Recognized as the original creator of the micro-endorsement space, natural born innovator turned serial entrepreneur and veteran in digital start-ups, Peter Philipp Wingsoe touts over 30+ years of experience in start-ups, management, and international expansion and business development. As a Co-Founder and C-level Executive, he has a proven track record for determining and ensuring a brand’s success in its home territory as well as in international markets.

Today Wingsoe is CEO, International for FLIP, (FLIP.shop), the largest and fastest growing social commerce company in the USA. He and his team have built out the app architecture to support engagement on a whole new level.

From major beauty influencers Addison Rae and Patrick Starrr to Shayla Mitchell and Ariel Tejada, FLIP MVPs have changed the vernacular of short videos and live streams in the beauty space.

SiSi Penaloza: Thank you for speaking with us and sharing some of the highlights of your vivid and storied career with our Jetset audience. In terms of leadership style, what defines your sensibility in this arena?

Peter Philipp Wingsoe: I’m older and wiser now so I very much believe in leading by example. From the very start of someone’s work relationship under my tenure, I ask all my team members to outline their strengths and weaknesses. With this exercise, I can play off of their strengths and try my best to avoid their weaknesses. This is not always comfortable for people in the beginning because most will want to either hide or simply not admit to any weaknesses.

There is no point in asking someone to do something that they’re not good at. It’s a lot more rewarding to go home feeling empowered, then you come back the next day that much more energized and loving what you do. You will try harder; work harder and actually be better at the job — It’s a true win-win.

SiSi: One of the things I hear a lot from the business community is that you’ve been extremely successful at building teams throughout your career. What is your approach and how do you set up your team for success?

Peter: Yes, one of my true strengths is building great teams for the tasks at hand. During start-up mode, I seek quick thinkers that adapt and pivot fast. During the growth stage, I seek out those excellent at scaling and once we are running full throttle, I look for executives that operate and optimize for efficiency. I’ve been told that I’m a great leader, probably because I take the time to work with my teams to ensure I get the results I want. My talent is being an entrepreneur, not being a VP of a department. I’m not an expert in the details of each department, I leave that to each member that reports to me, but I know what I need, when I need it, and then who to hire for it.

SiSi: The retailer of the future must masterfully harness the power of data, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. Based on your previous experience, do you find the beauty and fashion space lends itself particularly well to adopting new ideas and platforms early?

Peter: The early adopters tend to be companies that are smaller, nimbler, and less afraid of trying new ways of doing things, but I do not think it is as much sector specific, but rather company specific. In general, when a company is run by its founder(s), it’s agile but when it’s run by a hired CEO, it often becomes stale. I can give you endless examples, but my point is, it’s not the sector or industry, but WHO is actually running the company.

SiSi: The pandemic truly brought technology front and center. E-commerce, online customer service, contactless solutions—lifelines, especially for retailers that have had to close their stores during pandemic-related lockdowns. While Sephora went dormant, FLIP.shop thrived and multiplied in ways that must have been so validating for your team to track. What was the first major metric or milestone that your team celebrated?

Peter: Each department worked hard and reached milestones quicker and more efficiently than we could have ever imagined. Many of these are not necessarily noticeable to someone on the outside, but that doesn’t make them less valuable to the business overall. The most noticeable to the consumer was probably the number of brands that embraced us very early on. We launched with about 200 brands on the platform, and in a matter of months grew to almost 1000 brands.

Today, we have over 2000+ brands live and we are constantly onboarding more. When brands started telling us that we were driving traffic for them and had become a major part of not only their sales but more importantly their marketing, THAT was when we truly knew that we had something that was making a distinguishable and real difference.

SiSi: As the original innovator of the micro-endorsement space, what signs did you see emerging that helped you get the jump on how impactful peer-to-peer and influencer marketing would evolve to be?

Peter: Micro endorsements have evolved significantly over the last 18+ years. When we originally started doing this at EFG back in the early 2000’s, we were simply doing one-off deals mostly with larger well-known celebrities, then eventually with smaller “publishers” as we called them at ad.ly. As technology involved, it was really trying to figure out how it could be scaled, which we eventually did at ad.ly, adinfluent and with our company, looksy.

