Nicky Valentine

What is your current favourite… shop?
I’m a tiny bit obsessed with the Food Hall in Harrods.

… restaurant?
I love seafood, especially sashimi, and you can’t beat Sexy Fish or Scott’s, which are both near the Creed Boutique on Mount Street. My local Michelin-star restaurant in Chiswick, La Trompette, has been a favourite for over a decade.

… hotel?
Oh, it’s difficult to choose one but they are both in the Anantara group – Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman and Anantara The Palm, Dubai.

… item of clothing?
I recently bought a black Max Mara weekend coat, which I had been coveting for some time.

… gadget?
iPhone.

Where have you received the best customer service?
I received fantastic service in the Cartier store in Las Vegas. I walked in to have a look around and the sales assistant noticed my Cartier watch. He asked me if I would allow him to give the bracelet a quick maintenance check and then gave me a complimentary cleaning kit so that I could keep up the maintenance at home.

Who or what has been your biggest influence?
Travel.

What do you see as the greatest challenge of our time?
I see my kids growing up with social media, navigating the challenges of contrived public lives whilst remaining mentally healthy and possessing sound characters.

Is beauty or function more important?
Function but it helps if it is also beautiful.

What was the title of the last book you read?
Boros Collection: Bunker Berlin 2 by Die Gestalten Verlag

Where is your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere in Greece. The people, the sea, the weather, the tomatoes… and I have fond memories of island-hopping in my 20s. I also love the Middle East, particularly Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi and Muscat, Oman.

Do you collect anything, or would you like to?
Beauty products, my cupboards are brimming with them.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Take each day as it comes, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

What do you regard as your greatest success?
I’m very proud of my fantastic team at Orange Square and especially the success we’ve achieved in building the Creed fragrance brand in the UK. The business has doubled in the last three years and looks set to continue its success with the recent launch of Aventus Cologne. Oh, and I suppose my children Luc and Zoë are pretty special as well.

creedfragrances.co.uk