Elena Bowes

New York-London design & culture writer of a certain vintage looking for meaning and wholeness in life

Mayfair Bejewels and Bedazzles

November 7th, 2014
London
Places

Mayfair just keeps getting more marvellous. I stopped in for a cappuccino at the brand new Maison Assouline on Piccadilly, a shop as luxurious and comforting as freshly pressed linen sheets. Founded by the uber-glamourous French couple Prosper and Martine Assouline, their first international flagship sells the good life, the very good life. Beautiful books, modernist furniture, covetable prints,  Christmas presents for that someone special, it’s all here.

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With dashing staff seemingly straight out of the film Grand Budapest Hotel.

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From there I ambled over to Conduit Street to catch a glimpse of Greek artist Sophia Vari’s upcoming retrospective ‘Scale of Beauty’ at the Louisa Guinness Gallery. The show includes 50 pieces – some new, some not – spanning from the 1980’s to today. Spoiled for choice I was, I am.

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Root emerald, ebony, lacquered wood, white and black marble, coral, yellow gold- Vari fluently blends a variety of materials in her bold, sumptuous designs.

Next I strolled over to a private space to see an altogether different but just as wonderful jewelry designer – the incredibly creative and whimsical Cora Sheibani, seen here modelling a necklace from her ‘Valence’ series. All her jewelry is light and easy to wear. Trust me.

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Sheibani’s popular cake mould and donut inspired rings below. Snack-time!

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Sheibani is available by appointment only.

November, 2014