ANISSA KERMICHE SHARES HER PARTY SEASON SECRETS
Renowned for creating bold, coveted jewellery and objects (her signature ‘Love Handles’ vase is a ‘World of Interiors’ fixture), creator-cum-DJ, Anissa Kermiche, knows what’s hot. Recently filling the floor of our Summer Send Off party, we spoke to the maker and muse about her seasonal essentials, 'More is More' and, of course, her perfect party playlist.
Cult Beauty: Hi Anissa! In honour of our ‘More is More’ mantra, how do you embrace bold, unapologetic beauty?
Anissa Kermiche: It takes a minute, knowing who you genuinely are – what your beliefs and values are, and how to translate them into your style. All this confidence comes with experience and maturity, which is why ultimately, we love ageing!
Being in London – a much more open-minded city than where I came from (Paris) - is a liberating playground, where I feel free to express myself. I guess in my case, discovering the right place to live has really helped me to embrace bold choices.
CB: Talk us through your go-to party look – and how you’ll be creating it this season.
AK: As maximalist as I can be! When it comes to makeup, I tend to keep it simple because I have very strong features. I focus on a really flawless complexion and a glowy finish, then will do a soft smoky eye using false eyelashes (they’re a lifesaver when you have watery eyes like mine).
Lips are always kept simple (in France, it’s either eyes or lips but never both). I will make an exception on Christmas Day with a dark red lip and brown lipliner, as my friend – the makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench taught me. I’m not used to wearing lipstick at all – I always end up smudging it all over my face, ending up more 'Halloween’ than ‘festive cheer’.
ANISSA'S PARTY MUST-HAVES
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CB: Every maximalist has a muse – who's yours?
AK: Maximalists are very attached to their material belongings – objects, things define their style – and in a way, contribute to their happiness. I have always been a magpie – attracted to jewellery, for example – which is why I decided to enter that industry ten years ago.
I’d say my maximalist muse is the biggest magpie in the world, Iris Apfel – a style icon and avid jewellery collector. She turned the flat above hers into her archive and closet, and I highly recommend watching the documentary about her if you haven’t. She passed recently at 102! My 30th birthday’s theme was Iris Apfel – everyone came with a white wig and dripping in jewellery, just like her.
CB: Where are you heading in London this party season – what's your go-to cocktail bar or restaurant right now?
AK: A new bar just opened on Chiltern Street (I did the art curation). It’s called Dive – open between 7pm and 12pm – they serve exquisite cocktails and the music is spotless. Downstairs is a gorgeous speakeasy with intimate booths and an impeccable sound system where some of London’s music legends play records before venturing elsewhere 'til dawn.
My favourite restaurant at the moment is 74 Dukes in Mayfair. I eat out a lot and am really picky – but can say their menu is “sans faute” from start to finish. They also serve a dish from Tunisia which reminds me of my childhood in North Africa – the famous spicy Tunisian pasta with merguez. Leave some space for pudding as their cookie is to die for.
SCENT THE SCENE
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CB: What is your ‘More is More’ mantra?
AK: Here is a quote from the queen of ‘More is More’, Dolly Parton: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
ANISSA’S PARTY-PERFECT PLAYLIST
- You Are in My System - Kerri Chandler & Dennis Quin
- Like To Get You - Aman Umber & Krol
- I Like To Get Down - Paul Johnson
- Back Together (feat. Ron Carroll) - Hardsoul
- Tell You Why - Route 94
- 6 Million Ways to Die - NewTone
- So Many Times (feat. Alexandra Prince) - Gadjo
- Red Alert - Basement Jaxx
- COULD BE WRONG - LOSTBOYJAY
- Stomp! - The Brothers Johnson
- Razzamatazz - Quincy Jones
- Take Me to the Top (Michael Gray Remix) - Advance
- My Love is Right - Champagne
- Get it Right - Aretha Franklin
- Keep on Jumpin' (feat. Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown) - Todd Terry
Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...
