The stars shone brightly on a frosty winter night as a select group of elite personalities graced the glittering launch of a partnership between Astrea London, a talented artist called Zara Muse and The Grove Gallery which took place at the luxury Fairmont Windsor Park hotel on the Berkshire-Surrey border.
The event was all about showcasing the talents of Zara Muse, the artistic alter ego of Alexandra Johnson, a contemporary artist whose journey is as vibrant as her paintings. With a unique technique that combines a palette knife and spatula, Zara creates textured masterpieces that possess a striking three-dimensional quality. Her art delves into profound themes of nature, emotions, and human connection, employing a rich colour palette to celebrate female beauty and evoke deep feelings. Artistic flair runs deep in Zara’s family, as the cousin of a high-profile street artist.
The dazzling event showcased Zara’s latest work of art revolution, is in her signature style featuring a strong woman wearing a rare 14.9-carat DSV1 diamond earring in a nod to the blood diamond industry.
The new collaboration happened after a meeting with Nathalie, the co-owner of Astrea London, who recommended her to her business partner Claire Ferrini. Like Nathalie, Zara worked in the city before her journey with art began. Claire and Nathalie, who have eight children between them and Zara has three children so they shared a common bond as working mothers and advocates of female empowerment and sisterhood.
Just a month earlier Astrea London co-founders Nathalie Morrison and Claire Ferrini launched their first UK store at the Fairmont, less than seven months after launching the business and opening their first store at the six-star Villa La Coste hotel in France.
Astrea London is named after the Greek goddess of justice, innocence, purity, and precision. The business inspiration for Astrea came from Claire’s grandmother, Margaret Coglin, a style icon known as the Grace Kelly of South Africa. Margaret was passionate about ethical and traceable qualities and that is why she wanted to provide an alternative to blood diamonds. More than a quarter of a century ago, Margaret gave Claire one of the very first lab-grown diamonds, inspiring her to carry on the legacy and sell them herself. Now, the company is committed to sustainability to provide a better alternative to blood diamonds.
Zara paints out of passion but only discovered her talent after her world fell apart. In 2016 her marriage broke down and her mum Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her mum passed away during covid, Alex found comfort when she picked up a palette knife and spatuala and she began to craft the beautiful pieces we see today. This was a profoundly personal experience that resonates in her work -indeed her first work of art was in tribute to her late mum.
Currently Zara resides at the prestigious Grove Gallery in London but she is also pleased to have signed a five year deal with the Fairmont hotel to showcase her paintings in the property– one of the most prestigious hotels in the country. She was thrilled to be invited to showcase her work to celebrities and prominent figures in the business world.
She said: “It was like a fairytale, as soon as I stepped into the lobby and saw the big Christmas tree was like a dream come true. To see my paintings, here had to pinch myself to believe it was real. I know my mum would have been really proud of me.”
It was the first time she saw her paintings which are displayed throughout the luxury hotel, which was an indescribable feeling. Zara attended the event with her girlfriends and revealed that she couldn’t have done it all without them, she said:
“It was incredible to share this evening in the company of my friends who have supported me all the way along and to work with Nathalie and Claire who are mothers as well. It is a true demonstration of sisterhood and women helping one another.”
Hers is a tale of true girl power, and indeed the theme of the evening was female empowerment, as an influential circle of women supported one another recognising each other as friends and fellow mothers as well as successful female role models.
Stars align
The owner of the Fairmont hotel Surinder Arora welcomed guests to his iconic hotel along with his wife, The Face Bible founder Dr. Raj Arora , who regularly appears on ITV’s This Morning. Among the esteemed guests, eager to see the work of art, were fashion designer Julien MacDonald, known for his glamorous red carpet gowns and mentor and close friend to Alex Latte, creative director of Astrea London, as well as TV presenter Nick Knowles and his fiancé Katie Dadzie.
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Rachel Watkyn, the most successful female contestant on Dragons Den and a leading figure in the business world dazzled in a red suit. Meanwhile, the world of sport was represented by former Premier League footballer Jody Morris, GB Olympian Perri Shakes Drayton, Mathilda Karlsson, a trailblazing showjumper who was the first Sri Lankan to compete in equestrian at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Supporting Astrea London, there was also entrepreneur and brand ambassador Tatiana Korsavoka. VIP relations specialist Amanda Kyme, business psychologist Dr. Amy Redmond to name but a few but the most impactful meeting of the evening was meeting Cecile Reinaud, the mastermind behind maternity brand Seraphine who is known globally for dressing HRH The Princess of Wales. Having recently been appointed to the board of the company she spent some time telling me about Astrea and her own unique brand which I am familiar with from when I was carrying my own daughter.
The event featured a champagne reception with canapes and a catwalk show displaying Astrea Diamond’s signature pieces, as well as the unveiling of the work of art.
The event was hosted in the Orchid Room, named in honour of the original owners’ rare flower collections. Later, guests were invited to explore the elegant store and get better acquainted with exquisite pieces that showcased the brand’s elegance and craftsmanship
Afterwards, DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and his fiancé browsed for jewellery. Earlier, he posed with his Strictly Dancing partner Luba Mushtuk just weeks after he was forced to pull out after getting injured. He was still sporting his leg and arm braces.
