) moving parts. With a mind-blowing movement that’s just 1.95 mm thick, the watch’s case measures a mere 5mm. The prize for Baselworld’s best looking tourbillon, however, surely had to go to the platinum version of Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon Extra-Thin Automatic (£108,000). Classic in name; not in nature. Inside, you’ll find a silicon balance spring and an escapement made of antimagnetic steel. The movement itself is only 3mm in height, making this the world’s thinnest automatic tourbillon.

#1 Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon Extra-Thin Automatic #2 Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo

A welcome return Omega went old school this year with the De Ville Trésor, a sleek and silky reinvention of a 1949 classic. Boasting a silvery opaline dial with a ‘clous de Paris’ pattern – that’s honeycomb to you and I – the Trésor revisits a line that was distinguished by its thin and classic gold cases. In homage, the 2014 models are smooth, slender pieces that sit 40mm in size. They are available in rose or white gold for £8,730 and £9,490 respectively. Most notable of all, however, is the fact that the pieces are powered by Omega’s newest manual-winding movement, the red-gold-balance-bridge-sporting Master Co-Axial calibre 8511. Who said beauty’s only skin deep? (omegawatches.com) 35

Stopwatch show-stoppers While they’re seldom used to time race cars, horses or space shuttles anymore (examples were sent up with Apollo 13), chronographs still provide a sense of interaction and fun between wearer and watch – whether you’re using one to boil an egg or simply passing the time in a queue. Notable examples launched this year included Breilting’s new Chronomat Airbornes (£6,760) and Patek Philippe’s Annual Calendar Chronograph 5960/1A (£36,920). The four varieties of the vintage-inspired Breitlings mark the 30th anniversary of the masculine aviation collection and come with either a 41mm or 44mm diameter. The stainless steel 5960/1A Patek – complete with red accents on its dial – was a seductive exception to the brand’s usual rule of only producing men’s watches in platinum or gold. Expect them to become collectors items almost immediately. For all-out handsomeness, Glashütte Original’s Senator Chronograph Panorama Date has to be one of the prettiest watches of the last few years. The timepiece is powered by the company’s new Calibre 37-01, the first to be conceived and built specifically as a chronograph movement. Among the exquisite mechanical features on view, thanks to a sapphire crystal case back, are the rotor and chronograph bridges mounted on Glashütte’s three-quarter plate; Glashütte’s stripe finish on the automatic bridge; blued-screws and a central skeletonised 21-karat gold rotor complete with double-G logo. Exquisite.

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BEST IN SHOW

#1 Glashütte Original’s Senator Chronograph Panorama Date #2 Breilting’s Chronomat Airborne #3 Patek Philippe’s Annual Calendar Chronograph 5960/1A

Rolex refined While this year heralded the return of the famous blue and red ‘Pepsi’ bezel on the GMT-Master II, it also marked the launch of three new Cellini models – gorgeous dress watches that prove Rolex is as adept at producing pieces for the boardroom as it is for the deep blue sea. All three models feature a self-winding movement, a 39mm case and are available only with a shiny black or brown alligator leather strap. The Cellini Date (£11,900) boasts a date function via a hand on a small sub dial, while the Cellini Dual Time (£12,900) features an elegant sun and moon day/night indicator and will show the time in two time zones. Most handsome of all, was the collection’s most understated member, the Cellini Time (£10,150); a pared-back lesson in good taste. (rolex.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

A feminine touch

Depicting the daily dance between the sun and the moon, Breguet’s Reine de Naples Jour/Nuit 8999 Haute Joaillerie (left) shone, sparkled and stunned. As did Patek’s finelooking, diamond-sporting Calatrava Haute Joaillerie Ref. 4895R. However, with each priced not in the tens but hundreds of thousands of pounds, neither fell within the realm of what you’d call ‘reality’ watches. Zenith and Hermès provided the most exciting women’s watches from a price point you might actually be able to afford. At £5,600, Zenith’s Star Open Steel caters for ladies who appreciate mechanical watchmaking – the piece is powered by the brand’s industry-leading El Primero movement – but for whom

‘ladies’ and ‘watches’ doesn’t automatically marry up to mean sparkling dials and bejewelled bezels – the model is the first Open Star to feature no diamonds at all, and all the better for it. Hermès’ updated Cape Cod collection (from £2,300, right) now comes with a redesigned dial and interchangeable straps. While they may possess a quartz movement, the cases of the new Tonneau and Nantucket models incorporate a special silver alloy that preserves the way the metal glows. They are available non-set or gem-set with 52 diamonds and come with a choice of 14 colours of strap – for its name alone, you’d have to choose the ‘raspberry mysore goat’, surely?

Best watches under £2,750 Formula 1 Calibre 16 Chronograph £2,395, TAG Heuer

Alpnach, £1,350 Victorinox

S P O RT S WAT C H E S

The Britain Automatic with stainless steel case £995, Burberry

Startimer Pilot Black Star Automatic £2,050, Alpina

Maestro Automatic Date, £1,600 Raymond Weil

Slimline Moonphase Manufacture FC-705, £2,530,Frederique Constant

D R E S S WAT C H E S

Good things come in threes Jauqet Droz impressed both in terms of technical novelty – its mesmerising Signing Machine is a mechanical, manually-wound cam-device that will duplicate its owner’s signature – and for sheer artistic beauty; it debuted three products dedicated to the art of paillonné enamelling – the process by which azure and gold are married under flame. The dials of each of the three pieces – the 39mm Petite Heure Minute, a 50mm pocket watch and the recently added 43mm Grande Seconde – is decorated with minuscule, floral-inspired gold foil (or paillons) baked onto its enamel. Add white sub-dials, blued-steel hands and red gold casing and behold watch craftsmanship at its most artistic. (jaquet-droz.com) 37

Collection | The mayfair Magazine

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

Tudor’s UK launch Tudor lovers rejoice! No longer will you have to catch a plane to procure one of the company’s timepieces. Having been unavailable in the UK since its relaunch in 2009, the Rolex-owned marque will be available in Blighty from September. Set up by Rolexfounder Hans Wilsdorf in 1946, the premise of the brand was to offer Rolex quality at more modest prices. To that end, Tudor watches still retain the signature looks of their more celebrated siblings, if not the same movements inside (most are powered by calibres produced by ETA – the firm that makes movements for the Swatch Group). Get the Rolex look for half the price with the Midnight Blue Heritage Black Bay (£2,120). (tudorwatch.com)

ONE TO WATCH Each month, we select our timepiece of the moment from the watch world’s most exciting creations

The famous blue and red ‘Pepsi’ bezel is back. 59 years after the colours appeared on the original GMT-Master, the popular hues return on the new GMT-Master II – a watch that highlights Rolex as the master of bi-colour ceramic GMT-Master II, £25,600, Rolex (rolex.com) 38

Harrods’ History Lesson Latching on to the trend for all things vintage, Harrods has launched the Vintage Watch Collection. Comprising rare and limited-edition Rolex and Omega timepieces, the collection includes GMT Masters from the 40s and 50s, Submariner’s from the 60s and Seamasters straight from the set of Mad Men. A highlight from the ladies offering is an elegant, yellowgold Bueche-Girod. Pay a visit for a trip to yesteryear. (harrods.com) A Shot of Jack Penned by one of the last living legends of Swiss watchmaking, Jack Heuer’s recently published autobiography is a fascinating account of the rise, fall and return of the mechanical watch industry and the company that bears his name. Funny, thorough and fascinating, The Times of My Life is a tale of iconic timepieces and the icons who have worn them. While the hardback version isn’t for general sale, the book can be downloaded for free via the TAG Heuer website. It will enlighten even the most expert of horologists. (tagheuer.com)

Swiss movement, English heart

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The great outdoors It hasn’t taken long for sporting dilettantes and professionals alike to flock to Orvis’s new store on Regent Street since it moved from Dover Street earlier this year. Within this emporium of the finest activewear, including Orvis’s own brand, as well as pieces from Barbour, you will find the perfect (and fashionable) kit for almost any activity you can think of, from fly fishing to shooting. Or, if you are more inclined to be a spectator, you will also find hardworking pieces for more low-key ‘sports’ (or rather lazy afternoons on a yacht). Orvis, 11 Regent Street, SW1Y (orvis.co.uk)

style spy covolis W O R D S : k at e r a

Pocket book Fancy having your own handwriting embossed in gold or silver onto your leather accessories? Anya Hindmarch, who has made this possible with her bespoke offering, brings a new element to personalisation with the addition of men’s wallets to the collection. It’s time to give a gift (if only to yourself). Made-to-measure wallet service, from a selection Anya Hindmarch, 118 New Bond Street, W1S (anyahindmarch.com; 020 7493 1628)

Across the channel Can the style of clothes serve as inspiration for shoes? French shoemaker J.M. Weston and British fashion icon Charlie Casely-Hayford (son of Savile Row tailor Joe Casely-Hayford OBE) have put their heads together to prove that indeed they can. See the quilted style of hunting jackets and the Prince of Wales check reinvented in shoe form, among four additional styles. It is the perfect combination of modern style and craftsmanship steeped in heritage. Available from J.M. Weston, 60 Jermyn Street, SW1Y (jmweston.com)

Rock the boat Lovers of loafers – this collaboration will have you running into Tod’s in an instant. Innovative Japanese design studio, Nendo, have designed the Envelope Boat Shoe, in collaboration with the Italian brand. It combines a mix of suede and soft leather materials, wrapping the wearer’s foot as though it’s an envelope enclosing a letter. The Envelope Boat Shoe, £298, is available now from select boutiques around the world, including the Old Bond Street store (tods.com) 41

Case in point We don’t need a lot of convincing when it comes to Goyard’s luggage; its pieces are durable, beautifully crafted and, most of all, capture that elegant, typically French sense of style. The historic brand has released an updated version of its Bourget Trolley, covered in its signature Goyardine canvas. The interior compartments make it very functional, and as per the Goyard way, you can always have it monogrammed or painted with your coat of arms to make it your own. Bourget Trolley, from a selection Goyard, 116 Mount Street W1K (020 7478 9900) 41

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Summer loving It isn’t summer without a new pair of shades to get you through the glare (even if you need to travel to the French Riviera to get it). Louis Vuitton have come up with a rather nifty creation for the season among its collection of eyewear, which includes cat-eye shapes, each with its own twist. The hinges of the sunglasses rotate so that they can be folded completely flat (perfect for fitting in small handbags), while the mirrored lenses of this design give the simple frames an updated look that will have you looking like a film star. Sunglasses, from a selection, Louis Vuitton, 20 New Bond Street, W1S (020 3214 9200; louisvuitton.co.uk)

TE A D P U e l y st covolis W O R D S : k at e r a

Best foot forward

Prints charming

‘Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world,’ said Marilyn Monroe. And the newly arrived Gianvito Rossi boutique on Mount Street will have you ready for world domination with its classic heels. It’s easy to spot the Milanese brand’s designs, even in the understated, simple pointytoe heels, because of the quality of the leather and the perfect cuts. This season’s collection adds a touch of playfulness to footwear, with fringed anklet details as well as lightening bold and flame motifs – the ultimate powerdressing accessory. Gianvito Rossi, 108 Mount Street, W1K (gianvitorossi.com)

Immaculate white shirts and voluminous skirts aside, there is one other signature style to Carolina Herrera’s collections; vibrant prints. This month, fashion is going back to its roots, revisiting a style that is more Audrey Hepburn than Madonna as the House of Herrera delves into its archives, retrieving a series of beautiful prints, including Swimming Ladies, Sparrows and Botanicals, for the new Archive II collection. We love these fun, bold shorts for chic summer days. CH Carolina Herrera, 120 Mount Street, W1K (020 3441 0965; carolinaherrera.com)

For art’s sake It is not often that fine purveyors of stationery and leather goods, Smythson, introduce collaborations into its collections, but when it does, the outcome can be seriously glamorous. This month, young British artist Quentin Jones has put her contemporary designs to Smythson’s classic handbags, notebooks and leather goods for a limited-edition collection to bring out a quirky side to the heritage brand. Smythson x Quentin Jones, from a selection (smythson.com)

Parisian chic The wait is (finally) over! Céline opened its elegant Mount Street doors to the citizens of Mayfair, revealing an art-gallery-like space, housing the brand’s signature voluminous coats, iconic totes and the new S/S14 pop-art collection. With Phoebe Philo’s famously stylish eye on the interiors – the multi-coloured, marble-tiled floor is stunning – it’s the perfect addition to the chic street. Céline, 103 Mount Street, W1K (020 7491 8200; celine.com) photo: emily

wood

Silk dress, ÂŁ2,247, Antonio Berardi (antonioberardi.com) 44

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Full bloom Refusing to be confined to the Chelsea Flower Show, florals are everywhere this season. Add a touch of feminine glamour to your spring wardrobe with these oh-so-pretty designs S TYLI S T: K a t y K i n g s t o n PH O T O G R APHE R : P e t e r J o h n Mor g a n

Dress, £2,295 Mary Katrantzou (net-a-porter.com). Panama travel wallet, £380, Smythson (smythson.com). Heels, £670, Casadei, £670 (casedei.com) Opposite: Lace embroidered dress, £2,495, Matthew Williamson (matthewwilliamson.co.uk). Ring, £107; bracelet, £88; earrings, £126, all Marte Frisnes (martefrisnes.com) 46

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Coat, £3,760; skirt, £390, both Marni, available at Marni, (020 7245 9520). Earrings, £78, Marte Frisnes (martefrisnes.com) Opposite: Dress, £1,595, Dolce & Gabbana (020 7659 9000) Make-up: Victoria Bond using Sisley (victoriabond.co.uk). Hair: Fumi Noyose using Bumble and bumble (fuminoyose.com) Model: Alek at FM London Studio: Location 18 (location18.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

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May

2 2 M ay – 1 6 J u n e

The Cartier Queen’s Cup Historically attended by Her Majesty The Queen on Finals Day, the Cartier Queen’s Cup is one of the top polo events of the season you won’t want to miss. Don your best on-the-field outfit to watch some of the world’s top players and horses at the peak of their performance compete in this 22-goal competition. Her Majesty first presented this prestigious trophy in 1960 and the event remains both elegant and exhilarating to this day. (guardspoloclub.com)

1 7 M ay

This annual match – now in its seventh year – sees some of the greatest polo players take to the Cowdray Park Polo Club for the first international test match of the season. The VIP tent is always full of A-listers, with past spectators including Poppy Delevingne Otis Ferry and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. (stregispolo.com)

17th Image: Dominic James

2 0 – 2 4 M ay

Chelsea Flower Show After celebrating a centenary last year, the Chelsea Flower Show is back and bigger than ever. This year’s highlights include the two memorial gardens, marking the anniversary of WWI and Hooksgreen Herbs’ Peter Rabbit-inspired herb garden. (rhs.org.uk)

Don Giovanni, Glyndebourne Festival 2010 (Photo: Bill Cooper)

1 7 M ay – 2 4 A u g u s t

Glyndebourne Opera Festival This year marks the 80th anniversary of Glyndebourne’s summer season, and the festival is celebrating with three new productions – Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier, Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera, and Verdi’s La Traviata, alongside revivals of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Handel’s Rinaldo. (glyndebourne.com)

22nd

2 2 – 2 5 M ay

Monaco Grand Prix

Best watched from the terrace of the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo, Formula 1’s slowest and most difficult of all circuits in the World Championship is a race not to be missed. (grand-prix-monaco.com) 52

Image: courtesy of rhS Lindley Library

St Regis International Cup

2 8 M ay – 1 5 j u n e 15 May – 13 september

Regents Park Open Air Theatre

Enjoying the theatre in one of London’s finest parks is a simply divine way to spend an evening. This year, the season kicks off with Arthur Miller’s All my Sons which promises to be a powerful performance, but it’s Harper Lee’s classic To Kill A Mockingbird that has critics the most excited. Pack a picnic and some tissues. (openairtheatre.com)

Clarence Darrow

In celebration of his ten years at The Old Vic, Kevin Spacey reprises his role of pioneering 19th-century lawyer Clarence Darrow in this compelling one-man play. Directed by Thea Sharrock, who returns following the success of Cause Célèbre, this is sure to be a sell out. (oldvictheatre.com)

2 2 M ay – 1 j u n e

Hay Festival Of Literature and the Arts With a roll-call of literary greats, including PJ O’Rourke, Julie Burchill, Stephen Fry and Jennifer Saunders – to name but a few – visitors to this year’s Hay Festival will be spoiled for choice. Don’t miss the reading from Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy, or Bear Grylls talking about his adventures in the great outdoors (hayfestival.com)

