easyJet-news compilation

18 | TRAVELLER | JUNE 10

The BuZZ | TRaVel NeWS

loNdoNif you can’t place a face to the name martin margiela, don’t worry – your fashion savvy is not slipping. The world’s front-row fashionistas have never seen the notoriously elusive designer, dubbed “the invisible man” of fashion. But at somerset House’s Embankment galleries from 3 June to 5 september, there’s a chance to pin down the style of his label, as maison martin margiela’s first major retrospective, 20, celebrates two decades at the top of the fashion pile.

Using installations, photography, video and

film, the exhibition charts the rise of a label founded by Jean Paul gaultier’s one-time design assistant in 1988 and famous for its “anti-fashion” approach. Look out for visible zips – a trend that has now hit the mainstream, deconstructed hemlines (à la diesel – the brand owned by Renzo Russo, who in 2002 bought a majority stake in mmm) and the tabi boot – distinctively sculpted around the toes to define them in a manner akin to wearing socks with sandals. it sounds unflattering, but the tabi was made iconic by stars such as sarah Jessica

Parker, and copied widely on the high street.

But despite celebrity followers, cult status and a new cash-spinning line in perfumes, the 70-strong team behind mmm remains aloof and speaks only as a collective from the Paris HQ, saying: “in deciding to let [margiela’s] fashion speak for itself and remain anonymous, margiela as a brand is driven by product and sheer invention rather than fad, hype and celebrity often linked to other fashion labels.” it’s a stance that comes through in the famously blank labels attached to every garment, a deliberate move not to self-promote. mmm continues: “We prefer that people react to a garment through their taste and personal style, not their impression of the individual and group of people who created it.”

FoR MMM, it seems simple. They show, the clothes tell… “Unlike actors or singers, we do not need a physical form to express our work,” the team says. Even in the face of speculation about margiela himself vanishing from design duties for good, the label remains tight-lipped and the house style unaltered. The trendy deconstructed slouch boot was inspired by mmm and a prolific, iconographic use of whites still dominates their collections and six shops throughout Europe. This summer’s exhibition presented by somerset House has already received acclaim in galleries Haus der Kunst (munich) and momu (Antwerp), and is a rare peek into the mysterious world of one of fashion’s most intriguing designers. somerset House Embankment galleries, strand, WC2, somersethouse.org.uk deborah Hatch

18–20Park Live FestSoFiaA veritable feast of nostalgia for 90s trip-hoppers, the second incarnation of this Bulgarian electro-fest plays host to Lamb, morcheeba and gotan Project among others. All for the bargain-basement price of €45 for a deluxe three-day pass. parklivefest.com/en

22Hangar Bicocca gallery ReopensMilaNRenovated and rejuvenated, this staple of milan’s art scene reopens on the 22nd. see specially commissioned installation Personnes by Christian Boltanski and works by Anselm Kiefer (pictured), Fausto melotti and stefano Boccalini and enjoy the new bistro and free Wi-Fi throughout. hangarbicocca.it

24munich opera FestivalMuNichThis annual festival, which runs until the end of July, brings Bavarian opulence to the old favourites. Join hundreds of opera buffs on the city square or in the high-tech temporary Pavillon 21 miNi opera space for this year’s Tosca or don giovanni. bayerische.staatsoper.de

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Unveiling Fashion’s invisible man

22 | TRAVELLER | 15TH BIRTHDAY ISSUE

THE BUZZ | TRAVEL NEWS

GLASGOW They’re brilliant at grabbing headlines and drawing crowds, but pop-up shops are inevitably short-lived. Not so the latest innovation to hit Glasgow Airport – Planeshop, the permanent pop-up shop. Planeshop invites brands to take turns running the store for short periods of time, starting with US sportswear label K-Swiss and now

street-fashion company WeSC.

