Q43 Magazine

2017
MAGAZINE
2017
THE TIME ISSUE
THE
TIME
ISSUE
43
43
ATTENBOROUGH’S PLANET . WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD . SELFE INDULGENCE . THRILLING DRIVES . A LIFE
SHAPED BY JEWELLERY . ROCKET MAN . NEW LUXE . MEALS FROM MEMORY . WINE TIME . SOUND SCAPE
VIRTUALLY ACTIVE . FUTURE TIMES . PRESERVING YOUR DIGITAL SOUL . THE NEW FRONTIERS OF EDUCATION

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INTRODUCING BEVERLY HILLS
BEVERLY HILLS
WaldorfAstoriaBeverlyHills.com \ @waldorfbevhills @waldorfastoria
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CONTENTS
QUINTESSENTIALLY MAGAZINE | THE TIME ISSUE
10 OUR CONTRIBUTORS
12 Q INSIDER
A showcase of the most coveted luxury
products and experiences this season
22 ATTENBOROUGH’S PLANET
Sir David Attenborough addresses some
of our planet’s biggest concerns
28 WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Cathy Hawker explores the world’s
most extraordinary places
36 SELFE INDULGENCE
Samuel Musguin-Rowe meets Daphne Selfe,
the world’s oldest supermodel
46 THRILLING DRIVES
Drive into the sunset with Aston Martin
48 A LIFE SHAPED BY JEWELLERY
Stephen Webster shares his passion
50 ROCKET MAN
Nathalie Bradbury takes a closer look at Elon Musk
54 NEW LUXE
Millennials are shaping the luxury market
by Shanu Walpita
61 MEALS FROM MEMORY
The latest trend on the London dining
scene by Hannah Felt
68 WINE TIME
David Metcalfe delves into the stories
behind great wines
73 Q TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL
74 SOUND SCAPE
Digital streaming is taking over
by Danielle De Wolfe
80 VIRTUALLY ACTIVE
Dominic Bliss investigates the wellness
industry’s newest frontier
84 FUTURE TIMES
A revolution is happening in the watch
industry by Josh Sims
88 PRESERVING YOUR DIGITAL SOUL
Humans are on the verge of digital immortality
by Sarah Woodward
92 THE NEW FRONTIERS OF EDUCATION
Rainbow Cultural Garden, a revolutionary
education programme
94 LUXE LIST
Best buys for the current season
96 Q PROFILE
Quintessentially Founder & Group Chairman
Aaron Simpson ponders on the notion of time
Q
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
OF QUINTESSENTIALLY
TIME ISSUE
EDITOR’S LETTER
At 90 years of age, Sir David Attenborough continues to grace our
screens, and long may he do so, with a thought-provoking reminder of
our relationship with our planet and here with the most recent and most
successful of the Planet Earth series, II. Attenborough speaks and the nation
listens and we will do so again later this year when he educates us further,
this time with the release of Blue Planet II.
And talking of education, where having a second language is becoming
increasingly critical to so many career moves, CEO of Rainbow Cultural
Garden UK Sara Bronfman has pioneered an early child development
programme encouraging youngsters from birth to absorb a multi-cultural
and multi-lingual life – preparation is everything.
Dream Destinations takes us to far-flung regions of the globe, with world
traveller Cathy Hawker encouraging us to seek out what may no longer exist
for the next generation – from Indian Ocean archipelagos to wilderness
camp; from flora to fauna, the time is now.
Innovator and visionary Elon Musk may just be the man to transport us
to our destinations in the forthcoming few decades. From rockets to cars,
Nathalie Bradbury talks us through the extraordinary career of a man who is
shaping the future, one industry at a time.
From one cover star to another. Model Daphne Selfe is relishing her success
as the ‘world’s oldest supermodel’. Pragmatic to a fault, there is no downhill
after 70, my goodness no, one must make the most of every day. Ageing is
to be embraced. Anti-wrinkle creams be gone. How refreshing.
Elsewhere in this issue we explore the world of digital streaming and how
it’s shifting the way we consume media; and David Metcalfe takes us through
some of the world’s finest and most distinguished wines.
Ask anyone in their later years for advice on life and the answer is
unanimous. Slow down.
Tempus fugit.
A TRUE
EXPLORER
CATHY HAWKER
A childhood spent in New York, Africa
and Asia followed by two decades as a
luxury travel journalist have only increased
Cathy’s wanderlust. Her work has appeared
in newspapers and magazines including
The Financial Times, The Times and
The London Evening Standard. Next on
her wishlist is a food and art tour across
Northern Italy.
‘TIME’ TO CATHY IS:
A friend and a foe, an echoing tick-tock
reminder to make the most of those
elusive magic moments.
MYSTERY
MAN
SAMUEL MUSGUIN-ROWE
A freelance writer with a love of the obscure,
Samuel has covered pro armwrestling for
Observer Magazine, boy racers for The
Telegraph and Hollywood’s greatest failure
for Empire. In this month’s issue, he meets
the world’s oldest professional model —
Daphne Selfe.
‘TIME’ TO SAMUEL IS:
A precious, yet scarce, resource.
Being self-employed, free time is often
an abstract concept.
EDITOR
VICTORIA MACMILLAN BELL
PROJECT MANAGER
THEA SOFIE RØNNEBÆK
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
IMOGEN SMITH
EDITORIAL INTERN
HARRIET KEAN
PRODUCTION
NICK FULCHER
BIANCA STEWART
GRAPHIC DESIGN
LAUREN ROBERTSON
KATIE SMITH
PROOFREADER
CHARLOTTE BLIGHT
ADVERTISING SALES
JILL RATCLIFFE
E: JILL@FMS.CO.UK
SHEMIN JUMA
E: SHEMIN@FMS.CO.UK
VIVIAN BRASIL
E: VIVIAN@FMS.CO.UK
NICOLE WOGMAN
E: NICOLE@FMS.CO.UK
FMS GLOBAL MEDIA
SUITE 9
BEAUFORT COURT
ADMIRALS WAY
LONDON
E14 9XL
IMAGE CREDITS
COVER IMAGE
Chris Floyd/Camera Press London
Q INSIDER Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
for Photo London
ATTENBOROUGH’S PLANET
Adam Scott, Emily Garner,
Miles Barton
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Peter Marshall/Soneva Fushi Artefficio
SELFE INDULGENCE Paul Farnham,
Middlesex University/Olivia Ann May,
Daphne Selfe, Maja Brcic
A LIFE SHAPED BY JEWELLERY
Stephen Webster profile image
courtesy of Rankin
ROCKET MAN SpaceX, Iookus/
Shutterstock, Tesla, SolarCity
NEW LUXE Michael Njunge &
Zoe Savitz for Here & Now, Forest
Woodward for Jungle in Paris,
Yonder Journal
MEALS FROM MEMORY Park Chinois,
Street XO, Berners Tavern, La Dame de
Pic, The Oxford Blue
WINE TIME Instamatics/iStock,
FreeProd/Alamy Stock Photo, 21 Club,
Frans Lemmens/Alamy Stock Photo
Q SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY
CarlosAndreSantos/iStock
SOUND SCAPE Christie Goodwin/
gettyimages, Jason Richardson/Alamy
Stock Photo
VIRTUALLY ACTIVE Image Copyright
Bevan Goldswain/Offset.com, Guided
Meditation VR
FUTURE TIMES Panarai
PRESERVING YOUR DIGITAL SOUL
iStock Stock Photo
We encourage you to do just that while you take in the Time issue.
VICTORIA MACMILLAN BELL
Editor
QUINTESSENTIALLY IS PRODUCED ON BEHALF OF QUINTESSENTIALLY (UK) LTD BY FMS GLOBAL MEDIA, SUITE 9, BEAUFORT COURT, ADMIRALS
WAY, LONDON E14 9XL. ORIGINATION BY FMS GLOBAL MEDIA. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS STRICTLY
PROHIBITED. PRICES AND DETAILS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS BUT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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CHAIRMAN;
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FOUNDING DIRECTOR;
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FOUNDER AND GROUP
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR;
FRED QUICK, EDITOR;
ELLIE LEIGHTON, GROUP
MARKETING MANAGER
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Q
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POETIC
DESIGN
WELCOME TO THE PEOPLE, PLACES, PURE INDULGENCES AND UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCES
THAT ARE MAKING WAVES IN QUINTESSENTIALLY’S WORLD THIS SEASON
QUINTESSENTIALLY.COM/INSIDER
MOOOI
Perch Light by Umut Yamac
What is more poetic and elegantly captivating
than a bird perched on a branch, flirting,
singing and celebrating life? We all recognise
this image, so steal a moment from your
precious time to admire this triumph of nature
and beauty. Inspired by such natural glory
and forever fascinated by the combination
of balance and movement, Umut Yamac
has created six lamps, which captivate the
viewer through motion, poetry and grace:
the Perch Light family. A series of sculptural
abstract lamps, made of folded polypropylene
paper and brass, come to light on their metal
perches, like birds gracefully balanced on a
branch. These sunlit birds are free to swing
when softly touched, gently glowing and
bringing along the promise of spring.
moooi.com
DESIGN
ETIHAD TOWERS
ARCHITECT’S
DELIGHT
A Must-See Destination
STILL GOING
STRONG
With new Louvre and Guggenheim museums
planned for Abu Dhabi, it’s safe to say the largest of
the UAE’s seven Emirates is staking its claim to be
one of the planet’s must-see destinations. A thriving
metropolis, where cutting-edge technology meets
age-old tradition, the skyline here is constantly
changing but Etihad Towers remains as a singular
architectural statement on an unprecedented scale.
THE IVY
100th Birthday
Starting as a humble Italian café in 1917, this year The Ivy is hosting a series of events to celebrate 100 years since restaurateur Abele Giandolini opened its doors in
the heart of London’s theatreland. A renowned haunt for famous faces over the years, The Ivy has counted the likes of Winston Churchill, Giacomo Puccini and Princess
Margaret as regulars throughout its illustrious history.
Abele Giandolini himself takes centre stage this year having been awarded a Green Plaque in honour of his lasting contribution to society. The unveiling party kicked off
the year-long celebrations, with Samantha Barks and Miranda Richardson among those raising a glass to the iconic British restaurant.
Design has always been key at The Ivy with the harlequin stained-glass windows as sparkling as the conversation, green leather banquettes and a remarkable collection
of contemporary British art on display. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (think Sexy Fish, Annabel’s and Aquavit) has done a stellar job of sensitively redesigning the Art
Deco dining room, while adding a breathtaking central bar to revitalise the space.
Keep an eye out for the new centenary dessert ‘A Window to the Ivy’, as well as a new signature gin containing evergreen botanicals developed with Chase Distillery.
A century is a long time to maintain the mystical charm that is synonymous with The Ivy, yet it continues to lure guests to its hallowed dining room...
1-5 West Street, London WC2H 9NQ
the-ivy.co.uk
Set in the exclusive beachside Al Ras Al Akhdar
district of Abu Dhabi, close to the world-renowned
Corniche, this stunning complex is made up of five
towers – three residential towers, one office tower
and the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel. This multiaward
winning destination is the place for enjoying
quite simply the finest in luxury living, whether it’s
relaxing in an elegant suite, being pampered in the
Talise Spa, savouring world-class cuisine or lounging
by one of the three swimming pools. For those
looking to treat themselves with retail therapy,
you won’t find anywhere better in the Middle
East. Featuring more than 35 premium boutiques,
Avenue at Etihad Towers encompasses two entire
levels with the world’s first and only Stephane
Rolland store, plus Hermès and Chloé to be found,
among many others.
Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi
Jumeirah.com
JET SET
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12
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

HEART OF
THE CITY
THE NED
The Historic Lutyens Building Reborn
Most of us have marvelled at the splendour of St Paul’s Cathedral but
imagine doing so poolside from the rooftop of a 100-year-old building.
Introducing The Ned: a hotel, private members’ club and collection of
restaurants in the City of London.
With 17 members’ clubs and 37 restaurants around the world, Soho
House & Co is certainly no stranger to thinking big. However, when inspired
to take over the City’s Midland Bank Building (all 29,450 sqm of it) Founder
Nick Jones decided to partner with Sydell Group, a veteran developer with
seven hotels across North America. Luckily for London, they got on like a
house on fire.
Originally designed in 1924 by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Landseer Lutyens, the Grade
I-listed building looks set to become one of the capital’s must-visit venues.
Each of The Ned’s 252 bedrooms channels 1920s and 1930s design,
with vintage pieces, brass and mahogany furniture and rainforest showers.
Aside from comfort and style, an overnight stay affords access to Ned’s
Club, which, split across two levels, features a panoramic rooftop with pool,
Canopy Bar & Restaurant, Vault Room lounge bar (complete with 3,000
stainless steel safety deposit boxes from the bank’s original vault) and a
range of high-end gym and spa facilities.
JET SET
Gourmands will not be left wanting at The Ned, with eight public restaurants
in the former Grand Banking Hall serving cuisine from across the globe. The
likes of Cecconi’s City of London will be the destination for handmade pasta,
pizza and seafood, while Café Sou London will offer a traditional Parisian
café experience.
27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
thened.com
JET SET
VINYLS
& BEER
SIR ADAM AMSTERDAM
A Hipster’s Dream
Following the successful launch of Sir Savigny in Berlin late last year,
SIR hotels is back with a third hotel, which spreads across eight
floors of Amsterdam’s iconic A’DAM Tower. Channelling the energy
of its musical neighbours (Gibson, Sony and MassiveMusic to name
but three), Sir Adam has done away with the traditional hotel lobby
and instead welcomes guests into The Hub, a co-working spacemeets-concept-store
and Music Library where you can listen to a
range of vinyl.
The colourful industrial-chic interiors don’t stop here however, as
visitors to The Butcher Social Club will soon discover. Boasting a
large island bar, riverside terrace, gourmet burgers and nightly DJ
Sets, this ground floor haven looks set to become Amsterdam’s new
place to be. Ascend the spiral staircase and you’ll find yourself in the
panoramic indoor-outdoor drinking den, The Beergarden.
For those staying the night, the 107 guestrooms are equipped with
all the necessities to entertain, from Bluetooth-enabled Crosley
record players and a collection of vinyls, to a Gibson guitar.
Overhoeksplein 7, 1031 KS, Amsterdam
siradamhotel.com
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q
15

