W Hotels

W Budapest is known for its bold and unique style as are you. Was there a space in the hotel that resonated with your personal style the most?

 
It was definitely the grand staircase with all the stained-glass windows and how the light was dappling in. In between takes I was thinking “imagine having this staircase with all stained-glass windows in your house – how nice that would be?

It was your first time in Budapest. Did you have any expectations before going, and what were your first impressions of the city?

 
When I visit a new city I always like to keep to a strict itinerary, because obviously with the way my work is, I’m only there for a few days. I’ve always been fascinated with Budapest and what it has to offer. I didn’t go with any expectations, I just wanted it to welcome me with big, open arms. I really loved the architecture as well. It’s kind of like a perfect mix between Milan and Paris. So, I was just like, yes!
 
 

You travel quite a lot, so when it comes to guest experience and service at a hotel, what sets it apart?

 
When I visit a new city I always like to keep to a strict itinerary, because obviously with the way my work is, I’m only there for a few days. I’ve always been fascinated with Budapest and what it has to offer. I didn’t go with any expectations, I just wanted it to welcome me with big, open arms. I really loved the architecture as well. It’s kind of like a perfect mix between Milan and Paris. So, I was just like, yes!

If W Budapest was an outfit or a fashion aesthetic, what would it be?

 
Oh! I feel like each area of the hotel has its own vibe, but it all sort of complemented each other, you know? The black swan-inspired suite was like an opium, rock aesthetic and then the blue corridor with the diamond print carpet really reminded me of Happy House, the music video by Siouxsie and the Banshees. It felt like I was in a funfair, magical music video. It was cool. I really liked that.
 
 

If you could design a hotel room inspired by your own fashion aesthetic, what would it look like, and what would you have in it?

 
It would literally be W Budapest. It would look like exactly that because it’s got all the fun elements of the cool patterned carpet and the pastel colours running through, and then there’s the grandness of the staircase and the dark and moody vibes of the suite. So, I think it might actually be W Budapest.
 
 

What piece in your wardrobe do you wear time and time again? Do you have a staple go-to outfit?

 
Everyone knows it’s the pinstripe double-breasted suit. It has to be. No matter what city I’m in, what predicament I’m in, the double-breasted pinstripe suit never fails me.
 
 

When you travel, do different cities bring out different versions of you? Like is there a Budapest Emma. Is there a New York Emma, in the way you dress and express yourself?

 
Oh yeah, 100%. I always loved the idea of dressing up as a new character in a new city because no one really knows who you are. They wouldn’t know if you were someone who wore joggers all the time, or wore suits, so I like that idea. It gives you a space to develop that ‘I don’t care about what people think’ attitude because if you’re feeling insecure about how you dress, just go to new city and wear the outfit – no one can judge you! You shouldn’t care what people think anyway, but you can experiment, and I think particularly somewhere like New York where it’s so big and has lots going on, no one really cares about what anyone else is doing or wearing. But I feel like me, New York Emma is where the sexy Emma comes out.
 
 

Is there a destination that you’ve been to that has surprised you with its street style or fashion scene?

 
Surprisingly, the Dolomites up in the mountains in Italy. Great cashmere knitwear!
 
 

Have you ever had a fashion emergency while travelling? And how did you style your way out of it?

 
Thankfully I haven’t. I’m always one to plan out my outfits along with my itinerary. I’ll bring some safety pins just in case, because a lot of my pieces are vintage. For example, these leather trousers I’m wearing right now, the buttons are quite tight so I know one day it’s gonna pop, so I’m gonna keep a safety pin close by.
 
 

All of the clothes in your Hotel Tales episode were your own. How did you go about styling yourself?

 
I want to thank my years and years of shopping addiction for this. I think it built up to this perfect moment for me to style myself. When I saw the hotel, I thought ‘this is very much like a dollhouse’ so I instantly thought of mini dresses, cute gloves, little dolly shoes and knee-high socks, while really loading up the accessories. Obviously I had to incorporate a suit that you’ll see in the video too. I can’t neglect a suit moment.
 
 

So you had a little hotel recce first and then kind of inspired the wardrobe?

 
Yeah! I usually do have a little scout for areas that I like. I’ve been like, ‘oh, that dining area, that’s really nice. That would be a good place to take a picture.’
 
 

Do you have any go-to spots for vintage halls and was your favourite piece that you found from there?

 
In Paris I found so many! There are pop-up shops throughout the city, especially during Fashion Week. But I think the piece of the year is my green Gucci mini. I had just landed in Milan for Fashion Week with my brother and we had a few shows, but that morning I walked past this random shop. There in the window, this green dress was staring right at me. I only had 30 minutes until the show started but as it was Fashion Week, I knew it only takes another person who’s got the same style to snap it up – if I come back it’ll be gone. It was like 1/4 of the retail price so I had to get it. Thankfully I did manage to get to the show on time so win, win!
 
 

What’s always with you in your travel bag?

 
An old 1970s cigarette case. I don’t smoke, but inside it has individually wrapped English breakfast tea. I’ve got like 10 in there. TWG tea is one of my favourite teas of all time, and I also carry a travel size black and chrome SMEG kettle with me that can make like two or three decent cups.
 
Apart from tea, I always have my red lipstick. If I had to choose between underwear or red lipstick, I would go red lipstick and just ditch the underwear. Oh, and my microphone! You never know what’s going to happen. I’m always in on the action.
 
I’m also really big into perfume. Any new city I travel to, I like to buy a new perfume as a souvenir. Perfumes and smells also bring you back to a memory – like a hotel I’ve stayed in, or a certain dinner I went to, or of my home when I’m travelling. It’s comforting for me.
 
 

What scent reminds you of Budapest?

 
In Budapest I wore Christian Louboutin Fétiche La Rose! I think it smells really seductive and playful – and it really lasts.
 
 

What is your most interesting souvenir you’ve collected whilst travelling?

 
This is something I do in every city – I collect little packets of sugar because they obviously have branded logos and stuff. I have this big box of fancy sugar from hotels. I did take a few from W Budapest! With the travel tea you need the travel sugar. So they go hand in hand!
 
 

Your signature Bob is quite iconic. How do you make sure it’s perfectly styled when you’re travelling?

 
There’s three things: damp hair, air wax products – so an air wax spray and a fine toothcomb – and then air dry. That’s literally it. Also, the way it’s been cut, it’s sort of got these layers. So if I use diffuser it’s actually a lot better because it doesn’t blow dry out too straight. My hairdresser was like, ‘I’m going to give you a cut that’s easy to manage on the go’ so we worked out the best routine.
 
 

So, from hotel lobbies to rooftop bars or beyond, what’s your favourite setting to shoot your fashion content while you’re travelling?

 
I really like a good staircase. W Budapest’s is 10 out of 10. I also just came back from W New York – Union Square and I loved their staircase – very sort of like 70s, 80s vibe.
 
 

Who is your all-time favourite travel companion and why?

 
It has to be my mum. We always go on trips together, although she’s currently in Thailand visiting family, so my brother gets to come with me to all these events. I’m super close to family so great to make it a little family thing. My mum knows my camera angles, my brother knows my camera angles and it’s just easy. It’s also good for when I’m abroad because I don’t get homesick, we get to make these memories together.
 
 

Where is next on your travel list?

 
Koh Samui. And there’s a W there! It’s somewhere I’ve always gone to since I was really small because my mum and dad met in Thailand. We visited back in January for their 30th anniversary. It was really sweet.