As the role of luxury expands into every facet of life for the elite, the realm of automotive appreciation has evolved. With more people seeking to indulge their love for cars in a sophisticated and personalised manner, the demand for bespoke garages is continuing to grow. Gone are the days when a garage was simply a utilitarian space to store vehicles. Today, it’s a meticulously curated gallery where prized cars are displayed like works of art.
Philippa Thorp, the founder of luxury design studio Thorp, has a profound understanding of the passion that drives car enthusiasts. As a car aficionado herself, Philippa has been transforming garages into striking displays, strategically positioned and crafted to provide their owners with an immersive experience that celebrates their love for cars. “Luxury garages are an increasingly popular trend, and certainly something I’m seeing in most of our projects at Thorp. For car enthusiasts, it’s not about making a statement – they just want to enjoy their cars in a glorious, tranquil setting, which allows the car to be the jewel of the room”, says Philippa.
Thorp’s projects go beyond mere functionality, creating spaces that celebrate the beauty and craftsmanship of each vehicle. Take, for instance, a recent property where Thorp designed a garage for a client with a passion for exquisite limited-edition and vintage cars. The brief was clear – the garage wasn’t just a storage space; it was a place where the owner could immerse themselves in the splendour of their collection. From optimal temperature control and ventilation, to carefully designed lighting and architectural materials contrasting the glossy exteriors, every aspect was tailored to enhance the visual appeal of the vehicles and ensure they would be kept in the right conditions.
Overlooking the garage is a home office, from where the owner can enjoy their cars at all times, whether working or entertaining business colleagues. To ensure that the whole space is a true celebration of automotives, Thorp designed a façade of bookcases which display an extensive and rare collection of car literature. Behind it are a kitchen and bathroom, blending practicality with opulence.
Another project by Thorp which epitomises the evolution of luxury garages is an upcoming property in London, featuring a transparent box. Philippa says, “We are taking the concept of luxury garages to new heights with a unique ‘celebratory box’ made of glass to house an Aston Martin, creating a clear showcase that integrates with the surrounding environment. This design not only protects the car and emphasises its beauty, but also adds a touch of modern sophistication to the overall aesthetic.”
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the luxury garage is more than just a trend – it’s a symbol of a deep appreciation for automotive artistry and a reflection of the discerning tastes of collectors. These spaces have expanded beyond the confines of a traditional garage, seamlessly integrating with other aspects of luxury living.
Partner Spotlight – Menage Modern Vintage
Love it or loathe it, our style choices say a lot about us. Think Steve Jobs and his distinctive all black attire or how a certain look determines every defining shift in Madonna’s musical career. What we wear creates an impact and how we shop for said wears, even more so.
So, as we start to understand the devastating impact of fast fashion on our planet and seek more sustainable avenues to satiate our sartorial needs, there was no better time to sit down with Chiara Menage, Founder of Menage Modern Vintage.
Read on for the story of how it all began, Chiara’s ultimate fashion era and her top tips on vintage shopping…
Could you start by telling us how Menage Modern Vintage was born?
I started my website, Menage Modern Vintage, in 2018. I had a wardrobe full of clothes that I had collected over the years, which I no longer wore. Some of them had real sentimental and collectable value and I wanted to find good homes for them, so someone else could enjoy them. When I started telling people about the project I discovered a lot of them felt the same way; you could say it has backfired on me – instead of emptying my own wardrobe I now have an inventory of literally thousands of clothes, shoes and accessories.
What is the best part of your job?
I have met a lot of interesting people doing the job; because it’s a small business I’ve been able to build personal relationships with my clients. I visit them at home and I’d say the moment when they open up their wardrobes is the most exciting part, you never know what treasures you’re going to find.
My previous career in the film industry has opened up another fun aspect of the job, which I didn’t predict at the outset: supplying costumes for the film industry. I sometimes get an early brief and they ask me to source special pieces, which I really enjoy. Clothes and costume can say so much about character, both on screen and off.
What does fashion mean to you? Has it always been a part of your DNA?
Actually, I have never been very interested in fashion as such. My mother made all my childhood clothes, which was a mixed blessing, but I did learn about quality of fabric and what goes into making a garment. I’m more interested in these aspects and I did inherit a love of clothes. The first thing I bought for myself was from Kensington Market, a mecca for all sorts of vintage clothes which I frequented a lot in the 1980s. It was a wonderful Victorian petticoat which I wore with a military belt and DMs. I’ve been buying vintage ever since.
It is becoming increasingly popular to source vintage and shop second-hand. What for you are the main reasons to opt for vintage over luxury/fast fashion?
Sustainability is the most important issue in today’s fashion industry. The sheer wastefulness of fast fashion and over-consumption; the disposability of cheaply manufactured goods, the injustices in the supply chain; the horrendous environmental damage during the production process and the eventual disposal of all those thousands of tonnes of discarded clothing into landfill. All good reasons to only ever buy second hand.
There are of course other great advantages. You can afford to buy much better quality when you buy second hand, even high end designer items become accessible. This in turn means the clothes last longer and keep their value. But most of all, it’s so much more enjoyable to discover something unexpected, rather than wandering aimlessly around the high street being sold stuff that everyone else is wearing.
If you could relive any era of fashion what one would it be and why?
