THE JOURNAL
Style Council Member Mr Darius Namdar at Mark’s Club
The items to wear, admire and even eat your dinner off of going under the hammer at our exclusive charity event.
What do the world’s best-connected, most stylish men do when there is a special cause that they want to raise money for? They pluck items from their art collections, tap up their talented friends and even donate their dinner plates. MR PORTER’s Style Council is curating an auction with Paddle8 and the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) to fund crucial work in HIV prevention, education and support. Given the theme “where does inspiration take you?”, the members have pulled together a highly desirable range of items across art, design and fashion, all of which are going under the hammer, online, for the next fortnight. It’s a rare chance to discover pieces from prized personal collections, and do real good by buying them.
The benefit auction has been nearly two years in the making, and according to Ms Ashlyn Chesney, the Style Council Director, the charity chimes with the concerns of many of the members of the Style Council. “A good majority of the Style Council were involved with men’s health or LGBT charities, so it made sense to work with David [Furnish] and Elton [John] and the EJAF,” she explains.
A set of dinner plates from Mark’s Club
Mr Darius Namdar at Mark’s Club
Style Council Member Mr Darius Namdar, the club director of the legendary Mark’s Club in Mayfair (and formerly of The Wolseley and Chiltern Firehouse) is proud that his establishment is lending its support with a storied dining set that was once used by The Rolling Stones and a raft of “rock and royalty,” as he describes it.
“We like to raise funds for particular charities that are close to us,” Mr Namdar explains. “David and Elton are both members of the club and David is a member of the Style Council, so for me, not only was it a nod to a fantastic organisation that has done incredible work over the years, but also the fact that we have a connection with them in more than one way.” As the auction opens, here we present five of the most covetable lots.
MR DARIUS NAMDAR Club director, Mark’s Club
A set of 24 plates from Mark’s Club
A set of 12 starter and 12 main course hand-painted original Limoges plates from Mark’s Club, which have been in use since it opened in 1973. They are no longer in production so are completely unique, and were part of the décor during a period that saw Princess Margaret and Mr Keith Richards frequent the club.
“The club made the donation of the dinner set because there’s some history there,” Mr Namdar says. “It’s a beautiful set that’s been in service since the 1970s, but was taken out of service because they were breaking. I spoke to Limoges, the makers of the plates in France and they said, ‘We haven’t made that design or that shape in 20 to 30 years.’ They have also made the plates for Annabel’s and Harry’s Bar; each club had their own unique design, but they don’t make them any more. A lot of people will want a part of that history because there have been some big parties here over the years – the association of good nights and Mark’s Club is very strong. When I was doing some research on the original menus, I found an old menu from when The Rolling Stones [ate here], but it was dreadful! It was very telling of the time: 1970s London, so there were things like cold beef in aspic!”
MR LEWIS ALEXANDER CEO, Lewis Alexander Consulting
“Rock-it Men”, 2018, by Mr Donald Robertson
A painting of Sir Elton John with Sir Mick Jagger and Mr David Bowie, created especially for this auction by artist Mr Donald Robertson. It is instantly recognisable as a Drawbertson illustration for its bold use of colour and simply formed silhouettes.
“Know that old saying, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get’?” Mr Alexander asks. “Well, I believe very strongly in the work of the EJAF and wanted to do anything and everything possible to maximise the fight against Aids. I remember when I was 18 in the late 1990s, a friend of mine died from Aids – the medical care was then so underdeveloped that the disease could not be treated. Very sadly in my friend’s case, and those of so many others, his life ended far too soon. Today, thanks to organisations such as the EJAF, treatment can stop HIV turning into Aids, and we have medicine so that those with HIV can now live a life that is happy, healthy and full. Unfortunately, those in under-developed countries are at higher risk of developing the illness. We must continue this revolutionary work through generous investment until a cure can be found. One morning, over breakfast in LA with [artist] Donald [Robertson], I told him about this great idea [the auction] and that his work would be perfect. I hope we see high competition for the piece and achieve a fantastic hammer price! The dream would be for a collector to donate the piece to a museum for us all to enjoy.”
MR MATTHEW MONEYPENNY, Founding creative executive, Great Bowery
“Ferns, Valley Floor, Yosemite National Park, California, 1948” by Mr Ansel Adams
An image of the flora in Yosemite National Park, California, taken in 1948 by the pioneering landscape photographer Mr Ansel Adams. The print is in black and white, the preferred medium for the artist, and shows his affinity to the natural world, which also informed his work as an environmentalist.
“It took me many years to appreciate the true genius of Ansel Adams,” Mr Moneypenny says. “In my very early years of studying photography, I had all but written him off as a ‘poster photographer’, but after taking the time to see his works in person, I began to appreciate his sense of light and composition and the incredible amount of time and physical effort that went into crafting his images. I’m most drawn to his works of smaller scale ‘vignettes' and still lifes. When MR PORTER first approached me to participate in an auction featuring items that inspire me, I immediately thought of a small, original Adams I have owned for many years, ‘Forest, Early Morning, Mt Rainier’. It inspires me every day! But parting with that piece would be hard – and they are rarely available for sale. Hence I acquired ‘Ferns, Valley Floor’ for the auction, which is similar in scope, tone and time of day. Ansel Adams' artistry of image-making combined with a lifelong dedication to conserving our Western wilderness seemed a perfect fit with the theme.”
MR GEORGE BYRNE, Photographer
“Echo Park 2017” by Mr George Byrne
A framed artwork from Mr Byrne’s New Order series, as exhibited last year at Olsen Gruin Gallery in New York City.
“As a busy artist, I don’t have nearly as much time as I’d like to volunteer to worthy causes,” Mr George Byrne says. “Donating work has become a great way for me to give back. The EJAF has been doing incredible work for years and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity contribute to the auction. The work I have donated (‘Echo Park 2017’), is part of my Block Colour exhibition, opening at Bau-Xi [Vancouver] gallery this month.”
MR WEI KOH, Founder, The Rake and Revolution magazines
An exclusive bespoke Cifonelli jacket
The chance to have your own jacket design made by tailoring house Cifonelli. The jacket will be designed in a meeting with Messrs Massimo and/or Lorenzo Cifonelli in the Parisian atelier, or during one of the company’s many bespoke trunk shows around the world. Its designs are know for updating traditional methods with a thoroughly modern vision. Many prototypes with unique designs have been released using innovative fabrics such as Tibetan yak wool or Japanese jersey, but the winner of the lot can take their pick from the house’s variety of designs and wide range of fits and fabrics.
“Cifonelli is my personal tailor and I wanted whoever won this bespoke experience to have the assurance of a garment that is a revelation in terms of fit, style and quality,” Mr Koh says. “It’s a pleasure to give this away. As it’s a travel jacket, I hope it becomes the favourite companion of a global vagabond like myself. EJAF is an incredible cause and it’s a pleasure and honour to participate. Kudos also goes to MR PORTER’s Style Council for championing this worthy cause.”
See Mr Koh’s Style Council recommendations here