London with The London Chatter

Contributed By Claire Eastwood

For this London edition, we look to The London Chatter’s Kelly Eastwood, our go-to for the latest and greatest in London town.

Kelly Eastwood was raised in East Africa, idyllically feeding giraffe orphans in the sunshine after school, while teaming her colourful array of ‘Hakuna Matata’ t’shirts with leggings and dusty safari boots. Since then, having survived an all girl’s British boarding school, attended LAMDA, earned her MA from Edinburgh, and trodden various creaky boards, Eastwood has become a lifestyle and fashion icon through her blog, The London Chatter. You can find the popular blogger rocking her eclectic style and red stained lips exploring London, where she now hangs her hat (and dresses, and capes, and…).

Drink

This neon gallery & member’s club now lighting up the middle of Soho, is the perfect venue for some late night drinks and fun. Light’s of Soho co-founder, London’s Mr. Fun himself, Hamish Jenkinson, is usually on hand to tempt you into yet another cocktail…

The imaginative Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes have once again provided Londoners with an impressively extravagant bar, opening their eighth site this Autumn, Mr Fogg’s Tavern.  The decoratively quirky, Victorian inspired tavern pays further tribute to the adventures of the famously eccentric explorer Philieas J. Fogg, (this is the sister project to the stunning Mr. Fogg’s Mayfair), and features an upstairs elegant gin parlour offering 88 gins.

Dine

I always look so forward to my evenings at Riccardo’s, a well-known restaurant in the heart of Chelsea.  Offering simple, yet delicious Italian food (with great vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options also) you will always feel so warmly welcomed (frequently by silver fox Riccardo himself.)  The flourless chocolate almond cake is a MUST.

The Berkeley Hotel’s unique afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea, is inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world, with their pastry chefs taking inspiration from each London Fashion Week, dramatically changing their sweet treats every six months to keep up with the trends. Jimmy Choo biscuit boots and Burberry vanilla trench cakes are served on bespoke Paul Smith china in The Caramel Room. Beyond!

Shop

 This 32 year-old style maven’s three-floor townhouse concept store in Chelsea, Alex Eagle Studio, is a design must see. Part shop, part gallery, you’ll find the most impeccably stylish edit of fashion, furniture and art all under one roof. I’m always most excited about Alex’s own exclusive, frequently masculine inspired, collaborations, which include velvet slippers, heavenly candles and the most super soft t’shirts. To use Alex’s own favourite expression, “I mean the dream!”

Former editor (and owner of the best legs in London) Pippa Vosper this year transformed the way we ‘sample sale.’ RSPV (‘Ressurrected Season by Pippa Vosper’) hosts a different designer in her beautiful Chiswick shop and on her website each month, selling their past season collections and runway samples at a fraction of the original price. Snapping up Bionda Castana and Olga Vilshenko samples in style – errrrm… yes please!

Play

Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason is arguably the most glamourous and fashionably festive ice-skating experience.  Spend an evening skating with friends to live-spun music from top DJ’s, whilst enjoying some rink-side yuletide treats (‘Wine and Fondue for Two’ is an option!) followed by some shopping in the luxury pop-up Fornum’s Christmas arcade.

I love popping into this relatively young contemporary Fitzrovia gallery, co-owned by Richard Grindy & Rachelle Lunnon, for a wander with a coffee. Consistently showcasing a diverse selection of international artists,  Rook & Raven allows you to view some really dynamic and alternative artworks. I was particularly taken by the exhibitions of Celina Teague, James Mylne, and most recently, Vanessa Garwood.

Drink

Light’s of Soho, 35 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F ORX | +44 (0) 20-7183-2003
Mr Fogg’s Tavern, 58 St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4EA |  +44 (0) 20-7581-3992

Dine

Riccardo’s, 126 Fulham Road, London SW3 | +44 (0) 20-7370-6656
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL | +44 (0) 20-7235-6000

Shop

Alex Eagle Studio, 91 Walton Street, London SW3 | +44 (0) 20-7589-0588
RSPV, 34 Chiswick Lane, London W4 2JG | info@rspvstore.com

Play

SKATE at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2  | +44 (0) 20-7734-8040
Rook & Raven, 7 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1HN| +44 (0) 77-8673-3030