Cutter Brooks: a charming lifestyle shop in rural England

An eclectic boutique lined with New York-cool fashion finds and artisanal homewares is putting a bucolic Cotswolds village on the style map

One look at the historic 17th-century building in bucolic Stow-on-the-Wold and Amanda Cutter Brooks was sold. “It seemed like a complete money pit, but I loved it,” says the former fashion director of Barneys New York, who lives with her artist husband and two children on nearby Fairgreen Farm. “It took a year to bring the space back to its original form.” The self-described American Anglophile has paired the weathered-oak beams with soft-pink walls to lend it a “feminine feel, but not too girly”. 

Traditional basketry, £100-£300, by Jenny Crisp | Image: Sam Pelly

Since May last year, Cutter Brooks’ eponymous eclectic boutique has enticed a mix of locals, weekenders from Soho Farmhouse and tourists from further afield – primarily Asians and Americans – with its curated clothing and housewares. “I embrace the English countryside style and craftsmanship,” says Cutter Brooks, highlighting the delicate fabric flowers (£100-£350) made exclusively for the shop by her neighbour Silka Rittson-Thomas and the traditional basketry (£100-£300) by Jenny Crisp, who has been growing and weaving her own willow in Herefordshire for over 30 years. “But I also incorporate things from my travels,” she adds, noting a selection of decorative items that includes Indian hand-block-printed napkins (£40 for six) and sisal placemats (£25 each), made by a group of women in Swaziland, as well as découpage trays (£124) by fellow American John Derian – “an old friend whose work somehow feels very English, and is a huge seller for us”. 

There’s a strong New York component to Cutter Brooks’ fashion buys, too, with the flowing designs by Ulla Johnson (tiered Claribel dress, £415) and LoveShackFancy (embroidered cotton dress, £520) offset by Khaite’s more tailored pieces (tweedy walking shorts, £620) – and all bought in very limited quantities. “My customers appreciate I stock things you won’t find easily elsewhere,” says Cutter Brooks, whose closer-to-home buys range from The Tweed Project – “two Irish girls from Galway I discovered on Instagram” creating summery linen petticoat dresses (£380) and cropped, fringed Aran sweaters (£650) – to Florentine nightwear specialist Loretta Caponi, whose cotton voile “granny nighties” (£350) in pastel shades are “old-school, smocked and very Shakespeare in Love”. Cheerful accessories run from chic canvas tool bags (£495) by Paris label L/Uniform – hand-stamped with monograms by Cutter Brooks – and hair ties (£60-£150) repurposed from Hermès, Liberty and Gucci scarves by Copenhagen’s Line Sander Johansen.

“At first, I think a lot of locals were sceptical about this project,” says Cutter Brooks, whose most precious pieces are the limited edition porcelain blackberry branch sculptures (£2,800-£7,900) by Ukraine-born artist Vladimir Kanevsky. “I’ve certainly made a few mistakes – selling resort fashion in December in the English countryside was pretty much a bust – but I think we’ve found our place now. When people visit and say, ‘It’s so warm and cosy here – and the coffee is great,’ I know I’m doing something right.”

Independent Copenhagen boutiques not to be missed

A quartet of fashion and interior treasure troves for curious travellers

Co-owners Magali Chiaberge and Frans Pachner at Maritime Antiques & | Image: Maja Flink

Within striking distance of the harbour, visitors are greeted by the scent of traditional tar ropes as they cross the threshold of this Copenhagen boutique. A main draw is the shop’s world-class collection of maritime antiques, but co-owners Frans Pachner and Magali Chiaberge have added a somewhat unexpected fashion angle to their offering. A selection of “timeless, high-quality, functional clothes with a nautical vibe” includes stacks of utilitarian-chic jumpers in a largely neutral palette of navy blue, grey and black – and, of course, a smattering of stripes – presented on rough-hewn tables accented with fishing nets, enormous clam shells and skeins of rope. The creative endeavours of Chiaberge herself are also evident: her intriguing fine-art photography (from about £700 to £3,500) completes this downtown cool-meets-maritime mise en scène, which always sends shoppers on their way with a final nautical flourish – every purchase is wrapped in brown paper and tied with delicately scented fine tar twine. Toldbodgade 15, 1253 (+4533-121 257; maritime-antiques.dk). CHRISTINA OHLY EVANS

