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Cigars, Drake's London, Fragrance, Hermes, Menswear, Preppy, Ralph Lauren

All I want for Christmas

Another year has flown by, marked by new suits and a touch of tweed—a perfect moment to reflect on the year gone by and, of course, plan for the one ahead. It’s been inspiring to see the growing momentum toward vintage clothing, a refreshing shift from the fast fashion that dominates today. Ralph Lauren has embraced this trend brilliantly, buying back vintage pieces to resell to a market eager for timeless style.

In my own household, I’ve revived my Gucci horsebit loafers purchased from Harrods back in 1998. My sons have also raided my wardrobe, claiming treasures like a pair of vintage Fendi aviator glasses and several Hermès ties that have made appearances at social occasions throughout the year.

And so, once again, it’s time to draft my Christmas list for Santa. This marks my second “Dear Santa” note, and looking back at the last one I published a few years ago, I can’t help but notice how little has changed. So here it is—my Christmas list for 2025.

Winston Churchill’s famous “teddy bear” coat an oversized, double-breasted fur coat he often wore during the 1930s and 1940s. It became an iconic symbol of his bold, eccentric style that I very much admire.

1. Geo F. Trumper Eucris Eau de Toilette

This fragrance takes me back to a Mulberry scent I wore in the ’90s. It exudes quintessential British elegance and sophistication. Eucris is famously known as James Bond’s fragrance in Ian Fleming’s novel From Russia with Love—a true classic.

2. Ralph Lauren Madras Shirt

To pair effortlessly with my black dinner jacket and bow tie—juxtaposed against distressed, baggy jeans for that rebellious cocktail of formality and nonchalance.

3. Vintage fur coat.

Whilst we’re planning for the beach, winter is never far away. As I continue my style journey beyond the confines of suits, I’m always searching for new classics that break the traditional mold. At the top of my list for winter 2026 is a fur coat of flamboyant proportions—bold, unapologetic, and full of character. My goal? To pair it with an old Yankees cap in that rakish, sprezzatura style I so admire.

4. Preppy Striped Vintage Watch Strap

To frame my Bell & Ross with Ivy League charm.

5. Socks in a riot of colours

Because socks should never be boring—they’re the punctuation marks of a well considered outfit.

6. Tanqueray No 10. gin.

I absolutely love this gin—it’s a true classic that outshines all others. Perfect for a martini with a twist, and let’s not forget the bottle itself, which is undeniably stylish.

7. A Box of Partagas Serie D No. 4 Cigars
The perfect companion for late-night musings on style and life – my favourite.

8. Winston Churchill-Inspired Spectacles

I love horn rimmed spectacles, whilst I do not need glasses I feel as though the time might be approaching. Super elegant refined and considered.

9. Nicky Haslam Tea Towel – “Things Nicky Haslam Finds Common”

Because Nicky is a legend in style and design.

10. Dunhill Cigar Lighter

Because matches are common.

Any that’s a wrap, “if you can’t do it in style then don’t do it“

Merry Christmas

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The world’s finest Martini

Recently I arranged a small dinner party. It started on one of those late spring afternoons, a few casual drinks in the garden followed by some homemade pizza. I asked one of my good friends what he would like to drink, as he settled in with a Marlboro light. ‘You choose’, he responded.

I recalled that earlier the previous day I had placed two crystal martini glasses into the freezer, along with a bottle of Tanqueray gin. I knew the perfect drink for my friend. I would introduce him to the Martini as I knew them. So, here’s the story behind the perfect Martini.

London 1996

I’m not sure why, however in the late 90’s I seemed to have a thing for swanky London hotel bars. I’m not sure if it was because hotels tended to have the most money to spend on lavish bars, or it was just a fad, however hotel bars in London were divine and I was a regular at a few that included, the Long Bar at the Sanderson, the Light Bar at the St Martins Lane Hotel, The Blue Bar at the Berkeley, The Fumoir at Claridges, and my favourite of all hotel bars, The Library Bar at the Lanesborough.

An evening or an afternoon for that matter at the Library bar was like stepping into another world, the bustle and traffic of the nearby Hyde Park Corner seemed a million miles away. It was certainly easy to let an evening drift away in the most decadent surroundings fuelled by a Martini or two and accompanied by a cigar from the Library bar’s well stocked humidor. 

It was during this period that I learned the secret of the finest Martini. The barman and creator of these Martini’s was the now world-renowned Salvatore Calabrese. Salvatore’s approach to the Martini was simple, a frozen crystal glass, frozen gin/vodka and the smallest splash of vermouth, garnished with a twist (lemon) or an olive. 

The impact of these Martini’s could never be described on paper, the alcohol content for sure is strong, however once past the initial hit a Martini made by Salvatore can not be bettered. So, it became, that every Thursday for several years I would pull up a stool at the Library bar and order my usual, a Vodka Martini, straight up with an olive and a Partaga’s Serie d No 4, cigar. These were some of the finest days and nights I can remember, I never had more than three and only remember one occasion when I asked my black cab driver to pull over on Sloane Street on the way home as I felt some fresh air might be a good idea.

Today, Salvatore is no longer at the Library bar, he has had a celebrated career running many of Europe’s finest bars and can still be found on Facebook, YouTube sharing his knowledge of cocktail making. 

