Life Magazines (London editions) February 2022 by Fish Media Group Ltd

Explore, dream, discover…

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Professional | Approachable | Bespoke

Body Positivity Whatever your Age As we age, our bodies and faces change. People are living longer and so understandably want to look after themselves. Life stresses can cause wrinkles, tired eyes and weight loss. This can leave excess skin in all areas and affect confidence. Chris Abela is an experienced reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon. He has seen a large increase in people actively exploring surgical and non surgical options to address areas of new concern or areas impacting self esteem. Chris explains: “The pandemic has facilitated a change in everybody’s outlook. Our faces and bodies tell our life story and the last two years has meant starting a new chapter for many people. Many of my patients have survived COVID or other traumas and are now focused on their quality of life: aiming to thrive not just survive.” Chris prides himself on providing each individual with a professional, bespoke and compassionate approach with a gentle bedside manner and discretion at the heart of every consultation. He has clinics at 84 Harley Street, 102 Sydney Street, Chelsea and at Wimbledon Parkside.

More information is available at www.chrisabela.co.uk

If you have any questions, please contact Chris at info@chrisabela.co.uk or on 0203 545 2990

DOCTOR NYLA, THE EXPERT IN THE NATURAL LOOK DOCTOR NYLA RAJA

Dr. Nyla is a skin specialist, trusted by TV personalities, well-known celebrity figures and some of Britain’s most familiar faces in the media industry. Founder and Medical Director of the Medispa Cheshire – she is a highly respected and much sought after cosmetic Dermatology GP and is considered one of the top cosmetic doctors in the country. Having practised medicine for over 20 years and having personally delivered over 100,000 treatments with truly exceptional results, she has gained the admiration of industry experts from across the country. With clinics in Cheshire and Liverpool, Doctor Nyla’s

new flagship Medispa has recently opened it’s doors in London’s Dover Street in January. Nestled behind Old Bond Street, the luxury destination clinic boasts concierge serve with the most advanced treatments in a 5-star spa environment. Decked out in gold-veined concrete flooring with seven luxurious treatment rooms, clients will benefit from a menu of well-known therapies

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including CoolSculpting Elite, EmSculpt and Morpheus8, along with Doctor Nyla’s signature treatments, such as collagen banking, a therapy she designed to stimulate and store collagen for enduring skin quality, and the Transformation Facelift.

THE EXPERT IN THE NATURAL LOOK

Doctor Nyla is best known for her ability to achieve powerful, natural-looking results, without relying on injectables. Her philosophy for enhancing each client’s natural beauty, along with her in-depth knowledge about how the skin ages - combined with the most advanced technologies - is at the very heart of Doctor Nyla’s practice. Her ultimate aim is to allow women of all ages to externalise their inner beauty and radiance.

COOLSCULPTING ELITE

Cryolipolysis technology is the revolutionary process behind the success of the CoolSculpting treatment. When the device is placed on the affected area it delivers low temperatures to the fat cells through a process of controlled cooling. The targeted fat cells then become frozen, which works to effectively destroy them, for good. The device includes Freeze Detect technology, which signals when the temperature of the skin is getting too low; protecting you from experiencing cold burns and ulcers.

TRANSFORMATION FACELIFT

The next generation, multiplatform transformational facial offered exclusively at Dr Nyla’s Medispa Cheshire offers non-surgical skin tightening and lifting to treat all anti-aging skin concerns – from textured, dull skin to deep wrinkles and loss of laxity. The technology combines ultrasound, radiofrequency, and micro needling to give immediate, long lasting results, and minimal downtime. The skin will begin to feel smoother and tighter after the first treatment and results will continue to improve for up to six months, increasing with additional treatments.

For more information, please visit doctornyla.com | @doctornyla UK CLINIC OF THE YEAR 2019/20 SAFETY IN BEAUTY AWARDS

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LIFE MAGAZINES Kew Gardens’ much-loved annual orchid festival returns, taking inspiration from the rich and colourful culture of Costa Rica, where visitors can escape the UK’s winter weather and embrace the sights and sounds of this internationally recognised biodiversity haven. Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution is the first major exhibition devoted to the international prominence of the legendary Russian goldsmith, Carl Fabergé, and the importance of his little known London branch. The much-anticipated live music nights at Sandown Park Racecourse are fast approaching this summer, with fans across the region snapping up tickets for some of the most talked about events in the social calendar. BBC Studios and concert promoter FKP Scorpio UK have announced the new rescheduled date for the highly anticipated UK concert premiere of Seven Worlds, One Planet. The Berkeley has unveiled its Prêt-à- Portea collection – a playful and stylish selection of couture cakes inspired by designers from Ganni to Gucci. A firm favourite with fashionistas with a sweet tooth, Prêt-àPortea gives a contemporary twist to afternoon tea with a collection of bold catwalk inspired creations.

Faye Manning Editor

EDITOR FAYE MANNING EDITORIAL ASSISTANT KATIE MILLER SUB EDITOR NICHOLAS PETER FASHION EDITOR LARA ACCISON DESIGN & PRODUCTION LISA WADE SOCIAL MEDIA PARKER JONES ACCOUNT MANAGERS VANESSA LANE, NICOLA DREW, LISA WESTERMAN ACCOUNTS KATHY MANNING, ANDREE GEORGIOU DIRECTORS RORY SMITH, PATRICK SMITH PUBLISHED BY FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD 0844 800 8439 WWW.THELIFEMAGAZINES.COM © All Rights Reserved. Life Magazines are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd. takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in these publications and any loss arising therefrom. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to Life Magazines, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to such material. Fish Media Group Ltd. reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

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BBC SEVEN WORLDS ONE PLANET LIVE IN CONCERT UK Premiere at The O2 Arena London, 31st March 2022 hosted by BAFTA winning British Explorer, Naturalist and TV Presenter Steve Backshall

BC Studios and concert promoter FKP Scorpio UK have announced the new rescheduled date for the highly anticipated UK concert premiere of Seven Worlds, One Planet. The event will be hosted by BAFTA winning British explorer Steve Backshall, accompanied by the very best hand-picked musicians that make up the specially created Seven Worlds Symphonic Orchestra & Choir, conducted by Matthew Freeman. When the landmark TV series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, was first broadcast in the UK, it took viewers on an epic journey that not only celebrated the diversity of life on each of the seven continents. It went on to become BBC One’s most-watched factual TV show of 2019 and will finally celebrate its UK premiere live concert performance in a very special one-off concert, presenting the very best footage and music from the highly acclaimed television series. The live concert will present some of the most spectacular scenes from the programme displayed on a giant state of the art 4K Ultra HD LED screen. The series took a staggering 1,500 people over 4 years to make, including 92 film shoots across 41 countries. Accompanying the footage on screen, the series hugely emotive score was composed by Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea for Bleeding Fingers Music, and features

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the captivating song ‘Out There’, produced specifically for the series by Zimmer and the multi-award winning artist SIA. The audience will be taken on a journey of discovery through the ‘seven worlds’ - from the colourful paradises of South America to Asia’s vast wilderness; from the unforgiving deep freeze of the Antarctic to the searing heat of Africa; from North America via Australia to wildlife closer to home in Europe. The live concert format for these breathtaking television programmes has already proved hugely successful over the past number of years, with close to half million UK & European fans having already attended concerts for the outstanding BBC Studios Planet Earth and Blue Planet series.

For more details and to purchase tickets visit seven-worlds-one-planet-live.co.uk Seven Worlds, One Planet – Live in Concert, The O2 Arena Tickets: £65/£55/£45 Under 14 discount tickets available Box Office: theo2.co.uk or 0844 856 0202 axs.com eventim.co.uk; ticketmaster.co.uk; seetickets.com

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Journey through a colourful Costa Rican Paradise:

Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festival returns for 2022 Until Sunday 6 March 2022, Princess of Wales Conservatory

ew Gardens’ much-loved annual orchid festival returns, taking inspiration from the rich and colourful culture of Costa Rica, where visitors can escape the UK’s winter weather and embrace the sights and sounds of this internationally recognised biodiversity haven. For 2022, the route around the Princess of Wales Conservatory will be designed to recreate the varied and verdant landscape of Costa Rica, transporting visitors through the wonders of this biodiversity hotspot, from the tropical dry forest of the north Pacific, to the rainforests of the southern coastline. Throughout their journey around the glasshouse, visitors will encounter an assortment of native animals replicated across a series of stunning horticultural displays. Monkeys, sea turtles, toads and hummingbirds- all intricately hand-crafted from plants- will burst into colourful life for the duration of the festival. The central display in the glasshouse pond will be filled with brilliant vibrant orchids and bromeliads.

THE DETAILS Entry to Orchids is included when purchasing a ticket to Kew Gardens, visitors must book separate timed entry slots for Orchids 2022. The best value tickets can be booked in advance via kew.org

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Kew’s focus on Costa Rica for Orchids 2022 will highlight the country’s unique position as a biodiversity hotspot, as recently recognised by the country being awarded the inaugural Protect and Restore Nature Earthshot Prize. Home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity, despite covering just 0.03% of the planet, Costa Rica is a role model for the conservation of biodiversity; with around a quarter of its land part of a protected forest or reserve. RBG Kew has many collaborative scientific projects located in Costa Rica, which include constructing a ‘family tree’ for all of its orchid species to learn how to better protect them, and documenting plants in La Amistad Biosphere Reserve - one of the richest places on Earth for plant diversity. What Kew are doing to keep visitors safe The safety and wellbeing of visitors is of the utmost importance to them and are continually monitoring and responding to the Covid-19 pandemic as it evolves. They are adhering to government advice to ensure visitors and staff remain safe while enjoying Orchids 2022. Safety measures will reflect government advice at the time of the exhibition run and will be clearly communicated across RBG Kew’s channels and onsite.

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The Jockey Club Live T

he much-anticipated live music nights at Sandown Park Racecourse are fast approaching this summer, with fans across the region snapping up tickets for some of the most talked about events in the social calendar. Music and racing fans alike come together to enjoy a thrilling spectacle of a six-card race followed by an unforgettable world-class live show. The informal and relaxed open-air setting of Sandown Park attracts some of the biggest names in music, with the line-up this year including double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith, the funk and soul legend Nile Rodgers & CHIC, plus one of the best-selling British bands of all time, Simply Red. Paloma Faith will open the run of shows, headlining on Wednesday, 20th July. Performing hits from her extensive and much-loved repertoire, you’ll be sure to sing along to classics such as “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” and “Lullaby” as well as new songs from her fifth studio album “Infinite Things”. Nile Rodgers & CHIC will be returning to Sandown after their truly outstanding performance in 2018, where they entertained an audience of thousands. With a chart-topping music career

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spanning four decades, fans will be treated to some of the most acclaimed and much-loved pop anthems of all time. Finally, Simply Red, led by songwriter and bandleader Mick Hucknall, will be closing the season on Thursday, 4th August. Selling over 60 million albums worldwide - with five going to the number one spot in the UK – their catalogue of hits includes classic singles ‘Holding Back The Years’ and ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’. Their 2019 album ‘Blue Eyed Soul’ marked their 14th top 10 studio album in the UK. To top it off, Sandown Park Racecourse also features an array of award-winning restaurants that cater for all tastes, from fine dining through to delicious bistro food. Tickets are on sale now from thejockeyclublive.co.uk with prices and hospitality packages available to suit all budgets.

“I’ve spent most of my life going out and singing for people, and it has felt strange not to have that for such a long time. It’s wonderfully inspiriting that people can go and see bands again now, and we can’t wait to get back on stage” – Mick Hucknall

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Classical Spectacular 2022 Royal Albert Hall, Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th March 2022

ake your seat, sit back and surrender to the sound of the music as Classical Spectacular, the UK’s greatest classical music show, returns LIVE ON STAGE at the Royal Albert Hall. Seen by over three million concert goers around the world, no other show presents such a magnificent combination of the very best in classical music and state of the art technology. Ranging from a flood of pure white light to electrifying multi-coloured laser displays, the dazzling special effects bring to life the scenes and moods evoked by each glorious piece changing the way you experience classical music forever. Your favourite music live, as you have never seen it before - Jerusalem, Nessun Dorma, Rule Britannia!, Land of Hope and Glory and their famous thrilling finale to the music of Tchaikovsky’s, 1812 Overture with thundering cannons and indoor fireworks. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing classic after classic for you in the magnificent setting of the UK’s most iconic stage. The concert will also see the UK debut of a very special guest, Marcin, a dynamic 21-year old Polish musician, composer and percussive acoustic guitarist who will perform the sensational Habanera from Carmen.

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Performers: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Choral Society (Thurs & Sat) The London Chorus (Fri & Sun) John Rigby conductor Timothy Richards tenor Marcin Patrzalek special guest Ilona Domnich soprano Classical Spectacular Dancers Muskets and Cannons of the Moscow Militia The British Imperial Military Band Durham Marenghi lighting designer Lincoln Parkhouse pyrotechnics You don’t want to miss Classical Spectacular this March

THE DETAILS Classical Spectacular Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP 17 & 18 March at 7.30pm 19 & 20 March at 3pm & 7.30pm To purchase tickets, visit royalalberthall.com Hospitality Packages are available.

Special guest guitarist Marcin Patrzale

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Windowology:

New Architectural Views from Japan Until 10 April 2022

ver the past few years, with many people spending more time at home, we have all begun to better appreciate a simple yet critical aspect of our home world – windows. Having a window in our home offices, a place we now spend much of our time, has become essential to our wellbeing. In Japan, windows are part of a long architectural tradition that affects people’s lives in transformative ways. Japan House London, located on High Street Kensington, is currently hosting Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan, an exhibition exploring the significance of windows. Running until 10 April 2022 and produced by the Window Research Institute under the direction of architectural historian and critic Igarashi Taro, this free exhibition examines how windows influence our views on the environment, their impact on contemporary urban living, and the critical role

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they play in fields such as craftsmanship, design, architecture, and print literature. Inside the Japan House London Gallery, visitors are able to explore everything from manga strips from the popular series Sazae-san to architectural photography of Tokyo’s backstreets by Jérémie Souteyrat. The highlight of the exhibition is a fullsized reproduction of an architectural model of Yōsuitei, a Japanese teahouse, which was originally constructed in Kyoto in the 17th century. The teahouse has 13 windows despite its small size, and visitors are able to walk through its low doors and explore it from within. Further sections of the exhibition look at the many ways windows are employed in the world of craft to create, for example, washi (Japanese paper) in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, ceramics from Mashiko in Tochigi Prefecture or indigo dyeing in Yakumo in Shimane Prefecture. Visitors can learn more about how the production of sea salt in Okinawa and dried persimmon in Shimane Prefecture are dependent on the introduction of light and air using windows. An exhibition-inspired cocktail is also available for visitors to enjoy at AKIRA Restaurant on the first floor of Japan House London. A combination of dried persimmon, Hibiki whisky, chocolate bitters and soda garnished with a sea salt rim, the result is a highball-style drink, reminiscent of the heydays of the manga series Sazae-san featured in the exhibition, which ran between the 1940s and the 1970s.

THE DETAILS Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan runs until 10 April 2022. Japan House London is open until 8pm Monday to Saturday and between midday to 6pm on Sunday and bank holiday. japanhouselondon.uk

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MONDRIAN SHOREDITCH

Take a look at the new hotel revitalising London’s coolest postcode

Tapping into a vibrant community spirit, the Mondrian Shoreditch has given East London’s hospitality scene a new lease of life, says Sarah Marshall.

Mondrian Shoreditch captures a community spirit that’s breathing new life into the neighbourhood.

anuary is always a quiet month for hotels and hospitality. Recovering from festive celebrations, most businesses ease themselves into the new year. This Christmas, however, was different. As Omicron whipped across the country, parties were cancelled, bookings ceased, and everyone stayed at home. The effect was felt more acutely in London, suffering the dual blow of a collapse in foreign tourism. But in times of crisis, people stick together – a sense of solidarity demonstrated in one of the capital’s most exciting new neighbourhood hotels. A fashionable design property overlooking the graffiti-daubed concrete high rises and multi-stories of East London’s coolest postcode,

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HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT… Bedrooms are a suite success Award-winning London interior design studio Goddard Littlefair were responsible for the complete overhaul of an existing hotel (opened in August 2021), now transformed into a 120-bedroom property – including 13 suites. Brick-walled rooms reflect the raw, gritty charm of Shoreditch, elevated by leather sofas, freestanding bathtubs, and showers with a steam room function. Some suites have outdoor terraces, while others have been fashioned as mini apartments. Praises will be sung from the rooftops Hotel guests have access to rooftop bar, Altitude

How to plan your trip Doubles at Mondrian Shoreditch London start from £299 with breakfast. For more information, visit mondrianshoreditch.com.

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at The Curtain, for breakfast – or for the duration of their stay if they book directly with the hotel. Along with a bright, naturally-lit bistro, find a heated outdoor pool, sun loungers and a rack of beach towels. Dawn swims above a skyline of concrete towers and steaming vents sum up urban living at its best. A fully-equipped gym and spa can be found on the lower floor for more conventional exercise and discreet relaxation. Spanish wonder-chef Dani Garcia has opened his first UK restaurant here Hoping to repeat the success of his laidback restaurants in Malaga, Madrid and Ibiza, three Michelin star Andalusian chef Dani Garcia has launched in London. Fish mobiles dangling from the ceiling of BiBo hint at the menu on offer in this Spanish tapas kitchen. Choose from a selection of twists on traditional paella – including lobster, octopus, rib eye steak and roast chicken (from £46-£80). Of the smaller bites, creamy porcini croquettes (£12) and grilled avocado with pesto and feta (£13) come highly recommended. Be wary of the deliciously dangerous chocolate

mousse – recommended for two, large enough to feed four, but all too easily lapped up by one (£14).

“Brick-walled rooms reflect the raw, gritty charm of Shoreditch, elevated by leather sofas, freestanding bathtubs, and showers with a steam room function”

Cocktail bar Christina’s champions local living A long copper bar decorated with playful pastel furnishings and botanical motifs, this street-level hang-out has designs on being one of the capital’s top cocktail joints. Creative takes on classic drinks include a Negroni made with yuzu (£12.50) and a Lagerita, mixing IPA with mezcal (£14.50). In keeping with current times, there’s a strong focus on sustainability and zero waste. House cocktails are served on tap using kegerators (a large-scale refrigerated drinks dispenser), and all products used are sourced from local independent suppliers, start-ups and brands with social impact. Gins from Victory Distillery based in E17 are stocked in the bar and coffee comes from Redemption Roasters, who train and employ prison offenders to give them a new start in life. It’s got a member’s club to rival Soho House Knocking the socks of anything else you can find in London, the Curtain Club is a lifestyle hub combining co-working spaces, meeting rooms and an impressive selection of bars, lounges and an event space. Exhibitions from artists in residence are held in the spaces, and a screening room will host a series of movie nights in the coming months – with a retro popcorn machine for a touch of nostalgia. A calendar of workshops, talks, wine tastings and fitness classes is also planned. Up to 2,000 annual memberships are available (from £1,200) but for the time being, it’s also possible to sign up for a month.

40 FEBRUARY 2022

Photography by Paul Craig

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Spring Family Raceday at Ascot Sunday 27th March 2022

he patronage of twelve monarchs since 1711 has elevated Ascot to one of the world’s best-loved racecourses and it remains a pillar of British sporting and social culture. Welcoming over 630,000 guests each year, Ascot’s stature, reputation, and famed celebration of occasion is admired the world over. Famously known for its Royal Meeting held over five days in mid-June, Ascot is often described as the jewel in the crown of horse racing. In addition to Royal Ascot, the racecourse also hosts an additional 21 racedays across both the Flat and Jumps seasons - each having a unique character. Coming up, the Spring Family Raceday on Sunday 27th March, is Ascot’s first dedicated family day in 2022 and there are plenty of delights in store this year. Fortuitously falling on Mothering Sunday, this is the perfect opportunity to spend an action-packed afternoon of Jumps racing and family-friendly activities in the company of your nearest and dearest. Free for under 18s, younger children can explore the safe racecourse environment with fun countryside-themed attractions. From pony rides, face painting, and petting farms, to dog agility displays, treasure hunts, ferret racing, and more. Arts and crafts activities are also included with Mother’s Day gift creations to mark those memories and make Mum feel extra special.

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On course, the final fixture of Ascot’s 2021/22 Jumps season features a varied card including a popular Veterans Chase and a valuable two-mile juvenile hurdle which always attracts a competitive field and is bound to keep budding racing fans on the edge of their seats. Beyond the track and away from the activities, dining is of equal importance and key to the delivery of an Ascot Raceday experience. Whether guests choose a two-course Sunday Lunch package in the contemporary ON 5 Restaurant or in the more traditional Parade Ring Restaurant, the privacy of a box, or a bespoke dining experience, it is the perfect opportunity for racegoers and families to spend time together and make this Mothering Sunday most memorable. There is something for all to enjoy at an Ascot Raceday.

THE DETAILS Tickets from £26.00, with free entry for under 18s. Fine Dining from £139+VAT per person Find out more at ascot.com

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Largest collection of Fabergé Easter Eggs in a generation V&A, until 8 May 2022

abergé in London: Romance to Revolution is the first major exhibition devoted to the international prominence of the legendary Russian goldsmith, Carl Fabergé, and the importance of his little-known London branch. With a focus on Fabergé’s Edwardian high society clientele, the exhibition shines a light on his triumphs in Britain as well as a global fascination with the joyful opulence of his creations. The largest collection of the legendary Imperial Easter Eggs are on display, several of which are being shown in the UK for the first time. Showcasing over 200 objects across three main sections, the exhibition tells the story of Carl Fabergé, the man, and his internationally recognised firm that symbolised Russian craftsmanship and elegance. The exhibition explores the Anglo-Russian nature of his enterprise with his only branch outside of Russia opening in London in 1903. Royalty, aristocrats, American heiresses, exiled Russian Grand Dukes, Maharajas, financiers with newly-made fortunes, and socialites flocked there

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to buy gifts of unparalleled luxury for each other. The first section highlights the important patronage of the Romanov family. The only known example of solid gold tea service crafted by Fabergé is on display, one of the most magnificent items to emerge from the firm’s Moscow branch. The second section tells the story of Fabergé’s time in London, including how the firm flourished under royal patronage, and how its creations became a social currency for gift giving and ostentatious displays of wealth, amongst the cosmopolitan elite who gathered in the city. Fabergé’s choice of London for its new premises was partly because it was the financial capital of the world, a luxury retail destination able to draw a wealthy and international clientele. Fabergé carefully tailored his works to his British clientele. He created hardstone portraits of the farm animals King Edward and Queen Alexandra bred at Sandringham, their favourite country estate, and objects enamelled in The King’s horse racing colours. Fabergé became the most exclusive and fashionable place to buy gifts. The final section celebrates the legacy of Fabergé through the iconic Imperial Easter Eggs with a kaleidoscopic display of 15 of these famous treasures. This is the largest collection on public display for over 25 years. Clockwise, from top left: Fabergé’s premises at 173 New Bond Street, 1911. Image Courtesy of The Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow and Wartski, London; Caesar, by Fabergé. Chalcedony, gold, enamel, rubies c1908 Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021; Romanov Tercentenary Egg, Fabergé. Henrik Wigstrom, 1913 © The Moscow Kremlin Museums; The Moscow Kremlin Egg, Fabergé. Gold, silver, onyx, enamel, 1906 © The Moscow Kremlin Museums; The Alexander Palace Egg, Fabergé. Henrik Wigstrom, 1908 © The Moscow Kremlin Museums

THE DETAILS Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution runs until 8 May 2022. Tickets are available at vam.ac.uk Twitter: @V_and_A Instagram: @vamuseum Facebook: @ VictoriaandalbertMusuem

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THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW 2022 19-20 February at London Olympia 25-27 March at NEC Birmingham 9-10 April at London ExCeL

ith an anticipated 200,000 weddings due to take place in 2022, in addition to the 280,000 weddings that take place in the UK each year, figures suggest that we’re entering record years for the Weddings industry. Recent surveys by The National Wedding Show in partnership with Confetti* have revealed that 93% of couples have postponed their wedding to a later date, with 67% of those couples saying their wedding budget has not been impacted by the pandemic and 13% of couples saying the pandemic has meant they now have a bigger wedding budget than originally planned. The UK’s leading wedding event, The National Wedding Show will be going ahead this Spring at London Olympia, London ExCeL and NEC Birmingham. The National Wedding Show has established itself over the past 25 years as the ultimate destination for wedding planning, with thousands of couples visiting the shows every season. Featuring hundreds of wedding suppliers already confirmed, the Spring 2022 Shows will also continue to include a stunning Catwalk, a WEDTalk stage, the Inspired Bakes Gallery, and much more. The Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show will run alongside the ExCel show, showcasing venues and services from beautiful locations all over the world. 46 FEBRUARY 2022

Cassandra Denman, Group Show Director says “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to improve our visitor experience with exciting new features, to attract more wedding planning couples to the show than ever. The level of ticket sales we’ve seen in the past few months has been unprecedented. There’s a real buzz around the events this Spring and we can’t wait to be back, supporting the best suppliers the wedding industry has to offer as they get back on their feet after a challenging 2 years.” *Based on 5,353 responses collected through surveys run by The National Wedding Show in partnership with Confetti in February and August 2021. LIFE MAGAZINES READER OFFER Quote LIFEMAG and get standard tickets for only £16.50 and VIP tickets for only £30 For more details on all events, please visit nationalweddingshow.co.uk

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Faulty Towers The Dining Experience The President Hotel, Russell Square, Bloomsbury WC2

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! ALL TICKETS INCLUDE 3-COURSE MEAL – NO BOOKING FEES! Thurs Eve & Sun Lunch/ Eve (off-peak): from £65 standard (concs £60.00) Fri & Sat Eve (peak): from £75 standard Sat lunch: from £70 standard (concs £65) Children (aged 12 and under): £40, any performance. Groups: buy 9 get the 10th free. Larger groups on application. Private performances, big groups, alternative dates: prices on application. For more details and to book visit faultytowersdining.com Email: customerservice@ imagination-workshop.com Tel: 0845 154 4145 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm only) The President Hotel is situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, just a few minutes’ walk from Russell Square underground and the British Museum.

GET YOUR SEATS! faultytowersdining.com

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ondon’s longest running immersive experience moves to a new home for its tenth year in the West End. Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the critically acclaimed international immersive phenomenon that has just celebrated its tenth year in London has moved to its new home, the President Hotel in Russell Square. Due to popular demand, the producers have also increased the number of weekly performances to six. A loving tribute to the BBC’s classic TV series, the show has been seen by over a million people worldwide since it was born in Australia in 1997. As London’s longest running immersive show, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a highly interactive experience, where audiences enjoy a 3-course meal and 5-star comedy. When the audience become diners in the ‘Faulty Towers’ restaurant, pretty much anything can happen – because 70% of the show is improvised. The fun starts as guests wait to be seated. It then hurtles along in a 2-hour tour de force of gags and shambolic service as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve a ‘70s-style 3-course meal together with a good dollop of mayhem.

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Half term at London Transport Museum Join Family activities inspired by an exciting new exhibition, 12-20 February

ead to London Transport Museum this half-term to be one of the first to see a new exhibition and take part in activities inspired by its themes. Opening on 11 February, Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workface celebrates the generations of Caribbean people that have shaped the capital’s transport history and the KIDS culture of the city, telling the GO FREE stories of those who worked for London Transport in Adult admission tickets allow the 1950s and 1960s to unlimited daytime entry for a today’s TfL employees. whole year to all galleries With family-friendly to London in the 1950s – or get and exhibitions elements and exhibition creative designing a poster inspired inspired activities on during the by the exhibition. holidays there’s plenty for little ones During the visit, children can also play to enjoy too. conductor on a bus or repair a mini Tube train A fun flag exhibit asks younger visitors to guess in the family zone, virtually drive an Elizabeth the Caribbean nation belonging to each flag, while line train in the Future Engineers gallery and see family-friendly labels will help children to think historic vehicles from London’s past up close. about the experiences of the people that made To find out more and book tickets, visit London their new home. ltmuseum.co.uk Over half term there’s even more fun to be had. Take part in an imaginative storytelling session about Gabrielle - the grandchild of a London Transport worker who first travelled from Jamaica

“Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workface celebrates the generations of Caribbean people that have shaped the capital’s transport history”

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“Take part in an imaginative storytelling session about Gabrielle - the grandchild of a London Transport worker who first travelled from Jamaica to London in the 1950s”

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Stella McCartney, Giambattista Valli and Fendi play a starring role on the catwalk as

PRÊT-À-PORTEA RETURNS TO THE BERKELEY, MAYFAIR

he Berkeley has unveiled its Prêt-àPortea collection – a playful and stylish selection of couture cakes inspired by designers from Ganni to Gucci. A firm favourite with fashionistas with a sweet tooth, Prêt-à-Portea gives a contemporary twist to afternoon tea with a collection of bold catwalkinspired creations. This season’s collection opens with Balenciaga Couture – a striking ensemble reimagined as a velvety mandarin cheesecake with orange confit on chocolate sablé, topped with a Dulcey cream and oversized chocolate hat. To mark fashion icon Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday, The Berkeley pastry team have created a spiced biscuit intricately iced with Apfel’s trademark red lipstick and oversized glasses. Stella McCartney’s psychedelic blue jumpsuit has been transformed into a cassis mousse with blackcurrant jelly and a zigzag of Joconde sponge. Meanwhile, a Pink Lady apple pavlova with Granny Smith apple compote, topped with apple jam and Chantilly cream, pays homage to Giambattista Valli’s powder-pink, avant-garde couture. Ganni appears in Prêt-à-Portea this season for the very first time: the cult Danish brand’s look from Copenhagen Fashion Week becomes a hazelnut dacquoise with salted caramel, encased with Valrhona chocolate mousse and finished with a passion fruit crème diplomate and chocolate shard. Fendi’s oversized tote is recreated as a cinnamon chocolate blondie, encased with Ivoire chocolate and finished with desiccated coconut ‘fur’. Finally, as Gucci marks its 100th anniversary

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with a collection starring the label’s signature equestrian style, the Prêt-à-Portea team have created a hero, showstopper of a cake – designed to share – in their honour. A red velvet and mascarpone mousse is topped with a hand-painted galaxy chocolate dome, while inside sits a citrus marshmallow dipped in white chocolate. The whole ensemble is finished with a chocolate truffle riding hat filled with dark chocolate ganache. Prêt-à-Portea is served from 1pm - 5.30pm every day, priced from £64 per person. To make a reservation for Prêt-à-Portea visit the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants-bars/ afternoon-tea

ABOUT THE BERKELEY Nestled between bustling Knightsbridge and leafy Belgravia, The Berkeley is the essence of contemporary chic and innovative luxury. With stunning rooms and suites, Michelin-starred cuisine from Marcus Wareing, a fashion favourite afternoon tea at Prêt-à-Portea, the Blue Bar and The Berkeley Bar & Terrace for drinks and The Bamford Spa, The Berkeley continues to surprise and enchant.

