A world of inspiration with fashion designer Laurinda Sutcliffe
Local designer Laurinda Sutcliffe travels the globe for inspiration. Her label, Loobie’s Story, is a taste of what’s
happening around the world, a merging of urban essentials with a splash of the exotic. It’s a story about a love for
life and a life well lived.
Laurinda flies domestically or internationally every few weeks, making around ten overseas trips a year to Hong Kong,
Shanghai, New Delhi, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Australia, Fiji and Bali or Thailand.
A few of Laurinda’s top travel tips:
Shanghai
“Shanghai’s vastly contrasting mix of old and new is enormously exciting, with stunning modern architecture juxtaposed
against beautiful heritage Chinese buildings and temples. The fabulous Tian Zi Fang area with its art galleries, cute
shops and cobbled alleyways reminds me of Paris, and I always visit the beautiful and serene Yuyuan Gardens. My newest
discovery is the Indigo Hotel on The Bund. The rooms reference the local area in a wonderful mix of contemporary style
and Shanghai-ese quirkiness. The buffet breakfast is the best I’ve found anywhere. Book a Bund View room and watch the
river come to life at night, with the flotilla of boats covered in fairy lights. Just around the corner is my favourite
restaurant, Paradise Lost - the cuisine is Asian fusion with heavy Tibetan influences.”
Hong Kong
“The W Hotel in Hong Kong is an absolute must. The roof top pool is guaranteed to overcome jet lag, and the whole vibe
is very hip and groovy. Go to 1 Peking Rd for a drink at the Aqua Bar then dine at the fabulous Cantonese restaurant
Hutong, watching the nightly laser light show from your seat high above the harbour.”
Bali
“For pure pleasure, Bali has so much to offer in a small island. The Purist Villas and Spa is a beautiful boutique
resort set in a rural area a couple of kilometres out of bustling Ubud. The Villas are in fact antique Javanese houses
that have been re-sited down a valley towards the Agung River. My favourite place to eat is the Dirty Duck Restaurant.
While it’s in the centre of town, there’s a rice paddy field in the middle of the restaurant! I love Seminyak too and
recently stayed at the W Hotel there, and had the best meal of my life just down the road at Sarong. Jari Menari is the
place for mind-blowing massages. The shopping in Bali is wonderful, especially for home wares, resort wear and
accessories.”
ENDS