Co-founder Russ Miller, who was also responsible for guerilla shop Vacant, one of the world’s fi rst pop-ups, says this is a new take on the concept. “Regular pop-ups usually only last for one-to-four weeks, but a brand can take over Planeshop for up to two months.” The company has launched its own iPad apps, one

offering destination guides and listings, and another offering the chance to win shopping bags full of branded goodies. Miller explains: “A GPS signal lets users track the bag’s movements as it’s carried around Glasgow by one of our staff. Simply catch up with it to claim the contents.”

The company is also making its mark by choosing relatively unknown

designers to put their creative stamp on every Planeshop interior. “We do a lot of work with artists who are often still relatively unknown, such as our fi rst collaborator, designer Chris Casey.” Taking local collaboration to a global platform, Miller aims to open many more Planeshops in the coming years. Watch out for one in an airport near you. planeshop.net

King of Pop-Up Opens Planeshop

2007 CONTINUED

We launch a carbon-emission off-setting scheme, the fi rst major European airline to offer passengers the chance to invest exclusively in UN-certifi ed projects. We expand further by purchasing GB Airways. With 15 new planes, we can offer even more destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh (pictured), Hurghada and Dalaman from Gatwick and Manchester.

2008

easyJet opens two new bases in France – Charles de Gaulle and Lyon – becoming the fi rst low-cost airline to offer French domestic fl ights outside Paris. In our efforts to become the world’s most environmentally effi cient airline we reveal new CFM56-5B Tech Insertion engines that reduce emissions, fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The engines are fi tted onto all new Airbus A319 deliveries.

2009

easyJet is now a pan-European airline, operating more than 400 routes with over 175 aircraft in 27 countries. For the fi rst time, over 50% of our passengers originate from outside the UK. Our full-year results for 2009 state that easyJet delivers the best performance of any European airline during 12 tough recessionary months.

2010

We offer a landmark 500 routes. We are now the UK’s largest airline. Civil Aviation Authority fi gures show that we have the highest number of passengers for the second year in a row. In 2009, over 28 million passengers fl ew with easyJet through UK airports. We celebrate yet again, winning Business Traveller magazine’s Best Low-Cost Airline award 2010 for the 10th year in a row!

easyJet TIMELINE 2007–2010

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AUGUST 10 | TRAVELLER | 19


CALENDARAUGUST

VENICEThis renowned fi lm festival has pulled off quite the coup this year, with Quentin Tarantino heading up the competition jury. Tarantino stormed onto the circuit with his debut fi lm Reservoir Dogs in 1992, and his

brilliance has been hailed ever since. He’ll be handing out the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement award to director and producer John Woo – revered for fi lms such as Broken Arrow and Face/Off. 1–11 September; labiennale.org

Venice Film Fest

LONDONWhether mod, rockabilly, soul, 80s casual, rudeboy or rasta, revival scenes have never been more popular with devotees all over Europe. Cue the fi rst-ever Vintage at Goodwood, a festival of music, fashion, art, design and culture celebrating fi ve decades of British cool (1940s–1980s) from 13–15 August.

An era-spanning musical line-up across fi ve clubs and a main stage on the Sussex estate will include 1960s pop princess Sandie Shaw, ska specialists The Beat, and new kids the Noisettes. For fashionistas

there are three daily runway shows, the world’s largest vintage market and a pop-up high street with over 25 shops. Pop star Lily Allen is using the event as a launch pad for her new fashion label Lucy in Disguise and says: “To me the idea of music and fashion being separate is just not possible – one can’t exist without the other.”

Masterminded by Wayne Hemingway of Red or Dead label fame, Vintage is the fi rst festival to be curated instead of organised and boasts a stellar cast of cultural experts. Iconic 60s model Patti Boyd (former

rock-wife of Eric Clapton and George Harrison) is helping to curate catwalk areas, while Acid Jazz record label boss and mod advocate Eddie Piller is at the helm of the festival’s soul casino.

