Where in the world would you be happiest?
At home in Malibu. It’s my sanctuary. Because I’m English, the idea that you could have a house on the beach still feels so foreign to me. On a Friday I drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, the sun is about to set, and I think: do I live in the real world? Is this life? I get that feeling every single Friday, and I’ve been doing it for four years. By 5pm, I have a glass of wine in my hand and a little cheese board, and I’m watching the sunset. I sit there thinking, are we the luckiest people on the planet? I don’t put shoes on for the whole weekend. To me, it’s magical.
Name a place around the world that lives up to the hype.
The Aman in Kyoto. It is the most incredible property on the planet. You see photos of it in a magazine, but that place eclipses everything you’ve seen. It’s an ancient, spiritual place, full of history and you really feel it. There are walls running through the property covered in green moss, and the floor is moss, too. It’s like being in a tunnel of green. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
Describe your favourite view.
Driving around Paris and going over any bridge. I started working in fashion when I was very young. I’d have to go to Paris carrying lots of suitcases, and it could feel miserable to some. But to me it was the most mesmerising place on earth, and I couldn’t believe it was just a train ride away. I still get that feeling every time I go.
What do you pack first when you travel?
I’m very organised. I have a system and a checklist – I actually think I should publish it. I start every outfit with my underwear and pyjamas, and build from there. Admittedly, I’m not a light packer. I always take a carry on, a big handbag and three other handbags that sit inside it. It’s a little nesting situation. Has there ever been a situation where I forgot something crucial? Absolutely never. Heads would roll.
Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met on your travels?
I met a woman in Malibu last week: Simone Harrer. She makes the most incredible handbags, caftans and casual clothing from Hermès towels, old vintage ones that she repurposes into these beautiful bags. Her shop is so chic. It’s in Malibu Canyon, in a place that’s like a trailer park, but a very chic trailer park. I walked in and it smelled great, it looked good, and it was full of fabulous women. She’s bloody interesting, and we love her.