ASCENO MEETS

 

TAMARA LOHAN

CEO AND FOUNDER OF MR & MRS SMITH

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

TAMARA LOHAN

CEO AND FOUNDER OF MR & MRS SMITH



The CEO and Founder of boutique hotel and booking specialists Mr & Mrs Smith tells ASCENO why if it was easy then everyone would be doing it, the importance of girlfriends and the one place that's on her bucket list.


Shot by husband James, at their London home

Styled by herself in ASCENO SS21

Interview by Steph Sleap


 

 

 

 

IF IT WAS EASY, EVERYONE ELSE WOULD BE DOING IT.

I'm naturally a competitive person and relish overcoming challenges. One of the best pieces of career advice I was given was that if something was easy, then everyone else would be doing it. I think when you're faced with something hard, overcoming it is the challenge. If you want to achieve something that goes beyond, innovates and disrupts - it's not meant to be easy!

 

"If you want to achieve something that goes beyond, innovates and disrupts - it's not meant to be easy!"

 

THINGS ARE NEVER AS BAD AS THEY SEEM.

We get very scared of failing. I always try to take a deep breath and break the problem down and work out what the worst outcomes invariably are. Nothing is ever quite as bad as it seems.

 

 



 

THERE WAS NEVER A PLAN.

But looking back on it travel was always meant to be. Following my parents divorce when I was 11, my mother lived in Spain and my father moved back to England so my sister and I spent time flying in-between. I loved that you could be in a completely different world within hours. I also thought being an air hostess was just the most glamorous job in the world!


"I loved that you could be in a

completely different world within hours."


 

 

I WANTED TO BE A FIGHTER PILOT.

But it came with such risks and I didn't want to be just any pilot, I only wanted to be a fighter pilot. I was in the air squadron at university which is essentially sponsored by the RAF and they teach you to fly while you are studying with the view to recruiting you. But the chances of a woman becoming a fighter pilot at that time were so tiny, that I left flying as a hobby rather than a career in the end.

 

DURING LOCKDOWN I HAVE REDISCOVERED YOGA.

After having children I stopped practicing but have rediscovered it and am slowly becoming obsessed again. I practice around 5-6 times a week and it is utter escapism. Of course now it is all on Zoom but I have found that quite liberating as I am naturally quite competitive, so not having other people around me has meant I can focus on myself and the boundaries of my own body.

 

I HAVE A STACK OF BOOKS BY MY BED.

The last hour of my day is spent putting my brain to bed. I read everything and anything and am currently reading about 5 books - 'Say Nothing' by Patrick Radden Keefe about the Troubles in Ireland to 'Hamnet' by Maggie O'Farrell as well as magazines, The Economist and The Week.

 


"The last hour of my day is

spent putting my brain to bed."



WHEN I ESCAPE, I LIKE TO GO TO THE EXTREME.

With my family I love taking them to the middle of nowhere. Early last year we visited Troll Peninsular in Iceland and stayed at Deplar Farm which a really special place, in the middle of nowhere. Feeling so close to nature and being surrounded by the mountains and snow was incredible.


"With my family - I love to take

them to the middle of nowhere."


Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

With husband James Lohan at Franklin Hotel, London

Tamara at the Amangiri, Utah


I LOVE TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP OF GIRLFRIENDS.

I have this very close network of girlfriends who I met later in life. We are all women in business, some have families and some not but we are all extremely well travelled and we try to go away with each other a few times a year to a spa retreat or city break. It's nice to speak to other women and spend time with people who are going through the same experiences as you are. It's really important to have a network around you to help, but who also don't have an agenda to do it.

 

ISRAEL IS ON MY BUCKET LIST.

Israel is on my bucket list. Six Senses Shaharut are opening a hotel later in the year and I'm hoping I get there as it looks amazing!


"It's really important to have a network around you to help, but who also don't have an agenda to do it."


 

 

I USED TO ONLY WEAR MONOCHROME.

My style has changed so much over the years I used to live in black but find that I am now drawn to colour and have just bought this blue silk dress for which I am dying to wear this Summer.

 

"I now save my favourite clothes, so my daughter can wear them one day."

 

I'M A TACTICAL HOARDER.

My mother was a model in the sixties and didn't keep a thing! I could curse her - the shoes, the flares, the dresses - nothing! So I now save my favourite pieces after I no longer want to wear them and keep them in a suitcase in the attic so my daughter can wear them one day. So although my husband would call me a hoarder it is all for a good cause!

