Meet the Creative Director: Julia Leach
Julia on the beach. Photo by Chris Shipman.
Hometown: New York and Los Angeles.
Occupation: Creative Director, Chance.
Favorite destinations: Mexico (multiple locations); Tokyo, Japan; Paros, Greece; Paris, France; and locally, Palm Springs.
Dying to visit: Portugal; Vietnam; Essaouira, Morocco; Panarea, Italy; Rangiroa, French Polynesia; and Big Sky Country (Montana).
Bizarre travel rituals: The night before I travel, I always wind up staying up nearly 'til dawn, suddenly inspired to get everything done on my to-do list (this also makes it easy to sleep on the plane).
In-flight relaxation regime: A stack of New Yorkers, Bose noise canceling headphones, and, quickly and easily, a nap (see "bizarre travel rituals").
Always in carry-on: Armand Diradourian cashmere travel blanket, Chance cashmere socks (samples from my product development bin), Herban Essentials Lemon Towelettes, Chanel Hydrating Lip Balm, iPad, and a bottle of water.
Concierge or DIY? DIY all the way with concierge for coveted restaurant reservations.
See it all or take it easy? See it all, then take it easy.
Drive or be driven? Drive, preferably vintage.
Travel hero: Amelia Earhart and Osa Johnson .
Weirdest thing seen on travels: Unsavory items on Hong Kong restaurant menus.
Best hotel amenity: The bikes at the Thunderbird Hotel in Marfa, Texas, which enable you to enjoy your entire stay without ever getting in your car.
I dream about my meal at my mom's house in the Dordogne (southwest France) after 24 hours of travel, dining outside and overlooking the valley and Dordogne River, enjoying a piece of fresh grilled fish, green beans from the garden drizzled with local walnut oil, and cold Sancerre, all capped off with a homemade lemon tart for dessert.
Everywhere I go, I check out the photography and art bookstores, museums and art galleries, magazine stands, hardware stores (for great string), flea markets, and the post office (to pick up stamps for my collection).
When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by walking, walking, walking ("epic walks," according to a friend).
I always bring home stationery from Benneton Graveur in Paris, textiles (especially woodblock print napkins) and indigo denim from Japan, books from Idea Books at Dover Street Market and something from Margaret Howell's shop in London, and sun-drenched memories from Palm Springs.
If I never return to Tampa it'll be too soon because honestly, I couldn't find any culture there (and aren't giant snakes now invading all of southern Florida?).
I travel for the culture, nature, inspiration.
MORE JULIA
Website: Chanceco.com
Twitter: @chancedesign
Instagram: julia_chance
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