The Swelle Life

LM Series: "Does Size Matter? Growth and Sustainability in Contemporary Art"

This is the fourth installment of the LM Series, documenting the discovery of new and wonderful, world class, art and food during 'Le Méridien at Frieze' at which I was a guest in October, hosted by Le Méridien Piccadilly in London.

The starting point of Le Méridien at Frieze was an intriguing panel discussion amongst influential art world leaders, part of the Outset Le Méridien Talk Series which took place in the ballroom at Le Méridien Piccadilly. The question of the day was articulated by Outset co-founder Candida Gertler who asked, "Does size matter? Is it right to keep going? And how do we resist the next big step? Will we be able to sustain it or will we self-destruct in a spiral of ambition? And so the debate began. Le Méridien's Global Cultural Curator Jérôme Sans moderated Frieze co-founder Amanda Sharp, Tate Modern's Curator of International Art, Mark Godfrey, Serpentine director Julia Peyton-Jones and Gagosian managing director of Europe Gary Waterston. In response, each panelist drew upon their own unique circumstances they face in moving their respective gallery or event forward, sometimes at odds with another's view, illustrating how subjective and contextual the topic of whether size matters really is. And that's what made it fascinating. The video above shows highlights from the discussion. (And beyond the compelling topic the film is very well done so I definitely recommend taking a look!)

I wanted to add, that at the dinner that evening at Le Méridien Piccadilly Terrace Bar and Grill (a five-course masterpiece by chef Michael Dutnall with inventive cocktail matchings by master mixologist Boris Ivan - and yes, I kept up, it would be a sin not to), I had the pleasure of sitting across from Jérôme Sans. We had a chat about the topic of the day, and I was so delighted to see right there in front of me how fired up (still) M. Sans felt about the very point of art becoming lost in the quest for growth simply for the sake of it, that someone as accomplished in the art world as he, had not lost sight of what really matters. Art is meant to move people in some way, and if it succeeds, why send it out the door a minute later to make room for something else? And why are we pushing for so much art to be produced? Which made me gush with admiration, even moreso, for what Le Méridien is doing for art, not as a commodity but as an enrichment of culture and ultimately, the individual. It's not all about what happens at Sotheby's.

Just one of the great views within Le Méridien Piccadilly Terrace Bar and Grill

Win a Duro Olowu Limited Edition Umbrella

These vibrant umbrellas will lift your spirits on the gloomiest of days

A sparking highlight of the preview day I spent at Frieze London was the Duro Olowu umbrella installation – specially commissioned to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Outset Frieze Art Fair Fund to benefit the Tate Collection (OFT). The Fund is organised and funded by Outset Contemporary Art Fund with support from Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts.

Two exclusive umbrella designs featuring Olowu’s signature fabrics were launched at Frieze London in October and are on sale at limited outlets, including the shops at Tate Britain and Tate Modern. One of the most sought-after designers working internationally, Duro’s designs, inspired by his Jamaican-Nigerian heritage and London upbringing, are a favourite of Michelle Obama, Uma Thurman and other trend-setters.

There are only a limited number of Olowu’s colour design umbrellas in existence (retailing at £85), and thanks to Le Méridien Piccadilly I have one to give away! If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning one of these gorgeous limited edition umbrellas, please answer the following question in the comments by midnight (GMT) on Wednesday, November 22:

Which anniversary is OFT celebrating this year?

a) 2nd

b) 5th

c) 10th

A winner will be chosen randomly from all of the correct answers and announced on November 23. Please note: Due to the size of the umbrella this giveaway is only open to those with addresses in the UK. Good luck!

To see more of the Duro Olowu umbrella installation at Frieze, the designer and Outset, click here

Duro Olowu introduces his umbrella installation for OFT at Frieze Art Fair, with Candida Gertler, co-founder of Outset

Photos #1 and 3: Dave Watts Photography ©

LM Series: Duro Olowu's Umbrellas for Outset

This is the second installment of the LM Series, documenting the discovery of new and wonderful, world class, art and food during 'Le Méridien at Frieze' at which I was a guest in October, hosted by Le Méridien Piccadilly in London. Watch for the Duro Olowu for Outset umbrella giveaway tomorrow!

