Tag: london

5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE PERFECT PICNIC

With Wimbledon and a heat wave marrying nicely this summer, picnics are the perfect way to celebrate the tournament, relish the SPF 50 temperatures, and enjoy good food and better company. The Betty Blythe Vintage Tea Rooms is a private vintage tea room in West London, in a little nook called Brook Green. The beautiful 1920s themed setting even offers to the table the Betty Blythe’s Fine Food Pantry.

Serving their very own bespoke picnic hampers that capture the essence of a quintessentially English picnic; from a wicker basket with Chinese ceramics, fresh sandwiches and cakes, to Champagne and lashings of ginger beer! Today Betty Blythe’s own Founder, the UK’s no.1 expert on Street Parties and author of Style Me Vintage Tea Parties, Lulu Gwynne, is giving her top tips on how to be ever ready for a perfect picnic:

Don’t forget a blanket! – genteel folk who picnic in the outdoors must show a commitment to a day of lazing and indulging by having an essential summer luxury of a wool or cashmere blanket to spend the day on. Don’t forget fans, pillows, and sun hats. Ones’ delicate skin can be saved by having a sun umbrella – choose a light colour shade and decorate with pretty bows and frills!

Dress for the day – if the Yahoo! Weather gods allow it, aim to hold your picnic on a sunny day. Choose the perfect dress to spend the day in, think about how comfortable the dress is to sit in; anything tight around waist is bad news for digestion and don’t also choose anything too short, the chaps don’t need a flash of your undergarments whilst enjoying their eats!

 Keep it cool – while quaint picnic hampers are beautiful way to keep all your eating equipment in check, it’s best to the food itself stored in a cool bag or box. Do not turn up with plastic bags! If in doubt borrow these types of things from a kind neighbour!

Fun food – when packing for a period-themed picnic use your vintage china, depression glasses; packed safely using your linen napkins. What about the food I hear you cry! What delicious goodies you could pack? Betty Blythe favourites are tea sandwiches with salmon and cream cheese, thin slices of ham or chicken with asparagus with vinaigrette, rice salad with celery, nuts and raisins, a fruit and cheese plate and to complete your picnic plenty of fresh strawberries, a Victoria sponge and lashings of good cheer!

Boozy beverages – on your picnic, it’s essential to bring a varied menu. White wine and rosé wines are very good for a picnic, being bright and breezy in taste. Champagne is encouraged as its perfect to accompany things like smoked salmon and picnic foods. For cool drinks try a refreshing lemonade or ginger beer!

 

Located in leafy West London in a little nook called Brook Green, the Betty Blythe Vintage Tea Room is a privately-owned vintage tea room who pride themselves on having the best cake counter in London. Placed in a beautiful 1920s setting that is quintessentially British with a hint of Hollywood glamour

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday – 8am-5.30pm
Weekends –  bookings only

Celebrity photographer Nick Wall about film industry: Take the punches, it’s rarely personal

Nick Wall made his way to the top and has produced portraits of famous artists such as David Bowie, Colin Firth, Glenn Close, Jude Law, Pierce Brosnan and many many more. His amazing TV work includes photography on Game of Thrones, McMafia and Downton Abbey.
Nick’s film stills include movies such as The Duchess, Dom Hemingway and The Woman in
Black.

He often does both the onset photography as well as the poster shoots, such as in
Florence Foster Jenkins.

He shared some lessons he learned in the TV and Film business as a photographer and film director.
How to become a celebrity photographer Like most photographers starting out, one does all sorts of different photography; fashion, beauty, food, portraiture etc.

Then see which ones stick. The demise of magazine publishing in the digital age makes it more difficult, but getting in with one of the photo agencies can be way in.
Specialising in movie or TV is another way, doing stills for shorts and student films to build a portfolio, edit and delete ruthlessly before you deliver.
Lessons learned in the film industry Always be polite; take the punches, it’s rarely personal; always engage with the trainees and assistants, they are the future; it’s not a glamorous working environment; invest in good cold & wet
weather wear.
Few ways of making an excellent portrait Use the environment around you to make a good setting, there’s always somewhere good to use; gain the celebrities trust and collaborate; know how to use light, don’t be afraid of experimenting; fit the style to the subject and project, rather than your own ego.
Advice for actors Know your angles, don’t be afraid of going over the top, enjoy yourself you’re a performer, work with the photographer suggested ideas, constantly change body shape to find that one good shot, keep moving.

