The founder of the world’s first boutique hotel moved to London in 1962 with just £10 to her name. She’s acted with Anton Rodgers in Zodiac and was in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service but it as a designer of global repute that she is best known. Married to Sir Mark Weinberg, the founder of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, Hempel was born on a boat sailing from Papua New Guinea to New Zealand. This society figure’s first hotel, Blakes, created in 1978, is the favourite of personalities such as Sharon Stone and Seal and still sets the barometer for style today.
Tag: royalty
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Anouska Hempel (Lady Weinberg)
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Peter Wetherell
He’s the gent who successfully led the campaign against Westminster Council’s ludicrous attempt to expand parking charges in the West End. He’s also Mayfair’s leading estate agent and the man credited with bringing residential life back to the area. He’s well known for wearing red socks and for his love of cigars. -
Nicky Haslam (Nicholas Haslam)
“Britain’s ultimate interior designer” is a man of many talents and guises. Haslam flits from party to party by night, but by day writes, edits and designs. He’s performed cabaret at The Savoy and Bellamy’s and interior watercolour renderings by him are held by the Victoria & Albert Museum. This trendsetter’s life is indeed summed up by the title of one of his books: Sheer Opulence. -
The Duchess of Cambridge (formerly known as Kate Middleton)
With panache she’s changed perceptions of royalty. Her rise has been meteoric and she has handled herself perfectly. She is stylishly chic and the perfect ambassador for any fashion brand. -
Edward "Ed" Waites
Land Rover driving animal sculptor based in Newmarket who also greatly enjoys rugby. His works can be found in various royal collections and other patrons include Lady Bamford and Ivan Massow. -
Rupert Murdoch
This father of six is a media mogul who doesn’t back down. Faced with being labeled the prime culprit in the phone hacking debacle, he battles on. His second wife Wendi packs a mean left hook. -
Keep flying
The suicide of Andrew Embiricos
I was saddened this morning to read the news that my friend Andrew Embiricos (1985 – 2011) had committed suicide.
Andrew Embiricos (1985 – 2011) Andrew, the grandson of Rita Heyworth, was witty and positive and planning a trip to London in the coming weeks. That he decided to end his life is puzzling to say the least and it is just dreadful to think that no one saw the signs that he felt compelled to take this way out.
Passionate about flying and aircraft, Andrew’s Facebook page always provided witty updates about his globetrotting ways and the posts there often detailed amusing street signs and mocking remarks about “scallies” and ASBOs. His humour was dry and his manner always amusing and this indeed makes his passing all the more tragic.
Rest in peace Andrew: you were one of a kind and now you’re in the first class lounge in the skies watching over us.