English Excellence

 
Interview
A Green & Pleasant Land…
Take your pick of contemporary architecture or a house steeped in centuries of history.
 
England’s idyllic green gardens are celebrated as some of the most beautiful in the world. Head of Gardens and Estates for the Historic Royal Palaces, Terry Gough and his team tend to the thousands of trees, plants, sweeping vistas and ancient monuments that have been enjoyed by England’s kings and queens for centuries.
 
Why do you think the English are such a passionate gardening nation?

 
‘the ultimate in stylish, elegant iron furniture custom-made in England’
 
The Heveningham Collection by Annie Eadie which was launched in 1990 is the ultimate in stylish, elegant iron furniture custom-made in England. Only the highest quality materials are used throughout the manufacturing process and all furniture is hot zinc coated, followed by powder coating, thus ensuring that the furniture is both luxurious and highly durable. Perfect for the home, terrace, conservatory or poolside.

 
‘LINLEY has developed an international reputation for creating furniture and accessories that represent English craftsmanship at its very best’
 
David Linley founded his eponymous business in 1985 with the aim of designing and manufacturing furniture of the highest quality. Some 28 years on, the now well    established English design company LINLEY enjoys prominence as both a retail and bespoke business specialising in the design and production of furniture, upholstery, interiors and home accessories of a superlative quality.

 
Napoleon called us a nation of shopkeepers – it’s a tradition we’re proud to uphold.
 
London’s most prestigious department stores and shopping streets – Bond Street, Sloane Street, Savile Row, Harrods, Liberty, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, to name a few – are as familiar landmarks as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. But stick solely to the shops in the capital and you’ll miss some of the most interesting shopping experiences in the world.

 
Whatever is on your wish list, you will certainly find it here, and more.
 
Even more sumptuous is an experience offered by luxury concierge service Quintessentially: a private tour of the ‘Queen’s grocer’ Fortnum & Mason before it opens, followed by a tea tasting and an invitation to create your own version of the store’s iconic picnic hamper. You will then be whisked to the grounds of Windsor Castle by helicopter to enjoy your hamper before taking a tour of the castle.

 
Interview
Dressed to the nines..
Sarah Mower is the British Fashion Council’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent and is an MBE for Services to Fashion. She lives in London as American Vogue’s correspondent, while also working as a fashion journalist, an advocate for young designers and a professor at Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design. Who better to talk us through London’s designer shopping scene?
 
Who are your favourite better-known designers?

 
‘Ettinger is a family owned and run, luxury leather goods and accessories company whose products are still hand-made by its craftspeople at the Ettinger factory in Birmingham’
 

 
‘Twice voted the world’s best department store... more than 350,000 people visit the store every week and nearly 20 million every year’
 

 
‘Austin Reed boasts over a century of design excellence and an
international reputation that’s founded on personal service, remarkable tailoring and a passion for quality without compromise’
 
Austin Reed has a proud British heritage. Founded in 1900, Austin Reed boasts over a century of design excellence and an international reputation that’s founded on personal service, remarkable tailoring and a passion for quality without compromise.

 
‘Dege & Skinner is pure bespoke, everything they make is cut by hand on Savile Row and proudly ‘made in England’
Established in 1865, bespoke tailoring house Dege & Skinner has been dressing royalty, businessmen, professionals, the military and discerning individuals for almost a century and a half.
Proud holder of three Royal Warrants, the company is based at Number 10, Savile Row, which is recognised as the most prestigious location for men’s tailoring in the world.