Leading the sale is Slash’s photo-matched, stage-used and autographed Gibson Les Paul ‘59 Custom Shop guitar, played during their Not In This Lifetime tour. That’s the first reunion tour since 1993 featuring Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan. Stage-played guitars from Slash rarely appear at auction, particularly examples used on tour, so this is one to watch.

Also featured is George Michael’s photo-matched jacket, then worn in the music video for his 1987 hit Faith and also during live performances on the accompanying tour. Distinctive details align with well-known photographs taken during the era. Then there’s also an image captured backstage during the Japanese and Australasian leg of his 1988 tour.

Among the most significant is an autographed large-format promotional poster for John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy. This was signed on the morning of 8 December 1980, only hours before Lennon’s death. Thought to be the last item he ever autographed, this is the first time the poster has been offered at auction. An accompanying audio recording also captures Lennon discussing the signing and retracing his signature in black felt-tip pen after the ballpoint ink failed to set.

The auction also includes a Shure 565 SD award gold microphone presented to Queen and used by Freddie Mercury. The microphone comes directly from the collection of Peter Hince, Queen’s head roadie and Mercury’s personal assistant on tour, to whom it was gifted by Mercury. This is the first example with direct provenance from Hince to be offered at auction.

So, do you want to know more? Here’s what you can bid on – and also how much the auction house expects the lots to go for:

Guns N’ Roses

Slash’s Guns N’ Roses photo-matched tour stage-used and autographed Gibson Les Paul ‘59 Custom Shop Guitar
Estimated at £150,000 – £300,00

George Michael

George Michael’s photo-matched Faith music video and tour custom La Rocka leather jacket
Estimated at £60,000 – £120,000

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

John Lennon autographed and annotated Double Fantasy promotional poster
Estimated at £60,000 – £120,000

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney’s handwritten Goodbye first draft lyrics, 1969 
Estimated at £55,000 – £110,000

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell autographed 51st anniversary handwritten lyrics, 1967 
Estimated at £35,000 – £70,000

Queen

Freddie Mercury’s gold Shure 565 SD Microphone Award used for Top of the Pops performance, 1982
Estimated at £30,000 – £60,000

David Bowie

Aladdin Sane concept cover vintage proof print
Estimated at £25,000 – £50,000

Motley Crue

Nikki Sixx’s photo-matched autographed and inscribed stage-used Schecter J-4 Bass Guitar
Estimated at £10,000 – £20,000

Live Aid

Queen, Paul McCartney, George Michael, David Bowie, Elton John and others autographed Live Aid concert programme and assorted production paperwork, 1985
Estimated at £10,000 – £20,000

Oasis

Noel Gallagher’s Les Paul Custom 20th anniversary guitar played during the recording of Standing on the Shoulder of Giants and Heathen Chemistry 
Estimated at £10,000 – £20,000

Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest composer’s award trophy presented to Benjamin Alasu for The Code by Nemo 
Estimated at £10,000 – £20,000

Notorious B.I.G

The Notorious B.I.G.’s custom leather jacket worn in the Rhyme & Reason documentary 
Estimated at £10,000 – £20,000

Guns N’ Roses

Matt Sorum’s played and autographed Guns N’ Roses Partial Mapex Orion Series Drum Kit 
Estimated at £8,000 – £16,000

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse’s photo-matched Fred Perry cropped trench coat 
Estimated at £4,000 – £8,000

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s screen-matched and autographed jacket and worn ensemble pieces from the Shape of You music video `
Estimated at £3,500 – £7,000

How To Bid

The auction will take place live on 30 April, with bidding available online, by telephone, and via absentee bids for collectors worldwide. Auction registration is now open, and the full catalogue is available here.

Prop Store will also be hosting a special public free exhibition at London’s The Cumberland Hotel from 22-25 April, where fans and collectors will have the chance to see the highlight lots up close, before they go under the hammer. Find out more about The Cumberland Hotel event here.

The post For a Piece of History Check Out This £1.5m Music Live Auction appeared first on Best of Living.

You started UpCircle with your brother back in 2016, at just 22. How did the brand came about?

