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

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II • In memoriam 1926-2022

Contributors

The Rake

arbiter • JET ENGINE; A SUITABLE MAN; BREL THE BELGIAN; SKETCHY CHARACTER; PORCH POOCH; COVER GIRL/GRANDMOTHER.

THE ONE-MAN JET SET • ‘Broadway’ Joe Namath was American football’s first modern superstar, feted as a leader on the field and a sex symbol off it. At his peak, he carried not only a team but the dreams of millions of men…

‘I FELT THAT MY LIFE WAS CHANGING IN THOSE DAYS, TO BE ON A SHOW OF THAT SCALE’ • Shubham Saraf’s annus mirabilis culminates in the release of Shantaram, the major adaptation of Gregory David Roberts’ bestselling book. Saraf’s decision to enrol in clown school is looking wiser by the day…

LIFE WAS SHIT. EVERYBODY WAS HORRIBLE. BUT WASN’T HE WONDERFUL! • Jacques Brel sang of sex, death and bruised romance with the kind of mordant humour that’s to die for. ‘It is the intensity of life,’ the Belgian chanson decided, ‘not the duration.’

THE AESTHETE • From his exacting style and incomparable taste to his golden heart (and generous humidor), the modern aesthete walks among us. In fact, he could be you.

LE BEAU MONDE • The Beauceron, a herding dog from the plains of central France, is proud of its humble character, noble work and ‘mysterious’ mien. Corgis, at this point you can take a walk…

WARRIOR QUEEN • The actress Anne Gwynne was a pin-up for American soldiers during world war II, as famous and gazed upon then as any social-media darling of today.

atelier • INVESTMENT HANKER; MIC DROP.

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

AN AUDIENCE WITH LOUIS XIII • Rémy Martin’s famous Louis XIII cognac is now available in miniature format — called The Drop — so the distinguished tipple can be enjoyed wherever, whenever. To celebrate, the rake visited the brand’s home in France for a special tasting session.

articles • CHRIS IS RISEN; THE CAY TO HAPPINESS; WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY.

TO VICTORY! • They said it would never happen… and, thanks to Covid, it nearly didn’t. But finally the stars aligned and the rake caught up with Chris Pine. Hollywood’s man of the moment talked to tom chamberlin about the power of personality and the movie that has been on everyone’s lips this autumn…

LIKE THE FIFTIES NEVER WENT AWAY • Welcome to Lyford Cay, a private playground in the Bahamas that has become a gilded time capsule for the moneyed elite. james medd tries to elude security…

RURAL AFFAIRS • It takes only a short time to escape the city, and once sequestered in the countryside, myriad pursuits await. Standards mustn’t slip, though.

rake time • GOLAY GOSH; BLUE WATCH GROUP; PEDAL TO THE METAL; TONDA REPLAY; CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN; HIDDEN DEPTHS.

SWEET VALLEY HIGHS • In every walk of life there are people whose work transcends the narrow circumstances of time and place. For modern watchmaking, Georges Golay, the disrupter behind the Royal Oak, was one such...