Make-up artist Dominique Samuel left for New York five years ago. He wasn't sure it would work out, but not trying was simply not an option. “Nike has the best slogan in the world; ‘Just do it’, and that’s what I did.” After a grueling fashion month, the Thank God It’s Friday feeling must be at its best.

How does your Friday start?

I work hardcore and that actually continues into the weekend. But I try to celebrate a free moment mainly with good food. That’s not really a thing for Americans, that long dining, but I try to teach them that.

Where do you eat then?

My favorite is a Thai restaurant located between 52nd and 9th. It's called Wondee Siam and is really authentic. They serve according to the BYOB concept (bring your own booze) so bottle of wine on the table and the best Thai food on your plate. If you need to pee, you have to go through the kitchen first. Something different than all those ultra-luxury places where I am so often for work.

I do my after-drinks in hotel bars. The Soho Grand has a kind of garden, just like you’re on vacation in Mexico. If you want celebs and good food, you go to Mr Chow in Tribeca. Many of my clients are there.

And Saturday morning?

I go to the gym; Equinox at Columbus Circle or in Greenwich, because there’s a pool and swimming is my form of cardio.

The rest of the weekend?

On Sunday brunching with friends, drinking bloody marys and enjoying good food. You have all kinds of brunch places in New York. Some people want healthy and others want a place with unlimited booze. I just moved to Harlem, which is such an upcoming neighborhood. Brooklyn and Williamsburg are already becoming unaffordable and I saw a lot of potential in Harlem. It seems that the Obamas are also going to live here soon, so prices will probably go up again.

Red Rooster is now in Harlem. An upscale southern food place with live music on the weekends. Hip and happening. Chicken and waffles, but in a slightly fancier way.

Do you still visit a museum for the much-needed inspiration?

I get my inspiration from the street. I see NY very well because I take the subway every week and there I see so many different kinds of people. Anything goes in NY, there are so many cultures, if you can’t draw inspiration from that...

So you’re not coming back for now?

I’m living my dream. I am very proud of the Netherlands and how well it is organized. But I really wanted this. And there was also a moment when everything went completely wrong. There’s a lot of talk here and I listened to the wrong people. There was a time when I called my mother every day because it wasn’t good here yet. At some point, I started managing myself and now it’s going well. As a result, my weekend is just short, because my clients want me to ‘do’ them before they go out. But I don’t mind, I am loyal and grateful for what I have achieved.