“We noticed how many coffee grounds were being thrown away by cafés every day and began wondering whether that ‘waste’ could actually have value. Coffee is packed with antioxidants and is fantastic for exfoliating skin, so we started experimenting with turning used coffee grounds into a natural face scrub. This quickly grew into something much bigger as we started collecting coffee grounds from cafés and creating our first product. Our goal was always to prove that sustainability and high performance skincare could go hand in hand. That mindset still drives everything we do today.”

Do you think the beauty industry is finally waking up to their responsibility to be sustainable?

“To a degree. When we started the idea of upcycled beauty ingredients was still very niche. At the time we were explaining the concept constantly, because most people had never heard of by-products being used in skincare. We’re proud to now be upcycling more than 60 by-product ingredients into our range. Now the conversation has shifted significantly. Consumers are far more conscious about waste, sourcing, and environmental impact. That means the beauty industry is starting to respond. But there is still a long way to go. True sustainability requires brands to rethink supply chains, packaging and production. It needs to go deeper than surface level claims.”

How do you source your repurposed ingredients? 

“We look at industries that generate natural by-products and ask whether they might have beneficial properties for skin or hair. For example, we work next door to florists, and noticed their bins filling with unsold roses – so we now upcycle rose petals into our bath salts. We work with countless suppliers in this way, identifying ingredients that would otherwise be discarded. We design for performance first – because sustainability that underperforms will not scale. For example, our Shampoo Crème is made with upcycled pink berry extract from the fragrance industry and delivers three times the washes of a standard liquid shampoo while using 50% less water.”

UpCircle achieved a £18m valuation during a successful crowdfunding campaign – how did that feel?

“It was an incredible experience for us. Seeing people believe in what we were building enough to invest was hugely emotional. We closed the round overfunded in less than 48 hours!”

You also received investment from Dragons’ Den’s Touker Suleyman and Tej Lalvani. Why do you think you succeeded where so many fail?

“We actually never accepted their investment! Yes, we shook hands on air, but after meeting with the Dragons following the show we decided not to proceed. Upcycling was not just a marketing message for us. It was the foundation of the business and something we genuinely believed in.”

With the business thriving, are there any luxuries you allow yourself which you couldn’t before?

“One of the biggest luxuries is simply having a brilliant team around us. In the early days my brother and I were doing everything ourselves, from packing orders to attending trade shows. Now we have an amazing team who bring expertise across different areas of the business. That allows us to focus more on the bigger picture.”

Affordability is also very much part of your brand’s ethos. Why is this so important to UpCircle?

“Sustainable choices should not be reserved for a small group of people. If we want sustainability to become the norm, it has to be accessible. That is why we work hard to keep our products competitively priced while maintaining high quality ingredients and responsible sourcing. We want customers to feel that choosing a more sustainable option is easy rather than a luxury.”

What are your top sellers?

“Our absolute top sellers include our Eye Cream, Face Moisturiser and Peptide Serum. The Peptide Serum is made with upcycled custard apple and blood orange water, and is clinically-proven to improve skin elasticity by 29% in just 14 days, which is HUGE! Customers often come for the sustainability story, but stay because the products genuinely work.”

And finally, what has been your most rewarding moment?

“It’s so hard to choose! Being commissioned to write a book filled with my DIY skincare recipes, being listed in Forbes 30 Under 30, winning £250,000 for my idea for UpCircle’s first ever TV advert – these are all things that I can’t actually believe happened! Seeing how the brand has grown from a small idea into a global business is something I feel very proud of.”

The post Interview: Anna Brightman: Co-Founder of Sustainable Skincare Brand UpCircle appeared first on Best of Living.

A prenup acts as an “insurance policy”, reducing uncertainty and potential conflict if you break up. Nobody wants to spend their wedding planning thinking about divorce, but prenups give clarity and communication. Here are my five top tips.

Discuss your intentions openly and honestly
Have an honest discussion with your partner to discuss intentions and expectations. You may wish to consider which assets to put in to protect as yours. Agree which assets to share, and provisions made in the event of a relationship breakdown. Think about how future changes in circumstances might affect the agreement. For example, if career paths change, or if you have or adopt children. These factors can influence your prenup because they impact your finances.