Scaling happened, but the overall impact of many influencers eventually started dwindling. I began noticing this in 2018-2019, before the pandemic. Most people disagreed with me at the time and said I just wasn’t seeing it, and in fairness to them, the industry was white hot. There was a huge uptick in influencers, but not in conversions. Like stocks, most people don’t buy early, they buy stock when it’s hot, and then it is too late. You have to be able to see the trend before it happens.

This is exactly what makes FLIP different; it’s not influencers that are told to post about a certain product that are creating reviews, but rather REAL people, the shoppers themselves, the consumers that have actually purchased the products from us directly that post the reviews. A straightforward review by a real customer!

SiSi: As one of the largest social commerce platforms in the United States, FLIP’s growth has been nothing short of seismic. The company recently raised its Series B at a 500-million-dollar valuation, and may be the next Unicorn. What companies and leaders have inspired you in your path to date?

Peter: Yes, we’ve grown significantly and continue to grow, even as the overall market has cooled. We raised our series B last summer, and have grown significantly since then, unicorn status is next for sure. For me one of the most aspiring people I’ve ever met, is our founder at FLIP, Noor Agha. I have never met anybody as dedicated as him, and though he often says that I am an older version of him, I’m not sure that I can live up to that—he is a true visionary.

Regardless, he is the main reason I decided to come out of retirement and help build this amazing company with him. After I left my last company in Asia and moved back to the USA, I decided I was going to retire. I had a few board seats and kept busy doing some angel investing and advising, but Noor had other ideas for me, and it was his vision, and his true dedication to FLIP that made me hang up the retirement hat, and do it one more time.

SiSi: Of all the magnificent FLIP moments and accolades along the way to hitting peak cult status among skincare aficionados, beauty editors, and makeup tutorial junkies, what validation means the most to you?

Peter: I think the most important for me is knowing that we’re truly building something that’s changing the e-commerce landscape. By now I have met countless brands that have told me amazing stories about how they have grown significantly since launching on FLIP and if it wasn’t for Flip they would be no more. We helped them get discovered.

Likewise, I’ve met countless of customers who share with me that they have discovered new brands and products that they never knew existed. Shoppers who found products that they would never have purchased before, had they not seen another customer, that they could relate to, reviewing that product. It is truly amazing to see the small micro communities that are being built endlessly day after day on FLIP.

SiSi: What vital intelligence or insight did you take away from your prestigious post as Master Franchisor and CEO of MANGO for the Philippines and Thailand that has served you well in current ventures?

Peter: As a serial entrepreneur, I think that each and everything that I’ve done through my life has an impact on what I do today, not just my last position. I’ve built so many successful companies, most have been sold but many are still around today and each has taught me a different set of skills. Operating a business in Asia and a brand as big as MANGO is very different from operating a business here in the United States. I’m not sure if that experience makes me any better at helping Flip grow here in the United States, but what I can tell you is, there is no one that knows the international market, especially Asia, better than me!

I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but most of the Brands that we acquired in Asia for distribution enjoyed great success under my management; some of the brands were already established in Asia before we took them, but failing, including MANGO, which was bankrupt when we took over as the master franchisor; I turned that business around in just 18 months, closed underperforming stores, renegotiated leases with all the malls, opened new flagship store in the best malls and in the best locations. Asia is a hard market to crack and succeed in. Countless companies have tried and failed. One of my partner’s once said to me… “If you succeed once, you can, at best, call it luck, if you can do it twice you can call it a skill” at this point I’ve done it more than half a dozen times.

SiSi: You’ve launched and acted as an advisor on various business entities in the online, mobile and digital space—Tinder, ad.ly, looksy, VMoney as well as TRV, TRIMARK, FICO and Retail Specialist Inc. Leaders in the space are drawn to your trailblazing expertise in the retail and brand sector, both domestically and internationally. What has made you so adept at reading the retail sector, predicting industry trends before they become widespread?

Peter: Wow, that’s a big question and thank you for the compliments. I’m clearly a bit different than your average CEO out there. I think there are many reasons for my success, but mainly 1) I’m highly creative 2) I’m very analytical and 3) I am very good at combining the two. Essentially, my left brain works very well with my right brain. I’ve come to realize that not a lot of people can do this. I’m as comfortable with the creative team as I am with the finance team. My creative side helps me see and envision the future and my analytical side allows me to figure out how the brand or product can perform and take advantage of opportunities.

