Issue 2 of the newspaper for Victoria that celebrates the people,

places and spaces breathing new life into this vibrant neighbourhood

Victoria Jimmy Choo A-Z of gifts TheatrelandInside the Victoria Street

headquarters of one of the UK’s most respected fashion labels

(despite being a mere 16 years old)

The best clothes, accessories, fragrances, homewares, gadgets

and foodie treats – plus that winning present for a special him or her

Lady Lucy French on the St James Theatre – the first to open in

central London for 30 years – plus all the best seasonal performances

The Shopping Issue / December 2012

If the shoe fits…

New ideas, brilliantly and quickly realised, creating a stylish buzz…

no wonder iconic footwear company Jimmy Choo decided to move

its headquarters to 123 Victoria Streetw o r d s E m m a O ’ K E l ly

The first step was calling in the hawk man. He came with his birds and chased away the pigeons that had colonised the square in front of Westminster Cathedral. Then came new shops under a floating Corian walkway on Victoria Street, and finally, this autumn, number 123, an iconic Seventies building, swished open its doors, announcing Jimmy Choo had moved in.

The shoe empire’s arrival follows in the footsteps of Tom Ford, Burberry and LVMH, all of whom have established HQs in the neighbourhood recently, and it’s further proof that Victoria is becoming London’s fashion business hub. For Pierre Denis, Jimmy Choo’s CEO, the move was a no-brainer. ‘With the new re-development of Victoria, 123 was the logical choice for an office relocation, in terms of square footage and positioning,’ he says. ‘We are all looking forward to becoming a part of Victoria’s new diverse community.’ Like others, he is ‘proud’ to be supporting Land Securities’ 10-year plan to transform the area.

The £150m refurbishment of 123 Victoria Street from grimy concrete box into a 227,000 sq ft symbol of modernity marks the first of many architectural transformations that will improve the area’s skyline dramatically. Architects Aukett Fitzroy Robinson revamped the core of the building and Morey Smith masterminded the sleek reception areas

and public spaces. ‘Our brief was to lift the aspirations of the building and widen its appeal to everyone from bankers to media companies,’ says practice architect Nicola Osborn. Glass elevators, a triple-height atrium and regular sightlines through from one side of the building to the other are headline features.

Osborn adds: ‘The main reception was depressing and dark, and – unbelievably – didn’t even open on to the cathedral square.’ With its boxy glass façade, concrete pilotis and impressive length (it is one of London’s longest buildings), it now stands as a complementary yet futuristic neighbour to the decorative 19th century cathedral next door.

Above r ight An image from Jimmy Choo’s

A/ W12 campaign Opposite left The

fashion company’s new base: 123 Victor ia Street

v i c t o r i aWelcome to the victoria newspaper, your regular update on the transformation of Victoria. a vibrant district is emerging that’s

fast becoming one of london’s most desirable to live and work in. The victoria will keep you informed of the progress of Victoria’s exciting new buildings, as well as events in the area. It will also introduce you to some of the people who live and work here; point

you to hidden gems dotted around the local streets; and let you in on some of Victoria’s secret history. The victoria newspaper is brought to you by land Securities, the largest commercial property company in the UK. as part of our long-term commitment to

Victoria, we are working closely with Westminster City Council helping local charities, community and employment initiatives.

To find out more visit www.createvictoria.com

For Jimmy Choo, the timing was perfect. Since 2007, its 200 staff had been working from a nondescript office in Kensington. For five years, growth had been so rapid that it could hardly keep up with itself. Plus, it had evolved organically rather than following a typical corporate trajectory.

In 1996, couture shoemaker Jimmy Choo, who was making bespoke footwear for a small, jet-set group of royals and celebrities from a humble studio in the East End, founded the Jimmy Choo brand. With his niece Sandra Choi overseeing creative direction, the brand evolved into a global phenomenon. Choo himself quit in 2001, but the brand

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reached new heights, and created the notion that every woman covets a pair of towering five-inch heels. Soon, Jimmy Choos were spotted on catwalks and red carpets everywhere.

