Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
February 8, 2023
For “My Unorthodox Life” star Robert Brotherton – whose fashion stints included working with La Perla, Zac Posen and Escada, as well as the modeling agency Elite World Group – traveling is a way of life. “I usually book a hotel that I have seen on Instagram or have heard about from friends,” Brotherton said. “After that is booked, I start with lunch and dinner reservations. I think showing up to a city without looking into the food scene is a huge mistake. Then I look into activities, day-drinking hot spots and spas. I like a loose but structured itinerary that gives me a balance between relaxation and fun dress-up moments.” The star of the Netflix series calls New York home, but also spends time in Texas, where he grew up.
Q: This pandemic has made everyone think differently about how we spend our free time. What have you been up to?
A: I have recently started to play a lot of pickleball in my free time. It is such a fun and dynamic game to play with friends. It’s a growing sport and the community is super welcoming. As always, I am spending as much time as possible with friends and family, taking short road trips across Texas for Astros games, concerts and, of course, shopping!
Q: Where have you visited for work that you went back to later for a vacation?
A: During my time at La Perla, I lived in Bologna, Italy, working as the global head of marketing. I was able to see a lot of the country, but I love going back to Milan and Lake Como whenever I have a chance. The food and scenery are stunning and Milan is a funky creative dream for all things design, interiors and fashion.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I am obsessed with Greece. The food, the vibe, the people – it is a beautiful place to visit and I always come home feeling refreshed, even after a debaucherous August jaunt to Mykonos! I would recommend Santorini for first timers, but there are so many islands to see you really can’t go wrong. Even the beach suburbs of Athens can be a fabulous retreat with all the sights, scenes and historical adventures of the ancient city a few miles away.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it … or not so much?
A: We did not travel a ton. We typically spent holidays locally with family. Other than my first visit to New York City, the farthest we would travel would be a five-hour drive to Schlitterbahn, [which is] an epic waterpark that my brother Ross and I loved. When I was 12, I won a singing contest that took me to NYC to perform at the Boys & Girls Club National Conference. I fell in love with the city. After I crooned “My Heart Will Go On” at the convention center, we explored the city, saw Reba McEntire star in “Annie Get Your Gun” on Broadway, then took a carriage in Central Park. … I immediately knew that I would somehow end up back in that magical place.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: To appreciate how small I am, how small my problems actually are, how lucky I am [and] how much I love Indian food.
Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?
A: Fine dining all day. I love an experience – anything with a ceremony or with atmosphere or with drama. I also love a reason to dress up. Everything has become so casual, I relish an opportunity to fuss over an outfit.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: I think Christmas in Mexico is the best – Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. Or a luxe Caribbean cruise. I love a white Christmas, but sometimes white sands are just as nice.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: Languages have always been difficult for me. Even after living in Italy, my Italian is pretty lame. But I enjoy trying. I am 100 percent the annoying friend who overuses the accent.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: In the United States, New York City, Los Angeles, Taos [New Mexico], Swan Valley [Montana], Las Vegas. Abroad, London, Paris, Seoul, Mykonos, Shanghai.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: I am desperate to see Patagonia, Iceland, South Africa, Egypt and Portugal.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: As you’d expect, I over pack clothing and shoes. Something special for travel [is that] I like to pack evening and bedtime looks. I never dress up for bedtime at home and sometimes I just want to be Blanche Devereaux [from “The Golden Girls”] in a flowy silk number and head down to the lobby bar for a nightcap.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: A glamping excursion in Iceland this spring. Something secluded, enveloped by nature, but with room service.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Well I am firmly committed to my health, so naturally my guilty pleasure is a green juice and sample platter of 7-Eleven oven-fresh taquitos. And maybe a cinnamon roll from Whataburger, if I need a little extra pep in my step.
© 2023 JAE-HA KIM
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