Latest news with #Thames-side
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Maro Itoje on being first black Lions captain, wife's response and Australia
The England and Saracens second row joins an illustrious group of men to lead the Lions as they head Down Under to face Australia with Itoje taking on his third captaincy role in less than 12 months As a keen studier of literature, philosophy and politics, Maro Itoje may already be aware of Aristotle's maxim that 'everything that is perfect comes in threes'. That has certainly been the case for the 30-year-old when it comes to leadership roles. Having succeeded Owen Farrell as Saracens captain last summer, Itoje then took the England reins from Jamie George before this year's Six Nations. And perhaps the greatest honour of all was still to come, with Itoje installed as British & Irish Lions captain for the 2025 Tour of Australia. Itoje, of course, was informed of his selection for the role before the Thames-side selection showpiece – and risked a domestic rift after hearing the news. 'My fiancé (now wife) was in the room with me as I finished the conversation with Andy (Farrell),' he said. 'I dropped the phone, I looked at her, and I had a quizzical look on my face. She looked at me and said 'why are you looking at me like that', with a little bit of an attitude. 'But then I told her the news and she was very, very happy, jumped for joy. I told my parents as well later on that day, they were super pumped, super excited. It was really nice.' Itoje has often recalled the cultural values which were drummed into him by his Nigerian parents – 'respect, respect for seniority, culture, the food we eat, and all of those things that are different to Western norms or British culture' – and says it 'became normal to operate in two different worlds' while growing up. He did not have any awareness of rugby until the age of 11, with Neil Harris, head of rugby at St George's School in Harpenden, earmarked as a key influence for a young Itoje. The school also counts Farrell, George and George Ford among its alumni and Itoje was something of a sporting all-rounder. He excelled at basketball and athletics, proving particularly strong over 200m and in shot put, at which he was once ranked second in the country for his age. Rugby ultimately won the battle for his affections and his leadership skills were honed when he captained England Under-20s to Six Nations and World Championship glory in 2014. Two – soon to be three – Lions tours, five Premiership titles and three European Champions Cup titles later, Itoje is ready for the ultimate leadership test. He gained an insight into what to expect at a 'captain's dinner' the night before the squad was announced, with Martin Johnson – the most recent English captain of the Lions – among those in attendance. 'He was very gracious, I enjoyed hearing his stories of yesteryear and he has offered his support with anything I need,' Itoje said. 'I'm sure I'll be tapping into that at some point. The dinner was quite cool, quite surreal. It reminded me of the prestige this jersey holds and what it means to a lot of people. 'The Lions is an elite environment but it also feels like one of the few remaining old school rugby environments in terms of the membership of it, the exclusive nature of it. It was amazing to break bread with some of those legends who I look up to.' There is far more to Itoje than the gifted second-rower and inspirational leader visible on the rugby field. He has embraced his status as a role model and never shied away from taking a stance on issues beyond his sport. Itoje spoke out in the wake of George Floyd's death, for example, outlining a desire to educate people. "Racial bias affects everyone - so black people have racial bias, white people have racial bias,' he told the BBC. "But what happens is, when white people have this racial bias and they then get into positions of power - they become teachers, become university professors, politicians, broadcasters - it affects everybody. "Once that happens, they then act unconsciously - some consciously and unconsciously - on this racial bias, and produce a system which is not equal opportunity for all." Now installed as the Lions' first black captain, Itoje will continue to use his status as a force for good and build on the work done by The Pearl Fund, a charity he launched in 2023 funding education in Ghana, Nigeria and other African countries. The lock, who graduated with an MBA from Warwick Business School in January 2024, has also been vocal about his urge to build a career outside of rugby when his playing days are over. But his immediate focus is on etching his name into Lions folklore. Having taken on the England captaincy from his long-time Saracens and Lions teammate George at the start of the year, he played a key role as Steve Borthwick's much-improved side finished second. He will now join forces with those on the opposing side in that competition to try and repeat the exploits of the 2013 tourists, who were successful Down Under. 'I was at school during that time, which sounds crazy now,' he said. 'One of the key bits for me was George North, when he picked up Izzy Falau and ran a few yards, that got the whole crowd on their feet. 'Then there was Leigh Halfpenny's kicks, one of them to win the game, the drama in and around that. And there was a lot of noise in and around the final Test selection, with Brian (O'Driscoll) being dropped, and how they went to dominate that last game. All round, it was a great tour full of drama.' The second-row is renowned as a serious thinker and determined operator but is also prioritising enjoyment for the Lions' class of 2025, having been part of the squad on the ghost tour four years ago which saw strict Covid rules in place and no fans present. 'You can tell the energy for the Lions is at an all-time high, so it's going to be special,' he said. 'I can't wait to see that Sea of Red again. There is a long list of players here in this squad who I've gone to battle with and against for a number of years and haven't had the opportunity to play with, which is really exciting.' Itoje once put his initial love of rugby down to three things - a desire to make friends, loving being part of a team and being 'obsessed' with wearing the county club tie. The colour of the tie may have changed but the first two principles remain firmly in place as he prepares for the challenge of a lifetime. 'First and foremost, the most important thing is performance,' he said. 'Being captain doesn't necessarily mean you are going to play, you have to perform at a high level. Through your performance, everything else follows. That will be at the front of my mind. 'Ultimately, it comes down to how we all come together. The success of this tour will be how we buy in, how we connect. 'The rugby will take care of itself, the real success of the tour will be how tight we can be as a team and a group of men.'