Last year, Swiss luxury group Labelux bought Jimmy Choo for £500 million.Simon Holloway, who had worked for the likes of Narciso Rodriguez and Michael Kors, joined Sandra Choi as joint Creative Director. Under the new regime, it has been going from strength to strength. There are now more than 150 Jimmy Choo stores in 32 countries and, this year, it posted a 19.2 per cent leap in profits to £26.9m and a jump in turnover to 34 per cent.

Its ‘stylemaker’ website choo247.com, in which dedicated Choo wearers post pictures of themselves from around the world and are rated by other visitors, is their first foray into social media, and next May, a store dedicated to men’s shoes will open in London’s Mayfair. The move into futuristic new offices in the beating heart of Victoria is a potent symbol of its new direction.

Staff occupy the top six floors of 123 and have views across central London to the east and immediately over Phillips de Pury auction house to the west. Being right next door to one of London’s major art establishments was a huge draw. In recent years, Jimmy Choo has collaborated with many contemporary artists, from Richard Phillips to Marilyn Minter.

Last year, contemporary artist Nan Goldin photographed the ad campaign for Icons, a limited collection of classic heels inspired by iconic styles from the

Jimmy Choo archive, but the current collaboration with US pop artist Rob Pruitt is its largest yet. Launched in November, Pruitt’s capsule collection comprises 19 designs of shoes, bags and accessories, adorned with his signature motifs: pink pandas, glittery leopard and zebra prints and brightly-coloured lace. This is bound to appeal to the newly booming markets in the Middle East, China and Russia, which the shoe empire is openly targeting. The highlight of Pruitt’s collection is a limited edition pair of angel and devil panda minaudières, featuring more than 11,000 hand-applied crystals, each numbered and signed by the artist.

It’s not only 123’s new residents who are bringing a dash of glamour to the area. In the not-too-distant future, Victoria’s streets will be lined with bistro dining and shops to match. ‘We aim to get away from the usual high street fare; the same old, same old,’ says David Atcherley-Symes, Retail Leasing Director at Land Securities. ‘But it doesn’t happen overnight. Many of the people who work in the area are London-savvy folks who expect more than a regular high street.’

Anchors such as M&S and House of Fraser will be complemented by London’s latest aspirational fashion and food brands. Atcherley-Symes is also cutting back on the mobile phone shops (too many), replacing the predictable coffee chains with the next generation of independents and working with Westminster Council to breathe new life into Victoria’s markets.

A rT i n V i C T o r i A

c o N r a d s H awc ro s sW O r d S e m m a o ’ k e l ly

Some passers-by think they are

rotating snowflakes, to others they

look l ike tiny flowers, but for their

creator Conrad Shawcross, the three

‘Canopy’ sculptures in the reception

areas of 123 Victoria Street are

simply minimal abstract patterns,

inspired by the rose windows in

Westminster Cathedral next door.

‘ I have always been interested in

the way l ight passes through

stained glass, and how it divides

when it hits rose windows,’ says

Shawcross, ‘so the cathedral was an

obvious starting point.’ It was built

between 1895 and 1903 in a

Byzantine style and, despite being

the largest Catholic church in

England and Wales, is somewhat

forgotten, overshadowed by

neighbouring Westminster abbey.

Thirty-five-year-old Shawcross

is known for making mysterious

machines and sculptures inspired by

geometry, philosophy and physics.

They often util ise unusual or

hi-tech materials, but also have

a playful element. as one of the

leaders of the artistic generation

after Emin and Hirst, his works have

appeared in the Saatchi Gallery,

Turner Contemporary in margate and

art exhibitions across the world.

It was his ‘Slow arc in a Cube’,

a piece on show in the Victoria miro

gallery in 2008, which led to the

commission at 123. The work

featured a naked bulb rotating in

a wire cage that cast spidery

shadows on the walls. ‘ I didn’t

approach anyone else. Conrad was

the obvious choice,’ says Patrick

Burrows at art Source, which

commissions many of land

Securities’ artworks, among them

the giant ‘Nail ’ by Gavin Turk

outside One New Change in the City.

