Jessica Simon is a designer with an eponymous label for Monsoon. After studying at Chelsea Art College, she earned her degree in Fashion Print at Central St. Martins. She splits her time between her home in London and her villa in Ibiza where you can find her each summer with her son, Luca Sky. Her latest range for Monsoon is out now and she is currently working on another fabulous collection for Spring – Summer 2016. Despite an understandably hectic schedule, she chats to kodomo.com about her collection and travels with her son.
Q: What is your first childhood memory of travel?
My first travel memory is of going to Sardinia aged four and staying in a villa outside Porto Cervo. I also vividly remember swimming in the amazing salt water rock pool at the Hotel Pitrizza on the Costa Smerelda.
Q: Where have you had your best holiday to date?
My very best holiday was to Mexico in 2008. It was a New Year’s Eve family holiday so we rented Alex Goldsmith’s amazing family estate in Cuixmala, which sits right on the country’s Pacific coast. We were surrounded by an amazing, natural environment and exotic animals, which had been imported from Africa. You can often see whales in the ocean when you’re there.
Q: Where was the first place you went with a little one in tow? How did it go?
The first place I took Luca Sky to was Marrakech. He was only three months old and we stayed at La Mamounia, which was just amazing and is extremely family-friendly.
Q: How do you find the experience of travelling with your son, generally?
Honestly, I love travelling with Luca. We always have a great time, experiencing new places and cultures together. I have always found it very bonding and enjoy sharing those special moments with him.
Do you ever travel with your son for work?
No. I never travel for work with Luca for work. It would just be way to complicated, especially as most of my work-based travel is to india and China.
Q: Where was your best holiday with your son?
I think it would have to be staying with my best friend in Los Angeles. It was just after my divorce so we ended up staying for a month. I absolutely love LA.
Q: And your worst?
It wasn’t lengthy, as some trips can be, but it was super stressful. I was driving to my mother’s house in West Sussex. It took two hours and Luca screamed at me for every second of it.
Q: What is your must-have travel accessory when away with children?
Without a doubt, an iPad.
Q: And top tips for travel with kids?
I think it’s important to be prepared with baby wipes and a change of clothes. Just remember that anything can happen….
Q: And can you tell us a bit more about your new collection for Monsoon? What influenced your designs and can we expect more?
| My collection for Monsoon is a daywear collection of easy-to-wear pieces for women my age. My designs are chic and bohemian with a Glam-Rock edge. I am currently working on my collection for Spring – Summer 2016. You’ll have to wait to see it, but you can expect lots of colour and pretty embroidery.
Jessica Simon Tilly Embroidered Dress £69
Jessica Simon Loreta Top £59
Jessica Simon Aria Woodblock Shirt £49 And, if you’re a fan of Jessica’s work for Monsoon, the latest Monsoon children’s range is worth tuning into also. And, as it’s celebrating it’s 20th birthday this October, you can expect some celebratory and, as ever, irresistible designs for your little ones, too.
Monsoon Cora Embellished Poncho £32
Monsoon Children Lourdes Dress £36
Monsoon Children Willa Woodblock Dress £36 |
