Getting bored of lockdown yet? Us too! And so are some of our favourite designers, artists and creatives. So who better, we thought, to steer us on the best ways to keep ourselves entertained in this time of forced isolation? Next up, Casablanca founder, Charaf Tajer.
First thought in the morning?
Just that I’m glad to be here.
What one thing is keeping you sane?
Meditation; 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night. Sometimes it’s transcendental.
What is your go-to WFH fit?
Sweatpants, New Balance trainers, Casablanca cashmere shirt and a black T-shirt.
And how would you describe the look?
The Casablanca version of Steve Jobs.
What skill have you discovered that you never knew you had?
Patience.
What Netflix show have you binged on?
I only watch one, it was very stressful… Casa De Papel [Money Heist]. Once you’re in it, you have to watch it all. It’s very addictive.
Did Carol Baskin feed her husband to the lions?
I found [Tiger King] very sad, the result of a very small culture.. and obsession of possession. Nature belongs to nature. This is the saddest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
What does your bookshelf say about you?
In front of me I have the Greta Thunberg book, No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference, I have a book about Cartier, I have an Yves Saint Laurent retrospective, and a Chanel one. Fashion, design… and I have a group of books about printed shirts. That’s what I see in front of me.
Where are you finding inspiration?
In my travels in general, I think this is the best source of inspiration. For me it’s nature and architecture; how humans tell stories with different iconography.
Who is your lockdown style icon?
Aristotle Onassis or Coco Chanel.
Where are you taking your daily walk?
To the office, and back again.
How do you beat procrastination?
I just remind myself of my goals. Everyday I remember there are many things to do in this world, and I really want to be part of the global culture and I have something to say. So any time I get lazy, I remember that.
What are you cooking most often?
A very good pasta, or Japanese kara-age. And I love to do udon with ginger.
And what restaurant will you go to first when you can?
Narukiyo in Shibuya, Tokyo.
What do you miss most from the outside world?
Having big parties with hundreds of people all together.
What album is getting you through?
It’s not an album, it’s more just Brazilian music in general. As always, I listen to a lot of Jorge Ben, a lot of Joao Gilberto. There is more but those guys are my favourites.
Where in the world would you most like to be locked down?
I was in Hawaii for a month. I love it. I saw wales and turtles. Crazy. When you see wales you remember that nature is so big.
What do you drink at cocktail hour?
Something with matte. This is an English thing; to drink at the end of the day…
What is your light at the end of the tunnel?
Reconnecting with everybody and having a big party.
What is the meaning of life?
Maybe the meaning of the life is to look for the answer to this question.
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