Author name: Saskia Clarke

Eyes on: July The beauty, fashion and culture moments I’m most excited about this month. text Maya Avram, London Features Editor image courtesy Mour Mour restaurant at The Leonard Hotel   One thing about me is that I believe there’s no better food than by the Med. The climate, the fresh ingredients and the lightness of it all hit the spot every time — and the newly opened Mour restaurant captures that mood perfectly.   Part of The Leonard Hotel, Mour combines Mayfair’s decadence with an uncomplicated menu that is both eclectic and precise. Mediterranean staples like olives and flatbread make for a traditional opening to the dining experience, but are still far from predictable because either of these starters will easily be the best of their kind you’ve ever tried. Other standouts include the brie tortelloni, which the waiter warned us might take a while “because it’s all made fresh” (easiest case of ‘don’t worry, I’ll wait’ I faced in a long time). My friend was particularly impressed by the Monkfish, while my sweet tooth was in awe of the tiramisu. To top everything off, the martini bar crafted bespoke cocktails for each of us based on our individual tastes, fueling what ended up being a five-hour yap sesh. From the rich foods to the delightful serving experience, you’ll struggle to leave there before closing time, too. Book your table Sports Shorts by, well, everyone   Remember the ‘Dudette’ trend from a few seasons back? Well, our sporty queen is back with a vengeance — or rather, a more elevated proposition. So while sports shorts are, and always have been, a summer staple, this year, It Girls are pairing them with dainty camisoles and crisp white shirts, as well as coquette ballerinas and block-heel pumps. I love the contrast between these ultra-feminine, or traditionally tailored pieces, and shorts that you can literally jog in. Personal favourites include the Nike Tempo’s and Adidas Firebird’s, but if you’re after a more sophisticated colour play, I also really like these stripey ones from Le Bop, which also make a convincing case for ruched loafers. photography David Suarez on Unsplash image courtesy Gucci Flora Flora Gorgeous Orchid Intense by Gucci   I am not typically a sweet scent person. Back in the day when everyone went for Britney Spears’ Fantasy (an OG but not for me), I went for Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy Girl. Fresh, herbaceous, maybe a bit powdery is typically my profile of choice.    Well, that was until I smelt Gucci’s Flora Orchid Intense. Master Perfumer Marie Salamagne has done the impossible, making me fall for a gourmand. Of course, it’s not your typical gourmand, featuring luminous orchid and salty ozonic notes that lend it a richly layered, almost savoury aroma. It dries down beautifully, too, leaving a deep ambery haze that is perfectly suited to balmy summer nights. Delvaux’s summer 2026 collection   Any fashion fan knows the feeling of discovering a hidden gem: a designer or a brand that is a master of their craft, yet is still small enough that every creation feels like one of a kind. That was me when I went to Delvaux’s summer collection presentation, held on Harrods’ panoramic helideck.   Over cocktails and decadent hors d’oeuvres, we cast our eyes on the styles that make up the new season: leather floral appliqués, hand weaving techniques and playfully reimagined proportions offered a fresh take on the classic silhouettes loved by friends of the brand (many of whom were in attendance, Brilliant bag in hand). I particularly enjoyed the artisan table where a craftsman constructed a woven bag in front of our very eyes, showcasing the hides and walking us through the process of constructing an everyday carrier. And while the pieces are definitely on the luxurious end, this one carries the weight of an heirloom in the making, arguably justifying the investment. image courtesy Delvaux See-Through Jewellery   Carrying on the aspirational tone, have you been following this year’s haute joaillerie season? Aside from fantastical pieces and dazzling designs, such as the celestial Belle Dior necklace or Bucheron’s statement piece, one interesting trend to emerge this season was see-through jewellery. Whether we’re talking clear diamonds or transparent glass (depending on your tax bracket, really), I scoured the web for versatile pieces to add dimension and tactility to every look, with the potential to carry over from desk to dinner effortlessly.   From Bottage Veneta’s Prisma earrings to Alaïa’s Bubble hoops and Zimmermann’s Bloom ring, the rule of thumb is that your choice of jewel features a statement gem — or bead, or faux gem — and that you should be able to catch a glimpse of skin through it, making the final look entirely personal. It’s no coincidence that luxury is using the body as the ultimate accessory, because in the age of AI, what can be more elusive, more desirable and more subversive than the flesh? The name of Bucheron’s collection was Human Being, and for good reason — it celebrates the bare essentials. image courtesy Boucheron The Aesop Queer Library, Brighton and Hove A little way outside of London, but I promise this is worth the trip.  The Aesop Queer Library returns for a sixth year, this time celebrating the written word. Featuring a curation of 33 books penned by LGBTQIA+ authors, this year’s theme – Body of Work – explores the idea of the queer body as a driver for power, pleasure, resistance and renewal. Whether you prefer biographies or fiction, nuanced relationship sagas or fleeting, sultry fun, each one of these titles encourages you to rethink how you inhabit your body through a distinctly playful yet astute eye. 31 July – 2 August at Aesop Brighton. image courtesy Aesop