“How I Travel” With Fashion Designer Christopher Esber

The acclaimed Aussie womenswear designer shares how he fell for the architecture, cafés and ancient-meets-futuristic buzz of Seoul.

What brought you to Seoul?

I like to do a trip every April around my birthday and I make a point of discovering one new place each year. You can get too comfortable going back to the same spots – I wanted something to stimulate my brain.

So did it work?

Absolutely. I love the tension in Seoul between tradition and technology. Also, the café culture. Tell us more… There’s a coffee spot on every corner and the shop fit-outs are insane. To enjoy a morning coffee and soak up the incredible architecture is my idea of heaven. Architecture is something I’m always looking to for inspiration.

Do you follow an itinerary or just wing it?

I like to make a few bookings – restaurants I don’t want to miss, stores I want to visit – but I really believe in building in time for unexpected discoveries.

Any you can share?

My favourite café was Anthracite Coffee. There are a few of them around the city and they’re all amazing. The best restaurant was On6.5. It specialises in traditional Korean food and I had a wine pairing with kimchi.

What’s your tried-and-tested luggage hack?

Don’t fold! Lay your garments flat then hang them as soon as you arrive. Also, take one pair of really comfortable shoes.

Okay, since you brought it up – if you could only pack one pair…

Definitely my Ons. They’re so light and comfortable.

And what are you picking up at the airport?

Nothing. I like the thrill of arriving with no time to spare.

You’re an adrenaline junkie! What about onboard? Are you a screen, book or podcast person?

A mixture of podcast and work but my ideal flight is one where I sleep the entire time and arrive ready to go.

How do you tackle garment care while you’re away?

I stayed in the beautiful Josun Palace hotel, which had an incredible Samsung steamer in the room – you could hang your garments in the closet and they’d be deodorised and steamed. It was just another level of Seoul’s amazingness.