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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Dipal Acharaya

Maya Jama's London

Home is…

Bristol will always have my heart as I was raised there, but since I was 16 it’s been London. I just bought a new house and it’s in the decorating stages now so I’m looking forward to being settled there.

Where was your first flat?

Good old Ladbroke Grove. My flat was literally right on the doorstep of the Notting Hill Carnival route, so it was such a great location and always a vibe.

First job?

In retail. I worked in Westfield White City at the Lipsy London store as a sales associate.

Best place for a first date?

There are a lot of cute restaurants that are private and out of the way, but I think for a first date you have to do an activity. Whether that’s a fairground or an arcade you have to do something activity-based where you can chat while having fun, too. That’s the best way to get to know someone, I think.

Most memorable meal?

Bacchanalia I’d say — the food is insane. I’m a huge foodie so I’ll order pretty much everything on the menu, but you can never go wrong with their lobster pasta or the Greek meatballs. Plus, I always start the night with a good drink before the foodarrives and I love a cocktail.

Where would you most like to be buried?

It’d probably be St Dunstan-in-the-East, it’s such a peaceful area in the middle of the hustle and bustle of London.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

I’d give everyone a week-long August Bank Holiday and make Notting Hill Carnival last the entire week.

What makes someone a Londoner?

As an adopted Londoner, it’s a hustle, go-getter mentality, and a midweek pub trip.

The most iconic Londoner in history?

Favourite Londoner Edward Enninful — he’s a Ladbroke Grove legend and worked his way up to being the boss he is today. He has broken so many boundaries and changed the game.

Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

‘You’re just like a girl I grew up with.’

Where do you go to let your hair down?

I do love The Box, if you want a bit of an ‘oonts oonts’ night out, but if you want a chilled sort of karaoke session with your mates then Lucky Voice is a shout. I love a sing-song!

What’s your biggest extravagance?

I’d say my Hermès Birkin bags — I have a few now but they’re something I hope to pass on to my kids one day, so an investment, really.

What are you working on at the moment?

It’s been a busy start to the year, hosting Love Island: All Stars and working on my partnership with Gordon’s Premium Pink and its new limited-edition bottles. Everyone knows how important my friends are to me and I really wanted to make them the stars of these new bottles so the design is completely inspired by them.

Maya Jama loves a Gordon’s Pink Paloma (Gordon's)

Who is your hero?

Davina McCall and June Sarpong are two professional heroes. They were two prominent females in the industry when I was just starting out and they’ve both gone on to achieve such amazing things in their careers and kept that longevity in the industry.

Podcast you are currently obsessed with?

I’ve only started getting into podcasts, but I like Adwoah’s Gurl’s Talk and the new Abbey Clancy one she does with Peter Crouch.

What’s your favourite work of art?

Kew Gardens, it’s not really art as in an exhibition but is a nice place to take in the sights.

Last thing you googled?

‘How to get a bug out of my room safely’ and ‘Are South African insects poisonous?’

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