EAST SEPTEMBER 2014

ABSOLUTELY

EAST

SEPTEMBER 2014 / £3.95

ON THE BUSES TFL AT THE LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL

BEST FOOT FORWARD

CREATING SHOES WITH UPPER STREET

DYNAMIC DUO ANTONI & ALISON’S FASHION FACTORY

How to WORK IT THE BIG AUTUMN WARDROBE UPDATE

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ABSOLUTELY THAI

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Welcome to the home of authentic award winning Thai cuisine. At Yum Yum we offer you the experience of the ‘Taste of the Orient’.

The sweet, the sour and the hot with a fullness of different lush flavours, this is what makes Thai cuisine so popular here in the UK.

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From the Thai national soup Tom Yam, Thai green curry or a hearty Papaya salad. After a hard days work just relaxing with friends, or celebrating or chilling out to some bespoke cocktails, wines or something a little bit more spicy we offer you the best in Thai cuisine in a cool, sophisticated, chic and elegant décor.

Happy hour is Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 7.30pm where you will receive two for one on cocktails. Takeaway & Delivery service is available. To reserve a table or for further information please call us on 020 7254 6751

AWARd WINNINg Yum Yum Thai Restaurant 187 Stoke Newington High Street London N16 0LH, info@yumyum.co.uk www.yumyum.co.uk

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contents

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Sept e mbe r 2014

96

27

06 ABSOLUTELY LOVES

28 TRUE BLUE

ART & CULTURE 09 WHAT’S ON

35 MID-SEASON STYLE

Things we're wishing for this month

Antoni & Alison on their autumn collection and Clerkenwell boutique

51

AROUND THE GLOBE

52 HEALTH NOTES

58

FOOD & DRINK 55 KNEAD TO KNOW

INTERIORS 74 ANOTHER BRICK

Diary dates for September

12 14 19

How to look good in roll necks and sheepskin

THEATRE REVIEW

Transitional pieces to introduce Autumn

39 ART AND SOLE

Creating beautiful, bespoke shoes with Upper Street

Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense

WOODLAND WARDROBE

Sam Wanamaker's Playhouse

ST YLE 26 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL School up on the newest trends

HEALTH & BEAUTY MAKE-UP INSIDER

Arabella Preston's Glitterfest

Top new products from Net a Sporter

Favourite recipes from Gail's Bakery

65 FOOD REVIEW

Richard mellor gets more than he bargained for at Le Ziz

TRAVEL 69 A LAND DOWN UNDER Cover Image ian hooton

We take you on an antipodean adventure with a city guide to Sydney and stop off in style in Singapore on the way

3 C&A_Sept_Contents.indd 3

IN THE WALL

A challenging plot for architects Caruso St John

78 INSPIRATIONS

Beata Heuman combines art and functionality with colourful effect

PROPERT Y 103 LOCAL AREA

News and views on buying and letting

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 17:29

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EDITOR HELEN BARON EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CATHERINE HALES EDITORIAL INTERN LOUISE GODWIN ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER KRISTIAN BRUMBY GROUP PROPERTY DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY MANAGER EMILY SAUNDERSON NORTH PROPERTY EDITOR LUCIE PEARCE ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL COUZENS PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER GEMMA ISTEED DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN DESIGN INTERN SHANNON NASH PRODUCTION CONTROLLER CHRISTINE MANN COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR SIMON CAPLAN FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID MARKETING MANAGER LEAH DAY DIRECTOR GREG HUGHES MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing marianne@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.

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Fo l l ow Us O n T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS Fa c e b o o k ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’

EDITOR’S letter “Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s back to work we go…”

A

jolly song to start us off, and why not? Work doesn’t have to be a drag, and September is a good time to make a fresh start. Perhaps it has something to do with our youth, and the cycle imparted to life by the school year, but autumn seems as much about new beginnings as the greenest spring – and if you’re lucky enough to have grabbed some time away during the summer, you’ve even more reason to return to the office recharged and with renewed vigour.

Outside the workplace, the city is gearing up for a new seasonal round of cultural programming. We’ve hit the ground running by unveiling the new, candlelit, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at The Globe. September is a big month for design, too, with the annual London Design Festival drawing visitors and businesses from across the globe.

Of course, the world’s leading fashion designers are also hard at work this month, showcasing their SS15 collections at London Fashion Week.

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We thought we’d mark the occasion by interviewing a fashion design duo who have stayed ahead of the pack and at the top of their game for over 25 years – and without ever compromising their very personal, eccentric and British sense of style. Antoni & Alison are unconventional national treasures and ambassadors of so much that’s great about British fashion: the quirkiness, the personality, the humour. Another ambassador is Julia Grinham, founder of Upper Street (the website, not the road) – the first online destination to allow women to custom-design their own shoes. Read about her attempts to revolutionise footwear manufacture on page 39 – we’re pretty sure you’ll order a pair for yourself. Remember what we said about going back to work with a new energy and sense of purpose? How much better to do it in amazing shoes...

Have a stylish start to the season. ◆

Helen Baron Editor

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 17:44

GOING GREEN

Paul & Joe’s new collection consists of great transitional pieces to take your wardrobe seamlessly from summer into autumn. paulandjoe.com

editor’s

10

PICK

T h i n g s We

ABSOLUTELY

IN THE SPIRIT

This limited edition collaboration with Mario Wagner means you may be tempted to keep the bottle long after the delicious vodka inside it is gone. £25.35; thewhiskeyexchange.com

CONDIMENTAL

Jewellery designer, Theo Fennell, has taken the ‘Full English’ breakfast to another level with this engraved box of silver embellished condiments. £5,735; theofennell.com

LOVE SEAT

Fall in love with Verner Panton’s Heart Cone Chair. It may not match any of the rest of your furniture but that's pretty much the point. £2,335; conranshop.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES

LIGHT FANTASTIC

New York designers Roll and Hill have now arrived in London. This Modo chandelier may take 16 weeks to order, but it’s so worth it . £4,230; scp.co.uk

NORDIC NOISE

In true Scandi style, Happy Plugs have designed a range of sleek in-ear headphones that double as jewellery.

Opt for the 18-carat gold earphones: they're sound. £24; happyplugs.com

FLOWER POWER

WATCH YOURSELF

Understated and elegant, these adorable Small Pop Up Daisy Hoops from Sweet Pea are the perfect way to wear diamonds this autumn. We want. £702; sweetpeajewellery.com

New from Hermès; the Arceau Cheval d'Orient watch is a work of wearable art, featuring a handpainted equestrian image of a horse draped in Persian saddle rugs. From £45,000; hermes.com

TAKE THE BISCUIT

SOHO CLUTCH

This may look suspiciously like Smythson's Soho diary, but it's actually a cunning clutch to carry all your essentials in. From £795; smythson.com

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Jewellery brand True Rocks' has collaborated with Gavin Turk on their rose fold Rich Tea Bitten and Signed Necklace, which looks good enough to eat. £350; truerocks.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 17:56

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bulthaup Mayfair 37 Wigmore Street London W1U 1PP T +44 (0)20 495 3663 F +44(0)20 7495 0139 www.bulthaup-mayfair.co.uk

bulthaup Clerkenwell 36-42 Clerkenwell Road London EC1M 5PS T +44 (0)20 7317 6000 F +44(0)20 7490 0840 www.bulthaup-clerkenwell.co.uk

08/08/2014 11:56

Absolutely

August 2 0 14

Culture A RTS &

©CONDÉ NAST / HORST ESTATE / VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

> WHAT'S ON p. 10 BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SAM WANAMAKER PLAYHOUSE p. 19

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LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 13~21 Se p t e m b e r S h ore di tc h D e s i gn T r i angl e s one of the 'Design Districts’ of the London Desgin Festival, Shoreditch A

©CONDÉ NAST / HORST ESTATE / VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

Design Triangle will bring together a collection of local designers, stores, galleries, studios, cafés, bars, brands and one-off events for a week of design-led festivities. Pop into the Ace Hotel Shoredtich to find out more. ◆ Shoreditch, E1; londondesignfestival.com

HORST

COUNTRY DIARY

BESTIVAL

Photographer of Style F rom 6 September V&A M u seum s

‘Fashion is an expression of the times. Elegance is something else again.’ - Horst, 1984. One of the foremost photographers of the past century, whose 60 year career has seen his work in Vogue and House and Garden and whose portfolio ranges from fashion and portraits to travel and surrealism, will be exhibited from September.

Cromwell Road, SW7; vam.ac.uk

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4 ~ 7 S eptem b er R o b i n Hi l l Co u n t r y Park estival expands the party season into B September by inviting everyone to a ‘Desert Island Disco’ (this year’s theme) on the Isle of Wight. The festival will feature OutKast as headliners, reunited for the first time in 8 years. They will be joined by Foals, Beck and Wild Beasts. Those looking for a boogie will not be disappointed with Major Lazer and Disclosure taking to the stage as well as several comedy acts including Nina Conte and Andrew Maxwell. Better start work on that pirate costume, sharpish! ◆ Downend, Isle of Wight, PO30; bestival.net

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ARTS & CULTURE / WHATS 0N JIM JARMUSCH & FRIENDS 9 S eptem b er ˜ 7 O cto b er B F I S o u th b an k n event for fans of cinematic pioneer Jim A Jarmusch or those who’ve heard of the eccentric filmmaker and wish to discover more, the BFI will be launching a whole season of Jarmusch’s movies. The retrospective will feature every full length film of Jarmusch’s including the wonderfully episodic and whimsical Coffee and Cigarettes and Only Lovers Left Alive, a ‘vampire movie unlike any other’. ◆ Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1; bfi.org.uk

must see

MEDEA Until 4 Septe mbe r Nationa l T hea t re edea is a wife and a mother.

For the sake of her husband, M Jason, she’s left her home and borne two sons in exile. But when he abandons his family for a new life, Medea faces banishment and separation from her children.

Cornered, she begs for one day’s grace.

It’s time enough. She exacts an appalling revenge and destroys everything she holds dear. Starring Helen McCrory, Medea has received rave reviews so make sure to catch it before the run ends in early September. ◆ Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 nationaltheatre.org.uk

Works on Paper Thro u gho u t S e p te m b e r Tate Mo d e rn

Louise Bourgeois has made a name for herself as an artist specialising in ambitious sculptures; there is more to her than meets the eye, however, as proved by impressive display of the large body of work produced on paper throughout her lifetime.

Bankside, SE1; tate.org.uk

BOOK REVIEW

PLEASURES & LANDSCAPES

By Sybille Bedford Daunts Books, £9.99

rare treat from one of the 20th century’s most underrated writers Pleasures and Landscapes chronicles Sybille Bedford’s adventures through Europe over 30 years. She takes us on an enchanting journey dropping into Capri to meet the charismatic war journalist Martha Gellhorn, third wife of Ernest Hemingway. Having stayed up all night with Gellhorn, to watch the dawn break over Capri’s rooftops, we set off for

A

11 C&A_Sept_Whats_On.indd 11

Venice. We sweep across the watery city’s mysteriously beautiful piazzas at night, enjoying its decadent splendour and epicurean feasts. Soon we depart again for a tour of the vineyards of Bordeaux and the landscapes of Yugoslavia.

A hedonistic pocket-sized treat and the perfect choice for a light, enjoyable read. ◆ Review by Alice Coke

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 17:53

ARTS & CULTURE / REVIEW

What The Butler Saw Absolutely reviews Perfect Nonsense with PG Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster Wo r d s B . W O O S T E R (aka Gareth Fitzgerald)

‘J

eeves,’ I said, as I lit my first gasper of the day and awaited the full effects of one of his morning cobwebclearers, ‘I laughed non-stop, from the starter’s gun to the crossing of the finish line. Seldom in the history of all things planned to amuse have the funny bones been so thoroughly rattled and the sides so comprehensively split. A perfect comic performance. Perfect nonsense, you might well say.’

‘Indeed, sir,’ remarked Jeeves, always to the point.

‘Oh hang on Jeeves, dash it all.’ The bracer coursing through the veins, the senses restoring themselves, the judgement righted. ‘That was different chaps – or, rather, different chaps portraying the same chaps. December, the Olivier award-winning thingummy?’

I racked the bean.

‘I believe you are referring to the work of Messrs Macfadyen and Mangan, sir, the previous cast. I couldn’t wax quite so effusive about last night’s performance, but a spirited rendition by Messrs Heap and Webb nonetheless.’

Jeeves is encyclopaedic on the theatre as on all other matters of import.

‘Spot on Jeeves, quite so.’ And then I let him have it: the full Wooster analysis of the previous night’s performance.

‘I found that as the fellow in the white tie, the Robert Webb chap had a

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JEEVES IS ENCYCLOPAEDIC ON

the theatre as on all OTHER MATTERS OF IMPORT

countenance too suggestive of intellect and fleetness of thought, not quite the jolly bovine expression that is the mark of the Woosters. An excess of speed and competence blighted his performance somewhat, all things in moderation what ho. The Mark Heap fellow made for a superb Madeleine Bassett but, as the butler, he seemed in danger of the fatal

slip that cracks the crockery. I can’t think that Gussie would have travelled all that way to ask his advice. Where was the calm assurance, the poker face that masks the able pulling of the strings?

That is a what-do-you-call-it question, Jeeves.’ I left off.

‘Rhetorical, sir,’ replied Jeeves, picking up ably. ‘Yes, an amusing play, and the cast were more than competent in a variety of roles. Well worth seeing, but a trifle less in keeping with Mr. Wodehouse’s brilliance than other recent incarnations, I fancy. On a related note, I believe that a new cast is now in place: Mr James Lance and Mr John Gordon Sinclair in the lead roles, with Mr. Robert Goodale in support. Might a third trip be in order?’

‘I jolly well think it might, Jeeves,’ I replied, fairly gnashing at the bit. ‘That Goodale fellow scooped an Olivier himself a while back, as I recall. And besides, if one is going to be a theatre-goer, one had better go to the theatre.’ An admirably convincing equation, I thought. Jeeves seemed not to hear.

‘Will that be all sir?’ he said.

‘Yes, that’s all Jeeves,’ I assented.

‘Except that Mark Hadfield chap as Seppings. See to it that he receives our liveliest compliments, would you?’

‘Very good, sir. I will make your appreciation known.’  Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense plays at the Duke of York’s Theatre, 104 St Martin’s Lane, WC2; jeevesandwoosterplay.com

12 12/08/2014 15:41

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12/08/2014 10:51

THE A-TEAM A visit with Antoni & Alison – designers, fine artists and true fashion originals Wo r d s c l e m e n t i n e ly o n

F

ashion is big business, and it’s rare that you see anyone involved – from retailers or models to designers themselves – turning down the chance to make a few more bucks here or there, however many craven collaborations or sweatshop garments the road to profit may entail.

Fortunately, Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts are not your typical designers, and their eponymous label is not your typical fashion brand. From their art school beginnings to the showrooms and shop-floors of Tokyo, Paris and London, theirs is a story of creative unorthodoxy, commercial unconvention and complete, unerring conviction in their craft. No naked pursuit of the unholy dollar here – and yet, for all that they’ve cleaved to independence and innovation rather than cold, hard cash, theirs is still a story of success. Perhaps not of the world-dominating, mega-money, yachts-and-private-islands sort, but success all the same.

It’s a career path that would leave most of us feeling pretty cheerful, and Antoni

himself is no exception. When Absolutely meets him at the duo’s dinky Clerkenwell boutique-cum-cafe, he’s so brimming with thankfulness – for our visit, for the opportunities the years have offered him, for the sun on the towering plane trees outside the window – that pretty soon all present (including a lovely woman from the PR agency; you get the sense that Antoni and Alison only deal with lovely people) are sipping tea and swapping stories like old friends.

It helps that everything in the shop is a talking point, from the clothes to the coffee mugs. Located at the corner of an imposing Victorian edifice that once housed a stationer (and which was slated for demolition before Antoni and Alison stepped in to save it), the shop is a mini mecca of great design, every object and garment bearing witness to the playful inventiveness of its creators.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the upstairs tea-room, where (on my visit, at least) man-size photographic prints from their forays into Epping Forest (the Essex woodland inspired their AW14 collection) hang before beautiful sash windows, the shadows of the limbs of the trees outside

ANTONI BURAKOWSKI and

Alison Roberts are not YOUR TYPICAL DESIGNERS

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ARTS & CULTURE / PROFILE

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:25

ARTS & CULTURE / PROFILE

THE VICTORIA & ALBERT Museum

procured the duo’s ARCHIVE FOR POSTERITY

dappling the arboreal portraits within.

