There aren't too many designers who can exhibit in The Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame but that honour falls on Barry Kieselstein-Cord. His jewellery and accessories are snapped up by art collectors and celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Giorgio Armani, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Georg Jensen first introduced Kieselstein-Cord's work in 1973, and the collection stood for its bold design and craftsmanship.

All of his pieces are signed and dated, and line includes silver belt buckles, eyewear, bags, belts and a wide range of jewellery. Customers love it. The Kieselstein-Cord Boutique at Bergdorf Goodman in New York generates more revenue per square foot than any other brand at the exclusive shop. Unlike many designers, Kieselstein-Cord doesn't make annual pilgrimages to India, Bali or Thailand for design inspiration. He prefers to root around in his own head, or relax at his farm in the Hudson Valley. 

Where was the last place you visited?
Rome via Florence via Paris.

Where is the next place you're jetting off to?
I'm leaving tomorrow for Palm Beach, and then off to Miami.

Where do you like to travel for design inspiration?
My head. I use my collection of visual inspirations for output. I believe that creativity is an accumulation of all of our experiences and what we see. I don't go to any specific one place. That said, my farm in the Hudson Valley is one place where a lot of my concepts take place. When you kick back and relax, that's when the light bulbs start going off.

Do you like the shop?
I like to look at things but I'm a terrible shopper. My wife Karen is much better at it then I am.

Do you have a favourite hotel?
Not particularly. We're always willing to try out new places though. I'm one of those people who don't plan things in advance. I was just in Madrid and stayed at The Ritz there, which I loved. I used to like La Tremoille in Paris.

What are some of your pet peeves about hotel design?
I hate contemporary hotels. I like the more traditional places that have character and are a little worn around the edges. I love Brown's in London. One time I called them up when I had arrived in London a day early and didn't have a place to stay. They put me in the maid's room. It was tiny but we loved it. We'll see what happens with the re-design, if they go Ralph Lauren or old English.

What is your favourite item that you have purchased when travelling?
I look for things I can't buy domestically. I used to shop in Holland & Holland in London until they opened a store in New York. I also like to buy uhhh, frilly things for ladies.

You mean underlovelies?
Yes. I enjoy shopping for ladies' things that you can't buy in the U.S.

What other items do you keep your eyes open for?
For many years I haunted flea markets, showing up at 3 or 4 am with my flashlight and hot chocolate. I like to buy hidden things that people might overlook, like odd books that are often overlooked. My wife and I recently bought some paper ephemera in the flea markets in Paris. A few times I have picked up incredible bargains. I picked up some Whistler engravings for $100 that were later valued at $28,000. I also bought some Leger drawings for $5. The guy was just selling the frames and I bargained him down from $7.

What are the key jewellery pieces that a woman should pack for a holiday?
You need to bring something that can go from day to night. You also have to be travel-wise about what you can bring. If you are travelling my private jet, great, then bring all of your diamonds. Otherwise if you are flying commercial choose something relatively simple and sophisticated that you won't cry over if you lose. It also depends if you want to show your status or hide it. There are plenty of times where it's wiser to leave the Rolex at home and take the plastic Timex. I like my wife to travel with gold and steel jewellery. It's not as eye catching for thieves. When it comes to packing, you could ring something simple for your neck, a ring and some ear bobs, or just go really basic with some beads and ribbon.

What mistakes do you see women commonly making with their jewellery? Does it drive you nuts when you see a woman wearing too much at once?
It depends on the woman. Some people can pile it on and look great because the overabundance look is their style. It all comes down to the individual. If you're the shrinking violet type you're not going to carry off anything too well. Sometimes I shudder when I see someone who is wearing too much of my stuff at once though.

If you want to spoil someone and pull out all the stops, which restaurant would you pick?
I'm such a low key person, I don't go for the fancy stuff. I prefer small bistros. When I was in Paris I ate at Chez Andre. I love my wife's cooking so I'm happy to stay home. If we were doing a big celebration, I might go to Da Silvano in New York. I really like simple avoid and avoid stuffy places.

Where do you go when you just want to relax?
I went to Croatia last year. I was on a 170 foot sailboat. That was really getting away from it all. San Miguel de Allende in Mexico is just spectacular. Its where the Mexican royalty used to go and its up in the mountains.

Click here to see Barry's address book.