Long before Emily landed on our Netflix accounts, dividing the internet in two like a quake does the Earth’s crust with her cliché-heavy portrayal of Paris, three of our favourite Australian gals—Sandali, Beck and Sophia—gave the city of lights and love a red hot crack.
The month was March, the event was Paris Fashion Week, and given everything that’s happened since, it could have taken place several lifetimes ago.
Since the world could do with a hit of nostalgia and hope right now, we called the girls up to reminisce about their time in Paris and to chat about how they’ve best made use of their time this year. Below, you will find travel tips to bookmark for when the world opens back up again, along with recipe, book, podcast and music recommendations to keep you busy in the meantime. Above, you will find the angelic humans floating around Paris dressed up in our homegrown favourites, Aje, Kate Sylvester and Wynn Hamlyn.
Until we meet again, Paris <3.
Beck Hume
Favourite memory from your Paris trip in March?
Definitely walking the Dior show! But, in a close second, it would be spending so much time with my favourite Aussie girls in Paris.
Best restaurants/cafes/people-watching/shopping for anyone heading to Paris?
I would say anywhere without an English menu is your best bet because that means only the locals who know French go and tourists will steer clear.
The world has changed significantly since your trip. How have you been staying happy and sane during that time?
After such a long time away, I have spent so much time with my family which has been really nice for me. I’m such a homebody.
When travel resumes, what are you most excited for? Where do you think you’d like to go?
I’d really like to go to London. And also Italy—I was supposed to be in both places earlier this year but that didn’t quite go to plan due to COVID.
Favourite three places in the world and why?
I LOVE ADELAIDE! Home is like no other place.
I also love all of Germany.
Paris would be in the top three as well because of how beautiful it all is. Who let it be that pretty?
How do you seek new stimulus that travel would normally provide during quarantine and COVID restrictions?
Reteaching myself German has really helped me. Also, making a range of different dishes from all over the world.
Best recipe?
My second cousin's apple pie recipe is the best apple pie I’ve ever had in my life. It’s like a combination of apple crumble and pie. A bit of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got yourself the best dessert ever.
Best book?
I just finished reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and it is amazing.
Best podcast?
‘The Shit Show’ by ‘Shit You Should Care About’ is so good and informative. You learn so much about topics you wouldn’t otherwise know about.
Best song?
I love ‘Colourblind’ by Peach at the moment.
Best way to unwind?
Reading a good book in the sun.
Best workout?
I can never ever get enough of F45 workouts.
What are you most excited about for the rest of 2020?
Spending more time with my family and friends.
Sandali Jayasinghe
What’s your favourite memory from your Paris trip in March?
There are so many, but the highlights are definitely hanging out and exploring Paris with my roommate, the patisseries, and meeting people from all around the world at different shoots.
Best restaurants/cafes/people-watching/shopping for anyone heading to Paris?
Personally, walking along the Seine was a surreal experience. You walk by so many different people, and to me it was really unique. Also, thrifting shopping in Saint Martin and Bastille.
The world has changed significantly since your trip. How have you been staying happy and sane during that time?
Spending extra time with my family, baking a lot, doing puzzles, using the extra time for self-reflection. I’ve been watching new TV shows. I keep up to date with my friends through FaceTime.
When travel resumes, what are you most excited for? Where do you think you’d like to go?
I’ve been planning a road trip to Brisbane with my friends, so I can’t wait for that. I also can’t wait to catch up with a few friends I haven’t been able to see for a while. My family are also planning to go to Sri Lanka, as we haven't gone in a while and I am beyond excited.
Favourite three places in the world and why?
Sri Lanka, because all my family live there, the weather is always warm, and I miss the unique energy and memories I associate with it.
The beach, I love basking in the sun.
Honestly, I'm quite introverted so nothing beats coming home after a long day.
How do you seek new stimulus that travel would normally provide during quarantine and COVID restrictions?
Regardless of COVID, I have always enjoyed watching TV shows and films from other countries. I enjoy baking and cooking so I've been trying out new techniques and recipes during restriction.
