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Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How the 'perfect' female body has changed over the last 100 year
As women struggle to keep up with ever-changing beauty standards, more than ever, the idea of the 'perfect' body seems impossible to attain. Weight loss medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro have ushered in a new beauty standard for the 2020s - the return of the skinny look. As people around the world began injecting themselves with weight loss drugs and shed the pounds at record speed, people have raised concerns the trend could hark back to another beauty standard popular in the 1990s - heroin chic. But, as with clothes, different standards for the female body have gone in and out of fashion - and there have been brief periods of body positivity in which women have been encouraged by stars and influencers to embrace their figure - no matter what size they are. In the 1950s, weight gain tablets even hit the shelves, while Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor became the sex symbols of the decade. Big names in the fashion industry, such as the editorial director of British Vogue, Chioma Nnadi, have expressed concerns about the return of pencil-thin models on catwalks. Nnadi said the fashion industry was witnessing 'the pendulum sort of swing back to skinny being "in"', adding that it should be a 'wake-up call' to the industry. But if the last 110 years is anything to go by, the 2030s will likely bring about yet another change in beauty standards - with which women will feel pressure to comply. Here, experts in the field of medicine, eating disorders, nutrition, sport and aesthetics give their take on how 'the perfect body' has changed drastically over time. 1910s: Gibson girl The curvy-yet-slender hourglass figure, long desired by women around the world, dates all the way back to the 1910s when it was dubbed the 'Gibson girl'. Its features included a tiny waist which was often achieved by cinching in one's flesh with a tight corset. The name was coined thanks to illustrator Charles Gibson, one of the high fashion photographers of the time. His vision for the perfect lady rose to prominence after his models starred in the top style magazines, such as Harper's Bazaar. Danish-born actress Camille Clifford was a famous model for the 'Gibson Girl' illustrations with a trademark style of a long elegant gown wrapped around her eighteen-inch waist. Andre Fournier, the co-founder of cosmetic devices company Deleo, previously told MailOnline: 'This particular era is not too dissimilar to what we have been seeing in more recent years, with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez both sporting the perfect hourglass figure, with a cinched waist that females everywhere flock to replicate.' Corsets from the 1910s were usually made from a stout fabric, with bone or metal inserts and are usually fastened tightly at the front with hooks and laces. They were often laced so tightly that they restricted breathing, causing the women to faint. It even compressed the abdominal organs which led to poor digestion. 1920s: Flapper girl Gibson's influence, though strong at the time, did not spill over into the following decade, when accentuated curves were replaced with smaller breasts and slimmer hips. The slender body type, coined the 'flapper girl' figure, coincided with the prohibition era, where the US government banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages nationwide as leaders were concerned about the effect it was having on citizens. As a result, covert speakeasies which served illegal alcohol cropped up across the nation as the nation partied incognito. Women would arrive clad in sequin and lace 'flapper' dresses which came down the knees, be loose-fitting and flattering with the straight, narrow body type. 'In the media at the time, you would notice that an individual's waistline moves several inches below the navel in fashion, necessitating slender hips', said Andre. 'So, for those women who did have love handles during this period would have found it particularly tough to meet those unattainable beauty standards, as the fat in this particular area is extremely stubborn. 'While the trend had drastically changed from the previous decade, the flapper still had sex appeal; it's only that the emphasis has migrated below to the legs, where a shorter knee-length hemline revealed the flash of a garter while executing a 'shimmy'. Margaret Gorman, the inaugural Miss America in 1921, embodied the ideal of the day, weighing just 108lbs with a tiny five foot one frame. American actress Alice Joyce also fit the 'perfect body' of the twenties and embraced the 'flapper' style with long dresses. Housewives often did not need personal trainers to keep the surplus pounds at bay, as more physically demanding housework would keep their figures trim. The Twenties also saw the invention of dieting. Upper-class women who ate a richer diet and exercised less bought the new women's magazines which featured weight-loss diets designed to give that fashionable, streamlined figure that worked so well with the iconic flapper dress. 1930s: Sex siren Just 10 years after the reign of the flapper girl figure as the most desired body, curves were back - with voluptuous women gracing the covers of magazines once more. Women in the 1930s idealised a softer, feminine style characterised by a curved body with a slim waist. Along with the return of curves, women dared to bare more of their shoulders and hemlines were gradually raised. 'There's a hint of shoulder and the natural waist returns', said Andre. 'The favoured flat-chested appearance of the 1920s gives way to a tiny bust-line - probably owing to the invention of a new bra-cup size during this time period.' Actress Dolores del Rio for this time was idolised for her 'warmly turned' and 'roundly curved' figure during this time. Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford were often dubbed 'sex symbols' of the 1930s and would dress in frocks that would show off their curvaceous frames. 