Damian Hurley was born famous. Even though his mother, Elizabeth Hurley, put her career on hold to look after him, paparazzi would harass them on a daily basis. His teenage years were tainted with the death of important people in his life, the mark of which is palpable in his short film The Boy on the Beach and his debut feature-length film as a director, Strictly Confidential. Our Editor-in-Chief, Julia Pasarón, had the chance to catch up with him recently and learn who Damian Hurley really is.
Blessed with ridiculously good looks and having had his every need always catered for, Damian could easily have become an insufferable brat. Instead, this young man is devastatingly charming and easy-going. He has been obsessed with the world of celluloid since an early age, which is no surprise given that his mother is an actress and his godparents include industry giants Hugh Grant and Sir Elton John. Growing up, Damian used to hijack every holiday, torturing his long-suffering family and friends to act in his mini-movies, shot on a Flip Video camera given to him…
Located on the hills of Sotogrande, one of the most sought-after destinations in southern Europe among lovers of golf, polo and luxury life in general, Villa Noon is billed as the world’s first zero-emissions villa. Not only that, Villa Noon also generates its own water… from the sun. Viewed as a ground-breaking achievement in sustainable […]
The signature elegant luxury of Rocco Forte Hotels has been transposed to a beautiful new setting with the unveiling of Rocco Forte House Milan. After the plaudits received by Rocco Forte House Rome, the group is now opening eleven graceful new apartments on the highly desirable Via Manzoni in the very centre of Milan. They […]
I had a dream in which I was walking through a fairy tale garden full of sparkling jewels nestled in the heart of flowers and sparkling in magical fountains… with Elizabeth Taylor as the Fairy Queen.
This dream garden adorned with jewels surprised me at every turn. First, I came across a fountain in which a stone little boy surrounded by dolphins held two wonderful zirconia bracelets, as an offer to the Fairy Queen. Further down, in another fountain, I found two beautiful opal necklaces laying in the water, one in mermaid green, the other in gentle pink.
Bewitched by this beauty, I felt as if I was floating, rather than walking, across this fairy tale. The exuberance of the flowers around me was mesmerising, even fox gloves held precious surprises in their pistils, two beautiful rings. One was shaped like a flower with petals made of diamonds, coloured sapphires and enamel, the other, tiny gold fingers protectively embracing two perfect pearls. Further down, I discovered yet another exquisite bracelet draped upon a rose, and a pair of pink chalcedony and moonstone earrings, softly nestled in a rose of the brightest red.
As my dream was ending and dawn was coming, I came across a last fountain, where the water glistened in the early rays of the sun, revealing a silver swan necklace and armlet, which I imagined the goddess Diana wearing, whilst drawing her bow and arrow to welcome the new day.
Necklace and Bracelet: Sonia Petroff’s Swan necklace and bracelet in palladium silver. £595 and £255 respectively.
Having woken from this delicious dream I wanted to share with our readers some ideas of fabulous summer jewellery that you can wear on the beach, on a yacht or simply floating in the pool. These are stunning pieces, which, in my mind, you could wear them anywhere. So, if you want to rock it like Elizabeth Taylor but don’t have the pocket book to match, then look no further than these divine bracelets by KVK73, beautifully crafted in coloured zirconia stones, ideal to wear worn loosely on your wrist with a long evening gown, so much so, that you could work the room from Monte Carlo to Capri.
Boy In Fountain: KVK 73 Bamboo bracelet in brass, rhodium-plated with round, square and marquise cut zirconia stones in red, green, blue and white. £370; and Brickwall bracelet in brass, rhodium-plated with square-cut, round and oval multicoloured zirconia stones.£365. www.kvk73.com. Bracelet Hanging From A Rose: KVK73 Bamboo bracelet in brass, rhodium-plated with round and marquise cut zirconia stones in white, red and dark blue. £235. www.kvk73.com.
Now, if you are like me and have a great passion for semi-precious stones, then you’d love Coco & Kinney. Emma and Venetia source the most exquisite stones from the Far East and India, choosing each and every stone personally, to create their inspiring designs. Named ‘Mildred’ after Emma’s French Bull Dog who I affectionately call the silver cannon ball, these two stunning opal necklaces are extremely versatile. I wore the pink opals to Royal Ascot with my dusky pink Bruce Oldfield coat and their pink chalcedony ‘Ella’ earrings, with detachable Bryony rose quartz and moonstone drops.
Necklace In Fountain: Coco & Kinney Mildred necklaces, one with aquamarine, black spinel, amethyst, tanzanite and green apatite and the other in pink opal, ruby, garnet and strawberry quartz. £290. www.cocoandkinney.com
Earrings: Coco & Kinney detachable Ella earrings, in pink chalcedony stones, plated in 18k gold with Bryony drops in rose quartz and moonstones.
Cocktail rings have so long been a passion for me. These two are elegantly subtle. You can wear them with anything from a bikini to a long summer floaty white sundress. I particularly like the design of this Shaun Leane ring, yellow gold with fresh water pearls and the delicacy of this Aisha Baker ring in enamel, diamonds and coloured sapphires.
