Tag: loathe

  • Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis

     

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

    Determination and loyalty.

     

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

    “One can get rich at any moment, but if one has no class, one is always a beggar” – paraphrased from philosopher and connoisseur of Neapolitan culture Luciano De Crescenzo.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

    A lot of people.

     

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

    I miss being able to sail.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    Living in a world populated by principled people.

     

    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?

    The banking crisis was born to the low value given to the Euro. I have no words to say on that.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “I can’t do it”.

     

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

    For me, it’s absolutely right to support both domestic and international charities. Helping someone who has little is the most gallant gesture that anyone can do.

     

    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?

    Smartphones are now improperly used by young children. This is harmful because many of them prefer using them to reading a good book.

     

    Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece? A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis
    Nicola Radano

     

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

    Only elegant men.

     

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

    A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce by the sea.

     

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

    In the afternoon.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A cup of Neapolitan coffee please.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    I like afternoon appetizers in the summer time. I find them most relaxing.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My mum.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Sleeping in late without being interrupted.

     

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

    A rudder.

     

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

    A Porsche.

     

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

    That I’ve been able to create unexpected things from nothing.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Family photos, antique ashtrays and a clock.

     

    Nicola Radano declares his passion to be classical fashion and Neapolitan tailoring. He established a blog about the subject titled ‘Me, Myself & I’ in 2013 and launched his own firm of hand sewn tie producers, Spacca Neapolis, in 2016.

     

    Follow him on Instagram at @nicolaradano and on Facebook by clicking here.

     

     

    Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here:[wysija_form id=”2″]

     

  • Gerald Ratner – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Gerald Ratner – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with well-known businessman Gerald Ratner

     

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

    Road cycling.

     

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

    Don’t give up. Failure is the route to success. You will fail many times before you succeed so embrace failure.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

    Mark Carney is a mine of misinformation. He said interest rates would go up for the last five years and scared the sh*t out of us on Brexit.

     

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

    Running a big company.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    I haven’t got all that much wealth, but, as you get older, you appreciate your health more.

     

    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?

    Business requires endless cash and if you can’t raise it anymore, that has a negative effect on the economy.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    Starting every sentence with ‘So’.

     

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

    I support animal charities but I don’t like the aggressive approach to fundraising by certain charities and their endless shock adverts on television.

     

    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?

    I hate people screaming down them in public.

     

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

    Robin van Persie (my all time hero), David Tang (stylish and witty) and Mark Carney (so I can throw him out the window).

     

    Gerald Ratner – What’s on your mantelpiece?
    Gerald Ratner

     

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

    The Waterside Inn at Bray. I would order a magnum of Château Latour.

     

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

    During the week: At nighttime.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A double espresso.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    One that ends early.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My dog, Bear. He thinks he is human.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Cigars.

     

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

    I hate tattoos.

     

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

    I was a Ferrari. Now, I’m a Volvo.

     

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

    I never called my jewellery ‘crap’ in that infamous speech. I described it as high quality but unfortunately I called a sherry decanter ‘crap’.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    A picture of my dog.

     

    Gerald Ratner is the former chairman and chief executive of the Ratners Group. He is now a keynote speaker.

     

    Follow him on Twitter at @Gerald_Ratner.

     

    Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here:[wysija_form id=”2″]

     

  • Eric Meier– What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Eric Meier– What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with jetsetter Eric Meier

     

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

    My intuition.

     

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

    ‘Forgive but don’t forget’.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

    Donald Trump and Crocs.

     

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

    My sanity.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    World peace or never ageing.

     

    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?

    Invest. Banks are a joke.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    ‘I need’ – Even though I use it every day and a lot.

     

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

    Anything to do with children. Their innocence and honesty inspires me.

     

    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?

    My answer here is biased since I’m addicted to my phone. I think it’s actually glued to me.

     

    Eric Meier – What’s on your mantelpiece?
    Eric Meier

     

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

    Oprah, Mariah Carey and Karl Lagerfeld.

     

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

    The cheesecake at Hôtel Costes in Paris or an In and Out burger.

