Everything the Luxury London team has been loving this month
The fashion, restaurants, beauty and hotels that put a pep in our step in April
April showers? We don’t know them. At Luxury London HQ, we’ve unanimously agreed this glorious month has felt like the start of summer – and living and working in the cosmopolitan capital means we have happily embraced all the openings and newness that every month brings with a sunny pep in our step. Whether we’re preparing for summer holidays or getting out and about in the city, discover the fashion, beauty, restaurants and hotels that we just can’t stop raving about. Go forth and shop, book and buy – just thank us later.
Zoe Gunn, Digital Editorial Director
The holiday clutch: Rixo embroidered pouch
I’ve just returned from my first sunny holiday of the year and, much to my husband’s chagrin, I’m a notorious overpacker. One area where I it find particularly difficult to save space is with bags: how do you pack a backpack for days out, a beach bag and an evening bag while leaving room for everything else? This Rixo pouch proved to be the answer. During the day it went in my beach bag for easy access to sunglasses and SPF and, come evening, was perfectly sized for my phone, room key and lip balm, all in a cute embroidered package that mimics this season’s hottest raffia styles. (Added bonus: it’s astonishingly easy on the wallet.)
The hotel: 1 Hotel Mayfair
Image: Frawley Photography
A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend a night at Berkeley Street’s 1 Hotel Mayfair and it may have just won the crown as my favourite hotel in the city. Offering a completely different vibe to the more traditional Brown’s, Ritz and Claridge’s around the corner, it’s laidback, modern, incredibly chic and, with its abundance of natural woods and greenery, had me snapping endless pictures for my own interior design moodboard. Other bonuses: an actually dog-friendly offering that saw my pup treated to a plush bed, treats and the option to join us in the bar before 5pm (as well as a plenty of attention from staff) and the delectable Dovetale restaurant overseen by lauded chef Tom Sellers.
3 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DL, visit 1hotels.com
The warm weather essential: Mother Flutter Shorts
There’s been just enough sunshine this month to have me thinking about shorts season. And while I’ll need a hefty dose of Tan-Luxe before I’ll actually brave getting the pins out, when I do, it will be in Mother’s Flutter shorts. Are they denim shorts? Is it a miniskirt? With their clever flared design, they could really be either, meaning they can be worn with heels for a night out as easily as with trainers for a stroll in the park. Yet another multi-tasker to help me with that overpacking problem…
Cordelia Aspinall, Branded Content and Shopping Writer
The summer wardrobe: Má+Lin and Pink City Prints
April’s longer days and sunny spells got me very excited for summer (hands down my favourite season). But what to wear? For gorgeous linen that is breezy and feminine, I always turn to Má+Lin. I’ve currently got my eye on the Frances blouse, with its playful embroidered trim – c’est tres bon.
For something a little more flamboyant, Pink City Prints never lets me down with its fabulous joy-inducing prints and patterns – just look at the David Bowie dress as a fine example. I was lucky enough to have a sneak peek at both brands’ summer collections – they are dropping imminently and all I can say is get shopping.
The workout gear: Vuori and Onyx
After attempting to lifting dumbbells and barbells in a recent gym class, and realising I was not, in fact, very strong (I’m a runner, definitely not a weightlifter), I have decided to shift focus to building up my strength. Onyx’s home workout equipment is my first port of call – think functional pieces, including hand weights, ring weights, and resistance bands, that are also aesthetically pleasing. Stylish kit while working up a sweat? Yes please. Speaking of – Vuori’s AllTheFeels range in sunset pink is simply divine. Lightweight, breathable and soft like butter. Tick, tick, tick.
The skincare: Alpha-H Multi-peptide revitalise serum
We all know how important our skincare routine is, and one hero product I’m currently loving is a revitalising serum from Australian brand Alpha-H. A super lightweight formula that’s packed with peptides, amino acids and antioxidants, I simply apply both morning and night to reveal skin that is smooth, refreshed and plumped. What’s not to like?
Annie Lewis, Deputy Digital Editor
The restaurant: Tavern
Loyal readers of this series will know that last month I waxed lyrical about Restaurant St Barts: London’s only establishment to hold both a Green Michelin star and Michelin star. Upon leaving my dinner there at the end of March, I heard they were overhauling and relaunching their casual, younger sister on Old Street – so, naturally, I had to get a booking. Formerly known as Nest, Tavern offers the same British provenance-led ethos as Restaurant St Barts but without the fine dining approach. Instead, Tavern channels the buzzy energy of a great local pub while serving refined, bistro style food. Go for the aesthetically-pleasing candle-lit restaurant, and stay for the pickleback martini – a savoury tipple featuring a slice of salami and cornichons – ‘chunion’ puffs and the tandoori quail. I love everything this restaurant stands for, just as much as I love the menu.
374-378 Old Street, EC1V 9LT, visit tavernlondon.co.uk
The suitcase: Briggs & Riley Sympatico
When it comes to luggage, one size certainly does not fit all. While I have a large Antler suitcase (which comfortably caters for my longer, three-week jaunts and is literally the size of me) and my trusty Carl Friedrik cabin bag, I was in the market for that middle size. But who knew that finding that sweet spot – the one that’s just enough for a week or 10 days but without being too large to handle – could be so tricky? Briggs & Riley came to my rescue. Not only is the size exactly what I’m after, but it also scores extra points for being made entirely of recycled materials, offering a lifetime guarantee and the option of personalised monogramming. Yes, please.
The spring staple: Herd Blakeney gilet
A fine example of British craftsmanship at its best, Herd is your destination for something that is as chic as it is considered. Using yarn from 100 per cent pedigree Bluefaced Leicester fleeces for its knitwear and tweed, and partnering with factories in Yorkshire that support the British wool industry, Herd’s commitment to British manufacturing is well worth investing in.
Follow in the footsteps of fans such as Sienna Miller, Arizona Muse and Elizabeth Day and shop Herd’s latest collection, where you’ll find my favourite piece: the Blakeney gilet. A semi-fitted waistcoat crafted in that aforementioned wool, it looks great worn over blouses, dresses and T-shirts and will certainly come in handy when those cooler evenings catch me off guard. Consider this the wardrobe essential you never knew you needed.
The beauty hero: Cellcosmet Hydra Smoothing Mask
Earlier this month, the Swiss skincare wizards at Cellcosmet descended on Mayfair to showcase their latest product: the Hydra Smoothing Mask. I have long been a fan of the brand, specifically its masks (shout out to my ride-or-die Precious Mask), so was intrigued to hear the team opted for a different formulation here. Eschewing the peptide-rich ingredients Cellcosmet is famous for, this mask is designed for skin that’s feeling sensitive and red, and so in need of some TLC, specifically following sun exposure or aesthetic treatments. Designed to soothe, moisturise and restore, the creamy texture contains 11 active ingredients, such as red algae, kaolin, raw shea butter, to reduce redness and offer sweet relief for your skin. It’s like a hug in a bottle.
Read more: The Interiors Edit: The best new buys for an instant home makeover