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BONHAMS ANNOUNCES

THE SIR MICHAEL CAINE COLLECTION SALE Wednesday 2nd March 2022, New Bond Street, W1 (Not a lot of people know that!) Highlights include:

ew film actors have been at the top of their game for as long as Sir Michael Caine. For six decades, he has lent presence and distinction to every role he has undertaken – from the era-defining Alfie to classic films such as Get Carter, Zulu and Educating Rita; from his Oscar-winning performances in Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules to Batman’s unflappable butler, Alfred. Now, as Sir Michael starts taking life at a more leisurely pace, he and his wife, Lady Caine, are downsizing and putting some of their treasured possessions up for auction. Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection contains a wonderful selection of items reflecting the breadth of Sir Michael’s career, ranging from movie posters, furniture including his desk, works of art and fine art. such as Les Amoureux dans l’arbre by Marc Chagall (estimate £30,000-50,00) – and his iconic spectacles (estimate: £800-1200).

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• Sir Michael Caine’s Rolex wristwatch. Estimate: £8,000£12,000. • Portrait of Sir Michael Caine by John Bratby (1928-1992). Signed and dated 1977. Estimate: £2,000£3,000. • A large Italian cinema poster for Zulu. In his breakthrough film role, Caine took the part of reallife British Army office Gonville Bromhead at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, starring alongside established actors Jack Hawkins and Stanley Baker. Estimate: £1,500-£2,000. • Film poster for Alfie. One of Caine’s most memorable screen roles earned him nominations for Best Actor at the 1967 Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA. Estimate: £500-£800. • A collection of autographs acquired at the 1970 Tony Award® ceremony. Framed and bearing signatures including Michael Caine, Julie Andrews, Mia Farrow, Barbra Streisand, James Stewart and Maggie Smith. Estimate: £1,000-£1,500 • A director’s chair for Michael Caine with associated Get Carter back rest. Estimate: £800-£1,200. • A Portrait of Sir Michael Caine by Lincoln Townley. The painting is being sold in aid of the NSPCC, of which Sir Michael and Lady Caine have long been strong supporters. Estimate: £10,000£15,000.

Sir Michael Caine said: “It’s going to be quite a wrench to part with so many treasured parts of my life and career, but it’s the right time to be moving on. I hope these mementoes will give their new owners as much pleasure as they have given us.” For further information visit bonhams.com

“Now, as Sir Michael starts taking life at a more leisurely pace, he and his wife, Lady Caine, are downsizing and putting some of their treasured possessions up for auction”

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From the Blue Boar to Broadway

By Lauren Maybank

f Westminster comes into the conversation, it’s not the theatre district you’d usually mention first. As it turns out, The Conrad St James in Westminster is superbly located for London’s famous Broadway strip bustling full of fabulous theatre shows. The hotel is based on 22-28 Broadway which is a stone’s throw from some of London’s most famous historical sites such as Big Ben, The London Eye, Southbank (with the Aquarium) as well the Westminster Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace. It’s also easy to get to - the station, St James’s Park is literally across the road from the hotel and serves the circle and district line. This February half term, the Conrad St James hotel has launched a child-friendly Broadway family stay with lots of fun activities in and around the hotel to keep your children entertained. Your minis will be treated like VIP guests from the minute they step through the rotating doors. Kids will receive a VIP sticker and special wristband allowing them to get milkshakes and icecreams free of charge from the on-site Blue Boar pub during their stay. On top of that, they will receive a Broadway-

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themed gift in the form of a fancy-dress costume to let their imagination run wild and treasure their memory of the show they visit. If you choose a matinee performance (usually around 2 pm) on arrival back to the hotel children will be greeted with a Broadway afternoon tea full of fancy cakes, bite-sized sandwiches, and a choice of milkshake, hot chocolate, tea, or a soft drink. All families are hosted in one of 12 interconnecting family rooms or an executive room with an extra bed added, complete with Londonthemed bedding for your child and luxurious Egyptian cotton with extra squishy luxury pillows for the adults. In the morning you can enjoy a coffee from the Nespresso machine and some TV on the large 42-inch satellite HDTV which also transfers through to speakers in the plush marble bathroom complete with a huge rain shower and bath. Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, ‘The Pem’ (the nickname of Emily Wilding Davidson a prominent suffragette) has something for everyone and the feminine yet bold dusky pinks teamed with passionate red gives it a glamourous and elegant feel. We decided to book and see the evening show of Back to the Future. I’d highly recommend grabbing some last-minute tickets (ideally a matinee) as it was even better than we could imagine – no spoilers! We also made a stop at the Imperial War Museum which is also a short cab ride from the hotel and a donation is welcome, but otherwise, it’s free entry. Sunday lunch at the on-site Blue Boar is a must – it’s a cosy and relaxed modern London pub and a local for many politicians (given its location in Westminster). Chef Sally Abé has created a hearty menu to reflect the best of British pub dining. The roast is one of the finest we’ve tasted and well worth the schlep into London just for that!

THE DETAILS Blue Boar: Winner of the ‘One to watch’ Award 2022 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Overnight stays start from £311 in a superior room with an extra bed and include the VIP checkin, welcome gift, fancy dress experience, and breakfast for all the family. conradhotels.com/london Photo Credits Tim Green

FEATURE

Twisted EV Defender, the silent head turner comes to London

and Rover Defender specialist Twisted Automotive has unveiled its first fully electric Defender 90, perfect for London driving without any environmental guilt. With the total market share for new partial or fully electrified vehicles approaching 30%, Twisted have ensured that the iconic Defender is future proof and will be seen around the capital for many years to come. Having bucked the trend through Covid and expanded the business, the recently opened boutique showroom and commissioning space in Kensington is the ideal place to speak with one of the team and start your Twisted EV journey. Recognising rarity as a luxury in itself and priding itself on its craftsmanship and attention to detail, Twisted only ever build a handful of vehicles every year. Having been tailored to each customer’s individual needs, they feature a huge amount of in-house engineering and a single technician seeing the build through from start to finish. Alongside the factory and flagship showroom in Thirsk, North Yorkshire and the Kensington space, Twisted now boast further sites in Salcombe, Austin and Dubai helping deliver its ‘The Best. Made Better’ brand mantra across the globe. The Twisted journey begins with customers choosing one of three options: Defined, Commissioned and Certified. Defined Twisted

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“Recognising rarity as a luxury in itself and priding itself on its craftsmanship and attention to detail”

vehicles are built around a specification drawn from years of experience and ensures every element of the vehicle is the best it can be and can be offered on a Twisted sourced vehicle or a customer’s own Defender. Commissioned builds are tailored around a customer’s own vision for what their Twisted build should be. Each one is unique, never replicated and represents the ultimate in exclusive hand-built vehicles. Finally, their Certified vehicles are a handpicked selection of previous Twisted builds which prior to sale are inspected, re-worked where necessary, serviced and warrantied before being issued a certificate confirming its authenticity as a genuine Twisted vehicle. Whilst the Twisted EV Defender is certainly the future, there may be some customers who are not ready to make the jump to fully electric motoring or currently don’t have easy access to charging. Twisted are able to offer a range of engine conversions to suit every scenario and have a 300hp 4 cylinder turbo’d petrol option, a 450hp V8 petrol with 8 speed automatic or can even offer a conversion to standard diesel engines with all gaining compliancy for the ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ) around the city. Twisted EV Defender has been in development for over two years and are now available for

customer order. Powered by a 61 kWh battery offering 140 miles of range and is capable of recharging in sub three hours. Designed to be completely modular, components can be replaced independently of one another as battery technology improves meaning it can be a lifelong companion and not just a short-term fix. The Kensington showroom is located at 21-23 Radley Mews, W8 6JP and open Monday – Friday (9.00am – 5.00pm) with bookings by appointment for evenings and weekends. For more information about booking a visit call 020 3908 2995 or visit: twistedautomotive.com

ABOUT TWISTED AUTOMOTIVE Twisted Automotive was founded in 2000 in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where its factory and flagship showroom remain,. It has additional locations in Kensington, Salcombe, Silverstone, Austin (Texas) and Dubai, Twisted is globally recognised as the leading modifier of the Land Rover Defender. It is quietly confident and stands by the mantra, “The Best. Made Better.” For more than 20 years, Twisted has sought, through an obsessive attention to detail, to make the Defender the best vehicle it can possibly be. With perfection impossible, this is a never-ending process of continual improvement and, with engineering integrity one of its key values, the firm designs and engineers all parts either in-house or in close partnership with trusted manufacturers who share Twisted’s commitment to deliver a product that is the pinnacle of its type. Founder Charles Fawcett created Twisted as an evolution of his lifelong love affair with Defender and the business now employs people across the globe - each committed to the shared ambition of making the best off-road vehicle better whilst never losing sight of what makes a Defender special in the first place. With a workforce who all share Charles’ passion, they think of this in terms of preserving the soul of the Defender and being its guardians for the future. New customers have three ways into Twisted ownership, Defined, Commissioned and Certified. A Defined Twisted is a Defender that, based on 21 years of experience, has carefully selected specification added to it to make it the best it can be. Commissioned allows those customers with a very firm view of how they would like their

Twisted to be to create a vehicle that is unique to them. A Certified Twisted is a pre-owned vehicle that has been thoroughly inspected by the factory, had any faults rectified, is fully serviced and sold with the benefit of a new warranty. All come with the sought after Twisted build plaque. The base vehicle for both Defined and Commissioned builds can be one of Twisted’s 60 remaining delivery mileage Defender, the customer’s own cherished vehicle or a vehicle carefully selected from the market. For those who don’t wish to undertake all the modification work necessary to warrant a build plaque, Twisted also undertake less extensive modification works to customers’ own vehicles. 2022 will see the continual improvement of Defender continuing whilst, for the first time, the ethos and values that Twisted have applied in the automotive market will be introduced to the marine market with a range of RIB’s and restomod powerboats that hold true to the mantra of “The Best. Made Better.” Website: twistedautomotive.com Instagram: @twisted_automotive Twitter: @TwistedAuto

“The base vehicle for both Defined and Commissioned builds can be one of Twisted’s 60 remaining delivery mileage Defender, the customer’s own cherished vehicle or a vehicle carefully selected from the market”

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FEATURE

YEARS OF FERRARI T

he company’s story officially began in 1947 when the first Ferrari emerged from the historic factory entrance on Via Abetone Inferiore in Maranello. The 125 S, as it was known, embodied the passion and determination of the company’s founder, Enzo Ferrari. To date Ferrari’s most important sporting successes include 15 F1 World Drivers’ Championships, 16 F1 World Constructors’ Championships, 14 Sports Car Manufacturers’ World titles, nine wins at 24 Hours of Le Mans, eight at the Mille Miglia, seven at the Targa Florio and 226 victories in F1 Grand Prix. The legendary symbol used by Ferrari has heroic origins. It was first adopted as a personal

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emblem by a highly decorated Italian World War I pilot, Francesco Baracca, who had it painted on the fuselage of his aircraft. At the end of the war, Baracca’s parents offered to allow Enzo Ferrari to use the Cavallino Rampante (Prancing Horse) symbol. He adopted it as the logo for his racing Scuderia, placing it on a yellow shield in honour of his hometown of Modena and topping it with the Italian tricolour. The classic Ferrari red, however, was simply the colour assigned by the International Automobile Federation to Italian grand prix cars in the early years of the last century. Even today, stunningly beautiful cars, each one completely unique, continue to emerge from the same Maranello factory gates. Ferrari offers clients not simply an infinite choice of colours but also

“Even today, stunningly beautiful cars, each one completely unique, continue to emerge from the same Maranello factory gates”

FEATURE

Top row, L-R: Enzo Ferrari; 1962 Monaco Grand Prix; The first of six victories in 1947; Below, right Ferrari 488 Spider

1962 Monaco Grand Prix

an endless selection of materials, treatments and finishes. Thanks to their Carrozzeria Scaglietti and Special Trim and Equipment programmes, every single Ferrari is unique. Clients are also invited to virtually configure their car at their dealership so that they can have a full preview of what their choices will look like. http://auto.ferrari.com/en_EN

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Email: james@signetsandcyphers.com

Mobile: +44 7808 785178

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THE CONNAUGHT UNVEILS

THE CONNAUGHT PATISSERIE ON MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR

estled at the side of the hotel, with its own entrance on majestic Mount Street complete with grand columns and pink flag flying proudly, this space sees exquisite Connaught patisserie – one of the hotel’s famous signatures – showcased and available for all to indulge. Each day, delicious pastries and patisserie are sold or served to customers in the intimate rose-hued surroundings of the shop, alongside expertly made coffee, artisan tea and, of course, champagne. Those in Mayfair can also call upon The Connaught for hand delivered patisserie and celebratory cakes beautifully boxed and ribboned. The Connaught’s Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Rouzaud and his team have created pastries and cakes to carry you through the day – a large sculptural clock hangs in the patisserie, not to tell the time, but to show customers what they can expect and when, from an early morning pain au chocolat, to delicate afternoon patisserie, and cakes to pick up on the way home for a special postsupper treat. Loaf cakes and ‘gâteaux de voyage’ – cakes historically designed to last throughout long pilgrimages – sit on the counter, from lemon madeleines to walnut financiers and chouquettes, alongside a special exclusive from The River Café, a long-time friend of The Connaught. Their Chocolate Nemesis are hand delivered daily to The Connaught Patisserie – the first time the cake has been available outside of its home. The counter is also home to an array of 10 seasonal patisserie – the true showstoppers in the shop. Included are classics such as Paris-Brest, Apple Tatin and St Honoré, and others showcasing

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more contemporary ingredients such as the vibrant Yuzu Éclair, the Mango and Passion Fruit Mousse cake, and the Chocolate Tonka Tart. The Connaught Patisserie also creates bespoke large and decadent cakes to order designed for birthdays, celebrations or simply to tell someone you love them. These exquisite creations can be collected from the Patisserie, or, if customers are in Mayfair, the team can arrive at your door laden with cake boxes, looking splendid, in true Connaught fashion. The Connaught Patisserie is open seven days a week - 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Cake orders can be made by calling 020 7314 3535. Delivery is available in W1. the-connaught.co.uk

“The Connaught’s Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Rouzaud and his team have created pastries and cakes to carry you through the day”

Fun and creative Ballet and Jazz Classes for ages 2+ & Beginner Adult Ballet Classes

Promoting a positive learning environment through praise based teaching.

To register your interest please email: info@alyssiafleurschoolofdance.co.uk or call: 07565 365622 alyssiafleurschoolofdance.co.uk St John’s Wood Marylebone

Rumwood Court is a beautiful grade two listed Elizabethan Manor House, with origins from the 14th century. The estate is situated to the south of Maidstone in the village of Langley. The house and its 12 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland provide the perfect backdrop for marquee blessings, wedding receptions and other events, held in the walled garden.

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A Rumwood Court: Info@rumwoodcourtevents.com | www.rumwoodcourtevents.com

FEATURE

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS PERILLA

THE PRACTICAL AND STYLISH WAY TO SHOP

FARINO’s ingenious new toploading shoppers glide effortlessly alongside on 360 rollerblade spinner wheels, rendering your load virtually weightless. Unique in the marketplace, our carriers offer an entirely new way to shop smart! Visit carriedbyfarino.com and take one for a spin today

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KEAR With a unique name that means “heart” in ancient Greek, multi-award-winning brand Kear offers sustainable skincare that is an ode to natural beauty. Multipurpose, natural, and olive oil-based skincare products reviving thousands of years ago beauty secrets. Kear’s comprehensive range includes products for the face, body, hair, beard, as well as tense muscles, chapped lips, cracked skin, stretch marks, and cellulite. All are locally produced, nontoxic, and never tested on animals. Stockists: oxygenboutique.com; wolfandbadger.com; spacetoshow.com IG: @kearlife FB: @KEAR

Treat your mother’s feet to 90% luxury alpaca bed socks from Perilla. Alpaca is as soft as cashmere to wear; it also boasts better insulating qualities than any other wool fibre keeping feet at a perfect temperature even when the weather gets warmer. Great colour palette of pastel and vibrant shades that come in extra small up to medium. Socks can be giftboxed and a handwritten card included and sent anywhere you wish. perilla.co.uk

THE LITTLE PEACE COMPANY Delightful Mother’s Day gifts from The Little Peace Company. Shop our collection of readymade gift sets and discover our range of natural aromatherapy products. Made using wonderful natural ingredients and nothing else, our products are kind to you and kind to the planet. Receive 10% off your first order when you shop at thelittlepeacecompany.com

GIVE ME A BOUQUET OF ROSÈS - LUXURY ITALIAN WINE

READER OFFER: SAVE

4 10%

FORTUNY

Vinifying, in a balanced union, our precious white berried grapes Cortese and black berried grapes of Pinot Noir, we get a pink wine with a pleasant cherry color with light coral reflections. It conquers its round and soft taste with hints of orange and rose hips. The aromas are light but intense, with persistent notes of undergrowth. lascolca.net

“Let yourself be enchanted by our handcrafted creations. The gold stands out on the intense colours and make the printed silk velvet kimonos elegant and modern. The Fortuny Lamps, clothing and accessories, entirely handmade in Venice with the same techniques used by Mariano Fortuny, have an unmistakable style. The original Fortuny lamps are based on the models designed by Mariano Fortuny thanks to his research in the field of theatrical lighting. From silk to glass, up to aluminum and gold leaf, the collections express multiple aesthetic and functional needs, adapting to both modern and classic interiors.” fortuny.uk

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FEATURE

GETHARLEY

BAGPAD

GetHarley is an online skin consultation platform where you get matched with a renowned clinician who gives advice and curates a personalised skincare plan for your skin. For a Mother’s Day gift, you can join your mother and both have a consultation at the same time and receive unique product regimes sent to your homes. Costed at £50 for 50 minutes, this is much more personal than a bunch of flowers and you get to give and receive at the same time. getharley.com

Bagpad provides a unique and sustainable OFFER: SAVE solution for keeping luxury handbags in shape in between uses. Especially designed for Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags and all other luxury brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior. All Bagpads are locally handmade in the UK and can be personalised with monogramming making it a perfect gift this Mother’s Day. Use code “MOTHER” for 10% off. Shop all styles at bagpad.com or call +44 (0)7775077600

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“For a Mother’s Day gift, you can join your mother and both have a consultation at the same time”

FEARS

“The Archival 1930 is a faithful re-creation of a vintage Fears watch”

READER

Fears is Britain’s oldest watch company, with a heritage dating back to 1846. Based in Bristol, this family-run brand carefully handcrafts luxury watches in the UK. The Archival 1930 is a faithful re-creation of a vintage Fears watch and features a slender, curved case and classic Vintage Champagne dial. This elegant watch is designed to suit the wrist perfectly, paired with an exquisite variety of simple-fit straps to complement her wardrobe, whatever the occasion. fearswatches.com

KERIKIT Beautiful and practical. KeriKit leather handbags and backpacks empower busy women to feel confident, stylish and organised, ready to take on the world in style. Bridging the gap between motherhood and work. For efficient living, effortless parenting and flexible working – Kerikit is the only bag brand the does it all. kerikit.com

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FEATURE

NINA CHRISTINE PERFUMES

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Inspired by the enchanting rose notes that caressed her senses while summering in the South of France, Nina Christine’s passionate love for flowers led her to train with both Galimard in Grasse, France and the fames Parisian Olfactory School; Cinquieme Sens. There, Nina learned the process of scent accords, blending raw aroma materials into fragrant formations, mastering the analytical chemistry of both flavour and fragrance and so much more. ‘Karma Love’ is a fresh and floral eau de parfum with a beautiful fusion of rose, gardenia and jasmine. Nina hopes her exclusive perfumes bring women pure feelings of joy, comfort, femininity and luxury, ninachristineperfumes.com IG: ninachristineperfumes

ALEXIA PECK CANDLES Paris is sensual, she is mysterious, she is feminine, and her essence, like this scent, is a mixture of floral extracts: tuberose, black jasmine, rose and gardenia blended with vanilla, amber and musk. alexiapeck.com

LUDLOW GIN We craft the very best London Dry gin that people love, seek out and gift. From the outset we wanted to create premium handcrafted gins that you could drink neat; distilled spirits should be creations of beauty, something to savour. We distil gin as it has been crafted for hundreds of years, using only the finest natural botanicals, and definitely no artificial colours or flavours. We use a traditional, copper-pot distillation, all we add is water to bring the gin to bottling strength. ludlowgin.co.uk FEBRUARY 2022 73

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Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour brings epic adventure in 2022

he Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back for 2022, bringing the latest action and adventure films to venues around the UK and Ireland. Starring intrepid characters, extreme expeditions and stunning cinematography, the tour features two new collections of inspirational films from the wildest corners of the planet. “We are so excited to be sharing these aweinspiring new films with audiences around the UK and Ireland – up on the big screen!” says tour director Nell Teasdale. “As well as adrenalinepacked stories from the world’s best adventure filmmakers, Banff events are a celebration of the great outdoors with a vibrant atmosphere – and we guarantee audiences will leave inspired to have an adventure of their own too.” As well as thrilling films, each event features a free prize draw for outdoorsy goodies from the tour’s partners. Banff tour films are chosen from hundreds of entries into the Banff Mountain Film Festival, which is held every November in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The UK and Ireland tour started in Leicester on 27 January and will finish in Cambridge on 28 May.

Film highlights include: Exit the North Pole In 24-hour darkness and with temperatures down to -40, polar explorers Børge Ousland and Mike Horn attempt the unimaginable: a 1,500km ski expedition across the frozen Arctic Ocean, via the North Pole. With drifting ice and the threat of polar bears, this gruelling journey has been described as the boldest polar expedition of modern times. 74 FEBRUARY 2022

Dream Mountain, defying societal norms, elite climber Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita has had a trailblazing career, summiting K2, Everest and other world-class peaks. Life changed with the birth of her son, but Pasang decides that to be the best mother she can, she needs to follow her dreams again. Transcending expectations and returning to her life-long passion, Pasang attempts her dream mountain: a spectacular Nepalese peak called Cholatse. Link Sar is the compelling story of the first ascent of one of the last great unclimbed mountains in Pakistan’s Karakoram range: Link Sar at 7,041m. Avalanches and a 36-hour storm cause American alpinist Graham Zimmerman and his team to question their motivations and relationships, in an expedition that earns them mountaineering’s most prestigious award: the Piolet d’Or.

THE DETAILS For more information and to book tickets, see banff-uk.com. #Banff2022

FEATURE

BOWES-LYON PARTNERSHIP Traditional Romance, Modern Dating

with Hayley Bystram

Tell us about your dating agency Bowes-Lyon Partnership was started in 2009 with a desire to put traditional romance back into modern dating. We are a personal introductions agency and our members come to us for a bespoke and tailored service. We take the technology out of dating, remove the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and we personally meet with each and every potential member. What makes you different to other dating services? We are an offline agency and an antidote to online dating! We meet everyone personally, face-to-face, and take the time to understand our members lives and needs. By not using technological shortcuts, we believe there is more heart and soul in our membership process. We match people with people, not profiles with profiles. We offer a friendly and relaxed service, and we make our members feel at ease throughout the dating process. We talk through each introduction at length and take feedback after each date. Taking the time to truly get to know our members allows us to make the dating process more enjoyable and less daunting for them, and it allows us to matchmake our members more successfully. Who are your members? We work within a certain niche market, which ensures that all of our members have a high level of compatibility between them. Our members are all financially independent, intelligent and articulate ladies and gentlemen and they are all looking to meet a like-minded partner for a long-term committed relationship. They range in age from their mid-30s to their mid-70s and they tend to live in the London or South-East areas of England. Many of our members have professional backgrounds and are accomplished and successful in their fields. Our members cover a range of industries including finance, retail, property, media, medicine and retail. We also work with a large number of entrepreneurs who run their own businesses. What type of person joins a dating agency? One of the common issues that we hear is that 76 FEBRUARY 2022

“Taking the time to truly get to know our members allows us to make the dating process more enjoyable and less daunting, and it allows us to matchmake our members more successfully”

our members tends to have demanding and hectic lifestyles and they find that they simply do not cross paths with people they would envision embarking on a relationship with in their everyday lives. They join our agency to help them do the search and filter process to increase their potential of meeting a like-minded equal partner. We also work with a high number of divorcees and widowers, and they have often been in long-term marriages and they just don’t know where to start to meet new people. When they were last dating, perhaps 20-30 years ago, the dating environment was very different to what it is today! These members come to us for guidance and support to help them with, what can often be, a daunting experience. What can a member expect from your agency? We believe that dating should be a fun and enjoyable experience. It is about meeting new people that you would never normally cross paths with, it is about going to new places, trying new things and most importantly, having fun. The goal of all of our members is to meet their perfect partner who will enhance their future but, we feel that the journey to get there should be just as enjoyable. bowes-lyonpartnership.co.uk

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GOING UNDERGROUND

ahoots is Soho’s underground home that transports guests back in time to post-war 1940s, to a disused underground tube station, where guests can enjoy bespoke cocktails, 1940s rationed snacks and regular entertainment with homages to the 1940s stars of the stage and screen. Inspired from the era that saw Londoners take refuge in the underground, as stations were commonly used as air raid shelters during the war, Cahoots replicates the wartime British spirit with drinks and sing-alongs around the piano to boost morale. Look out for the underground sign on the ground floor of Kingly Court by the Beak Street entrance, where old-fashioned wooden escalators lead you downstairs to a stationmaster at the entry kiosk, who will issue you a ‘day ticket’ to the platform/tube carriage destination bar. Regulars of Cahoots will be rewarded with a special ‘season

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ticket’ with exclusive access to the bar. Sit on reworked 1940s tube carriage seats and enjoy a drink or two. The bartenders (in braces, of course!) serve classic cocktails, as well as black market liquor and post-war favourites - in particular rum and gin based drinks that are furtively knocked back from old mugs, hip flasks, vintage milk bottles and tins. And several times each week, a live band plays 1940s jazz and swing, so you can practice your lindy hop! The 1940s tube carriage seats, mismatched furniture and bunting draped throughout completes the perfect backdrop for a jolly good knees-up. Cahoots, where spirits are high and drinks never run dry. Available seven days a week for private hire.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAHOOTS 13 Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, London W1B 5PW get in touch via email highspirits@cahoots-london.com or call 0207 352 6200 to book. Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday - 5pm-1am Thursday & Friday - 5pm-2am Saturday - 7pm-3am Sunday - 5pm-12am. cahoots-london.com

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JUDGE & PRIESTLEY’S NEW BLACKHEATH OFFICE

ollowing on from the acquisition of the business interests of Cunningham Blake Solicitors in April 2021, Judge & Priestley LLP is now proud to announce that its new street level public reception area is now open. The office is located in the heart of Blackheath village, at 9 Tranquil Vale, SE3 0BU. Steve Taylor, J&P ‘s Managing Partner commented “We have been steadily establishing the Judge & Priestley name in the Blackheath area since last April and we are delighted to have now opened the new street level shop front, directly below our offices in Spencer Yard. The new space will make access much easier for clients and will significantly improve our visibility in the Village. We look forward to welcoming previous clients of Cunningham Blake, and new clients from the area, to our premises over the coming weeks and months.” The newly refurbished office space features a reception and waiting area and a meeting room, all at ground floor level, with easy access from Tranquil Vale. Judge & Priestley LLP is a fast-growing

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generalist solicitors practice based in South East London. It is headquartered in Bromley, with additional offices in Beckenham and Blackheath. It has 20 partners and over 180 employees. For more information, please contact David Finnis: dfinnis@judge-priestley.co.uk or visit our website.

