Describe who you are in 3 sentences:My name is Charlotte Coquelin, I was born and brought up between Normandy and Paris. I have been modeling with IMG models for almost 7 years. I have studied journalism and write for the magazine 5eleven. I am always in a plane, I love poetry, vegan chai lattes and vampires.
What is your relation to this city?
I felt in love with Sydney when I was 18, it’s the first city I moved to after I finished High school. This is where I have learned English. This is my second home.
Best experience?
I shot a campaign here for Minkpink in the middle of the Australian desert, I was riding a camel for the pictures. I remember waking up to kangaroos everywhere. I will never forget this photo shoot.
Weirdest experience?
Your top 3 hangout spots?
"Bondi beach" is just the place to hang, you will always rent into people you know, the vibe is very relaxed. There are lots of cafes and restau with delicious healthy food. Double bay is where I live and I do like the atmosphere here. People are very well dressed, it’s a bit posh. It’s like the Saint-Germain des Prés of Sydney. Potts point is where I used to live when I first move to Sydney and I still love to be there too. A bit more city like than the Bondi and Double bay. I love to go for drinks there.
Favourite restaurants?
- "Chula" is one of my favorite for Mexican food there are a lot of vegan options and the whole menu is gluten free.
- "Bedouin" is the best for me as most of the menu is vegan, it’s traditional Lebanese food with some modern touches.
- "Fei Jai" is one of my favorite for Chinese food, I like the second side of the restaurant, next to the dumpling bar.
Best date place?
"The Norfolk" (for a Bloody Mary!) I like to go on a date in Surry Hills as I am less likely to rent into people I know and it feels like I am in NYC.
Best Sunday spot?
My boyfriend has this day time bar club in the middle of the sea called "The Island". It’s quite an amazing spot. I am there pretty much every weekend when I am in Sydney.
If you were to live in another place, where would that be and why?
I would love to have two bases. One in Europe and one in Sydney. Just so I can chase summer. I would like to live half the year in Sydney (October until March) and the other half in Europe. I think Madrid would be my favorite city to base myself in Europe. I have actually been looking at apartments there.
Where is your escape place from this city?
Palm beach!
Best 5 local advices?
1. If you come to Sydney for the first time come during Australian summer.
2. It’s a very big city so a car is necessary.
3. Australian are party animals but there are lockouts at clubs here so make sure you are not going too late. You can’t enter most clubs passed 2 AM here.
4. People are usually afraid of Australia because of its animals and insects but Sydney is a city so you won’t experience crazy wildlife here.
5. Life is actually quite expensive here.
What’s your favorite This Way travel product?
The silk robe (the men’s one!)