MINDFUL
LIVING
1 HOTEL BROOKLYN BRIDGE
An Eco-Conscious Sanctuary
Sprouting a new generation of nature-led
luxury hotels, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has
opened its doors to offer sophisticated
travellers an eco-conscious sanctuary with
sweeping waterfront views of the Manhattan
skyline. Entering the lobby of 1 Hotel Brooklyn
Bridge, you’ll first notice the dramatic 25ft
green wall featuring hand-placed plants and
creeping vines. From here, it’s off to explore a
property that combines immaculate style with
sustainability, using 100 per cent wind power
energy, a majority ratio of recycled materials
and a rainwater reclamation system.
A new landmark just south of the iconic
Brooklyn Bridge, the hotel features 194 rooms
including 29 two- to six-bedroom suites and
its Presidential Suite offering panoramic views
of the East River. Dwellings are complemented
by a 4,000 sqft rooftop, nine-treatment-room
Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June
2017), a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a yoga
and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two
restaurants and a 50-seat screening room.
JET SET
60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 112011
1hotels.com
PLAIN
SAILING
QUINTESSENTIALLY ONE
JET SET
World’s Largest Floating Private Members’ Club
Quintessentially is thrilled to announce the construction of
the world’s largest superyacht, which is set to make its first
voyage in 2019-2020. The 220m superyacht will provide
the opportunity for the global elite to tour the world while
attending the most exclusive events. Costing £250m to
build and named Quintessentially One, the luxury vessel
will serve Quintessentially Members as a private members’
club, anchoring in the world’s finest experiences including the
Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival and Rio Festival,
Cuba to name but a few.
“This is a wonderful way to cater for and meet the demands
of Quintessentially’s global Members when they all descend
on the same high-profile events which currently don’t have
enough supply. It will be the world’s largest floating private
membership club. Where the traditional cruise model is to
go somewhere, dock and get off; we will dock and people
will want to get on,” says Aaron Simpson, Quintessentially
Founder & Group Chairman.
The 112-berth superyacht, which will be 40m longer than
the world’s biggest private vessel Azzam, will feature an
underwater bar, cigar storage room, wine cellar, and a spa
with world-leading therapists and personal stylists. It will also
host exclusive parties frequented by famous performers.
Membership is available from £15,000, and Elite Members
can invite guests on board to experience this most soughtafter
boat.
quintessentially.com
enquiries@quintessentially.com
Q
16 QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

HEALTH IS
WEALTH
GPDQ
A Doctor to Your Door
Quintessentially has partnered with private healthcare app company
GPDQ to provide access to instant clinical healthcare for all
Quintessentially Members.
Launched in 2015, this innovative service promises a doctor to your door
within an average of 90 minutes (the quickest response time to date being
just 11 minutes). Simply request a GP via the smartphone app, over the
phone or through the website, confirm your location and then get live ETA
updates with real-time tracking on your doctor’s progress.
“GPDQ offers a prompt, convenient and high-quality service to help you
get the care you need, when you need it,” says Founder & Chief Medical
Officer, Dr Anshumen Bhagat. “If you’ve got a sick child at home or need
to see a doctor but can’t get away from work, we’ll come to you. It’s about
giving the power back to the patient.”
With its expertise in healthcare and ability to put customers and
top-quality GPs at the heart of its work, GPDQ will serve as a perfect
partner for Quintessentially, helping to put fast and accessible private
healthcare on the agenda for all Members.
Aaron Simpson, Quintessentially Founder & Group Chairman, adds:
“This new app will increase our service levels even further and offer our
Members primary healthcare straight to their door at a very reasonable
cost for high-quality medical attention.”
WELLNESS
GPDQ is available seven days a week, from 8am to 11pm across
London and Birmingham, with more UK cities coming soon. Visit
gpdq.co.uk to find out more, or contact your Lifestyle Manager.
DINING OUT
FUSION
FOOD
TOKYOLIMA
Where Peru Meets Japan
Escaping the frenetic energy of Hong Kong’s Central
district is no mean feat but, for those in the know,
a cornucopia of hidden gems lies in wait. One such
jewel is TokyoLima.
Serving Nikkei cuisine in the atmosphere of a
Japanese izakaya, this late-night restaurant/bar
brings the flavours of Peru and Japan to the heart
of Central. Created by Pirata Group, the creative
brains behind Hong Kong’s Pirata and The Optimist,
TokyoLima invites you to lose track of time with
creative cocktails and late-night Nikkei.
Stepping into the terracotta and warm-toned bar,
guests are whisked away from the busy streets
of Central into the inviting atmosphere of Japan’s
famous late-night drinking and eating spot. Stop by
throughout the night for a quick drink and bite to
eat, to explore the extensive sake menu or to enjoy
a Nikkei feast of raw, marinated and seared plates.
18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
tokyolima.hk
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QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
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19

FEAST YOUR
EYES
PHOTO LONDON
The Photography Event of the Year
Photo London, the UK photography event of the year,
returns to the stunning setting of Somerset House
this May. Created to give London an international
photography event befitting the city’s status, the
world-class fair has established itself as a catalyst for
London’s dynamic photography community.
The four-day extravaganza will harness the city’s
outstanding creative talent, bringing together the
world’s leading photographers, exhibitors and
collectors to celebrate photography, the medium
of our time.
Quintessentially’s Art Patrons will enjoy
exclusive access to the VIP Preview on
17th May. For further details, please contact:
enquiries@quintessentially.com
Somerset House, 18th – 21st May
Strand, London WC2R 1LA
photolondon.org
A CULINARY
MOMENT
EVENTS
HENNESSY
Exclusive Paradis Impérial Cognac Tastings
Quintessentially has partnered with Hennessy, the
legendary French Maison de Cognac, to curate bespoke
and intimate experiential tastings and four-course
dinners that celebrate its ultra-refined expression:
Paradis Impérial.
Bringing together select Quintessentially Members and
Cognac connoisseurs, Hennessy, which has been crafting
the world’s finest Cognacs since 1765, is able to indulge
invités to a culinary moment like no other. The dinners,
which so far have taken place in New York and at Art
Basel Miami Beach, are contemporary gastronomic
evenings with the eau-de-vie’s “Made of Precision”
leitmotif front and centre.
At the Art Basel Miami Beach event last year, in the
penthouse of the Residences at The Miami Beach
EDITION, Hennessy and Quintessentially tapped
Grimanesa Amorós, a Peruvian light artist based in
New York City, to co-host the event.
“Precision, a word I love, is part of my life and my work.
The lighting must be extremely precise,” reasons the
artist, who is known for immersive, large-scale light
sculpture and light installations around the world. “For
me, the evening was a romance with the unknown, a
wonderful opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look
at the creation of Paradis Impérial.”
This spring will see the collaboration continue to
San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston.
quintessentiallyandco.com
enquiries@quintessentially.com
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
THE NEW SPRING COLLECTION
by Henry Daniel Jewellery
www.hdjewels.com
02079691433

WHEN THIS MAN SPEAKS,
WE LISTEN. SIR DAVID
ATTENBOROUGH HAS
BROUGHT US SUCH
A RICH AND DEEP
UNDERSTANDING OF OUR
PLANET, HE’S AS CLOSE
TO THE PERSONIFICATION
OF A WALKING, TALKING
NATURAL WORLD
ENCYCLOPAEDIA AS YOU
COULD HOPE TO FIND. AS
EBULLIENT AS EVER, HE
HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT
WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND,
MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE
WE’RE HEADED
written by CHRIS SMITH
A T T E N B O R O U G H ’ S
P L A N E T
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

PREVIOUS SPREAD:
Attenborough filming on a
river in Sabah, Borneo
OPPOSITE: Attenborough
saying hi to a black lion
tamarin
Even now, a proud 90 years young, Attenborough retains those
infectious qualities we’ve come to love as a nation; indeed, as
a planet. And it’s precisely the spotlighting of Earth’s minutest
details that has garnered him this affection, striding boldly
into environments few of us will ever see for ourselves, and
revealing the secrets of nature we’d never otherwise have
known. Over those nine decades, too, Attenborough has
seen the world change, for better or worse. Few people are as
qualified to comment on such matters, and it’s no surprise to
find him in the mood to speak plainly, which is exactly what we
get on a gloriously sunny afternoon at ZSL London Zoo.
“Science,” the veteran broadcaster begins, “is proceeding at
an extraordinary pace. When I started making programmes,
or certainly when I was at university, nobody believed
continents drifted around the surface of the Earth,” he says.
“Now that’s not only accepted, but the absolute basis for
understanding volcanoes, tsunamis… you can’t make sense
of the world now without knowing that sort of thing. That’s
happened in my lifetime.
“Look also at the discovery of DNA – we didn’t know about
DNA when I was an undergraduate, and now these discoveries
are going on all the time.”
THIS PAGE: Goamantong
cave in Sabah, Borneo
WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY WITH NATURE
While acknowledging that this relatively rapid pace of
knowledge growth is exciting, the elephant in the room –
sustainability – just won’t go away. “Governments need to
do more to address population growth,” Attenborough says
solemnly. “The pace of this is of detrimental to our planet,
and it’s undoubtedly our biggest concern. No matter what we
do now, no matter what measures are put in place, there are
going to be a billion more of us within the next decade. We’re
staring into the abyss because the planet cannot sustain such
gargantuan growth.”
The bottom line, Attenborough explains, is the planet is finite:
“We are heading for disaster. There seems to be this belief that
we can’t do much about it.” He shrugs. “In the last century, the
population has never collectively got together and said, ‘This is
what we will do for this issue.’ It must be possible.”
Indeed, although as a broadcaster it’s been his remit to
passively observe and report, Attenborough’s many years ‘in
the field’ allow him a rare and privileged perspective. “In my
opinion, all countries should develop a population policy,” he
suggests. “A total of 70 countries currently have this in one
form or another. The defining common denominator is to
make family planning and other reproductive health services
freely available to everyone, empowering and encouraging
their use, although without any kind of coercion.”
Yet it isn’t just humanity at risk; as conservation programmes
also struggle to keep up with a rapidly changing environment,
Earth’s very ecosystem is in danger.
“The Great Barrier Reef will be the first place that falls,”
Attenborough predicts with gruesome confidence. “It is the
most incredible place on Earth, but mass bleaching is having
an effect there and we need to isolate the whole area for
its self-preservation to kick back in. In the greater scheme
of things in localised areas, look at crops being unable to
handle the pressure put on them; it’s simply a waiting game.
And although, as a nation, we acknowledge a switch towards
organic produce, this type of food production actually
makes the challenge greater because, in production terms,
ethical produce is inefficient compared with genetically
modified strands.”
These issues, logic dictates, are very much intertwined. “We
know climate is already influencing crops, but the effect of
overpopulation will be far greater,” he continues. “The ripples
will extend far and wide. It’s a system we simply won’t be able
to sustain and widespread famine will become the norm,
spreading from the Third World. It’s an issue that must be
addressed – although I don’t doubt it will be.”
More positively, we should not forget the raft of heartwarming
ecological successes of recent years, he says – but for
drastic improvement there needs to be a focus on the planet,
not the economy (although funding for conservation projects
is vital, he notes). There’s a feeling, however, that although the
human race seems to be fighting a losing battle in some areas,
the parallel growth in the technology sector – arguably ahead
of the natural curve – opens up a well of potential solutions.
“The technical age is an incredible blessing,” Attenborough
agrees. “Because of our intelligence, our ever-increasing
skills and sophisticated technologies, we have medicines that
prevent our children from dying of disease; we have developed
ways of growing increasing amounts of food. It’s now just a
case of great minds playing catch-up in order to repair the
damage that has already been done.
“Those minds can take education and learning forward
because, let’s face it, we’ve never had a better chance to do
something really special and really prolific. When I was a boy,
a passion for the natural world wasn’t the norm. Nowadays it’s
fashionable to care about the flora and fauna, and we never
had that. Indeed, all we had were a few reference books and
a magnifying glass. Now there’s a whole world of multimedia
that can connect a child to the furthest species. So if we cannot
produce passion and educated people with all this at our
disposal, we never will. That’s the thing about humans – the
passion we have for learning.”
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q
25