I have never forgotten this recipe and to this day always have two crystal glasses chilling in the freezer ready to take me back to such decadent times.

Incidentally my friend managed two Martini’s in my garden, the day after he remarked ‘ I don’t know what happened, I can’t even remember the pizza!’.

If you can’t do it in style, don’t do it!

If God created Man, then who on earth created the Martini?

Salvatore calabrese
  • Classic Cocktails – Salvatore Calabrese
  • Chilled to perfection
  • Dry Vermouth and the finished article
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Menswear

Dear Santa

The races have been and gone and what a wonderful week of style, colour and socialising it all was. There’s never a dull moment as we now look forward in New Zealand to spending some time enjoying what our amazing country has to offer over the Christmas period. There will be no trips to Europe this year for a winter Christmas and no trips to Bali for that matter either, nonetheless there are a host of cool events to attend and divine experiences to be had over the summer in New Zealand. I always look forward to this time of the year as there is always an excuse to push the style boat out even further. We have the Polo to look forward to and a new casual suit to go with it, New Years eve, the European winter sales and of course Santa is coming.

A number of years ago now, whilst living in London I recall popping into Mulberry on Bond Street to buy a pair brogue shoes. I remember the gentleman who served me remarked on point, that “sometimes sir, a gentleman has to buy his own Christmas present”. I have never forgotten those wise words and oddly, more than 10 years later when I returned to London, I bumped into that same gentleman in New and Lingwood, another favourite store of mine on Jermyn Street SW1 and recounted that story, much to his delight. Of course, you can avoid buying your own Christmas presents if you let Santa know early what you would like. Given this, here are 10 things that I’m wishing for, so Santa, take note!

  • Christmas from Sir to Sir 1997
  • Mulberry

The Global Style Pilot’s Christmas List

1. Velvet Slippers from Stubbs and Wootton

I’m a huge fan of velvet slippers and so in need of a new pair, Stubbs and Wootton from Palm beach make the most fabulous slippers with a range of monograms and motifs.

www.stubbsandwootton.com

2. Floris Leather Oud, Eau de Parfum

My favourite fragrance comprises oud, and I just love Floris’ Leather Oud, Eau de Parfum. This divine fragrance draws on new leather and contains smoky aspects of oud oil. I’m a big fan of all things smoky and this fragrance is no exception.

www.florislondon.com

3. PJ Johnson – Kurta

Over the past few years I’ve been an avid follower of ethnic clothing. I think there is no other more influential wearer of this style than the fabulous Robert Rabensteiner, former fashion editor-at-large of L’Uomo Vogue. Robert is in my view is a style icon and I am a huge fan of his work. So right now, I’m wishing for a Kurta from the Australian menswear brand PJ Johnson.

www.pjt.com

4. New Balance 990 trainers

Trainers continue to be a style of shoe that cannot be ignored and are embedded in our lives. To this end I’m after a pair of New Balance 990. These shoes surpass all trainers in my view, they are an integral part of every style hunter’s wardrobe from Pitti Uomo, to here!

5. Tanqueray No. TEN Gin

I’ve always been a huge fan of gin, and my favourite is Tanqueray No. TEN. Whilst I love the flavor of this wicked gin, I also love the bottle that to me resembles Kryptonite from the superman movies. I first fell in love with Tanqueray No. Ten in the mid 2000’s when, whilst working in Tokyo, I was fortunate to spend my lunch hours shopping in Omotesando. I came across the most beautiful display in the Dunhill store in Omotesando Hills that included this fabulous bottle on a silver tray. To this day I always toast Tokyo when having a G&T.

6. Naked Clothing – Denim shirt

Ever since the early 2000’s my wardrobe has always included a denim shirt. I am very particular when it comes to denim and in terms of shirts’ I’m a huge fan of vintage washed denim. My goal in denim is a shirt that dries crisp on the washing line and looks super casual whilst really rocking it with a fabulous double-breasted blazer in that all important sprezaturra kind of way. In my view, the best place to find just what I’m after is via the Italian brand, Naked Clothing.

www.naked-clothing.it

7. Yellow Corduroy trousers

I just love the colour combination of yellow and blue and have been after a pair of yellow whale cords for the past year. Please Santa, I’ve been good!

www.cordings.co.uk

8. Leather and suede penny loafers – Last and Lapel

I think one of my best finds over the past couple of years is the Last and Lapel store in Singapore. I’m a huge fan of the products they stock. In addition, Singapore was once my home for more that 5 years and a fabulous place to live it was. I love L&L’s awesome Berwick 1707 loafers, not only are they good quality but also outstanding value for money. Thanks Santa!

www.lastandlapel.com

9. Partagas Serie D No. 4 cigars

I’ve been smoking these cigars since the 1990’s. The best days of my life have been with these beauties. Well almost, light one and you are instantly transformed to a period of fabulousness that includes great tunes, sensational red wine and an evening to remember.

10. Red cashmere socks – New and Lingwood

And as the gentleman told me, “sometimes sir, a gentleman has to buy his own Christmas present!” Well these are my choice.

www.newandlingwood.com

I shan’t say Merry Christmas as it’s still November. However, If you can’t do it in style, then don’t do it!

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