Shawcross is glad passers-by are

stil l intrigued by his ‘Canopy’

sculptures. ‘People find them hard

to define, which is good. I was

trying to recreate the dappled l ight

that you get when you l ie under

trees on a summer’s day. But they

also feel almost celestial, l ike a

supernova, or a solar system, or

a huge milky Way.’

w w w.conradshawcross.com

Determined not to panic-buy on 24th December this year? Cosmopolitan’s SophIe GoddArd makes it easy by choosing

her ultimate gifts for Christmas

c h r i s t m A s s h O p p i n gt H e b e s t t H i N g s

eve lom luxury collectioN gift pack

£85 at Space NK

This pampering pack from Eve lom includes the cult cleanser (one of the best eye make-up

removers there is), muslin cloth, TlC radiance cream and

a rescue mask (perfect for post-partying fatigue).

steve maddeN ‘studlyy’ pumps

£75 at House of Fraser

Every Christmas needs a splash of sparkle and they

won’t come any more fabulous than these silver-studded

pumps by US shoe designer Steve madden. Perfect for the

magpie in your life.

lulu guiNNess ‘lips’ sHoulder bag

£375 at House of Fraser

The classic lulu Guinness ‘lips’ bag has had a makeover

and, boy, do we want a piece of the action. Perfect

paired with a slick of lipstick (naturally!) this is the bag to

make her knees wobble.

daisy kNigHts studded riNg

£252 at Goldsmiths

daisy Knights is the jeweller of the moment, with stars including alexa Chung and

rihanna spotted rocking her trinkets. This statement

gold-plated ring is my favourite bit of bling.

Liberty’s menswear buyer Ben Andrew reveals his Christmas gift shortlist, ideal for those difficult-to-buy-for

men in your life

barbour bag£165 at House of Fraser

Barbour is best known for its iconic jackets, but the

company also produces great accessories. This striped wool

satchel is perfect for the office and the weekend.

ski tuke iii beaNie£24 from The North Face

Fashion meets functionality with this beanie from The North Face. The technical

fabric keeps the head warm; the snowflake print keeps the

wearer looking good.

aNdersoN brogue£200 at Jones the Bootmaker

For any discerning man, shoes are one of the most important aspects of the wardrobe - you can’t go wrong with a wing-tip

brogue, and particularly this great interpretation.

Nike elemeNt sHield top£74 at Runners Needs

Neon is big trend in sportswear and this Nike zip-

through jacket will ensure high visibility and suitable warmth

when running off those Christmas indulgencies.

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96 Victoria Streetlondon SW1E 6SH