BELOW: Attenborough
on Loch Lomond, Scotland,
with greylag geese flying
alongside
OPPOSITE:
Attenborough with filming
equipment in Sabah,
Borneo
There’s no denying the impact of Attenborough’s own
educational output, although he’s at pains to point out that
it’s very much a team effort. Planet Earth is just one in a long
line of flagship BBC documentaries and series – such as Life
on Earth, The Blue Planet, The Life of Mammals, Africa – all
spectacular in delivery and epic in scope. Their meticulous
presenter may be too humble to see himself at their heart, but
for all the splendour of nature the fact remains that he shows
it to us. Where the original Planet Earth in 2006 was groundbreaking
in its high-definition presentation, Planet Earth II –
broadcast late last year – benefited from greater technological
leaps. With each new iteration, the level of detail is enhanced.
Next on the agenda is Blue Planet II.
The popularity of such show-and-tells – Planet Earth is,
deservedly, globally successful – comes down to one simple
fact. “We can all identify with nature,” Attenborough smiles.
“Television is the one thing which can bring us closer than we
realise and although it cannot replicate actually being there, it
can make you appreciate and understand how the world we live
in is in reality. It’s an incredible medium.
WE KNOW CLIMATE IS ALREADY
INFLUENCING CROPS, BUT THE
EFFECT OF OVERPOPULATION
WILL BE FAR GREATER
“People have called Planet Earth ‘ground-breaking’. With
Planet Earth II, we tried to delve further into the hidden
aspects of animal life. The main difference is that while
Planet Earth gave a view – quite literally – from above, its
sequel embarks on immersing the viewer within the animal
community, as a sort of voyeur. It is time-consuming and took
incredible determination and patience to get exactly what
we needed, but they are not just pockets of information and
moving images dotted around – they are a plethora of stories
attempting to piece together the many tales of nature that
occur every single day, hour and minute… and are indeed
happening right now.”
There’s a vein of humour running through these programmes
too, given the often-amusing unpredictability of animals.
Attenborough fondly recalls having his shoes removed by baby
gorillas, surprising a sloth, and becoming the unwitting love
rival of a charged-up capercaillie in the Scottish Highlands…
and it’s precisely these interactions with his subjects that
continue to fascinate us.
Yet in an age where we take such things for granted, it’s
easy to forget the immense effort programmes like this
involve. The BBC has stated it hopes to make Planet Earth
III before Attenborough reaches his century. But beyond
that, the programme’s legacy will surely be an even greater
understanding of the world around us, continuing beyond the
steady hand of the man who made it all possible – although
there’s a consensus that Attenborough is irreplaceable.
The man himself won’t be drawn on that just yet, but
concludes with a positive message: “Through Planet Earth III
and IV, we’ll discover even more that our destiny remains in
our own hands. People are more aware than ever before.
“We’re all in this together.”
TIME SPENT IN
EXPERIENCED
HANDS
We take lifestyle planning seriously. So seriously that every one
of our team is an aviation expert, ideally placed to select and
secure exceptional private air travel for your needs.
Thanks to our dedication to service and extensive industry
knowledge you can reach your destination in effortless luxury.
Experience endless possibilities. This is your time.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
+44 1452 714500
charter@skytimeaviation.com
www.skytimeaviation.com

written by CATHY HAWKER
WHERE ARE THE WORLD’S MOST
EXTRAORDINARY PLACES AND
WONDROUS ADVENTURES TO
BOOKMARK BEFORE TIME SWEEPS
THEM AWAY? CATHY HAWKER
SETS OUT TO EXPLORE
WHAT A
Our hauntingly beautiful yet increasingly fragile planet
offers exhilarating opportunities for adventurous
travellers. Have you slept in an Arctic igloo or dived
along the Great Barrier Reef? Have you tracked white
rhinos at dawn in Kenya, watched the sunset on an
isolated Maldivian beach or dined in a Venetian palazzo
under a Renaissance frieze?
W O N D E R F U L
WORLD
No? Well not to worry because they probably feature
on your dream list for the day when life gives you more
time. Except of course time is the most fickle of friends,
unpredictable and never fully on side for you or for our
ever-changing Planet Earth.
So here are a super six extraordinary destinations to
book now, awe-inspiring wonders of the world that
might not be available for future generations. Seize the
day and sign up while you still can.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY # 43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

SONEVA FUSHI & SONEVA JANI, MALDIVES
CANADA
ARCTIC WATCH WILDERNESS LODGE, CANADA
In our constantly connected modern world, it’s increasingly
difficult to slip right off grid. Five hundred miles north of the
Arctic Circle and 50 miles from the nearest town in Nunavut,
Canada’s largest and northernmost territory, is one place to
start. In this testing environment by the Northwest Passage
where temperatures can change by 10 degrees Celsius within
one hour, Somerset Island is one of the best places in the world
to see beluga whales. Around 2,000 of the magnificent white
marine mammals collect there in July and August, turning it
into the perfect whale nursery.
Other activities include hiking on the tundra, fly fishing and
kayaking on the Northwest Passage. With no permanent
human population, Somerset Island is home to arctic foxes,
polar bears, seals and migratory birds.
WHERE TO STAY
The Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge on
Somerset Island is the most northerly fly-in
lodge in the world. It opened in 1992 as
a base in one of the last truly remote and
exceptional locations in the world, and is
open only in July and August. Run by husband
and wife team Richard Weber and Josée
Auclair – he is the most travelled North Pole
explorer alive today – it sits on Cunningham
Inlet with 16 private guest cabins around a
Great Room.
All food is prepared from scratch and
includes Okanagan Valley wines, Alberta
Organic Beef and French-Canadian cheeses.
A High Arctic dining experience with an
assuredly Canadian theme.
The much-photographed 1,190 coral islands of the Maldives set
in the vivid-blue Indian Ocean make up the lowest-lying nation
in the world with an average height of just 1.5m above sea level.
Only around 200 islands are inhabited and most are resorts, one
per island, but the existence of them all is threatened by rising
sea levels. Some scientists argue that by 2100, the Maldives
will have lost 77 per cent of its total land as the soft white sand
beaches and sloping palm trees are submerged below that
perfect cerulean water.
The Maldives are arguably best viewed from high above in
a seaplane or far below on a dive. The colours of the sea set
against the sand bars and vibrant but endangered coral reefs
that are home to fish, sea turtles, whales and dolphins produce
a marine ecosystem of outstanding splendour.
WHERE TO STAY
The original luxury hotel in the Maldives
was Soneva Fushi, opened in 1995 by
husband and wife Sonu and Eva Shivdasani
who still live there for at least half the year.
Their strong eco-credentials have proven that
luxury and sustainability can work hand
in hand.
So while Soneva Fushi has a 7,000-bottle
wine cellar, a stellar observatory and the
finest butler service, it also has firm principles.
Sonu and Eva will never serve lobster or foie
gras, they shun plastic bottles, do not use
coral or wood from any non-sustainable or
rainforest source and donate two per cent
of all room revenue to mitigate the hotel’s
carbon footprint.
Now the owners have opened a second
Maldives resort, also a 35-minute seaplane
ride from the capital, Male, and also with its
own house reef. Soneva Jani is surrounded
by an exceptional three miles of the bluest
lagoon. Overwater villas enable guests to
watch the marine life lingering in the gin-clear
water of the marine reserve below, or they
can look up through a retractable roof to
gaze at the stars. Heaven on Earth.
Q
MALDIVES
Q

I T A L Y
BELMOND HOTEL CIPRIANI, VENICE
How to cope with a city built on a lagoon of such striking
beauty and mysticism that the world wants to visit? As
visitor numbers soar, 22 million and rising, and the resident
population dwindles, down to under 55,000, Venice risks
becoming a Disneyfied theme park where narrow lanes
beneath the atmospheric, stone-slashed walls are impassable.
Venice covers only three square miles, loaded with 182 canals
and 436 bridges. It hosts the Venice Biennale, a prestigious
contemporary cultural festival founded in 1895 that entices the
great and good of the art world. The façades of the elaborate
palazzos lining the Grand Canal in a watery avenue of
architectural beauty are little changed over hundreds of years
but rising water levels, damage to the canals caused by the
wash of outrageously large cruise ships and the sheer number
of tourists threaten traditional Venetian life.
WHERE TO STAY
Getting away from the melee is the thing
in Venice. Four minutes by private water
taxi from San Marco on the tip of Giudecca
Island, Belmond Hotel Cipriani is the perfect
antidote. Decorated in full-throttle Venetian
style with Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance
flourishes, the hotel allows guests to have a
relaxing holiday while enjoying the majestic
sights of La Serenissima.
The hotel has a clay tennis court, a state-ofthe-art
gymnasium overlooking the gardens,
a private marina, spa, children’s club and
Venice’s only heated Olympic-sized swimming
pool. Sit in the Michelin-starred restaurant
and gaze at the super-sized Murano glass
chandeliers or dine in more casual Cip’s Club
with views across the lagoon to San Marco.
Q
AFRICA
KICHECHE LAIKIPIA CAMP, KENYA
In 1960 there were 2,000 northern white rhinos worldwide but now
there are only three and they are all at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in
Laikipia, northern Kenya. Smaller than their southern equivalents
and highly valued by poachers for their horn, these precious animals
are being carefully nurtured in one of Africa’s most private and
prized safari areas.
Laikipia is a wild and raw wilderness in the shadow of snow-capped
Mount Kenya. Substantially larger than the Mara and significantly
less crowded, all its ranches and lodges are private, offering a truly
personalised service. The high open plains and acacia forests of
Ol Pejeta’s expertly managed 90,000 acres are home to East Africa’s
largest collection of black rhinos, zebra, giraffe, jackals, cheetah
and of course, Africa’s Big Five (lion, Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard
and rhinoceros).
WHERE TO STAY
Kicheche Laikipia Camp accommodates up to 12 guests
in six custom-designed tents set around a waterhole. The
camp is the most luxurious in Laikipia, combining total
comfort with impressive eco-credentials. Guests can choose
walking, cycling or motorised safaris, or just relax in the
camp under endless African skies.
AUSTRALIA
ONE & ONLY HAYMAN ISLAND,
GREAT BARRIER REEF AUSTRALIA
The world’s largest coral reef system, stretching along 1,400
miles of Australia’s northeast coast and containing nearly
3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands, is an exceptional
natural wonder of the world. The Great Barrier Reef is home
to 30 species of whale, porpoise and dolphin, 1,600 fish
species and 3,000 types of molluscs, and attracts two million
visitors every year.
Pollution, overfishing and rising sea temperatures causing
severe bleaching are damaging this most fragile eco-system
and the reef, along with the marvellous diversity of marine
life it supports, are all under serious threat.
‘AS AWARENESS GROWS FOR
ENDANGERED DESTINATIONS,
WE SEE A GROWING INTEREST
IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM’
Jenny Graham – Director, Quintessentially Travel
WHERE TO STAY
In the northern reaches of the Whitsundays
archipelago, One & Only Hayman Island is
an exclusive private island resort at the heart
of the Great Barrier Reef. Guests arrive by
luxury yacht or seaplane from Great Barrier
Reef Airport and spend their days exploring
the reef itself, taking a short helicopter ride to
play a round of golf on Dent Island, Australia’s
only championship island golf course, or
enjoying the resort’s long sweep of soft sand
beach and coral reef.
Q

‘THERE REALLY IS NO TIME
LIKE THE PRESENT’
Jenny Graham – Director, Quintessentially Travel
M A L A Y S I A
ST REGIS LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
Langkawi in Malaysia was the first place in Southeast Asia to
be awarded Global Geopark status from UNESCO, a tribute
to its geological heritage and rich, diverse eco-systems. The
archipelago of 100 islands off northwest Malaysia has tidal
flats, mangroves, beaches and coral reefs: a lush and beautiful
place of rainforests and water that marks it out as truly special.
While UNESCO is watching with concern, the boats which
visitors use to travel between the islands are threatening to
damage the mangroves that help maintain the precious
natural balance.
WHERE TO STAY
The newly opened St Regis Langkawi offers five-star service in this
historic landscape. From the Bentley that delivers guests to the resort to
the effortless butler service, the St Regis focuses on quality so guests can
focus on the UNESCO-protected forest and lush vegetation.
Enjoy a cocktail at sunset in the bar made from a converted Cambodian
temple, relax in the Iridium Spa or sit by the pool overlooking the
Andaman Sea. Away from the resort, the hotel recommends a cable-car
ride to the world’s longest free span bridge with a panoramic view over
the region, or a rainforest trek to learn about the mysteries of centuriesold
plants and trees.
For further advice from Quintessentially’s travel experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
UNESCO HERITAGE SITES
UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific
and Cultural Organisation) lists 1,052 sites as
World Heritage Sites, places of significance for
cultural, historical or scientific importance. They
include the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Wall
of China, the Roman city of Bath in the UK and
Yellowstone National Park.
It also lists 55 endangered sites including
including Everglades National park in the USA,
the rainforests of Madagascar and several historic
sites in the Middle East.
whc.unesco.org
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BY APPOINTMENT TO
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
SWAROVSKI OPTIK
SUPPLIER OF BINOCULARS
EL 32
UP CLOSE ON
YOUR ADVENTURE
A vast expanse stretches before you. You are enthralled by the beauty of the savannah,
which is revealed in every single conceivable shade of brown and green. A silhouette
of thousands of gnus, antelope and zebras migrating can be seen in the blazing sun.
But your attention is drawn in an instant to a young cheetah that is carefully
stalking a gazelle. It suddenly sets off in pursuit of its prey at an incredible speed.
You’ve never been as close as this to the action, thanks to the EL 32 binoculars.
SWAROVISION technology allows you to enjoy this unforgettable encounter with
wildlife displayed in razor-sharp, vivid and lifelike images. With SWAROVSKI OPTIK
the world belongs to those who can see beauty.
SEE THE UNSEEN
WWW.SWAROVSKIOPTIK.COM
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY # 43
Q