Antoni pours me a cup of tea before I get down to business by asking him, inevitably, why Epping?

‘You know what,’ he says, ‘we didn’t really plan it. We’ve always looked for inspiration in places other people might not, and when the time came to start on the new collection, we were like, “Let’s just get in the car and drive.”’ We just sort of found ourselves in Epping Forest. It’s a funny place, so close to London but so different to anything you find within the city limits. We wandered around taking photographs and seeing what struck us. It was amazing, and what was funny was that Alison stopped at one point and said, “No wonder florals have always been popular with print-makers: trees are readymade print patterns, really.” They really do have that quality, even in real life, in nature.’

Antoni and Alison are print pioneers, mastering the craft of the digital print long before their contemporaries saw potential in the process. Now, of course, the fashion world has caught on, and prints are everywhere – but Antoni & Alison’s AW14 collection shows they are still ahead of the game, wittily transforming elements from their Epping trips into eye-catching statement pieces – one dress structured around the sinuous curves of a twig, another emblazoned with Art Nouveaustyle silhouettes of autumn leaves. There’s a childlike feeling to these undeniably adult pieces, I say, a kind of playfulness that you

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don’t often find in fashion – an industry more used to knowing cynicism or po-faced seriousness. Antoni agrees.

‘We enjoy what we do. We work hard at it and we love it. And we’re continually inspired by what we see around us. Some people think you have to travel to all these exotic places to find inspiration, and that’s fine, but we don’t feel the need to do that.

There’s so much that’s so interesting right here.’

This optimism may go some way to explaining Antoni and Alison’s long and productive relationship with London. From their early days at Central St Martin’s (where they met) and the Dalston council flat where they exhibited their first collection to buyers, to the magnificent townhouse they renovated in Borough (still used as a showroom and office today) and this, their Clerkenwell shop and cafe, they’ve made much of the city’s possibilities – and pre-empted many of its property trends.

In fact, I suggest, prospective homebuyers could do worse than look to where Antoni & Alison next pitch their tent.

Antoni laughs at the idea.

‘We were like a lot of artists, just looking for affordable spaces, which always seem to be in the areas people aren’t as keen to live in. Twenty years later, those areas have become really expensive and you have to look elsewhere.’

Is their sense of freedom aided by their lack of corporate restrictions?

‘That’s a good question,’ Antoni says. ‘I think for some people, money and security that comes from being part of a larger entity can be helpful. But the fact that we’ve managed to continue working without getting involved in any of that has helped us, because we’ve never felt compelled to repeat ourselves creatively in order to please someone higher up the chain. We once made these t-shirts, probably some of the first of the big Eighties statement tees; they were so popular, we couldn’t produce enough of them, here and in Japan. And when it came time to do the next season everyone assumed we’d do another line of them. But we just thought, “We’ve done that now. Why would we do the same thing again?”’

Such confidence and control must be hard to find among today’s ambitious young designers, but can it all be down to corporate structure and commercial imperatives (or lack thereof)? Does Antoni and Alison’s brand iconoclasm have as much to do with their own unique take on the world?

‘Well, Alison studied Fine Art at Central St Martin’s and I studied Fashion. We came at design from different angles, and to an extent we still do. We’re very different in some ways – we both bring something different but when you put it together, it seems to work.’

And work they certainly have. Over twenty-five years in and still going strong, with buyers from the world’s major markets clamouring for more and fans in all kinds of high places – including the Victoria & Albert Museum, which recently procured much of the duo’s archive for posterity.

I’ve finished my tea and the tree-shadows on the windows are shortening as the sun mounts higher in the sky. It’s time to go – but not before I ask Antoni how it felt to be made part of the permanent collection of an institution as august as the V&A. ‘Oh yes, that was lovely,’ he beams. ‘And lucky, too, because we had kept everything; we had books of all the collections going back to the beginning, all these photographs, a complete record of what we’ve done.

'They’ve actually approached us about taking the rest of the archive, so that’s something we need to think about. But we’re so busy right now!’

Something tells me that Antoni and Alison won’t stop being busy any time soon. ◆ 43 Rosebery Avenue, EC1;

antoniandalison.com

16 12/08/2014 18:26

Open Day Saturday 20 September 2014 8.30am-1.30pm www.forest.org.uk info@forest.org.uk 020 8520 1744

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1,300 boys and girls aged 4-18 who are taught in single-sex classes at key stages of their education.

Forest School is located on the very edge of Epping Forest and is the only diamond structure school in London.

Our school buses go into north London and the city.

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ARTS & CULTURE / BEHIND THE SCENES

HISTORY

STAGE TWO

Absolutely goes behind the scenes at the Sam Wanamaker Theatre, the newest addition to Shakespeare’s Globe W o r d s c at h e r i n e h a l e s

M

ost people have heard of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Slightly fewer perhaps, may know the name Sam Wanamaker, although anyone who’s taken the tour or was alive in the Seventies should remember him as the man responsible for establishing the Shakespeare Globe Trust, which succeeded in resurrecting the Globe Theatre and rebuilding it where it now stands on the banks of the Thames.

Since opening in 1997, the iconic blackand-white open-air theatre, at risk of becoming a soulless tourist trap, has instead played host to visitors from all over the world, held lectures and workshops, staged world premières, created a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of the building and brought Shakespeare’s work to a whole new generation of audiences. Most of all, however, the Globe Theatre has become a true symbol of Shakespeare’s London.

That being said, Shakespeare’s London had slightly more breadth than those already aware of the Globe might imagine. Although the Sam Wanamaker

Playhouse only opened in 2013, the visionary actor and director’s plans always included an indoor theatre. This building was intended to reflect the fact that Shakespeare wrote for both indoor and outdoor venues: primarily the Blackfriars Playhouse, a Jacobean theatre used by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Shakespeare’s troupe) from 1608 onwards. A brick shell was even built as part of the Globe Complex, but the theatre itself didn’t materialise as a finished and functioning space until 2013.

In order to find out more about this lesser-known theatre I attended a

19 C&A_Aug_TheGlobe.indd 19

performance there, took the official tour and spoke to Dr Farah Karim-Cooper, Head of Courses & Research and chair of the Architectural Research Group.

The performance I saw was part of the Concerts by Candlelight programme; Handel’s Garden, as it was called, contained music by Handel, Keiser, Steffani and Telemann, and was inspired by the ‘musical seeds and cuttings which he frequently took from other composers as well as from his own works.’

Cards on the table, Baroque music is not my wheelhouse, which is not to say that I don’t enjoy it – I just know very little about it. My walk to the theatre was thus rife with anticipation as I had no idea what to expect from both the venue and the performance.

'Breathtaking’ is a word that seems to have been chronically overused by fashion magazines and reality television, but on entering the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, it entirely applies. Lit only by

SHAKESPEARE WROTE for both

indoor and outdoor VENUES

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:28

THE PLAYHOUSE IS NOT the daughter of the GLOBE. They’re SISTERS candles, some in brackets on the walls and others in chandeliers hanging above the stage, and made entirely of unfinished oak, it gives the impression of the cabin of a ship until you look upwards and see the beautifully ornate ceiling painted with winged figures and clouds – a visual representation of the ‘heavens’ and a nice theatrical reference for the thesps in the crowd. I was seated on a plain wooden bench with no back and immediately began to worry about my terrible posture.

Soon, however, any worries about bent backs or numb posteriors were eradicated by the mesmerising effect of the music and atmosphere. Those seated in the best seats were close enough to reach out and touch the musicians and even those further away could not help but be swept up in the incredible intimacy created by their nearness, the smell of the beeswax candles and the seemingly boundless charisma of Trevor Pinnock, curator of the concert and proficient harpsichordist.

I came away with, if not a deep and burning passion for Handel, a great respect for the talent of the performers and even more than that, a genuine attachment to the theatre. My interest had been piqued and when my conversation with Dr. Farah came around I was eager to hear more about the singular space.

Like the Globe, the indoor playhouse was originally intended to be a reconstruction, based on drawings that had fallen out of a book in the library of Worcester College, Oxford, in the 1960s.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_Aug_TheGlobe.indd 20

These were considered to be by Inigo Jones, the great Jacobean architect, and were meant to form the basis of plans for the new theatre. Except they weren’t by Inigo Jones. In what Dr. Farah describes as a ‘blessing in disguise’, Sam Wanamaker and the Trust were not able to build the indoor theatre as they had originally planned. This meant that when it was discovered later that the drawings were in fact by John Webb, Inigo Jones’s student, and were penned in the 1660s, it was not a total disaster As no plans or pictures of the Blackfriars playhouse really existed, the Architecture Research Group (of which Dr. Farah is chair) instead decided to abandon the idea of a reconstruction and focus on creating an ‘archetype’ of an indoor Jacobean Theatre. The result is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which Dr. Farah is quick to point out is ‘not the daughter of the Globe. They’re sisters.’

The playhouse has opened up avenues of possibility in terms of performance, Dr. Farah informs me.

‘It is perfect for music because, unlike

the Globe, it has such brilliant acoustics.

It’s also wonderful for storytelling by candlelight.’

It’s hard to put into (so few) words the significance of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse; not only does it expand upon the Globe’s already impressive repertoire, provide a new learning resource and further insight into Shakespeare’s world, it is also a whole new lens through which to examine Shakespeare’s works. The Tempest would have been performed in a theatre just like it – what does that mean for the actors? Does the imagery in the text take on new meaning? These are questions that will be answered through seasons and seasons of the exceptional programming that the Globe has become known for. Personally, I can’t wait to see what happens. ◆ ‘Globe Outside In: Antony & Cleopatra’ will be playing in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse on 1 September.

21 New Globe Walk, SE1; shakespearesglobe.com

20 12/08/2014 18:28

ARTS & CULTURE / BEHIND THE SCENES

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:29

© LONDON STORIES

XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

ALL ABOARD Absoloutely previews Transport for London’s official Year of the Bus L o n d o n D e s i g n F e s t i va l 18~21 Septembert

T

bus flags and poles (from £75, by Trueform), snag a limited edition Oyster card holder (by Outline Editions) and view photographs from the TfL archive showing life ‘on the buses’ past and present.

Perfect for design fans and bus nuts alike, this is a great chance to explore London’s transport heritage at its most iconic. ◆

ransport for London has officially designated 2014 ‘the year of the bus’, and is teaming up with the London Design Festival and designjunction to mark the occasion.

This month, you can dine at a special bus-themed pop-up restaurant (created in collaboration with the East London Liquor Company), purchase vintage enamel

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The Sorting Office, 21-23 New Oxford Street, WC1; tfl.gov.uk/shop

22 12/08/2014 14:05

ART & CULTURE / PREVIEW

London General Omnibus Horse Bus Conductor 1895-1909

23 C&A_Sept_TFL PREVIEW.indd 23

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 14:05

OUR AUTUMN & WINTER 2014 COLLECTION IS NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE & ONLINE OSKA 71 Heath Street London Hampstead T 0207 433 1482 hampstead.oska.com OSKA 20 Montpelier Vale London Blackheath T 0208 852 9774 blackheath.oska.com

OSKA.indd 1 Anz_Hampstead_210x297_140808.indd 1

08/08/2014 8.8.14 11:19 09:16

Fashion Absolutely

August 2 0 14

> STYLE NOTES p. 26 TRUE BLUE: A NEW AUTUMN ATTITUDE p. 28 FASHION Q AND A: UPPER STREET p. 39

LIKE AOF LADY FIELD DREAMS Look Inspired effortless by days this outAutumn in London à laalong brandthe river ambassador Thames, theMarion Fieldlife Cotillard, summerwith collection one will see of your Christian little Dior’s ones through new “Lady whatever Dior” mischief they handbags get up to onduring your arm. the holidays. dior.com fieldlife.co.uk

25 C&A_Sep_Fashion_Opener.indd 25

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 11:26

EXHIBITION p r e v i e w

KNITWEAR Chanel to Westwood

Fa s h i o n

CONFIDENTIAL Fairy-tale fashion, understated style and knitwear

Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N

new exhibition of 20th century arrives at the Fashion A knitwear and Textile Museum this month, a major retrospective that encompasses 1920s Chanel jersey pieces, vintage woollen swimwear, 1950s cocktail sweaters and 1960s crochet. As well as the work of key designers, visitors will be able to explore the influence of art movements such as Pop, Punk and Deconstruction on fashion design, and learn about significant new technologies in hand, machine and industrial knitting.

The exhibition also traces Chanel’s introduction of jersey into its repertoire; a move very much ahead of its time. Daytime dresses and evening gowns inspired by the cosmopolitan cultures of New York, Paris and London feature, as do the knitwear fashions of the 70s, 80s and 90s. The 1970s were a fertile era in fashion design and Ossie Clark, Biba, Rae Spencer Cullen for Miss Mouse, Bill Gibb and Mary Quant all used knitted fabrics to great effect, paving the way for the names that exploded onto the scene in the 1980s – Vivienne Westwood, Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, Zandra Rhodes and Sonia Rykiel. A fascinating insight into the evolution of style and craft in our time. u

W o r d s R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

Stella’s Style Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney's new autumn collection is one of the strongest of the season. All muted hues, oversized layers and asymmetric shapes, with stiff volume in the skirts and bold graphic prints. The key piece? This oversized handbag in polka dot. stellamccartney.com

●KNITWEAR From 19 September, The Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1; fmlondon.org

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26 12/08/2014 13:09

FASHION / NOTES

01 TWO-FACED We e k e n d M a x M a r a

Two-tone, comfy and stylishly over-sized, this beautiful Weekend Max Mara wool coat covers three trends in one.

It's also a brilliant investment piece and will work with just about any outfit. £448, available at Matches Fashion, 87 Marylebone High Street, W1; matchesfashion.com

editor’s

PICK ANIMAL INSTINCT Mercantile

An office wardrobe update needn’t mean a drab palette.

Liven up a meeting with a sophisticated take on animal print; this snakeskin dress from uber cool Danish brand Baum und Pferdgarten is just the ticket – and is stocked at Spitalfields boutique Mercantile.

17 Lamb Street, E1; themercantilelondon.com

FAIRY-TALE FASHION

03 02 04

ART ATTI RE

05

WXY

Clock serious fashion points in these ‘Fighter’ boots from Taiwanese brand WXY. Heading the creative direction is fine artist, Joi Weng, who applies her artistic eye to her designs and seeks to unite 'usable comfort with radical neutral art’. £350; grey-book.com

06 COLOU R POP Radley

Launching this September is London based fashion designer Holly Fulton's second collaboration with Radley. Her vibrant bag collection is inspired

by Pop Art. Prices £129 - £279 (pictured Envelope bag) radley.co.uk

27 Fashion_Notes.indd 27

1. BIKER CAPE GREY HERRINGBONE, £217; wondaland.co.uk 2. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI COLINE EMBELLISHED SUEDE SANDALS, £1,435; net-a-porter.com 3. TESSA PACKARD FIRE WASP EARRINGS, 18CT YELLOW GOLD AND AMETHYST WITH HAND-CARVED AMBER, £3,200; tessapackard.com 4. YUMI STARLIGHT TREES SKIRT, £48; yumidirect.co.uk 5. VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL CORSETED FAILLE DRESS, £965; matchesfashion.com 6. BIBA BLACK DOME BAG, £179; houseoffraser.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 11:25

C&A_Sept_FashionShoot.indd 28

12/08/2014 11:27

Tr u e

BLUE Knitted high necks, crocodile prints and sheepskin are keeping us warm as the autumn sets in Photography Ian Hooton Styling Gail Holland

Check Knit - By Marlene Birger White Assymetric Croc Print Skirt with Black Zip - Johnathan Simkhai Metallic Tassle Bag - Gerard Darel Shoes - Marni

C&A_Sept_FashionShoot.indd 29

12/08/2014 11:27

Fur Coat – Gerard Darel Dress Underneath – Atea Rings – Lucy Folk

C&A_Sept_FashionShoot.indd 30

12/08/2014 11:28

Funnel Neck Knit Bow - By bikini Marlene top, £49, Birger by Princesse Skirt Tam Tam; - Cos princessetamtam.co.uk Crochet pencil skirt, £399,

by Sea Ny at my-wardrobe.com Cream coat, £175,

by Pepe Jeans; pepejeans.com

C&A_Sept_FashionShoot.indd 31

12/08/2014 11:28

Crop White Knit - Carven White Crope Kick Flare Trousers - ME+EM Shoes - Marni Earrings - As before Bracelet - Reiss Rings - Stylists Own

Photographer: Ian Hooton @ ianhooton.com Assistant: Claudia Legge @ claudialegge.com Styling: Gail Holland @ cargocollective.com/gailholland Hair and Make up: Nina Varnham @ ninavarnham.co.uk Model: Lenka @ Leni's Model Management

C&A_Sept_FashionShoot.indd 32

12/08/2014 11:28

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24/03/2014 15:56

www.sweetpeajewellery.com

Fine Jewellery • Primrose Hill The Sweet Pea boutique on Gloucester Avenue stocks both luxury and fashion designer brands including Polly Wales, Jo Hayes Ward, Brooke Gregson and the Sweet Pea range.