1940s: Screen queen Amid rationing around the world as the Second World War raged on, fuller body types became more sought after in the 1940s. Typically, the idealistic body type was around an inch wider than the Flapper figure that had been popularised 20 years earlier. Women were also thought to be more muscular as they were picking up labour heavy jobs previously taken by men, who were fighting in the war. 'Military shoulders' were popular, with ladies aiming to achieve a stronger, broader and taller look, seen in American screen queen, Katharine Hepburn. The ideal woman was personified in Naomi Parker, an American war worker thought to have modelled for the iconic 'We Can Do It!' poster while working on the aircraft assembly at the Naval Air Station Alameda. Lingerie such as the 'bullet' bra also became a wardrobe favourite, summing up the era in a single garment. The 1940s also laid the foundation for women becoming taller as the Government decreed that every child was entitled to one-third of a pint of milk a day, promoting the growth of strong bones. This continued in schools until Margaret Thatcher scrapped it in the 1970s. During the war days, there was no petrol for cars, and people cycled or walked for miles every day, meaning they still maintained their slim physique. 1950s: Curves With the 50s came more curves as stars like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor became regular faces in films and on front pages. Weight gain tablets were also promoted in magazines to help women fill out their curves - a concept worlds away from the weight loss drugs flooding the market today. However, while the 1950s brought curves into fashion, the popular measurements weren't quite the level of the buxom figures popularised in later years. Women with the ideal body type are thought to have an hourglass figure with a large bust, small hips and a tiny waist. Monroe was said to have been a 36-inch bust, 24-inch waist and 34-inch hips, which would mean she was a modern day UK size six to eight. 'Following the angularity of the war and rationing, gentle voluptuousness was sought after, and women with bigger breasts and fuller hips became more desirable, said Hagen. 'The desire for larger breasts led to doctors experimenting with sponge implants that were inserted into women's breasts for a fuller bust. Marilyn Monroe is rumoured to have undergone this procedure.' 'Weight-gain pills were even recommended to thinner ladies in ads to help flesh out curves.' Famed actress Marilyn Monroe became a sex symbol of the 1950s and early 1960s after a successful career in pin-up modelling. 1960s: Petite In the swinging 1960s, the pendulum swung in the other direction and an ultra-thin look became fashionable- with icons such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton embodying the new ideal. Andre said: 'It's interesting to see again how the 'ideal body shape' has changed so drastically here where now suddenly being super-slender and petite is the new trend. 'Again, during this time technology wasn't as advanced as it is today, so to achieve that 'perfect figure', women would solely rely upon diet and exercise.' 'As time has evolved, we've realised that it is almost impossible to spot target weight loss, and there are naturally areas of the body where we hold more stubborn body fat. With a little help from devices, we are now able to target those specific areas to help tone, and firm the body.' Celebrity personal trainer Michael Baah noted that there were a lot of cultural shifts at the time and attitudes changed to a 'peace and love' mentality. He told MailOnline: 'Petite, waif-like figures with minimal curves mirrored a cultural shift toward youth, mod fashion, and radical change.' Supermodels such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton popularised a more gaunt figure, with young women worshipping them as their role models. Dresses shrunk to suit the favoured petite frame and women craved smaller busts and tinier hips. Many women embarked on diets to fulfil their goals and Weight Watchers was founded - and welcomed - in 1963. 1970s: The 70s pin-up In this era, women went after small hips and flat stomachs to achieve a toned, svelte frame like many A-listers at the time. Ladies were inspired by stars such as dancing queen Farrah Fawcett, who was one of the original Charlie's Angels. She was five-foot-six and her weight was 116lbs. Andre said: 'Whilst the general body shape of this era remains slim, particularly in the torso, we do start to see the return of some curves as women try to add shape to the popular tight spandex outfits.' Women wanted to look tall and lean and have wider shoulders and smaller hips to create an inverted triangle shape. Rowan Clift, training and nutrition specialist at Freeletics said: 'A more natural, active look emerged. 'There was movement through dancing, yoga, or outdoor lifestyles that gave the body a bit more life and tone. Still soft and feminine, but with energy.' 1980s: Supermodel By the time the eighties rolled around, women focused on attaining a tall, athletic build that many supermodels sported during this decade. They took inspiration from Elle MacPherson, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell who had toned muscles that were visible in photoshoots. Jane Fonda, a fitness pioneer, ushered in an era of fitness in the 1980s with activities such as aerobics and running becoming popular, and women's muscles became acceptable and attractive for the first time. Andre said: 'The 1980s was a time where taking care of your body health was important with women actively taking part in more exercise and eating well.' Long legs were also 'in', with the likes of Naomi Campbell - who is 5ft 10 - strutting down catwalks aged just 15 after being scouted. Lauren Allen, a personal trainer with more than 15 year experience, said: 'This decade celebrated 'toned' figures like Cindy Crawford and Jane Fonda, with aerobics videos flying off the shelves. 