Mickey Boardman

WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE?
“Sometimes I Wish I Was Someone Else, Just So I Could Be Friends With Me.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION?
So many! Istanbul, Bombay (and all of India,) Mexico City, Rome, Krakow, Romania, Botswana, St. Petersburg, and anywhere in the south of Spain.

WHAT CAN’T YOU TRAVEL WITHOUT, AND WHY?
I absolutely need a juicy royalty biography, a cozy Michael Kors sweater for the plane, Lanvin jewelry for any festive occasion, Muji socks in bright colors, and Miu Miu sparkle sunglasses. When in foreign locales I love to buy hygiene and beauty products. I live for a shampoo or toothpaste with a foreign label.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE PERSON TO SHOW YOU “THEIR NEW YORK CITY,” WHO WOULD IT BE?
Gloria Steinem. She’s such an inspiration that I’d just love to hang out with her and see the places she loves. Also, Princess Diane von Furstenberg would be fun.

WHAT OR WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY, AND WHY?
I’ve recently fallen in love all over again with Lapo Elkann. I think he’s so chic and modern, yet old school and glamorous, and very smart and very sweet. I always love fashion designer Rick Owens – his taste is the opposite of mine but he is such a genius. The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. She’s the last surviving Mitford sister! Oh, and the Duchess of Medinaceli. She’ll be 96 this year, and is simply legendary. What can I say? I love a Duchess!

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ART FIX? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST?
I have a pretty extensive art collection that I love. I have a bunch of pieces by Phyllis Diller that make me crazy with pleasure. I have a Tauba Auerbach that was a gift from my bosses. I have a ton of art from Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland which teaches mentally and physically disabled adults to make art. They make the most inspiring things and I cry every time I go there. There’s a similar place in DUMBO called LAND Treatment Center and I have tons of pieces from an artist there called Michael Pellew who is obsessed with the Jackson Family and public transportation. Museum wise, I’m cuckoo crazy for the Frick Museum and the Hispanic Society. I love a house museum like the Frick because you see how people (very rich people) really lived. The Hispanic Society is filled with masterpieces and has never been modernized, which I love.

WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS?
Weirdly, I’m listening to a lot of 90s rap. I had a crazy hip hop fan roommate back then and she got me hooked on some of her favorites like 2Pac, Digital Underground and 3rd Bass. Although I only listen to the hits! I’m never get tired of Saint Etienne, and Mika is a dreamboat. I think he’s the most talented singer-songwriter around today!

WHAT ALBUM OR SONG WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR SOUNDTRACK TO NYC?
Salt-N-Pepa’s greatest hits. They’re really my all time favorites and there’s something super NYC about ’em.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BRUNCH SPOT?
B Bar. I hate waiting in line for brunch and you never have to wait at B Bar. Also, Cookshop is super duper yummy.