 

Nick Wall is an international photographer based in London. He primarily works in the film and TV industries, capturing filmmakers and actors at work on set, as well as achieving a diverse and highly refined range of work behind the scenes and in the studio. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Nick travels the world fulfilling his photographic assignments. Clients include 20thCentury Fox, BBC, BFI; BSkyB, Channel4, Entertainment One, Focus, HBO, Kudos, Lionsgate Entertainment, Eon, Pathe, SND Films, Starz and Vertigo.

Nick is passionate about his craft and of those around him, always striving for excellence. Clients often comment on his down to earth and flexible approach, and his ability to work quickly and efficiently, capturing a brief within even the tightest of schedules. Even after many years and countless shoots, Nick still feels that photography is a little bit of magic.

Italian -UK relations make history at the palace of Westmister

Deputy Chairman Stefania Signorelli promptly opened the meeting and thanked all of the volunteers who dedicate their free time for the progress of the Italian Conservative Group. She praised their hard work of canvassing and noted their dedication, no matter the weather.

Special Guest The Right Hon. Mark Field MP, Minister of  State for the Foreign Office and first supporter of the Italian Conservatives Group said, UK is leaving the EU, but we will remain close friends of the EU going forwards. “We have some values in common,” he said.

Field continued, remarking that  Dr.Tania Mathias was a much respected MP and that the “Italian Conservatives Group will support her coming back at the earliest opportunity.” A statement that received much applause.

The focus for the meeting was:

  • To take stock of where the Group was; the goals achieved and those in the future
  • To announce the members of the new Executive Council and the Members of the Committee
  • To thank all the delegates of the other Groups and affiliates of the Conservatives Party who brilliantly supported the Italian Conservative Group over the past three years
  • Excuses of absence received from Hon. President Maurizio Bragagni, Honorary Vice-president Domenico Meliti and Patrons Lord Leigh of Hurley, Kemi Badenoch, MP, Zac Goldsmith, MP and Dominic Johnson.

Chairman and founder Christian Vinante Giovannini was most gracious in his welcoming of our newly appointed  Honorary President and Host Alberto Costa MP, and in his appreciation of Stefania Signorelli’s hard work at putting together events in prime locations.

He also thanked (Honorary president) Dr Maurizio Bragagni, for providing a great stand at last year’s AGM in Manchester, remarking that Dr Bragagni is without comparison when it comes to promoting and supporting the Italian Conservative Group mentioning also that this Meeting has been held so close to the crucial 3th of May local elections to Galvanize Activists and Supporters.

Our Honourable President Alberto Costa, a proud son of Italian immigrants, Member of the British Parliament and Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy shared a story that encapsulates the goals of the Italian Conservative Group and the Conservative party.

“Yesterday, a group of school children came to see me. And a young 16 years old girl asked me, “Mr. Costa, how can we get involved in Democracy?”

After explaining the meaning of the word Democracy to this young girl, Costa told her that “the very fact that you’ve come to Parliament, the very fact that you’re engaging, the very fact that you’re asking the question, is already a step in the right path.”

He continued, “It is my honour to have been selected by you as the Honorary President. Many years ago, when I was growing up in Scotland, in Glasgow, I didn’t think I’d be standing in Committee Room 14, addressing fellow Italians and friends of Italy, supporters of Italy who have come here this evening, and this very room, Committee Room 14.

“When I was first elected three years ago, I was standing in the back, under the green monitor, the room was packed full of conservative MPs, and standing here…was David Cameron, who had won the first conservative majority since 1992.”

Costa went on to explain his support of Dr Tania Mathias, remarking how important it was to have people with her skills, ability and measured tone sit on the green benches in Parliament.

He also prised the 4 Italian Candidates for the 4th of  May local elections that were present at the meeting: Sara Gerzari, Mavie Clare Ambrosino, Salvatore Murtas and Giovannini.

He also assured those of the Italian community in the UK who were not naturalised that he would make every effort to ensure they would have their rights extended not just pre Brexit, but during the implementation period.