As mentioned before, I’ve been extremely successful in Asia, a market that’s not easy to operate in and many companies tend to fail. It’s important to be flexible and willing to adjust when going into new markets. Many companies forget that the reason they became a success was because they adjusted until they found the right way to do it, but the right way here is not necessarily the right way over there. The number of times I’ve heard: “This is how we work here; we want to do the same there” Or “We tried that here and it didn’t work” but out there is NOT here or vice-versa. The ability to understand different markets, the cultures, the opportunities that each market offers, and being able to translate this into a day-to-day win for a brand has been something I’ve succeeded at. I never give up, and I don’t mind failing because I keep trying until I succeed. I know my strengths and weaknesses. Never underestimate the power of this.

SiSi: In the era of over subscription, over saturation, overstimulation, how does FLIP innovate to get right in the sweet spot of what your customer base is looking for?

Peter: I think one of the most important assets is our transparency and authenticity of the platform overall. Secondly, we listen not only to our customers, but also to all our brand partners. We are not afraid of change, but rather embrace it in order to constantly improve our platform to better serve both our shoppers as well as brands. We recently started adding more categories, in order to provide more variety for the shoppers, giving the customers more choices and providing a better experience for them. Additionally, for brands, we have changed the way that we work with them and simplified the overall process to make it easier for all our brand partners to work with us, and most importantly to be successful with us.

We recently launched our dropship model which has been a huge success; we simply connect with a brand’s existing online store, feature any of their products on FLIP and when customers place an order with us, they simply pick, pack and ship it from their own warehouse! It would be the same way they handle any orders that are placed directly on their own brand website. This has been a huge success as brands can literally go live within an hour after speaking to one of our onboarding team members.

SiSi: You are renowned for possessing a super sentient literacy when it comes to reading the room, gaining allies and forging strategic partnerships. How did you develop such nuanced diplomatic skill?

Peter: I live by a simple phrase: “In life, it does not matter what you say, it only matters what people hear.” Essentially, it is not the actual reality that’s important, but the perceived reality. Once you truly understand that, you will start seeing the world slightly different; you will see that most are too focused on what they are saying, but not on what others are hearing.

SiSi: What are some of the lifehacks you have relied on in balancing travel—bouncing between your residences in Los Angeles, Manila and Bangkok—with professional engagements, conferences and business meetings?

Peter: I’m a typical Aries, I quickly get bored of the same place, so being able to travel between not only my residences, but also between professional engagements, etc. has actually been energizing for me. Additionally, I am not a micromanager, so the team that reports directly to me needs to be extremely capable and self-motivated, allowing me to be out of reach for 1-2 days at a time without any interruptions to the business.

This goes back to what I said earlier, understand your strengths and weaknesses in order to ensure that your team complements your own abilities, ensuring there is a proper balance. A few life hacks that have definitely helped with travel internationally is Global Entry, PS at LAX, and similar VIP concierge services in Asia that allow me to bypass overcrowded check-in counters and long immigration lines. Additionally, lounges, particularly the ones in Asia, provide me a beautiful and ultra-modern place to freshen up, catch up on work, or get a bite to eat in between flights. This has been a gamechanger!

SiSi: On a more personal note, what is your idea of a perfect weekend escape?

Peter: Because my work life at times can be very public, I prefer my personal time to be very private. Weekends are very important for me; it’s the only time I can fully recharge. No matter if I stay local or decide to head out of town for one or two nights, I prefer them to be quiet, low-key and peaceful. If I stay in town I usually prefer to be at the beach and go for some long walks to get some fresh air to clear my mind. If I’m in LA, I also like the idea of driving down to Palm Springs. I love the heat; but if I had my way, I would prefer to be at my homes in Asia — there’s something about tropical warm weather and the constant sound of the ocean that keeps me calm and relaxed. I actually wish I was walking on an Asian beach right now!

