The Steeple Times

Tag: Italy

  • Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Get there on time.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

    Racism and injustice. I travel quite a bit and I am always taken aback by how prevalent both are everywhere in the world.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    My family. They are all spread out, far away in different corners of the globe. It is difficult to see them often.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    The wellbeing of my loved ones.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    I love that quote but sadly it is indicative of how failed the system is. I used to work in the equity derivatives arm of RBS’ investment bank and I can tell you first-hand it is a cowboy’s game, with a lot of cavalier moves being made at the expense of the general public.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    Racist slurs.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    This is probably true but I think all humans have a primal desire and need to help each other. I personally support Nordoff Robbins and Kids Company, both charities that help and provide support and protection for children.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Unfortunately I am incredibly addicted to my Blackberry. Thinking about it, I don’t think it one has ever been more than 5 feet away from my in almost 10 years. That is disturbing.

     

    Diego Bivero-Volpe
    Diego Bivero-Volpe

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    So many… A random list off the top of my head: All of Led Zeppelin, Marcus Aurelius, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, Piranesi, Buddy Holly, Hobbs, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and maybe Daniel Tosh because he’s hysterical. It would certainly make for quite the journey all around.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    It’s hard to say, I am a lover of food, but I recently have developed a new obsession with steak, so maybe that and a spinach, avocado and mango salad.  In any case, let’s just hope this situation never happens.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    The conventional wisdom would dictate after 5pm. If you are on holiday somewhere sunny, a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz (if in Italy) with lunch is always acceptable.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    Vodka martini, dry, 3 olives.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    It’s a toss-up between very close friends and big luxurious bashes thrown by film studios and such. Both have their perks and are fun in different ways.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    I am fortunate enough to have quite a few very positive people in my life.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Lazing about in Tuscany for 2 weeks every summer, doing nothing but eating pasta and tanning.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    I strongly dislike tattoos.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A classic Ferrari.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I have a masters in journalism and finance.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Lots of pictures of my family, a handmade sculpture made by Amazonian natives and some invites for events this week.

     

    Diego Bivero-Volpe is a partner in Conduit Brands. For more information, go to: http://www.conduitbrands.com
    Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DiegoB_V

     

  • Baroness Stefania von Kories zu Goetzen (1939 – 2013)

    Baroness Stefania von Kories zu Goetzen (1939 – 2013)

    Baroness Stefania von Kories zu GoetzenAmerican born von Kories zu Goetzen was heavily involved in The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St. James’s and lived in grandeur on St. James’s Square. In an article in 1982, TIME accused her of being involved in a jewellery heist at the Ritz Paris. They were later forced to issue an apology. A portrait of the Baroness by Pietro Annigoni, started in Italy in the 1960s and still incomplete at the artist’s death, was so large that she was forced to move from Eaton Square to accommodate it. “I am an artist, not an architect”, he told her, before concluding: “Buy a new house”.

  • The truth's stranger than fiction

    The “Devil’s Advocate” is jailed for 14 years

     

    Bogus lawyer Giovanni di Stefano was jailed for 14 years yesterday after being found guilty of nine counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception, eight counts of fraud, three counts of acquiring criminal property, two counts of using a false instrument, one count of attempting to obtain a money transfer by deception, one count of obtaining property by deception and one count of using criminal property.

     

    Giovanni di Stefano
    Giovanni di Stefano

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  • Pass the Chablis

    Pass the Chablis

    ASmallWorld gets even more small minded

     

    When it started in the same month in 2004 as Facebook, the social network ASmallWorld was ahead of the game. Founded by Erik Wachtmeister with the help of such people as Rob Hersov, it fast found favour with the so-called “elite” of London, New York and Paris. It was a place where people made fun of one another but also a place where people trusted the advice they were given.

    ASmallWorld FI

    Such esteemed (and not so esteemed) people as Michael Ezra, Uri Schneider, Emma Gibbs (now Farah), Emma Louise Hill (now West), D’Arcy Wyvill, Anthony Mamo, Timmy Grech, William Aitken, Emma Rogers, David Reuben Jr, Jakob Eltz, Payam Ghamsari, Gabriele von Lutzau, the Ceveli sisters and Antonine Sorice quickly became the flavor of the site’s forums and others such as a woman who wore sunglasses and furs in all seasons [who since has demanded her name be removed otherwise she’ll report us to the police] talked about camels, chocolate and basements. A man named Eddy Chabli even went so far as to recount an encounter with “The Donald” (Trump) and much to the mirth of the membership was met with only: “Just have another glass… [of Chablis]”.

     

    The likes of Robert Bell hosted parties in honour of the website and at some oddballs turned up. I remember an “up the skirt” photographer harassing my friend Kerri Moss (now Beaumont) at one but we laughed like drains the day after.

     

    ASmallWorld, in fact, to the majority of the membership back then, was just another link in our already interlinked worlds. Then, with new ownership, as one could only expect, it went south. In came people who talked about what to do about the prostitutes who frequented the corridors of the buildings where they lived (I do not make this up) and a man named, if I recall correctly, Bruno, who worried about which private aviation firm would be able to let his dog aboard. Bruno later asked if anyone wanted to share his “ride” with him. I suspect this freak deservedly flew solo.

