WHO: KENNETH STODDART
WHAT: HAIR SESSION STYLIST FOR STYLE BIBLES & STYLISH STARS
WHERE: SYDNEY
VISIT: www.artist-group.net
FFF LOVES… his chic, polished style and wishes he could do our hair every morning.
KENNETH’S LIST:
EAT: Being Scottish I would have to make a visit to a gorgeous little restaurant in Glasgow called Café Gandolfi. It has been around since 1979. The food is quintessentially comforting and warming. I always have to have the Cullen Skink (thick Scottish soup made of smoked Finnan haddie, potatoes and onions) and Stornoway Black Pudding (rich with a good crumbly texture). Exquisite.
EAT: When in Paris I head to L’Entrecote, an institution in Paris. It hasn’t changed since the 1920s, with the waitresses wearing aprons and pushing trolleys around serving steak and pomme frittes topped with the most amazing sauce. There is no menu, just steak, chips and salad. You need only know three things; how you like your steak cooked, what type of wine you wish to drink and your choice of dessert. Get there as early as you can. You can’t make a booking and the queue is endless.
EAT: Another favourite food joint is Brown Sugar Nights in Bondi, Sydney. It‘s a small hole in the wall serving up great value for money meals. Always busy and non-pretentious. The house special is the fish pie – delicious and well worth the 30 minute wait. It’s the kind of place you could take your parents.
EAT: I stumbled across Naughty Nuri’s in Bali. Situated out of town and opposite the famous Neka Museum in Ubud, people come in droves for what this smoky old warung is famous for; pork spareribs and great martinis. Some say they are the best in Bali and others say the world! Either way, they are well worth making an excuse to visit Bali for!
P.S The home made sambal (a spicy condiment made from hot peppers) is incredibly good too.
FFF note: Nuri says her ribs marinade recipe is deceptively simple – sweet soy sauce “only ABC brand,” garlic, red onions and a dash of salt and pepper; from there, it’s all in the cooking. The secret to their martinis is the chilling of the Gordons Gin, which is kept on ice and shaken, NOT stirred before serving. Expect to find yourself sitting next to the likes of Donna Karan and New York foodie and author of Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bodain.
SHOP: One of my favourite places to shop is Printemps in Paris. As I visit Paris twice a year I always have to visit the Printemps department store. All the best things under one roof and beautifully merchandised. Of course it houses a Dior Homme store which is a place I can’t walk past without having a sticky beak.
SHOP: I found a great little vintage store in Paris called So You Think You Are A V.I.P? It is in Rue De Lancry in the 12th arrondisement and stocks lots of gems such as YSL, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Lanvin etc. It’s very well laid out and the stock is updated regularly.
SHOP: For anyone who has a vintage sunglass fetish I found an amazing optical shop in Milan called Foto Veneta Ottica (Via Torino, 57, 20123 Milano Lombardie, Italy). The owner doesn’t speak much English but he has drawers full of vintage optical frames and sunglasses. It’s an optical goldmine! If he really likes you and thinks you are seriously into his wares he will share his secret drawers with you. An offer you can’t refuse!
STAY: One of the best kept secrets is New Caledonia. It’s only 2 ½ hrs from Sydney and you feel like you are in the middle of France. The water is aqua blue and the beauty is breathtaking. I would recommend Le Meridian on the Isles des pins. Sublime! You have to speak French though which is why most tourists are either from France or Canada. I stayed at the Drehu Village Resort on Lifou which was very laid back and the food and wine were excellent.
STAY: There’s a hotel I always stay at when I visit Paris called Hotel du Nord. It’s on 47 Rue Albert Thomas in the 10th arrondissement. It has 20 or so rooms and each one has its own décor (and bicycle). The rooms are clean, quiet and small but for around 67 euros per night it’s a bargain. I can walk to the Marais in five minutes. The owner Laurent and his dog Pluto make you feel like one of the family.
STAY: Finally I can’t go past a visit to Hawaii. I always stay in Waikiki at the Park Shore Waikiki. The rooms look over the ocean and up to Diamond Head. Just a small stroll away is a little Japanese restaurant called Irifunes (563 Kapahulu Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii). This is a bit of an institution with the locals. You put your name down in the book and they will call you when the table is available. I will say this; Irifunes maintains a sense of integrity in their service, prices and food. Try the Garlic ‘ahi with sashimi (soft-textured, garlicky flash-fried sashimi). For dessert, you must try their Apple Banana Crepe topped with a delicate sweet yogurt sauce. It is the “coup de grace” for Oahu.
About Kenneth:
Kenneth Stoddart began his apprenticeship in Cheynes UK. Travelling to Australia he began a four year education programme at Shibui, Melbourne. Returning to Cheynes for a further six years and with his education complete, he returned to Australia once again to begin his career as a session stylist. Here, Kenneth was an instant favourite with the top editorial titles including Allure, Paris Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, celebrities including Cate Blanchett and Brooke Shields, designers and product companies, leading to his role as a spokesperson for L’Oreal Ready to Wear 2002/03/04 MAFW and L’Oreal Professional Brand 2003/04/05.