A bespoke service is available.

10% off on your first purchase - Code SUMMER10 - in store or online.

SWEET PEA BOUTIQUE 77 Gloucester Avenue Primrose Hill London NW1 8LD phone 0207 449 9292

SWEETPEA_Aug.indd 1

11/07/2014 09:48

FASHION / PRODUCTS ALAÏA

Cutout textured-leather waist belt, £680; net-a-porter.com

SUNDRY

MOSCHINO CHEAP AND CHIC Printed satin

mini skirt, £220; net-a-porter.com

Palm print track pants, £99.95; harrods.com

DOLCE & GABBANA Bianca embellished sandals, £705; dolcegabbana.com

STELLA MCCARTNEY Monochrome Star Intarsia Wool Coat, £1,375; harveynichols.com

WILDFOX

Rainbow open knit jumper, £180; harrods.com

DION LEE

Open-back leather and faux patent-leather top, £425; net-a-porter.com

ST. JOHN

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SS14

Lockram space dye draped cardigan, £775; harrods.com

STELLA MCCARTNEY

Monochrome star intarsia wool coat, £1,375; stellamccartney.com

SEAFOLLY

muste hav

Rosa vinyl and leather sandals, £210; sophiawebster.co.uk

MID SEASON The new pieces that will lead you into autumn

HARVEY NICHOLS

Mother of Pearl printed cotton and silk blend shorts, £310; harveynichols.com

Coastline bikini top, £59, and Coastline tie side pant, £42, seafolly.com

BELSTAFF

Kaddington pleated leather mini skirt, £1,175; belstaff.co.uk

35 C&A_Sep_FASHION PRODUCTS.indd 35

SOPHIA WEBSTER

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

Strawberry embroidered belt, £225; matthewwilliamson.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 11:27

BRAND f o c u s

DRAKES BUYERS CLUB G e n t l e m e n’s

London

Suited and booted, inspiration: Aquascutum

W o r d s D AV I D E B E C H E C

rake’s may have the cachet of a older label, but it was D far actually founded in the late Seventies, which says much for the classic nature (and quality) of the brand’s signature ties, scarves and accessories; you’d be forgiven for thinking they were the product of centuries, not decades, of expertise.

Since day one, the company has cleaved to timeless principles of design and craftsmanship, and with the retirement of founder Michael Drake in 2010, new owners Michael Hill and Mark Cho have injected subtle elements of contemporary style into the collections, preserving the brand’s English elegance while ensuring it remains at the top of the discerning gent’s sartorial hit-list.

The ties are still made by hand in the local area (on Haberdasher Street, no less) from the finest fabrics, though the flagship store resides in suitably well-heeled Mayfair. Drake’s is still talked about with reverence by those in the know – no longer the preserve of dusty professors in corduroy trousers, knitted ties have become the very emblem of the stylish modern man: ending in a blunt rather than a point, they are neat, textured and thus ideal for Autumn/Winter.

Drakes is one of those Great British brands to be proud of – and their dragon-print wooland-silk pocket squares, new for AW14, are about as desirable as it gets. drakes.com.◆

Wo r d s H E L E N B A R O N

Parka Life Aquascutum

● H A B E R DA S H E R S T R E E T FAC T O R Y S H O P 3 Haberdasher Street, N1

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_Sept_Mens_Notes.indd 36

Combining high style with a little street savvy, Aquascutum's AW14 collection should be your first stop for suiting and outerwear this season. Forget the heritage pretenders and go back to the original author of British elegance.

Unit 3, Cabot Square, E14 ; aquascutum.co.uk

36 12/08/2014 18:34

MENS / NOTES

FOOTWEAR

LOOK SHARP, GENTS, & TAKE YOUR STYLE TO WORK

Crockett and Jones

Best foot forward? You’ll want to put both feet forward in these bad boys – the 'Skye IV Snuff Suede' design – a full brogue Derby boot with Dainite studded rubber sole.

Find them at the new Canary Wharf store. £355, Cabot Place, E14; crockettandjones.com

editor’s

PICK BURBERRY LONDON

Slim-Fit Contrast-Trim Cotton Shirt, £225; mrporter.com

BURBERRY LONDON

WATCH

Slim-Fit Contrast-Trim Cotton Shirt, £225; mrporter.com

Iwc Schaffhausen

The Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Expedition Charles Darwin’ in bronze is the only timepiece to be sporting this autumn. Try it on; we dare you to disagree. £8,250, available from Harrods; harrods.com

PAUL SMITH

Byard Flecked Herringbone Wool Blazer, £530; mrporter.com

OVE RCOAT

AMI Polished Leather Crepe-Soled Derby Shoes, £345; mrporter.com

Hackett

This fully lined peak-lapel Chadwick overcoat, made in Italy from 100% wool, comes in a dashing Prince of Wales Check. Fit for a prince? We jolly well think so. £700, 117 Bishopsgate, EC2; hackett.com

TED BAKER Chivway Check Waistcoat, £120; 6A St Pancras Way, NW1; tedbaker.com

BAG Pickett

Anything with ‘Eros’ in its title should inspire love. We didn’t think a bag would do it for us, but the Eros canvas holdall really does hold, err, all: shaving kit, boxers, change of shirt, the lot. It’s only when the missus adds ‘a few’ things that it ceases to holdall.

That, we don’t love so much. £649, pickett.co.uk

BEN SHERMAN Yellow Check Wool Sartorial Car Coat, £195, 1 Camden Walk, N1; bensherman.com

37 C&A_Sept_Mens_Notes.indd 37

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:34

The Sweet Scents of Autumn Ease into the cooler season with a delicious scent. Check out Bloom Perfumery's top pick of woody, edible and abundantly spiced autumnal fragrances...

Text by Susie Baird. Fragrance expert, writer and blogger at scentepiphany.wordpress.com

Fig

Honey

Almond

L'Arbre de la Connaissance

PG05 L’Eau de Circé

Tardes

by Parfumerie Générale

by Carner

by Jovoy

A silky smooth honey scent with a very pretty floral haze surrounding it. Lilac, damask rose and plum give the perfume a moody, slightly bruised tone, yet the heart of the fragrance is sweet and fluid and all about the honey. Think freshly blooming petals, covered in dew with delicate stamens beaded in golden nectar.

An intensely edible almond tart of a perfume with a boozy, balmy character.

A very complex scent which mingles floral and gourmand fruit notes, opening with delectable sweet almond yet somehow softening into a woody, grassy summer's afternoon. Imagine sitting under the orchard trees, a glass of amaretto in hand, watching the sun set over a golden corn field.

A green fig scent with a smooth and almost creamy warmth. The fragrance opens with fresh, crunchy green leaves and plump fig skin, which slowly mellows into sweetness. There is a delightful nutty, milky quality in this perfume that is incredibly pleasing. Easy to wear and scrumptious as it warms on the skin, this is a successful balance of airy and sweet.

50ml EdT £81.50, 100ml EdT £117.50

50ml EdP £81, 100ml EdP £122

50ml EdP £70, 100ml EdP £100

Pear

Apple

Pumpkin

Ciel d'Airain

Original Collection 'B'

Like This

by Huitème Art

by Blood Concept

by Etat Libre d'Orange

Mouth-wateringly fruity with crunchy pear, this scent begins with a sweet juiciness, chased with wood shavings and dry bark. There is an all encompassing greenness to the fragrance with a subtle hint of salty sea air that brings to mind images of a cliff top grove.

Fresh yet also woody and comforting.

Unique and sharp, the apples and cherries in this scent are frozen and served with ice cold vodka. Featuring an eclectic blend of bitter fruits and peppery notes, the perfume fizzes and sparkles in a most intriguing fashion. A little like drinking sours from a chilled metal shot glass, this is a scent for a thrill seeker.

Created in collaboration with actress Tilda Swinton, this is a superbly complex savoury/sweet treat for the senses. Dry, spiced and deeply unusual, this scent blends the impression of pumpkin and gingerbread with visions of fiery hair and warm skin. It is the tale of a woman on a journey, her deepest desires captured in perfume. Delicious and addictive.

50ml EdP £88

30ml EdP £58, 60ml EdP £98

Spitalfields 4 Hanbury st., London E16QR 0207 247 6148

BLOOM.indd 1

50ml EdP £60, 100ml EdP £99

Shop online

www.bloomperfume.co.uk

06/08/2014 12:08

FASHION / SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

Art & Sole

Julia Grinham launched Upper Street, a luxury made-to-order shoe label, with her sister Katy words HELEN BARON

ABSOLUTELY Tell us a bit about the brand and how it started out. Where did the idea for it come from?

JULIA GRINHAM I launched Upper Street with my sister Katy in 2010. It all began when I was at dinner with Katy who was, and still is, based in Hong Kong and I noticed that she was wearing a fabulous pair of heels. I asked where she’d bought them, imagining that she had splashed out a fortune on a beautiful designer brand but was shocked when she said that they had been completely custom-made in an independent boutique in Hong Kong. I was particularly jealous because I had previously spent hours searching for the perfect shoes for an outfit and when I had looked into getting something specially made the cost was astronomical. This was our ‘aha!’ moment. We decided to create an online service that enabled women across the world to create custom-made shoes that were not only beautiful but also accessibly priced.

ABSOLUTELY Why do you think the business model is successful?

J M There’s a real demand from women who want to create perfect, individual shoes that are beautifully

ABSOLUTELY How do you stay contemporary in such a competitive market?

J M We are always coming up with creative new ideas that our customers will love and developing our design options.

There’s nothing better than getting great feedback from a customer!

WOMEN ACROSS THE WORLD can create custom-MADE SHOES and lovingly made and delivered with outstanding customer service. Upper Street has a unique offering which meets this consumer demand beyond all expectations, and by running our business in an ambitious yet thoughtful way, we have a successful business model that we hope will only become even more successful as we grow awareness of our brand both here in the UK and internationally.

39 C&A_Fash_Q&A.indd 39

ABSOLUTELY What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learned along the way?

J M How exciting it is! I am very lucky to work with my sister and a fantastic team of people who are so passionate about our brand.

ABSOLUTELY What would be your advice to anyone wanting to start their own online fashion company?

J M Know your customer inside out and listen to what they have to say, as they will guide you to get your product and service offering spot on. Build relationships within the fashion industry and also network well beyond this, as the partnerships you make can help you grow your business. ◆ 148 Highbury Hill, London, N5; upperstreet.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

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L

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120 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 3LS 509 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 4JS 77-79 Wycombe End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 1LX Telephone: 020 7486 3080 email: info@halcyon-interiors.co.uk | www.halcyon-interiors.co.uk

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21/03/2013 11/03/2013 10:39 11:21

FASHION / JEWELLERY

LIVYORA

Mustekala cuff earrings £poa; livyora.com

BOODLES

Long beetle necklace, in 18ct yellow gold with coloured gemstones £7,000; boodles.com

SOPHIE HARLEY

Mega showgirl choker £3,500; sophieharley.com

ASTLEY CLARKE MUSE

Rose gold giant Astley Locket £3,500; astleyclarke.com

muste hav

LUCIE CAMPBELL

Platinum diamond sapphire cat brooch £3,800; luciecampbell.com

THEO FENNELL

Limited edition giraffe art charm £1,100 theofennell.com

KIKI MCDONOUGH Eve bee bracelet with diamonds and blue topaz £1,300; kiki.co.uk

ARGENT LONDON

18CT half eternity paveset diamond & gemstone rings from £980; argentlondon.com

Orange watermelon ring £550; grey-book.com

VAN CLEEF & ARPLES

MAUD TRAON

editor’s

PICK

DINNY HALL

Tessa Pendant in 14k yellow gold and silver with rose gold vermeil £575; dinnyhall.com

HOT ROCKS BULGARI

Serpenti watch with 18ct pink gold-diamonds case £113,000; bulgari.com

Dazzling jewels create the ultimate sparkle DINNY HALL

Gem drop ring in 14K rose gold with rose de France amethyst £550; dinnyhall.com

CARTIER

Hoop earrings in white gold, onyx, garnets, brilliant-cut diamonds £POA; cartier.com

ROBINSON PELHAM

Diamond butterfly pendant/brooch with pink sapphire wings £4,850; robinsonpelham.com

41 JEWELLERY PAGE.indd 41

CHOPARD

Clownfish plastron necklace in white gold £POA; chopard.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 13:44

WWW.SPITALFIELDS.CO.UK

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THE SHOREDITCH SPA This new boutique spa offers superior treatments in a stylish environment perfectly suited to its hip location. Body treatments are performed in the tranquillity of the downstairs ‘quiet zone’, while manicures and pedicures take place upstairs in the most comfortable armchairs in town. Products used include Aromatherapy Associates, Dermalogica and OPI. 167 Brick Lane, E2; theshoreditchspa.com

MARKET

TOWN

East London’s once-traditional markets have been redrawn; look beyond the stalls to the capital's hippest stores, salons and restaurants at Old Spitalfields, Columbia Flower and Brick Lane Markets ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_SpitMarket_Feature.indd 42

SPECSTACULAR OPTICIANS Just off Brick Lane, this Shoreditch opticians is a one-stop shop for eye care, featuring a treasure trove of vintage frames, unique contemporary models (brands such as Theo, Kuboraum and ResRei are present and correct) and a full range of comprehensive eye examinations. Retinal imaging is also available, while bespoke eyewear can be made on-site within the hour.

40 Cheshire Street, E2, 020 3645 1237

42 12/08/2014 17:41

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

MAIA Just off Columbia Road in cobbled Ezra Street is this gem of a jewellery boutique, offering beautiful high-quality pieces made from sterling silver, 18-carat gold plate and semi-precious gemstones. Pick up a stunning one-off statement necklace, delicate drop earrings or set of jewelled stack rings, all at very affordable prices.

14 Ezra Street, E2; 07958 466 538; maia-shop.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDS Here are some of our top picks from around Columbia Road Flower and Brick Lane Markets

ANGELA FLANDERS PERFUMER

MILAGROS Milagros tiles are handmade in Mexico by independent makers and small workshops to create quality hand made products, combining artisan techniques with contemporary design: from brick-shaped tiles to hand-blown recycled glassware, papel picardo, traditional gifts for weddings and Mexican folk art. Open on Saturdays 12 to 5 and Sundays from 9 to 3 or by appointment.

61 Columbia Road, E2, 020 7613 0876; milagros.co.uk

In residence since 1982, Flanders’ exquisite perfumes have won her a legion of admirers – as well as a coveted FiFi Award in 2012 for her fragrance Precious One. With over 35 unique and beguiling scents in her range (plus lots of lovely scented candles and bath products), her store is the perfect place to discover a new favourite fragrance. Happy sniffing. 96 Columbia Road, E2; angelaflanders-perfumer.com

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 17:42

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‘SMITHS,’ SPITALFIELDS All-day dining doesn’t come much more iconic than Smiths, Spitalfields, housed in a four-storey industrial edifice. With a café, dining room and bar serving amazing £6 cocktails (and bottles of Prosecco for £15), the eatery caters for local residents, workers and visitors – and has the lively vibe and cool decor to suit pretty much any occasion.

109 Commercial Street, E1; thisissmiths.com/spitalfields

OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET The grand-daddy of London markets, mixes all things artisanal, boutique and vintage with fashion flagships, top-notch restaurants and specialists in home decor

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_SpitMarket_Feature.indd 44

JIGSAW

THE MERCANTILE

The Spitalfields menswear flagship store is a relaxed environment in which to view the latest must-haves from iconic brand Jigsaw. Light, bright and spacious, it’s the perfect backdrop to view the collection: soft merino knits in seasonal colours, tonal checks and heritage tartans and, of course, essential outerwear, from pea-coats and donkey jackets to macs and trenches. 11 Lamb Street, E1; jigsaw-online.com

Mercantile curates a unique selection of over 50 local and global brands. Slick Danish fashion sits alongside handmade soaps from Surrey and Balinese fairtrade jewellery. Ever-evolving, there is always something new to discover in store. Browse the boutique's website for new arrivals or pop into the store to soak up the relaxed, vintage vibes.