I have a soft spot for the seventies, although there were some truly awful moments; the nineties was when I started buying for myself, Vivienne Westwood, Rifat Ozbek, John Galliano, other great designers when I could afford it. I worked in Great Portland Street, which was at the time a centre of the rag trade, they used to have brilliant sample sales. Sadly I didn’t know then what I know now and I gave so much of it away. I see some of the pieces at auction now and want to cry.
What advice would you give to someone foraying into vintage shopping for the first time?
Not everyone can pull off a head to toe vintage look. If you’re new to buying, choose a statement piece you love and wear it with dependable wardrobe staples. Buy from trusted sources – there are sellers who are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to pass off as “vintage”. Be aware that sizing has changed over the years, and a size 12 from 20 years ago is more like a 10 nowadays, so check measurements if buying online. If you’re rummaging in a shop, trust your fingers, feel the quality of the fabric. Hold the garment up to the light to show up any moth holes. And put everything in the freezer for a week when you get home to kill off any lurking moth eggs.
And finally, what does the future hold for Menage Modern Vintage?
I never know from one moment to the next and that’s how I like it.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by hearing the thoughts and opinions of some of the spectacular female voices from within the BBB community? From women supporting other women to achieve their dreams and shining a light on those who deserve to be seen to carving out an equal and inviting space for future generations, these words are powerful, inspirational and deserve to be heard. International Women’s Day is our moment to reflect on the pioneering women who paved the way, take stock of where we are today, and look ahead to the future we strive to reach…
“Being a woman in business and life these days is absolutely wonderful as we are at the cusp of seeing real change for the better with regards to how women are perceived and treated in every sphere of life. We need to embrace our remarkable feminine energy and power, standing together as women and also with men, recognising their struggles too, moving forward together into a new era of mutual respect and conscious power, making the world a more equal and better place for all.” – Linda Hugo, Beyond Curated
“The Soke came to be thanks largely to the support of some formidable women who, on hearing of the concept, provided not just moral but also financial support to get it off the ground. Today, about 60% of our investment comes from women and I’m proud to attribute The Soke’s success to the conviction of a group who had no hesitation in putting their money where their mouths were. Long may such women believe in, and give a hand up to, the rest of us.” – Maryam Meddin, The Soke
“Although I tend to be sceptical about these celebratory days, International Women’s Day does give me the opportunity to reflect upon all the wonderful women who touch and have touched my life. To reminisce about women who helped shape my life with wise counsel, colleagues who supported me I them as we navigated male dominated workplaces. Friends who were there for me, and I for them, when we had children, got divorced, faced personal battles. What a truly wonderful bunch of women. I shall raise a glass to you all today.” – Sasha Speed, Financial Coach
“International Women’s Day is an important day to focus on celebrating and cheering each other on. I’m a big believer in collaboration over competition and we should continue to raise each other up. I don’t know who wrote this but I’ve always loved this quote ‘Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.'” – Flip Dewar, Director, Organised Chaos Management
“To quote Michelle Obama ‘there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish’ and today on International Women’s Day this should be celebrated!” – Kirsty Tucker, SORTED Personal Management
“Even though there have been huge steps in recent years to acknowledge and celebrate female artists globally, there is still a long way to go in terms of fully recognising the importance of women in the history of art. I therefore enjoy using International Women’s Day as a chance to promote female artists whose work I love and collect personally, or to spotlight some lesser known female artists from the past. Of course, in addition to this, the day is always a celebration of the wonderful women in my life!” – Sarah Talbot Capes, Talbot Capes Ltd.
“Reflecting on International Women’s Day, I reflect on the most inspiring women, who, with self belief, hard work, sacrifice, sheer determination and dedication have paved the way for myself, and every female, to believe we can do whatever we want to do. I want all women to know that with passion, love, hard work, and self-confidence, we have the power to make our biggest dreams come true.” – Amie True, Harpist
“I would like my daughter and my niece to grow up in a world where they can be powerful and strong, fierce even, without having to compromise their femininity. I’d like to spend this International Women’s Day respecting all men AND women in business. We’re teammates. Let’s do this.” – Naomi Astley Clarke, Luxury London Interior Designer
“We have come a long way, but in a world that is still so biased against women, it’s more than important than ever to stand up. I’m so inspired by the women in my family, they are fearless, strong and beautifully unique. I am proud to be a woman and I hope I can live like them. A quote that’s as relevant now as when it was written, by the iconic Maya Angelou ‘I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass’.” – Alex Popoff, BBB Events & Partnerships
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for talent and creating a modern workplace. Our journey over the past 25 years has been defined by the versatility, intelligence and brilliance of the women who have been part of the PuRe team. As we look to the future, we are committed to building on this legacy, creating an office where all individuals, regardless of gender or background, can thrive and succeed.” – Cara Ward, Co-Founder and Director of PuRe PR
“A time to appreciate the strength of the feminine; her ability to let go of control! To be in the ‘not knowing’ and still she shares her heart. This is true courage and true strength.” – Faye Reason, Energy Worker
“Celebrating International Women’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the progress that has been made towards gender equality and to recognise the achievements of women in every sector. It’s also a reminder of the ongoing work still needed to address imbalances and promote inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of society. Women supporting one another is as crucial now as ever, on our journey towards attaining true equality and empowerment.” – Zoe Hoffman, BBB Health & Wellbeing Host