Alexander McQueen dies at Mayfair home
February 11, 2010 by Rob Powell
The internationally renowned fashioned designer, Alexander McQueen, was found at his Mayfair home this morning after apparently committing suicide.
The influential British designer was in mourning for his mother who recently died.  He posted a message to his now-deleted Twitter account last week saying “awful week but my friends have been great but now i have to some how pull myself together”. His very last Twitter message was posted earlier today and said: “im here with my girl annie tinkerbell wishing kerry the slag ,happy birthday in NY ,your 40 now girl time to slow it down we think.”
His death was confirmed with an official statement on his website:
ON BEHALF OF LEE MCQUEEN’S FAMILY, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN TODAY ANNOUNCES THE TRAGIC NEWS THAT LEE MCQUEEN, THE FOUNDER AND DESIGNER OF THE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN BRAND HAS BEEN FOUND DEAD AT HIS HOME. AT THIS STAGE IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO COMMENT ON THIS TRAGIC NEWS BEYOND SAYING THAT WE ARE DEVASTATED AND ARE SHARING A SENSE OF SHOCK AND GRIEF WITH LEE’S FAMILY.
His career started with an apprenticeship at Savile Row Anderson & Sheppard, before moving on to Gieves & Hawkes.
McQueen’s body was removed from his Green Street apartment this afternoon and then ghoulishly followed through London streets by a 24 hour news channel’s helicopter.
Cielo coming to Mayfair
February 9, 2010 by Rob Powell
A new Italian restaurant is soon to open in New Burlington Street, Mayfair.
Caterer Search reports that Cielo will open on March 1st and have a northern Italian menu, with Paolo Iaiani the head chef.
The new 40-seat restaurant will open above the Luxx club.
Royal Academy of Ghosts
February 7, 2010 by Rob Powell
Security guards at the Royal Academy have had their night time patrols interrupted by … ghosts.
The Evening Standard has reported on numerous sightings of ghostly apparitions at the Royal Academy of Arts at Burlington House. Some of the guards even wear headphones to block out the sound of the “screaming nun” on Nun’s Walk.
Read more in Louis Jury’s report on the Evening Standard website.
Ghost sightings are not uncommon in Mayfair, with others having claimed that no 50 Berkeley Square is the most haunted house in London.
Charles and Camilla visit Mayfair school
February 3, 2010 by Rob Powell
HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to a Mayfair school on Tuesday.
The royal couple attended St George’s CE Primary School in South Street to watch a cookery demonstration and to watch pupils and chefs Gary Rhodes and Heston Blumenthal take part in an event called “Chefs Adopt A School“.
Prince Charles is a patron of the Academy of Culinary Arts.
First female head cutter on Savile Row
February 1, 2010 by Rob Powell
I’m not sure how we missed one a few weeks back, but over in Savile Row a woman has been appointed head cutter for the first time.
Kathryn Sargent was recently appointed to the position at legendary tailors, Gieves & Hawkes, having worked for the company for 14 years.
Well done, Kathryn – more information can be found here.
Blair lines up Mayfair hedge fund speeches
February 1, 2010 by Rob Powell
FORMER Prime Minister Tony Blair will give a number of speeches to senior executives at a Mayfair hedge fund, it has been reported.
Blair will give private speeches giving a “macro view on geopolitics” to employees of the hedge fund based in Davies Street, Mayfair, but will not be taking on a formal role with the firm.
The former Prime Minister who left office in 2007 returned to the public glare on Friday when he gave evidence to the Chilcott Inquiry into the war in Iraq. Since leaving office it is thought that Mr Blair has earned millions through advisory jobs and speeches around the world.