Fashion sojourners

Fashion jet-setters love to travel light, and in style, reveals a new book about the travel secrets of top style makers.

Fashion designers often live the jet-set life they love to mimic on their runways. Whether they travel for business or pleasure, they are always looking for inspiration. The Council of Fashion Designers of America partnered with publisher Assouline to collect personal tidbits for a new book, American Fashion Travel, which includes designer’s the favourite vacation places and how they like to travel. From, Lubov and Max Azria’s family vacations in Punta Canta, Dominican Republic, to Gilles Mendel schussing through the snow as a teenager in Val d’Isere, France; the book has it all.

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Designer Alexander Wang is forever on the hunt for the perfect spa, but he will take the accommodations at the George V in Paris or Conrad in Tokyo easily in its stead. Phillip Lim loves a good road trip, while Tory Burch scours India for ideas, and Cynthia Rowley loves the Sahara and the Guggenheim in Balboa, Spain. Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA, a not-for-profit trade association, likes discover food markets and Asia. “For me, travelling and living are the same,” von Furstenberg writes in the book’s foreword. Talking about the nitty-gritty of overpacking and the art of on-the-move-dressing, Yigal Azrouel says he can live out of one bag. “I will wear the same thing over and over again,” said Azrouel. “I will wash it, of course.”

Mendel also packs light, but Trina Turk piles on layers — the cardigan, a safari jacket and the chunky scarf go on and off as she moves between climates. “I’m always wearing scarves, it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter,” adds Azrouel. Narciso Rodriguez, does not leave home without his cashmere sweater and his canvas tote that is packed with sketchbooks. Nanette Lepore brings her pad, pencils camera, and her sister Michelle, when she can. At least once a year, Lepore goes on a big family trip with her husband, daughter, cousins, nieces and nephews. They love to spend time in a boat in Italy — their favourite destination. Catherine Malandrino prefers an efficiently packed bag containing “effortless essentials” and leaves extra space for novelty hats. One of her favourite souvenirs, however, is from Phuket, Thailand, where she bought a 300-pound elephant sculpture.

Four season hotel, Paris, The luxury hotel is one hour away from Charles de Gaulle International Airport and 40 minutes away from Orly International Airport Where: 31, avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France Highlights: January is Haute Couture time and March is Prêt-à-Porter.

Exotic locales of Asia From food markets to Asian countries, Diane Von Furstenberg loves heading to either for a good time. Best time to visit: It’s best to travel Asian countries from November to February. Avoid visiting these countries during the hot and humid seasons.

Phuket, Thailand- Catherine Malandrino loves to get back souvenirs from her trips to Phuket. How to get there: By air — take a domestic flight from Bangkok; By Road: You cant rent cabs, take a bus from Bangkok South Terminal or take a train from Hua Lamphong Train Station and get off at Surat Thani to take bus to Phuket. Best time to visit: December to March

Italy- Topping her list of holiday destination, Lepore prefers her family trips to Italy to revitalise her energies and get inspired.

Where to Stay: When in Italy, you have multiple options to stay, depending upon your pocket size from humble motels to luxury hotels

Not to miss: Not visiting the roadside eateries and cafeterias shall be a major miss.