 

IN BED, I WEAR.

Silk...or nothing!

 

Fran Hickman wearing brown luxury silk pyjama set






CURATED BY

Fran Hickman


The CEO and Founder of boutique hotel and booking specialists Mr & Mrs Smith tells why if it was easy then everyone would be doing it, the importance of girlfriends and the one place she will be travelling to after lockdown.

 

Shot by husband James, at their London home

Styled by herself in ASCENO SS21

Interview by Steph Sleap



IF IT WAS EASY, EVERYONE ELSE WOULD BE DOING IT.

I'm naturally a competitive person and relish overcoming challenges. One of the best pieces of career advice I was given was that if something was easy, then everyone else would be doing it. I think when you're faced with something hard, overcoming it is the challenge. If you want to achieve something that goes beyond, innovates and disrupts - it's not meant to be easy!

 

"If you want to achieve something

that goes beyond, innovates and disrupts

- it's not meant to be easy!"

 

THINGS ARE NEVER AS BAD AS THEY SEEM.

We get very scared of failing. I always try to take a deep breath and break the problem down and work out what the worst outcomes invariably are. Nothing is ever quite as bad as it seems.



THERE WAS NEVER A PLAN.

But looking back on it travel was always meant to be. Following my parents divorce when I was 11, my mother lived in Spain and my father moved back to England so my sister and I spent time flying in-between. I loved that you could be in a completely different world within hours. I also thought being an air hostess was just the most glamorous job in the world!

 

I WANTED TO BE A FIGHTER PILOT.

But it came with such risks and I didn't want to be just any pilot, I only wanted to be a fighter pilot. I was in the air squadron at university which is essentially sponsored by the RAF and they teach you to fly while you are studying with the view to recruiting you. But the chances of a woman becoming a fighter pilot at that time were so tiny, that I left flying as a hobby rather than a career in the end.

 

DURING LOCKDOWN I HAVE REDISCOVERED YOGA.

After having children I stopped practicing but have rediscovered it and am slowly becoming obsessed again. I practice around 5-6 times a week and it is utter escapism. Of course now it is all on Zoom but I have found that quite liberating as I am naturally quite competitive, so not having other people around me has meant I can focus on myself and the boundaries of my own body.

 


"I loved that you could be in a

completely different world within hours."



I HAVE A STACK OF BOOKS BY MY BED.

The last hour of my day is spent putting my brain to bed. I read everything and anything and am currently reading about 5 books - from 'Say Nothing' by Patrick Radden Keefe about the Troubles in Ireland to 'Hamnet' by Maggie O'Farrell as well as magazines, The Economist and The Week.

 

WHEN I ESCAPE, I LIKE TO GO TO THE EXTREME.

With my family I love taking them to the middle of nowhere. Early last year we visited Troll Peninsular in Iceland and stayed at Deplar Farm which a really special place, in the middle of nowhere. Feeling so close to nature and being surrounded by the mountains and snow was incredible.


"With my family - I love to take them to the middle of nowhere."


Tamara at the Amangiri, Utah


I LOVE TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP OF GIRLFRIENDS.

I have this very close network of girlfriends who I met later in life. We are all women in business, some have families and some not but we are all extremely well travelled and we try to go away with each other a few times a year to a spa retreat or city break. It's nice to speak to other women and spend time with people who are going through the same experiences as you are. It's really important to have a network around you to help, but who also don't have an agenda to do it.

 

ISRAEL IS ON MY BUCKET LIST.

Israel is on my bucket list. Six Senses Shaharut are opening a hotel later in the year and I'm hoping I get there as it looks amazing!


"It's really important to have a network around you to help, but who also don't have an agenda to do it."



I USED TO ONLY WEAR MONOCHROME.

My style has changed so much over the years I used to live in black but find that I am now drawn to colour and have just bought this blue silk dress for which I am dying to wear this Summer.

 

"I now save my favourite clothes, so my daughter can wear them one day."

 

I'M A TACTICAL HOARDER.

My mother was a model in the sixties and didn't keep a thing! I could curse her - the shoes, the flares, the dresses - nothing! So I now save my favourite pieces after I no longer want to wear them and keep them in a suitcase in the attic so my daughter can wear them one day. So although my husband would call me a hoarder it is all for a good cause!

 

IN BED, I WEAR.

Silk...or nothing!







Our Care Guide

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.


ASCENO MEETS

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.

