Born and bred in London, Alex Eagle is a stylist and creative director that has cultivated a versatile aesthetic. Eagle brings a highly personal sense of style to everything she curates for Alex Eagle Studio and The Store X, a design emporium and concept work space with outposts in Berlin, Oxfordshire, and London.
On a recent trip to the island of Ischia in Italy’s Gulf of Naples, Eagle shared with us her favorite tips about the island, her incomparable travel philosophies, and the skincare routine she can’t live without.
Tell us about your connection to Ischia. When did you first travel there? What do you love about it?
My friend Marie Louise reopened Hotel Mezzatorre this year which inspired me to visit and I instantly fell in love. I know Italy well as I often visit the neighbouring islands of Positano and Capri, but coming to Ischia felt like discovering a hidden gem. The island has it all, small but vibrant, delicious food, relaxed attitude, beautiful light, wonderful weather, and unspoilt by tourism which feels rare these days.
What are your favorite places to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Ischia?
This island is all about locally run places, wandering through the cobbled streets of the old town, you will come across endless ice cream stalls, bars, and coffee shops all with exquisite Italian quality.
Dinner and aperitivo at Mezzatorre’s al fresco restaurant is a must— they serve the catch of the day—and the Regina Isabella resort does a beautiful breakfast on their terrace. If you are staying at the hotel you can enjoy it from their glorious balconies which look out over the sea.
Favorite activities while visiting Ischia?
Watersports are amazing on the island, and you can rent a sweet little fishing-style boat to explore the island or a slightly more glamorous Riva if you can get your hands on one. I love wandering around the old town in the evening after the sun has gone down, lolling and reading by the pool with my kids.
What insider tip can you tell us about Ischia?
What is nice about Ischia is that you don’t need to plan. You can walk out of your hotel and feel inspired. We loved taking boats to neighboring islands or going on long walks along the coast and exploring different coves and ports.
Where else do you love to travel to in summer and why?
Italy is somewhere I come back to year after year—the food, design, culture, climate, and people are an endless source of inspiration for me and my work. I also love Deia—an island in Spain—the sunlight there is unparalleled and swimming in the sea is heaven. The Oxfordshire countryside is bliss in summer and I love going on long walks with my family. Further afield, LA is another favorite. From Hollywood to Venice Beach to Malibu, there is so much on offer and it’s such a fun place to visit.
How do you balance owning your own businesses with travel?
I find most things in my life merge organically whether it’s travel, being with my family, or working— everything is a source of inspiration so I find I can get as much work done sitting by the pool as I can in my studio in London. They all feed into one another. Having said that, it is good to turn off, but that’s not my forte.
How do you build your summer vacation wardrobe? What are your staples?
I always include monochrome colours—navy, balck, white—so I can create many outfits from less clothes. An oversized shirt is essential as well as my Alex Eagle 90s-inspired sunglasses, and a tux or linen suit from my own brand, which work for all occasions.
We imagine you’d want to keep your skincare routine fairly simple on vacation—what products work overtime so you don’t have to when you travel?
My go to skincare products are Barabra Sturm and Creme de la Mer. For make, Nars and YSL do amazing coral colored lipsticks that are great with a tan and for masking a hangover. I have recently bought a spiked jade roller, which I have started to use with my Augustinus Bader THE Cream, which helps give your skin a boost in the morning. I also always wear a high factor sun cream when on holiday—the best one is Isdin Foto Protector Active Oil.
What are your current beach reads?
I just bought The Apology by Eve Ensler for my next beach read, and also plan on re-reading Donna Tart’s Secret History which is a real favorite. The last holiday I went on I read Andre Acimans’ new novel (who also wrote Call Me By Your Name)—Enigma Variations which is such a great love story.
Tell us your number one travel hack.
Always be super organized with your packing to alleviate any stress when you arrive—the Away suitcases are ideal for ensuring this! Also, do lots of research on fun places to visit and stay, but be ready to throw them out at the last minute for more spontaneous opportunities.