Seek independent legal advice in good time
This can take three to six months and depends on the complexity of the agreement. Will you openly disclose everything you have with each other and your solicitor? Or will you seek advice from other professionals such as financial advisors? It is often not a quick process, so seek legal advice as early as possible. This will enable plenty of time to finalise matters before your wedding.

Ensure that the document records your agreement 
Typically, one of you instructs a solicitor to prepare a draft prenup, and the other instruct a solicitor to review it. It is common for the document to go through several revisions. This is to ensure the terms are balanced, and reflect what both have agreed. Try not to be alarmed if it takes longer than you expect. The purpose is to create a fair arrangement that both parties feel comfortable with.

Implement any necessary provisions
Many prenups include provisions that require you to take practical steps once you sign the document. For example, the agreement may stipulate how you should own property. It may direct you to put insurance policies in place to protect income or assets, or require you to prepare or update your Wills. Your solicitor will advise you on the practical steps to consider once you sign your prenup; it is important that you deal with these as soon as possible.

Remember to review the agreement
Do not view a prenup as a document you cannot change. Review the agreement periodically — usually every five years — to ensure it still reflects your financial circumstances and family situation. This keeps the agreement relevant and fair, helping it carry more decisive weight if you dispute matters in court upon separation. Strictly speaking, the current law in England and Wales does not make prenups legally binding. However, if you meet certain criteria — such as ensuring the agreement is fair, and entering it freely without undue influence — the court will give it decisive weight if your relationship breaks down.

Planning a wedding shouldn’t mean planning for a divorce, but your financial security is hugely important. The earlier you think about it, the better.

The post Considering a prenup? Here’s all you need to know appeared first on Best of Living.

Despite current global economic challenges, the luxury yacht market is booming. The appetite for British-made vessels saw a 33.2% increase in exports in the past few years, according to a report by British Marine – but what is not so clear, given the exclusivity of the market, is the finances needed to buy, maintain, and enjoy such a superyacht. Think you are ready to get on board? The following figures will make even the strongest sea legs weak at the knees.

In the beginning

“Building a custom superyacht costs £1.5 million per square meter on average and takes three to four years to build,” begins Stuart. “It starts with the exterior and interior design, then a shipyard is chosen. From there the hull is constructed. Next comes fitting of the engines, running gear, water treatment, air conditioning and pumps. The superstructure is then built and attached to the hull. This is before the interior fit-out takes place and the exterior is painted. Sea trails are then carried out before the yacht is handed over for warranty work.” Not prepared to wait? Buying second-hand is a very sensible option. “Many prospective owners choose to purchase a second-hand superyacht. It costs around £20 million on average, but increases dramatically if customisation takes place. Fitting out a new or used vessel costs around £35 million, but this can varies depending on size.”

Overall spend

Get your numbers straight before taking the plunge. “In general, the overall operating cost is now 20% or more of its original price. So, a vessel costing £1 billion pounds will set you back £200 million per year after paying for fuel, dockage, crew, maintenance, insurance and so on. A decade ago, the operating cost was around 10% of a vessel’s original price. This demonstrates a huge increase in running costs due to soaring inflation.”

Financing fuel

And while fuel costs have always been eye-watering, today’s superyacht spend is astronomical. “Fuel is one of the biggest superyacht costs, starting at £2,000 per hour and over £24,000 per overnight cruise. For example, a 70-metre vessel is estimated to use around 500 litres of fuel per hour, and while annual fuel costs were estimated at around £327,000 back in 2012, they are now estimated to hit over £420,000 in the current climate.”

People power

Next, you need to think about a key factor in yachting excellence – your staff. “As a general rule, a 60 meter yacht will have a 16-person crew, setting you back around £1.2 million per year based on industry-standard pay rates. Owners of superyachts of 100 meters and beyond will pay significantly more to staff their vessels. These can vary from the skipper’s salary of around £12,000 per month, to the stewards at around £4,000. Typically, these salaries would not be subject to tax at source”.

