Anouska Hempel
founder of the
Hempel and Blakes hotel
1. What is your favourite
shop?
Takashimaya in New York
for the eccentricity of the place and the wonderful waste of space.
2. Your favourite restaurant
and why?
Blakes London - so I can
boss everyone about!
3. And your favourite
hotel, and why?
The Al Bustan Palace in
Oman. The service is extraordinary.
4. Where have you received
the best customer service?
Polo Ralph Lauren.
5. What do you dislike?
Anything mediocre - I like
a major statement.
6. Who or what has been
your biggest influence?
Masses of people - from
the Italian masters and Leonardo to Sir John Soane - but all from the past.
I do also like certain things
by John Pawson.
7. Is beauty or function
more important?
Beauty. Great beauty is
usually very workable and function follows.
8. What do you need to
relax?
A sleeping tablet.
9. Where would your ideal
holiday be?
Any of Adrian Zecha’s Aman
Resorts.
10. What is your favourite
item of clothing?
My shahtoosh. It’s seven
years old and threadbare.
11. What is your favourite
fragrance?
Ginger lily.
12. What is your ideal
watch?
A 1920s Rolex.
13. And your ideal car?
The new 2-door Bentley Continental
- to follow rather than to own!
14. Which luxury company
currently has the best ads?
Louis Vuitton.
15. Do you collect anything,
or would you like to?
All sorts of things - pens,
watches, antique jewellery, shoes.
16. What is your most
treasured possession?
My husband.
17. What was your most
recent luxury purchase?
A crystal bust which I bought
for a Van Cleef & Arpels interior.
18. What are you currently
dreaming of buying?
Another boat - a Turkish
gület –for the chef, crew and children.
19. Who do you tip to
watch over the next 10 years?
There are too many talents
to choose from.
20. What do you predict
will be the biggest trends this century?
I think there will be a
reaction to technology and a trend away from minimalism and back
towards more opulence. There
will more comfort zoning in people’s surroundings.
A Question of Luxury
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