We select our favourite participants in Jefferson Hack's column, the AnOther Proust Questionnaire
A highlight of the AnOther website is Jefferson Hack’s version of the Proust Questionnaire, in which he asks key individuals from art, fashion, culture and music the same series of intriguing questions. Every person responds differently, and the result is a series of personal and illuminating interviews that get to the heart of some of the world’s most enthralling characters. Here we present our favourite quotes from 2013’s crop of interviewees, ranging from Juergen Teller’s revelation of his most romantic action, what makes Nicky Haslam laugh, Alain de Botton's take on spirituality and the best advice Lady Amanda Harlech was ever given.
1. Juergen Teller
What is your proudest achievement in work?
Thinking about something, executing it and liking the result.
Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure that has guided or influenced you?
William Eggleston.
What is your earliest childhood memory?
First school day with a huge tube of sweets, posing in our garden.
What’s the most romantic action you’ve taken?
Asking Pele to call Sadie, who I wasn’t going out with at the time, and convince her I was a nice guy. Soon after I proposed.
2. Nicky Haslam
Where do you feel most at home?
In the bath.
What makes you laugh?
Pekingese puppies and Sandi Toksvig.
What’s the most romantic action you’ve taken?
Driving in the dark up Coldwater Canyon to meet Elvis Presley.
If you could wish for one change in the world what would it be?
That sugar would be banned. Read Pure, White and Deadly by John Yudkin and Robert Lustig.
3. Waris Ahluwalia
Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure who has guided or influenced you?
Atticus Finch.
What is your proudest achievement in work?
Not there yet. Soon to come.
Recommend a book or poem that has changed your perspective on life?
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach.
What’s the most romantic action you’ve taken?
Once, in a previous life, I scaled the tallest mountain and crossed the vastest desert to find her.
4. Alain de Botton
What makes you cry?
The suffering of children. Moments in films when the bad guy sees the error of his ways and turns nice.
What is your proudest achievement in life?
My children, on a good day.
What do you most dislike about contemporary culture?
How hard it is to concentrate on what matters. Too much static.
What’s the most spiritual action you’ve taken?
The word makes me allergic, apologies.
5. Lady Amanda Harlech
What do you consider to be the greatest invention?
Fire.
What is your proudest achievement in life?
I don't think I am a proud person but I think my children are incredible...I think I am part of that.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Love yourself. No grit, no pearl. "Life is a pure discerning light/A knowing joy..."
If you could wish for one change in the world, what would it be?
Kindness is the noblest thing humankind can aspire to – we need more of it.
See the full archive of Proust Questionnaires here.
