Nick Dimbleby; Antonio Salgado

Jaguar has announced its platform counterpart to the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, dubbed the E-Pace. The launch at ExCeL London saw the E-Pace enter the Guinness World Record books with a bang.
   Terry Grant, who holds 21 Guinness World Records’ titles, achieved a barrel roll, leaping 15·3 m and 270 degrees, not unlike the famous scene in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.
   Unlike the film, Grant did the stunt with a standard, production-line E-Pace.
   Grant had a 160 m run-up to the ramp and experienced 5·5 g during the roll.
   The stunt required extensive computer programming and CAD modelling.
   Grant now holds the record for the furthest barrel roll in a production vehicle.
   Celebrities such as David Gandy, Vicky McClure, Winnie Harlow, Lady Mary Charteris and Jaime Winstone lent their presence to the E-Pace official launch, Sienna Miller was the VIP at a pre-launch event, while Pete Tong and the Heritage Orchestra performed the Ibiza Classics at the official première at ExCeL. Tong collaborated with Raye to perform ‘You Don’t Know Me’ by Jax Jones at the event.
   Jaguar has been mindful to have the E-Pace take its styling cues from the F-type, rather than the larger F-Pace SUV. First, it signals the car’s sporting intent, despite being based on a front-wheel-drive platform. Secondly, it demonstrates that Jaguar, unlike its chief German rivals, is not wedded to a single “face”: a Jaguar is signalled by its proportions and design more than what the grille up front conveys.
   This technique has been employed before: in the 1950s, Jaguar created its 2·4 saloon (later retrospectively named the Mk I) by using styling cues from its successful XK120 sports’ car.
   Inside, the E-Pace has 4G wifi and a large central touchscreen as standard. The retail price begins at £28,500, with orders commencing online now for UK customers.

The Jaguar E-Pace Guinness World Record barrel roll by Lucire

Peter Macdiarmid, Nick Dimbleby, Anthony Cullen

David M. Benett

David Gandy at the Jaguar E-Pace launch by Lucire

Winnie Harlow at Jaguar E-Pace launch by Lucire

Terry Grant on barrel-rolling the Jaguar E-Pace by Lucire

Jaguar design boss Ian Callum on the E-Pace by Lucire

Joerg Koch; Gisela Schober

Marc O’Polo celebrated its 50th anniversary (hashtagged #MOP50 and #MOPxRobbie) at its flagship store on Theatinerstraße in München, with special guests Robbie Williams, his wife Ayda Field Williams, Mads Mikkelsen, and DJ Marcus Kavka. The four held a panel discussion that was live-streamed via Facebook.
   The Williamses had worked with Marc O’Polo on its Iconic Capsule Collection, and presented the 50th anniversary designs live at the store.
   The collection comprises 20 contemporary–casual pieces, including sweatshirts, a hoody dress and a bomber blouson for women, and a hoody, crew-neck sweater, and tracksuit top for men. Williams’s signature is embroidered on the sleeves, while the women’s sweatshirts feature the words ‘Love my life’ and ‘Come undone’, taken from his song titles.
   Williams has opted for pink for one of the men’s designs. Peter Lindbergh shot the campaign imagery.
   Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has announced that it will open a second New Zealand retail store, in the country’s capital, Wellington. The opening is set for late 2017, and will be located at the Queensgate mall in Lower Hutt. No other details were on hand.
   The first store in the country, at Sylvia Park in Auckland, opened successfully in 2016.

