India Hicks is a British creative who elegantly blends her aristocratic roots with her passion for island living. She is an entrepreneur, author of several design books, and model. Her career reflects constant transformation and a personal approach to “living well.”
You have lived among different cultures and taken part in humanitarian missions. How have those journeys shaped your perspective on creativity and leadership?
“Living between worlds — the formality of England, the freedom of island life in the Bahamas, and the intensity of humanitarian work in places like Haiti and Ukraine — has made me much less rigid about how things “should” be. Creativity comes alive when you’re exposed to contrasts, to things that don’t immediately fit together. I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice; it’s about listening carefully, recognizing strengths in others, and sometimes just rolling up your sleeves and joining in. Those journeys have made me more grounded, more flexible, and hopefully more compassionate in both my work and life.”
Your father, David Hicks, was a highly influential designer. What does family legacy mean to you today?
“My father’s legacy is inescapable — his bold use of pattern and color, his unapologetic eye for drama. But legacy, to me, isn’t just about carrying forward a style; it’s about carrying forward values. From him I inherited discipline, an obsession with detail, and a respect for beauty in all its forms. From my mother I learned the importance of kindness and humility. Legacy means acknowledging where you come from, while giving yourself permission to reinterpret it for your own generation.”
You’ve spoken about your interest in making luxury accessible—something we at Cayumas also strive for through the work of our Master Artisan, who hand-stitches each pair of friulane in an hour without using glue. Where do you draw the line between creating accessible design and developing premium products?
“For me, luxury is not about price tags or exclusivity; it’s about thoughtfulness. Accessible luxury means designing things people can live with every day, not just admire from afar. But it must still be premium in its integrity — whether that’s the quality of the fabric, the craftsmanship, or the sustainability of the process. The line is drawn when compromise starts to erode that integrity. Beautifully made pieces should feel special and approachable at the same time — like your friulane, they should slip seamlessly into daily life.”
Our friulane are artisanal and meant for daily use. What role does craftsmanship play in your everyday life?“Craftsmanship is what makes the ordinary extraordinary. I drink my morning tea out of a handmade mug that feels different in the hand than anything mass-produced. I live surrounded by objects that tell a story because someone cared enough to make them well. In my own collections, whether it’s a piece of jewelry or hand blocked linens, I’m always searching for that human touch — the stitch that isn’t perfectly straight, the carving that carries a fingerprint. Those are the details that give things soul.”
And finally—two quickfire questions. What is your favorite hotel? And your favorite book?
“Choosing a favorite hotel feels impossible, but I recently stayed at Mamula Island in Montenegro, it was outstanding, intimate, beautifully considered, and quietly luxurious. As for a book, West with the Night by Beryl Markham has always stayed with me — her life was daring, poetic, and defiantly her own.”
