My fabulous Friday: Suzanne Kalan

EAT, REPEAT

Meals with my family are my favourite. I love to cook and entertain – lentil soup is my signature dish. I love good food, so I enjoy eating out. La Petite Maison in Dubai has the best sea bass dish! I go there every time I’m in Dubai. I also love Officine Brera’s short ribs in Downtown Los Angeles. Vezzo in New York has the best pizza – I like mine with green peppers and spicy pickled jalapeños.

TIME OFF TIMETABLE

Work never stops on the weekend for me as I connect with international clients and retailers then due to the time difference. I skip breakfast during the week but over the weekend I relish eggs, labneh, cheese and a cup of strong Americano. Then I do chores around my house in LA and run errands.

READ ON TO KEEP CALM

I try to read every morning before I head to work and before I go to sleep, even if I’m exhausted. It always helps me calm down. My all-time favourite book is The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck.

GLAM QUOTIENT

I cannot live without my Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin cologne, Petrol Blue Mac eyeliner and Bottega Veneta lotion. They’re my weekend must-haves.

SHOE SHINE

Shopping for shoes is a passion! I always make time for it on weekends. No matter the colour or style, I can’t help myself when I find a beautiful pair of shoes. I just bought a pair of Chanel silver flats and a pair of classic Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Pumps.

MANICURE FOR ALL WOES

My daughter, Patile (28) is also involved in our business – and I love spending time together getting our nails done every Friday afternoon. After a long week at work, we look forward to catching up and relaxing together.

STYLE GUIDE

I love a great pared-down look. If you met me over the weekend, you’d find me in a great pair of jeans with a nice top, heels and lots of jewellery. It’s the Los Angeles style. I love Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Brunello Cucinelli and Vince. I am also a great fan of up-and-coming designer, Louiza Babouryan. Her line is beautiful, feminine and easy-to-wear.

SONG AND DANCE

I love every genre of music there is – French, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Classic Rock. Pink Martini and Eric Clapton always get me in the weekend mood, but its Dance Me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen that’s the most played song on my iPod. There isn’t a more beautiful song.

IT’S ALL IN THE BLING

My love for jewellery started young. In Middle Eastern culture (I’m Armenian), you’re gifted jewellery the day you’re born – I was given this beautiful yellow gold bracelet with pearls and dangling gold hearts that I still have. I remember my mum taking it away when I’d chew on it. I wear emeralds and aqua gemstones in the week; diamonds add glitter to my weekend.