• Phantom Scintilla: A Muse Reborn

    Phantom Scintilla: A Muse Reborn

    Often we never really understand the true resonance and impact of the decisions we make until we have a great enough scope to review them in posterity. This could be said for sculptor Charles Sykes’ decision to employ Eleanor Thorton, Lord Montagu’s secretary, paramour and alleged muse for the now world-famous Spirit of Ecstasy. In…

  • Fragrance — Summer ’24

    Fragrance — Summer ’24

    It’s summer time, that time of year where clouds are your friend, offering you temporary respite when the sun is at peak potency. Here are a selection of scents to keep you—and your home—adequately fragranced, regardless of cloud cover. No.4 Bois de Balincourt by Maison Louis Marie “Inspired by co-founder Marie’s family home called Balincourt,…

  • TWIST/d — by Based Upon

    TWIST/d — by Based Upon

    Based Upon’s latest creation could happily occupy a room as a simple piece of art. It has no obligation to be a functional marvel of technology. It certainly doesn’t owe us such a bounty of musical possibilities. And yet, it delivers on the above to such astounding effect that one wonders what to label it.…

  • The Naran Hyper–Coupé

    The Naran Hyper–Coupé

    Over the past few years, we’ve seen a host of new automotive brands birthed, each leveraging the democratisation of creation given by ready-made electric powertrains. This alternative path to automotive creation is no less noble than traditional methods, but focuses more on features and design aspects, the drive itself largely taken care of by the…

  • Rolls-Royce Cars celebrate London Craft Week

    Rolls-Royce Cars celebrate London Craft Week

    It seems that we are entering an age where the excitement of harnessing digital technology to create is at an all time high. The triumvirate of AI, faster processing times and near instant data-transfer have led to an abundance of abstract “creative” use cases being proposed; speed has begun to supersede quality. That’s why on…

  • The Aberturret Estate House

    The Aberturret Estate House

    It recently occurred to me that the darker the alcoholic beverage, the deeper the conversation that takes place while consuming it. Champagne is a drink for celebratory occasions, while vodka & gin are the backdrop to lighthearted gaiety, jokes and storytelling—lager is similarly aligned. But as you approach red wine, more serious conversations start to…

  • Founder Interview — Sheep Inc, Pioneering the Future with Regenerative Wool

    Founder Interview — Sheep Inc, Pioneering the Future with Regenerative Wool

    In the unrelenting world of fashion, the art is as much product as the garment, with statement pieces making even more frequent appearances than the rain does in Manchester. However, of late the conversation has been changing with—rain in Manchester aside—drastic climate change bringing a renewed urgency to change our habits. Afterall, while fashion is…

  • Take a seat — Episode Chair by Apparatus Studio

    Take a seat — Episode Chair by Apparatus Studio

    I find New Year’s resolutions a rather strange tradition. The idea of waiting for a specific time to make changes, curate good habits, and move towards a better me seems alien, especially given those changes could be made as and when the need arises. Let’s take getting in shape for example. The desire to be…

  • A Ghost in Provence

    A Ghost in Provence

    Art and artistry while essentially hailing from the same family are not quite the same. One focuses on the mastery of the outcome, the other, on the mastery of process. In a recent visit to the South of France I was blessed to witness both, as I headed to the idyllic location of Château La…

  • Christmas Gifting — 2023

    Christmas Gifting — 2023

    This year give something that has value; either in meaning or longevity. Unsure exactly what we mean by that? Take a look at some of our suggestions below for gifting inspiration.   Small but mighty Corde Espresso Cup + Saucer Set by L’Objet “Crafted in Fine Porcelain—and available in platinum or 24-karat gold—this espresso cup…

  • Life is Golden — Havana Club 7

    Life is Golden — Havana Club 7

    Life is no doubt a serious affair, but at times I feel we take life a little bit too seriously. I’m not talking about the non-negotiable issues of health and political unrest—of which there are many—but more about those little spaces in life where we can actually afford to let our hair down and enjoy.…

  • Spectre — Reassuringly Rolls-Royce

    Spectre — Reassuringly Rolls-Royce

    It may feel like a rare occurrence in these modern times, but there are still things in this world that actually make sense. Take Rolls-Royce opting to use an electric powertrain for instance; it makes complete sense. Historically their cars are named after spirits, among many reasons due to the quietness of cabin and lack…

  • Fragrance — Autumn ’23

    Fragrance — Autumn ’23

    The season that shows us beauty in transition; nature’s painting takes place before us in full view. Golden colours and darkening aromas. DIGITAL DAZE by ROADS “Inspired by human interaction with the fresh + fast digital universe.” ☟ KEY NOTES  Pink Pepper, Peony & Kashmir Fusion   SHOP NOW Ganymede by Marc-Antoine Barrois “Dreamed souvenir…

  • The London — Based Upon meets Steinway & Sons

    The London — Based Upon meets Steinway & Sons

    There is nothing more pure than authentic collaborations, ones where a synergistic combination of ideals leads to an end result that truly reflects both brands, yet showcases them in a new way. These collaborations are always more risky for legacy brands, ones with substantial heritage, established customer bases and hence, brands with more to lose.…