novemBER CULTURE EDIT
FASHION
MULBERRY X ACNE STUDIO
The Anglo-Swedish designer crossover we never knew we needed. Marrying together the signature aesthetics of the two houses—think British heritage meets off-beat, streetwear cool—the collab will consist of bags and small leather goods. Santa, are you listening? 5 November.
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI X H&M
Since the Cannes film festival in May, the fashion community has been eagerly awaiting the complete drop of Giambattista Valli’s first fusion line. Available for your perusal right now, the collection consists of show-stopping tulle ball gowns (destined to be sell-outs) and Renaissance-inspired jackets. However, it’s not all peaches and cream— there are some very suspect looking leopard print boxers and logo hoodies which are probably best left out of the cart. 7 November.
ROKSANDA X LULU LEMON
Listen up Yogis! London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic has collaborated with Lulu Lemon to create a 16-piece collection comprising of jackets, bodysuits, leggings, tops and even coats (!). Each piece has Roksanda’s signature colour-blocking and feminine aesthetic— a perfect match for sculptural workout gear, and of course the Downward Dog. Available now.
FOOD
AMAZONICO
Destined to become one of London’s most Instagrammable restaurants, Amazonico offers moreish Brazilian dishes in a Rousseau-inspired setting. Think lush foliage hanging from hither to nither, exotic animal prints, and a boujee green-and-gold colour scheme. House of Hackney eat your heart out. Head for Amazonico’s slow-roasted, caramelised pineapple—reason enough to visit. 9 November. 10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6AA
MEI MEI— BOROUGH MARKET KITCHEN
The Borough Market Kitchen will open in mid-November— a foodie haven brimming with gourmet street food traders. With chef Elizabeth Haigh at the helm (fyi she helped secure a Michelin star for Hackney’s Pidgin), Mei Mei specialises in dishes from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Head for their signature dish of Hainanese chicken rice, or ox cheek rendang and nasi lemak—a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. Jubilee Place, Borough Market, SE1 1TL
SIMPLICITY BURGER
Until now Neil Rankin’s restaurants would more likely leave you with the meat sweats. So, naturally, it came as a surprise when the Scotland-born chef announced his plans to open a new vegan burger joint— Simplicity Burger. With an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients, the menu consists of plant-based burgers plus sides and drinks. The recipe for its plant-based patties are under a strict NDA so don’t even try asking. 1 November. 202 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA.
BOOKS
FLEABAG: THE SCRIPTURES
If you’ve got a Fleabag (and Hillary) shaped hole in your life, fill that void with a copy of Fleabag: The Scriptures. Bringing together new writing from Phoebe Waller-Bridge alongside filming scripts and never-before-seen stage directions, this is the literary equivalent of tea and toast at the guinea pig caf. Knife-edge comedy? moving drama? bitingly sharp dialogue? That's the PWB we know and love. 12 November.
FIND ME
The much-anticipated sequel to André Aciman's 2007 novel Call Me By Your Name finally arrives in bookshops. Ever since the film adaptation staring starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer became an Oscar-winning success, there’s been SO. MUCH. HYPE surrounding Aciman’s next tract— will Elio and Oliver be reunited at last? And were any peaches harmed in the making? Out now.
THE REVISIONERS
Pipped as one of Oprah’s must read books for 2019, The Revisioners is the second novel of Margaret Wilkerson Sexton. Set in the American South, the narrative follows a New Orleans family's ascent from slavery to freedom while exploring the depths of women's relationships. Sexton is one to watch. 5 November.
WE SHOULD ALL BE MIRANDAS
If you’re a long-serving member of the Miranda Hobbes appreciation society— this book is probably for you. Sarcy attitude? workaholic? a dubious fashion sense that just won’t quit? What’s not to love. A spin-off from the cult Insta account Every Outfit on Sex & The City (@everyoutfitonsatc), We Should All Be Mirandas brings us life lessons from Sex and the City’s most criminally underrated character. The perfect stocking filler. Out now.
PODCASTS
FASHION FIX WITH CHARLI HOWARD
Model and activist Charli Howard brings us her debut podcast aiming to right the wrongs of the fashion industry. From diversity and inclusion to sustainability and worker’s rights, Charli gives us her two cents on the subjects that matter. A podcast that “fixes fashion while fixing the world”, and then some. On BBC Sounds now.
THE ONLY PODCAST LEFT
Netflix is branching out to create fictional podcasts. Taking place in an apocalypse, The Only Podcast Left tells the story of a group of teens who are attempting to make a podcast during trying times. Sounds meta. 7 November.
EXHIBITIONS
DORA MAAR
You might know Dora Maar as Picasso’s Weeping Woman— the long-suffering muse to his creative whims. But plot twist…“All of his portraits of me are lies,” Maar said. “They’re all Picassos — not one is Dora Maar.” So who is the real Dora Maar? A new retrospective at the Tate aims to rewrite the reputation of one of 20th century art’s most misrepresented figures. During the 1930s, Maar’s provocative photomontages became icons of surrealism—which spanned fashion and advertising, as well as her social documentary projects. The OG Quentin Jones. 20 November.
TUTANKHAMUN
He’s back! To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, the big man himself begins a six month residency at the Saatchi Gallery for the final time before he returns to Egypt forever. Think Elton John’s last hurrah at Caesars Palace— this is the cultural event of the century. Advance booking is recommended. 2 November—3 May 2020
BRIDGET RILEY
Bridget Riley’s major retrospective at the Hayward Gallery in London has attracted a flurry of five-star reviews with The Guardian calling it “a shimmering, rolling, flickering spectacular”. Spanning seven decades, this new exhibition gives a fascinating insight into her evolution as a painter – from her dabbles with pointillism to the op-art, swinging 60s works she is now synonymous with. Not to be missed. Until 26 January.
FILM
THE KING
As Brad Pitt asked at a recent press junket (for another film) “have you seen The King with Timothée Chalamet?” Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Henry V, The King brings this early Renaissance monarch kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Also starring Lily-Rose Depp and Robert Pattinson, plus one spectacular bowl-cut hairdo. Stream it now—it’s what Brad would have wanted. Netflix on 1 November.
THE IRISHMAN
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese's epic saga of organised crime in postwar America— the alleged true story of Frank Sheeran, a war veteran who becomes a hitman for the mob and plays a key role in the disappearance of American labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. Have we just seen this year’s Oscar winner? You decide. Netflix on 27 November.
LAST CHRISTMAS
A festive romantic comedy is given a George Michael makeover. Last Christmas stars Emilia Clarke as a Bridget Jones-esque shop assistant whose life is one hot mess and Henry Golding as the eligible suitor. Directed by Paul Feig (of Bridesmaids fame) and co-written by Emma Thompson, it’s a match made in heaven. You just gotta have faith. 15 November.