While many of us are isolated right now due to the corona virus quarantine, our ability to dream, to be inspired, and to visit faraway places in thought, remains unaffected. Therefore I would like to invite you to enjoy today’s travel insider.

NICOLAS DEGENNES, Artistic Director for Makeup and Colors at GIVENCHY, constantly aims to reveal and accentuate feminine beauty with his most innovative creations. For his job, he was always on the go and constantly travelling around the world. Among all destinations, he adores TOKYO and shares with us his favorite spots of the Japanese metropole.

Your favourite city?
TOKYO for the dynamism, the diversity, the silence and the day and night life.

Your favourite hotel?
The GRAND HYATT ROPPONGI. Each time I go to Japan, I usually stay at this hotel. This is where I have my habits, where I’m feeling well.
6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 106-0032
Phone: +81-3-4333-1234

Your favourite restaurant?
NARUKIYO in Tokyo, first because it is owned by a friend and secondly, because I love to have dinner at the bar where the atmosphere is so friendly!
2 Chome-7-14 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002
Phone: +81 3-5485-2223

Your favourite local dish?
In Japan, I love to eat SEA URCHINS. The Japanese know perfectly well how to cook them.

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
I love walking in YANAKA DISTRICT. Old town Tokyo at its best. It’s a great place for a stroll and home to artisans, temples, and winding lanes. I love doing some shopping in local art and craft stores.

Your favourite park?
SHINJUKU GYOEN is undoubtedly one of my favourite parks in Tokyo, especially during the cherry blossom period. I love its very rich and diversified nature with its many lakes. It is very peaceful!
11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014
Phone: +81 3-3350-0151

Your favourite shop?
GIVENCHY of course! There are five Givenchy flagship stores in Tokyo.
One Omotesando 3-5-29 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, 107-0061, Tokyo
Phone: +81 3 3404 0360

Your must-have accessory?
BAGS and SHOES. I am totally crazy about bags and shoes.
Bags give an attitude and shoes some height. It is really pleasant to have new shoes and a beautiful bag when we go out – whether it is for men and women. (Photo: Givenchy S/S 2020)

The best souvenir to bring home?
TEA and WINE! All kinds of Japanese tea and high quality bottles of sake!

The best soundtrack for this destination?
THE MAGIC FLUTE by MOZART which reminds me personally speaking of my childhood and my dad. In general, classical music has always inspired me to travel.

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
Everything by COLETTE. I just love the way she talks about humanity. And I like humanity and her perfect prose.

Thank you, Nicolas, for sharing your insider scoop on Tokyo with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the different locations
Givenchy Beauty is now available at Sephora Switzerland
#sephoraswitzerland #sephoralovesgivenchy #givenchybeauty @sephoraswitzerland
Photo of Nicolas Degennes: © PR, Robert Jaso for PARFUMS GIVENCHY