The Studio Hopwood Hot List – March 2018

I have been harnessing that energy and making a few seasonal changes at my London home, these will be photographed and shared with you in upcoming weeks. After a long, cold winter it is time to get ourselves ready for the warmer months ahead and I have been having fun trying out the various styles of yoga available at Total Chi on Baker Street. Now too old to go clubbing, I have been getting my music and adrenalin fix at Psycle on Mortimer Street, 45 minutes of sweating.

Total Chi, 243 Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1 6XE

Psycle, 76 Mortimer St, Marylebone, London, W1W 7SD

The V&A Museum is always a firm favourite and not only do you now get to see their Ocean Liners: Speed and Style exhibition but also get to experience their new exhibition halls. ‘Experience a unique journey through the design stories of the world’s greatest ocean liners, including the Titanic, Normandie, the Queen Mary and the Canberra, and find out how these impressive vessels helped shape the modern world’. The Ocean Liners exhibition exudes the pre-war glamour of the great floating palaces, and showcases the perfect examples of the best in design of their period, not least of which is the Normandie.

V&A, Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 2RL

Charles I may not have been our greatest king, but he certainly was one of the greatest art collectors of European Baroque art. Sadly, after his execution in 1649 his collection was sold off across Europe, but thanks to the Royal Academy’s Charles I: King and Collector exhibition, we get to see 100 of the greatest masterpieces of this magnificent collection reunited for the first time. Despite the grandeur of most of the works, my personal favourite has to be the relatively miniature (42 x 37cm) Orazio Gentileschi’s Head of a Woman. I love this piece so much that I have purchased an over-size silk scarf of the image which I am having framed.

If you’ve made the journey into London to experience the Charles I exhibition, a gentle walk across Green Park will take you to the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace where you can share the Charles II: Art & Power exhibition, and follow the story of Charles trying to pull the art collection back together following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. There are some delightful miniatures in this collection and it is well worth the visit.

Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1A 1AA

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a gem of a musical on at the Apollo.  This award-winning show is a delightful take on the true story of a young man’s bravery, recently documented by the BBC. Usually when you watch a musical the tunes are already known and you find yourself singing along (subconsciously or not), yet despite this being a new musical the tunes are just as catchy, entertaining and suitable for all age groups.

Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

I have just discovered a fascinating set-up called Carousel around the corner from our studio. The four Templeton cousins have developed a ‘revolving creative hub which is home to a carefully curated programme of chef residencies, art exhibitions and all round awesome experiences – morning, noon and night. Not to mention the best lunch in Marylebone’. Seating at communal tables with everyone arriving and being served at the same time – it’s a treat and you must give it a try. The next visiting chefs are le Pourquoi Pas, they are only here from 6^th to 10^th March so make sure to book in advance!

Carousel, 71 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 8AB

Spring, what better excuse to go shopping for a wardrobe refresh. I will be heading into Slowear on Marylebone High Street – a collection of Italian companies each specialising in knitwear, jackets, trousers, shirts and accessories. Within a passionate, friendly environment they create smart but relaxed, beautifully made clothes.

Slowear, 25 Marylebone High St, Marylebone, London, W1U 4PH