Latest news with #privateMembersClub
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ideale Men's Style According To Members' Club Curator Nikole Powers
Nikole Powers, a seasoned private members' club and culture consultant with over a decade of experience at elite venues like Soho House and Annabel's [The Birley Clubs] and her impressive resume extends to the world's most renowned private clubs and hospitality brands, including Paris Society, NeueHouse, Fotografiska, Mila, and The Collins Club. Courtesy of Nikole Powers Private members' clubs, or members-only clubs, have become an omnipresent occurrence in major cities worldwide. These stylish venues that breed luxury and networking, where remote workers and entrepreneurs come to congregate, and where presentation is everything, are the latest aspirational and tangible must-have experience. Nikole Powers, who is a seasoned private members' club and culture consultant with over a decade of experience at elite venues like Soho House and Annabel's [The Birley Clubs], where she worked with British business mogul Richard Caring, knows exactly what makes a man stand out for the right reasons. Her resume extends to the world's most renowned private clubs and hospitality brands, including The Moore, Paris Society, NeueHouse, Fotografiska, Mila, and The Collins Club. Soho House during Views Of Soho House - London in London, Great Britain. (Photo by David Lodge/FilmMagic) FilmMagic Powers now splits her time between Miami, and Los Angeles, curating the aesthetics of members' clubs within her vicinity. 'Working in private clubs for the last 10-plus years, I've seen a lot of good fashion - and bad,' she notes. 'Over all your attitude and charm will take you a long way. It's never about the brand, and good tailoring is important. Dressing for success is about effortlessness and knowing your vibe. If you look relaxed and natural in a suit, wear the suit. But if it doesn't feel like you, don't force it.' Nikole Powers, a seasoned private members' club and culture consultant knows exactly what makes a man stand out for the right reasons at renowned private clubs and hospitality brands, including Paris Society, NeueHouse, Fotografiska, Mila, and The Collins Club. Courtesy of Nikole Powers From grooming to wardrobe choices, her expert advice on how men can refine their appearance and exude confidence in any setting is warranted as a private members' club becomes a go-to experience. Powers describes it, 'I spent about three years in London working at Annabel's, which is one of the most iconic clubs there. I've also worked with NeueHouse, and did projects for Capital Records, Netflix, and BuzzFeed, mainly handling large corporate clients. I've had the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of what membership and hospitality look like, from the traditional London scene to New York and Miami.' Men who desire entry to these lavish locations are recommended to elevate their style from what they already know, meeting the suggested standards of each club. "There's a low-key swagger about men's fashion,' Powers emphasizes attitude is everything. 'You can be wearing anything, but if you have the right charisma and right attitude, it takes you a long way in life." A well-dressed man who lacks confidence will still fall short, while someone with self-assurance can make even a simple outfit look compelling. Craig the Barber during the Lab Series Skincare For Men First Ever New York Pop-Up Store launch at Lab Series Skincare For Men Pop-Up Store on November 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage) WireImage The private members' club curator pays close attention to grooming habits when evaluating someone's overall presentation. Powers details what she looks for. "Are you getting your haircut on a regular basis? Did you shave today? Are your teeth white? There are things that let me know you're taking care of yourself. Personal upkeep plays a role in whether someone fits the club's vibe.' Key grooming essentials are standard for Powers including haircuts from trending barbers like Blind Barber [fragrance product pictured], and skincare from baby care brands like Dr. Roberta Del Campo in Miami, or Jade Haifa Studio in Manhattan. blvnco Key grooming essentials are standard for Powers including haircuts from trending barbers like Blind Barber, and skincare from baby care brands like Dr. Roberta Del Campo in Miami, or Jade Haifa Studio in Manhattan. There are also products from Yelle, Marlowe, Narcyss, Nature Spell, Humanrace, Burke Williams, Babor, Khiel's, Natura Brasil, and Osea, that are effective and easy skincare options for guys. Hygiene makes the ideal man more acceptable for that private members' club aura, keeping things fresh and well-maintained, while moisturizing and avoiding looking overly oily or dry. While Powers emphasizes oral hygiene, utilizing products like Lumify Eye Drops, teeth whitening strips, and fragrances are simpler upgrades. "Fragrance goes a long way,' she details. 'Being able to pick out a fragrance that nobody has smelled before can draw and seduce someone." Fragrances that stand out are in any guy's best interest, reaching for brands like Veronica Gabai, Initio, Mind Games, Parfum De Marley, Clive Christian, Parfum Cirque Du Soleil, Aroma360, Killian, and Infiniment Coty Paris, to name a few. A bottle of Clive Christian's No. 1 Perfume is seen on display as Clive celebrates the Guinness World record for the world's most expensive perfume at Harrods, London. (Photo by Anthony Devlin - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images 'Trying too hard is the biggest faux pas,' Powers adds. 