We wanted our experts to be well-versed in travel to the Aeolian Islands but still have a fashion-person perspective. We tapped two women who each have a distinct POV on the region, but both share an emotional attachment to it that, you’ll come to learn, is impossible to avoid.
Up first is Bullen, who is a luxury travel advisor and former fashion executive for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Burberry. She puts it best, explaining that her job is to provide access to the best destinations and experiences around the world. Her area of expertise includes travel to Italy, of course, but also to France, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Bullen is extremely well-versed in what the luxury consumer expects thanks to her long career in luxury fashion houses, which, according to her, has made the transition to the travel industry quite seamless.
“Fashion people love to travel and always seem to be one step ahead when it comes to where to go next,” Bullen says of her insider intel on the hottest destinations. “Thanks to a tip from a colleague—the VP of merchandising at Louis Vuitton at the time—my husband and I honeymooned in Tulum 12 years ago when it was still off the grid and showers were filtered seawater.” We’re not sure about you, but we’re inclined to listen to her based on that anecdote alone.
Next, we tapped Baroncini, who you may know as the creative director of LPA. She’s the co-founder of Baroncini Import & Co. and host of the Everything Is the Best podcast. Baroncini has such a special relationship with Sicily, as it’s her husband’s home, and she’s spent the last eight years going there multiple times a year. “It’s an incredibly large part of our life,” she adds. Baroncini is also fresh off the heels of a very Instagrammable trip to the Aeolian Islands, where she celebrated her brand LPA with fellow It girls Elsa Hosk and Shay Mitchell.