SELFE
I N D U L G E N C E
ONCE PENSIONED OFF TO ADVERTISEMENTS FOR LIFE
INSURANCE AND WALK-IN BATHS, OAP MODELS ARE NOW VERY
MUCH IN FASHION. BUT WHAT DOES SUCH A TREND SAY ABOUT
THE INDUSTRY, US AS CONSUMERS AND THE GRACEFULLY
AGEING FASHIONISTAS ENJOYING A GLORIOUS SECOND ACT?
written by SAMUEL MUSGUIN-ROWE
photography by PAUL FARNHAM
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

Luminous beneath the photographer’s
lights, the model is a consummate
pro. Chin up, hands clasped, posture
inch-perfect. Make-up free just an hour
ago, flowing locks fastened in a clip,
wearing clothes built for comfort, now
she is resplendent, dressed in a lace top
and skort. A vision in purple and green,
perched atop a stool.
As the entire crew huddles around a
monitor, beaming at each fresh image
that appears, it’s clear this is no ordinary
photoshoot. For today Q is in the
presence of an icon, an individual that
has graced catwalks in London and
Milan, posed for David Bailey, Nick
Knight and Mario Testino, fronting ad
Yet after her husband’s death from a stroke in 1997, and having
curated a lengthy CV as a part-time movie extra, in 1998 Selfe
was invited to return to the runway for Red or Dead at London
Fashion Week.
A Vogue shoot followed, as did a contract with esteemed
agency, Models 1, leading to two decades filled with glamorous
work around the globe.
“Ooh, more,” says Selfe, on location in west London, when
asked how she enjoys her second stint in modelling versus
the first. “More so, because life’s too short. When you’re over
70, you enjoy everything you can get in.” Selfe flashes a wide,
gallows smile. “Because, you know, any minute now…”
But while Daphne Selfe is unquestionably a grand dame of the
model world, one whose ceaseless energy and pronounced
cheekbones belie her birth certificate, she is not exactly an
THIS IS DAPHNE SELFE: WORLD’S OLDEST SUPERMODEL.
AGE 88 AND THREE QUARTERS
campaigns for Dolce and Gabbana,
Ralph Lauren, Gap and TK Maxx. She
has also found time to star in some 400
movies (Sliding Doors, A Room With
A View and two Bond films among
them), had a recent memoir hit the
top of the Amazon chart in Japan, and
proudly owns a very special Guinness
World Record.
This is Daphne Selfe: the world’s oldest
supermodel, age 88 and three quarters.
Making her modelling entry in 1949,
Selfe appeared on the cover of Reading
Review, by way of a competition, for a
meagre 15 guineas (£15.75). Going on to
showcase luxury furs and pose nude for
esteemed sculptor Barbara Hepworth,
she embraced marriage and family life
in the mid-’50s, presuming a modelling
career would remain in the rear view.
PREVIOUS SPREAD
dress Malene Oddershede Bach
earrings and bracelet Vicki Sarge
fur collar Paul & Joe
ring Pebble London
glasses Lindberg
outlier. Though fashion has always been skewed (obsessed,
even) towards youth – Kate Moss was discovered in JFK
airport, aged 14; Giselle Bündchen while dining at McDonalds,
also 14 – we are currently witnessing a silver-haired revolution.
Look inside Loewe’s Spring 2017 brand book and you’ll find
Charlotte Rampling (71), who also fronted a 2014 cosmetics
campaign for Nars. That same year, Jessica Lange (then 64)
became the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty, and in 2016 Twiggy
celebrated 50 years in fashion by modelling her 15th Marks
and Spencer collection – at the age of 66. Read the style
glossies and they proclaim: “Grey is the new black.”
But is the nascent boom of OAP catwalk icons here to stay, or
simply a fleeting, tokenistic fad?
One argument is that the advertising and fashion industries
have merely done the maths. In an ageing society, the over-50s
account for almost 80 per cent of wealth in the UK. British
fifty-something women spend £7 billion on clothing per year
– a figure that climbs 4.5 per cent annually – whereas younger
consumers continue to flounder financially. With that in mind,
making a play for the so-called “grey pound” might represent
less of a gimmick, but sound business sense.
There is no supply shortage on the talent front, either.
Bearing the tagline “Beautifully ageing”, Grey Model Agency
is dedicated to models aged 35 and up. Despite launching
as recently as 2015, the agency receives more than 300
applications a week from budding models across the world,
many of whom have no professional experience.
OPPOSITE
top Barrus
skort Freya Dalsjø
earrings Vicki Sarge
bracelet Mawi
ring Pebble London
Q
38 QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

OPPOSITE
jacket and trousers Gabriel Vielma
shirt Paul & Joe
earrings Cornelia Webb
ring Pebble London
glasses Lindberg
THIS PAGE
dress Zeynep Kartal
necklaces and earrings Pebble London
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q
41

THIS PAGE
dress Three Floor
jacket Emma Brewin
earrings Vicki Sarge
ring Pebble London
OPPOSITE
Clockwise from top:
Daphne Selfe in her youth,
Zvona from Grey Model Agency,
London on the catwalk,
and an older model walks for
Olivia Ann May
‘NO, I DIDN’T
INVENT THE OAP
MOVEMENT,’ BEAMS
DAPHNE SELFE.
‘IT INVENTED ME’
“I think we’ve proved it’s not a trend now,” explains Grey’s
founder, Rebecca Valentine. “We are very rebellious, in that
what we’re doing is very leftfield. Models are coming to us
from all over the world because they are rejected by standard
model agencies for being too old.
“Our models aren’t all silver haired and 5ft 10 – they’re a
range. They’re curvy, they’re edgy, some of them are quite
asexual looking, pierced, tattooed. We’re promoting edgy,
cool, happening older people. We’re not classic.”
And yet, if there is a drawback amidst fashion’s grey wave, it’s
that such diversity has yet to trickle down to ad campaigns
or fashion houses. Age may no longer be a roadblock, but
models still tend to skew towards classically skeletal, with
plus-sized older models all-but invisible. Men, while allowed
to age gracefully in the media, are largely marginalised, with
models between 40 and 60 residing in a helpless purgatory
between young and old.
The war, it seems, is not yet won. The opening of London
Fashion Week this February was mired in protest, as five
models aged between 47 and 65 marched against the lack of
age diversity. Despite the foothold of older models within the
industry, the average age of a runway model at LFW is still
only 17.
As for Selfe, though her catwalk days
may be behind her (“I have funny
feet, I can’t wear high heels”), the
insatiable octogenarian has no plan to
slow down. With four jobs in the past
month – including one in New York,
for Dove and another book mooted
(“If only I could find the time”), she
might quite legitimately add ‘hardestworking
model’ to her long scroll of
achievements.
But then what do you expect, from
the OAP model who spawned an
entire movement?
“No, I didn’t invent it,” beams Daphne
Selfe. “It invented me.”
Follow Daphne on Instagram
@daphneselfe
“What needs to happen for brands to be successful is to just
be a bit braver,” says Valentine. “Use models who are not just
old, for tokenism, but are really powerful looking.
Q
42
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
“And move away from celebrity – Helen Mirren’s lovely,
but I think everyone’s seen enough of her. There are much
stronger-looking people out there who will convey a far
better message than the bland, easy, wallpaper celebrities
we’ve seen year after year.”
Q

THIS PAGE
dress Malene Oddershede Bach
earrings and bracelet Vicki Sarge
fur collar Paul & Joe
ring Pebble London
glasses Lindberg
PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Farnham
PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT Olga Kotovska
FASHION STYLIST Rosie Bess
FASHION ASSISTANT Ellize McBride
HAIR STYLIST Diana Moar
MAKEUP ARTIST Rachel Freeman
MODEL Daphne Selfe
ART DIRECTOR Lauren Robertson
Shot on location at Albert’s Private Member’s Club
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43

QUINTESSENTIALLY&CO.
GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF AN ASTON MARTIN WITH
NOTHING BUT A MAP AND FREE TIME ON YOUR HANDS IS MORE
THAN A MERE ROMANTIC NOTION. IT’S GETTING BACK TO BASICS,
AND FOCUSSING ON FREEDOM AND DISCOVERY
THRILLING
DRIVES
AUTHORS AND FILMMAKERS HAVE DRAWN INSPIRATION
FROM THE OPEN ROAD. IT’S A LANDSCAPE THAT UNITES
ALL TYPES OF TRAVELLERS BUT EACH ROAD-TRIP IS
UNIQUE AND THE ROUTE YOU MAKE YOUR OWN
written by EMILY BRYANT
An integral part of the Aston Martin design aesthetic is the juxtaposition of
old and new — the seamless fusion of classic craftsmanship techniques with
groundbreaking technology. This key element is reflected in all Art of Living
by Aston Martin experiences, and these two On Tour drives through Germany,
and Norway are excellent examples.
Bavaria is a land of unique diversity, rich in traditions and legacy which add a
fascinating texture to a state largely considered a bastion of liberal, forwardthinking
innovation in 21st-century Germany. Art of Living by Aston Martin has
planned a spectacular three-day drive which explores the German Alpine Road,
travelling across forests, mountains and valleys.
The historical town and starting point of Lindau on Lake Constance captures
the quintessence of Bavarian scenery. The rest of the route winds along the
spectacular Jochstraße road, through the Allgäu Mountains, and across
the Oberjochpass renowned for its Alpine views. Along the way, marvel at
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, and stop off in gorgeous towns
such as Oberammergau.
Norway’s naturally impressive and unspoilt scenery, with
spectacular waterfalls, valleys, mountains and fjords, make
it a perfect setting for a memorable drive. Over four days,
guests weave through local towns, starting in Kristiansund
and Angvik, and then along the Atlantic Highway. This
66-mile-long section of road has attracted visitors since
the 1940s, with its heart-stopping views and hairpin bends.
Following this route gives a fascinating insight into a
culture borne out of ancient farming traditions, scarce
resources and the eventual innovation taken in the face of
a harsh climate.
To learn about Aston Martin’s unique experiences,
please visit astonmartinartofliving.com for more details
Q
46
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q
47

QUINTESSENTIALLYART
London-based jeweller Stephen Webster MBE is the
founder of a brand that epitomises luxury and bold
creativity. As a long-time supporter of Quintessentially,
Stephen shares the philosophy of bringing beauty and
glamour to an international clientele. Here, he discusses his
inspiring career and the design behind his iconic collections
coveted by icons and idols such as Madonna, Johnny Depp
and Charlize Theron.
How did your journey into jewellery design begin? When I
first entered a jewellery workshop at the Medway College
of Design, I was 16 and knew that somewhere in there my
future lay ahead. I then became an apprentice at an old
goldsmithing company in London’s jewellery district and 40
years later I’m still making a living from gold.
How would you describe your personal aesthetic and how
is this reflected in your jewellery designs? Many years ago I
knew that I was interested only in creative jewellery. Much
of the industry is not particularly interested in this element
so it was a struggle to establish our brand, but we have
achieved a lot without a lot of compromises.
STEPHEN WEBSTER
A LIFE SHAPED
BY JEWELLERY
What is your favourite piece of jewellery you have created
and why? Part of our DNA is the ‘Crystal Haze’ concept I
developed nearly 20 years ago. These are doublets, meaning
a double layer of stones. The lower layer is always cut from
an opaque gem such as hematite or opal that provides the
colour and the upper layer is translucent quartz. The result
is like an illumination: the light passes through the facets of
the quartz, bounces about inside the stone and refracts the
colour back out to the eye.
Where do you turn for design inspiration? My biggest
influence has been the ocean. I love the sea and have a
house which looks out over the English Channel. One of my
most successful collections, ‘Jewels Verne’ was inspired by
one of my favourite books as a child and I still have 20,000
Leagues Under The Sea. More recently, I’ve been inspired
by the poetry of William Blake and we’ve created a series of
collections that celebrate what it means to me to be British.
These include ‘Magnipheasant’, ‘Lady Stardust’, ‘England
Made Me’ and ‘Beasts of London’.
Could you tell us about the recent collaboration with Tracey
Emin and any future projects to look forward to? Tracey
and I have been friends for many years. In the late ’70s,
Tracey was part of the Margate posse and I was one of the
Gravesend boys who would regularly sojourn along the
Thames estuary to Margate, where we would meet girls and
dance at the Atlantis nightclub.
Fast forward several decades with Tracey firmly established as one of the world’s
most prominent artists, and when we opened our first store in LA she made me a
neon sign that read “I Promise To Love You”. Tracey chose this because she said it
belonged in a place where people give and receive tokens of love. Some time after
that, I proposed to Tracey that the emotional power expressed in her work would
translate perfectly as jewellery. Tracey in return agreed that I could “have a go”.
In fact, it took me at least two years to “have a go” but eventually I presented
a thick book of designs demonstrating how I could use her art to inspire a
comprehensive jewellery collection. Produced in entirely 18k yellow gold, the
resulting collection comprises sculptural renditions of Tracey’s animal sketches
and what turned out to be the smash hit of the collection, her neons. Re-created
using gold and set with diamonds, these iconic slogans appeal to women of all
ages. The earrings, pendants, rings and cuffs bear terms such as “More Passion”,
“With You I Breathe” or the original inspiration for the collaboration, “I Promise
To Love You”.
As part of Quintessentially’s Spring Patron Programme, Patrons are invited
to a champagne reception and talk with celebrity jeweller Stephen Webster at
his flagship store in Mayfair. Combining his impeccable craftsmanship with a
passion for music, fashion and art, Webster will discuss his eponymous brand,
which encompasses recent collaboration with leading contemporary artists
such as Tracey Emin. The event will take place at Stephen Webster’s store on
Wednesday 10th May at 6:30 pm.
Stephen Webster
Second Floor, 130 Mount Street, London W1K 3NY
stephenwebster.com
For more information about the Art Patron Programme please contact:
enquiries@quintessentially.com
written by TALI ZELOOF
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

