Leader of the Pack

Athena Calderone

Athena Calderone

Occupation: Interior designer and creator of lifestyle site EyeSwoon. And soon to be cookbook author!

Preoccupation: Making things look puuuuuurdy.

Favorite Hotel: Last year I embarked on the holiday of my dreams with a safari in Kenya and Tanzania followed by a beach retreat on the private Menemba island off of Zanzibar. Pure secluded heaven from the And Beyond hotel group. Pretty obsessed with La Mamounia in Marrakesh. And Hotel Signum on the Aeolian island of Salina.

Athena Calderone
  • 1. What’s your perfect carry on or piece of luggage?

    Paraval Grand Tour Carry On... loving this newly released collection. The Grand Tour is the perfect size for a quick getaway.

  • 2. What’s your go-to travel uniform?

    I love wearing a loose fitting DENIM JUMPSUIT when I travel but often curse myself trying to get out of it in the plane lavatory - sometimes a tricky situation. And always COZY CASHMERE SOCKS.

  • 3. Can’t travel without:

    A good book. Just burned through SWEETBITTER and recently picked up the new MARY OLIVER POETRY COLLECTION. This will make me seem like a food snob but I also always travel with flaky MALDON SEA SALT.

  • 4. Oddest thing I’ve ever packed:

    Oddest thing I’ve ever packed: this past thanksgiving I checked in a suitcase with ice packs my classic pie dough and maple bourbon pumpkin pie filling. Oh and I always have Maldonado sea salt in my handbag.

  • 5. Favorite thing to nick from the hotel room:

    I'm such a geek for saying so but I always take the shampoos, conditioner and soap for the guest bathrooms in my house. And the pen and note pads usually make their way into my bag too.