17 Lamb Street, E1; themercantilelondon.com

44 12/08/2014 17:42

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

SQUARE PIE

BLOOM PERFUMERY

London’s original gourmet pie company, Square Pie was born in Old Spitalfields Market in 2001. Appearing at Glastonbury Festival and in the Selfridges Food Hall, there are now five shops in London serving a range of award-winning pies with fresh mash as well as proper jacket potatoes and mini pie ‘canapies’.

Try the delivery service for office lunches.

105c Commercial Street, E1; 020 7247 2100; squarepie.com

Just across from the market, Bloom Perfumery offers a curated collection of luxury, niche and independent perfumeand candle-making maisons, hand-picked from around the world. The shop’s friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you discover niche perfume's magic and your very own signature scent.

4 Hanbury Street, E1; bloomperfume.co.uk

BOHO MEXICA Just down the road, Boho Mexica is a strong contender for the crown of best Mexican restaurant in East London.

Free from the usual Mexican cliches (sombreros, droopy moustaches), it's rich in imaginative culinary ideas. A low-key, low-lit ambiance is the backdrop to authentic and interesting Mexican dishes while the cocktails (of which there are many) are on another level. 151-153 Commercial Street, E1; 020 7377 8418, bohomexica.co.uk

SUPERGA Italian footwear leader Superga recently joined the fold at Old Spitalfields Market with the opening of its fourth London store. This branch takes a coolly minimalist approach to interior design, all the better to foreground the clean, classic lines of the brand’s signature sneakers for men, women and children.

105b Commercial Street, E1; superga.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 17:42

MERCANTILE.indd 1

12/08/2014 13:21

Beauty Absolutely

HEA LTH &

August 2 0 14

> BEAUTY NOTES p. 48 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING: THE FIRST TRIMESTER p. 52

GONE SURFING Dedicated to design-conscious activewear for athletes and aesthetes alike, Net-a-Porter’s launch of sister site Net-a-Sporter also features exclusive workout videos and the latest in health-boosting products. net-a-porter.com

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 13:31

TRIED & t e s t e d

SMOOTH SHAPES Destination Skin words GRETEL LEE

Beauty

CONFIDENTIAL The products, treatments and trends you need to know about now

favourite of celebrities, Smooth offers a revolutionary A Shapes laser treatment which, as the name so forthrightly suggests, smoothes out lumps, bumps, dimples and cellulite on thighs, buttocks, the stomach and those dreaded bingo wings. Using laser and light technology, the treatment breaks down and disperses fatty deposits into your lymphatic system, so that they can be eliminated from your body.

My areas of choice (thighs) are massaged with contoured rollers and a vacuum for ten minutes each. The process is pain-free, surprisingly relaxing and undeniably satisfying, as I feel the suction on all those never-see-the-light-of-day fatty bits. Afterwards, my skin feels smoother and pleasantly warmed, and looks ever so slightly pink. There is no recovery time and I’m finished within 25 minutes.

When home I can properly check out the results; my skin definitely feels softer and my thighs seem more shapely, though there’s no noticeable cellulite reduction. However, the science behind the treatment makes sense and with the recommended package of eight sessions over four weeks, I would apparently start to see troublesome areas firm and tighten.

Alas, a completely cellulite-free body is not achievable through one session of Smooth Shapes alone. A series of treatments works best, especially when combined with the trusty formula of regular exercise, healthy eating and a dash of detox for that last-minute holiday-ready body. If you want to try before you buy, Destination Skin is offering a 15-minute free trial: well worth checking out. ◆

w o r d s R O MY VA N D E N B R O E K E

IN THE MOOD M AC

Want to look exotic at the office? Look no further than the new Moody Blooms make-up range by MAC. Prices vary, 103 Prices from £100, 22-24 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10; destinationskin.com

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Commercial Street, Old Spitalfields Market, E1; maccosmetics.co.uk

48 12/08/2014 12:38

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

ESSENCE OF AN ICON Diana Vreeland

Renowned fashion columnist and former Vogue editor, the late Diana Vreeland, is as influential in death as she was in life. A collection of vibrant scents, Diana Vreeland Parfums, will be available to buy exclusively from Selfridges at the end of August. The brightly coloured flagons pay tribute to Vreeland's famed love of colour. £180 for 100ml; selfridges.com

COAST TO COAST Jo Malone

Us hardy Brits know that the seaside isn’t just for sun-soaked summer days. Come autumn, a brisk, windswept walk along the coast will work wonders. Jo Malone’s fresh new fragrance, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, brings to mind memories of days out on the British coast. From £40; jomalone.com

3

of the best

LIPSTICKS

editor’s

PICK

BROWN EYED GIRL Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown have nailed it again with their neutral summer makeup collection, Surf & Sand. Choose the ‘Sand’ palette and sweep chocolate brown or shimmery gold over your lids to accent your (fading) summer skin. £48; bobbibrown.co.uk

01. BOBBI BROWN, LIP EXTRAVAGANZA £19.50; bobbibrown.co.uk 02. GUERLAIN, KISSKISS £ 26; harrods.com 03. CHARLOTTE TILBURY, MATTE REVOLUTION £23; charlottetilbury.com

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ Narcisco, £58 for 50ml, selfridges.com

ACQUA DI PARMA Rosa Nobile, £70 for 50ml, selfridges.com

PICTURE PERFECT Arbonne

Swiss botanic company Arbonne boasts an army of scientists dedicated to producing pure, safe and beneficial cosmetic products.

New to their collection is this silky-smooth make-up primer. It glides on and fixes make-up for the rest of the day. £26; arbonne.com

49 C&A_Beauty_Notes.indd 49

for

HIM

DOLCE & GABBANA Dolce, £62 for 50ml, harrods.com

RODIN Rodin Bis, £170, liberty.co.uk

VALENTINO Uomo Aftershave, £44, harrods.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 12:38

S T OP S MOKI

NG

START

SAVIN (Over

18’s o

G!

nly)

THE E-LIQUIDS AND E-CIGARETTES CREATE A VAPOUR INSTEAD OF SMOKE SO THERE IS NO TAR, NO TOBACCO, NO CARBON MONOXIDE, NO PASSIVE SMOKE AND CARCINOGENIC SUBTANCES.

NEW E-LIQUIDS AVAILABLE IN STORE NOW! Ice E-liquids are formulated in the UK and are the first E-liquid range not to use any alcohol in their products. ICE E-liquids offer 100% taste sensation available in 42 fantastic flavours with or without Nicotine

Cherry Coconut Banana Watermelon Sex on the beach JD and Coke Nougat Chocolate Caramel Lime & MORE INSTORE!

OTHER PREMIUM E-LIQUID BRANDS AVAILABLE WITH OR WITHOUT NICOTINE

COME & TRY BEFORE YOU BUY IN STORE REWARD & LOYALTY SCHEMES AVAILABLE

55 Ballards lane Finchley N3 1XP | 0203 092 2967 49 Camden High Street NW1 1JH | 020 7387 7222

evapuk.com | e-vap.org | info@e-vap.co | facebook.com/evapltd FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE e-vap_SEPT.indd 1

11/08/2014 10:40

HEALTH & BEAUTY / MAKE-UP INSIDER

NARS

Eyeshadow Duo in Tropical Princess, £25, narscosmetics.co.uk

TOPSHOP

TOPSHOP

Glitter Pot in Hero and Periwinkle, £4, topshop.com

Lip Varnish in High Times, £9, topshop.com

BOUTIQUE

CHANEL SS14

Nail Polish in Selling Ice to the Eskimos, £4, Sainsbury’s

NARS

GLITTER FEST

Blush in Exhibit A, £21.50, narscosmetics.co.uk

It’s all about glitter, sparkles and lots of bling for Carnival – just remember to keep it cheap Wo r d s A r a b e l l a P r e s t o n

F

YSL

Baby Doll Mascara, £24.50, yslbeauty.co.uk

or me, Carnival is all about beauty.

It’s a riotous celebration of life: outre costumes and bonkers looks has left its legacy in make-up . Anything goes – and there are no rules.

My advice is to keep it cheap.

There are some amazing colours and pigments available on the high street. I love this Revlon eye quad. It’s long-wear too, crucial for surviving heat/rain/late nights.

Use the darker colours close to the lash line then blend in the yellow and purple on your lids and up to your brows. Use a wet brush for even more intense colour. Glitter, sparkles and bling are essential.

Pat a little vaseline onto the tops of your cheekbones or eyelids then press this Topshop glitter into the area. More is definitely more and don’t be too precise, but keep it off the centre of your face.

One place I won’t scrimp is on my mascara, and full-on carnival eyes require blacker than black lashes. The YSL Baby Doll mascara is the glossiest, blackest one around. Layer it on thick, let it dry, then go again for super volume with just a hint of clumping.

Worth spending money on too is a great blusher. The cheaper ones never seem to blend as well. This NARS blush looks extreme but is delicate when used with a light touch, and surprisingly flattering. 

51 NH_Aug_Make Up Insider.indd 51

TOPSHOP

Chameleon Glow in Shuffle The Cards, £8, topshop.com

REVLON

ColorStay 16hr Eyeshadow Quad in Exotic, £7.99, boots.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 15:19

H E A LT H i n s i d e r

MUM-TO-BE

A new regular column tracking the highs and lows of pregnancy from the first inkling to the final push

Health

CONFIDENTIAL The products, treatments and trends you need to know about now

W o r d s H E L E N BA R O N

VERBAUDET

w o r d s R O MY VA N D E N B R O E K E

o you found out: that’s the first step. A couple of feint lines on a S plastic indicator, a midnight dash to the 24-hour Tesco to buy more tests (just to be sure) – and suddenly everything is different. If it’s your second, third, fourth child, you know what you’re in for; if it’s your first, the questions and confusion start right about… now.

Confirm the happy news with a blood test at your GP, who'll give you all the initial advice – stopping drinking and smoking is a given, but who ever paused to consider that everyday, over-the-counter medicines are now off the cards? The humble paracetamol isn’t totally forbidden, but generally the advice is to stay pure as far as you can, to avoid any unnecessary chemical complications. And if you’re one of the unfortunate majority who will suffer from morning sickness, pretty soon you might be having headaches that would try the patience of a saint.

Of course, by the time your twelve-week scan arrives (and yes, the interim between finding out and having that first ultrasound may feel like the longest few weeks of your life), most women find the nausea and fatigue of the first trimester has started to fade away.

The bean-sized baby that was in your belly at eight weeks is now around 5cm in length – but already has a brain, face, arms, legs… enough stuff, basically, to make him or her actually look like a real baby when seen on-screen. A milestone to be sure.

The key now is to relax when necessary, look after yourself and keep taking the pregnancy vitamin supplements recommended by the medicos. A maternity bra and looser clothing might soon be your new best friends. ◆

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C&A_Sept_Beauty_Notes.indd 52

Stylish Support Nike

After two years of research, Nike has launched its new Pro Bra collection. The state of the art range of vibrant sports bras have been designed to work against the laws of gravity and motion during even the most vigorous of activities. nike.com

52 12/08/2014 15:15

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

FLOWE R POWE R Nike X Liberty

Don't be seen training in anything other than these stylish floral patterned Nike X Liberty trainers. liberty.co.uk

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

01

02

health

TIP evap uk

Giving up smoking just got interesting. Evap has helped thousands of smokers switch from killer cigs to safe, reliable, electronic, rechargeable alternatives. 55 Ballards Lane, N3 and 49 Camden High Street, NW7; evapuk.com

03

SWIMMING TIME Tsovet

Built in Switzerland, this contemporary black dive watch from quality watch brand, Tsovet is the most stylish sports watch on the market for men.

SVT-DW44 watch, £325; opumo.com

04 05

ESSENTIAL OIL Ud o's C h o i c e

High in fibre and protein, this Ultimate Oil Blend from Udo’s Choice is packed full of the necessary omega oils you need to maintain a healthy diet. £11.99; udoschoice.co.uk

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06

07

1. THEORY 38 COTTON SWEATSHIRT DRESS, £185; stylebop.com 2. BURBERRY TEXTURED LEATHER HOLDALL £1195; mrporter.com 3. MONREAL LONDON UV FILTER DRESS £250; net-a-porter.com 4. ZIMMERMAN PRINTED CROP SHORTS £168; net-a-porter.com 5. LUCAS CORE PERFROMANCE LEGGINGS, £150; net-aporter.com 6. BODYISM LILY STRETCH BRA, £50; net-a-porter.com 7. ORLEBAR BROWN BEACH TOWEL & BAG SET £145; gift-library.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:38

Now serving authentic Mexican BRUNCH on SUNDAYS BOHOMexica MEXICA.indd 2 Boho Sept12.indd 1

22/10/2012 18:39 14:26 23/08/2012

Drink Absolutely

FOOD &

August 2 0 14

> MAKE APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE p. 56 FOOD NOTES p58 REVIEW: LE ZIZ p. 65

KNEAD TO KNOW From satisfying sourdough to more-ish muffins, GAIL’s first cookbook features over one hundred of the artisan bakery's most popular recipes. Here, Absolutely selects a couple of much-loved favourites...

33-35 Exmouth Market, EC1R; gailsbread.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 12:40

XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

APPLE CRUMBLE M A KE S 1 large or 2 sm all loaf cakes I N G R E DI E N TS 2 eggs, at room temperature • 180g caster sugar 220ml vegetable oil • 200g plain flour • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tsp mixed spice • ½ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp grated nutmeg • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp fine sea salt • 300g peeled, cored Bramley apples (roughly 3 apples), cut into 1cm cubes • ½ quantity crumble topping

GAIL’S BAKERY The rise and rise of artisan home baking w o r d s R OY L E V Y & G A I L M E J I A

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M E T H OD 01 Butter two loaf tins about 19cm x 8cm or one large loaf tin measuring 24cm x 10cm and line with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6.

Sift together the flour, salt, spices and bicarbonate of soda and set aside. 02 In a stand mixer fitted with the beater, beat the eggs on a low speed, then gradually add sugar, beating all the time. Once sugar has been added, pour in the oil in a slow, constant stream and beat to a thick, pale mixture. Add the flour mixture all in one go and mix again very briefly until just combined. Add the apples and fold them in with a large metal spoon until the fruit is stirred through. Spoon it into the cake tin, smooth the top and sprinkle with crumble. Place in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 170°C/gas mark 3. Bake the cakes for 40–45 minutes (for two small cakes) or 60–70 minutes for a large cake. They are ready when risen, springy and when a skewer comes out clean. 03 This cake is so moist that it will keep for 3–4 days without trouble. Store it on a wooden board loosely covered with a cloth rather than in an airtight container.

C R UM B L E TOP P I N G I N G R E DI E N TS • 150g plain flour • 100g salted butter, chilled and diced • 50g caster sugar M A K E S 3 00g M E T H OD 01 Put the flour and butter in a bowl and use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add sugar and continue until you’re left with large crumbles – distinct nuggets of buttery dough. 02 Spread the crumble out on a plate or baking sheet lined with baking paper and chill for at least an hour in the fridge, or overnight. Don’t cover – the cold air in the fridge will help to dry it out and make it even crumblier. It will keep for 3–4 days.◆

56 12/08/2014 13:27

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

LEEK & GOAT’S CHEESE PICNIC LOAF MAKES 6 I NGR E D I E NTS 1 round loaf of bread, 20–25cm in diameter – any kind you like • 1 garlic clove, halved • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 4 leeks, finely sliced, dark leaves discarded • 100ml olive oil • ½ tsp salt, plus extra to taste • ½ tsp black pepper, plus extra to taste • 5 sprigs of thyme, leaves only, chopped • 2 eggs • 150ml double cream • 250g soft, fresh goat’s cheese, crumbled

M E T HO D 01 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4.

Prepare the bread bowl. Slice across the loaf of bread to remove the upper third, then use your hands to pull out as much of the middle of the remaining loaf as you can, creating a crusty bowl. You won’t need this excavated bread for this recipe, so set it aside to make breadcrumbs. 01 Bake the bread bowl for 10 minutes, then, once it’s cool enough to handle, gently rub the cut sides of garlic around the

inside of the loaf. Coat the inside with mustard – use the back of a spoon or, even better, a pastry brush, to help you spread it evenly. Set the hollowed-out loaf aside and increase the oven temperature to 200°C/ gas mark 6. 01 To make the filling, toss the leeks with the olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme and roast them for 30 minutes until meltingly soft. Leave to cool, then drain off any excess oil. In a separate jug, make the custard by whisking together the eggs and cream, then season well with salt and pepper. 01 Begin to assemble the loaf: place the bread bowl on a baking tray and spread the goat’s cheese evenly on the base, then top with the leeks. Pour the eggs and cream into the bread bowl in three stages, waiting a few minutes each time before adding more. Once all the custard is added, carefully transfer to the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 170°C/gas mark 3 and bake for a further 25–35 minutes until the custard is set.