Keramiker Inge Vincents sells paper-thin porcelain

Keramiker Inge Vincents

As I walk down Jægersborggade, through a window I see a woman hard at work, putting the finishing touches to a delicate white jug. Candles flicker within, and stacks of shiny, ridged or curved porcelain are too inviting to miss. These pieces are wafer thin and look like they might break in an instant, but owner Inge Vincents assures me they are surprisingly robust. The shapes are warm and inviting to touch, with the curves of the cups a satisfying fit for hands. The ceramicist’s work revolves around the endless variations of the “thinware” technique – the normal slab method taken to paper-thin limits – and she has spent years perfecting the craft. I pick up a milk jug (about £37.70), ridged from base to lip, with a stubby cylindrical shape, and spy a rippled tulip vase (about £98.50), crooked and shiny inside. I buy both. Jægersborggade 43, 2200 (+4540-701 750; vincents.dk). JEMIMA SISSONS

A 1950s black-tinted glass console table (€4,000) at The Apartment | Image: Maja Flink

Beau Marché sources much of its stock from French flea markets

The Apartment

Secreted away in a residential pocket of Copenhagen, on the first floor of a private building with no store front or signage, The Apartment doesn’t rely on footfall. Yet this exquisite emporium of mostly midcentury furniture and lighting is well known within Scandi-cool and international design circles. Everything in the Georgian panelled living room, kitchen and bedroom is for sale, whether that’s an elegant 1950s black-tinted glass console table with coiled metal legs, or a contemporary chandelier – and guests can even stay the night there. Founder Tina Seidenfaden Busck travels monthly to scout for pieces – many from Italy, France and Sweden, most dating from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s – and showcases her vintage finds alongside contemporary classics. The items are rotated constantly and she redecorates the entire place every six months. Overgaden neden Vandet 33, 1414 (+4531-620 402; theapartment.dk). LUCINDA BARING

Beau Marché

As a Scandinavian design junkie with a flat full of midcentury modern, I didn’t expect to return from a weekend in Copenhagen with souvenirs from France. But of all the intriguing independent shops tucked away behind the Strøget, it was Beau Marché that captured my heart. A mix of modern and vintage homeware, much of the stock was found in French flea markets by four Danish siblings, Julie, Elisabeth, Danielle and Christian Lee Dann. Everything is beautifully laid out – miniature Tolix chairs for tots, industrial lamps, vintage champagne crates and contemporary treasures. I couldn’t resist some adorable bowls, hand made at the Faïencerie de Niderviller, a ceramics factory that’s been around since 1735. I can’t help feeling smug: about £20 a pop, they were five times cheaper than the (admittedly rather lovely) blue fluted porcelain on sale at tourist-packed Royal Copenhagen down the road. Ny Østergade 32, 1101 (+4555-771 430; beau-marche.dk). RACHEL HOWARD

Eccentric bespoke spectacles from a Japanese duo

Nackymade specialises in unusual arms and hosts pop-ups across the world

Husband-and-wife team Naoki “Nacky” Nakagawa and Tomoko “Mocky” Nakagawa create quirky bespoke glasses under the name of Nackymade. Their company is based in Kobe, Japan, but stages pop-ups across the world (including several each year at The Armoury in New York and Hong Kong), and their sculptural spectacles have drawn a discerning clientele from London to Paris to Shanghai.

