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 […]
Will Odell’s Cambré Collection By Lavinia Dickson-Robinson
At the tender age of 35, the very talented jewellery designer William Odell has once again surprised us with a heavenly new collection, the Cambré. Inspired by the grace and movement of the eponymous ballet move, which is at the centre of almost any ballet piece, the Cambré collection takes one beautiful art form and translates it into ballet inspired masterpieces.
Will has the talent to capture in his jewellery pieces the sublime movement and beauty that you would expect from a prima ballerina, the simple lines and the shapes created as the dancers curve and twist, flowing into elegant and graceful silhouettes. All the pieces Will has created for this outstanding collection show a gentle magic of simplicity and true beauty. As always, his designs can be part of everyday life, giving enduring pleasure to those who wear them.
As a true artisan, each of his pieces lovingly crafted to reveal clean lines and a tactile quality which is created by using traditional techniques with a divine contemporary twist. I would be honoured to wear his jewellery anywhere, to me they are must-have pieces.
If you could imagine the beauty of Margo Fonteyn in her stunning performance as Sylvia in 1952 (La nymphe de Diane), you would, like me, picture her ears delicately twinkling with Will Odell’s stunning diamond earrings “Cascade”. They twirl in the light like tiny ballerinas in their own right. If rings are your passion, then the Grace ring II is an absolute must, simple, elegant and I´d dare say almost definitely designed with her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco in mind.
So my beautiful ladies, wish upon a star and hope that before summer comes to an end, your husband, lover or boyfriend will turn up with a little box from Will Odell.
Bringing sailing to young people from all backgrounds
The third week of July, like every year, the old port of Cowes on the Isle of Wight and the legendary Solent – the strait separating the island from the mainland, famous for its unique and challenging combination of winds and tides – has played host to Panerai British Classic Week. More than 50 classic boats set to join the racing, providing a breathtaking spectacle for onlookers.
In honour of its historic links to the sea, Officine Panerai has promoted classic sailing culture for many years through its sponsorship of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the leading international circuit for these vintage craft. In 2007, the company also acquired and restored the Bermudan ketch Eilean. Built-in 1936 by the legendary Fife yard at Fairlie in Scotland, she is now the brand’s ambassador at vintage and classic boat rallies and regattas.
As part of the celebrations during this exciting week, the Italian luxury watchmaker, together with the Royal Yachting Association’s Onboard programme announced the winner of the first edition of the Panerai Challenger Trophy, designed to promote equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds.
Started in 2005, the OnBoard programme is giving over half a million young people in Britain the opportunity to try sailing and windsurfing over ten years. To date, over 600,000 OnBoard beginner sessions have been run across the country, with more than 68,000 young people taking up sailing or windsurfing on a regular basis.
Philippe de Saint-Lager, Panerai Brand Director UK, said: “We are delighted with the first edition of the Panerai Challenger Trophy. Our partners in the project, the RYA, received a great number of applications from all over the country. Narrowing it down to the finalists, and then choosing the winner was a hard task; each and every story was inspiring and showed how sailing has the power to positively impact young lives. Panerai has a strong link to the sea and meeting the new generation of talented sailors and seeing their potential was a great addition to the work we do through the sponsorship of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.”
This year’s winner, 18-year-old Nicola Stockdale, sails at the Debdale Outdoor Centre in Manchester. As part of the Panerai Challenger Trophy, RYA OnBoard clubs and training centres across England were encouraged to nominate a young sailor who has overcome physical, economic or social challenges to achieve a significant milestone in sailing or windsurfing. Of the 40 entries received, Nicola Stockdale stood out to the judges as a key volunteer at the Debdale Outdoor Centre in Manchester, where she works every Saturday morning.
Over the last two years Nicola has spent more than 500 hours at the Debdale Outdoor Centre. She works with younger children, encouraging them to take up mentoring roles, and she has now acquired an assistant-instructor qualification, while also juggling her A-Level studies.
Panerai-Challengers with Ian Walker, David Murrin, Philippe de Saint Lager and Sarah Treseder.