boots5 Cathedral Walklondon SW1E 5JH

browNs2 Cardinal Walklondon SW1E 5aG

clariNs studio101 Victoria Streetlondon SW1E 6QX

clarks149 - 151 Victoria Streetlondon SW1E 5NH

cyclesurgery26 Palace Street london SW1E 5Jd

edward goodyear6 Cathedral Walk london SW1E 5JH

goldsmitHs90 Victoria Street london SW1E 5Jl

Hawes & curtis94 Victoria Street london SW1E 5Jl

Hobbs3 Cathedral Walk london SW1E 5JH

House of fraser101 Victoria Streetlondon SW1E 6QX

JoNes tHe bootmaker84 Victoria Street london SW1E 5Jl

st James tHeatre brasserie 12 Palace Streetlondon SW1E 5Ja

l’occitaNe2 Cathedral Walk london SW1E 5JH

marks & speNcer10 Cardinal Walklondon SW1E 5JE

moltoN browN92 Victoria Street london SW1E 5Jl

moNsooN88 Victoria Street london SW1E 5JE

pHillips de puryHowick Placelondon SW1P 1BB

ruNNers Need24 Palace Street london SW1E 5Jd

space Nk4 Cathedral Walklondon SW1E 5Jd

specsavers1 Cathedral Walklondon SW1E 5JH

tHe NortH face28 Palace Street london SW1E 5Jd

tHe pHoeNix14 Palace Streetlondon SW1E 5Ja

topsHop86 Victoria Streetlondon SW1E 5Jl

wagamamaCardinal Place london SW1E 5JE

zara82 Victoria Streetlondon SW1E 5Jl

stayiNg: ViCToriA’S neW CrASh pAd

With great shops, restaurants and

theatres, Victoria is fast becoming

a destination you won’t want to

leave. The good news is you won’t

have to, as Intercontinental launch

a brand new luxury hotel in the

heart of St James’. minutes from

Victoria Street and within sight of

Westminster abbey, this wil l be the

first new hotel from the group in 36

years. and it’s certainly been worth

the wait, with a design that reflects

its location at the heart of British

government, with many nods

towards political history with

specially commissioned artwork.

The bustling lobby is sure to be

a popular place for meetings or a

leisurely afternoon tea, with the

relaxed Emmeline’s lounge the perfect

spot for a cocktail. But, for many, the

hotel’s crowning glory wil l be the

Blue Boar Smokehouse, a restaurant

and bar that takes inspiration from

the great american pit masters, but

delivers dishes with a distinctly

British twist. Head Chef Jon Ingram

uses his secret recipe glazes and

rubs on the best cuts of meat and

freshest fish, with signature dishes

including treacle-marinated 12-hour

roasted beef brisket and honey-

glazed rare-breed pork belly –

served with Coleman’s English

mustard, of course.

With 256 guest rooms and 44

suites over six floors, the hotel is

wonderfully spacious and can cater

for a quick post-theatre stopover,

or a luxurious long break from

which you can enjoy everything that

Victoria has to offer.

ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental

The new intercontinental in Victor ia

M A p

s H o p p i N g & d i N i N g i N v i c t o r i a

V i C T o r i A i S e M e r g i n g A S o n e o f T h e C A p i TA l’ S M o S T V i b r A n T A n d S T y l i S h d e S T i n AT i o n S , W i T h A n e V e r - e x pA n d i n g r A n g e o f

r e TA i l e r S A n d e AT e r i e S i n A n d A r o u n d C A r d i n A l p l A C e

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accessories a versatile gift choice, whether it’s classic

cuffl inks at Hawes & Curtis, pretty purses at

accessorize or sophisticated scarves at Hobbs.

bicycleGive a helping hand to someone determined to

get fit with a bicycle from CycleSurgery.

casHmereNothing says Christmas quite l ike cashmere, and

marks & Spencer has a range of quality pieces at

reasonable prices for hard-to-buy-for mums.

diamoNdsIf you’re looking to impress someone special,

head to Goldsmiths for sparklers to smile about.

eyewearStylish frames can transform your look and

Specsavers has a range of designer brands.

flowers Flowers never fail and Edward Goodyear will design

a bouquet guaranteed to deliver brownie points.

gloves Good-quality gloves make great gifts. Find classics

at marks & Spencer or quirkier styles at Topshop.

Heels New shoes never disappoint. Try Jones the

Bootmaker for the perfect pair for New year parties.

ice-cream makeran unusual gift for cookery lovers that is bound

to delight. Pick one up at House of Fraser and

look forward to sampling home-made flavours.

JewelleryBuying jewellery for Christmas is an affordable

option with high-street stores such as Topshop,

accessorize and Zara all stocking fun designs.

kitOutdoorsy types wil l love a gift from The North

Face, where you’l l f ind all you need for skiing,

snowboarding, hiking and mountain-climbing.

liNgeriea chic and sexy gift. marks & Spencer has styles

in all sizes to suit the most discerning tastes.

military coat a key trend for winter, Hobbs’ military coats

come in a range of styles and colours.

s h O p p i n g A - z

v i c t o r i a h A s c h r i s t m A s s h O p p i n g c O v e r e d

W O r d S t a m s i N c r i m m e N s

clockwise from top left: Aztec Gem clutch, Accessor ize; Felton Tr iCl imate

jacket , The Nor th Face; tr inket box, Monsoon; t ies, Hawes & Cur tis; Kyl ie Minogue Iona throw,

House of Fraser; headlamp, Runners Need; Myrrh Muske candela , Molton Brown; men’s leather

g loves, Marks & Spencer; black stone earr ings, Zara; designer frames, Specsavers; mil itar y coat , Hobbs; pure cashmere cat-pr int jumper, Marks & Spencer

Neck tieSometimes the oldest ideas are the best.

a classic tie from Hawes & Curtis wil l be

appreciated by stylish professionals.

origiNal artmore than just a gift, buying contemporary art

can be a clever investment. look to Phil l ips de

Pury & Company for exclusive collections.

perfume a scent makes a romantic and thoughtful gift.