Best recipe?
I’ve been making cinnamon rolls a lot recently. I have a major sweet tooth.
Best book?
Currently reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
Best podcast?
‘Casefile True Crime’ and ‘Forensic Files’.
Best song?
It’s hard to pick one, but at the moment, ‘Bluffin’ by Brent Faiyaz, ‘Goodbye’ by Cage the Elephant and ‘Fine Line’ by Harry Styles.
Best way to unwind?
Long showers, meditation, listening to music, petting my cat, and naps for sure.
Best workout?
Quick HIIT session or virtual Pilates lessons.
What are you most excited about for the rest of 2020?
Warmer weather, hopefully a vaccine, hanging out with my friends and road trips.
Sophia Scata
Favourite memory from your Paris trip in March?
I can’t pick one favourite memory from my trip, but definitely seeing monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in real life, and almost everyday, was so surreal. They were in the same district as my hotel; it felt like I was living in a postcard! Walking through the Jewish Quarter in Rue des Rosiers was amazing—it had a whole street filled with Falafel restaurants that were the best in the country!
Best restaurants/cafes/people-watching/shopping for anyone heading to Paris?
Every day that I ventured out, I’d come across different little corner cafes and boulangeries, my favourite ones being the ones near my apartment on canal Saint Martin. The best and most fancy place to go shopping was in the Galeries Lafayette while walking up and down Avenue Champs-Elysées. This is an experience you can’t miss if you’re visiting Paris.
The world has changed significantly since your trip. How have you been staying happy and sane during that time?
As much as the world has changed in the past few months, I’m able to keep grounded as Perth, the city that I live in, is currently doing very well and we were lucky to not have been hit hard by the pandemic for long. I keep happy by being productive. I have two jobs, my main one being that I work in an Italian restaurant. I try to do whatever I can to make money and enjoy myself doing the simple things. I also spend a lot of time with my friends and family.
When travel resumes, what are you most excited for? Where do you think you’d like to go?
When we are able to move around freely I can’t wait to go back to Sydney and start properly modelling again, and visit friends that live in Brisbane. I’m super excited to get back to Europe, whenever that will be, so my best friend and I can go travelling around Germany, Italy and Spain, and also to visit my sister living in London!
Favourite three places in the world and why?
Krapanj is an island in Croatia that I am strongly connected to because my grandparents and family come from there, it’s like a second home that is the most beautiful and serene place to be.
I love London for how fast paced and exciting it is.
Anywhere ‘down South’ in Perth, such as Dunsborough and Yallingup. The latter is a favourite, as it’s our own beach-y surf town that you can drive to any time you need a break from the city.
How do you seek new stimulus that travel would normally provide during quarantine and COVID restrictions?
Since we started quarantine I have been focusing a lot on working out and training, to condition my body and get it in even better shape, as I love noticing results. I was also given an online music production course for my birthday, which has helped me learn how to use music softwares such as Ableton so I can produce my own music. This is something that has helped me expand on my hobby of playing instruments.
Best recipe?
I’m obsessed with cooking Shakshuka at the moment (Spanish baked eggs in a spicy tomato sauce). I love it with potato gems or toast.
Best book?
I love Anthony Keidis’ autobiography Scar Tissue—a wild book
from start to finish.
Best podcast?
Anything on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’.
Best song?
I can’t decide between ‘One Question’ by Zanzibar Chanel or ‘Stoned
Again’ by King Krule.
Best way to unwind?
Watching ASMR videos on YouTube. If I had to describe it, it would be something in between meditation and satisfying sounds that make your brain tingle. I literally watch them to help me fall asleep.
Best workout?
Doing simple cardio, like going on an hour run or doing lots of dancing is my go-to work out to release energy.
What are you most excited about for the rest of 2020?
When I can finally make the move back to Sydney to start modelling and working again, after the many months have passed since I was there at the beginning of the year.
Features Editor: Madeleine Woon Photos: Chloe Hill
Beck, Sandali & Sophia are represented by IMG