22nd

1 4 M ay – 3 1 a u g u s t

Time Machines: Daniel Weil and the Art of Design ‘My designs are time machines, in their process of making and expression of the moment,’ says Daniel Weil, whose 30-year-career is being honoured by the Design Museum this month, showcasing everything from his work at the Royal Collage of Art to his pieces for Krug, Swatch and United Airlines. (designmuseum.org)

1 4 – 2 5 M ay

Cannes Film Festival Opening with the world premier of the long-awaited Grace of Monaco film, staring Nicole Kidman, all eyes will once again be on Cannes this May. This year, New Zealand film director Jane Campion has been announced as the head of the jury. (festival-cannes.com)

2 0 – 2 5 M ay

Run to Monaco

image: Marches 2 © FDC / L. Fauquembergue

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20th

Motoring’s most ambitious adventure, this annual event sees 30 of the most accomplished vehicles ever built and stars of Formula 1 on a new itinerary from Kent to the ultra-stylish splendour of St. Jean Cap Ferrat – think motorsport meets the height of luxury. (therunto.com) 53

2 5 j u n e – 2 j u ly

Masterpiece London

Masterpiece is the destination for art and antiques dealers, collectors and buyers alike. It is a glamorous affair, with Scott’s, The Ivy, The Mount Street Deli and Le Caprice setting up shop throughout to replenish your energy. (masterpiecefair.com)

17th 17 – 21 june

Royal Ascot

What could be more quintessentially British than a day at Royal Ascot? Don your finest suit, or ladies, find the perfect headpiece. Even if you don’t place any bets, it is one of the most important social engagements for the year – top hats at the ready. (ascot.co.uk)

June

DON’T MISS! 6 – 8 JUNE

Chesterton Humberts Polo in the Park

17 – 20 june

BNP Paribas Tennis Classic This annual tennis event returns with a stellar line-up, including Andy Murray, who will be warming up for Wimbledon, Pat Cash and Mark Philippoussis. With only 600 seats, the courtside action is intimate and exciting. Plus, as a guest you can expect VIP hospitality from the Hurlingham Club. (bnpparibastennisclassic.com)

6 – 8 june

6th

Chesterton Humberts Polo in the park

Whether you attend Chukka Friday (London’s summer office party), Ladies Day, Finals Day or all three, polo enthusiasts – or ‘professional’ spectators – will not be disappointed with the calibre of the sport on offer. (polointheparklondon.com)

23 june – 6 j u ly

Wimbledon Although this international tennis championship hardly needs an introduction, this year is guaranteed to be particularly interesting, as 2013 Men’s Champion Andy Murray returns to defend his title. If the final is half as exciting as it was last year, we’ll be on the edge of our seats. (wimbledon.com) 54

11 – 25 june

Hampton Court Palace Festival Spend summer nights listening to the legendary tunes of The Beach Boys, Jools Holland and the symphonies of the opera against the backdrop of Hampton Court Palace. You can even arrange to have a picnic as the sun sets, or book your own private gazebo to enjoy the festivities from. (hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

5th

5 j ULY – 1 9 o c t o b e r

2 3 j u ly – 3 a u g u s t

This month marks a momentous occasion in the world of art. The works of John Duncan Fergusson, one of the four artists known as the Scottish Colourists, will be on show at Pallant House Gallery as the first major retrospective of his work in nearly 50 years. The exhibition is a fine example of how modern art was introduced in Britain. (pallant.org.uk)

Athlete or fan, umpire or volunteer; regardless of how you participate, the Commonwealth Games – held just once every four years – is a truly inspirational event. Drawing athletes from 71 countries, across 17 sports, this 11-day competition, hosted by Glasgow, promises to fill the post-oympic gap in our lives and may well provide some new sporting heroes. (thecgf.com)

Pallant House Gallery

July John Duncan Fergusson, Souvenir de Jumieges, 1931, Oil on canvas, The Fergusson Gallery, Perth & Kinross Council; presented by the J. D. Fergusson Art Foundation 1991

Commonwealth Games

1 8 j u ly – 1 3 september image: henley royal regatta

BBC Proms

2 – 6 j ULY

Henley Royal Regatta

2nd

Watching the often intensely close races between rowing crews from around the world is an experience not to be missed, particularly at the Henley Royal Regatta, the most famous event for the sport. The first regatta was held in 1839, and except during the two World Wars, the tradition continues. (hrr.co.uk)

For your classical music event of the season, book your tickets to one of the spectacular symphonic performances at the Royal Albert Hall. This year promises to be beter than ever, and tickets for the 120th Proms go on sale on 17 May. (bbc.co.uk) photo: Marcus Ginns

12th

2 – 3 1 j ULY

1 3 – 2 0 j u ly

The monumental heavy metal sculptures by American artist Beverly Pepper will make their way into Mayfair’s Marlborough Fine Art Gallery. Now 92, she has been creating her truly unique pieces for decades, having been thrown into the spotlight on the international art scene over fifty years ago. (marlboroughfineart.com)

This year’s Open Championship for golf promises to be an exciting tournament at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Watch as a world-class cast compete for this year’s title and one of golf’s most coveted trophies. (theopen.com)

Beverly Pepper at Marlborough Fine Art

The Open Championship

The

Dinner Diaries From hostess books to the perfect seating arrangement, throwing a flawless dinner party is an art. In his new book, Daniel Cappello reveals everything he’s learned

rowing up, my parents’ dinner parties elicited in me feelings of pure elation, even if just at the thought of the leftovers. From my room, I’d monitor the sinuous harmony of conversational chatter, punctuated by the occasional outburst of laughter, which would eventually diminish to ever-fainter decibel levels until the clink of the deadbolt on the front door. But it wasn’t just about the leftovers. The fact of the matter is that I loved – nay, savored – the details of the dinner party. During the days leading up to my parents’

dinner parties I would watch from behind the scenes, keeping an almost journalistic eye on everything as it came into place. The prep for the dining room table usually got underway two days in advance: Dad would call me down after homework and we would insert the extra leaf. Then on went the table pads, and my mother would pick a white damask table cloth, iron it, and begin the tug-of-war that usually ensued with my father at the other end of the table until they found the position from which it draped down at the same length on all sides.

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‘I learned the rules of etiquette from my role models, watching people who were masters of the craft’ My mother would pull out from the diningroom bureau the heavy mahogany box that housed the formal silver. After she’d have gone to bed, I would sometimes sneak back down and double-check that the bottoms of every spoon, knife, and fork were aligned, and that everything was evenly spaced on the table. I learned the rules of etiquette from my role models, watching people who were masters of the craft in my own family. My father’s mother was the one who taught me the trick for remembering where to set the fork, knife, and spoon. “Fork” was a four-lettered word, like “left,” so it went to the left side of the plate; “spoon” and “knife” were each five-lettered words, like “right,” so they fell to the right. In our new social order, the time, energy, effort – and requisite education in etiquette – that go into a dinner party might seem to threaten its very existence. Who, some ask, has the time for dinner parties? A recent article in

The New York Times, “Guess Who Isn’t Coming to Dinner,” had some damning thoughts on the subject. “Increasingly,” it states at one point, “such gatherings seem outmoded, squeezed out by overcrowded schedules, the phony urgency of affinity sites, restaurant cultism, and overall tectonic shifts in how [we] congregate.” The fact remains, however, that there is a fundamentally human, socially binding instinct for the dinner party – which isn’t (and won’t be) going anywhere. In the same Times article, Judith Martin, the etiquette arbiter known as Miss Manners, makes such a point. “The idea of cooking for others,” she states, “is not something that is going to die.” For however restaurant-reservation-prone we’ve become, the home dining table has a special place in our lives. In spite of a diminishing deference to politesse and the rise of e-invitations, the dinner party is not dead. Special-occasion china, handwritten thankyou notes, and carefully executed table arrangements are just some of the delightful 

LEFT: Jacqueline Kennedy, 1954 (Photo: © The Lowenherz Collection of Kennedy Photographs, Friedheim Library and Archives, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Orlando Suero, photographer); ABOVE: IMAGE © JENNY ANTILL

details that continue to make the dinner party such a joy. When entertaining at home was more the norm, a good hostess tended to keep track of such details not just for a future trip down memory lane, but more practically so that she might avoid repeating any of them, lest she appear predictable or monotonous in her style. And so hostess books were born. Today, the hostess book might be a rare thing, yet it continues to persist. Even if not always a beautiful objet in and of itself – like the sumptuous gilded leather diaries printed by Smythson of Bond Street – a hostess book today could take the form of any household notebook used to keep dinner-party notes, like a Moleskine pad, or even a smartphone or tablet containing all the notes and quick snapshots of menus and place cards. From an anthropological view (okay, a voyeuristic one), these books reveal the details we seem drawn to most when looking at the past. We pat ourselves on the back for knowing we’ve served the same desserts that Mrs. Astor – the onetime reigning grande dame of New York Society and haute hostess par excellence – once served at her own dinner parties on Fifth Avenue. They are also the details we continue to care most about today. For any entertainer, there is a true art to the dinner party, from the tone set by the invitations (be they engraved, letter-pressed on thick stock, or designed online at Paperless Post), to the food that is presented (deliberately simple is best, according to modern mavens like Alex Hitz and Louise Grunwald, who agree with Amy Vanderbilt’s 1950s-era testimony that “whether trained servants present platters of peacocks’ tongues or the hostess herself dishes up a good spaghetti dinner is quite immaterial”). J. Rey, author of the 1920 finedining codex How to Dine in Style, The Dinner Party Book £85, Aspinal of London (aspinaloflondon.com)

reminds us of another important element of the “tablescape” (a rather modern term, which of course did not exist at the time of the golden age of fine dining): the place card. “At dinners of etiquette,” Rey observes, “it is customary to place before each cover the name of the guest written on a small card representing either a rose-leaf, a little boat, an oyster-shell, a fish, a vine-leaf, a round of lemon, etc., and these also add greatly to the embellishment of the table.” Place cards, of course, are also a reminder of one of the great thrills of the dinner party – the seating arrangement, or plan de table, as the French call it. The goal is to seat people next to others they’ll enjoy throughout the evening. Often this means seating people together who’ll have something in common, but equally often it means seating people together with little or nothing in common, but who might find unexpected shared tastes, or simply delight in one another’s company. Dinner parties have historically been wonderful scenes for matchmaking; without being too obvious, a good hostess can effortlessly introduce two friends she thinks would hit it off, without necessarily having to make a formal or forced introduction. Though business should never be a motivating factor at strictly social dinners at home, a knowing hostess can wield definitive political power by how and whom she places around her dinner table: Introductions can be made, misunderstandings smoothed over, and alliances forged. The subtle art of diplomacy has quite often been facilitated over the good will of a harmonious dinner party. Where you seat someone can be of significant political consequence as well: Jacqueline Kennedy, after all, is reported to have seated her husband next to any woman he was

Bespoke Dunstone £395, Anya Hindmarch (anyahindmarch.com)

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right: Close-up of a Mexican-themed dinner table set by Patricia Herrera Lansing, Courtesy of Patricia Herrera Lansing; BELOW: IMAGE © BERT MORGAN/getty images

supposedly having an affair with, lest he think she wasn’t fully aware of his habits. In preparing this book, I combed the archives of hostess books past while polling some of the greatest hosts and hostesses of our day in an attempt to offer an array of inspiration. Some are lavish, others are simple; some are traditional, others bring the dinner party into the modern age. With all these suggestions and examples to keep in mind, the point is, as Amy Vanderbilt reminds us, “to entertain and enjoy it.” Dinner Diaries, £30, by Daniel Cappello is out in July. Published by Assouline (Available at Assouline at Claridge’s, 49 Brook Street, W1K, or assouline.com)

below: Montblanc Meisterstück 149 Fountain Pen

The lost art of letter writing

From passionate declarations of love to notes home from the front line, rediscover the beauty and timelessness of the handwritten letter W o r d s : K at e R a c o v o l i s

‘Y

ou’re off, by God!’ wrote Richard Burton in a letter to Elizabeth Taylor in the summer of 1973 after their first divorce. In his declaration of love lost and lessons learned, the letter, peppered with admiration, swooned over the actress, before accepting defeat in a bid to move on. It was romantic and devastating all at once. These digital ages are trying times for the humble letter. We favour convenience over quality, sending emails and controlling our lives from our iPads. And then there is the immense realm of social media, the fast-food of the internet (500 million users telling the world what they had for breakfast that day). But something magical happens when pen is put to paper – what we say suddenly becomes much more real and tangible as we sit down and truly

consider what we’re about to say, authenticated by our own unique handwriting – a window into our own personalities; the treasured ritual of picking up a pen and holding it to a piece of paper and writing, then adding a stamp to the envelope and sending it on its way in a bright red post box. Of course it’s not just pen to paper, rather the act of writing: ‘I use a manual typewriter – and the United States Postal Service – almost every day,’ admitted Tom Hanks in a recent piece in the International New York Times. ‘My snail mail letters and thank-you notes, office memos and to-do lists, and rough drafts of story pages are messy things, but the creating of them satisfies me like few other daily tasks.’ All of that passion, because of his typewriter. ‘Everything you type on a typewriter sounds

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grand, the words forming in mini-shock explosion of shook, shook, shook. A thank-you note resonates with the same heft as a literary masterpiece.’ Hanks is among those who have become a minority who prefer to slow the annals of communication. The relative effort of manual typing adding a gravitas to any piece of writing – no matter how small. ‘The more we communicate in different mediums, the more there is the need to stand out from the crowd,’ says Alex Cain, whose family own the Mount Street Printers in Mayfair. ‘There is a great need for stationery. It is an art form. The physicality of writing and making the effort says a lot about the personality of the person.’ The Cain family have run their printing business on Mount Street for the past 33 years, and with a growing client list including a roll-call of luxury brands, as well as private orders, it is clear that beautiful stationery is here to stay – a canvas for our thoughts. ‘Correspondence cards are very popular, and I think a lot of people like short notes today,’ adds Cain. Amid a constant sea of online noise, little can be more peaceful, yet engaging, as sending or receiving a handwritten note. It has become a special – as opposed to essential – way of communicating, fitting in well with the ever-rising trend for all things nostalgic. Last year, going against the grain of immediate, response-driven correspondence, Montblanc, creators of some of the world’s finest writing instruments, reported a €43 million rise in sales from 2012-2013 (across all collections). ‘Montblanc customers care much about their own character and cultured lifestyle,’ says Christian Rauch, Montblanc’s managing director of writing instruments and leather

goods. ‘They are people who spend their money on a fountain pen and really appreciate the moment when they sit down and express their thoughts on a piece of paper. Nowadays, people appreciate so much more the value of a handwritten note simply because of the huge amount of impersonal messaging they receive. If I receive something 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 want to write and the effect on the reader is totally different from an email.’ Much more than this; letters are the original and often closest sources that speak to the time in which they were created. There is a good reason for why a collection of Lucian Freud’s unpublished letters and drawings fetched £122,500 at auction at Sotheby’s in February – three times its expected value. They shed a previously unseen light on the young artist, and his practices and preoccupations. Some of Mayfair’s institutions play their own role in perpetuating the art of letter writing, aside from the letters that have come through auction houses. The Mount Street Printers have a sprawling workshop underneath their shop front, and another warehouse in Mayfair too. Maggs Bros, the antiquarian book merchants, who deal with antique letters and autographs, has a trove of some of the most important documents that exist today, from Napoleon Bonaparte to Leo Tolstoy and Winston Churchill. ‘The handwriting tells you so much about a person’s personality,’ says Polly Beauwin, who works with these original documents at Maggs Bros. ‘People have become so used to email or text, that handwriting has become a chore. And therefore handwriting is much sloppier or 

‘A world without letters would surely be a world without oxygen’ 61

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

much more laboured.’ She poses an interesting question; if letters reveal so much about a person’s character, will the increasing rarity of written correspondence interfere with this true reflection of ourselves? It only adds more importance to those letters from the past, whether a laid-back letter from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol for a design brief for Rolling Stones album cover, or a letter from Queen Elizabeth II to US President Eisenhower, sharing her recipe for drop scones, as collated in Letters of Note, a tome of letters recording occasions both momentous and trivial, compiled by Shaun Usher. Recently, numerous books have been published on letters: Love Letters of the Great War by Mandy Kirkby includes a collection of pieces written to and from loved ones separated by war, from Winston Churchill to stories from unknown soldiers, while The Letters of Ernest Hemingway has been released in a second volume, revealing his coming-of-age in Paris and gallivanting in Pamplona. The moments in time are irreplaceable snapshots of history. In a love letter to letters, as Simon Garfield puts it in his book, To the Letter: A Journey Through a Vanishing World , ‘Letters have the power to grant us a larger life. They are evidential. They change lives, and they rewire history. The world once used to run upon their transmission – the lubricant of human interaction and the freefall of ideas, the silent conduit of the worthy and the incidental, the time we were coming for dinner, the account of our marvellous day, the weightiest joys and the sorrows of love. It must have seemed impossible that their worth would ever be taken for granted or swept aside. A world without letters would surely be a world without oxygen.’

