Arts and Culture

His Royal Wordiness: A Spare Thought for Prince Harry

The central plank of Spare is simply: what makes the man born Henry Windsor tick? A question answered in frankly exhaustive detail. Over the decades since the death of Princess Diana, the numberless legion of royal biographies which have sprung up can be more accurately described in terms of forests than paper. Whilst the majority are penned by authors whose closest glimpse of royalty was a matinee of the Lion King, a few of them actually have the royal in question working closely with the author. For the blue-bloods, this is the way of getting your story told in as close to your own words as possible, without doing anything as gauche as writing an autobiography. The royals who actually do the unthinkable and publish under their own name tend to be divorced spouses, like Sarah Fergusson with My Story (she also penned 2011’s Finding Sarah: A Duchess’s Journey To Finding Herself, which I refuse to believe anyone has read) rather than thoroughbred Windsors.

A Brief History of Burns Night

Robert Burns was a British and Scottish national poet who composed songs in English and the Scottish dialect (yep - he was the guy who wrote Auld Lang Syne!). Born and bred on Scottish soil, Burns Night is (appropriately) celebrated on the 25th of January each year - the same day that Burns' was born. The Scottish national poet was also seen as a jolly Scottish figure within Scotland, and a personality that represents a separate identity from England. Historically, England has dominated the union between England, the principality of Wales, Northern Ireland and the kingdom of Scotland to form the United Kingdom, and this has been the case since the Act of Union was passed in 1707 CE between Scotland and England, the Act of Union 1801 CE between the main British islands on the island of Ireland, and the Act of Union 1536 CE United the government of the principality of Wales with the Parliament based in Westminster. Therefore, Burns Night celebrations have become synonymous with celebrating Scotland's cultural contribution to the world.

Featuring Top 10 Luxury Property Developments Around the World in 2023

The luxury property market has been on the rise for many years, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. For those who value the finer things in life, owning a luxury home is more than just an investment — it's a statement of who they are.  While some cities such as New York, Miami, London, Dubai, and Singapore have always been the preferred destinations for luxury living, others such as downtown LA and Melbourne have made their presence felt too with some landmark luxury developments of late. Yet others such as Kiawah Island in South Carolina have remained the proverbial Shangri-Las of luxury developments — known only to a select few. Here, The Sybarite explores our top ten picks of some of the finest luxury developments around the globe, starting with London. All the properties on the list are distinguished by their pedigree of being the products of some of the most renowned builders and having been conceptualized by the most sought after architects in the luxury real estate sector. On top of this, each property has opulent interiors, the best views of each city, and state-of-the-art facilities for fitness and recreation.

Bringing Back Boujis: Get Ready for B London

They’ve hosted rockstars and royalty during their wildest nights out. Now, the team behind Mahiki, Raffles Chelsea, and the once happening Boujis, brings B London to the fold, with a view to capturing the best of old and new. For those unfamiliar with Boujis, the significance of B London’s upcoming launch - geared for March of this year - is rooted heavily in the once popular club which closed in 2016. During its epic run, made memorable by the drove of celebrities passing in and out of its doors, Boujis made headlines for high class drama perpetrated by none other than its clientele. This included Princes William and Harry, commonly caught by paparazzi stumbling from the club in the early hours of the morning. Speaking to veteran nightclub owner and B London partner, Carlo Carello, it’d be remiss of The Sybarite not to enquire about his knowledge of the royals, who are, as expected at this time, a little on the contentious side of public opinion. “To be honest, I’ll be brutal,” he said. “I’d love to stay away from Harry and William right now. There’s too much out there.”

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A Luxury Scottish Escape: High-end in the Highlands

Given that good weather in Scotland is never guaranteed, there’s a lot to be said for leaning into the dark nights and visiting in winter. For one, this is the time of year you’re most likely to experience the magical aurora borealis, and as the only Dark Sky Park in the UK, Galloway Forest is a great location for stargazing. January is also peak mussel and scallop season, delicacies for which Scotland is world-renowned. And where better to enjoy the finest malt whiskies by a roaring fire? Scots certainly know how to make the most of the longer nights and, having recovered from their Hogmanay celebrations, turn their attention to Burns’ Night at the end of January. Nowhere does so in greater style than The Fife Arms, a relatively new addition to the Scottish luxury hotel scene in its current incarnation. Nestled in the spectacular grandeur of the Caringorms just 15 minutes from Balmoral, the landmark Braemar hotel was comprehensively renovated by a team of architects, artisans and artists in 2018. Each of the 46 bedrooms is dedicated to a local place, person or event, meticulously researched and decorated to tell the story of the area. If their Hogmanay was anything to go by – at which Dame Judy Dench was spotted carousing at the piano with Sharleen Spiteri of Texas fame – Burns’ Night will be an extravagant affair.