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Kismet Olfactive launches new fragrance collection exclusively at Stéle
New York-based independent fine fragrance studio Kismet Olfactive is set to launch its second collection, on June 20, exclusively at niche fragrance retailer, Stéle in Nolita. Dubbed "Common Ground", the six-piece collection explores the shared urban spaces that bring people together, with each scent capturing the essence of an iconic landmark in cities around the world. The collection includes MACBA, named after the iconic museum in Barcelona; Tompkins, which captures the raw, rebellious energy of New York's East Village and its legendary Tompkins Square Park; L.A. High, evoking a hazy Los Angeles daydream; République, a portrait of Paris's Place de la République; Embarcadero, inspired by San Francisco's waterfront; and, lastly, South Bank, a moody, poetic ode to London's Thames-side stretch. 'This collection is a love letter to the places that quietly shape who we are,' said founder and classically-trained perfumer, Shabnam Tavakol. 'Those shared city spaces where we gather, pause, pass through, or simply exist alongside one another. Each fragrance in the collection reflects not just a physical place, but the emotion and memory tied to it. I spent years refining these scents because I wanted them to feel lived-in.' Each fragrance in the collection retails for $135 and launches with a poetic, cinematic montage, extending the sensory experience into a visual world.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Kismet Olfactive launches new fragrance collection exclusively at Stéle
New York-based independent fine fragrance studio Kismet Olfactive is set to launch its second collection, on June 20, exclusively at niche fragrance retailer, Stéle in Nolita. Dubbed "Common Ground", the six-piece collection explores the shared urban spaces that bring people together, with each scent capturing the essence of an iconic landmark in cities around the world. The collection includes MACBA, named after the iconic museum in Barcelona; Tompkins, which captures the raw, rebellious energy of New York's East Village and its legendary Tompkins Square Park; L.A. High, evoking a hazy Los Angeles daydream; République, a portrait of Paris's Place de la République; Embarcadero, inspired by San Francisco's waterfront; and, lastly, South Bank, a moody, poetic ode to London's Thames-side stretch. 'This collection is a love letter to the places that quietly shape who we are,' said founder and classically-trained perfumer, Shabnam Tavakol. 'Those shared city spaces where we gather, pause, pass through, or simply exist alongside one another. Each fragrance in the collection reflects not just a physical place, but the emotion and memory tied to it. I spent years refining these scents because I wanted them to feel lived-in.' Each fragrance in the collection retails for $135 and launches with a poetic, cinematic montage, extending the sensory experience into a visual world.