Nicola and the three runners-up were celebrated during the first of what will be an annual awards dinner at the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron. Ian Walker, one of Britain’s most successful sailors and the recipient of two Olympic silver medals, gave an inspirational speech congratulating the four finalists on their achievements in inspiring the next generation of sailors and windsurfers. At the end of the evening, Nicola was presented with the Panerai Challenger Trophy, created by acclaimed designer Russell Pinch, whose work is known for its celebration of simplicity of form, the purity of its uncluttered elegance and its emotional connection with the elements around us.
It was a wonderful evening, full of emotion and hope for the next generation of sailors. Nicola actually shed a little tear when receiving the Award:
“I’m shocked, there are 3 other people here who could have won the Award. Getting to know them over the past weeks has been brilliant –being an instructor myself, it is very inspiring to see these young kids and how they got through things with the help of sailing.”
Nicola Stockdale & Ian Walker
As part of the prize, Panerai will provide Nicola and her sailing club with funding, demonstrating Panerai’s ongoing support towards the social and inclusive spirit of local sailing and windsurfing clubs. Nicola will receive £5,000 to support her sailing ambitions and her club, Debdale Outdoor Centre, will receive a fund of £10,000. The three runners-up will receive £2,500 each, and their clubs will each receive £5,000. During this 3-year initiative, Panerai has committed to making a total investment of £120,000 to demonstrate the sport’s accessibility and to inspire the next generation of sailors.
Winner of the Cartier Award for jewellery design 2018 (part of the Central Saint Martins BA Jewellery Design Awards), at just 21 years of age, Srishti Shah finds inspiration in the traditional concepts of her Indian roots and combines them with modern styles and digital technology to bring her pieces to the forefront of contemporary jewellery design.
I-M: How did you get into jewellery design?
S.S: Jewellery has been a constant in my environment. Recalling the times I spent watching my parents handle precious stones and jewellery, and explaining the differences between all the various stones made me want to learn more. I started to do creative work outside my education, which lead me to pursue a foundation in art and design at De Montfort University, Leicester.
Furthermore, observing and analyzing pieces of work, and witnessing 2D objects take 3D forms, these are things that have always fascinated me.
S.S: For me as a jeweller, this profession is not just about making stunning pieces; it is ideally about setting my work apart by attaching a personal meaning to the reason of its creation. Jewellery is a mini sculpture made in relation to the body, its detail and the intensity of the ‘making process’ is where I find myself captured.
I-M: What role do your personal experience and emotions play in your creative process?
S.S: The personal factor can be an experience, or even just an incident, which would be commemorated through the piece, activated by the wearer. My roots, heritage and background inspire me; having Indian roots and being born and brought in Belgium allow me to combine traditional concepts with modern styles and digital technology in an appealing manner.
I-M: You mention the 5 core values of Janism as being at the core of your designs. How do you infuse jewellery with that sense of spiritualism?
S.S: My work incorporates such concepts with the aim of not loosing the traditional values. Jainism is the religion my family follows; its 5 core values are very universal, but in our daily lives, we usually forget to keep in mind. Therefore I’ve portrayed that through my brooches. My roots, heritage and background have generally been a key and the starting point of many of my work.
I-M: You have by now some work experience. How has this experience affect your designs? Do you look at your creations in more practical way?
S.S: The practical experience I gained whilst working for a jewellery company and a fashion house has added important value that confirmed my commitment in this field. Jewellery has always motivated me, and in the past 2 years of my BA it has pushed my conceptual thinking and allowed me to experiment new ideas, new materials and numerous contemporary thoughts.
I-M: What does the Cartier Award mean for you and your career?
S.S: Winning the Cartier Award has a great meaning for me, it won’t only teach me different aspects of the trade but also add onto my skills. Cartier is a company that has an outstanding heritage that stretches back over a century, which I respect very much. There heritage, history and individuality is key to their foundation which means a lot to me and is very close to my heart. Their foundation can only help me become a better designer and maker. This internship will improve my skills and further my career as a designer. Getting to intern with Cartier, an esteemed organisation will definitely add to my future ambitions.
S.S: I want to understand the industry in a superior perspective, and develop my technical execution to compliment and enhance the skills that I have already developed. In the future, I aim to combine my experiences with traditional processes to fabricate my own techniques, which will enhance and make my collections unique.
Currently I have just finished my second year of BA Jewellery Design from Central Saint Martins and I hope to pursue a placement year next year before going back to finish my third year at Central Saint Martins.