Top left: Aisha Baker’s Lucky You ring in enamel, diamonds and coloured sapphires. £2,600. www.aishabaker.com Bottom right: Shaun Leane’s yellow gold Vermeil Cherry blossom ring. £250. www.shaunleane.com
Whatever you decide to wear this summer with jewellery, don’t drown it out by wearing over powering colours, keep to monochrome and let the jewels and your own style do the talking.
From 8 July to 4 August 2019 Bulgari Launches Cinemania POP UP Corner Shop at Selfridges
From 8 July to 4 August 2019, Bulgari presents an immersive customer experience, with its pop-up Cinemania boutique. This is sure to be a real show stopper, complete with gourmet popcorn, proceeds of which will go to Save the Children, a charity with which Bulgari has a ten year partnership.
Vincenzo Pujia, European Managing Director, Bulgari, says about this project, “To launch the new Cinemania concept globally in the UK is an absolute privilege, and we are thrilled to have the prestigious Selfridges Corner Shop location in which to bring it to life. The cinema is an incredibly important source of inspiration for Bulgari as is reflected in our creations, namely the new Cinemagia High Jewellery Collection, (launched in June) and Bulgari’s endorsement from stars of the silver screen over the years. This Pop Up celebrates the cinema in original and interactive ways, providing the customer with THE ultimate 360-degree brand experience.”
Extravaganza In Riviera Poster.
The Cinemania concept explores the cinematic universe in many different ways. From its unique retro logo, mimicking the letter boards of movie theatres, to eye-catching windows with the flashing lights of a film premiere, Bulgari’s desire to offer visitors an interactive experience is also showcased through an innovative photo booth concept and a customisable letter board, in front of which customers are invited to take photographs. Unique Bulgari-branded popcorn, in flavours such as truffle, salted caramel and double Belgian chocolate, are also available to purchase. To celebrate this collaboration with Selfridges, Bulgari presents an exclusive jewellery, watch and accessory offering. Through this collection, Bulgari takes customers on a journey through time to the enchanting Italian Riviera in the 60s, where movie producers and stars gathered together to idle in the summer sunshine and enjoy la dolce vita.
This glamorous existence is brought to life through Bulgari’s Limited Edition Serpenti Forever Accessories collection in two of the brand’s best-selling shapes. Making a statement with a pop of electric colour, the collection is this summer season’s must-have. The collection includes six pieces in total, with three bags that depict a lead actress figure, adorned with Bulgari jewels printed on leather entitled “Extravaganza in Riviera”; whilst another three bags focus on a star’s lifestyle behind-the-scenes, featuring charms that include a miniature lipstick, nail polish and a make-up mirror. Limited to 200 pieces, priced at £1,660 and £1,880 respectively, and complete with special edition packaging – these accessories represent the perfect collector’s item and gift.
The Special Edition Serpenti Tubogas Watch in gold and steel reinvents the Maison’s classic with an exquisite guilloche green dial, in a limited edition of 20 pieces, exclusively for Selfridges. This unique timepiece exhibits highly impressive craftsmanship, with the wearer in mind; five metres of gold and steel wires are wound by hand around a spring to ensure flexibility and comfort.
Bulgari- Special Edition Serpenti Tubogas Watch. £8,900.
“Green matches perfectly with our history. As a Roman jeweller, we’ve always worked with precious stones and more specifically with emeralds,” explains Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Director of the Bulgari Watches Design Centre.
Bulgari will have a worldwide preview of two necklaces from the brand’s best-selling line: Divas’ Dream. The necklaces, featuring designs in rose gold, diamonds, mother-of-pearl and carnelian are set to launch globally in September, however, they are available exclusively in Selfridges from July to mark this exciting collaboration.
13th September – 22nd September Mayflower Park. Southampton
Britain’s biggest festival of boating, will return from Friday 13 September to Sunday 22 September 2019. Set against a stunning backdrop of some of the world’s most luxurious and innovative boats, the Southampton show boasts Europe’s largest purpose-built marina hosting thousands of guests and businesses over 10 days full of action and entertainment for all.
Featuring live music, interactive attractions and the latest technological innovations, the show offers visitors the perfect opportunity to indulge their passion for all things nautical while meeting like-minded people. Whether you’re a watersports enthusiast, boating beginner or a seasoned pro, there is something for everyone.
Visitors Enjoying Last Year’s Show
With a host of beautifully designed boats and products from over 600 global marine brands, 2019 will be the biggest Southampton Boat Show yet. Key features at this year’s show include:
Try-a-Boat – come aboard with the opportunity to glide through the waters in a high-speed RIB or float across the Solent under sail. Tall Ship Shtandart – a replica of the 1703 frigate built by Peter the Great, Shtandart’s decks will offer visitors a unique opportunity to learn all about the history behind this famous ship. Ocean Scene Mini Cruise – fully equipped with sundecks and bars, the Ocean Scene is the show’s very own mini cruise ship.
Andark Try-a-Dive – if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater, the Andark Try-a-Dive tank is your opportunity to experience a whole new world. Radio Sailing Pool –all visitors are invited to race their very own Dragon 65 yacht alongside other models, competing against family and friends in this hugely popular shore-based activity.