The post Building Empires: Peter Philipp Wingsoe’s Playbook for Entrepreneurial Success appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

For Kristina Makushenko, swanning like a siren in the Versace pool in an evening gown, stilettos, and flawless waterproof Make Up For Ever is just another day at the office. Dubbed the “Aqua Queen on Heels”, the former professional synchronized swimmer clinched gold at the World Champion for the first time at the age of just 13 years old. She went on to win world champion four times and gold at the European championships twice. One could say her post-competitive career has proven to be her true golden age. Her creative direction with choreography and wardrobe has accumulated hundreds of millions of views for her viral videos.

Makushenko recently partnered with Fairmont Resorts on a most magnificent collab. The luxury space has never felt more truly alive. Near pathological levels of competition amongst five-star resorts has certainly given affluent travelers a bevy of compelling avenues to spend their recreational funds. Yes, I get press releases on the daily boasting multimillion expansions and renovations. All well and good for the local economy, bonus points for building toward LEED certification. But what about the renovation of a hotel’s soul?

The brain trust behind Fairmont’s new Beyond LIMITS initiative deserves a massive year end bonus for taking on this question. This selection of unforgettable experiences is only offered at Accor Living Limitless hotels in North and Central America. The goal is to challenge expectations, break down conventions, and elevate notions of luxury beyond what was previously thought to be possible. Each private, immersive experience takes guests on a voyage of deep discovery and creative revelation. We spoke with Makushenko on the eve of her inaugural performance.

SP: Share with our readers the inspiration behind your Beyond Limits performance concept.

KM: My dream was to get out of the pool and into the ocean. I’ve earned the title of World Champion in synchronized swimming four times, several of my underwater pool performances have gone viral with millions of views, but it was the ultimate feat to choreograph and perform a live, underwater ballet in Pauoa Bay. I spent quite a bit of time swimming in the bay, studying the currents and learning about marine life, which collectively inspired my performance for Fairmont.

SP: What was the most compelling behind-the-scenes aspect or challenge of creating a genre-defying underwater performance exclusively for a luxury resort?

KM: The ocean is both compelling and challenging because it changes every day. The property offers a number of ocean experiences… but nobody would ever think of watching an immersive, underwater ballet in the open ocean. So we wanted to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience that inspired people to stretch their imagination.

SP: Who proved to be the most vital Fairmont team member to help you achieve your logistical goals and aspirations on this complex commission?

KM: Fairmont Orchid’s Hui Holokai beach ambassadors took me out on a canoe prior to each performance so that guests could ride in on traditional outriggers over to a floating stage for an optimal viewing experience. Fairmont also had a special underwater speaker commissioned so that the audience could hear the music clearly below the surface. I dance in high heels upside down on the underside of the water’s surface before transitioning to the second piece of music.

SP: Beholding your “limitless” 360-degree dance left me speechless. Not knowing where you would surface or dive from moment to moment catapulted the spellbinding choreography to the next level. What were the guiding ideas around designing the viewing experience to be truly immersive?

KM: In order for a performance to be exciting, it needs to have an element of surprise. I weaved in, out and among the audience so they never knew what to expect. Just as the ocean is dynamic, I wanted the choreography of the underwater ballet to be characterized by constant movement and change.

SP: Describe the highlights of mingling with guests over the course of your Fairmont Orchid “ballerina-in-residence” experience.

KM: Guests were surprised that I could stay underwater for so long. My secret is to take a deep breath and slowly submerge underwater and exhale 80 percent of the air out of my lungs. Once I have 20 percent left, that’s when I start the underwater ballet. It takes a lot of discipline and endurance. It was also fun to practice underwater dancing in the property’s 10,000 square foot pool between performances and observe guests swimming by, wondering what was happening!

It was beyond inspiring to dine with Kristina and chat about her performance over a divine feast of new school brunch classics like açai bowls and coconut mango chia seed parfait. Indeed, one of the major draws of the hotel is its innovation on the culinary front. The virtuosity from Chef Isabel Chung has kept banqueting and weddings buzzing. She oversees all creative initiatives of Fairmont Orchid’s culinary operations, including the fine dining, AAA Four Diamond Brown’s Beach House. Chung is among an elite circle of female chefs who hold the title of executive chef at Fairmont properties worldwide. Her leadership hits a homerun at Binchotan Bar & Grill–think drool worthy Wagyu Short Rib Donburi, Misoyaki Mahi Mahi, and Macadamia Nut Shrimp.

