It's not difficult to see why Mexico's gorgeous Hotel Esencia found its way onto Alexa's travel radar

DEDICATED FOLLOWERS OF FASHION • April 2018

British style icons: Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung
Alexa Chung

@alexachung

From favourite London shops to bucket-list hotels, plus an all-new collaboration with Superga, British model and fashion designer, Alexa Chung, is here to set the trend

Which is your favourite area of London to explore?
I live in East London, and love all the old-school restaurants mixed in with new businesses and bars. The energy is good in this part of town, plus all my friends live here so I enjoy how close they are to me.

Where do you like to eat in the city?
The food at Bistrotheque (pictured below) is some of my favourite in London, and has inspired me to break free, momentarily, from vegetarianism to devour their evening specials. Further west, I like Rules in Covent Garden for a nightcap. It’s a good place to take out-of-towners or people from other countries. It seems especially English and somewhat secret.

Inset 1

Where do you shop in London?
Labour and Wait
 (pictured below) on Redchurch Street is my go-to for homeware and I love Liberty, you can get anything and everything there.

Which destination is on your travel bucket list?
Hotel Esencia in Mexico, originally built as the private home of an Italian duchess, is currently at the top of my wish list.

What is your airport beauty regime?
I take skincare a bit more seriously as I’m getting older. I love oils, but a facialist once told me that oils are not great to use. I thought they were hydrating, but they’re not. Oils are a barrier after you’ve done the hydrating. So since then I’ve been using a serum, then moisturiser, and then oil. Other products I love are Sisley, Decléor, Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser and I swear by Pawpaw cream.

Inset 2

What are your weekend getaway essentials?
I always fail to prepare, but what I do manage to pack is red lipstick, sunglasses and a navy blue jumper. I tend to pack a few easy dresses, jeans and white Classic Supergas as they go with absolutely every outfit!

What excited you about the idea of collaborating with Superga?
Superga was one of the first brands which allowed me to art direct my own shoot, so I’ve always been grateful for that vote of confidence from it. I’ve long admired the brand, so the chance to work with such a collaborative and creatively free company again was something I welcomed.

How much input did you have in the overall design process?
I think when you put your name to something, it’s important to be directly involved. People can emulate your essence and predict what you might like, but it’s never as authentic as when it’s actually you doing it. This collaboration though is with Alexachung brand, not just me as a person, so there was team work involved.

What inspired the collection?
I’m someone who has always gravitated towards the classics; it’s one of the reasons I was first interested in Superga because my mother wore them, and so for me they seemed evergreen. For this collection I wanted to celebrate the Superga originals that I wear the most, but decided to make them off-white with a little toe cap. This keeps them looking fresh and luxe, without compromising the elements that make them Supergas. Aside from that, I wanted the shoes to be playful and irreverent so we have made some in terry towelling, backless slip-ons and cool satin high tops in sherbet colours.

Interview by Hannah Ralph

The Superga X Alexa Chung collection is now available to buy at superga.co.uk and Superga stores worldwide.

This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Travel Tips