Nadine Kanso wears kaftan by MIRA MIKATI | Photographed at Opa Dubai by Borna Ahadi
The Dubai-based, Lebanese jewellery designer behind Bil Arabi, Nadine Kanso, has been visiting the Greek island of Mykonos for 12 years, here’s her definitive guide to what to wear, what to eat and where to be seen.
How did your love affair with Mykonos start? We decided to go one summer and we loved it. We kept on going because it’s a place with a really, really specific energy. You drink, you have fun at night and wake up the next morning with no headaches, nothing. Your energy is back as if nothing happened – which is a good thing! The weather is nice, it’s beautiful, and the water is fresh.
What does an average day in Mykonos look like for you? Over the years, our interests have changed so now we go for extended dinners and less partying. We are on the beach between 11am-12pm, followed by lunch around 3pm-4pm, depending on what we are doing at night. If we are going for a big dinner then we have shorter lunches. Early evening we go to the house or hotel, shower, have a chilled drink on the terrace and then at 10:30pm go out again for the evening. In Mykonos you don’t feel tired, it is magic!
Where do you stay? If in a hotel, Cavo Tagoo, The Wild Hotel or Bill & Coo.
Cavo Tagoo, Mykonos
Where do you eat? For lunch, we go to Scalia for amazing grilled octopus, fish and sea urchin. Nammos for first timers is always recommended, also for dinner since it’s not crazy and you eat well. The Belvedere hotel as well for Matsuhisa by Nobu.
Which restaurant must we try? Sea Satin is a fun place to go. It is very traditional: you smash plates, you eat well. After dinner the whole restaurant becomes a party with everyone dancing at the tables. It’s not fancy or pretentious and you don’t have to go dressed up. That’s what is beautiful about Mykonos – whatever you put on, as long as you are tanned, you are going to look great. Also, JackieO’ is great. You have the beach, the restaurant and the pool – the party pool – it’s great.
The best place for a sunset drink? Anywhere with a nice view of the sea, of course. There is a beautiful place called 180 sunset bar, it is quite high up in Mykonos castle – you can see a bit of the bay and down to where the boats are.
Head for lunch or dinner at Nammos beach, Mykonos
Describe your holiday style. I wear a lot of kaftans. I wear a lot of bermudas with long shirts. I buy a lot of GAP white linen shirts in the summer because they are easy to wash. Usually, I buy from local designers when they do pop ups. I like to support them. Last summer I wore kaftans by Madi, a designer from Saudi Arabia.
What’s the one fashion item you can’t live without in Mykonos? A nice kaftan that can be worn anywhere, because often we will decide to go out to eat somewhere while we are still at the beach. So, a kaftan that can carry you day to night and a pair of sandals. I always have gold sandals. You never wear heels in Mykonos, always flats.
Which flat shoes do you pack? My favourite are a black pair by Bottega Veneta, they’re super comfortable. I also have Prada and Miu Miu flats in gold and silver with studs on them, which I always pack. Otherwise, you can find me in a pair of Havaianas all day long.
SHOP NADINE’S SUITCASE:
- Interview by Dina Kabbani
