Three male models and a plate of rissoles please

On May 1, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Life, London1 Comment

“I’m going to be late!” I cried to my imminently world-famous star of an actor cousin. “Plus there’s no way I should have had a couple of glasses of bubbly, I won’t be able to concentrate.”

“It’s philosophy cuz” she replied, “It’s exactly what’s required.”

A hurried run/walk had me arriving at a salubrious establishment in London W1, as composed as I could be to a packed room of fellow philosophers, some 15 minutes late.

“Welcome” said Lawrence, smiling benignly. “Find a seat!”

I glanced around at a diverse population of London’s most curious.

Turning to place my jacket on the back of my chair, I felt I was being stared at. I looked up to encounter two of the most handsomest – and beardless – men I’d seen in quite some time perusing me: About 25 years a piece and surely on the cover of L’Uomo Vogue this month.

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Fierce

On April 25, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Fashion, LondonLeave a comment

Fan and all as I am of Ms Moss’s style, the much reported hologram of her in the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition seemed in fact a bit of a let down once you got to it.

It paled, literally and figuratively speaking into insignificance once one had done the rounds of the rest of his fierce and fantastical work.

“I met him a couple of times” I said to my friend B. “The first was a Q & A he did either here or at the ICA in the early Nineties. I remember it so clearly because I was wearing a pale green coloured moleskin suit I’d designed made-to-measure, and it was its first outing. It was at the time when he was frequently lambasted in the press for being ‘Misogynistic.’”

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Needle on the record

On April 15, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, London, Music, PartiesLeave a comment

“I haven’t got any ID with me by the way” my 21 year old City trader companion for the evening remarked as we headed out for drinks.

“Well – what’s the age now? Isn’t it 18? Aren’t you legal?” I asked a little clueless on not having come up against this issue for a while.

“Yes of course, it’s just sometimes I get asked.”

Chiltern Firehouse was our destination for the evening. Ah, like an illicit lover she carelessly drew our attention – all charm and good looks, subtly seductive with the attention to detail that makes us weak at the knees and powerless to resist.

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Disco dancing Jagger style

On March 30, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Ibiza, London, Parties, People you may have heard ofLeave a comment

I can always tell when my cousin is on the school run. Apart from the time itself – around 4.45pm – the bellowing wind enveloping her usually causes a shouting match as she marches up the hill towards her son’s place of learning.

Me: “RACH! LOVELY HJORDIS FROM IBIZA HAS SENT AN INVITATION TO WHAT LOOKS LIKE A PROPER OLD SKOOL DISCO NIGHT. IT’S CALLED THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL HOSTED BY BODY AND SOUL – A CHARITY – AND JADE JAGGER.”

Rach: (even louder than me): THAT SOUNDS NICE! COUNT ME IN!

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I Capitelli

On March 27, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, LondonLeave a comment

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There’s no other word for it really – or words if one is being precise.

E was taking me out for a belated birthday dinner at Bocca di Lupo. I’d fancied going for a while, so when he asked me to choose the restaurant I didn’t hesitate.

We looked at the menu as the waiter appeared. “What should I have to drink E, I just don’t know” I asked with a concerned expression.

“I don’t know S, glass of champagne?”

“Perfect, that’s exactly what I’ll have”

We giggled. Off to a flying start on the silliness we checked out the various dishes. Lots of ceviche, sage leaves rolled in artichokes – or was it the other way around? Cornish anchovies, Guinea fowl, Tuna tartare, baked scallops and lo and behold a ‘B.Y.O. Truffle’ menu.”

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