WORK • Wednesday Routine
ALEXIA KARIDES • founder / CEO • YSSO
Neighbourhood you live in: Maida Vale / St John’s Wood
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I’ll be at the office of our mother-daughter jewellery company in north Notting Hill. We’ll be working towards meeting a deadline, but first we grab coffee from nearby Golborne Road. My favourites are Klear Labs for coffee and Layla for pastries.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I have meetings throughout the day, and I’ll either take them in Ladbroke Hall, right across from our office, or in our new pop-up space on New Bond Street. I often work between the two locations so in the morning I’ll be in Notting Hill and in the afternoon I visit the store.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Caia or Akub for dinner. For a drink, I go to the House of Koko in Camden, where I’m a patron.
How about a little leisure or culture?
The V&A has incredible culture-led exhibitions – Chanel last year was one of the most inspiring in terms of art and culture. I also love the National Portrait Gallery as I’m a photographer. Their contemporary photography exhibitions are some of the best. Of course, the Tate and the Royal Academy of Arts are must-dos.
Any weekend getaways?
The Cotswolds is a beautiful space to go and unwind, and a very short drive from London. I recommend Daylesford Farm.
What was your last great vacation?
I went for the first time to India, to Jaipur, and I was completely in love with both the city and the people. The level of craftsmanship and artisanal creation is nothing like I’ve ever seen before in such a concentrated space. The Gem Palace is a must. Definitely book an appointment to visit the upstairs section, which holds the most design-led pieces and an incredible archive of jewellery created for the Jaipur Royal Family. We had dinner at a palace/hotel called Rajmahal, straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. One of the most fun evenings was at a new hotel, The Johri, in the old jewellery manufacturing district.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I loved the new Jacquemus store on New Bond Street, which is very close to our store, and which was designed by my dear friend’s agency, Another A Story. Aline, the founder and designer, is a very inspiring entrepreneur, and is now based in LA.