Try Boots for much-loved perfumes or Space NK

and molton Brown for something more unusual.

quilted tHrow House of Fraser has throws by Kylie minogue and

Kirstie allsop, ideal for cuddling up in the cold.

ruNNiNg gadgeta runners Need gift will go the distance, whether

it’s for a serious sprinter or a just-for-fun jogger.

sceNted caNdleSplash out on a rose candle from l’Occitane or

the festive myrrh muske candela by molton Brown.

triNket box Tiny trinket boxes wil l delight lovers of eclectic

interiors – monsoon has some little beauties.

umbrella a prettily patterned umbrella from accessorize is

ideal for friends who love stylish rain protection.

varNisH It’s hard to go wrong with a gift of nail varnish.

Space NK has gorgeous colours to choose from.

watcHGoldsmiths has a selection of digital and

traditional timepieces to suit all styles, from

vintage elegance to cutting-edge modernity.

xmas decoratioNsa gorgeous monsoon tree decoration is perfect

for those challenging Secret Santa presents.

ysl gift setSpoil someone special. Give an indulgent treat

with an yves Saint laurent gift set from Boots.

zara beltZara’s peplum belt paired with a pencil skirt

and plain tee gives an instant update to any

fashion follower’s wardrobe.

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BY GREG LYNN

ATELIER SWAROVSKI PRESENTS CUTTING-EDGE ACCESSORIES CELEBRATING INNOVATIVE DESIGN FROM THE WORLD OF FASHION, JEWELRY AND ARCHITECTURE

BUY ONLINE AT ATELIERSWAROVSKI.COM +44 (0)20 7255 8400

Atelier_Victoris_ADS.indd 1 09/11/2012 14:28

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where do you work?I work at 62 Buckingham Gate. I’m a Ganger Man, which means I look after all the labour on site and deal with waste management.

what do you like about Victoria?The area is being transformed into a new, modern Victoria; the buildings being constructed are really improving the environment.

do you think it has changed much? Since I started working on the project nearly two years ago, I’ve witnessed a lot of changes going on around me, such as the Howick Place development and 123 Victoria Street. I’ve been watching 62 Buckingham Gate since it was just a hole in the ground – once it is complete I’m sure it will be great for the area. It should give Victoria a few more stars!

what is it like to work in the area?It’s really good to work round here, Victoria is nice and local for me and it’s easy to get to – if the train is on time.

Can you recommend any hidden gems in Victoria? There are some brilliant cafés in the area – the Regency is great for a quick

and simple lunch. I’d recommend The Albert pub for after-work drinks.

how did you get involved in 62 Buckingham Gate?The Jobcentre suggested a course at Lambeth College, as a way of getting into construction. Then a work placement with Alandale led to a two-week trial with building and engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine, where the project manager offered me a permanent job. I’ve been working for them ever since.

what role has the Land Securities employment Scheme played in your career?It has worked really well for me. During my first year as a labourer at 62 Buckingham Gate, the scheme helped me earn my NVQ Level 1 in Logistics. Then I was promoted to Ganger Man and am now working on my Level 2. I learn a lot from the subcontractors on site about the different trades and how everything runs. I was also nominated for an employment award and made the final shortlist – I didn’t win but it was great to make the final cut. I’d like to thank Sir Robert McAlpine and Land Securities for keeping me on and giving me the chance to improve my prospects.

where do you live?I live on Warwick Square. It was my grandfather’s place and has been in our family for decades. In fact, my family has been in and around this area for about 30 years.

