Modern Times. Welcome to Mayfair

[Scot]

Do watch this BBC programme if you can. Wonderful, charming, eccentric, English, but increasingly sickeningly vulgar Mayfair. Sad also, the terrible struggle for small independent retailers and artisans to hold their ground against the faceless, tasteless, international purveyors of grotesque bling. Heartbreaking.

[Dr T]

Very interesting - well worth watching.

[hectorm]

Dear LL fellow members,
I haven´t been able to watch this program since the BBC iPlayer only shows in the UK. Any tips on how to get around this?

[Rob O]

I have watched the bbc from the south of France by using an IP spoof service. Hola is one: Free at first then $5 / month:

Link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... meio?hl=en

[gegarrenton]

Unblock-us is another that works very well. one week trial.

[Melcombe]

Dear LL fellow members,
I haven´t been able to watch this program since the BBC iPlayer only shows in the UK. Any tips on how to get around this?

May I recommend 5 minutes of this charming young lady's time?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgeckQfIt4

[hectorm]

Thank you, Melcombe.
Following her instructions didn´t work on my first trial last night, but I´m almost sure that my lack of tech savviness is to blame. I´ll try again.

[hectorm]

Finally I was able to circumvent the IMO silly restrictions and watch the program outside the UK. Thank you for the tips, gentlemen.
Regarding the program itself, it was something of a letdown after all the anticipation. Maybe it was because I have been always aware of the contrasts (which are not that revolting compared to those of other parts of the world) and also of the intensifying global-commercialization of the area. Money can be vulgar indeed, but I do not yet share Scot´s vision of “increasing sickeningly vulgar Mayfair”. On the contrary, I was there as recently as this January and as I walked its streets my feeling was that the inevitable “progress” was not rampant yet and what you can see of it has been done within the boundaries of good taste.

[couch]

I particularly liked Peter Hunt's comment about the pace of artisanship allowing him to see the span of a life ahead, while most contemporary occupations trap one in a continuous present that moves too fast for reflection.

In the category of tiny silver linings, I was pleased to hear Keith Lovett say that the problem today in bespoke tailoring was not demand, nor any longer a lack of talent. So it seems the craft is renewing itself. Whether the rent problem eventually disperses it from the Savile Row district remains to be seen.

It's noteworthy that in the last couple of years a number of Mayfair buildings that had been converted to commercial space have been restored to (or replaced for) residential use. So Mayfair may return to its neighborhood history, if on a more rarefied scale. One hopes that at least some of the small shops that provide necessities for the residents will have to remain, and that upscale restaurants and clubs won't be the only independents to survive.

I wonder if the same pressure is being felt on the St. James's side of Piccadilly. One worries about Paxton and Whitfield . . . .

Can't wait to visit the new Pickett shop. Should be opening any day now, no?

[hectorm]

One hopes that at least some of the small shops that provide necessities for the residents will have to remain, and that upscale restaurants and clubs won't be the only independents to survive.

Two of my favorites small shops in the area which provide "necessities" and I really hope will survive for ever are: Sautter for cigars and related paraphernalia (God save Magali de la Cruz) and Longmire for cufflinks.

[Atlantic Sailor]

Do watch this BBC programme if you can. Wonderful, charming, eccentric, English, but increasingly sickeningly vulgar Mayfair. Sad also, the terrible struggle for small independent retailers and artisans to hold their ground against the faceless, tasteless, international purveyors of grotesque bling. Heartbreaking.

Thank you for recommending this programme.

I just finished it and am struck by how it highlights the sundowning of multiple independent business during the their brief period of shooting.

[andreyb]

Just watched the film (yes, three years after the original post by Scot).

A wonderful, charming documentary. Thanks Scot for recommending it! -- and thanks Atlantic Sailor for reviving this thread!

BTW, it's now available on Vimeo (apparently, with no country restrictions; not sure on legality of these videos, though...)

https://vimeo.com/120796766
https://vimeo.com/120803727

Andrey

[uppercase]

That was fabulous!!