Artist Yinka Ilori lives in Acton, north-west London, and grew up on Essex Road in Islington. He recommends Georgie's fish and chips on Essex Road for a first date, though it's no longer open. For gifts, he favours Dover Street Market for its curated jewellery selection. He relies on M&S for essentials like all-white boxers and wagyu steak, and shops at The Old Cinema in Chiswick for antiques, plus Victoria Miro gallery and Whistling Oyster for oysters. His barber is in Camden, and he stays loyal: “You can’t cheat on your barber.”
Best meal and Mayor for a day
The best meal he’s had is at Straker’s on Golborne Road, where he orders steak medium rare with chips. He also enjoyed an infrared sauna and steak at High Road House in Chiswick. As Mayor for a day, he would make everyone spend the whole day at their nearest playground, saying: “We don’t play enough.”
Iconic Londoners and fun spots
He names Beckham, Idris Elba, and James Bond as iconic Londoners. For fun, he visits New Forms, a listening bar in Chelsea. He drives himself everywhere and when people get road rage at him, he blows a kiss: “I always get weird reactions.”
Exercise and infrared saunas
He does callisthenics at Push N Pull Fitness in Shepherd’s Bush, also goes to the gym at Soho House in White City and 180 Strand. He’s into infrared saunas for blood pressure, inflammation, and better sleep.
Friends and extravagance
He calls friends Walle Adeyemi, Foday Dumbuya, and Julianknxx for fun. His biggest extravagance is his G Wagon Mercedes. He waited until age 35 to buy it because his dad was strict about education: “my parents being so tough on me about not getting a car was the best thing ever.”
London secrets and current work
His London secrets are Racketeer in Acton for padel and Banya, the Russian baths in Belgravia, where he enjoys tea and a cold plunge. He recently collaborated with Bupa on a mural on the South Bank called Under Your Umbrella, a love letter to his late mother. He also launched a new collection with Dunelm, inspired by community and craftsmanship, including furniture, lighting, bedding, and soft furnishings.