'Over spraying cologne, mixing too many trendy pieces, clothes that don't fit like they're supposed to. Too tight, too loose. And square-toe shoes? Just - no. Presentation matters. Treat yourself like a brand,' Powers says lightheartedly. Staying true to yourself when finding that perfect outfit stands prominent for Powers once you get past daily hygiene. While some men gravitate toward bold logos or avant-garde streetwear, Powers advises balance. "Keep it simple, but also stay true to yourself. If you're into streetwear like Gallery Dept. or Bottega, I love that look. But you can also wear jeans and a T-shirt. If you pull it off and that's your personality, it works too." A model walks the runway during the Bottega Veneta collection show at Milan's Fashion Week Womenswear Spring / Summer 2025, on September 21, 2024 in Milan. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Her definition of dressing for success is a personal battle when it comes to guys, with each individual having their own taste. "Are you relaxed? The moment someone looks like they're uptight, they don't fit in their own skin, their clothes are buckling. I feel like this person isn't going to [be] a good time." PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 18: A model walks the runway during the Bode Menswear Fall/Winter 2020-2021 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 18, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kay-) Getty Images Brands like Bode, Cherry, Rhude, Gallery Dept., PAS UNE MARQUE, Heliot Emil, and Aimé Leon Dore, offer elevated streetwear looks for the more casual guy. Designers like Saint Laurent, Prada, Tom Ford, and Jacquemus fit the more polished version of this guy, in Powers' purview. Quiet Luxury from Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, James Perse, and Nili Lotan, gives more sophistication to the aspirational elevated aesthetics. PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model, fashion detail, walks the runway during the Rhude Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 presentation as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 21, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by) Getty Images 'It's never about how expensive the outfit is,' Powers points out. 'It's about your energy. Wear what makes you look relaxed and charming. The biggest giveaway that someone doesn't belong, is when they look uncomfortable in what they're wearing. Subtlety always wins in truly exclusive spaces.' Fit and fabric matter more than brand names for Powers. Luxury labels don't automatically equal style, Instead, the focus on quality is most important. "I would rather a guy who had five quality Brunello Cucinelli shirts in his closet than a guy with a closet full of fast fashion." TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN - OCTOBER 25: Models walk the runway during the Brunello Cucinelli fashion show at Hotel International Tashkent on October 25, 2013 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (Photo byfor Art Week 2013) getty Tailoring, especially for suits, and even denim, makes for attractive silhouettes. Investing in timeless pieces like a well-made blazer or leather jacket that lasts years benefits your wardrobe in the long run. "You can tell somebody quickly with a cheap button,' explains Powers. Nikole Powers, a seasoned private members' club and culture consultant with over a decade of experience at elite venues like Soho House and Annabel's [The Birley Clubs] where she worked with British business mogul Richard Caring, her impressive resume extends to the world's most renowned private clubs and hospitality brands. Courtesy of Nikole Powers 'Nothing's worse than a cheap button. Your fashion shouldn't hurt the environment. If it does, stop! You don't need to buy something new every 20 minutes," she notes, stressing a guy's capacity for sustainability. She continues, 'Invest in chic shoes, a good belt, and a personal style piece. Maybe a piece of jewelry, or cool sunglasses. I have a friend who's from Louisiana and he always finds statement pieces that are indicative of the culture. Find your thing!' Shoe brands like Santoni, Beckett Simonon, Good Man Brand, Clark's Original, or even a clean pair of sneakers from a brand like Axel Arigato, offer sophistication, but also individuality. Santoni Men's shoes. Courtesy of Santoni Accessories play a part in styling when elevating your taste for exclusivity at a private members' club. "A nice watch is always a flex, but it's old-school,' Powers notes. 'The new-age crowd - many don't even wear one. Get something that suits your personality and is the best quality you can afford. Just never buy fake. That's embarrassing." Powers doubles-down. "Don't show up with a fake watch or knockoff designer. It's embarrassing and obvious." Knowing your surroundings as a guy is key to reading a room to maximize your experience. "Think about your audience. Play into it while staying true to yourself. Look comfortable and relaxed. If you hit those three notes, you're going to be okay." "Dressing well isn't about spending the most, it's about looking like the best version of yourself," Powers affirms. "Always have clean shoes. Unless you're going for a full-black biker look, scuffed sneakers or dirty dress shoes ruin the vibe." A polished pair elevates your outfit. A vintage belt or a unique bracelet can add personality. Powers describes style as "In London, I dress smart. In LA, I'm in streetwear." Atmosphere at the Soho House in Los Angeles, California (Photo by John Sciulli/WireImage) WireImage Authenticity is magnetic, playing your hand to find your way into a private members' club. Whether it's an affordable vintage find or investing in a bespoke suit, wearing it with pride is the mission. "Look like you belong,' the members' club guru, Nikole Powers, concludes. 'If you don't, they'll know. But if you own your style - clean shoes, polished hair, confidence - you'll walk right in."
Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Times
There was no contract. They shook hands and the Walbrook was born
Philip Palumbo is waiting for me in the bar of the Walbrook Club with Luna, his father's cockapoo. 'Are you a dog person?' asks Palumbo, the club's managing director. Palumbo 'dogsits' when his father, Lord Palumbo, is abroad and Luna is a regular at the City of London private members' club, and on the establishment's Instagram feed. 'Dogs light up any room that they enter into. And I hate the idea of them sitting at home waiting,' says Palumbo. Luna, who is far better behaved than my cockapoo, later joins us for lunch, lying obediently under the table, unnoticed until I accidentally nudge her during the main course. The Walbrook will mark its 25th anniversary on Friday evening with a black-tie dinner at Mansion House for more than 300 guests. Over the past two and a bit decades the club has established itself as a favourite of City grandees and investment bankers. An elegant club for a discreet drink, lunch, or dinner. The club may have opened in 2000, but its history dates back to 1997 and a lunch at the Connaught during which Mark Birley, the founder of Annabel's, suggested to Palumbo's father that he should convert what was then the family office in the City of London into a club. 'My father replied: only if you do it,' he explains. Birley agreed. 'There was no contract. They shook hands. And three years later, the Walbrook was born, twice over budget,' explains Palumbo over lunch in the Walbrook's dining room. It is easy to see why Birley was tempted. The building that houses the Walbrook is as unique as the club itself. Despite appearing to be a Queen Anne-style townhouse, it was actually built in the 1950s by Palumbo's grandfather, the property developer Rudolph Palumbo, who acquired the postage-stamp-sized site, sandwiched between Rothschild's headquarters and St Stephen Walbrook, as part of a larger property deal. 'He put our family office between the church and bank,' jokes Palumbo. The 'dolls house', as he describes it, wraps around the Sir Christopher Wren-designed church so has a Tardis-like quality. 'My father gave Birley more or less free rein.' The club was filled with Palumbo family photos, paintings and artefacts. There are drawings and models of many of the buildings built by both Rudolph and Lord Palumbo, and the Mies van der Rohe-designed skyscraper that was not built, after a very public intervention by Prince Charles, as was. A collection of dog paintings by India Jane Birley, Mark Birley's daughter, adorns the bar, which is dominated by a model of a luxury 1920s Italian liner which the Allies seized and used as a troop carrier ship in the Second World War. 'We don't have portraits of Wellington or English landscapes. The collection is extremely eclectic. I'm very proud of it,' says Palumbo. 'Birley rang my dad and said, don't be alarmed. I'm sending you a swan.' The stuffed swan still sits in the dining room. Michel Roux Jr was recruited as chef for the opening. 'He would cook personally and author the menus. We used his suppliers. The layout of the kitchen to this day is how he left it.' When Michel's TV career took off, his father, Albert Roux, stepped in. 'Our guiding principle remains the same: you should never leave hungry and recipes shouldn't be elaborate for the sake of being elaborate.' Palumbo leaves the menus to the chef. 'He and I meet for coffee once a month to discuss his plans for the month ahead. I will volunteer, very sympathetically I hope, suggestions, but for the most part, he writes them. Our sommelier does the same with our wine list,' explains Palumbo. My sea bass is cooked to perfection, and Palumbo's guineafowl looks delicious. On opposite walls of the dining room, staring at each other, are paintings of Rudolph, his grandfather, and his father. There are also travel posters from a bygone Beirut, reflecting his mother's Lebanese heritage. Lady Hayat Palumbo ran the club before handing over to her son in 2018. The dining room doubles as a venue for the club's guest speaker programme, which Palumbo has expanded to two or three speakers a month, ranging from Joanna Lumley to the former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who spoke to members two days before he was sacked. Many of Palumbo's bookings have proved prescient: Liz Truss spoke two weeks before she was appointed foreign secretary; Kwasi Kwarteng spoke a month before he became chancellor. As well as expanding the speaker programme Palumbo has added to the artefacts: including two Michelin men mascots he saw in a shop in Paris and a 'Buddha President Trump' donated by a member and former newspaper editor who picked it up in China. 