Phoebe Coleman is a jewellery designer whose name you may have noticed popping up a fair bit in fashion magazines lately, most notably Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Elle, Grazia, and Marie Claire. Or you may have seen it gracing the wrists and ear lobes of certain notable people, such as Poppy Delevigne, Alexa Chung and Ellie Goulding. Having studied Fine Art at University, Phoebe’s sculptural interests transferred into wearable pieces in the form of jewellery design, which she studied in California and London. Her elegant, feminine and beautifully textured pieces are fast becoming favourites amongst the fashion crowd. Phoebe works out of her studio in Shoreditch and has a daughter, Freya. Her work can be viewed at www.phoebecoleman.com
What is your first childhood memory of travel?
My parents loved an adventure. They liked to find places which were hard to get to, remote and authentic. So it’s no wonder my first memory is of a boat we took from Piraeus, Athens to a remote Greek Island in the Cyclades. The boat was small and we shared it with people and car parts, a boat engine and an intense smell of petrol. The journey was rough and took 12 hours and I remember spending most of it sitting in a car tyre so I wouldn’t fall over! The result was a heavenly island getaway called Amorgos that I still visit to this day. There is no airport and the trip to get there is still quite long from Athens, but it’s 100% worth it.
Where have you had your best holiday to date?
I like to visit places where I know people, so I get the inside-out tour. Going to Iceland for New Year was an incredible trip. I had no idea what to expect. The food, people and landscape were outstanding, as well as my host. On New Year’s Eve morning I trekked on an Icelandic pony through what felt like a lunar landscape as the sun rose. A family New Year dinner was followed by a crazy fireworks display across the whole of Reykjavic, which we watched from a hill top covered in snow. Driving in a mammoth 4×4 to the Golden circle, seeing glaciers, ice waterfalls and geysers in the glistening snowy landscape, followed by a New Year’s dip in the Blue Lagoon, was the best way I’ve ever started a new year.
Where was the first place you went with a little one in tow? How did it go?
I flew to see my best friend who was living in The Hague at the time. My daughter cheered and clapped with such excitement when we took off and the whole plane laughed. It was exhausting getting around with bags and a buggy and a toddler in tow, but we had a great time when we got there.
How do you find the experience of travelling with children generally?
My daughter is a great travelling companion and very happy to hop on and off planes, trains, buses and even helicopters! We’ve been lucky enough to travel to some wonderful places and I look forward to our holidays together. Seeing her learn to dive at the age of six in Jamaica, watching seals roll around on the beach in La Jolla, California and walking miles along craggy cliffs in Devon are happy memories I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Do you ever travel with your daughter for work?
I do travel for work, but there hasn’t been an opportunity to travel with my daughter, yet.
Where was your best holiday with her?
This summer, I took my daughter to San Diego and Los Angeles where I used to live. I showed her where her dad and I got married and first dreamed of having her all those years ago. We stayed with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time and settled into laid back SoCal beach life with no problem at all. California has such a special place in my heart and it was wonderful to share it with my daughter for the first time. The four places I would recommend most for families are Roundhill in Jamaica, L’Auberge in Del Mar, California, Sugar Beach on Saint Lucia and any of the captain’s houses in Lindos, Rhodes (though these are best for older children as many of the roof terraces and stairs in these ancient houses don’t have railings).
And your worst?
No bad trips thankfully!
What is your must-have travel accessory when away with children?
Really good headphones – I bought some for my daughter and they have made a huge difference when we have flown anywhere. I found special small ones in the airport that fit her head and totally cup her ears.
And top tips for travel with kids?
I always download a few movies on to my iPad for my daughter that so she’s got something to watch when we’re on a long journey. We never go anywhere without her special cuddly lion Aslan; it’s good to bring something comforting from home, as I think sometimes travel can be a bit overwhelming for children.
Phoebe’s Bow and Arrow necklace in gold, £135.