Kristin Scott-Thomas's luggage
Sophie Manrique
The Britsh star of Philtp Haas's Up at the ViIIa is our first traveler to hand over the secrets of her carry-on bag : tape recorder; personal stereo, scripts and - of course - tea bags.
Photo 1 : For Kristin Scott-Thomas flying is part of the job. A seasoned traveler, she soon settles into her home away from home with photos of her children, and the familiar fragrance of a Diptyque candle. The stack of CDs (Everything but the girl, Massive Attack, Sarah Vaughan・) and novels are her in-flight entertainment.
Photo 2 : Apart from her lucky charm, a piece of polished glass which her daughter gave her, her jewelry has great sentimental value : the padlock-shape clasp was a gift from her stepfather, and the enamel pendant was made by her mother, who studied jewelry-making. Kristin Scott-Thomas swears by Dr Hauschka creams, a German range now available from Paris health food stores.
AFM : What's the last thing you do before you leave the house ?
KST : I think "money passport., ticket", that's my travel mantra.
AFM : What luggage do you check?
KST : Two red and yellow Sansonite Oysters They really stand out,
seeing as how the baggage claim belt is always full of hundreds of
identical black suitcases.
AFM : What do you keep with you ?
KST : A very plain green leather Vuitton bag. It's a men's model
can bang. You can hang a blouse in it and it comes out wrinkle-free.
AFM :Do yon travel light?
KST: My luggage got lost once: being miles from home without the
things you need is just terrible. So my carry-on is always too
heavy. When I get back to my place in Paris - especially if I'm
coming back from LA, where you have to walk miles to find a
lugagge cart - I always promise myself saying "now how can I
possibly this behind ? "
AFM : Is jet Lag inevitable?
KST : I need to be fully operational as soon as I arrive, not
only mentally, but physically too. I can't aford to have circles
under my eyes. The best remedy is mineral water. Ideally, I try
to drink two bottles before we land. Which can be a bit annoying
for the person sitting next to you if you're in the window seat.
AFM : Do you sleep with or without the eye mask ?
KST : I travel with my own, a gift from Donna Karan during the
Oscars. It's a black slik band with a lavender-filled lining.
You breathe in the aroma of lavender as you fall asleep. If
that's doesn't do the trick, I take Coffea Cruda, a homeopathic
remedy.
AFM : What does your makeup bag book like ?
KST : It's black, Chanel, and perfect on two accounts : it has
three compartments, and they're all plastic lined.
AFM : What's your beauty routine when you fly ?
KST : I use Homéoplasmine on my lips, and massage an oil cream into
my hands. Often I don't wear makeup when I fly. I apply Dr Hauschka's
Rose Day Cream, Revitalizing Complex and Rhythmic Night Conditioner to my face.
AFM : Hairband, or barrettes?
KST : I don' t do anything with my hair. Actually, it's kind of a
sore subject. My dream would be to have a hairdresser on the plane
with me. But until that happens, I cover my hair with a scarf when
we land.
AFM : Are you a chewing gum or a chocolate person ?
KST : I love mints - the hard, blue kind that so strong they your
eyes water.
AFM : Do you bring American or French scripts along with you ?
KST : Both, If I like them I read them, if not I put them aside. The
advantage of travelling with American scripts is that they're twice
as light as French scripts, which aren't print front to back.
AFM : What do you read during the flight?
KST : I firmly believe in reading light, short books when I fly like
Je voudrais que quelqu'un m'attende quelque part by Anna Galvada,
which I really enjoyed. Tomes from the 10-francs Mille et une Nuits
collection are perfect too : they weigh next to nothing. I also carry
Abbé Dinouart's L'Art de se taire (The Art of Keeping Quiet). Stick it
on the seat next to yours, and the titles says it all for you.
AFM : Which jewelry do you wear ?
KST : My Tag Heuer watch, my weeding ring and a gold bangle bracelet - a
gift to myself. I had always dreamed of it's simplicity. I bought it at
Tiffany's year ago.
AFM : Any "souvenirs" you like keeping from the plane ?
KST : The pajama bags. They make great shoe bags.
AFM : Do you have a good luck charm?
KST : A heart-shaped piece of polished yellow glass. My daughter found
it on the beach. I put it on my bedside table everywhere I go.
AFM : Is your bag heavier or lighter on the way back ?
KST : Alas. I bring back lots of books. I have very little willpower
where American book stores are concerned.
AFM : For you "avion" rhymes with?
KST : Projection. Four Weedings and a Funeral really made the rounds,
and it just so happens that it was frequently the in-flight movie at a
time when I was traveling almost non-stop. The cabin would grow very
quiet when the film started, then all of a sudden the passengers
wearing headphones would burst out laughing. I never go to see my
own movies. So reactions to these in-flight screenings made me
understand what a joy it is to touch others' lives through my acting.