Beyond the clubs and shops, Goodwood also offers up all the quirks of cool Britannia, including Mick Jones’ Rock and Roll Public Library on the Peter Blake art bus. There are also “posh” camping options such as customised pods and vintage caravans – a guaranteed attraction whatever era turns you on. vintageatgoodwood.com

Vintage at Goodwood

18–26Boom FestivalLISBONGet your spiritual head on and visit the “magic forest” in Portugal where a truly psychedelic experience awaits. Boom’s three-day, open-air Goan trance extravaganza boasts international DJs, huge dance tents, hippy healing and plenty of chilling. boomfestival.org

20The Helsinki Arts Festival HELSINKIA bumper bill of dance, music, theatre and poetry hits Helsinki with Finland’s biggest arts festival. Highlights include Martha Wainwright, new French circus ensemble Les Colporteurs, and the London and Helsinki philharmonic orchestras. helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi

14–22Grachten FestivalAMSTERDAMSpend a summer evening at an atmospheric open-air concert on the Prinsengracht canal banks. It’s the highlight of several free classical, opera and world music performances at unusual locations, including Anne Frank’s House, hidden gardens and barges on the canal. grachtenfestival.nl

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22 | TRAVELLER | AUGUST 10


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COPENHAGENIn a city where regional fare is so popular that the start of crayfi sh season in August inspires a spate of boat parties, it’s no surprise when an international food festival literally takes over for 10 days. Copenhagen Cooking is now in its sixth year and offers plenty to taste and even try your own hand at all over the city. Think food markets, open-air street kitchens wafting delicious smells, culinary workshops and budding chefs doing “show cooking” displays. Highlights include “Taste the World” – a large street kitchen on Nørrebrogade, and the “eat10” food fair. Celebrated chefs from local eateries such as Kokkeriet (64 Kronprinsessegade), and Noma (93 Strandgade) – recently named “world’s

best restaurant” – are also cooking up cut-price treats for the duration.

This year’s festival follows a surge in popularity for new Nordic cuisine, masterminded by Michelin-starred chef and co-owner of Noma, René Redzepi (pictured).

Along with Claus Meyer, Denmark’s most famous food personality, Redzepi is pushing Nordic food in a new direction driven by fi erce devotion to local ingredients. The movement is being endorsed by some of Scandinavia’s greatest chefs and resulting in some seriously innovative twists to traditional, local dishes. As a result, Nordic cuisine is now replacing French in Copenhagen’s fi nest dining rooms and more Danish restaurants are featuring regional ingredients.

Even children are encouraged to develop new Nordic cooking skills, inspiring the Copenhagen Cooking course on how to make smørrebrød (open sandwiches). It’s specifi cally aimed at kids and run by Aamanns (10 Østerfarimagsgade) a local restaurant serving classic Danish food with a contemporary edge. So, whether you like fl ashy or traditional food or want to taste a little of everything, it seems Copenhagen can offer it all on a plate right now. 20–29 August; copenhagencooking.dk

Nordic Nosh

4–5International Kite FestivalBRISTOLGo fl y a kite or at least head for the blustery hills to watch, as the sky over England’s south-west becomes a riot of colours and shapes – from traditional to motorised and Japanese fi ghting kites. kite-festival.org.uk

8–12Budapest Wine FestivalBUDAPESTWith 1,000 delicious wines and traditional foods to sample in the historic surrounds of Buda Castle, this is the place to learn about Hungarian wine, and even attend a wine academy. Then try a cellar visit, wine auction or music and comedy shows. aborfesztival.hu

12–18Sacrum Profanum FestivalKRAKOWJónsi (pictured), vocalist and guitarist for Sigur Rós, is headlining this year’s Sacrum Profanum Festival, alongside a roster of contemporary Polish artists. Back for its eighth instalment, Sacrum is one of Europe’s more unusual music festivals. sacrumprofanum.pl


10 | TRAVELLER | SEPTEMBER 10


17–19Tattoo & Rock FestivalLISBONMarvel at the handiwork of world-leading tattooists, including Madrid’s Laura Juan who specialises in Amy Winehouse-style pinup girl and portrait tattoos, at this annual convention, then rock out to live bands playing rockabilly and punk. tattoorockfest-lisbon.com

CALENDARSEPTEMBER

LONDONPedal power is taking over Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities with bike hire schemes from Amsterdam to Paris and Barcelona. Now London has followed suit.