what do you like about Victoria?I love the location, being so central. You’re right in the middle of London yet it has a village feel; there’s a real sense of community. It’s really bustling but still local, with lots of independent shops. There’s the famous Rippon Cheese Stores and Chocodeli, an amazing chocolate shop, and so many great places to eat. I think my neighbourhood is the best-kept secret in London. I don’t want anyone else to know about it!

do you think it has changed much?Victoria has definitely changed. It’s a lot smarter and there’s more art and culture in the area, which there wasn’t before. All the good things haven’t changed; away from Victoria Street you’ve still got lovely shops. It was just a station before, but now it’s more of a destination.

what is it like to live in the area? It’s really family-orientated, what with all the residential squares; it’s quietly

chic, but not overtly trendy. Because of the transport links, it’s a very easy place to live. There’s also the river close by and you can walk across the bridge to Battersea Park. You’re slap bang at the centre of everything, yet you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of it.

where would you recommend to first-time visitors? I would definitely tell them to visit Winston Churchill’s house on Eccleston Square, just to see where he lived. There are so many blue plaques round here commemorating a real mix of people, from politicians to artists. I’d tell them to go to the farmers’ market on Orange Square at the weekend.

Can you recommend any hidden gems in Victoria?You’re spoilt for choice in terms of restaurants. On Wilton Road alone there are two Lebanese (Kazan is incredible), a Mexican, an amazing Indian and a Thai, while on Churton Street there’s Grumbles – completely delicious. Pimlico Fresh and Uno are fantastic for brunches. For the most beautiful vintage designer clothing, such as Chanel jackets, there’s the brilliant charity shop FARA, on Tachbrook Street.

work / LifeI N T E r V I E W S r o s i e s t e e r P H O T O G r a P H y J o s s m c k i N l e y

A c t r e s sg a n g e r M a n

l I V I N G I N V I C T O r I aW O r K I N G I N V I C T O r I a

d A i s y L e w i sw i L L i A m J O r d A n

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ophelia

In 1851, before he had completed ‘Ophelia’, Sir John Everett Millais sold the painting to Henry Farrer for 300 guineas. Now one of the most famous and popular pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world, it is said to be worth around £30m.

Born in Southampton in 1829, Millais was barely into his twenties when he painted ‘Ophelia’. But then he was precociously talented: he joined the Royal Academy of Arts at 11 and remains their youngest-ever student. He first exhibited there aged 16 and won his first RA gold medal the following year.

In 1848, along with Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Holman Hunt, Millais was a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. They radically rejected Renaissance artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo and found inspiration in literature and nature. Millais was taken by the plight of Ophelia, who falls into the stream and

drowns in Shakespeare’s Hamlet; in the play, her death is only alluded to by Queen Gertrude, allowing the artist to create his own visual interpretation of a women broken by love.

Millais painted her floating body in a stream (recently revealed to be the Hogsmill River at Old Malden in Surrey) surrounded by dozens of different plants and flowers painted with painstaking accuracy. In Hamlet, the Queen, who informs Laertes that his sister Ophelia has drowned, describes the setting thus: ‘There is a willow grows aslant the brook… crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples/That liberal shepherds give a grosser name.’ The willow, a traditional symbol of forsaken love, reaches out over Ophelia’s dead body in Millais’ painting, as if nature is protecting her in death.

Art historians have examined the significance of flower symbolism in ‘Ophelia’, questioning how much

inspiration Millais took from Hamlet itself (the field rose on the bank may refer to Laertes calling her ‘rose of May’) and how much he has embellished (the poppy is a symbol of death not mentioned by Shakespeare). The attention to detail is astonishing, the colours lush, the pain in Ophelia’s floating body apparent. It remains a potent image of tragic love.

Millais’ iconic painting was executed in two parts. He painted the landscape out by the Hogsmill River and then, back in London, 19-year-old Elizabeth Siddall posed for the figure of Ophelia lying in a bath filled with water. Siddall, who would become Rossetti’s wife, was a typical Pre-Raphaelite beauty with unruly, thick, reddish hair and sensual lips. When Siddall caught a chill from excessive hours in the tub and the model’s father threatened to sue Millais, the artist agreed to pay her doctor’s bills. After all, he had sold his painting for 300 guineas.

lady lucy freNcH WriTeS for The ViCToriA neWSpAper

‘Well , december is here and the St

James Theatre is three months old!