What We Learnt from Art Basel - Miami: Art & Tech are...

At Art Basel, art and technology come together spectacularly. Attendees can explore breakthrough art and technology through interactive displays, installations, and performances. From virtual reality experiences to 3D-printed sculptures, Art Basel provides a platform for art and technology to mix and mingle in ways that are both innovative and inspiring. Attendees can also experience installations and digital artworks that engage them in ways that traditional art forms can't. Visitors can explore the works of renowned and emerging artists and get a glimpse of the possibilities that technology brings to the art world. The perfect place to see how art and technology blend to create something new and exciting; AB was a pure hit! From new ways of viewing the artwork, virtual reality experiences, 3D-printed sculptures, and creating fashion to the endless possibilities of creative expression.

Inspiring Destinations That Captivated Literary Greats

For many, travel is an integral part of life, offering a chance to escape the mundane and seek out new adventures. Reading, too, can serve as a wonderful source of inspiration; stoking our imaginations and allowing us to envision experiences beyond the scope of everyday life. Here at The Sybarite, we're passionate about connecting interests in arts and culture with tangible experiences that one can cherish and remember for all time. Below, we explore some of the greatest destinations that have inspired literary masters, from the hotels and resorts where they stayed to the cities and landscapes that inspired their work. Whether you're a lover of literature or simply looking for some travel inspiration, these destinations are sure to captivate and inspire you.

Prince Harry & Meghan Spill the Tea on the Royal Family

With Harry & Meghan, an unprecedented six-part documentary series, lighting up screens the world over on Netflix, there’s certainly no turning back for the couple and those in their close circles now. In just the first episode, truths were revealed about both Harry and Meghan’s battles from within and outside of the Royal Family, referred to at times as “The Institution.” “This is about duty and service and I feel as though being part of this family, it is my duty to uncover this exploitation and bribery that happens within our media,” he says to the camera. “This has always been so much bigger than us. No-one knows the full truth. We know the full truth. The Institution knows the full truth and the media knows the full truth, ‘cause they’ve been in on it.”

Review of The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre

There is no doubt that this is a children’s Christmas classic, I remember watching it as a child and now I’m all grown up and taking my own two little people! After a magical walk looking at the Christmas lights, we headed to the theatre in the heart of London’s West End; full of excited children, nostalgic parents and many cuddly snowmen. The Snowman is directed by Bill Alexander and features music and lyrics by Howard Blake, including the famous song ‘Walking in the Air’, spectacular design by Ruari Murchison, magical lighting by Tim Mitchell, and amazing choreography by Robert North.

In Conversation with Gregory Batsleer, Artistic Director...

Crafted to captivate both classical music enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre, "Handel’s Messiah: The Live Experience" will grace the stage at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, for a sole evening on December 6th, 2022. This exceptional event marks the debut of a groundbreaking style of classical music concert. The inaugural performance revolves around Handel's renowned masterpiece, "Messiah," a composition of unparalleled acclaim and a favoured selection on Desert Island Discs. This event guarantees an exceptional spectacle, featuring virtuoso musicians and a fusion of pioneering lighting design, imaginative visual effects, choreography, and staging. As a result, the audience will be fully immersed in a dramatic and novel presentation of Handel's cherished musical narrative, which narrates the story of Christ and delves into universal human themes encompassing birth, hope, joy, suffering, sacrifice, and redemption. In an exclusive interview, Niamh Walsh engages in conversation with the ingenious visionary behind this ambitious endeavor, Gregory Batsleer. Renowned as the Chorus Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus, along with being the principal conductor of the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait Choir, Batsleer has garnered acclaim as one of the preeminent choral conductors of our time—an accolade that is well-deserved given the magnitude of his accomplishments and creative insights.

Women Who Launch: Ofelia Botella

Making a career out of your passion isn’t always as straightforward as one might think. Despite the clear enthusiasm that comes with getting paid to do what you love, the path is often far from being sustainable. “Growing up, I fell into this narrative that I’d never be able to make a living as a creative and would instead need a ‘serious job’,” says artist and illustrator Ofelia Botella. This mindset pushed her to study business and put her knowledge into practice by working in art galleries, museums, and auction houses in London, Paris, and Shanghai. “After a while I realised that as glamorous as that life sounded, I wasn't feeling very fulfilled simply working in art but not being a creative myself,” she shares. She then left the art industry and entered an entirely new space—the world of technology, whilst still maintaining her art as a hobby on the side. Botella tells me that the pandemic was a real turning point for her, where she found herself painting daily. It was also during this time that she made her first sale, which encouraged her to pursue this new channel further. She then started selling more of her work, making bespoke wedding stationery and illustrations, doing murals in private homes, and hosted her first exhibition. The biggest leap of all came this year when she decided to officially take some time off from her tech job to dedicate to her new business. “I haven’t looked back since!” she says.