My London: Duro Olowu

The fashion designer enjoys browsing for rare textiles at Alfies Antiques Market and sipping a vodka martini at Dukes

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Ladbroke Grove — I’ve lived here for almost 20 years and love it. The West Indian, Moroccan and Portuguese communities still make it a fantastic place to be.

Favourite London shops?

Honest Jon’s Records for my vintage reggae, soul and rare groove vinyl; Thomas Heneage Art Books (below) for its superb selection of books and monographs; Duncan Clarke in Alfies Antiques Market for his rare African textiles; and Schmid McDonagh in St John’s Wood for 20th- to 21st-century furniture.

If you had to be locked in a building in London overnight which would it be?

Cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne’s late 19th-century home (below) in Kensington has lush arts and crafts, oriental and Middle Eastern interiors.

Last play you saw?

The Maids at Trafalgar Studios. It’s a riveting take on French writer Jean Genet’s 1947 play of the same name, with great performances from its three leads Uzo Aduba, Laura Carmichael and Zawe Ashton.

First thing you do when you arrive back in London?

Go to Tea’s Me café on Ladbroke Grove. Its Portuguese owner Carla Simao rustles up a mouth-watering chicken, bacon and spinach salad with her secret recipe raw for chilli pesto sauce — something I really miss when I’m away.

Earliest London memory?

Visits to the haberdashery and fabric department of Liberty in the 1970s with my family. My mother would buy silk and cotton dress fabrics to take back to Lagos where she would have them made up into beautiful clothing.

The best meal you’ve had in London?

Il Cudega. Part restaurant and deli, it serves the most delicious cuisine from the Lombardy region of Italy. The ravioli di zucca is outstanding.

Which is your favourite pub?

The Ladbroke Arms is a slightly off-the-beaten-track pub that has a nice atmosphere and simple but great food.

Last album you downloaded?

Benjamin Clementine’s ‘At Least for Now’. Poetic words set to amazing melodies. His voice is unique.

Best place for a nightcap?

Dukes Bar at Dukes Hotel for a vodka martini. Head bartender, Alessandro Palazzi, is the most charming and attentive host.

Favourite London discoveries?

An early morning walk in the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

Virgin Atlantic airline tickets.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

My parents would say ‘Common sense isn’t so common’.

Who’s your hero?

The inspiring American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte.

If you could buy any building in London and live there which would it be?

The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) at 66 Portland Place. Handsome building, super chic address.

Duro Olowu’s textile exhibition Making & Unmaking is on display until 18 September at the Camden Arts Centre, camdenartscentre.org

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