Nackymade glasses at The Armoury

One of Nackymade’s signature touches is eccentric arms: from dinosaur-shaped tips that tuck behind the ears, to eggplant-inspired arms (made for an ardent vegetarian) and a pair with wine-bottle-shaped sides – a bordeaux on one, a burgundy on the other – for a collector of French vintages. No request is too bizarre for the couple, who delight in working directly with their customers. “It’s rare and refreshing in this day and age to sit down across from the person who will actually be wearing your product,” says Naoki.

Nackymade glasses are renowned for their eccentric arms

No request is too bizarre for the couple, who delight in working directly with their customers

Commissioning a pair (from $900) with the gregarious duo is a fun process, and takes approximately four months from ordering to delivery.  While most of Nackymade’s orders tend to come in acetate (allowing for more inventive designs), other materials such as bamboo or various metals are available, in shapes anywhere between oval and rectangular. At an initial client meeting, measurements are taken and a style is selected. Frame width, height, lens shape and width are all taken into consideration, as are the hinges, which can range from vintage silver to cherry red.

When the finished product is ready, the Nakagawas like to perform the fitting themselves. Every pair also comes with a hard case that is a sculptural work of art in itself. “We want to provide exactly what the customer wants,” Naoki adds… even if that is a pair of panda-like specs inspired by a pair worn by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

Kris Van Assche talks personal taste: Part One

Belgian designer Kris Van Assche has been bringing exquisite tailoring and technical flair to Dior Homme since 2007

Kris Van Assche | Image: Lea Crespi

My personal style signifier is a Tiffany white gold necklace with a diamond solitaire. It was a gift from my boyfriend who knew I would like the idea of discreet diamonds on a man and the notion that diamonds are forever. It works well with the white dress shirts I wear every day, either with jeans or a suit. www.tiffany.co.uk.

Moynat leather passport holder, £220

The last thing I bought and loved was a leather passport holder from Moynat, which I like so much I have given a few to friends as presents. It is an envelope-shaped case and comes in various colours. They can also emboss it with your initials in a little over an hour. £220;348 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris (+331‑4703 8390; www.moynat.com).

And the things I’m eyeing next are some 1950s French ceramics to add to my collection. I have developed something of an addiction and love pieces – which I find at the big French auction houses like Piasa and Thomas Fritsch, but also at the St-Ouen flea market – by Pol Chambost in particular. Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com. Piasa, 118 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris (+331-5334 1010; www.piasa.fr). Thomas Fritsch, 6 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris (+331-4326 7712; www.thomasfritsch.fr).

Van Assche’s Adidas Ultra Boost trainers, from £130

The last accessory I added to my wardrobe was a pair of Adidas Ultra Boost trainers in a navy, red and grey argyle pattern. They combine lightweight materials and high performance and are one of my favourite collaborations to date. From£130; www.adidas.co.uk.

The rooftop infinity pool at Rio’s Hotel Fasano | Image: Courtesy Fasano

The last music I downloaded was Narin Yalnizlik by the contemporary post-punk Turkish band She Past Away. I love their 1980s sound – it reminds me of the band Sisters of Mercy – and the Turkish lyrics.

Rinus Van de Velde self-portrait in charcoal, 2012 | Image: Lea Crespi

The last meal that truly impressed me was at L’Acajou in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. I love the simple fresh food – like a starter of delicious “forgotten vegetables” served in a little pot – and the setting, which feels a bit New Yorkish, with one low, sleek, black-lacquer communal table. Both the decor and cuisine are very pure. 35 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016 Paris (+331-4288 0447; www.l-acajou.com).

The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellness are my trainer, nutritionist and best friend Adele, with whom I work out three times a week at the Klay club. I’ve been training with her for 11 years and the gym is a beautiful, industrially designed space. And I’ve had my hair cut by Milan at the gents’ hairdresser Cercle Delacre for years. Cercle Delacre, 17 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris (+331-4070 9970; www.cercledelacre.com). Klay, 4 Bis Rue Saint Sauveur, 75002 Paris (+331-4026 0000; www.klay.fr).