‘Letters have the power to grant us a larger life. They are evidential. They change lives, and they rewire history’ – Simon Garfield 62

TOP FIVE WRITING ESSENTIALS

#1 Stationery, from a selection, Mount Street Printers (mountstreetprinters.com)

#2 Jack the Ripper paper-knife, £2,500, Theo Fennell (theofennell.com)

#3 Stationery bureau £1,525, Smythson (smythson.com)

#4 Henry E. Steinway limited edition fountain pen, £6,600, Montblanc (montblanc.com)

#5 Mayfair desk accessories, from £195, Linley (davidlinley.com)

Who’s really who From supermodels to aristocracy, if you want to know who’s really who, then you need to have the inside scoop. Rebecca Wallersteiner talks to London’s original social diarist Richard Compton Miller to find out more

all, dashing and debonair, Richard Compton Miller looks around the Art Deco dining-room of the Brasserie Zédel, like a Lord surveying his domain. When I arrive to join him for dinner, he immediately spots me and greets me warmly. ‘Doesn’t this place have a buzz about it,’ he remarks. A big game hunter in the jungle of society, Compton Miller has spent much of his professional life tracking royalty, the super-rich and the merely famous. For years he was ‘William Hickey’ – social diarist of the Daily Express – and he has edited diary columns on London Evening News and Evening Standard. He is also the author of several witty editions of Who’s Really Who – the definitive guide to the 400 most gossiped about people in England. How does he select who to write about? ‘The people who interest me most are the figures pounced on by the paparazzi as they alight from stretch limos at West End film premieres; the Hollywood heart-throb, the thigh-revealing supermodel, the arrogant pop idol and the stroppy DJ,’ he replies. Readers have always been interested in rakish baronets, decadent duchesses, flamboyant playboys, philandering politicians and superchefs plugging their latest TV series. These larger-than-life characters who populate the gossip and society columns provide the spice and fun of life. ‘Without them, our lives would be duller,’ he adds. On the walls surrounding us, mirrors reflect elegant diners, one of whom repeatedly crosses over to hover disconcertingly close to our table. ‘She likes to be written about,’ Compton Miller whispers to me. He doesn’t object when I order the fish soup, although being Pisces he won’t ‘touch fish’, as he one. At six foot three, Compton Miller cuts a striking figure at society events. Keeping up with the fast set during the London Summer season must provide

challenges for even the most seasoned gossip columnist. ‘Diarists need to be extremely observant to pick up scoops. Accuracy is extremely important as people can sue you,’ warns Compton Miller. Having personally covered social events for newspaper diaries, I recall how hard keeping up with the fast set can be. Champagne corks pop liberally and too much high life can take its toll. Now that ‘debs’ are no longer presented at court, the true beginning of the Summer Season is the Chelsea Flower Show (20 – 24 May), closely followed by Trooping the Colour (14 June) celebrating HM The Queen’s birthday. At these events, you are likely to see the cream of society mingling with celebrities, pop stars, politicians and heads of industry who sponsor the Show Gardens. Our horse-loving Queen is likely to be looking forward to the racing at the Epsom Derby (6 – 7 June) and (Royal Ascot (17 – 21 June). Huge stamina is needed to cover this five-day Royal meeting – the most famous in the horse-racing calendar. However, red-blooded diarists are far more likely to be seen training their binoculars on stunning ladies wearing show-stopping hats, than the horses. Ascot is followed by the world-renowned tennis tournament Wimbledon (23 June – 6 July), a key event for diary writers, who will be vigilant for juicy stories involving celebrity tennis stars, like Maria Sharapova, or high-profile fans like London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson and hoping that the sun shines so that they can enjoy a punnet of strawberries and cream. To warm up for Wimbledon tennis, aficionados will enjoy the more exclusive Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club (9 – 15 June). Another sporting event which attracts glamorous young royals, such as Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice is the Henley Royal Regatta (2 – 6 July). With 

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Diarists need to be extremely observant. Accuracy is extremely important as people can sue youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - Richard Compton Miller

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

more than 200 races over five days, this regatta draws handsome Olympic champions. Throughout the season Mayfair hums nightly with summer parties given by private individuals, art galleries, Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Once a deb’s delight, Compton Miller is sought after by society hostesses. Those who, like him, are lucky enough to be invited to these elite gatherings might clink Champagne glasses with art-loving celebrities; David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Charles Saatchi, David Bowie, or Rachel Johnson. You might also spot them at the Champagne Preview of the five day art fair Masterpiece London, (26 June – 2 July) in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea which attracts art glitterati and international collectors. Did any of his friends get upset about being left out of his book? ‘My Who’s Really Who was published in four editions, so I had to drop people from each edition in order to keep it up to date. A famous ageing beauty, who was an actress, was so annoyed with me for dropping her from a new edition that she never spoke to me again.’

A social diarist’s dream: images: from left: jemima knhan (photo: rex); diana rigg (photo: richard young/rex; tamara beckworth and husband giorgio veroni (photo: alan chapman/rex); jemima khan (photo by nils jorgensen/rex); joan collins (photo: richard young/rex); tamara beckworth (photo: featureflash/shutterstock)

Sadly he refused to divulge her name. In his compendiums, he published the birth date of each of his 400 chosen celebrities, a risky strategy in a youth-obsessed industry. Did many of them fib about their age? ‘Some – like actress Joan Collins and Society hostess Anouska Hempel – have, on occasion, sought to detract a few years from their Who’s Who entry. Tamara Beckwith, who uses planes like taxis, knocked off three years from her age when I asked her,’ he admits. Most celebrities cannot hide their age from gossip columnists as it already appears in reference books, public records and on the internet. The late Sam White, doyen of Paris correspondents, wrote that a diarist’s job was to treat the frivolous things of life seriously and the serious things of life frivolously. Despite the controversy stirred, it’s hard to deny that our world would be a less colourful place without gossip columnists who have raised newspaper circulations since the first ‘William Hickey’ in the 1700s. As Oscar Wilde famously quipped, ‘the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.’

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

Interiors news

Celebrate the arrival of sunnier days with fresh interiors – elegant crockery at Thomas Goode and a collaboration between design maestros Fornasetti and Nigel Coates w o r d s : k at e r a c o v o l i s

The great outdoors Just as the sun starts to linger a little longer, thoughts of pool-side afternoons and long summer days begin to come to mind. Capitalising on this is a beautiful new collection of outdoor furniture by Linley in collaboration with Summit, who have produced this classic set in the plantation-grown teak that Summit is known for. Not only does the design look sleek, but the teak will wear beautifully with time. Linley Collection for Summit, from £2,440 (davidlinley.com)

FINISHING TOUCH Gift-givers rejoice, as we have found the perfect present for all manner of occasions. The Cutlery Commission have given knives, forks and spoons a new purpose; to deliver messages of love and laughter. ‘All You Need is Love’ cheese knife, £19.95, The Cutlery Commission (liberty.co.uk)

Better together

Tea for two Whether you collect porcelain or can’t start your day without a cup of tea, Herend, the Hungarian porcelain maker, gives a touch of history to talk about when you partake in this daily ritual with its new collection of cups and saucers. The Paisley Collection features a flower, which was one of the most important ornamental motifs in Mughal Indian art. The Paisley Collection, from £36, Herend at Thomas Goode 19 South Audley Street, W1K (thomasgoode.com)

This is no ordinary sofa. Created by acclaimed British architect and designer Nigel Coates and the ever-quirky Barnaba Fornasetti, the ‘Combacio’ sofa is the latest collaboration between the two visionaries (in 2002, the pair created a collection of clever lamps, vases and tablewear). This piece forms part of a bigger collection, placing the classic Fornasetti ‘Malachite’ design on two irregularly shaped sofas that fit perfectly together. The stone-like print and fluid form will transport you to another, slightly futuristic world. (fornasetti.com; nigelcoates.com)

Wall to wall Spring is traditionally a time for bright colours. However this month, take a more subtle approach to decorating your walls with something that still reflects the freshness of spring, without making the focus of your room the wallpaper. In a minimalist, Swedish-inspired style, Eco’s White Light Collection comes in a range of understated designs, such as this white and grey checked one (right), with soft matte but durable textures. The White Light Collection, ‘Fold’ 1701, £35 per 10-metre roll, Eco Wallpapers (eco.se) 67

Racing’s

finest Royal Ascot has evolved from a one-day race between hunters to an extravagant five-day event that is the highlight horse racing calendar Words: Lee Brooks

very sport has its showpiece. Tennis has Wimbledon, Formula 1 has the Monaco Grand Prix, Golf has the Masters at Augusta. For horse racing, it’s Royal Ascot – five days of pomp, pageantry and world-class racing that attracts the world’s best jockeys and horses and an audience from around the globe. The origins of this celebrated event go back to 1711, when Queen Anne was out on an afternoon

‘The meeting’s origins go back to 1711, when Queen Anne was out on an afternoon ride upon an open heath in Ascot’ ride on land just outside Windsor Castle when she rode upon an open heath in Ascot – known then as East Cote – that she described as ‘ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch’. Later that year in August, the very first race – entitled ‘Her Majesty’s Plate’ – was held. The race bore little resemblance to the modern-day version at Ascot as it was one event, consisting of three separate heats, each four miles long – similar to the length of today’s Grand National. Over the years, the venue was developed into

a proper racecourse and while the precise origins of the Royal meeting are unclear, most believe the first official race was in 1807, when the prestigious Gold Cup was introduced. The meeting, which is held less than an hour’s drive outside of London and this year takes place on 17-21 June, has evolved into a five-day, 30-race extravaganza. However, the royal traditions remain with a daily horse-drawn procession taking the Queen from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse led by the royal carriage. Her Majesty takes a keen interest in racing and normally attends every day. An avid owner and breeder of racehorses, the Queen has also had a great deal of success with her own horses at the meeting, too. Jockeys who ride the Queen’s horses always wear a purple body jacket with gold braid and scarlet sleeves and a black velvet cap with gold fringe – the colours of

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King Edward VII and Prince Regent George IV. In total the Queen has had 22 winners and last year became the first reigning monarch to win Ascot’s centrepiece in the 206-year history of the race as Estimate triumphed in the Gold Cup. In a nod to the Berkshire event’s founder, the Queen Anne Stakes opens the meeting, but the three key dates are considered to be Thursday, known as Ladies Day, which features the meeting’s main race, the Gold Cup; Friday, which features the Coronation Stakes; and the final day that has the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. As well as the honour of winning the Gold Cup or the Jubilee Stakes, the triumphant jockey will also receive his trophy from Her Majesty and gets to keep the prestigious piece of silverware as new accolades are made each year. The meeting is Europe’s best-attended event with over 300,000 people making the annual pilgrimage to the Berkshire track. Considered to be one of the major events on the social calendar, Royal Ascot enforces a strict dress code in the royal enclosure, where men must wear full morning dress including a top hat, and ladies cannot show shoulders and should wear hats. Outside, though, the rules are eased, helping the meeting shed its image that it’s purely for privileged public school graduates. It is instead trying to embrace a greater cross-section of the British public. The rules state that ‘bare chests’ and ‘fancy dress’ are not allowed, although ultimately, the majority of racegoers choose to get into the spirit of the occasion and wear formal dress anyway. And often, press coverage of what attendees are wearing exceeds what actually happens out on track. The Royal Enclosure is the place to be – it has the best facilities on the course and has access to the viewing area by the winning post. Divorcees are no longer banned – they were until 1955 – but entry is restricted to members or a guest who has been nominated by a member who has

attended at least four times. If you’re not lucky enough to know a member, the next best option is Grandstand admission. You’ll have access to the pre-parade ring, where horses are led around by their grooms to keep them warm and focused ahead of the race. It’ll also give you a chance to see the horses before they are saddled and to assess their fitness, which could be crucial if you’re planning on placing a bet. The ticket will also give you access to the Winners Enclosure – where the trophies are handed out. From the Grandstand lawns, you’ll be among the first to see the Queen arrive in her royal procession and have prime viewing of the racing. At the end of each day, attendees are encouraged to get involved with the traditional singing around the Bandstand, glass of Champagne in hand, to toast off the day. If you’re keen on your own bespoke area, it’s possible to upgrade your Grandstand Admission and book high-end gazebos, with wooden chairs and wooden fencing. You’ll fit up to 50 people in there for the cost of about £2,200. Throw in another £200 and you’ll get a private butler service. At the other end of the spectrum you’ll find the Silver Ring, where tickets can cost as little as £17, rising to £75 on Friday. Wherever you’re watching the action from, some things will remain the same. Everyone 

left: Victoria Pendleton (Photo: Henry Harris, © Featureflash)

Feature | The Collection | The mayfair mayfair Magazine Magazine

‘Divorcees are no longer banned from the Royal Enclosure – they were until 1955 – but entry is restricted to members’  can have a bet, with an estimated £90m wagered at Royal Ascot on everything from the winners of each race to the colour of the Queen’s hat. And there are bars aplenty, with around 50,000 bottles of Champagne and 170,000 pints of beer consumed across the five-day meeting. Royal Ascot has morphed itself from a single race featuring English hunters to a carnival of colour, meeting of the world’s best horses and a mix of everyday punters and top-hatted gents. Queen Anne, who roamed the open heath of Ascot more than 300 years ago, would surely have given it her royal seal of approval.

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The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

made in E

britain

very Aston Martin enthusiast, collector or admirer will know about The Bonhams Aston Martin Works Sale. Now in its 15th year, the annual auction is held at the Aston Martin Works Service factory in Newport Pagnell. Not only can you expect to see 100 lots, but you will also see some exceptional motorcars and related automobilia, including this 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Volante (pictured), which is expected to sell for around £450,000£550,000. There will also be one famous yellow model, as featured in The Persuaders – the car driven by Roger Moore’s character Lord Brett Sinclair in the classic television series. It is the perfect opportunity to see the factory first-hand, and indulge in the illustrious history of the brand. The Aston Martin Works Sale, 17 May (bonhams.com)

Image courtesy of Bonhams

The

march of

time

Meet Lord March, the man who has taken Goodwood from country estate to the setting for many a modern adventure W o r d s : A ma n d a S t r e t t o n

hink of a Duke with a huge, beautiful country estate, and many of us will revert to our image of Downton Abbey. A chocolate box of fictional tranquillity that has roots so firmly tied in tradition, it’s hard to conceive that anything might ever change. Indeed, walking around the estate at Goodwood, it is easy to feel as though you have stepped 150 years back in time.

‘It is a lifestyle; it is a community, it is what everyone here feels is important’ – Lord March Likewise, we are all too familiar with the sorry tales of dashing heirs to vast estates who simply can’t cope with the burden of taking on the mantle of responsibility and title, and blow it all – quite literally. So, it’s a remarkable thing to meet one who has successfully taken on the responsibility of

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managing approximately 11,500 acres of organic farmland in rural West Sussex – also home to a world-famous horseracing track, a luxury hotel, award-winning golf course, farm shop, a magnificent house, spectacular art collection, historic airfield and flying school, and above all infamous motor racing circuit (all of which is managed ‘in house’) – while bringing the whole lot seamlessly up to date for a modern audience to enjoy. Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara – the heir apparent of the 10th Duke of Richmond, 10th Duke of Lennox and 5th Duke of Gordon – and a direct descendent of King Charles II has done just that. In the Goodwood Estate, he has created a brand that any modern hotel and lifestyle corporation would be pea green with envy over. ‘I was 40 when I took it over. It was always decided that this would be when I became more deeply involved. It was always very clear and that’s a good route to take really, because succession needs to be very clean and clear.’ 

