The secrets of a maitre d’: what it’s really like feeding the 1%

The gatekeeper at a top London restaurant reveals which guests are likely to be blacklisted, how to get a table without booking – and why you will never be seated next to Adele

Why the ‘best cities to live in’ list rewards the safe and the clean

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s report on the world’s most liveable cities is a go-to overview of desirable cycle lanes and botanic gardens, but where’s all the fun?

Second nature: five designers inspired by plants

Harking back to the Victorian era, these designers are breathing new life into botanical illustration. By Emma Love

Not heard Nirvana? Nevermind … How fashion co-opted the band T-shirt

It used to be that if you liked the music, you got the T-shirt. Now, the band T-shirt is a fashion trend all on its own – whether you like what it stands for or not

The style season starts here: everything you need to know from the September issues

The fashion magazines have released their Autumn bumper editions, essential for the style-conscious. Think rhinestones, Basquiat – and being ‘excited AF’ for autumn