To simply say that India Hicks possesses a remarkable number of talents and titles would be to state the obvious—television host, mother, model, hotel owner, entrepreneur and author are only but a few. In the past year she has hosted the second season of Bravo's Top Design and launched her second fragrance for Crabtree & Evelyn. But perhaps what impresses me the most is her ability to make it all look effortless.
I am most grateful to Nathan Turner for introducing me to his friend India. I have long been fascinated by India’s innate style and zeal for life. It’s difficult not to be mad about anyone who includes scuba diving, bungee jumping, parachuting, snow skiing, water skiing, running and wake boarding amongst her hobbies.
Born in London, to famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks, India was named in honour of her grandfather, Lord Mountbatten. Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy to India, serving until the country received independence in 1947. Though raised by impressive parents, India has created an amazing portfolio all of her own.
Following school, India backpacked around the world for a year before moving to Boston to take a degree in photography and graduating with honors. She soon caught the eye of Ralph Lauren following a feature in W Magazine, thus giving life to a new career on the other side of the camera.
For the style arbiter and island dweller, the Bahamas has long played a significant role. As a child her father designed a home on the island for family holidays. Now the Bahamas is home for India and her partner David Flint Wood, along with their four children Felix, Amory, Conrad, and Domino.
The family live in a plantation-style oceanfront house called Hibiscus Hill complete with two guesthouses. Inspired by her life and love for the Caribbean, India has created a line of fragrances for Crabtree & Evelyn. Of her most recent fragrance, Island Night, she says, “It captures the essence of twilight in the islands, a mood of barefoot elegance on an evening lit only by the stars and moon.” It sounds just about perfect to these ears.
What inspires your creativity and designs?
Whether you are creating a home, beauty collection or decorating a house you have to find a story. My story comes from my environment and nature. They are always conjuring up moods. And hopefully, incorporating pragmatic design with smart useful solutions to every day concerns, like sandy dogs and hooligan children.
Which talent would you most like to possess?
Susan Boyle’s!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
No longer being the daughter of, the grand daughter of, or the god daughter to...finally being recognized for me: a mother, a model, and designer living a life less ordinary
What is your most prized possession?
My home, Hibiscus Hill, a house filed with love and memories
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Lee Miller: muse, model, photographer, and journalist—enigmatic pioneer, talented, fashionable and strong.
What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?There are four, my children.
Who are your style icons?
My grandmother, Edwina Mountbatten, another fiercely individual women with a huge sense of style, and a charitable heart, and Keith Richards who really doesn’t give a shit!
Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Christian Louboutin. He would push me to my limit and it would be enormous fun, if he ever bothered to turn up on time.
What books are currently on your bedside table?
Zoe Heller’s first novel Everything You Know. I keep meaning to get started. I worship Zoe and she is a dear friend.
What is your favorite luxury in life?
When the clocks change and you find you have another hour in bed.
Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
David, my partner and father of the hooligans, who always allows my motor to be revving. He has opened up my world.
Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?
Gandhi, but not of course when he was standing on his head during a day of silence.
Profile by Ronda Carman
