The List: Designer JJ Martin Opens Up Her Little Black Book
By The Gloss
JJ Martin, the founder of luxury lifestyle brand La DoubleJ, opens her little black book …
The independent fashion boutique I always make time for … I adore the new Communité store in Istanbul.
The designer whose work I endlessly admire … Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s.
The piece I wish I’d designed … One of the curvy, flounced and printed dresses from Prada’s Carmen Miranda 2010 collection.
The last city that moved me … Dublin, especially the Book of Kells at Trinity College which has inspired our latest collection, called the Book of Spells.
My perfect weekend escape … Lake Como, just 45 minutes from my front door. I always stay at Passalacqua owned by my friend Valentina de Santis, where La DoubleJ designed the pool and outdoor bar area. It’s the most exceptional combination of perfect beauty, intimacy and Italian family warmth.
The hotel that completely won me over … The newly renovated Villa San Michele in Fiesole on the hills above Florence. We designed an Energy Chapel there in addition to some outdoor spaces. It is just a magical spot.
The restaurant I always recommend … My go-to place in Milan is always Bice; the food is perfect, the interiors chic but cosy, and the staff love my dog, Pepper.
The best hostess gift I ever received … Italians always bring me freshly pressed olive oil from their own olive trees and it’s the best gift.
My fail-safe dinner party recipe … A tomato, caper, olive and red onion pasta dish I learned to make in Pantelleria, best served on our Napoli Blu porcelain plates.
Which market has left the biggest impression on you? The main market in Istanbul, for its quality, exceptional beauty, delicious spices, local flavours and rich textiles.
The best piece of interior design advice … Never do a house head-to-toe in one style. Always mix and layer styles and eras.
The most treasured object in my home… My giant golden winged Isis statue, found in Egypt, that sits on my altar in my meditation room. The Ancient Egyptian mystery school is a big part of my spiritual practice.
I’m currently obsessed with … Sacred sites throughout Sardinia, especially the powerful energy points at Tombe dei Giganti, Nuraghi, where I like to meditate. I’ve been three times in the last year.
The interiors store I could happily lose an afternoon in …a small, no-name antique store in the main piazza in Noto, Sicily.
My favourite place to buy a gift … La DoubleJ – I rotate gifting jewellery, candles, trinket trays, vases, cork placemats and printed napkins – they are always crowd pleasers.
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