Where better to host a photoshoot intended to showcase AW23’s sharpest tailoring, chicest dresses, finest watches and most spectacular high jewellery collections than 57 Whitehall? AKA The OWO Residences by Raffles; aka London’s new most prestigious address.

After a seven-year refurbishment, the first inhabitants have already moved into the 85 residences created out of The Old War Office in Westminster. When we learned that the long-awaited adjoining hotel – Europe’s first Raffles – was set to open in the same week our autumn issue was due to drop, we reached out to our friends at Savills and asked if they could help make the magic happen. As you can see, they were more than happy to wave their wand. 

Raashid wears: Blue wool suit, £1,660, Paul Smith; White T-shirt, £90, Sunspel; Royal Oak perpetual calendar in blue ceramic, approx. £120,000 (excl. vat), Audemars Piguet; Titanium glasses, £375, Lindberg

Maddy wears: Blue velvet roll-neck, £250, Paul Smith, Blue trousers, £310, Paul Smith; Little velvet bag, £79, Home of Hai; Olympia bracelet, POA, Olympia necklace, POA, Lady Arpels Day and Night watch, POA, Palmyre earrings, POA, all Van Cleef & Arpels

It’s difficult to think of a more hotly-anticipated hotel opening than Raffles London. Not since The Rosewood opened in the old Pearl Assurance building in 2013 have the world’s movers and shakers waited so breathlessly to visit the capital. At that ritzy hotel in High Holborn, EPR Architects was charged with the task of turning a Grade II-listed Edwardian pile into a hotel that showcased the best of the old while adopting the best of the new. The brief at Raffles would have been almost identical.

Raashid wears: Velvet blazer, £895, Velvet trousers, £395, Check shirt, £250, all Richard James; Cartier Tank Louis watch, £13,300, Goldsmiths, Cartier Juste un Clou ring, £2,550, Selfridges

Half The OWO is given over to the hotel; the other to managed apartments, marking Raffles’ European entry into the burgeoning branded residences market. These images provide a glimpse of what owners can expect within the 1508 London-designed pied-à-terres (one of which is said to have been snapped up by former New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg).

Maddy wears: Fringe midi skirt, £6,900, Double-breasted Blazer, £3,150, both Brunello Cucinelli; Knitted vest, POA, Fendi; Clash de Cartier earrings, £8,100, Harrods, Clash de Cartier ring, £11,700, Harrods, Cartier Love ring, £1,860, Clash de Cartier necklace, £84,000, Cartier, Cartier Grain de Café necklace, £47,800, Harrods, Pasha de Cartier watch, £30,400, Harrods, Les Berlingots de Cartier ring, £5,500, Selfridges, Clash de Cartier ring, £3,300, Harrods

We’ve organised our fair share of fashion shoots over the years, in some very special locations. But The OWO Residences might just top the lot. Behind the Portland stone façade, 1508 London has created a world of hand-laid mosaic floors, painfully-restored period features, ornate plasterwork, tastefully done chandeliers and oceans and oceans of marble. We could have photographed the entire shoot in the bespoke Smallbone kitchens.

Surprisingly, residences are still available. You can get a taste of what lies through the keyhole at the recently-opened Raffles hotel next door. Like the residences, it’s quite the place.

Raashid wears: Blurry apples single blasted classic plastron jacket, £5,750, Workwear cuffed trousers, £1,030, both Louis Vuitton; Bulgari Octa Roma watch, £6,800, Goldsmiths; Heritage square frame photochromic sunglasses, £385, Dunhill

Maddy wears: Black and gold dress, £3,300, Azzi & Osta; Ysso x Danielle Copperman recycled gold-plated bronze baie bangle, £190, recycled 18ct gold plated alcyone ring, £260, recycled 18ct gold plated bronze broken shell earrings, £310, all YSSO; Diamond wave ring, £7,000, Dodola diamond pinkie ring, £1,750 both Lylie Jewellery

Raashid wears: Mustard brown jacket, POA, silk scarf, £75, both Anderson & Sheppard; Hoffman Marino wool polo shirt, £190, John Smedley; Twill chino trousers, £245, Ami Paris; Patek Philippe Calatrava, £25,720, Watches of Switzerland; Square optical frame glasses, £340, Gucci

Maddy wears: Wool crepe jacket, £1,645, Ralph Lauren Collection, Wool trench tuxedo trousers, £1,090, Ralph Lauren, Cotton pique waistcoat, £1,090, Ralph Lauren; Rose Dior Bagatelle bracelet, POA, Rose Dior Bagatelle earring, £12,300 (sold separately), Rose Dior Bagatelle necklace, POA, Rose Dior Bagatelle ring, £21,400, all Dior Joaillerie

Raashid wears: Canali corduroy jacket, £1,670, Mr Porter, Turtleneck, £675, Canali; GMT Master II, £13,600, Rolex; Titanium sunglasses, £375, Lindberg

Maddy wears: Long paisley sable dress, £3,240, Etro; Nudo pendant earrings, £7,350, Pomellato, Nudo necklace, £2,250, Pomellato, Sabbia necklace, £50,450, Pomellato; Red poppy ring, POA, Médina bracelet, POA, both Van Cleef & Arpels; Patek Philippe Ladies’ Twenty24 Automatic, £40,950, Watches of Switzerland

Maddy wears: Duchess satin dress, £2,650, Fendi; Headband, POA, Roger Vivier; Silver curb chain, £210, Silver and gold lock, £5,000, both Marla Aaron

Raashid wears: Red silk jacket, £3,090, Black trousers, £1,150, Black shirt, £480, all Alexander McQueen

With thanks to:

Raashid Hooks @ Models1
Maddy Taylor @ Premier

Photographer: Adam Fussell
Stylist: Sarah Ann Murray
Assistant Stylist: Bethany Parkinson
Makeup: Mario Brooksbank
Hair: Narad Kutowaroo

Shot on location at The OWO Residences By Raffles. Residences from £4,000,000, visit savills.com

Read more: AW23 must-haves for men