Dr Tania Mathias, who speaks fluent Italian, made a speech in Italian saying “It’s always a pleasure to be with the Italian Conservatives Group. The support that the Conservative party received from the Italian Conservatives Group. was crucial during the Brexit negotiations, but more importantly, when the negotiations are completed, the Italian Conservatives Group. will continue to be an important organisation.”

Italian Conservatives Group Patron Dr. Tania Mathias was overwhelmed with the support she heard from current MPs and the Italian Conservatives Group…perhaps a sign that we could have her back in Parliament soon?

With an extensive list of international awards in marketing achieved in both the public and private sectors, “born and bred” Conservative, Dr Marcio Borlenghi Fasano is a crucial element to Italian Conservatives Group’s strategy going forward. His expertise will play a key part in the success of conservative candidates backed by the Italian Conservatives Group.

Dr Fasano – confirmed as a member of the Italian Conservatives Group Executive Committee- quickly showed his grasp of what the Italian Conservatives Group and The Conservatives needs by explaining the importance of keeping up with technology and the importance of using language that is clear, plain and concise to engage with the youth…our future voters.

He noted that conservatives tend to use a very colloquial language…making it difficult to engage with the younger generation and pointed out the Labour’s use of “plain language” helps them to connect with the youth more easily than with conservatives.

Sara Gezdari the selected candidate for Richmond Council communicated the apologise of absence of our long standing  Patron and friend Zac Goldsmith MP

Mavie  Clare Ambrosino spoke about the values of the Conservative party, which has ‘community’ at its core. Italians are naturally community centred, natural engagers and communicators. It is therefore crucial to connect with those Italians in London and more broadly the UK who could make a true difference at the elections. Clare then concluded by reading a letter on behalf of our newly elected Hon. President Dr Maurizio Bragagni, who was unfortunately not able to attend.

In closing, the vice Chairman of the main Conservative Party  Rehman Chishti MP passed by and briefly thanked the Italian Conservatives Group and noted that as a son of immigrants, like so many in that room, it’s important to never give up on their dreams.

During the event the founding Chairman Chris Vinante and the  IC and Westminster Association Administrative Secretary James Cockram announced the new Committee:

Honorary President: Alberto Costa MP, Honorary President: Dr Maurizio Bragagni Honorary Vice President: Domenico Meliti

PATRONS: Kemi Badenoch MP, Zac Goldsmith MP, Robert Courts MP, Lord Leigh of Hurley, Dominic Johnson, Dr. Tania Mathias, Mary Mecleod.

MORE just to note:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Christian Vinante Giovannini, Deputy Chairman: Stefania Signorelli, Vice Chairman Massimo Segalla, Hon. Secretary, Treasurer: James Cockram CLWCA ,Sara Gezdari (Richmond Area), Marcio Borlenghi Fasano Chief Strategist nand Sidcup Area Responsible, Dr Maurizio Bragagni, Domenico Meliti, Maeve Clare Ambrosino (Hammersmith and Fulham Area).

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Valentina Marcolungo, Gianluca Vitelli, Bruno Giorgi, Gianni Ferrari, Hector Marchetti Urena, Salvatore Murtas, Paul Rota, Francesca Silvani, Alessandro Caffi, Sergio Mattioli, Alessia Cesana, Sabrina Boni, Patrizia Ilaria Sechi, Alessandra Perosa, Mario Trabucco, Ivan Ghiosso, Giorgio Buttironi, Alberto Orru.

Oxigenia – The innovative technology of drinking water

From Italy to the rest of the EU, included the UK, Oxigenia keeps your body stable, regenerated and with less fatigue.

Everyone could drink it without any distinction, because  there is no ‘strange’ ingredient as you have probably imagined at the first instance. Instead, there is an essential and pure component that makes it unique: more quantity of oxygen.

The idea of such product  came out in Italy with Step-Line, an international dynamic company, with extensive experience, founded over fifteen years ago with the aim of resolving, in an ecological way, problems resulting from the professionals and daily use of water.

Leader of HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant and Bar) with 3,500 machines installed in more than 1,500 shops, offers “AcquaSteplians” and “Oxigenia” as solutions, reaching  40.000.000 consumers, according to the latest statistics.

The reasons why these consumers chose Oxygenia are related to:

– microfiltration;

– improvement in digestion;

– increase in oxygen: 36 more times;

– certificate and inmetro;

– significative savings

This is also why Oxigenia became a supply of water in the restaurant sector, whose distribution has now even being quite diffused and productive thanks to the installations of new machines, the Matic Plus Oxigenia.

