V Festival’s VIP microcosm, the Louder Lounge, that celebrity playpen laid on by the good folks at Virgin, saw an entertaining line-up to rival the main event with hot properties Ellie Goulding, Cara Delevingne, Joey Essex and the gang, Dionne Bromfield, Alexandra Burke (plus one helluva entourage and was that a celebrity hissy fit we spotted or was she just being ironic?) JLS, Myleene Klass (where on earth has she put that baby weight?), X Factor’s Tulisa Contostavlos, blogger du jour Bip Ling, Daisy Lowe and other half Matt Smith all enjoying extreme manicures from Wah Nails, MAC make-overs and […]
The Berkeley rooftop rises again with a decadent collaboration with quintessentially British skincare brand Green & Spring which is bringing its signature treatments from Cowley Manor's C.Side Spa in the Cotswolds right into the heart of Knightsbridge. Until September, the hotel's renowned rooftop sun terrace and pool will be transformed by award winning florist McQueens so guests are transported into a British country idyll complete with birdsong, birch trees and wild lavender – staycation perfection! Spend the day lazing by the pool, indulge in a special picnic of wild strawberries and cream washed down with home-made lemon iced tea and […]
If you’re in Venice for the 68th Venice Film Festival (31 Aug to 10 September) make sure you factor the Palazzina Grassi into your nightlife adgenda for this year sees the reprise of party guru Amy Sacco’s Bungalow 8 pop-up at the Palazzina. Sacco is bringing her unrivalled parties to the Festival in a glamorous collaboration between Bungalow 8 and Philippe Starck’s Italian stallion of an hotel, the five-star property created by Emanuele Garosci, set in 2,800 sq metres of luxurious surroundings and feted by Condè Nast Traveller’s Hot 100. Last year was the first time that Bungalow 8 came […]
Gucci may have created two limited edition Fiat cars with trademark red and green go-faster stripes but as we all know, W Hotels do things a little differently and W London has just launched a range of exclusive designer bikes on which hotel guests can discover the delights of the city. Created by cult London artist Benedict Radcliffe, the WOW Bikes have been customised by six ‘cool riders’ from the worlds of fashion, design and music, each of whom has also recommended a favourite cycle route around the capital. W guests will soon be pedaling around town on creations by […]
They’ve shod Serge Gainsbourg and Rudolf Nureyev, and are the brains behind the quaint BB pump, originally designed exclusively for the 1950s pin-up, Brigitte Bardot. But Repetto, the French ballet shoes company created in 1947, whose undying popularity has ensured it remains a modern-day favourite with the likes of Kate Moss and Mick Jagger, has come to London. From today (until September 12), Paris-based Repetto are making a corner of Selfridges their home. An atelier, stacked full with various trims, laces and an eye-straining 250 colours, will be where shoppers and shoe aficionados will be invited to create their very own perfect pair of ballerina pumps. But be warned. They usually […]
Today sees the launch of The Museum of Broken Relationships in Seven Dials. This innovative, multi-site exhibition created by the award-winning Tristan Bates Theatre showcases poignant objects from failed relationships, donated by people from around the world, including those who live and work in the Covent Garden area. Visitors have three weeks to view a dramatic mix of objects, each of which tells the story of a past relationship, love, romance or passionate affair – from a wedding dress, and an ‘I Love You’ Teddy bear to more obscure objects such as a crumbling garden gnome and even the cast […]
If you’re one of those who harbours instantly forgettable memories of drinking White Lightning on park benches in your youth, fear not. You’re not alone. This weekend, reverse those recollections and head to the Bulmers Cider Garden on the Southbank, where live music by the house band, Sun Lovin’ Criminals, will accompany every sip of the Irish cider you take. At the riverside garden, visitors will also be privy to free samples of Bulmers’ brand new cider, Bulmers Nº17, which contains crushed red berries cut with a shot of lime. As it’s open from 11pm – 8pm every day until 14th […]
Fifteen, Jamie’s Italian, Barbecoa in the new One New Change at St Pauls, Recipease, Fabulous Feasts catering; a Ministry of Food with more clout than any initiative the government could ever hope to realise; and cookbook and tv franchises that make Martha Stewart look like an amateur. The power Jamie Oliver exerts over the food industry is phenomenal. He controls what we eat when we’re out, what we eat at home, what we buy at the supermarket, what we watch on TV and all that without falling foul the Competitions Commission and while retaining that cuddly caring sharing, loving husband […]
There’s a new bar with a difference just launched in Kensal Rise’s cool Chamberlayne Road. The Shop is a celebration of fine drinks, great local atmosphere, music, art and all things ‘once loved’. The venue will host music nights with named DJs and acoustic sets and cocktail master-classes. The concept is the lifelong dream of Luke Allen, musician and ex-bar manager (The Cow, The Westbourne and Harry’s) and screen printer and photographer, Ben Magid, who wanted to create a space that locals could feel part of, get involved in and one that constantly evolves with them. The duo are inviting […]
Believe it or not, there’s more to Sweden than Mikael Blomkvist and his sidekicks. This summer, London is being treated to one of the country’s lesser known traditions: Fika, the Swedish ‘high tea’. A pop-up ‘parlour’ (in the form of a free picnic and a bookable one, too) will be setting up shop in Soho Square on 24th, 25th and 26th August, between the lunchtime hours (making it worker friendly) 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Enjoy Fika’s traditional 7 cookies and a cup of hot coffee made especially by a team from the Southern Swedish holiday destination of Skane, led by the world famous pastry chef, Jan Hedh […]
