Designer and royal godchild India Hicks shows us around her long-time island home and tells us about the projects keeping her busy as her five children fly the nest

India at her home on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, where she has restored houses, remodelled a hotel and published books on lifestyle and design, in addition to creating a range of swimwear – which she models for us in these pages – for Australian brand Sea Level

INDIA’S OUTFIT: TWP CLOTHING

India moved to the island in 1996, settling there with her now husband David Flint Wood and raising five children, who are gradually flying the nest. “They all want to come back,” she says. “Of course it helps that there’s a pink sand beach and beautiful waters”

INDIA’S OUTFIT: JULIE HARRAH.

A gentle breeze blows in from the sea and huge ferns create a cooling shade as India Hicks steps barefoot on to the veranda of her beautiful home on Harbour Island in the Bahamas.

The designer, a second cousin and goddaughter to the King, has lived in the tropical paradise for almost 30 years with her partner (now husband) David Flint Wood – and, even after all this time, she has never tired of its blue skies and warm sense of community.

“Most evenings, I walk my dogs down to the beach and watch the moon rise and the sun set, and I remind myself how incredibly lucky I am,” says India, as she invites HELLO! into her home for this exclusive interview and photoshoot.