Alice Roberts: REM saved me when I had nowhere to live
I've got two. The wonderful Richard Fortey's Dry Store Room No 1, which takes you on a tour round the Natural History Museum, and George Eliot's Middlemarch, which I think is a perfect novel.
I've just started Emily Hauser's Mythica. It's really got me enthralled. She starts off talking about being 15 and the joy of being able to read Greek, which resonated with me because I did GCSE Greek and absolutely loved it.
I'm such a huge admirer of all of Stephen Jay Gould's writing, but I would like to have written Wonderful Life, which is about the Burgess Shale and all those amazing creatures that exploded into existence 500 million years ago.
The Great Gatsby. I've watched the
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Tatler Asia
2 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Winners of the 2025 Tatler Best-in-Class Hotel awards in Macau
This curated selection of exceptional properties in Macau have been handpicked by Tatler's expert jury and discerning travellers Macau has long captivated visitors with its dazzling entertainment. Yet, to categorise it solely as a gaming hub would be to miss the richer, more nuanced tapestry that makes this city a truly coveted destination. Here, East meets West in a vibrant cultural fusion, where ancient temples stand in harmony with colonial architecture and bustling markets offer a kaleidoscope of sensory delights. Beyond the thrill of the tables, Macau has meticulously cultivated a hotel scene unlike any other. It's a realm where architectural marvels redefine the skyline, each property a self-contained world of luxury, art, and immersive experiences. These aren't just places to sleep; they are destinations in themselves, offering an unparalleled blend of world-class dining, cutting-edge entertainment, indulgent spas, and bespoke services. From opulent interiors that evoke European grandeur to avant-garde designs that push the boundaries of modern aesthetics, Macau's accommodations promise a stay that is as extraordinary as the city itself. This unique integration of leisure and refined hospitality transforms a trip into an unforgettable journey, making Macau a magnet for discerning travelers seeking the pinnacle of luxury and excitement. Morpheus, named after the God of Dreams in Greek mythology, represents the evolution of City of Dreams Macau. With a focus on luxury experiences that go beyond gaming, Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, calls it a 'thank you to China and a love letter to Macau.' Designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, Morpheus is the world's first free-form exoskeleton high-rise architectural sculpture. Marking numerous architectural and technological breakthroughs, its surreal appearance has made it an icon in Macau, Asia and the world. One of its most striking features is the soaring 35 metre atrium-lobby space, where light bounces off its geometric glass and steel framework, creating a dreamy kaleidoscope effect. Morpheus boasts 772 neo-futuristic guest rooms, including three villas with private indoor pools, and six duplex suites. These were designed by Macau-born-and-raised, now California-based interior designer Peter Remedios, whose guiding theme was 'hedonism'. Best New Hotel: Raffles Macau With 450 luxurious suites and over a million square feet of epicurean enjoyment, Raffles at Galaxy Macau is the largest all-suite Raffles property in the world. Taking inspiration from Macau's unique east-meets-west culture, the hotel blends the renowned splendour of the Raffles brand with Galaxy Macau's avant-garde energy. The hotel's opulent design tells the whimsical story of a 14th-century Italian merchant who collected an impressive array of artefacts—think hand-crafted crystal chandeliers and white Statuario marble. A nod to Galaxy Macau can be seen in the peacock motifs carved into the ceilings, symbolising good luck, while a world-class collection of artwork fills the lobby, featuring works by the likes of Joris Kuipers and Sun Yu-li. With a history that spans over 100 years, Raffles has become a benchmark within the industry for its personal service and exceptional attention to detail. Guests have access to the famed Raffles butlers, who are renowned for their thoughtful and discrete service to meet every need. Best Innovation: The Londoner Bringing the best of London to the Cotai Strip, the hotel's facade is modelled after the iconic Palace of Westminster, complete with a life-size replica of Big Ben—bell chimes and all. Guests arrive at a grand, glass-canopied Porte Cochere with cobblestone paving that recalls the capital's famous Victoria Station, before entering the lobby, or Crystal Palace. The grand, light-filled atrium is home to a striking full-scale Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with Anteros, the Greek god of selfless love, at its hotel grounds boast sprawling gardens inspired by the great London parks, specifically those at Kensington Palace. Another English icon—David Beckham—is an ambassador for the hotel. There's a collection of David Beckham Suites, which the football star curated in collaboration with award-winning design house, David Collins Studio. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, they feature personal touches and homages to Beckham's career and personal life: including snaps of Victoria Beckham taken by their son, Brooklyn. Best Service: Grand Lisboa Palace They certainly don't make hotels like this anymore. Grand Lisboa Palace is a dizzying display of unapologetic opulence: from its stately baroque-meets-chinoiserie interiors to its spectacular art collection - one of the largest in any Macau resort - to Jardim Secreto, 11,280-square-foot meticulously manicured garden with landscaped patios, romantic gazebos and mazes. The Versailles-style garden is centred around an ornate dome, which illuminates the area with an ethereal glow come sunset. But it isn't all just for show. Not only does Grand Lisboa Palace resemble the monumental castles and museums of Europe - despite its epic scale, the hotel has mastered a level of service that's intimate and intuitive, while discrete and unintrusive. Whether you're a VIP guest or someone who's just passing through, the warm and genuine service will leave anyone feeling like royalty.
Vogue Arabia
06-05-2025
- Vogue Arabia
The Deeper Meaning Behind the 2025 Met Gala Carpet
At the 2025 Met Gala, the red carpet wasn't red at all but rather midnight blue dotted with white-and-yellow blooms. The carpet's motif—a narcissus flower, more commonly known as a daffodil—came from artist Cy Gavin. In an interview with Vogue , Gavin says he became fascinated with the spring perennial growing outside his upstate New York studio. To many, the bloom symbolises the arrival of the new season—and since the Costume Institute fundraiser takes place on the first Monday of May, he felt a synergy existed between the two. Then there was the flower's scientific name, which stems from the Greek myth of Narcissus. Though Gavin admits there are many interpretations of the tragedy, he honed in on one facet: when Narcissus sees his reflection for the first time in the pool of water. 'I became interested in that moment of self-recognition and appreciation,' he says. Such a sentiment struck him as powerful amid this season's exhibition, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', which examines Black dandyism and identity. 'It's very easy to not see yourself clearly because of all the selves that other people tell us we are—and I was struck by the poignancy of that being also a sort of punishment,' he adds. He took all of this and channeled it into a painting, 'Untitled (Sky),' where the narcissus flowers are made to resemble stars in a night sky. (The painting will be projected in the Temple of Dendur during the gala.) Meanwhile, set designer Derek McLane and event planner Raúl Àvila took Gavin's motif and translated it into the sprawling carpet that covered the stairs of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. And although it will be removed after the Met Gala is over, its meaning lives on in the thousands of photos taken by photographers as stars from Pharrell Williams to Savannah James made their way up to fashion's biggest night. Article originally published on Vogue US
Times
22-04-2025
- Times
Oh no Olly Murs — now's not the time to get ripped
Praising a man for his agility and prowess while his wife stays at home looking after the kids is nothing new. In fact, it probably dates all the way back to ancient times. In Greek mythology the warrior Odysseus was away from his long-suffering, ever-faithful wife, Penelope, and their son for so long (20 years), she didn't even recognise him when he got home. So reading that the pop singer Olly Murs has spent the past three months devoting himself to getting 'ripped' while his wife, Amelia, looks after their one-year-old daughter and endures her first trimester carrying their second child shouldn't come as any great surprise. Yet I still find it disappointing. Murs, 40, has been garnering praise on social media for his six-pack,