ROCKET
M A N
CHANGING THE WORLD, EXPLORING
SPACE, SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT
ELON MUSK IS DOING IT ALL
written by NATHALIE BRADBURY
What does it take to be super-successful in business?
While most of us know that you need a clear vision of what
you want to achieve, preferably with a simple but genius
idea, the execution is not as easy as it sounds, because it
requires sacrifice and extraordinary resistance in the face
of adversity. That is, of course, why most of us don’t go on
to rule the world; it’s the difference between the average
human being and business demi-gods like Elon Musk.
Musk is the archetypal ‘mover and shaker’ in business.
He made his initial fortune as a co-founder of PayPal along
with the sale of his first company, the computer software
outfit, Zip2 while he was still in his 20s. Admired for
his visionary, landmark achievements and missions, he
continually strives to redefine the way we approach the
future. Renewable energy, electric vehicles and even space
travel to Mars, nothing is out of his reach.
Some draw comparisons with Steve Jobs, but that would
be a discredit to Musk’s unique stamp and his daredevil
attitude to investing in groundbreaking innovation that
most consider science fiction. It is Musk’s background and
career trajectory that are truly compelling. He started out
in the 1990s in his 20s, armed with a considerable set of
computer skills and a passion for sci-fi. These tools were
instrumental in his development and investment in cuttingedge
concepts. Often labelled as ‘insane’ by his close friends
and associates because of the financial risks he took, he
used a large part of his early fortune in his endeavours to
‘reduce the costs of space travel’ and to take Man to Mars.
Nothing major then.
Q
50
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

As mentioned, in his role as Cofounder,
Chairman and CEO of Tesla
Motors he aims to make the fully
electric vehicle an everyday form of
transportation. At the same time in his
role as CEO of SpaceX, he is working
towards developments that will enable
humans to go into space, while as
Chairman of SolarCity he oversees
the largest American solar power
installation company.
Moving in the sectors he does, it will
come as no surprise that his path has
been bumpy at times. In 2016, Musk
went into damage-limitation mode
on several occasions and the fact that
he did so with such conviction only
serves to underline his unflagging
resourcefulness and conviction.
PREVIOUS PAGES
FROM LEFT: SpaceX
Mars mission concept
art; Illustration of
Elon Musk, SpaceX
Interplanetary
Transport System
THIS PAGE FROM
LEFT: Residential
rooftops in the US
with SolarCity’s solar
panels installed, Tesla’s
innovative Powerwall
can power a house for
a full day
He also invested millions in a very small electric-car
company in Silicon Valley, which burgeoned into the super
brand we now know as Tesla. Experts in the industry
were forced to eat humble pie as Musk’s dream to make
electric cars the norm edged closer to reality. And yet it is
his humble beginnings that make his global impact all the
more poignant. He fled his native South Africa at the age
of 17, escaping a rough upbringing and a country he saw as
inflexible, to find his feet in Canada. Without two pennies
to rub together, he carved his way, performing a variety of
self-taught manual jobs; he got himself through university
studies, graduating with a degree in Economics and Physics
from the University of Pennsylvania. It was his next move
to Silicon Valley which heralded the beginning of his
remarkable rise to success. By 2012, Musk had confounded
cynics and critics, building an unrivalled business portfolio
that included Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity, yielding him a
net worth of $5 billion. He is now rumoured to be worth
over $13 billion.
As expected in one as driven as Musk, his exacting
standards have made him enemies along the way, but it
would be impossible to deny his dynamism and positive
influence on every economic and intellectual venture
undertaken. Sources close to Musk confirm his innate
ability to pick out excellent people from the crowd and to
make them feel good about working with him.
Recently, Musk’s interest in renewable
energy has caught the attention of
environmentalists, namely in radical
government-proposed projects in
South Australia’s Port Augusta. These
revolutionary energy infrastructure
projects aim to replace the state’s
dwindling coal and gas supply, and
support the power network’s existing
wind and solar energy through pumped
hydro, big-battery storage set-ups and
a solar thermal tower that draws on
molten salt to store energy. This could
improve the lives of millions of people.
Now all that remains to be seen is
whether Musk can deliver another tour
de force on what is one of the most
pressing issues of our time – saving
the environment.
Given Musk’s track record of resilience,
coupled with his unquenchable thirst for
boundary-breaking technology, he could
very well be changing the world we live
in, and taking us to worlds beyond our
own, within the next generation.
EXPERIENCE LONDON MADE SUITING
gandhum.com
GANDHUM
LONDON
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43

GENERATION Y, KNOWN AS THE MILLENNIALS — THOSE BORN BETWEEN 1980
AND 2000 — ARE DICTATING THE NEW LUXE VALUES, VALUES THAT LIE IN
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. BUT THIS CROWD IS NOTHING IF NOT FICKLE. HOT ONE
MINUTE AND FORGOTTEN THE NEXT, YOUR IDENTITY IS KEY AND
SELF-DEVELOPMENT AS YOUR OWN BRAND HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER
written by SHANU WALPITA
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

COOL KIDS WILL
LITERALLY QUEUE
FOR HOURS TO
GET HOLD OF
ONE-OF-A-KIND
MUST-HAVES
WHICH SELL OUT
IN MINUTES
Have you heard? Luxe is in flux. It may sound like something
emblazoning a slogan tee but this catchy sound bite is an
accurate deciphering of the current luxury zeitgeist. The key
instigator of this so-called flux is the millennial generation
(born between 1980 and 2000). In the past, luxury was defined
by price and scarcity; however, this is shifting from the opulent
to the abstract. Moments and experiences have become the
new signifiers of luxury, spurred by FOMO (fear of missing
out) and the fast-paced hype cycle.
Significantly, as of 2017, millennials are the largest consumer
generation in history. Combined, they are expected to spend
more than $200 billion annually, and $10 trillion in their
lifetimes. As a result, marketing agencies and think tanks
have been scrambling to understand this now powerful
demographic. So, what’s their deal? Millennials are digital
natives. Their idea of status isn’t shaped by luxurious
possessions but by new experiences and technologies that
match (and simplify) their busy lifestyles. They value emotion
and correlate identity to altruistic wellness, and perhaps most
importantly, they are adaptive.
Lucie Greene, worldwide director of the Innovation Group at
JWT, speaking to US publication WWD explains: “When you
think about youth, they are constantly adapting. And if you
look at a 50-plus consumers, they are loyal – but they too are
increasingly behaving like millennials. Millennial behaviour is
becoming mass behaviour.”
PREVIOUS SPREAD:
Woman at Aespia
Festival, a 24-hour
celebration of art and
escapism in secret
woods near London
ABOVE: One of the
Twelve Apostles rock
formations on the
Victoria Coast of
Australia from Jungles
in Paris
OPPOSITE: Image
from Yonder Journal’s
most recently published
book Dead Reckoning
BELOW: Ethereal
pictures taken at
Aespia Festival
So it seems that generational behaviour is porous to a certain
degree – taking influence from the biggest shareholders and
influencers, aka the millennials. As a result, the luxury market
is becoming emboldened by millennials’ interest for luxuries of
enduring value, experience and emotional connection. This is
especially so for an off-shoot of this generation – the millennial
HENRY (high earners, not rich yet). HENRYs are important to
the luxury market because those who ultimately reach ultraaffluent
income levels start out as a HENRY. Shopping/lifestyle
habits learned while they are living as HENRYs are often
carried over into their later stages of life.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
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The idea of FOMO is normalised via the mass adoption of
ephemeral social verticals such as Instagram and Snapchat.
Surveys show it’s the 18-24-year-old that makes a regular, daily
pilgrimage to social media whereas those aged 25-34 are less
concerned about missing a post.
OPPOSITE: Image
from Yonder Journal’s
Dead Reckoning project
ABOVE: A Yonder
Journal rider traverses
New Zealand’s South
Island on bike
This unique micro-demographic places more value on
functional luxury than any other. They seek to use and
experience luxury without needing to own it per se. Where
HENRYs of previous generations have aspired for a house
or a car, millennial HENRYs go after emotive experiences,
according to Jamie Gutfreund, CMO of agency Deep Focus.
Interestingly, this concept of experiential luxury is already
bubbling up via the hospitality and travel sectors. Havas
LuxHub research shows that luxury means more to millennials
when bought for themselves, rather than received as gifts,
because they value the sense of achievement. Travel is thus
becoming the new status symbol, and simultaneously the
moniker of luxe functional experience. Travellers are seeking
unique encounters – those generic tourist traps are definitely
out of the question. Instead, the best-kept secrets and lesstravelled
paths dictate an escapist sentiment. Spurred by
inspirational off-the-beaten-track publications and websites
like Atlas Obscura, Yonder Journal, This Place Journal and
Jungles in Paris, value is placed on doing something unique
that hasn’t been experienced by peers. LOST mag explores the
“self-discovery through travel” ideal, and provides readers with
intimate long-form travel journalism that denotes a sense of
immersion. Jubel is another great example and is a surprise
travel company that reveals its destination on the arrival at
the airport. A similar sentiment is shared by London’s Aespia
festival where revellers can reach the event only by taking a
blacked-out bus to a secret location.
But there’s another side to the story. Talk with HENRYs (and
all millennials) about what luxury means and you’ll hear words
such as conspicuous consumption; indulgence; exclusivity;
elitism and extravagance. A key word in that mix is ‘exclusivity’
as it’s incredibly indicative of a more general youth movement
– one that’s grounded in FOMO and hype.
Even more telling, 30 per cent of younger-generation, 18-24
millennials are on Snapchat every day compared to a mere 19
per cent of older millennials aged 25-34. It’s the youngest set
of millennials who are particularly receptive to disappearing
media and content.
But what does this mean for the luxury market? Well, simply
put, it’s about focusing on immediacy, exclusivity and a strong
brand DNA. This concept is already potent and present in
the fashion industry. The best and most youth-driven example
is Supreme, aka the coolest, most hyped street-wear label in
the world.
EMOTION IS THE ULTIMATE
LUXURY. IT’S WHAT DRIVES
US TO SEEK CONNECTION
AND A DESIRE FOR UNIQUE
EXPERIENCES
Its ‘drop’ marketing system has had an impact on the entire
fashion scene, from high street to high fashion. Supreme whips
up extreme hype by ‘dropping’ a few pieces every Thursday;
cool kids will literally queue for hours to get hold of one-ofa-kind
must-haves which sell out in minutes. It’s proved to be
a highly successful business model and has spurred a fashion
movement defined by FOMO and exclusivity. It has also
helped elevate the brand from street to luxe – word has it that
LVMH has its eye on Supreme but rumours of a $500 million
buyout have since been quashed.
This hype-cycle which is incredibly fast-moving echoes a wider
zeitgeist sentiment; one that’s described by Tony Crabbe,
author of Busy: How To Thrive in a World of Too Much, as an
infinite world – where things never end, as there are always
more schedules, social platforms, deadlines, meet-ups and
as a result millennials (and Gen-Z) are becoming too busy
to process their emotions. But – and there’s a big but – they
are intrinsically drawn in by content and brands that rouse
emotion. Contextually speaking, emotion is the ultimate
luxury. It’s what drives us to seek connection and a desire for
unique experiences. Without emotion, there is no real luxury –
no matter if we are in or out of the flux.
For further advice from Quintessentially’s travel experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

Start your Journey to Wellness
The Mediterranean Lifestyle inspires Marbella Club’s new wellbeing programmes,
comprising personalized nutrition and medical pathways.
Marbella Club provides an all-encompassing wellness experience based on
Mediterranean principles, healthy cuisine, activities, effective medical, holistic,
therapeutic and thalassotherapy treatments.
Led by our dedicated and supportive team of professionals,
you will experience immediate and sustainable results.
MEALS FROM MEMORY
LONDON’S RESTAURANTS DELVE INTO THE PAST TO ELEVATE
EVERYDAY DINING INTO A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE
If you wish to receive further information about our Wellness Programmes
please contact our dedicated Wellness team: wellness@marbellaclub.com
Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602, Marbella, Málaga, Spain
(34) 952 822 211 Fax (34) 952 82 88 84 marbellaclub.com
written by HANNAH FELT
Partner Liaison Manager
Restaurants & Nightlife
Q
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

