Dear Member,
Well, the sun has certainly got its hat on and, here at the club, we are getting ready for the summer months ahead. Whether you’ll be soaking up the sun in South Ken, or escaping further afield to your country pile, here at the society, we promise to keep you inspired and entertained all summer long.
Aside from working on your tan, what is everyone getting up to this summer? Who among us will be tackling the padel court? Maybe some of you are working on completing the great works of literature? (no, ACOTAR does not count), perhaps you’re all simply working your way through the wine list at Hotel du Cap?
For those who closely follow the Summer social calendar here, it’s likely a sporting summer is ahead of you (well, sporting adjacent…although arranging a ‘small and casual’ car park picnic for 20 and their plus ones whilst trying not to tarnish your finest silver could definitely be considered a sport). Perhaps you are gracing the royal enclosure at Ascot, the new Queen’s WTA tournament, a day (or three) pit stop at Wimbledon, then onto Steward’s at Henley Regatta? Or maybe you prefer a more leisurely time without the need to pretend to understand who or what a coxswain is in favour of the finer things that a ‘European Summer’ of weddings, girls trips, and ‘I hate my spouse’ trips, has to offer. However you plan to spend it, make sure you do so with a very TRS mindset.
Now, we don’t condone reckless spending, but we do believe in embracing life’s little luxuries and so we have compiled a list of our summer favourites, for your beauty regime, interiors, and kitchen pantry.
Summer Wishlist
Now, we don’t condone reckless spending, we do believe in embracing life’s little luxuries and have compiled a list of our summer favourites, for your beauty regime, interiors and kitchen pantry.
- For the hosts among us, look no further for a new non-alcoholic drink on our radar. Non, £20 per bottle.
- Fire up the green egg and get your BBQ sorted with a kit from DELLI complete with a kimchi ketchup, Argentinian chimichurri, spiced soy chilli sauce, pickles, spice mix and a vinaigrette. Insert favourite aperitif for the ideal summer afternoon, £38.
- Gelato is always on the menu once the temp exceeds 25 degrees. Hackney Gelato is our favourite, especially the dark chocolate sorbet and the incomparable pistachio. £5.50, available on Ocado, at Waitrose, Sainsburys etc.
- There’s nothing worse than a warm beverage on a hot day. Keep things cool with the Fieldbar drinks box, £179.
- For the ultimate hydration, glossy finish and gorgeous sheen, nothing beats the Hourglass Phantom Volumising Glossy Balm in Wander 75, £36.
- When it comes to heading out, find a bag that’s a combination of spacious and chic. Ralph Lauren’s Polo Play Striped Canvas Tote, £319 will elevate any picnic.
- Sunglasses are a must and we love these architectural new frames from Cubitts in a verdant green tone, £150.
- When heading to the beach, one would be remiss without a luxurious towel that compliments your aesthetic. OAS beach and pool towel £70.
- So nice they are business class approved. Tekla cotton pjs set, £180 top, £150 bottoms.
- Add a unique touch to your wedding guest looks with these colourful Completed Works earrings, £225. That way no one will remember if you wore that same dress to the first wedding of the season…
- This one’s for the boys, but also the ones who like to borrow from the boys. This Sicilian cotton shirt would make a great coverup… Percival, £169.
What We’re Watching
After last year’s *strike* we’re long overdue some of our favourite series regulars and this summer we are being treated to the return of many.
First up, it’s the final and concluding series of The Summer I Turned Pretty – we are a Team Conrad affiliated society, but would be happy to take the fight to the comments over on discord (paying subscribers only). July 16th, Amazon Prime.
Period dramas are coming thick and fast this summer, with the return of The Gilded Age on Sky, June 22nd, (will we get to see the romance we’ve been watching the whole series for finally??), and The Buccaneers (which is very Sophia Coppola coded), starring Kristine Froseth and Guy Remmers. Apple TV, June 18th.
In search of something light? The Four Seasons on Netflix offers a look at the lives and relationships of three married couples over the space of a year in holidays. The main reason for watching is the undeniable chicness of one Colman Domingo and his many hats. Out now, Netflix.
Finally, we can’t forget the latest theatrical releases including the alleged final instalment of the Mission: Impossible film series, Final Reckoning, out now. However, if that doesn’t float your boat, the latest Wes Anderson project, The Phoenician Scheme, has just premiered in Cannes.
Meanwhile, some members will be glued to TNT Sports coverage of Roland Garros via Discovery Plus…
A Conversation with Cleo Leather
Learn more about the film director, photographer and friend of The Rhubarb Society.
Tell us about yourself and where you grew up? I’m a London based filmmaker and photographer and I was raised in Jersey, Channel Islands (where I’m filming my debut feature film this summer).