“The newly refurbished office space features a reception and waiting area and a meeting room, all at ground floor level, with easy access from Tranquil Vale”

Now serving clients in BLACKHEATH, GREENWICH & CANARY WHARF Now serving clients in BLACKHEATH, GREENWICH & CANARY WHARF

Our services include: Residential Property

Resolve your family Wills, with Trusts, Probate law Resolve matters J&P your family and Inheritance Disputes Resolve your family Resolve your family Resolve your family law matters with J&Pinstruct 10% off legal fees when you law matters with with J&P law matters J&P law matters with J&P off legal fees on when instruct our 10% family team a you new matter 10%family off legal fees when you instruct our team on a new matter Limited Offer * family teamOffer on *a new matter Employment 10% Family, offour legal fees when you instruct Limited Limited Offer * and Dispute Resolution our family team on ato new matter J&P’s Family Law experts in: Quotein “J&P in Blackheathteam offer” toare get get your discount. Quote “J&P Blackheath offer” your discount. Quote “J&P inLimited BlackheathOffer offer” to*get your discount.

• Divorce & separation

• Children & contact

*Offer applicable to new matters opened by the Family Team, before 31st December 2021, for clients residing or working in SE3, SE10, SE13 and E14 postcodes. Final discounted sum to be agreed at the *Offer applicable to new mattersby opened the Family Team, before before 31st December 2021, for 2021, clients for timeto of new instruction. *Offer applicable matters opened the by Family Team, 31st December residing or working in SE3, SE10, SE13 and E14 postcodes. Final discounted sum to be agreed at the residing or workingtime in of SE3, SE10, SE13 and E14 postcodes. Final discounted sum to be agreed instruction.

clients at the

Quote “J&P in Blackheath offer” to get your discount. •time Financial settlements • Co-habitation issues of instruction.

Commercialwww.judge-priestley.co.uk Property 1 Spencer Yard l Blackheath l SE3 0DE www.judge-priestley.co.uk 020 8290agreements 0333and Services info@judge-priestley.co.uk •*Offer Pre applicable / post nuptial • Injunctions and Court Orders for Businesses to new matters opened by the Family Team, before 31st December 2021, for clients 1 Spencer Yard l Blackheath l SE3 0DE

020 8290 0333 info@judge-priestley.co.uk residing or working in SE3, SE13 andlE14 postcodes. sum to be agreed at the 1 Spencer Yard l SE10, Blackheath SE3 0DE Final discounted www.judge-priestley.co.uk time of instruction.

020 8290 0333

info@judge-priestley.co.uk

19 Yard 0DE l lBlackheath 1 Spencer Spencer Yard Blackheath Tranquil Valell |SE3 Blackheath | SE3 SE30DE 0BU

www.judge-priestley.co.uk www.judge-priestley.co.uk

020 020 8290 8290 0333 0333

info@judge-priestley.co.uk info@judge-priestley.co.uk

C ARE

CHISWICK NURSING CENTRE Offers high quality rehabilitation, convalescence & respite care

estore your strength and health after an illness or operation by letting us take good care of you with individually tailored nursing care and our in-house physio, excellent chef and expert hairdresser. The Chiswick Nursing Centre’s physiotherapists work seamlessly with nursing staff to provide the highest levels of integrated care. As a part of the rehabilitation programme, the Centre’s qualified physiotherapists work closely with nursing staff to help patients achieve their goals. Highly experienced in the treatment and management of numerous conditions, the Centre’s physio team are experts in the field of rehabilitation. We support convalescence after surgery and to aid cancer recovery, including care of those with a range of other complex needs. We have particular expertise in rehabilitation following hip replacements and knee replacements. The physiotherapy sessions are tailored to help recover mobility and the physio team aims to provide early detection of any movement related problems. Through their treatment the Centre’s physios help patients and residents to regain their confidence and independence to promote an excellent quality of life through improved health and wellbeing. New for 2022 is Massage Therapy including Acupressure, Advanced Deep Tissue Massage, Seated Hot Bamboo Massage, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage all helping to escape the day-to-day stresses of life whilst you enjoy an

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hour long session with our trained and qualified therapist. Massage Therapy is available to residents and to outpatients, so book an appointment today. *Some treatments may be subject to Covid restrictions. A sister of a resident at the Chiswick Nursing Centre has seen the impact of care first-hand, she said, “ My sister (86) was admitted to this home during the virus crisis. The staff have been so caring and compassionate! She told us the carers were so kind and that the food was wonderful. The staff meet her every need and she feels that nothing is too much trouble for them. There are doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who help her daily.” Chiswick Nursing Centre offers high quality rehabilitation, convalescence, respite & nursing care. We also offer holiday stays for carers who need a break – with maximum peace of mind – so they can take time for themselves. Respite care should be a proper break for you. Short term or long term, we can take care of your loved one so that you can rest, recuperate and re-energise, or simply catch up on your to do list. With free parking on-site, the care home is a convenient location to be treated for a range of conditions including post-surgical rehabilitation and orthopaedic and musculosketal conditions. So, whether its physiotherapy, rehabilitation or convalescence, respite care, dementia care, longterm complex nursing care or general residential care, rest assured your loved one will be in safe hands at the Chiswick Nursing Centre. Please email enquiries@chiswicknursingcentre.co.uk or call 07568 106258. chiswicknursingcentre.co.uk

“The staff meet her every need and she feels that nothing is too much trouble for them. There are doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who help her daily”

PROPERTY

LUXURY LIVING AT THE VALE

home is more than just bricks and mortar. At The Vale, their collection of 30 luxury apartments available to rent, have been designed, so you can enjoy your retirement in a welcoming and vibrant community, without the worry of maintaining a property. Their contemporary apartments are beautifully crafted to the highest standards. Lightfilled open-plan living spaces, luxury kitchens and beautiful bathrooms combine style and accessibility. Expect Porcelanosa kitchens with integrated Bosch appliances, built-in storage, underfloor heating and walk-in showers. Senior living can bring a change in pace and priority. They believe that The Vale enables you to live life to the fullest, safe in the knowledge that personalised care is available if required. Their aim has always been to combine convenience, security contemporary retirement living in south London and affordability with access to a comprehensive range of hospitality. Knowing that support is available means you can embrace life with peace of mind. With the Fleming one-bedroom elegant apartment, you can have the best of both worlds with a restful, stylish, open plan living room complete with hi spec, fully fitted kitchen. Add to this a chic double master bedroom with its fitted wardrobe and contemporary bathroom, all for a monthly cost that needn’t break the bank. 84 FEBRUARY 2022

At The Vale you can have as much company and social life as you wish. The Bar & Bistro is perfect for catching up with friends. For a cosy place to read the papers or play cards, the library and lounge offer a comfortable, beautifully decorated environment. And If pampering is what you’re after, the on-site hair salon offers treatments or if you want to learn a new craft, the hobbies room is the place to go. Nestled in a peaceful location a short distance from Streatham, The Vale is more than just a new home - it’s a future filled with opportunities. Are you unsure about making the move to a retirement village? At the Vale, they offer a trial stay experience so you can gain a feel for what it’s like to be a resident and whether retirement living is right for you. Meet the friendly team and residents which form the heart of their community. Please contact them for a private appointment or they offer virtual appointments via FaceTime so you can experience The Vale virtually. * Some services may not be available on your chosen trial dates thevaleliving.co.uk Tel: 08081 696511

“Nestled in a peaceful location a short distance from Streatham, The Vale is more than just a new home - it’s a future filled with opportunities”

PROPERTY

The Five House of The Nova Collection – Merging New and Old at Royal Connaught Park

et within the expansive private landscaped grounds of Royal Connaught Park, an Edwardian era former Masonic School for Boys, is The Nova Collection, an impressive assemblage of new-build blocks. Divided into five houses – Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Admiral and Lancaster – each comprise a variety of striking apartments, ranging in price from £610,000 to £1.425 million. The five houses of The Nova Collection have been externally designed using weathered red brick to blend seamlessly with the Gothic architecture of the original buildings, now converted into modernised period apartments. Admiral House provides some of the largest homes available at the scheme, with the mixture of two and three-bedroom ground floor and duplex apartments proving popular with downsizers. Ranging in size from 1,066 sq. ft. to 2,368 sq. ft. the well-proportioned interiors are configured to meet modern lifestyle needs, whilst each one benefits from private outside space in the form of a patio, balcony or terrace. The largest block is Lancaster House, consisting of 33 two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Taking in uninterrupted views of the grounds and surrounding countryside, the majority of homes include balconies and terraces or access to a private garden. One of the most impressive properties available in The Nova Collection is situated within Lancaster House – a 2,422 sq. ft. three-bedroom duplex, priced at £1.425 million, complete with two large balconies and considerable open-plan living spaces. Only one unit remains at Oxford House, a boutique building comprising four two-bedroom

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apartments, with the final 872 sq. ft. balcony home available at £610,000. Yale House is a splendid selection of sizeable two and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes ranging in size from 1,055 sq. ft. to 2,056 sq. ft., with a selection including private terraces or balconies. Currently, only five apartments remain at Harvard House where the majority of homes are two-bedroom duplexes, as well as a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments, providing accommodation sized between 1,173 sq. ft. to 1,593 sq. ft. Perfectly located in the heart of Bushey, Royal Connaught Park is a short drive to Bushey Overground Station (a daily residents’ shuttle service runs from the development to the Station, as well as to other key local destinations), which connects to London Euston in under 15 minutes. One of Hertfordshire’s most sought-after towns, Bushey offers a variety of well-established boutique shops, bars and restaurants. For those with their own cars there is ample underground car parking and the facility for electric charging units, as well as cycle storage spaces.

THE DETAILS Prices at Royal Connaught Park start from £610,000 for a twobedroom apartment. For further information on the last remaining homes for sale in The Nova Collection, please contact the sales office on Tel: 01923 222292 or Email: info@thecomergroup.com

PROPERTY

DISCOVER UNPARALLELED AFFORDABILITY IN A VIBRANT POCKET OF NORTH LONDON

hether you enjoy family-friendly suburbia or bustling city life, London has it all. Brunswick House in Neasden presents an exciting opportunity for first time buyers to put down roots in a vibrant, well-connected north London district that’s home to the iconic Wembley Stadium arch and an array of lively amenities. Situated in a corner of the capital that offers affordability and fantastic connectivity, Brunswick House is a collection of one, two and threebedroom apartments, available to purchase with the shared ownership scheme. Buyers can secure a brand-new home with a deposit of just £6,781.25* in the heart of North West London, a thriving area which provides an ideal base for families and singletons alike. Whilst homes used to be a place that we rushed out of first thing in the morning and then slumped back into at the end of the day, lifestyles have changed dramatically and as a result so have our needs and priorities. These apartments have been created with this in mind. Finished to a high specification, there is oak laminate flooring to the living spaces, plush carpets to the bedrooms and private balconies/ terraces to each apartment. For further outdoor options, beautiful Gladstone Park and its tree-lined avenues, walled garden, duck pond, sport pitches, tennis courts, outside gym and children’s play areas is a fiveminute cycle away. A variety of coffee shops, bakeries, hairdressers and restaurants can be found in nearby Wembley, with its array of amenities including BOXPARK, London Designer Outlet 88 FEBRUARY 2022

and the Stadium, reached in just 3-minutes by tube. Brunswick House is located just a two-minute walk from Neasden London Underground station, with the tube taking you swiftly into central London via the Jubilee Line in less than 30 minutes. A brilliant location to get a foot on the property ladder and embrace the London lifestyle, Neasden is also perfectly positioned to explore London. Crafted with community at its heart, the exceptional choice of living at Brunswick House, convenient transport links and diverse location present a unique choice for first time buyers. *5% deposit of £6,781.25 based on purchasing a 35% share of the FMV £387,500 for a one-bedroom apartment latimerhomes.com

“Situated in a corner of the capital that offers affordability and fantastic connectivity, Brunswick House is a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, available to purchase with the shared ownership scheme”

PROPERTY

London’s Hidden Gems W

hilst London might be known for its grand Victorian townhouses and riverside apartments, there is another side to London’s property market that you may not have yet seen. Tucked away are some absolutely charming historic mews streets. London’s mews were created to house the coachmen and horses that served the Victorian and Georgian elite of nearby mansions. These once humble lodgings are today cobblestone lanes with picture perfect homes - transformed into some of the most sought-after property in London and instantly transporting you back to another time and place..

If you’re wondering where exactly you can find these pretty streets, we’re here to help, here are just some of the cutest streets in the capital.

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Kynance Mews, SW7 4QR

Warren Mews, W1T 6AD The distinctive entrance to Warren Mews in Fitzrovia is almost as photogenic as the mews behind. Wander through and you’ll be transported to another time. Just a stone’s throw away from busy Euston Road and Regent’s Park, keep your eye out for the low passageway cut through one of the buildings lining Warren Street or you just might miss it.

St Luke’s Mews, W11 1DF Love Actually fans should head straight to St Luke’s Mews in Notting Hill. No. 27 was used as the setting for the infamous scene where Mark proclaims his love for Juliet using cue cards. The buildings were originally used as stables for the houses on Lancaster Road and Westbourne Park, but most have since been converted into flats. Still, some authentic features of the mews have been retained, including a number of the stable doors. This alleyway remains one of the prettiest in the capital and a favorite of many London photographers.

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Kynance Mews in Kensington is arguably one of the prettiest streets in London. This mews makes for a tranquil getaway from all the noisy hustle and bustle. The cobbled backstreet – accessible through the small archways at Launceston Place or Gloucester Road – narrowly escaped bombing during World War II, when much of the surrounding area had to be rebuilt. Kynance Mews is a jaw-droppingly pretty place. Potted plants line the edges of the street and look up to see windowsills blooming with flowers.

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Bathurst Mews, W2 2SB With 65 properties, it is one of the largest in London. Nestled among the streets of Bayswater, it remains true to its historic roots as the only mews in London still housing a working stable. The stables have been in constant use since the 1830s except for a short period during World War II when they housed motorcars instead. The terraced houses and cobbled street survived the Blitz, narrowly escaping the effects of a bomb that devastated nearby Westbourne Terrace. A visit is a must if you want to appreciate the functional history of these streets. You’ll probably hear and smell the horses before you see them.

Just Artificial are UK’s leading suppliers of high quality artificial plants, trees, silk flowers and related accessories, which we offer at competitive prices. Just Artificial work with interior designers, decorators, set dressers, architects and more to set your home apart from the rest. Our artificial plants, flowers, and trees are highly realistic to look and touch, as well as being durable and attractive. We offer Fire Retardant and UV Protected ranges too. Call today on 01524 858888 or email sales@justartificial.co.uk

www.justartificial.co.uk

PROPERTY

Little Green Street, NW5 1BL This narrow cobbled street in Kentish Town is only 8 feet wide and is lined with two-story brick houses that were built in the 1780s. The buildings are Grade II listed so they’re protected by English Heritage and it’s one of London’s few Georgian streets that remains completely intact. The street features in a poem by English poet, John Betjeman and starred in the music video for The Kinks’s 1966 song, Dead End Street.

Kelly Street, NW1 8PG Kelly Street is one of the jewels in the Kentish Crown. It’s a perfect curve of mid-19th century Grade IIlisted pastel terraces in a relatively narrow tree-lined road dating back to the 1830s. The houses are distinct as a result of their brightly coloured stucco fronts, black cast iron railings, window guards and small front gardens. The street is intimate, quiet and secluded, retaining original Victorian streetlights and historic black and white bollards. providing glorious historic character.

Queen’s Gate Mews, SW7 5QN

Holland Park Mews, W11 3SU A stone’s throw from Holland Park and the beautiful Kyoto Garden, these mews are accessed via an ornate stone archway. A unique feature of the houses on Holland Park Mews is that they all have staircases leading up to the second story. The vibrantly painted doors and the flowers and creepers spilling over the wrought-iron balconies make this mews utterly magnificent! 92 FEBRUARY 2022

Just across the road from Kynace Mews you can find another of the cutest streets in London. Queen’s Gate Mews was the location of London’s first-ever petrol pump – now a colourful lane oozing old English charm. Celebrities Guy Ritchie and Madonna used to live in one of these homes and there’s a quaint little, local pub hidden away at the end.

LIFEUTD22 *Sign up before the 31st March 2022, and upon completion of your first booking you can redeem your hamper.

PROPERTY

uy To Let Hunter is a niche company offering investors a chance to purchase perfect small properties to rent on a short-term, serviced basis in the dormitory suburbs. But who, I hear you ask, chooses to stay in a tiny property in Finchampstead? One of our guests, Michelle Teixeira, recently had a chat with us about her experience. How did you come to be staying in one of our properties? We moved to the UK on a company transfer for work. Selling up everything in South Africa to start our new life journey we needed somewhere to use as a base from where we could begin settling in to a new country and begin looking for our long-term home. We came to the UK with just a few suitcases of clothes and our doggies, and hopes for our new life. But we had no furniture or anything else which was why a managed short-term rental was perfect. It gave us the breathing space to arrange everything we needed without feeling pressurised to have everything in order from the moment we arrived in the UK. How has the experience with the BTLH team been? It has been amazing. I was doing all of this blind, from thousands of miles away and with little to no idea on how or where to rent. BTLH become my

trusted advisor and guided me through the whole process. What has it been like staying in our property? It was in perfect condition when we arrived with all the services offered and all working from the moment we walked through the door. Everything we could think of was waiting for us from spoons to towels. We felt at home and perfectly comfortable from the moment we arrived. What would you say to other people in your position? If this is being read by anyone emigrating to the UK I would advise them to contact BTLH immediately! The UK rental market is extremely tough to navigate on a good day, but even more so if you add in the extra requirement of a pet friendly home. Renting through BTLH bought us the time and peace of mind to properly navigate the UK rental market for our ideal long-term rental whilst living in a secure and fully furnished home with all the amenities allows. We are so pleased to be part of welcoming Michelle and her family to England. The owner of Michelle’s serviced home has earned double in rental, has the warm fuzzy feeling of providing a much-needed home with a hassle free, flexible investment. If you have a rental property which may benefit from converting to a serviced accommodation or if you would like to discover more about our business please read the whole series of interviews on the website.

THE DETAILS Can BTLH help you find the perfect property? Get in touch and have a chat: 020 7550 9396 or hello@buytolethunter.com. For more information check out buytolethunter.com

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LUXURY

TRAVEL – Heading out of London to explore the rest of the world – I M A G E : M O S K I TO I S L A N D

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A Necker Island Wedding…

ecker Island is one of the world’s most romantic spots for newlywed couples wanting the ultimate luxury for their honeymoon – picture yourselves together holding hands with your toes in the sand on the most luxurious island in the Caribbean! Sir Richard Branson’s private island may be his home and favourite hideaway, but he doesn’t mind sharing a slice of his paradise. He arrived on his island for his wedding clinging to the struts of a helicopter... now that’s making an entrance! Necker Island is one of the world’s most secluded spots for those wanting the ultimate luxury, in privacy. Perched at the island’s highest point, The Great House is where people come together, to dine, party or just relax. The house has a wraparound terrace with hammocks and sofas, and this being Necker Island, naturally you can expect a fully stocked bar. Up on the roof you’ll find a cosy hot tub – perfect for sipping champagne as you watch the sun set. Necker Island’s 74-acre estate has all

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the ingredients for a honeymoon of a lifetime. Guests can look forward to up to nine hours of sunshine a day with temperatures reaching up to 31°C between July and October. Right on the island’s main beach, the Beach House sits in between the island’s two tennis courts and the Caribbean Sea. With an impressive bar, space for games tables and an enormous 26foot sofa, the Beach House is the place for relaxed lunches and enjoying the sea breezes in between dips into the crystal clear waters. The Beach Pool has a freeform infinity pool complete with a swimup bar where guests can enjoy a drink. There’s also a huge hot tub right on the beach with space for more than 30 people. Turtle Beach is the perfect spot for relaxing….in a hammock of course, and for the more energetic there is always the sunken trampoline! You can take to the waters from the new Watersports Pavilion and have a go at anything from kitesurfing to paddle boarding, water skiing to kayaking and snorkelling. For a wedding or special occasion, Necker Island can host weddings for as many as 200 people. Exclusive use of Necker Island includes eleven bedrooms in The Great House and 13 individual Bali rooms and suites dotted around the island, easily accommodating up to 48 guests. There is also a bunkroom in The Great House that sleeps up to six children. For the newlyweds we recommend the Master Suite on the upper level of the Great House, complete with a private

Above: Duke Images

“The Beach House is the place for relaxed lunches and enjoying the sea breezes”

luxury personified outdoor hot tub and outdoor bath. Additional accommodation is available on newly launched, sister island, Moskito Island. After deciding to arrive by helicopter - the newest touch of extravagance on offer - there are many options to choose from for your reception. They can organise a six-course gala dinner or a more informal gathering on the beach with the sound of the waves breaking on the shoreline. The Beach Pool Pavilion alongside Main Beach has a hot tub for up to 30 guests, so the party is sure to continue late into the night! They can also help you with all the trimmings, from hair stylists and flowers to entertainment and fireworks – the sky really is the limit! Necker Island is used to ‘unusual’ requests, and because every wedding is by definition unique and personal, they will tailor each request especially for the Bride and Groom. This is your chance to let your inspiration run riot, as they delight in pulling off the seemingly impossible! Necker Island’s hyper-personalised wedding and honeymoon packages are all tailor-made to the individual and can include any of the following: • Personal assistance in obtaining your marriage license and all the associated fees and transportation of the local pastor to the island • All the ceremony arrangements in your preferred location including decorations based on beach, garden or formal theme • Spectacular wedding meal in your preferred location • Selection of canapés after the ceremony • Pressing and steaming of all resident guest outfits prior to the ceremony • An extra special turndown service on the wedding night for the bride and groom, including a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne and breakfast in your room the following • Bouquet of 24 white roses for the bride and a boutonnière for the groom • 3-tier wedding cake prepared by the Necker Island chefs • Five-hour photography package • Case of Dom Pérignon to be served after the wedding ceremony • Steel band at the ceremony playing as the bride walks down the aisle

Duke Images

THE DETAILS To discuss dates and general wedding plans, please contact its reservations team on 0800 716 919 (UK toll free) or +44 (0) 208 600 0430. Alternatively visit virginlimitededition.com for more details or email enquiries@virginlimited edition.com

• 90-minute couples massage for the bride and groom and a 30-minute bespoke skin polish The above are all individual wedding supplements, applicable on the day of the wedding and added to the nightly accommodation rate. For exclusive use of Necker Island rates are $128,000 per night. For smaller groups Necker Island can be booked and shared on a non-exclusive basis with other guests from July to October. Please note a minimum of 10 rooms are required. Rates start from US $5150 per room, per night.

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TRAVEL

Gara Rock… a gorgeous

secret on the South Devon coast

erched on a secluded clifftop across the water from Salcombe, Gara Rock is a boutique hotel like no other. Tucked away at the end of winding rural lanes and with a far away quality, you will feel as if you’ve stepped into another world when you arrive. Greeted by panoramic views of the spectacular coastline, we like to think of it as a gorgeous little secret on the South Devon Coast. Step out of the car and breathe in the fresh sea air. Listen to the waves crashing below. Blow the cobwebs away on the scenic South West Coast Path. Or head to the sandy beach below and enjoy a picnic when the sun shines. The hotel itself provides an easy-going and down to earth atmosphere and welcomes families, couples, good friends and dogs too. The interior features lots of soft, earthy, natural colours and textures, which are inspired by Gara Rock’s rugged surroundings. Every area of the hotel has been created to feel soft, comfortable, informal, and inviting, day or night whatever the season. It’s obtainable luxury that’s made up of sumptuous comfort and warmth, which can be seen in all the hotel accommodation. From Gara Rock rooms with balconies right through to the luxury suites. And the out of the ordinary accommodation, comprising the Signal House with hot tub, Penthouse with a wow-factor master suite and the secluded Secret Suite, nestled on its own part of the cliff top. All

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accommodation benefits from sea views and for families there are self-catering apartments. When you are not taking in your surroundings or catching the ferry to Salcombe, the hotel has an indoor pool with jacuzzi overlooking the sea. The spa uses local, organic products, and offers a range of treatments, and there’s a cinema room for rainy days. When it’s sunny, the outdoor pool has an amazing view to be enjoyed from your sun lounger. And the award-winning restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows with panoramic view, provides a real taste of Devon. In warmer weather, the terrace is a lovely place to have a bite to eat, drink and contemplate. If you are looking to press pause and forget it all for a few nights by the coast, Gara Rock is the place for you. Come stay for a few nights, contact us on 03334 551 593 or see Gararock.com

“Every area of the hotel has been created to feel soft, comfortable, informal, and inviting, day or night whatever the season”

TRAVEL

T LUXURY LODGE HOLIDAYS IN THE DERBYSHIRE PEAK DISTRICT

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here is no better place than the Derbyshire Peak District to enjoy a short break or a family holiday. The Peak District is ideally located in the Heart of England and is bursting with majestic landscapes, stunning views, stately homes and unique family attractions. Award winning Landal Darwin Forest is situated between Matlock and Bakewell and combines luxury self-catering lodges with fantastic onsite facilities. Whether you want peace and tranquillity on a romantic break, action packed adventures or fantastic local attractions for entertaining friends and family, our lodges provide the perfect base from which to explore. The luxury lodges at Landal Darwin Forest are nestled within a 47 acre woodland paradise. The parks 135 lodges are sympathetically interwoven into the forest, which enables you to get back to nature and enjoy the picturesque environment. We have created a holiday park where children can explore, and young and old will feel carefree and relaxed. There are several types of accommodation options to choose from which will keep the whole family happy. Most popular are our spa lodges that include a private hot tub on the veranda and really enable you to appreciate the serenity of our forest setting. We also have a number of pet friendly lodges. At Landal Darwin Forest we have created the perfect setting for you to relax, enjoy your holiday and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life far behind. Landal Darwin Forest is the perfect destination to enjoy a family holiday. Our fantastic onsite facilities include Evolution Health & Fitness, which has a swimming pool, spa, gym and beauty rooms. For the younger members of your family, Little Monkeys indoor play centre will provide hours of fun and entertainment. The Activity Den is perfect for older children with pool tables and a games room to keep them entertained. We also offer a range of fun activities onsite that are suitable for children and adults. Let our qualified instructors train you in the art of archery or the skills of fencing. The more adventurous could experience the thrills of bodyzorbing, waterwalkerz or snorkelling! For all the family to enjoy, we have a tennis court, mini golf and an abundance of footpaths and cycling trails. If you want to give yourself a break from cooking you can enjoy a coffee and lite bite at the Explorers cafe or you can visit the Foresters bar and restaurant which has an extensive menu serving fresh, locally sourced produce. Many families enjoy celebrating Christmas or New Year at the park, or gathering the family together for a birthday or anniversary. No matter what the time of year, we are confident your friends and family will have a fantastic break. darwinforest.co.uk

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THE LANGHAM, GOLD COAST SET TO OPEN IN 2022 The landmark beachfront hotel and residences is The Langham brand’s third luxury property in Australia

pening 2022, The Langham, Gold Coast will feature 169 well-appointed rooms and suites and the Jewel Residences, which consists of 170 serviced apartments designed and built to the award-winning brand’s exacting specifications. With their prime location on the beachfront in Surfers Paradise, the hotel and serviced apartments promise stunning city and ocean views, visible for miles from the Nerang River to the Gold Coast hinterland From the deluxe room to the elegant chairman suite, The Langham, Gold Coast has a range of accommodation to suit guests on corporate or leisure stays. All 32 suites at The Langham feature an impressive 180-degree uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. The culinary journey at The Langham, Gold Coast will be a gastronomic dining experience that will suit every discerning palate. The property will feature restaurants, a casual “grab and go” café for all day dining, a pool bar and a podium sky terrace with the bar overlooking the ocean. A tradition made famous by The Langham in 1865 is the signature afternoon tea, modelled after its namesake at The Langham, London which was the first grand hotel to serve this delightful presentation, setting the definitive standard in serving stylish and elegant afternoon teas in the city. For a more casual dining experience, the all-day dining restaurant serves international cuisine, and sun-worshippers can lounge at the pool bar and the 80-seat outdoor bar with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Chuan Spa will offer treatments inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophies in a tranquil, meditative setting, This 500-square metre spa will offer private treatment rooms, a health and beauty centre and a fully equipped fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool. As the perfect setting for weddings, conferences, meetings and special social or corporate events, The Langham, will showcase a 628 square metre ballroom with additional meeting rooms. The Jewel Residences, Managed by The

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Langham is perfect for couples, families or big travel parties who place a premium on bright, sunshine-soaked space with generous living space. All guests at the residences also have full access to the hotel’s facilities. These spacious apartments feature private balconies with phenomenal sunrise and sunset views that face either the city or the ocean.

