Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons: 'Moving to Paris at 17 was such a huge moment for me'

Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hair stylist based in New York and LA, shares some of his favourite travel memories

Andrew Fitzsimons: "I actually live in both New York and LA, and I love them for different reasons. But my favourite city to visit is obviously Dublin."

From growing up in Dublin to working with Hollywood’s biggest names, celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons has travelled the world and now, based between New York and LA, is always on the move. He opens up about moving to Paris at 17, unforgettable street food in Morocco, and why Ireland still feels like home.

Favourite childhood holiday memory

I used to go to Italy a lot as a child. We would stay in this beach town about an hour south of Rome and I just remember spending days on the beach, eating pizza. There was a stone oven pizzeria right on the beach and we’d get pizza every single day.

Me and my Italian childhood friends would play in the park near the house — it felt like a dream. I have so many amazing memories of eating and swimming. Every day felt like the perfect summer.

My most memorable trip

I’m not sure if it counts as a ‘trip’ but when I moved to Paris at 17, it was such a huge moment for me. I remember it was raining when I landed. I was walking through the streets in the pouring rain, alone for the very first time, and I just remember thinking, ‘This is it.’

Andrew Fitzsimons: "When I moved to Paris at 17, it was such a huge moment for me."

I’d waited for that moment my whole life. I couldn’t wait to leave home and leave Ireland. It was the first time I felt like I was truly stepping into the life I wanted. I had just left my family and everything familiar behind and I was so excited.

Most surprising destination

I travel so much for my job — I’ve been almost everywhere. But the place that surprised me most is probably Japan. I’ve worked there a couple of times now. 

Aerial view of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower and modern skyscrapers in Tokyo.

Tokyo was pretty much what I thought it would be but the rest of the country is so beautiful. 

I’ve been to Kyoto and a few other cities and it’s honestly one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been in my life.

My favourite city

I actually live in both New York and LA, and I love them for different reasons. But my favourite city to visit is obviously Dublin. I love going to The Ivy for a cocktail and dinner by myself. I sit up at the bar, have dinner, and read a book — it’s kind of my little ritual. I also love the National Gallery in Dublin and, in the summer, chilling out on the lawn at Trinity College is just lovely.

Favourite hotel

In London, I love the Mandrake. I always stay in this suite they have that’s all black — it’s very gothic, very Elizabethan. 

The Mandrake in London.

It’s beautiful, with a big bathtub in the middle of the room. The hotel has a cool vibe, a beautiful bar downstairs, and a wonderful restaurant. 

It’s kind of my go-to place when I’m there.

Most beautiful country

I spent a lot of time in Morocco helping to launch a magazine there, around the time I was living in Paris. We travelled all over the country for shoots and it’s just incredible.

There’s nothing like barbecued lamb from the side of the street. The mosques are so beautiful. We saw one of the biggest mosques in the world, which had a retractable roof. The food, the souk — during the day, they sell everything, and the squares turn into food markets at night. You can get amazing, really cheap street food. It’s like nothing else.

Favourite thing to do while travelling

Because most travel for me is work-related, I like to find a hotel with a nice bar because, if I have to take meetings or calls, I don’t have to run around and try to find stuff in a city I don’t know. The hotel is the first step but it’s the most important step. 

I want to feel comfortable and happy when I’m working because it’s usually crazy hours, so I want to feel like I’m somewhere homey and nice.

Making sure that there’s a great hotel bar and hotel restaurant, because if I only have two hours of free time in a couple of days because I’m working, I can at least have friends or family meet me at the hotel and it’s still a nice experience. 

I don’t really travel for leisure very often. So making sure I have a beautiful hotel with a great ambience, a beautiful bar, and a beautiful male bartender wouldn’t hurt either!

My bucket list trip

I want to go to the Maldives. I never really take proper vacations but I’m going to start making them a priority. 

Andrew Fitzsimons: "I think a scuba trip in the Maldives would be amazing."

I think a scuba trip in the Maldives would be amazing — if I can find the time this year, that’s where I want to go.

• Andrew Fitzsimons is a brand ambassador for Dundrum Town Centre’s Beauty MRKT, an immersive beauty experience taking place from April 25 to 27. Tickets are available now via Eventbrite.