The first Chap edition of the new decade is out now. Chap Spring 20 is our Hollywood Special, delving into the golden age of the city of dreams. Our main interview is with dapper actor Alec Baldwin, who delivers his firm views on menswear on both sides of the Atlantic. Featured profiles of Ava Gardner and Robert Mitchum look at why the work of these two Hollywood icons is still worthy of our attention, with a top five Ava Gardner film list. Living 60s legend Rita Tushingham spills the beans on playing a witch in The Pale Horse and giving the first inter-racial kiss on screen in A Taste of Honey in 1961.
We welcome the attentive services of our new butler, Mr. Gimpley-Spankworth, who offers advice on sartorial and etiquette matters, and other disciplines. Olly Smith celebrates the joys of Scotch whisky, while Sophia Coningsby explains why Cuban cigars are still viewed as the best in the world. Chris Sullivan returns to Hollywood for a scoot around the establishments that still evoke the Golden Age, while Nick Ostler shares the discreet pleasures of butterfly watching. We take a trip to the Art Deco splendour of the newly restored Midland Hotel in Morecambe, with a quick detour via Sanlucar de Barrameda to inspect the Barbadillo sherry bodegas.
Photographs of lovely ladies in vintage Hollywood style include sensational Marilyn Monroe doppelganger Isabella Bliss; to calm down we meet witty curate and author Fergus Butler-Gallie. Sartorial features include an interview with Charlotte Mitchell, costume designer on Killing Eve and Agatha Christie’s The Pale Horse. Matt Deckard offers a Los Angelino view on the importance of Spearpoint Collars, while Gustav Temple tries on the Teba jacket, an Andalucian take on the Hacking Jacket. City tour guide Russell Nash takes us on a sartorial ramble through Savile Row and Soho, and we advocate the extensive usage of the Albert Slipper.
All this plus Am I Chap?, the creation of our new moustache wax with Captain Fawcett, cycling tweeds and antique signet rings.
Chap Spring 20, available in most branches of WH Smith and here
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