Bobbi Brown's My London

The make-up artist is a huge fan of the royals and parties with Mick Jagger
Dipal Acharya27 September 2013

Home is...

Montclair, New Jersey, and New York City.

Best place to let your hair down?

If I can ever stay up late enough, I love to dance. There’s a new place in Soho called Disco that has a Studio 54 vibe. My young assistants tell me it’s the place to go.

What do you collect?

People, pouches and Vans sneakers. Cool things with the British flag on. And I’m crazy for Smythson jewellery boxes.

Last play you saw?

We Will Rock You with my three sons, two nephews and husband. I’m not a big Queen fan but when you’re with teenage boys, the pickings are not easy. The show really captured that era and the excitement around Freddie Mercury.

Ever had a run-in with a policeman?

I haven’t, but I always find it funny that we have the same name.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

I was on a business trip in London over my wedding anniversary and my husband sent me three pictures of our boys in silver frames from when they were young. I’m not a crier but I probably welled up.

Where do you stay in London?

The Connaught. I love it because it’s so traditional; I get my own butler, and they make the most incredible ginger tea.

Best place for a first date?

A walk along the Thames, stopping at Tate Modern and Borough Market, and finishing off with oysters and champagne at Wright Brothers.

First thing you do when you come to London?

Charge my iPads and iPhones in my hotel room and order a proper cup of tea and crudités — it stops me reaching for the pretzels if I’m meeting someone for a drink at a bar.

Favourite shops?

Grays Antiques Market in Mayfair — it has the most amazing vintage Louis Vuitton trunks. I buy scarves from Liberty of London (my most recent was a Vivienne Westwood Union Jack scarf). I tend to wear a lot of jeans so I love Selfridges’ new denim studio. I am also obsessed with hardware stores, so any I find I go into.

Best meal?

The Dover sole at Scott’s followed by the honeycomb ice cream.

Building you would most like to live in?

Buckingham Palace, because I love the Queen. I have a little statue of her in my New York office that waves on a sunny day. Imagine how thrilled I was when the Duchess of Cambridge wore Bobbi Brown make-up on her wedding day!

Earliest memory?

Coming here in 1979 when I had just graduated from college and showing agencies my portfolio to get freelance make-up work. I remember not having a lot of money but having a wonderful time ordering tea and crumpets.

What would you do if you were Mayor?

Make everyone quit smoking, tell them that exercise is compulsory and that they have to walk or cycle into work. 

Favourite club?

The bar at Soho House — the aesthetic is very cool and there are always interesting people milling around. I once saw Kanye West there — I’m a huge fan and like to rap after a martini or two.

Best thing a cabbie has said to you?

One told me he’d just bought my make-up brushes for his teenage daughter. He joked that he would have to take out a second mortgage.

Best piece of advice?

Leonard Lauder once told me, ‘Never ask for permission but beg for forgiveness.’

Last album you downloaded?

The new Jay-Z album [Magna Carta… Holy Grail].

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

My friend L’Wren Scott hosted an unforgettable dinner at the Café Royal and I got to party with Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry and Daphne Guinness. It was the most fun I’ve ever had in London.

At the moment you are...

Working hard on a new line of eyewear that’s due out in January.

Bobbi Brown oversaw the make-up for L’Wren Scott’s show at London Fashion Week. Her new Smokey Eye Collection featuring kajal eye pencils and mascara is at House of Fraser

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