'Women were finally encouraged to move - but it was still very aesthetics-focused: flat abs, lean legs, and a firm bum were the goals.' 1990s: 'Heroin Chic' Kate Moss first came onto the modelling scene in the tail-end of the 1980s, before becoming a household name in the 90s and the decade's pin-up model. She was famously known for her extremely thin and waif-like figure, which is said to have caused a shift in the modelling industry. This sparked a shift, and women were aiming to be as thin as possible, have a noticeable thigh gap and have an angular bone structure. 'Skinny culture' was still strong nine years into the noughties, as, Kate infamously said: 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,' which caused uproar at the time. The celebrity later said she regretted her comment. Andre said: 'During these years, Kate Moss was definitely small and slender for a model, even by professional standards, at 5'7'. Kate Moss first came onto the modelling scene in the tail-end of the 1980s, before becoming a household name in the 90s and the decade's pin-up model. Pictured in 1994 Kate Moss was famously known for her extremely thin and waif-like figure, which is said to have caused a shift in the modelling industry. Pictured 1993 'In contrast to the female fitness pioneers emerging from the previous decade, the 'heroine-chic' model look was hugely different.' However, eating disorder expert Marcelle said that it was this era that was the most controversial of the entire 1900s. 'Of all the beauty ideal eras, the 1990s stands out as one of the most extreme and controversial,' she said. 'The term 'heroin chic' described the ultra-thin, waif-like look popularised by fashion magazines and designers. Supermodel Kate Moss became the ultimate poster girl, with her slight frame and unpolished appearance. 'This era fuelled harmful standards around thinness and led to a spike in disordered eating among young women trying to emulate the look.' Lauren also recalls growing up and seeing extremely slender women plastered all over magazines. She said: 'I was born in the early '90s and remember staring at the magazines celebrating the 'heroin chic' look - bodies were painfully thin, with sharp cheekbones and hip bones on show. 'Sadly, extreme dieting and disordered eating were rife. Strength and health took a back seat as the fashion world glorified fragility and thinness at all costs.' 2000s: Toned bodies Having washboard abs like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera (pictured, in 2000) were now all the rage - but there was no quick fix to achieving this look After entering a new millennium, women idealised strength and muscle as ripped teens and young women became the pin-ups of the day like Britney Spears After entering a new millennium, women idealised strength and muscle as ripped teens and young women became the pin-ups of the day. Having washboard abs like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Gisele Bundchen were now all the rage - but there was no quick fix to achieving this look. The Hit Me Baby One More Time star shocked the world when she revealed she completed 600 sit-ups a day to achieve her toned tummy. By the year 2000, the pear shape became even more marked, with the average waist size having ballooned four inches in 20 years. This trend for women was perhaps best exemplified by Victoria's Secret models, who experienced global fame in the early 2000s following the launch of the brand's annual runway show in the late 90s. Model Gisele Bundchen is seen showing off her extremely toned midriff as she walks down the Victoria's Secret catwalk in 2005 The fashion at the time - low-rise jeans and Juicy Couture tracksuit bottoms, along with crop tops - meant that people could easily show off their abs and toned midriffs. Marcelle said that Britney and Paris Hilton represented the sought-after body type of this era as they were 'slim, toned with flat abs and hip bones revealed by the low-rise jean and crop top fashion of the time.' She added: 'The look would have required constant maintenance, leaving many women feeling inadequate as it was still unrealistic for most.' Nutrition specialist Rowan said: 'There was a strong focus on "problem areas" and sculpting, with routines built around high reps, cardio machines, and core work. 'Fitness became mainstream, but often in a hyper-focused, aesthetic-driven way.' 2010s: Bootylicious With the rise of social media, A-listers like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj with seemingly unattainable hourglass figures became more accessible through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Women desired a figure with dramatic curves, a flat tummy and a tiny waist, as stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez were put on a pedestal for representing the beauty standard. Marcelle said: 'The 2010s 'bootylicious' ideal saw a departure from the ultra-thin looks of previous decades, celebrating more diverse body shapes but still placing a great deal of focus on specific body parts. Kim Kardashian was held to a high standard in the 2010s as she had the idealistic hourglass figure (pictured in 2019) With the rise of social media, A-listers like Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj with seemingly unattainable hourglass figures became more accessible through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter 'Influencers such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian, popularised round hips, a lifted and prominent bottom, and a smaller waist. Instagram fuelled this body ideal in addition to the rise of cosmetic procedures such as the Brazilian Butt Lift. 'Though more inclusive in some ways, this body ideal also introduced new pressures around body modification and the pursuit of the "perfect" silhouette.' Hagen Schumacher, a leading consultant plastic surgeon at Adore Life, warned that chasing these seemingly unrealistic measurements could have fatal consequences. 'Nowadays, the beauty standards of today are simply impossible. Social media is dominated by filtered images of influencers promoting an impossibly tiny frame, with larger hips and breasts,' Hagen said. 