PREVIOUS PAGE:
An opulent dining table
at Park Chinois
CHEFS ADMINISTER POLLOCK-ESQUE SPLASHES OF SAUCE
ON EDIBLE PAPER, TOPPED WITH INTRICATE MORSELS,
WHILE WAITERS DRESSED IN STRAITJACKETS AND CIRCUS
TAILS COMPÈRE THE GUESTS
THIS PAGE:
Pekinese dumpling,
crunchy pig’s ear with
strawberry hoi sin, aioli
and gherkins at Street
XO, the Pork Pie Trolley
at Berners Tavern,
perfectly delicate plating
at La Dame de Pic, and
the bar at Street XO
Take a moment to remember how it felt to visit a special restaurant when
you were a child. Usually to mark some kind of occasion, from start to finish
the experience was one of utter excitement, as you sat mesmerised while
tables groaned with unfamiliar dishes served by polished staff. How adult and
sophisticated you felt staring in awe as the theatre played out in the booming
dining room, right up until the moment the after-dinner mints signalled the end
of the evening. But with Londoners dining out on average four times a week,
combined with an increase in takeaways, only half of all meals are cooked at
home. And with that, dining out is in danger of losing its shine.
The pace of London’s food scene means restaurants have to strive to stand out. In
uncertain times we look at the past with rose-tinted glasses, something that the
city’s establishments are perhaps playing on, looking to the past for inspiration to
stimulate nostalgia and the child-like excitement for discovery that Londoners so
often lack.
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QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
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THIS PAGE:
A decadent cocktail
at Park Chinois, the
opulent settings of Park
Chinois and the lemon
meringue Alaska at
The Ivy Soho Brasserie
Take Park Chinois for example, an homage to the ‘dinner and dance’ of the 1920s.
It’s difficult not to feel as though you are walking into a Bond film as you part
the crimson velvet curtains to be greeted by an immaculate host and a flurry of
white-tie waiters. The opulent chinoiserie beckons, as do the crackling fireplaces,
exquisitely painted detailing and layers of gilding, while a sultry jazz band sets
the tone. Guests find themselves transported into a bygone world of Hollywood
starlets and snappily dressed suitors and, for those few hours, reality melts away.
NEXT PAGE:
The bar at Park
Chinois, La Dame de
Pic’s intricate French
classic mille-feuille
and The Oxford
Blue’s after-dinner
mints, complete with
miniature hammer to
smash with gusto
The same can be said of the recently opened Isabel in Mayfair, an Art Deco dream
from the team behind Casa Cruz in Notting Hill. Concealed behind dazzling gold
doors, the main dining room is filled with nautical features, jewel tones and brass
fixtures that are rumoured to enhance diners’ skin tones. The trend of interpreting
‘days gone by’ into magnificent but modern interiors is very much du jour, and
has been harnessed by starchitect Martin Brudnizki, whose signature style is in
evidence at the capital’s hottest restaurants, from Sexy Fish and Aquavit to The Ivy.
What all these restaurants have in common is the initial wow factor, revealing new
quirks and details upon each subsequent visit to keep even the most world-weary
guests on their toes.
It’s not just restaurant interiors that draw on the past for inspiration. Dinner
by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park takes its menu to the extreme
with astonishing results. Tracking down recipes and methods from medieval
cookbooks, Heston Blumenthal has created a menu that celebrates British culinary
history while tailoring it for a modern audience. His famous ‘Meat Fruit’, a chicken
liver parfait from the 16th century, is cleverly disguised as a mandarin orange that
plays with your imagination with a theatrical flourish.
AN HOMAGE TO THE ‘DINNER AND DANCE’ OF
THE 1920S, IT’S DIFFICULT NOT TO FEEL AS
THOUGH YOU ARE WALKING INTO A BOND FILM
The Ivy Soho Brasserie revives iconic retro techniques, such as flambéed Tarte
Tartin. This classic ’80s dessert bursts into flame before your very eyes, and is
a firm favourite of Quintessentially’s Restaurant Specialist Keith Doyle. “Food
this fun makes me fall in love with restaurants all over again,” he says. “I love
how certain flavours or cookery methods can completely elevate your dining
experience and evoke special memories.” Berners Tavern also celebrates the decade
of shoulder pads with its Pork Pie Trolley, a throwback to a time when its rattling
arrival tableside was the height of sophistication.
At the other end of the spectrum is the futuristic Street XO, an adult’s playground
in the heart of Mayfair where it is not only the delicious food that is a feast for the
senses. Chefs administer Pollock-esque splashes of sauce on edible paper, topped
with intricate morsels to entertain those sitting at the counter, while waiters
dressed in straitjackets and circus tails compère the guests who wax lyrical over
the cuisine. Cocktails arrive in aortas and oversized fishbowls, providing not only
a talking point, but fierce competition over who ordered the wackiest vessel. This
focus on artistic presentation could also have something to do with the rising
influence of Instagram on the choices made by diners. Take Anne-Sophie Pic’s
reimagined French classic at La Dame de Pic for example, an intricate mille-feuille
transformed into a cloud that’s light, crispy and oh-so delicate. Her masterful
pâtisserie creation is a regular feature on foodie news feeds.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
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‘The most enduring legacies
are born of the most colourful lives’
The spectacle of service is often as important as the food itself in creating shared
experiences. It’s the little touches that breathe life into a restaurant, giving a place
its own unique character. The Oxford Blue surprises guests with little quirks
throughout, the most memorable being an invitation to ‘select your weapon of
choice’ from a box containing six intricately designed knives, raising a very good
Sunday roast up a few notches. Their version of after-dinner mints can’t fail to
tickle, presented in a hand-crafted wooden box with a miniature hammer with
which to gleefully smash the contents to pieces. Meanwhile waiters at The Clove
Club, voted the 26th best restaurant in the world, have synchronised the service to
balletic levels of choreography. Courses are unfurled from underneath cloches with
a flourish and grace that complements the seriously good grub.
As restaurants have learned to tap into our emotions, diners find themselves
unable to stop childish joy from bubbling to the surface. When the balance is
right, these influences from the past transport guests to alternative worlds,
providing a glimpse of eras that manage to revive the same frisson of anticipation
and open-eyed innocence as your childhood visits. London, it’s an exciting time
to be dining out.
For further advice from Quintessentially’s restaurant experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
A LIFE IN COLOUR
LONDON NEW YORK
AUSTRALIA AZERBAIJAN BAHRAIN CANADA CZECH REPUBLIC MALTA
QATAR SAUDI ARABIA SWITZERLAND THAILAND UAE UK UKRAINE USA
FABERGE.COM
@ OFFICIALFABERGE
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
Fabergé proudly uses Gemfields coloured gemstones
Q

wine
TIME
TIME IS ALL-IMPORTANT FOR THOSE ASPIRING TO
TASTE THE GREATEST WINES
written by DAVID METCALFE
Every great wine has a story to tell. Château Haut-Brion,
one of the most esoteric first-growth clarets, was enjoyed
by Samuel Pepys on 10th April 1663. He refers in his diary to:
“Ho Bryen that hath a good and most particular taste
I never met with.” The astounding late-harvest Tokaji wines
of Hungary were classified 120 years before Bordeaux –
and the Sun King himself, Louis XIV, blessed Tokaji as
“Wine of Kings, King of Wines.” The vines of Corton in
Burgundy were first documented in 696 AD and were once
owned by the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, resulting
in the luscious and opulent Corton-Charlemagne white
Burgundy. Such majestic wines are liquid history. Knowing
this history enriches each sip.
Take a moment, when you open a hard-to-acquire bottle
from a star Burgundy producer such as Méo-Camuzet or
François Raveneau, to consider the millennia of geology,
centuries of vine growing, decades of bottle-ageing, months
of vineyard work and weeks of wine-making you swirl in
your glass. Of course, you will share
your inaccessible wine with people who
matter to you. So you might taste just
one glass of your Richebourg Grand
Cru or Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru.
Across six delicious sips, you will
taste your precious wine for perhaps
180 seconds. In three minutes the
pressure is on your palate to enjoy to
the full extent of the terroir's soil,
the sunshine of the vintage, the oak
spices from the barriques, the berry or
citrus fruit flavours and the beguiling
tertiary aromas.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
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PREVIOUS SPREAD:
Sundown in the idyllic
fields of a vineyard
THE ACT OF SHARING A GREAT WINE CREATES ITS OWN MOMENT.
A MOMENT IN TIME TO BE REMEMBERED BY THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH
TO BE INVITED TO DRINK FROM THE CUP
THIS SPREAD:
The stunning
prohibition-era wine
room at the 21 Club in
New York; A splendid
lunch set up among the
vineyard; Juicy grapes
from a vineyard in
Burgundy, France
The influence of time doesn't end with the tragic moment
when the bottle, decanter and glasses are empty; when satisfied
yet wistful glances are exchanged around the table. The act of
sharing a great wine creates its own moment. A moment in time
to be remembered by those lucky enough to be invited to drink
from the cup. The memory of the moment when a beautiful,
great wine is shared or when a wine collection is cracked open
seals friendships and business relationships for decades. Who
would forget the day they shared a 2001 Lafite Rothschild at
the East Hampton Maidstone Club after concluding a merger?
Who could not recall reconnecting with their contemporaries at
the Château Haut-Brion vertical tasting at Magdelene College,
Cambridge to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Pepys
diary? Which wine-taster would no longer remember the faces
round the table at a lunch with Hubert de Billy at the Pol Roger
estate capped with Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1988?
Great wines have more complex histories and always create
more memorable moments. How can you best ensure you
extend the timeline of your great wines into the future? This
is no easy task. The spectre of disappointment hovers on the
fringes of all wine-tasting rooms and the grim reaper of
corked bottles wanders the corridors of every event.
Firstly, select the right surroundings. Whether this is the
stunning prohibition-era wine room at New York's 21 Club
or the terrace at Le Montrachet in Puligny, a noisy venue awash
with cooking aromas is a disaster. Secondly, whenever possible
feature multiple wines. Our palates are incredibly fickle so not
everyone will enjoy the ammonite, chalk and lemongrass juice
of a mature François Raveneau.
OUR MEMBERS SEEK OUT WINES THAT
HAVE PERFECTLY AGED OVER TIME
Stevie Evans - Chief Executive Officer, Quintessentially Wine
Include the more opulent and spicy wines of Etienne Sauzet in
the same tasting. In all circumstances have at least one backup-bottle.
Thirdly, enrich the memory of the moment with the
history and timeline of the wines. A wine expert will dig into
the rock strata, harvest dates, maceration period and bottle
evolution to explain how time has shaped your 180 seconds of
gustatory pleasure.
For further advice from Quintessentially’s wine experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

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CONTENTS
SOUND SCAPE
VIRTUALLY ACTIVE
FUTURE TIMES
PRESERVING YOUR
DIGITAL SOUL
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

FROM THE GROWTH OF YOUTUBE
TO THE RISE OF TIDAL, DIGITAL
STREAMING IS FUNDAMENTALLY
CHANGING THE WAY WE CONSUME
MEDIA. IT’S A TECHNOLOGY AKIN
TO TODAY’S SMARTPHONE-
OBSESSED SOCIETY, GRANTING
USERS INSTANT ACCESS TO
MILLIONS OF ALBUMS, VIDEOS
AND FILMS, FOR A SMALL
MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION.
DANIELLE DE WOLFE REPORTS
It was only a matter of years ago that the music industry
looked upon the word ‘digital’ as something parasitic. It
became a term associated with illegal downloading and online
piracy – at its height, a concept even hailed as the death of the
music industry. But it appears feelings towards the innovation
have since undergone a marked change, in part thanks to the
rise of legal audio streaming services such as Spotify, Apple
Music and Deezer, alongside the changing habits of millennials
around the world.
When it comes to music streaming, Daniel Ek is the man
holding the cards. Recent weeks have seen the Spotify
chairman and CEO crowned the most powerful person in
music by Billboard magazine, an accolade previously held by
Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge. What began as a
simple idea developed in Ek’s Stockholm apartment in 2005
quickly grew into a platform that would help revolutionise the
public’s listening experience. “Founded in Sweden, the home of
The Pirate Bay, we believed that if we could build a service
which was better than piracy, then we could convince people
to stop illegal file-sharing, and start consuming music legally
again,” remarked Ek in an interview with Torrentfreak, a
copyright specialist publication.
And it seems to be working. Newly released figures from the
British Phonographic Industry (BPI) show a dramatic rise in
the public’s demand for music, a trend that has seen the total
number of audio streams increase by more than 500% since
2013. “You can’t ignore what streaming services like Spotify
and YouTube do for our potential audiences,” states Jeff Smith,
Head of BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. “With younger
audiences, it’s that much harder for radio stations to get a
share of listening. What are younger audiences doing?
Are they listening to Spotify? Are they watching Netflix?
They’re all competing for share of ear.” And with audio
streaming now accounting for more than a third of all
music consumption, what is it about online services that
holds such appeal to millennials?
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

