Home is …
North-west London, where I’ve lived for just over two years with my husband, Adam Wiles — known professionally as Calvin Harris. I love how leafy it is, with opportunities to get my daily dose of green on walks around Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park and Hampstead Heath. Before that I was in Hackney for eight years, which was a lot of fun.
Where do you stay in London?
If I’ve got quick changes between jobs I’ll often get a room at Treehouse Hotel, which is right next to the BBC, so I can be on and off air for my Radio 1 show and still make it to whatever I’ve got going on. It’s a lovely place to stay, with stunning views and really cool, earthy yet modern decor. And the tacos and margaritas at the rooftop restaurant, Madera, are excellent.
Where was your first flat ?
When I moved down from Newcastle in 2011 I stayed with my ex-boyfriend’s aunt, which was extremely kind of her, as I had absolutely no money. As soon as I could afford it, I sub-let a tiny room in a flat by Caledonian Road Tube.
What was your first job?
I was a runner at MTV News in Camden, and absolutely buzzing about it! It was such an exciting place to be: we had massive artists in and out every day and by night we were covering gigs, premieres and fashion parties. It was such a great training ground.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
Is it extremely @real_housewives_of_clapton to say a little London Fields picnic? A walk by the canal and through Broadway Market, settle down on the grass for a couple of refreshing canned cocktails ... And if it’s a bad date, there’s no bill to awkwardly fuss over and you’re outside already — good to go.
Where would you buy a gift for your other half?
A great go-to for Adam is Labour & Wait. There are a few stores, but the original is in Shoreditch. It’s good, solid, sturdy, well-made home stuff that you didn’t realise you needed.
Which shops do you rely on?
I go back to Ridley Road market, in Dalston, for ingredients whenever I’m cooking Nigerian food, particularly if my mum’s visiting. You can get everything you need — the selection of African and Asian produce is amazing. Closer to home, I’m a big fan of the Hampstead Butcher & Providore for free range, organic meat, while La Petite Poissonnerie in Primrose Hill is such a gorgeous little fishmonger, with oysters if you’re feeling fancy. Clothes-wise I try not to buy anything new, so I love flea market browsing and vintage emporiums in Brick Lane and Notting Hill. Much of my work involves a lot of reading — I host the Women’s Prize for Fiction podcast, Bookshelfie — and you can generally find me in a bookshop. Daunt Books is one of my favourites.
What’s your favourite London beauty / grooming spot?
I’m a sucker for nails, getting a manicure is an infrequent little luxury I love. Townhouse and Little Coco Nails Club are two salons near work I’ll pop in to if I have a minute. And of course supporting my nail health from the inside out (alongside skin and hair) with Perfectil Max is an important part of my daily routine.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
At Mountain restaurant in Soho. It was buzzy and delicious, with this incredible Basque-inspired menu of small dishes cooked in wood-fired ovens and over open flames. I went with my friend and former Radio 1 co-host Jordan North shortly after he left for Capital FM; we had so much to catch up on we barely came up for air, but we were gobsmacked by how delicious the food was. We ate amazing raw scallops and monkfish, whole John Dory in exquisite zingy sauce, tender mutton chops, beautiful anchovies and cheeses ...
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
Even if you’re just passing through for a few years, you’re still a Londoner, so I maintain we can give Jimi Hendrix that title.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Hear me out ... a face massage! As a special treat I love going to Guendalina The Skin Sculpter in Notting Hill. She does a brilliant Buccal facial massage. It releases so much jaw tension.
What are you up to for work?
It’s lovely having the balance between the daily silliness of the Radio 1 Drivetime show and my weekly literature podcast. I’ve recently started presenting Countryfile on BBC1, too, and I’m also enjoying stints on The One Show and in Dictionary Corner on Countdown. Off-air, I’ve just been appointed trustee of the V&A Museum.
Who are your heroes?
Great female writers and poets like Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Mary Oliver, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ... they’ve changed the way I see the world, as well as helping give me the words to articulate the heaviest and most beautiful of what life brings. On the subject of words, I am always in awe of Susie Dent whenever I work with her on Countdown — I always go away having learned something new, my vocabulary enriched, and to me there’s nothing more valuable.
Vick Hope is brand ambassador for Perfectil