ABOUT THE CARTIER AWARD
In its 20th consecutive year, Cartier continues their support to young talent through the Cartier Award, part of the Central Saint Martins BA Jewellery Design Awards, which nurture enthusiastic, energetic and talented students who are keen to define the future direction of contemporary jewellery. The students are judged by a highly esteemed panel of industry specialists and along with a financial reward there is the opportunity to work under one of Cartier’s head designers in the Cartier workshop in Paris for a month. Runners-up these year are Wen Ju Tseng and Miho Ishizuka. Previous winners include Head Jewellery Designer at Fabergé, Natalia Shugaeva.
The Côte d’Azur is long established as an area for residential investment and second-home ownership. One of the first modern resorts, it can trace its origins back to its days as a winter retreat for the British upper class, European aristocracy and American captains of industry at the end of the 18th century.
Life on the Côte d’Azur has always been glamorous and desirable, part of an international network of second-home hotspots, but the downturn experienced by the French property market over the last few years, also affected this region and the property sector went through a bit of a slump. However, because demand comes from a global marketplace, its prime residential markets have more in common with other top-tier global city markets than the rest of France.
Source: Savills.
As John Caudwell puts it, “There has been no better time in the past 10 years to invest in the French Riviera. The hyperinflation that characterised the early 2000s has subsided and market prices have now adjusted representing value for money. The property market could be even more attractive to investors, and the French government could and should take steps to encourage investment from high net worth individuals to support the future growth of the Riviera.
Nowhere else in the world can you enjoy both the chic glamour of the Riviera and the unspoilt mountain ranges virtually on your door-step. It is the only way to combine high-living on the coast, with simple living in the breath-taking mountains where you can ski, cycle and enjoy the unbelievable scenery. The location also sets the Riviera apart, with a huge catchment area of holiday makers that can enjoy the unrivalled beauty of the region in just four or five hours travel. It would be one of most people’s favourite holiday destinations, including one of my own.”
So, why the slump? Demand began to slow after 2012 with the election of François Hollande and, after 2014, fell again due to falling commodity prices, sanctions on countries such as Russia and the stalling French economy. After a few years of low transactions, the market is now adjusting to changing buyer demands, a new tax environment and growing global competition.
Currently, supply is high, but conditions are improving. Macron’s government has brought stability and improved international standing and the demand for euro-denominated assets is fuelling interest in the region’s real estate. High levels of prime stock mean a buyer’s market. Discounts on asking prices range between 10% and 30%.
“Comparing to other Mediterranean destinations, The Côte d’Azur is less of a resort and holiday location than Greece, Spain or Italy,” says Jean Claude Caputo, Director of the Savills Private Office in the Riviera region, “in fact, more people come to live permanently and commute with major cities for work. As regards real estate, the area commands higher prices than these other locations but for good reasons and low-interest rates allow attractive purchasing solutions at present.”
Source: Savills
Richard Bosson, Director at the luxury property developers Caudwell collection explains the current market: “The French property market in general has suffered considerably over the last few years, and this has also affected the Côte d’Azur despite its enduring appeal to buyers the world over. We are now seeing a very real recovery which has been particularly pronounced within our portfolio where first class quality, combined with all the facilities necessary for luxury ‘lock up and leave’ living, have driven sales way in excess of the underlying market.”
Caputo shares Bosson’s view: “The Côte d’Azur is the most stable value wise and attractive location in the Southern part of Europe. It gathers multiple lifestyle opportunities for second home purchasers, this combined with very easy access through Nice international airport to any major city in Europe, the Middle East or even the USA. Historically attracting the wealthy and cultured Northern European, Russians and Americans, we now have purchasers from all over the planet spending time in their homes not only in the summer period but all-year. The variety of locations offer multiple lifestyle opportunities to sojourn in a secluded environment, enjoy outstanding views, and take part in more lively lifestyles in one of the towns or sample the extensive shopping venues as well.”
The most active prime segment seems to be that between €3-8million. A younger, international set is emerging and changing the shape of demand in the region. This rising group are aged between 35 and 45, globally mobile, time-sensitive and demand the best, favouring high-specification, ready-to-move-into properties.
