Alexis Cuddyre – VP Brand & Creative at ADAY
Alexis Cuddyre is the creative mind behind one of our favourite brands to travel in, ADAY. Think season-less silhouettes, technical fabrics and a sustainable supply chain, which make for the most versatile capsule of essentials. Previously, Alexis was Creative Director at a global branding agency, where she worked with the likes of IKEA, Vodafone and Diesel. And, she loves a side hustle, having previously brought an app to beta launch with All Saints and set up her own mini wedding business, OMG I’m Getting Married.
Alexis was born in LA, but spent the majority of her childhood abroad, including 10 years in Hong Kong, three years in Dublin and three years in Seoul, before heading back to America for university. Now, she’s lived in London for over a decade, making it the longest she’s ever been in one place. That said, she still loves to travel, and has the best idea for regular holidays with friends we’ve ever come across (scroll down, thank us later).
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
Read on for travel inspiration from Alexis Cuddyre.
What is the most unique hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?
The on-site veggie patch at Tafika Safari Lodge in Zambia.
What hotel room design element can you not live without?
I love a good bathtub tray. My husband planned a weekend away and the best part was walking into the bathroom and seeing the latest issue of Vogue on the rack. He didn’t get it!
What are your favorite bouji offices while traveling?
The rooftop bar at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel was a favorite. However, the humidity totally destroyed my laptop, so with hindsight, I cannot recommended. Karma for combining holiday with work? So, I would now go for Hilton Head, and working while watching the sun rise over the marsh, with a cup of coffee in my HK mug.
You travel a lot for work, what are your tips for making it as easy and relaxing as possible?
Take carry-on only when traveling as much as possible. And, if you’re based between two cities, keeping duplicate wardrobe staples in both locations is a life saver. For about two years I spent enough time in New York and London to have a place in both, so I kept life essentials in each flat – my core ADAY pieces, a pair of Nikes, Weleda face wash and face cream. It all made going “home” simpler and lighter.
What’s your go-to outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?
Without fail, my ADAY cooler days culottes and something borrowed shirt, worn open as a jacket, over our dream harder tank. Allbirds and an Everlane duffle are also mandatory for me. Yes, I’m a walking millennial cliché, but hey. They’re all machine washable, wrinkle resistant, and super comfy.
Best travel advice you’ve ever received?
Both Meg and Nina, the ADAY co-founders, champion the “find a job you don’t need a holiday from”, which has helped me to approach life, work, travel and space in a completely new way.
Anxiety and burn out are side effects of modern living, how do you combat them? And what restorative trips or wellness adventures would you recommend?
A recent visit to Zambia literally forced me not to check email (or Instagram) for five days ,because we were so remote that we didn’t have any service. It’s a bit extreme, but if that’s the only way you’ll shut off, I’d highly recommend it. Tafika Lodge runs amazing walking safaris and super minimal campgrounds, which run entirely on solar panels, so when the lights go out, you literally have to go to sleep, or tell stories in the dark.
I also still very much value the traditional holiday. Bleisure (or whatever people call it these days, ie. “business” x “leisure”) is wonderful, but total time off is healthy, too. My friends and I have a group called #ShitsOnTheMove (yes), where one person every quarter plans a top-secret weekend away. The rules are simple – stick to the budget and ensure no time off work is required; it’s often a carry-on only trip, too. The rest of us just show up at the train station ready for an adventure.
I’m the type of person who gets as much pleasure out of planning a holiday as I do when I’m actually on it, but at the same time I sometimes have crazy expectations, and can’t ‘just let go’ and enjoy the moment. Having someone else take care of all the details means I don’t have to worry about anything and can just focus on spending time with friends.
Alone or with someone else?
Both.
Lost luggage, or lost phone?
Lost phone. Sounds lovely.
Fantasy minibar/fridge item?
Face mask.