“Sun-worshippers can lounge at the pool bar and the 80-seat outdoor bar”

A family business providing exclusive valet parking at Gatwick Airport since 1992.

Try our hotel… Have your car collected from the Terminal Forecourt and walk direct into check-in. On your return your car is delivered to the Forecourt and you can drive straight home. No Buses – No Waiting Our customised car park is only 3 minutes from The terminal enabling a prompt and reliable service. Car Park vetted annually by Surrey Police and holder of Trading Standards ‘Buy with Confidence’ award.

Book online at: www.tudorrose.co.uk or telephone 01293 822844

10% Discount Code TRLM010

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SIR RICHARD BRANSON’S VIRGIN LIMITED EDITION PRESENTS

The Point Estate Pool

MOSKITO ISLAND A

new definition of luxury in the British Virgin Islands, It has quickly become the newest and one of the most exclusive, private islands in the Caribbean – a 125 acre secluded billionaire’s playground, home to privately owned villa estates with first-class communal recreational amenities. Two brand-new estates: The Point Estate and The Oasis Estate join the existing 11-bedroom Branson Estate on Moskito Island, each bringing its own sense of style and one-off design to create exceptionally unique island retreats - available for exclusive buyouts through Sir Richard Branson’s global collection of eight unique retreats and luxury hotels. Sitting across from its famous sister island Necker, Moskito Island brings a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience through unparalleled ocean views and unmatched barefoot luxury.

THE OASIS ESTATE Perched on the highest point of Moskito Island, Oasis Estate offers the very best in contemporary living with sleek, modern design and broad 106 FEBRUARY 2022

sweeping gestures. The ultimate entertaining abode, the four-story main house features multiple bars – and a rooftop deck that boasts unobstructed 360-degree views. The estate provides the perfect balance of fun, privacy and relaxation to cater for guests’ every need. A curved wraparound master pool brings a luxurious cooling element, joining the main house with three individual guest pods, each providing their own sense of privacy. The poolside pods come fitted with their own living areas, as do each of the guest rooms in the main house. The crown jewel is the 812 sq.ft master guestroom with its open-plan bedroom and living area and an extensive 180 degree decking and

“A curved wraparound master pool brings a luxurious cooling element, joining the main house with three individual guest pods, each providing their own sense of privacy”

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entertaining area, offering some of the best views on the estate and overlooking Sir Richard Branson’s iconic neighbouring Necker Island. The ample wrap-around terrace features sun loungers and a dining table to create the perfect entertainment space at this beautiful private retreat.

THE POINT ESTATE Overlooking the island’s stunning Manchioneel Beach and neighbouring Virgin Gorda, the eight-bedroom Estate offers free-standing accommodation and one main entertaining hub house. The expansive communal area brings the estate together as a dining and entertainment area with a huge infinity edge pool offering 180-degree views of the surrounding turquoise waters. A unique open-air dining pavilion is built right at the cliff edge, offering arguably the best viewpoint of the dramatic sunsets than any other spot on the island. Guests have exclusive, direct access to Manchioneel Beach – Moskito Island’s primary beach – complete with a dining pavilion, stocked bar and guest facilities. The estate comfortably sleeps up to 22 guests and is an ideal family destination. A mix of freestanding, outdoor, deep-soaking baths and outdoor showers, complete with spacious decking and sun loungers, feature across the guest accommodation. Sitting atop the main house is an impressive crow’s nest – an idyllic location to watch the sun rise and set over the island.

THE BRANSON ESTATE The two new estates join the Branson Estate, designed and owned by the Branson Family and opened in 2020. It was the first estate to be built on Moskito Island with three beautiful villas and the main residence, home to the estate’s master living, dining and entertaining areas, master suite and two guestrooms. 108 FEBRUARY 2022

The four-bedroomed Beach Villa is a beachside oasis with a private infinity pool and living areas, adjacent to the four-bedroomed Mangrove Villa with striking views of the neighbouring islands. The Branson Estate is home to beautiful seaside dining and play areas that seamlessly blend indooroutdoor living for a relaxing, private vacation. Each private estate on Moskito Island is brought together by communal recreational amenities including the master Beach Pavilion, comprising a bar, gaming and movie areas, wrap-around pool, and a stunning communal beach. Two impressive floodlit artificial grass tennis courts can host group tournaments, lessons, or a casual knock about with friends. Guests can also enjoy a multitude of dining outlets, private in-room or beachside spa treatments, water sports, and activities that can be organised to cater for the full group – including game nights, guided hikes, beach Olympics and children’s pizza-making classes. Off-island, the British Virgin Islands offers some of the best crystal blue waters in the world to explore, whether snorkelling the unspoiled reefs and shipwrecks, or swimming with the turtles. Rates start from $17,500 per night during lowseason, based on a four-night minimum stay at The Point Estate for up to 16 guests. Rates include a dedicated Estate Manager and team of staff, a private chef and all meals, drinks, watersports, and a personalised itinerary from start to finish. For more information visit moskitoisland.virgin.com

Opposite, Top: Moskito Island Left: The Oasis Estate Right: The Branson Estate This Page, From Top: The Oasis Estate Master Suite The Branson Estate Beach Villa Left: The Point Estate Pool Below: The Point Estate Great Room

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Escape the hustle and bustle of life at Cornwall’s most comfortable hotel

ou’ll find The Nare in a secluded bay on the Roseland Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the south coast of Cornwall. Its position, right on the South West Coast Path footpath, is perfect for walkers wishing to explore the attractive Roseland coastline. Within touching distance of hidden creeks and stunning gardens, The Nare is the perfect place to discover the area’s spectacular scenery, history, and culture. In fact, Cornwall’s Spring Story is the proof that spring really does arrive in Cornwall first. Each year six nominated champion magnolia campbellii are monitored in six different Great Gardens in Cornwall to record the date they come into full bloom. The moment all six champion magnolia trees have flowered with at least 50 blooms on each, spring has arrived in England. Many of The Great Gardens of Cornwall lie close to The Nare, with late February and March being the best time to see alluring displays of camellias and magnolias

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on one of the Nare Spring Garden Breaks. Cornwall’s highest rated hotel for over 30 years, The Nare offers luxurious rooms and suites, two restaurants, warm indoor pool, health spa and a beautiful sandy beach. It is renowned for its unobtrusive, traditional service, with exquisite British cuisine and fine wines served in both the Quarterdeck Restaurant, with its classical yachting décor and teak panelling, and The Dining Room, with its magnificent sea views on three sides. Many guests appreciate the classic silver service and The Nare’s renowned hors-d’œuvre trolley, flambés and homemade puddings. Chauffeur service is available for door to door travel and for meeting guests on arrival at Truro train station or Newquay airport, as well as day visits during one’s stay. With your first glimpse of the bay as you wind your way to this unspoilt, quiet corner of Cornwall, you will be drawn to the come-home feel of The Nare, the country house hotel by the sea, so beloved by the many, many guests who return. 01872 50 11 11 narehotel.co.uk stay@narehotel.co.uk

“Cornwall’s highest rated hotel for over 30 years, The Nare offers luxurious rooms and suites, two restaurants, warm indoor pool, health spa and a beautiful sandy beach”

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TRAILFINDERS,

THE TRUSTED TRAVEL EXPERTS

luxury family beach holiday, a roundthe-world adventure with fourteen different stops or a short business trip, you can trust Trailfinders with all your travels. Speak to their safari experts for an African adventure of a lifetime and on the same call book a voyage with a cruise expert, they really are a one-stop-shop for all things travel. Starting out from humble beginnings, selling overland tours, Trailfinders remains privately owned with its flagship travel centres and HQ still based around Earls Court Road and High Street Kensington. Despite the decline of the high street, Trailfinders has continued to open travel centres with 41 so far across the UK and Ireland. You just have to look out for that black and orange logo in your local town centre! Nowadays we all want the strongest protection, coverage and advice so holidaying is stress free. You can book your Trailfinders holiday with complete confidence as their Peace of Mind policy

“Trailfinders believes there is no substitute for the value of the human touch, The TF brand is built around the skill of its travel consultants and their ability to piece together any holiday itinerary”

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covers you if borders close or travel restrictions increase and if insurance is purchased, it protects you for Covid alongside all the usual coverage. Meaning you can head on that dream holiday as you usually would and not have to worry. Trailfinders believes there is no substitute for the value of the human touch, The TF brand is built around the skill of its travel consultants and their ability to piece together any holiday itinerary at the best possible price whilst maintaining the highest levels of customer care, reflected in more than 23,000 5* reviews on Trustpilot. From founder to consultant, their passion for travel is apparent. By offering a truly personal service at great value, Trailfinders offers a world of choice to ensure you experience your chosen destination to the full. No one looks after you better. trailfinders.com

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Boutique City Breaks It’s time to discover boutique cities. Ones which have all the excitement and vibrancy of sprawling metropolis’ but are more intimate, less crowded with space to explore and enjoy. Hills Balfour has rounded up six boutique cities for your 2021 travel list. They all boast a thriving restaurant and bar scene, a variety of cultural institutions and galleries and allows visitors to have truly local experiences.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA One of the greenest cities in the world

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Vienna is renowned for world-class museums, galleries, exhibitions and shows and is one of the world’s greenest cities with 850 parks and 10,000 trees. It can easily be explored on foot, meaning travellers can set their own pace in which to enjoy Vienna with its beautiful architecture. What’s more, Vienna is dedicated to sustainable growth and ensuring that the city doesn’t fall victim to over-tourism, so a crowded city break will be far from the agenda! Visitors can have the confidence to enjoy beautiful Vienna safely, amidst its ample outdoor spaces and famous attractions. vienna.info

BALTIMORE, USA Known as ‘Charm City’ for a reason A great alternative to bustling Washington DC, Baltimore is a colourful and diverse city, known for its beautiful harbour, vibrant neighbourhoods, thriving food and art scene, as well as being deemed one of America’s greatest historical destinations. Travellers can explore the city’s colourful areas and the diverse waterfront destination, rich in history and culture. Art lovers should head to the Baltimore Museum of Art, home to the largest collection of Henri Matisse in the world. The American Visionary Art Museum showcases the work of self-taught artists. Travellers can make their money go further and experience more in Baltimore, whilst avoiding the crowds of Washington DC. baltimore.org

ABU DHABI, UAE Cultural and historical gem in the heart of the Middle East

TUCSON, USA Gastronomy excellence with a frontier vibe For those visitors who have ticked-off the metropolises on the east and west coasts and want a more authentic laid-back America, then look no further than Tucson in the Arizona desert. Food lovers will delight in knowing that Tucson was the first city to earn the designation of World City of Gastronomy by UNESCO. Home to trendy eateries and some of the best Mexican food the north side of the border, the city offers a truly unforgettable dining experience with a rich agricultural heritage. Between dining, visitors can head to one of the city’s championship golf courses, take in the flourishing art scene, explore one of the many museums or delve into the area’s rich filmmaking history. visitarizona.com

Abu Dhabi is often referred to as Dubai’s understated older sister. Visitors will find that the city moves at a more leisurely pace, with fewer skyscrapers and a little-less bling. But don’t be fooled, Abu Dhabi has a wealth of history and culture to offer, including the magnificent Louvre Abu Dhabi featuring artwork from all the greats, three worldclass theme parks, beautiful white-sand beaches and desert adventures on its doorstep. The jewel in Abu Dhabi’s crown is the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which features the world’s largest hand-woven carpet and breathtaking floral mosaics. Abu Dhabi is spread across a number of islands meaning visitors will never feel claustrophobic, whilst green outdoor spaces are aplenty for those needing time to sit back and watch the world go by. visitabudhabi.ae

NAGOYA, JAPAN History and beauty combine in Japan’s fourth city Swap the renowned bustling cities of Kyoto and Tokyo for Nagoya offering the delights of Japan but at a slower, more relaxed pace. World-renowned science museums sit alongside Nagoya’s rich culture and history. Visitors can explore the ancient Atsuta Jingu Shrine, built over 1,900 years ago it remains one of the most important Shinto shrines in the country. Another must is the palatial Nagoya Castle, built in 1612 it was Japan’s first castle to be designated a National Treasure. The Nagoya Prince Hotel Sky Tower in the Sasashima Live district is the perfect base to explore the city. With rooms starting on the 32nd floor, guests are treated to amazing views from a rooftop garden, providing a tranquil oasis of green space to relax.. princehotels.com/nagoya

TORONTO, CANADA A cosmopolitan city to rival any other

Bright and bustling, Toronto is a cosmopolitan city on a slightly smaller scale, offering everything from worldclass cuisine and spectacular attractions, to one-of-a-kind entertainment and popular sporting events. Visitors can wander through culturally diverse neighbourhoods, explore markets, delve into Toronto’s Distillery District which can be explored on foot and hike on the Toronto Islands - a collection of 15 small leafy islands located in Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Come nightfall Toronto is a haven for top restaurants and bars, including 360 The Restaurant at the iconic CN Tower, where guests can dine while taking in the revolving view of Toronto more than 351 metres (1,151 ft) below. ontariotravel.net FEBRUARY 2022 115

Caroline Slater is a progressive and bold figurative artist with an editorial slant. Her diverse range of abstracted portraits and organic forms are influenced by avant-garde imagery, music trends and cultural identity. Caro’s dynamic oil/acrylic paintings and layered mixed media drawings are created to evoke emotion and respond to the world we live in. “I appreciate the intense presence of your characters. The fearless brush movement. The outstanding oeuvre” For Further information, visit www.carofineart. co.uk to view and purchase work on line or email carofineart@gmail.com to find out more. Follow @carofineart on Instagram.

ART GUIDE

– Stunning art from local, national and international artists – I M AG E : L O N D O N A RT FA I R 2 0 2 2

ART

Wallace Chan TITANS:

A dialogue between materials, space and time One Canada Square, Canary Wharf. 14th February - 8th April 2022

hinese multidisciplinary artist Wallace Chan will showcase 10 of his large-scale titanium and iron sculptures for his exhibition TITAN at the vast lobby of the iconic One Canada Square, Canary Wharf. Canary Wharf is home to London’s largest collection of outdoor public art collected over 30 years with more than 75 freestanding and integrated architectural sculptures. It has a decadelong history of commissioning award winning art programmes and installation and is a long-standing celebration of culture and the arts. The exhibition, curated by James Putnam, explores Chan’s contemplation on the relationship between materials, space and time through titanium: a futuristic, space-age material. On display will be three brand new works: TITANS XIV, TITANS XV and TITANS XVI. The central motif of many of these majestic, semi-figurative sculptures is a colossal head whose facial features are serene yet strong, with a peaceful aura reminiscent of a deity statue. The head is often distorted and elongated, almost anamorphic, simultaneously ancient and somewhat extraterrestrial. One of the new works, TITANS XIV, is a 5 metre high monolithic sculpture and will be situated at the fountain in Cabot Square, in the foreground of Canary Wharf ’s iconic building alongside the work of renowned sculptors Henry Moore and Lynn Chadwick. Wallace Chan says, “The large-scale titanium sculptures come from a lifetime of memories

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and experiences, including my early years creating carvings and sculptures inspired by Greek mythology. TITANS, named after a group of super-strong giants, connects my present to my past. The series also acts as a passage to the future; carved and sculpted with a material as strong and resistant as titanium, my sculptures act as time capsules.” Wallace Chan is one of the world’s most celebrated jewellery artists, but his accomplishments in sculpture – an art form that he has been practicing for almost half a century – are less well known. Chan developed his skills and learnt the art of Western sculpture by visiting Christian cemeteries and admiring the marble sculptures of saints and angels.

THE DETAILS TITANS: A dialogue between materials, space and time Lobby, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AB 14th February – 8th April 2022 FREE to visit wallace-chan.com @wallacechanart

Jgrice Art

My passion is colour, it’s our greatest communication and way to express. The way the paint blends together through natural and intuitive movements is what amazes me and I continue to explore in each painting. Every piece I create can never be repeated and its never planned or designed this is art work made from expressionism and instinct. Contact jodiegriceart@gmail.com Website www.jodiegriceart.com Instagram @jodiegriceart

“I try to bring the viewer to a silent contemplation that conveys to him an almost mystical sense of seeing the world” Phone: +34 640 23 77 37 Mail: alanlacke@alanlacke.com Web: www.alanlacke.com Social media (Instagram,facebook,Twitter, Lindkedin, TIKTOK, Youtube): @alanlacke

ART

LONDON ART FAIR

2022

20-24 April 2022, Business Design Centre, London N1

ondon Art Fair returns for its 34th edition, recognised as a platform for connecting the best galleries worldwide with both seasoned and aspiring collectors, providing a unique opportunity to discover and champion outstanding modern and contemporary art. This year will see the participation of over 100 galleries from around the world, including Austria, America, Portugal, Sweden, and Australia. The Fair will include critically-acclaimed curated sections Art Projects, Photo50, and Platform. The event will offer both seasoned and aspiring collectors a diverse presentation of modern and contemporary art, alongside curated displays, and an inspiring programme of talks, panel discussions and artists insights. In addition, London Art Fair continues to champion and support regional museums through its annual Museum Partnership, which this year invites the New Hall Art Collection at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, to showcase their collection at the Fair. The New Hall Art Collection is a permanent collection of modern and contemporary art by women, with over 20 artists including Maggi Hambling, Eileen Cooper and Miriam Schapiro from the largest collection of art by women in Europe. For this year’s annual themed section, guest curator Candida Stevens has chosen Music and its part in Contemporary Art, working with 10 galleries whose artists have created new work exploring the intersection of visual art and music,

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and the ways in which contemporary art can incorporate aspects of movement and rhythm. The display will range from abstract work referencing the riff of jazz music with off-key colour and off-kilter form to figurative artists representing the process of composition across both art forms. Established in 2005 to support emerging galleries, Art Projects returns to showcase the freshest contemporary art from across the globe. Amongst the diversity of the selected work for 2022 there is a sense of wishing to relook towards the future. Many of the featured artists look inwards at their own emotions, beliefs and mythologies, but with a keen eye on what these subjects mean for the wider world, asking: how do my own experiences mirror and contrast with those of others, and how can times of reflection and re-evaluation help us build the world we want. Full ticket types and prices at: londonartfair.co.uk/tickets. For the latest news, follow @LondonArtFair on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (#LAF22) Clockwise from top: Photo by Mark Cocksedge; Tony Beaver, David Bowie, Courtesy of Cavaliero Finn; Simon Bacon, Earth Spirit, 2021, Bronze with paint, 34x13x8 inches, Courtesy of Thompson’s Gallery; Chris Levine, Stillness Is A Portal To The Divine, 2021, Kate Moss with Screenprinted Counterpart Poem Presented in a Custom Made Perspex Box, 45 x 59.4cm. Courtesy of Jealous Gallery

ART

NATIONAL GALLERY RETURNS OLD MASTER TO ITALIAN HOME USING VIRTUAL REALITY By Alex Green

isitors to The National Gallery will be able to see a painting by Italian master Paolo Veronese in its original church setting using virtual reality technology. The Consecration Of Saint Nicholas was commissioned in 1561 as an altarpiece to hang in San Benedetto al Po in Mantua, and headsets will allow art lovers to see the piece in situ for the first time in more than 200 years. The altar piece was added after the church was radically remodelled and enlarged in 1539 by Giulio Romano, a pupil of Raphael. It remained there until the 1820s, when it was removed during the Napoleonic Wars. Free 20-minute sessions will be available from March and will feature a choice of two virtual guides – curator Dr Rebecca Gill, who will explore the painting and frescoes, or the historical figure 122 FEBRUARY 2022

“The exhibition emerged from a research and development project looking at how The National Gallery can share research with a wider audience by using immersive technologies. It will be accompanied by a recording of a Gregorian chant, performed by Veneti Cantores, that was performed around the time of the painting’s creation”

of Abbot Asola, who commissioned the painting from Veronese. The exhibition emerged from a research and development project looking at how The National Gallery can share research with a wider audience by using immersive technologies. It will be accompanied by a recording of a Gregorian chant, performed by Veneti Cantores, that was performed around the time of the painting’s creation. Dr Gill said: “Through this project we are able to bring architecture into the gallery and allow our visitors to explore for themselves what it might have been like to stand in front of Veronese’s painting some 500 years ago.” Lawrence Chiles, head of digital at The National Gallery, said: “Virtual Veronese has enabled us to understand how immersive storytelling can add depth of experience, meaning and emotion to Gallery visitors’ engagement with our paintings.” Virtual Veronese takes place from March 7 to April 3 2022 at The National Gallery in London.

ART

True is the Dream 14th January to 16th May 2022

‘T

rue is The Dream’, an exhibition at the Barbican Music Library shares the photography of Derek D’Souza. Over the last four decades Derek has captured on camera the most extraordinary and insightful glimpses of one of Britain’s most revered groups and The Jam’s frontman Paul Weller. Over forty years ago he sent some photographs to the band’s fan club that he’d taken from the audience at their gigs. A telephone call from Paul’s Mother Ann, who ran the club, was to change Derek’s life. He was asked to photograph the band for their next single, Absolute Beginners. He met the band at Beatle’s producer George Martin’s AIR London studios and a shoot was arranged at Chiswick House in West London, the location was carefully chosen by Paul as it was also where the Beatles filmed music videos for Rain and Paperback Writer. Derek’s work includes pictures from the ‘Absolute Beginners’ session, as well as live photos of The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller. The exhibition will also include many unseen items of Derek’s music memorabilia collected over 40 years of shooting bands in the live arena.

Opening times are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm; Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am – 7.30pm; and Saturday 9.30am – 4pm. See barbican.org.uk/library for details The Barbican Centre Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS derekdsouzaphotography.com

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KNOWN AND STRANGE:

Photographs from the Collection The Sir Elton John and David Furnish Gallery, V&A. Until 6 November 2022

nown and Strange: Photographs from the Collection highlights photography’s power to transform the familiar into the unfamiliar, and the ordinary into the extraordinary. Since its invention, photography has changed the way we see the world by inviting us to interpret reality in our own way. Known and Strange focusses on photography’s creative capacity to blur fact with fiction. The display showcases over 50 recent contemporary acquisitions for the V&A permanent collection – created by established and emerging photographers across the globe – including Paul Graham, Susan Meiselas, Andy Sewell, Tereza Zelenková, Dafna Talmor, Zanele Muholi, Rinko Kawauchi, and Mitch Epstein. Each has expanded the ever-changing field of photography, both in terms of stylistic experimentation and intellectual inquiry, and their work represents some of today’s most compelling achievements in contemporary photography. Known and Strange also features diverse and innovative works within this broader theme, from Rinko Kawauchi’s focus on simple moments of illumination in everyday life and Mitch Epstein’s search for trees in New York City, to

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Zanele Muholi’s powerful series that exposes the persistent violence and discrimination faced by the South African Black LGBTQIA+ community. Tereza Zelenková – known for her imaginative explorations of mysticism – peels back the layers of myth that build up over time, whilst Dafna Talmor transforms her own photographs of landscapes by cutting them up and recombining them to create new hybrid compositions. In addition, the display also includes over 20 photobooks by contemporary photographers, drawn from the collection of the National Art Library, further highlighting the innovation present in photography today. The display highlights the diversity of a medium that, through its malleability, allows for many different perspectives to be captured. As viewers, we can challenge everyday assumptions, be reminded of the world’s wonder, and perhaps poignantly, become aware that we might not be able to witness everything we want to during our own comparatively fleeting lives.

THE DETAILS Room 101, Photography Centre – The Sir Elton John and David Furnish Gallery. For more details visit vam.ac.uk/ exhibitions Twitter: @V_and_A Instagram: @vamuseum Facebook: @VictoriaandalbertMusuem

From top: Lucy, 2018 © Maurizio Anzeri; Untitled from the series Known and Strange Things Pass, 2020 © Andy Sewell; Dafna Talmor, Untitled from the series Constructed Landscapes, 2015 © Zafna Talmor

D i a n e H o l l an d SF In t ’l Art i s t NY, LA, SF, London, Venice, Barcelona

In her award-winning Mona Lisa Variat ions #03, she l iberates t he iconic 16t h century Mona Lisa from her confinement, into a joyous, unique, modern portrait. In col lect ions worldwide. SHOP: Prints, Posters, Mugs & more at www.dianehollandart.com & follow at www.Instagram.com/dianehollandart/

ART

Collect

2022 25-27 February 2022

ow in its 18th year, Collect, the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design, returns to Somerset House as a hybrid fair from 25 to 27 February 2022 and online at Artsy.net. It’s the perfect opportunity to acquire new, handcrafted objects for your home from some of the world’s most exciting, living artist makers. Presented by the Crafts Council and starring panel-selected talent, Collect offers exquisite, museum quality objects from three different continents. The V&A Museum has regularly acquired work at Collect and made a record 13 purchases in 2020, when the fair was last physical. Visitors can engage directly with galleries and artists to purchase pieces created in the last five years – and making commissions is also possible. As the desire for authentic handmade art objects for home décor and living space continues to flourish, the works at Collect represent the most expansive understanding of contemporary craft and covers the widest range of disciplines, materials, and processes. Ceramics, glass art, textile

and fibre art, furniture, lacquerware and jewellery sit side-by-side. Participating galleries hail from South Korea, Italy, France, Lebanon, the USA and UK among others – and artists represented are from the four corners of the world. Collect Open, the fair’s showcase for large-scale, pioneering craft installations by emerging artists, returns to Somerset House with 12 dynamic projects by artists and a collective from Chile, France, Israel, and the UK. Works at Collect 2022 explore a range of fascinating modern-day topics such as cultural identity and thoughtful consideration of our surroundings and nature. Lloyd Choi Gallery (South Korea) returns with a coveted selection of works showcasing the purity of the Korean aesthetic. Candida Stevens Gallery (England) is inviting two artists each in textiles and ceramics to create work that responds to the history of Somerset House and its interior space. New to Collect, gallery Pik’d from Lebanon will release new work from native and international makers and Thrown Gallery (England) represents new and emerging British voices in clay. The LOEWE Foundation Talk is always oversubscribed and the third Brookfield Properties Craft Award, now one of the nation’s leading prizes for gallery and maker, is another highlight - facilitating the acquisition of winning work for the Crafts Council’s national collection. Collect 2022 VIP Lounge Sponsor is interior designer and maker Max Rollitt. Visit craftscouncil.org.uk/collect-art-fair for tickets and more information. Clockwise from top: Maison Parisienne. Simone Pheulpin. Terre Blanche; J Lohmann Gallery. Barbara Nanning. Colourful Shadows; Design Nation. Ella Fearon-Low. Tilda Brooch; Officine Saffi. Marianne Huotari. Hedelmälehdon suudelma; Northlands Creative. Juli Bolanos Durman. Material: Glass

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ART

Banksy artworks from Robbie Williams’ collection to debut at auction By Naomi Clarke

hree of Banksy’s most recognisable artworks from Robbie Williams’s collection will make their auction debut this spring. The pieces – Girl With Balloon, Kissing Coppers and Vandalised Oils (Choppers) – will be up for sale in the first edition of Sotheby’s The Now Evening Auction in London on March 2. The artworks by anonymous street artist Banksy, who hails from Bristol, are estimated to be worth millions of pounds each. The classic pop art image of Girl With Balloon first made its debut under Waterloo Bridge in 2002 and it once again made headlines in 2018 after it partially self-destructed at the conclusion of a Sotheby’s auction in which it had been sold for £1.1 million. The new partially shredded artwork became Love Is In The Bin and went under the hammer for £18,582,000 in October 2021, which the auction house cited as a record fee for the street artist. Williams’s Girl With Balloon (2006) is depicted on metal and is the first of its kind to appear at auction, Sotheby’s have said, starting with a price estimate of £2 million to £3 million. Kissing Coppers, which depicts two British policemen in a passionate embrace, was first unveiled on the exterior of The Prince Albert Pub in Brighton in 2004. But the original mural was removed in 2014 after being repeatedly vandalised. Williams’s version of the artwork from 2005, which is estimated at £2.5 million to £3.5 million, is the first time a Kissing Coppers painting on canvas has been offered on the secondary market, Sotheby’s said. The third Banksy piece in the collection is

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Vandalised Oils (Choppers) from 2005, and features two armed military helicopters disrupting a serene pastoral landscape. The artwork, which hails from the artist’s Vandalised Oils series which sees graffiti on top of classical oil paintings, has an estimated price tag of £2.5 million to £3.5 million. Speaking of the artworks, the singer and former member of Take That Williams said: “I remember seeing Girl With Balloon, Vandalised Oils (Choppers) and Kissing Coppers for the first time. “I believe they are some of his best paintings and I love how closely linked they are to the street pieces. “As a collector of Banksy’s work, you become part of a broader cultural movement.” Hugo Cobb, head of The Now Evening Auction at Sotheby’s London, said: “These works unite the cultural legacies of two of Britain’s biggest stars: Robbie Williams and Banksy. “Like their creator, and like their owner, they are acerbic, iconic, irreverent, and unique.” The Now Evening Auction aims to platform artworks executed in the last 20 years by the most cutting-edge artists of today and tomorrow, Sotheby’s has said. The three paintings will be in London for its final public view from February 22 until March 2.

