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 Founder

Letter from the Editor

Contributors

The Rake

arbiter • NEHXIT; BIG SHOT; ANIMAL INSTINCTS; MIME ARTIST; DOG’S CHOSEN PEOPLE; THE TWO AND ONLY.

PANDIT COUNTRY • Modern India was forged by one man: Jawaharlal Nehru. The irony, of course, is that Nehru was forged by the very British system he sought to eclipse. Now, 55 years after his death, Pandit’s legacy still looms large over the world’s most populous democracy.

EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES • D’Arcy Wyvill, the custodian of Constable Burton Hall in North Yorkshire, invites you on an autumn break to the Dales, where a full range of country pursuits — as well as the great outdoors — are on the menu.

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VULTURE CAPITALISM • Lionel Walter Rothschild, the 2nd Baron Rothschild, was born into the 19th century’s richest banking dynasty, though the family business did not call to him. No, Walter preferred animals — and the more exotic the better — to his Victorian peers.

‘IN AMERICA THEY HAVE NO IDEA OF YOUR CASTING… NOTHING WITH “BADASS” WOULD REACH ME HERE • Tom Mison, who stars in the forthcoming HBO series Watchmen, tells THE RAKE about losing and rediscovering the joys of acting — via a bunch of ‘affable posh twats’ and some unexpected help from Jeremy Irons.

THE BEDOUIN’S BEST BUDDY* • After several centuries in the Middle Eastern wilderness, the Canaan dog has become a cunning yet convivial beast.

THE HEAVENLY BODY • Jane Russell was a sex symbol and a born-again Christian. Thankfully, she didn’t believe the two things were mutually exclusive.

atelier • INVESTMENT HANKER; ANGLO-ITALIAN RELATIONS; BY THE SEAT OF HIS TROUSERS.

INVEST • Investments can be unpredictable, but not so with these six winners, which we have handpicked to provide you with sound and secure appreciation — aesthetically, spiritually and financially.

THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE • For the luxury tailoring industry, is sustainability a good-faith commitment or a marketing boast? THE RAKE ’s Digital Editor, Ryan Thompson, goes in search of the answer…

ALL IN HIS STRIDE • The Neapolitan tailor Salvatore Ambrosi is not just a trouser maker — his particular genius means he can interpret a client’s dimensions, posture, stance and gait so that each garment he creates gives the wearer a sense of belonging.

articles • SCHOOL OF ROCKWELL; WEARABLE PHILOSOPHY; BUILDING THE FOUNDATION; CRISIS AVERTED; SUPPLY AND DEMAND; PLAYING A BLINDER.

MR. VICE GUY • Sam Rockwell is the anti-hero we didn’t know we needed, writes TOM CHAMBERLIN . But don’t hate him for it — he’s just redefining the Hollywood bad guy before our very eyes.

THE PROPHET OF SOLOMEO • Brunello Cucinelli is the luxury industry’s spiritual leader. He values the bottom line, but not at the expense of human dignity, and he understands the need to replenish nature, not plunder it. In other words, writes WEI KOH , he practises ethical capitalism with a rigour that is inspiring. Is it any wonder Pope Francis has given him his blessing?

GENERATIONAL CHANGE • Hani Farsi is the philanthropist you may never have heard of (which is how...