Get Afloat – from dinghy sailing to paddle-boarding, try something new or sharpen your existing watersports skills with the expertise of the Rockley Watersports team on hand. A practical boating stage – for both beginners and enthusiasts, take this opportunity to meet some of the biggest sailing personalities and learn skills and insights first-hand ahead of your next nautical adventure.
Virtual Sailing – in partnership with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), experience the thrill of competing against other visitors and users from around the world in a virtual reality experience to see if you’ve got what it takes. Rum & Gin Bar – relax and unwind with a rum or gin cocktail, tasting opportunities and demonstrations on offer. Seaside Storytime Ship – Listen to magical stories of on the water adventures and join readers from Southampton’s libraries.
Visitors Exploring One Of The Many Sunseekers.
The Southampton International Boat Show, sponsored by Borrow A Boat has acted as the launch-pad for boating legends, as well as being the platform for the evolution of ground-breaking technology and tracking the rise of global marine brands.
Several environmental initiatives were launched last year, including a dynamic three-year pledge to move away from single use plastics, serve only sustainable fish, and continue to recycle waste wherever possible. Building of the success in 2018, show organisers are introducing a number of additional commitments for this year’s event:
A beach clean-up operation open to members of the public in the build-up to the Show, to help protect and support the iconic coastal habitat and wildlife; and an Environmental Award will be launched at this year’s show to recognise brands who have gone above and beyond to reduce their environmental impact and introduce sustainable working practices.
With Prince Harry becoming a father for the first time, I thought it only appropriate to write a guide on how to really spoil daddy on Father’s Day that would suitable for a prince.
If your dad is anything like mine, then waking him up with a fresh cup of real coffee is a really good idea. Lavazza have just brought out their latest expresso machine, the DESÉA, with a really cool design and Lavazza’s world class blend of coffee, a total winner to start Father’s Day. The latest edition to the popular A Modo Mio family, and created for a new generation of coffee lovers, the DESÉA combines clever technology and ease of use with elegant design, making it a kitchen must-have.
Retailing at £199 and with five pre-programmed milk recipes (Cappuccino, Cappuccino Large, Latte Macchiato, Hot Milk Froth and Cold Milk Froth), four different serves and an innovative One Touch Barista interface, the DESÉA offers a uniquely personalised coffee experience at the touch of a button. Equipped with superior technology, the DESÉA is the quietest A Modo Mio system coffee maker yet. It also uses the exclusive foaming method patented by Lavazza and has an alert system for simple and intuitive daily maintenance which communicates directly with consumers to ensure excellence for every cup.
If this year your dad is having a big birthday, maybe you can go the extra mile and whisk him away for the weekend to a Maserati Driving Course, giving mummy a couple of well deserved days off . For 2019 the Master Maserati Driving Courses offer no fewer than five formats with different thrilling experiences at the wheel of Trident cars, the Maserati Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Levante models. All the courses aim at improving participants’ driving skills and style thanks to constant coaching by professional drivers in the role of instructors.
Courses are open to all enthusiasts of the Maserati world – not just to those who already own a Maserati. Four types of courses focus on circuit driving at the Riccardo Paletti track at Varano de’ Melegari, just 20 minutes from Parma. The 2.3 km circuit features the famous ‘Ferro di Cavallo’ (horseshoe) bend, which tests drivers’ skills to the full and combines outstanding technical characteristics with highly professional support facilities.
In addition to the Master Maserati Driving Courses held at Varano de’ Melegari, other formats have been created over the years at different locations, such as the Master Maserati Ice & Snow at Cortina d’Ampezzo, St Moritz and Arjeplog in Sweden (just 70 km from the Arctic Circle). These courses offer participants the chance to perfect their driving skills and appreciate Maserati cars’ outstanding performances in extreme environments with slippery road surfaces.
Now, if like me, you’ve been naughty and depleted daddy’s wine cellar over the years, then who better to help you replenish it than Wine Source?
Wine Source is a global premium wine supplier. It came in to existence with the vision of providing clients with the best wines – sourced directly from top châteaux and domaines – alongside specialist consultancy from world-class trade professionals. They work closely with the world’s top hotels and restaurants, as well as directly with private clients. They cansource rare and specific vintages directly from the cellars of the most highly regarded wine producers in the world. Its team is made up of highly experienced fine wine merchants and sommeliers from Michelin-starred restaurants. For this occasion, they have helped us put together two rather exciting selections of wine.
Collection 1
1 x sparkling: Frederic Savart, Le Mont Benoit, Ecueil Premier Cru, Extra Brut 2015, £70. Silky, immaculate, very special… 95% Pinot Noir champagne. 2 x white ‘The Burgundians’: One Patrick Piuze, Chablis 1er Cru Les Butteaux 2018. £38, an intensely mineral Chablis from this cult winemaker. The other one is Domaine Pierre Morey, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2015, £21, a gorgeous white Burgundy from a ripe vintage. 3 x red ‘The Pinots Noir’: The first is Tyler, Pinot Noir ’Dierberg Vineyard Block 5’, Santa Maria Valley 2015, £37. An elegant, ethereal Pinot Noir by Justin Willett, one of the most exciting winemakers in all California. The second is Weingut Knipser, Spätburgunder Burgweg, Grosses Gewächs, 2014, £38. ‘Grosses Gewächs’ is the German ‘Grand Cru’ – acclaimed Pinot from one of the Pfalz’s finest estates. Finally, Philippe Pacalet, Nuits-St-Georges 2014, £60, a seriously good red Burgundy from a bold, progressive, bon vivant winemaker.
