My recent trip to London was nothing less than memorable, from dinner on exuberant Zandra Rhodes' terrace in the East End, to photographing and lunching with the delightful Lady Kingsley (wife of the legendary Ben Kingley) in their charming Spelsbury home (unfortunately, Sir Kingsley was in NY shooting his latest film), catching a Yohji Yamamoto retrospective at the V&A, seminal images of Hungarian photographers (Capa, Brassai, etc.) at the Royal Academy, Toulouse-Lautrec at the Courtauld, Cy Twombly at Tate Modern (highlighted by a small glass vase of white roses to memorialize his passing), securing the last ticket to an Arnold Wexler play at the Royal Court theatre, visiting the witty and brilliant hat designer Stephen Jones in his exquisite boutique, strolling through historic Brick Lane with its sari-filled Indian shops and endless restaurants, enjoying delectable guinea fowl in a quintessential English pub, visiting privately-owned 187-room Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire punctuated by ravishing Italian gardens, strolling along tranquil, residential streets just off Kings Road on a cloudless evening, and having the most memorable lunch of my 17-day visit hosted by St. John restaurant/hotel co-owners Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver. I still can savor those mussels, tomato and dill, flavor-packed pike and leek pie and strawberry trifle served by a highly-competent staff in a white, minimalist-styled dining room. Then, maneuvering through Portobello Rd, enjoying Hyde Park's Serpentine Gallery, ogling Fortnum & Mason's food-stuffed windows, visiting East End's Borough Market, (the oldest in London) and tasting calorie-bursting butter-cream cupcakes at nearby Patisserie Lila. I also attended Christies' private champagne reception, with room after room of striking paintings and equally-striking immaculately-groomed men, in Saville Row suits, enjoying smoked salmon and drinks in Blakes Hotel's gardens, with noted architect and designer Danielle Moudabber.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture of London today.

Lady Kingsley (Daniella) in her home in Spelsbury, photo by Rose Hartman

Zandra RHODES in her own clothing and jewelry designs, photo by Rose Hartman

Notable architect/designer Danielle Mondabber in South Kensington, photo by Rose Hartman

Blenheim Palace Italian Gardens, photo by Rose Hartman