PREVIOUS SPREAD:
Christine and The
Queens performing
at the Apple Music
Festival
THIS SPREAD:
Stream your music
anywhere with Deezer
Flow, the CEO &
Co-founder of Spotify,
Daniel Ek, Drake, the
most streamed artist
on Spotify in 2016
NEXT PAGE:
A young woman
streaming music with
Bragi's wireless smart
earphones, a Chord
Electronics amplifier
One theory points towards a generation accustomed to instant
gratification. In a world containing an infinite number of apps,
poised and ready to cater to your every whim – Tinder for
dating, Deliveroo for food, Über for transport – the youth of
today are confronted with a multitude of options at the swipe
of a touchscreen. “At the heart of it is convenience,” agrees
Smith. “I find it myself, particularly if I have a track in mind.
I go to Spotify to listen to it – sometimes even over our own
database here at the BBC, because it’s very well researched
and very well developed.”
New forms of technology are granting us direct access to a
broader range of music than ever before, with a catalogue
containing over 30 million songs at our fingertips. In part, it’s
the speed with which technology is changing that dictates the
demographic it attracts. Millennials growing up in the digital
age have a completely different relationship to technology
from that of their predecessors. “Young people assimilate
information far faster than older generations,” notes Chord
Electronics founder, John Franks. “It’s a generational thing.
My generation just can’t take in the data: it’s far too fast for me.”
In many respects, the sheer scale of these catalogues, alongside
the speed with which the data can be searched, is where music
platforms come into their own. “Spotify is fundamentally a
great search box,” remarks Smith. “You’ve got to be into the
music and you’ve got to know what you want to get out of it to
begin with… Streaming services are very much like record
shops. You go in looking for something you’ve heard before
and quite often you accidentally fall upon something. This is
why they’re making great play of the playlist concept – in that
you can go into a playlist and fall upon a new record.”
TOTAL UK
AUDIO STREAMS
BY YEAR
3.7 billion
7.5 billion
14.8 billion
26.8 billion
44.9 billion
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
*Statistics courtesy BPI/Official Charts
The option to subscribe to, curate and share playlists is a
key selling point for millennial music fans. Making playlists
available both online and offline is not only the height of
convenience but something that appears to encroach on an
area usually dominated by radio stations. “I do think radio and
streaming can run side-by-side,” insists Smith. “The joy of
radio – particularly great music radio – is that you don’t know
what you’re going to get next… What we’re doing at Radio 2
is utilising these playlists by running them overnight.
WHAT ARE YOUNGER AUDIENCES DOING?
ARE THEY LISTENING TO SPOTIFY? ARE THEY
WATCHING NETFLIX? THEY'RE ALL COMPETING
FOR SHARE OF EAR
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

purist natural sound
“They can be consumed with the BBC Music app and it’s a
response to the fact there are new audiences out there that
want different listening experiences.”
Yet despite the industry’s seemingly steady move towards
all things digital, the vinyl revival surges on. In 2016, sales of
the format broke the 3 million units barrier – a figure not
seen since the heady heights of 1991. It’s a distinct fork in the
road, one that extends far beyond the confines of the music
industry and acts as a possible nod towards a renewed desire
for the tangible.
“I was reading this morning that Amazon was starting up a
physical bookshop in New York because ‘books are back’ –
and that’s from the company that created the Kindle,” remarks
Smith exuberantly. “I think radio is back and CDs could be
back too. People think things are going to go away but I think
there’s definitely something to be said for ownership.”
malvernaudioresearch
ARtiSAN hiG h-fiD e L ity equiPMe N t
AMAZON HAS STARTED UP
A PHYSICAL BOOKSHOP
THAT'S THE COMPANY THAT
CREATED THE KINDLE
Only time will tell whether the rise in physical sales proves to
be more than simply a short-term resurgence. It’s a subject that
divides opinion, much like the ongoing debate regarding
streaming service payouts and the royalties received by artists.
As with any industry, there are winners and losers. However,
the much-needed monetary injection provided by Spotify and
its 40 million paid subscribers can only be a positive thing for
an industry that needs all the help it can get.
For further advice from the Quintessentially's gift experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
+44(0)7831 197019 / +44(0)7875 527116 / malvernaudioresearch.co.uk
MingDa / Dynasty / Audio Detail / Pre Audio / Albedo / hORNS / Gigawatt / Lampizator / Soundbox
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43

VIRTUALLY ACTIVE
BORED WITH THE GYM?
DOMINIC BLISS EXPLORES
THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY'S
NEWEST FRONTIER
When you’re in the gym, pedalling furiously on the exercise
bike, or sweating on the treadmill, do you ever feel like a poor
hamster in a cage?
Virtual reality might just be the release you need. Thanks to
high-tech virtual reality headsets, it’s now possible to exercise
in pretty much any environment you can think of – all without
leaving the confines of your gym or your living room. The
possibilities are endless. Virtual skydiving? Flying a spaceship?
Chasing bandits on horseback? Hiking the slopes of the
Dolomites? These are all possibilities that await.
So how exactly does it work? Although there are hundreds of
different technology companies out there offering VR exercise
experiences, the general principle is the same: you strap a
VR headset to your face (an Oculus Rift, for example, or a
Samsung Gear or an HTC Vive), you choose your exercise
machine (anything from a stationary bike or a running
treadmill to a rowing machine), and then you enter the virtual
world of your choice. Whether that’s a medieval battlefield, or
a tropical beach, or an alien planet, it’s sure to be a lot more
inspirational than the inside of your average gym. All of which
ensures you enjoy your exercise more. And you definitely won't
feel like a hamster.
IT’S NOW POSSIBLE TO EXERCISE IN PRETTY
MUCH ANY ENVIRONMENT YOU CAN THINK OF –
ALL WITHOUT LEAVING THE CONFINES OF YOUR
GYM OR YOUR LIVING ROOM
As with any nascent technology, the visual effects are still a
little clunky – it’s not exactly Keanu Reeves in Matrix. Not yet,
anyway. But the variety of virtual worlds on offer is staggering.
One of the best-known systems, called VirZOOM, places you
on an exercise bike where, through your headset, you can take
part in all sorts of video games as you pedal. Chase bandits on
horseback through the Wild West. Race a Formula 1 car around
the track. Fly the mythical winged horse Pegasus through the
skies. Engage in a tank battle. Pedal faster and you accelerate
through your virtual world. You can even join in with other
players online.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

ALL VR IMAGERY:
Landscapes in order of
appearance: Cambodia,
Egypt, Redwoods,
Crescent, and Cave
Widerun is another VR cycling programme, offering 11
alternate universes for you to cycle through, including the
Chinese countryside, the streets of San Francisco, and a
Game of Thrones-style landscape.
Holodia places you on a rowing machine, an exercise bike or
a Swiss trainer, and enables you to travel through all sorts of
virtual environments from Antarctic oceans, snowy mountains
and desert canyons to tropical jungles, the Hanging Gardens of
Babylon, even the rings of Saturn.
One of the most dynamic of all is a device called Para
Parachute. For this, you not only strap on a VR headset and
headphones, but you also hang from a body harness and have
huge fans blowing air at you to simulate the experience of
leaping out of an aeroplane and skydiving to the ground.
AND IF THIS ALL SOUNDS WAY
TOO ENERGETIC, THERE ARE
ALSO WAYS YOU CAN USE
VR TO CHILL OUT
And if this all sounds way too energetic, there are also ways
you can use VR to chill out. Guided Meditation VR, for example,
enables you to sit on the floor of your chosen space, and “find
calm, comfort and peace” in various fictitious locations “across
the universe.” The idea is that the calm environment helps
you meditate.
It’s safe to say you wouldn’t find a hamster doing that.
virzoom.com
widerun.com
holodia.com
revresh.com/paraparachute
guidedmeditationvr.com
For further advice from the Quintessentially's wellness
experts, please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
155 ft long. Because life is short.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
+44 (0) 1202 381 111 | www.sunseeker.com

FUTURE TIMES
HIGH-END MECHANICAL WATCHMAKING HAS LONG BEEN ABOUT MASTERING
LONG-CHERISHED TRADITIONAL SKILLS. BUT NEW THINKING IS NOW EMBRACING
FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES, FINDS JOSH SIMS
There was a time when mechanical watch design was
predicated on having at least one foot firmly in the past.
Indeed, that was the point: the preservation of tried-andtrusted
craft methodologies, passed down from master to
apprentice. “Using very traditional techniques and materials
means these watches will be around for hundreds of years,” as
Roger Smith, arguably the world’s greatest living watchmaker,
has it. Smith is perhaps best known for improving the
efficiency of the co-axial escapement designed by his mentor
George Daniels, largely by reducing its weight. Yes,
watchmaking has long advanced by such very small steps,
of a kind appreciated mostly by other watchmakers.
But perhaps a revolution is afoot in watchmaking,
characterised by a readiness to advance the efficiencies of
mechanical movements by any means necessary, even if that
requires embracing the latest technologies, rather than
merely refining those already well established. Take
lubrication, for example. “It’s the massive issue in
watchmaking,” explains Carole Forestier, Cartier’s head of
movement design. ”Even the most basic movement has 60
points that need oil and six different types of oil in certain
quantities. Have too little and you’re back to diminishing
durability. Have too much and it gets everywhere. And the
perfect oil doesn’t exist yet either, so it has to be changed.
Solve that problem and it would completely change the way
watches are made.”
So imagine the excitement at watchmaker Panerai this spring
when it unveiled its pioneering LAB-ID watch. It is liquid
lubricant-free. Instead, it keeps the cogs and gears running
smoothly by covering them with DLC – or Diamond-Like
Coating – while bridges and plates are made from a
composite material integrating a tantalum-based ceramic,
whatever that is. With many watchmakers proudly boasting
of the high number of jewels employed in their movement
design – these tiny gems have long been used to reduce
friction at the points of heaviest wear – Panerai boasts that its
new watch has only four. The dial is covered with carbon
nanotubes to reduce reflection. The case is made of
Carbotech, a light, corrosion-free composite. This is a
mechanical watch that looks forward. It is, as the company
has it, as though this were a shockingly new thing to
watchmaking – an expression of ‘Advanced Technology’.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

weatherbysbank.com
PREVIOUS PAGE
AND ABOVE:
Panarai's LAB-ID
Luminor 1950
Carbotech watch
But nor is Panerai alone. If independent watchmakers have
long been overshadowed by the big guns of mechanical
watchmaking – those brands either global in standing or
historic in import – in recent years many have come to fore,
bringing to the table their often radical but genuinely
progressive ideas as to what constitutes modern
watchmaking. Felix Baumgartner, one half of the duo behind
the Urwerk watch company, recalls that when he was training
as a watchmaker: “Contemporary watchmaking just didn’t
exist – and what there was wasn’t respected. Of course,
there’s still a space for those companies that want to protect
all the watchmaking traditions, but I think now there’s also a
space for makers to explore new possibilities, both in terms
of movement design and watch aesthetics.”
“Every industry needs disruptors – sometimes the ideas
stick and sometimes they don’t,” as Peter Harrison puts it.
He’s the managing director of Richard Mille, one of the
more pioneering watch brands of recent years. It has
borrowed from the science of suspension bridges to protect
the movement from shock and has used titanium and TPT,
or Thin Ply Technology, more typically found in the latest
racing yachts.
to get accepted – that an expensive watch doesn’t have to be
a heavy one, for instance. And the difficulty with introducing
new ideas is that the research and development are very
expensive. Not everyone gets that those costs have to be
passed on, though it helps that certain new technologies
often also look very cool.”
Indeed, acceptance of such new technologies may well grow
in line with a generational shift in attitudes. Younger watch
buyers not only have different notions as to what a watch is
for – less about telling the time as telling a story – but, having
grown up in a new, gadget-laden information age, they are
much more open to the benefits of technology and in turn,
are less attached to tradition. As Harrison notes: “When we
get applications for watchmaker positions it’s all young kids
now, who want to work with traditional watchmaking but not
in a traditional way. They think differently. And that’s going
to reshape the watch industry.”
For further advice from Quintessentially’s gift experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
“There has been a shift in attitude and that’s been a good
thing, but any tech has to be relevant to what you want to
achieve,” he points out. “It can take time for these new ideas
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
Weatherbys Private Bank is a trading name of Weatherbys Bank Ltd. Weatherbys Bank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register number: 204571. Weatherbys Bank Ltd is registered in England. Registered number: 2943300.
Registered Office: Sanders Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 4BX.

PRESERVING YOUR
DIGITAL SOUL
AN ARCHIVE ‘CONVERSATION’ WITH HIS LATE FRIEND DOUGLAS
ADAMS, CREATOR OF THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY,
SET ROBBIE STAMP THINKING ABOUT THE PATH TO DIGITAL
IMMORTALITY. SARA WOODWARD MEETS HIM
Robbie Stamp likes to imagine himself taking his favourite
walk along the Hay Bluff in Wales, deep in conversation with
his great-great-great grandson, sharing memories and family
stories. He doesn’t, of course, think he is going to live for ever.
As he told the audience at his recent TEDx talk in London’s
Science Museum, Stamp’s own ancestral experiences would
be contained in a quantum cloud which his descendant could
access through a chip implanted at birth. For Stamp believes
that we are on the verge of digital immortality.
Stamp is no stranger to science fiction – he was the executive
producer of the film The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
The potential for a digital afterlife came to Stamp through a
conversation he had with his old friend Douglas Adams, creator
of The Hitchhiker’s Guide. At the time, Adams had been dead
for 15 years. Courtesy of the BBC, Stamp was ‘talking’ to Adams
through archive material.
STAMP SEES A WORLD WHERE
WE ACTIVELY PREPARE
FOR THE WAY WE ARE SEEN
IN THE AFTERLIFE
“It was both weird and wonderful,” says
Stamp. “I had Douglas’s voice in my
head through my headphones and I was
sharing something new with him. There
was a connection, but at the same time
a renewed sense of loss.” Not only was
Adams not there to hug, he couldn’t
answer back. Yet Stamp is convinced that
with the growing power of computing,
one day the conversation could become
generative – two-way.
“We already live in a world of algorithms
by which the digital self is routinely
tracked online. Our behaviour patterns
allow computers to predict what we
might want to buy, to read, to watch, even
how we might vote. If we can do that now,
imagine where we might end up?” It’s a
question Stamp regularly asks himself
in his day-to-day work as Chairman
of consultancy Bioss International, as
he watches the progress in technology
that lies behind specialised artificial
intelligence gathering.
As a historian, Stamp knows that human
beings have since ancient times had
voices in their head from the trees,
animals and birds. He recognises too that
the religious – which he is not – believe
that they can communicate through the
power of prayer.
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