Operating and maintenance

So how much cash will it take to keep your boat ship shape? “The annual operating costs of a superyacht is around 12% of its original cost for the first four years, 15% for the next three years, and 20% annually from then onwards. They must come out of the water every five years for maintenance such as painting, underwater work, gear checks, and antifouling. This basically equates to 10-12% of the vessel’s original price. So, a superyacht that costs £1 billion would require around £1 million of maintenance work a year.” 

Insurance

Such a hefty investment demands sound insurance, and here, shopping around will help immensely. “Insurance costs are difficult to pinpoint as many factors determine what you will need to pay, such as value, cruising area, and usage. Again, as an example a superyacht costing £1 billion could cost £8 million or more to insure. Fire, theft, loss of tender, onboard injury, and collisions are the most common claims received from yacht owners, according to Insure4Boats data.”

Marina dockage

“Finally, always keep in mind the fact that superyacht costs go far beyond the initial build or purchase price, especially when used as a base for luxury holidays or experiences such as the Cannes Film Festival. A two-week holiday in Marbella could cost you £60,046 in dockage alone, without considering the cost of fuel or refreshments. It’s easy to see how superyacht owners can rack up almost £300,000 in dockage fees per year on average.”

The post Spending Money Like Water: The Real Expense of Owning a Superyacht appeared first on Best of Living.

“A financial planner’s role is to help clients build a strategy that remains resilient through uncertainty — one that protects your lifestyle today and preserves your wealth and legacy for the next generation. Increasingly, planners are seeing that the most important decisions are not about the next big fiscal announcement but about how all the pieces of a client’s financial life work together, from family and relationships to retirement dreams and future priorities. Taking this into account, here is what to consider.”

The Evolving Role of Pensions

“Pensions remain one of the most powerful and tax-efficient tools for long-term retirement planning, yet our data indicates many savers underestimate what they will need. These gaps often emerge not because individuals have failed to save, but because lifestyle costs, family responsibilities, longevity, and inflation are routinely underestimated. The data also highlights growing concern about the future tax treatment of pensions. A third of high net worth individuals — HNWIs — are exploring strategies to protect their pensions from inheritance tax, and nearly 30% are reviewing retirement income plans due to potential future legislative changes. Effective planning in this area may involve sequencing withdrawals to balance tax efficiency and flexibility, and using non-pension assets first in certain cases to preserve pension value. It’s also worth reviewing or nominating a beneficiary — while it is ultimately up to your pension provider to decide where surplus pension is given after death, this is the best way to ensure your wishes are taken into consideration. Given the complexity, early planning and regular reviews are vital to ensuring you make the most of your pension into retirement.”

Why Tax Planning Shapes Retirement Conversations

“According to our most recent Saltus Wealth Index Report, 78% of HNWIs expect tax rises within the next year, and nearly 46% say tax reform is the single biggest risk to their wealth. This has prompted more people to review their long-term plans and take a more structured approach to intergenerational wealth transfer. Trusts are becoming increasingly common as part of this preparation. The data shows that 34% of HNWIs have already set up a family or discretionary trust, and 25% have placed property in trust specifically for their children. These structures are often used not only to manage potential tax exposure but also to maintain control and ensure responsible distribution of wealth across generations. With the inheritance tax nil-rate band frozen until at least April 2028, more estates are likely to exceed the threshold, particularly given rising property values. As a result, trust usage, lifetime gifting, and broader estate planning are likely to continue increasing.”

The Importance of Starting Early

“The earlier individuals begin to shape their strategy, the greater their ability to use annual allowances effectively, adjust investment approaches, and respond to changes in their circumstances. This is especially relevant for clients with complex affairs, including those with business ownership, multiple properties or blended families. These situations often involve competing considerations, from income needs to legacy intentions, and benefit significantly from long-term planning horizons. Early and regular review meetings provide the space to ensure that decisions remain aligned to goals and that the strategy continues to reflect evolving priorities — whether personal, legislative or economic. Over time, this creates the flexibility and resilience needed to maintain control and confidence, regardless of market cycles or government policy.”

