This month, Publicist to the stars Anyiko Owoko jets off to the Czech Republic and the Netherlands where she samples the original Hollandaise Sauce and the world’s best Pilsner Beer. She touts KikoRomeo’s latest collection and spills on what she’s currently listening to.
WHEN IN AMSTERDAM: GO-TO SPOT
Photo: http://www.brunchesandcoffees.com
If you ever find yourself in Amsterdam, you must visit New Werk Theatre. At the front door, there is a disclaimer that “This is not a theatre”. Interestingly, it’s a former theatre space now turned restaurant and daylight studio. They serve everything homemade and organic. We went there for breakfast and where better to have Eggs Benedict served in Hollandaise sauce than in Holland? New Werk Theatre also has got a brilliant foyer, with high windows and an attic, overlooking the canals of Amsterdam. If you’re lucky the chef can cook you special meals on order because they never have the same menu.
WHAT I AM LISTENING TO
I’ve been waiting on Blinky Bill’s official debut album “Everyone Is Just Winging It And Other Fly Tales” and it sounds greater than I had anticipated. Now I totally understand why his 2016 Project: “We Cut Keys While You Wait” was an EP, while many of us pretended it was an album. With the new Fly album, Blinky’s Tales finally comes into one in the sense that the album showcases all his three sides of artistry: from his deep voice, production skills to his flair for eclectic sounds. Look out for my album favourites: ‘Atenshan’, ‘Oh Wah’ featuring Petit Noir and Nneka, and ‘Mungu Halali’ (God’s not sleeping on us) featuring Sage, Sarah Mitaru, Wambura Mitaru and Lisa Oduor Noah is my favourite track of the album. From the latter’s message to the genius that I can only equate to Kanye West’s ‘All of the Lights’, it still baffles me how one can have all those stars on one track and not even sound crowded.
DRINK OF CHOICE
I have been drinking Pilsner for a long time. Well, tasting it off my mum’s bottle because she has been drinking Pilsner for as long as I can remember. This was all long before I knew that Pilsner Beers across the globe are named after Pilsen City in the Czech Republic, where the original first Pilsner Beer was brewed over 170 years ago. So when I found myself in the Czech Republic, I had to visit the Pilsner Urquell Brewery to discover the process of making it. Since my return, I am slowly starting to acclimate myself to different types of beers. I am currently enjoying “Bilashaka” and it’s my go-to drink after work.
FAVOURITE FASHION ITEM
Kenya’s hottest heritage brand KikoRomeo recently showcased at Lagos Fashion Week 2018, for their first time. I loved their 2019 collection consisting of 28 looks, 5 for women and 23 for men. The colours and contrasting textures drew inspiration from the places where the ocean meets sand all around the African continent. They were filled with golden browns to slate greys, accented with dusty beiges and sunshine yellows, with shades of marine blue. My next purchase has to be their signature tie-dyed, batiked and drip painted overalls aka jumpers, that I’ve seen African stars like Blinky Bill and Mr Eazi rocking.