Creating a brand-new theatre in the

heart of Victoria has been an

extraordinary, exhilarating

experience. The overwhelming thing

I have discovered about SW1 is the

amount of change the locality is

undergoing – buildings are going up,

people are moving in, retail is

booming, things are happening and

it feels l ike the place to be.

The creation of the St James

Theatre has, I hope, added to the

frenzy of activity and provided a

cultural hub, a gem in the emerging,

glittering display.

Now, if you are thinking, “What’s

the big deal – just another theatre”,

I urge you to think again. The first

newly built theatre complex in the

heart of central london for 30 years

is a 21st-century dream. In the main

house, Cinderella: a Fairytale opens

on 12 december (until 26 January).

It’s most unlike the average

pantomime – think pink dr martens

boot rather than glass slipper! The

classic play Our Country’s Good

follows in a 25th-anniversary

revival. did you see it first time

round? I was just a wee thing then,

of course. I cannot wait to see it…

So what else? a 100-seat studio

where Thursday offers comedy,

Friday, jazz, and Saturday, cabaret.

and all this fuelled by dinner in the

excellent restaurant, or tapas and

drinks in the St James Bar. Get

ready to be fed, watered and

entertained…’

L ady Lucy French is director of

development at the st James theatre;

stjamestheatre.co.uk

The theatre entrance on palace Street

tAt e b r i tA i n A r t i c O n s , n O . 2

Sir John Everett Millais (completed between 1851-1852)

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marissa arrowsOffice Worker

vas kalawidasDesigner

alisoN wHeleCopywriter

Victoria is a hub of creative talent, with style to match. We hit the streets to scout the area’s best dressed locals

P H O T O G r a P H y p H i l l t ay l o r

Street style

beN wykesDesigner

eveNts iN victoria: deCeMber

a cHristmas celebratioN Westminster Cathedral19–20 DecemberTickets sel l out fast for this annual

event featur ing the Westminster

Cathedral Choir and Orchestra ,

conducted by mart in Baker.

westminstercathedral .org.uk

last exit

Plus One Gallery5 December to 5 Januaryandrew Holmes exhibits his

hyperreal ist penci l drawings in the

last show of the year at this Pimlico

road contemporary-art gal lery.

plusonegal lery.com

a cHristmas carol

St James Theatre11–16 DecemberClive Francis stars as Ebenezer

Scrooge in this remarkable

one-man production celebrat ing

the bicentenary of Charles dickens.

st jamestheatre.co.uk

Jack frost’s cHristmas adveNture

St John’s Smith Square 27 December – 6 JanuaryThis histor ic venue in Victor ia has

commissioned a brand new musical

that is guaranteed to get the whole

family in the fest ive spir it .

s jss .org.uk

savvy sHoppiNgShopping and social is ing in Victor ia

just got even easier, with the launch

of the Victoria Privilege card, which

gives users exclusive offers on dining,

shopping and leisure activities in the

area. Go online to see the latest offers

from Hotel Chocolat, The Perfume Shop,

House of Fraser and many more.

victor iapr ivi legecard.co.uk

A r c h i v e

Rob Shepherd’s links with Victoria go back a long way. As a boy, he used to play in St George’s Square, where his uncle lived, never imagining that one day he would start his own business just around the corner.

It was evening classes that gave him the bookbinding bug, and Shepherd followed his course with a career as a restorer, eventually – in 1988 – opening his own bindery on Rochester Row. Ten years later, he realised a dream by taking over two prestigious binderies – Sangorski & Sutcliffe and Zaehnsdorf: the most important hand-bookbinders of the 19th and 20th centuries. Sangorski & Sutcliffe alone came with an archive of 15,000 items.