The newly launched urban cycle hire system is the world’s second largest, with 6,000 bikes available from around 400 docking stations across the capital.

For Londoners and visitors to the city, its new army of bikes is a nifty and thrifty alternative to taxis and tubes.

Jumping on a hire bike costs as little as £1 an hour, or ‘free’ if it’s under half an hour (if you pay for a membership: £1 a day; £5 a week or £45 a year). Londoner Sakhr Al-Makhadhi was one of the fi rst to use the system, and says: “Previously I relied on cramped buses

and trains, but now I don’t have to worry about delays or overcrowding.”

As one of the greenest cities in Europe, London is popular with bike-savvy residents and tourists – an estimated 250,000 people cycle across it every day. Now the ease of London’s free cycle system should even entice novices to get on their bike.

Though the scheme has yet to acquire an endearing moniker

such as the Paris Vélib, it seems only a matter of time before hiring a “Boris Bike” (a tribute to London’s cycle-friendly mayor, Boris Johnson) catches on. An iPhone application has already appeared to help users fi nd docking stations with available bikes, tipping the balance of power on London’s streets even further towards the pedal. tfl .gov.uk/BarclaysCycleHire

Life in the Cycle Lane

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23AniMadridMADRIDGoing far beyond just kids’ Saturday morning cartoons, this festival of animation screens more than 200 new short fi lms by international fi lmmakers. Expect animated originals from horror and suspense to comedy, drama and even documentaries. Until 1 October. animadrid.com

18Liverpool BiennialLIVERPOOLThis art-blast transforms the city centre into a melting pot of original installations and pop-up galleries showcasing international artists every two years. Highlights include the UK’s leading contemporary painting competition. Until 28 November. biennial.com

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JULY 10 | TRAVELLER | 15


CALENDARJULY

ISTANBULIf you fi nd yourself in Istanbul struggling to keep cool, head for this quirky new museum. Made entirely of ice – from the walls to the cocktail glasses – it’s one of the only permanent ice museums in the world. The venue’s

creators took inspiration from the Vikings’ fi rst visit to Istanbul in the ninth century, and sculptures of Viking boats, a map of the Vikings’ journey and animals are on show – all aptly carved out of Scandinavian ice. magicice.com.tr

Magic Ice Museum

LONDONWhat better time to get nostalgic than summer? London’s Georgian squares are baking in glorious sunshine and a traditional picnic hamper is the height of chic. Yes ladies and gents, it’s time to break out the cucumber sandwiches, sip martinis, and join the trendiest folk in town by harking back to the glory days of 1940s England.

As a sign of these vintage-loving times, the good sports behind Bedford Square’s Chap Olympiad return on 17 July to show us how World War II-style fun is really done. Turn up to Bourne &

Hollingsworth (behind party nights Prohibition and The Blitz Party) and expect a resplendent group of ladies with hair pinned in perfect victory rolls cheering on chaps with immaculate trouser creases.

Competitors in the eccentric games – designed to separate the chaps from the cads – are expected to step up for all manner of manly trials, from umbrella jousting to moustache wrestling or a round of bounders. Yes that’s bounders, not rounders – where a chap must say something so caddish to a lady that he receives a slap. The cad with the reddest

face, but the wryest smile, is the winner, although clearly not with the ladies.

