Helena Morrissey
“I really love September: the autumn leaves, back-to-school vibe, and this year, of course, back-to-the-office for many of us after eighteen months of working from home. There’s naturally some trepidation but also the excitement of a change of scenery and pace. It may take us a few weeks to settle into a new rhythm but I’m convinced that ‘hybrid working’ is a big opportunity to modernise how we work and live. Personally, I can’t wait to see colleagues ‘in real life’ again and to have those free-flowing discussions that can really only take place face-to-face.
September is also Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and as a Trustee of the Lady Garden Foundation, I’m going to be involved in a number of events aimed at improving awareness of the symptoms of the five gynaecological cancers, starting with an appearance on the Times Radio with Mariella Frostrup (Tuesday 7th September 2pm.) Sadly, over 7,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year; this form is the deadliest, with less than half of those diagnosed surviving five years. Compare that with the much more encouraging 90% survival rate of breast cancer patients and you can see how much further we need to go in both detecting earlier and improving treatments. Like many charities, the Lady Garden has been impacted by the pandemic, with so many of our usual fund-raising efforts dependent on physical events, but we have made it through with a bit of imagination – this year’s Challenge raised nearly £150,000 for research. We have so much planned for September, including collaborations with 40 fashion, beauty, and interiors brands; please look at the website www.ladygardenfoundation.com to learn more about how you can get involved.”
Dame Helena Morrissey
Relax: Be AIRE
We all love a spa day to help us unwind and recharge the batteries and we have the Romans to thank for championing the original spa concept. Cheers lads! Thanks to them and open now in Westminster is Be AIRE, a high end luxury temple space dedicated to the relaxation of body and mind inspired by the tradition of baths from ancient Roman and also Greek and Ottoman civilizations. The AIRE Experience takes water as the main element and creates an atmosphere of pure relaxation complemented by a selection of massages and exclusive rituals. AIRE began in Spain over 20 years ago and its popularity and reputation has led to openings in the US, Denmark and now here in London. The site is a Neo-classical townhouse located minutes away from Covent Garden at Robert Street. The building is the place where J.M. Barrie once lived and where he wrote Peter Pan, a fact that brings some extra charm to an already iconic space. When you visit you can immerse yourself in the relaxing balmy waters of one of the multiple pools, including a salt pool, as you listen to soothing music and inhale orange blossom and other scents. Everything about the baths is designed to instill total relaxation. Various treatments are on offer from Himalayan body scrubs to bathing in Spanish red wine (not joking) but this isn’t a weekly spa trip venue as the “luxury” on offer is reflected in the prices. However, for a slice of history and a mental and physical reboot, it’s worth every penny.
Venue: Session’s Arts Club
The first impressive thing about the newly opened Sessions Art Club is the venue. A former 18th century Grade 2 listed courthouse houses the club on the fourth floor and the inside is as artsy and insta worthy as you would imagine with large columns, artistic but original peeling plaster walls and huge arched windows providing a flood of daytime light. This is of course all mixed in with more modern interiors touches as expected for a brand new space including a pair of silver legs that hang above the 80 seat dining space....of course. The roof terrace houses an exquisite marble bar as well as a rooftop infinity pool for extra decadence and an abundance of golds, greens and the antiquated setting all add up to make this our fave new hangout. The artwork is provided by Jonny Gent, Russell Potter designed the interior and over in the kitchen they have Chef Florence Knight leading the cuisine charge. Having worked under Raymond Blanc and led the team at Polpetto, Florence is as skilled and popular as chefs get really. The menu is all crafted using locally sourced produce from independent suppliers, with seasonal plates likelamb sweetbreads with lettuce & lovage, grilled friggitelli with sea salt, sea bream, fig leaf and sorrel, clam & turnip-top orecchiette or potato and chard croquettes with lemon aioli. Lastly, the arts part of the place means changing weekly fashion, music, art, theatre and wellness excitement all in addition to the arts interiors. So can you see why this is our new favourite place to be?
Theatre: The Tragedy of Macbeth
The theatre world has suffered hugely since the start of the pandemic but in a sign that things are finally looking up, the Almeida theatre is starting their newest production on the 25th September with a cast to really celebrate its return. Saoirse Ronan (you know, her from Hollywood!) joins James McArdle on stage as Lady Macbeth and the titular Macbeth respectively. Shakespeare’s murderous tragedy about a trio of witches, a prophecy and a couple whose ruthless ambition leads them to commit regicide is one of the most frequently adapted plays in the UK and leading this production adaptation is South African director Yaël Farber. This fresh take on the story looks at it through a feminist lens showing the couple in a more equal light rather than painting Lady Macbeth as the chief villain, which is the usual stance. Tickets are expected to sell out in record time so the Almeida is selling them in stages to allow everyone a fair chance at bagging one. Check out the website for more info.
Seafood: The Sea, The Sea
The Sea, The Sea is a chef-led fish shop, deli and seafood bar on Chelsea’s Pavilion Rd. The team is made up of highly experienced seafood chefs from some of the best restaurants in London and beyond who want to share their knowledge of preparing and cooking seafood with us in the hopes it will give us the confidence to cook and experiment more at home. The shop is an interactive experience where you can buy an incredible range of wet fish and shellfish that’s fresh in every day, discover new recipes, join masterclasses and take home delicious homemade sauces, stocks and oven ready seafood dishes. By night guests can sit at the oyster bar and enjoy a glass of wine or champagne while snacking on a daily-changing menu of small plates, bowls and shellfish platters. The Sea, The Sea promotes the use of sustainably sourced fish and was co-founded by Londrino chef Leo Carreira and Bonnie Gull’s Alex Carreira whose expertise and passion is evident throughout. A definite haven for any seafood fanatics.
