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Watercolours for sale on Charles Bridge in Prague, Katerina Romito’s hometown and second favourite holiday destination. Photo: Tim Pile

Katerina Romito, Hong Kong restaurateur, on shirt dresses, Bali, books and the other things she can’t live without

Romito, who owns Belgian restaurant Frites with her husband, tells us about her passion for ’70s fashion

Prague-born Katerina Romito and her husband own Belgian beerhouse Frites in Hong Kong. And while food and wine are her passion, she also loves 1970s fashion:

I love shirt dresses, caftans and Studio 54-era looks, and no other designer represents it more then Roy Halston Frowick – Halston Limited (now Halston Heritage). To me his clothes epitomise ’70s glamour and are still so awesome today. I’m wearing a shirt dress from my own fashion brand, Katushka.

Romito at Frites in Wellington Street, Central. Photo: Sam Tsang
For a glass of champagne, Cafe Gray Deluxe in The Upper House, Admiralty, is the best for its combination of comfort, views and glamour.

My favourite holiday destination is difficult – I have to name two. The first is Bali. My husband took me there for the first time 20 years ago and we return (now with our children) each year. Tropical, spiritual, fab weather and fantastic restaurants, what more can one wish for on holidays? And my hometown Prague – it is the most beautiful city in the world.

Romito’s favourite earrings. Photo: Sam Tsang
Gold vintage earrings from Paris in the ’70s are my favourite pieces of jewellery. My mum gave them to me and I never get tired of them – they seem to go with everything. Also my grandma’s gold Austro-Hungarian Empire coin ring. I cherish it so much.
A reproduction of Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Velvet Dress. Photo: AFP
My favourite artist is Frida Kahlo. I like how her paintings are so full of vibrant colours and how she translated her own reality in her art. I feel as if I have known her.
Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume.
As for perfume, Tom Ford’s Black Orchid has to be it. It is just such a sensuous and mystical scent, I always wear it when I go out in the evening.
Jo Nesbo’s Midnight Sun.

And I can’t exist without Mac’s Lipglass in Lychee Luxe. I have been buying it for the past 12 years. I hope they don’t discontinue this colour – I don’t know what I would wear instead.

I don’t really have one favourite author, but I’m a big fan of suspense and I have read almost every Jo Nesbo book. His Harry Hole series is so exciting and dark, you can’t put the books down.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: CAN’T LIVE WITHOUTKaterina Romito
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