IN CONVERSATION | Kariche Mirijaj
interview by Emily Nöechel
EN: Where is your favorite place to travel?
KM: Italy; the people, the food, the scenery. There is something beautiful everywhere you look. I had visited Italy a couple of times for work, but it was when my husband, Ben, and I went for the first time together that I really started to explore all of the brilliant small towns.
EN: What is your favorite restaurant?
KM: Camille, in Paris
EN: Speaking of Paris – you recently went!
Tell us about your trip. Did you eat at Camille?
KM: Yes! We went to Camille twice! I had roasted duck breast and blackcurrant gravy mashed potatoes on both occasions. Highly recommend it! The mashed potatoes were just as good as they were when I was there in January 2017.
My husband and I have a tradition of going away for Christmas. This year we wanted to be in Paris and a friend from NY was also visiting, so it felt like perfect timing. We’re always so programmed when we travel to Italy, but this trip felt relaxing because we just did what we wanted. I love going to cafes and sitting outside with a glass of wine to just people watch. Something beautiful on every corner. Just wandering is the best.
Paris was in full on Christmas mode! Stores were legit fully gift wrapped. If you’re into the holidays and Christmas, Paris is the place to be. There’s a tradition that I love – The Galette des Rois (King Cake) is only served at the beginning of January. We were in luck, a boulangerie just outside of the city had some available. They put a little treat in the cake; coins, small figurines, ect, and whoever gets the treat is King or Queen for the day. I’ve gotten the treat the last two times that we’ve been visiting!
EN: I know you love to eat good food. What’s your favorite meal you’re making at home right now?
KM: My husband has been making the best salad with micro arugula, cherry tomatoes and truffle burrata… the truffle burrata makes the salad. I’m obsessed!
EN: If you could host any three people at brunch this coming weekend, who would they be?
KM: My mother, Bob Marley and Barack Obama. I would be the guest at this meal, just sitting and observing. They would be a RIOT together!
EN: What is your favorite thing to do on a free weekend in NYC?
KM: I’ve been going to Equinox gym for many years. I love the classes they offer; Atletica is my favorite, and I go to great lengths to never miss it.
EN: What is your favorite album of all time?
KM: Coldplay, X&Y. I heard this album for the first time on the radio station 99X in Atlanta. They had just released it that day! Each song was even better than the previous. Still holds up!
EN: Who is your favorite fashion designer?
KM: Currently, I’m pretty into Acne and Bottega Veneta accessories. Acne’s pieces are beautiful, fit me well and are not recognizable. I tend to really support a designer until they blow up. BV has hit a level where I might be moving on, ha!
EN: What are your essential skincare products?
KM: Daytime Aesop Parsley seed range and night Kiehl’s ultra facial range. My skincare regimen is very simple. My husband and sister shriek at how little time I spend on my skin. Face wash, toner, moisturizer, eye cream if I have energy.
EN: What is your favorite piece from the MATERIA collection?
KM: TSURU III FM. From the moment I saw it I was OBSESSED; It’s so unique. I had to have one! Charcoal Iridescent Glass and Blackened brass, OBVI. lol
EN: What’s your work uniform?
KM: All black anything.
EN: What is your signature accessory?
KM: My glasses. I have terrible eyesight and I’ve been wearing glasses since I was a kid. When I was younger, I didn’t think glasses were cool and always wore contacts, but as I got older contacts became more and more uncomfortable and I refused to do the surgery, so I just fully embraced wearing my specs.
EN: What’s guaranteed to make you laugh out loud?
KM: Anything my Mother says; you just never know what’s going to come out of her mouth. If I need my spirit lifted, she’s the one I call. We talk multiple times a day.
EN: You’re the resident plant witch at MATERIA. What’s your secret?
KM: I say a little prayer that I don’t kill them. I also talk to them. Pep talks are very important when they are not feeling well or are down. I think the large fig is my favorite, she definitely gets most of the attention.