Russians and Eastern Europeans are returning to the market, but with lower budgets for purchase, and are increasingly present in the rental markets. Belgians and Scandinavians are important new and fast-growing purchaser groups. British buyers are still present and Middle Easterners remain a force. The French, now largely absent from the top tiers, account for around half of transactions between €2 and €5 million.
Russell Meadows, Commercial Director at Caudwell Collection confirms this trend: “Our buyers’ nationalities are mainly British, French and Russian but we have made sales to Scandinavian and Benelux buyers as well. There is considerable interest emanating from the UK and we expect this trend to continue.”
Despite the desirability of the region as a whole, when looking at investing in real state, there are factors to be considered, as Savill’s Caputo explains: “One needs to target the best locations which are very stable in value, very bankable and allowing as well opportunities to rent seasonally. The risk is to buy in an overlooked environment, near road noise and far from sought after locations, as in this case, the resale and financing could be as well more difficult. It is important when purchasing to be well advised about the tax environment and having the property title checked into details.”
Source: Savills
We have analysed one particular enclave in Côte d’Azur, Cap d’Antibes, a peninsula of 1,200 properties, offering resident privacy, sea views and easy access to Cannes and Nice. Prices range from €2 million to more than €100 million. The most desirable location is the southern tip, known as Billionaire’s Bay, offering bigger plots (some waterfront), with sea views toward Cannes. Prices for villas here exceed €50,000 per sq m. New development is bringing fresh product to Cap d’Antibes, a market otherwise characterised by villas.
In this sought-after area lies Parc du Cap, an upscale gated development of 88 apartments acquired by Caudwell, and listed by Savills French Riviera, which offers residents a range of amenities (including pools, a spa and a tennis court), 24-hour concierge, and private terraces/gardens. It reflects the type of product many buyers seek today: low-maintenance, lock-up-and-leave luxury apartments, within easy walking distance to restaurants and beaches.
Parc du Cap: view from the penthouse private pool.
Another example of all- year- round homes on offer in the €2-5million segment of the market in Cap d’Antibes is Les Oliviers, a development by Caudwell Collection. The site of Les Oliviers belongs to the former attendants’ quarters of Le Provencal, the once glamorous hotel which hosted the likes of the Kennedys, Coco Chanel, Joan Collins and Charlie Chaplin from the 1920s to 1970s. Positioned in a peaceful, secluded enclave of Cap d’Antibes, the original building has been transformed into six exclusive residences, comprised of four two- and three-bedroom apartments, a four-bedroom Duplex with a private pool, and a three bedroom penthouse. The development includes a series of beautifully manicured Provençal style gardens, a shared sundeck and heated outdoor swimming pool.
Living-dining room at Les Oliviers.
In response to the high spec demanded by buyers in the prime segment of the market, all the apartments are equipped with high tech features including programmable ‘Lutron Homeworks system’ controls for mood lighting and security shutters, as well as contemporary interiors, open style French country kitchens and Carrara marble mosaic walled bathrooms. There is 24-hour security and private underground parking.
Russell Meadows, Commercial Director at Caudwell collection establishes the difference between these two “lock & leave” property propositions: “Les Oliviers has similar “lock & leave” characteristics to Parc du Cap as it benefits from 24 hours’ security so residents can feel content that their property will be safe and secure while not in residence. The main difference is the size of the apartments starting from a generous 150 m2 for a 2 bedroom units and their large volumes which create a homely environment suitable for all year round living.”
From its modest beginnings in 1877 as a small event attended by 22 players and 200 spectators – and allegedly only held to raise money to repair a broken pony-roller-, Wimbledon has grown into the world’s most famous tennis tournament. Held at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in a leafy suburb of south-west London, today’s Championships welcomes over 700 of the world’s top players, is attended by nearly half a million spectators and watched or listened to by an estimated global audience of 1 billion people across 200 territories.
Unfortunately Andy Murray is not taking part this year but we still have some of our most beloved players among the favourites to win the men’s title: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Meanwhile Serena Williams is the huge favourite to win the women’s title for an eighth time. But Wimbledon is not just about watching tennis. The festive mood is everywhere and sponsoring brands like Lavazza, Lanson and many others do all they can to keep attendees entertained. It is not only Pimm’s and strawberries anymore!
