Design Museum – Designers in Residence

Young designers Harry Trimble and Oscar Medley-Whitfield 

The idea of economy and resourcefulness: The Designers in Residence is now in its 5th year, staging a platform to showcase and support the work of the next generation of design talent. This year’s residents are Freyja Sewell, Harry Trimble and Oscar Medley-Whitfield, Lawrence Lek and Yuri Suzuki, who were selected from an open-call and given the brief of ‘Thrift’. If you are looking for a flair of creativity from something other than Fashion, than this might be exactly what you’re looking for. Check it out:

Design Museum 28, Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD Programme 020 7940 8790

Bubbledogs on Charlotte Street

Inside Bubbledogs  

Champagne and hotdogs? Surely not! Well, stop being snobbish and live a little. This lovely idea is the brainchild of James Knappett (ex-Ledbury, Noma) and Sandia Chang (ex-Roganic), who have opened Bubbledogs Hot dog and Champagne bar on Charlotte Street. But what’s so special about the iconic streetfood? Well, the menu offers ten hot dogs, including the BLT dog, the Jose dog (topped with guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos), and a regularly changing guest chef's special. And, to make things even better, wash it down with a glass of champagne, from a selection 14 sourced exclusively from smaller champagne houses. Sounds tempting doesn’t it?

 Bubbledogs 70 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 4QG - Telephone: 020 7637 7770

The new St James Theatre on Palace Street

Causing quite the buzz down in old London town, is the first newly built theatre in 30 years, St. James Theatre, whose opening night has been put in the diary for 18th September with Bully Boy. Built on the site of the former Westminster Theatre in Victoria, the venue will include a state-of-the-art 312 seat theatre, a studio performance space, broadcast TV facilities and a bar and brassiere designed by architect Tim Foster. The original Westminster Theatre building was opened in 1923 on the site of Charlotte Chapel, which was built in 1766. In 1931, the building was transformed into a theatre, where it stood for over seventy years before it was destroyed by a fire in June 2002, during demolition work which had begun. Want to catch something new and exciting? Then get yourself down to St. James Theatre.

 St. James Theatre 12 Palace Street, Westminster, London, SW1E 5JA 

Open House London – Be inspired by this unique festival

Lloyds of London (c) Nick Delaney

There is always something going on in London to keep you entertained and challenge your perception of the city. Open House London does just that, opening the doors of hundreds of buildings – government buildings, workplaces, private homes, historical sights etc – that are not normally open to the public, to celebrate the impact of architecture. Also, thrown into the mix, are walking, jogging, cycling tours, including the London Night Hike, on September 21st, so you appreciate London by moonlight and also raise money for charity. There is a lot to see, with over 750 opening up, most of which you can just walk in without booking but some do require advanced requests, details of which are found on the website. So if you, like me, like to be nosy or are genuinely interested in the architecture, engineering and landscape design, find a pair of comfy shoes and discover the city that lies behind closed doors.

 Website for locations

Treat yourself at The Langham, Chuan Spa

It doesn't get better than this, Chuan Spa

Situated just behind the bustling Oxford Street, Chuan Spa is London's first luxury Chinese medicine centre and touted as the hottest ticket in town. Aimed a relieving stress, and ailments related to it, this Chinese medicine centre is more than just a spa to relax your senses between a fashion show and a dinner at The Ivy. Emphasising a holistic approach to a spa retreat, the therapists strives to create an optimal balance of the Five Wu Xing elements: fire, water, earth, metal and wood, that empower these physical and mental forces. From acupuncture through to body wraps and the famous Chuan Harmony massage there is something to make you feel like a whole new person and breeze through the rest of fashion week.

 The Langham, Portland Place, W1B 1JA, London

Written by Elisa della Barba, Ben Taylor and Valentina Zannoni 

Cover credits

30 St Mary Axe (c) Grant Smith