I began my career
out of frustration during the late 1970s, when I bought a 19th-century manor house in Cheshire, in the north-west of England. It had beautiful external structure and the architecture was exquisite, but internally it was totally incongruent.
I decided there and then that creating a sense of harmony between the exterior and interior of a home was crucial. My furniture company was born shortly afterwards.
A crystal chandelier
is a key component of my rooms. My kitchens, for example, always have a dominant island topped with rare marble or solid wood, sitting beneath a fabulous crystal chandelier. In my early designs it caused quite a stir although, to me, putting a chandelier in the centre of the kitchen felt quite appropriate
.
I fell into the world of perfume
quite by chance, when I discovered an original bottle from the Crown Perfumery, the company appointed by Queen Victoria in 1872 to carry the royal crest, nestled under the floorboards at our family home.
In 1999 I set about reinstating it to its rightful position as a stalwart of the British luxury industry, appointing the most talented perfumiers to the task of translating my vision. That vision has encompassed the creation of No 1, the world's most expensive perfume, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
Interiors and perfume
may seem like two vastly different fields, but they are intrinsically linked in their adorning of those most intimate elements of a person's life: their home and their body.
Every item in my portfolio is designed without reference to cost or trends and embodies timeless, luxury design, which in turn lends an ageless appeal.
If I could design one thing
that I haven't yet, it would be couture. Personally, I keep a simple wardrobe and have had my style for 30 years but I do enjoy the artistry of the haute couture shows. I often advise my daughters on designs for their evening wear and gowns.
If I had to choose
between form and function, I would always choose form. The aesthetic outweighs the function. The stiletto, for example, is pure design and aesthetics. You are not going to win a race wearing them or choose a stiletto for comfort, but on a woman they look sensational.
When I am travelling,
I will always try to catch the philharmonic orchestra of the city that I am in. The Los Angeles Philharmonic is particularly fantastic. The combination of the conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Frank Gehry-designed concert hall is something to behold.
In Moscow, I enjoy visiting the breathtaking renaissance-style Bolshoi Theatre, and in London nothing can beat an evening at the Royal Albert Hall. This is the way to listen to music - beautiful compositions performed by great artists in magnificent structures.
Home is anywhere
with a burning log fire, gravel drive and freshly cut flowers from my gardens - luxurious and homely.
I tend to spend half my time in New York and the other half in London. I earned my pilot's licence in my twenties and have always been passionate about flying, but I spend so much time travelling these days that having my feet on the ground for a while is a real joy.
When I am home, I spend my weekends as quietly as possible, listening to CDs of Cole Porter, Jamie Cullum or Chris Gillespie, the pianist from Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, New York.
Right now I am working on
the new Clive Christian Majesty Collection of free-standing furniture, which will launch exclusively at Harrods in Spring 2012. We specialise in classical fitted furniture and architectural panelling for luxury residences, but the Majesty Collection will enable our clients to select individual statement pieces to add to their homes.
The Clive Christian Majesty Collection launches at Harrods in Spring 2012. Clive Christian Watches launches at Harrods in 2012.
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar