The Review

The Review

Kimpton Fitzroy, London

It’d been a while since I’d stayed in London. Even longer since I’d travelled anywhere without the family in tow. But this hotel visit was excuse enough to forget about responsibilities and pandemics, hop on a train and head to the Big Smoke for a day of overdue excess. Navigating the post-lockdown hoi polloi is a proper schlep. But thankfully, stepping into the Kimpton Fitzroy is like being welcomed back to 2019, a time before mass hysteria, masks and 2-metre rules.  And what a welcome. The Kimpton is a London hotel in the most traditional sense: a landmark building whose grand facade is punctuated by the statues of four British…

The Academy Hotel, Bloomsbury

It’s easy to miss The Academy. Standing elegant yet inconspicuous on Gower Street, Bloomsbury, the only thing hinting that you’ve arrived at a hotel is a sign for The Alchemy Bar outside. Comprised of five Georgian townhouses, The Academy’s semi-recent redesign was overseen by Alexandra Champalimaud, whose clients also include The Dorchester and The Carlyle. Characteristically, then, while there’s still a nostalgic sense of l’originale, the design, themes and palette here are quintessentially modern and boutiquey. I hate to tarnish or expose anyone for having a ‘concept’, but The Academy’s evocation of its literary locale is both befitting and tasteful, with novels by the Bloomsbury Group—Woolf, Forster, Keynes—adorning pockets of…

Moving to Mars

The Design Museum invites visitors to discover the role that design will play in humanity’s journey to the Red Planet in the exhibition ‘Moving to Mars’, which opens this October. Every detail of this extraordinary venture must be designed – from the journey (around seven months), to considering what we will wear, eat and shelter in when we get there and beyond. Over 200 exhibits including original objects and material from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), SpaceX, Raymond Loewy, Chesley Bonestell plus new commissions from responsible design company RÆBURN, Anna Talvi and Konstantin Grcic tell the complete story of designing for Mars. Two major installations enable visitors to get…

Her Drive – By Cynthia Cramblett

Travel nomad, entrepreneur, health and adventure addict, Cynthia Cramblett is known by many names. Originally from Ohio, Cynthia spent her formative years working as a Lobbyist in Washington DC before establishing Her Drive. The initiative focuses on honest and open conversations with inspirational woman around the world entering on business, personal development, cultural differences, sex and what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. This issue Cynthia speaks to Emily Garland of Maid of Gingerbread, Victoria Knowles of The Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club and Laura Bingham, World Explorer and Author.  Laura Bingham Emily Garland Victoria Knowles

Chef Profile: the Roca brothers

Cellar de Can Roca sits at number two on the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list. Based in the Catalan city of Girona, the eponymous restaurant is run by three brothers: head chef Joan, dessert chef Jordi, and sommelier Josep. Together, they have taken their philosophy, which plays on memory and perception, to a three-Michelin star level. We met with Joan to discuss the Roca brothers culinary ideology, including what it takes to serve the best food in the world. How did you, three brothers, all develop a passion for food and wine? We are the third generation of a family dedicated to restaurants. We were born and grew up in…

Round the Island Race

Local boat Eeyore, an Alacrity 18 Bilge Keel from Cowes, has laid claim to the prestigious Gold Roman Bowl, winning this year’s Round the Island Race after a long tactical day on the water. With a crew of just three: skipper Jo Richards and his friends David Rickard and Duncan De Boltz, the 18 foot bilge keel was the smallest boat in the race. A member of Gurnard Sailing Club and Cowes Corinthian, Richards talks through his winning race: “It was an interesting but long race, we actually started at the opposite end of the line from the rest of the fleet which paid us reasonably well in the end….