 But before taking the helm of the family seat, Charles Settrington, as he was known, worked as a photographer. ‘Back then, I worked with a lot of people who were very, very good,’ he says. ‘I worked on a lot of big advertising campaigns, and on various projects around the world and met some really great creative talents and art directors, which was a big help to me. For example, I worked with Stanley Kubrick when I was young and that was very interesting; because working with someone like that, where there was just no compromise and the philosophy was that it has to be perfect or it’s just not going to be done, and is not worth doing, I think is all very helpful.’ But taking on over 300 years of history is a huge responsibility. ‘This is a big business and it has to work financially, and the sustainability of the estate relies on the business that it generates. There is no money coming in from anywhere else, and we are absolutely focused on keeping it going. It is a lifestyle; it is a community, it is what everyone here feels is important. We are very keen that the family remains living in the house and in order to achieve that we have to be able to reinvest, and that’s what we do. Hopefully we can make enough to make that investment work.’ ‘There are some areas of the business that are progressing, and some that are not. I need to take on all the things that are authentic to Goodwood, whether it’s the farm which has been here since the beginning of the estate, whether it’s the horse racing, motor racing, golf, flying, shooting, cricket – all those things are bizarrely connected to the estate. For example, we have the earliest written rules of cricket in our archive. These things are all very real to the place, and all started by members of the family who were either keen amateurs or sportsmen. They then grew into bigger things. So, in my time, I’ve just really tried to put all those things together and make them relevant to a modern audience and hopefully make them contemporary, and also use the authenticity of this place to help develop

each of those parts of the business.’ And when you look at the example of the rebuilding of the motor circuit, and creation of the world famous Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival – which are now two huge events on both the social and motoring calendars, an undertaking that he personally took on – there is little doubt that the business has been a success. The motor racing circuit was originally built along the lines of the perimeter road of the wartime airfield, RAF Westhampnett in 1948 by

‘We have the earliest written rules of cricket in our archive’ – Lord March his grandfather, and had served as a base for the Battle of Britain and was the station from which the legendry pilot Sir Douglas Bader flew his last sortie. The 9th Duke, a keen racer himself, used it to host Britain’s first post-war motor race at a new and permanent venue. However, after 18 years of activity, the circuit closed in 1966. But on 18 September 1998, exactly 50 years to the day since the Goodwood circuit first opened, the present Earl of March re-enacted the opening of the track at the very first Goodwood Revival meeting in the same car his grandfather had used half a century earlier. Over the restoration process he had ensured the circuit was painstakingly restored to look exactly as it did in its heyday, down to the very last detail. Now, there is no doubt that part of the success of these events has been down to the boom of the classic car industry over the past 20 years. Despite the gloomy economy, record prices are being achieved for cars that put Monet in the shade. In 2014, a staggering £19.6m, the highest auction price ever for a car, was achieved in a Bonhams sale that saw total sale proceeds of £36m (at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

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auction, no less). But even more is down to his eye for detail and his very hands on, meticulous planning. This popularity with both British and international audiences has not gone unnoticed among luxury lifestyle brands either, who are all keen to be associated with ‘Brand Goodwood’. In 2003, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars opened their new headquarters and plant on the site, and British fashion house Belstaff has an entire range carrying the Goodwood name. Alongside this add names like TAG, Rolex and Cartier, and you start to get the picture of what is going on here. The success of the events hosted at Goodwood have resulted in two leading car magazines naming him as one of the most influential figures of the classic car scene. ‘Whatever it is we just try to get on with what we are doing here and we obviously want our events, whether it’s horse racing, motor racing or golf, to be among the best in the world, and we are always just trying to do things really well. And that is one of the fundamental remits of everyone who works here; to do things the best we possibly can, to the highest possible standard and to deliver it with a bit of a twist, or an edge if it is possible. We are very lucky to be in a position to do that – we don’t have to tow the line.’ But getting down to the detail is what still runs through his veins. Despite running the family firm, he still enjoys his work as a photographer. ‘I’ve had a few shows recently. I was asked by the Russian Museum to do one in St Petersburg, which was a great honour. We are also going to do another one in Moscow very shortly.’ Is it a way to escape the stress of all this, I ask, referring to the most recent, and hugely successful car event, the reinvented Members’ Meeting? ‘No, it is even more stressful than all of this,’ he says with a laugh. ‘It is just about going on until you get things right. It requires everyone else who works here to have that same desire to get things right and we have a great team here. Their whole drive is to get things right and be as good as they can possibly be.’

The Themayfair mayfairMagazine Magazine||Motoring Regulars

Breaking the Can independent newcomer David Brown Automotive’s Speedback really take on the big boys? Richard Yarrow finds out

mould T

he launch of a new British luxury performance car brand is a rare treat. It usually means a trip to a glamorous central London venue, a beautiful, shiny new model with a powerful engine, talk of desirability, and how this is a well-funded project with wallet-waving customers queuing round the block. Headlines are written, motoring journalists get excited and everyone waits with baited breath. There are successes, but what often happens is some or all of the following – a handful of customer cars, rumours of production delays, a period of re-evaluation, old friends falling out, bitter court cases, a change of company name, new investors, new car looking very similar to the original one. Just in the last decade Invicta, Paradine, Farboud, Marcos and various others have come, gone or been reborn. The latest to put its head above the parapet is David Brown Automotive, a ‘50 cars over the next two years’ project which will invite owners to part with a significant three-figure sum of money. The vehicle is called the Speedback, a hand-crafted V8-powered GT that’s been designed and developed in Britain over the last 14 months. It will also be built here, in the automotive heartland of Coventry. What might help it survive where others have failed is what’s under the elegant lines. Far from developing its own mechanicals, 

the David Brown Automotive team takes a brand new Jaguar XK off the production line and uses its proven engine and suspension as a platform on which to build. All the unwanted bits are removed and sold, and over a 15-week period an all-new retro-style sports coupé materialises thanks to the six-strong workforce. Company founder and CEO David Brown has a long-standing background in engineering, vehicle manufacturing and an equally strong enthusiasm for both classic and contemporary cars. He has a famous motoring name too, sharing it with the founder of Aston Martin, but there’s no connection. ‘I was on a classic car rally a number of years ago and these multi-million pound vehicles were breaking down,’ said Brown. ‘In my mind I was thinking “wouldn’t it be nice to build a car with the style of the Sixties, but with contemporary powertrain and facilities” so that’s what we’ve done.’ Funding has come from Brown and his business partner Philip Noble. The project has taken less than two years to move from the drawing board to the workshop with a wellrespected car designer at the helm. Alan Mobberley spent 19 years up to 2005 as a senior designer at Land Rover, and worked extensively on the current Discovery. The Speedback name has been chosen to reflect Britain’s classic sports car tradition, while also doing justice to the striking silhouette. Brown explained: ‘It will appeal to anybody who desires a truly individual sports car, which can boast a fine British pedigree and which will only be produced in limited numbers. That will ensure the kind of exclusivity associated with Britain’s once proud heritage of traditional, high-quality, automotive

coach-building,’ says Brown. Performance figures aren’t available and no motoring magazine has yet driven the car to offer an opinion, but with Jaguar’s mighty 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine under the bonnet it will be no slouch. Customers will be able to request any level of tuning or engine enhancements they desire. So why is Brown launching the car now? ‘I’ve always been involved in making things and I’ve always wanted to build a car,’ he explained. ‘Also, there’s been a great deal of movement in low-volume manufacturing that’s made it more practical to do things which are “totally engineered” rather than hand-built. It’s the improvements in technique which have determined we do this now.’ He also believes the company will stay the course, and already has plans for further cars in a similar vein. ‘This is a well-funded project, but that’s almost the easy bit. The whole concept has been carefully thought out, the design has international appeal and will find customers. We have engineered the car properly and I think that will make a big difference. When you clunk our doors shut, they clunk. There’s no sign of any rattles to make you think it’s a poorly done job. This has been built to any major manufacturer’s production standards.’ The question of whether there is demand for a such a product is moot. Clearly there are 50 people on the planet who can afford the car and might want it, but Brown said customer research was difficult because the Speedback is a luxury object for the person who will have a number of cars already. ‘You can sit outside Harrods and see cars capable of 220mph reaching about 5mph, and

The Themayfair mayfairMagazine Magazine||Motoring Regulars

‘It’s something you’ll want to drive to the South of France in’ – David Brown debate if that’s a practical thing to own. We haven’t gone for absolute performance, we’ve gone for usability and practicality but, above all, desire. It’s something you’ll want to drive to the South of France in.’ One potential fly in the ointment is the end of XK production, which Jaguar has announced will take place later this year. No donor car could be a problem for Brown, but he said he would buy enough vehicles to finish Speedback production and put them in storage if required.

Order books for the car aren’t yet open, but will be once the exact price is announced in the coming weeks. All Brown will say is that it will be ‘a significant three-figure sum of money’. However, he revealed there had been ‘countless expressions of interest’ and the company’s website had crashed immediately after the London media launch, with 10,000 hits in two hours. As with so many small British independent sports car makers before him, the early signs of success look promising. Time will tell.

The fast lane Formula 1 is expanding its footprint across the world but when it comes to the sport’s most high profile and glamorous event, nothing can top the Monaco Grand Prix W o rds : L e e B r o o k s

or 51 weeks of the year, the world’s second smallest country is a quiet hideaway where the wealthy can relax on their balconies in the midday sun gazing across the harbour and the Mediterranean beyond, with a glass of Champagne in hand. But come one weekend in May, that silence is broken by the roar of 22 high-octane Formula 1 racing cars which will send shivers down the residents’ spines as they carve their way around a tight and twisty road course that puts the drivers’ skills to the ultimate test. Welcome to Monaco, home of the Monaco Grand Prix. The 2014 calendar features 19 races, with multi-million pound purpose-built super venues in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain jostling with old school race tracks such as Britain’s Silverstone and Spa Francorchamps in Belgium which are a little rougher round the edges, but not one comes close to Monaco’s street race in Monte Carlo.

‘They carve their way around a tight and twisty road course that puts the drivers’ skills to the ultimate test’

‘It’s madness driving around there,’ says Britain’s Jenson Button (the 2009 world champion who currently drives for McLaren), ‘but in a good way.’ To watch a driver wrestle his car through corners lined with barriers, with no concrete run-off areas to forgive mistakes, is a spectacle like no other. A spectator doesn’t so 

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

from left: Monaco race action (image © 2014 MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS); Mark Webber of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing (Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images); Mark Webber of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing (Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

much watch a Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull fly round the track, for 78 laps, as much as feel the vibration with their whole body as drivers get on the throttle and flick through the gears. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, who triumphed on the principality’s streets last year, says ‘Monaco is the highlight of the F1 season. It’s spectacular.’ It’s not surprising, then, that tickets and hospitality are high in demand. Almost overnight, the harbour, which straddles the track, is transformed in the days leading up to the race. ‘You can see the big boats arriving and the small fishing boats getting moved out of the way,’ says former McLaren driver David Coulthard, a resident of Monaco who can count Rosberg and Jenson Button as his neighbours. ‘It’s the race track that the CEOs want to be at and where all the big parties are held.’ Unsurprisingly, you need to get in early if you want to get your boat in the harbour for the race. Applications need to be in by March with berths costing up to £86,500. If a seat in one of the grandstands would suffice, the prices vary from £30 to £1,400, while a room with a balcony view of the famous hairpin from the Fairmont hotel will set you back £24,000 for four nights – the minimum number of nights you can book on race weekend. Once in position, you can enjoy the best grand prix on the calendar, along with the likes of Will Smith, Cameron Diaz or Leonardo di Caprio, just a few of the celebrities who flock to Monte Carlo for the race.

The first Formula 1 race took place in 1950 and, after a four-year gap, the race returned to the calendar in 1955 and has been ever-present since. The transformation from public roads to race track requires a staggering 33km of safety rails, 20,000sqm of wire catch fencing, 3,600 tyres for tyre barriers and 1,100 tonnes of grandstand seating to house the fans. The late great Ayrton Senna was a Monaco specialist and holds the record for the most victories with six, including a run of five straight triumphs between 1989 and 1993. Graham Hill,

‘Part of the winner’s prize is to join the royal family for dinner later that night’ father of Damon, was pretty good around Monte Carlo, too, earning his nickname ‘Mr Monaco’ after taking five victories. That total was matched by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, having spent a record 435 laps at the head of the field. With a lack of overtaking, you would assume that pole position is key to success, but the race has only been won by the pole-sitter 27 times in 60 races. Rather impressively, Olivier Panis managed to take victory for Ligier from 14th on the grid in 1996. And with Formula 1 embarking on a new era with its biggest regulation change in a generation, with new car designs, new 1.6-litre V6 engines, and new rules with regards to fuel consumption, a similar

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

shock result in this year’s edition is definitely on the cards. Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull team have dominated the drivers’ and constructors’ championships for the last four years, but they’re on the back-foot in 2014 as they struggled to get to grips with the new rules early in the season. The Mercedes team of Britain’s Lewis Hamilton and Rosberg, who have both won in Monaco, are the new frontrunners, while anyone with a Mercedes engine in the back of the car – McLaren, Force India and Williams – is likely to be fighting at the front end of the field. With danger at every corner, there have been a number of big accidents in Monaco, but only one fatal: Lorenzo Bandini died from the burns sustained in a crash in the 1967 race. Alberto Ascari had a huge accident in 1955, when he became one of only two people – the other was Paul Hawkins – to crash through the barriers and end up in the harbour. Today, the track is much safer, but it remains a huge challenge. For example, it is the only track to feature a long tunnel, which challenges the drivers’ eyesight as it changes from sun to shade on every lap. That’s not its only unique feature. Practice sessions take place on a Thursday, rather than Friday. It used to be linked to Ascension Day, but when

that altered a few years ago, the organisers kept the same schedule as it had the added benefit of alleviating traffic issues on a Friday for residents wanting to leave the principality after the working week for the weekend. And there is, of course, the unique podium – the red-carpeted stairs which lead up to the royal box. It is there that the top three drivers receive their trophies from Prince Albert II of Monaco. Part of the winner’s prize is to join the royal family for dinner later that night in the palace that sits on the rock overlooking the principality. It’s all rather grand, but in Monaco, you wouldn’t expect anything less.

below: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing (Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

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

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Travel news One&Only Resorts reveals its first Australian destination and Andy Murray’s historic hotel in Scotland opens its doors W or d s : K a t e R a c o v o l i s

TRAVEL TIPS Don’t leave home without This clutch bag may be small, but your outfit will be the envy of all if you add a piece from Olympia Le-Tan’s nautical-inspired collection to your wardrobe. Multi Cotton Bouee Clutch, £1,045, Olympia Le-Tan (avenue32.com) There’s an app for that You don’t need to be online to know where on earth you are in that city you are standing (or where you are going) thanks to Off Map+ – an app that allows you to pinpoint your location while offline. £1.49 from the iTunes App Store

Short haul

The Cromlix, Perthshire

Are you a fan of Andy Murray? Or the Scottish countryside? Either way, or if you share an affinity for both, we think that Cromlix in Perthshire, which is owned by the tennis superstar, champions an era from centuries past, from the little private chapel and lock to the blend of Scottish antique furniture. There’s a huge range of facilities too, including (of course) a tennis court. With just 15 rooms, staying at the castle-like hotel is a private experience. You will also find a Chez Roux restaurant which is overseen by Albert Roux and run by award-winning executive head chef Darin Campbell, plus a dedicated whiskey room – the perfect excuse to take that long weekend. (cromlix.com)

Long haul

One&Only, Hayman Island Of all the sunny spots in Australia (of which there are many), Hayman Island has long been at the top of vacationers’ lists for its clear blue water, white sandy beaches and total seclusion. In July, the private island reopens as a One&Only resort, which after a multi-million dollar refurbishment, will also house one of the hotel group’s renowned spas among the contemporary rooms as its first Australian hotel. As the most northerly island of the Whitsundays, you will be at the heart of one of the country’s most spectacular natural sights; the Great Barrier Reef. Typically Australian – but not as you know it. (hayman.com.au)

‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes’ – Marcel Proust 89

The Grand Place with the Statue of Brabo (image © villorejo)

ashion, food, architecture and museums Where to stay – Antwerp has them all. Belgium’s second Located on of the most largest city, Antwerp is home to Europe’s beautifully proportioned second biggest port and thanks to the streets in Antwerp, the Eurostar is easily accessible for Londoners. It was 11-roomed De Witte Lelie one of the most important cities in the mid-16th is one of the best places to century, and despite the many changes over the stay in the city. Just a years, it retains many an exciting draw card. stone’s throw away from Antwerp is best explored on foot and the ideal the famed Rockox House place to get acquainted is the old city centre. Museum, this surprisingly The area overflows with intriguing cobbled spacious hotel shows off lanes, beautiful centuries-old frontages and some of the best of local the impressive Grote Markt (main square). design, from the central Ever present is the wondrous combination spiral staircase to the of a picturesque old city that bursts with strikingly contemporary youthful energy. furniture. (dewittelelie.be) In the centre of Grote Markt you will be able to see Brabo – the statue that reveals how the Eating & drinking city got its name. The legend goes that there If you like mussels, then was a giant demanding a toll to cross the bridge Maritime is the restaurant and was killed by Brabo who cut off his hand for you. It doesn’t look much and threw it into the river. The story lives on in from the outside, but once the sense that you will see many hand-shaped inside crisp white table chocolates, biscuits and other paraphernalia clothes and excellent service all over the city. While in this area be sure to in this family-run restaurant stop off at Queen of Waffles for a true Belgian greet you (maritime.be). Later, treat. If you’re not sweet-tooth-inclined then stop by the Hilton hotel head into any of the so-called ‘brown-cafes’ where you can enjoy a cocktail for a ‘bolleke’ of De Koninck – the local beer. on the terrace overlooking Or, for a pick-me-up, make for Daily Roast to the historic Groenplaats enjoy a cup of their freshly ground and Square. (hilton.com) roasted coffee in their trendy vaulted cellar. Then, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady – the Mayfair recommends city’s most celebrated landmark. Its Gothic A trip to Antwerp would not architecture is stunning and the artwork be complete without visiting inside includes works by 17th-century Dutch Dries Van Noten’s flagship master, Peter Paul Rubens. store to pick up a unique piece Antwerp is also home to many famous to show off all summer. One of fashion houses. The MoMu is a must and the Anterwerp Six – a group of The Royal Academy of Fine Arts also has an avant-garde fashion designers impressive fashion section. For shopping, – his often heavily-embellished Meir Street is a good place to start. And, and printed collections are of course, you can’t visit Antwerp without housed in the stunning 19thadmiring its diamonds. With its 1,500 century, Belle Époque style diamond businesses and four exchanges, building named Het Modepaleis. it would be hard to miss. (driesvannoten.be)

image © m r

Cathedral of Our Lady image © Renata Sedmakova

image © villorejo

image © Rob van Esch

Bourla Theatre (image © m r)