Time Out
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
London's most spectacular free festival has just announced its 2025 line-up
Whether you consider yourself a theatre fan or not, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is always a highlight of the annual London calendar, bringing together spectacular, essentially unclassifiable outdoor entertainment to the open spaces of Thames-side London. In recent years shows have included a recreation of the Northern Lights, a bevy of glowing swans, and a performance on a melting artificial iceberg. Now it's back for 2025, and the first tranche of announcements for this year's festival are upon on. First things first: we have dates! The festival will run in its traditional late summer slot, this year August 22 to September 6. There's basically too much stuff to list in full, but I'll pick out a few highlights and you can catch up with the full bill here. You can always rely on GDIF for a spectacular opener, and this year it comes from hench French parkour troupe Lézards Bleus, who will get things underway with Above and Beyond (Aug 22, pictured top), a dazzling opener in which eight performers will astound gathered crowds as they leap over the roofs of central Woolwich. Great news for families: the beloved Greenwich Fair (Aug 23 and 24) will return to central Greenwich after skipping last year. It brings family friendly games and street performance to the heart of the borough; there's stuff on all day with highlights within the programme including all-female Belgian circus company Cie Des Chaussons Rouges's high wire show Epiphytes in Greenwich Park. Down on Greenwich Peninsula there will be another sub festival entitled Turning Worlds (Aug 30 and 31) that will include four collaborations between the world of technology, engineering and performance, including the delightfully named Robopole, a human/robot acrobatic act from German company ULIK. Perhaps the most spectacular show of the rest of the bunch is Dutch company Panama Pictures's performance The Weight of the Water (Sep 5 and 6), a physical theatre piece on the subject of climate change that will take place of a seesawing platform in the middle of Birchmere Lake in Thamesmead. Loads of other stuff has also been announced and more will be announced in the future. As everything at GDIF is free and none of it is bookable there's not a whole lot you need to do for now other than pay attention to further announcements and remember the dates.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Borneo Post
My botanical affair: Falling in love again at Kew Gardens
I have always found joy wandering through gardens, whether in Malaysia or abroad. From the tranquil trails of Sandakan's Rainforest Discovery Centre to Singapore's futuristic Gardens by the Bay and the timeless grace of all the Royal Botanic Gardens. Each visit nourishes something deep within me. So when I had a chance to revisit the legendary Kew Gardens in Richmond on a recent UK trip, I didn't hesitate. Some fall in love in Paris, others lose their hearts in Venice. Me? I found my second great botanical romance at Kew – lush, leafy, and utterly irresistible. As a botany student at UKM, Kew shimmered in my textbooks like a faraway green paradise. I was no stranger to the plant world: from oil palm estates to chilly labs, stomatal debates to tree-whispering, chlorophyll coloured much of my life. At Cambridge, I dove deeper into the science of plant breeding – yet Kew remained a missed stop, just beyond reach. My first visit came only a few years ago. This was my second, but somehow, it felt richer, perhaps laced with nostalgia. I came for two reasons: to savour the lushness of this living sanctuary, especially the majestic Palm House, and to reflect on Kew's quiet but vital role in the history of the oil palm, a plant that transformed tropical landscapes, including Malaysia's. Now retired, I was no longer racing clocks. I wandered freely, breathed deeply and let wonder take the lead. Aging slows your step, but sharpens your gaze. What I felt was not discovery but rediscovery. As a believer in God the Creator, I see more than beauty in plants. I see design in the symmetry of petals, intention in leaf veins, divinity in the miracle of photosynthesis and more. Even palm oil metabolites carry whispers of awe about God. That day, in the soft spring light beneath ancient canopies, I fell in love again, not just with plants, but with their stories. Their quiet power to connect science and soul, memory and meaning. Kew doesn't just display flora, it honours them, welcomes them like old friends. And for one glorious day, it felt like Mother Nature threw a garden party and I made the guest list. Oh, and if you're curious: 'Kew' comes from Old French kai (landing place) and Old English hoh (spur of land) fitting for its Thames-side perch. On this visit, I was fortunate to make a few thoughtful stops around Kew – each one a quiet marvel. Here's a little glimpse of what I discovered. Titan Arum: The Bloom That Clears the Room Stepping into the Palm House at Kew Gardens feels like slipping into a tropical dream – humid, green, and a world away from London's usual tempo. The air thickens with warmth and the earthy scent of damp foliage, while towering palms and broad-leafed giants reach skyward, their fronds grazing the glass dome that filters golden, dappled light. On this visit, I was blessed with a rare sight – one that quite literally stops you in your tracks: the Titan arum, also known as the corpse flower. In Bahasa Indonesia, it's 'bunga bangkai' – the dead body flower. Aptly named, gloriously grotesque and absolutely not for the faint of nose. I haven't