Joerg Koch; Gisela Schober

Robbie Williams and Ayda Field Williams on Marc O’Polo by Lucire

Marc O’Polo celebrates its 50th anniversary by Lucire

Ross Brown

The most anticipated ballet of the year in New Zealand, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet, set to the music of Sergei Prokofiev and choreographed by the company’s outgoing artistic director, Francesco Ventriglia, has its world première on August 16 in Wellington. The sets and costumes have been designed by three-time Academy Award-winning designer James Acheson (who won for Dangerous Liaisons, The Last Emperor, and Restoration).
   Other talents behind the full-length, three-act ballet are dramaturge Mario Mattia Giorgetti, choreographic assistant Gillian Whittingham, and guest ballet master Frédéric Jahn. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s associate conductor Hamish McKeith will conduct orchestras in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin.
   The company’s biggest production of the year, there will be 13 scene changes and over 90 costumes.
   It is Ventriglia’s second full-length ballet for the RNZB, with work beginning in October 2016. His successor, Patricia Barker, has started as the new artistic director as the reins are handed over, noting, ‘It’s a very exciting time to have joined the RNZB—this production promises to be exquisite while it transports us to the heart of Verona. The energy in the studio is captivating. I have enjoyed getting to know the RNZB dancers and I’m looking forward to seeing them inhabit these iconic characters.’
   Ventriglia said, ‘To create a brand new classical ballet of one of the greatest stories and the most beautiful scores is so invigorating. I’m taking great care to respect Shakespeare and Prokofiev’s great works plus drawing inspiration from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 multi-Academy Award-winning film. I’m also working with a dream team of collaborators and the very talented artists of the RNZB, who I’d like to thank for their incredible work.
   ‘James Acheson’s magnificent sets make me feel right at home, like I’m in Verona in the height of an Italian summer. All of the costumes are exquisite. We have been very true to the Renaissance period and I know audiences will also be transported to the time and place where our star-crossed lovers meet.’
   The production promises to be ‘epic’, with 22 performances scheduled from August 16 to September 24 in Wellington (with Orchestra Wellington), Christchurch (with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra), Auckland (with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), Rotorua, Dunedin (with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra), Invercargill, Palmerston North, and Napier.
   The season is sponsored by Ryman Healthcare. More information can be found at www.rnzb.org.nz.

Franziska Krug/Getty Images

It’s been over two decades since her famous ‘Hello boys’ campaign for Wonderbra, yet Eva Herzigová remains in high demand as a spokesmodel. Gerry Weber is the latest fashion label to seek the 44-year-old Czech-born, London-based model, who now fronts its autumn–winter 2017–18 campaign.
   The company says it chose Herzigová for her self-confident and approachable style, saying she fits with its values of ‘feminine–casual chic–inspiring.’
   To launch the collection, Gerry Weber had an open fashion night at the weekend during the Halle Open, which the company sponsors.
   The Saturday event saw guests including models Alisar Ailabouni, Rebecca Mir and Luisa Hartema, Werner Schulze-Erdel, tennis players Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev, bloggers Carolin Färber, Monique Romanowski and Tatjana Kreuzmayr, gymnast Fabian Hambüchen, Anna Kraft, Harald Lampp, Jochen Stahler, Niels Koischwitz, Eva Koischwitz, Sibylle Seifert, Michael Bauer, Stefan Becker, Henning Schleemann, Oliver Keeb, Bernhard Kiesel, Franz Stadler, Jan Gritz and Bettina Gritz, Susanne Strauss, Jens Herzig, Oliver Fritz and Carmen Mundt, Juliane Sturm and Richard Doyle, Cornelia Stein, Uli Stein, Jenny Stein, Soenke Lauterbach and Nina Lauterbach, and Irina Weber; Gerry Weber CEO Ralf Weber and CFO David Frink represented the firm. Alle Farben provided the music at the event.
   Wearing designs from the Gerry Weber autumn–winter 2017–18 collection, Herzigová was present on centre court at the Gerry Weber Stadion to present the trophy.
   Gerry Weber’s autumn–winter forecast is for bright colours, such as fuchsia and red; its key look is a cashmere pullover paired with a pleated skirt; and a fuchsia dress with cut-outs in the décolleté. Rhinestones are used as accents.
   It also offers staple autumn shades such as honey and amber, with brick and cinnamon tones. Materials include jersey, leather, lace and Lurex; pleats, metallics and glossy surfaces are also forecast for the season.
   The collection hits stores on September 1, 2017.