 

TAMARA LOHAN

CEO AND FOUNDER OF

MR & MRS SMITH

 

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.



ASCENO MEETS

ASCENO Founders,
Poppy Sexton-Wainwright
& Lauren Leask  

The CEO and Founder of boutique hotel and booking specialists Mr & Mrs Smith tells why if it was easy then everyone would be doing it, the importance of girlfriends and the one place she will be travelling to after lockdown.

 

 

Shot by husband, James at their London home

Styled by herself in ASCENO SS21

Interview by Steph Sleap


IF IT WAS EASY, EVERYONE ELSE WOULD BE DOING IT.

I'm naturally a competitive person and relish overcoming challenges. One of the best pieces of career advice I was given was that if something was easy, then everyone else would be doing it. I think when you're faced with something hard, overcoming it is the challenge. If you want to achieve something that goes beyond, innovates and disrupts - it's not meant to be easy!

 

"If you want to achieve something that goes beyond, innovates and disrupts - it's not meant to be easy!"

 

THINGS ARE NEVER AS BAD AS THEY SEEM.

We get very scared of failing. I always try to take a deep breath and break the problem down and work out what the worst outcomes invariably are. Nothing is ever quite as bad as it seems.

 


THERE WAS NEVER A PLAN.

But looking back on it travel was always meant to be. Following my parents divorce when I was 11, my mother lived in Spain and my father moved back to England so my sister and I spent time flying in-between. I loved that you could be in a completely different world within hours. I also thought being an air hostess was just the most glamorous job in the world!

 

"I loved that you could be in a completely different world within hours."

 

I WANTED TO BE A FIGHTER PILOT.

But it came with such risks and I didn't want to be just any pilot, I only wanted to be a fighter pilot. I was in the air squadron at university which is essentially sponsored by the RAF and they teach you to fly while you are studying with the view to recruiting you. But the chances of a woman becoming a fighter pilot at that time were so tiny, that I left flying as a hobby rather than a career in the end.


DURING LOCKDOWN I HAVE REDISCOVERED YOGA.

After having children I stopped practicing but have rediscovered it and am slowly becoming obsessed again. I practice around 5-6 times a week and it is utter escapism. Of course now it is all on Zoom but I have found that quite liberating as I am naturally quite competitive, so not having other people around me has meant I can focus on myself and the boundaries of my own body.

 

I HAVE A STACK OF BOOKS BY MY BED.

The last hour of my day is spent putting my brain to bed. I read everything and anything and am currently reading about 5 books - from Say Nothing' by Patrick Radden Keefe about the Troubles in Ireland to 'Hamnet' by Maggie O'Farrell as well as magazines, The Economist and The Week.


"The last hour of my day is spent putting my brain to bed."


Tamara at the Amangiri, Utah


WHEN I ESCAPE, I LIKE TO GO TO THE EXTREME.

With my family I love taking them to the middle of nowhere. Early last year we visited Troll Peninsular in Iceland and stayed at Deplar Farm which a really special place, in the middle of nowhere. Feeling so close to nature and being surrounded by the mountains and snow was incredible.

 

"With my family - I love to take them to the middle of nowhere."


Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives


I LOVE TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP OF GIRLFRIENDS.

I have this very close network of girlfriends who I met later in life. We are all women in business, some have families and some not but we are all extremely well travelled and we try to go away with each other a few times a year to a spa retreat or city break. It's nice to speak to other women and spend time with people who are going through the same experiences as you are. It's really important to have a network around you to help, but who also don't have an agenda to do it.

 

ISRAEL IS ON MY BUCKET LIST.

Israel is on my bucket list. Six Senses Shaharut are opening a hotel later in the year and I'm hoping I get there as it looks amazing!



"It's really important to have a network around you to help, but who also don't have an agenda to do it."


I USED TO ONLY WEAR MONOCHROME.

My style has changed so much over the years I used to live in black but find that I am now drawn to colour and have just bought this blue silk dress for which I am dying to wear this Summer.

 

"I now save my favourite clothes, so my daughter can wear them one day."

 

I'M A TACTICAL HOARDER.

My mother was a model in the sixties and didn't keep a thing! I could curse her - the shoes, the flares, the dresses - nothing! So I now save my favourite pieces after I no longer want to wear them and keep them in a suitcase in the attic so my daughter can wear them one day. So although my husband would call me a hoarder it is all for a good cause!

 

IN BED, I WEAR.

Silk...or nothing!











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