seen this botanical beast in a while, but it's gearing up for a bloom and that's no small event. Towering up to three metres tall, with one of the largest inflorescences in the plant kingdom, the titan arum doesn't just flower, it stages a spectacle. Its claim to fame? That stench. A noxious cocktail of dimethyl trisulfide found in rotting flesh and sautéed leeks – makes this plant a master of morbid marketing. It doesn't politely invite pollinators. It screams: 'Free buffet for carrion beetles and flesh flies!' Native to the rainforests of Sumatra though some smelly cousins lurk in parts of Borneo, the Titan arum blooms perhaps once every decade. And even then, the window of pungent glory lasts just 48 – 72 hours. Miss it, and it's gone. Smell it, and it's forever burned into memory. The Titan's blooms have been witnessed by lucky visitors in botanical gardens throughout the world. Indonesian planters may speak of this mythical jungle marvel in hushed tones, but few have witnessed its grotesque grandeur. And yet here it is, under glass at Kew – young, brooding and preparing its olfactory ambush. So, if you ever find yourself at Kew and catch a whiff of something suspicious wafting through the Palm House, don't hold your breath. You might just be in time for the world's greatest stink-show. And trust me, it's worth every eye-watering second. Old Age Plant (OAP) in Palm House (for many others aka Old Age Person!) Meet the OAP of the plant world in the Palm House – the Eastern Cape giant Cycad at Kew Gardens. This leafy legend, officially the oldest pot plant on Earth, weighs over a tonne and towers above four metres tall. But don't be fooled by its grandeur; it's been chilling in its tropical Palm House since 1775. That is 250 years old! How did this ancient green giant get here? Thanks to Kew's original plant hunter named Francis Masson, who braved months at sea to bring it from South Africa's Eastern Cape. Imagine strapping a giant, palm-like plant to the deck of a wooden sailing ship – soaked by rain, basking in sunlight all the way to London. Once it arrived, it was ferried up the Thames by barge, finally settling into its new home. So, next time you spot this botanical heavyweight, remember: it's not just a plant, it's a survivor with tales taller than itself and a lot more leaves! Princess Tree with a Dowry Dream While strolling through a quiet grove in Kew, I stumbled upon an elegant tree with heart-shaped leaves that fluttered like whispered secrets in the breeze. It was Paulownia kawakamii – the Sapphire Dragon Tree. What a name! Equal parts poetry and fantasy. Honestly, who names trees like this? It's as if botanists moonlight as mythmakers Curious, I leaned in and found myself caught not just by its beauty, but by its story. This was no ordinary tree. This was a Paulownia, Japan's beloved kiri or Princess Tree. And it comes with an age-old tale worth telling. In Japanese tradition, when a baby girl is born, a kiri tree is planted in her honour. Fast-growing and noble in stature, it's not just a leafy ornament – it's a living time capsule. By the time the daughter is grown and ready to marry, the tree, too, is mature. Its fine-grained wood, light but strong, is then crafted into a beautiful dowry chest, rich with meaning and ready to carry keepsakes into her new life. Named after Anna Pavlovna, daughter of Tsar Paul I, this East Asian native has royal flair with humble roots. And while it may not come with a tiara, it wears its legacy with leafy pride. So there I was, unexpectedly wrapped in a moment where botany met tradition, and a simple tree whispered a centuries-old tale of daughters, dreams and dowries. Who knew an afternoon wander could bloom into such a story? Lily Giants: A Splash of Wonder at Kew's Lily House I stepped into the Lily House at Kew Gardens and instantly felt like I'd wandered into a botanical fairy tale where I had somehow shrunk to the size of a curious insect in a giant's greenhouse. This was no ordinary glasshouse. It was the watery kingdom of Victoria amazonica, the legendary giant water lily. Their enormous leaves, that can stretch over two metres wide, can float like regal green platters across the pond. Strong enough to support a small child (though best not to try – Kew's staff aren't fans of impromptu science experiments), they looked like nature's very own lily-shaped trampolines. This time, the lilies were still young – think awkward, oversized teenagers – but already hinting at the grandeur to come. I also wandered over to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, where another family of lilies put on their own elegant show. Here, with 10 computer-controlled climate zones, this conservatory is a glassy labyrinth leading visitor through a series of fascinating ecosystems. Clearly, at Kew, water lilies don't just bloom – they perform on site. The Lily House and the Conservatory are magical splash of grandeur and grace – proof that in the plant kingdom, sometimes bigger really is better. The Mighty Oak Gets a Digital Glow-Up This spring and summer, Kew Gardens decided it was time to celebrate one of Britain's botanical legends – the oak tree – with all the flair of a West End premiere. I happened to be there amid the leafy fanfare and stumbled upon 'Of the Oak', a glorious 6-metre-tall LED spectacle that had both nature-lovers and tech geeks gawking in awe. It was innovative, immersive and judging by its grandeur, probably not cheap. But oh, was it worth it. Created by the wildly inventive collective Marshmallow Laser Feast (yes, that's their real name and yes, they're as creative as they sound), this 12-minute interactive video installation transforms the humble