Lanson kicked off the start of the tournament hosting a star-studded party, with celebrities like news presenter Kay Burley and designer Ozwald Boateng. Many of Lavazza’s key ambassadors have been spotted at Britain’s most famous Queue throughout this week, pitching up at Lavazza’s Queue Café where fans can stop by for free Lavazza coffee to keep them fuelled ahead of entry to The Championships. On Tuesday, it was tennis legend Andre Agassi, who customised his cappuccino with a selfie with the famous Lavazza Ripplemaker and on Wednesday it was the turn of chef Shaun Rankin of Ormer Mayfair.
Lavazza Global Ambassador, Andre Agassi, shares his Lavazza coffee selfie at The Championships, Wimbledon.
We’ll be at the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Wednesday11th and will report the highlights on Instagram @intelligent_magazine
With new and up and coming jewellery designers such as Constan Eghiazarian (Aenea) and the talented Marco Bicego, don’t camouflage your beautiful new jewellery by wearing too much colour, go black or white and let your jewels do the talking.
If I was lucky enough to own the below stunning diamonds and emerald snake ring by Aenea, I would swoop in all in white and let the ring shine.Costan Eghiazarian, the creative mind behind Aenea, has an exceptional eye. This is a man who studies the stone, who understands and knows how it should catch the light to better show off its beauty. His work is original and breath taking, both in terms of originality and skill. Wear one of his pieces and everyone will know you have entered the room. It has always been said ‘less is more’ and one of his divine pieces is enough to make you stand out from the crowd. https://aenea.com
Diamonds and Emerald snake ring.
Another favourite jewellery designer of mine this summer is Marco Bicego, a man whose name is synonymous with classy, timeless elegance.His contemporary style is so elegant it will make you look like Grace Kelly.His 18 carat gold jewellery collections are extremely wearable, designed to be mixed, matched and layered. With that unmistakeably Italian sense of Dolce Vita this is jewellery that is versatile enough to look good with jeans and a white shirt or to perfectly accessorise an evening gown. www.marcobicego.com
Africa Stellar necklace, yellog gold and raw diamonds by Marco Bicego.
Another relatively new brand of jewellery is Savage & Rose which has been a family of jewellers for generations but who only set up an establishment of their own in Mayfair in 2016. Their experience and expertise come together in their collections, characterised by its confident graphic style and infatuating personality.www.savageandrose.com
Savage & Rose bracelet.
However, these are not the only new must go to jewellery houses. This is a time where more and more women are coming forward in what has been a very male-dominated world. They are making a name for themselves thanks to their hard work, their ethics and their talent as designers.
A good example is Satta Matturi, who only works with ethically sourced diamonds. Being British and West African, Satta has combined deep felt traditions and heritage from Africa mixed with a global view of trends, attitudes and inspiration to create a high-end jewellery brand that would resonate with independent fashion-conscious women on the African continent and far beyond. www.sattamatturi.com
Santa Matturi – Birds of Paradise earrings.
Natalie Perry, a young British Designer, shortlisted for the 2018 UK Jewellery Awards, only works with Fairtrade gold.She spent some time working as a designer for leading diamond and gemstone specialists, Kothari Jewels in Jaipur, where she specialised in the fine hand rendering of traditional Kundan Meena jewellery. It was this experience that cemented her love for India and formed the basis of her jewellery collections and fascination with the history of the Mughal empire. https://natalieperryjewellery.com
6th-8th July Silverstone celebrates its 70th Birthday
Like so many of England’s racing circuits, Silverstone started life as an aerodrome. When WWII ended in 1945, England’s other two circuits, Donington Park and the legendary Brooklands, had fallen into disrepair. And so it was that the outer taxiways and interconnecting runways of Silverstone became adopted by the Royal Automobile Club as the home for the British Grand Prix in 1948.
The circuit was fast and challenging and in 1949 the shape was formed that remains the basis of the track to this day. Regarded as one of the greatest circuits in the world, Silverstone hosted the first race in the inaugural Formula 1® season in 1950. Since then, the sport has grown into a global phenomenon that continues to push the boundaries of performance and innovation, with the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at its core.