Utilise a Well-Rounded Approach

“Retirement planning for HNWIs works best when viewed as a holistic strategy. Rather than treating pensions, ISAs, property, business assets, and trusts as separate pieces, a financial planner can help coordinate these elements to support both lifestyle and legacy goals. A comprehensive strategy typically balances the long-term, tax-efficient growth of pensions with the flexibility of ISAs and general investment accounts. Property and real assets often play a role in diversification and can provide additional liquidity options. Business interests may require their own exit or succession planning to ensure they contribute meaningfully to retirement income. Meanwhile, trusts and lifetime gifting can support intergenerational objectives by ensuring wealth is transferred responsibly and in line with a family’s long-term wishes. And don’t forget to factor in protection planning — such as wills, lasting powers of attorney, and insurance arrangements — which also form an important part of this broader picture. Together, these components create a robust financial structure that can withstand both personal change and shifts in the wider economic or political environment.”

Planning That Remains Resilient Through Change

“While tax policy and pension legislation will continue to evolve, the underlying principles of effective retirement planning remain constant: clarity of objectives, intelligent structuring, and regular review. For HNWIs, retirement planning is about far more than building a pension pot. It is about ensuring that wealth can support a fulfilling lifestyle, provide for future generations, and remain robust through periods of uncertainty. A thoughtful, strategic approach enables individuals to feel confident that their long-term plans are well positioned, no matter what reforms or market movements lie ahead.”

The post Taking a Strategic Approach When It Comes to Retirement Planning appeared first on Best of Living.

People in wealthy countries like the UK donate significantly less than low-income countries, says the New Giving Report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). “There is considerable untapped potential for philanthropy in the UK,” explains Edward Garrett, Head of Private Clients at CAF. “The health of our civil society is directly tied to charitable giving, so we need to build our British culture of giving to ensure its strength for the future.”

That said, according to The Beacon Collaborative, giving from high net worth individuals in the UK is increasing at an impressive rate, reaching £11.3 billion last year — up from £7 billion in 2022. So, while the wealthy’s commitment to charity is clearly there, we could certainly do more. Here are some expert ways that you — or your company — can make a big difference to a cause close to your heart.

Start a Philanthropic Matching Programme

One way to up your philanthropic game is to encourage contacts to match what you give. “The concept of matched giving is that one donor commits an amount of money, conditional on others providing a similar amount,” says Ben. “It’s been used to great effect by The Big Give, especially in their Christmas Challenge. You may be able to benefit from this type of arrangement or, if you are planning on committing a significant sum, you might offer it on a matched basis to encourage others. Company funds used for a Matched Giving account are tax-effective and can be deducted from your organisation’s corporation tax.”

Utilise Giving is Great

Deciding on where you would like your money to go to can be a minefield — but help is at hand. “Over the last four years, The EQ Foundation has built a platform, Giving is Great, using principles that work when selecting investments, to help donors when giving to charity,” says Ben. “There are over 160,000 charities in the UK alone, so finding one that has the most meaning for you isn’t always easy. Giving is Great helps those looking to support charities based on the evidence of their impact and how much support they receive from professional grant makers.” Use the platform to search by charity name or by cause: everything from addiction to environmental organisations will welcome your help.

Host a Charity Event

“There’s a strong link between the appearance of charity events, the emotions they evoke in guests, and the donations they receive,” says Rita Chandarana, Director at corporate event specialists Eventologists Ltd. “In today’s world, where people are always on the lookout for sensory experiences, charity events need to compete for individuals’ time, attention, and money. To build a loyal following and encourage donations, it’s essential to create events that are entertaining, theatrical, and immersive. The more captivating a charity event is, the higher the chances of achieving record-breaking donations.”

Add Gift Aid

This is undoubtedly the simplest way to add more funds to your contributions. Gift Aid is a government scheme which allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, so signing up is the easiest way to boost your giving. “All donations to registered charities attract Gift Aid as long as the donor can make a declaration that he or she will be paying the equivalent amount of Income Tax in that financial year,” says Ben. “So, if you donate £1,000, the charity can then reclaim an extra £250 direct from HMRC. If you pay more than Basic Rate Income Tax then you can claim additional relief via Self-Assessment.”