Like Makushenko, I was similarly transfixed by the sheer serenity of Pauoa Bay. On the Big Island, no other hotel can offer as idyllic a swimming beach as the Orchid. It’s one of the major factors that has water safety-conscious families returning year after year. The hotel beach is a sheltered bay that prevents large waves from entering; even on windy days it’s suitable for kids to swim. Even when the ethereal ballerina isn’t in residence, there is a symphony of seahorses, sea turtles and manta rays to explore!

The post Living Limitless: Interview with Kristina Makushenko appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Contrary to the hotel’s eclectic red façade, the Spa at Le Sirenuse is an unadorned and quiet space that invites tranquility and inner focus. Every design detail has been imagined to perfection, from crystal onyx walls to a granite steam bath to an ice room with a ground ice cascade.

Le Sirenuse has always been a family affair. The Sersale family has turned the resort into one of the most iconic hotels in Positano. One of their outstanding programs, Dolce Vitality, is a week-long fitness and detox retreat that takes place twice a year. “My aim in founding Dolce Vitality was to invite a small group of like-minded guests to explore this other world with me, my family, and a passionate team of locals. You’ll experience breathtaking views, far from the crowds,” said Antonio Sersale, owner of Le Sirenuse.

We sat down with Antonio’s son, Francesco Sersale, who currently manages the retreat, to talk about the Dolce Vitality experience.

What types of individuals come to the Dolce Vitality retreat?

FS: Anyone and everyone with a shared passion for the outdoors and an active lifestyle. Our participants come from all over the world.

How does a person change (body, mind, spirit) from the day they arrive to the day they depart?

FS: Well, people certainly go out with a lower number on the scale than what they came in with, but that’s just the beginning. DV is incredibly detoxifying and energizing… but most of all, people leave here with new friendships. That is the true gift that Dolce Vitality gives.

Do you see returning guests often?

FS: Yes, we have seen a few returning guests.

What sets this adventure apart from other fitness retreats?

FS: The location. Not just the incredible hotel Le Sirenuse, of which guests get all to themselves for the week, but the nature. Dolce Vitality uses as its open-air gym Positano’s intricate network of ancient footpaths and mule tracks, from celebrated routes like the Path of the Gods to relatively untrodden paths. And, the views!

What emotions do you hope to draw out from guests?

FS: Passion. Exhaustion. Liberation. Satisfaction.

What athletic level should guests be at when they arrive to Dolce Vitality?

FS: Applicants should possess previous hiking experience and good levels of fitness.

How do guests travel to the destination? Are there nearby private airports or helicopter access?

FS: The closest airport is NAP (Naples), which is a 1.5-hour drive from the hotel.

What are some ways visitors incorporate this Mediterranean lifestyle into their daily lives?

FS: We hand out signature Dolce Vitality recipes at the end of the retreat to help our guests continue the most important part of a healthy life: Nutrition.

Do you incorporate medical wellness into the experience?

FS: We carry out a medical assessment at the beginning of the retreat: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). This is a method for estimating body composition, in particular, body fat and muscle mass.

Can you give me four or five descriptors that would describe a person’s experience once they complete Dolce Vitality?

FS: Weight loss, increased energy, increased flexibility. revitalization

The next Dolce Vitality offering will be October 29 – November 4, 2023. Visit Le Sirenuse for more information on the history of the hotel and its luxuries.

The post Dolce Vitality: An Interview With Le Sirenuse’s Francesco Sersale appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Cool, calm, and collected. More than just a cliche, it’s a way of life for professional race car drivers at the height of their racing career. In 2022, as a new generation of modern machinery and young talent shape the future of the sport, two veteran Indianapolis 500 champions have once again set their sights on that lofty title. We spoke with Hélio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud of Meyer Shank Racing, fresh off their team’s Acura DPi win at the revered Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, to get the inside track on what it takes to be a championship-winning race car driver.

The Indy 500 is widely regarded as the largest single-day sporting event in the world and is appropriately dubbed “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Each year for more than a century, professional race car drivers of all pedigrees and from across the globe have made their way to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in hopes of taking home the ultimate prize. To win the famed Borg-Warner Trophy is an honor unlike any other and one that sits at the pinnacle of every driver’s bucket list. Steeped in tradition, only an elite handful have ever earned the opportunity to drink the bottle of milk awarded to winners of the iconic race. Perhaps even more rare: to have two former Indy 500 winners on the same team. Such is the case for Meyer Shank Racing’s 2022 all-star lineup, with both Castroneves and Pagenaud having previous wins at the world’s largest sporting facility.