www.london-wealth.com
June 6 th 2017
This raises unprecedented moral and
philosophical challenges. Some of the
questions Stamp struggles with are:
“Who will have agency? Will the living
summon me or will I be able to call on
them from the quantum cloud? Who, in
fact, will ‘own’ my presence? Will I be able
to delete or falsify my digital soul?”
THIS PAGE:
Robbie Stamp giving his
recent talk for TEDx at
the Science Museum
Above all, there have frequently been points in history where
advances in technology have changed the way we live. But, he
says: “It is a categorical error if we don’t recognise that our era,
of nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence, is beyond
a step change.”
Douglas Adams believed we all have a matter side and a data
side. Stamp goes one step further – he thinks we will be the
last few generations of purely evolutionary homo sapiens. “We
are seeing the emergence of a new category of being, homo
techniensis: still an ape, but a technically enhanced one. And in
a world ruled by technology, we all have a digital soul.”
Stamp sees a world where we actively prepare for the way we
are seen in the afterlife. In some ways, it is already happening,
as celebrities struggle to maintain control of their image online,
in this life and beyond. The question of how we would like to be
remembered will become more pressing as more digital trails
are established.
Companies will, Stamp believes, exist to control our digital
souls. It will become like religion, with some choosing to opt out
of managing their digital afterlife while others embrace it. But
unlike religion, in a world where the poorest of the poor do not
at the moment exist digitally, money matters. Not everyone will
have a digital presence in the first place.
Stamp doesn’t see a world peopled by
humanoid robots recreated from 3D
scans taken at key stages of an individual’s
life. “Just think how many there would
be!” he laughs. “You wouldn’t be able
to walk down the street. Imagine the
population of London filled with the dead
as well as the living.” But he does believe
their voices will be there.
“As human beings, we have always been
fascinated with our own mortality. Since
Adam and Eve, we have been aware of
‘I am’ – and then ‘I will not always be’.
Now that we have the power to create
our own digital immortality, of course
we will do it, at least in the wealthy west.
Our afterlives will exist in ones and zeros,
through quantum computing. The old
rules of mortality will not apply.”
Stamp is sure that his late friend
Douglas Adams would have relished the
developments in artificial intelligence,
which will allow our descendants to
embrace digital immortality. Ahead of
his time, Adams had already imagined
the machine inside the man and vice
versa. As for Stamp, “I’m too old to
start creating my digital soul. It’s for
others to do, my children's children and
beyond. I still quite like things that have a
beginning and an end.”
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43

QUINTESSENTIALLYEDUCATION
THE NEW
FRONTIERS OF
EDUCATION
WITH THE CURRENT BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
BECOMING EVER MORE COMPETITIVE AND STRUCTURED,
IS IT TIME WE LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF
EDUCATION TO ENSURE HAPPIER CHILDREN?
written by FRED QUICK
Quintessentially speaks with Sara Bronfman, CEO of
Rainbow Cultural Garden UK – a refreshing early childdevelopment
programme which, through careful progressive
exposure to multiple languages, cultures, representational
systems and aesthetics, seeks to inspire and capture the
miraculous, creative, learning lives of children...
Q: In a nutshell, what is Rainbow? It’s a revolutionary multicultural,
multilingual early education programme for children
from three months to three years old.
Q: What kind of results can parents expect from enrolling
their children with Rainbow? Above all I would say happier,
more well-rounded children. Children in our programme
speak four to seven languages fluently and to monitor
progress we follow OFSTED’s standards, enhancing children’s
development.
Q: How do your services work? What’s a typical day like at
Rainbow? Here in London, we offer Rainbow as a bespoke,
in-home service with plans to launch our fully fledged
programme in the next year. This service replaces a nanny
or other childcare options from as early as three months to
school age and beyond. As an example, a child might have
a Spanish development specialist from 8 – 11am, Chinese
Mandarin from 11am – 2pm and Russian from 2 – 5pm each
day of the week, to introduce age-appropriate exercises in
each language.
Q: How do you find your development specialists? All of
our development specialists have undergone a rigorous
examination process and they all have enhanced background
checks and paediatric first-aid training. Above all, though –
they genuinely love nothing more than to be with children.
Q: Why did you originally choose Rainbow for your children?
It just made sense to me. I had done a lot of research while
I was pregnant with our first child and found so much
information about the importance of the first three years. The
benefits of language learning are integral with this ‘exuberant’
period and my husband and I both loved the idea of our
children growing up to be global citizens; it was – as the
French would say - un coup de coeur!
Q: How will Rainbow affect a child’s school career beyond
the Early Years Foundational Stages? I think most parents
overlook the importance of the early years and focus on
their children’s results at school age. However, science
tells us that if we focus on nurturing our children’s optimal
development in the first three years, our children will be
more adept to tackle obstacles as they grow up. Rainbow’s
approach is specifically designed to give children the very
best foundations on which all further learning will flourish.
With this focus, plus the languages, the world is their oyster.
Q: What does the future hold for a Rainbow student? Well, if
we look at the language advantage alone, statistics show that
bilinguals are consistently hired over monolinguals with the
same criteria. We English speakers have some catching up to
do if we want to stay ahead!
Q: Why London and why now? Having enjoyed our 10-year
anniversary as a company it seemed a good time to branch out.
London is the most multicultural city in the world, and many
people move here because of the incredible opportunities –
especially in education. Where else could my daughter learn
to speak eight languages and actively practise them with the
children and families in our communal garden?
Quintessentially provides an international education
consultancy for parents who wish nothing but the best
possible education for their children. Through our
international consultancy and our private tuition service,
we offer bespoke assistance to help students of all ages.
For further advice from Quintessentially’s education experts,
please contact: enquiries@quintessentially.com
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43 TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

LONDON
LOOK
DUNHILL
Bags of style
IN THIS CASE, THE LIST IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE. QUINTESSENTIALLY
HAND-PICKS SOME OF THE SEASON’S MOST COVETED PRODUCTS,
DESIGN PIECES AND PRECIOUS GIFTS
Dunhill launches its Spring/Summer 2017 collection
with a line of accessories designed to cater to
the needs of savvy travellers. The Hampstead
range of cowhide leather and cotton-lined bags
for gentlemen features a softly zipped travel
bag, single document case, tote, rucksack and
messenger, offered in navy or brown, all featuring
Dunhill’s signature branding. The collection merges
the laid-back nature of the countryside with the
sophistication of the metropolis, reflecting the
style of founder, Alfred Dunhill, who had childhood
connections with Hampstead Village.
dunhill.com
SWEET
SCENTS
T LONDON
The smell of adventure
TREASURED
TRINKETS
TATEOSSIAN
It’s in the accessories
Inspired by globetrotting adventures, T London offers
a selection of fragrances infused with scents from
around the world. The candles and body collection are
created from aromatic blends combined with essential
oils and natural plant botanicals, each one a unique
sensory experience extracted from Co-founder Jayne
Kethro’s own travel memories. Dimbula is the newest
collection from T London, inspired by Sri Lanka’s Dimbula
mountain tea plantations with notes of black tea, cedar
wood and cardamom for a spicy yet calming balance.
t-london.com
Founded in 1990 by Robert Tateossian, the eponymous brand specialises in offering
men and women a distinctive way to express their personality through unique,
hand-crafted accessories. A combination of playfulness alongside contemporary
design makes each of the pieces from the Tateossian collection a joy to wear. An
example of this can be seen in the men’s beaded bracelets, featuring semi-precious
stone beads with a central section of discs intricately woven in.
tateossian.com
RAISE
A GLASS
LOUIS ROEDERER
Designer bubbly
NATURAL
BEAUTY
LUXE
LEOPARD
GINA
Trainers deluxe
GINA is a brand founded on a passion to create glamorous handmade shoes, a characteristic which has enabled the Kurdash family to
attract a global market. Having opened its first boutique in 1991, the brand grew at an impressive rate, quickly expanding to other stores
and to a couture salon in Old Bond Street. Today, the family-run company continues to offer unique designs, crafted from the most beautiful
leathers, which can be seen in the newest collection. This glamorous range of styles features embellished stilettos such as the Hester peeptoe
and the handmade Montaigne sneaker in leopard print and polynesia blue suede.
gina.com
To speak to Quintessentially’s gift experts, please contact:
enquiries@quintessentially.com
Releasing its latest vintage in collaboration with
French designer Philippe Starck, here Louis
Roederer offers a modern spin on its traditional
bottling design. “We came up with the idea of
making a fresh cuvée from clay soils in a sunny
year,” explains Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Chef de
Cave & Executive Vice President at Louis
Roederer. This novel harvest method, combined
with the new label designed by Starck give this
2009 vintage wine a contemporary feel. Although
the approach has had a shake-up, this Brut
Nature 2009 is in line with Louis Roederer’s
haute couture practices and offers a fresh, pure
wine which is yellow in colour with hints of amber
– and finely bubbled, naturally.
louis-roederer.com
JIMMY CHOO
Arm candy
Taking inspiration from the ‘beautiful phenomena of
nature’, Creative Director at Jimmy Choo Sandra Choi
introduces the Lockett Minaudiere collection. With a
combination of expert craftsmanship, bold experiments
in form and powerfully potent colours, the Spring/
Summer collection reflects the sensibility of natural
beauty. The vivid vibrancy of a hummingbird’s feathers
so delicately stitched on to a clutch bag, is a key
inspiration behind the Spring/Summer collection,
harking back to artistic influences from works by
Gerda Steiner and Jorg Lenzlinger.
jimmychoo.com
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QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
TIME ISSUE / 2017
Q

QUINTESSENTIALLYPROFILE
Considering this issue’s theme of ‘Time’, what recent trends have you
noticed when it comes to the way HNWIs choose to spend their free
time? One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen recently is among affluent
millennials looking to enjoy experiential travel rather than just ‘fly and flop’.
A good example would be choosing to fly to Uganda and help with the
conservation of gorillas. Giving back to the community when you travel is
becoming increasingly relevant to these people. Big island holiday resorts
are less of a draw for younger people now, whereas community-based
environmental or educational programmes carried out across integrated
fit-for-purpose resorts are growing in significance.
Are you seeing this trend across all luxury lifestyle sectors? I think you
see it across the board now. You see a lot of product-based companies
shouting about what they give back to the community. ‘Positive luxury’, a
space in which brands are consulted and encouraged to give back as much
as possible to their community locally and globally, is a very positive thing
for our industry.
How does Quintessentially adapt to these changes? In many ways,
we’ve been at the forefront of this and put it out as a forward-thinking,
positive message to the consumers in our sector. We employ people who
are passionate and experienced in this space. From the start, our teams set
out to deliver experiences to individuals who are looking to learn and help
the community. We are encouraging that trend, rather than having to adapt.
We’ve been leading it.
If you get any free time, how do you like to spend it? Well, I have a young
family so I tend to try and get as much sleep in between changing nappies
as possible! We aren’t in the experiential stage with our kids yet so we tend
to be self-contained. We have a house in Ibiza which we go to every year, and
I rent villas wherever we go on holiday to be a bit more independent.
I probably wouldn’t inflict my family on a hotel!
IT’S ALL ABOUT
EXPERIENCE
WE CAUGHT UP WITH QUINTESSENTIALLY FOUNDER
& GROUP CHAIRMAN, AARON SIMPSON, TO DISCUSS
THE NOTION OF FREE TIME, THE WORLD’S LARGEST
SUPERYACHT AND WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A
SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR…
What exciting developments do you have planned for Quintessentially?
Well, Quintessentially One, which will be the world’s largest superyacht, is
a project that’s been on the cards since 2008. Unfortunately, because of the
world economy going to pot back then, it’s only been resurrected recently,
but it’s had a huge reaction and I’ve got new parties who are extremely
keen to get this into the shipyard. The traditional cruise model is designed
to go somewhere, dock and for people to get off. We will dock and people
will want to get on! I’m also actively looking at the hotel and club space.
We’ve been approached by one of the world’s largest hotel groups, interested
in launching a brand that attracts both the regular luxury hotel consumer
and young entrepreneurs. We take care of a lot of successful entrepreneurs
and putting these two groups together would be fascinating, I think.
You invest in a multitude of start-ups. What do you look for in an
entrepreneur? I think a true entrepreneur is someone who will absolutely
take a risk but who isn’t fatalistic, someone highly adaptable, who will change
if the winds are pushing them to. The word ‘entrepreneur’ is bandied around
an awful lot but really true entrepreneurs are people who do it multiple times
until they get it right. I will doff my cap at anyone who has failed once but
dusted themselves down and done it again.
What advice would you give to an investor looking to make their next
move? If I knew that, I’d be on my own island looking down on the masses.
No, I’m kidding! What would I do? If you can get into driverless cars, in any
way shape or form, I think that’s very exciting. I actually think in the end
there will be no private cars on the road and it will be very rapidly adopted.
Literally every single part of our lives is in disruption at the moment in
terms of new tech coming along – some good, some bad – but anything
that disrupts an entire marketplace is always exciting. Most of these private
equity houses have a relatively low hit rate – one or two out of 10 – but they
comfortably make up for the losses with the successes. So if you can do that
as a private investor, you’re doing really well.
To learn more about the world of Quintessentially or to apply for
a Membership, please email: enquiries@quintessentially.com
99 mount st, mayfair
london, w1k 2tf
Q
QUINTESSENTIALLY #43
creedfragrances.co.uk
Q

Photography by Levon Biss - www.microsculpture.net
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