Duro Olowu introduces his umbrella installation for OFT at Frieze Art Fair, with Candida Gertler, co-founder of Outset

It was a thrilling surprise to see Duro Olowu's name on the itinerary for my three art-packed days in London with Le Méridien at Frieze. In this case, the beloved fashion designer was seen as more of an artist due to his collaboration with Outset, a philanthropic organisaton dedicated to supporting new art. With the aim of bringing attention to and raising funds for the Outset/Frieze Art Fair Fund to Benefit the Tate Collection (OFT), this special commission was introduced as an installation on the special preview day at Frieze to celebrate the 10th anniversary of OFT this autumn. It was enthusiastically received and that was as much due to the affable charm of the designer as it was the beautiful umbrellas. (I had heard Duro was genuinely lovely and it's true!)

Two exclusive, limited edition designs in Duro's signature fabrics - one in vibrant multi-colour (edition of 500) and the other a bold black and white graphic (edition of 1000) - are available to buy in the shops at Tate Britain and Tate Modern for £85 and £65, respectively (not online at this time). And I have one in the multi-colour to give away to a Swelle reader - watch for details tomorrow, 14 November. Thanks to the generosity of Le Méridien, I have the black and white version for myself and I absolutely love it, it's a very high quality umbrella (of course!) and the fabric is just gorgeous, it makes rainy days instantly cheery. (And it gets lots of compliments whenever I go out with it.)

Duro's Limited Edition umbrellas displayed at Frieze in a large tree installation

I became besotted with Duro's original and vibrant clothes - those magnificent textures! - when I first laid eyes on them a few years ago. An irresistible blend of his Jamaican-Nigerian heritage and chic cuts, how can you not fall in love:

Duro Olowu AW12

Duro Olowu SS13

I was lucky enough to speak with Duro for a few minutes; he was full of smiles and happy to talk about what he does, and he's just so pure and genuine about it it's easy to see how his clothes have their specialness. There's no doubt they are all Duro. He told me that when he designs it's very spontaneous, it comes to him and he's off. 

More formally,  Duro explains his creative process behind the final umbrella designs in his artist statement:

"My original design for Outset's 10 year anniversary was inspired by the range and breadth of artists and projects that Outset has supported since its inception. Once I fully digested this diversity of media, geography and aesthetic points of view, my aim was to represent this broad spectrum with abstract shapes and patterns. The design evokes in a contemporary way the decorated umbrella which has for centuries been a fixture in parades, coronations and other celebratory occasions around the world."

Duro's designs elicit an excitement, a glorious energy that is right in line with what one would be feeling at a celebration. In that sense, Frieze, with its endless aisles of world class art and colourful characters roaming the floor and taking it all in, was an especially fitting event for the launch.

The leftover umbrella fabric was used to make vibrant notebooks , available at Tate shops for £12

We loved Duro's shoes! (And I forgot to ask who did them)

Duro and Candida (wearing a Duro Olowu jacket) with Jérôme Sans, Cultural Curator for Le Méridien

Photos #1, 5 and 6: Dave Watts Photography ©

LM Series: A Most Unique Afternoon Tea...

This is the first installment of the LM Series, documenting the discovery of new and wonderful, world class, art and food during 'Le Méridien at Frieze' at which I was a guest in October, hosted by Le Méridien Piccadilly in London.

Imagine that instead of pouring out your tea to have with a few scones and finger sandwiches, you've got a pot of gin - infused with chilli and vanilla - and rather than adding milk, you top up with tonic. Le Méridien’s homage to two of the most recognisable English traditions, their G&T Afternoon Tea offers a contemporary makeover combining both, giving you a deliciously unique experience. I first had this special G&T in the spring when it accompanied the dessert course at their Damien Hirst-themed dinner, and I was instantly smitten by the clear glass presentation and how beautifully the two flavours and the gin complemented one another.