From 6th-8th July this summer, Silverstone will host the 10th round of the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship™. Rolex’s history of close ties with motor racing and speed reaches back to the 1930s; and for the second consecutive year, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker will be the F1® Event Title Partner of the race. As the teams and drivers approach the halfway point of the season, the FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Championship is being closely contested by Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
This year’s race marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of Silverstone circuit, and commemorative parades will recognize this milestone. As part of the celebrations, three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion and Rolex Testimonee, Sir Jackie Stewart will be reunited with his 1969 Formula 1 British Grand Prix winning Matra MS80. Ahead of the event, Sir Jackie said: “I still find Formula 1 as exciting today as it ever was and Silverstone holds a very special place in my heart, so I am looking forward to being back on track in front of the incredibly knowledgeable British spectators.” Featuring a total of 18 corners, with the revered high-speed section of Maggots and Becketts, Silverstone Circuit presents a demanding test for any Formula 1® driver.
The Scottish racing legend continued:
“Rolex and Formula 1 are linked by this rich history, global appeal and an unwavering attention to detail, making it a perfect partnership. I am honoured to be part of the Rolex family. A 50-year relationship is a rare commitment; it has been a fantastic journey together.”
Born and bred in Sheffield, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill fell under the spell of athletics at 9 years of age, encouraged by her parents who were quite sporty themselves. Few could have then guessed that in 20 years she would have achieved one of the most successful careers in track and field sport by any female athlete, ever. Now retired and a mum of two, Jessica looks forward to the future with a big smile and bags of enthusiasm.
Q: Your athlete adult career has been a long list of successes, from the bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games to being three times Heptathlon World Champion, not to mention your incredible success and the London and Rio Olympics. What have been the sweetest medals in your career?
A: I would have to say there are two: first, my gold medal at the London Olympics. This not only fulfilled my lifelong dream of winning the Olympics but it happened in London, in front of a home crowd. It was such an amazing experience! Then winning gold in Beijing in 2015 has to be one of my greatest achievements. It was just a year after having my son Reggie and the journey back to being at my best had been really tough. I did not believe I could win gold so the victory was so sweet.
I cannot ignore being awarded the gold the 2011 World Championship gold this year in the London Olympic stadium after it had been re-allocated due to the disqualification of the Russian athlete who won in 2011. To stand on the podium at 8 months pregnant and receive my third world gold was pretty surreal and the crowd was amazing.
Q: How do you see the future of athletics in the UK? What do you think could be done to encourage children to take up athletics in larger numbers?
A: I think a lot is being said about the next generation after a few of us have retired, but I truly believe we have some really talented young athletes coming through – hopefully they will peak in Tokyo. I do however feel that athletics needs to keep moving with the times and find ways to engage with young kids as there are so many distractions for them. I am not sure what exactly we can do with the format but keeping it engaging, exciting and accessible is important.
Q: Your parents introduced you to athletics, Toni has been your coach since you were 13 and you met your husband in secondary school. How important has your husband’s and your family’s support been in your career? And the consistency of having the same coach since youwere 13? Are these the 3 pillars of your stability?
A: It all started out with a really great childhood and supportive and loving parents. Living and staying in Sheffield has definitely been really important in creating the person I am. I have an amazing support system from my family and my husband and from his family too.
Having the same coach and team behind me for much of my career has been important; I am not keen on change so having Toni as a constant and the team he pulled together definitely made me feel fully supported in my career.
Q: You are writing children books, a series for Hodder called Evie’s magic bracelet. The third book in the series launched recently. When can we expect the next one? Do you think you’ll keep writing after Evie’s series?
A: There are 7 Evie stories in total – there are two more coming out this year. I have loved every minute of being involved in children’s stories and love the feedback from children. I am definitely keen to continue writing more after this series.
Q: Part of the work you do includes being ambassador for a couple of charities in Sheffield. How much of your time does your charity work take?
A: I am an ambassador for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Weston Park Cancer Hospital in Sheffield – these are the main charities that I support. I like to feel that what I do is really having an impact on my local community. I also support Comic and Sport Relief and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.
Q: You are also an ambassador for Omega. What do you enjoy the most of your role with this classic watch brand?
A: I have been an ambassador for Omega for six years and most of all I enjoy being part of the Omega family. As a company Omega is a pleasure to work with – the team are all passionate and engaging. I feel proud to wear their watches and jewelry and also of their heritage in sport as a timekeeper.