Lucombe oak into a digital diva. Standing tall like a portal to an enchanted forest dimension, it guides you through the oak's transformation across all four seasons with visuals and sound that make you feel like you're inside the tree, or perhaps becoming the tree. Reminds me of the movie Avatar. You don't just see leaves change colour. You're taken on a hypnotic journey beneath the bark to witness the flow of water and nutrients, the oak's subtle act of carbon sequestration via its underground mycelial web aka nature's own WiFi, and the quiet release of oxygen that keeps us all breathing. Oh, and let's not forget the 2,000+ species that depend on this tree, because every great oak throws a party for the entire ecosystem. How did they pull this off? With a blend of sci-fi wizardry and cutting-edge tree-hugging. The team used LiDAR scanning to create a precise 3D model of the oak, photogrammetry to capture the fine textures of its leaves and limbs, and even Ground Penetrating Radar (cue futuristic soundtrack) to map its root system. This isn't just art. It's a high-tech love letter to one of nature's grandest elders. 'Of the Oak' isn't just a tribute. It's an immersive wake-up call that reminds us we're not separate from the natural world, but very much a part of it. Marshmallow Laser Feast's genius lies in turning data into wonder, science into story and trees into stars. I am just imagining if we can one day soon do the same tribute for oil palm. Temperate House Closed – A Botanical Letdown I have to say, I was genuinely disappointed to find the Temperate House closed during my visit – apparently for maintenance. I wasn't alone; many visitors wore the same puzzled, let-down look. What baffled me more was the lack of any announcement on the website. Surely, a heads-up about scheduled closures is the least a world-class garden could do? I even met an English lady in a wheelchair with her daughter, both equally crestfallen after planning their trip around this very highlight. No lush plants, no dreamy strolls through the Temperate House – just empty promises. A little courtesy goes a long way, especially when visitors travel far hoping for a green escape. Here's hoping next time, Kew remembers to send out an RSVP before closing the doors on eager plant lovers! Whispers in Bronze: The Beauty of the Leaf Spirit at Kew This spring, many days were kissed by golden sunlight, stretching lazily past 7 p.m. under flawless skies. It felt as though I had smuggled a sliver of Malaysia's tropical glow across continents, sharing a whisper of warmth with the UK, with love from Malaysians. As I was about to leave Kew after a long, soul-stirring day, something made me pause. Tucked quietly among the foliage stood Simon Gudgeon's Leaf Spirit – a serene bronze face unfurling from sculpted leaf forms, its open spaces offering glimpses of the garden beyond. It wasn't just a sculpture; it was an invitation. To breathe. To be still. To remember that nature doesn't shout; it whispers. In that tranquil moment, I felt embraced by the Leaf Spirit, as if it gently said, 'Rest here awhile.' It was a soft farewell, a promise of return. In a world spinning ever faster, this quiet companion reminded me that true beauty isn't only found in dazzling blooms – but in the silence between them. Farewell for Now, Dear Kew Visiting Kew Gardens was truly a memorable experience I want to share with first-timers. Nestled on 300 acres in southwest London, Kew Gardens is much more than a park – it's a living museum of over 50,000 plant species from around the globe. Transportation to get there is convenient. Its origins date back to the 1750s as part of the royal estate, blossoming into a world-renowned botanical garden and research center. The gardens played a crucial role in the history of plant science and global botanical exploration. For first-time visitors, I recommend setting aside a full day, wearing comfortable shoes and taking your time to absorb the beauty and science intertwined here. Kew is a perfect blend of history, nature and discovery – an oasis where the past and present of botany meet. As I leave the winding paths and hidden corners of Kew Gardens, I carry with me memories of leafy whispers, vibrant blooms and moments of quiet wonder. You have been a gracious host, a sanctuary of nature's marvels and human creativity intertwined. Though our time together is drawing to a close, I know this is not goodbye – just a gentle 'until we meet again.' I look forward to returning, to uncover new stories, new blossoms and that familiar sense of peace you can offer. Chelsea Flower Show – Or the One That Got Away Extra. As I flew back, a cheeky thought bloomed in my mind – I'd just missed the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. Tragic. Officially dubbed the Great Spring Show, this annual floral fête, held from 20–24 May this year, is the crown jewel of garden shows. Hosted by the RHS at Chelsea since 1912, it's graced by the green thumbs of royalty and horticultural heroes alike. But fret not. In true London fashion, when the Chelsea Flower Show is in town, the city becomes one giant bouquet. Storefronts, sidewalks, even street signs, everything is abloom. It's as if the whole capital of London sighs in petals and perfumes. They call it the world's greatest flower show, and for good reason. It's not just a garden show; it's horticultural haute couture. Think cutting-edge garden design, show-stopping floral installations, and enough plant envy to make your plants blush. Alas, I missed it. But let's be honest, if I'd stayed any longer, it might've turned into another love story. And I've already got enough tales to tell. Next time, maybe.