Collection 2
1 x sparkling: Champagne Eric Rodez, Blanc de Noirs, Grand Cru NV, £40. A flagship cuvée from the godfather of Champagne, Eric Rodez. 2 x white ‘The Sauvignons’: Our first choice is Domaine Gitton, Sancerre ‘Galinot’ 2016 £30, simply excellent Sancerre from one of the finest vineyards in the region. The second is Massican, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2017, £23, a different take on Sauvignon Blanc – cool, delicious and dry. 3 x red ‘Bordeaux style’: First, Château Quinault L’Enclos, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2014, £36, a classic Bordeaux from a superb vintage, made by the Château Cheval Blanc team. Second, Normandie Estate 1693, Eisen & Viljoen, Paarl 2013, £45, a rich, layered Cabernet-Merlot blend from a beautiful South African estate. Last, The Mascot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012, £90, a super California Cabernet with superb pedigree from the venerable Harlan family.
If dad is feeling peckish, why not take him to the Perrier Jouet Champagne bar at Harrods? Located on the 4th floor, it runs the full length of the South West Side of the world’s most famous department store. I usually start with Harrods’s hand picked oysters, or if I am feeling really naughty their house caviar. Being Father’s Day, I suggest you have it all and order one of their divine Seafood Platers. At £75, the Moyen is great if it is just the two of you sharing, but if you are making this a family affair, then do order the Grande. Sadly, the platters do not come with caviar, so I would order a little as an extra treat.
www.harrods.com Open 11.30am – 20.00 Monday to Friday and till 18.00 Saturday & Sunday.
This may not be for all men, but I am in love with Lalique’s first ever men’s jewellery collection. Following on the success of its sublime cufflinks, Lalique brings L’Homme Alpha, a collection that plays on a striped motif, with a satin and repolished finish – signature work of the House – which perfectly highlights the graphic lines of the black crystal motif with its contrasting matte and brilliant effects. This collection features three sterling silver jewels (pendant, ring and bracelet) and two accessories in palladium-plated metal (tie clip and cufflinks) to introduce this definitely masculine new chapter. With more men wearing more than just a watch and signet ring, why should Mummy have all the fun?
Last, don’t forget to take your father to have his shoes shined at the Burlington Arcade, one of the world’s most iconic, luxury shopping arcades, which this year celebrates its 200th anniversary. While dad is getting his shoes done, you could venture into Ladurée to buy a scrumptious box of macaroons, which he could enjoy at home, while reading the Sunday papers.
Father’s Day – Lalique bracelet L’HOMME ALPHA NOIR.
Fifty years on from his award-winning documentary Black Sheep, Simon de Burton profiles the inimitable Alan Whicker.
It takes guts to sit in front of a dictator, judged by many to be the most evil man on the planet, and point out the dichotomy between his role as a doctor of medicine and the fact that he was responsible for ordering the deaths of an estimated 30,000 of his island’s citizens.
But, when it came to asking all the wrong questions, no man could get away with it more easily than the ice-cool journalist Alan Whicker, whose affable manner, effortless charm and impeccable tailoring were the only weapons he needed in order to disarm characters such as the murderous Papa Doc Duvallier, Haiti’s infamous ‘president for life’ about whom Whicker made his award-winning documentary ‘Black Sheep.’
That was exactly 50 years ago, since when few television reporters have come close to matching Whicker’s ability to bring the more remarkable aspects of the world and some of its most interesting characters right into the living rooms of the far less travelled and much more average. That said, he enjoyed a substantial head start on today’s makers of fly-on-the-wall documentaries such as Louis Theroux and Stacey Dooley by dint of the fact that, when the first, short ‘Whicker’s World’ was broadcast in 1958, the concept of the package holiday was only just getting off the ground. Democratised air travel was years away and the ‘virtual reality’ of the internet was beyond anyone’s imagination.
Alan Whicker at The Pomme d’Or Hotel in April 1982.
As a result, the majority of Whicker’s UK viewers had never left the country, meaning they were more than ready to travel the world vicariously, with him as their decidedly articulate tour guide whose colourful, lilting descriptions were delivered with impeccable timing, subtle satire and an exquisite appreciation of irony (in fact, I can almost hear him speaking that very sentence). From quizzing John Paul Getty for the first, in-depth ‘Whicker’s World’ in 1963 – ‘The Solitary Billionaire,’ in which the subject admits to wishing he had a ‘better personality’ and justifies installing a pay phone in his Surrey mansion for the use of house guests, despite his $4 billion fortune – to meeting John and Eleanor Alliston, who, for 38 years, had lived alone on the remote Three Hummock Island off the north coast of Tasmania, Whicker never changed his easy style, yet managed to adapt perfectly to every situation.