Check the custard is cooked by inserting a skewer into the middle; if it comes out wet, give it another 5–10 minutes. Leave it to cool for 45 minutes to an hour. It should look rather like a quiche, and you can slice it up to serve it in just the same way.

VA R I AT I O N S As long as you stick to the same measurements for the savoury custard (the eggs and cream), anything goes – think of your favourite quiche and reinvent it as a picnic bread pie.

TO M A KE I N A DVA N C E This can be baked the day before you want to eat it. Reheat at 180°C/gas mark 4 for 10 minutes to bring it back to life before packing up and heading out on your picnic. ◆

Extract taken from Gail’s Artisan Bakery Cookbook (Ebury Press, £20)

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SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 13:28

LO C A L l a r d e r

ROTORINO Chef and owner

Kitchen

CONFIDENTIAL The latest food news, served with all the trimmings

S T E V I E PA R L E

he opening of a branch of the Ginger Pig on Lauriston Road in T Victoria Park completely transformed my cooking – I think my wife and kids will forever be grateful that they’re now being allowed meat. Before that, I used to rely on all the many amazing Turkish greengrocers for our meals. We also recently started going to Fin & Flounder in Broadway Market; everything I buy there has been caught responsibly and sustainably, plus the fish is always glistening and super-fresh.

I’m a huge fan of Leila’s Shop on Calvert Avenue. It was one of the first places where you could get really great coffee in London and is still one of the best. Her fried eggs with sage have made her famous and justifiably so. I also like to pop next door to her brilliantly curated shop, which is one of the few places in London that sells bottarga, air-dried grey mullet roe from Sardinia.

The Deli Downstairs in Victoria Park reminds me of an old-school provisions shop with loads of really brilliant dry goods such as hard-to-get Italian flours and dried beans.

If I have a morning off with my kids, we invariably end up at the Pavilion in Victoria Park as we love the fried breakfasts. I tend to buy my wine from Bottle Apostle, also on Lauriston Road. I always leave with something I’ve never tried before – plus you can have a glass of wine while you’re deciding.u

words HELEN BARON

OUT OF OFFICE Forge & Co.

Spread over four floors of a 1950s modernist building, Forge & Co. is a new creative hub complete with brasserie, lounge, bar, social workspaces, a downstairs gallery and a rooftop terraces You’ll find us working there from now on. 154-158 Shoreditch High Street, E1; forgeandco.co.uk

● R OTO R I N O 434 Kingsland Road, E8; rotorino.com

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58 12/08/2014 11:54

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES RECIPE

Take a trip to the Continent via Crouch End’s latest foodie opening, Melange. Putting a contemporary spin on rustic favourites from France and Italy amid hip industrial-vintage interiors, this all-day eatery is at the top of our to-do list. Head to the website for exclusive opening offers…

45 Topsfield Parade, N8; melangerestaurant.co.uk

From T H E G R OOV Y F O OD COMPA NY INGREDIENTS

PIONEERS OF THE CARRIBEAN

1 free range chicken 1.5 - 2 kg • Tandoori marinade: 1 tbsp garam masala • 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp chilli powder • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 3 cloves garlic, crushed small piece fresh ginger, grated • 100ml natural yoghurt • juice 1 lemon • 1 tbsp The Groovy Food Company High Five cooking oil • 700kg maris piper potatoes peeled • 2 tbsp The Groovy Food Company Virgin coconut oil

R EC I P E o f t h e m o n t h

TANDOORI CHICKEN WITH COCONUT SAMBAL

MIX IT UP Melange Restaurant

The Duppy Share

New Caribbean rum The Duppy Share is made from oak-aged sprits, brought to us by ‘Rum Adventurers’ George Frost and Jessica Swinfen, formerly of Innocent Drinks.

Adventurous it may be, ‘innocent’, however... £37.99, available from Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1; theduppyshare.com

Coconut Sambal: • 2 tbsp coconut sambal: • 100g fresh coconut grated • 1 green chilli deseeded • 1 clove garlic • 1 tsp The Groovy Food Company’s agave nectar light and mild • 1 tsp The Groovy Food Company virgin coconut oil small handful fresh coriander • juice 1 lime

editor’s

PICK

ITALIAN ICON Bottle Apostle

This year, esteemed kitchenware and interior brand Alessi is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its legendary Anna G bottle opener. Alberto Alessi originally designed it to pay homage to his good friend, Umbrian designer Anna Gili. To celebrate the anniversary, architect Alessandro Mendini created a range of Umbrian masks to slot onto Anna G’s face. £59, alessi.com

EASTERN PROMISE Ekachai

Liverpool Street’s Ekachai has had both an interior and a menu makeover – though the focus on Thai, Malay and Cantonese dishes, stand-out seasonal specialties and sharing plates for those in pursuit of maximum flavour remains. Street food for busy bankers, and a culinary adventure if ever there was one.

9-10 Arcade, Liverpool Street, EC2; ekachai.co.uk

59 C&A_Sep_Food Notes_use.indd 59

METHOD 01 Mix the dry tandoori spices, remove a teaspoonful and set aside for the roast potatoes. Combine the rest of the spices with the natural yoghurt, ginger, oil, lemon juice and garlic then set aside. Place the chicken on a baking tray, slash the thighs, then rub with the paste. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours but overnight if you can.

02 Parboil the potatoes (cut into chunks) for 4-5 minutes, drain, leave for five minutes, toss.

03 Stuff the chicken cavity with coriander and lemon halves. Roast in a pre- heated oven set at 190c/170c fan/gas mark 5 for 45 mins per kilo plus an additional 20 mins. Baste occasionally until the chicken is well-cooked and juices run clear. One hour before the end of the cooking time add the coconut oil into the baking tray, add the potatoes (they should be well-coated), then season. Roast for one hour, turning a couple of times until crispy and golden. 04 For the sambal, mix ingredients into a mini blender with some water and blitz until a paste while retaining texture. Season and leave to stand for at least 10 minutes before serving. ◆

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 11:54

Where Taste Meets Where Taste

Its Climax

Meets its Climax

Unit A, Dunbar Tower, Dalston Square, London, E8 3DT 020 7249 1077

leziz.indd 2

11/08/2014 12:09

速 Restaurant | Lounge | Bar Le ziz is an anagram of the word leziz, which translates as the pinnacle of taste. le ziz features a rich mix of traditional Anatolian and Mezopotamian dishes cooked and prepared with modern techniques. Every inch of detail has hours of tireless effort, preparation and thought.

lezizrestaurants@gmail.com | Opening Hours Mon-Sun 12 noon to 11:00pm | www.lezizrestaurants.co.uk

leziz.indd 3

11/08/2014 12:10

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

PASSIONATELY PAN-ASIAN

classics as Green Chicken Curry or Beef Rendang or plump for headline-grabbers like the ‘Shaking Beef Sirloin’ Bo Luc Lac or signature dish, Grilled Salmon Miso.

Everything can be prepared to individual tastes and dietary requirements, from gluten or nut free to vegan and non-dairy – perhaps with a house special cocktail Tootoomoo Martini or Oriental Princess to start and an 80-calorie frozen yoghurt to round off an unforgettable meal.

Enter the Crouch End eaterie and diners step into a bustling Vietnamesestyle open kitchen where meals are created with flare and finesse while customers breathe in the tantalising aromas. Seating is informal, the wall paintings unique and the family welcome unparalleled in its warmth. This really is a restaurant for all generations as well as tastes!

Outside is an indication of how Tootoomoo refuses to disappoint diners even when the 48-seater on Crouch End Hill and more modest six-seater at the Highgate Branch are fully booked.

Lined up alongside the pavement is a small regiment of electric pedal bikes and motorcycles for home deliveries, a growing catchment that now includes N2, N3, N4, N6, N7, N8, N10, N19, NW5 and N22 7 postcodes. Alternatively, customers can drop by for a takeaway – cocktails included! In fact, probably the only item not on offer at Tootoomoo is giant-sized portions of porridge. But it’s early days… ◆

Why Tootoomoo is taking Crouch End by storm

here are times when words are superfluous – when T pictures of jaw-droppingly sumptuous sushi, blindingly brilliant fresh red and green chillies and fragrantly fused dishes of the best Pan-Asian cooking has to offer should be allowed to speak for themselves.

This is almost one of them, were it not for the need to explain why Tootoomoo – a gem of a restaurant which resides discreetly in Crouch End, with a sibling recently launched in Highgate – has

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made such an impact in just 20 months becoming a local favourite and a fixture for home deliveries.

Taking its name from the young heroine of a food-based Indonesian folk tale, who fed porridge to a giant to save herself from being eaten, Tootoomoo sets its store and reputation by the quality of its diverse dishes, crafted by top chefs using only selectively sourced, fresh and sustainable ingredients From a menu that changes with the seasons, diners can choose such timeless

Open seven days a week from midday.

Restaurant and delivery/collection: Crouch End branch: 12 Crouch End Hill, N8, 020 8340 2633, Highgate branch: 230 Archway road, N6, 020 8342 9112; tootoomoo.co.uk

62 12/08/2014 15:44

FOOD & DRINK / RESTAURANT REVIEW CÔTE DE

BOEUF is an epically flavoursome DISH

‘SMITHS’ Spitalfields

tamarind sauce and beetroot cured gravadlax with soda bread, capers and horseradish cream. Light and full of flavour, our appetisers are washed down with a delicious malbec, the smooth, fruity texture and blackcurrant hues whetting our appetites for our beefy main course. We choose the most decadent meaty cut of all, the South Devon Côte de Boeuf, and faced a Herculean effort to finish it off in one sitting.

Côte de Boeuf is an epically flavoursome dish, coming as it does from a well-used muscle and being renowned for its delicious marbling of fat. Served with mustard and tender crisp chips, the rosy cuts from the slender brown-crusted joint are truly marvellous. Remarkably, we still manage to find room for dessert: a refreshing lemon parfait with almond crumble and a sumptuous chocolate torte provide a sweet end to a spectacular night of gourmet dining.

Smiths, Spitalfields may be younger than its venerable sibling, but with its grand setting in Old Spitalfields Market, attentive service and masterful talent for sourcing and serving the best of British beef, it’s sure to be equally acclaimed in very short order. ◆

Go cow-crazy at Old Spitalfields Market’s meaty mecca Wo r d s D a n i e l AG N E W

L

ike all hungry carnivores in touch with their primal urges, I am partial to a steak when I eat out, and from the simmering delight of a Sunday roast to a street-food burger or flash-fried minute steak, red meat has become the taste of the times in modern London.

With its signature red flag hanging above Commercial Street, Smiths, Spitalfields makes for a bold new entrant on the local dining scene. Offering allday dining across four floors, the meaty restaurant is the younger, hipper sister

of Smiths of Smithfield – and as if to prove her cool credentials, has something of the look of a nightclub (at least at ground level). High ceilings and exposed brickwork frame a minimalist bar propped up, during my visit, by a healthy mix of sharp suits and tattooed hipsters.

Like the Brooklyn-style bar, the upstairs dining room affords a wonderful sense of occasion, thanks in no small part to the open kitchen at the centre of the space, where a bevy of kitchen staff expertly cuts and prepares the meat.

My companion and I decide to ease ourselves in gently, ordering prawn and fennel spring rolls with a seasoned

63 C&A_Sept_FoodRev_Smiths.indd 63

109 Commercial Street, E1; thisissmiths.com/spitalfields

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 15:59

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7 - 25 OCT

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12/08/2014 17:56

FOOD & DRINK / RESTAURANT REVIEW YOU DEFINITELY WOULDN’T get a MARGARITA this excellent down AT MANGAL...

Le Ziz How to reach a tasteful climax in a Dalston kebab house Wo r d s R i c h a r d M e l l o r

I

t’s a bold move, opening a Turkish restaurant in Dalston, a corner of London where the streets are already scented with the mouth-watering smoke of a thousand chargrilled kebabs.

But Le Ziz is nothing if not bold. On its slick website, this new joint proudly purports to be the place ‘where taste meets its climax'. It’s a confusing claim, which doesn’t quite conjure the ideal image: my dining buddy and I approach with a thrilled trepidation, imagining a darkened, erotically-charged room filled with the ecstatic moans of delighted diners.

Thankfully (if I’m truly honest), this turns out not to be the case. Le Ziz is the newest restaurant on Dalston Square, the chilled-out, grey-slated plaza a swish,

slick world away from the bustling ‘plonker parade’ of Kingsland Road.

We visit on a balmy evening, so everyone’s dining outside in the dusky heat. Diners with kids take note – during summer, Le Ziz features what is essentially a free creche, overlooking as it does the square’s small children’s playground.

We’re promptly served some freshly baked bread straight from the traditional stone oven. The dough is delicious when dipped in a creamy, garlicky sauce and comes with some plump, large olives.

Le Ziz is rightfully proud of its Anatolian and Mesopotamian cuisine.

Ditching this tradition for a heathen moment, though, we order cocktails and immediately it’s clear that it’s not just swanky décor that separates this place

65 C&A_Sept_Food_Review.indd 65

from its rivals – you definitely wouldn’t get a margarita this excellent down at Mangal, for example.

An assortment of classic Turkish starters follow, cold and hot mezze cooked to perfection: slivers of spicy sausage, crispy pastry triangles stuffed with feta and spinach, and grilled halloumi (hellim, in Turkish). The hummus, tabouleh and tzatziki are all scrumptious, but the calamari’s my fave – tender, not even the slightest bit rubbery and deep-fried in a delicate breadcrumb batter. We squabble over the last mouthful of a zesty aubergine dip before agreeing it’s like nothing we’ve ever tasted.

I choose sea bass for my main, and it soon turns up beautifully cooked with a spicy kick on a bed of al dente veggies.

My cohort’s mixed grill stars tender melt-in-the-mouth chunks of lamb that taste even better when accompanied by fresh mint leaves. It’s all utterly delicious, which is why I’m pretty gutted that dessert has ceased to be a physical possibility. My companion, though adrift in similarly bloated seas, assures me that there’s always room for baklava, so the sticky squares are summoned – and as I crunch down through layers of pastry and pistachio, succulent honey oozing into my mouth, that’s when it happens – a sudden gasp escapes my lips. The website wasn’t lying, after all. ◆

Dunbar Tower, Dalston Square, E8; lezizrestaurants.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 12:47

iss_sept.indd 2

05/08/2014 09:39

Absolutely

August 2 0 14

Education KIDS &

> KIDS NOTES p. 69 SCHOOL TALK WITH AMANDA CONSTANCE p. 71

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL Oilily's AW14 range includes snuggly embroidered knitwear, brightly printed puffa jackets and super cute bags that look like dinky dolls houses. oililyshop.com

67 C&A_Sept_KIDSOPENER.indd 67

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 13:45

Get the kids kitted out from head-to-toe with the new school wear selection from Gap.. With a range of shirts and polos ranging from £7.95 and polo dresses at £10.95 your little ones are sure to be the smartest in the playground this September.

Get top marks for style with this season’s most stylish back to school bags; from backpacks and preppy satchels to cool purses, Accessorize has all you need to look the part on your first day. This practical yet stylish spotty Kingston satchel (£32) will help you stand out from the crowd, and keep the lunch money safe in this Geek Chic purse (£8).

4050_N1 September_14.indd 1

THE

CENTRE

TH E A BC ’ S OF BAC K TO S C HO O L

Get sorted on the stationery front for the first day back with Paperchase’s range of smart school essentials: notebooks, folders, document wallets, pencil cases and lots more. Forgotten how to write after the summer break? These Gaucho Glam set of five pencils with comfort grips (£3.00) will get the bright sparks back on track in no time. Be the envy of all classmates with this fun and colourful Monkey Mambo Banana pencil case (£5.00).

As the end of the summer holidays approach and the new school term is just around the corner, head down to the N1 Centre to grab all you need to start the new school year with an A*.

For further information visit www.n1islington.com www.n1islington.com, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/n1shoppingcentreislington or tweet with us @n1centre

Head over to Muji for more stationery must-haves, including a vibrant mini highlighters set (£2.95), and colourful notebooks from £4.00 for a pack of five.