     

    Friends renamed ASmallWorld “the small minded world” and we all turned off. I was, therefore, as someone who’d quit several years ago, surprised to receive the following yesterday:

     

    Dear Valued Member

     

    Trust is important to us. How important? Well, as part of our ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of our membership, we have decided to terminate the accounts of anyone who undermines the unique spirit of openness that serves as the cornerstone of ASW—and sets our community apart. Obviously you are not one of those people! You’re receiving this email because we value your contributions to the community, and we hope you always feel comfortable here at ASW, online and off. The reality is simply that our growth has inadvertently allowed certain members to degrade this trust, and those are the people we’re exiling, effective immediately.

It is our hope that this will help you feel even more at ease in sharing your life with the rest of the ASW community.

     

    Warm Regards and Happy Travels,

     

    The ASW Team

     

    P.S. Should you wish to review the conduct expected of an ASW member, feel free to read our rules. In the event that you feel a member is in clear violation of our Rules, please email [email protected].

     

    The team at ASW have not only lost the battle to Facebook, they’ve lost the plot. Not only is their grammar appalling and not only is their use of capital letters awful, they have yet again illustrated all that is wrong about their “world”.

     

    It’s simply time for another world. Next!

  • Just the tonic

    Just the tonic

    Fever-Tree sells a 25% stake for £12 million

     

    In recent years, the premium spirits market has boomed in both Britain and America. Drinkers have traded up and become more and more demanding in their choices. Spirits brands have seized on this trend and created what they claim to be better products and enclosed them in fancier packaging. Many, such as No. 3 gin, Sipsmith and Purity Vodka, are truly excellent but frankly a lot of it is marketing hype.

     

    Accompanying the change has been a desire for a better mixer. The premise that it was illogical that a consumer buying a bottle of vodka for £50 would then mix it with cheap tonic water was the starting point that set Charles Rolls and Tim Warrilow on the road to create Fever-Tree.

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  • Jessica Fellowes: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jessica Fellowes: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks journalist and author Jessica Fellowes: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    To learn from history – in all senses of the word – but listen to the needs of the present.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “No man lives by bread alone – he needs his bit of crumpet”.

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  • Toby Flood

    Toby Flood

    Toby FloodThis level-headed “reluctant star” of English rugby grew up in Northumberland and describes himself as a “horse whisperer, ventriloquist, ladies swimwear model and soft play enthusiast” to his 50,000 followers on Twitter. He enjoys gardening, fishing and walking his black Labrador and eventually intends to become a lawyer. Whilst both of his grandfathers were actors, he has become an ambassador and model for the Eden Park fashion brand, official suppliers of formalwear to the RFU. His view on fame is simple: “I don’t want to be a celebrity or be on the front pages of the papers. I don’t want to be recognised. I just want to play rugby to the best of my ability and lead my own life away from the job”. His fans are rightly united in calling him a “great bloke”.

  • Justin Timberlake

    Justin Timberlake

    Justin Timberlake 250This child star has morphed via a stint on the Disney Channel and in boy band ‘N Sync into an internationally known singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, dancer and businessman. (more…)

  • Picture of the week: “I am the bullet in the chamber”

    Picture of the week: “I am the bullet in the chamber”

    The tragic story of Oscar Pistorius and the death of Reeva Steenkamp

     

    Oscar Pistorius was a man many rightly came to admire. He achieved the unthinkable on the track and was, as his father, Henke, pointed out “a man strong beyond his years”. In an advert for Nike, he himself is quoted as saying:

     

    “I was born without bones below the knee. I only stand 5ft 2. But this is the body I have been given. This is my weapon. How I conquer. How I wage my war. This is how I have broken the world record 49 times. How I became the fastest thing on legs. This is my weapon. This is how I fight”.

     

    Picture of the week: Oscar Pistorius in Nike's "I am the bullet in the chamber" advertisement
    Picture of the week: Oscar Pistorius in Nike’s “I am the bullet in the chamber” advertisement
    Athlete Oscar Pistorius and his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (19th August 1983 - 14th February 2013)
    Athlete Oscar Pistorius and his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (19th August 1983 – 14th February 2013)

     

    Our picture of the week is of another advertisement in which Pistorius featured for Nike. Titled, rather unfortunately, “I am the bullet in the chamber”, these are words that will now haunt the athlete forever more.

    Whatever the truth is behind this tragic story, one person is dead and another’s life and career is now ruined. May the case of Oscar Pistorius be a lesson to us all.

     

    Read statements from the family of Oscar Pistorius on his official website at: http://www.oscarpistorius.com

     

  • Giovanni Di Stefano

    Giovanni Di Stefano

    Screen Shot 2013-02-04 at 20.43.40Jailed for 14 years in March 2013 on charges of deception, fraud and money laundering, Di Stefano is a man who is often referred to as “The Devil’s Advocate”. He has been variously linked to such luminaries as Saddam Hussein, Harold Shipman and Nicholas van Hoogstraten. Others he’s associated with include Jeremy Bamber, Kenneth Noye and John “Goldfinger” Palmer. He plainly should have kept better company.