Who else, one wonders, could have persuaded the enclosed and silent order of Poor Clare nuns to be caught on camera playing football in their habits? Or created an entirely compelling film about the three-mile long Polynesian island of Nauru that became the richest republic in the world by selling the phosphate dust that covered it – and staged regular ‘bubutsi’ days during which inhabitants were allowed to enter fellow islanders’ homes and help themselves to any object they fancied? Whicker visited them all, always arriving as a model of sartorial elegance in a perfectly cut suit or gilt-buttoned blazer, teamed with just the right accessories, shirt cuffs protruding the regulation inch beyond the sleeves of his jacket, moustache neatly trimmed, hair brilliantined into abeyance and blue eyes glinting from behind the generous lenses of his trademark, horn-rimmed spectacles.
When conditions really demanded it – such as while interviewing the self-proclaimed ‘world’s best writer’ Harold Robbins aboard his yacht in the south of France – Whicker would don suitably casual linens and sometimes even shorts. Otherwise, he saw no reason to abandon his trademark Doug Hayward two-piece, even when mingling with the hippies in San Francisco during the ‘summer of love’ or meeting English ex-pats who had made new lives for themselves in Australia after taking advantage of the so-called ‘£10 Poms’ assisted migration scheme.
Rarely, of course, was Whicker lost for words – although his propensity to flirt with attractive women interviewees almost caught him out during his second full-length documentary, about Baroness Fiona Thyssen.
“Have you run out of things to ask me?” said the ‘Model Millionairess’ as she tried on some of her fabulously valuable jewellery for the benefit of a clearly mesmerised Whicker. “No,” he replied after a brief hiatus. “I’m just having such a nice time…”
Indeed, ‘nice times’ seemed to make up the bulk of Whicker’s professional life, after he found his niche, while serving with the Eighth Army’s Film and Photo unit during WWII. He made his military mark by interviewing Field Marshal Montgomery, arresting the fascist traitor John Amery and, after being among the first allied soldiers to enter Milan, single-handedly taking into cus- tody a German general and his entire unit – seconding a trunk-full of cash set-aside for the SS payroll in the process.
After the war, Whicker edited the Army newspaper ‘Union Jack’ in Venice before returning to England to work for the Exchange Telegraph news agency that sent him on assignment, first to Cairo and then to report on the Korean War – where he is said to have irritated the bedraggled American correspondents with his insistence on maintaining a daily shaving routine and donning crimson pyjamas at bed time. While in Korea, he was mistakenly reported killed after an aircraft identical to the one in which he had been travelling was shot down – a misapprehension he soon corrected in typical Whicker style with a three-word telex that stated simply: ‘Unkilled, uninjured, on-pressing’.
In 1957, having returned to regular civilian life in London, Whicker joined the television magazine programme, ‘Tonight’ for which he filed his first, peripatetic reports, about unusual people and interesting subjects, that were to form the basis for the longer documentaries that soon made him a household name. By 1982, he was able to produce a programme called ‘Whicker’s World – The First Million Miles’ having circumnavigated the globe an estimated 97 times.
Alan Whicker arrives to take part in Channel Television’s 10th birthday celebrations and is greeted at the airport by C.T.V.’s John Rothwell. (later Senator Rothwell) Picture taken 11.30 am Friday 1st September. 1972.
Paradoxically, however, Whicker had by then been settled on the tiny Channel island of Jersey for more than a decade, a place he moved to with his long-standing companion, the photographer Valerie Kleeman, after contracting ‘island-itis’ (his word for a love of island life) during his first visit to Norfolk Island in 1960. His relationship with Kleeman was considerably more stable than the one he endured with his previous lover, the eccentric socialite Olga Deterding who, having inherited a useful £50 million from her father, petroleum tycoon Sir Henri, could easily have qualified as Whicker’s World subject matter. The couple became engaged and stayed together from 1966 – 69, but a combination of Whicker’s regular absence due to work and Deterding’s personal problems (including eating disorders, an addiction to tranquilisers and suicidal tendencies) drove them apart. For a while, Whicker was the sole beneficiary of her will – but she changed it before choking to death on a nightclub sandwich in 1978.
By then, however, Whicker was more than capable of standing on his own two, financial feet and fitted in seamlessly with the low-key millionaires of Jersey. Wafting around in his beloved ‘dawn blue’ Bentley Continental, he socialised with the great and the good of the island, ranging from its most influential legal and financial professionals to the television cook Fanny Cradock and her brow-beaten husband, Johnnie. Indeed, so successful had Whicker become that he was once been the largest shareholder in Yorkshire Television and was discovered, by means of a poll conducted by advertising agency J. Walter Thompson, to have been ‘the most envied man in Britain’.
Perhaps the ultimate endorsement of his fame came, however, when he was parodied on the comedy show Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The ‘Whicker Island’ sketch featured a tropical paradise inhabited solely by well- dressed Whicker clones, a skit that inspired ‘Whicker conventions’ where lookalikes would gather in his honour. And so familiar was his face that he was recruited to front television commercials for American Express and Barclaycard and, as the Internet age blossomed, AOL appointed him their world-wide travel ambassador – not realising, until they sent an envoy to Jersey to meet him, that he not only didn’t own a computer but had never even tried to use one.