'Naturally, this body type is next to impossible to achieve, and celebrities rely heavily on cosmetic procedures and filters. 'Procedures like the BBL and CoolSculpting have become increasingly popular, but unfortunately, they do not come without risk. Currently, the BBL is one of the most dangerous procedures to undergo, with a mortality rate estimated at 1 in 3000 to 5000, the highest in any cosmetic procedure.' Celebrity PT Michael said that the 2010s was the era of the 'Instagram body'. He added: 'Celebrities and influencers didn't just set the standard, they sold it. BBLs (Brazilian Butt Lifts) skyrocketed in popularity, offering instant curves without the time or effort of traditional training. 'Fitness marketing shifted too. Words like toned and lean replaced skinny, presenting a more aspirational and health-conscious image. But underneath, the ideal still required low body fat and visible muscle, often achieved through unsustainable or extreme methods. Women desired a figure with dramatic curves, a flat tummy and a tiny waist, as stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez (pictured in 2015) were put on a pedestal for representing the 2010s beauty standard Celebrity PT Michael said that the 2010s was the era of the 'Instagram body' (pictured, Beyonce in 2018) 'Many influencers built their brands on this aesthetic without full transparency.' Dr Mohammed Enayat, NHS GP and founder of HUM2N, a longevity clinic in London, said: 'Social media and filters celebrated hyper-feminine, often surgically enhanced bodies, reflecting a mix of empowerment and unattainable perfection.' Not only was having a voluptuous figure in vogue, but plus size individuals became celebrated in this era as society became more accepting of larger bodies. Plus size models such as Ashley Graham, Tess Holliday and Paloma Elsesser were seen on more campaigns and some even became cover stars of magazines - a full U-turn from the the 90s. 2020s: Ozempic skinny Sharon Osbourne 72, recently admitted that Ozempic had left her unable to gain weight (pictured left, before taking the drug and right, after taking the jab) In a dramatic shift from the shapely 2010s, being ultra-slim is now back in fashion - but this time it is medically induced and assisted by weight loss injections. As we reach the mid-2020s, experts have noticed another switch in the new 'perfect body' which appears to be 'heroin chic' volume two. Several celebrities who previously had fuller figures, such as Meghan Trainor, Oprah Winfre, Rebel Wilson and Kathy Bates, have admitted to injecting Ozempic or Mounjaro to help them shed the pounds, leading to them looking almost unrecognisable. Ozempic, a brand name for semaglutide, is a treatment for type 2 diabetes, which can help you manage blood sugar levels and has been known to suppress appetite. It is only prescribed to people who have a BMI 35kg/m2 or more and have additional psychological or other medical conditions that are related to obesity. The drug became so popular, that the UK struggled with supply issues in 2024, meaning thousands of people could not access it, according to Diabetes UK, highlighting how much society has shifted. However, this supply problem was fixed in December. Dr Enayat said: 'The rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic has reintroduced "heroin chic" aesthetics, albeit with a polished, curated twist. 'The 2020s reflect a fractured beauty standard: while body positivity movements persist, there's a growing dominance of slimness in high fashion, social media, and celebrity culture. Meghan Trainor recently gave a special 'shout out' to the type 2 diabetes drug brand, Mounjaro and admitted to taking it (pictured left, before taking the drug and right, after taking the jab) 'The ideal is both hyper-controlled and paradoxical, aspiring to look "natural" while employing intense interventions. It's a decade defined by contradiction, algorithmic influence, and wellness culture wrapped around old beauty pressure.' But Ozempic can have challenging knock-on effects. Sharon Osbourne, 72, recently admitted the drug had left her unable to gain weight. Though she was initially pleased with the results after starting the medication in December 2022, Osbourne later admitted she feared she had taken it too far—despite revealing last November that she had been off the drug for 'a while.' 'I can't put on weight now, and I don't know what it's done to my metabolism, but I just can't seem to put any on, because I think I went too far,' she shared on Howie Mandel's podcast. Earlier, in February, she told The Guardian she had lost 'three stone [42 pounds] in four months. Too much.' Another weight loss injection, Mounjaro, which is the brand name for tirzepatide, has also become more sought after. It lowers blood sugar and works to increase the level of incretins – hormones - in the body. Similar to Ozempic, it is prescribed in the UK for people who have Type 2 Diabetes. In December 2024, it was approved to treat obesity on the NHS and is available within specialist weight management services in England, according to Diabetes UK. In March, Meghan Trainor gave a special 'shout out' to the type 2 diabetes drug brand, Mounjaro. Oprah Winfrey in 2018 and, right, this January. In December she admitted to using 'weight loss medication' and has now reached her 160lb (11st 4lb) goal 'No, I don't look like I did 10 years ago. I've been on a journey to be the healthiest, strongest version of myself for my kids and for me,' Meghan said. 'I've worked with a dietitian, made huge lifestyle changes, started exercising with a trainer, and yes, I used science and support (shoutout to Mounjaro!) to help me after my [second] pregnancy. And I'm so glad I did because I feel great.' Marcelle, who specialises in eating disorders, said this era echoes that of the 1990s, where being waif and ultra-skinny was the ideal body type. She said: 'The "Ozempic Slim" body standard reflects the growing societal pressure to achieve rapid, dramatic body changes often at the expense of emotional and physical wellbeing. 'Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, along with influencers and celebrities, play a significant role in the rise of women pursuing rapid weight loss and a very lean physique. 