Make a Social Impact

High net worth individuals can contribute more than their finances — they can pass on their insight and skills, too. “A great way for an individual to give back to the community is to engage with social impact organisations by investing time or resources,” says author and Career Ready UK ambassador, Eloise Skinner. “Career Ready UK is the UK’s national social mobility charity, working with thousands of young people to improve career opportunities and connections to the world of work; offering programmes including mentoring, masterclasses, and workplace visits.” To get involved, register with the volunteer database and help give a young person the opportunity to kick-start a rewarding future.

Set Up a CAF Charitable Trust

Considering setting up your own charitable trust? “The Charities Aid Foundation offers individuals and businesses the advantages of their own charitable foundation, but without the extra time and commitment needed, administrative and compliance requirements or associated costs,” explains Philipa Cornish, Clients Relations Director at the charity. “Our Company Account lets businesses manage their corporate giving in one place — the business contributes funds into the account, and we hold them until they are ready to use for a charitable purpose. And, as CAF is a charity, the contributions into the account are considered a charitable donation, which means you only need to record one donation to claim tax relief on all your giving.”

Leave a Charitable Legacy

Donating part of your estate allows you to leave a lasting legacy — and offers generous tax incentives too. Remember a Charity surveyed 500 individuals with over £1 million in investible assets and found half of the millionaires had included a charitable gift in their will, rising to 75% for individuals with estates of £5 million or more. “There are benefits attached to making charitable bequests”, explains Ben Faulkner, Communications Director at EQ Investors. “First, any bequests to registered charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax; and secondly, if your total charitable bequests amount to at least 10% of your net estate then the rate of tax on the rest of the estate is lowered from 40% to 36%.”

Give As You Earn

If you are an employer, it’s important to encourage your staff to give to charity as well. “Employers have the option to provide staff with a Payroll Giving scheme, also known as Give As You Earn, which works in a similar way to salary sacrifice by providing employees with a simple and tax-efficient way to make regular donations to charities,” continues Philipa. “Donations are taken before Income Tax is deducted; allowing your donation to go further for the charities you support, while costing you less.”

Help for Dual Taxpayers

If you pay tax in the UK and America, you may be due some tax relief. “The CAF America Donor Fund helps dual US/UK taxpayers give tax effectively, distributing over £1 billion in donations to charities worldwide since its launch 25 years ago,” says Philipa. “The donor advised fund helps donors make the most of their charitable giving by ensuring they get the tax relief they’re due on both sides of the Atlantic, increasing UK giving by 25% thanks to Gift Aid, and increasing US tax deduction by 25%”.

The post Do Your Bit with These Simple Ways to be More Philanthropic appeared first on Best of Living.

You come from retail royalty. What would you say is your earliest memory of the shop floor?

“I suppose it would be when I got a Saturday job at Browns under the ownership of Sir William Pigot-Brown. My family bought the business two years later, and while this was a lifetime ago, I still remember those early days and always try to lead by example. I don’t need to take boxes to the stockroom, but I do because it helps everyone.”

Your mother, Joan, was instrumental in bringing names like Calvin Klein to London. What are the style rules she taught you?

“I worked with my mother as an assistant from the age of 18 and learnt so much. ‘When in doubt, cut it out’ was her motto, and this always made editing collections easier.”

Selling Browns must have been emotional. What would you say prompted the move?

“I returned to London in 2008 having spent 20 years living and working in Paris for Sonia Rykiel — and after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the retail business was tough. The pub next door was demolished and replaced by Bosideng, and tunnelling for the Elizabeth Line was going on underneath our store. It was a crazy time with so much happening.”

How did you survive?

“It was thanks to a strong retail and online presence. However, what was becoming apparent was that we were trailing behind our competitors like Matches and Net-a-Porter in terms of online business. So, when José Neves of Farfetch approached us, it seemed to be the right move for everyone for him to acquire Browns, as clearly we lacked the experience and funding to match our competitors.”

Your business, The Place London, now resides on Brown’s original spot on South Molton Street. What’s your vision for the brand?

“When I opened The Place London in 2015 in Connaught Village, I wanted to continue to find talent and give designers a showcase to express themselves. I made a conscious choice not to go after any big brand but to offer ‘affordable luxury’ with a combination of craftmanship and technology, often with a timeless style to customers.”

How are you finding it?

