Actress, activist, author – OBE awardee Gillian Anderson is a jack of all trades, and the master of luxury travel. We speak to the bidialectal Brit, who has just added fashion designer to her long list of talents, about her new collection, bucket-list journeys and going behind the scenes for British Airways

My TV and film roles have taken me to some beautiful places…
… but Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur – where we filmed Viceroy’s House – was exquisite. It’s home to the extraordinary Toorji’s Step Well, which had been submerged for decades until its true beauty was unveiled, and the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, towering 400 feet above the Blue City. It’s fascinating and magical in equal measure, especially at night.

I found the most perfect spot on earth…
… and it was lying horizontal by the pool at Hotel Esencia (pictured below), in Tulum, Mexico. It’s small, unpretentious, has lovely staff, delicious food and is environmentally conscious. I appreciated how calm it all was, and how everywhere you looked was just so pretty.

At the top of my ‘some day’ list you’ll find…
… a magical journey on one of the world’s most luxurious trains, The Maharajas’ Express. I probably have a more romantic notion of what it’s like than it could ever live up to, but it’s still my dream trip through India.

I love being based in the city
I feel extremely grateful to call London home. Between May and September when the nights are warmer, head to one of the parks. Fortunately, unlike most densely urban cities, London has hundreds, and they’re all glorious.

Fashion is another way to express myself
Which is what excited me most about my first design collaboration with modern, classic brand Winser London. I imagine it’s a bit like being an architect – you visualise something, work with a team on every last detail, hand it over to be built, and then all of a sudden, there it is. It’s incredibly satisfying.

If I had to sum up my collection in three words…
… they would be luxurious, practical and timeless.

You won’t catch me on a plane without…
… a cosy extra layer, like a hoody, so that I’m not requesting any unethical heat adjustments. Once that’s on, my two other flying essentials include a good moisturiser and some of Le Labo’s bergamote (above) or rose scents, which, at 15ml, are perfect for travelling.

Being a part of the new BA safety video was hilariously fun
We laughed so much while doing it, but of course, flight safety is no laughing matter so the final cut is much more serious.

Besides world peace, my one wish would be…
… unlimited First or Club World BA tickets. As a Gold member, I always fly BA if I can – the service is some of the best out there and the app is easy to use. How do I spend my Avios? On more BA flights, of course!

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This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Travel Tips