While cheeky charm but absolutely no athletic ability are necessary at the Olympiad, it’s been attracting tweed-clad, hat-doffi ng fellas and perfectly preened glamour pusses for the past fi ve summers. Maybe the lure of fancy fodder such as hog roast, ice cream and afternoon tea washed down with cocktails has something to do with it. Or maybe we’re all just hankering after the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with looking back in splendid style. thechap.net

The Chap Olympiad

3–25Tour de FranceFRANCEJoin the excitement of one of the world’s best-known, adrenaline-charged cycling races. Winding through the glorious French Pyrenees, the Tour de France reaches a dramatic fi nish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, though you’ll need to arrive early to get a good viewing spot on the day. letour.fr

4Christian Købke, National GalleryEDINBURGH For the fi rst time ever outside of Denmark, the National Gallery is showing 45 works from this contemporary of 19th-century British artists Turner and Constable. Spanning portraiture, landscapes and townscapes. Until 3 October; nationalgalleries.org

8–10BBK Live BILBAO A stellar rock line-up with the likes of Pearl Jam, Paul Weller and Manic Street Preachers leads the charge at this hilltop festival. Surrounded by mountains and with breathtaking views over the city, this is a musical extravaganza with a difference. bilbaobbklive.com

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14 | TRAVELLER | SEPTEMBER 10


MILANWhat do you get when you assemble a group of talented chefs, artists and DJs in one room? A typical event by Le Fooding, the French food guide and festival group that loves to tell a story through delectable dishes, design and music.

Food writers Alexandre Cammas and Emmanuel Rubin started Le Fooding in Paris 10 years ago after becoming tired of the old-school rules dominating French gastronomy and wanting to reignite the link between “food and feeling”.

Today, the group’s restaurant guide classifi es all sorts of restaurants, not just the multi-starred Michelin heroes. Its unique culinary events have also travelled to Paris, New York, Belgium and, on 15 October, they’re hosting a much-anticipated event in Milan.

True to form, this latest offering from

the gastronomic rebels tells a story. The event, taking place in an edgy, factory-style venue in a working class Milanese neighbourhood, traces Le Fooding’s origins back to basics with its theme of “eating with hands”.

To show just how much fun eating without cutlery can

be, graphic designer Paolo Ulian has created a quirky set of instructions for fi nger licking fun. Half-portion dishes from 10 culinary gurus – including David Chang, the only chef in Time magazine’s 100 most infl uential people list – are covered by the €25 entry fee, as is a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne from the indoor picnic area.

Foodie fanatics will sample some amazing dishes of course, but the evening is a sensory experience with more than a few treats in store. Chef Massimo Bottura is cooking by spotlight in a San Pellegrino-sponsored dark room while Italian electro DJs The Crookers and Nicola Guiducci of Milanese nightclub Plastic spin the tunes. Siberian author and tattoo fan Nicolai Lilin is also creating three unique entry stamps to brand guests on arrival. lefooding.com

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14–16Spirit Film FestivalTEL AVIVTapping into the trend for fi lms that leave you with more to think about than the average no-brainer action blockbuster, Israel’s spiritual cinema festival is back for its fourth instalment, delivering features, documentaries and shorts alongside art shows and talks. spiritfestival.co.il

13–24Festival Of LightsBERLINDuring this dazzling two-week display, more than 50 of Berlin’s iconic landmarks and spaces, such as the Brandenburg Gate and TV Tower, will glow with a backdrop of fi reworks. Must-see events include Jazz at the Ministerial Gardens and the City Light Run. festival-of-lights.de

20–23Amsterdam Dance EventAMSTERDAMBack for the 15th year, this is a feast for dance fans. More than 700 artists perform in 40 clubs across the party-loving Dutch capital to showcase the electronic music scene’s latest trends. amsterdam-dance-event.nl

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24 | TRAVELLER | AUGUST 10


IBIZAWhile an international clubbing crowd still decamps to Ibiza en masse every summer, the savviest scenesters are heading elsewhere for respite between parties. Handy then, that just 19km south on Formentera – an island that has twice been voted a fi nalist as “Best Island in the World” by Condé Nast Traveller magazine readers – there are boutique hotels like the Gecko Beach Club.