Experience: Chila Burman x Covent Garden
From now until the end of October we’d say it’s imperative you head over to Covent Garden to check out their new and impressive large scale immersive art installation that’s taken over the historic Market Building. All designed by Chila Burman, she has filled the site with her vast neon sculptures transforming the space into a neon wonderland. The display features and opening message of “do you see words in rainbows?” in neon lettering and the hall is filled with colourful hearts, lips, peacocks and more. Burma’s appearance at this iconic London site follows on from her outdoor takeover of Tate Britain’s façade last year which lit up a rather dreary third lockdown. The Covent Garden takeover celebrates love and identity in the modern world, whilst also drawing on the history and culture of Covent Garden as well as offering tangible support to the LGBTQI+ community, following the cancellation of Pride London 2021 due to Covid-19. So make sure to check it all out and marvel at the kaleidoscope of colours. The lights are on daily from 7am until midnight for all to see.
Bar: La Rampa
The old Carluccio’s in Market Place at Oxford Circus has been given a new lease of life, Cuban style! The people behind London Casa Do Frango have launched La Rampa, a bar and restaurant inspired by the decadence of 1950’s Cuba. La Rampa is centred around a menu of small plates including the iconic Cubano sandwich which includes options with pork belly, ham and raclette cheese as well as foot-long pork chicarrones and picadillo empanadas. Mixologist and bartender Marcis Dzelzainis will be creating magic on the drinks side with options such as the Hemingway influenced Papa Doble and a cocktail called the Jennings Cox, named after the chap who invented the Daiquiri. In terms of the venue, there’s a large alfresco space for if and when the weather ever plays ball again and the interior is of course, heavily designed to evoke the Havana of old with large paintings and also design input from several Cuban artists for extra authenticity. If we can’t catch a flight to Cuba right now, we can pretend with a short trip on the Victoria line to central London instead.
Activity: London Design Festival
The London Design Festival celebrates and promotes London as the design capital of the world and makes its return for its 19th edition, across the city from 18-26 September 2021. LDF transforms the capital's landmarks, neighbourhoods and cultural institutions with a series of outdoor installations, exhibitions and special events that will bring people together as London continues to reopen. Since its inception in 2003, the Festival has hosted the world's leading design thinkers, practitioners and educators and has shone a spotlight on the city's creative brilliance that has helped cement London's reputation as the design leader that it is. Sir John Sorrell CBE, London Design Festival Chairman, said: “London has some of the world's greatest designers living and working here, who come from all over and make this city their home. We hope that this year's Festival will not only be seen by those in London but audiences all around the world, and that we're able to demonstrate that design will be at the heart of the future." Find more than 400 large-scale installations, exhibitions and events in unique spaces across London, from world-famous museums to small local studios and check out the website for examples from previous years to whet your appetite!
Charity of the Month: Lady Garden Foundation
September marks Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, a cause very close to us here at Halpern. Today, and every day, 58 women in the UK receive the life-changing news of a gynaecological cancer diagnosis. These cancers have devastating outcomes for women; of the 58 diagnosed today, 21 won’t survive. This Gynae Cancer Awareness Month, the Lady Garden Foundation are creating a movement by urging Britain to ‘Give Your Fanny Five’ and to take five minutes out of your day to do three things:
1. Take FIVE minutes to get friendly with your fanny - Learn 5 of the most common symptoms of gynae cancers so you know when to go to your GP. These include; abnormal vaginal bleeding/discharge, abdominal bloating, swelling, pelvic pain and needing to urinate frequently.
2. Pass the message on by tagging FIVE friends - Post a selfie with your hand raised in a high-five, or visit@ladygardenfoundation for a template to share.
3. Give FIVE to the Lady Garden Foundation - Just text GIVEFIVE to 70450 to donate £5 and support our efforts to raise vital funds for gynae cancer research.
This social campaign will help raise funds for vital research as well as encouraging Britons to pass on the knowledge to their community, empowering themselves and others to speak up about gynaecological health.
In addition to the above, The Lady Garden Foundation is also launching its biggest fundraising initiative to date by teaming up with over 50 fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands - including 111Skin, Me+Em, Maison Margaux, FLOWERBX, Elemis, Soho House, Melissa Odabash and Skinny Dip - who will be raising awareness and donating funds via a percentage of product sales throughout September. Stay tuned to the website and Instagram for more info on how to shop these initiatives and support the charity. The money raised will go towards the improvement of gynaecological health and awareness of these diseases.
App of the month: what3words
The what3words app helps you find, share and navigate to any precise location. The creators have given every 3m x 3m in the world a unique 3 word address. This simple and accurate way to talk about location makes it easier to meet up with friends, discover and tell others about amazing places, and explore the world without getting lost. You’ll see 3 word addresses displayed by hotels, restaurants, travel guides and websites. They can be used in 30+ languages and are much simpler to remember, use and communicate than regular addresses. They’re also far more accurate and reliable. A location app so accurate, many emergency services across the world use it. Try it for yourself and harness the power of three.