Peter Alexander with some of the staff from his favourite Makanyane Safari Lodge. Picture: supplied
HIS name’s on the label everyone wants to sleep in. An entrepreneur-cum-designer who, over the past 25 years, has been credited with making sleepwear cool.
After spotting a gap in the market for stylish nightwear, Melbourne-born Peter Alexander launched his eponymous label in 1987 without any fashion training. Despite his lack of experience, his label was soon picked up by major department stores, including Myer and David Jones.
The designer now heads an empire of more than 60 boutiques across Australia and New Zealand that generates annual sales around the $100 million mark. His designs have found a famous following too, with the likes of Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Princess Mary and Miranda Kerr all coveting his famous PJs.
Now, each month a new collection is released, each telling a story often based upon the designer’s travel experiences, whether it be a safari in the African wilderness or a journey through the streets of Paris.
When I travel for work
My eyes are always wide open and the littlest thing can inspire me. I travel so often to the usual fashion capitals – London, New York and Paris – that it feels like I’m visiting old friends. I take in the sights while walking or cabbing around the city, as I never have enough time to do all the touristy things.
When I travel for pleasure
I go far away from fashion. I really need to take time out and go back to basics, to disconnect from the world and relax with nature and wildlife. My most loved destination is Africa. I was very recently on safari in South Africa – it’s no secret that I love animals – so for me, being with them in their natural habitat is something really special. I’m a return visitor to Makanyane Safari Lodge, which is a four-hour drive from Johannesburg. It’s a very special spot.
My travel inspiration comes from
I always like to do a lot of research before I go anywhere. I like asking people where they have stayed, what they did or what they would’ve done differently.
Animal lover, Peter Alexander, says Africa is one of his favourite destinations.Source:Supplied
Where I go to unwind
Aside from Africa, any kind of tropical island. Time just seems to go slower and there is no such thing as traffic jams or queuing for restaurants. No TV, shops, fashion, magazines or social media can also be a very enlightening experience. It’s so good for you just to completely shut off the outside world and really relax.
Bora Bora is one of my favourites. I stay at the Le Meridien hotel because it has a turtle sanctuary where you can swim with sea turtles in a huge in-house lagoon.
Where I go to play
When I was young, I loved a 36-hour stop in Las Vegas. Now, however, the only thing I play with are my dogs and they can’t come on holiday with me sadly. Nowadays, I am obsessed with Paris – particularly how people can take their dogs everywhere with them. You can sit at a cafe or a bar on the street and your dog can be sitting on the chair next to you.
Most memorable meal while travelling
I’m not really a foodie – I prefer a home-cooked meal. However, a standout meal for me was in Florence at a very old country house. There was no menu; they just served up plate after plate of amazing traditional Italian food until we were full. Everything was so yummy. I swear I gained 5kg.
The one thing that’s always in my carry-on
I almost never travel with checked-in baggage as it saves so much time at airports, so usually everything is in my carry-on, clothes included. I always take my Kindle – I much prefer to read rather than watch movies on a plane – and make sure it’s stocked with quick and easy holiday reads.
How I deal with jet lag
I suffer badly. I’ve tried all the tricks but still find it hard to deal with. I always try to stay active as the minute I stop, it’s all over for me. No quick sleeps before dinner or dinner turns into a midnight snack.
The holiday souvenir I always buy
I am lucky that I get to travel so much for work and for pleasure, so I try not to bring too many knick-knacks home with me or my house would look like a hoarder lives there. I do like to buy bigger, more special things every now and then, which are little reminders of where I’ve been.
On a trip to Africa a few years ago, I bought a life-size kudo (antelope) head entirely made of beads. I love having this piece from my African safari in my home.
My travel philosophy
Be prepared. Do plenty of research about hotels and places to eat and see. Also, before you even select a destination, figure out what your holiday goals are and then choose wisely based on those. And whatever you do, don’t overpack.
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