Londoner's Diary: Parting shots at Brexit from Vogue's Emily Sheffield

David Cameron's sister-in-law changes the party line | Congratulations are in order for Lisa Markwell | Jeffrey Archer’s making it up again | Coco Conran joins the family business
Londoner's Diary6 September 2017

Earlier this year, in what would be one of her final issues of Vogue, the magazine’s veteran editor Alexandra Shulman criticised the “isolationist overtones of Brexit”. But even before Edward Enninful’s eagerly anticipated debut hits the newsstands in November, there’s been a change to the party line. This month’s issue of the fashion bible sees Emily Sheffield, pictured, Shulman’s former deputy and sister of Samantha Cameron, take the reins before Enninful’s arrival. Her editor’s letter suggests that she has a more “keep calm and carry on” approach to Brexit.

“Creativity has always been at the heart of this small isle, and it will continue to be one of our greatest exports as we enter this brave (some say foolhardy) new Brexit arrangement,” Sheffield writes. “Certainly the myriad talents who first grew their art form here have brought levels of glitter and sheen to this country that far outstrip its size.” This isn’t the first time Sheffield has got political on Brexit, but her stance does suggest a change of heart. In 2016 she urged her Twitter followers to “sign the petition, speak to your MP, join the march in London. Don’t let them trigger Article 50.”

She continues in her letter, “Look to our many designers bringing wit and craft to the world’s fashion houses,” Sheffield continues in the letter. “Our musicians fill the charts. And not forgetting British entrepreneurs, whose spirit ensures that as many times as they are knocked down in the tough environment of fashion commerce, they stand up again... Following Brexit, Britain will continue to draw the world’s attention.” The statement may not stick: Sheffield has left Vogue since her issue went to print. Watch this space for Enninful’s manifesto...

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Lisa Markwell lands tasty new job (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Marriott International)

Congratulations are in order for former Independent on Sunday editor Lisa Markwell, who has cooked up a new job. The veteran restaurant critic, who edited the newspaper from 2013 to 2016, has been appointed editor of Code Hospitality, a media platform for those in the hospitality industry. With years of food criticism under her belt, and a new diploma from Leiths School of Food and Wine, we hope the knives don’t come out at editorial meetings.

Watch out for bushes on the heath

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has laid her city bare, announcing that a vast swathe of the city’s Bois de Vincennes park will be given over to naturists — but will London follow suit? “It’s September, are you serious?” Andrew Welch, a spokesman for British Naturism, tells us. But what of Hampstead Heath, a favoured haunt for those of a freer disposition? “We have found quite a few naturists have already broken out,” Reg Barlow of the Naturist Action Group informs us. “Public nudity is not illegal.” If you go down to the heath today, you’re sure of a big surprise...

Quote of the Day

Vladimir Putin shares his and Donald Trump's relationship status (Vladimir Smirnov\TASS via Getty Images)

"He's not my bride and I'm not his bride or groom."

Russian President Vladimir Putin clarifies his relationship with President Donald Trump.

Emily Oppenheimer's chows down with artsy party

LAST night Emily Oppenheimer hosted a dinner for arty types in support of the South London Gallery, of which she is a trustee, with guests including Turner Prize-winner Helen Marten, model Saffron Aldridge and actor Tom Hollander. Held at Mr Chow in Knightsbridge, which poured gallons of martinis and margaritas, The Londoner discussed one-time Marylebone hotspot Chiltern Firehouse for the first time in a while, after meeting its developer Harry Handelsman. He is now leading the refurbishment of another fire station: the building adjoining the gallery in Peckham. We’re sure it will be the next hot destination.

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He's taken over 25,000 calls from his listeners and conducted countless interviews, but Jeremy Vine hasn’t always been the master of the incisive question. The broadcaster’s new book, What I Learnt, is out this week and Vine recalls the inauspicious beginnings to his career. “In the Nineties I interviewed Lord Longford,” he recalls. “‘And what is your autobiography about?’ I asked him. ‘Me,’ he said. One word. And then he laughed.” He’s got better with practice.

Jeffrey Archer’s making it up again

Archer's telling tall tales again (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Happy 70th birthday, Pan! The publishing house held a party at Foyles on Charing Cross Road to toast its seven decades of books last night, awarding Golden Pans to some of its star authors. They included novelist and former politician Jeffrey Archer, pictured, one of its top-selling writers, who called for an honour for managing director Anthony Forbes Watson.

“We went to the palace to do a rehearsal,” Archer said. “He knelt down in front of the Queen. Her Majesty placed a sword on one shoulder and said ‘Arise Sir Anthony’, and he didn’t move. She tried again: ‘Arise Sir Anthony’. He didn’t move. She tried a third time: ‘Arise Sir Anthony’, and still nothing. Geoff Duffield [Pan’s creative director] stepped forward and said ‘I do apologise for interrupting you, Your Majesty, but could you tell him to get up? He doesn’t know what A-Rise is’.”

An imagined scenario, unfortunately. Archer has always been a master of fiction, after all.

Tweet of the Day

"Depressing that a full House of Commons for Davis on Brexit empties for Javid on Grenfell"

Robert Peston points some MPs' disinterest in the recent tragedy.

Coco has designs on, er, designing

Dafydd Jones

Designer Sophie Conran, above left, and her daughter Coco were at 5 Hertford Street’s Bloom & Wild x Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart party last night, and Coco told us she’s interning for her uncle, Jasper Conran, inset. “He’s really tough on me,” she said with a laugh.

Identity Crisis of the Day

Madonna has tweeted her frustration, claiming FedEx wouldn’t deliver a package because it didn’t believe it was her. They must think she’s a beautiful stranger.

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