“Kissing Coppers, which depicts two British policemen in a passionate embrace, was first unveiled on the exterior of The Prince Albert Pub in Brighton in 2004”

Beautiful, tactile syntheses of print, paint and stitch from which emerge images to lift the heart and soul. She has work in private collections worldwide, including archives of the V&A and Scarborough Museums, UK. www.aesykes.art annetteelizabethsykes@gmail.com 07783 728019 01933 623706

TILLY &

JASPER

Beautiful organic children’s clothing to make you smile Helping to provide some much needed cheer, we offer an ever-evolving range of bright, bold and beautiful organic children’s clothing from newborns up to 10 years.

Discover one of the largest collections of organic children’s clothing brands in one place, including: Toby Tiger, Frugi, Pigeon Organics, Little Green Radicals, Maxomorra, Kite Clothing, Piccalilly and more. Organic Cotton isn’t just softer — it’s better. We believe that offering 100% organic materials across our range provides customers with a far higher-quality product. Visit tillyandjasper.co.uk and enjoy fast, free UK shipping on all orders.

INDEPENDENT

SCHOOLS GUIDE – The finest independent schools in the UK – I M A G E : Q U E E N E T H E L B U R G A ’ S C O L L E G I AT E

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TACKLING EXAM ANXIETY AHEAD OF SUMMER EXAMS learns, putting them in a better position to support their child through an unusual exam year. “As the research shows, there are unique pressures surrounding this year’s exam cohort and we are committed to making sure students have the support they need”, says Enjoy Education Founder Kate Shand. “If your teenager is facing exams, they will likely need more help this year navigating the path positively and with confidence, which is why we’re offering all parents free consultations to make sure the right content, revision and exam strategies are in place during these final months.” Book your free Revision and Exam Consultation with an expert consultant at Enjoy Education to help your teenager build a positive and achievable revision plan for exam success this summer. For more details visit enjoyeducation.co.uk

fter two disrupted years of education, it’s more important than ever that this year’s GCSE and A Level cohort feel confident and prepared ahead of their exams. This is especially true as this year’s A Level students become the first to take national exams without having taken formal GCSEs, due to exam cancellations. New research from private tuition and homeschooling company Enjoy Education, which surveyed 1,500 parents of school-aged children, finds that exam anxiety is one of the most pressing concerns for parents this year. Nearly two thirds of sixth form parents reported concerns that their teenager hadn’t sat national exams before, while 29% of students negatively impacted by returning to school this year are struggling with exam anxiety. However, there is a silver lining – the research also finds that parents feel closer than ever to their children’s learning following the lockdowns. 60% of parents feel they previously had misconceptions about their child’s learning style, while 61% have learnt something new about the way their child 136 FEBRUARY 2022

“As the research shows, there are unique pressures surrounding this year’s exam cohort and we are committed to making sure students have the support they need”

Here are our 5 top tips for success this year for students facing exams: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Positive mindset! Happy Mind, Happy Student! Plan the holidays and take a break Prioritise each of your subjects Define achievable goals Build your support team!

- Sarah, Mother of teenage student

Enjoy Education is London’s award-winning private tuition and home schooling company, providing families with expert educational advice, learning support and private tuition both online and in person. Entrance Exam Preparation | Tailored Home Schooling | Exam Technique Tuition Educational and SEN Advice | Schools and University Advice | Relocation Support | Travelling Tutors We are offering a free Revision & Exam Consultation to all LIFE readers. Book via enjoyeducation.co.uk Call us on 0207 352 8800, or email us on enquiries@enjoyeducation.co.uk.

enjoyeducation.co.uk

EDUC ATION

Rise to the Challenge of Learning with ‘Excellent Learning’ Animals

et within five acres of green fields and woodland, Dulwich Prep London’s Early Years is a popular choice for families who are looking to provide their children with a solid foundation to their education right from the start. Children spend two fantastic years at the Early Years site (Nursery and Reception), before moving up to the purpose-built Pre-Prep, for Years 1 and 2 at Dulwich Prep’s Alleyn Park site. The transition from the Early Years to the Alleyn Park site is made seamless for the children through the continuation of important key themes. Parents visiting the Pre-Prep for the first time, after coming from the Early Years, often comment on the abundance of diverse decorations and displays hanging from walls and ceilings and immediately feel at ease once they see the fabulous facilities. When it comes to their child’s learning, the language of Excellent Learning is one that the whole of the Early Years community know like the back of their hand. Developed by Dr Ruth Burtonshaw, Head of Early Years at Dulwich Prep London, the Excellent Learning programme was designed to help children form positive learning skills, recognising that attitudes to learning are significant in determining how well we learn. Are you a ‘Willing Wolf ’ or a ‘Persevering Parrot’? Through the Excellent Learning animals children are taught how to rise to the challenges of learning. The Excellent Learning animals provide children with a framework for learning. Each week, children from Nursery to Year 8 focus on one of the 12 characteristics of Excellent Learning. Children are supported to become more aware of their learning skills and to develop good learning habits so that they leave Dulwich Prep as confident, motivated, independent and successful learners.

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Importantly, Excellent Learning is visually appealing and simple for children to understand, using animal ‘hooks’ and bright colours to aid memory. From a teachers’ perspective, it is a simple scaffold to incorporate into curriculum planning and tailor to suit the needs of individual children. Listening actively to instructions, being a happy and optimistic learner, using your imagination, developing targets and goals, doing your best and knowing that effort counts and sharing knowledge and ideas are all personal attributes that, through engaging with Excellent Learning, the children at Dulwich Prep London develop and take with them through their journey in education and beyond.

THE DETAILS If you would like to explore Dulwich Prep London’s Early Years and Pre-Prep further, please email their Registrar, Mrs Viki Cryer, via admissions@dulwichpreplondon.org or call 020 8766 5525.

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How we deliver the Arts within a STEAM themed curriculum

ou may have heard the term STEAM often when talking about your child’s curriculum. You may know that STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and maths, but what does this terms really mean in the classroom? Sparking children’s imagination is a key part of a STEAM curriculum, supporting hands-on activities, independent learning, and investigative activities. The four C’s; collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking; are often referred to within curriculum design. They help prepare our children for the future by developing softer skills, are integrated throughout every aspect a STEAM education, and are easily interwoven into our arts programmes. Many people may think that the arts is a term which refers to just paints and coloured pencils, but it covers art and design as well as music, dance, drama and debating.

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THE MUSIC ROOM Music is often at the heart of any Preparatory school and here at Prince’s Gardens we have developed an exciting music curriculum that places instrument learning and singing at the heart of the classroom. Instrument lessons with whole-class teaching mean our children learn a variety of instruments from violins and recorders, to trumpets and drums, together. These lessons promote excellent listening skills and are key lessons for growing confidence and the ability to collaborate and perform together; a skill that will stand our children well when they move onto senior school.

THE MAKERSPACE Art and design lessons are not only about refining motor skills and creating pieces of art. Children learn how to think and act as artists and designers, working creatively and intelligently. They develop an appreciation of history and culture as well an understanding of how art has shaped our lives and links closely with maths and science. The use of digital technology is closely woven within the arts and none more so than within our Makerspace. Our children grow up with the innate skills and understanding of how to use technology seamlessly within modern life.

THE STAGE Drama not only develops self-confidence but also emotional intelligence and empathy. Having a strong moral compass is important and being able to explain your point of view and understand others, within a debate, is essential. This is a skill that is supported further through studying the arts, as children are taught to think critically about both their work and others.

THE FUTURE Participation in the arts is also proven to have benefits beyond the art-room. The Cultural Learning Alliance has reported that learning through the arts can improve reasoning, independent thinking and numeracy abilities, as well as support learning in subjects like maths, English and science. When children are assessed, as part of the application process at key transition points like the 11+, schools are not only looking for academic achievement but also for the four C’s. Studying the arts helps our children prepare for the future, not only to collaborate, be creative, think critically and communicate but also to be adaptable, responsible and flexible. The arts are all about discovery and problem solving, integrating principles and presenting learning, and by ensuring it is integrated into our STEAM curriculum, we are developing the best thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. For more information on Prince’s Gardens, an independent Prep School in the heart of Kensington, head to princesgardensprep.co.uk.

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Herne Hill School shapes futures

esearch published by Durham University in December 2017 established that Reception is the school year with the greatest impact on a child’s education. The paper entitled “The Long-Term Impact of Effective Teaching” concluded that children who benefited from good quality educational provision in Reception went on to achieve better GCSE results in English and maths. The study also acknowledged that, based on other research, high-quality pre-school provision is arguably even more important for a child’s educational development. More broadly, it is widely recognised that the future success of every child is largely determined before he or she turns eight – the age coinciding with the end of the Early Child Education period, which requires a specialist pedagogical approach. Since its foundation in 1976, Herne Hill School has focused exclusively on educating children in precisely this crucial period, providing for them from Kindergarten (2+) to Year 2 (7+). Last year, it opened a new dedicated Kindergarten at the

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top of Herne Hill, a mere three-minute walk away from its main site, which has enabled it to further strengthen its position as cutting-edge experts in Early Childhood Education.

Focus and expertise “Thanks to our historic focus and cumulative experience, and by thoughtfully integrating best practices from other successful ECE programmes such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Forest School and Te Whāriki from my native New Zealand, we have developed a unique, continuous five-year curriculum which we believe goes way beyond

“We have developed a unique, continuous five-year curriculum which we believe goes way beyond the statutory requirements of the English EYFS and Key Stage 1 national curriculum

the statutory requirements of the English EYFS and Key Stage 1 national curriculum”, says Ngaire Telford, who is only the third Headteacher in the school’s history. Herne Hill School benefits from being just the right size for its focused five-year provision. On the one hand, being the largest stand-alone independent school in the country specialising in this age range affords it the scale required to employ a critical mass of expert early years educators and state-of-the-art facilities and resources. On the other hand, it is sufficiently small to enjoy a warm and friendly family community atmosphere in which the children benefit from deep relationships with these loving, caring and expert staff.

THE DETAILS Open Morning: Saturday 12 March 2022. Book your visit on the website.

educational life – from the conclusion of the EYFS to Key Stage 1, through which the children need to adapt to greater academic demands and increasingly more formal learning required by the National Curriculum. Maintaining their love of learning and engagement through age-appropriate play and by having fun is most crucial. In addition, Herne Hill School also makes a virtue of the children becoming the oldest pupils at the school to develop their sense of social responsibility and leadership skills. All this combines to prepare them to move on to their next schools in Year 3 with a special spark in their eyes and equipped with a comprehensive set of life skills and values. hernehillschool.co.uk

One-off Covid hardship bursaries available for autumn 2022 Reception applicants. See website for details (under ‘Admissions’).

Strong ethos and high-quality staff Asked about what she believes to be the greatest success factors for cutting-edge ECE provision, Mrs Telford spontaneously replies “ethos and staff ”. She explains: “A strong and purposeful ethos can provide an all-encompassing cultural umbrella for everyone’s behaviours at the school. Our own ethos of ‘Love · Care · Excellence’ encapsulates our commitment to excellence and conviction that love and care are prerequisites for optimising a young child’s learning trajectory. But ultimately, having amazing staff is even more important as it is they who develop the supportive relationships required to guide young children, day-in day-out, on their crucial ‘whole child’ development journey.” Following their successful start in the Kindergarten, the Herne Hill School children are gradually introduced to the school’s main site. There, they progress smoothly through one of the most notoriously difficult transitions in a child’s FEBRUARY 2022 147

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When Creativity Opens the Door Faith Hagerty, Head of More House School in Knightsbridge, explores how access to creative subjects and the arts can help every learner to reach their potential.

“I

t was dance lessons that launched my journey into the creative world,” states Faith Hagerty, Head of More House School in Knightsbridge. For some it might be drawing, cooking or playing a musical instrument. The skill itself is of course a wonderful thing for building opportunities for one’s future, but the real story is in the confidence that comes from the creative process. “In my fifteen years of teaching Drama” Faith states, “I have seen countless pupils enter Senior school, weighed down by the perception that they are not ‘academic’ due to having a specific learning need.” She continues “The label of dyslexic or dyscalculic is a heavy burden for a young child to carry, when they regularly feel as though they cannot match their peers in their learning. Creativity in its many forms can open the door to that learning, through the free thinking and selfconfidence that it brings.” Hannah Gallagher, a 25 year old Teaching

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Assistant at More House is certain that it was Drama that opened the door to academia, when she entered Senior School. “As a child growing up with learning difficulties, my confidence was knocked. By physically throwing myself into drama where there were no educational barriers - I was not only able to express myself, have an emotional outlet and build confidence outside of the classroom - but later down the line develop my independent thinking skills.” While the arts have many important roles to play in society as a whole, schools are where this begins. Faith feels strongly that “Schools who sideline creative subjects for the sake of supposedly more ‘academic’ options are removing a vital gateway to success for the pupils in their care.” More House ensures that every child is offered opportunities to work creatively right across the curriculum through project-based work, as well as through building their self-esteem in choirs, musical groups, art clubs and productions.

THE DETAILS For more information about More House School, please contact registrar@morehousemail.org.uk or visit morehouse.org.uk

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MOVING YOUR CHILD FROM STATE TO PRIVATE SCHOOL M aking a decision about your child’s schooling is often a very difficult one where seemingly age-old debates have raged about opposing styles of education. Should I send my child to a single-sex school or a mixed school? An academic-focused or more holistic school? A day school or a boarding school? But perhaps the question that causes the most divide, emotionally, socially and politically, is whether to send children to a state school or a private school. The British state school system is something that we as a country can be proud of, particularly in London where the concentration of exceptional state schools is often astounding, with many achieving exam results comparable with private schools right the way through the system. However, there can be reasons why children might not be flourishing to their full potential within these schools. At Eaton House, their main intake from state schools is at 8+ and this is a common age for parents to make the decision to move their child from state into private schools. They have found from this intake that pupils who are joining from state schools are bright but for one reason or another have not thrived in a busy primary school, be it academically and psychologically. Often in state schools the highest and lowest achievers stand to gain the most and can receive the most attention from teachers, whilst large class sizes can leave many pupils with a lack of one-to-one teaching time. For this reason, parents often make the decision to move their child to a private school with smaller class sizes where they can get more hands-on attention and start to realise their potential. This is what they often see being borne out at Eaton House and are exceptionally proud of this. There is no definitive answer to whether state or private schools are better, and decisions clearly must be made on a child-by-child basis, but for those children who might not be getting the attention they deserve, private schooling from 8+ might just be the way to go. Mrs Sarah Segrave Head of Eaton House The Manor Prep School

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THE DETAILS If you are thinking of moving your child to an independent school at 8+ please visit: eatonhouseschools.com/admissions/ eight-plus. Or give us a call on: 020 3917 5050 58. Clapham Common Northside, London, SW4 9SB 020 7924 6000

Founded 1936

An Independent Co-Educational Pre-Prep School for Children aged 3-7 years

“The Rowans School is a rare gem with superb staff...” For more information or to book a tour please contact Mrs Wilkins, Registrar 020 8946 8220 | registrar@rowans.org.uk | www.rowans.org.uk

Sarum Hall School

OPENING DOORS TO YOUR FUTURE

Located in the heart of Belsize Park, Sarum Hall is a modern and successful school with a focus on each pupil as an individual; pupils are motivated to learn, inspired to fulfil their potential and encouraged to achieve excellence. Natural talents and enquiring minds are nurtured, allowing girls to explore new horizons with confidence. We are proud of our academic, scholarship and examination success; the foundations laid at Sarum Hall last a lifetime. Means-tested bursaries are available for a limited number of pupils.

Headmistress: Miss. V. Savage 15 Eton Avenue, London, NW3 3EL Tel: 020 7794 2261 Sarum Hall School

admissions@sarumhallschool.co.uk www.sarumhallschool.co.uk

The Rowans School 19 Drax Avenue Wimbledon London SW20 0EG

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FOSTERING

CURIOSITY

Year 6 curriculum focuses on delivering skills that are important for future success, with no formal SAT testing, fosters curiosity for the important journey into Key Stage 3 and beyond, says Head of King’s Magna Middle School at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE), Steven Turner. At QE, their mission is for all members of their community to aspire to the Hill Standard ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’. As Head of King’s Magna, the middle school of QE’s unique four-school model, they harness this individuality through an innovative curriculum. This is a curriculum which supports the transition between the Collegiate’s primary education at Chapter House, our Preparatory school, and the demands of GCSEs and beyond in the two senior schools. In a difference from the traditional school model where children stay in primary education until the end of Year 6, at QE students join King’s Magna in Year 6, and stay there until Year 9. They find many students are ready for a new challenge 156 FEBRUARY 2022

at the end of Year 5, so they made it their focus to develop a unique curriculum for this transitional year, with content designed in partnership between secondary school subject specialists and highly experienced primary age teachers. Importantly, they have made a crucial decision not to assess their Year 6 students using SATS testing. Students are instead assessed formally at three points during the year using standardised and moderated “common evaluation tasks” - these are used to track progress and identify what each student can do and what they could do to improve further. This decision allows them to focus on delivering those skills that the students need to be successful in Key Stage 3 and beyond. Thier all-encompassing, holistic approach to developing the whole student, which is at the heart of everything they do at QE, creates a supportive, vibrant and caring school environment throughout King’s Magna. They are committed to equipping their students with the skills and knowledge they need to move seamlessly to the College or Faculty at the end of Year 9, growing and maturing into their teenage years with confidence.

THE DETAILS To find out more about this innovative curriculum visit qe.org for more information, where you can book on their next Open Days taking place on 12 March and 14 May 2022. qe.org

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Going above and beyond at Hurst College Our Editor finds out about the extensive intellectual programme on offer to Hurst College students

ffering an extensive intellectual programme is key to the development of students as rounded and accomplished individuals. At Hurst College, students of all ages can access a wide range of activities including talks with visiting speakers, trips to broaden their subject knowledge, clubs to encourage their interests, and higher up the school tailored support with their chosen university course. Last year a new society was launched, Model United Nations (MUN) - a simulation of the real United Nations organisation. Students participate in fortnightly sessions and take on the representation of a country as they work with one another to debate the diplomatic issues of the day. In preparation for their first conference, in which they won five awards, Hurst’s MUN team visited several international embassies to meet with their diplomatic teams. CREST and STEM activity continues to thrive, as a record number of students achieved CREST Awards - 18 at gold level and two at silver. The awards followed eight months and 70 hours minimum work on a diverse range of science and engineering projects – including the first Biology-based project, on cryogenics. The Hurst Engineering Scheme was launched last year with sponsorship secured for a record three teams. Balfour Beatty sponsored two teams, Southern Water one team, and mentoring engineers met students at the college and via Teams. The winning team’s project was to improve connectivity between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill through the design of a ‘green’ cycle network using e-bikes with a community hub and an app. Hurst has a long and successful track record with Young Enterprise, winning awards at county

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“Students participate in fortnightly sessions and take on the representation of a country as they work with one another to debate the diplomatic issues of the day”

and regional level. Each year the teams create new products, design bespoke websites and build comprehensive brands which always produce a profit. Last year, the Plants with Purpose YE team also made the final of the JA (Junior Achievement) competition, the European version of YE, as one of only five UK teams selected to take part. Lower Sixth students can attend regular small group sessions with a member of the Hurst teaching staff, to prepare them for completing a competitive application to a highly selective university - where going beyond achieving good A-level/BTEC grades is required to obtain an offer. Students are matched with the appropriate subject specialist, and take part in sessions which include recommending, monitoring and discussing extra reading; encountering more challenging content from beyond the curriculum; preparing entries to essay and other academic competitions; and preparing talks, lectures and seminars for students to deliver to peers. In addition, students who are considering Oxbridge, STEM degrees, Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry are given further support through tailored workshops and interview practice specific to their applications. Admission tutors from these areas visit Hurst to give candidates an insight into what is required, and Hurst organises visits to Oxford and Cambridge to meet former students who are already studying there. Support and encouragement to participate in intellectual activities beyond the curriculum enables students to challenge themselves, broaden their knowledge and access a greater range of opportunities for their futures. hppc.co.uk

FASHION

& BEAUTY – Fashion and beauty news to keep you looking your best –

I M AG E : T H I E R RY M U G L E R ’ S M O S T I C O N I C R E D C A R P E T M O M E N T S

FASHION & BEAUTY

[NEWS]

FASHION & BEAUTY PRETTY PRINT Ornately framed portraits of family dogs, rococo side chairs, humped back sofas, ornate bouquets influenced by floral designer Constance Spry and gilt pier glasses. roryhutton.co.uk

WE LOVE This Anya Belle 9ct Yellow Gold 3 Cluster Ring. ramsdensjewellery.co.uk

WINTER WARMERS Welligogs’ Harley Gilet deviates from their traditional gilets, flaunting a British quilted wax and beautifully contrasting moleskin features. The fabric is water-resistant, windproof and breathable making it perfect for the outdoors. We also love this traditional Richmond Wax Trench coat, made in England. welligogs.com

SHAKE UP YOUR STYLE Shake up your style this summer (if it ever gets here!) with a bespoke statement hair accessory from Wild Vanilla Studios. Handmade in London, this newly launched collection of delicate and playful pieces will add the finishing touch to any outfit. wildvanillastudios.co.uk

FIT FOR A QUEEN Bring a touch of royal glamour to your makeup routine with this crown embroidered cosmetics bag. Made with royal purple plush fabric and gold metallic detailing. shop.westminster-abbey.org 172 FEBRUARY 2022

LOVE HEARTS With the striking heart print against a dusky pink background there are endless styling opportunities with this stunning blouse. mimisedit.co.uk

FASHION & BEAUTY

Thierry Mugler’s most iconic

red carpet moments The futuristic designer counts Kim Kardashian West, Cardi B and Nicole Kidman among his fans. By Prudence Wade

roundbreaking French designer Manfred Thierry Mugler has died aged 73. The news was announced on his Instagram page with a black square accompanied by the caption: “We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23rd 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace.” Mugler launched his brand in the early 1970s, and became known for an architectural and experimental approach to fashion. On the runway, his silhouettes were always bold: waists were cinched, shoulders were exaggerated, and he favoured sheer panels and cut-outs to accentuate the female form. In recent years, Mugler’s popularity has seen a resurgence, thanks to celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West and Cardi B wearing designs from his archives. Mugler stepped down as creative director of his eponymous brand in the early Noughties, but later returned as creative adviser – and his signature style is still felt in the modern designs. Beyoncé and Diana Ross are just some of the famous faces who have paid tribute to the designer so far – and they join a long list of celebrities who have served some major Mugler moments on the red carpet…

Cardi B This will go down in history as one of Cardi B’s most impactful red carpet moments. She made history as the first solo female artist to win best rap album at the 2019 Grammys, and walked the red carpet in a vintage Mugler creation. With a black velvet skirt and pale pink material 174 FEBRUARY 2022

fanning around her, Cardi looked like a modern interpretation of Botticelli’s painting The Birth Of Venus.

Kim Kardashian West The 2019 Met Gala’s theme was Camp: Notes On Fashion, and Kim Kardashian West pulled off a coup by wearing Mugler’s first new design in 20 years. The nude latex minidress featured an extreme corset and was dripping with crystals – and with Kardashian West’s wet look hair, the reality star looked like she had just walked out of the water.

Reese Witherspoon This is definitely on the more demure end of the spectrum for Mugler, but you can still see the hallmarks of the French fashion house in Reese Witherspoon’s dress for the 2017 Met Gala: an architectural silhouette with a statement shoulder, and a bit of extra sex appeal in the mega leg slit.

Dina Asher-Smith While Mugler’s designs tend to feature monochromatic block colours, this is a rare

example of the brand venturing into colours and patterns – worn by Dina Asher-Smith to the 2021 GQ Men of the Year Awards.

Grammys. A plain black suit was kicked up a notch with shiny panels, oversized shoulders and sleeves, and kicky cropped trousers.

Dua Lipa

Nicole Kidman

Dua Lipa is a long-time fan of Mugler – she wore a studded black dress with a slit going all the way up to her hip bone to the Global Awards 2020… …And really leaned into the sexiness of the label in a black cut-out bodysuit, worn to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2019.

The Mugler label is fairly unique in the fashion world – it’s worn and loved by all different types of celebrities. Here, Nicole Kidman’s little black dress is given a subtle sexiness with silver rings studded all over.

Rita Ora Mugler’s designs are all about drama, and what could be more OTT than Rita Ora wearing sculptural feathers on her dress?

Abbey Clancy Abbey Clancy tested the limits of cut-outs in a Mugler creation in 2017 – made even more memorable by the zingy orange hue.

Miley Cyrus When the Mugler brand does a suit, it’s not going to be any old take on tailoring: just look at Miley Cyrus’s outfit to the 2019

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FASHION & BEAUTY

New buys for By Katie Wright

FASHION LOVERS

The asymmetric ring Gold Vermeil Amethyst And Blue Topaz Ring by Fool’s Gold, £75, notonthehighstreet Celebrities and trendsetters are all about quirky jewellery right now, meaning unusual, asymmetric rings are a must-have.

The bold blazer Binky x Very Boucle Textured Military Blazer, £50 The tailoring boom of 2021 is showing no signs of slowing down. A doublebreasted boucle blazer is a timeless classic.

The chunky boots Oliver Bonas Metallic Silver Chunky Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots, £110 Hefty, tread-sole boots are the only footwear to be seen in this winter. These silver beauties are a cut above the rest. 176 FEBRUARY 2022

The feather pyjamas Star by Julien Macdonald Feather Trim Pyjama Set, £59, Freemans (shoes, stylist’s own) Not just for bedtime wear, feather-trimmed PJ sets have become the hottest look of party season when teamed with a pair of killer heels.

The celestial earrings Astrid & Miyu Crescent Moon Hoops in Gold, £65 Heavenly bodies have been a huge trend in the jewellery world this year. With just a hint of sparkle, these moon-embellished hoops are ideal for day or evening accessorising.

The fuzzy hat 8 Other Reasons Sherpa Bucket Hat, £35, Revolve The Nineties bucket hat revival continues for winter with warm fuzzy versions in chic neutral hues.

The puffer bag Aldo Rhiladia Bag, £50 Quilted bags have blown up this year – literally – with squishy puffer styles proudly carried by all the coolest Instagram style stars.

