A Scandalous tea party//30’s glamour aboard the SS Atlantica// Babs’ Fab//Menu Fix chez David Carter.

This is something about September that that fills me with glee. Although it signals that summer is well and truly over (and frankly when did the lazy child start?) it has a crisp, freshness full of new beginnings. Did Aloysius Lilius get the calendar wrong? I think so. For me September really signals the start of a new year and it is with great satisfaction that I bring to you more new events than you can shake a Time Out at.

It’s about bloody time London’s favourite pin-up put her face to something. And the girl has. Fleur de Guerre has joined forces with Emerald Fontaine to throw one last summer bash in a true English style. Scandalous High Socie-tea (5 September, 7.00pm till 1.00am £15 The Fox, 28 Paul Street, Shoreditch, London EC2 4LB) brings you equal doses of sin and civility, Pimms, croquet and cake. Look the other way and its all nipple tassels and saucy swing dancing. All of this on a roof garden (who needs Shoreditch house?) Tickets are selling fast ...



The clever people behind the Blitz and Prohibition Prohibition nights have come up with a new time warp adventure that that embraces my new favourite, and often over looked era, the 1930’s. Too poor for a holiday? Come aboard the SS Atlantica for its maiden voyage (12 September, 8pm till 2am £15, Commodity Quay, St Katherine’s Dock, E1W 1AZ). Seasickness a turnoff? Fear not. The event will faithfully recreate a ballroom of a luxury cruise liner circa 1931 and the evening's entertainment follows an authentic ship’s itinerary from that era. Men are encouraged to emulate the starched collar and immaculate dinner suit of an Agatha Christie villain, whilst ladies can take their inspiration from the silk and fur ensembles worn by stars of the silver screen. Any confusion over 30’s dress e-mail me (Naomi@vintagesecret.com)



To celebrate London Fashion week, Rich Mix are hosting In Conversation with Barbara (22 September, 7.30pm, £5, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA) Barbara Hulanicki is the one woman powerhouse behind everyone’s favourite 60’s throwback, Biba, but did you know that it started out as a small mail-order business featured in the fashion columns of newspapers such as the Daily Mirror? There is hope for me yet. I shall be there in my King’s Road finest to hear her pearls of wisdom.



Tucked away in Stepney is a hotel of such divinity that a visit should be up there with the Alhambra on everyone’s ‘to do before I die’ list. David Carter, interior designer extraordinaire, converted a Queen Anne townhouse into the world’s best micro boutique, the 40 Winks hotel. And Vogue agrees. He is also famed for his life changing parties. I woke up from the last one with the front door open, adorned by nothing more than a tutu, pink slippers and a gazillion business cards. His latest venture promises to be nothing less. ‘Menu Fixe’ is London’s latest pop-up restaurant to provide divinely decadent dinners for people looking for something a bit more exciting than the average restaurant experience. Top event caterers, Mise-En-Bouche will be conjuring up the culinary magic in the kitchen, while guests will be expected to look their stellar best dressed in their favourite catwalk couture. The first in this series of theatrical banquets commences 26 September, £80 per head including pre-drinks and half bottle of wine. We must warn you there are only 12 available places (7.30pm till 11.00 pm Mile End Road, London E1).



To round off the month why not immerse yourself in a thinly (gin) veiled hour of academia to mark the beginning of the school year. The Last Tuesday Society is setting the record straight on that scandalous affair between Oscar Wilde and Lord Bosey. (Hendricks Lecture 29 September, 6pm till 9pm, £10 includes a G&T, The Tabernacle, Powis Square, Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 2AY)) They have managed to dig up a relative of Alfred Douglas to tell his tale, Gawain Douglas, his great nephew. He will shed light on that extraordinary dynasty, the Black Douglasses, from which he and his great-uncle are descended. Suicide, murder and pillage were endemic to this lawless, arrogant clan which Oscar Wilde described in his famous prison letter to Bosie, as 'The mad, bad line, from which you are come" Perfect for realising that your bitter shit stirring aunt isn’t that bad after all.



Website of the month

Give it to me now!

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This new tee emporium has made me buy trousers again just so I can slip into one of their amazingly well fitted garments. The Printed range features designs created by a crew of the UK’s top up and coming artists. With only 100 of each ‘T’ designed by their exceptionally talented creative squad you can invest in a bit of wearable art and be snug (and smug) this winter.

All this and more here:

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