The Rake

The world’s preeminent publication dedicated to the renaissance in gentlemanly sophistication and style, THE RAKE recaptures the codes of classic men’s elegance. Inspired by icons such as Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, the Duke of Windsor, Gianni Agnelli, Sean Connery, and their contemporary counterparts, THE RAKE provides incisive, in-depth commentary on magnificent menswear, and the many other elements of gentlemanly living, from manners and ethics, to art and design, tasteful travel, health and well-being, the intellectual and philosophical, to homes, modes of transport, entertainment, food and drink. THE RAKE is the modern voice of classic elegance.

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

Contributors

The Rake

arbiter • ROBERT THE SPRUCE; MISTLETOE AND COCKTAIL; STEPPE CHANGE; THE FULL MONTIEL.

THE GENTLEMAN REBEL • Robert Vaughn was more than an actor. He was a thinker and a man of conscience, and those qualities gave him a singular presence. Not that the Man from U.N.C.L.E. let it go to his head. “I’ve stretched my 15 minutes of fame into more than half a century of good fortune,” he said.

SEASON OF GOOD SWILL • If you are going to overindulge, now is the time. And do we have a sweet treat for you, courtesy of our resident cocktails expert and budding movie director.

PHANTOM MENACE? • Is the modern Central Asian Ovcharka all bark and no bite? Or a gentle giant whose ferocious inner beast is waiting to return? Our guest representative of the species bares his fangs…

THE RAKE • THE MODERN VOICE OF CLASSIC ELEGANCE

TORCH BEARER • How well do you know the life and work of Sara Montiel, a fierce pioneer of modern entertainment? The answer to that question probably depends on where you grew up.

atelier • OPTIMUM’S THE WORD; BIG APPLE BECKONS; J RIDING.

OPTIMUM PRIME • Sculpture, personality and function: Gaziano & Girling’s shoes have always had it all. When they announced a new craft service pitched between made-to-order and full bespoke, THE RAKE lined up for a fitting.

‘THIS IS A REAL FLAG IN THE SAND FOR BRITISH TAILORS ON MADISON AVENUE’ • The founders of Thom Sweeney talk to THE RAKE about their education in menswear and taking their trailblazing brand into the heart of American luxury style.

THE ART OF CRAFT WORK • Only 31 of their kind have been made in the past quarter-century. Each one takes up to 10,000 hours of labour to make. And now the latest technology complements their romantic appeal. This is the exclusive world of Swedish boatbuilders J Craft.

articles • GÖRING THE DISTANCE; SING OF THE TIMES; NOTHING LIKE THE PRESENT.

HOW THE CROWE FLIES • Now is the time of monsters — again. And into our febrile world steps Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in the new psychological drama Nuremberg. Oscar-winning Crowe talks to TOM CHAMBERLIN about morality, the behaviour of men, and what this world — this malfunctioning world — needs more of.

THE MEN WHO MADE CHRISTMAS • The festive season wouldn’t be festive without Bing and Dean, Nat and Sinatra. But why? THE RAKE slips into something more comfortable, presses play, and travels to mid-century America for the answers…

WINDOW SHOPPING • If Christmas is a time for giving, who’s feeling generous? the rake has an Advent calendar full of beautiful items to inspire you…

rake time • TRÈS BIENNE; JEWEL IN THE CROWN; A HOROLOGICAL CONSTANT; OUT OF THE PAN, INTO THE FIRE; IT’S ABOUT TIME.

‘OUR BRAND IS LIKE A BIG HEART. THERE’S NEVER ANY BOUNDARIES’ • The first watch to be worn on the moon. James Bond. The Olympics and Paralympics… Omega have been part of the fabric of life in the 20th and 21st centuries. On a visit to their headquarters in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, we talked exclusively to President Raynald Aeschlimann about watchmaking...