Summer in London is beginning to bloom. This week’s Citizen Femme Hotlist features some of our favourite things to do this coming month in the Capital in our London Edit.
From arts & culture, to food & fitness, to unusual experiences, you’ll be sure to have stories to tell after each one.
SEE THIS An American in Paris
If its thrills, excitement, shivers of emotion you are after, then this you have to see. Highly acclaimed and breathtakingly beautiful musical ‘An American in Paris’ springs into cinemas on 16th May (Excluding the USA and Japan).
It took the West End by storm, it won Tony’s on Broadway, now you can watch on a screen near you. It features music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin (including hits ‘S Wonderful and I Got Rhythm), book by Craig Lucas and direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, An American In Paris is inspired by the Oscar-winning MGM film, and tells the impassioned story of discovering love in the ‘City of Light’ in 1945.
With the spectacular Tony Award nominee & New York City Ballet principal dancer Robert Fairchild as Mulligan, outstanding British Royal Ballet dancer Leanne Cope as Lise Dassin, reprising their roles from the original Broadway production, along with a remarkable company of over 50 actors, dancers and musicians including Haydn Oakley as Henri Baurel, Zoë Rainey as Milo Davenport, David Seadon-Young as Adam Hochberg and Jane Asher as Madame Baurel.
Stunning set designs, costumes and show-stopping choreography, it truly is ravishing. Get close up on the performers and maintain the beauty of a live musical. If there’s one thing you must see, its this.
BOOK THIS Bespoke millinery with Jane Taylor & The Frida Kahlo Experience at COMO The Halkin
London is Summer hat season. Heading to Ascot, Wimbledon, the Polo, the Henley Regatta? COMO The Halkin Hotel is in partnership throughout the summer, with Belgravia based milliner Jane Taylor London, launching 22nd May. Jane Taylor will be available for a bespoke service for guests looking for the perfect headpiece for these occasions. She will come to the hotel for appointments and fittings, offering 10% off either in store or if purchased through the hotel. For those who are not visiting London until the summer, Skype appointments can also be made where the discount would still apply and guests can have a bespoke consultation and their hat be waiting for them on their arrival in London.
Jane has created pieces for the Royal family including The Duchess of Cambridge, The Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice of York, Zara Philips & has a fan following from the likes of Beyoncé and Rita Ora.
Also celebrating Belgravia in Bloom, this year’s theme is Frida Kahlo, in association with the exhibition launching at the V&A next month. COMO The Halkin is celebrating Kahlo’s legacy with their own Frida Kahlo experience. Tickets to the V&A exhibition, a Frida Kahlo-inspired cocktail, afternoon tea at Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, and a night in one of their elegant rooms or suites. Try on specially designed Frida Kahlo headpiece designed by Jane, and fill up your insta stories with a breath of Summer in Belgravia.
EXPERIENCE THIS Floris perfume making
A personalised scent? Yes please. And added to history? Even better.
Floris is the only appointed perfumer to Her Majesty The Queen. You can arrange a private appointment to discover the secret of fragrance creation and the opportunity to craft your very own 100ml Eau de Parfum. Accompanied with a welcome glass of Pol Roger champagne with the opportunity to discover the secrets of fragrance creation and the chance to craft two unique 100ml Eau de Parfums with the help of a member of the Floris perfumery team. Ahead of the session participants will receive a gift box and two bottles engraved with their initials, as well as a guide of what to expect from the day’s course. And, to add to the memory, the fragrance created is added to Floris’s private perfume ledgers dating back nearly 300 years and started by founder Juan Famenias Floris – meaning it is protected for future generations to re-order.
VISIT HERE Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier at The Design Museum
The UK’s first exhibition on the legendary designer Azzedine Alaïa, opens this week at the Design Museum. Conceived and co-curated by Azzedine Alaïa himself prior to his death in November 2017, the exhibition explores his extraordinary work, spanning his prolific career from the early ‘80s to his very last masterpieces towards the end of 2017. Over 60 rare garments (including his trademark zipped dress, the bandage dress, the corset belt, the stretch body, perforated leather) are displayed in the exhibition co-curated by Mark Wilson, Chief Curator of the Groninger Museum, alongside a series of specially commissioned architectural screens by Alaïa’s close friends, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Konstantin Grcic, Marc Newson, Kris Ruhs and Alaïa’s partner of many years, Christoph von Weyhe. The commissioned works are the perfect backdrop to Alaïa’s exceptional creations which have shaped the course of fashion history over the past few decades.
STAY HERE At Your Beat x RETOX Brunch at the W Hotel, Leicester Square
Detox. Retox. Repeat. This is a pattern we could get used to. The W Hotel, Leicester Square has partnered with At Your Beat, the new disruptive dance fitness class in town, to get you energized and teach you how to steal the scene on the dance floor based on HIIT training. Book with a friend and unleash your own infectious energy, burn calories and lose inhibitions! that helps you burn calories and lose your inhibitions.
But you know we love a bit of balance. Post detox, we are looking for some retox. A bottomless Sunday brunch affair with a fresh smoothie bar, fresh fruits, homemade granola and healthy salads. Mix it up with revolving hot plates. Move onto the cheese or meats station and fuel your body with a circuit-style foodie offering.
On top of this, they have partnered with dynamic London chef, Ravinder Bhogal, bringing to the W, her first all-vegan menu as part of the second installation of the W Dining Series. The menu showcases delicious plates such as Besan Fritters, Coconut Yoghurt and Curry Leaf, and sweets such as Rose, Coconut and Cardamom Doughnuts. Ravinder’s menu will be available until the end of June 2018.
Any Questions or Tips to add?