Having lots of interests tends to result in clutter and chaos. But not if you're Oliver Hooson. The London-based creative wears many hats – literally and figuratively – from photographer and boutique running-store co-owner to coffee aficionado and men's fashion expert. The remarkable part is that it all feels entirely coherent and, if you have a scroll through his content, looks pretty good too.
For a man with so much to choose from, picking just a handful of essential items is no easy feat. Nevertheless, OPUMO caught up with the man himself to find out which five things he'd never be without.
Brompton G Line
This thing beats every bike I’ve owned. It’s small and fast and rides like a very fun mix of a commuter, mountain bike and BMX but can still properly shift when needed. The real win for me is peace of mind: a Lime bike isn’t always there when you leave the pub, café or meeting, and neither is a desirable bike if you leave it unattended for too long.
Artek Stool 60
It’s always there when I need an extra coffee table or another seat when friends come round, then stacks away out of sight. More importantly, it just gets better with age: the more marks and wear it picks up, the better it looks. I genuinely think I’ll have these stools forever.
OREA V4 coffee brewer
I’d like to say my La Marzocco espresso machine, which I’ve poured loads of time, money and love into, but honestly, I prefer super-clean black coffee and really enjoy the process of making it. OREA is also a brilliantly designed company: everything they make works well together, and the V4 comes everywhere with me, whether I’m travelling, camping or on a work trip.
Peggy
My little best mate, running partner and the reason I can happily stay at home all day or spend the entire weekend outdoors. She’s also a bit of a cheat code for getting up hills when she’s attached to me.
The North Face Base Camp Duffel
It has completely replaced wheeled luggage for me over the past few years and is somehow still in perfect condition. I went slightly overboard and bought the Cécilie Bahnsen version, which gets its fair share of compliments. It really might be the best bag ever.