Franziska Krug/Getty Images

Autumn–winter 2017–18 campaign

Eva Herzigová stars in Gerry Weber campaign by Lucire

Antony Jones

The third royal-connected polo match of the season took place on Sunday, June 18, at the Queen’s Ground at Guards’ Polo Club, Windsor Great Park, with RH Polo beating La Indiana 10–9 in the Cartier Queen’s Cup. It was Adolfo Cambiaso who broke the 9–9 tie. Most Valuable Player was Tommy Beresford, who celebrated his 21st birthday a few weeks ago; Best Playing Pony was Cataquena, owned and played by Cambiaso.
   HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance. RH Polo were presented the trophy by the Queen, who has attended and presented the Cup since the 1960s.
   Cartier has supported polo for over three decades—this was its 33rd Queen’s Cup. This year’s event remained as star-studded as previous years’ events. Cartier champagne was served in the company’s enclosure, along with a lunch created by Cellar Society.
   VIPs included Lara Stone, Lily Cole, Geneviève Gaunt, Caroline Winberg, Jessica Hart, Skepta, Candice Lake, Nicholas Kirkwood, Marcus Wareing, Lady Kitty Spencer, Katie Keight, sisters Lady Alice Manners and Lady Violet Manners, Tori Cook, DJs Hugo Heathcote and Mark Ronson, Jilly Copper, Malcolm Borwick, Eduardo Novillo Astrada, and Facundo Pieres.
   The lunch consisted of goat’s curd with Wiltshire black truffle, zucchini flower beignets, Regent’s Park truffle honey followed by roast fillet of Hereford beef, chargrilled summer vegetables, minted peas and Anya potatoes, and finished on a sweet note with Hedgerow berry pavlova, whipped jersey cream and fresh mint.
   Heathcote performed at the close of the event, along with saxophonist Ben Barnett and percussionist Tom Carr, followed by Ronson.

Antony Jones

Stuart Wilson

After HRH Prince Harry played polo for his charity, his brother, HRH Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, played for the Maserati team as part of the company’s international polo tour, at the Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury, Gloucestershire on Sunday. The match was in aid of Child Bereavement UK and Fields in Trust, the latter of which the Duke is patron.
   The Duke played in the match as part of the tour’s UK leg alongside England international Malcolm Borwick, and Bruce Merivale-Austin and Henry Porter. On the opposing Dhamani 1969 team were HH Maharaja Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, Karan Thapar, Nina Clarkin and Olly Tuthill.
   VIPs present included Lady Violet Manners, Ricky and Sheena Kothari, Andreea Panciuc, Lady Kitty Spencer, Narendra Singh, Alejandra Borwick, Adrian Simonetti, and Gachi Ferrari.
   Dhamani 1969 won 7–6½, with Porter the Most Valuable Player.
   Maserati showed off its range at the venue, including its latest Levante SUV. Apparel company La Martina is its co-sponsor, having created a unique polo shirt for the Maserati team to mark its support.
   The shirt is made of silk from Como, and only four have been made, one for each player.
   La Martina has also created a Beaufort Edition polo shirt to commemorate the UK leg, with embroidered La Martina and Maserati logos, and a Union Jack printed on the front.
   The next leg is in Spain on July 22, at the Santa Marìa Polo Club in Sotogrande.

Stuart Wilson

Andrei; modelled by Henry Humphreys, hair by Lauren Gunn/Colleen, make-up by Lochie Stonehouse/MAC Cosmetics

Deadly Ponies Man has launched its latest collection for 2017, inspired by the ocean, using Ink bovine leather and shearling, and brass highlights. It’s meant to convey the idea of a ‘moody seascape’ and an ‘intrepid voyager’, which the promotional images suggest. That’s interpreted with classic items such as the Phantom duffle (now a weekender with zips going right down the side) and a range of travel accessories; and if the seascape idea isn’t evident enough, a notebook inside Deadly Ponies Man’s compendium has pastel blue and white hues resembling water washing up on beaches.