How did you begin your career and work as a photographer, and filmmaker? It’s been a long journey since the age of 14/15 years old when I started work experience with a photographer that had shot us when we were children. This work experience progressed into interning in a photographic studio in Jersey and I shot the first bit of paid work at 16 years old for a christening. I began 2nd shooting for photographers and I filmed my first wedding at 17.
I moved to the UK to finish my last 2 years of school and began to gain further experience within my community working at Jamie Hawksworth’s studio with his assistant. During this time, I had an agent in Jersey who was putting me onto a lot of food and lifestyle gigs and I eventually shot my first magazine cover.
I studied film as one of my A Levels, which I then pursued further at the University of Bristol, where I achieved a Masters in Film & TV with Innovation. During my university days, I realised I had to start from scratch after getting quite comfortable in my Jersey bubble of clients – I knew no one and there were no fashion industry/ modeling agencies in Bristol that I could jump into for work.
In my second year of uni I was fired from my hospitality job, and I decided to make photography my full time profession. I took what was on offer which was largely music based – shooting events / club nights (both still and moving image) and portraiture. This led me to acquiring two major clients in my first proper year working solely as a photographer and videographer; a Radio 1 DJ, Sarah Story and Moroccan luxury hotel, El Fenn.
What is your favourite thing about your work? Feeling the hunger that excited me as a young girl when I first discovered that creative spark – it’s an energy that keeps me going and focused despite the long hours and inconsistent pay…
What were you like as a child / at school? What did your school reports say about you? I was very sporty, high energy, competitive and painfully disorganised. I didn’t care a huge amount about school – I liked what I liked – English, Art, Sport and that was all I really gave my energy to. I wasn’t necessarily bad at other subjects, I just didn’t care enough to be the best. My school reports would be very dependent on the subject… in the ones mentioned, I was top of the class / teachers guilty pleasure (because I was annoying but I got away with it because I performed well), to the others, I was a right nuisance. And I didn’t care…
What do you value above all else? Integrity and authenticity.
Morning person or night owl? I can be both, depending on what life demands of me… I enjoy the productivity of early mornings but my hedonistic side loves a late night out and about… I go through a lot of waves of energy and creativity at different times of the day – I can find myself locked into an edit late at night in a random burst of productivity and then all of a sudden it’s 4:30am and the birds are chirping.
What did you have for breakfast this morning? Greek yoghurt, banana, honey and frozen strawberries.
Favourite piece of art – book, film, etc and why? My favourite piece of art is a painting by Tom Hammick which my dad has. It’s a huge canvas that depicts an abstract dreamscape/ mars-esque landscape- it’s so transportive. Favourite book thus far has been Big Swiss by Jen Beagin because I didn’t know how much emotion I could experience through literature until I finished that book. I sat in mourning for weeks when it ended – I was lost.
My favourite film, according to my Letterboxd is A Bigger Splash by Luca Guadagnino. It is everything I love; set on an island near Sicily, it’s a fizzing portrait of tension, heat and dirt. Guadagnino’s pacing is superb, as is his construction of power within tangled webs of individuals that feel so familiar yet fractured.
What is the most sentimental item you own? Woof Woof – my stuffed toy, Bernese mountain dog.
What was the last thing you bought? Mince.
Worst piece of advice you’ve been given? That no one will take me seriously as a young girl.
What inspires your work? Personality – strangers, light, colour, art, music…
When do you feel most like yourself and why? In the mountains or on a horse – I feel humbled but free and feral.
Phrase or motto you say most often? Aka “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”. “I’ll drink to that,” (which is ironic when you read my next response…).
How do you define success and leading a “good life”? A lifetime of sobriety (currently 3 years in).
See more from Cleo @cleoleathervisuals @cleo_leather.
Bicester Village X The Rhubarb Society Event
Don’t miss your chance to attend our next in person event.
Escape the city for a summer style revival at Bicester Village. Whether you’re after flowing Heidi Klein kaftans, strappy sandals from Aquazurra or the perfect Missoni print swimsuit, our exclusive Rhubarb Society day trip offers privileged access to members-only discounts, a Rhubarb Society hosted lunch and an effortlessly chic retail experience.
Join us on the 18th of June to mingle with fellow members over chilled champagne whilst sharing sartorial advice…and if you’re really lucky, you might even receive advice from the style icon, Rhubarb, herself.
Tickets are £40 and all ticket sales will be donated to Women for Women International.
Tickets include;
- Return tickets from London Marylebone Station
- Welcome drinks hosted by The Rhubarb Society in The Apartments
- Lunch hosted by The Rhubarb Society
- A VIP discount of 10% off selected boutiques
- Hands free shopping
- Reserved parking for anyone driving
- All day access to The Apartments, an invite-only space offering complimentary pastries and beverages
See you there.
(The People’s Princess sightings are not guaranteed, but always a delightful possibility).
