‘If Jeff Koons directed an ad for Nescafé Gold Blend’ – Rivals, reviewed
From explosions of chintz to thrusting postmodern architecture, the sets for Jilly Cooper’s bonkbuster leave us in no doubt we’re watching a 1980s period drama
When London had a much richer interior life
A new book by Steven Brindle lovingly catalogues the lavish interiors that could once be found in London’s grandest houses but are now lost
It’s time to separate Lucian Freud’s life from his art
The painter’s biography has long tended to loom over his works, but Stephen Patience tries to turn his attention to the actual art
How Mary Quant defined the look of Swinging London
Sadie Frost’s documentary about the designer is hardly original, but then Quant didn’t actually invent the miniskirt – and it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of her genius
Thoroughly modern murder: how Poirot came to personify art deco
Agatha Christie’s sleuth has been nowhere more at home than in ITV’s interwar locations – their clean lines the perfect match for the punctilious Poirot
Surface tension: the glamorous world of Noël Coward
The glittering displays of Noël Coward and chums masked an altogether less divine reality – but anxiety and fear were always part of the act
Exposure time – David Bailey’s autobiography, reviewed
A memoir as raw and unfiltered as the photographs that made Bailey’s name at Vogue, this curious book offers up some brilliant anecdotes but ultimately lacks focus
The late Robert Freeman was the Beatles’ favourite photographer – and now his entire archive has been stolen
From his portraits of Khrushchev and John Coltrane to celebrated album covers for the Beatles, Freeman’s entire archive was taken just weeks after his death
How do you solve a problem like Andy Warhol?
Blake Gopnik’s new biography sets out to solve the puzzle of a man who saw his life as an extension of his art
‘He kicked open the doors of Society just as Sixties London began to swing’ – a tribute to Terry O’Neill
The late photographer shot some of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, from Winston Churchill to David Bowie
Karl Lagerfeld’s greatest creation was himself
The late couturier, photographer, art collector and ‘showman’ was a master of harnessing the power of the image