     

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

    In Europe, everything goes; in America, happy hour is at 4pm.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A martini. Filthy.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Those given by Riccardo Tisci – Beautiful people and beautiful clothes.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Myself – I’m never a pessimist.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    My boyfriend.

     

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

    I have one of a broken heart as I’m a hopeless romantic.

     

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

    A Rolls-Royce Ghost extended version.

     

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

    I’m human.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Candles. Great lighting is key.

     

    Eric Meier is based in Beverly Hills, California and describes himself as a well-travelled jetsetter. He adds: “Biographies are for dead people”.

     

    Join his 28,000 followers on Instagram at @meiereric.

     

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  • Brian Clivaz – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Brian Clivaz – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with bon viveur, chairman of L’Escargot and chief executive of Devonshire Club Brian Clivaz

     

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

    The Sermon on the Mount – Ask, Seek, Knock. (Matthew 7:7).

     

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

    “Rise above it”.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

    Sam Allardyce as England Manager. He’s a nice guy, but I mean, really?

     

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

    My father. He died two years ago.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    A verdant tropical island.

     

    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?

    Crisis, what crisis? The bankers seem to be doing all right to me.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “Toilet”.

     

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

    Give it all away: You can’t take it with you. I support the Royal Academy Schools, the RSPB, the RSPCA and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

     

    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?

    ‘Irritating gadgets’ are essential tools for modern life; but please keep your voice down and learn how to put it on silent.

     

    Brian Clivaz – What’s on your mantelpiece? A 20-question interview with bon viveur, chairman of L’Escargot and chief executive of Devonshire Club Brian Clivaz
    Brian Clivaz

     

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

    The French rugby team.

     

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

    Terrine of foie gras, lobster thermidor, roast grouse, raspberries and cream and stilton and digestives. I would eat it in my cell.

     

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

    Bollinger at breakfast is a good mantra.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A Negroni but please don’t muck around with it and add all those mad “hone-made” vermouths and botanicals. Give me equal measures of Campari, sweet martini and Plymouth or Beefeater gin. Serve in a big glass with plenty of ice. I’m ambivalent about the orange slice.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    David Morgan-Hewitt’s annual birthday party in the penthouse at The Dorchester is the best as there is free flowing Krug to start and Château D’Yquem to finish.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Tony Buzan, the creator of “mind-mapping”, is a seriously positive person and always recharges my synapses.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Roquefort and McVities.

     

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

    A bulldog, although I’m more of a hippo, I’d go for a bulldog as I have a lovely bitch called Doris.

     

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

    A Jaguar MKII 3.4-litre with overdrive.

     

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

    I live in Brixton and travel around London on a Vespa.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    A “waterfall” clock given to me by my late grandmother, a pair of vases and a couple of Roja Dove aoud candles.

     

    Brian Clivaz was born in Brighton and started his career at The Dorchester. He then worked throughout the world until launching the Home House private members’ club in 1998. Clivaz then revived and relaunched Mayfair’s Arts Club and as well as being chairman of L’Escargot in Soho has just opened a new private club in the City of London named Devonshire Club.

     

    Follow him on Twitter at @BrianClivaz.

     

    Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here:[wysija_form id=”2″]

     

  • Eva Lewis: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Eva Lewis: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with actress turned beauty writer and expert Eva Lewis (more…)

  • Robert Brown: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Robert Brown: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with Atlanta based interior designer Robert Brown (more…)

  • Noelle Blackman

    Noelle Blackman

    The Steeple Times asks Respond charity CEO Dr Noelle Blackman: What’s on your mantelpiece? (more…)

  • Sam Stanley: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Sam Stanley: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    The Steeple Times asks rugby player and England Sevens star Sam Stanley: What’s on your mantelpiece? (more…)

  • Victoria Haigh: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Victoria Haigh: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    The Steeple Times asks former jockey turned racehorse trainer Victoria Haigh: What’s on your mantelpiece? (more…)

  • Sam Barton: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Sam Barton: What’s on your mantelpiece?

    The Steeple Times asks “Britain’s vainest man” Sam Barton: What’s on your mantelpiece? (more…)