'Advances in photo editing apps, filters, and deepfakes have further complicated body image by creating often unattainable and heavily curated online images, fuelling eating disorders among girls and women of all ages. 'This trend also raises questions about the impact of pharmaceutical interventions on beauty standards and body image in our digital age.' Rowan said that people are jumping on the injectable weight-loss trend without putting 'sustainable habits' in place. Australian actress Rebel Wilson - pictured in 2018, left, and 2022 - shed 80lb in four years to reach her goal weight of 165lb (11st 8lb) He said: 'The current ideal is more fragmented and contradictory than ever. While functional training, strength, and wellness are gaining ground, the rise of injectable weight-loss drugs has reintroduced ultra-thin bodies to the spotlight. 'Muscles are softer, waistlines narrower, and body fat minimal often achieved quickly, without sustainable habits. There's a polished, curated kind of slimness trending, where extreme control is masked as effortless. 'The body is less about what it can do and more about how it photographs, creating tension between health and appearance in a way that feels increasingly artificial.' Personal trainer Michael believes that the 2020s have brought about a 'cultural reset', with Gen Z paving the way for a more healthy, informed society. He said: 'The BBL trend is in decline. More celebrities are reversing cosmetic procedures and promoting a natural look. Gen Z is leading the shift toward authenticity, body diversity, and mental wellbeing. But the pressure hasn't disappeared. It has been repackaged. 'The new ideal is wrapped in wellness language. Instead of abs and curves, people now aspire to gut health, sleep quality, protein intake, and stress regulation. Aesthetics remain central, but they are now framed through the lens of discipline, balance, and bio-optimisation.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Picture This: The jeweller whose designs have never gone out of style
Cartier ed. by Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan (V&A Publishing £35, 256pp) The new Cartier exhibition at the V&A is collated of 350 historic and iconic pieces from the historical jeweller's archive. Curated by Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan, and created by Asif Khan, the show is an immersive experience that celebrates the enduring allure of Cartier. 'I wanted this exhibition to evoke a world, crossing time, senses, and cultures,' says Khan. 'Cartier's creations are suspended in textural landscapes, cloudscapes, light and sound - allowing history to breathe and the future to linger.' On display are famed creations such as the Tank watch, the Trinity ring, and the ever-popular Love bracelet, alongside extraordinary personal pieces once owned by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly, including Kelly's engagement ring. This companion book, edited by Molesworth and Garrahan, offers a rich visual and historical narrative of the Maison. It traces Cartier's deep connections to British royalty and other notable figures, explores the evolution of its signature styles, and reveals the craftsmanship behind its most recognisable designs. As the book makes clear, Cartier has never stood still - constantly reinterpreting its heritage to stay at the forefront of contemporary design.
Times
7 days ago
- Times
La Mamounia hotel review: Marrakesh's grande dame with Moroccan styling and beautiful gardens
There may be hotels in Marrakesh that are more opulent, but none can match this grande dame for its elegance, grace and one of the most beautiful hotel gardens in the world. The rose-hued walls feel knitted into the very fabric of the city. The vast, low-lit lobby leads to room upon room of soft, earthy colours, jewelled zellige tiling and intricate latticework, each filled with brushed velvet ottomans and studded-leather lounge chairs. It's all so effortlessly old school you half expect Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to swing out of the Churchill Bar. Bars and restaurants blaze with Moroccan artistry at its most exquisite, courtyards glitter with hand-lain mosaics and the quietly charming staff ensure everyone — from young families to American millionaires — feels equally welcome. A masterclass in luxury without excess, Mamounia is a glorious oasis, right in the centre of this most chaotically charming of cities. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 8/10All of Mamounia's elegant bedrooms are pretty spiffy but, if budget allows, it's worth splashing out on a Deluxe room or above for their private balconies (specify one that overlooks the gardens or Koutoubia, rather than the street). All rooms have a crisp, clean feel with arched headboards, mosaic tiling and sepia-tinged photos of Marrakesh that give a real sense of place — even before you open the curtains to see the Atlas Mountains looming in the distance. Marble bathrooms tend towards the compact in lower room categories, and only larger rooms have a bath, while suites come with spacious balconies and opulent lounges. Score 9/10The perennial complaint about Moroccan food — tagine, tagine and more tagine — has no relevance here. Four restaurants dish up almost every cuisine you might fancy, from Jean-Georges Vongerichten's trademark Asian-fusion at L'Asiatique — perhaps dim sum, followed by a Vietnamese curry or musky, miso cod — to pizzas and pasta at L'Italien. Le Marocain, housed in its own riad with three floors overlooking leafy gardens, serves up classic dishes — crispy briouates, salads with the city's signature flavours of orange, almond and preserved lemons — and an elegant breakfast and lunch buffet is laid out in Le Pavillon de