Diamond Days. April 2013.

Dear Rowley, When I wrote for the FT one of my favourite assignments was always to indulge in a diamond day: having the opportunity to handle exceptional gemstones destined for the finger or ear lobe of of the imaginary Middle … Continue reading

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Marilyn Monroe in Florence. June 2012.

Dear Rowley, If prosecco is drunk in sufficient quantities, it is really rather remarkable how fluent I am in Italiano. I’m interacting like a native this season’s Pitti Uomo in Florence even though I suspect I sound like a gibbering … Continue reading

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Elizabeth the 1st March 2011

Dear Rowley, So it’s farewell my lovely Elizabeth Taylor. Put your hands together and give the girl a round of applause. As Richard Burton said of her, ‘Elizabeth wears her fame lightly, like a second skin’. Rock Hudson proved to … Continue reading

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Savile Row at Hatchards October 2010

Dear Rowley, I love Hatchards, don’t you? I have been buying all of my books from this 18th century galleon of bookshops on Piccadilly for the longest time; not least because the staff are better read than the customers. I’m … Continue reading

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