If I didn’t live in Paris, the city I would live in is Rio. For work there is no other city than Paris, but for great weather and nice people it is hard to beat Brazil. I like Ipanema’s sleekly designed Hotel Fasano, with its rooftop infinity pool; the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Niterói Contemporary Art Museum overlooking the bay and city beyond; and restaurants like Rubaiyat, with its excellent grilled steaks served overlooking the Botanical Garden. Rio provides a welcome change of pace from the Parisian fashion world. Hotel Fasano, Avenida Vieira Souto 80, Ipanema (+5521-3202 4000; www.fasano.com.br). Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Mirante da Boa Viagem, Niterói (+5521-2620 2400; www.macniteroi.com.br). Rubaiyat Rio, Rua Jardim Botânico 971 (+5521-3204 9999; www.rubaiyat.com.br).

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is the Belgian Rinus Van de Velde. I love his enormous charcoal drawings and have altered a wall in my apartment to accommodate one. His pieces seem radically new and yet somehow traditional; I’d like to own more, but I’d need to move to a bigger place.

An object I would never part with is a letter from my grandmother. We were extremely close. She was in good health until the age of 94, but I think she sensed she would decline thereafter so it’s a goodbye of sorts.  

My favourite websites are France’s Le Figaro and De Standaard for all the news from Belgium; I moved away 17 years ago, but like to stay informed. And 1stdibs and eBay for sourcing ceramics from all over the world. www.1stdibs.com. www.ebay.com. www.lefigaro.fr. www.standaard.be.

Delfina Delettrez talks personal taste: Part One

Fine jeweller Delfina Delettrez is a fourth generation Fendi who is known for glamorous talismanic and animal-inspired designs

Delfina Delettrez at home in Rome | Image: Fabio Massimo Aceto

My personal style signifiers are beautifully made, vintage-esque heels from Calzoleria Petrocchi, a bespoke Roman shoemaker my great-great grandmother discovered, and simple clerical skirts and dresses from Mario Bianchetti, which are the perfect backdrop for my jewellery. I have them tailored into modern silhouettes and pair them with bright, contemporary separates from Giambattista Valli, Saint Laurent or Valentino. Bianchetti, Via della Pigna 18, 00186 Rome (+3906-679 4837; www.bianchetti.it). Calzoleria Petrocchi, Vicolo Sugarelli 2, 00186 Rome (+3906-687 6289; www.calzoleriapetrocchi.it).  

The last thing I bought and loved was TheAgatha Christie Mystery Collection. I was introduced to her writing while staying at Istanbul’s Pera Palace Hotel, where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express. I have become obsessed with her detailed characters and their use of various poisons. Pera Palace Hotel, Mesrutiyet Caddesi 52, 34430 Istanbul (+9021-2377 4000; www.jumeirah.com).

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, £19 for 75ml

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a painting by Ttozoi, two young Italian artists, Pino Rossi and Stefano Forgion, who use natural pigments and organic materials, such as milk, earth and flour, to create paintings that develop mould and transform over time. Their landscapes remind me of the cloud games I played as a child. I see something new every time I look at them. www.ttozoi.com.

The last meal that truly impressed me was at Thien Kim, a simple Vietnamese trattoria in Rome that specialises in wonderful, authentic soups. I loved the Green Island Paradise broth full of vegetables, prawns and spices. My taste in food tends to be very particular, and everything there was fresh and delicious. Via Giulia 201, 00186 Rome (+3906-6830 7832).

An object I would never part with is a piece of unpolished quartz crystal that I bought in a children’s toyshop several years ago. I believe it is a powerful, healing stone and I carry it in my bag at all times. Occasionally I hold it in my hand for additional strength.

The last items of clothing I added to my wardrobe were white, custom-made men’s shirts from the tailor FG Albertelli; I mix them with everything from colourful skirts to vintage trousers. Via dei Prefetti 11, 00186 Rome (+3906-687 3793; www.flanellagrigia.com).