But a lack of modern technology proved no drawback to the veteran broadcaster, who continued to live with Kleeman in their £5m, clifftop home ‘Mont d’Olivet’ until the great man died in July 2013 at the age of 87 – leaving the world that was Whicker’s a noticeably emptier place.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Bentley Beyond’s first exclusive collection of precious fragrances.Three new fragrances make up the collection. Voyages have been part of ‘Bentley Motors’ identity since its founder, Owen Bentley, at the tender age of 14, cycled an astounding 130 miles from London to Norfolk in a single day.
He would later describe the joy of independent travel as “one of man’s fundamental longings.” The Collection explores extraordinary landscapes and an infinite spectrum of colours as each fragrance turns into a thought-provoking emotional adventure and a different journey. The precious aromatic ingredients chosen, vividly conjure up exotic destinations. Each fragrance of Bentley Beyond translates a voyage into a scent.
These fragrances have been composed by three rising young master perfumers: Mathilde Bijaoui, Julie Masse and Sidonie Lancesseur
Bentley’s Exotic Musk fragrances.
The first fragrance, Exotic Musk, will transport you to the millionaires’ playground of Acapulco. This legendary Mexican resort brings memories of Hollywood glamour. Exotic Musk is a silky haze with notes of amber wood and Tonka bean. It surrounds you with the promise of sensual passion on a dark Acapulco night. Mathilde Bijaoui has used the seed of the Cumaru tree, one of the new world’s most treasured additions to the perfumer’s pallet, and with this fragrance, rich in almond scent, has created a fragrance which is like being wrapped in velvet and as soft as a balmy tropical breeze.
Bentley’s – Majestic Cashmere fragrance.
The second, Majestic Cashmere, transports you to Goa, on the edge of the Indian Ocean. It’s as if you are being carried by magic carpet to the island’s lush, tropical beaches. Goa has long been the haven for the Bohemian chic. Julie Masse has woven precious ingredients from all over the world into a timeless Indian treasure, as rich and beautiful as the country itself. Julie embroiders together the powdery orris absolute and ambrette, a musk drawn from hibiscus seeds, which offsets the main note of Cashmere wood. With patchouli, resinous incense and smoky vetiver Bourbon it bolsters the deep woody accord, softened with Tonka Bean. This fragrance is so lush and warm it feels like being enveloped by the softest and finest cashmere.
Bentley’s Wild Vetiver fragrance.
The last, but by no means the least, is Wild Vetiver, created by Sidonie Lancesseur. Again, we are transported to a faraway land, this time, Java. Vetiver essence is rich, a perfume in itself. Wild Vetiver has citrusy facets and is enhanced with top notes of bergamot and pepper, while verbena adds its green anise-based sweetness to the mix. Vetiver’s smoky mineral notes blend with a subtle accord of birch amber wood, bringing the scent to a stunning elegance, as deep and dark as the volcanic earth of Java.
If the fragrances themselves were not masterpieces in their own right, Bentley has designed three majestic flacons; each one reflecting the luxury codes of the marque. Drawing on the expertise of Bentley Motors design studio, the designers have created a majestic faceted flacon, inspired by the signature cut-crystal glass headlights of the Continental GT. Each 400-gramme bottle is engraved with the legendary ‘Flying B’ logo and finished with a handstitched leather cap that reprises the interior of a Bentley car.
Awning designer Markilux, internationally renown for their timeless designs and top quality products, have launched a new cassette awning to rev up summer, the MX-3.
With its casual round shape, Markilux emulates the soft curves and diversity of colour found in nature, and combines them with the best technology to develop this gracefully curved, colourful design.
Before, awnings often were broadly striped fabric panels that received little attention while hanging across the patio. Today, on the other hand, quality awnings bring high-tech and design to your home. The components remind of the shapes of curved and A. Just as in the case of the MX-3. The new slim cassette awning shows how components can merge in a playful way. The side profiles of the model flow with soft curves into the elongated profile that closes the awning housing at the front.
A new awning revs up summer: the MX-3 from markilux. With its soft curves and the coloured front profile, the awning catches the eye and brings modern chic to your patio and balcony.
Design for shape enthusiasts The awning received a colourful front profile to turn the sweeping ensemble of round and square an even greater eye-catcher. As continuous ribbon, it picks up the arched shaped of the side caps with great skill. You can choose from eight accent colours and match them to the pattern of the awning cover. The frame is also available in different colours. Thus, the awning presents itself as an exciting mix of shape and colour lending the facade casual chic. It provides shade not only for patios but also for balconies. With a height of just twelve centimetres, the housing of the awning fits well below a balcony roof.
High-tech at its finest In addition to the curved design, the MX-3 also offers a new light option. Below the awning, you can attach an LED-Line or LED-Spots. They illuminate the cassette and the façade in the evening, with an accentuated band of light or with light beams. I personally love this feature, that solves the common problem of appropriate outdoors lightening, not to mention the fact that you can add dimmable infrared heathers and weather sensors.
The high-tech mechanism extends and retracts the awning cover smoothly. The brackets for wall and ceiling are hardly noticeable since they are covered by sealing caps. To operate the awning, you can choose from manual or radio-controlled motor operation. The integration in a home automation system is also possible. The small awning with a maximum width of six metres and three metres of depth provides a wide area with shade. According to Markilux, the MX-3 unites highest standards from the in-house development centre and shows itself at its best for summer.
