July lifestyle edit
From the book of the summer and perfect garden parasols to the hottest tickets and tables in London...
Art fix...
... 'The Women in The Window' at Dulwich Picture Gallery
From medieval sculpture to lockdown photography, this imaginative and enthralling exhibition explores the age-old motif of the woman in the window. Featuring Marina Abramović, Louise Bourgeois, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, David Hockney, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, Cindy Sherman, Wolfgang Tillmans, Rachel Whiteread and more, Reframed places over 50 works by great artists side by side.
Watch...
... Where The Crawdads Sing starring Daisy Edgar Jones
From Big Little Lies to Little Fires Everywhere, Reese Witherspoon knows a hit when she reads one. The actor-turned-producer will continue her string of blockbuster book-to-screen adaptations with a new project transporting audiences to the swamps and marshland of North Carolina.
Delia Owen's 2018 novel Where the Crawdads Sing has topped sales charts, dominated bestseller lists and galvanised readers all around the world. Combining murder mystery, romance and an evocative sense of the natural world, it follows a young girl called Kya who is abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself in a shack on the edge of the marsh
Eat...
... at Straker's, the first opening from viral chef Tom Straker
The term 'TikTok famous' no longer goes hand-in-hand with visions of stomach-turning dances and misguided beauty hacks. First Thomas Straker's recipes went viral, now he's opening his first permanent venue in Notting Hill's Golborne Road this summer. But he's no bumbling amateur - Straker has worked in kitchens at Dinner by Heston, The Dorchester, and Phil Howard’s Michelin-Starred Elystan Street, to name just a few. From an almighty fish finger sandwich to filled crab pasta with bisque, basil and chilli, we wonder which of his viral recipes will make an appearance at this stylish new haunt.
Blooms...
... Burnt Fen Flowers
For the most stylish flower delivery service in London right now, look no further than Burnt Fen Flowers. Splitting his time between London and Norfolk, Alfie Nickerson grows jaw-droppingly beautiful flowers and vegetables at his biodynamic farm in the countryside. Each week, he hand delivers the most stow-shopping of bouquets you'll see in London, and at a impressively low price. Follow him here to get in on the action, or to simply follow the adventures of him and his little dog Wolfie living in floral bliss.
For the home...
... Shrimps Homeware
Shrimps swiftly became the It-Girl's go-to uniform since its launch in 2013. While the brand has collaborated with the likes of Habitat on interior wares before, it recently launched its very own 'Shrimps Home' collection this month. From cosy knitted blankets and cottage-style hot water bottle covers to chequered table sets, you'll be sure to see these wares in the most fashionable homes this year.
Read...
... Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
Thanks to its eerily prescient themes, Ottessa Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation became the most buzzed about book of the pandemic. Her latest novel Lapvona is fast becoming the book of the summer, although disorientatingly different and more divisive. Set in a fictional Medieval fifefom, Lapvona explores the depravities of extreme weath and poverty. Brace yourself for a daring, dizzying fable about corruption.
Health...
... Alex Eagle Sporting Club at 180 The Strand
Soho House’s 180 Health Club has undergone an exciting facelift at the hands of tastemaker and design maestro Alex Eagle. Alex has personally curated an exclusive line-up of classes to bring both pleasure and mindfulness, including fencing, ballet, book clubs and gardening workshops. The latest body therapy technologies are also on offer, including Cryotherapy, Infrared Saunas, Ozone Saunas, Red Light Therapy and Compression and Percussion tools.
The ceramics...
... Martha Freud Ceramics
Adorned with playful - yet scintillating - remarks on modern life, Martha Freud's chic ceramics are as much beautiful as they are witty. While they'll cost you a pretty penny, they will last you a lifetime.
Movement...
... Biennale Danza 2022 in Venice.
At the end of this month, Wayne McGregor returns to Venice to direct the 16th International Festival of Contemporary Dance titled Boundary-Less. The programme is set to stun, boasting 160 artists, 69 performances, and 9 world premieres including this year's Golden Lion winner Saburo Teshigawara's reimagined Petrouchka and Silver Lion winner Rocío Molina's Carnacion. Don't miss photographer and official Artist In Residence Indigo Lewin's striking fifty-piece body of work documenting Wayne McGregor's debut festival as Director of the Biennale Danza last year.
Untitled, Rehearsals, Biennale Danza 2021, Photo © Indigo Lewin
Design destination...
... Marc Newson's takeover at the Gagosian Shop, Burlington Arcade
From the 5th of this month, famed industrial designer Marc Newson is taking over the Gagosian Shop in London’s historic Burlington Arcade. Newson will showcase large-scale cloisonné furniture alongside pieces in various forms of glass that push the boundaries of the medium.
Listen...
... to Beyoncé's new album, Renaissance
Hold onto your hats, Beyoncé's first solo album in six years drops at the end of this month. House anthem 'Break My Soul' arrived early, giving us a heady, dance-fuelled taste of what's to come.
Catch some shade...
... The perfect fairweather friend - a patterned parasol for your garden, balcony or beyond.
Sunbeam Jackie is responsible for the soulful, handmade parasols you'll find at the likes of The Pig and Soho House hotels. Made in a 19th century grain store studio in Cornwall, they're the ideal addition to your urban garden or smart country-side dwelling. They don't come cheap, though, with designs costing over £2000.
If that's beyond your budget, designs from East London Parasol Company are a little more wallet-friendly at £300, whilst bringing just as much joy.
Oh, you pretty things.
For good boys (and girls)...
... Gucci's (utterly ridiculous) debut pet collection
We couldn't not show you this. From logo-spangled raincoats and harnesses to exaggerated, porcelain food bowls and studded collars, welcome to the world of Gucci's debut pet collection. Featuring depictions of the Creative Director's own pets along with wild animals that roam through the House's narrative, it's enough to make even the slightest minimalist hurl...
For the little ones...
... 'The Secret Garden' exhibition at The Garden Museum
The Garden Museum’s summer exhibition will celebrate Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved classic children’s book The Secret Garden. Explore how different artists’ illustrations from the past hundred years bring the story to life, embrace the healing power of gardens, and discover the true story of Burnett’s real ‘secret garden’ which inspired the book. Kids go free.
Beauty buy...
... Isamaya Beauty
From internationally renowned makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench comes a beauty revolution - her new vegan, cruelty-free beauty collection that has been developed for makeup lovers who refuse to conform.
On stage...
... 101 Dalmations at the Open Air Theatre
"If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will..."
Set to be the hit of summer 2022... 101 Dalmatians will finally come to life in Regent's Park this month in a new musical at the Open Air Theatre, after planned runs in 2020 and 2021 were postponed because of the pandemic.