CAMPARINO: Opened in 1915 by Davide Campari which quickly became the hub of Milanese life and of the fashions sported by its patrons.

The final act of the Campari tale takes me back to Milan, foggy at touchdown and golden by the time I check in at the Rosa Grand and clock familiar faces from the Campari Collective, last together in September of last year. Rich Woods, (of Duck & Waffle/Sushi Samba bar fame) whom I’d styled a grey tartan waistcoat in the ‘London’ scene for the Campari Diaries – The Legend of Red Hand short film, beams as he tells me how much he’s looking forward to the screening.

We’re treated to a tour of a few spots around town – three to be exact – and I’m counting the hours till lunch at Bar Basso – hoping for a cheeky Negroni Sbagliato that is rumoured to be the size of an average face. Elaborate film sets that imitate the landscape of a New York bar or a London rooftop have been packed away, Milan is served neat. At Laboratorio Paravicini we learn the essence of handcraft (the very element that defines a great Campari cocktail), and Il Profumo. And for your information: Negroni Sbagliato is indeed the size (and colour, if accounting for the Asian flush) of my face.

LABORATORIO PARAVICINI: The Milanese workshop opened in the 90s to bring back to people’s homes and lives decorative items with the warmth and “Sunday slowness” that industrial porcelain could never evoke.

BAR BASSO: One of the hottest a Milanese spots for local and international adoration since the invention of Negroni Sbagliato in 1972 by Mirko Stocchetto

IL PROFUMO: Experiencing a ‘fragrance journey’ that highlights the olfactory combinations that allude to the Campari flavour.

Campari is at home in Milan, a whopping 151 years since the opening of Caffe Campari (1867) and the illustrious Camparino (1915) at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II by Davide Campari. The routine aperitif had become a legend at this very spot, decked in posters dating back to art nouveau, geometric furnishings, and red velvet seatings to top all off. Milan is a foolproof backdrop for The Legend of Red Hand, directed by Stefano Sollima, featuring Zoe Saldana (playing Mia Parc, an anagram of Campari) – scenes of which decorate my first encounter with Zoe not six months ago.

Dress – Holzweiler

With Director Stefano Sollima, Zoe Saldana and Adriano Giannini.

The launch premiere of the short film paints the town red, quite literally speaking, speckled with scarlet robes of the Campari red variety. The six Red Hand bartenders are revealed at the height of the night, followed by all talents of the ‘Legend of Red Hand’. It’s a corker of a party. Throughout the night an occasional red hand could be spotted as the star bartenders disperse for celebration into the crowd.

Enjoy Responsibly.

Leather ‘Ryder’ bag – JOSEPH

Dress – JOSEPH. Shoes – Celine.

‘Ryder’ Bowling Bag – JOSEPH

diamond bracelet & ring WILLIAM & SON ‘MYA’ velvet suit BODEN

Diamond necklace & bracelet – William & Son MYA. Cashmere tube – Mandkhai. Jeans – Isabel Marant. Boots – Yuule Yie.

You really don’t see emeralds done like this. It’s never not set in some classic or ironically vintage mount, or worn in the most traditional manner. “The green appears more blue-ish in ethically sourced Zambian emeralds, especially in London’s grey lighting” she adds, and brings out a vintage piece from another cabinet (Columbian-sourced) for me to compare — I can’t even tell, and I’m even wearing new set of contacts for the month. I notice that the organic diamond ‘crusting’ is also actually an intricate pattern of oval and teardrop shaped diamonds. The emeralds may have been a happy relics of coincidental geologic events, but once in the hands of William & Son, evidently nothing is accidental.

Diamond necklace & bracelet – William & Son MYA.

The more I get to know about MYA, is that it hasn’t taken Million Years to ripen, to be worn with a cardigan-skirt combo or a classic evening gown. It’s aching to be in an unconventional story: to meet new characters at a pyjama party in East London, glow under lampshades of an ornate sitting room, and be paired over a cashmere tube top and 90’s denim.

And you know what they say, what happens at a Mile End pyjama party, stays in the East…

Skirt, tights & shoes – Erdem x H&M\

Erdem x H&M; shot at the London West Hollywood

cleanse, detox & revive; clarify; restore, correct and infuse radiance; even out with final layer

What is our skin if not for the most elaborate (and diva – speaking of mine) personality on our body. No pancreas has ever pouted, or a kidney crossed its arms in complaint about how beautiful and moist it should be looking. Long time readers will know mine threw a coup during the latter half of my 20’s and decided to entirely mutate its ecosystem under a banner named ‘adult-onset eczema’. MAN, that was a pain to fix. Also, apologies for harping on about it for years.

In all honesty, I‘m grateful to even be able to share a skincare routine now; it means a lot to me to be able to present by a routine that has been tried, tested AND SUSTAINED. As with all things, stick to brands that promote natural, wholesome ideals of beauty: Roger&Gallet products are born of healing/natural remedies and precious ingredients are selected only for their virtues. Also, the entire range is relatively inexpensive, so makes for some great gifting ideas.

Here are some notes on personal results from the Aura Mirabilis range.

cleanse
revive

roger&gallet
extra-fine cleansing mask

As much as I qualm about dry skin, I use this mostly to target my T-zone, which can get quite oily depending on diet and season. Massage until gel turns into oil (at which point the impurities are captured), then rinse with warm water. It visibly clears up pores for me when used gently every other day in the colder months.

clarify

roger&gallet
Beauty Vinegar

Perfect for dry skin to refine skin texture and act as secondary cleansing using a cotton pad. My skin is quite sensitive and bone dry in the Winter months so I personally use it as a toner directly on skin and apply pressure to my face and neck. I‘ve noticed skin texture improving visibly after six weeks.

restore
correct

roger&gallet
double extract serum

This is my favourite step: the most concentrated component of the range and what I feel the most effective when massaged in S-pattern on forehead and cheeks. I personally saw noticeable difference in transparency and radiance in my own skin. Tip: do splash out and use more than recommended – I promise your skin will soak it right up.

even & illuminate

roger&gallet
legendary cream

Final ‘cashmere‘ layer to lock it all in, even out skin complexion and help increase cell turnover. I feel naked without it because it leaves such a comfortable touch to the skin. Plus, it contains Fleur de Lys extract that fights against redness and irritation, which helps maintain post-eczema* flare-ups.

*Not recommended to treat eczema. I recommend using fragrance-free remedial alternatives for flare-ups.

While this story is in collaboration with Roger&Gallet, all products have been personally tested and tried before the partnership for the sake of integrity.