LUXE FILES
Bernie de Le Cuona on her favourite material possessions.
THE ARTIST WHO HAS BEEN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE? Oh, so many and in so many different ways. Growing up in South Africa I was so enthralled by Walter Battiss [6]. His work was just so unusual and exciting. On the classics front I really like Gustav Klimt [9]. I love the intricacy of the patterns, the colours, the romantic and the passionate all in one painting. CONTEMPORARY ART THAT YOU MOST ADMIRE? is a street artist I think is amazingly talented. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? Wine glasses, any type, really just depends on the shape. I buy in pairs and mix them all together at a dinner party. I try to match the glass to the person. I don’t really like things … but when I go out into the African bush I always find myself wanting to collect feathers. The colours and shapes are like jewels. Also I have a collection of the most unusual bleached vertebrae that I have found. FASHION MUST-HAVES? Shoes, shoes and more shoes (Robert Clergerie) [10]. FAVOURITE WATCH?
Peonies [4] and cosmos. BEST DOWNTIME (IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY) PURSUIT? trekking in the bush, theatre. ENTERTAINING – AT HOME – AND RESTAURANT OF CHOICE? every time. PREFERRED TIPPLE? Red wine, but I am very fussy. Château HautTayac 1996 is absolutely delicious if you can find it [7]. FILMS THAT HAVE INSPIRED YOU? Out of Africa [8], Avatar. SHOPS AND ONLINE STORES YOU FREQUENT? Nilufar in Milan [3], and Anthropologie, plus Mr Porter. I can buy all the perfect clothes for my husband easily and it has such interesting articles which change constantly. MAGAZINES YOU READ REGULARLY? All and everything to do with design – Porter and my favourite Monocle. I fly a lot so I have time to indulge. TRAVEL – FAVOURITE REGULAR HAUNT AND WHERE IS ON YOUR MUST
Zambia on the Zambezi River [11]. Bhutan is a must-see. LIST A FEW OBJECTS OF DESIRE THAT YOU WOULD BUY RIGHT NOW? All I really want is time to explore this amazing planet. I would, however, love to indulge in more Mud porcelain [1] from Australia. de Le Cuona is available exclusively in Australia from Boyac, boyac.com.au.