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

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antwerp

SUITCASE E S S E N T I A L S

#1 Necklace, £470 Marni (marni.com)

#2 Dress, £109 Les 100 Ciels, (le100c.com)

The capital of diamonds, Antwerp, is the Belgian city that shines most brightly

#3 Coat, £1,315 Dries Van Noten (brownsfashion.com)

W O R D S : K at e V a n d y

Antwerp Central clock

#4 Bag, from a selection Moynat, (moynat.com)

#5 Heels, £365, Joseph (joseph-fashion.com) image © Pius Lee

Deposition of the cross scene by Paul Ruben (image © Renata Sedmakova)

Steen castle

Suite

dreams … at Cliveden, Taplow Words: elle blakeman

ike dancing till dawn, meeting royalty and Annabel’s chocolate cake, pulling up the long, gravel drive of Cliveden House is simply something that everyone must experience at least once. Impossibly grand, the Grade I listed stately home sits centre stage among the stunning National Trust grounds, all rolling woodlands and landscaped classicism gardens. Cliveden is a place full of English charm, history and scandal. The house dates back to 1666 when it was built for the 2nd Duke of Buckingham; however this was destroyed by fire, as was its replacement. The current Italianate mansion is positively new by comparison, having been built in 1851, this time for the 2nd Duke of Sutherland. It was then sold to the Astor family in 1893, in a move that left Queen Victoria famously ‘not amused.’ How fabulous. Today, the estate is less focused on battling with royals, and enjoys its status as an elegant retreat. Nevertheless, Cliveden still very much enjoys its

origins. All of the suites are named after key figures in the estate’s history – The Lady Astor Suite, The Churchill Room, The Kipling Suite. We are in The Shrewsbury Suite, excitingly named after the mistress of the first owner of Cliveden who reportedly eloped with the 2nd Duke of Buckingham. The Duke was later challenged to a death duel by her husband (the husband lost). How’s that for ‘conscious uncoupling’. The room itself leaves nothing to suspect the salacious origins of its former resident – a gracious red-wallpapered living room, a plump sofa, elegant writing table and stunning views over the formal gardens, leads into a beautiful cream bedroom, finished with an old-fashioned dressing table and wardrobe. The marble bathroom is huge, filled with Asprey products, and, despite Cliveden’s disastrous history with fires, we also, we also have a stunning marble fireplace in our drawing room (a gas one, but I remain concerned). We take a stroll around the gardens, which, at

‘The entrance is straight out of The Secret Garden – huge brick walls prev 92

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

346-acres, is far from the genteel pursuit it sounds. Looking out onto the perfectly manicured, symmetrical gardens before you, it’s hard not to feel like the head of an empire. Children roll down the small hills with glee and I’m almost irresistibly tempted to do the same. In summer, there will be many National Trust visitors, so it’s nice to know that you can escape the crowd with a visit to The Pavilion Spa. The entrance is straight out of The Secret Garden – huge brick walls prevent any prying whatsoever until you open the door (via a swipe card rather than a rusty key, but we must adapt to the times). Again Cliveden’s penchant for making an impact comes into play and you enter with everything laid out before you in perfect symmetry – the pool, flanked by two bucket-style hot-tubs and carefully placed loungers, and old stone gazebo focusing your attention at the head of the garden. A sanctuary from the world, I only go inside when the cold gets to me, silently vowing to return in summer. However, the inside spa is a thing of beauty – huge sea-green pool, stone columns among the soft day beds – and with a side-room serving all the tea an Englishman could want. Before we know it, it’s time to dress for dinner. The Astors were famous for their hospitality and new chef André Garrett is keen to live up to their example. Fresh from a Michelin-star winning stint at Galvin at Windows, he is now spearheading the main restaurant, focusing on putting Cliveden firmly on the gastronomic map with reinvented classics, governed by the English seasons and sensational produce. We enjoyed game consommé with Jerusalem artichokes, deliciously light lobster with a thermidor glaze and venison with chocolate-infused sauce. The regal setting – duckegg blue silk-lined walls, huge framed portraits and an unashamedly imposing chandelier suits the food perfectly – classic, rich and elegant. Afterwards we lounge by the huge open fire in the drawing room – again in defiance of the past – and survey the room, Cognac in hand. Sod meeting royalty, I’ll settle for Cliveden any day. (clivedenhouse.co.uk)

s prevent any prying whatsoever’ 93

Escape to the

country

Bovey Castle, Devon If countryside living evokes aspirations of wafting around as if you were on the set of Downton Abbey, then you’ll undoubtedly fall under the spell of Bovey Castle. A former stately home in the scenic Dartmoor National Park, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything grander. Thankfully this doesn’t mean that it’s a hotel hideously out of date – far from it. It has married the best of its past with all the little luxuries you’d expect to find in a 21st century five-star hotel. While many of its splendid original features remain, including the oak-panelled Cathedral Room, you’ll also find, for instance, a modern, flagship Sundari spa. The Art Deco dining room, with walls covered in hand-painted Chinoiserie wallpaper, serves contemporary British classics, and the rambling grounds give way to a pristine, 18-hole championship golf course. Afternoon tea is offered in genteel surroundings (and is a must) but so is a huge choice of outdoor pursuits – from crolf (a combination of croquet and golf) to rock climbing. With its high ornate ceilings, vast fireplaces and lush carpets, Bovey Castle is an opulent, cocooning kind of place – perfect now as it was when it was built at the turn of the century. (0844 474 0077; boveycastle.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

There’s something intrinsically British about taking a sojourn in the countryside. The perfect country retreat for the modern-day traveller strikes just the right balance between opulence and cosiness with a nod towards urbane hipness. Here’s our top ten Words: Angelina Villa-Clarke

Gleneagles, Perthshire When Gleneagles first opened its doors in 1924, it described itself as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. These days any hotel would be hard-pressed to live up to such a marketing claim, but as it prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary this year, Gleneagles can be sure that it has remained steadfastly loyal to its luxury ethos. Home to three championship golf courses (it will also host the 40th Ryder Cup in September), Gleneagles is just as well-known for its beautiful Perthshire setting as it is for the many attractions it has that keep the guests, including many of the world’s presidents, A-listers and royals, coming back. Its Andrew Fairlie restaurant is Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant, for instance, while the destination Gleneagles Spa by ESPA has a jaw-dropping 20 treatment rooms, a 20-metre swimming pool and a treatment menu big enough to calm even the most stressed-out executive. At 232 bedrooms, Gleneagles is also vast. It even has its own shopping arcade and extensive grounds offering all manner of outdoor pursuits (from off-road driving, falconry and tennis). While this is as swanky as it gets, the rooms are refreshingly understated with a nod to its Art Deco past and service is friendly rather than formal. For the true Gleneagles experience, check in and check out the new ‘Perfect Pour’ whisky package in which you can create your own blend of whisky. Heady stuff. (0800 389 3737; gleneagles.com)

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Coworth Park, Ascot

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Offering a ramped-up version of rural living, the Dorchester’s country outpost, Coworth Park, is the perfect spot for urbanites not wanting to stray too far from city life. Just 45 minutes outside of London, the utterly glamourous hotel, carved from a 17th century mansion, is set in a 240-acre estate on the edge of Windsor Great Park. From the outside, wildflower meadows and manicured croquet lawns co-exist to set the quintessential English scene. Meanwhile, inside, the design by Martin Hulbert gives a distinctly knowing nod towards the sophisticated crowd that decamp here: there are quirky photographs by Julian Wolkenstein in the bar, an oversized bronze chandelier by Dernier & Hamlyn in the lobby and Mitchell and Peach products next to free-standing copper tubs in the bathrooms. For a true taste of Georgian living with all the 21st century updates you’d require then check into one of the 70 rooms (rooms may have four-poster beds but there’s also WiFi, Bang & Olufsen TVs and underfloor heating). There are also converted stables and cottages in the grounds, perfect for horsey types pulled here by the equestrian centre and on-site polo fields. The real draw at Coworth Park though is the stand-alone eco-luxury spa. Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool with its underwater music. Wonderfully refreshing. (01344 876600; coworthpark.com)

Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire Step into the lavish hotel that is Luton Hoo, the ultimate country pile just an hour’s drive from London, and it may all feel oddly familiar. Don’t be surprised. Historic eyecandy for many a blockbuster movie, you may well have seen the sweeping marble staircase and grounds designed by Capability Brown before, as Luton Hoo has been the backdrop to films such as Eyes Wide Shut, Enigma, Quills and Four Weddings and a Funeral. In fact, there’s a whole book in the hotel’s grand reception detailing the many films shot here over the years. As well as its celluloid fame, Luton Hoo is also steeped in history. Originally built in 1760 and modelled in part on The Ritz, this is where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh honeymooned and where Edward VIII proposed to Wallis Simpson. From the hotel’s spectacular dining room, and exquisite food, to the formal gardens that transport you back to a bygone era, Luton Hoo oozes a timelessness style, which has an eternal appeal to the modern-day guest. (01582 734437; lutonhoo.co.uk)

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Babington House, Somerset Regarded as the UK’s first truly hip country house hotel, Babington House was opened by Nick Jones, of Soho House fame, in 1998 and is credited for converting countryside chintz into countryside cool. Its picturesque setting is appealing, but at Babington House it’s the interiors of this Georgian mansion and its accompanying suaveness that hold your attraction. Whether you stay in the Main House, the Stable Block or The Lodge, designer Susie Atkinson has given bedrooms a unique stamp with her eclectic eye. Each room boasts its own USP – from a tub on a private terrace to an oversized bed. Local craftsmanship is showcased wherever possible and mixed in with vintage lamps and vases, and classics such as Roberts radios. Meanwhile, art works by Tracey Emin and David Salle hang in the turquoise and pink bar, and fulfilling Jones’

‘whatever you want, whenever you want it’ ethos is an open-all-hours Deli Bar, a straight-out-of Miami infinity pool, library and cinema. The Cowshed Spa has become a destination in itself, spawning its own range of beauty goodies and glorious after a day roaming about in your Hunters. But it’s the bar that sets the scene. Excellent cocktails, flattering mirrors and an alluring crowd gives the feeling that you could be in the middle of Soho, until you glance out over the Victorian walled garden, that is. And that is the secret to the most fabulous countryside retreat. (01373 812266; babingtonhouse.co.uk)

Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Oxford There’s no better time than now to be checking into Raymond Blanc’s stellar 15th century manor house. Celebrating its 30th anniversary the hotel has planned a non-stop roster of culinary events, from wild mushroom hunts to themed tasting dinners, until the end of the year. The ultimate foodie retreat, Le Manoir is renowned for its Menu Découverte, an exceptional nine-course tasting menu, and is one of the few restaurants in the world that has retained two Michelin stars for 29 years. Much of the produce here is sourced from the two-acre kitchen garden with Raymond Blanc long being a champion of the organic movement. While you’ll undoubtedly be wowed by the food on offer, you’ll also be just as seduced by your surroundings. The extensive grounds include a Japanese tea garden, a wild flower meadow and an apple orchard. Inside, the 32 rooms and suites have been individually designed to offer a choice of characterful space to rest your head. Our favourite is the Blanc de Blanc superior suite – a cavernous all-white space with hand-carved furniture, crystal chandeliers and the finest white linens. (01844 278881; manoir.com)

Lucknam Park, Wiltshire

Lime Wood, New Forest

Set in a breathtakingly pretty 500-acre estate, Lucknam Park near Bath will have you sold before you even set foot through its Palladian entrance. The grounds offer a sensory overload with garden upon garden to be explored, exquisite archways to peak through to yet another lavender-filled idyll, ponds, lakes and scented corners to stumble across. The on-site equestrian centre offers horseback tours, although just ambling around is the best way to discover the charm of the place. Enter the house, and the serenity continues. The original 17th century mansion has been updated without compromising the period feel and features. Rooms are huge with slick, contemporary bathrooms and a classic yet chic design scheme. Surprisingly perhaps, Lucknam Park’s jewel in the crown is its state-of the art spa, located in the stable block. Highlights include the 20-metre indoor pool, the Japanese salt steam room and the new Well-Being House, which offers targeted solutions to modern-day problems through its sunlight therapy, sleep clinic and healthy nutrition workshops. (01225 742777; lucknampark.co.uk)

When Lime Wood opened in 2009, travel insiders went into a frenzy singing the praises of its David Collins’ designed interiors, its locally-sourced and foraged food and its cool approach to hospitality. Five years on and Lime Wood’s star is still shining brightly. This is one of the UK’s best examples of a modern country house hotel. From the lushest organic beauty brands to the most switched-on chefs, Lime Wood’s knack is to pull together the most relevant British names on the hotel scene, thus creating a true ‘of the moment’ buzz. The Main House offers sleek and sumptuous rooms with flashes of bold colour, provocative artwork and youthful design touches. There’s the newly revamped Hartnett, Holder & Co restaurant, which sees chef Angela Hartnett team up with executive chef Luke Holder to offer a relaxed but upscale ‘fun dining not fine dining’ approach. The Herb House spa also reflects this innovative approach with yoga classes in the rooftop herb garden and Voya seaweed wraps. Meanwhile, the new rustic Forest Cottages and Forest Cabin offer a luxe Hansel and Gretel sensibility and are the sweetest places to escape. (023 8028 7177, limewood.co.uk)

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Dormy House, Cotswolds

9 Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, Windermere, Lake District

For a tranquil escape to one of the UK’s most scenic spots, head to the family-run Gilpin Hotel and Lake House on the banks of Knipe Tarn in the Lake District. With its roaring fires and cosy nooks and crannies, this stylish country house has all the vibe of the countryside but none of the stuffiness. The main Gilpin Hotel has elegant, modern interiors, think hand-painted wallpapers and lacquered furniture, and six of its 20 suites boast their own private gardens and hot tubs. Those that really want to get away from it all should decamp to the delightful six-suite Lake House, the sister property just one mile away. Here you’ll find the new, secluded Jetty Spa. Its two cosy treatment rooms, with stunning

Having only opened last year, Dormy House is the newest addition on the UK’s country hotel scene. The traditional 17th century farmhouse was revamped by London interior designers Todhunter Earle who gave it a pared-back Scandi-cool feel. Inglenook fireplaces, Jacobean wood panelling and original flagstone flooring have remained but are now uplifted with statement mirrors, stripped beams and pretty wallpapers. Based on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, the bedrooms have heavenly views over the countryside beyond and are wonderfully cosy retreats. Two restaurants offer exceptional, locally-sourced fare while other well-thought out details include a tablet in each room, hampers that can be made up for countryside walks and a secret Japanese garden – just remember to ask for the key. (01386 852711; dormyhouse.co.uk)

views over the private lake, can be transformed into a romantic hideout for couples. You can indulge in aromatherapy treatments beside an open fire, take a private swim in the indoor heated pool, chill out in the salt snug and have a glass of bubbly in the Boat House before being chauffeured back to the hotel for dinner. It’s a charmed version of countryside living. (01539 488818; thegilpin.co.uk)

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09/12/2013 10:58

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Spring clean

Beauty news If cleanliness is next to godliness, then we are perfectly saintly in Mayfair this month words: elle blakeman

Oud save the Queen I love a good Oud – and this new offering from Atkinsons is one of the best I’ve tried in ages – rich Indonesian patchouli and norlimbanol creates a dry, seductively woody fragrance, while the tonka beans add a lighter touch of amber – wear with confidence and a great dress. £140, Oud Save The Queen, Atkinsons (harrods.com)

Next to godliness Our favourite candle brand is branching out into skin care with its new L’Art du Soin range – a five-piece collection based around French traditions of cleansing using natural ingredients such as rice powder and clay. Look out for the deliciously indulgent Infused Facial Water and the Exfoliating Clay – which will leave your skin cleaner than you ever thought possible. From £35, Diptyque (diptyqueparis.co.uk)

Eye must-have This light, cooling eye cream is Estée Lauder’s latest triumph – selling out almost everywhere. With black tourmaline gems and advance lifting technologies, this cream delivers an instant tightening effect, making it great for early mornings, while the scuplted tip also makes mid-day tops ups easy. Add your name to a waiting list or stock up if you see it in store! Re-Nutriv Ultimate Contouring Eye Lift, £95 Estée Lauder (harrods.com)

Sometimes you need a bit of pampering and sometimes you need something a bit stronger. This is the latter – a double cleanse, followed by a steam, exfoliation and extraction will ensure that any blemishes, either already there or under the skin, will be tracked down and given their marching orders. It’s not all tough love though, the Cowshed products smell divine – think country weekend retreat, all lavender and leafy plants – and the treatment is finished with a rich replenishing mask during which you will receive a scalp, neck and shoulder massage – bliss. 60 min Cowshed Facial, £68, Cowshed at Selfridges (cowshedonline.com)

Natural beauty No one does minimalist beauty like the Scandinavians. This month, we have totally fallen in love with Björk & Berries – a new range from Sweden, launched with the aim of sharing ancient beauty traditions with the rest of the world. The collection features a carefully edited handful of ‘everyday luxury’ items – White Forest Body Wash, Body Scrub with bark, perfume oil – all scented with wonderfully green, woody forest fragrances. (bjorkandberries.com)

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nyone who’s ever stayed up half the night and tripped bleary-eyed into work, Venti Starbucks in hand, knows the importance of a good night’s sleep. But if depleted energy and productivity levels are not enough to encourage you to get an early night, perhaps the latest research from the beauty industry will. Several new studies have noted a direct link between poor sleep and poor skin – the fine lines, uneven pigmentation and reduced elasticity that appear when we don’t respect our natural circadian rhythm, accelerating the ageing process quicker than you can say Botox. The good news is that sleep is a golden arrow in the fight against ageing; a time when skin, untroubled by environmental ageing factors such as sun, pollution and stress, can get to work, repairing any damage done throughout the day and preparing for the next one.

