Top image: Edwina Hanneysee, Photography Cricket Saleh

SUITCASE SERIES: Edwina Hanneysee founder of PR & marketing agency DXD + jewelry brand CHIEF

This week we caught up with Edwina Hanneysee, the woman behind the Australian PR & Marketing Agency DXD and jewellry brand CHIEF, to find out what she never travels without, her packing tips, and what her most memorable trip has been so far…

Edwina Hanneysee is the founder of Australian-based, global PR and marketing agency DXD, which has been operating for 14 years out of Melbourne. After a lifelong accessories obsession and an urge for a personal creative outlet, Edwina recently launched the demi-fine jewellry brand CHIEF.

In this week’s Suitcase Series, equipped with CHIEF Signet Ring Round Turquoise, Green & Gold we take a sneak peek into Edwina Hanneysee‘s travel psyche…

What’s been your most memorable trip, and why?

Traveling with my parents through outback Australia and to Hong Kong/UK/Europe in the 90s was incredibly inspiring and is deeply ingrained in my memory. As a child, these experiences opened my eyes to the World and gave me a newfound confidence. My wanderlust is their fault!

What’s your favourite ever hotel?

Ooooh, that’s tricky! In my 4th decade, I now fully appreciate a luxury hotel experience. When I travel for solo work, I spend more time in my hotel than I did in my 20’s (work never sleeps), so the wifi, in-room desk, security, food, service, and interiors are a priority.

I love the rooftop and decor at the Downtown Proper in LA; the rooftop is a great place to have meetings. Any luxe hotel in Bangkok has incredible hospitality – Thai hospitality and kindness are hard to match in my opinion, especially when traveling with children. I have great memories of Hotel Fukudaya in Tokyo, a traditional ryokan family-style hotel that gave a fully immersive Japanese experience.

Edwina Hanneysee — Downtown Proper in LA is one of Edwina’s favourite hotels, especially the rooftop

Where or what is your escape?

A solo road trip with music blaring. Daydreaming. A thrilling TV series like Ozark or an entertaining reality show like Below Deck. I’ll escape any way I can.

If you could go anywhere tomorrow, it would be…

Tokyo or Bangkok.

What’s your idea of a luxury wellness holiday?

Setting an “Out of Office” message, travelling to a bustling international city, staying in a plush hotel, and having a trusted childminder on call.

My top bucket-list destination is…

I’m dying to do a yacht cruise in the Mediterranean and I’d love to get back to Africa.

If you could sit next to anyone – dead or alive – on a long-haul flight, who would it be?

This is an excellent question; so many people are on my ‘ultimate dinner party list.’ However, I’d love to rewind the clock and spend time with either of my parents pre-dementia.