The rise of actress and producer Gala Gordon has been one of hard graft. After graduating from London’s prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she made her professional stage debut at the Young Vic, taking the lead role in Benedict Andrews’ production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters.
On screen, she’s appeared in The Crown and neo-noir espionage thriller All the Old Knives, and teamed up with Matt Smith in a Jean Luc-Godard-inspired music video for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Gala is now mainly focussing her time on producing, building her slate across television and film. And so, with the Portobello Hotel as our stage, we put our script to the Notting Hill local…
Quote to live by
When worrying about putting yourself out there to collaborate with someone, ask yourself: ‘What’s the worst someone can say?’ If the worst is ‘no’, there is no excuse not to ask.
Favourite museum/gallery
One of my fondest memories with my cousin Jesse was losing ourselves in the Frick in New York. He loved everything about it, and for that reason I did, too. And still do.
Book that shaped you
My great grandfather’s poetry anthology Other Men’s Flowers. It has all the great poets in it: Christina Rossetti, Arthur O’Shaughnessy, Walter De La Mere… I take it everywhere I go, even when I travel – it lives by the side of my bed.
Favourite artist
There are so many but I do have a particular fascination with Salvador Dali as I’m named after his wife, Gala.
Accent/language that turns you on
I’m a sucker for a few but Irish and French definitely make me go weak at the knees.
Favourite bar
Hard to choose… Temple Bar in New York, the Fumoir at Claridge’s in London, Sugaar in Paris.
Favourite cocktail
Margarita on the rocks no salt, or a vodka martini up with a twist. They make the best ones at Holiday Bar in New York.
Comfort food
Pasta. Always. I would have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I could.
Most memorable meal
I’ll always cherish memories of long lunches in the sun at the River Café with my girlfriends.
Best vintage/antique find
I collect first-edition books and plays. Someone bought me the most beautiful edition of Chekov’s Three Sisters that I’ll love forever.
Architecture that awes you
Zaha Hadid’s designs always stop me in my tracks.
Interiors you envy
Rose Uniacke is so incredibly talented and creates the most beautiful of rooms.
Go-to spa treatment
The list is long! A facial with Natasha Clancy at Kichi Studio. A session with Brett Gibbens to reset my body at BG Sports Chiro. All things to do with hair at Hershesons (Alexe for colour, always, and Jordan Garrett for a cut). Pilates and personal training at the Workshop Gymnasium – Lee Mullins and his team keep me sane. Cryo and sauna at Repose. EMS at E-Pulsive. Rolling at Re Place.
How do you unwind?
Playing tennis; it stops time for me. I love everything about it: the routine, the outfits, the tips and tricks and the wonderful people you meet. I’m a new padel addict too.
Your must-pack outfit
Sunglasses from Gentle Monster. Jewellery from Completed Works. Pyjamas from Asceno. Travelling outfit from Alex Eagle Studio. Slips from Olivia Von Halle. Sports kit from PE Nation and Alex Eagle Sporting Club.
Most stylish place
Paris. The women are the best dressed (you never see a French girl in workout gear). Everything about it is the best of the best – the chocolate mousse at Chez Janou (I talk about it all the time), the art, the croissants, the late-night dancing… It’s always a good idea to go to Paris.
City you’d move to
New York, in a heartbeat. I’m planning a trip now – playing tennis at Grand Central Station has always been a dream of mine.
Strangest hotel experience
I luckily haven’t had a Fawlty Towers moment…
Best place you’ve ever swum
Snorkelling in the Maldives was a pinch-me moment I had with my girlfriend this year.
Best beach you’ve ever found
Hermosa beach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. It’s where I learnt to surf and is somewhere I dream of being when I fall asleep. The waves are consistently good and the sun always hot.
Guilty pleasure
Chocolate. I like the British brands, nothing fancy: Dairy Milk, Twirl, Giant Buttons…
Pool or ocean
Ocean. On my surfboard.
Gala was photographed at the Portobello Hotel by Moeez Ali. Make up by Irina Cajvaneanu, hair by Maisie Tomkins.