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Soho’s Upstairs at Ronnie’s never felt more alive. With a brilliant and musically exquisite evening, the newly reimagined venue celebrated its relaunch by hosting R&B powerhouses Nao and Vula Malinga, who led the room through a smooth rendition of Aaliyah’s ‘Rock the Boat’ among many other renditions.

Officially unveiling on February 6th, the first-floor space has undergone a total transformation, turning into a 140-capacity auditorium that feels both fresh and deeply connected to the legacy of the club. Fred Nash, the Managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s, has spent months overseeing this refurbishment to create what he describes as a beautiful and intimate space where artists feel truly valued. 

The room now features an art deco-style ceiling and a high-spec Yamaha sound system that makes every note from the new S3X Grand Piano carry with perfect clarity. Across the space, designed with interiors by Archer Humphryes, you can spot antique mirrors, tassel lamps and golden-velvet banquettes that create a sense of timeless elegance. Overhead panels allow natural light to filter in during the day and transition into a moody glow once the sun sets over Greek Street.  Guests moved between the music and a menu curated by the new executive chef, Steven Connolly. The kitchen delivered a series of standout plates, from perfectly seasoned chips and a rich mushroom tart to a cacio e pepe bean risotto finished with a generous shaving of truffle. A new marble bar serves as a focal point for the room, where guests can order expertly mixed Martinis, champagne or even vodka shots.

James Pearson, the Artistic Director and house pianist, has put together a programme that spans well beyond traditional jazz. His upcoming ‘Classical Series’ will see the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars reimagining iconic works, while the ‘Close Up’ series brings figures like David Arnold and Juliet Stevenson into the room for intimate conversations.

“With Upstairs at Ronnie’s, we set ourselves the somewhat audacious goal of creating the greatest small live music venue in the world,” says Nash. “At a time when so many venues face uncertainty, we’re proud to be investing in live music, championing grassroots talent, and supporting Soho’s vibrant cultural community.”

The schedule for the coming months is packed with a variety of sounds. Daniel Thomas, a legendary choir director who has worked with everyone from Luther Vandross to Elton John, leads the brand-new Ronnie Scott’s Gospel Choir every first Sunday. There is also a dedicated Piano Trio Series featuring musicians like Ashley Henry and Bill Laurance, as well as a Vocal Jazz Jam hosted by Jamie Safir. 

For those who prefer the energy of the early hours, the Late Late Show will continue to showcase emerging talent from Tomorrow’s Warriors. 

Tickets are available now for the inaugural season, offering a chance to see one of London’s most famous stages from a completely new perspective. Find out more here.

photography. courtesy of Taran Wilkhu, Monika S. Jakubowska

words. Gennaro Costanzo

In the midst of the buzzy men’s fashion week in Paris, Kenzo opted for a homecoming of sorts. To present the maison’s Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, Creative Director Nigo opened the doors to Kenzo Takada’s former residence, located in the heart of the Bastille district. The sweeping 1,600-square-metre house was designed by Takada and his partner, architect Xavier de Castella, and completed in 1993. Though Castella did not live to see the finished home – the first stage of construction was completed in 1989, just a year before his death – Takada lived there until 2009. 

Originally imagined as a private sanctuary, or “oasis house,” the space was designed to promote meditation and rest. Yet, in keeping with Takada’s boundless creativity, it also played host to photoshoots, showrooms, and parties. The interiors seamlessly married French and Japanese aesthetics – much like the maison itself – and were partly modelled on Takada’s father’s teahouse in Himeji, Hyōgo Province. 

A dedicated space for tea ceremonies subtly referenced the teahouse, while traditional tatami floor mats and shoji sliding doors were among Takada’s many Japanese design choices. He even installed an indoor swimming pool. Outside, a Japanese garden flourishes with bamboo, junipers, mosses, maple trees, and cherry trees, bringing a sense of tranquillity to both the exterior and interior of the property. A koi carp pond sits just beyond a grand window, where Takada was known to meditate in a specific spot – one that Nigo himself recreated during his first visit to the house. In 2018, the residence was redesigned by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and is now owned by Isabelle and Olivier Chouvet, co-founders of global luxury marketing and communications firm The Independents.