Delettrez’s Italian-edition Agatha Christie novels | Image: Fabio Massimo Aceto

The last music I downloaded was The Toe Rag Acoustic Sessions by Asgeir, an Icelandic singer-songwriter of beautiful, relaxing folk music, and Pollen by the Liverpool-based band Wave Machines, which mixes strong melodies with alternative rock.

The best gift I’ve given recently was a meditation course to a dear friend, consisting of four days of classes and several months of private sessions. I hope it’s a gift that lasts a lifetime. Centro di Meditazione Trascendentale, Viale Angelico 249, 00195 Rome (+3906-4106 5278; www.meditazionetrascendentale.it).

Delettrez’s Italian-edition Agatha Christie novels | Image: Fabio Massimo Aceto

The site that inspires me is Parco dei Mostri [Park of the Monsters] in Bomarzo. These fantastical gardens were designed in the 16th century and feature all kinds of statues, from Pegasus to the gaping mouth of Orcus, now overgrown with vegetation, as well as quirky buildings such as the Leaning House. www.parcodeimostri.com.

The best souvenir I’ve brought home is cumin from Morocco, which I now put on almost everything I eat. Shopping for spices in the souk was such an incredible, colourful adventure.

The 16th-century Parco dei Mostri, Bomarzo, Italy | Image: Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

The beauty staples I’m never without are Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, a rich moisturising cream that I use several times a day; Uniqa vitamin E oil to nourish my skin and combat wrinkles; and thick, black NARS eye pencils that blend really easily. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, £19 for 75ml; www.aesop.com. Uniqa E Topical Vitamin E Monodose Ampoules,from £40; www.donnauniqa.com. NARS Eyeliner in Via Veneto, £16; www.narscosmetics.co.uk.

My favourite websites are the pattern archive Patternity for design inspiration, Nowness for art and fashion and Susan Miller’s incredibly accurate horoscopes at AstrologyZone. www.astrologyzone.com.www.nowness.com. www.patternity.org.

Los Angeles’s Just One Eye

Hollywood history, high art and fashion meet in this seriously cool boutique

In a storied art-deco building – once home to Howard Hughes’s film empire – you’ll find Just One Eye, a concept store co-founded in 2011 by fashion veteran Paola Russo. A favourite among style insiders, it’s a 5,000sq ft emporium that’s a mine of unexpected brands and innovative artistic collaborations.

Russo brings a serious fashion CV to the boutique – she worked with Ann Demeulemeester – and her picks pay homage to the quirky, the elegant and street chic. Clothing from Valentino, Chloé and Church’s is interspersed with pieces from more cutting-edge designers, including Atto, Lisa Marie Fernandez and Diemme. Meanwhile, cool accessories include limited-edition luxury backpacks (from $55,000) that are a design collaboration between Damien Hirst and The Row, and Converse trainers co-created with Nate Lowman ($25,000, third picture) plus show-stopping jewellery, such as a gorgeous emerald cocktail ring from French designer Arnaud Porchet ($16,500).

A curatorial eye is also behind the shop’s artwork. Alexander Calder wall hangings ($39,000-$48,000) sit beside edgy prints by NYC-based artist Marilyn Minter ($65,000), while coffee-table tomes such as Donald Judd Furniture: Retrospective ($3,500) are dotted throughout. Standout furniture includes a Maison Darré Triangle Table ($25,000); Chantal Saccomanno and Olivier Dayot’s stunning monochrome, lacquered The Red Line table ($28,000, fourth picture); and an art-nouveau Carlo Bugatti side chair ($14,500).

When I visited, chic metallic slides by Ancient Greek Sandals ($215) and Gianvito Rossi’s super-high Carey three-buckle pumps ($1,020) caught my eye. I was also thrilled to find a pair of black pony boots by Pierre Hardy ($1,595, sixth picture) – one of my favourite designers – while a crocodile chain bag by Jean Paul Gaultier alum Alexandre Vauthier ($20,795, fifth picture) was swiftly added to my wish list.