Spring is a time for rebirth, as gardens come back to life and burst into bloom after the long deep winter sleep. So, what better time of the year to celebrate Mother’s Day? We all know how much love mothers give and how much they sacrifice for us. Once a year, the whole nation comes together to celebrate these incredible women.
I have always thought that the spring is a feast for the senses; the innocent white of snow drops, the riot of colour of crocuses, with their vibrant yellows and purples; and the heavenly scent of hyacinths. This year I decided that I wanted to embrace the colours of spring and use them to create the perfect Mother’s Day celebration. So, with spring in mind, my first thoughts were flowers. I knew exactly who would be the perfect florist, Paul Hawkins. Paul has been passionate about flowers from an early age, hugely influenced by his parents’ beautiful garden in Sussex.
With his incredible eye and creative genius, Paul has become one of today’s most innovative, likable and sought-after florists. Word of mouth and personal recommendations have been the driving force behind his success. His impressive list of clients includes Ivana Trump, Hermès, The Savoy, Claridge’s, Michael and Shakira Caine and Mandarin Oriental.
Paul’s ethos is simple, give wonderful service and outstanding quality. I can’t think of a mother in the world who would not feel totally spoilt having Paul or one of his dedicated team members deliver one of his heavenly floral creations. If you want to make it just that little bit extra special, why not ask Paul to create a floral design around one of his beautifully scented candles? My favourite has to be the Rose & Tuberose.
An overnight case is essential in any woman’s wardrobe, for that last minute weekend away, to relax from everyday motherly responsibilities. The SS19 Collection Riviera by Globe Trotter is perfect. This divine range of luggage has been inspired by the sun washed pastels of Mediterranean coastal villages and the glistening blue of the sea, from Saint Tropez to Portofino. GlobeTrotter’s new colours for this collection include Citrus Yellow, Pink Lemonade and Ocean Blue. All the pieces are available either in a brand new stripe option or solid colour. The corners and leather straps are a stunning ivory. Rumour has it that they are flying out of the door so don’t wait till just before the Cannes Film Festival to get yours.
If you are thinking of spoiling your mother with some truly luxurious skin care, I recommend you go to the SISLEY counter at Harrods and get Sisleÿa L’Integral Anti-Age Anti-Wrinkle Serum. It encourages the production of collagen and helps skin cell structures thanks to its unique active ingredients (Persian Acacia extract, Lindera extract and a yeast and soy protein complex). The serum has a wonderfully light texture and provides an immediate sensation of freshness and lift. I found that, after just a week of using it, my skin felt smoother and my wrinkles and fine lines had visibly reduced. It simply one of the best anti-age serums on the market. You don’t have to be a mummy to start using, it’s just one of those must have products.
Following the spring theme, my next choices come from Guerlain’s new Spring Collection. First, the Météorites Highlighter Duo. It unites holographic pink and lilac, which perfectly capture the light and creates a fresh and easy-to-use strobing effect. It is a surprising ultra-fine powder, but as soon as you put it on it becomes soft and creamy on your skin; you just need to gently brush it over the curves of your face and with a few delicate strokes, you are left with a shimmering fairy light finish perfect for a fresh spring look day or night. I wouldn’t leave home without it.
The lipsticks from Guerlain’s KissKiss range perfectly complement the Météorites Highlighter tones. They come in five fresh shades that subtly seem to reshape your lips. There are three variations of satiny pink and two holographic pastels for highlighter addicts, Lilac Moon and Peach Star. In the lipstick itself, a crescent moon and stars have been etched, making them that little extra special.
Meteorites Highlighter Duo £45 Limited edition KissKiss Lipstick £29.50
www.guerlain.com
After all this shopping, a champagne afternoon tea is a must. Where better than The Café Royal, which won the award for best Traditional Afternoon Tea in the UK, at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2017/2018.
Tea has been around for thousands of years. It was the Victorians though who conceived the concept of afternoon tea. It was to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. This new-found tradition gave high society a new past time, looking for the finest afternoon tea in London.
This year marks the 200-year anniversary of afternoon tea. It also marks the 200th anniversary of one of the most beloved British monarchs, Queen Victoria. The Café Royal wanted to mark the occasion and pay homage to this tradition and the Empress herself. The Queen of Afternoon Tea features dishes, ingredients and production techniques that came into fashion during Queen Victoria’s reign, and is inspired by her life, influence and personal favourites. As our tea was being served, the wonderful Archi talked us through the history and significance of each of the beautifully presented delights, from the truffle inspired ham hock to the well-known Victoria sponge cakes.
Afternoon tea is served in the Oscar Wilde Lounge. Not only is this a stunning room, opulently decorated with large mirror panels and gilded ceiling and panels, but it is also seeped with history. It is in this very room that Oscar Wilde fell in love with Lord Alfred Douglas, Aubrey Beardsley debated with Whistler, David Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust and Mick Jagger, the Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor danced the night away. Dating back to 1865 and formerly known as the Grill Room, the gilded room was renamed in honour of one of their most famous patrons, thus becoming the Oscar Wilde Lounge.