la Piscine. It could take all day to to do justice to the spectacular breakfast — fresh patisserie, handmade breads, jams, eggs a dozen different ways — but leave room for afternoon tea, taken beneath shady palms at the Pierre Hermé salon. It's an indulgence not to be missed. • Discover our full guide to Marrakesh• Best hotels in Marrakesh Score 9/10If you can raise yourself from a shady hammock (or a lounger by the glittering pool) there's tennis, boules and table tennis, with yoga and Pilates classes and personal training sessions at the gym. Kids of all ages will love the Salle de Jeux — a retro games room with pinball machines, pool tables and board games, while gifts can be picked up at the clutch of small boutiques, selling jewellery, clothes and gifts by local designers and famous names. The spa — where pools shimmer beneath scallop-edged archways and exquisite tilework gleams in flickering candlelight — is one of the city's best. There's a private hammam and, with two of the ten treatment rooms set up for couples, it's a wonderfully romantic retreat. Score 9/10Many of Marrakesh's luxury hotels are a taxi journey away from the medina. La Mamounia's location, just in front of the city's Koutoubia mosque, is a major plus. The storytellers, snake-charmers and smoke-tinged food stalls of the extraordinary Djemaa el-Fna are just a few minutes' stroll away, with the labyrinthine medina unfolding beyond it. For something a little less hectic, the calmer streets of the Ville Nouvelle are a ten-minute taxi ride away. Price room-only doubles from £380Restaurant mains from £23Family-friendly YAccessible N • Best riads in Marrakesh• Best restaurants in Marrakesh
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Yacht Formerly Owned By Malcolm Forbes For Charter From $170k P/ Week
Writing about publishing magnate Malcolm Forbes, son of Forbes founder Bertie Forbes, author Christopher Buckley wrote: 'Malcolm is an antidote to the horror stories about extreme wealth. He's generous as hell and he likes to have fun.' It makes sense then, that Forbes owned a 162-foot yacht called The Highlander, which was famous for hosting parties with guest lists that read like a Who's Who of the world's social elite in the 1980s. Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Harrison Ford all set foot on her decks at one point, probably rubbing shoulders with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Barbara Walters and Henry Kissinger. In Royal circles, Prince Charles and the former Kings of Greece and Bulgaria all spent time on board The Highlander. The yacht hosted politcial magnates like Margaret Thatcher, the Reagans and President and Mrs George H W Bush. This is a boat that was no stranger to the spotlight. This is because The Highlander was never just a boat - she was a key business and entertaining platform that Forbes used lavishly and generously for hosting huge groups. The parties that were held on board held mythic status – once, at a party for Elizabeth Taylor, Forbes dispatched a private jet to pick up a case of perfumes to be used as special gifts for each and every attendee of the party. The yacht's parties would be wall-to-wall with A-listers. It wasn't uncommon to step into a function on The Highlander and find Hollywood heavyweights chatting away with headline-grabbing politicians. 'One time, I looked up and saw CEOs of six different US airline companies talking together,' recalls Forbes' son Christopher in a magazine feature. 'Where else would you find that?' Highlander is an icon of the yachting world. Yachtsman The Highlander was actually designed with partying in mind from the outset. In the same magazine feature, Forbes' son recalled that the yacht 'had these smaller seating areas and private spaces that weren't too conspicuously private, where people could linger while never prompting the reaction: 'Look at those two off there on their own, talking.'' Fun was also built into the yacht's design, with storage for Harley-Davidson motorboikes and those famous Cigarette and Donzi speedboats that you can see in the aft section in historical photos. The yacht was legendary for her parties, but she was also notable for doing something completely unheard of at the time – cruising up the Amazon. Even now, this is something that is largely not seen in superyachting, but The Highlander wasn't one to shy away from a challenge. Guests on board recalled the superyacht ploughing through underwater obstacles and having to send the crew under water to inspect any potential damage. One crewmember on the voyage had a passion for bagpipe-playing and he would practise his instrument on the top deck of the yacht most mornings, attracting the attention and applause of local Amazonian people. The yacht prior to her extension Feadship The yacht changed hands after Forbes' death, and led a quieter life in more recent years. She was originally built by Feadship, the most prestigious superyacht builder in the world, to a design by the late Jon Bannenberg, arguably the most esteemed yacht designer to have ever lived. A refit in 2014 in the US saw her total length extended to the 162 feet that she is today, but the refit was sensitive to the yacht's icon status. "We are very big fans of Feadship,' explained the owners at the time. "The Highlander had Feadship's outstanding quality and Jon Bannenberg's iconic profile. The Feadship and Bannenberg mix was irresistible.' The yacht is still an entertainment icon. Yachtsman Now called simply Highlander, the yacht had another refit in 2025 and is now available for private yacht charter in the Mediterranean with Greek-based yachting firm YACHTSMAN. She has space for 12 guests in seven cabins, plus a complement for 11 crew, and she has a large toy locker which includes two Seabobs, one eFoil, two Jet-Skis and more. She charters from €150,000 per week plus expenses in low season and €170,000 per week plus expenses in high season.
Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Singapore has a new £70 million Raffles. Can it compete with the original?
Nepo babies complain that they get a hard time in the press and, with the exception of the footballer-turned-photographer-turned-chef-turned-Formula E driver-turned-actor Brooklyn Beckham, they may have a point. By the way, I know Beckham hasn't launched an acting career yet but as his wife, Nicola, is a 'film-maker', it can only be a matter of time. Before these snowflakes protest too loudly, they should consider the beady-eyed criticism that awaits the offspring of a bone fide bricks-and-mortar grande dame. The world's top hotels have a place in our hearts that transcends the fleeting devotion afforded to celebrities and nowhere has higher bucket-list status than Raffles Singapore. It's been topping 'best of the best' lists for more than a century. During that time, Rudyard Kipling edited The Jungle Book on its veranda, Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery was out-sparkled by its ginormous chandeliers, Winston Churchill raised his spirits — and downed most of the hotel's — in its Long Bar and William Somerset Maugham impressed the old girl with his chat-up line, 'Raffles stands for all the fables of the exotic east.' That's considerably more to live up to than your dad kicking a ball about and your mum designing dresses. So when this titan of travel, arguably the country's number one tourist attraction, announced that it would open a second property a 15-minute drive along Keppel Road on Sentosa Island, which is connected to the southern tip of the mainland by rail, road and cable car, the disapproving rattle of afternoon tea cups in its grand lobby was deafening. Fans argued that it was madness, especially given Singapore is so tiny it fits into Wales 33 times and Sentosa's theme parks give it a bit of a downmarket image. I'm the first journalist to stay at Raffles Sentosa Singapore, which opened this spring. I'm here to discover whether this town is big enough for the both of them. As my limousine snakes up the tree-lined drive to the hilltop that is home to the newcomer, I'll admit to the kind of reservations that aren't particularly helpful when you're about to check in. Despite a rumoured spend north of £70 million and Raffles occupying a luscious 25-acre slice of Sentosa, a relatively hilly rainforested island fringed with beaches, I have my doubts that its 62 pool villas can match the magnificence of its famous predecessor. When the resort comes into view I receive my first indication of how it intends to do so: by being 180 degrees of different. In fact if it were a child, you'd demand a DNA test because it bears so little relation to the treasured landmark. In place of the wedding-cake confection of neo-Renaissance architecture screaming for attention across an entire block of Beach Road in the central business district, I am entranced by the understatement of Sentosa's clean-lined, contemporary design, peeking modestly through a heavy fringe of seashore mangosteen trees and traveller's palms. And although Sentosa's doormen wear a dazzling military-style white uniform that is similar to the one donned by their colleagues at the mother ship, their outfits are topped with a jaunty feather-trimmed trilby rather than those much-photographed turbans. Thankfully the conspicuous consumption of the original's arcade of designer stores has been ditched in favour of on-trend botanical bling, with life-enhancing foliage bursting forth from every corner and crevice. Sentosa's lobby lounge, the Raffles Room, chimes perfectly with how we want to holiday now. It shimmers with natural goodness thanks to an organic palette of sunshine golds, spring greens and butterscotch browns for its curvaceous mid-century furniture, floral fabrics, trellis screens and swirled-marble puddle tables. The design studio Yabu Pushelberg, whose CV includes Four Seasons and Aman properties, excels at low-key luxury and creating a restful sense of place. Here that means channelling guests' focus towards the floor-to-ceiling window and the hotel's spin on a precious antique. It's not gilded or glinting, it's a heritage ficus tree, thought to be more than 100 years old, that stands on the snooker table-smooth lawn a few feet beyond where couples are tucking into afternoon tea. As I admire its arthritic ivy-wrapped trunk, a peacock struts into frame and idly fans its tail. It's route one to relaxation. My butler, Rose, swiftly ushers me towards a Rolls-Royce buggy that whisks us along pathways festooned with plants to my villa to complete check-in formalities while I sip a Sentosa sling, the pretender's reply to the kingpin's classic cocktail. It mixes brandy, amaro, eau de vie and passionfruit, and has a pinkish hue courtesy of watermelon. It's as sickly sweet as an am-dram production of Little Women. Fortunately, as I've established, there are lots of plant pots. The villa interiors are much more to my taste, starting with their size. Even entry-level rooms are bigger than the signature suites at you-know-where. The Royal Villa, which sleeps eight, is so ridiculously vast that the Italian manufacturer Pagani displayed one of its £5 million hypercars on its terrace for a sales event (although the villa doors did have to be widened for access). The car sold — Sentosa is that kind of wealthy. • I thought this stopover city would be boring. Here's why I was wrong I think I'll cope with holing up in my super-private one-bedroom villa, with its soothing neutral colours, 3m-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the line between indoors and outdoors. My bedroom, bathroom and living room all overlook my come-hither private pool, which has a muslin-draped cabana and terrace, liberally sprinkled with sofas and dining spots. On tiptoes I can even glimpse the sea and appreciate how its cooling breezes ensure that Sentosa is nowhere near as hot and humid as downtown. Raffles is known for