I ended my visit torn between several items but, thankfully, I only had to click online when I made my final decision…

Aaron Keppel: a milliner for sartorial adventurers

Hats off to an artist who creates theatre for the head

“I’m not your grandmother’s milliner,” declares Brooklyn-based, bespoke hat creator, Aaron Keppel of id. And indeed, his one-off creations are not the least bit staid or predictable. A trained sculptor, Keppel is considered by many to be a king of creative headgear, and his imaginative designs grace stylish events (think the Met’s Costume Institute Gala) on both sides of the pond.

Keppel works collaboratively with clients – whether in person in New York, or by phone and email – to design a hat that not only suits its wearer, but also the occasion. Every hat is entirely custom-made, right down to the fine details that are id’s point of distinction. The process of commissioning a hat is simple: photographs of the client are taken – as are measurements – and Keppel then works up numerous, highly detailed sketches of each design. Once a style is chosen, Keppel sends photographs of the commission in progress.

Unlike many milliners, Keppel doesn’t limit himself to felt, fabric or straw (though he is happy to fashion a simple sun hat or fedora from those materials), but instead seeks out vintage fabrics and trims, feathers, mother-of-pearl, unusual flowers, bamboo, twigs and moss – “any material that can be manipulated”, explains Keppel. Recent commissions have included a laurel-wreath-inspired tiara, an eye-catching silk butterfly with a 2ft wingspan (second picture) and a fantastical owl made entirely of torn and pasted rag paper (third picture).

Keppel is strongly influenced by nature and architecture, and botanical gardens and the works of Antonio Gaudí are a particularly rich source of inspiration. From simple vegetal motifs comprised of handmade flowers (first picture), to intricate structures made of wood veneer, commissions can take anywhere from two weeks to two months and typically range in price from $800 to $4,000, depending on the availability of materials and the intricacy of the work involved.

“My clients tend to be people who are somewhat daring,” explains Keppel, “and these hats are definitely something you won’t see anywhere else.”

www.id--design.com

Francis Kurkdjian talks taste: Part Two

Krug champagne, Tokyo and unexpected parties round out the perfumer’s penchants

My style icon is my maternal grandfather. Both of my grandfathers were incredibly stylish, but my mother’s father had a separate dressing room complete with rows of white shirts and collections of hats and coats – everything was just perfect. His style was very Cary Grant, with a unique twist; he even wore sock holders, which I loved.

In my fridge you’ll always find Krug champagne, as well as a lot of food, because I love to cook. There tend to be dairy products – cheese, yoghurt – as well as filo pastry dough, as I like to make small, hot pastries filled with feta cheese. I also like making fruit compotes for dessert, so there are always plenty of apples around, too. www.krug.com.

A recent “find” is the new Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Pantin, just north of Paris. I met Thaddaeus at a dinner party hosted by Terry de Gunzburg many years ago and instantly became a fan. This space was once a heating systems factory and is designed to hold large-scale installations. 69 Avenue du Général Leclerc, Pantin 93500 (+331-5589 0110; www.ropac.net).

An Anselm Kiefer exhibition at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Pantin | Image: Courtesy Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris/Salzburg. Photo: Charles Duprat

The sight that inspires me is the rooftops of Paris as seen from the restaurant Georges, at the top of the Pompidou Centre. From here you have a 360° view of the cityscape, with its grey zinc roofs and the golden tops of monuments such as the Dôme des Invalides. These grey and gold hues are the inspiration for the colour codes of my Maison, and all of my perfumes. 19 Rue Beaubourg, Paris 75004 (+331-4478 4799; www.centrepompidou.fr).

