London in October: High Speed Season

Frieze London closed an epic week filled with art openings, parties and incredible fashion on display – I am always inspired by the visitors’ style on the opening day...

If you couldn’t make it to Frieze, there are still an incredible number of openings and fabulous art exhibitions to see at the moment.

CHECK FRIEZE LONDON'S BEST LOOKS HERE ▸

Leighton House, the home of Victorian artist and former president of the Royal Academy, Frederic, Lord Leighton, has just re-opened after a spectacular refurbishment. This true hidden gem is worth (re)discovering, not least for the resplendent Arab hall and the blue-tiled staircase.

Meanwhile, it has been inspiring to see the work of many black female artists, finally at the forefront of contemporary art exhibitions this month. On top of my list are pioneering Kamala Ibrahim Ishag and Barbara Chase-Riboud, both showing at the Serpentine Gallery as well as the über-cool Tschabalala Self currently exhibiting at Pilar Corrias.

In my family, we are huge fans of Studio Ghibli’s animated movies and earlier this week I went to see the RSC stage adaptation of the beloved classic My Neighbour Totoro.

It is arguably the biggest theatre event of the year – The Barbican has never sold so many tickets in such a short time – and a truly magical rendering of Miyazaki’s poetic world. This is mainly thanks to star puppet-master choreographer Basil Twist and his team and puppet creator Jim Henson Creature Shop (Muppet Show, anyone?) who bring Totoro’s creatures to life in the most charming and fun way. I do hope you’ve already booked your tickets…

PLAYS WE LOVE THIS MONTH ▸

My other big theatre highlight this month has been Juliet Stevenson’s steely performance in The Doctor. The rerun of Robert Icke’s contemporary adaptation of this Arthur Schnitzler play – first shown at the Almeida before Covid – is both incredibly clever and terrifying. Another must-see.

Autumn’s colours are all around us at the moment and make me want to bring the warm palette home.

Tarot readers and astrologers seem to have been quite a presence in my life lately – more by chance encounters than any deliberate quest – but I have found the experience unexpectedly convincing.

As it happened, I was at the launch of the gorgeous skincare brand Argentum’s concept store in Notting Hill earlier this week – really worth a visit. Argentum has just launched a collection of perfumes, Les Parfums Infinis, which fragrances are meant to help you achieve ‘a beautiful balance’.

I was invited by Argentum’s inspiring founder Joy Isaacs to pick up a tarot card in order to identify my current energy and then got matched with a magnificent scent to which I am now strangely addicted.

Definitely the most convincing tarot-reading experience I have had.

HEALING WORDS FOR QUIET EVENINGS

‘While I am all for the joys of going out, be that to the theatre, an exhibition or a film, there are times when we can feel like curling up in an armchair, cradling a mug of something warm, and indulging a need for introspection’ writes author and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly in a Culture Whisper op-ed.

Her latest book, You’ll Never Walk Alone, published next week, invites us to seek mental help in poetry – a comforting read.

Bubala Soho opened mid-July but I only went recently with the boys on a lively Tuesday evening and we unanimously crowned it restaurant of the month.

Chef Helen Graham’s fully vegetarian sharing menu centres around the bold flavours of the Middle East. It features a number of the much-loved classics from Bubala Spitalfields – The beloved baba ganoush with curry-leaf oil and pine nuts, the corn ribs with black garlic pilpelchuma – as well as a selection of new dishes.

OCTOBER'S RESTAURANT OPENINGS TO BOOK NOW ▸

Our absolute favourite? The leeks and amba, and Chinese cabbage, preserved lime and cardamom skewers that would turn any meat-eater into a vegetarian.

Service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere had the right amount of cool.

Not to be missed!

Christmas is upon us, if I trust the number of press releases I am already seeing in my inbox. Everywhere Christmas candles and advent calendars are being released.

But if you’re on a quest for meaningful Christmas purchases, I suggest you browse The Different Kind, an inclusive, ethical, and utterly inspiring, online shop that sources products ‘that do good’. Whatever you buy, it has a positive social or sustainable impact, whether a paper pulp vase made in a design studio in Eswatini entirely run by women or a jar of sustainably harvested honey made in Bermondsey.

If you’re after the ultimate refined French experience in London, I would recommend heading to Ciné Lumière for the 30th French Film Festival starting on Wednesday 2 November. It will premiere Full Time, which won best director and best actor awards at the Venice Film Festival.

Movie screenings, followed by Q&A, will be shown over two weeks and I have earmarked an evening with French actor, singer and now filmmaker Charlotte Gainsbourg who will present her directorial debut, Jane by Charlotte, a portrait of her mother, Jane Birkin.

Ciné Lumière’s treasurable cultural evenings (always in English, rest assured) bring the right dose of glamour and a chance to see and chat with actors and directors.

MOVIES TO SEE NOW ▸

This weekend I am attending Light of Passage by Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite at the Royal Opera House. Her new piece at the Royal Ballet includes the illuminating Flight Pattern, for which she won an Olivier award. Check my Instagram to get my impression.