06/08/2014 16:20

Private tuition for all subjects and ages • Independent school selection in the UK and USA Educational Assessments • Academic and motivational mentorship • Guardianship • Summer courses

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ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 2

25/07/2014 09:51

12/08/2014 17:56

KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES

3

LA VIE EN ROSE Dior Baby

Their AW14 collection has stolen our hearts. Emotive and romantic, it's themed on Christian Dior’s memories and includes this Rose Printed Cotton Blouse (£220, pictured), which is too dreamy for words. dior.com

D e s k s We L o v e

01

02

BACK TO SCHOOL

03 01. HARTÔ GASTON WRITING DESK £423; madeindesign.co.uk 02. COMPAGNIE RUBENS DESK £ 1,037; madeindesign.co.uk 03. GLTC STUDY DESK & BUREAU, £110; gltc.co.uk

Autumn fashions, brand new books and a touch of fairy-tale drama

LUNCH BUNCH MaidenShop

Healthy eating is fun with this too-cute baby bento box from Maiden. The little compartments make it easier to fill with wholesome snacks and nutritious goodies. £12.50; Maiden Shop, 188 Shoreditch High Street, E1; maidenshop.com

PACK IT IN Timothy Oulton

Boarders and little wizards everywhere will love this leather scholar’s trunk by Timothy Oulton. Great for storing invisibility cloaks and sure to encourage tidiness. POA; timothyoulton.com

COVE R STO RY

editor’s

PICK

Puffin

Don’t miss these new editions of best-loved classics, bringing 20 timeless, treasured works back to life. From Carrie’s War to Watership Down, the new cover artwork will capture the hearts of a new generation. £6.99 each; puffin.co.uk

Smallable

This Muuto Wood Lamp from Smallable is perfect for desks – on which the dreaded homework will soon be completed once again. £121.50; smallable.com

69 C&A_Sep_Kids_Notes.indd 69

SEE BETTE R

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:40

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07/08/2014 11:33

KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Guiding light When The Week founder Jolyon Connell couldn’t find his daughter a decent study guide for her AS-levels, he decided to create his own Wo r d s A M A N D A C O N S TA N C E

W

hen Jolyon Connell’s daughter Flora didn’t achieve a perfect A in her AS-level on Shakespeare, it got him thinking. Flora – in the sixth form at St Mary’s Calne – got straight As in every subject apart from the great bard. It was The Tempest that had been the problem, a tricky one at the best of times, so Connell immediately offered to help. He dug out his old notes but found little to help him; then he scratched his head, having no idea which critic to turn to.

‘What do you do if, at the age of 17, you need some direction?’ Connell asks. ‘It’s York Notes or nothing and they don’t give you any idea which critic to start with.’ And surely if Flora – the privately educated daughter of the ex-deputy editor of The Sunday Telegraph – needed help, many others did, too?

Connell’s lightbulb moments are not to be ignored. The last time he had one, the result was The Week, the news digest that became the publishing success story of the last two decades and is now Britain’s highestselling weekly subscription magazine. He rang his old tutor at St Andrews, Graham Bradshaw – acclaimed by Harold Bloom as one of the best Shakespeare scholars of the last 50 years – and asked him to write a guide to The Tempest; five years later, the first Connell Guide was born.

CONNELL’S

lightbulb moments are NOT to be IGNORED

With each dedicated to a single, classic text, there are now 20 in print. Other Shakespeare plays covered include Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, while the range of novels includes Jane Eyre and Great Expectations, along with modern classics such as The Great Gatsby, Heart of Darkness and The Waste Land. Every guide is written by a leading academic in the field, is no more than 20,000 words long and is accessible and beautifully designed. Like The Week, the guides illuminate without sacrificing complexity and seamlessly convey the viewpoints from both sides of the critical spectrum.

Last September, Connell Guides also launched a subscription service for schools. So far, 275 have signed up ‘including all the major public schools’, says Connell, who adds that he is keen to get state schools on board. For £195 a year, schools receive all 20 guides, the four new ones published in the following

71 C&A_Sep_Education.indd 71

year, plus access to Connell Shorts – briefer, digital guides to modern texts, such as Atonement, The Road and The Bloody Chamber. Subscribers also receive the Connell fortnightly review, regular new essays and a monthly quiz.

Colin Hall, head of Holland Park School, says, ‘In these days of Facebook, text language, downloads... the "plugged in" generation find it harder to digest academic texts. What Connell Guides bring is immediacy and clarity; brevity with depth. They unlock the complex and offer students an entry route.’

This September, Connell Guides is launching a virtual Book Club. Designed to appeal to a wider audience, subscribers will receive a monthly Connell Guide or Connell Short (either in print or digitally), a fortnightly literary review, plus a literary briefing, quizzes and more.

Connell has also started filming a series of video talks with university dons. When he spoke to Absolutely he had just returned from Oxford, where he discussed Romeo and Juliet with Simon Palfry, a Fellow at Brasenose and distinguished Shakespeare critic. Next in the pipeline is a film with Valentine Cunningham, a Senior Fellow at Corpus Christi College in Oxford, about King Lear and Mrs Dalloway.

And his work has not gone unnoticed.

At The Sunday Times Festival of Education a few months ago, the former Education Secretary, Michael Gove, said what many teachers are most likely now thinking: ‘John Connell should be garlanded with roses.’ ◆ connellguides.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 11:16

Luxury European Furniture since 1962

London & M25 Showrooms 020 7760 7558

WHARFESIDE.indd absolutely-ad7.indd 11

wharfside.co.uk 08/08/2014 31/07/2014 12:32 09:46

Interiors Absolutely

HOMES &

August 2 0 14

> CARUSO ST. JOHN ARCHITECTS' MOST CHALLENGING PLOT p. 74 OFF THE WALL PRODUCTS p. 85

MODERN LOVE Habitat's new collection is all about the warmth of copper and walnut, strong geometric shapes, a cool Scandi-inspired story and playful, colourful deconstructed patterns. habitat.co.uk

73 C&A_Sep_Interior_Opener.indd 73

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 13:33

Another

BRICK In The WALL This unusual house, shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, breaks all the usual rules of domesticity.

Absolutely takes a tour Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

W

hen East London architects Caruso St John set to designing a house for this Notting Hill plot, the problem was that it wasn’t like any other sort of plot. Formerly housing a mechanics workshop and almost invisible from the street, the site was far from conventional, its logistics challenging to say the least. The constricted plot is shaped like a horse’s head, surrounded and overlooked by three taller buildings, and can only be reached by a carriageway through the facade of an adjacent Victorian terrace.

The finished product was a resounding architectural success and shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2005.

Now the house, made entirely from an estimated total of 66,000 bricks, is a popular destination as part of London Open House weekend every September.

It’s a cunning combination of lateral loft-living and conventional space. Described by the respected art critic Stephen Bayley as 'modest, respectful and appropriate', this house takes the current vogue for

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_Sept_BRICK HOUSE.indd 74

74 12/08/2014 19:01

HOMES & INTERIORS / SPOTLIGHT

75 C&A_Sept_BRICK HOUSE.indd 75

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 19:01

BIBLIOTEQUE.indd 1

11/08/2014 12:02

HOMES & INTERIORS / SPOTLIGHT IT IS AT ONCE MONASTIC, yet warm

with the approachability SO OFTEN lacking IN CONTEMPORARY HOUSES

all things flashy and trashy and turns it on its head. It is at once monastic, yet warm with the approachability so often lacking in contemporary houses. It also manages to achieve massive lateral space, so hard to find in the city.

Through the unobtrusive entrance is an impressive entrance hall that leads you into the top floor, with a vast entertaining space and a great view over the gardens beyond. Light floods in through scattered apertures in the roof and downstairs are the bedrooms, which are amazingly silent in a city full of noise. Three separate outside spaces give plenty of room for sunbathing and navel-gazing.

The interior plan is completely separate from the typologies of the London town-house or the inner city loft, while still retaining a strong sense of dwelling at the heart of the city. Walking around the house takes you across broad spaces, to corners with windows overlooking small gardens, to intimate rooms deep inside. The exterior form of the house that is generated by this varied arrangement is incomprehensible from within. Instead, the form appears unbound and soft, as if an internal force is pressing the walls and roof out against the buildings around it. Like a baroque chapel in Rome buried deep within the city’s close pattern of narrow streets, the expansive interior is a place of escape and dreams. ◆ 1 Coate Street, E2; carusostjohn.com London E2 antoniandalison.com

77 C&A_Sept_BRICK HOUSE.indd 77

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 19:01

Interior

10 of the best

ART-TASTIC PRODUCTS HABITAT

Miles Linen White and Agate Blue Low Shelving Unit, £200; habitat.com

INSPIRATIONS Art and functionality collide as Absolutely shares its favourite colourful designs w o r d s B E A TA H E U M A N

01

02

JOHN LEWIS

Austen Armchair, Eden Multi, £1,049; johnlewis.com

OKA

Imperial Handpainted Vase, £345; okadirect.com

03

TALISMAN

04

Pair of Upholstered Swivel Tub Chairs, USA 1970s, £5,400; talismanlondon.com

BLAST FROM THE PAST CP Hart

Delve into the world of Art Deco style with C.P. Hart’s newest bathroom collection, HoXton. Each piece embraces 1920s elegance using contrasting textures and sleek design. cphart.co.uk

05

GEORGE NELSON

Vitra Marshmallow Sofa, £4,052; heals.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

B&C_Aug_Interior_Insp_use.indd 78

78 12/08/2014 18:45

HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES

ELEGANT ODDITIES G a l e r i e Wa l l c o v e r i n g s

Over fifteen designs in Galerie Wallcovering's Steampunk Collection have been inspired by the Industrial Revolution.

We love this whimsical hot air balloon print, which adds a little off-beat style to the room. £37.95 for flat ink wallpapers; galeriewallcoverings.com

WILLIAM YEOWARD,

Aragoa Table Lamp in Amber, POA; williamyeoward.com

editor’s

PICK

10

KATE BRINKWORTH FOR PURLING

NICE RACK Liam Treanor

Liam Treanor’s scandi-inspired designs unite mid-century architecture and traditional British woodwork. The Interbau Collection includes this super stylish Egon Clothes Rack, which is both sophisticated and contemporary. £675; liamtreanor.co.uk

Chess Set, £3,350; harrods.com

09

HAND DOOR HANDLES JONATHAN ADLER

Charles Edwards

Nico Fractal Throw Pillow, £298; uk.jonathanadler.com

These handles introduce a touch of surrealism – an essential component of any interior and one that will doubtless inspire endless comment from guests.

From £624 per pair; charlesedwards.com

08

INDIA JANE

China Club Console, Celadon, £425; indiajane.com

WE WOOD Fired Earth

With the launch of their beautiful new wood collection, Fired Earth is fast becoming a one-stop shop for all your interior needs.

The range features solid and engineered oak flooring available in a variety of shades and finishes.

After all, carpets are so 2013…

41 Heath Street, NW3; firedearth.com For further ideas, visit interior designer Beata Heuman; beataheuman.com

79 B&C_Aug_Interior_Insp_use.indd 79

07

ROBERTO CAVALLI HOME,

Floreale Throw, £1,250; harrods.com

06

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:45

XXXXXXXX / XXXXXXXXX

HALCYON INTERIORS Specialising in sleek, contemporary kitchens

by Alno, Halcyon Interiors combine German craftsmanship and quality with a dedication to stylish design. Each project comes with a designer and project management team attached to ensure your new kitchen exceeds all expectations. Showrooms are in Beaconsfield Old Town, Hatch End and Wigmore Street. The Alno Store, 120 Wigmore Street, W1; halcyoninteriors.com

Superior

INTERIORS Everything you need to renovate and improve your home

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

C&A_Sep_HOME&INT_ADV.indd 80

RIPPLES Ripples is one of the country’s leading bathroom retailers, offering inspirational and aspirational award-winning designs. Whether you’re looking for luxurious indulgence or subtle sophistication, Ripples can help you create your dream bathroom. Get started by visiting the showroom, which offers a unique selection of displays ranging from the ultracontemporary to more traditional designs.

26 England’s Lane, NW3; ripples.ltd.uk

80 12/08/2014 18:48

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

AUGUSTA AKERMAN

HARRIS ELECTRICAL

Augusta Akerman is a freelance illustrator and surface pattern designer. After graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in 2008, Augusta recently completed her MA in Illustration at Camberwell College of Art. She works with a variety of materials including pen and ink, as well as lino relief printing, transferring her illustrations to silk and cotton, exploring repeating patterns for textiles and wallpapers. augustaakerman@googlemail.com; augustaakerman.com

Family-run Harris Electrical's impressive local customer base is a testament to 80 years of unstinting quality and unparalleled service. As suppliers of domestic appliances, kitchen fittings and home entertainment systems, they offer delivery, installation, gas connection, service call-outs, extended warranties and even a recycling service.

62-64 Lower Clapton Road, E5; harriselectricalltd.co.uk

DAISY WHITEHEAD Daisy Whitehead Designs creates beautifully designed bespoke curtains, blinds and all soft furnishings, including upholstery, for private clients, interior designers and property developers. Daisy advises on style and fabrics, and offers free consultations and quotes. A professional fitting service is also supplied to ensure that each project runs seamlessly from start to finish. daisy@daisywhiteheaddesigns.com, 07973 601 099; daisywhiteheaddesigns.com

BEATA HEUMAN

TAG ARCHITECTS

Beata Heuman Interiors combine creativity with years of experience to produce truly unique results for every client. Undertaking both small and large projects, they manage all aspects of a commission, from conception to completion.

Their aim is to encourage and assist their client’s vision, in whatever form or style it may take, offering a fully bespoke service.

134 Finborough Road, SW10; beataheuman.com

Renowned for fully modernising London period houses to create beautiful, energyefficient homes, Tag Architects maintain and sensitively enhance the classic features of the property. As they offer a full range of architectural and interior design services, they can ensure your house achieves a cohesive look and feel, inside and out.

14 Belsize Crescent, NW3; tag-architects.co.uk

SARAH ROSS DESIGN Sarah Ross Design is a full-service interior design studio, able to guide you from initial space planning and building work to the finishing touches of furnishing and art, while those looking for inspiration or specific guidance can find that, too. With links to specialist suppliers, Sarah Ross Design can ensure your project stays stress-free and fun.

17 Wynchgate, N14; sarahrossdesign.com

81 C&A_Sep_HOME&INT_ADV.indd 81

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:51

62-64 Lower Clapton Road, Clapton, London, E5 0RN Tel: 020 8985 6388 - sales@harriselectricalltd.co.uk

www.harriselectricalltd.co.uk

Harris_Electrical.V3.indd 2

11/08/2014 10:16

Installations and connections you can trust

FOLLOW US

Harris Electrical is a family run business that has retailed domestic appliances and home entertainment from showrooms on Lower Clapton Road, Hackney for more than 80 years.

Harris_Electrical.V3.indd 3

11/08/2014 10:18

timeless

Crouch End 128 Crouch Hill London N8 9DY Telephone 020 8341 2020

Islington 42 Cross Street London N1 2BA Telephone 020 7359 4041

www.funktionalkitchens.co.uk

FUNKTIONAL KITCHENS.indd 1

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HOMES & INTERIORS / PRODUCTS

LIBRARY TILE ROOM £105.60; sacw.co.uk

BROOKLYN TIN TILES WALLPAPER - 01

£219; rockettstgeorge.co.uk

STEAMPUNK COLLECTION

£37.95 for flat ink wallpapers. £39.95 for raised ink wallpapers; galeriehome.co.uk

WORLD MAP WALLPAPER

£62; grahamandgreen.co.uk

ENGINEER COLLECTION ATLANTIS URBAN WALLPAPER £69.90; rockettstgeorge.co.uk

BLUE PORCELAIN PLATES WALLPAPER

£139; pierrotetcoco.com

SAVANNAH STORY BUST, ZEBRA

£58; anthropologie.eu

LOUISE BODY BUTTERCUP BLUE TILE WALLPAPER £66; rockettstgeorge.co.uk

must have BICYCLE STAMPS WALLPAPER

£POA; purlfrost.com

OFF THE WALL

editor’s

PICK

Liven up your walls with quirky accessories and feature wallpaper TIME LAPSE PHOTOS OF A GREYHOUND RUNNING

By Eadweard James Muybridge, Wall Murals from £60 per sq m; surfaceview.co.uk

LARGE RESIN ANTLERS

£40; house-envy.co.uk

HOUSE DISPLAY BOX

£99; idyllhome.co.uk

85 Interior Products.indd 85

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 15:43

A BUT NICE Nordic

Add some Scandinavian styling into your home this autumn, as Finchley Road 02 brings a touch of The North to London

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

02_C&A_02_Adv.indd 86

s the summer months near their end thoughts turn to getting your home cosy for the shorter and cooler autumn days to come. We’ve taken a look at the fantastic selection of furniture and accessories to be found at the leading homeware stores at Finchley Road’s O2 Centre, so that you can be ahead of the coming season’s trends.