Roma Collection cameoandbeyond.com | farfetch.com

FASHION & BEAUTY

LONDON FASHION WEEK PREVIEW presented by Clearpay

AUTUMN/WINTER 2022 COLLECTIONS

Friday 18th- Tuesday 22nd February 2022

he world famous London Fashion Week: catwalks, celebrities, glitz and glamour. It is one of the highest profile fashion ton events in the world – and one of the ‘big 16Arling four’ international catwalk influencers alongside Paris, Milan and New York. It presents an unrivalled opportunity to showcase some of the world’s leading fashion talent and the best and brightest names in the industry. The pandemic has obviously changed Fashion Weeks across the globe. After going fully digital in 2020, London Fashion Week (LFW) returned in September 2021 with a mix of physical and digital showcases. With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 rapidly spreading late 2021, we wondered whether LFW would be cancelled or return to digital only. A provisional line-up has been released by the British Fashion Council and it looks like we will be treated to another hybrid digital-physical showcase this year. The major fashion event used to be exclusively for those who worked in the fashion industry — from buyers to journalists and even bloggers. However since the start of the pandemic, with the shift to digital, LFW has become open to everyone so has become a little more public. There are still physical shows and those are exclusive events, but you can tune in on the LFW website. So while most of us are planning our Spring and London, with designers Summer wardrobe, designers worldwide descending on the at London Fashion Week capital in one form or another. a h c o R e will be showcasing their The hybrid digital-physical Simon Autumn/Winter 2022 schedule will continue to Collections. It is a week where incorporate catwalk shows, designers are free to create at presentations, appointments, and will and experiment with new events throughout London, as trends. Whether colourful, crazy or well as digital content available controversial - the world is watching as at londonfashionweek.co.uk. fashion history is made. The LFW digital platform is the The event will incorporate catwalk Official Digital Hub and will be shows, presentations, appointments, events, freely accessible to everyone, industry digital content and activations throughout professionals and global fashion consumers

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alike, showcasing digital content from the designers, enabling collaboration and bringing together fashion, culture and technology. The provisional line-up currently sees over 100 confirmed participating designers who will present their new collections. These include: 16Arlington, Banshee of Savile Row, Matty Bovan, David Koma, Seokwoon Yoon, MAXXU, Bethany Williams, Christoph Ritter Studio, 8ON8, London College of Fashion, ERDEM, Central Saint Martins MA Fashion, Dear Frances, OSMAN, Harris Wharf London, TOGA, Simone Rocha, FASHION EAST, Richard Malone, BLOKE, HALPERN, Labrum London and Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY. LFW City Wide Celebration is a full schedule of events and activations open to the public over LFW, which will run alongside the London Fashion Week show schedule. From artistic installations at Browns East, interactive pop-ups at Machine-A to drinks at the NOW gallery and going behind the scenes at Mulberry, City Wide Celebration aims to unite London in a festival of creativity and innovation. The magic of London Fashion Week is not merely thanks to the designers’ and fashion stylists’ cutting-edge collections, but the media excitement that accompanies them. Celebrities swarm to attend the fashion event of the year – past attendees include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Dame Helen Mirren, Bradley Cooper, Brigitte Nielsen,

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Yasmin Le Bon, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson, Cara Delevingne, Eva Herzigova, Craig David, Pamela Anderson, Calum Best, Jude Law, Pixie Lott, Daisy Lowe. The allure of the show is exceptional and London Fashion Week continues to be the top fashion event pulling visitors from every corner of the globe. London Fashion Week has been running twice yearly since 1983 and has since become one of the most exciting, creative and coveted events in the world. For more information about London Fashion Week including up-to-date schedules, news, and tickets go to londonfashionweek.co.uk Follow on @LondonFashionWk and join the conversation. #LFW Fashion Show Live SS22

Bora Ask

Bethany

Williams

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Objet d’Emotion:

Pieces of beauty

through their jewels, executed with traditional or avant-garde craftsmanship. Jewellery with soul. Jewellery with meaning. Jewellery with sentiment. FINE JEWELLERY by Francesca Villa, Nada Ghazal, Ioanna Souflia, Rachel Quinn, Yael Sonia, Stella Flame, Kloto, Natasha Collis, Atelier Molinari, Lia di Gregorio, Elhanati, Jo Hayes Ward and Fernando Jorge ARTISAN JEWELLERY by Alyssa Norton, Ambroise Degenève, Catherine Le Gal, Delphine Nardin, Julie Cohn, Stephanie Schneider, Marion Vidal, Mariko Tsuchiyama, Annie Costello Brown and Gala Colivet Dennison

THE DETAILS Explore our curation of wondrous jewels and dreamy objects at objetdemotion.com Find us on Instagram @Objet_d_emotion Contact us at concierge@objetdemotion.com Speak to a member of the team on +33 (0)6 01 56 04 71 or +44 (0)207 254 9735

re you looking for a jewel or fine object that will enchant and strengthen precious bonds between loved ones? At Objet d’Emotion, we pride ourselves on curating pieces of beauty that bring joy and meaning through thoughtful storytelling. Objet d’Emotion is aimed at fellow lovers of art and style, people who are intrigued by provenance and process, who appreciate culture and one-of-a-kind experiences. ‘We want to celebrate the beauty, craftsmanship and timelessness that epitomise true design. A slower, more considered approach, where creativity can be relished and pieces learned about in a genuinely passionate and immersive way.’ – Objet d’Emotion founder Valery Demure. Industry expert Valery Demure chooses the best contemporary designers for their distinctive signature. Our artists express their unique visions 180 FEBRUARY 2022

Address 53 Blandford Street W1U 7HL Opening times: Tues-Wed 11-5 Thur-sat 11-6 Sun-Mon by appointment

BRIDAL for jewellery and millinery. The process of choosing gems to last a lifetime can seem intimidating; we would like to help. IN CONFIDENCE Discover our designers’ most superlative jewels on our website’s private space, from the comfort of your own home. BESPOKE With unparalleled access to a wide network of designers and ethical gem dealers, our team guides you throughout this personalised, creative process. OBJECTS In addition to our one-of-akind jewels, you will fall under the spell of our cherished objects and learn more about the métier of our designers: from ceramics through to millinery and clutches.

FASHION & BEAUTY

Spring at Harrys of London I

s it too soon to talk about Spring? With Easter in sight, it’s easier to imagine longer, warmer days, and with them the opportunity to shed a dark winter wardrobe. So far as seasonal footwear transitions go, luxury footwear brand, Harrys of London is one step ahead for staying temperature appropriate whilst brightening up your style game. Designs like Harrys favourite ‘Edward’ will become the hardest working Spring and Summer loafer around; they have the power to smarten the lowest key of looks and, conversely, they can help a formal outfit seem less up tight. Elegant and refined in any colour, neutral naturals are our top tip for Spring 2022. Ace sneakers nod to the days of Summer ahead and the national obsession with all things tennis when June comes around. Glider, which comes with the brand’s signature Vibram Windsurf sole, takes its cue from the

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iconic Basel, redacted for a cleaner, more pared back look – available in navy, tan and natural in a choice of nubuck with tonal dark soles or durable aqua suede. Choose the hybrid Marina for an outwardly classic boating style look but with a far lighter sole, available in two tri-colour ways – tobacco and grey enlivened with yellow or a patchwork of blue suedes – both finished with “go-Rain” for extra protection. Most reassuring of all - Harrys’ hallmark attention to comfort comes as standard across the collection – each style comes equipped with Technogel innersoles for unbeatable, footcushioning flexibility giving all day performance and then some.

THE DETAILS 14 Motcomb Street, Belgravia, London SW1X 8LB 13a Grafton Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4ES 463 Park Avenue, New York NY 10022 harrysoflondon.com

UNCONVENTIONAL ANIMAL JEWELLERY Surprise your mother with these beautiful animal pieces, for a fun unconventional gift. This colorful chic jewellery is 100% handcrafted in Italy using the old fascinating enamel technique. And you do good because with each product you support an animal foundation. Choose the Chic Pig, a ring a bracelet or a pendant, that fits your mum’s taste or simply pick the one that makes you smile. We can also offer a bespoke service matching your own pet. Design by Chiara Bello (MA Royal College of Art, London). Use code CHICMUM for 30% off any order (valid only until March 27 2022) Visit www.chicpig.com to shop or send us an email at hallo@chicpig.com Follow us on Instgarm: @chicpig_jewellery

Silk is one of the most luxurious and high end products currently on the market. It is well known for its endless benefits including the reduction of frizz, fine lines, tangles, as well as improving a night’s sleep due to comfort and its cool temperature. Pretty Little Silks share their luxury silk products at purse-friendly prices. After working alongside some of the countries best known hair brands for the last 15 years, we truly believe our silk works wonders, you won’t look back.. hello@prettylittlesilks.co.uk www.prettylittlesilks.co.uk www.instagram.com\prettylittlesilks

FASHION & BEAUTY

Laura Green London

odern British couturier Laura Green London produces bold, contemporary couture with a constant emphasis on femininity. The label has a private address book of highprofile women, including British royalty, businesswomen and actresses. For investitures, weddings, the races and sartorial elegance. Laura’s pieces are cut to perfection and lined in pure silk. Laura studied fashion design at the Arts institute in Bournemouth, before embarking on a full-time placement at US Vogue in New York. She worked with Grace Coddington, the Creative Director at the time. It was while at the magazine she fell in love with Parisian couture techniques. Laura’s enthusiasm for contemporary pieces led her to work for over 10 years under the helm at a famous British Couture house in London before launching her own label in 2018. Today, Laura continues her love for timeless pieces and ensuring women feel at their absolute best, whatever the occasion. The Collections are seasonal and include coats, dresses, suits and evening wear cut from the finest Italian and English wools, silks and cottons. The artisans at Laura Green are selected with the focus on their love for making beautiful

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clothes. The team has a wealth of knowledge in couture and invaluable dedication to detail. The Laura Green London atelier is based in South-West London where they host private viewings of the ready to wear collections and bespoke commissions. Book an appointment by telephone on 020 45418440 or email info@lauragreenlondon.com

“Laura’s enthusiasm for contemporary pieces led her to work for over 10 years under the helm at a famous British Couture house in London before launching her own label in 2018”

London’s hidden secret, London Silver Vaults home to Belmont Jewellers

elmont Jewellers have been established for more than 40 years in London and deal in all aspects of the jewellery trade, from antique to modern jewellery. Our expertise extends across a wide field, from buying and selling second-hand watches, diamonds, silver and gold jewellery, to stocking an exciting selection of jewellery for all occasions as well as major brands of watches including Cartier, Rolex, Patek Philippe and Omega. Selling and buying precious items can be a daunting experience. At Belmont Jewellers, we aim to take the stress out of the situation and make it as easy as possible. How do we do this? We will guide you along the way just as we have done with all our past and present customers in a professional and personal way, allowing us to help you decide what you’d like to sell or buy and give advice and most importantly make you feel comfortable from

start to finish. We pride ourselves on our honesty and transparency and we believe that is why we have been successful for the last 40 years. belmontjewellers.co.uk

Belmont Jewellers

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Headmasters

COLOUR TIPS F

eel your best this spring and update or refresh your colour. Headmasters 50% colour sale available on all colour services from the 5th of February until the 5th of March. Sian Quinn Headmasters Colour Ambassador provides us with her tops tips to ensure your colour is helping you look and feel confident.

FACE CONTOUR For clients that would like an introduction to colour a current trend that is all over Instagram and is known by the terms such as Face Framing, Hair Contour, and the money piece. Your Stylist will select a few key pieces around your hairline and carefully balayage them to help lighten and brighten your facial features.

FRENCH BALAYAGE At Headmasters every colour is bespoke, using a combination of balayage and foils your colourist will hand paint ribbons of colour to imitate where the sun would naturally highlight hair. This provides an effortless sun kissed look. The beauty of this technique is that it adds depth and dimension to hair, so it works with all hair lengths from a chic bob to long hair. Top tip to maintain your balayage using a purple shampoo such as Olaplex 4p will repair the hair bonds from colouring whilst the purple effect will neutralise any unwanted brassy tones.

DARK AND DEEP BRUNETTES Everyone dreams of glossy hair but how do you achieve it? Many clients are wanting that dark rich glossy brunette style that makes a statement. Deep dark tones are making a comeback celebrity such as Kourtney Kardashian, Megan 188 FEBRUARY 2022

Foxx and Katy Perry are opting for intense dark brunette shades whilst maintaining a healthy look. To achieve this look Sian suggests opting for a Glossing service this provides hair with subtle colouring and conditioning treatment.

HOW TO GET YOUR COLOUR TO LAST LONGER To give your hair a luxury look Headmasters Colour Ambassador Sian Quinn recommends the new Loreal Professional Metal Detox in salon treatment £14. This will help to remove the excess copper build up from hair caused by factors such a build-up of minerals and copper found in Hard Water. Having the in-salon treatment will allow colour results to be healthier, prevent breakage and will help the colour results to last longer.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Headmasters are renowned for creating beautiful, confidence boosting hair in their 54 salons located across London and the South-east of England. Seeing over 10,000 clients a week they are perfectly placed to identify upcoming consumer hair trends. headmasters.com

FASHION & BEAUTY

CARPE DIEM:

Making change happen in 2022

OVID-19 is now very much part of our lives. It’s hard to believe that this time last year we were under a full lockdown. For many people, living with such restrictions resulted in clarity on what was important in their lives, coupled with a drive to take control and make change happen. Mr Chris Abela has seen evidence first hand, as families were completed, people got fitter and skin care improved. An increase in working from home has contributed to a ‘zoom’ effect, where people have started to notice wrinkles, scars, eye-lid bags and jowls. This has resulted in more cosmetic enquiries from those wanting to address these areas. New moles, lumps and bumps are being referred earlier and therefore are being removed with greater ease. There is also more awareness around how we all age differently and the grey area between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery grows wider as more patients want ‘normality’ to return. This is most common after childbirth and weight loss for health-reasons. With life expectancy increasing, people are taking steps to stay healthier, look

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“Chris is experienced in body contouring and cosmetic surgery and runs a private practice with clinics in Marylebone, Chelsea and Wimbledon. Last year, Chris opened a new clinic at 84 Harley Street”

better and be more active for longer. Chris explains: “The pandemic has facilitated a change in everybody’s outlook. Our faces and bodies tell our life-story and the last two years has meant starting a new chapter for many people. Many of my patients have survived COVID or other traumas and are now focused on their quality of life: aiming to thrive not just survive.” With the successful roll out of booster jabs, there is more confidence in how a post COVID-19 world looks. Healthcare remains safe and pathways of care are protected through evidence-based guidelines. Chris is experienced in body contouring and cosmetic surgery and runs a private practice with clinics in Marylebone, Chelsea and Wimbledon. Last year, Chris opened a new clinic at 84 Harley Street. Chris’ ethos and the team’s overarching philosophies encompass: • a safe and evidence based approach to the medicine and surgery provided • holistic and honest consultations to enable patients with a better quality of life, long after they

have been discharged • providing the right infrastructure and personnel to take care of a patient and fully support them for the duration of their journey All this is done with discretion in mind. Chris and his team are continuing to take all possible precautions to protect patients.

THE DETAILS If you have any questions, please contact Chris at info@chrisabela.co.uk or on +44 (0) 203 545 2990. More information is available at chrisabela.co.uk.

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FASHION & BEAUTY

KATE AT 40:

How her style compares to other royals at 40

The Duchess of Cambridge’s style shares some similarities with other royal family members. By Katie Wright

ne of the defining style icons of our time, the Duchess of Cambridge rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. It’s coming up to a decade since she officially joined the royal family and the mum-of-three has evolved her signature style, making bolder choices as the years have gone by. In the early days of her marriage to William, the Duke of Cambridge, Kate was rarely seen in trousers (unless it was skinny jeans for a sporting activity), but now she embraces tailoring and the latest trends in a cool, confident manner. Her red carpet gowns are more show-stopping than ever. Could the same be said of other members of the royal family when they hit the big 4-0? As Kate celebrated her milestone birthday last month, we look back at how her personal style compares to other royals at the same age…

THE QUEEN The Queen turned 40 on April 21, 1966. By this time, the monarch had already perfected her signature look for public appearances: a kneelength dress and matching frock coat in a vivid colour (to ensure she stands out from the crowd) with gloves, hat and her trusty

Above: The Duchess of Cambridge on stage, during the first Earthshot Prize awards ceremony Left: The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Nower Hill High School in Harrow Far left: Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Hospital garden party, Chelsea, 1967

Launer handbag. Kate does embrace bold colours on occasion (she always looks stunning in red), but she varies her outfits a lot more than Her Majesty and chooses more casual ensembles for outdoor events and activities.

PRINCESS MARGARET Princess Margaret, who turned 40 on August 21, 192 FEBRUARY 2022

BLUE VELVET SHOES

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FASHION & BEAUTY

1970, shared a fondness for frock coats, sensible court shoes and hats with her sister, the Queen. Compared to the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Margaret’s outfits tended to be more formal, though she loved a glittering gown for high-profile events, as Kate does.

PRINCESS ANNE

DUCHESS OF YORK

A dedicated follower of fashion, Princess Anne rocked some incredible Sixties mod minidresses and bold Seventies suits in her younger days, and her bouffant hair ‘do became famous in itself. By the time she turned 40, in 1990, the Princess Royal had toned down her style considerably, but she stuck with the voluminous hair. Kate’s Christmas Day outfits are often similar to Princess Anne’s, featuring classic wool coats accessorised with leather gloves and boots.

The Duchess of York was already divorced from Prince Andrew when she turned 40 in 1999. During that period, Fergie was often pictured in boxy, dark-coloured skirts or trouser suits. By comparison, Kate is a lot more adventurous with her style, embracing bright hues, bold prints and trendy silhouettes.

Above: The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the Together At Christmas community carol service Top right: The Duchess of York at London’s Queen’s Club in 2000. Top left: Princess Margaret leaves Hammonds Store during a visit to Hull, 1971

COUNTESS OF WESSEX Left: The Princess Royal at Ascot in 1993 Right: Sophie, Countess of Wessex on her 40th birthday in 1995

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Sophie, Countess of Wessex, turned 40 in 2005, a time when she favoured feminine tailoring, often in white or pale hues. The Countess managed to side-step many of the worst fads of the Noughties by keeping her style relatively classic, and that’s also what Kate does. While the 40-yearold nods to current trends, she knows how to avoid anything that will date quickly.

FASHION & BEAUTY

DISCOVER ULTHERAPY

ere’s everything you need to know about the innovative collagenboosting treatment offered by Dr Haus, founder of Dr Haus Dermatology Ultherapy® uses advanced ultrasound energy to stimulate the production of natural collagen to restore suppleness while lifting and redefining the contours of the face and neck. Dr Haus first started using Ultherapy® in his Harley Street clinic back in 2014. It is a proven, effective treatment to softly define the jawline, reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the décolletage and lift a heavy brow. ‘It can also target crepey skin, fine lines and wrinkles,’ explains Dr Haus. ‘Ultherapy® offers benefits as a standalone treatment, yet it can also complement laser treatments, such as my 7D Face Refresh. ‘In this way we can improve skin condition by addressing facial redness, pigmentation or uneven skin tone. It means that common external signs of ageing skin, like spider veins, sun damage, and uneven tone or texture, can also be improved upon during the same appointment.’

Who is a good candidate for Ultherapy®? Women and men in their 30s and older who have mild to moderate skin laxity are usually good candidates. Signs that it would suit an individual include loose skin under the neck and under the chin, or lines and wrinkles on the chest. While it is not a substitute for a surgical facelift, Ultherapy® appeals to patients who want to achieve a lifting effect without surgery – or any other cutting or damage to the surface of the skin. What happens during a treatment? After cleansing the skin and identifying the specific areas to be treated, an ultrasound gel is applied before the smooth treatment applicator is placed against the patient’s skin. Ultherapy®’s ultrasound imaging then sees deep within the skin in order to calculate precise targeting. After that, the treatment begins. What does it feel like? The patient may experience momentary discomfort, but this typically goes away once the treatment has been performed. Everybody has different sensitivities to this heat and there are many ways to manage discomfort. How long is one treatment? Treatments can be as short as 30 minutes for a brow lift or around 60–90 minutes for a face and

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neck treatment. With minimal downtime, patients can return to normal activities straight away. Plus the majority of patients need just one treatment to see results. What about aftercare? With Ultherapy® there is typically no downtime, so you can return to your normal activities immediately. The skin might appear flushed at first, but the redness should disappear within a few hours. Some patients experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness, but these are mild and temporary. Less commonly, small areas of skin may have temporary bruising or numbness. How soon will I see results? They will start to be visible about two months after the treatment and improvement will continue up to about six months. Since the procedure stimulates a person’s own collagen production, how long results last depends on the individual. The treatment produces new collagen on the inside, but the individual’s ageing process and lifestyle dictate how long that translates into visible results on the outside. Dr Haus Dermatology, 5 Harley St, London W1G 8QL. 020 7935 6358 drhausdermatology.com

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H EALTH & FITNESS

The Gentleman dentist of Harley Street,

DR GARDINER

ith an international client base and a newly appointed clinic at the prestigious 107 Harley Street alongside the Sobhani brothers; Dr Andrew Gardener has patients that travel from afar to receive their dental care, including Alex Jones of The One Show and Dani St James - co-founder of ‘Not a Phase’ London, and Erin Richards, the lead actress in Gotham (who travels from New York) to name just a few. Andrew is also trained in Invisalign - a removable orthodontic system which is almost unnoticeable when worn, making it an attractive treatment option to correct misaligned teeth, as you can imagine the recent surge in cosmetic procedures it the ‘zoom boom’ has meant he is busier than ever. Veneers were traditionally used for perfect smiles, which potentially could kill the tooth; Invisalign creates a less destructive effect and with the addition of bonding he creates beautiful smiles with minimal problems. He started training in facial aesthetics in 2007 and continues to stay up to date with all the latest 200 FEBRUARY 2022

“Cosmetic procedures are always a much talked about subject; whether it’s for aesthetics or medical purposes Dr Andrew is the first to consider the psychological effect as well as the physical and that includes clients from all walks of life”

techniques and procedures. This also includes extensive training in facial aesthetic treatments, such as facial fillers and line reduction for his international clientele. Cosmetic procedures are always a much talked about subject; whether it’s for aesthetics or medical purposes Dr Andrew is the first to consider the psychological effect as well as the physical and that includes clients from all walks of life. Dr Andrew has taken this exciting opportunity to open his books at 107 Harley Street to add aesthetics treatments alongside his dental work. Contact Dr Andrew and his team via 107 Harley Street to arrange a consultation via drandrewgardiner.com

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Helps Fight Depression and Anxiety Improves Eye Health and Promote Brain Health Available at: BLISS PHARMACY 107-109 Gloucester Road London SW7 4SS Tel: 020 7373 4445 Please see instore or rear of package for Product information, ingredients, Directions and allergy advice. Manufactured in Great Britain to the #GMP code of practice Stay Healthy | Be active | Be Yourself DDB Active™ Omega 3 Fish Oil gelatin is sourced from 100% bovine. It is Halal compliance to meet the requirements of our Islamic communities. Please ask in-store for further details. All Rights Reserved © DDB Active™

H EALTH & FITNESS

What to do if there’s blood in

oing to the toilet to pass urine should be a very uneventful thing, but sometimes the colour of our urine isn’t quite what we’d expect and when our urine looks bloody it can be particularly worrying. In this article, King Edward VII’s Hospital consultant urologist, Mr Marios Hadjipavlou explains what the colour of your urine might mean, what conditions it might be a symptom of and when you should make lifestyle changes or seek medical help. What does red / pink urine mean? Unexplained pink or red urine may suggest that

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there is blood present in your urine. This could be a sign of something serious, even if there’s no other pain or symptoms. It’s therefore important that you’re seen by a specialist urologist to discover why there might be blood in your urine. Even if it only happens a single time and then stops, you should still seek further medical advise as it always warrants further investigations. Blood in the urine is called haematuria and there are several health conditions that can cause it, most of which are benign. The bleeding can originate from anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureter, bladder or the urethra. It may also originate from the prostate in men. Causes of blood on the urine can range from an

your urine infection, kidney or bladder stones to a narrowing of the urethra to bladder or kidney cancer, and most rarely cancer of the urterer, urethra or prostate. In men it can indicate prostate enlargement or cancer, so it’s important to be seen by a specialist urologist as soon as possible. If you have blood in your urine, your specialist may perform blood tests, urine tests, a CT or ultrasound scan and a cystoscopy – where a camera is inserted into the urethra and bladder under a local anaesthetic. Pink or red urine doesn’t always indicate the presence of blood. Eating a significant amount of certain foods such as beetroots or blackberries may cause pink or red urine. As can certain medications such as the antibiotic rifampicin and Pyridium which is used to ease pain in the urinary tract. What if there are blood clots in my urine? Blood clots in the urine suggest that there is a significant amount of bleeding. This is a medical emergency and requires a visit to A&E. Blood clots can sometimes block the flow of urine, causing urinary retention which needs urgent medical attention and catheterisation. How can I avoid urine infections? Urine infections, often referred to as urinary tract infections, UTIs or cystitis, are more common in women than men. This is due to the fact the urethra is shorter in women and there’s therefore less distance for bacteria to travel before reaching the bladder and causing an infection. In order to reduce the frequency of urine infections, women can find it helpful to drink more water, go to the toilet before and after having sex and practice good personal hygiene. If you’re

experiencing frequent urine infections (more than 2 UTIs in 6 months or 3 in a year), speak to your GP for a referral to a urologist for investigations into their cause. In men, urine infections are rare and for this reason should be investigated by a urologist even if you’ve only had one occurrence. This is because it may be a sign of a kidney or bladder stone, an enlarged prostate or a new predisposing medical condition such as diabetes. Why do some people ignore their urine colour rather than seeking help? Many people may not look in the toilet bowl, or they may simply flush straight away, meaning that they don’t see their urine. Others may simply ‘brush it off ’ if they only see red urine once and then it goes back to normal. However even a single episode of blood in the urine needs to be evaluated thoroughly, fairly urgently.

More information If you’re concerned about blood in your urine, speak to an expert urological consultant at King Edward VII’s Hospital such as Mr Marios Hadjipavlou on 0203 930 1392 Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm kingedwardvii.co.uk Need a same day GP Appointment? You can book a same-day GP appointment at King Edward VII’s Hospital and be seen by a highly respected and experienced General Practitioner.

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SIX TOP TIPS TO HELP RECOVERY AFTER YOUR SHOULDER REPLACEMENT

shoulder replacement can be a lifechanging operation and in 2019 there were over 7,000 carried out in the UK alone. It can significantly improve your quality of life and can help with persistent shoulder pain that can stop you doing the things you love. Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon and shoulder specialist at King Edward VII’s Hospital, Mr Addie Majed, has outlined 6 ways to help recovery after your shoulder replacement. What preparations can I make before my surgery? In preparation for your surgery you should aim to stop smoking, try and loose weight if you are overweight (and you may wish to consult with a dietician or your GP if you have a high BMI), and take regular exercise. You may be invited to a pre-surgery ‘joint school’ to educate and prepare you on the post-operative period, prior to your shoulder replacement. You should consider preparing your home environment prior to surgery, because whilst your arm is immobilised in a sling after surgery, some daily activities may be harder using one arm. The physiotherapy team will work with you to consider 204 FEBRUARY 2022

the positioning of your appliances, bathing, furniture positioning and accessing your PC. How long will it take to recover from a shoulder replacement? The pain you are suffering from shoulder arthritis often will disappear immediately post surgery and you can expect to be in hospital for 1 – 3 days. However, you may have discomfort from the surgical procedure which can last several weeks and you will be discharged with pain killers. Most patients find their pain has subsided between 6-12 weeks. Sleep, washing and dressing after your shoulder replacement The therapy team will review and advise you on your arm position during daily activities including at rest and sleeping. However, you should support your shoulder with a pillow underneath the arm when asleep. You may wish to wear loose clothes that button at the front or that are easy to put on and take off. Once you’re dressed you can wear your sling over the top. You must keep you wound dressing dry for 10 days after surgery, until your wound has been checked. While you still have wound dressing after your shoulder replacement it’s recommended you

“The therapy team will review and advise you on your arm position during daily activities including at rest and sleeping”

More information

don’t get fully under the shower or bath and try towel bathing. Rehabilitation after your shoulder replacement The therapy team will advise you on an exact rehabilitation programme and follow up will be arranged for you. You should expect to be wearing a sling 6-8 weeks after your shoulder replacement. Depending on the type of surgery you have had, you must avoid external rotation for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You will be encouraged to start early active movement as part of your post surgery exercise programme to avoid stiffness.

months. You will need to take a few weeks off work, approximately 4-6 weeks from a sedentary (desk based) job, although typing may be difficult. Most improvement occurs at approximately six months, but it can take 18-24 months to fully recover from this kind of surgery. If you have a manual job, your surgeon will discuss this with you in your initial appointments as part of the clinical decision making process.

Speak to an expert orthopaedic consultant at King Edward VII’s Hospital’s Shoulder Specialist Unit such as Mr Addie Majed on 0203 930 1392 Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm kingedwardvii.co.uk King Edward VII’s Hospital offers a special fixed-priced shoulder assessment package for just £350 which includes a consultation, x-ray and follow up.

When can I travel after my shoulder replacement? You can usually drive at approximately 8 weeks and restart your leisure activities depending on progress with your physiotherapy team. Whilst the current level of evidence is limited, it is advised that you should avoid flying for 2 weeks post surgery to prevent a blood clot in your leg (Deep Vein Thrombosis) which can migrate to your lung (Pulmonary Embolism) which can be extremely dangerous. You may also find it uncomfortable sitting in aeroplane seats for too long. Returning to your hobbies and work Gentle exercise such as swimming breast stroke can be started at 6 weeks after your shoulder replacement and golf after 3 months. You will be advised to avoid racquet sport for 3 months if your dominant arm is the non-operated side and a minimum 6 months if you had your dominant shoulder replaced. As long as you take frequent breaks you can return to low range gardening in 3 FEBRUARY 2022 205

H EALTH & FITNESS

BOWEL CANCER: THE FACTS • Strong family history of bowel cancer. All family members should tell their GP if they have one first-degree relative diagnosed with bowel cancer before the age of 50, or two or more relatives diagnosed at any age, or one or more relatives with a known genetic condition linked to bowel cancer • History of non-cancerous growths (polyps) in your bowel • Longstanding inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis • Type 2 diabetes

Lifestyle factors:

By Dr Ravleen Sabharwal of The London General Practice

owel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer. Over 42,000 people are diagnosed every year in the UK and can affect anyone of any age. More than nine out of ten are over the age of 50, and nearly six out of ten aged 70+. However, more than 2,500 new cases are diagnosed each year in people under the age of 50. 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable if diagnosed at the earliest stage but drops significantly as the disease develops. More than 16,000 people die from bowel cancer in the UK every year.

Symptoms include: • Bleeding from the back passage and/or blood in your stool • Persistent, unexplained change in bowel habit • A need to pass stool, even after opening your bowels. • Unexplained weight loss. • Extreme tiredness for no reason. • A pain or lump in your abdomen.

• Avoid processed meat and limit red meat consumption • Eat plenty of fibre from wholegrains, pulses, veg and fruit. • Maintain a healthy body weight • Increase physical activity • Reduce alcohol consumption: about 6% in the UK are linked to alcohol • Stop smoking: An estimated 7% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are linked to tobacco smoking

Screening Screening tests healthy people to see if they show early signs of cancer, or non-cancerous growths (polyps) that may develop into cancer in the future. Removing these can reduce your risk of getting bowel cancer. At the London General Practice they guide their patients to access screening techniques to detect bowel cancers early. • Faecal immunochemical test (FIT) or Faecal occult blood test (FOBT). Both look for tiny traces of blood in a stool sample. • CT Colonoscopy, or virtual colonoscopy . This is when your bowel is imaged using a CT scanner • Bowel scope screening. This test involves an endoscopist using a flexible tube called a colonoscope with a light and a camera to examine the bowel and take samples where needed.