Retreating to a peaceful island paradise before emerging bang on time for the parties makes sense. Ibiza virgins may be more tempted to ensconce themselves at the heart of the action, but then the Formentera experience really is the best-kept secret of the Balearic Islands. It has the monopoly on the region’s top beaches and Gecko’s spot on Migjorn Beach – one of the fi nest in the Med – offers a massage tent and serviced sun lounge area right

on the water’s edge. Obviously the quality of nightlife tops most Ibiza-bound holidaymakers’ hit lists, but it’s smart to stay refreshed with some of the best menus the Balearics can offer. Local fi sh such as freshly caught prawns and lobster paella is served beachside at Gecko – a great pre-emptive to cocktails and apéritifs before the 20-minute ferry trip back to “bling island”. geckobeachclub.com

ABERDEENScotland’s fi nest traditions are rolled out every year at these world-famous Highland games where pipe bands, kilted dancers and athletes convene. Set in the rolling

hills of Braemar and always attended by royals, this gathering has been a treasured Highland event since 1848. For heavy athletes, it’s the place to compete in tossing the caber

and throwing the hammer. Classic fun includes the tug-of-war, while the arduous run up the hill of Morrone can require stamina just to watch. 4 September; braemargathering.org

Braemar Gathering Highland Games

Gecko Beach Club Reopens

ROMEEveryone in the Eternal City has been raving about Zaha Hadid’s new MAXXI Museum, which opened at the end of May, but now attention has turned to the unveiling of the new wing at Rome’s MACRO Museum. Although a fortunate few enjoyed a peek at the new addition, designed by French architect Odile Decq, in June, the rest of us have to wait until the offi cial opening this autumn. The Decq expansion will feature a striking

multi-level rooftop garden as well as exhibition halls, a video art gallery and a lecture hall. Until 22 August, you can catch Jacob Hashimoto’s Silence Still Governs Our Consciousness – an exhibition designed specifi cally for the entrance to the new wing where a “cloud of 7,000 kites” envelops the audience, encouraging meditation and the chance for visitors to stop for a moment to refl ect. en.macro.roma.museum

New Wing at the MACRO Museum


16 | TRAVELLER | OCTOBER 10


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BRUSSELSDedicated fashion followers will be trend-spotting in carparks, bus shelters and even bakeries when the biennial Modo Brussels – a celebration of eccentric style and homegrown talent – returns to Brussels on 22–24 October. Hotspots for clocking new looks range from boutiques to the bizarre as top designers, famous

brands and young talent lead a packed agenda of fashion shows, parties and exhibitions.

Style hunters should start this year’s trail at the Centrale Electrique, the European Centre for Contemporary Art (44 Place Sainte-Catherine). It’s staging a central exhibition by students from La Cambre art school’s fashion department (who

are directing this year’s event), and it will also be selling The Designer’s Trail programme and map (€2.50).

Hipsters can follow the trail maps and their fashion instinct to a number of special events in secret spaces across the city centre. Hidden highlights include models strutting along an improvised catwalk behind the glass windows of

a furniture store after dark, or art installations in churches and apartments. It’s a creative free-for-all where even established designers reveal a different side to their work.

The city is fast becoming one of Europe’s hippest shopping destinations so if fashion is your bag, follow the Modo Brussels trail. modobrussels.be

Modo Brussels

7–8White Truffl e FairLAMEZIAItaly’s truffl e season continues at this fair celebrating the most sought-after “white” variety. Try other woodland delicacies such as wild-berry jams, wine and cheeses too, as music and culinary challenges transform Umbria's most northerly town, Città di Castello. iltartufobianco.it

11Cologne CarnivalCOLOGNEAt 11.11 am on 11 November, one of the biggest street parties in Europe kicks off. The Cologne Karneval is dubbed the "fi fth" season, and it runs through until Ash Wednesday in February. For the opening event, expect to see the whole city in colourful, traditional outfi ts watching parades and concerts.