Timeless Scandinavian style is the look to embrace, with its cool shades of greys, blues and greens and angular modern furniture. No one does snug elegance like our Nordic neighbours. ◆

86 12/08/2014 11:03

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION TIMELESS

scandanavian stlye is the LOOK TO

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

EMBRACE

◆

Autumn

Wi n t e r Ho m e w a re E v e n t

BIG UP YOUR CHEST

or true Nordic style, take wooden and frosty tones into the F bedroom too. This wooden chest of drawers is ideal for keeping your cashmere jumpers cosy. Its muted colours and mix-and-match handles provide the perfect transition into autumnal style but the blue and green shades will also look great when summer comes round again, it’s an investment piece. ◆ OLIVER BONAS, £450

◆

HABITAT, £150

get a head

o give your place a real Nordic makeover, use a few simple accessories to add focal points to your home. This coat stand is stylish yet practical and is a must-have for autumn – it invites you to hang up your coat and come in from the cold. This modern and animal-friendly stag’s head is perfect to hang over the burning logs in the fire place to give your living room the ultimate Norse edge. ◆

T

HABITAT, £57.99

From 25 to 28 September, Finchley Road’s O2 Centre is giving you the perfect excuse to revamp your home with the latest seasonal trends. Its leading brands will be joining forces for a four-day showcase of autumn/winter styles. There will also be lots of fantastic discounts, so that you can create the look for less. For more information visit: o2centre.co.uk

sofa so good

his Fusion sofa at BoConcept has a fantastic simple and clean design, and is perfect to unwind after a busy day. As a monochrome piece, you can easily make it work in your living room by simply adding a few cushions or a comfy throw to curl up in. We love the pattern on this cushion, also from BoConcept; with its golden hue, it’ll warm up even the coldest of living rooms. ◆

T

HOMEBASE, £6.99

FANCY A CUPPA

A warm cup of tea by the fire is all you really want once the temperatures start to dip, so we have selected a few accessories that will help you do this in style. This light wood tea chest from Homebase is adorable with its compartments and glass windows that help you divide up all your favourite aromas. Pair your tea chest with this stylish set of four minimalist mugs by Habitat at Homebase, which add a bright pop to teatime with their colourful glazing. We love to cosy up and get cracking on dark nights and the sleek design of this nut cracker from Tiger will give you a real taste of Scandinavia. ◆

HABITAT AT HOMEBASE, £18

BOCONCEPT, £59

TIGER, £3

BOCONCEPT, £2,484

87 02_C&A_02_Adv.indd 87

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 18:49

CONCEPT

KITCHENS CONCEPT KITCHENS | DESIGN & FUNCTION

Kitchen dreams are coming true...

35% SALE ON ALL COMPLETE PRONORM KITCHENS

40, Offord Road, Islington N1 1EB 020 7700 1555 www.conceptkitchensislington.co.uk

Concept kitchens_2014.indd 2

12/08/2014 10:51

Travel Absolutely

> TALES OF THE ORIENT

p. 90

CITY GUIDE: SYDNEY

p. 92

August 2 0 14

NORTH ISLAND ADVENTURES IN NEW ZEALAND

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A LAND DOWN UNDER This month we take a trip to the other side of the world for our antipodean travel special. First it's a stopover in glamorous Singapore before heading on to stylish Sydney. Then it's on to some hair-raising adventures in beautiful New Zealand. It's enough to make you want to book your one-way ticket down under. Pictured: Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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SPOTLIGHT

EASTERN PROMISES Long haul stopover: Spotlight on Singapore

Wo r d s G e o r g i e L a n e - G o d f r e y

GET A TASTE

Famed for its fantastic food, spotless shopping malls and super strict law enforcement, Singapore is the home of well-behaved indulgence. Showcasing a fascinating blend of old and new, former colonial buildings sit alongside vertiginous modern skyscrapers whilst on the ground Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cultures combine to make a richly diverse city-state.

WHAT TO SEE

Rather than tourist attractions, the thing to see here is the architecture.

Singapore’s government has spent millions on reclaiming land from the sea in order to provide space for the country’s cutting edge developments, such as the Gardens by the Bay (gardensbythebay.com.sg).

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The result of a state-sponsored initiative to introduce more green space, the gardens make up 135 acres of weird and wonderful botanicals. Visit the ‘Supertree Grove’ of vertical forests, which harvest solar energy by day and provide a light show by night to accompany the ‘Garden Rhapsody’ – a performance of original music inspired by the rainforest.

WHERE TO EAT

A Mecca for gourmands across the globe, the Singapore dining scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Expect a melting pot of culinary cultures with seafood dishes such as fish head curry and chilli crab taking centre stage. For affordable delicacies, local favourite Andhra Curry on Little India’s Kerbau Road (+65 6293 3935) serves an excellent vegetarian biryani, or try Sabar Menanti in the Muslim district of Kampong Glam (+65 6396 6919) for self-service Sumatran food. Meanwhile, for fine dining options, China Town’s award-winning Restaurant Andre offers artisanal French cuisine (restaurantandre.com) while Waku Ghin’s take on modern Japanese food is served in a sensational seasonal ten-course menu (marinabaysands.com). Avoid the tourist trap of the Singapore Sling at Raffles and instead try their high tea, served amongst the gently swaying palm trees of the Tiffin Room (raffles.com/singapore).

WHERE TO SHOP

What Singapore lacks in tourist sites, it makes up for in retail therapy. The spotless shopping malls give a new meaning to ‘shop til you drop’, with many so big you could get lost for days inside. Orchard Road (orchardroad. org) is the original home of extravagant expenditure, with futuristic storefronts lining the streets, all packed with new colllections from luxury fashion brands. For more authentic wares, try the nearby Tanglin Shopping Centre (tanglinsc.com), which specialises in antique Asian art, homewares and jewellery. And for a more cultural experience, the Bugis Street Market (bugisstreet.com.sg), a former transgender sex bazaar, is now the largest undercover street market in Singapore.

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

WHERE TO STAY

While many head to Marina Bay Sands in search of jaw-dropping scenery, they’ve forgotten one crucial thing – this hotel’s architecture is one of the best elements of the Singaporean skyline. Introducing the Mandarin Oriental Singapore, whose location is arguably the best and most enviable in town. Book one of the Harbour Suites for glass-to-ceiling windows overlooking the marina. Make time to visit the hotel’s exceptional spa, where the Signature Spa Therapies begin with a private consultation to select the correct oils for your needs. Book one of these therapies in a spa suite designed for couples for complete serenity with added romance. Meanwhile, for those looking for tradition rather than

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location, the iconic Raffles offers suiteonly accommodation, complete with complimentary 24-hour butler service for a touch of classic colonial charm.

Take a walk down the hotel’s illustrious ‘Hall of Fame’, which showcases the many famous faces that have stayed there over the years.  TH E DA M AG E Rates at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore start from approximately £165 on a room only basis. For further information and bookings please call +65 6338 0066 or visit mandarinoriental.com/singapore Raffles Singapore has stays from £393 per night, based on two sharing a suite on a B&B basis, +65 6337 1886; raffles.com/singapore

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 13:54

SPOTLIGHT

CITY GUIDE

Sydney: the best places to sleep, be seen and sunbathe in the world’s most beautiful city (well, we think so anyway...)

Wo r d s A l e x a n d r a J o n e s

WHAT TO DO

W

hat many people don’t realise about Sydney before going there is that it is an astoundingly beautiful city. There’s a reason why being harnessed in for a trek to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a tourist staple: the views rival those of any city in the world. But if you want to see it from a slightly safer vantage point, then head to Milsons Point Ferry Wharf at the base of the bridge or to Observatory Hill, which will give you the views without the vertigo.

Aside from the architecture, Sydney has many beautiful parks and gardens. My personal favourite is the Royal Botanic Gardens (rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au), where the sheer abundance of natural life that Australia has to offer is much in evidence and where you can get an Aboriginal Heritage Tour for around $35. It is an incredibly interesting 1.5-hour talk from an Aboriginal guide who will discuss the flora and fauna, as well as the impact that Western settlers had on the landscapes and indigenous population.

There are a number of fantastic galleries, but for a taste of the raw, bubbling artistic talent of young Sydneyites, it’s worth checking what’s going on at Carriageworks (carriageworks.com.au). The multi-

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TRAVEL / CITY GUIDE

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TRAVEL / CITY GUIDE disciplinary cultural centre is set in the old Eveleigh Rail Yards, heritage listed warehouse-style buildings formally used as railway workshops.

Of course you can’t go to Sydney without spending some time on Bondi Beach. If you’re up for a bit of activity, the coastal walk between Coogee and Bondi, a 5km jaunt that takes just over an hour if it’s done in one go, takes in some less populated, but equally beautiful beaches and coves. Take a picnic and make a day of it. ◆

WHERE TO STAY

O

pened in 2012, the QT is a ‘boutique’ design hotel with a quirky heart. I use the term ‘boutique’ loosely because actually there’s nothing particularly quaint or small about it. It is a big, blousy, in-your-face bolt-hole in the middle of Sydney’s CBD. Housed across two adjoining buildings (above the State Theatre and what used to be the Gowings Bros. department store, which was built in 1912) the hotel’s design ethos lies somewhere between Art Deco, film noir and frantically modern. It is a treasure trove of luxe knick-knacks and vintage objets d’art curated into a psychedelic funhouse for grown-ups.

You’re not quite sure whether everything goes together (miniature rhino, mid-mod chairs, multi-coloured fluff y cushions, all offset by the kind of solid wood finishing that you think is verging on wrong) but, you’re soon made aware that normal rules don’t apply here.

The experience begins on the pavement outside the (gilded) entrance on Market Street, one of Sydney’s busiest. You are welcomed by a host who is dressed like a sassy extra from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (it is pure theatre). He or she will point you in the direction of the lift with the level of pep

YOU’RE NOT SURE WHETHER

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that will have you raising a smile despite the 24-hour flight you’ve likely just endured. Directly inside, you’ll slope past the ground floor bar (the Parlour Lane Roasters Café) but promise yourself that you’ll stop as soon as you’ve sluiced off the haven’t-slept-in-two-days look.

Once upstairs the attention to detail is astounding: take, for example, the ceramic white rabbits that are dotted around the place, a wry wink towards Wonderland, a theme that is carried up into the bedrooms where bowler hats (cleverly disguised hanging lamps) float beside the bed, emitting a sultry glow.

But this is no quaint tea party. Each room comes with a cocktail shaker, a Nespresso machine and instructions on how to make the perfect espresso martini; as Kate Moss’s drink of choice, you are told, it is the only way to start a party.

The rooms have a boudoir feel; cool, plush and opulent, they are decked-out in reds, oranges or yellows and are made to be viewed in soft-focus. Despite having vast windows, the double-glazing

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is fastidious against the noise of Market Street and with some nifty gel beds, you’ll be in danger of sleeping for a hundred years. ◆

WHERE TO EAT

I

f you want to venture outside of the hotel (though the Gowings Grill serves some cracking steak and seems to be incredibly popular with locals) then you are perfectly placed to sink a few rums at Sydney’s best new cocktail bar, The Lobo Plantation (thelobo.com.au), which is just a five minute walk away.

In the other direction is Surry Hills. I’m tempted to equate it to Shoreditch, in a rough-area-come-good kind of way, but it is less flashy than Shoreditch (read: better). Here you’ll find countless good cocktail and wine bars, as well as plenty of bright young things with whom to while away the warm nights. For a truly show-stopping meal, head to Marque (marquerestaurant.com.au), a Surry Hills fine dining institution, where for $165 you can experience Australian fusion food of the highest order (think Paroo kangaroo with beetroot and radicchio kimchi). For breakfast, bills (bills.com.au; from the team behind London staple Granger & Co) does traditional Australian with a focus on tip-top ingredients. ◆ Rooms at the QT Sydney start from $320 per night; qtsydney.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 11:09

SPOTLIGHT

NATURAL WONDERS Ignore the hype surrounding the South Island. When it comes to New Zealand, the North Island is Mother Nature’s masterpiece Wo r d s G e o r g i e L a n e - G o d f r e y

P

eople told me that the only way to see the lake was from the air. But as the fl imsy plastic door of the plane rattled open, I shuffled myself to the edge, dangled my feet outside and all I felt was unadulterated fear.

I'm sitting 15,000ft above Lake Taupo in New Zealand’s North Island, the skydiving capital of the country.

Admittedly the view from this vantage point is breath-taking, but knowing that you are about to tumble out of a plane makes it difficult to appreciate.

As you fall from the heavens over New Zealand’s largest lake, rolling green fields, sparkling waters, snow-capped mountains and dormant volcanoes are all you can see for miles.

You don’t have to throw yourself out of a plane to appreciate New Zealand’s outstanding beauty. And you don’t have to make a beeline for South Island either. The North Island’s mountains are just as dramatic, the beaches just as idyllic and the wine just as good. But there’s also the added bonus of some of New Zealand’s unique natural wonders, from Rotarua to Waitomo Caves.

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About a three hour drive from Auckland, the country’s cosmopolitan capital, the Coromandel Peninsula isn’t exactly a well kept secret – kiwis have been holidaying here for years – but the place has an almost undiscovered charm to it. A peninsula of rolling forests and picturesque beaches, the winding roads lead down to the jagged coastline where Captain Cook first landed. It’s

THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA has an almost FORGOTTEN CHARM unbelievably serene, filled with crystal clear waters and hidden coves, while the seabed is covered by a blanket of wild scallops that you can scuba dive for.

The sandy white beaches here are the main draw; tourist attractions are thin on the ground. Instead there’s a hippy vibe thanks to the influx of travelling artists, all looking to be inspired by the uncorrupted surrounds. The Coromandel now has a burgeoning arts

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

©ANDY BELCHER

Cathedral Cove, Coromandel

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST scene, with many hotels, restaurants and bars doubling up as galleries.

As a tourist, its hard to ignore the influence Peter Jackson’s The Lord of The Rings fi lms have had here. Every corner of the country seems to lay claim to the triology in one way or another, and countless kiwis brag of appearing as an extra in them, usually playing an orc or an elf depending on what kind of shape they’re in. Hardcore fans might enjoy

Tongariro National Park

Hobbiton in Matamata, discovering some of the stunning scenery that appeared in the films has more universal appeal.

Often called the best day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19km of dynamic landscape, taking you between two volcanoes, through barren desert and alongside fluorescent blue pools of water and steaming craters.

The world’s largest volcanic explosion in 5000 years took place here in AD186, reducing the once forest-clad Rangipo Desert to a desolate wasteland upon which no tree has grown for over 2000 years. The most recent was in August 2012, when Te Maari spat out tonnes of ash and rock to rain from the sky.

No wonder then that it was chosen as the setting for Mordor - Tongariro has

©APRIL ORCUTT

THE WORLD’S LARGEST volcanic explosion took PLACE HERE IN AD186

an eerie, otherworldly feel to it which perfectly captures Tolkien’s sinister land.

Meanwhile, the Waitomo Caves is another place where magic wouldn’t be amiss. A maze of subterranean passageways, abseiling adventures down here are called ‘The Lost World’ for a reason. Hidden beneath the lush farmland above, this tour takes you down into the caves via a 100m abseil through a narrow crack in the earth.

Descending past the woodland canopy, where ribbons of sunlight stream through prehistoric ferns into the mists of the underground gorge, it’s easy to forget the lambs frolicking back up above. Here it’s dark, dank and spooky.

Tongariro National Park

But if you descend deeper into the shadows, you are rewarded for your efforts. Emerging into one of the bigger caverns, you’ll fi nd the rock awash with twinkling lights beaming down on you.

These are glow-worms, hundreds and hundreds of them clustered together and emitting their pretty phosphorus green glow. Turning off our headlamps, we lay back against the cold rock to admire the view, like stargazers stretching out under the night sky.

Magical indeed, and not a hobbit in sight…  The four hour Lost World tour of Waitomo Caves costs from $340pp; waitomo.co.nz newzealand.com

We also love…

ROTARUA

You’ll smell this place before you see it. A geothermal hotspot, Rotarua is unique, emitting a perpetual sulphuric stench. Despite this, the mineral-rich water pools, bubbling mud and exploding geysers are a thing to behold, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. waioraresort.co.nz

BAY OF ISLANDS

Turquoise waters, pods of orcas, playful dolphins – The Bay of Islands is postcard-perfect pretty. Enjoy the abundant marine life with some of New Zealand’s best scuba diving or, if you’d prefer to stay above water, charter a boat to cruise around the islands. We recommend the environmentally-focused three day/two night Ecocruz, $750pp for a double cabin; ecocruz.co.nz

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Tim Moss Bespoke kitchens www.timmoss.co.uk

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The spoils of the hardy workplace warrior.

