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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
HTSI editor Jo Ellison © Marili Andre
It’s early October and autumn is now fully upon us, not least with its slew of new arts events. The television schedules are at last offering us some shows of substance, while the Toronto, Telluride and upcoming London Film Festivals are giving us an early glimpse of the major contenders for the awards season ahead.
In music, a host of new albums are set to dominate. We’re currently reverberating from the drop of Taylor Swift’s latest – The Life of a Showgirl. And following acclaimed albums by CMAT, Lorde, FKA Twigs and Sabrina Carpenter, the dominance of the solo female artist seems set to continue for some time.
Olivia Dean shot for HTSI by Jessica Madavo © Jessica Madavo
Olivia Dean has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in the industry
Considering the field of talent, Olivia Dean’s ascent looks even more impressive. The 26-year-old singer from east London has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in the industry. Instead of going for the “big sexy” maximalism embraced by some artists for their second album, her new LP, The Art of Loving, has been designed to sound “a bit older” and “a bit wiser”, but still distinctive for its sense of intimacy. Chris Allnutt met her as she stands poised to take the next big leap in global recognition, walking a tightrope act of satisfying her own ambition while protecting her extremely valuable brand of vulnerability.
© Max Farago
Careful observers will also spot that Dean is wearing the brand new Cartier Love bracelet, an articulated take on the bracelet first created by Aldo Cipullo in 1969. The bracelet has become an undisputed jewellery icon and status symbol, remarkable for a mechanism that requires its owner to use a tiny screwdriver to unlock it from one’s wrist. For this 2025 update, the bracelet is far more easily unfastened. Is this a sign of our becoming more fickle-hearted? Or does it just make it easier for us to spread more love?
Pennyholme, the home of Tom Konig and Adam Brown, in the Sleightholmedale valley, North Yorkshire © Julian Broad
I am exceedingly in love with Adam Brown and Tom Konig’s house in Yorkshire. Not only have they settled in one of the country’s most beautiful and ancient valleys, they also live a few fields away from Andy Goldsworthy’s extraordinary Hanging Stones (you may recall the land art from the exclusive story we ran on it last year). Brown and Konig have a knack for living in extremely lovely houses, and so when we found out they were moving north from Cornwall, we sent Fiona Golfar and Julian Broad to nose around. From their wild pool to the spacious rooms, home studio and organic vegetables, the couple epitomise the art of living well.
Rick Owens at home in Paris © Frederike Helwig
Who knew that Rick Owens would get me on to M&S’s Victoria sponge cake? This shock revelation comes via our Aesthete column this week. The designer brings a marvellously high-low blend of interests to his answers, professing a deep obsession with the pyramids of Egypt, an intolerance of ugly essentials (such as loo seats) and an appreciation of Beverley Nichols’ gardening books. The cakes, he claims, are very good and I have been converted by his wisdom. In keeping with this issue’s broader theme, Owens is the exemplar of a tastemaker who continues to bend the rules.
@jellison22
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