‘The good news is that sleep is a golden arrow in the fight against ageing’ ‘Whilst you sleep, your skin has the time to repair and renew; this time is vital so that skin has a healthy and normal functioning routine to keep it looking and feeling its best,’ says facialist Sarah Chapman, whose Overnight Facial treatment (£49) is on every beauty editor’s must-have list. ‘It is the time to address the free radical damage and environmental onslaught from the day. Furthermore, your skin doesn’t have to defend itself overnight from these external stresses so it can put its energy into cellular repair.’ ‘Everyone has a circadian rhythm. The hormonal levels are different at night than during the day so it’s more conducive to regeneration,’ says Dr Brown of RéVive, whose skincare brand (containing Nobel Prize-winning ingredients) has just launched their new Moisturizing Renewal Serum, Nightly Repair Booster (£175). Already making waves in the industry, the serum adds a 

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The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Sleeping beauty Supercharge your sleep with night-time products and wake up to younger, clearer skin. WORDS: Elle Blakeman

Image: Courtesy of EstĂŠe Lauder

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 powerful punch to a night-time regime, especially when combined with a night cream. Like children, our skin craves routine – the timing of each skin function is precisely controlled to work with our body’s natural cycle, synchronized by ‘clock genes’ found in each and every skin cell. Age, stress and general day-to-day life can push these clock genes out of sync, slowing down both cellular repair and protective processes. Meaning that if you are one of the 30 per cent of people who suffer with insomnia, it is going to be harder for you to achieve clear, glowing skin than someone who gets their untroubled eight hours a night. None of this is news to Estée Lauder, whose pioneering Advanced Night Repair has been attempting to undo the damage of the day while you sleep for over 30 years. Recently updated to include the brand’s latest research, the new Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II (£48) comes with technology that both purifies cells and works to help support the natural synchronisation of skin’s night-time renewal process. Since then, several other brands have woken up to the concept of night-specific products; Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (£36) – or ‘MRC’ to its devotees – has such a cult following that one is sold every minute across the globe. The serum works to biologically replicate natural lipids allowing optimum repair through the night. More recently, Chanel launched its La Nuit serum last summer, packed with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration. While renewal is key, after dark is also the ideal time to plump up hydration levels. Crème de la Mer’s new Lifting and Firming Mask (£150), recommended for evening use, delivers a potent level of the famed Miracle Broth Concentrate to restore elasticity and density to tired, dull skin. Meanwhile, for seriously dry skin, nothing beats La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask (£204), a luxuriously thick cream that melts in

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overnight, leaving you with plump, youthful skin upon awakening. Recognising the modern woman’s love for multitasking, several brands are now working on ‘detox’ products, designed to target problem skin overnight, reducing imperfections and pigmentation and resurfacing over the course of a few weeks. Vichy Normaderm Night Detox (£15) is a great version for oily skin, preventing cells from overproducing sebum during the night, while Sisley’s month-long Botanical D-Tox (£134) is a great option for combination skin. Using highly concentrated plant extracts, you will be left with fresh, rested skin. For those

‘Age, stress and general life can push clock genes out of sync, slowing down both cellular repair and protective processes’ more concerned with anti-aging, Eve Lom’s Vitamin E-packed Age Defying Smoothing Treatment (£120) works brilliantly well to smooth out wrinkles, especially on the forehead and around the eyes. However the A-grade of night treatments remains good old retinol, whose powers of clarification remain unchallenged. Both anti-ageing and skin clearing, it can improve the appearance of fine lines, age spots and wrinkles, while taking on blemishes and blotchiness. It can be a tricky substance to work with so the best thing to do is start with a low dose and work up. SkinCeuticals does a great 0.3 per cent gel (£40) and a one per cent version (£54) for when your skin is used to it. Of course, none of this is enough to make up for too many late nights, as Chapman notes: ‘Sleep speeds up cellular renewal and allows your skin to self-oxygenate through blood flow. This leaves skin refreshed, plump and stronger for the day ahead.’ It’s enough to make you reach for the eye mask…

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

While you were sleeping… From luxurious eye creams to potent serums, these are the best night-time products to maximise night-time renewal

#5 #4

#3 #2 #1

#1 The Lifting and Firming Mask, £150, Crème De La Mer #2 Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, £48, Estée Lauder #3 Facial Treatment Essence Eye, £62, SK-II #4 Normaderm Night Detox, £15, Vichy #5 Moisturizing Renewal Serum, £175, RéVive #6 Age Defying Smoothing Treatment, £120, Eve Lom (all available at harrods.com) #7 Green Feather Print, from a selection, Otis Batterbee (available at liberty.co.uk)

photo: emily wood

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Think fast This month, Consultant Neurologist, Dominic Mort discusses the importance of looking after your brain and how F.A.S.T action can aid recovery

‘I

am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is a mere appendix’ – these words of the character Sherlock Holmes remind us of how essential our brains are to everything we consider to be ‘us’. Brain Injury Awareness Month, which runs throughout May, aims to raise our awareness of how we can protect our brains from injury and, if we are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury, how treatments and services can help us make the best recovery.

How can we look after our brains? Direct physical injury to the brain, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a major cause of longterm disability in the UK; especially in young people through road traffic accidents. We are all responsible for prioritising safety in our lives, including not driving while tired, keeping our speed down and wearing safety helmets when cycling. It is easy to overlook how delicate we are and just how precious and vulnerable our brain is, but remembering this might just temper our actions in the future. Within the brain itself, we are susceptible to ‘natural’ injuries, such as stroke and haemorrhage. We know that regular exercise, especially walking, has beneficial effects on our health and may reduce our risk of vascular disease. As we approach middle age and if there is a strong family history of stroke or heart attack, steps should be taken to ensure that our blood pressure and cholesterol level run at a healthy level. Following a healthy diet (low in salt and saturated fat) is an investment for the future. And it goes without saying these days that smoking exacts too terrible a toll later in life not to think about kicking the habit. Detecting irregular heart rhythm in the elderly can also help identify and minimise an important risk factor for stroke; we can all count the regularity of our pulse at the wrist.

106

Act F.A.S.T Simply put, if you think someone might be developing a sudden brain injury in front of you, you should act F.A.S.T. For acute stroke: • Look out for Facial droop • Arm weakness • Slurred speech • And note the Time of onset, as you call the ambulance. Provided the drugs can be administered within three hours of onset of the stroke, clot-busting therapy (thrombolysis*) can be an effective first treatment for those suffering a stroke.

Stroke diagnosis and treatment State-of-the-art brain imaging techniques have both revolutionised the investigative side of stroke and can facilitate direct interventional treatments. Other diagnostic tests include scans of the heart and carotid arteries alongside prolonged heart rhythm monitoring. Even if thrombolysis cannot be administered, treatment under a multidisciplinary team who specialise in stroke patients has been proven to improve outcome. In much the same way, early specialist management of acute neuro-surgical emergencies, including TBI and intracranial haemorrhage can make a big difference.

Neuro-rehabilitation and secondary prevention One of the most satisfying sights when looking after patients with brain injury is seeing them working with their therapists, striving to gradually regain the ability to complete activities of daily living. The brain has a tremendous capacity to relearn and compensate for injury and will continue to do so for months and years after the initial event.

The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion

During the initial days and weeks after the onset of injury, attention to the details of day-to-day medical care is crucial. At this time, the expertise of the therapists to harness the potential for recovery becomes increasingly important. Medication is tailored to reduce the risk of recurrence of stroke, which usually means starting aspirin (or equivalent medication), blood pressure medication and a statin. Therapists and the family network can work together to allow a smooth transition from hospital back to home and, hopefully, a return to normal daily activities. *If you suspect somebody is having a stroke or require a thrombolysis unit local services are administered at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital and University College London Hospitals. Please visit their websites for more details. For further information or if you would like to arrange an appointment with a neurologist at The Wellington Hospital, please contact the hospital Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5004 or visit thewellingtonhospital.com

Meet the consultant Dr Dominic Mort, MBBS, MA, FRCP, PhD has been a Consultant Neurologist for seven years. He trained with the best in London, then worked as a consultant in the NHS at Chase Farm and the Royal Free Hospitals, before making the move into full-time private practice last year. He undertakes referrals from GPs covering all aspects of adult general neurology at The Wellington Diagnostics and Outpatients Centre, Golders Green, on Monday afternoons. (consultantneurologist.com)

107

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PMC_Mayfair_April2014.indd 1

14/04/2014 14:36

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Spa review Chuan Spa, Langham Hotel WORDS: elle blakeman

he Chuan Spa at the Langham Hotel has long been one of my favourite spaces in London. Chuan means flowing water in Chinese, and even the thought of this is enough to still even the most troubled of minds. The ‘water’ here is well thought out, surrounded by calming colours – the pool is all cool blues and dark mahogany and lit by a beautiful traditional oriental tree scene. Meanwhile there is a huge vitality pool area upstairs, complete with lounges to rest on in the water and heated stone lounges outside it, ensuring constant support for exhausted bodies. This month, the spa, already famed for their stunning massages, are launching the new ‘Diamond Noir’ facial by Spanish skincare brand, Germaine de Capuccini. There is a lot of cleansing and re-cleansing in this facial, the methodical nature of which is fantastically de-stressing. To start, a slightly tingly, menthol scrub is applied and washed off, leaving your skin in an altogether new state of cleanliness, after which the mousey-textured Black Diamond mask is applied. Rich in zinc and iron, this treatment restores a luminosity to the skin, while also working to combat deeper signs of ageing. As the mask is left to work its magic, my therapist massaged my neck, shoulders and scalp and by the time it is ready to wash off, I am in a happily soporific daze. At the end of the treatment my skin both looks and felt fabulous, and the healthy glow that appeared lasted for several days afterwards – the pre-party treatment. Diamond Noir facial, from £95 for 60 minutes. Chuan Spa, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street W1B (020 7973 7550; chuanspa.com)

‘Rich in zinc and iron, this treatment restores a luminosity to the skin, while also working to combat deeper signs of ageing’

109

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

Royal in the

afternoon

fter 114 years of serving afternoon tea, The Goring Hotel have this most elegant of meals down to a, well, tea. This month, the hotel launch their new version for the Season, starting with finger sandwiches filled with roast beef and horseradish and smoked salmon and cream cheese, followed by fluffy, buttery home-made scones with clotted cream and jam you will be hard pressed to make room for desert, but do try your best: delicious macaroons filled with blueberry jam – modelled on the Victoria hat from The Goring Collection by Gina Foster – would be simply criminal to waste. The Season Afternoon Tea, from £39.50 (available from 14 May – 31 September) The Goring, Beeston Place, SW1W (020 7936 9000; thegoring.com)

111

{

fine cooking, with exuberant panache. alluring, honest, thoughtful and interesting

231 Ebury Street London SW1W 8UT www.pouleaupot.co.uk 020 7730 7763

{

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

On the

grapevine

The hottest new offerings from Mayfair’s fine-dining scene words: eLLE bLAKEMAN & kat e r a c o v o l i s

St James’s in bloom Few sights are as smile-inducing as the first flowers that sprout from the cherry blossom trees. In the spirit of the Japanese cherry blossom season, Sake No Hana has created its own pop-up garden, paying homage to these little delicate pink flowers that signal the beginning of spring. Feast on sake and sushi and limited edition Sakura cocktails alongside ‘Kagami Biraki’, a Japanese sake ceremony with the sound of Taiko drums to set the scene. Sake No Hana, 23 St James’s Street, SW1A (sakenohana.com)

Age of beauty Whisky connoisseurs will be thrilled to hear that familyowned distillers Glengoyne is expanding its portfolio with the release of an outstanding 25YO offering. Matured in sherry casks for a quarter of a century, this unique malt is a great addition to your decanter and with a heavy bespoke bottle makes an impressive gift too. £250 Glengoyne 25YO (glengoyne.com)

Dinner at the Deli Foodies and The Mount Street Deli fans take note as we have some exciting news. You can now have the intimate space all to yourself and your guests for an evening of fabulous food and wine as the head chefs at either The Ivy, Scott’s, J Sheekey or Le Caprice personally cook your supper – all on the beautifull setting of Mount Street. To book contact Emily Kingswood (020 7307 5784; ekingswood@caprice-holdings.co. uk). From £140 per person with £350 room hire (themountstreetdeli.co.uk)

t’s a terrible cliché yet an undeniable fact: nothing defines summer like a chilled glass of rosé. The style, once relegated to what we might simply dismiss as ‘a poolside wine,’ is seriously popular at the moment and shows no signs of abating. For this resurgence, we should partially thank Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who in a partnership with Château Miraval in Provence released a ‘Brangelina’ Château Miraval Rosé in June last year at £18.95 a bottle. Over 6,000 bottles were purchased in the UK alone, all within five hours of the wine being released. Rosé’s popularity, however, isn’t just a fad, on the contrary it makes perfect sense. Rosé wine is light, refreshing and extremely moreish, the perfect candidate for hot weather drinking. It works as a party aperitif, with salads or seafood and won’t clash with strongly flavoured meat dishes. It’s the perfect all-rounder and, like my selection below, simply cannot fail to please everybody at your table:

#1 2013 M de Minuty Rose This superlative wine seduces you with its light, delicate aromas of rose petal, apple and red cherry. Fresh, elegant and delicious, one bottle of this fabulous rosé will never be enough. (majestic.co.uk)

#2 2013 Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé Undoubtedly one of the finest in its class from the beautiful Côtes de Provence region. Expect red fruits, almonds, vanilla and creaminess by the bucket load. (thedrinkshop.com)

#3 Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé There cannot be a more perfect summer drink than this elegant, rosé Champagne from Taittinger. It dazzles with beautifully soft scented strawberry, raspberry and citrus aromas – utterly divine! (waitrose.com) Words: James Lawrence

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The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

