Home is…
I’ve been living in the heart of Shoreditch for about three years now. I moved to London 13 years ago and I have always been in east London. I live with my partner, Antonio.
What’s your favourite hotel in London?
My home from home in London is The Standard. I love that the energy there is like a family, and I kind of know everyone who works there. And with the residencies — Harris Reed and Chet Lo — it’s kind of become a fun hub. I love to go and party there, have dinner there and sometimes just book a room on a whim and stay. There always seems to be a party at The Standard — every week!
Where would you recommend for a first date?
I like to sit outside Cafe Boheme on Old Compton Street; I’ve sat there before for like six hours just watching people go by. I also love — for a cheap date — going to Greenwich and getting the boat from North Greenwich to Embankment. It goes all the way past Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, London Bridge and it’s something like £8 on your Oyster card. It’s a lovely 45-minute ride, you can just sit at the back of the boat — a bargain date!
Best meal you’ve had?
My favourite, when I had my 30th birthday, was a place called A Little of What You Fancy, on Kingsland Road, which is closed now. We rented the restaurant and she made me my dream meal, which was deep-fried chicken with BBQ sauce and coleslaw. And chocolate cake for desert. Sorry, I’m afraid this page is not going to be very glamorous.
If you could buy any building in London and live there, which would it be?
There is a little cut-through on Soho with a few townhouses, I think with Ben & Jerry’s on the corner, near the Surpreme store. My dream is to grow old in Soho. You know if you’re in Soho at like 8 in the morning on a Monday, and you see all the locals who live there walking their dogs and stuff like that? I think there is something very London about that inner-city community. And I just have this dream of one day, everyone knows me in London, because I always go to the same restaurant in Soho, and the day I die is the day I don’t come down for my breakfast.
What makes someone a Londoner?
I think someone who loves the city and being here. I can’t imagine myself living anywhere else, and when I leave London I preach to everyone else how good the city is. I feel like a real Londoner is someone who sings the praises of London and champions it. I don’t think it matters if you’ve lived here a week or your whole life, if you’re a Londoner you love it here.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Make all the stores on Bond Street free.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
Amy Winehouse always comes to mind. When I was interning, my boss used to live right around the corner from Amy Winehouse and I used to always walk past her house hoping I would see her. I never did. Oh actually — also Gilbert and George. I get so excited and giddy when I see them walking around east London.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
We’ve been working on the promo for Harry’s House, which has been very fun — I’ve been in and out of London a couple of times. And we are currently prepping the tour outfits. It’s going to be fun, colourful and sexy. My favourite outfit? The Coachella metallic pink outfit with the HS on the bum!