Queen of Afternoon Tea is £55 per head, £65 with a class of Veuve Cliquot.
It was a quiet afternoon in San Sebastian, the time of the day when most of the locals were indulging in that ancient Spanish practice called siesta, while many of the visitors were taking in the sights, strolling along the esplanade or relaxing at the beach.
The doormen at the town’s grand hotel – the Maria Cristina – were enjoying the lull as guests had already either checked in or were not ready for the late departures. The air was gentle, the mood almost soporific…when suddenly whoosh! A new Bentley Continental GT Convertible with UK number plates pulled up, and three blondes in various stages of untidiness tumbled out…a cluster of bags, suitcases and paraphernalia awaited in the boot to be collected and a dog lead was thrust at a bellboy. For while Annie needed water, her two companions needed something a little stronger while they checked in.
It had been a long drive, indeed one could say it had been an adventure; and all because a newly acquired car needed to be put through its paces, so that its owner could discover its capabilities. Her last two cars had been Bentleys, but this was the first convertible…and with it, came a desire to take to the open road. A sort of Thelma and Louise but…with dog! Fret ye not, no banks were robbed, no guns were waved and no cliffs were ever in sight…just a romp through France stopping and staying wherever took our fancy…but with one proviso, everywhere we stopped had to be dog friendly. Oddly, not everywhere was…so some serious forward planning became necessary. Mostly we kept to it…but with certain, and serious deviations, such as San Sebastian, which was not on our original list at all but here we were – windblown and excitable in the foyer of the Maria Cristina – ready to bathe, party and explore.
We were Sara, owner of mutt and motor, me, friend and chronicler and Annie, the passenger princess. Normally, she travels in the front with her mistress, but as this was a new machine opened to the elements, she preferred to sprawl in the back – carefully harnessed and belted of course. In her short life, Annie has travelled extensively and mostly within the confines of the UK isles. She has occasionally taken a tube train but has hardly ever been on a bus, which is surprising really, as she likes to be driven. However, her preferred mode of transport is a limo. In fact, this is how she began her travelling life from a remote Greek island, and needless to say, this is how she is determined to continue. She is not a particularly pampered pooch, but she does have standards. Which is why, when the family who found her had to return to the UK by EasyJet, she didn’t turn a hair, as she immediately knew such transport was not for her. Washed and brushed, inoculated and micro-chipped, she waited first for a ferry and then a car, before embarking on the journey that was going to transform her life from little Orphan Annie to Annie Onassis, a four legged blonde residing in Chelsea.
3 blondes-Hotel. Maria-Cristina San Sebastian.
Unsurprisingly, she has taken to her new life like the proverbial creature she chases in the park, to water. And she is a near perfect passenger, the only one of we three not to get agitated when we appeared to be circling Paris, on its interminable ring road, two or three times. This is where I have to admit that my navigational skills are zilch, the other two blondes knew this before we left home. Even with the additional skill set of Google maps, we found the ‘peripherique’ a little trying. And while the design and accoutrements of the aforementioned new Bentley Continental are almost peerless, its sat-nav is not easily manageable (or perhaps my driver’s knowledge of its workings were faulty). Mostly, we found Google maps on our mobiles easier to follow…apart from one occasion when we had different directions coming from both mobiles, and a third from the car sat-nav!
In general, we managed to get to the places we needed to without too much of a hitch. Although it was sad that we finally got to Orleans in time to see that all the restaurants had closed, and our shabby-chic château guest house didn’t provide food. We eventually found a pizza joint next to a service station, which at first would not allow Annie through the door, but we pleaded so much and looked so pathetic that they agreed to let us sit at the table closest to the door. Weird in a totally empty restaurant… weirder still in la Belle France, where they claim to love ‘les chiens.’
The only other place from which she was banished was at the bar in the Maria Cristina. We, at that stage were in full Thelma and Louise mode and refused to obey…simply agreeing to hide her under the table while we had a late supper under the watchful eyes of Bette Davis, whose portrait looms over the place. There is even a suite dedicated to the movie queen – another blonde – as it claims to be the place where she smoked her last cigarette before being rushed to Paris, where she died. Nothing so dramatic happened during our sojourn, although Annie broke cover at one stage, giving an uncharacteristic growl at a waiter, since in general, she was feted by all the bellboys who walked her, gave her fresh water and the occasional treat.
In truth, she rather enjoyed San Sebastian even though we couldn’t let her loose on the beach – all that sand on the 500 thread count sheets on our return would not have been appreciated…, neither would it have been in the car among the cream leather, so she was kept on her lead there and also while we sashayed through San Juan da Luz on our way to lunch. But she was thrilled to really let her hair down when we stopped off to see friends, just south of Bordeaux, where she had acres of garden and farmland to explore, as well as several cats to chase. Annie spent the rest of that afternoon asleep, relaxed and splayed out in the sunshine, as we headed south. Who knows how many cats she caught in her dreams, while we complained again about the sat-nav, while looking forward to our next pit stop. In fact, Annie is a nearly ideal travelling companion, making friends along the way, introducing us to puddles and parks and never once complaining. Perhaps we’ll plan another journey.
