We bring you our guide to living well in the world’s capitals, from exhibitions to cinema, food, drink, fashion, music and beyond. Just call it culture and take it, it’s yours.

LONDON, FRIDAY 22nd NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2013

“A cross between a Billingsgate fishwife and Lucretia Borgia”
Over at Somerset House this weekend the Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore! exhibition celebrating the extraordinary life and wardrobe of the late British patron of fashion and art will be in full swing. Set to be a sell out, get your tickets pronto.

The incredible collection, saved by  her dear friend Daphne Guinness hours before it was due for a dismantling at a major auction house sale, is being loaned to the exhibition along with photographs, personal affects and footage contributed by those who knew her and those whom she champoined in the fashion industry.

Highlights include pieces from Alexander McQueen’s and Philip Treacy’s graduate collections and her infamous nipple pink burqa — surprisingly the work of Undercover by Jun Takahashi, SS03. The image above is a Tim Noble and Sue Webster sculpture of Blow, made from a stuffed raven and rat, Blow’s trademark lipstick and one of her Manolo Blahnik shoes.

It’s a brilliant tribute to the woman McQueen once described as “a cross between a Billingsgate fishwife and Lucretia Borgia,” as well as the great art of idiosyncrasy. Our world needs personalities like this.

Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Until 2nd March 2014, 10:00-18:00 daily (last admission 17:15)

Nice facelift
Showing off the remarkable results of an eighteen-month renovation project, combining the restoration of the Grade II-listed building with the creation of new galleries and public spaces, Tate Britain opens its newly renovated spaces with a day’s worth of special events, screenings, talks and workshops this weekend. Plus it’s all free.

Visit the Tate Britain website for full listings of  Saturday’s events
Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

Pop tart
Iggyfest: Blah Blah Blah at the ICA explores and celebrates the cultural legacy of  the Godfather of punk, Iggy Pop. Featuring live performances, film screenings, talks, DJ sets and even an Iggy karaoke party all in his honour, just don’t slash yourself up.

Iggyfest: Blah Blah Blah
Attend all events with an Iggyfest multi-buy ticket: £50 / £45 Concessions / £40 ICA Members available at ICA Box Office, or alternatively book separate events online here
22nd November 2013 – 23rd November 2013

Rita Hayworth? Rita Ora? No, definitely not
If you’re not familiar with either Rita’s or the ridiculously moreish chicken for which they’re famous, then you’ve been missing out – since the Birthdays residency ended and summertime’s chicken roll wagons moved on, in fact.

The good news is Rita’s Bar and Dining now has a permanent home on Mare Street, near London Fields. Open each day from brunch to dinner, expect a higher soar in popularity again thanks to the evolved menu, which now moving includes whole roast duck, fried cheese and iced-cream sandwiches.

Rita’s Bar and Dining
175 Mare Street, London E8 3RH