   Bread & Butter by Zalando previewed its second festival of style and culture in Berlin, with the theme of Bold. Jefferson Hack moderated the evening, with Dame Vivienne Westwood the VIP of the evening. Others who spoke included Zalando brand marketing VP Carsten Hendrich; and a panel featuring Aitor Throup, Adwoa Aboah, Erika Bowes, Fergus Purcell and MikeQ. A light show, an interactive mirror installation, and a real-time face-projection mapping photo booth followed, with a live performance by Abra and DJs Zora Jones, Bambii and Why Be concluding the night. Other guests included Marie Nasemann and Peaches. The main event takes place September 1 to 3 at Arena Berlin, with more updates via Bread & Butter’s Instagram and Facebook.
   Patricia Barker is the new artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and takes up her post this month, succeeding Francesco Ventriglia. Barker is a former prima ballerina and, most recently, artistic director of Grand Rapids Ballet in Michigan. Ventriglia has programmed the RNZB’s 2018 national tours and Barker will realize these. Ventriglia is the guest choreographer for the company’s major commission, Romeo and Juliet, for which rehearsals begin now—the company says this will ensure a smooth transition with the outgoing and incoming directors working side by side for two months. RNZB board chair Steven Fyfe noted, ‘From a large number of excellent applications from New Zealand and all over the world, the board was greatly impressed by Patricia’s vision for all aspects of the RNZB’s activities, together with her experience as an artistic leader. Her knowledge of both contemporary and classical repertoire, as a dancer, coach and director also makes her an outstanding fit for the RNZB.’
   Barker is the RNZB’s 12th artistic director and the second woman to hold the position (after Una Kai in 1973–5).

Isa Foltin; Alexander Körner

Chris Jackson

HRH Prince Harry, British actresses Karen Gillan, Gemma Chan and Joanne Froggatt (with husband James Cannon), former New Zealand prime minister Sir John Key, polo players Nacho Figueras, Malcolm Borwick and J. B. Lee, nez Barnabé Fillion, blogger Chris Burt-Allan, and Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll were among the celebrities and VIPs attending the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup held at the Singapore Polo Club on Monday.
   Sentebale is a charity cofounded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, helping children and young people affected by HIV–Aids in Lesotho, and, as announced in 2016, Botswana. The polo event is a regular fund-raiser for the charity. To date, it has raised over £4·5 million and supported over 2,000 children and adolescents.
   Guests observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the London terrorist attacks that happened on Saturday evening.
   Prince Harry’s ISPS Handa team defeated the St Regis team, captained by Nacho Figueras, with a score of 5–2. The best playing pony was awarded to Caldera, played by Nacho Figueras.
   Borwick, who serves as the Royal Salute world polo ambassador, also played. Figueras is a Sentebale and St Regis ambassador.
   Both the newly knighted Sir John and Gillan handed out bottles of Royal Salute Polo Edition to the team, and Gillan presented the winner’s trophy.
   At the post-match dinner at the St Regis Singapore, Prince Harry said Sentebale’s Let Youth Lead programme aims to have all youth in sub-Saharan Africa know and manage their HIV status by 2020.
   Peter Moore of Royal Salute and Sentebale CEO Cathy Ferrier were also present. Royal Salute itself has donated over £1·5 million.
   A Royal Salute 21 Year Old Polo Edition whisky, donated by Royal Salute’s director of blending Sandy Hyslop, in a hand-illustrated wrap by artist Natalie Reid, is being auctioned online with a reserve of £7,000. Netizens can bid on the entire auction lot until June 14 at www.royalsaluteauction.com.
   ‘Through youth-led campaigning, training and advocacy, the initiative allows young people affected by HIV–Aids to be heard. We hope this will create a platform where the needs of young people in the region are listened to, from the need for adolescent-friendly health services, more trained counsellors in rural areas and better sexual reproductive health education in schools. Young people know what works for them and their friends, so we must listen and take note,’ he said.
   Both the Prince’s father and paternal grandfather, HRH Prince Charles and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, have played at the Club.
   Other sponsors of the event were ISPS Handa, St Regis Hotels & Resorts, BMW, and British Airways.

Chris Jackson