DINING I OUT Quattro Passi

W O R D S : A m b e r a l l i n so n

t’s hard to imagine anyone leaving the Amalfi Coast voluntarily, let alone one of the area’s top chefs – with a full restaurant every night and a backdrop worthy of a Bond film it must have been hard to leave. But Nerano’s loss is our gain as Mayfair welcomes Antonio Mellino, owner of Quattro Passi to Dover Street where he has opened a restaurant and members’ club of the same name. Mellino has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in simplicity, using only the finest ingredients to create each and every dish to its full potential. The menu here in London is indeed a celebration of flavour, yet I wouldn’t describe any of it as simple – offerings such as Beef tartare with parmesan fondue, artichoke salad and marinated yolk and pearl of langoustine with thyme-perfumed broth – beckon temptingly from the menu. For the main, the choices are again quite rich, but each one is carefully balanced – the turbot, with a crunchy, ginger-spiced crust and courgette cream was an absolute dream. Meanwhile the organic brown chicken was delicious – faultlessly prepared and served with delicious wilted spinach. The setting suits the food here. Discreet yet undeniably luxurious, everything politely whispers elegance, from the stiff white linens and large mirrors to the French silk wallpaper and the hand-crafted chandelier. It’s a beautiful setting and one that could never fail to impress, making it my new answer to the question: ‘Where should I go for a really nice meal?’ The dessert menu offered a lot of temptation – Sicilian cannolo filled with Ricotta, warm orange tart and oil, chocolate and salt were almost insurmountably irresistible. However, when in Rome and all that, so we heeded the waitress’s advice and tried the Tiramisu. Thank the Italian Gods we did – it was quite simply the best desert I have ever tasted. Light and creamy, but with a rich chocolate sauce in the middle. Later, the chef sent over a jade music box containing delicious petit fours to go with coffee – an elegant ending to a rather fabulous meal. (020 3096 1444; quattropassi.co.uk)

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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Remembering

MAYFAIR Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square

oday, it can be quite easy to dash along Fitzmaurice Place from Berkeley Square and not even notice Lansdowne House. This once grand palace, now The Lansdowne Club, formerly looked out over gardens and has been home to a long list of notable residents, who over the centuries established the house at the centre of London’s social scene. In 1763, Prime Minister John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, commissioned celebrated architect Robert Adam to design a new house, but in 1765, before the house was completed, he sold

‘Lansdowne House became the centre of London society when it was leased to Harry Gordon Selfridge’ it to William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne. Shelburne also later became Prime Minister, in 1782, and in the same year Shelburne and Benjamin Franklin drafted the Treaty of Paris in the house, which later gave independence to the United States of America. Shelburne was created 1st Marquess of Lansdowne in 1784, and he established a reputation as a great host, with many gatherings including guests such as Joshua Reynolds and Samuel Johnson. His son, the 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne, followed after his father and hosted many parties at Lansdowne House with guests including Charles Dickens. In 1891-93 the house was leased to the richest man in America, William Waldorf Astor, and by the early 20th century, the reputation for society

gatherings continued, including the wedding of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and Lady Dorothy Cavendish in April 1920, with guests including Queen Alexandra and the future King George VI. But, it was in the ‘Roaring 20s’ that Lansdowne House became the centre of London society when it was leased to Harry Gordon Selfridge, founder of Selfridges department store, in 1921. He held many ‘raucous and vivacious parties’ in the house, as well as charity events, including the Lansdowne Charity Ball in June 1921, with 1400 guests, including the King of Spain, and the future Kings Edward VIII and George VI. Mr Selfridge left Lansdowne House in 1929 and by 1935 it had been completely transformed by the creation of Fitzmaurice Place, which meant the loss of 40 feet from the front of the house and the removal of the side wings. The interior was also altered in a ‘Moderne’ style for the new Lansdowne Club, which opened in 1935, and today the club still continues the long tradition as a society venue in the heart of Mayfair. Melanie Backe-Hansen, House Historian (house-historian.co.uk)

Image: Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square c.1808

117

Property | The mayfair Magazine

Mayfair estate agents 020 7834 4771 (sales) www.hamptons-int.com Kaye & Carey Beauchamp Estates 24 Curzon Street, W1J 7TF 020 7499 7722 www.beauchamp.co.uk

Harrods Estates

Knightsbridge

Plaza Estates

4 Yeoman’s Row SW3 2AH 020 7590 0066 www.kayeandcarey.co.uk

29-31 Edgware Road, W2 2JE 020 7724 3100 www.plazaestates.co.uk

Marble Arch

82 Brompton Road, SW3 1ER 020 7225 6506

Mayfair Chesterton Humberts

Mayfair

61 Park Lane, W1K 1QF 020 7409 9001 www.harrodsestates.com

47 South Audley Street, W1K 2QA 020 7629 4513 (sales) 020 7288 8301 (lettings)

Westminster & Pimlico 10 Gillingham Street, SW1V 1HJ 020 3040 8201 (sales) www.chestertonhumberts.com

Horne & Harvey 23a St James’s Street, SW1A 1HA 020 7839 6006 www.horneandharvey.co.uk

John D Wood Fine & Country

Mayfair

121 Park Lane, W1K 7AG 020 7079 1523 www.fineandcountry.co.uk

Knight Frank

Mayfair

120a Mount Street W1K 3NN 020 7499 1012 (sales & lettings) www.knightfrank.co.uk

Savills

Hyde Park

Mayfair

Chelsea

134 Fulham Road, SW10 9PY 020 7717 5433 (lettings)

188 Brompton Road, SW3 1HQ 020 7581 5234 (sales)

1 Craven Terrace W2 3QD 020 7871 5060 (sales) 020 7871 5070 (lettings)

36 North Audley Street, W1K 6ZJ 020 7578 5100 (sales & lettings)

Marylebone

139 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AY 020 7730 0822 www.savills.co.uk

55 Baker Street W1U 8EW 020 3435 6440 (sales)

Sloane Street

Belgravia

48 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PA 020 7824 7900 www.johndwood.co.uk Strutt & Parker Pastor Real Estate Ltd 48 Curzon Street W1J 7UL 020 3195 9595 www.pastor-realestate.com

Hamptons International

Knightsbridge

John taylor 48 Berkeley Square, W1J 5AX 020 3284 1888 www.john-taylor.com

London Head Office 13 Hill Street, W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282

Knightsbridge 66 Sloane Street SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959 www.struttandparker.com

Knightsbridge 168 Brompton Road, SW3 1HW 020 7717 5463 (lettings)

penyards

Winchester

Mayfair 32 Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HJ 020 7717 5465 (sales) 020 7717 5467 (lettings)

Paddington & Bayswater 4C Praed Street, W2 1JX 020 7717 5473 (sales) 020 7717 5343 (lettings)

Pimlico & Westminster 50 Belgrave Road, SW1V 1RQ

KAY & CO

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

Marylebone & Regents Park 20a Paddington Street, W1U 5QP 020 7486 6338 www.kayandco.com

21 Southgate Street Hampshire, SO23 9EB 01962 860300

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

Brockenhurst 66 Brookley Road Hampshire, SO42 7RA 01590 624775 www.penyards.com

For estate agent listings please contact Sophie Roberts at: s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk

Wetherell 102 Mount Street W1K 2TH 020 7493 6935 www.wetherell.co.uk

showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

C’est chic Brigitte Bardot’s former home on the Côte d’Azur

A British

classic

Trafalgar Square’s only residential address unveils its stunning penthouse image: HAMPTONS www.hamptons.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk

Notting Hill/Holland Park May 2014 HP Sales - 10 April 2014 - 50052

Hyde Park Place, Hyde Park W2

Meticulously restored house in prime central London A spectacular Grade II listed family home with exceptional views across Hyde Park. 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, 2 dining rooms, kitchen, study, cinema room, swimming pool, gymnasium, 2 lifts, roof terrace. Mews house with staff accommodation and parking also available. Approximately 1,542 sq m ﴾16,600 sq ft﴿

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

Freehold ﴾HPE100123﴿

14/04/2014 10:17:24

KnightFrank.co.uk

Mount Street, Mayfair W1K

Beautifully refurbished two bedroom apartment A fantastic opportunity to purchase on prestigious Mount Street. A two bedroom property featuring contemporary design and finished with luxurious materials and lighting. 2 bedrooms, double reception room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, shower room. EPC rating B. Approximately 158 sq m ﴾1,702 sq ft﴿.

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

Leasehold: approximately 135 years remaining Guide price: £4,750,000 ﴾WER140051﴿

3,4 Mount St MM May

15/04/2014 11:23:09

KnightFrank.co.uk

Green Street, Mayfair W1K

Elegant duplex apartment with private outside space A stylish three bedroom apartment with oblique views of Hyde Park boasting a balcony and private roof terrace. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, open plan kitchen/dining room, reception room, guest WC, loft storage, balcony, roof terrace, lift access. EPC rating E. Approximately 203 sq m ﴾2,181 sq ft﴿.

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

Leasehold: approximately 125 years remaining Guide price: £6,850,000 ﴾WER130191﴿

London Mag May - 4,10 Green st

14/04/2014 15:35:23

KnightFrank.co.uk

Three Kings Yard, Mayfair W1K

Contemporary maisonette in a secure, private mews Offering neutral decoration and plenty of natural light, this smart two bedroom pied‐à‐terre is enviably tucked away inside a quiet, gated mews off popular Davies Street. 2 bedrooms, 2 shower rooms, open plan kitchen/reception room, guest WC, secure gate entry. EPC rating D. Appoximately 112 sq m ﴾1,205 sq ft﴿.

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

Leasehold: approximately 118 years remaining Guide price: £2,850,000 ﴾WER130219﴿

London Mag May- Three Kings Yard

14/04/2014 15:30:25

KnightFrank.co.uk

St James's Street, St James's SW1

Elegantly decorated three bedroom duplex apartment A stylish duplex apartment spanning in excess of 2,310 square feet. The property features a balcony as well as an array of delicate touches such as a beautifully hand painted ceiling and Swarovski lighting. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, double reception room, kitchen, terrace, lift access, porter. Approximately 215 sq m ﴾2,314 sq ft﴿.

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

Leasehold: approximately 35 years remaining Guide price: £3,950,000 ﴾WER130107﴿

Mayfair Mag May 31,73 st james's

14/04/2014 11:56:09

KnightFrank.co.uk

Dover Street, Mayfair W1S Exceptional two bedroom apartment

The height of contemporary living, this stylish two bedroom apartment features cutting edge design and luxurious, regal fabrics. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, open plan kitchen/reception room, guest WC. EPC rating C. Approximately 106 sq m ﴾1,141 sq ft﴿. Leasehold: approximately 978 years remaining Guide price: £3,750,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482 Savills.co.uk/mayfair clloyd@savills.com 020 7578 5100

﴾WER130030﴿

6, 33 Dover St- Mayfair Mag May

14/04/2014 15:37:43

KnightFrank.co.uk

Upper Brook Street, Mayfair W1K Exceptional townhouse

A superb six bedroom terraced townhouse. Recently redecorated and interior designed, this fabulous house is situated in a prominent Mayfair street. 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, eat‐in kitchen, dining room, study, utility room, guest cloakroom, terrace. EPC rating D. Approximately 362 sq m ﴾3,894 sq ft﴿. Available furnished

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfair.lettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7737

Guide price: £6,500 per week ﴾MAQ193659﴿ All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

Mayfair Magazine May 2014

14/04/2014 16:23:05

KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk Queen Anne Street, W1

Lateral living space A spacious apartment located on the third floor of a prestigious block. Master bedroom suite, 2 further bedrooms, family bathroom, reception room with dining area, separate kitchen, balcony, lift access, on‐site caretaker, access to communal gardens, garage. Approximately 106 sq m ﴾1,141 sq ft﴿ Available unfurnished Guide price: £1,200 per week

Marylebone Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings lettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853 ﴾MRQ185930﴿

Connaught Square, W2 Garden square views

A wonderful apartment spread across the first floor of two adjoining Grade II listed town houses on one of London's most prestigious garden squares. 4 bedrooms, 3 en suite bathrooms, shower room, 2 reception rooms, dining room, kitchen, access to communal gardens. Approximately 225 sq m ﴾2,422 sq ft﴿ Available furnished

St James's Place, St James's SW1 Outstanding lateral apartment

A selection of two bedroom apartments interior designed throughout and finished to the highest standard. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen/dining area, guest cloakroom, balcony, air conditioning, Sonos system, lift. EPC rating D. Approximately 91 sq m ﴾978 sq ft﴿ to 92 sq m ﴾988 sq ft﴿. Available furnished Guide price: £1,600 ‐ £1,300 per week

Guide price: £3,250 per week

Hyde Park Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings lettings@knightfrank.com KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings 020 3544 6140 mayfair.lettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7737 ﴾HPQ194656﴿

﴾MAQ192506﴿ All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

Mayfair Magazine May 2014

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit Knigh

14/04/2014 16:23:05

o.ukKnightFrank.co.uk

oor e,

er,

t﴿

potential tenants should be aadvised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. dministration fee ofAll £276 will apply when renting property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges ply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

KnightFrank.co.uk Queen Anne Street, W1

Marylebone Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings lettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853 ﴾MRQ185930﴿

Connaught Square, W2 Garden square views

Hyde Park Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings lettings@knightfrank.com 020 3544 6140 ﴾HPQ194656﴿

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFr

Mayfair Mag HP/MB Lettings May 2014

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Mayfair Chamber, W1 Mayfair Chambers will present a rare opportunity to purchase a luxurious residence designed and finished to the highest standard. Close to Berkeley Square and Grosvenor Square, Mayfair Chambers is situated in the genteel Mayfair Conservation Area, at the very heart of the London borough of Westminster.

£4,450,000 Leasehold • • • • • •

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

Two bedrooms Two bathrooms New build Porter High quality finish Approx. 1,388 sq ft

Upper Grosvenor Street, W1 Located on the second floor (with lift) of a beautiful portered building within moments of Grosvenor Square, this apartment offers two generous double bedrooms (one ensuite) and a third bedroom or study. The reception room is spacious with good natural light and the kitchen is modern. EPC: C *Tenant Charges Tenants should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £216 (Inc. VAT) per property and a referencing charge of £54 (Inc. VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit www.hamptons.co.uk/rent/tenant-charges

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

£1,475 per week Furnished/Part/Unfurnished (charges apply)* • • • • •

Three bedrooms Two bathrooms Good quality finish Porter Lift

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Buckingham Place, SW1 Tucked away on a secluded street in Westminster this exceptional Georgian house (circa 1790) has been meticulously refurbished, creating a wonderful balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern 21st century living. The house is arranged over five floors and connected by an elegant bespoke and hand finished central staircase. The house lies just behind Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park in the heart of Westminster with Victoria Station and St. James’s Park tube close to hand. EPC: C

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

£4,250,000 Freehold • • • • • •

Three reception rooms Three bedroom plus study/fourth bedroom Terrace Under floor heating throughout Wine cellar Two bathrooms plus guest W.C

Porchester Gate, W2 A well presented two bedroom two bathroom apartment located on the fifth floor (with lift) in this popular portered block directly opposite Hyde Park. The accommodation comprises a generous reception room, dining hall, separate kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and built in wardrobe, second generous bedroom (with built in wardrobe) and family bathroom. EPC: C

Hamptons Hyde Park & Bayswater Office Sales. 020 7717 5315 | Lettings. 020 7717 5345

£2,450,000 Share of Freehold • • • • • •

Reception room Master bedroom with en suite bathroom Dining hall Porter/conceirge Juliette balconies Secure allocated parking space

REEVES MEWS, MAYFAIR,W1 EXCEPTIONAL, FREEHOLD, NEWLY BUILT HOUSE

ACCOMMODATION: Entrance Hall • Reception Room Dining Room • Family/Media Room Club Room • Kitchen Master Bedroom Suite with His & Hers Bathrooms and Dressing Rooms • 4 Further Bedrooms • 4 Further Bathrooms • Bathroom Shower Room • 2 Guest Cloakrooms Laundry • Servery • Garage • Bar Gym • Roof Terrace • Staff Bedroom with En Suite Bathroom • EPC=B

A stunning freehold house which has been meticulously designed and constructed by Fenton Whelan.

GUIDE £27 MILLION SUBJECT TO CONTRACT FREEHOLD

This six bedroom property features wonderful entertaining and reception space and has a roof terrace, gym and integral garage.

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LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

A BRIGHT LATERAL APARTMENT IN THIS PERIOD BUILDING mount street, w1 3 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø reception room ø kitchen ø lift ø 210 sq m (2,270 sq ft) ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=C

Savills Mayfair Leonie Bucher lbucher@savills.com

020 7578 5100 Furnished £3,400 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

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struttandparker.com

Green Street, Mayfair, W1

An exceptionally well presented and refurbished family home of over 6,000 sq ft in the heart of Mayfair. The house boasts period features, excellent entertainment space and seven en-suite bedrooms.

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 nina.mcdowall@struttandparker.com

*The following Tenant charges may apply prior to tenancy commencement: Tenancy Agreement £210 (inc VAT) Credit References per application £54 (inc VAT). All advertised prices are excluded and other associated services.

£8,750 per week

Palace View Penthouse, St James’s, SW1

An amazing, newly refurbished penthouse apartment in a discrete 24 hour portered building in the heart of St James’s, with wonderful views and over 800 sq ft of extensive terracing.

