My London: Plum Sykes

The novelist shops in the Burlington Arcade, heads to Kitty Fisher’s for a good time and loves the passion fruit and apricot jam at Ottolenghi
Niamh O'Keeffe29 June 2017

Home is..?

A 1930s block in Bayswater, with my husband, Toby, and daughters, Ursula, 10, and Tess, 6. We’re one block from Hyde Park and the Diana Memorial Playground, so it doesn’t get much better.

Favourite shops?

I love Eres on Motcomb Street — once every four years I’ll buy an Eres swimsuit because they last so long. I also love Geox on King’s Road, which sells really classy sneakers in beautiful white leather; they are comfy and good quality. And the vintage Rolex shop in Burlington Arcade is really quite special.

Favourite club?

5 Hertford Street in Mayfair. The interiors are so chic and it’s the only club in London I’ve ever joined where I’ve actually renewed my membership. The atmosphere is very cosy and it’s so glamorous. I’m also completely intrigued by the new Annabel’s — I’m dying to go there.

Biggest extravagance?

Cashmere sweaters for my children from Marie-Chantal.

Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

As soon as a cabbie finds out that I work in fashion, they ask me if I knew Alexander McQueen, as he was the son of an East End cabbie.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

The first time my husband picked me up from my flat, he arrived in this little open-top Audi and took me out for supper.

Last play you saw?

Hedda Gabler with Ruth Wilson. My husband and I went to see it with Dominic West and his wife, Catherine. As Dominic stars with Ruth in The Affair, we wanted to go see her afterwards, but were told she didn’t have time as she was going on a date. She had no time for Dominic, her date was too important!

What do you collect?

Alamy Stock Photo

Do animals count? I have quite a few birds at my house in the Cotswolds — three peacocks (above) and 14 guinea fowl. The guinea fowl are divine; so well behaved and they make the most amazing noise.

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

My friend Julie Janklow — she’s very rock’n’roll and absolutely hilarious, with a voice sort of like Minnie Mouse. Last time we met, we went to Kitty Fisher’s, which was so divine.

First thing you do when you come back to London?

Have a hot chocolate and a delicious croissant with home-made passion fruit and apricot jam at Ottolenghi on Ledbury Road.

If you could buy any London building, which would it be?

I love the little houses on the top of Portobello Road. They are so adorable, all painted pink.

Last album you bought?

Whatever my children are listening to, so it’s Ed Sheeran or Katy Perry every time.

‘Party Girls Die in Pearls’ by Plum Sykes (Bloomsbury, £14.99) is out now

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