From the Road: 5 objects, 5 stories

Memories and mementoes from a life of travel

From the Road is a brand-new video series where we ask some of the world’s most seasoned travellers, and close friends of Black Tomato, to share the tchotchkes, keepsakes and curios they’ve collected along the way.

These objects — and the stories behind them — are maps to our memories and keys to our adventures. During lockdown, we’ve all been surrounded by reminders of journeys past. And through these things, like a talisman, we can open our minds and travel again.

Follow the series on IGTV

 

Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure

We brought him a doll of Vincent van Gogh and, no joke, his ear comes off 

For the latest episode of From the Road, we spoke to Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, about the keepsakes and mementoes she’s collected during a life of travels. Including Grecian earrings, a history of Bermuda, and a miniature painting from Jaipur.

Christopher Raeburn, Founder of RAEBURN & Global Creative Director of Timberland

We take things that were designed for war or pure function, but we completely remake them’ 

We chatted with Christopher Raeburn for the latest episode of From the Road. A pilot’s silk map transformed into printed shirts. A Swedish dispatch rider’s jacket. Antique horse hoof nails transformed into a multifunctional knife. This is a life of travels told through the objects he’s collected (and created) along the way.

Annette Joseph, author, producer and photo-stylist

‘And these were in the rug store, and I asked if I could buy the shoes and the rug . . . I don’t even know if they were for sale’ 

A print from Lucca, ornamental shoes from Marrakech, and a decorative tile from Florence. Annette Joseph shares the colourful keepsakes she’s collected from her travels.

Amy Tara Koch, author, journalist and TV personality

It looks like a torture device from Game of Thrones.”

Amy walks us through her world via the objects she’s collected along the way. From Moroccan poufs and a traditional wooden Japanese sign to, well, that strange and unknown implement?

Paul Croughton, Editor-in-Chief of Robb Report

“It was one of those Keystone Cops things” 

Paul walks and talks us through the objects and keepsakes that illustrate his life in travel, including an intricately crafted elephant-within-an-elephant-within-an-elephant.

Melinda Stevens, Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast Traveler US and Condé Nast Traveller UK

It’s not about consuming, hoarding . . . it’s about keeping your eye out for things that will remind you of that place and that time.” 

Melinda takes us on a spirited tour through the curios and keepsakes she’s picked up from a life of travels – from a sculpture by Alexander Calder, collected in Paris, to a Mexican Day of the Dead necklace, in bright and candy colours.