The organic skincare entrepreneur, eco campaigner and original rock chick Jo Wood opens her little black book for the capital.
Home is…
I live on a lovely road in Camden, near the park and the shops – it’s very handy. Occasionally if friends come and stay, I’ll take them to Camden Market but it’s such a touristy thing these days. Before Camden, I lived in Kingston, Richmond and Wimbledon. I’m a London girl.
Favourite hotel…
It has to be The Savoy. It has great history, and a spectacular view overlooking the Thames. The first Christmas after my daughter Leah was born we were living in America, so we stayed at The Savoy and had all the family over for Christmas dinner there, which is a nice memory.
The Savoy Hotel, Strand, WC2
thesavoylondon.com
Favourite restaurants…
I’ve been going to River Café in Hammersmith for years. They grow their own herbs and vegetables. My favourite is the pasta with truffles, when they’re in season. The Duke of Cambridge in Islington is a certified organic pub and restaurant. It’s a great spot for a Sunday roast. I am a flexitarian – I won’t eat red meat, but I’ll eat fish once or twice a week and occasionally chicken if it’s organic.
\Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, Hammersmith, W6
rivercafe.co.uk
30 St Peter’s Street, Islington, N1
dukeorganic.co.uk
Best night out…
There’s a little cosy bar in Soho called Bar Termini where they do excellent cocktails. The House of St Barnabas on Greek Street is a great private members’ club, with membership fees helping towards people affected by homelessness. It’s in a Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse and each room is different. I love it, there’s great music and dancing.
7 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1
bar-termini-soho.com
1 Greek Street, Soho, W1
hosb.org.uk
Favourite independent shop…
The shop I’ve been going to for most of my life is Matches, which showcases established and emerging fashion designers. I started going when they first opened in Wimbledon in 1987. Now I go to the one in Marylebone Village if I want to get myself something nice to wear.
87 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone, W1
matchesfashion.com
Favourite sustainable fashion brand…
I like to buy clothing from Bamford – which sources ethically and responsibly, and you can track the history of your clothes. They have a really beautiful online shop. I’ve just bought some cashmere dungarees for myself and Leah.
62 South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1
bamford.com
Favourite designers…
I love Vivienne Westwood. She’s recently done a collaboration with Burberry in support of Cool Earth, a charity working to halt rainforest destruction, which I am ambassador of. I should wear more of Vivienne’s stuff really. She’s so quirky and I adore her as a person.
44 Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1
viviennewestwood.com
Vintage finds…
Being an eco girl, I love vintage. I have a really good friend called Mairead Lewin and she is a vintage dealer. She’ll call me up and say, “Jo, I’ve found the most amazing Biba dress” and I’ll say, “Hold it for me, even if it doesn’t fit”. Barbara Hulanicki is a hero. I first went to the Biba store when I was 16 and I was in heaven.
Favourite gallery…
The Maddox Gallery. I recently went there with my son Tyrone as he’s into art. They have some great artists, and the creative director is Jay Rutland. Jay is also an ambassador for Project 0, my son’s charity, which is helping make people aware of the destruction of the ocean.
9 Maddox Street, Mayfair, W1
maddoxgallery.com
Signature scent…
Well, aside from my two Jo Wood Organics fragrances Amka and Usiku, which are exotic, my favourite has to be Santal 33 by Le Labo – I love it for its floral, sensual notes.
Favourite artist…
A guy called Russell Young – he’s a British-American pop artist who does large-scale silk-screen paintings of cultural icons. I’ve got a massive one of Marilyn Monroe, which is dusted with glitter. It’s in my living room and I absolutely love it.
Beauty buys…
I buy most of my makeup from Jane Iredale – it’s all clean, natural and vegan, and the products smell really good. I love the Liquid Minerals A Foundation, as it’s so light. And her mineral-based Eye Pencil is fab. I also use Charlotte Tilbury – The Classic eyeliner and her nude lipsticks. The Organic Pharmacy is great, too, for its natural, organic skincare products.
11-12 James Street, Covent Garden, WC2
charlottetilbury.com
23 Great Marlborough Street, W1
theorganicpharmacy.com
Top treatment…
The best masseuse in the world is Katie Scott. She is based in north London and specialises in sports massage, though her treatments are for non-sporty people too. I’d say she has magic hands.
The White Crane Clinic, 13 St George’s Mews, Primrose Hill, NW1
katiescottsportsmassage.com
Favourite hairdresser…
I have been going to Lesley at the Lesley McIntyre Salon in Covent Garden for years, and I get my colour done by Mikko Jarvelainen there. They are all friends of mine now, plus they take good care of my hair.
14 West Central Street, Holborn, WC1
lesleymcintyresalon.com
Favourite gym…
I go to BXR London, a boxing gym in Marylebone. I’m quite good at boxing and I love it as well. It makes me concentrate, releases stress and it’s a fantastic workout.
\24 Paddington Street, Marylebone, W1
bxrlondon.com
Favourite florist…
They’re called JamJar Flowers and are based in Southwark. They do the most wonderful, natural- looking displays of seasonal flowers in jam jars, vintage bottles, and enamel buckets.
7a Peacock Yard, Kennington, SE17
jamjarflowers.co.uk
I’m looking forward to…
The Mary Quant retrospective, currently on at the V&A. I used to wear Mary Quant. I had the best green suede, square block heel shoes when I was 13, which my mum bought me. In fact, I’ve still got a Mary Quant shirt.
Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, SW7, vam.ac.uk
The Jo Wood Organics range is available to buy at jowoodorganics.com.
