FINANCIAL TIMES Moonlighting as a male fashion guru →
Sacha Baron Cohen’s film Brüno opens this weekend to great fanfare, hoo-ha, and, occasionally, horror. But none of the flamboyant Austrian fashionista’s eyewatering antics could surprise me. You see, for this British female thirtysomething, being a Germanic gay male fashion guru feels like old times. Specifically, it feels like the years from 2001-2006, when I moonlighted as “Dear Wolfgang”, the author of an advice column in the British newspaper The Independent on Sunday. As a chiselled, beret-wearing chap, I/Wolfgang readily answered such reader queries as: what to do about prominent nipples? What should a vegetarian do with an inherited fur coat? What should a biker do about blocked pores? And where to find a traditional yukata in London?
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HTSI A detoxing Barrecore retreat in the Bahamas
Beating the January blues with a new revitalisation reboot.
The month of December is full of indulgence, but for those who are already noticing a spare tyre (or two), it might be an idea to think ahead to January 2016 and booking a new detox escape with Silver Linings Retreats. Presented by and available to book through London-based luxury concierge service The Modern Concierge, the finest of London’s wellness experts will be transported to the Kamalame Cay private-island resort in the Bahamas for a week-long health and fitness experience (January 22-29, January 29-February 5, £6,775; May 13-22, from £4,995).
London’s Barrecore, the ballet-inspired fat-burning interval-training outfit, will send over teachers, and chic sportswear line Sweaty Betty will provide workout apparatus and stylish gym gear for female guests (sorry chaps, they don’t make men’s clothes).
BarreNourish, the catering arm of Barrecore, has created a special Paleo menu, the style of eating based on the diet of cavemen (said to be hormone-balancing and anti-inflammatory), featuring fresh fish and local produce from a Mennonite farm on the nearby island of Andros. London’s Radiance Cleanse will also curate a juicing day.
Each of the maximum number of 10 guests will start the detox process ahead of departure by talking to the Silver Linings team about their health and fitness goals prior to the retreat. “The mix of one-to-one and group exercise within each guests’ personal programme enables us to draw upon not only Barrecore signature moves, but also yoga and Pilates methods, as well as high-intensity interval training,” explains the founder of Silver Linings Retreats Chrissy Sundt, a former Royal Ballet dancer.
Virtuosity aside, there’s plenty of downtime, from snorkelling to reading. Leaving the iPad at home is also encouraged. “The location enables a digital detox that is just not possible to achieve in our usual lives,” enthuses Sundt.
The upshot? “Guests will leave the retreat relaxed, replenished and rejuvenated.” What a perfect way to start 2016.
HTSI Jo Malone’s London
The self-taught scent maestro launched Jo Loves in 2011, 12 years after selling Jo Malone London, the kitchen-table business that burgeoned into a multimillion-pound brand
Read MoreHTSI Natalia Vodianova talks personal taste Part I
Model and founder of the Naked Heart Foundation Natalia Vodianova is campaigning to transform the lives of children with special needs in Russia
HTSI Natalia Vodianova talks personal taste: Part II
The Russian model concludes her list of likes with the view from her Paris balcony, Chelsea Clinton’s It’s Your World and the best burger in LA
RACONTEUR Changing face of UK skincare →
In 2006 Boots received a call. BBC TV’s Horizon programme asked if the company would be involved in a documentary on how cosmetic companies support their skincare product claims.
A risk? Undoubtedly. For although Boots had faith in their research concerning a new serum called No 7 Protect & Perfect by conducting an independent study with Manchester University, they were taking on assumptions about the skincare industry that many women were spending their money on anti-ageing skincare that simply didn’t work.
Read MoreHTSI Skye Gyngell’s London
The Australian chef was catapulted into the limelight in 2011 when Petersham Nurseries Café, where she was head chef, won a Michelin star. She opened Spring restaurant last October