Anne T. Rogers, founder of Culture A and art curator for Inhabit Hotels
This week we were thrilled to catch up with Anne Trouillet Rogers, an innovative design leader and artistic director who’s worked with high-end jewellery brands, and retailers to luxury hotels. We got the chance to dive into Roger’s travel psyche and found out what her suitcase stalwart is (among other things)…
Before founding art consultancy Culture A ( www.culture-a.com), in 2017, Anne T. Rogers spent a decade building her career in New York, working for Peter Marino Architects and then at Tiffany & Co, where she built and led a new Decorative Arts department, sourcing and commissioning artists and artwork for the jewellery brand and its global stores.
She then took a director role at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she co-curated a multi-million dollar art collection for the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Today she works with interior designers, hoteliers, retail designers, and property developers to create unforgettable experiences through art.
Having lived in France, the UK, the US, and the Netherlands, Rogers has travelled extensively across the globe, always on the lookout for new art and design sources for her hotel clients. She is currently working on the soon to open Inhabit Queen’s Gardens ( www.inhabithotels.com ) – a sustainable and wellness-focused hotel coming to London.
For this week’s Suitcase Series, we caught up with Anne T Rogers to dive into her travel psyche…
What’s been your most memorable trip and why?
After finishing an art installation in Hong Kong, I decided – rather spontaneously – to go to Cambodia for a few days in 2012. I was travelling alone and in the mood for adventure, so I landed in Phnom Penh with a very loose itinerary.
Food, art, and temples: these were the priorities. Yes, I ended up on a bus that broke down between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. And yes, I almost got heat stroke while wandering around Angkor Wat at the hottest part of the day. But I honestly loved every experience, discovering a beautiful culture by being in the moment. My favourite memories include visiting street markets to buy sugar cane juice, bai sach chrouk (pork and rice), and even fried ants.
I also visited the studio of an incredible social enterprise called Artisans d’Angkor, which teaches youths in rural communities the traditional arts and crafts techniques of Khmer culture. I bought beautiful silk textiles and was fortunate enough to meet some of the artisans.
What’s your favourite ever hotel?
For work, Inhabit Southwick Street in London is incredibly cosy and restful, a home from home. I always enjoy staying there because the staff are so kind and I love all of the healthy food options at the Yeotown Kitchen. My favourite ever leisure hotel experience was in Peru at the Inkaterra hotel near Machu Picchu in the region of Urubamba.
You stay in stylish casitas placed throughout 12 acres of surrounding forest, waterfalls, and orchid gardens. It’s an excellent base to explore the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, and the overall setting is so unique and peaceful. I’m not a spiritual person per se, but there’s something mystical about the nature of Peru, and Inkaterra really captures this in their hotel experience.
Where or what is your escape?
Walking is the easiest way for me to escape and re-set. My mind wanders, my body relaxes, and I use the time to gather inspiration through observation.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow it would be…
Comobå cafe in Lisbon: matcha latte makers of my dreams.
What’s your idea of a luxury wellness holiday?
Curated menus of deceptively healthy but delicious meals; cosy and unfussy interior design with gorgeous artwork; a location that’s close
to water or forests with beautiful nature walks, personalised cabanas or suites, and plenty of self-care treats like massages, luxury skincare and haircare products, and a Bearaby weighted blanket.
My top bucket-list destination is…
South Africa, specifically Cape Town in all its contemporary art glory.
If you could sit next to anyone – dead or alive – on a long-haul flight, who would it be?
Eva Peron: I have always been fascinated with her story, its controversy, and how she evolved into such a larger-than-life character during her short lifetime.
What is your jet-lag recovery tip?
Hydrate constantly during the flight, get some fresh air on arrival and take a light dose of melatonin on the first night.
What is your suitcase stalwart?
A Mulberry travel bag that has been everywhere: from the back of a motorbike in Cambodia to a five-star hotel in Dubai to countless art installations on dusty construction sites. It has survived every kind of environment and still looks great.
What is your number one packing tip?
Always pack an extra tote bag. It won’t take up too much room in your luggage and it can carry anything you buy during a trip (the classic Longchamps Le Pliage bags work well and always look stylish).
I never travel without…
safety pins!
In my beauty/toiletry bag I always bring…
Beauty Kitchen’s Bright Night Intensive Cream, argan hair oil, and Pixi’s glow serum.