“Customers are often pleasantly surprised to discover brands that they have never heard of. Mii and Cord are just a couple of examples of great designers offering original collections and great quality at affordable prices.”

You also have a branch in Paris. When there are there any places you always like to visit?

“Paris is my second home, and I fell in love with the shop located in the heart of St Germain, which is on a beautiful street called Rue de L’Odeon, which leads up to the Jardin du Luxembourg. My three daughters live in St Germain, so I usually hang out in the neighbourhood. There are so many good restaurants to choose from, along with galleries and small museums, which I love.”

You continue to champion independent and emerging designers as your mother did. How do you select designers for The Place?

“I do an awful lot of research, mostly at trade fairs where I can spot designers that have a strong identity that matches the ethos of The Place London.”

You also acquired Leathersmith of London in 2015, which recently received the Royal Warrant. Tell us about the brand.

“Leathersmith of London encompasses everything I champion. Heritage, craftmanship, technology, quality and good value. Instead of retiring after selling Browns, I did quite the opposite. I was a minority shareholder in Nealedataday Ltd., a family-run business producing Leathersmith and other brands in Canvey Island. Unfortunately, the company ran into financial difficulties, and it coincided at the time with the sale of Browns, so I was able to save it. Today we have a beautiful modern bindery that the Duchess of Edinburgh opened two years ago. The Royal Warrant was granted to Charfleet bookbindery for the calendars we supply to Buckingham Palace.”

You work hard — which must afford a few luxuries. What is your biggest indulgence today?

“My real luxury is to be able to do what I am doing, travelling a lot to interesting places. I realise that I will never make more money with my current businesses than I did with the sale of Browns, so it is a labour of love. I am indebted to my parents and sister for all the hard work they did over the past 40 years.”

When you do get a moment to unwind, what is your favourite way to spend the day?

“I love to go to the markets: Portobello and Goldborne road in London, or Vanves in Paris on a Saturday morning. I like to do some food shopping, buy the weekend newspapers and have a late breakfast nearby. I am also a keen tennis player and a member of the Campden Hill Lawn Tennis Club, so I often play there on a Saturday afternoon. But if I’m being honest, relaxing at home with my partner after a busy week and putting my feet up is my absolute favourite way to unwind.”

The post Interview: Luxury Fashion Retailer and Business Icon Simon Burstein appeared first on Best of Living.

What are the potential benefits of investing compared to saving in an account?

Potentially higher returns: Most bank savings’ accounts currently offer lower interest rates than the rate of inflation, so your money’s value will typically decline in real terms (i.e. factoring out the impact of inflation). Investing in assets such as equities and bonds may potentially provide higher returns over the long term, helping you preserve the real value and grow your wealth.

Diversification: Investing allows you to diversify across different types of assets, reducing the risk associated with having all your money held in cash. Diversification can help protect your wealth in case one investment performs poorly.

Income generation: Some investments, such as dividend paying stocks, can provide regular income. This can be especially beneficial if you want to supplement your existing income or enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Tax advantages: Depending on your jurisdiction and the type of investments you choose, there may be tax advantages to investing your lump sum. For example, certain pensions or tax efficient investment strategies can help reduce your tax liability.

Long term financial security: Investing a lump sum wisely can help contribute to your financial security and future needs such as buying a home, paying for education, or retiring comfortably.

Philanthropy and giving back: If you want to use your money to make a positive impact on society, investing can help grow your wealth over time, allowing you to contribute more to charitable causes or organisations that you care about.

What do I need to take into consideration when investing?

Investment objective: Understanding your objectives and risk tolerance help you make investment choices that align with your comfort level and financial goals: how long you would like to invest for and how much you could potentially lose will help drive the decision about what you invest in.

Avoid scam: Be cautious of investment offers that promise unrealistically high returns or seem too good to be true, always conducting thorough due diligence before investing.

Consider your goals: Investing may offer the potential for higher returns and wealth preservation compared to leaving the money in a bank account. However, it’s essential to carefully consider your financial goals and risk tolerance, and to seek professional guidance when making investment decisions if you are new to investing.

Disclaimer: Please note that the value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. The information in this article is for information purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation or solicitation to engage in investment activity.