'I see this as a canvas which I'm constantly adding to and tinkering with. I'm always trying to improve it. I want it to be reflective of the area and not to be stuffy and closed off … in the truest City traditions of the old coffee houses'. One big change has been the dress code. In 2023, the club dropped the requirement for members to wear a jacket. 'The idea of invented Victorian traditions didn't sit well with me. I also think you can look smart without wearing a suit and tie.' The West End has seen an explosion of private members' clubs over the past decade and in 2017 Nick Jones, the founder of Soho House, opened the Ned, a large hotel and members' club a short walk from the Walbrook. But Palumbo insists they are not in competition. 'We would recognise one another on the street, but we are fundamentally a different proposition. We are much, much smaller than Annabel's or 5 Hertford Street. And our membership profiles are different. I don't see other clubs as our rivals.' When the club opened in 2000 membership was capped at 500, but post-Covid, Palumbo raised that to 650 as 'people's habits are now so unreadable'. Covid was a challenge. The club's speaking programme moved online (as did a regular cocktail evening). Bonds were issued entitling members to a lunch or drink when the club reopened. 'Rather amazingly, we only lost two members because of resignations following the pandemic.' But the pandemic has had a longer effect: 'Fridays were always pretty tricky in the City. But we've also lost Mondays.' 'I do worry whether people are as social as they once were, and whether they are placing enough emphasis on getting to know colleagues and indeed rivals. Because so much now is done by messenger or email or a quick Zoom chat, the more social aspect of the City is disappearing.' More recently private members' clubs have been hit by HMRC using membership as evidence that non-doms are UK resident and therefore liable to pay tax. 'No matter how wonderful a club, if your advisers are warning you that it might be an issue, it's quite difficult to decide to stay a member just because it's such a nice club. 'A lot of people who've left have said that they'd come back in a heartbeat when the conditions are more favourable. The fundamentals are sound. We have to weather the storm.' More than 30 per cent of the membership is now aged under 35 and the club has admitted women from day one: 'We could do with a few more female members, but then again, the buildings around us could do a bit better in that regard.' 'I want this place to be contradictory, young and old; traditional and contemporary; fun and serious without one being at the expense of the other.' Potential members can be proposed by two existing members or apply directly and be interviewed by Palumbo; they then go before the membership committee with his recommendation. 'I'm very careful as to who we admit because this place is physically quite small. If there's a bad apple, you will take a bite,' he explains. 'The ethos is to bring people together. The architecture of the space lends itself to chance encounters and drawing up a chair and rearranging the furniture.' Palumbo's main criteria for membership? Simple: 'Are you fun to sit next to at dinner?'. Age: 32Education: Ludgrove School; St Edward's School, Oxford; School of Oriental and African Studies (First Class Hons)Career: 2018-present: managing director, the Walbrook Club; 2018-present: director, Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentuck KnobFamily: 'Perennially single' Soup of the day £8.00Asparagus, lemon laper butter £12.50Supreme of guineafowl £22.00Sea bass £24.00New potatoes £5.00Spinach £5.50Radishes and peas £5.00Apple and rhubarb crumble £9.00Ice cream /sorbet selection £3.00Bottle Hildon water £4.50Glass tomato juice £4.00Discretionary service charge @ 10.00% £11.50Cover charge for two £8.00 Total £121.55