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959

james.gilbert-green@struttandparker.com

£12,000,000, Leasehold

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struttandparker.com

Wilton Street, Belgravia, SW1

An abundance of interconnection living rooms on predominantly 2 floors, decorated with great flair and providing unique character to this 5/6 bedroom family home close to Belgrave Square and Hyde Park.

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 charlie.willis@struttandparker.com JSA: Russell Simpson 020 7225 0277

POA

Brompton Square, Knightsbridge, SW3

A magnificent Grade II Listed 6 bedroom house, refurbished to the highest standards, with a 61 foot rear garden and views directly over communal gardens.

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 charlie.willis@struttandparker.com JSA Savills 020 7730 0822

ÂŁ10,950,000, Freehold

jackson-stops.co.uk

Albert Embankment, SE1 A beautifully presented eleventh floor apartment with arguably some of the best views over London. This apartment offers three double bedrooms, two en suite and a further shower room. The main open plan kitchen reception room comes with wraparound floor to ceiling windows with views over the London skyline and a large private balcony. Further benefits include 24-hour concierge, on-site convenience store and air conditioning throughout. EPC - D

Asking Price Of ÂŁ2,995,000 Leasehold

MM55027

People Property Places Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices

Mayfair

020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk

Lancashire Court, W1S A period Mayfair house built in the 18th Century, located between Brook Street and Grosvenor Street and situated at the end of a terrace benefiting from a dual aspect and maximising natural light. This unique one bedroom house has its own private entrance, a guest cloakroom, with sleeping and living areas arranged over different floors. Entrance hall, study and guest cloakroom on the ground floor, reception/dining room and separate kitchen on the first floor, bedroom and bathroom on the top floor. EPC - D

Offers In The Region Of ÂŁ1,300,000 Leasehold

MM45997

People Property Places Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices

Mayfair

020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk

jackson-stops.co.uk

Charles Street, W1J A three bedroom split level apartment on the top two floors (third and fourth) of a prestigious Mayfair house. Situated in a prime position off Berkeley Square the apartment comprises entrance hall, guest cloakroom, laundry room, eat-in kitchen, large reception room, three double bedrooms, two bathrooms private roof top terrace and communal terrace area. EPC - E

ÂŁ1,695 per week fees apply

MM55029

Park Street, W1K A four bedroom, first floor apartment located on Park Lane. Comprising large open plan reception/dining room, separate fully fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en suite shower room, three further double bedrooms (one with en suite shower room), further separate shower room and guest W/C. Offered on a furnished basis. EPC - C

ÂŁ2,650 per week fees apply

MM51491

People Property Places Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices

Mayfair

020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk

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HOT PROPERTY Trafalgar One, SW1

here is something undeniably special about living on one of London’s most iconic squares, particularly if you are one of that square’s very few residents. The recently completed penthouse is available for purchase at the coveted address, Trafalgar One, which is the only residential property on Trafalgar Square. In this lofty and surprisingly quiet position overlooking the National Portrait Gallery and the busy square, you can also enjoy unrivalled views towards St James’s and Buckingham Palace. And, even though the apartment is ultra-modern and has been finished with contemporary interiors, the sense of heritage that surrounds you will continuously remind you of just how iconic your address is. One bathroom, for example, includes a clock-tower which can be seen from the square, which has been left untouched to preserve the history of the exterior. Spread across two floors and 3,765 sq ft, there

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are four spacious bedrooms, a bright living room and kitchen fitted with Gaggenau appliances, separate study, as well as two private terraces, all of which surrounds a stunning bespoke spiral staircase. Another sought-after feature among London properties is space to park your cars, and living here means that you will have access to two nearby underground spaces (which can be renewed annually). As for additional amenities, there is a porter

‘You can enjoy unrivalled views towards St James’s and Buckingham Palace’ and state-of-the-art technology integrated into the building, a cooling system, plus some of London’s best art and culture literally across the road, but above all, you will be a part of an exclusive community as a resident of this beautiful building. Guide price £15,250,000. For further enquiries, contact Alastair Nicholson at Knight Frank (020 7647 6612; alastair.nicholson@knightfrank.com) or Charlotte James at Iles Property (020 7235 4555; charlotte@ilesproperty.co.uk)

The mayfair Magazine | Property

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Davies Street, Mayfair W1K

An unmodernised, 6 bedroom apartment of approximately 3,574 sq ft, situated in this purpose built, portered period building close to Berkeley Square. This 1st floor (with lift) property offers scope for development & benefits from great frontage & a balcony.

£9,200,000 leasehold

Mayfair & St James’s

EPC rating C

020 7629 4513

sales.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

Bolton Street, Mayfair W1J

An immaculately refurbished apartment on the 2nd floor (with lift) of this period building, close to Berkeley Square. Comprising drawing room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, excellent proportions & wonderful communal areas. EPC rating B

£1,800,000 share of freehold

Hay Hill, Mayfair W1J

An excellent 1 bedroom flat on the 4th floor of this portered mansion building, just off Berkeley Square. The flat boasts an excellent drawing room, kitchen, bedroom & bathroom. Hay Hill runs off Berkeley Street to Dover Street & benefits from the shopping & transport facilities of the local area.

£1,845,000 leasehold

chestertonhumberts.com

Duke Street, Mayfair W1K

Outstanding, brand newly refurbished apartment in Mayfair’s newest & most exclusive rental development. Finished to the absolute highest of standards the apartment extends to approx. 1,850 sq ft & consists of a reception room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms & guest cloak room. The building has a day porter on site. EPC rating C

£3,650 per week

Mayfair & St James’s

020 7288 8301

lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

Culross Street, Mayfair W1K

Green Street, Mayfair W1K

£3,350 per week

£3,000 per week

Stunning refurbished house, comprising reception room, dining room, fully-fitted kitchen, TV room, study, master bedroom with en-suite, 2 further double bedrooms, 2nd bathroom, guest cloakroom & utility room. EPC rating C

A special penthouse apartment, arranged across 3 floors with lift access. Comprising reception room, dining area, kitchen, 3 double bedrooms & 3 bathroom with fully integrated technology system. EPC rating B

Additional charges apply. Administration: £222 (VAT included). References per tenant: £42 (VAT included)

chestertonhumberts.com

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SALES

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

York Street W1 £2,350,000 This stylish, three-bedroom end-of-terrace house combines the excellent layout of a new build property and style of a Victorian house to offer the best of both worlds. Additionaly there is the most fantastic roof garden, with views on all sides and almost nothing to shade it from any sunshine. Freehold. EPC=D. Sole Agent.

LETTINGS

MARYLEBONE: 020 7935 1775 sales.mar@marshandparsons.co.uk

Baker Street NW1 £750 per week Offering outside space, wooden ﬂoors throughout and vaulted ceilings, this unique property is on the doorstep of Regents Park. The accommodation comprises a spacious reception room, an open plan modern kitchen, two double bedrooms, a modern bathroom and a private terrace at the rear. EPC=D. MARYLEBONE: 020 7935 1775 sales.mar@marshandparsons.co.uk

green street Mayfair W1 A beautifully presented south facing duplex penthouse with a private roof terrace in this period building built in 1893 as part of a range of ten gabled red brick houses. Featuring a 26' double reception room with French doors onto an ornamental balcony, this fabulous home benefits from a private roof terrace and attic storage space.

£6,850,000 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Entrance Hall ■ Double Reception Room ■ Kitchen/Dining Room Master Bedroom with Dressing Room and En Suite Bathroom Two further Bedrooms ■ Shower Room ■ Cloakroom 2,153 Square Feet ■ EPC Rating E ■ Comfort Cooling Roof Terrace ■ Lift ■ Attic Storage ■ 126 Year Lease

SOLE AGENT

no-one knows mayfair better than wetherell

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Weth

CHARLES STREET Mayfair W1 Occupying the entire top floor of this sought after apartment building, a flat in excess of 3,000 sq ft with the rare benefit of a separate lower ground floor flat suitable as a private office, guest or staff accommodation, plus a resident porter and a share of the freehold.

ÂŁ11,000,000

Greeting Hall n Reception Room n Dining Room n Eat-In Kitchen Master Bedroom Suite with Two Dressing Rooms and Bathroom n Two further Bedrooms with En Suite Bathrooms n Utility Room n Cloakroom n Drinks Bar n Lift n 3,047 Square Feet Lower Ground Floor Flat: n Studio Room n Shower Room n Kitchen n 484 Square Feet n Dual Residential and B1 Office Use n EPC Rating D & F n

JSA: Knight Frank 020 7499 1012

wetherell.co.uk

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102 Mount Street, London W1K 2TH T: 020 7529 5566 n E: sales@wetherell.co.uk

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kayandco.com

W1 Seymour Place, Marylebone ÂŁ3,100,000 Share of Freehold

Featuring a 31 ft. double aspect, south and west facing reception room this stunning flat is situated on the second floor of a small, well maintained purpose built block which benefits from a daytime porter and passenger lift. The property extends to approximately 1,471 sq ft and comprises three bedrooms and three bathrooms (one en-suite). Wythburn Court is located moments from Hyde Park and the numerous shopping and transport facilities of Oxford Street. Energy Rating: D

020 3394 0012 sales.marylebone@kayandco.com

kayandco.com

W2 Connaught Square, Hyde Park ÂŁ3,250 per week

A wonderfully proportioned and truly unique first floor apartment with high ceilings and large windows offering views out over Connaught Square. The internal accommodation is arranged across four period townhouses and comprises drawing room, dining room, well fitted eat in kitchen and informal reception room each benefiting from its own balcony, together with master bedroom suite and three further bedrooms (two en-suites). The building has a resident porter and access to the private gardens of Connaught Square. Energy Rating: D

020 3394 0029 lettings.hydepark@kayandco.com

Property | The mayfair Magazine

Property news The latest developments in Mayfair’s hotels, plus a newly refurbished apartment available for rent History repeated One of Mayfair’s historic gems has received a major facelift; the historic Flemings hotel, which was founded in 1851 by Robert Fleming, valet to the Marquis and Marchioness of Angelsey at 1 Old Burlington Street. £2 million has been poured into the hotel, which consists of six adjoining converted Georgian townhouses. This month, the first phase of the refurbishment by Suna Interior Design is to be completed, with the launch of the new suites and apartments, each of which has their own distinctive décor and style. But we will have to have until next year for the remaining 115 hotel rooms to undergo their own transformation, commencing in early 2015. (020 7499 0000; flemings-mayfair.co.uk)

An enviable address If you love the understated elegance of St James’s, then 46 James’s Place presents a rather rare opportunity to live in this much-coveted location. A selection of two-bedroom apartments have arrived on the market for lease at the newly-refurbished residence, which was the work of Lana de Savary of the St James’s Club. The apartments have been completely furnished and decorated with elegant, contemporary interiors, ready for a truly convenient arrival. On your doorstep you will find some of London’s best members’ clubs, restaurants and shops, including Lock & Co. Hatters, Berry Bros. & Rudd and The Wolseley just around the corner. Guide price, £1,300 – £1,600 per week. For further enquiries contact Rahim Najak at Knight Frank Mayfair (020 7647 6604; knightfrank.com)

High society For lovers of Eggs Benedict at The Wolseley, lunch at Brasserie Zédel, or simply the stunning décor of these London institutions, this autumn will certainly appease your appetite for glamour, the Chris Corbin and Jeremy King way (who own these places, among Colbert and The Delaunay too). Their company’s first hotel, The Beaumont, located on Brown Hart Gardens just off Duke Street, will open after much anticipation with 73 rooms, a classic American-style restaurant, as well as a spa and gymnasium. Its design resembles a pre-war Mayfair – and with Reardon Smith Architects on board, it combines the perfect blend of the old world and the new. The Beaumont, Brown Hart Gardens, W1K (thebeaumont.com). For further enquires contact Martine de Geus (020 7647 1811; martine.degeus@corbinking.com) 154

Art by John Walsom

UPPER BROOK STREET, MAYFAIR, W1K Between Hyde Park and Grosvenor Square. A Freehold Georgian townhouse, beautifully refurbished, with four bedrooms and four reception areas in the heart of Mayfair. The double aspect property, large windows and a hall skylight flood the house with natural light. The generous entrance hall and both formal and informal reception rooms, including a fabulous eat-in kitchen, make this a superb house for entertaining.

£7,700,000 FREEHOLD APPROXIMATELY 3,013 sq ft / 265 sq m ABU DHABI MEGEVE •

John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888

• AIX-EN-PROVENCE • BARCELONA • CANNES • COURCHEVEL • COSTA BRAVA • GENEVA • GSTAAD • LONDON MERIBEL • MILAN • MONACO • PARIS • ST-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT • ST-PAUL-DE-VENCE • ST-TROPEZ • VALBONNE

www.john-taylor.com

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The mayfair Magazine | Property

Style icon Step inside the former home of superstar Brigitte Bardot, Le Castelet, in the beautiful countryside of Côte d’Azur

W above: BRIGITTE BARDOT, courtesy of MOVIESTORE COLLECTION LTD

hile the glitter of the Ligurian Sea on the Côte d’Azur in southern France has an enduring appeal for both investment in property, as well as being the holiday spot of luminaries and locals alike, a small step back from the water’s edge can reveal the ultimate escape. Brigitte Bardot thought that this was indeed true too. While she was among the glitterati of St Tropez, she adored the countryside behind

the Côte d’Azur, taking up residence in the spring of 1958 when she was 24 at Le Castelet, a 14-bedroom villa in Peymeinade. She received her introduction to the villa by her friend, French actor Jean Marais, who also owned a property nearby. She caused quite the stir among the locals from the nearby village at the time, where young boys would climb the trees and walls surrounding the villa to see the model by the pool. 

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Property | The mayfair Magazine

‘The property has been significantly restored and renovated, but still keeps its original charm and look’

Images courtesy of Côte d’Azur Villas

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Since living at Le Castelet, the property has been significantly restored and renovated, but still keeps its original charm and look. Just near the perfume capital, Grasse, and just a 25 minute drive from Nice International Airport, the property offers a beautiful retreat, with a picturesque Japanese pond and two infinity

pools in the same spot where Bardot once relaxed under the sun. You can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the Côte d’Azur countryside with beautifully lit, spacious rooms, set in the villa which dates back to Roman Times. Le Castelet is available for rent from €13,500 per week. Sale price is available upon request. For further enquires please contact Côte d’Azur Villas (contact@cdvillas.com; cotedazurvillarentals.com)

On 1st May 2014 you have the chance to be part of an historic chapter, as the 254 apartments above and within the British icon, Battersea Power Station, go on sale in London. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been worth the thirty year wait. Find your place in the fabric of Battersea Power Station and Live Original. Apartments from ÂŁ800k. For more information, register now at batterseapowerstation.co.uk

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26/03/2014 11:38

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. EPC Rating: F. £9,500,000 Freehold 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

Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, W1 A well presented three bedroom apartment situated on the sixth floor of this prestigious 1930’s building with concierge, 24 hr security and lift. The apartment further offers a good sized reception/dining area, kitchen, two bathrooms (one en suite) plus guest cloakroom. Located within walking distance to the exclusive shops and restaurants of Mount Street and the wide open spaces of Hyde Park. EPC Rating: C.

£3,200,000 Leasehold approximately 112 years remaining 020 7409 9346 jennifer.marwick@harrodsestates.com

Park House Apartments, Mayfair, W1 This new landmark building of extraordinary proportions and luxurious aesthetics, benefits from 24 hour concierge and an underground car park. Inside, meticulous attention to detail features the highest spec finishes, in a warm and contemporary style. This unique, duplex apartment offering approximately 2,325 sq ft of accommodation comprises open plan kitchen/dining/reception room, guest cloakroom, master bedroom suite with dressing area and ensuite bathroom, second double bedroom with ensuite shower room, third double galleried bedroom with ensuite shower room. Available now for long term lets of 12 months minimum on a furnished basis. EPC Rating: C. £3,550 per week Plus Property Fees: £180 Admin & £312-450 Checkout. References: £42 per person* *http://www.harrodsestates.com/tenants

0207 409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

Park House Apartments, Mayfair, W1 An exceptional duplex penthouse apartment offering approximately 2,878 sq ft of accommodation over the fifth and sixth floors, overlooking Oxford Street to the north and east. The property comprises open plan kitchen/dining/reception room with access to large terrace, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, second double bedroom with ensuite shower room, third double bedroom, shower room and guest cloakroom. Park House Apartments offer generous use of light and space as well as the latest in Smart Home Technology, 24/7 concierge service and secure allocated parking. Available immediately for long term lets of 12 months minimum on a furnished basis. EPC Rating: C. £5,900 per week Plus Property Fees: £180 Admin & £312-450 Checkout. References: £42 per person* *http://www.harrodsestates.com/tenants

020 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com