andshops.SomethingsI buyspecificallyfora particularprop-
erty,butI alsobuyintuitivelyandkeeppiecesinstorageuntil
I finda suitablelocation.Nopotentialcollector’sitemis safe
when I’m around, and the unexpected discoveries usually
provetobethebest.HereinMelides,myfavouritefurniture
piecesare chairs that look like shellfossils, by Portuguese
designerandarchitectMarco SousaSantos.I alsolove my
water reservoirin thegarden, whichis tiled withazulejos,
colourfullyglazed18th-century ceramics.Craftsmanship in
Portugal is characterised by lively, colourful and unique
designs,andI wantedtointegratethemoutofrespectforthe
country.I consultedaninternationalexpertfor mygarden,
thelandscapearchitectandmydearfriendLouisBenech.
Everyyear,I retreattoMelidesfortwoweekstopreparemy
wintercollectioninseclusion.I organisenumerousinspiring
piecesthatI’vecollectedfromallovertheworldandcreatea
themeforthecollection.ButI alsogotoMelidesjusttorelax.
I justboughta smallplotof landin thevillage.Atthemoment
there’sonlya hutwitha corrugatedironroofthatI’dliketo
turnintoa cosy,invitinghotel.Butthathasnothing to do
withtheLouboutinbrand.It’s a personal dream.- As told to Miriam Stein
A poolandreservoirinoneinthegarden,withviewing
platformbyarchitectTarekShamma.Left,fromtop:
brightfabricsanda photographfromtheGhanaseriesby
FrenchphotographerDenisDailleuxinthebedroom;
Louboutin’scanoes.Oppositepage:Louboutincameacross
the1970s-eraHermèschairinanantiquesstoreinParis.
The brass lamp is a ‘Morille’ by Maison Charles.184 HARPERSBAZAAR.COM.AU December 2019
A FashionableLIFE