The last time I spoke to Kate Moss was at a memorial service in Scotland a few weeks ago. Among the large group of family and colleagues, she sat at a table in the corner of the marquee, dressed in a little black dress, her skinny legs in fishnets, with a mob of friends around her, animatedly presenting herself as she would in private. is doing .
Even in the crowd on this desperately moving occasion, it was possible to feel the Kate forcefield, radiating from that corner in a quiet, powerful way.
Nothing remarkable, but still unusual.
On this week’s Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 listeners can hear Kate speak.
ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: The last time I spoke to Kate Moss was at a memorial service in Scotland a few weeks ago
The show is one of the few times I can remember her doing this in public, other than her brief appearance as a witness on video during the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial.
Brand Kate thrives on her silence – and a never complain, never explain attitude.
Although she is incredibly famous, and even now has a new campaign and collection for Zara, the 48-year-old model has always acted on an element of enigma.
Which means even the trailer for Desert Island Discs alone was tempting.
Not for the clips recorded – she’s still nervous in front of the camera and would love to be in a band in another life – but simply because it reveals Kate’s surprisingly shrill, South London voice that’s always on the verge of a cackling laugh.
Our prime minister wannabes could only hope to command a similar degree of fascination.
Hand luggage is such a hand luggage
Only the foolish will check their luggage to fly abroad this summer due to the shortage of baggage handlers and huge queues. Carrying only hand luggage is now the only sensible option.
This may be a minor point, but traveling only with hand luggage is a mindset. And it’s not mine.
My father rarely traveled abroad and claimed that he saw no point in spending money to be somewhere less pleasant than at home. At home, he had everything he wanted, including a local bookmaker.
I’m not quite of the same point of view, but I do believe that vacations are more fun when you can take everything you want with you. If you have to calculate in advance what you can fit, the pre-holiday vibe starts off pretty wrong.
Suggestions are everywhere for what clothes to pack in that little wheeled suitcase. But it’s not the clothes that are the problem. Of course, it would be nicer to choose them based on how much you want to carry them rather than how little space they take up. And can there be anything more boring than spending hours before the holidays crafting a mix and match capsule wardrobe? Does it have to be navy blue and white with a hint of green?
But it’s the other bits and pieces that really make a vacation a vacation. Tons of makeup for example.
I hardly ever wear anything other than lip gloss on vacation. Still, there’s not much else to do at night than see if you look as good as Billie Eilish in emerald eyeshadow. Then you realize you don’t, so fall back on safe bronze.
And what about the favorite perfumes, sunscreens and hair drinks that don’t meet the carry-on restrictions so you end up wasting money on a brand new set once you get there that you can’t repack for the return trip.
However, these are nothing like being robbed of the wonderful pile of holiday books. They are not remotely replaced by the uninspired Kindle. Let alone treats like playing cards, watercolors, and notebooks. And in my case a mobile pharmacy. What are they leaving behind to take them up?
Vacations should be indulgent and comfortable — not subject to the kind of packing restrictions appropriate for a moon landing attempt.
Leave the skirts to Brad guys
Months ago, I wrote about how I wish men would dress more adventurously, predicting that we would soon see more men in skirts. Who knows if Brad Pitt is, after all, a reader, but last week he released his new movie dressed as Calamity Jane, all up in a skirt.
Pitt with hiking boots and tattooed shins. Surprisingly, the whole ensemble looks pretty good on a 58-year-old man with a graying beard. However, a word to other men who might consider experimenting in the summer heat. Skirts are fine, but remember you’re not Brad Pitt.
Now marriage is really a big decision
HOW great will it be to be able to get married wherever you want when restrictions are lifted on where the ceremony can take place.
I would certainly have found something more romantic than Kensington and Chelsea Register Office. But where? I wouldn’t pick a cruise ship or theme park – some places the Law Commission says would be popular.
I’ve tried to imagine the perfect location. Maybe in one of the London parks I love, or maybe a Cotswolds field I remember from childhood. Or would it be a favorite restaurant?
Deciding would be a nightmare. Is it ultimately easier not to have a choice?
A totally pointless bump in the night
THE other night I couldn’t sleep – not because of the heat, but because a huge truck was idling outside our house for hours, surrounded by high-visibility men doing nothing.
The next morning we awoke to completely unnecessarily repainted white speed bumps all along the road. And for that we pay our huge council tax.
Wets spoiled my lido escape
DURING the hot spell I discovered the beautiful Parliament Hill Lido – a huge, unheated public swimming pool.
I’m sure it was Boris Johnson’s brother Jo. I saw him make an effort (much faster than me) just before the unmistakable face of Tony Blair’s former PR man Alastair Campbell emerged from the next lane.
Trying to break free, I had no idea this North London pool could be such a political hot spot.