It is easy to use them and get your oxygen water as you need to follow just  two steps: first insert your bottle into it, insert your card in order to choose what type of water you prefer (still, sparkling or effervescent) and then enjoy it. It’s easy ‘like drinking a glass of water’.

Oxigenia, having also participated at Welcome Italia 2017 in London, is also becoming well know within the English territory. However, the EU distribution was already settled before the Italian Event, with Eclipse Europe ltd which is the distributor for England of water machine enriched with 36% more of oxygen for Restaurants, Fitness and Home/Offices.

Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London, an experience ‘exactly like nothing else’

Are you planning to enjoy London life for a weekend and you don’t know where to stay? Then, Hotel Xenia is your solution.

Located in the heart of Kensington and Chelsea Neighbourhood, it’s a contemporary and cosy 99 roomed boutique Hotel situated within easy reach of the rest London, nestled in between Gloucester Road Tube Station and Earls Court Tube Station.

Step inside the hotel and be prepared to experience “Exactly like nothing else” the brands motto.

Yes, because Hotel Xenia gives you all the comfort you need to relax during your holiday, such as cosy rooms, a a restaurant, a bar, a fabulous rooftop terrace overlooking the breath-taking London skyline and private dining and events spaces.

However, those enjoyable places are also ideal for business meetings and entertaining clients. The hotel’s restaurant, Evoluzione, serves delicious fine Italian cuisine with light bites available. A Tapas menu is also Xenia culinary feature, while the Champagne Bar and lounge or the Living Wall bar – which has its own separate entrance and heated outdoor spaces – are great spaces for discussions over drinks.

Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London – Restaurant

Additionally, the elegant Bohemia room is the perfect venue for more private meetings and presentations – the room includes a 46 inch flat-screen TV and multi-connection kit – as well as private dinners for up to ten people with bespoke menus from the highly skilled Evoluzione culinary team.

Another flexible space at Hotel Xenia is the Living Lounge which can host larger events from corporate meetings and wine-tastings to cocktail receptions and private screenings (on its 84 inch 3D TV with multidirectional sound-system). The Living Lounge can be booked exclusively and has the added benefits of its own entrance, a dedicated bar and a private patio area.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and state of the art tablets are also featured in every guestroom to enable quick and easy browsing and as a digital directory of the hotel’s services.

Furthermore with exceptionally easy access, Hotel Xenia is on a direct road route to Heathrow Airport and nearby transport hubs include Earls Court and Gloucester Road for London Underground services (including the Piccadilly line to Heathrow). Victoria Station for national rail services and the Gatwick Express, King’s Cross St Pancras for national rail services and Eurostar are also within easy reach.

Hotel Xenia, Autograph Collection is moments away from the Albert Hall, Exhibition Road, the National History Museum, World famous Harrods and Hyde Park. Central London and The City are also just a short distance away with excellent transport links.

Brexit: Is this the end for EU students?

London (Benedetta Pironi) – Since the Brexit happened in 2016, the referendum established the leave for the British Island from the European Union. More than a year after the EU leaders approved the start of the second phase of the negotiation. But what will occur exactly?

If the content of the first phase involved economic and geo-political issues, now the discussion turns around the relationship between UK-EU within a period of transition. This time frame is crucial to determine the condition of a new possible government post-Brexit. In particular, one of the priority involves the academic world and its consequences in terms of international education.

It will be important to clarify and make a decision about the maintenance of international programs such as Horizon 2020 ad Erasmus+, which promote the mobility of those students who desire to take up a career or an educational path abroad.

The student exchanges, the cooperation between teachers, and the collaboration of global institutions are essential factors for the growth and improvement of a cosmopolitan nation. The introduction of Brexit therefore generates a tense atmosphere made of doubts and anxiety for the near future. Although London still attracts a lot of international students, the condition of an instability like this causes skepticism to young people who see their rights, as well as their dreams, collapse.

But this new generation, so-called millennials, are young people born in a dynamic world, which is constantly in evolution. In that sense, they have learnt to be more flexible and open-minded and, in contrast to their ancestors, they are more inclined to detach from a reality if this one can limit them.

So what would be the consequences if Great Britain, after 2020, decide not to support these activities anymore? The worst prediction would be a brain drain exodus, that had already affected Italy a few years ago, of young talented people towards other countries.

SFCL rewards the best London business of 2017, included LondonONE radio

SFCL (Scuderia Ferrari Club London) rewarded the best London business  of 2017, included LondonONE radio. The Ferrari’s Award Ceremony took place at Bella Cosa Restaurant on Monday 18th, in Canary Warf area.

The event was organised by SFCL President Michela Sola and Gianni Ferrari, SFCL General Secretary, who gave a brief and detailed introduction of their project before the prize giving.

SFCL President Michela Sola and Gianni Ferrari, SFCL General Secretary

As Gianni Ferrari mentioned, SFCL is the Official Member of Scuderia Ferrari Club in the UK, and it is a realm that support all Ferrari’s fans. Their members are Ferrari’s owners or just passionate of the brand, who want to be part of such ‘family’ in order to discover more about the history and the current projects of Ferrari.

Being member of SFCL, Gianni Ferrari added, means having several opportunities and services such as the SFMeets, which are meetings with F1 pilots or experiences like the Factory Tours at Maranello buildings and many other events organised by SFC or by SFCL.

The Christmas Party Award was also a meeting among many London business, who were entertained by music and Italian culinary specialties prepared by the Bella Cosa Restaurant Executive Chef, Antonio Calò already winner of the European Country Inn Chef Contest 2015.

The event then continued with the SFCL Awards 2017 delivery ceremony conducted by the President Michela Sola. The awards, established by the Club, rewarded the companies that during 2017 have distinguished themselves in their professional field.

The awards, divided by categories, were assigned to:

MEDIA AWARD – Philip Baglini, London One Radio’s Editor. To collect the awards was Rosita Pirulli, Young Music Talent Show’s speaker. 

NETWORKING AWARD – Sarah Pemberton, Synergie 16’s Managing Director 

MODENA IN THE WORLD – Michele Buono, Manitoba Nigella’s Managing Director

WOMEN & MOTORS – Bernice Catterall, i Miss Motors F’s Promoter

THE DRAKE – Ambro Ianeselli,  Dolce Vita Wines’s Founder 

RED DREAM – Chanise Thompson, Fabulous Mag’s Managing Director 

ENZO FERRARI GOURMET – Antonio Calo’, Bella Cosa Restaurant’s Executive Chef

The Christmas Party Award ended up with President Michela Sola’s greetings and wishes for a Merry Christmas to all participants.

WINTERVILLE IS NOW OPEN ON CLAPHAM COMMON

WINTERVILLE IS NOW OPEN 
London’s Alternative Festive Experience has arrived

Featuring Street Feast, Backyard Cinema, Plonk Golf, Clapham’s first-ever Ice Rink, Twisted Wheels Roller Disco and Wasted Chic Christmas Market
Plus a huge entertainment programme featuring Sink The Pink, Mexican Wrestling, Guilty Pleasures, South London Soul Train and children’s entertainment including Big Fish Little Fish, Mimi & The Mountain Dragon, World Beyond The Wardrobe, Santa’s Workshop and much more.

The pop-up town of Winterville is now open on Clapham Common until the 1st January 2018.

Expect brilliant entertainment for all ages: skate on Clapham Common’s first-ever Ice Rink, enjoy sensational street food from Street Feast, watch screenings of Christmas classics in Backyard Cinema’s Winter Night Garden, play crazy golf on the UV-powered Plonk Golf course, ride the Big Wheel and grab gifts from our alternative Christmas market.

The Street Feast area will feature some of London’s best street food traders including Up In My Grill, Mother Clucker, Petare, SE Cakery and many more to be announced.
The Spiegeltent will host plenty of FREE entertainment including an opening weekend set from Norman Jay MBE and free shows from Guilty Pleasures, Ultimate Power, South London Soul Train, R&She with All Saint Mel Blatt, Gin & Juice, Indeedy Musical Bingo and the Winterville Orchestra & Choir.

