Hand luggage or checked bag? Window or aisle seat? Tropical sandy beaches or majestic mountain ranges? You can learn rather a lot a few person through their preferences and travel habits. The TZR Get Out Of Town series brings you suggestions and habits from tastemakers to raised understand what a top-notch escape is all about.
As the designer of the Italian footwear brand, Jamie Haller spends plenty of time on the road – well, in the air. Between meetings at trade shows in New York and Paris and regular visits to manufacturers in Italy, it’s secure to say that the Los Angeles-based mother of two at all times has her bags packed. Add to that the indisputable fact that since its 2020 launch, Haller’s eponymous brand has skyrocketed to cult status, thanks largely to the best-selling Penny Loafer (a favourite of It Girls like Emily Ratajkowski). With increased demand comes greater responsibility as a designer…which suggests more time on the road.
“I go to Italy about every three months,” Haller explains during a recent Zoom call with TZR. “I never expected to have to ride so often, but as the queue grows, there are so many things I have to pay attention to. It’s really nice to see people face to face and my presence sometimes improves morale. Plus, because everything is constantly changing and developing, I have to talk to people and focus on different things.”
And while these quick trips to Europe are technically work-related, the mother of two likes to make the most of her time, even when it is a lonely afternoon, a leisurely plane ride, or perhaps a solo dinner in an airport terminal. “Here’s something I love to do that gives me so much joy, and I did it on my last two trips to Italy. There is a Border Grill at the LAX International Terminal [restaurant]. I get there very early because I hate the stress of queuing. I grab a margarita and nachos and sit at the bar and I’m just filled with joy. I can browse my phone on my own, eat and drink, and then get to the gate when it’s time. It’s great fun for me.
Ahead, Haller reveals his travel secrets, from his controversial stance on the discussion about hand and checked luggage to the essentials he takes on board the plane.
Carry-on or checked bag?
In fact, I’ve recently gone back to being a full checked bag person. On my last two trips, I had to take two suitcases with me, which is very cumbersome and overwhelming because I pack a lot of samples. So one bag is usually filled with shoe or jeans samples and the other bag contains my clothes. For me, I love the freedom of not having to carry anything. I actually hate carry-on luggage because I hate carrying things.
What are your flying habits?
I just like doing everything AND like to do. I like to drink a glass of wine. I’m streaming Inheritance in the background and watch 20 episodes in a row. I’m very happy about this. And then I’ll work for two hours, then I’ll stop, then I’ll work, then I’ll stop. And sometimes I’ll work the entire flight. I grew to like knowing that I had to sleep on the way to Italy but could work the whole way back. This is how I learn to deal with jet lag a bit.
I’m not an airplane reader. I get too distracted because I can watch any movie I want. At home I never watch what I want. My kids watch whatever they want. Even when I observe what my husband and I want, it really is what he wants. I won’t always be able to watch just that one movie that makes me happy and that no one else wants to watch.
What three items can always be found in your carry-on bag?
Oh, I love cleaning my bag thoroughly before I go out so there’s no trash, no packaging, no bills in it. So I’ll take my laptop, all the cables and my phone. I have my Kindle with me, but I never read. But I think if everything was in its place and I couldn’t sleep, I would read it. And then just moisturizer – and I have to take a thyroid pill.
What are your non-negotiables when it comes to hotel stays?
I just want to feel really comfortable, I like to feel warm and cared for. I feel like I need it. Therefore, the taste of furniture is important. I don’t like things that are hyper-modern and I don’t like things that don’t make me feel comfortable and cozy. That’s why I tend to stay in more traditional places. I think the fact that I’m also an interior designer hurts because I’m very picky. I like to be inspired by my surroundings, it makes me feel relaxed. And if I feel indifferent or cold [about the space]then I just feel cold inside.
I often stay at The Bowery [when I’m in NYC]and I feel it all [good] things while I’m there. It’s cozy, warm and beautiful. Even from a material point of view, I am interested in sinks, beautiful, original sinks on a pedestal from the 20th century. I’m very happy about it because it’s in line with what I like.
I have been developing my company for four years and I don’t always take care of myself financially in business. I’m the last one to get paid, you know what I mean? So there are things that I can do during my tours of duty that make me feel like, “Oh, I can treat myself.” I deserve it.’ I really like diving there because I know I can get short circuited in other places, so I will pamper myself wherever I can.
What trips are you planning now?
I don’t have a business trip planned [at the moment]. I’m sure one will come up as we get closer to fall productions, maybe in May or June I could anticipate having to go back to Italy. And I’ll probably go on a few trips with my family. We’re trying to figure it out now. Spring break type. I don’t know. We’re going to Palm Springs, but it’s not a travel trip.
What place have you visited many times? And why?
We just returned to Mexico, my husband and I, and brought our children back in early December. We went to Punta Minta. It was amazing. However, we went to Mexico once a year, all the time, about 15 years ago. We actually stopped going there when we had kids. And when we went this year, we realized we had to start coming back because we had so much fun. It was really easy and close. [We were like,] “why did we stop doing this?” We also go to Ojai yearly.
Are you a travel planner? If so, how detailed will you go about it and how closely will you persist with it?
I’m not a planner. I even have disappeared in the past [to New York] and made commitments like, “Oh, I’ll go to that museum.” But apart from that, I actually don’t promise to utilize my time. Except for dinner – I’ll come for a reservation since it’s fun.
Credit : www.thezoereport.com
