Issey Miyake, 80s disco and a little Valium; designer Poppy Lissiman’s must-have travel tips are as brilliantly quirky as she is.
Plus we find out where the creative brain behind Australia’s most off-the-wall label (and recent BONDS collaborator) likes to check-in and dine-out here in Australia and around the world.
When it comes to finding inspiration for my designs…
I always try and make an effort to see as many galleries and museums as possible when in a new city.
In the lead up to a trip I usually have a hit list of exhibitions I try and check off.
To date my favourite/most inspiring/moving exhibition has been Takashi Murakami’s 2016 exhibition in Tokyo which was his reaction to the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima Meltdown.
It was the same with my collaboration with BONDS…
in the sense that it’s a bit of a mixture of some of my previous designs which in the past have had a tinge of Greek, Roman and Mexican style iconography.
Poppy Lissiman x BONDS Clutch
I’m a mostly a business traveller…
So it’s actually really rare I have a trip which is 100% for escaping work. It doesn’t bother me to be honest, whenever I travel for work I always allow for a couple of days of free time on either side of the trip to go shopping, sight seeing and catch up with friends.
Some of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had in my life have been…
Tonki Tonkatsu Restaurant in Nakameguru in Tokyo: One of the oldest and highly regarded katsu restaurants in all of Japan, only two dishes on the menu both of which they have perfected to a fine art over the last 100 years it’s been open.
Trattoria La Taglita at the top of the mountain in Positano, Italy: Delicious home cooked meal prepared by a local nonna all with vegetables from her garden and served by her grandchildren. There is no menu, you just sit down and she feeds you.
Elf, West Hollywood, California: Hands down the most tasty vegan/vegetarian restaurant I’ve ever been to. I’m also a massive natural wine addict and this place has some absolute pearlers.
Sahara, Hong Kong Island: HK literally has so many amazing restaurants so it’s kind of weird that in this Asian melting pot my favourite one is Moroccan cuisine. If I am in town for a week I will usually eat here at least 3 times before leaving.
Sketch, London: Not so much memorable for the food but I celebrated my birthday here a few years ago with some of my best friends. The atmosphere is something else entirely (like taking a wee inside a giant egg), one of my all time favourite artists David Shrigley is responsible for sketches on the wall and porcelain on the tables.
And when I’m home in Australia I love…
Berta in Surry Hills for their left of centre Italian twist.
The Dolphin in Surry Hills for their Burrata cheese
Apollo in Potts Point for literally everything (especially the saganaki cheese) and all of the above for also having a great selection of natural wine too.
The one hotel that’s always stayed in my mind has been…
La Bastide de Gordes in Gordes in France, beautiful converted castle and probably the nicest hotel I am likely to ever have the luxury of staying in. Was extra special because one of my closest friends was married nearby and hosted part of the wedding there.
My travel uniform always consists of…
Always black Pleats Please by Issey Miyake elastic waisted pants. They don’t crease and are super comfortable/breathable, sneakers (usually Vans), depending on what kind of climate I’m going to either a black Uniqlo long sleeve or a black T shirt and an Acne bomber jacket (I always freeze on the plane and if the flight is delayed the jacket folds down into a perfect pillow).
I overcame my fear of flying…
by flying more and Valium.
I can’t get on a plane without…
Laptop, chargers, bottle of water, headphones, small toiletries bag and a copy of National Geographic and Time magazine (my flying routine: I buy them every time I get on a plane).
Tech?
Bose noise cancelling headphones.
Beauty/skin?
I use Dermalogica exfoliating/cleansing wipes just after take off followed by their moisturiser.
When I land I usually just put a light coat on of Nars moisturising foundation and a lick of mascara until I can get to the nearest shower and wash the plane grime off me.
Books, movies or magazines?
All of them equally plus podcasts.
Music?
80s disco.
