Susannah Constantine
"This month's hotlister is Susannah Constantine who gave it her best shot in Strictly and imminently will be launching her book 'After The Snow'" Jenny Halpern Prince. “My place of calm is Tom Davies, the bespoke eyewear service. I love his shop where he sells and fits his frames and heading down the stairs to have your eyes tested is like descending into the hub of Nasa. It’s wonderful! You are so well looked after and given sweets by the wonderful staff so when life is feeling overwhelming I sit there and chat to everyone. I never used to spend money on glasses but I’ve come to realise as I wear them a lot of the time, that they are as important as clothing. They are fundamental. The way Tom designs them to suit your face is incredible and it’s the best investment I’ve ever made.” Susannah Constantine
COAL DROPS YARD
October sees the opening of “A whole new shopping experience in the heart of King’s Cross”, Coal Drops Yard. More than 50 restaurants, shops, bars and cafes are taking up residency in the newly developed area that lines Regent’s Canal and has been likened in parts to New York’s buzzy and spectacular High Line. In contrast, the more classic Victorian Architecture ties in with the name of the site which has come from the coal drops of the 1850s that received and sorted the ‘black gold’ from the north. The grand brick viaducts, cobbled streets and ironwork remained long after the coal stopped coming and it’s all been brought back to life in a design by Thomas Heatherwick. Big name brands will be homed here including Tom Dixon’s flagship store, with others such as Superga, Aesop, Cos, Paul Smith, Wolf & Badger, alongside restaurants and cafes including Barrafina, with many more still to be announced. Stay tuned to the Insta page for updates on who’s moving in. We personally can’t wait to explore this new weekend hangout, it reeks of edgy Insta content for our own little squares. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Image credit: © Hufton & Crow
YAYOI KUSAMA @ VICTORIA MIRO
She’s small but mighty. She has a fierce bright orange bob cut. She’s the queen of polka dots. And she’s back. *enter Yayoi Kusama stage left*. Victoria Miro have hosted Kusama 11 times previously and each time it’s a hugely popular queue fest, so don’t dilly dally about. Open till December at their North London gallery the exhibition spreads across it’s two main spaces, plus its waterside garden and features all that Kusama is globally recognised for- dots, pumpkins, patterns, infinity mirrors, flower sculptures and more. Both her and her work are instantly recognisable and she shows no sign of slowing down which is all the more impressive when you realise she is nearing 90 years old. NINETY! A bit like Coal Drops Yard, this is yet another Instagram heaven. See you there. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Image credit: Yayoi Kusama
LEVAN
We’re very over-excited that the chaps behind Brixton Village favourite, Salon, are opening their second restaurant this month, Levan, in Peckham. Inspired by the new wave of bistronomy that began in the quartiers of Paris and has spread through the neighbourhoods of Copenhagen and Barcelona, Levan will be open all day, with a focus on contemporary European dishes, and low-intervention and natural wines. The name itself comes from Larry Levan, an iconic music producer and DJ; Founder Nicholas Balfe says “Levan tore up the rulebook and wrote the blueprint for what dance music would become. It’s this sense of freedom of expression that ties the work of Larry to the work of our favourite left-field wine-makers today, which will be a huge focus at the new restaurant.” Housed in a converted warehouse block with large wooden sash windows allowing natural light to stream in throughout the day, Levan will throw open its doors early in the morning for breakfast with seasonal pastries freshly baked on site amongst other things, through to dinner with dishes such as Comté fries, saffron aioli; and boudin noir, egg yolk, endive; while more substantial dishes will include smoked pollack, spinach, asparagus and vin jaune; and 50-day aged rump cap, with wild garlic aioli and grilled calçots. Literally. Cannot. Wait. And Peckham just got voted the coolest London neighbourhood by TimeOut so Levan couldn’t be more on point. Instagram Image credit: Levan
LOST LECTURES, ELECTROGRAPH
Lost Lectures is an enchanting events series that began in 2012 and featured on the Halpern Hotlist back in the day. This off-grid culture club has since grown quite the cult following with immersive and innovative talks from secret locations across the world having captivated and intrigued audiences since their inception. Their latest iteration is Electrograph, which marks the next step in challenging the conventional, with audiences led to a disused sub-station (in Zone 2 London, exact location TBC until nearer the date obvs - although begs the question of how many there are in Zone 2?) for world class talks, music, interactivity, culinary delights, surprise performances and more. Each evening will host four different speakers across an eclectic range of topics from the sublime to the ridiculous which to be honest...ahem...sounds like us. Over the course of the evening there will be a number of immersive experiences, with wall to floor projections, responsive set design and electronic theming. Described as a “playground for the podcast generation” they are even offering youth price tickets to the millenials amongst us and the whole event will be a visual and cerebral fiesta. Tickets are £28 which we think is pretty reasonable and you can buy them here. Failing all else, soak up the atmosphere, sip on a cocktail and make the most of unfettered access to a power plant - not your average social venue. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Image credit: Lost Lectures, Electrograph
GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN
Dear, sweet, lovable Charlie Brown- known worldwide as the main character in the Peanuts cartoons with a slightly gormless grin and an innocent soul. He and Snoopy are a power couple let’s be honest and Somerset House clearly agree as this month on the 25th, they open “Good Grief, Charlie Brown” an entire exhibition dedicated to our tiny shorts wearing compadre and his pals. The exhibition features artwork from Charles M Schulz, their original creator, as well as work from a wide range of acclaimed contemporary artists and designers who also adore them all. Already in existence is a range of Vans shoes dedicated to Peanuts as well as various fashion ranges and in Japan there’s even a Peanuts themed hotel and cafe. These guys are icons! As well as browsing the artwork at Somerset House you can join one of the art talks hosted by artists featured in the exhibition as they tell their story and why they have been so inspired by Peanuts in their own work. We can’t help but feel if everyone was a bit more Charlie Brown then perhaps the world would be a better place for it. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Image credit: © Peanuts
HARRY'S BAR
The latest addition from Caprice Holdings, Harry’s Bar is a brand new all day dining and drinks destination opening on James Street in Marylebone on the 9th October. Set in glamorous 1950s style surroundings, the menu will feature Italian favourites from dusk until dawn, serving a slice of the ‘Dolce Vita’ in the heart of the West End. Adding to the already vibrant dining scene in St. Christopher’s Place, the menu will feature unfussy Italian dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a signature weekend brunch. A special Cicchetti menu – small plates traditionally served in Venetian Bacari bars – will also be available, and best enjoyed with drinks alfresco on the large terrace. Named after the original it’s easy to see the Italian influence it has had on the menu and decor, with luxurious banquettes and bright, colourful artwork that nod to mid-century Italian glamour. The wood panelled bar will serve exceptional Italian wines and cocktails with a twist – don’t miss the Infinite Negroni and Harry’s Limoncello Spritz. Highlights from the all-day and frankly affordable menu include antipasti or any one of the pizzas or signature pasta dishes available. We’ll be starting with one of those Limoncello Aperol’s for sure. Facebook | Instagram Image credit: Harry's Bar
FESTIVAL OF FILM ROYAL ALBERT HALL
The Royal Albert Hall has just kicked off its month long Film Festival “celebrating the magic of the movies”. Summer is clearly drawing to a close and nothing makes us happier in Autumn than cotching up to watch a good film so why not cotch in one of London’s best buildings instead. Of course it’s not just back to back screenings for there are talks, tours, exhibitions, music experiences and more throughout the four week programme that has a focus on the scores of some of our favourite films. Our picks of the bunch would be The English Patient Live on the 18th or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in concert on the 24th and 25th. If you’re chatting about it on social media then don't forget to use the hashtag- #RAHFilmfestival - which sounds like promo for all of Hugh Grant’s biggest cinematic achievements ;) #justkidding #weloveyouHugh. One VERY large popcorn please. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Image credit: Andy Paradise
LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER
Look Good Feel Better is an incredible national charity that was set up to help people boost their confidence whilst undergoing cancer treatment. Supported by the beauty and fragrance industry, they’ve been running their free skincare and make-up workshops across the UK for the last 24 years. Initially set up to support women, they have since developed special sessions for teenagers and young adults and this year they also introduced a new service to support men. Each group session is led by trained volunteer skincare and make-up artists (and local barbers for the men’s group) and is a chance to meet people in a similar situation as well as learning useful tips and tricks to help combat some of the visible side effects of cancer treatments, such as sallow or dry skin and loss of eyelashes and eyebrows. Working with 107 hospitals and cancer support centres, they support over 19,500 people each year, with thousands more seeking advice through their website and online tutorials. Services are available to all ages, skin-tone and every type of cancer. Look Good Feel Better is part of a global group of charities, which means that this unique service is available in 26 countries worldwide and collectively they have supported over 1.8 million people, since it first launched in the US in 1989. In summary - they are amazing. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Image credit: LGFB
BLUEZONE HEALTH
When we or our family need medical attention, we want the best care we can get, immediately. This app of the month… Bluezone Health, launches on the 8th of the month and gives you exclusive access to top A&E specialists in minutes and you can contact them quickly via the app. A specialist will reply within minutes and assess your problem. If it can’t be sorted easily with simple advice and reassurance or an online prescription, they’ll arrange to see you, within 30 minutes if needed, for face-to-face investigations and treatment at selected top private hospitals. So you get the convenience of remote advice and the reassurance of face-to-face care, as quickly as needed which is fantastic. Bluezone was formed by a group of Consultants in Emergency Medicine who believe there’s a better way to provide A&E and urgent care and we think it’s a fab new app you should all explore. Twitter Image credit: Bluezone Health