How I pack, by Carolina Bucci
Florentine-born, London-dwelling jewelry designer CAROLINA BUCCI has been visiting the Italian seaside town of Forte dei Marmi since she was a little girl, and now she takes her own children every year. These are the pieces she packs to make the annual pilgrimage…
Perfect your in-flight routine
“I always make sure to drink two liters of water when I’m flying – one as soon as I sit down and the other one throughout the journey. I’m a big fan of Aurelia Probiotic Skincare and as soon as the flight takes off I wash my face using the Miracle Cleanser. Next, I apply Dr. Barbara Sturm Deep Hydrating Mask – it’s a cream not a sheet mask, so I don’t scare the cabin crew! I leave it on for the duration of the flight and wash it off just before we land so my skin feels nourished. When I’m in Forte dei Marmi I go bare-faced most of the time anyway, with the exception of a little lip gloss and mascara in the evenings. I actually enjoy flying; it’s the only time I get when my phone isn’t ringing or beeping, so even when the plane does have WiFi, I refuse to log on. I like to spend the time reading books or getting my diary in order – that way, when I land, I’m in full-on vacation mode.”
Make sure the essentials are in your carry-on
“Lip balm is my only true addiction. I literally keep one in every pocket, drawer, coat and bag, so I always have at least one in my carry-on; menthol kinds that make your lips tingle are my favorite. Another non-negotiable is my cashmere bathrobe by The Elder Statesman – I pack it even if I’m going somewhere hot, and I love wearing it on the plane. Even though I have a phone, I always carry a paper diary; I’m a very visual person and I need to write stuff down if I’m going to remember it. It’s where I record all my appointments, to-do lists, notes… basically, my life is in there! Lastly, sunglasses – of course.”
Packing doesn’t have to be premeditated
“My husband teases me that whether I am going away from three days or three weeks, I bring the same amount of stuff, and it’s kind of true. I prefer to dress, and pack, according to my mood – along with the weather forecast. As my family has a house in Forte dei Marmi I tend to leave a lot of clothes there, so sometimes I arrive and discover my mother’s amazing vintage Pucci pieces or a dress I haven’t worn since I was 18 years old, and fall in love with it all over again. My vacation look usually ends up being a mix of these old gems and the new pieces I’ve brought with me. I like to have lots of options, so when it comes to packing I need as much space as I can get, which is why my favorite packing trick is putting my shoes in my husband’s suitcase…”
Don’t scrimp on accessories
“One of the reasons Forte dei Marmi is so special to me is that it was where I first started making jewelry. When I was a little girl, I would sit on the beach and make friendship bracelets with my sisters and friends. My first design – the Lucky bracelet – was inspired by this; I wanted to capture the spirit of those days. When it comes to jewelry, I’d say my approach is ‘more is more’ but in a tasteful way – I like to call it ‘heavy layering’. I constantly change it up but there are a few constants, like my ‘C’ and heart rings. I always wear a lot of gold jewelry wherever I am in the world, but I have to say that with a tan and in Forte dei Marmi’s golden summer light, the pieces really come to life. After all, everything is better when you’re on vacation.”
Keep your look low-key
“My style in Forte dei Marmi is an uber-relaxed version of my day-to-day look. I’ll get up in the morning and throw on a bikini and layer a floaty kaftan or dress over it, then finish the look with simple sandals or velvet slippers before cycling to the beach. It is a really relaxed place but it’s also very Italian, so there is an element of dressing up. I’m a big fan of Lisa Marie Fernandez’s colorful bikinis, and for the evenings, when you want to feel a bit more dressed up, LoveShackFancy’s bohemian dresses. I live in color and usually never wear black, but on vacation I like to play with my look, so every once in a while I might wear an amazing black dress with a rainbow necklace.”
Stay true to your style signatures
“As a jewelry designer, it’s fair to say my husband has a tougher time buying his wife a gift than most men. A few years ago, right before my 35th birthday, he asked me to pick a watch, but I was really unimpressed with the women’s pieces on the market. Then one day I was walking along and spotted a woman in an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak model. I loved it, but it was from the early 1980s and wasn’t in production anymore. My husband eventually tracked down a pre-loved one for me and it became my signature piece. Then the Audemars Piguet team got in touch and asked me to design the watch of my dreams. So I did, and I literally wear it all the time, no matter where I am – doing the school run in London or swimming off the Italian coast. I kept all the proportions and shapes of the Royal Oak, but added my Florentine gold finish and a mirrored dial – the mirror interacts with and reflects your environment. Unsurprisingly, the reflection in Forte dei Marmi is particularly special.”
Find out more about the Audemars Piguet x Carolina Bucci collaboration here
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown.