Solange Azagury-Partridge MBE brings a bit of sparkle and shine wherever she goes, and we are always delighted to see this native West Londoner at The Park. In 1995, she launched her eponymous brand with a boutique on Westbourne Grove, and her inventive, colourful designs have been a shorthand for cool ever since. But it’s her democratically priced Hot Lips collection, embraced by jewellery lovers of every age and station, that have made her a global sensation and landed her work in the V&A’s permanent collection. She joined us for Corn on the Cob and Cobb Salad with her great friend Pearl Lowe.
Solange, is the Long Lunch a habit or aberration for you?
It’s definitely a habit. If I do go out for lunch, I don’t like to rush.
What makes a Long Lunch enjoyable, versus a chore?
As long as I’m with a good friend or family, it’s never a chore. Business meetings can sometimes affect your tastebuds…
What are the qualities endemic to a lunch companion?
Lots of good chat, news and gossip.
And who was your companion at The Park, and why were they selected?
I brought along Pearl Lowe. She’s a great friend who splits her time between Somerset and London like me. We often miss each other in both places but our planets aligned this time, and it was the perfect place for our catch-up.
What did you eat and drink today, and why?
I had the Corn on the Cob, which is a great sharing dish – I love it and always order it. And a Cobb Salad. I went to Simpson’s later, which I loved, so I didn’t want to overdo it.
What will you order for your next Long Lunch at the Park?
Probably the Osso buco. It really falls off the bone…
Tell us about your favourite Long Lunch of all time.
My friend Bill Amberg and his wife Suzi always do the best long lunches in Somerset. It was his birthday mid summer – lunch for 30 on a long table. It started at 2pm and ended with about 8 of us dancing and singing til dawn.
If you could Long-Lunch with absolutely anyone on the planet—no offense to your companion—who would it be?
I would choose Yuval Noah Harari. I can imagine talking and discussing endless topics with him. His mind, viewpoint and knowledge would definitely take us way past lunchtime.
And would you like to review Pearl’s order? Were you envious?
Pearl ate the fish of the day which she says was delicious. The raisins wouldn’t have been to my taste though. I like food to be completely savoury and save the sweetness for dessert.
On the days that you are Long-Lunching, do you dress differently? How so? Would you mind sharing some details about what you wore to The Park ?
I suppose I slightly smarten up and try to feel a bit more glamorous. It turns it into even more of an occasion. I wore my favourite black corduroy jacket – vintage eBay – and brown velvet trousers and my emerald beaded necklace.
What is your favourite time of year or weather in which to enjoy a long lunch?
Indoors during winter, obviously. It’s nice to feel cosy and well fed when the weather outside is dreadful.
The best day of the week for a Long Lunch is….?
Any day will do. Monday or Tuesday are good because it’s like starting the week as you mean to go on….in good cheer. And Friday to get the weekend going, Saturday and Sunday are obvious winners because there’s no time constraints and Wednesday or Thursday are good to get you to the finish line of the working week.
Do you have any other thoughts about Long Lunches that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them.
A stiff cocktail as you sit down always gets lunch off to a good start. The Park’s £1 Martini on a Friday lunch is such a great idea!
SOLANGE’S DOSSIER
Birthplace: London.
Neighbourhood: Paddington.
“Short” lunch strategy: A falafel wrap from Portobello Road.
Cocktail: Rum and coke or a dirty martini.
Workout: A long walk through Kensington Gardens and/or a swim at Six Senses Place at the Whiteley.
Bookshop: Daunt or Amazon.
Favourite park: The Tuileries gardens in Paris. They are so neat and formal compared to our lovely London parks. I also love to pop in and visit Monet’s Waterlilies in the Musée de l’Orangerie.
Current projects: There’s always a new Hotlips to add to the range – and a new collection.