Twice a year, Italian-born designer Maria Sole Cecchi goes on a trip that mixes business with inspiration, and most importantly, relaxation. As the founder of the covetable handbag line Les Petits Joueurs—made famous for its pop art-inspired pieces that spell out words like “love” and “aah!” with Lego blocks—Cecchi has lived in multiple cities, including Florence, Paris, and São Paolo. Traveling and seeing new cities is an intrinsic part of her brand, and she uses the native culture—whether it’s a busy market, scenic restaurant, or a calming spa—to inspire new designs.
“This time, we chose an Asian trip,” she told Allure of her recent voyage. “I wanted to go there because I had a client based in Jakarta. After that, I decided to plan a trip that was nearby some other locations.” Cecchi headed to Bali, Singapore, and Hong Kong in the span of less than two weeks.
Along with visiting the markets and bringing back some serious beauty and fashion souvenirs—including serums from Korean skin-care line Sulwhasoo and silk kimonos—the designer said she learned a thing or two about packing for a trip that involves going to four different locations. “I packed things that were light," she said. "Another thing, as soon as you go inside, it’s very cold because there’s a lot of air conditioning. So, for sure, I packed a pashmina. I also packed very comfortable shoes because I love to walk around.” For formal occasions, Cecchi brought a simple pair of black heels by Oscar Tiye to wear with her two dresses.
The best islands in the world:
To keep her skin moist during the long flights, Cecchi swears by face mists. “What I do the most is mist the thermal water on my face every two hours. I always drink water and use lip balm and hand cream.” Here, she shares her travel diary from the entire trip.
Maria Sole Cecchi at Gaia in Jakarta.
Courtesy of Maria Sole Cecchi
Jakarta
“Everything starts from Jakarta. We stayed there for three days at Hotel Pullman and we did an in-store event for all of our clients there. It was incredible to see all our fans. I would say my favorite place in Jakarta is an Italian restaurant called Gaia. It's beautiful space surrounded by glass windows that offer an amazing skyline view. For the dinner, I wore Oscar Tiye's Mirna pumps; they are very comfortable yet very sexy at the same time.”
Cecchi at Karma Kandara.
Courtesy of Maria Sole Cecchi
Cecchi getting ready to surf in Bali.
Courtesy of Maria Sole Cecchi
Bali
"In Bali, we stayed in Canggu and Uluwatu. In Uluwatu, we stayed in Karma Kandara resort on Bukit Peninsula. It had a private beach with the most scenic view. I loved visiting the Single Fin bar—it has an amazing watermelon cocktail that you can enjoy while watching the sunset.
In Bali, I bought a lot of handmade silk kimonos. They’re very easy to wear like a robe, and perfect to jazz up an evening look. During the trip, I kept my look casual and wore a lot of T-shirts from Uniqlo that I paired with some of my current go-to skirts. One of my favorites is a shiny leather Isabel Marant skirt. I also wore my Wonder Kimono, which I designed for the grand opening of our flagship store in Florence. It’s very fresh!”
One of Singapore's scenic streets.
Courtesy of Maria Sole Cecchi
Singapore
“In Singapore, I loved enjoying a drink at CÉ LA VI, a rooftop nightclub in Marina Bay Sands. If you're looking for a day of relaxation, I always recommend booking an appointment at the Remède Spa at The St. Regis. It's always overbooked."
Cecchi in one of Hong Kong's many vibrant markets.
Courtesy of Maria Sole Cecchi
Hong Kong
“We finished our trip in Hong Kong. We stayed at The Langham hotel for five days, visiting the local markets and the shopping malls. Some of my favorite markets include the Ladies Market and Goldfish Market, both on Tung Choi Street, the Temple Street Night Market on Temple Street, and the Jade Market on Kansu Street. Hong Kong is the perfect city for a stroll—there's plenty of spots for cool photo opportunities, as well. At night, I loved visiting the Dragon-i bar. The Iron Fairies is a great place for drinks and jazz music, and Chôm Chôm is a very authentic Vietnamese restaurant with flavorful dishes—the caramel black cod is a must-have dish there!”
RELATED
0 Response to "Traveling Through Southeast Asia with Les Petits Joueurs's Maria Sole Cecchi"
Post a Comment