His young daughter Nigella Lawson was his assistant and he became one of the most fascinating and flamboyant figures in literature.
Now, the spectacular £400,000 treasures of the late Naim Attallah are to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s.
Quartet Books Publishing tycoon and entrepreneur, who passed away in February at 89 years old, is well-known for his passion for beautiful women. It’s not surprising that the collection contains 13 nude paintings.
His young employees encouraged them to wear stilettos and miniskirts.
Naim Attallah and Nigella Lawson at the booklaunch of ‘Fulfilment & Betrayal’ by Naim Attallah, at Bluebird on May 1, 2007 in London
Writer Anna Pasternak, who worked for him in her first job aged 21, reminisces about ‘his paintings of nudes — which I remember hanging in his office’.
Attallah will be selling other lots next week, including a clothed portrait and some of the stunning jewellery that he often wore while he paraded about the Groucho club. Asprey was his driving force.
Attallah’s “harem” of aristocratic girls consisted of well-bred women such as Virginia Bonham-Carter, Lady Cosima Friary and Winston Churchill’s granddaughter Emma Soames. Some girls were encouraged and even forced to wear rubber dresses at launches.
Wall art: One Of Attallah’s nudes. Quartet Books publisher tycoon and entrepreneur Attallah died February 89. He was famous for his affection of beautiful women. It’s not surprising that the collection also includes 13 nude paintings
Pictured: A picture seen on a silver and enamel cigarette case in Attallah’s collection
Pasternak says that no one was bound to Quartet. Pasternak says that we were only paid to show up at parties wearing mandatory miniskirts.
‘Naked London was published by Attallah in 1987 and featured aristocratic beauty like Sabrina Guinness or Andrea von Stumm.
However, he was also open to more serious periodicals such as The Oldie (literary review) and Literary Review.
- Vets should not worry about animals that behave badly. Bruce Fogle, TV vet says that there’s been an increase in the loutish behavior of owners. Bruce Fogle, the father of Animal Park’s presenter Ben Fogle, says that most people handled the pandemic in a rational manner. “But many people I have known for years suddenly began to act disrespectfully towards the vets and nurses that I work with.” In Saga magazine, he adds that his veterinary association has seminars about how to deal with aggression. It’s hard to believe that anyone would think so.
Bonkbuster! Toff hopes to become the next Jilly Cooper
Georgia Toffolo, winner of I’m a Celeb, managed to take her photos just seconds before she arrived at Westminster Party.
Shooting up to the 29th floor of Millbank Tower to attend a book launch party, she posed in her £60 black frock in front of the lift mirrors.
Toffolo has three novels to his credit. He tells me that he wants to create a racier setting in Westminster. Jilly Cooper is a friend of mine. I almost fell to the ground when I saw her once. Everything I do is modeled after her.
Pictured: I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo sneaks in her selfies just seconds before arriving at a Westminster book-launch party
- David Davis was a former SAS reserve officer who managed to sneak into Michael Ashcroft’s Westminster book launch party. He had not been invited but was there as a guest. The ex-Tory leadership candidate admitted that he did not receive invitations. “I was just thinking I’d gatecrash the event and they gave me permission to enter. Davis is concerned about MPs being banned from having second jobs. He tells me that he has many outside interests. I’ll make a deal. I will vote for whatever you want so long as every MP gets paid exactly the same — the Prime Minister and everyone gets paid £100,000 a year, and not a penny on top.’
Scene and Heard It’s partytime
Amber Heard (left) and Alice Temperley (right) attend an after-party to celebrate the launch of Annie’s Archive hosted by Alice Temperley, Annie Doble and The Groucho Club’s November 16th 2021 London.
Amber Heard, who has done admirably in the bitter High Court battle with Johnny Depp last summer, is not in any hurry to leave London.
This Hollywood superstar has lived in London while filming Aquaman 2; he is enjoying the city’s vibrant social scene.
Heard, aged 35, was invited to a party at Soho’s Groucho Club by Alice Temperley. The event celebrated Alice’s recent collaboration with Annie Doble.
The cocktails served were ‘Potion D’Amour’, ‘Festive Bellinis’.
Temperley states that people are eager to have fun and laugh. “Long winter nights call for friends, laughter and dance.
Amber has lived in West London for the past few years. In April, she gave birth to Oonagh via surrogate.
Rod Stewart said that Sir Elton John is his only contact with him after the feud got out of hand.
‘We’ve had rows,’ Stewart admits. Stewart admits that he/she will say something negative about me and I’ll make a comment about her/him. It appears in the newspapers.
“So, that’s what we do now. Rod! Don’t use pronouns! You’ll get ‘cancelled.
- We should hear more information about Boris Johnson and Ghislaine Maxiwell’s friendship. Rachel Johnson, the Prime Minister’s sister has disclosed that Boris Johnson was in good terms with the alleged sexual trafficker when they were students at Balliol College. “I was a newcomer and I tried to get into Balliol JCR. [junior common room] one day . . . Rachel, a journalist at The Spectator, writes that she found a shining glamazon wearing naughty glasses sitting in court astride a dining table with a boot on her brother Boris’s thigh. I was able to get an invitation to her party, despite being given a poor glance by the woman. . .’
For raunchy Rev, not so good romance
Television’s hottest vicar is getting ready to go under the dog collar.
Tom Brittney, aged 31, plays Reverend Will Davenport who solves crime in Grantchester. He also revealed that his character would face trouble from women in the upcoming series of ITV’s hit drama.
Brittney told me that he will face a lot female problems, attention and concerns at Somerset House.
‘And, of course, this is Grantchester — anyone can be murdered.’
Tom Brittney, 31, who plays the crime-solving Reverend Will Davenport in Grantchester (pictured) has revealed that his character will face woman trouble in the forthcoming series of the hit ITV drama