The Fairmont Windsor Park hotel is close to the distinguished Wentworth Estate, a historic residence associated with King Edward VIII, further enhancing the venue’s prestige. Set around the prestigious Wentworth Golf Club – the birthplace of the Ryder Cup and host of the BMW PGA Championship – the estate boasts a roster of illustrious residents, including Sir Elton John, golfer Ernie Els and cricketer Kevin Pietersen. Rumour has it that one of the estate’s former residents, Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, has already visited the new store and purchased some diamonds. Earlier in the day, Astrea London welcomed some of their closest friends which includes some of the most accomplished women to an afternoon tea where Zara’s unique painting was unveiled.
Diamonds are forever
The Astrea London lab grown diamond shop is located at the hotel’s entrance and holds a collection of fine pieces, including the statement 90-carat colourless piece valued at £200,000. It is D and E in colour and can be styled in seven ways. Astrea London only offers IGI/GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds only in D, E, and F colours – equal to the top one per cent of all diamonds worldwide.
But what makes Astrea different is that it offers relatively affordable diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds have identical physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. No diamond expert or gemologist can tell them apart.
Overall, the global diamond market was valued at $99 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a minimum of $120 billion by 2030, with an anticipated growth of around five per cent. According to The Economist back in 2016, 75 per cent of the global diamond market will be lab-grown by 2050. Over the past three to five years, the global diamond jewellery market has shifted from mined diamonds to lab-grown gems.
According to Paul Ziminsky, a diamond industry expert, sales of lab-grown diamonds are projected to increase in market share worldwide to reach $60 billion by 2032 – approximately 50 per cent of the total diamond market – with volumes produced growing from 20 million carats in 2022 to 48 million carats by 2030. However, these forecasts may materialise sooner, given the lab-grown market’s 500 per cent growth in the past four years.
Nathalie said: “The new generation cares about sustainability and they don’t want blood diamonds. Plus it is 80 per cent cheaper, so why would anybody buy mined diamonds when ours are identical and are both made the same way. Lab grown diamonds are a super luxury product and their value will just continue to rise..”
The suite life
As a hotel guest, I didn’t have far to travel to my bedroom so while esteemed guests retired to the bar, I was keen to return to my one-bedroom suite. Entering my spacious living area, I found my room turned down and my dining table filled with dainty chocolates and a welcome card. I had all 839 square metres to myself, so I immediately poured myself a drink, flopped on to the king-sized bed dressed in crisp white linen, flicked on the substantial 55-inch TV and ordered some room service food – a tasty burger made of the finest beef and the fluffiest chips I have ever tasted, that had just the right amount of crunch.
The room was perfumed by a delicious scent traceable to the bathroom, which lay beyond an elegant dressing area filled with huge wardrobes. I immediately gravitated towards this area which boasts a freestanding Villeroy and Boche oval tub and Le Labo products and ran a bath before climbing into bed to watch the TV and falling asleep.
The following morning, I awoke to an enchanting view of the grounds as I opened the blinds and decided I wanted to start the day with a burst of energy, so I headed down to the gym to work off some of my late night feast. Filled with state-of-the-art machines, I began with the cross trainer and progressed to the treadmill.
I then enjoyed a one-to-one yoga session, followed by a quick swim, before heading back to my room, where I had a shower. This worked up my appetite, so I ordered a full English breakfast in my room to make the most of my suite, but you can also dine in the Moorish Restaurant.
I then explored the enchanting grounds of the stately home, which spans 40 acres of open green space. I walked around the centrepiece tranquil lake and meandered around the wellness walk paths through the landscaped gardens. The grounds include a helicopter landing pad and private airfield, and beyond the estate lies 4,800 acres of royal acreage.
The hotel itself radiates elegance from its exterior, showcasing 251 sumptuous rooms and a selection of seven distinctive restaurants and bars. There is also a tranquil spa area with a heated outdoor pool, a Himalayan salt room, and an indoor pool with heated seats and day beds. You can also opt for cryotherapy, a sauna or steam room, and a range of massages, facials, or even cosmetic procedures and aesthetics at the Face Bible clinic. Furthermore, the health club offers fitness classes from dance to yoga and even personalised fitness trainers. Of course the remainder of the afternoon was spent in the spa and I would recommend a visit here to anyone.
Prepare for a spellbinding break at Fairmont Windsor Park, where you can luxuriate in the five-star facilities. You’ll feel so welcomed by the staff and your opulent surroundings that you’ll want to extend your stay. While in the area, why not visit King Charles and Queen Camilla’s residence, Windsor Castle, or come back in the summer to attend Royal Ascot. With all the grandeur of a stately home, you’ll feel like you are living your best life. The staff greet you like an old friend so you’ll feel as though you are at home. You’ll never want to leave once you visit Fairmont Windsor Park.