In the years since, Shepherd has done all he can to revive the art of bookbinding, working hard to maintain the exceptionally high standards set by these companies. His replica of The Great Omar – a bejewelled biography of Persian poet Omar Khyyam that took Sangorski & Sutcliffe two years to finish, only for it to sink on the Titanic – sold at Sotheby’s for a five-figure sum.

That bookbinding is burgeoning comes as something of a surprise in this world of e-readers and tablets. ‘I think it’s a reaction to the digital age,’ says Shepherd, who also runs training workshops in the art. ‘I find people are more interested than ever in fine papers, books and centuries-old craft. They keep us busy at Rochester Row, dropping in with a repair or for a bespoke design.’

Indeed, behind the scenes, there’s a team of master craftsmen and women, using techniques that have changed little in centuries.

‘We make everything ourselves with materials imported from all over the world,’ Shepherd explains. ‘The best goatskin, for example, is from northern Nigeria – it’s the Rolls-Royce of leather – while sumac bark is the most environmentally sound tanning agent.’ The craftsmanship is 100-per-cent British, though, and that chimes well

Shepherds Bookbinders & Paper Merchants brings the finer things of life to Victoria, with a traditional bindery

and now a brand-new paper emporium

Cover story

W O r d S c a t e l a N g m u i r

clockwise from top: the bookbinding team with rob Shepherd (back row, in shir t and t ie) at rochester row; the gold tool ing process; leather par ing at the binder y; racks of decorat ive paper at the gi l l ingham Street store

with the current trend for all things artisanal. But bookbinding is a small, rarified world and Shepherd wisely expanded and diversified in 2003, with the purchase of Falkiners Fine Papers.

Fine-art paper and materials are the focus at the new Gillingham Street store – a temple to colour and pattern. The sumptuous designs and intense hues on display, including richly patterned Japanese varieties, are just a selection of the 3,000 types in stock – which is useful for the bookbinders too.

‘We have everything we need in Victoria now,’ concludes Shepherd. ‘We will also run tutorials at Gillingham Street in general-interest techniques, such as creating handmade invitations.’

It’s a new chapter for the bookbinders and one that is sure to be a page-turner.shepherds is at 76 rochester row and 30 gillingham street, sw1, and online at bookbinding.co.uk.

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ExpEriEncE thE GoldEn AGE of trAvEl

Step aboard the luxurious British pullman, sister train to the legendary venice Simplon-orient-Express and enjoy sumptuous cuisine and the finest champagne as the glorious British landscape sweeps past.

Departure Station Destination Price

11th January 2013 London Victoria The Golden Age of Travel £310pp

12th January 2013 London Victoria Bath £395pp

18th January 2013 London Victoria The Golden Age of Travel by Steam £395pp

26th January 2013 London Victoria The Dinner £395pp

9th February 2013 London Victoria The Golden Age of Travel by Steam £395pp

14th February 2013 London Victoria Valentines Day Dinner £370pp

22nd February 2013 London Victoria The Golden Age of Travel £310pp

24th February 20133 London Victoria Brunch £205pp

1st March 2013 London Victoria The Golden Age of Travel by Steam £395pp

2nd March 2013 London Victoria Historic York £395pp

7th March 2013 London Victoria The Dinner £395pp

10th March 2013 London Victoria Mothers Day Afternoon Tea £205pp

10th March 2013 London Victoria Mothers Day Lunch £265pp

13th March 2013 London Victoria Bristol & Brunels ss Great Britain by Steam £495pp

13th March 2013 London Victoria Historic Bath by Steam £495pp

22nd March 2013 London Victoria The Golden Age of Travel by Steam £395pp

28th March 2013 London Victoria Discover Folkestone £275pp

26th April 2013 London Victoria Cornish Weekend featuring St Mawes & Tregothnan £1,015pp

26th April 2013 London Victoria South Devon Weekend £1,025pp

26th April 2013 London Victoria Cornish Weekend featuring Padstow £1,050pp

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“in victoria you have eaton square at one end,

westminster cathedral at the other – so life here

is a wonderful cocktail”

alessandra greco philip treacy press & marketing manager