its exceptional butler service, with the team led by the veteran Wayne Fitzharris, who has flapped out napkins for royalty and world leaders during his career. Lady Gaga gushed that she felt like a princess thanks to the attentiveness of her butler at Raffles Istanbul, which even ran to a handwritten welcome note for her pet dog Miss Asia. I feel more like minor royalty — Zara Tindall, maybe — as I experience several glitches, including uncleared room service and confusion over taxis, though I imagine service will reach regal standards soon. The subtle opulence of my surroundings keeps me content. There's the exquisite mural in the living room by the local artist André Wee, which depicts the island's tropical flora and fauna, and the bedroom's warm-toned French oak coffered ceiling and striking honeycomb-inspired bedhead. There are cute touches too, including pampering Ortigia amenities in the decadent bathroom and a bedside copper jug and glasses. There's some scientific evidence to suggest that storing water in copper improves digestion, supports immunity and may even aid weight loss. That would be useful because Sentosa has some tempting dining options. I can't try the seductively pink all-day restaurant, the Empire Grill, because it's been booked out for a Hermès showcase for 100 of its most prized customers. A shame, as its tables spill joyfully on to the terrace of a 30m infinity pool that has rainforest and sea views, especially at sunset. Its German chef, Björn Alexander Panek, specialises in wood-fired rustic Tuscan cucina, an intriguing combination that obviously works as he won two Michelin stars for it at the Italian restaurant Octavium in Hong Kong. • 22 of the best things to do in Singapore His fellow chef Kenjiro Hashida is still in the process of moving his popular Japanese restaurant from Amoy Street to open Iyasaka by Hashida at the resort, so I go Chinese and try the tasting menu at Royal China. The decor is as elegantly restrained as the Cantonese food is refined, with the crispy prawns topped with delicious tart yuzu kosho mayo and the succulent lobster in golden broth standout dishes. The spa is also having final tweakments during my stay. When it opens it will have a dozen treatment rooms, a light-filled gym and three pretty pools, including one with a waterfall and a café. Instead the wellbeing butler, Ali, suggests a tour of the island in the resort's vintage white Rolls-Royce Phantom. I'm not entirely sure which bit of sitting in the back seat is healthy and the tour doesn't take long as this rainforested dot is only two square miles. We skip options such as Universal Studios, Madame Tussauds and Harry Potter: Visions of Magic and visit the Fort Siloso Skywalk for some bird's eye context before heading to the fort itself to learn about the coastal defence's important role during the Second World War. I also spend time at Tanjong beach, an easy stroll from the hotel. It's a lovely crescent of golden sand with a tranquil vibe and excellent people — and cargo ship — watching. Yes, really. The beach has views across to the world's second-busiest port and although I'd barely spared a thought for container transshipment previously, it proves a surprisingly mesmerising pastime. Granted, this hardly compares with the promise of celebrity spotting at the better-known Raffles but comparisons between the two properties are pointless. They complement rather than compete with each other. Raffles Sentosa is not your typical nepo baby. This is more your Phil and Lily Collins scenario, where you can't really believe they're related. This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue Susan d'Arcy was a guest of Raffles Sentosa Singapore ( which has B&B doubles from £842. Fly to Singapore After a three-year, £150 million renovation, completed in 2019, the grande dame is back to her best. The makeover of the 115 suites has given them a glossy softness thanks to ivory-white walls, rattan furniture, dark-wood floors and covetable traditional Peranakan tiles in the bathrooms. Beyond them lie three acres of tropical gardens lined with marble colonnades and the hotel's Long Bar, where it is almost obligatory to order a Singapore sling. Seven dining options include the Tiffin Room, decorated with battered steel tiffin boxes and serving up superior nasi lemak, a warming dish of rice with anchovies and B&B doubles from £1,383 ( • Raffles hotel review: Singapore's inimitable grande dame only gets better with age Draped across 30 tropical acres of Sentosa Island, this 112-room hotel combines colonial and contemporary charm, as the design studio Foster + Partners has sensitively added a sweeping smart red-louvred extension to four officers' barracks that date back to the 1880s. Dining also dances between styles, ranging from Cantonese at Cassia, inspired by the historic spice routes of southern and western China, to Fiamma, which serves up authentic Italian dishes by the celebrated chef Mauro Colagreco. There is a spa and three pools, and the popular Palawan beach lies a short walk B&B doubles from £600 ( Sitting on Marina Bay, this hotel has a ringside seat over a sparkling panorama that includes the eye-catching architecture of the ArtScience Museum, the esplanade's striking exterior reminiscent of the city's beloved durian fruit, and the Helix bridge, which reaches across to Gardens by the Bay. Interiors compete hard for attention, though, and are sprinkled with artworks by David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Dale Chihuly, Frank Stella and Zhu Wei. Bedrooms have a modern blond-on-blond moodboard and octagonal bathroom windows that are a nod to the number 8, lucky in certain Asian cultures. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a ten-room spa and Republic, a cocktail bar dedicated to drinks for the Swinging Room-only doubles from £400 (