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Property Absolutely

September 2 014

> IN THEIR OWN WORDS p. 114 PROPERTY ROUND UP p. 108 DEVELOPMENT p. 117 ASK THE EXPERTS p. 121

The Coach House, Victoria Park Road, E9

ÂŁ950,000

A stylishly modernised unique three bedroom freehold house. Set back from the road with its own front garden, the property blends a stylish contemporary finish and period features.

Currell, Victoria Park currell.com

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currell.com

£380,000 Leasehold Biggs Sq, E9 • Two bedroooms • Balcony • Amazing views • Eat in kitchen • EPC rating - C

£450 per week Shore Road, E9 • Gated mews development • Two bedroom mews house • Open plan kitchen reception • Roof terrace • EPC rating - C

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Currell £775,000 SoF Killowen Road, E9 • Three bedrooms • Garden • Period home • EPC rating - D

OIEO £950,000 Freehold Victoria Park Road, E9 • Three bedrooms • Freehold house • Newly converted • EPC rating - C *tenancy fees will apply. For more details on our fees please visit our website www.currell.com/knowledge-base/our-letting-fees

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victoriapark@currell.com 11/08/2014 15:58

currell.com

£550,000 Leasehold Downham Wharf, N1 • Two bedrooms • Balcony • Kingsland Basin • Popular location • EPC rating - B

£1,100,000 Freehold Quilter Street, E2 • Exceptional house • Two bedrooms • Garden • Popular location • EPC rating - G

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Currell £450,000 Leasehold Welbury Court, E8 • One bedroom • Well presented • Terrace • No chain • EPC rating - C

£725,000 Leasehold Montague Road, E8 • Conversion • Two bedrooms • Two bathrooms • Terrace • EPC rating - C

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hackney@currell.com 11/08/2014 15:59

Property Round up

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SUGGESTS

Millers Wharf House E1 ÂŁ1,200,000 Share Of Freehold

A split-level one bedroom apartment with panoramic views of Tower Bridge, in this popular West Wapping development Arranged over the third and fourth floors, the apartment offers a southfacing aspect with views of the Thames from both the reception room and master bedroom with both rooms offering private balconies. The building offers a daytime building's manager and secure car parking.

020 7488 4858; cluttons.com ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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e have just launched two exciting new features to make your property search even more efficient. You can now add personalised notes to any of the properties for sale or to rent listed on PrimeLocation to help remind you of any questions or notes from viewings. And, if you have decided that certain properties just aren't right for you, you can now hide them from your future property searches on PrimeLocation. The link to 'Add a note' is on each property details page and the link to 'Hide property' is under each listing on the search results pages.

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PROPERTY | ROUND UP

The INSIDE SCOOP of NEWS in your area Amhurst Road, E8 £359,995 This immaculately presented, spacious one bedroom apartment for sale in this very vibrant part of Dalston.

Bordering Stoke Newington. The ever popular Stoke Newington High Street is a short walk away, as are Kingsland High Street and Ridley Road Market.

020 3696 1840; century21uk.com

Blake Stanley are moving in to Clapton!

W Foxtons New Wapping Office

F

oxtons, London’s estate agent, is delighted to announce the opening of its Wapping office, this October. Located on Wapping High Street the office will open on Saturday 4th October, bringing Foxtons branch network to a total of 51 throughout London and Surrey. This forms a part of its exciting expansion plan in order to accommodate the increased demand for London property and to offer a local office for local residents. To celebrate the opening, Foxtons will be offering their incredible 0% commission promotion, offering to sell local homeowners’ properties for free. They will also be holding a promotional weekend for the launch with free balloons and fresh-from-thebakery muffins, so pop along!

020 3728 2222; foxtons.co.uk

e at BlakeStanley are excited to announce the opening of our new office on Chatsworth Road, Clapton in September. East London’s local estate agent will be even more local! The new office will be the perfect partner to our Broadway Market office in London Fields meaning the company will be able to serve clients across East London from De Beauvoir all the way through to upper Clapton and Victoria Park.

Our clients increasingly ask us to find homes in and around Clapton and the new office will be the ideal local base to provide unrivalled service in this area. With its similarity to Broadway Market, Chatsworth Road is a natural second home for Blake Stanley. Both enjoy great markets with vibrant and colourful local communities. We hope that we can be an essential part of the Chatsworth Road community and look forward to welcoming home owners and those looking to rent or buy property into our new office. Come and visit us soon!

020 7254 7554; blakestanley.co.uk

Ainsworth Road Victoria Park, E9 £795,000 A bright and beautifully presented duplex apartment situated on the first and second floors of this semi detached villa.

This apartment incorporates generous proportions with wide hallways and large rooms, features period charm with a good ceiling height and is perfectly situated between Victoria Park, London Fields and Broadway Market. The property features flexible accommodation to include a large eat in kitchen, reception room with large windows to the front aspect which has

capacity to become the third bedroom (en-suite) if required, a bathroom, additional shower room, utility area on the half landing, two double bedrooms on the second floor and a lovely decked terrace. There is also an allocated parking space for one car.

020 7749 3807; stirlingackroyd.com

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BlakeStanley

Mapledene Road, E8

ÂŁ1,300,000

BlakeStanley are pleased to offer to the market this charming freehold endof-terrace house. Having been recently modernised the property is presented in excellent decorative order and currently comprises a dual aspect double reception, generous kitchen / diner with access to a south facing landscaped garden, three double bedrooms and a three piece bathroom suite. A wealth of period features such as sash windows and wooden floors have been retained.

Planning permission is also in place for a side extension (circa 150sqft) which would allow any buyer the opportunity to create an extensive ground floor living space.

Freehold

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11-13a Broadway Market, London Fields, London , E8 4PH 12/08/2014 12:09

www.blakestanley.co.uk

Appleby Road, E8

020 7254 7554

£1,100,000

Located on a peaceful residential street in Hackney’s most desirable London Fields area is this three bedroom end-of-terrace house offered with no onward chain. The property is arranged over two floors and, having been extended, offers a spacious lounge, generous kitchen / dining room and a well maintained garden on the ground floor. As well as three double bedrooms and a three piece bathroom suite on the first floor. Offered to the market in good decorative order and with period features including sash windows and wooden floors.

Freehold

Wilton Way, E8

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£775,000

Located on one of London Fields most popular residential roads is this three bedroom period conversion. The property is split over the lower & raised ground floors and offers over 1000sqft of living space. The upper floor comprises of three double bedrooms and the lower floor of a generous open-plan reception / kitchen and three piece bathroom suite.

Access to the 80ft south facing garden is accessible via the kitchen and private side entrance to the property. A summer house / garden room can be found at the end of the garden.

Share of Freehold

£675pw

A fabulous two bedroom Victorian house to rent, on this desirable street north of London Fields. The property has been architecturally designed, and boasts a light and modern living space. On the ground floor there is an open plan A stylish staircase leads to three inter linking spaces, finished to a very high standard. Available Mid September, furnished.

Furnished

Middleton Road, E8

Gloucester Sq, E2

£450pw

A lovely two bedroom mews house to let, well located for the canal and Broadway Market. The property has a lovely front garden, large lounge, separate kitchen which leads to a private back garden, upstairs leads to two double bedrooms one with fitted wardrobes. There is a bathroom with shower over bath. Available end of September or sooner, part furnished with sofa and table and chairs.

Part Furnished

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PROPERTY | IN THEIR OWN WORDS

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Lucy Chitty Assistant sales director at L&Q Group Photography: Rebecca Noonan

G

rowing up, I always felt drawn to the property industry – my dad worked for a construction company and later on my brother followed by becoming a Charted Quantity Surveyor for a civil engineering firm. When I went to university to study Geography, I was particularly interested in urban design and planning, and for my dissertation I looked at the London Docklands Development Corporation and their revival of the old dockyards in East London.

Having worked in the property industry since 1999, selling homes in Islington and Hackney, I’ve seen Haggerston radically evolve over the last ten to fifteen years. When I first visited the area, I remember thinking that it was such a melting pot of cultures and people which has made it the vibrant area that it is today.

Back then areas like Dalston and Haggerston were seen as less desirable, but as the ripple effect took hold, we saw savvy investors and young homebuyers who were priced out of Islington and Camden start to put down roots in the area. As more young buyers came to the area, so too did the pop up cafes and boutique restaurants. With the arrival of the overground in 2010, Haggerston suddenly became a prime location and properties became increasingly sought-after in the area. You can

see how Hackney is picking up the benefits of these neighbouring locations. It now has many of its own independent local gems; including favourites such as Dukes Brew pub, the local wine bar, Waterline, which holds exclusive film nights, the recently regenerated Stonebridge Gardens, and also the renowned Street Feast London, which is London's pioneering night market.

These are just a small selection of what the area now offers, and I can only see these amenities increasing with the area’s growing popularity. We like to think of Hackney as the place where the East London eclectic lifestyle meets The City. Before launching The Skyline Collection at The City Mills, we researched the local market and struggled to find anything comparable of the quality and specification of this kind. Haggerston is well known for its period townhouses and converted industrial lofts, so we believe that The Skyline Collection offers something really unique for buyers. In particular, the two penthouses on the ninth floor offer their own roof gardens with spectacular views over London. Transport links are also a plus here - Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf are less than 20 minutes away, while Oxford Circus is just 26 minutes away.

0844 406 9800; thecitymills.co.uk

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020 8985 0106

hackney@castles-estateagents.co.uk

www.castles-estateagents.co.uk

Hackney Sales & Lettings

Elderfield Road, E5

Blurton Road, E5

£1,050,000 FREEHOLD

£550,000 LEASEHOLD

Powerscroft Road, E5

Martello Street, E8

£850,000 FREEHOLD

£550,000 LEASEHOLD

· Enchanting family home · Period features · 4-5 Bedrooms · Close to Chatsworth Road

· Traditional family home · 3 Double bedrooms · Large kitchen / breakfast room · Close to Chatsworth Road

· Immaculate Condition · 2 Bedrooms · Arranged over 2 floors · Private Garden

· Live/Work residence · Open-plan work space · 1 double bedroom · Private patio garden

44 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 0RN CASTLES_EAST.indd 2

12/08/2014 12:12

PROPERTY | DEVELOPMENT

Property Development BELLEVUE BOW

Launch of new homes marks fresh era for Crossways estate

T

he 9th July saw the launch of 93 new homes in Bow, following the major refurbishment of one of the tallest residential buildings in the area. Created by Swan New Homes, the 24-storey Bellevue Bow development represents the final chapter in the award-winning renovation of the three iconic apartment blocks on the former Crossways Estate.

In celebration of the area’s rich heritage, Bellevue Bow opened its doors with a ‘Best of Bow’ showcase, as selected

by London lifestyle blogger, London on the Inside. Features included food inspired by produce of the famous Roman Road Market; cocktails created with locally produced East London gin; and artwork from Bow Arts.

Bow is an increasingly popular option among Londoners. It offers history, unique character and vibrant culture, alongside good transport connections and the modern facilities driven by the East End regeneration scheme. With average property prices up 20% since 2010 - the second highest increase in Tower Hamlets - Bow is emerging as one of the top hotspots in the borough.

Bellevue Bow offers a contemporary selection of one and two bedroom apartments, each with its own private balcony. Buyers can choose from five individual apartment types, available in gold and platinum specifications. Each boasts bright open plan living spaces and fully fitted kitchens complete with integrated appliances.

Prices at Bellevue start from £265,000 for a one bedroom apartment.

020 3597 4992; bellevuebow.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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THE CITY MILLS

The City Mills brings new homes to Haggerston This summer sees the third release of homes at The City Mills, a major new development encompassing a collection of contemporary apartments and family homes in one of London’s most exciting, up and coming areas, Haggerston. The new two bedroom apartments will launch off plan in September. The City Mills will provide much needed new homes to the area with 350 new properties for sale with stunning views of London. At present,

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only two bedroom apartments are available, many additional homes at The City Mills are due to be released in phases over the next few years as part of what is a major inner East London regeneration and offers one of the best opportunities to buy off plan securing a sound investment.

Prices to start from circa £390,000 0844 406 9289; thecitymills.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2014

12/08/2014 10:04

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The property must fall within the office boundary and must be placed under offer and lawyers instructed before 5pm on 5th January 2015. Full terms and conditions available upon request.

07/08/2014 10:39

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NEW WAPPING OFFICE at 75 Wapping High Street, Foxtons is delighted to offer 0% commission to the first 200 people who instruct this office to sell their home 0% OFFER ENDS 5TH JANUARY 2015

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PROPERTY | ASK THE EXPERT

D AV E Y S

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OF SPITALFIELDS

Experts Our panel of PROFESSIONALS give you the edge in the property market

PRUSOMS, E1W > WAREHOUSE 2 BED £600 PW

Is London a safe haven?

L

ondon and Central London in particular is seen as a safe haven for both investors from the UK and from overseas and there are many reasons for this. Whilst the London property market has seen the odd temporary blip, residential property prices have roughly doubled every eight years since the 1960’s.

London has a constant flow of new professional tenants every year and with younger people taking longer to save deposits in order to be able to climb onto the property ladder, the rental market looks likely to continue to grow.

Crossrail, which is due to open by 2017 will improve transport links from East to West London and this can only help grow the rental market. Tenants are particularly keen to move into brand new homes and this makes new developments probably the best investments in London.

OLD MONTAGUE ST, E1 > CITY 1 BED £385,000

MOUNT TERRACE, E1 > 2 BED / GARDEN £475,000

CONTACT

A dynamic and vibrant agency, working for you...

IAIN CURRIE

Director of Thomson Currie 020 7226 0000 thomsoncurrie.com

1% sales fees* and 7% letting fees*

Spotlight on E5

for a limited period.

Average asking price £546,139 Average asking rents £1,579 pcm Average property value £432,342

020 7871 9599 info@daveys.co

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SEPTEMBER 2014 11/08/2014 17:15

12/08/2014 14:20

Stirling Ackroyd All around East London E8

E9

£495,000

£795,000

HACKNEY SALES - MARTELLO STREET A New York style loft apartment situated in a small warehouse development with uninterrupted views directly over London Fields. EPC pending

HACKNEY SALES - AINSWORTH ROAD A beautifully presented apartment with high ceilings & period charm, situated between Victoria Park & London Fields. EPC - D

EC2

E2

£825,000

£725,000

SHOREDITCH SALES - VETRO BUILDING A 2 bedroom apartment with dual aspect kitchen/reception opening onto a south facing balcony with views across the City. EPC - B

SHOREDITCH 020 7749 3838

CLERKENWELL 020 7549 0606

HACKNEY 020 7749 3807

WEST END 020 7256 3244

IBIZA 0034 971 326 788

ISTANBUL +90 (0)444 4493

SHOREDITCH SALES - UNION CENTRAL BUILDING A live/work apartment in this former warehouse conversion boasting reclaimed wood flooring, exposed brickwork & sash windows. EPC - B

BANKSIDE 020 7940 3888

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E8

E8

£400 pw

£445 pw

HACKNEY LETTINGS - NAVARINO ROAD A recently refurbished 2 bedroom home set within a period conversion on a beautiful tree lined street near London Fields. EPC pending.

HACKNEY LETTINGS - RICHMOND ROAD A charming 2 bedroom garden apartment split over 2 levels, benefiting from wooden flooring, bay windows & feature fireplace. EPC pending

E1

E1

£1,650 pw

£750 pw

SHOREDITCH LETTINGS - SHOREDITCH HIGH STREET Spectacular 2,000 sq ft loft apartment on Shoreditch High Street with style and character in abundance. EPC pending

SHOREDITCH LETTINGS - THE EXCHANGE BUILDING A stunning 2 bedroom, 1,300 sq ft penthouse apartment in the heart of Spitalfields benefiting from private balcony & underground parking. EPC – C

LETTINGS PRICES EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL FEES. PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

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11/08/2014 12:29

LIVE IN LONDON’S NEWEST LANDMARK

A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM A PA R T M E N T S COMING SOON T O S O U T H WA R K REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: W W W. T H E M U S I C B O X S E 1 . C O M

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MAIN SELLING AGENTS

0203 772 7725

Computer generated image is indicative only. All information is correct at time of printing.

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