Spoilt for choice in London to celebrate another year on the planet and in the capital... and The Keeper's House has been on my wishlist since it opened a couple of years ago, so La Teen and I opted for its early evening, pre-theatre supper. The restaurant combines fine dining with fine art within the walls of the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly.
I decided to put on my 'alternative' tea-dress, in a lively African print in feral greens and browns, by Osika; my patent-leather green jacket by BCBG Max Azria; and brown velvet heels by Robert Clergerie. The clutch - a Hong Kong original from the '50s - but purchased in Lewes, East Sussex, featured in my Belair posting. Vintage jewellery and a Mongolian lamb scarf, in baize green, happily complemented the interiors, created by acclaimed architect, David Chipperfield RA. Didn't realised subterranea could be so seductive!
A delicious birthday dinner... roll on another year.
Seven architectural practices from six countries across four continents make up the new show, Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined, at the Royal Academy of Arts. And last Friday's Late added a new mix and buzz to the prestigious space in Piccadilly by introducing lively, interactive entertainment and roaming performers, (including a crowd-sourcing poet) - enhancing the splendour of the show. The senses were certainly heightened by all this startling work, notably Pezo von Ellrichshausen's magnificent towers, which took you up to the heavens to meet an angel; Francis Kéré playful use of coloured straws - porcupine on the outside and tunnel within; Li Xiaodong's labyrinthine installation, both bright and ominous; and Kengo Kuma's magical sea of scented lights. There was certainly a party atmosphere on Friday night just about everywhere, including The Keeper's House where DJ Seb Wildblood was keeping the soundtrack suitably cool. I wore a feathered pencil skirt, a 1930s gentleman's velvet smoking jacket from The Army & Navy Store, (last featured in 'A gentleman's jacket'), a Roland Mouret sweater, and my Terry de Havilland 'Leyla Swirl' metallic wedges, complemented by a favourite silver bag from Angel Jackson. All I can say is... bring on more Lates!
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