Q: I guess that with Olivia’s arrival you will slow down for a while. Will you use this time to think of what to do next? Do you have any specific ideas yet?
A: I have been super busy since my retirement from the track – I have been working on the Evie series and with some of my long term sponsors – Adidas, Vitality, Santander and Omega, and have been planning new projects that are all in the health and wellbeing sector. I am super excited about the future.
Epicurean Journeys The pleasure of slow living By Kamin Mohammadi
If you had told me 10 years ago that the holy grail of weight loss and healthy eating was made of pasta, red wine and gelato, I would have given you a quizzical look. But after years of battling with inexplicable weight gain, digestive illnesses and constant tiredness, having tried every diet, wellness fad and health craze going, when I washed up in Florence, this is exactly what I found.
The Tuscan diet, with plenty of fresh local salads and veg, excellent olive oil, unadulterated traditional bread and the odd glass of ruby-red Chianti succeeded where so many other regimens had failed. What’s more, the Italian lifestyle, with its slower pace and emphasis on beauty, transformed my outlook and habits. The glory of Florence burst through my depression and her beauty healed my burnt-out brain.
I moved to Florence quite by accident in 2008. My Florentine adventure started – as these things often do – with a chance meeting and an intriguing suggestion. This was swiftly followed by a quite unexpected redundancy from a high-flying and all-consuming job and some months later, I found myself queuing for a taxi outside Florence’s main train station with the address to a friend’s holiday apartment in my hand. For the first time in my adult life, I was without a fixed income or a home of my own, there on a one-way ticket. I felt like a piece of flotsam washed up in the Renaissance gutters.
Ten years later, I am still in Florence, married to the man I met at the end of my first year there. Quite by accident, the combination of the golden Tuscan light, the beauty of the Renaissance town, the voluble character of the people and, perhaps most of all, the colours and noises of the fruit and vegetable market healed me. My stress drained away, my depression was slowly burnt off by the beauty and the daily practices that I learnt from my neighbours – of walking slowly, of looking up to notice the beauty, of taking time to savour a coffee – and joy in the simple rituals and street-corner chats, transformed not just my body and my spirit, but also the shape of my heart.
Photo source: pixabay.com.
What I learnt about living, eating and loving in Florence I call the Bella Figura method – a nod to the Italian philosophy of making everything as beautiful as it can be, just for its own sake. A sort of Mediterranean mind- fulness, it governs everything from how you walk down the street (with your head held high, not buried in a smartphone), to how you dress (with style rather than fashion), to how to manage your love life (with passion). It encompasses how to shop, and what to eat, as well as showing how you can stay as slim as Italian women (statistically one of the slimmest in Europe) while still enjoying a glass of red wine and scoop of gelato. Knowing and living by the Bella Figura method, it comes as no surprise to me that the Bloomberg Global Health Index recently put Italy at the top of its list of the world’s healthiest countries.
In my first weeks in Florence, the visits to my local fruit and veg market were the real revelation. There, I discovered a symphony of colour, noise and chaos which, after the monochrome tones of my life in London, felt like landing in a Technicolor movie set.
In the middle of the crush of the market, I drank in the colours, the smells, the loud chatter as stallholders bantered in sing-song Italian. The produce was local and I was instantly converted to the sensual pleasure in the feel, look and smell of a leaf of lettuce so newly out of the ground that it was still speckled with earth, or the beauty of a fat fennel with its aniseed scent. It had been years since I had felt that earthy connection with food, so busy had I been rushing about my life in London.
The first time I brought home a Florentine tomato from the market and sunshine exploded in my mouth, I fell giddily back in love with the simple pleasure of eating sun-filled, delicious produce. From the stallholders at the market I gathered simple recipes and suggestions for how to serve the produce; and the little rituals of preparing and cooking food for myself, Italian-style with lots of courses, fresh vegetables and olive oil, peppered my days, making eating a pleasure.
Kanin by Bernardo Conti.
