in Frieze | 03 OCT 17

Where I Go: London

From the Connaught to Camden Arts Centre to the best coffee, explore the city with Hussein Chalayan MBE

in Frieze | 03 OCT 17

Hussein Chalayan. Courtesy: Chalayan

For breakfast

Caravan

11-13 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QD

The best coffee is at Caravan.

For lunch with friends

Moro

34-36 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QE

The Eagle Farringdon

159 Farringdon Rd, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 3AL

Sitting outside Moro on Exmouth Market - especially at spring time - is a joy. I also still enjoy the home cooking of The classic Pub, the Eagle in Farringdon.

Moro pop-up at Frieze London 2017. Photo: Mark Blower. Courtesy: Mark Blower/Frieze

For a celebration

Bocca di Lupo

12 Archer St, Soho, London W1D 7BB

Mazi

12-14 Hillgate St, Kensington, London W8 7SR

The Delaunay

55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB

The bar of Bocca di Lupo in Soho, or Mazi in Notting Hill, for Greek cooking. In the winter I enjoy the classicism of The Delaunay.

For a classic stay

The Connaught

Carlos Pl, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL

The Connaught in Mayfair. I especially like the bar there for its timelessness. It surpasses trends.

Connaught Bar at The Connaught hotel, London. Courtesy: Maybourne Group

For one of a kind gifts

These days I mostly enjoy shopping in thrift or ‘charity’ shops. And English seaside markets.

For architectural splendour

Barbican Centre

Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS

The Barbican is a must-see. Actually, the whole route of the river Thames is the best way to see London architecturally, and historically too.

'Basquiat: Boom For Real', installation view at Barbican Art Gallery, 21 September 2017 – 28 January 2018. © Tristan Fewings / Getty Images. Artworks: © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

For inspiration

Camden Arts Centre

Arkwright Rd, London NW3 6DG

Conway Hall

25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL

Imperial War Museum

Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ

Sadler’s Wells

Rosebery Ave, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4TN

In terms of art and museums, I love the Camden Arts Centre and the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth. I love Sadler’s Wells in Clerkenwell, and Conway Hall in Holborn, for all kinds of live events. In terms of style, in London you see all types of dressers just in the unexpected few minutes you take to go from your home to the corner shop.

'Nathalie du Pasquier: Other Rooms', installation view at Camden Arts Centre, London. Courtesy: Camden Arts Centre

For a sense of history

We need to be reminded of the maritime past of Britain. That’s what marks its connectivity to the rest of the world, and which means its so accepting of all voices now. So for me the south bank by the river is very important.  On the other hand, for me, London values are very alive in Soho. These two areas are pivotal. If it had to be one spot, of course, it would be Soho: I feel I grew up there, going to Central St Martins: I consider it the heart, the core of London in every way. 

For refreshing and re-charging

Regent’s Canal

Anywhere near the water. Lately I enjoy the walk along Regents Canal, starting from Islington.

Cerith Wyn Evans commission for Frieze Projects 2014, installation view over Regent's Canal, London. Photo courtesy: Frieze

For a perfect Sunday

I don’t like Sundays, so the best way to spend it would be with friends, taking a boat from Embankment to Greenwich Market.

Tickets for Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2017 are available here.

SHARE THIS