Who. What. Where?

Notting Hill, known for its various delightful eateries, recently welcomed a unique addition in 2022 with the opening of The Counter. This contemporary ocakbasi restaurant, helmed by acclaimed Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal, offers a remarkable blend of traditional south eastern Anatolian cooking styles and innovative culinary creations. Situated on Golborne Road, The Counter aims to introduce Londoners to a new and elevated understanding of Turkish cuisine, while showcasing Kemal’s groundbreaking approach to his native culinary heritage.

Ballantine’s Scotch whisky partners with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan to celebrate their shared values of authenticity and individuality. Commemorating Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary and Wu-Tang Clan’s 30th anniversary, the collaboration kicks off with an exclusive limited edition Ballantine’s x RZA Crosley record player, available from June 30, 2023. Rooted in a love for music, this partnership aims to create moments of connection over music and whisky. RZA’s design of the C6 record player, accompanied by a Montero bluetooth speaker, emphasises the importance of staying true to personal preferences. Over the coming months, Ballantine’s and RZA will continue their collaboration with exclusive releases, from music to food to fashion. 

Visual artists Tishk Barzanji and Shaquille-Aaron Keith will showcase their creative visions at London bars Sketch and Silverleaf as part of Bombay Sapphire’s ‘Saw This, Made This’ installation series. Each installation will reflect the artists’ unique styles while drawing inspiration from the venues’ visual identities. Guests can fully immerse themselves in the artwork of these talented artists while savouring specially crafted ‘Saw This, Made This’ cocktails inspired by the installations. The installation series originated at the Design Museum in London, where participants were encouraged by campaign Creative Director Baz Luhrmann to perceive the world as an inspiring gallery. Following the success of the campaign, Barzanji and Keith partnered with Bombay Sapphire to continue fostering a creative perspective and designed the in-bar installations for a captivating summer experience. Barzanji’s instillation will be available to view at Sketch from June 5th – 16th, while Keith’s takes place from August 1st – 24th September at Silverleaf.

Somerset House presents BLACK VENUS, an exhibition exploring the historical representation and evolving legacy of Black women in visual culture. Curated by Aindrea Emelife, it brings together the work of over 20 Black women and non-binary artists, examining themes of othering, fetishization, and reclamation of narratives surrounding Black femininity. Pairing contemporary artworks with archival imagery from 1793 to 1930, the exhibition challenges centuries-old objectification and celebrates the multifaceted nature of Black womanhood. Following its debut at New York’s Fotografiska, the exhibition arrives at Somerset House with new works and UK-based artists, after its residency at San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora. The exhibition will run from July 20th – September 24th. For more information and to book tickets now, click here.

REFY introduces its new Lip Blush today, a lightweight formula that enhances your natural lip with a subtle blush of colour. Featuring patented blurring technology, it effectively smoothes and reduces fine lines, providing a natural and flawless finish. The aim is to achieve the “your lips but better” look without the need for a harsh and semi-permanent salon Lip Blush treatment. This versatile product can also be used on the cheeks, and the packaging is 100% recyclable, distinguishing it from lip products containing non-recyclable metal components. REFY’s Lip Blush is available to purchase here. 

Menswear brand Farah has expanded its presence with the opening of a new store on London’s Berwick Street. Spanning 1,100 square feet, the store occupies the ground floor and basement of the refurbished retail units at the south end of Soho’s Berwick Street. The store showcases Farah’s eye-catching spring/summer 2023 collections, drawing inspiration from the vintage LA surf scene. Additionally, it features a summer capsule collection that pays homage to the vibrant Jamaican reggae culture of the 1970s. 

Finally, we have rising star BODUR, who recently dropped a surreal music video for her track ‘MUMMY’ – the lead single from her debut 3-track EP ÖZ. The visual sees the Sri-Lankan-Turkish artist compliment the ferocious track with a choreographed dance, putting on a confident display. The tune, overall, provides a glowing example of BODUR’s fearlessness when it comes to experimentation, combining left-field electronics with pop, rock and hip hop influences. If BODUR isn’t already on your radar, then we recommend giving this track, and ÖZ, a few spins in the coming days.