Still unsure of your Bank Holiday plans? We’ve got you covered. Welcome to WonderGuides, Wonderland’s handpicked weekly selection of London’s vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavours.
Sir Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, have been building a world-class photography collection over the past decade. Now, you can see it all at the V&A. Fragile Beauty is an impressive selection of work by some of our generation’s greatest photographers, from Diane Arbus and Irving Penn to Juergen Teller and Annie Leibovitz. Celebrity portraits, photojournalism gems, AI-generated images… the exhibition invites you on a heartfelt journey through fashion, the less glamorous side of success, queerness, and the endless, head-spinning allure of sexuality.
“Fragile Beauty” is available at the Sainsbury Gallery at the V&A until January 2025.
What to taste… Renegade Urban Winery, Bethnal Green.
@renegade_bethnalgreen
@renegade_bethnalgreen
Walk in for the cosy, fairy-light-decorated terrace and stay for the orange wine. Nestled under the tube arches in Bethnal Green, Renegade is an urban winery that will become your go-to spot for an afternoon-to-evening drink this summer. They also have a second location in Walthamstow, which serves as their local production hub. Plus: the bottles feature pictures of eyes from random people living in the UK, celebrating the rich tapestry and diversity that makes this country so unique. Pin in your maps!
Renegade Wine Bar, Arch 12, Gales Gardens, London E2 0EJ
What to read…Here for the Wrong Reasons, by Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang.
@annabelandlydia
@annabelandlydia
Do you ever watch The Bachelor and swear there’s chemistry between two of the contestants? Well, this one’s for you.. A swoon-filled lesbian romcom, Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang’s Here for the Wrong Reasons follows Lauren and Krystin — two contestants on a reality dating television show — as they fall not for the leading man, but for each other. Steamy, hilarious, and completely feel-good, it will have you blushing, cheering, and tearing up at the same time — basically, your dream summer read!
What to listen to…Hit Me Hard And Soft, Billie Eilish.
@annabelandlydia
For a lazy Sunday morning or Saturday’s pre-game, Billie Eilish’s new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, sets the sonic theme for your weekend. Her third studio album is a pop masterpiece that will become a staple in your summer playlist for the months to come. Tune in!
Where to shop… Outsourced Vintage.
@outsourced_vintage
@outsourced_vintage
You know that scene from Wild Child where they go to the charity shop in town and the most iconic montage of the late 2000s was born? Say no more, because you can relive that exact energy at Outsourced Vintage’s personal shopping appointments! Based in Hackney, Sherin Awad (founder of Outsourced Vintage) offers private shopping appointment slots for customers to dive into mounts of 90s handpicked clothing (Prada, Evisu, one-of-a-kind pieces, you name it) and homeware. Sherin offers up the most comfortable, welcoming and intimate shopping experience in the whole city. A must go if your weekend plans include a stroll around East London…
Feel like cuddling some baby goats and feeding piglets? Look no further. Just minutes away from East London’s famous Columbia Road Flower Market, prepare to experience a cuteness overload at Hackney City Farm. Parents can stop by the farm’s café for a snack while the kids try their luck playing with some of the animals — and the space also offers pottery classes for kids and adults throughout the week. See the full schedule here.
Hackney City Farm, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA.
Where to party… Wide Awake Festival.
@hackneycityfarm_official
It’s finally festival season! And we couldn’t be more excited about the A-list options London has to offer this summer. Kicking off in grand style, Wide Awake Festival will take over Brockwell Park this Saturday (25th) for a full day of top-tier performances — think Slowdive, Alice Glass, and Sevdaliza. Wonderland will be around, and you can also get your tickets here.