Ticketed shows include Cirque du Cabaret and Mexican Wrestling from Lucha Britannia, while Sunday nights see Sink The Pink Presents The Merry Marys, Little Gay Brother and Mariah & Friends take to the stage.The Twisted Wheels Roller Disco will feature nights from 2 Bears, Erol Alkan’s Disco 3000, Stevie Wonderland and Throwback Events, as well an All-Abba Disco and a Studio 54 Special.
There’s also loads for kids to do. As well as the Ice Rink, Cinema, Fairground and Roller Disco, there’s a live adaptation of Mimi & The Snow Dragon from War Horse creator Michael Morpurgo, a family rave-up with Big Fish Little Fish, the World Beyond the Wardrobe immersive experience from A Tea Dance For Little People, plus our very own Santa’s Workshop.

Winterville is brought to you by the teams behind Field Day and Street Feast. For more information, tickets and opening times head to: winterville.co.uk.

 

Open now – 1st January

Clapham Common
IMAGES: HERE
winterville.co.uk

Brexit: EU students’ status fee should be clarified for 2019, as Mr McClellan said from University of Westminster

London (Rosita Pirulli) – Jim McClellan, course leader of BA Journalism degree at  University of Westminster, said they are hoping ‘that the Government clarifies what the fee situation will be for EU students’.  

Brexit keeps affecting the education environment, by undermining uncertainty among foreign students who would like to study in London.

The ‘global city’, as Mr McClellan called it, even though is still attracting people thanks to its wide range of universities and working experiences, has changed the atmosphere for some of them since Brexit happened.

The referendum has, in fact, left some students worried until now. The forecasts for 2019, when the UK will definitely leave the EU in March, are still undefined, whereas a small inflation has already affected their fees.

From £9000,00 to £9250,00 per year, was the increase perceived within less than a year since Brexit, an amount that the Government assured will be capped for the 2018 entry cycle.

‘That is an increase based on inflation, so it is a small increase’ said Mr McClellan on LondonOne radio in occasion of Brexit Special show.

Nevertheless it hits home/EU pupils’ pockets as well as London’s universities that could get a loss of applications from Europeans in the future.

University of Westminster is included in that list, an environment valued as an interacting place that attracts talents from around the world.

Ranked as one of the pioneering universities in media and communication, it always distinguished itself by being the first Polytechnic born in the UK in 1838 and well known in all Europe for its first photographic portrait studio opened in 1841.

Since it also engaged people currently famous, such as Nick Mason and Roger Waters, the Pink Floyd’s founders, its image rose up that now is divided in 4 campuses: Regent, Marylebone, Cavendish and Harrow, where Jim McCclluen gives his lectures at Journalism course.

By speaking on London One Radio, Mr McCcullen explained that Westminster University still remains opened to both EU and International students, but he recognises the worries shown by Europeans as well as by the University itself.

So the real matter, according to Mr McClellan is not just about the inflation seen this year, but is regarded to:

‘Whether EU students will be seen as the same as overseas students, so students from outside the EU or whether there will be a new rate for EU students’ – he said.

The fees reckoned for internationals in London are variable depending on the courses and universities they choose. For example, a standard degree course, at the moment, got a range between £11,500 and £ 15,340 or they can also reach a target of £35,000, if they study medicine.

Will Europeans be seen as overseas students once the UK will be out of the EU?

The Government should clarified this position, the lecturer said, because if that happens and ‘the fees go up, then maybe they won’t be able to make that journey and that will be so sad for them and also for us’.

Europeans have always been a good opportunity to get more and new ideas that helped this University to enlarge their capabilities and faculties’ offers, if that happens ‘will affect if they people want to come’.

While their questions have no answers at the moment, University of Westminster keeps its welcoming status as its core value, hoping that from 2019 onwards the future EU students will get the chance to study in London easily, as many others are currently doing.

Ferrari 70th Anniversary marked at Design Museum in London

Ferrari’s major exhibition announced by the Design Museum in London to mark their 70th anniversary

£140M worth of Ferraris featured in exhibition displaying cars driven by racing drivers Peter Collins and Stirling Moss

Unique insight into the meticulous and glamorous world of Ferrari

Rare exhibits from private collections include original drawings and an exact replica of the first Ferrari ever made, the 2000 F1 winning car driven by Michael Schumacher and Enzo Ferrari’s driving licence

A full list of all cars on display is included in Notes to Editors

The Design Museum in London announces Ferrari: Under the Skin, a major exhibition exploring the history and design of Ferrari. The show celebrates 70 years of creative development since the launch of the first car in 1947. Displaying rarely seen material from private collections, the exhibition provides a unique insight into the meticulous and glamorous world of Ferrari. This ambitious collection, the first outside the Museo Ferrari in Maranello, brings together early design models, drawings, personal letters and memorabilia as well as some of the most famous cars to grace the world’s roads and racing circuits. Together, these artefacts and original documents provide an unprecedented study of automotive design.