11–20Guimarães Jazz 2010PORTOVenture to the Centro Cultural Vila Flor in Guimarães for this annual 10-day jazz festival. Jazz afi cionados will be getting into the groove with headliners including American Kenny Garrett, famed for playing with jazz legend Miles Davis. aofi cina.pt

BELFAST From an award-winning army drama to a thrilling Australian circus troupe, Ireland’s biggest international arts festival offers an eclectic bill of theatre, music,

spoken word, dance and visual art from 15–30 October.

Round-the-clock performances – including an evening with Monty Python's Michael Palin – are taking place in 36 venues across the city.

The festival has grown considerably since performers like Jimi Hendrix made it famous in the 60s, but still pays tribute to talents such as John Lennon and Fred Astaire. belfastfestival.com

Ulster Bank Festival

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ATHENSIt’s always a reason to celebrate when a long- running festival or event has a signifi cant birthday. Five years and it’s doing pretty well, 100 years and it’s become a legend. But 2,500 years? This is an entirely different league.

This year marks the colossal anniversary of the marathon, when in 490BC Philippides ran the 42.2km route from Marathon to Athens to victory in the Battle of Marathon. On 31 October, 13,500 runners will recreate the tough run. athensclassicmarathon.gr

The Classic Marathon

TEL AVIVThe result of some surprising collaborations, including Issey Miyake’s creative director Dai Fujiwara and vacuum king James Dyson, are on show at the Mechanical Couture exhibition at Tel Aviv’s Design Museum Holon from 14 October. Check out the forward-thinking duo’s invention, A-POC ("a piece of cloth"), which combines ordinary thread with computer programming to create fashion’s fi rst user-customised material.

Others on display include designer

Marloes 10 Bhömer’s mechanically engineered shoes and Shelley Fox’s scientifi cally designed Fat Map Collection, which uses body-mass measuring MRI scans as blueprints to rework vintage dresses.

Every one of the 13 designers’ exhibits use craftsmanship and machinery in different ways to create “mechanical couture”, a modern fashion phenomenon. It’s a vision of haute couture that goes far beyond a classic Gaultier corset. Until 8 January; dmh.org.il

Mechanical Couture

Shop the catwalk trends from directional dresses to the nest knitwear all made in Italy on-line at www.jameslakeland.net.

James Lakeland is also offering a 10% discount to all readers throughout cto er ust enter the promotional code JL1 when purchasing from the website.

Knitted tunic dress, £155.00

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16 | TRAVELLER | JULY 10


SPLITAs Europe’s summer festival circuit offers up more sun-kissed than soggy alternatives, it’s time to start thinking sunblock and swimwear rather than wax jacket and wellies. Enter Croatia’s Garden Festival, returning for its fi fth assault on Zadar, a stunning 900-year-old fi shing village on the Dalmatian coast.

Stretching across nine days (2–11 July), including two hedonistic weekends, it’s one of summer’s longest music extravaganzas. As well as the main amphitheatre on the pine-shaded peninsula of Garden Petrcane, electronic live acts and DJs play all night along the promenade and on boats out at sea. No surprise then that this year’s acts are handing out survival tips, including Jim Stanton of London’s Horse Meat Disco (HMD): “Wear rubber shoes in the sea, buy the local seafood and pace yourself with the alcohol – it’s a long festival.”

Four-piece HMD are currently turning swathes of clubbers onto string-laden disco sounds at boutique festivals. They join this year’s Garden bill alongside 2020 Soundsystem, Mancunian dance genre-buff Mr Scruff (pictured), festival favourite Sir Norman Jay (playing house, funk and soul) and trendy New Yorkers The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band, who bring the spirit of Brooklyn’s underground to Zadar with infl uences from hip hop to reggae. The whole package wins a rave review from Jim Stanton, who says: “We’ve [HMD] been fortunate enough to play at the Garden before

and it really is a clubbers’ paradise with Balearic boat parties or the beach bar by day, an awesome outdoor auditorium and amazing 1970s club Barbarella’s all within close proximity.”