Treatment Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer, but if you are concerned, please speak to your GP.

Risk • Being over 50 206 FEBRUARY 2022

Would depend on each individual case, but may comprise surgery with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Even cases of advanced bowel cancer, where cancer cells may have spread beyond the bowel, can be treated through a variety of novel techniques.

THE DETAILS The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: 0207 935 1000

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

Private GP services thelondongeneralpractice.com Occupational Health and Corporate Health Services londonocchealth.com

H EALTH & FITNESS

THE PRESSURES OF MODERN LIFE When does Stress become an Illness? In the second of our regular features from The London General Practice, DR RAI discusses the effects of stress on the body and how this can become a problematic condition.

e all know the feeling, be it at work or at home; there’s just not enough time, and too much to do. Demanding deadlines in an unforgiving world where we’re always contactable and everyone expects an immediate response. Stress affects us all; a little pressure can be good, making us more alert and responsive, but too much leads to declining performance, fatigue and potentially an inability to function. Dr Rai who specialises in Anxiety and Stress Management at The London General Practice presents regularly on the topic to individuals, corporations and businesses. “In some respects stress and anxiety are subjective measures and the outcome is dependent on several factors including the subjects own personal resilience. However, what we do know is that there are strong physiological links between stress, anxiety, and an individual’s ability to function correctly. It’s important to realise that there are direct links between stress (which can feel like an intangible concept) and our medical health and wellbeing, resulting in real discernible changes to how we perform. We also know that there are several factors which may make a person more susceptible to becoming severely impacted by stress or anxiety. These include their lifestyle, sleep patterns, alcohol, workload, underlying physical health as well as genetic or hereditary pre-dispositions. Through our work with patients and organisations we provide consultations including screens for underlying medical issues, as well as give practical advice on relaxation, exercise, nutrition and sleep. There are also medical interventions which can be appropriate in some instances.” Dr Rai also advocates thinking of our personal ‘resilience’ as a fixed resource. We may feel that the best way to deal with a stressful day is to hit the gym, or go for a run – ‘burning off the tensions of the day’. However if our reserves are already depleted as a result of prolonged stress then moderate or light exercise may be more beneficial, aiding recovery and guarding against 208 FEBRUARY 2022

further illness or injury. Whilst this is a complex area there is a lot that can be done to help identify the issues and proactively implement changes in order to reduce the consequences of stress. The London General Practice provides a wide range of Private Medical Services including helping individuals and organisations understand and deal with stress. If you would like to contact the Practice please telephone 020 7935 1000

THE DETAILS The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: 0207 935 1000

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

Private GP services thelondongeneralpractice.com Occupational Health and Corporate Health Services londonocchealth.com

H EALTH & FITNESS

PREVENTATIVE HEALTH SCREENING:

PEACE OF MIND FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES Dr Angela Rai of The London General Practice discusses the benefits of Health Screening.

THE DETAILS

ealth Screening, as part of a preventative package, is a recognised part of modern medicine. Advances in technology and medical science mean that signs of disease or other health issues can be detected much earlier than before, so that action can be taken at an early stage with the potential opportunity to improve quality of life and future outcome. To get the most from health screening it is recommended that the package is tailored to the individual, taking into account family history, personal medical history, gender and age. It is also important to avoid ‘over testing’ or undertaking screens when there is no clinical indication for concern. Common causes of future health problems include lifestyle and family history, and health screening can reveal changes which if implemented could result in positive impacts on health and wellbeing.

“Health screening can reveal changes which if implemented could result in positive impacts on health and wellbeing” Health screens now assist in identifying, diagnosing and treating people who show symptoms of memory or cognitive impairment. A combined, Healthy Mind - Healthy Body Assessment is likely to be suitable for anyone who has concerns about their wellness or memory, and 210 FEBRUARY 2022

The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: 0207 935 1000

The London General Practice undertakes a wide range of health screens for all ages and requirements. If you would like to enquire about health screening then please contact the Practice on 0207 935 1000

in particular anyone: • experiencing memory difficulties and who wishes to understand the reason for this. • who is concerned about a family history of memory issues • seeking to check their current health status, or get advice regarding a general issue with their health. The package includes an examination with a medical consultant who is a recognised cognitive expert and a set of investigations designed to identify a wide range of possible causes of memory difficulties. This service responds to the knowledge that early diagnosis and access to the best treatments for memory and other cognitive symptoms significantly improves clinical outcomes. Figures show that it is possible to reduce the risk of dementia by up to 30% by controlling other risk factors, such as blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cholesterol.

H EALTH & FITNESS

Get a private GP appointment without the wait at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

t’s no secret that NHS waiting times can be agonisingly long, especially for people who have conditions that affect their quality of life. Over the last two years, NHS frontline workers have heroically stepped forward to treat the flood of people sick with Covid. Unfortunately, this has meant that many routine procedures and appointments have been delayed. This has led to a record 5.6 million people on waiting lists and a huge backlog of procedures, which might take years to clear. In addition, particularly in densely populated areas such as London, getting hold of a GP when a situation arises, or for advice, is becoming increasingly difficult, and booking appointments

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weeks in advance has become an everyday occurrence.

Convenient same - day GP appointments At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, you can make a private GP appointment any time you like, and the team will do their best to find you the earliest possible appointment with the best specialist, at a time that works for you. For anything urgent, you’ll be able to get a same-day appointment with a highly experienced GP from around £150. They will take the time to listen to your concerns, without rush, and will either treat you then and there, or refer you to one of the hospital’s worldclass consultants.

“Since 2018, the Hospital has been building its £35 million three-floor new wing; the largest investment made into the organisation to date”

A comprehensive range of services The hospital’s private GP practice offers a range of services, which can meet all needs. You can access: • Pregnancy, baby and children’s care • Travel vaccinations • Minor surgery, such as mole and skin tag removal • Quick and efficient referrals, all under one roof • In-house pharmacy • Home visits and out of hours service

An investment for the local community Since 2018, the Hospital has been building its £35 million three-floor new wing; the largest investment made into the organisation to date. Four new theatres have already been unveiled, as well as brand new equipment for scans and tests, private changing rooms and modern waiting areas. This month, another floor has opened, which features another two theatres with the latest surgical equipment, a new admissions area and eight ensuite day-case rooms. This means that should your GP need to refer you to another hospital service, you will have the benefit of the latest technology, calm surroundings filled with natural light as well as expert, personalised care. By summer of this year, the community will also benefit from an expanded Urgent Care Clinic. This service, accessible seven days a week, provides instant access to treatment for minor injuries and illnesses for people aged one and up. “The new wing will provide state-of-the-art

GET IN TOUCH St John & St Elizabeth Hospital 60 Grove End Road London NW8 9NH If you would like to book an appointment with a private GP, or need any advice, call the practice on 020 7432 8269. To find out more about the hospital, visit hje.org.uk

facilities, enabling us to expand our capacity to treat patients in superb surroundings. The addition to this historic hospital will go on to serve the community of St John’s Wood for many years to come.” Caroline Fox, CEO

A hospital with a heart Founded in 1865, St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is one of the UK’s largest independent charitable hospitals. Excellence of care has been at the core of its ethos since it opened under the care of the Sisters of Mercy, an order of nuns who worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War. All these years later, the Hospital has stayed true to its mission to help the needy in the local community. All treatments in the hospital help fund the onsite St John’s Hospice, which provides free care to over 4,500 people and their families each year, across seven boroughs.

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THE KENSINGTON WING T

“To ensure the safety of women and their birth partners, The Kensington Wing have important infection control procedures for staff and visitors to adhere to, but remain welcoming to your chosen birth partner for all stages of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay”

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he Kensington Wing is the dedicated private maternity unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, providing women with around-the-clock clinical care, comfortable en-suite private rooms and hospitality services. Being located in the heart of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital - one of the UK’s safest hospitals - the safety and wellbeing of mother and baby are reassuringly supported at all times. The Kensington Wing is immediately located next to the hospital’s outstanding and newly expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a consultant anaesthetist remains on site at all times, 24/7, dedicated to the needs of women on the Kensington Wing. In these uncertain times, expectant parents can have additional anxieties or concerns about childbirth or going into a hospital. To ensure the safety of women and their birth partners, The Kensington Wing have important infection control procedures for staff and visitors to adhere to, but remain welcoming to your chosen birth partner for all stages of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay. Your individual room and en-suite facilities are a haven in these times and the catering and hospitality team ensures your stay is relaxing as well as safe. On the Kensington Wing the consultant obstetricians, midwives, nurses and maternity support workers provide care as a team. And are delighted to offer both consultant-led and midwife-led maternity packages. The Kensington Wing’s highly experienced team of midwives welcome enquiries from prospective women and the opportunity to discuss midwifeled care in more detail. These ‘meet the midwife’ sessions are always a relaxed and special time to

talk and discover more without any obligation. For those women who are appropriate for midwife-led care, the team provide full support throughout your pregnancy and the midwifery team are available 24 hours seven days a week for advice or concerns throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay. The consultant-led care package allows you the choice of one of our experienced consultant obstetricians to personally guide you through your pregnancy and birth. Your consultant provides continuity and individualised expertise throughout your journey. They build a relationship with you and your partner through the antenatal period to give you confidence to birth safely with them in line with your birth preferences. They remain to support you through the postnatal period including your 6 week postnatal check. All consultants are available to meet you and your birth partner without any obligation. The Kensington Wing enquiry team are always happy to support with these arrangements and answer any questions. If you would like to talk to one of the team, call 020 3315 8616, email chelwest.kensington@nhs.net or visit our website thekensingtonwing.co.uk

HOUSE & GARDEN – A collection of London’s finest house and garden companies – I M AG E : C H A P L I N S

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Mumford & Wood: Britain’s finest timber windows and doors

s a manufacturer using primarily natural materials, it only seems right that we focus on being environmentally responsible, and we play our part in looking after our fragile environment. As part of this responsibility, we set ourselves a goal to become a carbon neutral company by 2030, a target we felt was realistic having experienced challenges throughout the pandemic and by Brexit. Well, by 2022 we made it. 8 years earlier than planned, and we believe ahead of most (if not all) of our UK timber window and door manufacturing competitors. So how have we achieved our goal of being Carbon Neutral so quickly? Last year we commissioned Carbon Footprint™ to conduct a full annual audit of the firm, our business practices and travel to reduce our carbon footprint. They helped us to make small changes that have made a big difference. Our sales force now only use hybrid cars and we continue to employ as many local people as possible, reducing emissions from staff that commute to our offices. We also continually review the green credentials of our manufacturing machinery and is a huge consideration for any new purchase. 218 FEBRUARY 2022

However, having made changes to our own company we decided we wanted to do more. As a UK based manufacturer working with timber each day, it made sense for us to source an environmental scheme that relates to our world. So every Window and Door customer project we completed in 2020 we pledged to plant a tree native to our country, within the UK. Our customers can also pledge an unlimited number of trees through our scheme. They can even plant trees in the region where they live. Although UK based, we source the majority of our wood from overseas, so to help offset any transportation emissions we decided to work with the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve Project to aid deforestation issues in Indonesia. We have also contributed to a verified carbon standard reduction project in the Amazon, Brazil, offsetting around 350 tonnes of CO2 in 2021 alone. However, we won’t be stopping there. We have set ourselves a new goal – to be Carbon Neutral Plus by 2030. Our ambitious goal includes further energy efficiency projects involving our waste materials, transportation and biofuel/fully electric options, all whilst retaining our reputation for producing some of Britain’s finest wooden windows and doors. For more information about our products please visit mumfordwood.com

“We decided to work with the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve Project to aid deforestation issues in Indonesia”

H OUSE & GARDEN

Extend your home and enjoy outdoor living all year round with a stylish awning or pergola from

The Great British Awning & Blind Company Come and meet us

ake the most of our great British weather, despite changeable conditions. Enjoy Indian summer evenings and time outdoors whatever the season. Providing shelter from the sun, rain and wind, their stylish designs offer shade and a comfortable temperature. A place to relax, enjoy eating alfresco or entertain friends. The Great British Awning & Blind Company offer a wide choice of products and finishes, from fully automated patio awnings, automated blinds as well as beautiful pergolas. Innovative enhanced features can include heating and ambient lighting. Helping to make the most out of garden areas, come rain or shine. Arrange your complimentary design consultation today. Call 0800 048 7700 or visit thegreatbritishawningandblindcompany.co.uk

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The Best in British Standards and Service As their name states, they strive to offer the very best in British service and experience to each and every customer. All of their British manufactured innovative products are constructed caringly using only the finest materials to ensure they suit all styles and budgets. Weatherproof and built to last, with a 10 year warranty.

A perfect fit every time Each product is designed to fit perfectly in your home. With a free site survey, their experienced designers ensure every detail is correct. Their dedicated professional installation teams pride themselves on installing every job to the very highest standard. They also operate strict covid guidelines to keep their team and clients safe at all times.

The Great British Awning & Blind Company are exhibiting at a number of events throughout 2022. Visit their News page on the website for full details of dates and locations. Their friendly and knowledgeable team are on hand to provide product demonstrations and showcase some of their best sellers. “At the Great British Awning and Blind Company, we are proud to be recognised as a Grand Designs Premium Partner. This coveted endorsement is testament to our high quality, innovative product range and exemplary service.”

H OUSE & GARDEN

[NEWS]

INTERIORS ENCHANTE SPECKLED GOLD TEAPOT

BOMBAY DUCK MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

We all know that Mums are superheroes, but Mother’s Day is the perfect time to make sure they know it too. Bombay Duck has prepared the ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide for you! bombayduck.com

PHULKARI DIAMONDS CUSHION RECTANGLE GOLD METALLIC

BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN Bringing the outdoors in never goes out of style with its proven ability to boost morale and positivity. The new earthy delights from Atkin & Thyme will introduce a subtle sense of nature to any scheme. atkinandthyme.co.uk

BERTIE ENAMEL FRAME 4X6IN AQUA/GOLD

POSH POOCH Of course your perfect pooch deserves a perfect perch. A gently distressed pet bed with a hand-carved wooden frame in a white-washed finish, pale pink velvet upholstery and double-piped edges. Pure princess style! frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

ANY OCCASION GIFT CANDLE FREESIA & VIOLET MAMA

REINVENTING THE TEAL Want an interior space that exudes tranquillity with a side serving of luxury? According to the experts at eco paint specialists, Victory Colours, teal is the go-to shade. victorycolours.co.uk 222 FEBRUARY 2022

CASABLANCA EMBROIDERED POUF GOLD METALLIC

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Meet The Italian Brand Rewriting The Rules of Comfort Anna Howell, Chaplins Interiors Editor

udwig Mies Van Der Rohe once said that it’s easier to design a skyscraper than a comfortable chair. After thirty years of searching, we’re inclined to agree. Skyscrapers, for all their bluster, have proven to be underwhelming overlords; kingpins in concrete jungles that offer little in the way of biodiversity. Sitting, however, is a whole other ballgame. The one we dedicate nine hours of the day to. Often without giving it much thought. And yet finding comfort in the rhythms of work and play has proven to be essential in finding any kind of equilibrium in the everyday. To paraphrase one Pierluigi Masini, it’s only when the body experiences wellbeing that the mind can ride the waves of the imagination. It’s out of this context that a truly superlative seating brand has bloomed. One that has no interest in creating just another chair. And whose meticulously-made furnishings would have given even the cynical Mies a reason to smile. Not all technology is visible to the eye. Indeed, if connectivity is anything to go by, most of the best innovations take place just out of sight. It’s the same with Gellyfoam — a patented material that introduces into contemporary living spaces the kind of softness once reserved for travelling astronauts. “It is a material that can accommodate any posture,” confirms designer Francesco Binfaré,

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“It’s out of this context that a truly superlative seating brand has bloomed. One that has no interest in creating just another chair”

correcting it with all the care of a mother tucking a child in at night.” Hyperbole aside, it’s a remarkable invention. And just one of the components that make Edra sofas the crème de la crème of comfort. Nowadays, the core collection also counts on the inclusion of Smart Cushions. Plump, technological pillows that sound like they should belong in the Metaverse, but were actually developed ten years ago in Tuscany. With a slight pressure of the hand they can rise or bend in any

direction — movements for a sofa that wants to be in sync with the way people think, rest and dream. This sense of atomised comfort is typical of EDRA’S approach to design. Before, it was the sofa, or rather the designer, that dictated how one should sit. Now, in Edra’s world, it’s the user who suggests the final form the sofa should take. On the one hand, it’s a generous gesture. But it’s also an ancient one, too. Stefano Pasqualetti wrote recently that for all its advancement, architecture remains a basic discipline, dedicated to creating a relatable space that puts men and women at the centre of their own experience. This ability to put people first or “build to human” is easily the greatest talent of Edra. Through a mix of sumptuous, enticing designs, they seek to understand people in their chosen place. Without ever having to sacrifice on the beauty, aspiration or quality that makes the label Made in Italy great. chaplins.co.uk

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EDEN GARDEN ROOMS

s the evenings lighten and the Spring bulbs begin to bloom, our attention once again returns to our gardens, and how we can make the best use of our outdoor space as sunnier days approach. For many of us, the past couple of years have seen our homes adapt, simultaneously becoming our offices, gyms, sanctuaries and entertainment spaces all in one, and in turn forcing us to revaluate how we use the precious space available to us to suit our changing needs. However, it’s likely that there’s a shady, underused spot at the bottom of your garden, which may in fact provide the perfect opportunity to add practical space and value to your home, whilst breathing new life into your garden in the process. Forget sheds and summerhouses, 2022 is all about the aesthetically pleasing, individually crafted and wonderfully multi-functional bespoke garden room. Having spent the past 10 years building tailormade garden rooms of all kinds, industry-leaders, eDEN Garden Rooms, report a huge surge in demand for multi-use garden studios that fulfil the various needs of their customers; combining home office, workout space, or an extra family room all in one. Built to an exceptionally high specification and designed to feel like part of your home, eDEN’s stunning garden rooms are a stylish addition to gardens large or small, and come with a whole host of welcome inclusions as standard. 226 FEBRUARY 2022

From toasty underfloor heating and high-quality insulation, to expertly plastered and painted walls, striking oak engineered wood flooring and even painted skirting boards; the attention to detail in these exquisitely-crafted, made-to-measure studios really does accomplish the wow-factor. The exterior of eDEN Garden Rooms’ buildings doesn’t disappoint either, clad with stunning locally-sourced redwood cedar, and finished with modern aluminium doors and windows, eDEN Garden Rooms have honed the art of creating contemporary statement rooms that their customers look forward to spending time in year-round. And with the option to tailor to your exact needs, from integrated shed storage to bathrooms, kitchenettes and even cinema rooms, there’s no idea too lofty for this talented team to tackle. 0800 0935 339 info@edengardenrooms.com edengardenrooms.co.uk

“eDEN Garden Rooms, report a huge surge in demand for multi-use garden studios that fulfil the various needs of their customers”

H OUSE & GARDEN

Enjoy your conservatory this Spring with Conservatory Insulations Ltd

s your conservatory too hot in summer, too cold in winter, noisy when it rains or is windy? It is time to reclaim your space and transform your conservatory into a room you can use & enjoy all year round.

Keeping Your Conservatory Warm In Autumn and Winter Having the extra space a conservatory gives can be an incredibly useful area allowing you to have an additional living room, dining room or office. Unfortunately, due to the fluctuating temperatures in the UK, you end up with a room that’s unbearably cold in the autumn and winter so is generally locked off from the home for at least six months of the year.

Unique Conservatory Roof Insulation All conservatory roofs lack proper insulation and therefore are almost always the coldest room in any home. Trying to heat your conservatory is often an expensive fools errand as the heat produced by any space heater or radiator quickly escapes from the conservatory roof, retaining very little warmth in the room. For the same reason, in the summer your conservatory can become something more akin to a greenhouse. What makes Conservatory Insulations’ system so unique is their aluminium foil quilt which prevents 91% of heat loss in the winter, it also reflects 98% of damaging radiant energy in the summer, regulating the temperature in your conservatory making it cooler. Their conservatory roof insulation also reduces noise in your conservatory during bad weather. 228 FEBRUARY 2022

This is vital when a high proportion of UK staff are still working from home.

Key benefits of Conservatory Insulations: ConservaHeat True Aluminium Foil Insulation • Prevents 91% of heat loss in the winter • Reflects up to 98% of radiant energy in the summer making it cooler • A proven energy saving product that will reduce your heating bills • Only attracts 5% VAT as a proven energy saving product • 1 day installation and COVID secure • Quieter with a reduction in noise from rain • Protects your furniture and furnishings from UV fading • Easy to maintain and wipe clean • Eradicates any unsightly insect problems Get in touch with Conservatory Insulations now so you can enjoy your valuable space all year round.

“Having the extra space a conservatory gives can be an incredibly useful area allowing you to have an additional living room, dining room or office”

THE DETAILS Tel: 0800 180 4000 Email: enquiries@ conservatoryinsulations.com conservatoryinsulations.com

IS YOUR CONSERVATORY TOO HOT IN SUMMER - AND TOO COLD IN WINTER?

THE UK’S MARKET LEADER

Transform your conservatory into a year-round living space with CONSERVATORY INSULATIONS

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VISIONNAIRE HOME

isionnaire opened a new flagship store in London, inside the Chelsea Harbour Design Center. A space for bespoke design that reflects the one-of-a-kind approach of the Italian brand, in a succession of historic and latest collections, starting with the Art Design capsule by Draga&Aurel to the iconic living, dining and bedroom proposals by Alessandro La Spada. In the foreground, the Babylon Rack sofa is conceived as a modular mini-architecture, with many functional features for studying, working and relaxing. Associated with different uses across the day, the modular sofa is also perfect as a work zone, thanks to the accessorized compartments in the back. Babylon Rack is covered in Pray, a special leather with antibacterial properties.

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Equipped with LED lighting fixtures, it has an innovative “touch” system placed at the top of the back that permits recharging of lamps and smartphones. Kerwan table is protagonist of the dining area: this product is a real manifesto of innovation and sustainability for the company thanks to the marble on the legs, bended from slab and not from block, avoiding waste of material. The unique “Azerocare” stainproofing antibacterial treatment by Antolini, in the Black&Gold marble version, is a latest innovation. Around the table, the Cloud chairs, with special ecoskin covering, show the typical “Ca’ Foscari” embroidery. The bedroom zone with its pale natural colors presents the Ca’ Fascari bed, one of the most outstanding items of the entire collection. The meta-luxury brand formulated a distinctive style, based on lively experimentation on materials, volumes of unexpected poise and inimitable motifs. Visionnaire bases its activity on the value of knowledge and continuing research on the concept of contemporary beauty, confirming its exceptional ability to create design projects and products of outstanding sartorial workmanship, fostering and restoring value to the skills of local artisans located across the Italian territory. Benefit Company from 2021, Visionnaire defines its business as a promoter of positive values for the community and environment. visionnaire-home.com

“The bedroom zone with its pale natural colors presents the Ca’ Fascari bed, one of the most outstanding items of the entire collection”

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SOPHIE SWAN DESIGN

ewly established brand Sophie Swan Design, aims to bring colour and nature into your home with a modern take on floral prints. Sophie Swan created the brand in 2020, with a mission, simply to create beautiful designs to enhance your living space. The Homeware and Accessories brand’s colourful products are available to purchase from the website. The current product range features double sided cushion covers made from soft cotton panama, cotton tote bags with webbing handles and a selection of greeting cards. More products are planned to be added to the range with two new products due to be available later this year. All designs are created by Sophie, on the Isle of Wight, with each design originating from her own photographs. She discovered her style of designing, whilst studying for her degree in surface design, in Somerset. By combining two of her favourite things; photography and pattern, she found her signature style. The designs are then completed digitally, with a vibrant colour palette. Inspired by Oriental gardens and Fairy tales, Sophie set out to create colourful, elegant designs to enhance living spaces and enable a sense of

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wellbeing through her use of colour. Her love of flowers is evident in each design, and while the aesthetic of the brand is flower focussed with its modern floral prints, there are the occasional appearances from birds and butterflies. It is important to Sophie that the brand produces high quality, locally made products; therefore only UK production companies are used. All fabric products are printed and constructed by a family run company in Lincolnshire. They have a strong environmental policy, which includes using water based inks for printing, which is better for the environment. The cards are printed by a company in London, which is committed to sustainability and certified by the forest stewardship council. The environment has been considered at each step, with all products being made in the UK, using eco-friendly production methods and all orders posted in plastic free packaging, which can be recycled. As sustainability is important to Sophie, the brand’s products will always be made by companies who care about their impact on the environment. View the full collection at sophieswandesign.com, and follow on Instagram @sophieswandesign

Hello@felinfach.com w w w. f e l i n f a c h . c o m

www.englishfireplaces.co.uk

020 3179 9700

info@englishfireplaces.co.uk

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NELL DESIGN STUDIO

ell Design Studio founded by Stephanie Burt originally from and trained in New Zealand, a country of blue skies, magical light and an astounding natural environment one that inspires any creative interior designer. Settling in London 2001 these two countries encourage Stephanie to use her skills to create warm, inviting, worldly and timeless interiors that are not trend led but naturally created with a combination of the clients desires, personal DNA, favoured art or beloved object and the buildings period requests and considerations. Once all these factors are carefully examined and reviewed they naturally allow a direction and style to evolve that is totally individual for each client with Stephanie’s accomplished experienced direction and unique design. Stephanie’s style and focus is to never over

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design but to create an effortless environment that fulfils the clients requests “something I consistently work to achieve as each project relationship is of the utmost importance to me.” Endeavouring to create subtlety and layering using textures, shapes and natural materials to provide a desired but comfortable living space. Inspiration is key to a good designer; Stephanie takes wisdom from the 20th Century Italian Master Giorgio Morandi, painter and printmaker “whose still life’s can be appreciated far beyond the time and place in which they were made” using his tonal subtlety married with Stephanie’s appreciation of texture, shape and space and your requests an individual, inspirational, comfortable and exceptional result will be achieved, all created by Stephanie just for you. nelldesignstudio.com

“Inspiration is key to a good designer; Stephanie takes wisdom from the 20th Century Italian Master Giorgio Morandi”

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REFRESH YOUR INTERIOR FOR SPRING, WITH HAND PAINTED DESIGNS AS LUXURY WALLPAPERS Marianne £145 per 10 m roll

Eleanor £145 per 10 m roll

fter many years of working for some of the biggest names in the interior design industry, Elizabeth Ockford has formed her very own interiors brand. In the collection, The Garden, there are many beautiful floral designs that are the perfect way to bring a breath of fresh air into your home after the winter months. Elizabeth is an artist as well as designer, and many of the wallpapers that she creates come from her own paintings. ‘Sadie’ for instance is a glamorous paper with large pink and white orchids. These are taken directly from Elizabeth’s watercolours. You can also see Elizabeth’s work at the Trowbridge Gallery on the Kings Road – where many of her paintings are shown beautifully framed as fine art prints. In The Garden, ‘Eleanor’ is the design that encapsulates Elizabeths own garden the most. It shows Roses, Geraniums, and Californian poppies. They create a soft stripe, falling onto the outlines she drew before painting them. To create this she picked the flowers and laid them out in a considered way onto a sheet of a paper, and then painted by their side, catching as much as possible all their quirks and beautiful shapes. The design has a fluidity and gentleness that looks beautiful

on a bedroom wall in all its soft muted colours- or also looks very chic in a living room in the neutral grey colouring. All of the designs in The Garden Collection are named after women. Eleanor is after Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States and campaigner for civil rights. A striking contrast with that design is Marianne, shown here in black, but also available in a soft powder blue. Named after Marianne North, a Victorian Botannical artist, the design shows and painted florals, that delicate and intriguing flowers against ghost like leaf skeletons, and the different layers draw you in. In black it makes a stunning living room, and the pale blue colouring brings a soft fresh light into any room that it decorates. Elizabeth uses her skills and experience to create bespoke wallpapers for clients – whether that be an entirely original design or colouring an existing one to fit with a particular scheme. She is happy to discuss ideas in a free consultation – contact her by email as below. elizabethockford.com email elizabeth@elizabethockford.com tel 01342 810357. trowbridgegallery.com/ Artist/ElizabethOckford

“Many of the wallpapers that she creates come from her own paintings”

CURIOUSA ABOUT BATHROOM LIGHTING

uriousa & Curiousa have added yet more designs to their bathroom range. There’s endless possibilities as each light is blown to your specifications with a choice of 22 glass colours, 10 flex colours and 5 fitting finishes. As designer and director Esther Patterson says “There isn’t always a lot of choice for exciting lighting in bathrooms and wet areas - so we’ve challenged that notion, giving our customers the freedom to create a space that can still feel special and a true place to relax and enjoy.” Every piece of glass is hand-blown using ageold traditional techniques and is blown without moulds, being formed and shaped by hand and tool, making every single piece truly unique. Not only is every piece of glass hand blown in the UK, but it is then hand finished and hand assembled in their Derbyshire workshop. curiousa.co.uk

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London and Surrey’s Industry Leading Mobility Showroom

heelfreedom offer a unique shopping experience where customers can receive expert advice whilst trying out their broad selection of mobility equipment, available to purchase or hire. Wheelfreedom specialise in mobility scooters, wheelchairs, powerchairs, rise and recline furniture, beds, rollators and stairlifts. Popular brands such as Invacare, Permobil, Pride Mobility, Ki Mobility and Sunrise Medical feature at Wheelfreedom, making it an ideal location for the general public, Occupational Therapists, and other Health Care Professionals. For those needing made to measure and prescriptive products, a full assessment is conducted at their showroom or at your home, to provide bespoke mobility solutions. Wheelfreedom also pioneered the first national wheelchair hire service and continue to hire mobility equipment, with next day delivery across mainland Britain. This hire service is particularly beneficial for those looking for short-term mobility solutions. They work closely with the Motability scheme to ensure everyone has access to a variety of products. Founded in 2007, Managing Director and Owner, Giles Donald, opened the Wheelfreedom Showroom in 2020. Giles explains: “Shopping is generally thought of as a pleasurable experience for a lot of people, so why should it differ buying a life-changing mobility product?” “We feel that coming to our showroom should be an experience that people can enjoy and feel that they are getting the most out of,” states Giles. “I don’t see why they shouldn’t be excited about the opportunities that these products can bring.”