The last meal that truly impressed me was at my friend Alexis Muñoz’s house. He is an amazing cook and manufactures his own olive oils. We sampled the various kinds, made from olives from different parts of southern Europe – some infused with lemon, some with mandarin orange – with a meal of simply grilled calamari, mixed lettuce, tomato and mozzarella. Sometimes less is more. From €11.40; www.alexismunoz.com.

The last music I downloaded was Bohèmes by my friend Béatrice Ardisson, a sound designer. She lives in London but whenever I need music for one of my in-store events in Paris, she is the first person I call. www.ardisong.com.

The Château Baccarat collection, with wine glasses from £64

The best gift I’ve given recently was a birthday party at my home in Paris, for a friend who lives in New York. Our group started with drinks, followed by dinner at a friend’s restaurant, before returning home for more champagne. It was a cool, unexpected party that lasted until 6am, and it was a great celebration.

And the best one I’ve received was an entire collection of new Château Baccarat crystal wine glasses. They are so pure and simple, and yet have a sophisticated design. From £64; www.baccarat.com and Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1 (020-7730 1234; www.harrods.com).

The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a dark-blue, wool and cashmere striped suit by Boglioli. I bought it at Avedis, my favourite men’s tailor in Paris. It has a three-button jacket and is very stylish. Avedis, 354 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75001 (+331-5862 4937; www.avedis.fr). Boglioli,www.boglioli.it.

The Roses Costes Dani Roses boutique at Hotel Costes in Paris | Image: © Julio Piatti

My favourite room in my house is my kitchen. This is the place where I work, eat meals and host my friends for dinner. All parties – even ones with 50 people – always end up in the kitchen. The furniture is arranged in an L shape, which is inviting – as is the full bar area.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose the first arrondissement in Paris, where my flagship store is located. I like Rick Owens’s shop for the overall atmosphere. Au Vert et Plus sells beautiful flowers, and I buy the special roses from the Roses Costes Dani Roses boutique at the Hotel Costes. Chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin is also nearby; his creations are works of art, so I like to stop here whenever I am in the neighbourhood. And for lunch I’ll maybe have a chicken Caesar salad or a Casti burger at the lively Le Castiglione, just around the corner from the Place Vendôme. Au Vert et Plus, 14 Rue Saint Roch, Paris 75001 (+331-4020 4280; www.vertetplus.net). Jean-Paul Hévin, 231 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris (+331-5535 3596; www.jeanpaulhevin.com). Le Castiglione, 235 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75001 (+331-4260 6822; www.lecastiglione.com). Rick Owens, Jardins Du Palais Royal, 130-133 Galerie De Valois, Paris 75001 (+331-4020 4252; www.rickowens.eu). Roses Costes Dani Roses, 239 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 75001 (+331-4244 5009; www.hotelcostes.co

The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellbeing are Cyril at Absolut’R for my haircuts, my personal trainer Stéphane Machovic, who comes to my home two mornings per week to work out, and physiotherapist Julien Montenot. I love a good massage, and Julien has the best hands in Paris. Absolut’R, 4 Rue Française, Paris 75001 (+331-4026 2464). Julien Montenot, +336-5002 6862. Stéphane Machovic, +336-4284 1393.

If I didn’t live in Paris, the city I would live in is Tokyo. I love the Japanese lifestyle as it is so out there – the fashion, the food, the colours; it really is a one-of-a-kind place. I always shop at Muji for things such as specially designed tableware and leather goods that I can’t buy elsewhere, and the Prada store is amazing architecturally. I like the Shinjuku area best, because it is very central and has amazing views. But while I love the cleanliness of the streets there, I’m still very happy living in Paris. Muji, Ginza Matsuzakaya, Matsuzakaya Ginzaten Honkan B2F, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (+813-3572 1111; www.muji.com). Prada, 6-10-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (+813-3575 9071; www.prada.com).

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be telling stories in other creative ways. There is a narrative to each of my scents, so I assume I would work in a field such as dance, literature, or art – who knows?

