My London: Coach's Stuart Vevers

Home is…

Tribeca, New York. My building is the first Art Deco skyscraper in the city and I love living in a piece of history.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

My husband brought me to see The Wizard of Oz being screened with a live orchestra on Christmas Eve.

Where do you stay in London?

I have a house in De Beauvoir Square that has a big kitchen with a fireplace that’s great for hanging with friends. It’s let, since I live in New York now, so I stay at Chiltern Firehouse and we hang by the fire there. I also like the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel because it’s near a studio we’ve worked in when we’ve been prepping our men’s shows. I love walking, so anywhere that allows for plenty of that.

Best meal you’ve had?

I love St. John and J Sheekey. Probably the best meal was at home when I cooked a fish pie with friends. The pie was terrible but the night was wild!

Earliest London memory?

I think I was about 15 and came down from Carlisle on a school art trip. I skipped the art exhibition and went clothes shopping.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

I would try and sort out the housing problem. There are too many empty buildings in London.

Who’s your hero?

Andy Warhol. I love the aesthetic, the eccentricity and the immediacy. I’d love to own Diamond Dust Shoes. In fact, it’s a life ambition.

Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

‘Are you Jason Donovan?’

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

The Katies — Hillier and Grand.

Biggest extravagance?

Travel. It’s my escapism. I’ve started a very burgeoning art collection. But it’s entry level.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given and by whom?

Work hard and be nice to people. We had the quote pinned on the wall in the Luella studio. I think Luella had found it. I have it on the wall at Coach now.

Last album you bought?

I made sure my Smiths collection was complete recently and have been playing lots of that . I’m very nostalgic when it comes to music.

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

Sir John Soane’s Museum on Lincoln’s Inn Fields. I absolutely love it by candlelight.

Favourite London shops?

The Conran Shop for stocking fillers at Christmas; Fortnum & Mason for brandy butter and mince pies; John Smedley for navy and black sweaters; Quindry on Lillie Road for mid-century antiques; Waitrose for groceries; and Labour and Wait for authentic pieces for the home. I like Selfridges for just about everything and Dover Street Market for inspiration and a few personal purchases.

What are you up to at the moment?

Getting ready to celebrate our new store opening on Regent Street. I’m really excited to have all our collections available in London for the first time. The store has lots of unique features — from architectural highlights to special bespoke services.

The first Coach House is located at 206 Regent Street