Born in sun-soaked Perth, and raised amidst the vibrant cultures of Sydney, Tokyo and Hong Kong, Eliette Rosich has cultivated a rich tapestry of experiences across the globe. The consummate “woman about town”, has also lived in Seoul, London, Treviso, and currently resides in Lisbon. Here she continues to bridge the worlds of art and fashion with her boutique consultancy in strategy, marketing, events and communications, working with noted galleries and luxury brands.
She’s an avid traveller who loves diverse cultures, landscapes, arts and fashion – especially Japanese fashion, sparked when Rosich began modelling there in her teens. Entrenched in the European and Asian luxury and creative sectors for two decades, Rosich is everyone’s go-to person for the best art events, buzzy restaurants, bars and hotspots in town – whether it’s summer in Lisbon, shopping in West London, or ski season in Niseko.
Best thing about growing up in Asia?
Aside from all the food and happy chaos of bustling Asian cities, my childhood spent in Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong gave me the opportunity to feel at home in each city we lived in, all the while having a great adventure. It gave me a love of cities at night and an addiction to travel.
Favorite museum or gallery worldwide?
A new discovery for me but now that I’m based in Lisbon I’m thrilled to be able to visit the Serralves Museum in Porto easily and frequently. Set in a stunning sculpture park, it is easy to spend a whole day there. Hong Kong’s 10 Chancery Lane Gallery where I used to work in the 2000s, opened my eyes to the world of contemporary art and for 20 years has championed artists from overlooked parts of Asia, such as Cambodia, Malaysia and Philippines, putting them in front of an international audience. I visit every time I’m back.
Hidden gems in Lisbon?
Palacio Galveias library near home is where I like to work – a converted old palace complete with a stunning interior and the azulejo tiles that Lisbon is so famous for. Outside, the lawns are an oasis in the city, complete with a traditional kiosk where you can sit in the shade of an old tree with a coffee and pastel de nata. For shopping, Lisbon’s old world charm makes me far more interested in antiques and gems from years gone by. My two favourite haunts are Tomi Chiado, an eclectic interiors store, with everything from Hermès silk scarves to Murano chandeliers. Everything is immaculately kept and beautifully displayed, I lose myself in there. For covetable, stunning vintage jewellery, Isabel Lopes da Silva’s boutique in Principe Real is the place to go, with a fab selection from the 60s-80s.
Favorite local restaurant in Lisbon?
Provincia is a firm favourite, an Italian/Portuguese menu with a super cocktail bar. Truffle pasta with creamy egg yolk, alongside a chilled white Maçanita Branco wine is my go-to.
Favourite bar in Lisbon?
The rooftop BAHR Terrace at Bairro Alto Hotel in Chiado ticks all the boxes, with a fabulous view. Delicious cocktails and surprising little dishes such as smoked percebes barnacles on toast really make it special.
Where do you go to unwind?
Only 35 minutes from my home are the vast beaches of the Caparica Coast. Stunning and undeveloped, it feels removed from Lisbon’s hills and pretty Manueline architecture. The Praia do Rei is my favourite. We love going to Princesa for lunch for the chilled atmosphere, and grilled fish. The salty air mixed in with the eucalyptus trees never fails to relax me, the scent reminds me a lot of my childhood spent in Australia.
Favourite travel destination for inspiration?
Cities inspire me and are where I feel most at home. London really is hard to beat, for energy and inspiration, it’s got it all. Great fashion stores, galleries, restaurants and Hyde Park right in the middle where I always make a bee-line for Serpentine Galleries as it rarely disappoints.
As a fashion veteran, where’s your all time favorite shopping area?
I spent my teenage years living in Tokyo traipsing around the boutiques and markets in Omote-Sando and Harajuku with my pocket money, nowadays I prefer the more grown-up stores around Ebisu and Daikanyama. I’m quite tall, so the Japanese men’s stores are perfect for finding fabulous outerwear and sweaters, the fabrics and design details are always off the charts, and they fit.
Travel splurge you’ll never regret?
My first trip to New York many years ago was made all the more special by staying with a dear friend of mine in a suite at The Peninsula during Fashion Week. More recently, I was in India, staying at The Imperial, the grand dame of Delhi hotels. To be able to swim in at the end of scorching days exploring the city felt like a necessity.
Top cities for art and architecture?
Seoul and Madrid take equal first place. Seoul has such a distinct and highly evolved art scene and has been at the forefront of digital art for decades, mastery of the form and execution is just perfect. I’ve been stopped dead in my tracks by Korean video art even walking through a shopping mall. Seoul’s architecture is experimental, bold, functional and how intertwined public art and public spaces are makes it one of my favourite cities in the world.
Madrid is equally wonderful more for its historic grandeur, it is hard not to be impressed. World class museums like the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Prado need no introduction, but recently at Madrid’s ARCO Art Fair, I found much to admire in some of the smaller galleries.
Thirdly, I’d give a shout out to Amsterdam. Oh those Rembrandts! I like cities that are built where they shouldn’t be, and Amsterdam is at 2 meters below sea level, showing the great ingenuity of its people. The grand canal houses are engineering marvels but at a more human scale than Venice. It is a city made to engage with by foot and by bicycle – a brilliant mix of old charm and modern day living. With all that rain the Dutch are bound to bring light into their lives with art, as expected, the gallery scene is thriving. I can’t wait to go back and see favourites like Galerie Ron Mandos and Annet Gelink.
Where do you travel for pure escapism?
To the mountains to ski, when you’re there the whole world disappears, the snow is all encompassing and everything becomes so much quieter. I have been skiing in Niseko for many years but this year I returned to Switzerland. We stayed at the beautiful Chalet Maridadi in Les Collons which sits at 1800m elevation, so when the helicopters fly through the valley, you actually have to look down to see them. The views day and night were otherworldly and of course Swiss hospitality is unrivalled. Raclette at the La Cambuse Restaurant is a favourite post-skiing.
Dream vacation, not yet fulfilled
Everytime a friend returns from Cape Town, I still can’t believe I have not yet been. Everyone raves about the vineyards, beaches, shopping and the warmth of the people. I would love to visit Table Mountain, Zeitz Museum of Modern Contemporary African Art, spend a day trying wines at the Vergelegen Estate, safari at the Aquila Game Reserve and perhaps some retail therapy along the V&A waterfront.
