When you hear the words ‘Jo Malone’, your mind instantly fills with a world of tantalising scents and whimsy décor – two things synonymous with the fragrace designer.
Jo Malone CBE is responsible for creating some of the world’s most-loved fragrances ever since she launched her cult namesake brand in 1994. After leaving Jo Malone in 2006, the designer launched Jo Loves in 2011 – which is about ‘all the things that makes her heart beat’.
Malone recently told the Standard: “I create fragrances based around people, moments in time and places I love. In November 2011, I launched Jo Loves following a five-year break from creating fragrance. What I realised about myself, after stepping away from my first business, was that fragrance is not a business to me or my career - it’s my best friend and that’s when I knew I had to start another brand.
“I set out from day one to build a global brand and eight years on, that is exactly what we are doing. Jo Loves is a springboard of creativity and I’m always looking for new innovative ways for people to wear fragrance.”
To celebrate the launch of the paperback edition of Malone’s best-selling autobiography, My Story, Malone recently spoke to the Standard about her favourite travel destinations.
All-time favourite holiday …
“I think one of our favourite family holidays is the ranch we go to in Mountain Sky, Montana. This a real soul-food holiday - riding the most beautiful horses in a western saddle and the scenery takes your breath away. You are surrounded by all sorts of people from every walk of life. I truly, truly love this place.”
Favourite country to visit …
“I love the Middle and Far East. Everything from the cuisine, culture and amazing friends I have made. The vibrancy of textiles and colour and of course the divine ingredients I have found over the last 25 years of creating fragrances. My true love though is Dubai – a magical, amazing place – I could call it home.”
Favourite city …
“I love Paris for creating fragrance, Venice for the art, architecture and water and NYC as it will always make me feel alive with its vibrancy.”
Favourite beach …
“Parrot Quay in Turks and Caicos is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. It sits behind a coral reef, so the tide is not too strong. The ocean is turquoise blue, the baby sting rays swim right beside you and the sand dollars are scattered all over the sand – just a magical place. I fell in love with this place many years ago and created my Pomelo to remind me of it every day.”
Favourite restaurant …
“My favourite place is The Ivy, Chelsea Garden. It has the most beautiful rose garden to sit out in during the summer and huge fire pits to sit by if the chill sets in. It is a place that I have celebrated many wonderful occasions and spent many a family dinner. My most favourite feature is the Jeroboam of Rose known as ‘Jo’s bottle’!”
Packing essentials …
“When travelling, I always wear my caramel cashmere throw, my black silk vest, my black leggings and my Kurt Geiger trainers (which are so comfy).
“I always pack my Tory Burch flipflops, a light silk dress, my black Club Monaco palazzo pants, an Eris swimsuit, white crisp COS shirts and a Louise Kennedy navy and white long dress.”
Carry-on beauty essentials …
“I always have lip gloss, fragrance, a fragrance paintbrush, nail oil and Flexitol foot cream. When flying, remember it’s a great place to nourish your nails and feet.”
Malone’s top picks from her collection, Jo Loves …
Jo by Jo Loves 50ml Fragrance - £70 - Shop it here.
Pomelo Fragrance Paintbrush - £40 - Shop it here.
Pomelo Travel Collection - £50 - Shop it here.
You can buy Jo Malone’s autobiography ‘My Story’ here and discover her Jo Loves collection here.