If the idea of offshore partying fl oats your boat, then Rub N Tug – famous for their insane boat parties in NYC – and DJs crewing the Argonaut (AKA the Argonauty) promise seafaring frolics of legendary proportions. Whether partying on land or at sea, it’s best to come prepared says Olly Dixon from Garden-bound synth-pop stars Filthy Dukes: “Always bring some fancy dress and take lots of photos.” Sound advice, as with breathtaking views of a distant mountain range from the shade-dappled amphitheatre, to entrancing sunset beats on the waves of an azure blue sea, this is among Europe’s most beautiful festivals. thegardenfestival.euDeborah Hatch

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Garden Festival

9–11Relentless NASSBRISTOLOne of Europe’s premier action sports and music festivals brings daredevil displays from top-name skateboarders, BMX bandits, mountain bikers and Parkour free-runners. Plan B headlines the music line-up, plus catch sets by Tinie Tempah and Hadouken among others. relentlessnass.com

10Serpentine PavilionLONDONIf unpredictable weather threatens to ruin your park life, the Serpentine does an impressive line in temporary shelters. This summer’s is an unmissable bright-red design by French architect Jean Nouvel, refl ecting iconic British telephone/post boxes and London buses. Until 17 October; serpentinegallery.org

15–20Benicàssim FIBVALENCIAWith all-night music over four days and a bill that always rocks some of music’s hottest stars, FIB has serious festival credentials. Turning the heat up this year are acts including Gorrillaz, Kasabian, The Courteeners, Goldfrapp and Hot Chip. fi berfi b.com

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24 | TRAVELLER | 15TH BIRTHDAY ISSUE


STOCKHOLMCult director Gus Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, Good Will Hunting and My Own Private Idaho) tops the bill at this festival that has always played at the more off-beat end of the cinematic spectrum. Past guests have

included Dennis Hopper, Roman Polanski and Terry Gilliam, so Van Sant will be in good company when he picks up this year’s Visionary Award. The festival's screenings offer a typically mixed bag, ranging from crazy French surrealism (Rubber), to chilling

American thriller (Winter’s Bone). Academy Award-winning actress Holly Hunter (The Piano) will also be awarding the world’s weightiest fi lm award (literally – it's a 7.3kg bronze horse) to one worthy director. 17–28 November;fi lmfestival.se

Stockholm Film Festival

VIENNAFor a taste of the fi ner things in life, head for Vienna’s opulent Hofburg Palace this month for an exhibition of some of the biggest and best luxury brands. Around 100 of the world’s most reassuringly expensive names will be present, from the likes of Bentley and Breitling to Versace and Veuve Cliquot. It’s the sort of place where even window-shopping is a VIP affair, but pleasingly

tickets are going for just €39, so you don’t need to be a millionaire to secure a slice of the high life. Or as the organisers themselves put it, "millions of people across Europe have ever-increasing disposable income and share the desire to use it for personalised luxury experiences." If you're one of those millions (or at least if you have €39 to splash out) you know where to go. 20–21 November; luxuryplease.com

Luxury, Please

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AMSTERDAMEurope’s coolest and most understated musicians and authors should make this three-night interdisciplinary music and literature festival one to watch.

In this 18th instalment, Rufus Wainwright takes centre stage on opening night at The Hague's Koninklijke Schouwburg, which will go on to host a mix of live performances. Artists such as Scroobius Pip and

Mercury Rev join contemporary author Roddy Doyle and performance poet John Cooper Clarke on the eclectic bill, which also includes cult fi lm screenings. 17–20 November; crossingborder.nl

Crossing Border Festival

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