E D I T O R ’ S L E T T E R

Spring is a time for fresh starts and so it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the first issue of Spectator Life, a new string to The Spectator’s bow. In this exciting year in which Britain celebrates both the Diamond

Jubilee and the Olympics,we are confident that our bold new enterprise will prosper and flourish. Four times a year, we will bring you an intelligent assortment of articles on culture, fashion, people and places, served with a distinctive Spectator twist.

As London gears up for this summer’s two big celebrations, Jack Wakefield asks why the Tate’s Sir Nicholas Serota has taken such an obvious path and put on a Damien Hirst show, while Martin Vander Weyer tells us how best to salute Her Majesty as she celebrates her 60th year on the throne. Rachel Johnson and Toby Young look at the blurred boundaries between politics and showbiz and the new breed of maverick MPs, Jeffrey Archer reveals his passion for banging the gavel and Barry Humphries identifies a new young comedian destined for the top. Dan Jones and our Wish List encourage you to go shopping,

while Merryn Somerset Webb offers more measured ways of spending your money in her

Invested Interests column.

We hope you will find Spectator Life an informative and enlivening read.

Lucinda Baring, Editor

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Chairman Andrew Neil Editor Lucinda Baring

Picture editor Danielle Wall Sub-editors Peter Robins, John Honderich Art director Kuchar Swara, DKW&R Design assistant Emanuel Zahariades

Advertising Melissa McAdden: melissa@spectator.co.uk, 020 7961 0212

Supplied free with the 31 March issue of The Spectator The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP

Telephone: 020 7961 0200 www.spectator.co.uk Cover image Phil Poynter/Serlin Associates/trunkarchive.com C O N T E N T S

12. The Index Where to go and what to see in April, May and June C U L T U R E 15. World view A.A. Gill reflects on five photographs by his long-time collaborator Tom Craig 19. Sacred cow Britain deserves more than Damien Hirst in Olympics year, says Jack Wakefield 24. Building better lives Alain de Botton tells us why beautiful buildings inspire virtue 28. Interview: Chad Harbach Jacob Heilbrunn talks to the novelist hailed as the next Jonathan Franzen 30. Interview: Leanne Benjamin The Royal Ballet’s senior principal dancer talks to Louise Levene

L I F E 35. Pretty party Rachel Johnson says the right are better looking than the left 37. The Unwhippables Toby Young on the rebellious Tory A-listers transforming the party 39. Invested Interests It’s not too late to go for gold, says Merryn Somerset Webb 40. Sold! Jeffrey Archer describes his other career as a charity auctioneer 42. Send her victorious Martin Vander Weyer looks forward to celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

S T Y L E 47. Heart on sleeve Watches have emotional resonance, says Oscar Humphries 50. Interview: Annabel Astor The Oka founder talks to Fraser Nelson 52. Of mice and menswear Dan Jones goes shopping online for the best of men’s fashion 55.  The Wish List

T R AV E L 61. Gecko fabulous Tom Adair shares the joys of holidaying on his own island in the Philippines 63. Hong Kong Where to stay 64. Globe trotting This spring’s most desirable destinations

66. One to Watch Barry Humphries picks his favourite up-and-coming young comedian

Stockists The Vintage Wedding List www.thevintageweddinglist.co.uk Adler www.adler.ch / Van Cleef & Arpels www.vancleef-arpels.com Cartier www.cartier.co.uk / Harrods www.harrods.com Noble MacMillan www.noblemacmillan.com William & Son www.williamandson.com Pomellato www.pomellato.it / Georg Jensen www.georgjensen.com Chaumet www.chaumet.com / Christian Dior www.dior.com Diptyque www.diptyqueparis.co.uk / Tag Heuer www.tagheuer.com

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