Francis Kurkdjian talks taste: Part One

Paris-based perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has collaborated with many of the great fashion houses and founded his eponymous Maison in 2009

My personal style signifier is one of my many scarves, made of cotton, silk or cashmere, depending on the season. My favourites are from Faliero Sarti in Florence and are made of lightweight cashmere in solid colours. I have to protect my nose and throat for my work – getting sick is a big fear. From €160; Via della Spada 24/R, 50123 Florence (+3905-5239 6538, www.falierosarti.com) and branches/stockists.

Faliero Sarti scarf, €325 | Image: TheCorner.com

The last thing I bought and loved was a brown leather wallet from Isaac Reina, a designer based in Paris’s third arrondissement. He makes sleek, simple, elegant wallets, laptop covers and bags that are like Hermès in terms of style and quality, but with a modern twist. €469; 38 Rue de Sévigné, Paris 75003 (+331-4278 8195; www.isaacreina.com).

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a new dining table, but I need to commission it first. Ideally it would be a round or oval shape, as I think that’s more inviting, and it would seat 10 to 12 people in order to host dinner parties. And I’d like one with a wood or marble surface, as the sound of things being placed on glass is just annoying.

Isaac Reina wallet, €469

An indulgence I would never forego is a particular pastry called religieuse [French for nun]. It is made of two choux cases filled with coffee-flavoured cream and is delicious. The best are from Stohrer, a bakery that has been in business since the 1730s. 51 Rue Montorgueil, Paris 75002 (+331-4233 3820; www.stohrer.fr).

Formentera, Spain | Image: © Massimo Ripani/SIME/4Corners Images

The grooming staple I’m never without is basic Nivea Creme. My dermatologist recommended it once and, while I thought she was crazy, she is very well respected so I followed her advice. It is now the only product I use, besides the Invigorating Scrub Mask with white clay by Herboristerie du Palais Royal. Herboristerie du Palais Royal Invigorating Scrub Mask, €9.90; 11 Rue des Petits Champs, Paris 75001 (+331-4297 5468; www.herboristerie.com). Nivea Creme, from £1.50 for 50ml; www.nivea.com.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is Elias Crespin. I discovered him just a few weeks ago at the Galerie Denise René and his work Plano Flexionante Circular is pure poetry – so elegant and mysterious. His oeuvre lies somewhere between sculpture and installation, and looking at his pieces provides great moments of subtle joy and emotion. Galerie Denise René, 22 Rue Charlot, Paris 75003 (+331-4887 7394; www.deniserene.com).

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Formentera. I have spent a week there with my closest friends every year for the past 10 years. We stay in a beautiful private house that was redesigned by Philippe Starck. It is an old barn in the middle of nowhere with grey concrete floors, and lots of white and blue elements mixed in. And the rooftop terrace is stunning. I think this is the perfect place to be.

The best souvenir I’ve brought home is dinnerware from Japan. It is exquisite and features various shapes, all in the loveliest pale-blue hue. I bought it in Tokyo, in the Ginza district, right across from the Kabuki-za theatre, at a store whose name I couldn’t understand.

The books on my bedside table are The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and The Sower by Kemble Scott. I also like to browse magazines such as Stiletto that have a wonderful, large format. I tend to read more on planes now – especially Courrier International on my iPad. www.courrierinternational.com. www.stiletto.fr.

An object I would never part with is my Pleyel grand piano. It was my great-uncle’s piano, and he was a conductor, composer and pianist. I’ve played the piano since I was seven years old and I’ve always had this one in my life. Music is something I can’t live without, and I still play for an hour a day at the weekends.

My favourite websites are news-related ones such as Atlantico and The Huffington Post. For beauty, I like Into the Gloss, and I also enjoy Ma Récréation, a great lifestyle blog by Lili Barbery-Coulon, who is a journalist for Le Monde and a former Vogue Paris beauty editor. www.atlantico.fr. www.huffingtonpost.com. www.intothegloss.com. www.ma-recreation.com.