Nicky Philipps was in fine form over coffee in her house on a beautiful spring morning....the only one we have had so far this year..on Tuesday...in her lovely house and studio in South Kensington. On Wednesday she was graciously showing us around some of her portraits at the open day of Sara Stewart's new Gallery, Fine Art Comissions, on Duke St, St James...Bang opposite the Cavendish Hotel.
Nick Bashall actually started to work on a portrait of OLLIE (from 'Made in Chelsea' fame) and in 1.5 hours produced a remarkable picture. They are conjurers these portrait painters.Pink Champagne flowed and there had been a regular stream of friends and clients throughout the day.
Roberta Moore staged a wonderful collection of art at 45 Albermarle Street... just across Piccadilly. Ralph Ward Jackson was there to support his old friend and she put on a lovely show.
Made in Chelsea, Ollie
Paul Benney
Nicky Philipps with her famous picture of the Princes hanging in the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery
PR talking to Paul Benney at the gallery 'open day'
On Thursday morning the mince and potatoes at the Dean Street Townhouse was perfect for a wet and autumnal-feeling day after elevenses on the Norman Foster designed roof-top of the ME Hotel in the strand. Mike Ellis, the charming and effortlessly good host made us feel totally at home with a very good Portuguese red wine to go with the nosh...brilliantly balanced.
In the meantime Sally (Prideaux) is planning a house party to celebrate her big birthday at Balfour Castle at the end of April.
Balfour Castle....more romantic than Camelot
With wonderful gourmet food too..
Twenty of her special friends will be there....it is a splendid place.
Lunch with Ros Galliani and the Luxury Channel at Morton's in Berkeley Square threw up some interesting and sparkling ideas. The is a lot going on in this area of operations. Stefan Lindblom was over from Stockholm to help with my website and arrange things with Richard James for a photoshoot. We have some lovely clients who are coming to meet some of London's leading fashion designers for a talk about their ideas and inspirations. One of the exciting things about this project is that you get to know some of your heroes!
What with the drinks in Morton's and the early evening Sambuca shots in the Guinea on Bruton Mews ( courtesy of Michelle and the Arab Bank) it has been a diverse and stimulating week.