1. Introduce yourself: your name and where you’re from.
Anita Patrickson. I grew up in Africa, went to University in England, and now live in Los Angeles.
2. Where do you live in Los Angeles?
I live in Laurel Canyon.
3. Tell us about Amanu.
Amanu was born out of my love for fashion and sustainability, knowing there was a way to marry the two without compromising. Fashion is the second dirtiest industry after oil and the waste is in excess. It’s actually sickening. Amanu has no finished inventory and our styles are made to order, therefore we have no waste. Everything is ethically and sustainably sourced, all our vachettas are vegetable dyed. I wanted to create something that would deliver to people exactly what they wanted and what they needed, not having to compromise on anything. That’s why it's so important to me that you can customize your style to create the color ways in the design that you want and that fit your feet perfectly. If you are unable to come into the studio, our custom platform takes care of that and our ‘first fits on us’ initiative allows you to get the perfect fit without leaving your home, and we cover all the shipping all in a matter of days. You just mark on the fit card the straps that need adjusting and send it back. We will tweak it in minutes and get them back on your feet in no time.
4. How did you start out as a celebrity stylist?
I started at Conde Nast as an editor and then moved into styling. Living in LA, the move naturally progressed into the red-carpet world, given the nature of the town. I feel so blessed to have been given these opportunities. I really had no desire to work in fashion, so I am so glad the world steered me in the direction that it did.
5. Are you missing the red carpet?
Of course. I miss seeing my clients and making them feel amazing, but I am also so grateful to have had this time to pour into Amanu.
6. How do you stay fit?
I have been doing fun workouts from home. I love to mix it up and have been subscribing to Tone it Up. It has these fun programs that you can easily fit into your life. Whether it’s getting bikini ready, workouts for when you are traveling, or just for when you want to focus on a certain area of your body. They are also quite quick which I find less daunting and gives me less excuses to skip the workout.
7. Do you follow any diet?
I really try to be healthy. I don’t eat red meat, I don’t eat dairy, I thought giving up cheese would be absolutely horrific but I’ve actually been fine, and the difference I see in my skin has been enormous. I also cheat when I really have a craving. But I do generally just eat a lot of fruits and veggies and feel so much better for it. I eat fish and brown rice and lentils. I go by the rules that if it doesn’t come with a label and I know what the ingredient is, it's going to be good for me. I try and do a smoothie for breakfast with lots of fruits and veggies and then I keep tons of healthy things in the fridge. I’m one of those people that if it’s in the house I’ll eat it, so I try to do healthy shops so that I don’t have too many options to go rogue on!
8. Do you think you will ever go back to your roots?
I spend about two months a year in Africa but I would love to get that to three. I think it’s easy to fantasize about living somewhere like that but it would be a very specific kind of life. For now, with the luxury of air travel, I can be home on my parents' farm on the other side of the world in 26 hours which is pretty cool. Maybe one day I’d like to live there full time, but not right now.
9. Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I speak Afrikaans fluently!
10. What’s next for you and Amanu?
We have just built the online platform which I shared earlier and this has been a total game changer for us. We created an anklet with Mounser, our first foray into jewelry. We are coming out with an Amanu Home line of plates, platters, bowls and mugs in all sorts of fabulous colors in the fall, just in time for Thanksgiving and cozy Holiday dinner parties. I am so excited!