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

The Concours of Elegance has announced the first of its features for 2019: a world-first display of one of every Aston Martin Zagato variant ever manufactured. From the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato, right through to the Vanquish Zagato Coupé, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake, guests will be able to browse 16 examples from one of the most famous creative partnerships in automotive history. The Aston Martin Zagato Celebratory Display is being curated by the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC), supported by Aston Martin Lagonda and Zagato. The display will include a number of extremely rare, as well as several unique, models, including one of the most famous racing Aston Martins…

The Graff Lesedi La Rona

Graff, which has cut and polished the majority of the 20 largest diamonds discovered this century, reveals the principal diamond cut and polished from the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona rough diamond. Weighing 302.37 carats, the Graff Lesedi La Rona, is the largest square emerald cut diamond in the world, and the largest highest colour, highest clarity diamond ever graded by the GIA. Found at the Lucara Karowe mine, Botswana, the rough diamond was the largest gem quality rough diamond discovered in over 100 years and the second largest ever found. Graff was confident that buying the rough stone would result in sensational gems, following the acquisition of 373 carat…

Sun or Sleet

Britain Britain Britain, with our inconsistent weather, flash showers and snow drifts, is it any wonder some of us play it safe during Apirl. Fear not, Holland Cooper have some wax saviours for all. The Classic Cape and Wax and Leather Wrap The Windsor Jacket A style that exhudes Britishness, our military inspired jacket is bold and sleek.  Its lightweight and will make any outfit look polished – whether you have it fastened or have it thrown over your shoulders. Tweed and Fur Wrap A silhouette that suits everyone, and a perfect fit every time – the tweed and fur wrap makes any outfit instantly glamorous, but can also be dressed…

Hawes & Curtis

Founded in 1913 by Ralph Hawes and George Frederick Curtis, the brand opened its first store in the Piccadilly Arcade and has had many distinguished clients through its doors, including the Duke of Windsor, Lord Mountbatten and Fred Astaire. As a result of Hawes & Curtis’ commitment to impeccable service, the brand has been awarded four Royal Warrants, operates more than 20 stores in the UK with it’s flasghip on Jermyn Street. The Spring/Summer campaign embodies both the journey of the brand and the individual journeys of the customers. From a single Jermyn Street shirtmaker in 1913 to an internationally recognised lifestyle brand. Delicately combining luxury with essentials, the collection…

RWH – Turnbull & Asser

For those not aquainted or not around to enjoy the swinging sixties, allow us to briefly introduce the fine men and women of Turnbull & Asser. Founded in 1885 by John Arthur Turnbull, a hosier and shirtmaker at 3 Church Place, St. James’s. Turnbull met Ernest Asser, a salesman, later on in 1893. Together, they opened a hosiery under the name “John Arthur Turnbull” in St. James’s. As the neighborhood was the site of numerous high-end haberdashers, the business flourished. The name was changed to “Turnbull & Asser” in 1895. In 1903, after continued success, Turnbull & Asser moved to its present location at the corner of Jermyn Street and…

Manfrotto XPRO4

Cast your mind back to the late1960s. Lino Manfrotto was a photo reporter for Il Gazzettino and Il Giornale di Vicenza in Bassano del Grappa. Like many fabricators, inventors and innovators before him, he struggled with the industry standard of equipment he was using during his advertising shoots. With the help of a collaborator, Lino Manfrotto, he made his first products, including a light and sturdy lamp stand, that was finally high enough. For a couple of years he produced just a few pieces to meet the needs of his photographer friends. Later he decided to present them on an international level, obtaining his first significant order from a Swiss…

Beoplay PLAY E8

There are some benchmarks in consumer AV. Bang & Olufsen has been setting the standard for as long as we can remember. When a certain fruit based tech firm decided to do away with the humble headphone jack, we all knew there would be an uptake in Bluetooth headphones across the board.  The B&O Play E8’s are pretty much the crème de la crème of the market. With intuitive touch control, a case that doubles as a charging station and four hours of play time from one charge,  we’ve found our best and brightest. Of course, the sound produced is of the B&O standard we’ve all come to adore but…