As the effects of fresh whole produce and long walks around town to drink in Florence’s beauties started to pay off and the stubborn weight fell off, my mood changed and confidence increased. Dates with delightful and dastardly Italian men took me around the cave-like traditional eateries of Florence and the country trattorias of Chianti. There I learnt the benefits of the Italian style of eating: many courses of small helpings of the freshest local ingredients which made eating a slow pleasure. It also gave the hormones responsible for regulating the appetite time to register when full, making overeating unlikely.
The combination of excellent produce, respect for culinary tradition and plenty of excellent olive oil made simple meals an epicurean delight. I studied the real Italian diet and was surprised by what I found out. I discovered that extra-virgin olive oil fights dangerous stomach fat and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and insulin sensitivity. I took it several times a day almost as medicine and noticed how my eyes shone, hair became glossy and my irritable digestion was soothed. My skin was plumper. As a dedicated lover of coffee, I was gratified to learn that real coffee made from good beans (without the frills and syrups) has more antioxidants than green tea, and the simple combination of pasta with home-made tomato sauce gives the exact right combination of good fats (from olive oil) and lycopene (from cooked/tinned tomatoes) to make it a superfood! Add adusting of Parmesan – the cheese with the highest calcium content, with hardly any lactose and full of linoleic acid which amps the metabolism – and you really need to invent a whole new category – uberfood? – to measure this simple dish’s goodness.
So here are a few tips on how to make the Bella Figura work for you, right where you are.
Do like Sophia Loren and drink excellent quality extra-virgin olive oil Loren uses nothing else to cook with but also on her skin and on her hair; she even puts it in the bath. Scientists found that in just four weeks of replacing other fats with extra-virgin olive oil, both visceral and deep belly fat was reduced.
What and how to eat Natural and wholefoods are key. Bella Figura is more about what we put into our bodies than what we don’t. We detox our cupboards instead of ourselves. The Italians take pleasure in their food and this is what we should aim for. Eating mindlessly in front of the computer or television gives not only less pleasure, but makes it much easier to overeat.
How to drink A small glass of wine with dinner is the guide. A report suggests that women with six-figure salaries drink up to two-thirds more than the healthy limit. Remember that drinking to excess will pile on weight and stress out your skin as well as all the internal damage it is doing. In Tuscany, wine is thought of as a food and so only taken with a meal.
Festina Lente: in haste, slowness There’s practically nothing that can’t be improved by slowing down – even climbing the stairs deliberately instead of running has been proven to lose you an extra pound a month. Consciously, at least once a week, contemplate beauty – be it a painting, an urban corner you love, a wide blue sky or the most exquisite shoes. Do this quietly and without any purpose other than your pleasure. When I first arrived in Florence and my unhappiness was palpable, I was advised to ‘let the beauty heal you’. I think it did. And if you follow the simple tips of Bella Figura, it will do the same for you.
Bella Figura, How to Live, Love and Eat the Italian Way is published by Bloomsbury. From £9.99
Kamin Mohammadi
Kamin Mohammadi is an author, journalist, broadcaster and public speaker. Born in Iran, she and her family moved to the UK during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. As a journalist she has written for the British and international press including The Times, the Financial Times, Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, Mail on Sunday, Condé Nast Traveller (UK and Italy), Psychologies, Donna Moderna (Italy), Grazia (Italy), Men’s Health, The Sunday Times (UK), The Sunday Times of India, The Mail on Sunday, Virginia Quarterly Review and the Guardian as well as co-authoring The Lonely Planet Guide to Iran and numerous other travel guide books. Her journalism has been nominated for an Amnesty Human Rights in Journalism award in the UK, and for a National Magazine Award by the American Society of Magazine Editors in the US.
Kamin has authored two books. BELLA FIGURA: HOW TO LIVE, LOVE AND EAT THE ITALIAN WAY and THE CYPRESS TREE: A LOVE LETTER TO IRAN. She has spoken on Iranian issues at universities, conferences and peace events, including at New York University in Manhattan, a briefing to NGOs, lobbyists and senators on Capitol Hill. She has participated in the Jaipur Literature Festival 2012, the Bath Literary Festival and the Oxford Literature Festival several times, as well as Asia House London’s Festival of Asian Literature three times. An avid commentator, she has appeared on many radio programmes in the Uk and abroad, taken part in the BBC television documentary Iranian Enough? and helped to write and co-present the BBC World Service’s three-part radio documentary Children of The Revolution.
