Eyes on: June
Eyes On June – The Best Things in London to See, Smell and Shop in June text Maya Avram Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery. This June marks the centennial birthday of the ultimate bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. As one might expect, my feed abounds with launches and events celebrating the legend, from limited-edition make-up collections to once-in-a-lifetime auctions and, of course, the mandatory lookalike competition. On the cultural front, the National Portrait Gallery has curated an exhibition chronicling the late star’s metamorphosis from humble Norma Jeane origins to global phenomenon. Featuring artwork and portraiture by some of the most revered creators of the 20th century, including Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon, the show reflects on Monroe’s turbulent relationship with fame and image — one that consumed her throughout her life. The thoughtful collection echoes our enduring fascination with the icon, posing the question of who was Marilyn, exactly? Plan your visit to answer it for yourself. Reformation’s Inez Pumps A standout trend to emerge from the Autumn/Winter 2027 season is the fugly office shoe (complimentary). You know the ones: clunky yet elegant, pragmatic enough for everyday wear yet elevated all the same, feeling fresh and current. If I had to point to one brand that strikes that balance particularly well, it would be Reformation and its Inez leather pumps. The silhouette? Elongating. The heel? Considered. The finish? Lustrous. A staple in the making, equally suited to the office and after-dark adventures, they’re all the rage among editors and it-girls alike. My advice? Go for Espresso Eel, a versatile deep brown with a delicately crinkled finish that lends the shoes a beautiful love-worn effect. Thermage at Montrose While the world beauty treatments is constantly evolving, certain protocols maintain their hero status. Thermage, a non-invasive sculpting treatment, seems to be on everyone’s lips these days, and for good reason — it promises to smooth and tighten the skin in a single session, with zero downtime. So when I was invited to try it at Montrose clinic, I was actually beaming, pun fully intended. Nestled in a picturesque mews in London’s Belgravia, the clinic itself is enough to instil a deep sense of calm. My appointment started with a brief conversation about my skin and goals for the session. In the treatment room, my therapist, India, broke down the technology: Thermage is a radiofrequency device, designed to penetrate deep into the dermis, heating collagen fibres and remodelling them to reveal a more contoured complexion. Because of the nature of the technology, continue to improve over time as new collagen forms. There is some discomfort involved, but hand on my heart, it was barely noticeable and passed as quickly as it arrived. What is noticeable, however, is the treatment’s cumulative effect. A month on from my appointment, my face looks plumper, tighter and more sculpted. And the best is still to come. Fashionably Late by Fine Scents My favourite part about meeting brand founders is learning about their view of the world. I recently sat down with Katerina Knight, founder of fragrance brand Fine Scents, for a conversation about inspiration and curation. Those principles are the drivers behind the brand’s collection: a purposefully limited selection that feels intentional rather than trend-led, featuring creations by some of the world’s most respected perfumers, like Céline Ellena and Frank Voelkl (IYKYK). I can confirm, there is a Fine Scents woman; she’s creative yet restrained, intellectual yet curious, and each one of the brand’s fragrances speaks to a moment in her life. My favourite is Fashionably Late, a white floral blend created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion. Radiant and sensual, it aims to capture the confidence of a woman who knows she can command a room long past call time. It was a hit among my friends, too — my tester changed hands so many times over dinner that it had practically run out by dessert. Feel Lab Experience by Initio Parums Privés Another standout fragrance adventure has captured my attention. I’ve been a long-standing stan of Initio Parums Privés, for both its beautifully composed scents and the science behind each formulation. My interest was piqued when they opened their new store in Covent Garden, where they offer neuroscience-led curation using proprietary EEG technology co-developed with Feel Tech, BrainCo and the Harvard Innovation Lab. Essentially, it’s a lightweight headset that analyses your brain activity to match you with your most suitable signature scent. At the start of the consultation, you describe the fragrance families and notes you resonate with most — mine were powdery scents, musks and ambers. Then the experiment begins: your sales assistant-slash-chic scientist selects a range of scents for blind testing based on your preferences, while monitoring your neural responses to each one. The programme then recommends the fragrances that best align with your mood and responses. Quick, calculated and effortless, discovery doesn’t get more tailored than this. Reform: Sculpt at Volonté Energy If you recall, one of my promises to myself from our April send was to go back to Pilates. Proving that manifestation is real, I came across Volonté Energy, a vibrant wellness studio situated in trendy Fitzrovia. Founded by Vidushi Binani, a Cordon Bleu–trained chef and nutritionist, it offers strenuous reformer classes alongside a canteen of genuinely delicious yet healthy treats (the dream). So while my few-month hiatus meant that I was promptly humbled in class, my reward made it all worth it: peanut butter and chocolate Pro Pop, catering perfectly to both my protein goals and my sweet tooth.
