Stephen Bayley

1 week ago | thecritic.co.uk | Stephen Bayley

More than a survivor of the “sixties” This article is taken from the April 2025 issue of The Critic. To get the full magazine why not subscribe? Right now we’re offering five issues for just £10. This is a story about time travel. In Battersea. I went to visit one of the last survivors of the “sixties”, a cultural commodity, possibly now an antique commodity, not a mere ten calendar years. He is George Ciancimino, aged 97. I have known him very slightly for a long time.

1 month ago | thecritic.co.uk | Stephen Bayley

This article is taken from the March 2025 issue of The Critic. To get the full magazine why not subscribe? Right now we’re offering five issues for just £10. When Field Marshall His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, Duke of Saxony, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter died on 14 December, 1861, England was surprised into a great affection, warm feelings only partially realised when he was alive. This affection was eventually expressed as the Albert Memorial.

Nov 10, 2024 | houseandgarden.co.uk | Stephen Bayley

'I don't think it helps,' was the [late] Queen's response to a question about the importance of taste. But to the rest of us, this most elusive and treacherous commodity has harrowing significance. In the preindustrial era when only one class had the economic power to acquire discretionary goods, there were no disputes about taste because there was only one variety: the aristocrat's.

Mar 27, 2024 | spectator.com.au | Stephen Bayley

It was George VI who first called his extended family ‘the Firm’. Today, with so many injuries and key players on the bench, it might better be known as ‘the Team’ – and one struggling to avoid relegation. It’s what you might call a reign in pain. So it’s a good time for Alexander Larman to publish this appreciative, but not sycophantic, conclusion to his royal trilogy.

Mar 25, 2024 | spectator.co.uk | Stephen Bayley

Text size Line Spacing Comments Share Share Stephen Bayley Resolute, dignified and intelligent: Elizabeth II inspired loyalty from the start Linkedin Messenger Email Power and Glory: Elizabeth II and the Rebirth of Royalty Alexander Larman Weidenfeld & Nicolson, pp. 352, £25 It was George VI who first called his extended family ‘the Firm’. Today, with so many injuries and key players on the bench, it might better be known as ‘the Team’ – and one struggling to avoid relegation. It’s what you...