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THE DETAILS You can enjoy a hot coffee whilst discussing your mobility needs with a product specialist. Book your visit today by simply calling 0203 058 1042. Alternatively, you can view their products online by visiting wheelfreedom.com.

Their showroom has proven to be a tremendous success and their services have supported many of the disabled and elderly community. Recognised as an industry leading mobility supplier, Wheelfreedom have over 2,000 five-star reviews and multiple industry awards to give you complete peace of mind. Customer service is at the forefront of everything they do and welcome visitors from all areas, including London, Surrey, and the Southeast of England. Located in Chessington, on the border of London and Surrey, getting to the showroom is easy. The nearest train station, Chessington South has step free access and the M25 and A3 are on their doorstep – perfect for those travelling by car. Disabled parking is also available, but should you need a video or at-home consultation, their specialists are more than willing to help. Wheelfreedom is open 6 days a week from 9am5pm.

INDUSTRY LEADING MOBILITY SHOWROOM

Try out a wide range of mobility products at our showroom: Mobility scooters • Wheelchairs • Powerchairs • Rise and recline chairs • Beds • Rollators • Stairlifts

0203 058 1042 Unit 61 Barwell Business Park, Chessington, KT9 2NY www.wheelfreedom.com | info@wheelfreedom.com Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5pm FEBRUARY 2022 243

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The Pine & Oak Factory

he Pine & Oak Factory is a family run business established over 25 years selling high quality Bespoke Kitchen and Furniture. We pride ourselves in providing a fantastic service and are able to custom make any piece of furniture. Started as a small shop in Woking off the high street the business slowly and organically grew to take over an iconic high street building to make their main retail space. The owners of the business would make most of the furniture in a small garage rear of the woking store. Uncompromising on the quality of materials and craftsmanship meant that customers started to come from far and wide. With orders coming from Scotland Midlands and of course most of Surrey. But in the early 2000 with the onset of large multiple store retailers selling oak veneers imported from the far east the business started to decline. That’s where the newest member of the family Khozema joined the business and decided to manufacture bespoke kitchens and furniture maintaining the same quality yet providing cutting edge design to suit modern tastes. With an experience of over a decade in the industry, our in-house Owner/Designer Khozema can offer expert advice on any designing ideas that you may have. Bringing his craftsmanship and creativity from two very varied businesses Khozema is able to design Kitchens and any furniture needed in your home that are completely unique yet

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“Any piece of furniture can be customised be it a single small bedside cabinet or large beautiful Oak kitchens”

functional and beautiful. The business started to grow year on year with customers wanting to make special size chest of drawers and wardrobes, or bespoke desk and filing units to fitted wardrobes and bespoke kitchens. All manufactured in UK beautifully designed yet practical and fantastic value. This became the USP of The Pine And Oak Factory. Any piece of furniture can be customised be it a single small bedside cabinet or large beautiful Oak kitchens. All customers are important and treated with same respect. The time spent behind every customer in noting down their detailed requirements and designing the piece of furniture became a speciality. Every kitchen, bedroom ,living room, bathroom or office that was designed had an input direct from the owner and nothing was made without thorough discussion and planning. Our store is Situated in Chobham, Surrey boasting a large 5000 square ft. of retail space in a historic building on the High Street. Chobham is nestled in a Traditional village with a charming backdrop. Not far from London and just minutes away from M25. You can book your appointment with us anytime between Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm to see the fabulous collection and designs on display or just discuss ideas and concepts for your next renovation. Be it kitchens, study, home, office, bedroom, living room, media unit or bathroom. You can connect with us for design ideas and recommendations over hot cup of coffee at the Pine & Oak Factory. Thank you and hope to see you soon. thepineandoakfactory.co.uk

T: 020 3126 4984 E: info@riversideshutters.co.uk www.riversideshutterslondon.co.uk

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CESCA CANDLES Luxury soy candles hand poured in the Surrey Hills

100% Vegan & cruelty free, eco packaged candles Crafted with natural essential fragrance oil for calming and soothing away stress and anxiety, and lift your mood. High strength, hand blended scents. All Cesca candles are hand poured using the highest quality soy wax, with our own signature oils, to achieve a long clean, even burn. I love candles, I have bought hundreds over the years, as I love my house being transported to somewhere slightly different by smell. But I’ve also struggled to find strong smelling candles which don’t loose their scent. A good candle can lift your mood, de stress and calm you down, make you happy or just remind you of a happy place or time…that’s the magic of smells! I’ve spent months testing fragrance oils and different wax combinations, and I’m finally happy and confident that Cesca Candles are exactly what I’ve been looking for! I hope you love them as much as I do! Big Love, Joanna cescacandles.com 246 FEBRUARY 2022

CESCA CANDLES

Luxury soy candles hand poured in the Surrey hills. 100% vegan and cruelty free, eco packed candles. Crafted with natural essential fragrance oil for calming and soothing away stress and anxiety, and lift your mood. High strength, hand blended scents.

Est. 2000

LUXURY SOY CANDLES HAND POURED IN THE SURREY HILLS

SALES - CLEANING - RESTORATION - BESPOKE 07885 757796 rachel@therugstudio.co.uk www.therugstudio.co.uk London TW1 - Stamford PE9 - Holt NR25

Our Rex Ray collection as seen at Contemporary Textile Fair 18th - 20th March 2022

Cescacandles.com

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A BEAUTIFUL WOODEN FLOOR FOR LIFE

he surface you walk on provides the backbone of an interior scheme. Get it right and it will make a dramatic difference to the overall feel of a room. Wood flooring is a wonderful option as it introduces colour, texture, pattern and character. It’s easy to live with being practical, hardwearing and a cinch to maintain. There are endless design options too. “Wood flooring is brilliant for bringing a scheme together,” says Peter Keane, Director of The Natural Wood Floor Company. “Dark floors create a luxurious look, while rustic floors with lots of knots enhance a casual, country scheme. Rich colours will add warmth, while pale colours will go with just about anything and introduce plenty of light into a room.” The grade of wood will also create a different look. Prime grades have minimal knots and colour variation, so create a contemporary feel. Natural grades have more feature marks so lend themselves to more traditional looks. “Don’t be constrained by this though,” Peter advises. “A rustic board with plenty of knots, shakes and detailing can soften modern schemes.” When it comes to the latest trends, darker hues are gaining in popularity. “Although there will always be a demand for light wooden floors, darker shades are about to step into the limelight and have their moment. The dark rich shades found in our Smoky Mountain and Baked Oak flooring introduce a glamorous, dramatic look and can’t fail

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to get noticed.” Parquet blocks have been back in fashion for a while, but couldn’t be hotter right now. The combination of colour, wood detailing and pattern makes for a real statement floor. For an up-todate look go large with 600 mm sized blocks. Alternatively, aged blocks are great for adding extra character as they look like reclaimed blocks but can be used with underfloor heating. It always pays to buy a good quality floor from a reputable supplier, as the right wooden floor will improve your property, add to its value and last for years. The Natural Wood Floor Company manufacture most of the floors they sell and are also valued for their expertise. The full flooring collection can be viewed on large display boards at their Wandsworth showroom or on their new-look website.

THE DETAILS The Natural Wood Floor Company, 20 Smugglers Way, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1EG. 020 8871 9771. naturalwoodfloor.co.uk

LONDON

Sdias London provide bespoke tailored services, curating the finest products to creatively design and deliver high end luxury home interior. Sdias London’s desire is to create timeless and refined interiors & home décor for our clients, and strive to always exceed expectations.

www.sdiaslondon.com contact@sdiaslondon.com

Sdias London is a team of experienced and talented designers with a wealth of complimentary industry networks. Our services include interior design, interior architecture, commercial interior design, property development, home dressing/ styling and FF&E packages. Our expertise and professional approach is tailored to each client to deliver high quality services worldwide. Ensuring our projects are designed and managed from concept through to completion.

West London Carpentry & Decoration BESPOKE FITTED FURNITURE

WARDROBES - BOOKCASES - CABINETS - STORAGE

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MINOTTI LONDON M

inotti London is an Italian furniture company; leader in high quality modern, contemporary furniture, both for in and outdoor. Minotti London offers a premium showroom experience matching the service expected of a high quality product. Minotti is in the field of contemporary furniture design, an ambassador of a classicmodern lifestyle in high end residential. The showroom in Margaret Street, follows twenty years of successful collaboration between the Summerhill and Minotti families in London. The Minotti London showroom opened in February 2009 in the culturally rich West End of London. Recently extended in 2016 to include a second floor, the elegantly designed Margaret Street space showcases Minotti’s most recent collections, alongside pivotal pieces from two decades of collections coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni. Minotti London prides itself on its high level of service to all clients, whether purchasing a single piece or fitting out an entire property, private or commercial. Our aim is to form long lasting relationships that ensure we understand your requirements to the smallest detail. Minotti offer a complete bespoke service, our team are all fully trained interior designers and understand the needs

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of private clients and architects alike. Minotti’s designs and philosophies are embraced by interior design and architecture professionals who collaborate with us on London’s luxury property and design scene, as well as private clients. Projects are unique and our client’s passion is evident in the diverse palette of projects completed in collaboration with Minotti London. Central to the Minotti identity is unwavering commitment to “100% Made in Italy” concept, which combines tradition and innovation. The skills of talented artisans are employed together with the latest modern technologies, balancing industrial precision with sensitivity and eye for detail. This high degree of know-how is constantly improving by exploring materials and technological solutions to enhance every impeccable detail. Minotti London is excited to be displaying the new 2021 collection which like previous collections includes the company’s design DNA, such as incorporating the principles of aesthetic understatement, timeless elegance, and continuity in the sign of tradition and artisan know-how, with great attention to detail as well as passion. The commitment to excellence involves everyone within the company and continues in our dedication to client service. minottilondon.com

“Central to the Minotti identity is unwavering commitment to “100% Made in Italy” concept, which combines tradition and innovation”

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Japan meets Scandinavia Create the Japandi look in your dining room

ocusing on their common interest in minimalism, the traditional style inspired by Japanese culture combined with the warming comfort of modern Scandinavian design gives you ‘Japandi’ . Centered on simplicity and functionality, Japandi has both core elements of Japanese ‘Wabi-Sabi’ meaning, a world view centered on the acceptance

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of transience and imperfection and Scandinavian following the practice of ‘Hygge’ which is defined as a certain quality of coziness. Keep in mind the following elements; organic, clean lines, rattan, bamboo, light/ dark woods and functional accessories. Get the idea? A good saying to stick to when creating this stylistic and comforting interior style is ‘Less is more’, keeping your space decluttered and airy is the way forward with Japandi. Let’s give your dining room a Japandi transformation… Starting with the basics, you’re going to want to keep these tones in mind; beige to a soft gray. Then get ready to fill your baskets with the following; Heaven dining table and the Lund dining chair for all your fine dining needs. The Alma sideboard for storage and a few decorative elements such as; Iguaze pendant light, Olbia vase, Marlborough stoneware vase and the Cango table lamp. Combine all these pieces together, (and your own personal touch) then there you have it! Your Japandi style dining room. cultfurniture.com

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THE FUNKY APPLIANCE COMPANY AIMS FOR PERFECT SEVEN ON SEEDRS

he Funky Appliance Company, based in West Sussex, co-founded by husbandand-wife team Joe and Sadie Sillett are back with their latest crowdfunding round on Seedrs, and are looking to make it a perfect seven out of seven funding rounds. The company, which was founded in June 2016, has raised a total of £1million investment to date and has three core products: a Funky Toaster, a Funky Kettle and a Funky Iron. The Funky Appliance Company partnered with Europe’s leading SDA (Small Domestic Appliances) and Housewares distributor RKW (Retail Knows Why) based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with distribution of the company’s eye-catching products now gathering pace with 81 retailers in the UK and Ireland now ranging Funky goods, as well as several leading UK online retailers. The Funky Toaster which was launched earlier this year has received the coveted status of “Good Housekeeping Approved 2022” where it was selected as “Best 4-Slice Toaster For Different Breads”. Funky Toaster are also the Winners of the

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“The Funky Toaster which was launched earlier this year has received the coveted status of “Good Housekeeping Approved” and won the prestigious “Best New Product Small Domestic Appliances” category at the ERT Awards 2021”

“Best New Products Domestic Appliances” at the ERT Awards 2021 which took place in December 2021. It is also Ideal Home Magazine’s “Best 4-Slice Toaster 2022” and “Best Matching Kettle and Toaster Set” and also Independent’s Indy Best “Best Toaster Tall Bread”. The Funky Appliance Company have just completed their seventh crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs bringing the sum raised for their business to date to 1.2m over 5 years. Joe Sillett, Co-Founder and CEO of The Funky Appliance Company, said: “We are really excited to be back on Seedrs again. We are looking forward to another successful campaign ahead of what promises to be a hugely exciting 2022 for us.” The company has recently signed a 3-year exclusive global licence with RKW for the Funky brand to go into Housewares and Cookware. Rob Sutton, Managing Director at RKW, said: “We partnered with Joe and his team at The Funky Appliance Company as we believe that his vision for unique and stylish looking appliances was a strong one. “We are confident that we will see excellent growth in 2022 and are very excited to be launching a new Funky Housewares range in Quarter 1, and then a Funky Cookware range later in the year. We believe that the Funky brand will find a strong niche for itself in the market, and we are looking forward to supporting them not just in the UK & Ireland, but also internationally through the licensing deal we have signed with them.” The link to Funky’s Seedrs campaign can be found here: seedrs.com/the-funky-appliancecompany3

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Outdoor Elegance Personified

hic Teak is a family run business that has been established for over 20 years and is based in Hampshire and delivers Nationwide. Chic Teak specialises in premium teak garden & conservatory furniture with a high level of personal service from advising on choice of furniture through to delivery onto your terrace. By using the best quality heartwood teak ensures longevity & attractiveness of the products. The Teak is grown in Java and is sourced from the Government owned plantations. This ensures that it is sustainably grown & then correctly kiln dried to withstand the British climate. All the furniture is made using traditional joints and finished by hand. The whole process is covered by the Internationally agreed FLEGT scheme which is overseen by the Indonesian and British Governments. Frequent visits by the partners to Java has nurtured close working relationships with suppliers & good opportunities to develop new lines whilst maintaining popular designs. Because Chic Teak are specialists, they offer a wide choice both in terms of design and use. Although they can offer furniture as sets, they pride themselves in giving clients the opportunity of a “mix and match” to suit their circumstances and taste. The heartwood teak contains high levels of oil naturally which is good protection from rain,

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sunlight, mould & mildew. The wood is also tightly grained & very dense which makes it very durable. Naturally Teak will weather to a silvery patina. We recommend cleaning teak wood furniture at least once a year. This can be done either by scrubbing with a dilute mixture of bleach and water, or spraying with a product called “Wet and Forget” once a year. Both methods clear the detritus and maintain the silvery patina. Such is the confidence in the product that a 10-year guarantee is offered to support what we believe to be some of the best quality Teak Furniture available in the UK. chic-teak.co.uk Tel: 01256 398008 sales@chicteak.co.uk

www.clarewilliams.co.uk Phone: 0844 879 3677 (UK) E-mail: info@clarewilliams.co.uk

LUXURY

KITCHEN GUIDE

– Everything you need to create the perfect London kitchen – I M AG E : C O L L I N S B E S P O K E

KITCHENS

[NEWS]

KITCHENS “Many of the colours have been born from experimentation where a client has specified a custom colour”

Our tactile wooden boards are perfect for serving tapas or used as a chopping board. This long design is ideal for the centre of your table. We love to use this board to serve platters of cold meats & cheeses or for cutting bread loaves. ohcurio.com

TAKE A SEAT

CHALK AND CHEESE Woody’s offer a choice of colours from The Full Stack palette as well as varying degrees of aggregate exposure within the finished slab for their worktops. Many of the colours have been born from experimentation where a client has specified a custom colour. They can accommodate any cut-outs, such as sinks and hobs, and provide on site fitting of all tap fixtures. We love this custom polished concrete worktop: 50mm Solidity in the colour Chalk. woodysconcretecompany.com

TOUCH OF GLASS To be enjoyed with your favourite champagne or classic cocktail, these lavish martini cocktail glasses have an air of 1920’s glamour about them and are perfect for a special occasion or dinner party. They will certainly stand out and make a dazzling addition to your dining table setting. audenza.com

SHAKER STYLE This stunning traditional kitchen with solid beaded doors offers iconic features that create a truly distinctive kitchen design for your home. trendinteriors.co.uk 262 FEBRUARY 2022

THE HEART OF IT

We love this skilfully handcrafted, deep buttoned counter stool with an elegant flowing form. Ideal in height for use at standard breakfast bars. my-furniture.com

KITCHENS

Where quality exceeds expectation

itchen Co-Ordination is an award winning London based Kitchen Design Studio, specialising in contemporary, modern German kitchens by Rational a market leader in kitchen design. Their qualified designers have the experience, skill and knowledge to create stunning, unique and individually crafted kitchens that are completely bespoke to you - and not replicated anywhere else. They stay in tune with the latest advancements, innovations and trends keeping creativity and practicality at the forefront of all their kitchen designs. Their blend of contemporary design, flawless practicality and innovative style makes for a truly unique experience. Whether your kitchen space needs to be built, restructured or you need assistance in designing, planning and customising your kitchen, Kitchen Co-Ordination can help. Luxury and style come as standard to meet your individual needs and lifestyle. Their amazing design team will consult with you on all the elements you need to make up your dream kitchen – if you have a family or pets for example. With over 15 years of experience of designing kitchens across London, they are confident they can create something stunning and unique for you. Every kitchen is crafted from design to installation with the utmost attention to detail. All of their kitchens are unique, designed to suit your requirements, built to last, beautiful to look at and

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totally functional – making it a joy to cook, live and work in. So if you are looking to enhance your property or are purchasing a new home and want to make it yours - Kitchen Coordination will make your dream kitchen come to life! They want to create a blissful experience and the end result is a space you will enjoy and be proud of with the WOW factor! Kitchen Coordination - where quality exceeds expectation. Visit kitchencoordination.co.uk, and be inspired. Telephone: 020 8958 6262 or email hello@kitchencoordination.co.uk. Kitchen Coordination covers all areas within the M25.

“Luxury and style come as standard to meet your individual needs and lifestyle”

Where Innovation Meets Simplicity

Luxury Modern Kitchens Made for Living www.kitchencoordination.co.uk Email: hello@kitchencoordination.co.uk Tel: 0208 958 6262 Follow on Instagram @kitchencoordination

KITCHENS

DISTINCTIVE KITCHEN LIGHTING

n addition to spotlights and under cabinet LED lights in the kitchen - don’t forget to include decorative lighting to bring personality and style into your kitchen. We all spend lots of time visiting kitchen showrooms, thumbing through lifestyle magazines and browsing through websites to decide on our new kitchen style and what features or gadgets we can have. But how much time do we consider lighting products and the impact they may create? Most kitchen designers will encourage you to have practical spotlights in your ceiling and practical under cabinet LED lights, but these are only part of the lighting solution. If you have the option to bring in more personality and sparkle – consider decorative lighting as part of the lighting mix to create mood and drama.

Whats your Style? Whether it is a traditional country kitchen with hand crafted cabinets, a modern minimalistic or industrial influenced style, there are many decorative lights available that can pick up on these themes. Choose a light that has a metal finish that blends in or perhaps contrasts with the architectural elements in the room such as cabinet handles, taps or seating.

Choose lighting to suit your space If you have the luxury of space and have an island 268 FEBRUARY 2022

or breakfast bar – consider hanging multiple pendants above to provide additional task lighting or a lower level of light output when the spotlights are not required. You may have a low ceiling but still want some deocorative lighting and there is a very large collection of flush or semi-flush fixtures that you can choose from for this situation.

Blend in or stand out? With the continuing trend of open plan kitchen/ dining spaces you may wish to include a range of lights that have matching pendants and chandeliers to bring the space together. Alternatively you may want to choose a sculptural or sparkly chandelier over a nice dining table that becomes a conversation piece and a statement of your personality. For more inspirational ideas to brighten up your Kitchen, visit the Distinctive Lighting showroom in Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire where you will find more than 2,500 interior lighting models on display. The variety of choice is unrivalled, and our staff are on hand Monday to Friday 9-5pm and Saturday 9-1pm, to provide a friendly advisory service. T: 01420 590510 distinctivelightinguk.com

LIVE // LIFE // LUXURY

www.chduk.com

“Voted no1 kitchen in Germany”

0208 472 1144

CONTEMPORARY HOME DESIGN, 120 WOODGRANGE ROAD, LONDON E7 0EW

@chd_uk

ashchd

ESTABLISHED 25 YEARS

KITCHENS

Stunning new Kitchens for 2022

ounded over 10 years ago, West London Kitchens supply high quality German, Italian and traditional handmade English bespoke kitchens at family friendly prices. Real kitchens for real families. All their kitchens are designed bespoke for each client, offering great flexibility in style, finish and colour and delivered ready built which cuts down dramatically on the time and mess of installation. West London Kitchens have a studio showroom with easy local parking, where you can view all the door ranges together with worktop, splashback and lighting samples. The 2022 range offers dozens of colours and styles together with all the modern developments in kitchen design, including reduced plinth heights and the TIP-ON touch opening system. They can now also offer specialised utility room furniture providing a myriad of clever storage solutions. Much of their business comes via word-ofmouth recommendations from happy clients, and their builders, architects and interior designers. West London Kitchens are proud of our reputation and their customer service is second to none. Whether you are planning major building work or just looking to upgrade your old kitchen, get in touch for a free consultation.

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New for 2022 - Schuller and Next Line Kitchens • 845 and 875 high base units – more storage and less plinth • The Colour Concept 14 different doors available in 27 different colours in a Matt or Satin finish • Black interior carcase colours • Walk in larder units • Bespoke utility rooms • Bedroom and living room furniture • Anti-fingerprint finishes Need Bedroom furniture visit West London Bedrooms, for all your bedroom storage requirements. They provide sumptuous Italian bespoke furniture in a variety of different styles with all the space saving and easy access extras you might require.

THE DETAILS West London Kitchens info@westlondonkitchens.com 020 8741 1981 westlondonkitchens.com

Real kitchens for real families

We supply high quality German, Italian and traditional handmade English bespoke kitchens at family-friendly prices. Our 2022 range offers all the modern developments in kitchen design, including reduced plinth heights and the TIP-ON touch opening system, together with specialised utility room furniture providing a myriad of clever storage solutions. Much of our business comes via word-of-mouth recommendations from happy clients. We’re proud of our reputation and our customer service is second to none, for which we were awarded the Best of Houzz Client Satisfaction Award. New for 2022 even more storage with our 875mm taller base units 020 8741 1981 | info@westlondonkitchens.com | www.westlondonkitchens.com

KITCHENS

Kitchens by Amberth

mberth is a bespoke Interior Design Specialist based in Islington. With over 15 years of experience in designing and crafting unique Kitchens, Bathrooms and Fitted Interiors, their attention to detail allows them to create beautiful spaces, perfectly suited to their clients’ lifestyles. Amberth will take on projects of any size, from taking a compact kitchen and maximising the space available, to project-managing a full home renovation. Their design department and team of in-house fitters allow them to manage a project from the initial vision, right through to completion, creating a stress-free experience for their clients. The kitchen is the heart of the home and Amberth put their heart and soul into designing classic and contemporary spaces that are both functional and beautiful. From custom-made cabinetry to feature walls, Amberth’s bespoke kitchen interior designs combine beautiful natural materials with functional appliances and handpicked worktops to create the perfect space. The process begins with a free consultation at their Studio in Islington, where the experienced designers work with the client to establish what they want from their ideal kitchen. Two to three design options are presented 272 FEBRUARY 2022

during a second consultation, and a quote is given. Once the client and the designer are happy that the design is perfect, a site survey is carried out to take photographs and measurements and a schedule of work is put together. This gives the designer and project manager a visual sense of the space they are working with. Amberth have recently introduced an exciting element to this process, an interactive virtual reality experience to enable clients to visualize, design and shop with confidence, to style their dream space, and to ensure that both the designer and project manager execute their desired vision successfully. With their dedicated design process and by using only the highest quality materials from around the world, Amberth is able to achieve extraordinary results with the space you have. If you are ever in their neighbourhood, why not stop by for a quick chat? There is always someone on hand to help. Amberth are a reputable business which is family-run and so they pride themselves on building long lasting relationships with their clients. Amberth, 311 Essex Road, London N1 2BD Tel: 020 7354 8958 amberth.co.uk

“Amberth have recently introduced an exciting element to this process, an interactive virtual reality experience to enable clients to visualize, design and shop with confidence”

020 7354 8958 www.amberth.co.uk

bathrooms kitchens interiors

KITCHENS

PROCOOK INTRODUCES STYLISH NEW GOURMET KIRU KNIFE RANGE

GOURMET KIRU KNIFE SET 6 PIECE - £59

GOURMET KIRU KNIFE SET 4 PIECE - £39

GOURMET KIRU KNIFE SET 6 PIECE WITH STAINLESS STEEL BLOCK - £89

rawing inspiration from Asian knife shapes, ProCook’s all-new Gourmet Kiru range is modern and unique. Translated as “cut” in Japanese, the “Kiru” range will certainly will make a statement in the kitchen of a passionate home cook. From blade to handle, Gourmet Kiru is a seamless all-steel range. Featuring sleek ergonomic handles for maximum comfort and embellished with a stylish diamond pattern for added grip, the range is as sophisticated as it is practical and pleasurable to use. Created from X30 stainless steel, all Gourmet

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Kiru knives have been stone ground to an Eastern 13° angle each side for a stronger and sharper cutting edge. Each knife has a Rockwell hardness rating of 52±2 and contains 0.3% carbon to ensure the knife holds its edge for longer along with 13% chrome to ensure the knife is resistant to tarnishing. Starting from just £25, the Gourmet Kiru range offers a 10 year guarantee and will be sold in sets of three, four or six. Various storage options are also available to purchase, including a matching sleek stainless steel block, a magnetic rack and a leather wrap case. procook.co.uk

GOURMET KIRU KNIFE SET 3 PIECE - £25

ROSE + GEORGE DESIGN STUDIO

Approachably Relaxed Luxury

INTERIORS

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SOURCING

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STYLING

WWW.ROSEGEORGE.CO.UK

‘Island Girl’ 30 x 24 inches.

Brand new for 2022 and featuring the newest Pantone colour - Veri Peri - Island Girl is a beautiful synthesis of print, paint and stitch all embedded onto a cradled birch panel. Her gorgeous embroidered dress just reminds me of tropical holidays with the purple and mauves of bougainvillia, which sing against the acid greens and yellows of the background. Take a look at her in situ, she would grace any home, a tactile piece which just keeps on giving. www.aesykes.art annetteelizabethsykes@gmail.com

Di a n e H o l l and SF In t ’l Art i s t NY, LA, SF, London, Venice, Barcelona

Gia Strauss is a Surrealist artist based in London. Her work is whimsical, witty and perpetuates unspoken and covert feelings that lay dormant in the unconscious mind. Her vivid dreamlike visions have been exhibited extensively around London and overseas, displayed in underground stations and art galleries. Her work is a translation of the complexity of psychological and emotional states revealing the nuances of a multifaceted personality.

‘Surrealism is the epitome of artistic imagination.’

Gia Strauss: giastrauss.com | +44(0)7577 330912

DANNY JOHANANOFF “COLOR CELEBRATION” 2019

www.danjohananoff.com

DANNY JOHANANOFF

“READING GLASSES” 2019 www.danjohananoff.com

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ABTA No. Y6096 Image: Hermann Helguson