This time, we were treated in the afternoon - along with a selection of sandwiches and pastries - to the range of fruit and herbal infusions Le Meridien offers, each paired with the perfect gin to bring out the flavours of each ingredient, and meant to be sipped, like traditional tea:

           • Monkey 47 Gin infused with Lavender
           • Bulldog Gin with Fresh Lychee Fruit
           • Cucumber infused Hendrick's Gin
           • Vanilla and Chilli infused Sloane's
           • Sweet Basil infused Gin Mare stirred with Rosemary
           • Japanese Green Tea infused with Beefeater 24

Although there were many tempting flavours to try, I couldn't help but go back to the vanilla and chilli because I'd enjoyed it so much the first time, and then I finished with the sweet basil which was nicely refreshing. But I noticed something interesting this time, when I added the tonic myself: add a little and you get a hit of the chilli, but add more and you don't dilute the drink but rather the tonic brings out the sweetness of the vanilla, allowing you to custom blend your G&T just the way you like it. I asked the mixologist (who was so knowledgable and passionate about his craft) about this and he explained that the tonic has been reduced to create a syrup, and you can do this for yourself at home by boiling it down on the hob to make the reduction. He also told us how to infuse gin (or whatever you'd like) very quickly - using the dishwasher! Add your ingredient(s) to the gin in an air-tight container, run it on a long cycle and let the heat and steam do the work. Just be sure the container is well sealed and do not try to get in a wash at the same time - no detergent!

The G&T Afternoon Tea (£32) is such a fantastic way to do the ritual with friends, and you won't find it anywhere else in London, it's Le Méridien's special service. And it comes with the traditional delectable: finger sandwiches of cucumber and cream cheese, honey roast ham and mustard, Scottish smoked salmon, and egg and cress; warm homemade scones with strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream; and a selection of fresh pastries - ours had macarons! Just delicious and such a treat. I can't think of a better way to begin a special day such as a birthday. Or a Tuesday!

Photos © The Swelle Life

Le Meridien at Frieze: A Preview

Andersen's Contemporary Art, Copenhagen

I've just come back from a whirlwind three days in London as a blogger guest of 'Le Meridien at Frieze', an art-inspired event of discovery and celebration centred around Frieze Art Fair and the work of the Outset Frieze Art Fund to benefit the Tate collection (OFT).  I just have to come out and say it: I love Le Meridien. What they've done for us lucky bloggers at Piccadilly isn't exclusive to us, but rather an opportunity for first-hand insight into what the Starwood chain of luxury hotels offers everyone who stays with them: world class art through partnerships with local galleries (in London we are especially spoiled), and an extraordinary approach to food and comfort, the details of which are so artfully crafted by their handpicked LM100 members, whose muses range from perfume to the coffee bean. Le Meridien's brand of luxury is not about empty indulgence, but rather it's borne of a genuine love of creating and sharing unique and enriching experiences that can transform a stop for the night into an education. A really fun and memorable one. 

Let me undercore this thought:  because on a daily basis we're bombarded with messages using a "this is so hot right now, people will be into this so let's run with it" way of attracting business, it's a relief to know that there is something out there for those of us wanting more than what the hipster monkeys think we want. That means a lot to me.

I have so much to show and tell from those three incredible days  including meeting Duro Olowu who I adore as a designer and found to be the loveliest man (he's getting a post all to himself!), and convince you as to why I'm saying what I'm saying that I think it warrants a series, and this way I get to live it all again! So beginning Monday we'll look at the first installment of the LM Series, and I can tell you it's about afternoon tea, Le Meridien style. I guarantee you'll be surprised! 

Photo © The Swelle Life