How I pack, by Nicole Warne
Australian-born, NYC-dwelling Nicole Warne may have chosen New Zealand’s spectacular Lake Wanaka for her wedding ceremony in March 2018, but Tokyo holds a very special place in the fashion and travel editor’s heart. It was here that Warne’s now-husband, Luke Shadbolt, proposed beneath a blossoming sakura tree, and also where she held her bachelorette party. These are the pieces she packs when traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun…
Be strategic with your carry-on
“Half of my suitcase is full of shoeboxes, and the other half is my clothing. I pre-style a few of my looks because I get up so early to beat the crowds and I don’t want to waste time thinking about what to wear and what the weather is like; I always check the weather before I pack. My valuables are with me in my carry-on bag – my technology and jewelry – and I pack one or two looks in my carry-on, because the number of times my luggage has gone missing, I can’t bear to go through that anymore! I also pack my skincare regimen into smaller bottles and travel with that, too.”
Plan your looks
“When I’m in Japan, my style is very practical because I’m out all day; I’ll get up at sunrise and won’t come home until after dinner because I just soak up every second I have there. I’m usually there in spring or summer, so I wear really easy dresses that I can throw on with some sandals and a hat – similar to what you’d wear to a resort or a beach destination, because it’s really warm and you need to be comfortable. I bring lots of slip dresses and wear them with sandals or sneakers. When I go out, I love wearing really chic pants with heels and a silk top. I have some one-shouldered silk Roland Mouret tops that I can throw on and don’t really have to over-style; I’ll just do a red lip so it’s minimal but elegant.”
Take your in-flight skincare seriously
“Skincare is my biggest luxury and I have an eight-step routine, day and night. During a long-haul flight, I cleanse and apply a really light layer of retinol. Then, I apply a thick face balm so that my skin stays hydrated. I never travel without my Slip eye mask to sleep in. Before I land, I’ll use a sheet mask, a hydrating gel that contains hyaluronic acid, and an eye cream. I often have to go straight into a meeting or to a photoshoot, so I’ll put on a little makeup; after a flight, I can’t wear anything too heavy that will dry out my skin, so I just use a light foundation and a bit of mascara to make me look more awake.”
Find inspiration for your next trip
“In general, I think of Japanese style as very elegant; they’re really into streetwear but are also minimal and practical at the same time. On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got the Harajuku girls, who are so expressive through fashion. That’s why I’m so inspired when I go there – I love wandering the streets and taking photos of the people as much as I do of the landscapes and nature. I’m half-Japanese, so I feel very connected to the fashion and the people. I definitely express myself in a more theatrical, playful way here.”
Nicole Warne is not associated with NET-A-PORTER and does not endorse it or the products shown