Dedicated displays explore the life of Enzo Ferrari, the design of the cars, the brand’s famous clientele, its racing prowess and today’s technical innovations.

Placed against a backdrop of post-war austerity, Enzo Ferrari and a small but dedicated team decided to create an elite performance vehicle whilst many were manufacturing economy vehicles and scooters. The opening section of the exhibition charts the story of Enzo Ferrari and his remorseless drive to create the perfect driving machine for track and road. Key exhibits include Enzo Ferrari’s driving licence, original photography, the original drawings and an exact replica of the 125 S – the first Ferrari ever made – and hand-written documents from Enzo Ferrari himself.

Image caption: Enzo Ferrari with the 125 S in the courtyard of factory, 1947

The exhibition offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the secretive world of car design. Original hand-drawn sketches feature next to high-tech wind tunnel models and beautifully crafted early wooden master models to present a survey of the manufacturing process and the relationship between form and function. Charting the varied techniques used throughout Ferrari’s history, the exhibition demonstrates how drawings are translated by sculptural techniques into the final form of the car. An original 1:1 scale hand-crafted clay design model of the J50 is a highlight of the exhibition and offers an exclusive view into the factory’s techniques. The limited edition J50 was made in a run of only 10 cars exclusive to Japan, celebrating 50 years of Ferrari in the country.

The exhibition also looks at Ferrari’s extraordinary celebrity clientele. It was these discerning clients who helped establish Ferrari as the brand we know today. Notes by Miles Davis feature alongside archive photography of famous clients with their cars, including Clint Eastwood, Sammy Davis Jr, Brigitte Bardot and Peter Sellers.

The centrepiece of the section is a 250 GT Cabriolet (1957) owned by one of the most famous British racing drivers of all time – Peter Collins. Other cars in this section include an F40 (1988) belonging to Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and a 166 MM (1950) formerly driven by Gianni Agnelli, head of Fiat.

It is competitive racing that has remained at the heart of Ferrari from its inception to today. As well as previously unseen documents from the early history of the racing team, the exhibition includes helmets worn by Alberto Ascari, Mike Hawthorn, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen. The 1952 British GP winner’s trophy and a selection of famous racing suits are also on display. The evolution of racing car design is represented through the Ferrari 500 F2 (1952), which Alberto Ascari drove to victory at the F1 championship in 1952 and 1953, and the Ferrari F1-2000 (2000), the championship-winning car driven by Michael Schumacher.

Image caption: Helmet worn by Mike Hawthorn circa 1950s

The exhibition culminates in a look at Ferrari today. A LaFerrari Aperta, owned by Gordon Ramsay and the most technologically advanced Ferrari to date, represents the company’s continuing innovation. This hybrid vehicle is accompanied by concept sketches and an in-depth look at the engine.

Sir Terence Conran, founder of the Design Museum said:
‘I think I speak on behalf of millions of ambitious people of all ages that we have all at some point had delicious dreams of owning a Ferrari. The brand itself has become a worldwide symbol of design success, whether it is their road models or Grand Prix cars. The Ferrari story is truly one of the great adventure stories of the industrial age and I am very proud we are able to tell it at the Design Museum. The depth of emotion goes far beyond the external beauty of their cars: what excites me so much about this exhibition is the rare opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes and experience the dynamic between engineering, manufacturing and design, which produces Ferrari’s magic ingredient. It is a magic ingredient that means I am here,

3

aged eighty-five and still lusting after the idea of owning a Ferrari – I want to go out with a beautiful, powerful and perfectly designed vroom!’

Andrew Nahum, co-curator of Ferrari: Under the Skin commented:
‘Ferrari represents an ideal case study in design and development. Ferrari uses the subtle and often unseen techniques of automobile design, but with the utmost care and precision. The exhibition provides an insight into the history and practice of the whole private world of automotive design.’

Ferrari: Under the Skin is a behind-the-scenes look at the design, people and engineering that created one of the most iconic car brands on the planet.