The founder and president of art and design fair PAD oversees the annual events in Paris and London, attracting more than 65,000 visitors.

SEPTEMBER 26 2017 / VICTORIA WOODCOCK Email Twitter Pinterest Facebook
My personal style signifier is an Hermès suit, which I can wear with Birkenstock shoes or a pair of sneakers. Hermès suits my style – very comfortable and classical. I have also used the same shirtmaker for years: Maison Courtot on Rue de Rennes in Paris. The fabrics and cut are incredible. hermes.com. maison-courtot.com.

The last things I bought and loved were paintings by Loïc le Groumellec, a Breton artist who paints little black or grey houses and menhirs, the standing stones found in Brittany and in Britain. I’ve bought around 30 of his pieces in the past two years. When I find something I like, I get very compulsive.

And the things I’m eyeing next are papier-mâché flowers made for botanical schools in France, Germany and Italy in the 19th and early-20th centuries. They are extremely beautiful. There’s an English dealer showing at PAD London, Peter Petrou, who is a world authority on these flowers – it’s a bizarre speciality. peterpetrou.com. pad-fairs.com.

An object I would never part with is a Rolex Daytona watch given to me by my former associate, Stéphane Custot. It was specially made for me with a black dial and black carbon coating, with my initials engraved on the back. I used to collect watches, but I decided that one is enough for any man. rolex.com.

The person I rely on for personal grooming is a hairdresser called Jacinta, in a tiny village called Carvalhal, in Portugal. She has the best clientele you’ve ever seen – Jacques Grange, Philippe Starck and Christian Louboutin – and for a haircut, manicure and pedicure, she’s unbeatable. Jacinta Cabeleireira Marias, 7570-682 Carvalhal (+351265-490 177).

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Naples – I was invited there to stay on a friend’s boat. The standout moment was visiting The Veiled Christ sculpture by Giuseppe Sanmartino in the Cappella Sansevero. I was completely mesmerised by the illusion of transparency in the folds of the marble veil. I also recommend Transatlantico, a charming harbourside restaurant next to Castel dell’Ovo; you could never get bored with the fantastic pasta and fresh grilled fish. Via Luculliana 15, 80132 Naples (+39081-764 8842; transatlanticonapoli.com).

And the best souvenir I’ve brought home is the psychological feeling of having spent two weeks walking in the mountains. I’ve been shooting and hunting all over the world – I like to walk, climb and be alone, but I also meet people on these trips that I would never normally meet in Paris, London or Lisbon; it is incredibly refreshing.

The grooming staple I’m never without is Vétiver by Guerlain. I’ve only used two scents in my life: Eau Savage by Dior until I was about 25, and Vétiver ever since. It’s fresh, stylish and it smells good on me. £42 for 50ml EDT; guerlain.com.

If I didn’t live in Paris, the city I would live in is Milan, for its galleries and restaurants. I love the Dimore Gallery, where the interior designers Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran blend modern and contemporary design, and Museo del Novecento, which has a mindblowing collection of modern masters. Ceresio 7, a contemporary Italian restaurant on top of the historic Enel palazzo has a rooftop pool with unbeatable views of the city’s skyline and makes excellent ravioli with black truffles. And Antica Trattoria della Pesa serves the best risotto in the world. Antica Trattoria della Pesa, Viale Pasubio 10, 20154 (+3902-655 5741; anticatrattoriadellapesa.com). Ceresio 7, Via Ceresio 7, 20154 (+3902-3103 9221; ceresio7.com). Dimore Gallery, Via Solferino 11, 20121 (+3902-3656 3420; dimoregallery.com). Museo del Novecento, Palazzo dell’Arengario, Via Marconi 1, 20123 (+3902-8844 4061; museodelnovecento.org).

My favourite website is LeBonCoin.fr, a website for private sellers in France, where you can find anything from rattan furniture to old cars and beautiful houses. I’ve furnished my whole house in Portugal from there. It’s difficult to navigate at first, but then you start to find super things.

Source: howtospendit.ft.com