Founding father of the legendary Women, Women, Women night time in Paris, continent-crossing membership DJ, selector of selection at vogue’s funnest events, resident on NTS radio, document retailer proprietor – Louise Chen has at all times had loads on the go, therefore her personal pithy bio: ‘No sleep since 1999’.
After rising up in Luxembourg in a Franco-Taiwanese family, and developing by the Paris scene, Louise is now resident in London…the place she’s principally hoping to have a relaxation. We caught up together with her between gigs to see if she would possibly take a couple of requests…
Quote to stay by
As tacky as it could be, Madonna’s lyrics ‘Solely once I’m dancing do I really feel this free’ from ‘Into The Groove’ have at all times caught with me as being fairly an correct depiction of what impact music has on me. Typically, the discharge and escape one is searching for comes from inside, and that’s what these lyrics remind me of.
Favorite museum/gallery
The Taiwan Nationwide Palace Museum. The constructing itself is so main: constructed on high of a mountain and containing 1000’s of years of Chinese language historical past. As Chiang Kai-shek and the Guomindang fled mainland China in 1949 to search out refuge in Taiwan, they took with them a whole lot of the historic artefacts, scared that Mao Zedong would destroy something remotely conventional or harking back to the Emperor’s riches. So, weirdly, you’ll be able to in all probability see much more of historic Chinese language artwork on the Taiwan Nationwide Palace Museum than in mainland China. My favorite piece is the enduring jade cabbage.
Favorite artist
Stevie Surprise: he’s pure creation to me. His musical vary, how he channels his emotion into music making, it’s pure human expression, nothing will get in the way in which! Whether or not he’s on drums, keys, infusing R&B with latin sounds, gospel, or developing with the craziest bass strains of all time on ‘Superstition’ – he’s my final hero.
Accent/language that turns you on
British! I can’t fairly clarify it. It should be a mixture of all of the Hugh Grant Nineties rom coms, James Bond motion pictures and Monty Python humour. On the college I went to in Luxembourg, we had improbable lecturers from everywhere in the UK and Eire and the youngsters I bonded with probably the most, as a youngster, have been for probably the most half within the ‘anglophone’ part so I at all times felt drawn to the big number of British-adjacent accents.
Favorite bar
Fréquence, in Paris. Three finest mates opened this place in 2018 and crammed it with their information, their love of music, meals and engaging cocktails. They program DJs to play there over the weekend, it’s small intimate however truthfully the one place in Paris the place I wish to spend the night time and keep out late.
Favorite cocktail
A basic margarita, not too candy.
Consolation meals
My dad’s egg-fried rice. It’s what he used to prepare dinner for me every time my dad and mom would exit and let me keep residence alone. It’s so comforting to me, my mouth waters as quickly as I hear the crisp of the rice within the pan.
Most memorable meal
That one good margherita pizza I had in Copenhagen at Surt with my finest buddy Julien Pham in 2021. I nonetheless give it some thought repeatedly…
Worst vacation hangover
Palm Heights, Grand Cayman. I went there for my buddy Clara Cornet’s hen do and the place is so magical and the staff of hosts are a lot enjoyable. Our complete journey was fuelled by tequila pictures. It felt like an limitless celebration on the seaside.
Greatest classic/vintage discover
I’m a classic music t-shirt collector. Or I used to be for a stable 20 years, so I’d scour the thrift outlets for any kind of popular culture artefact. One in every of my all time favourites is that this Jeff Buckley t-shirt I discovered in New York a couple of years in the past. It was prefer it was simply there ready for me on the hanger.
Structure that awes you
All of the Artek Studio, Alvar Aalto stuff in Helsinki and round Finland. I discover their structure and designs to be an unimaginable perception into their minds. How they recognized sure ‘on a regular basis use issues’ after which went out of their method to consider a design that will be each stunning and optimised for residing.
For instance, once you go to the Aalto home, you’ll be able to see this deep spherical bubbly sink of their toilet with which they have been making an attempt to mute the loud sound of water falling right into a sink and remedy the backsplash downside. Later, you get to check them out and use the identical sinks for your self once you go go to the design museum’s loos. They’re certainly silent and successfully include backsplash!
Interiors you envy
Conventional Japanese houses with silent sliding doorways, tatamis, and inbuilt picket storage.
Souvenirs you hunt whereas travelling
Relies upon which a part of the world I go to. For instance, once I acquired to Taiwan, I really like shopping for rice bowls, noodle bowls, serving bowls, chopsticks, and soup spoons which are tougher to supply within the West. The one time I went to Mexico, I got here again with a collection of vibrant embroidered desk units, and once I final went to Helsinki I got here again with my dream cutlery. However I principally save the baggage house for information and books, if I’m trustworthy.
Design decade you’re feeling at residence in
It’s a little bit of a mixture of mid-century clear strains that at all times by some means remind me of Asia, 1970’s Italian contrasting shapes and supplies, basic southern European tiling and Asian practicality (I’ve a little bit of an obsession with sliding doorways).
Go-to spa therapy
I can’t get sufficient of micro-needling facials. I really like the Face Health club for his or her standardised at-home micro needling package, it actually does wonders! And if I can get a lymphatic drain as quickly as I land from wherever, I do know I’ll really feel my finest for a stable two weeks. Since Covid ended, I’ve been utilizing the City app to deal with myself to some at residence therapies, it’s been a complete sport changer for my wellbeing.
How do you unwind
Sadly, once I must be lazy I simply binge watch TV and flicks till my eyes damage and snack candy popcorn till my abdomen hurts.
Your must-pack outfit
You possibly can by no means go fallacious with an awesome pair of denims and a white t-shirt which you can type with a blazer, a go well with jacket, ballet flats, moccasins, no matter white sneakers, massive jumpers… It goes with all the things and works for any event.
Most trendy place
La Colombe d’Or in St Paul de Vence with its signature blue-green pool, and its artwork from Picasso, Calder and Miró everywhere in the rooms. My favorite half stays the restaurant terrasse the place basic French dishes are cooked to perfection. I might cling on the market all day with a e-book – it’s so peaceable, the remainder of the world type of dissolves.
Metropolis you’d transfer to
Copenhagen and it’s household oriented hygge way of life. I really like how town has designed public areas for individuals to get pleasure from totally free. All of the solariums and canal jump-off factors for informal noon swims. It truly is a distinct form of life when you’ll be able to cycle all over the place and have a little bit dip within the water after work.
Greatest place you’ve ever swum
I by some means went to the Maldives with my dad and mom once I was a youngster and the water there was so translucent and clear it was overwhelming. Its crystal blue would make your eyes cry!
It’s not a vacation with out…
A 600-page novel to sink your enamel into.
Responsible pleasure
A late night time ice cream strolling round any metropolis.
@account to comply with
@hark.paris the document store I helped open in Paris final June. You get a preview of all the brand new store entries, the rarities, the gear we restore and the hi-fi programs we customized construct.
Pool or ocean
If it’s not crystal clear Caribbean Sea, then I’ll select a pool over the seaside!
Outline love in three phrases
Attraction, a little bit magic, and a very good dose of humour.
Outline intercourse in three phrases
Pleasure, pleasure, and extra pleasure.
Louise was photographed by Lily Bertrand-Webb at Redchurch Townhouse.