For the presentation, the library room guided guests through Kenzo’s archive. Sketches, editorials, and archival looks – such as an Autumn/Winter 1983 men’s quilted jacket and an Autumn/Winter 1987 women’s embroidered jacket – traced the maison’s evolution since its founding in 1970. This retrospective not only reaffirmed Takada’s unwavering vision but also highlighted how Nigo has thoughtfully built upon his legacy. In the kitchen, Nigo’s regular coffee spot, Télescope, created a bespoke menu for guests, featuring matcha cookies, mini ham sandwiches with shiso, and fresh goat cheese wrapped in nori leaf with ume.

The Autumn/Winter collection echoed many of the house’s own qualities. Like the interiors in which it was shown, it was a melange of French and Japanese design. Nigo played with cultures, codes, and archetypes, effortlessly combining varsity graphics, flannel cowboy shirts, Chinese pankou detailing, Italian tailoring, and kimonos. Presented within oak-panelled rooms framed by greenery, the collection felt deeply connected to the house – and its storied past.

photography. Courtesy of Kenzo
words. Amber Louise

Winning a local car show is nice, but taking home a trophy that declares your vehicle superior to every other top-tier winner on the planet is a different league entirely. The Peninsula Paris became the centre of the automotive universe this week as it crowned a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B with ‘The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award.’ This is the sort of accolade that settles arguments before they even start, marking the car as the undisputed monarch of the classic circuit.

Qualifying for this award is harder than getting a table at a new hotspot on opening night. To even be invited, a car must have already won ‘Best of Show’ at a major international Concours d’Elegance during the previous year. This specific Alfa Romeo punched its ticket by dominating at ‘The Amelia 2025’ before arriving in Paris for the gala on 26 January. The event drew a crowd as high-profile as the machinery, including Nicole Kidman, who watched as the Italian thoroughbred took the top honour.

Sir Michael Kadoorie launched this initiative in 2015 alongside co-founders William E. ‘Chip’ Connor, Bruce Meyer and Christian Philippsen because they shared a desire to celebrate the best of what defines the automotive world. They wanted to create a global benchmark that brings the elite of the international concours scene together in one place. It serves as a way to honour the highest art of restoration while ensuring these mechanical cultural assets are preserved for future generations to appreciate.

Most collectors would settle for any 8C, but this chassis comes with a backstory that sounds like it was written for cinema. It was originally owned by Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina, the man who etched his name in history as the first official Formula 1 World Champion in 1950. While many of its siblings wore Touring coachwork, Farina kept it in the family by commissioning Stabilimenti Farina to sculpt the body. The result is the only 8C 2900B in existence with this specific design, making it a singular piece of motoring history.

Deborah Keller accepted the prize for the Keller Collection and noted that the car “embodies the golden era of Italian automotive design and outstanding craftsmanship.” The vehicle was in a partially restored state when acquired but underwent a complete transformation finished in 1995. Since then, it has been busy collecting silverware at Pebble Beach and even winning the ‘Parade of Elegance’ after completing the Rally Monte Carlo. “Every time I see it, I am reminded why such magnificent automobiles deserve to be preserved and celebrated,” Keller said.

Taking the title required fending off six other nominees that represent the absolute peak of collecting. The Alfa had to outshine heavyweights like a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster and a 1954 Ferrari 375 MM. The jury panel responsible for this difficult decision included industry titans such as Gordon Murray and Jay Leno. Co-founder of the awards, Christian Philippsen, described the winner as “the pinnacle of pre-war high-performance engineering,” and it is hard to argue with that assessment.

Anyone hoping to see this masterpiece in the metal can head to Rétromobile from 28 January to 1 February. Find out more here.

photography. courtesy of Agence Pancake, Peninsula Paris
words. Gennaro Costanzo