The post An Expert’s Advice to Help Manage Your Portfolio appeared first on Best of Living.

Quality over quantity 

“We’ve noticed the multi-million-pound sales that used to dominate the headlines have slowed down recently. The real action now sits in the mid-market – strong works between £100,000 and £1 million. I think collectors are being more selective, but they’re still buying quality.”

Fresh talent

“There’s a real shift toward emerging names with serious momentum; artists backed by solid galleries, with growing online followings and credible exhibition histories. They’re not household names yet, but they’re attracting competitive bidding and healthy resale interest.”

Auctions are global

“Online bidding isn’t a side act anymore; it is the auction room. Around four out of five bidders now take part digitally. That’s opened the door for younger buyers and global participation. The energy of the room feels different, yes, but it’s just as exciting as you’re now competing with people in London, New York, and Hong Kong all at once.”

Less is more

“We always tell clients to buy better, not more. A single standout piece with strong provenance will hold its value far better than a handful of average works. Collectors are far more interested in what’s important, not what’s simply available.”

Private value

“When the open market tightens, private sales tend to flourish. Christie’s reported a rise of over 40% in private transactions last year. Discretion and certainty are key now: people still want to buy, but they want to do it quietly and smartly.”

Spread your investments

“Think of your art collections like building a portfolio. A good mix might include established blue-chip names for stability, a few mid-career or red-chip artists for growth, and perhaps one or two design or edition pieces to keep things interesting. That type of balance keeps you covered in any market.”

Cool collector

“The best buyers are calm ones. Set your ceiling before the sale and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the adrenaline, let others do that. When it comes to art auctions, a steady hand wins more often than not.”

Rethink tradition

“Global art sales last year totalled around $57 billion, which is down about 12%, but the number of works sold actually rose. That tells us the appetite’s still there for great works; buyers are just being more thoughtful about where they spend. The ultra-high end has softened, but activity online and in private sales remains very strong. This is a great time to widen your collection.”

Disclaimer: This article is for editorial and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Art investments can fluctuate in value, and returns are not guaranteed. Readers should seek independent professional guidance before making any financial decisions. Prices, market data and availability were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.

The post Now’s the Time to Invest In Art and Reap Those Rewards appeared first on Best of Living.

Cover tricky topics first 

“Having those difficult conversations about money, political leaning, beliefs and values in the early stages can build a much more solid foundation moving forward. Discuss these things as they come up. As society changes, there may well be more areas of controversy for individuals. Remember, some conflict is healthy, as long as you know your relationship is the priority.”

Be curious

“Ask your partner questions about their values and beliefs. Not only will this help you understand their perspective, but it shows you’re interested in who they are as a person, even if you disagree with their opinions. Being curious helps reduce prejudice and will make your discussions less argumentative and more open.”

Rebuild after conflict

“We all know the saying ‘never let the sun go down on your anger’. It is very tempting to get stuck on how right you are and how wrong they are, so take some time and space to yourselves before coming back together. You don’t need to revisit your conversation at this stage, but offering an apology and genuinely listening to your partner rebuilds trust. Try not to apportion blame.”

Know when to let go

“Sometimes in navigating difficult conversations it can be hard to see an end point and you and your partner are going round in circles. However, taking a moment to ask yourself whether this is worth the fight, especially if you’ve both been able to communicate your perspectives. Ask yourself: ‘do I want to die on that particular hill?’ and ‘what is my priority here?'”

Understand your next steps

“Often conflict over difficult topics can reveal deeper cracks in a relationship: grudges, unresolved hurt or simply having drifted apart. If this is the case, it might be time to discuss separation or divorce. If you’re unsure on whether to take this step, you can get a Separation Agreement for a period of trial separation. This is a formal (although not legally binding) document that sets out what will happen to your joint assets, including your money and any property, whilst you are separated. It can also define each person’s responsibilities, like who pays the mortgage, and any child arrangements. And, if you do decide to divorce, non-court dispute resolution methods such as mediation can help maintain an amicable relationship and build a more positive foundation for the future.”

The post Hold On or Let Go When it Comes to a Rocky Road in Your Marriage appeared first on Best of Living.