It comes as no surprise that 46-year-old Hélio Castroneves has had more than a few unforgettable race wins. The Brazilian-born driver is the reigning 2021 Indy 500 champion, making him only the 4th driver in history to win racing’s most sought-after crown a record-tying four times. Inspired by the likes of legendary Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, Castroneves says he fell in love with racing at a young age after his father formed a small stock car team. As a minor, he would sneak into races in the trunk to avoid getting caught for being below the minimum age. His mother was never a big fan of racing and pushed Hélio to pursue other interests with less risk of injury. Fortunately for race fans, that advice never stuck and Castroneves spent the next several years perfecting his craft, beginning in karting and working his way through the ranks to ultimately become one of the world’s most respected racing drivers.

Adding to his remarkable four Indy 500 wins and an overall win in the 2020 IMSA SportsCar Championship, Castroneves has also joined the elite club of Rolex 24 champions after taking home team wins in both 2021 and 2022, the latest with the help of Meyer Shank Racing and his new teammate Simon Pagenaud. With his sights once again set on the biggest race in motorsports, Hélio tells us a record-setting fifth Indy 500 win is “definitely next on the list.” He says, “The best part is when you get out of the car and you hear the fans cheering – then it all becomes real and you realize you have achieved something really historic. And I am so lucky to have experienced that four times. It will never get old.”

For his part, French driver Simon Pagenaud brings a different perspective to the team. “My family has never been in racing before,” he humbly confesses. “My great grandfather, grandfather, and father were in the grocery store business, distribution platform and supermarket industry.” At age 4, Pagenaud says he was also mesmerized by Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna who was battling every weekend with his 4-time world champion teammate, French driver Alain Prost. “We used to watch races on Sundays with my dad on TV and I wouldn’t have ever missed it.”

The charismatic Frenchman was crowned the IndyCar Series champion in 2016 and had his name engraved on the sacred Borg-Warner trophy following an Indy 500 win in 2019, marking the first French driver to win the illustrious title since 1920. He tells Jetset, “The Indy 500 is my favorite event and quite frankly the one I feel most comfortable in. I love racing at these speeds where split-second decisions make a big difference.” With speeds consistently exceeding 200mph, the 500-mile race at the hallowed Brickyard is certainly not for the faint of heart!

Off the track, Castroneves and Pagenaud are both dedicated family men with very busy schedules. “When I’m not racing, I like to try to take my daughter to school and then work out. Many times, I will have meetings with the team engineers to go over the data from the previous race and also talk about what we can do for the next race. I also will have other meetings with some of my business partners as well,” says Castroneves. Undoubtedly, the business of racing is just that, a business. It’s a sentiment echoed by his Meyer Shank Racing teammate, with Pagenaud telling us, “From accounting, to logistics to get to the racetrack, to marketing in the US and in France, social media, physical trainer, mental trainer, to the driver of my house on wheels (RV), there are about 10 people I deal with every day.”

Both gentlemen enjoy devoting time in other business ventures as well. Castroneves is proud to support his team’s charity efforts, stating, “Whenever I can be a part of something philanthropic I do it. Right now, I’m lucky to get to work with AutoNation as our main sponsor. They have a fantastic charity called the Drive Pink Campaign which raises money for cancer research.” Pagenaud also likes to flex his entrepreneurial prowess, telling us he’s still involved with his father’s supermarket business in some ways, often sharing feedback when he sees a good idea in another store. He’s also interested in investing and in the stock market, but says, “Mostly I try to focus on my own business and grow my brand because there are so many things we can do. It’s all just a matter of time and strategy on how to invest our budget to attract more partners.”

When not in race mode, both men are passionate about spending their free time with friends and family. “I love spending time with my wife, son and dog and seeing my son grow. So we just play together for hours,” Pagenaud proudly proclaims. “I love cooking, grilling by the pool while listening to reggae.” An amateur sommelier, he tells us he’s a fan of red wine and enjoys discovering new blends. “I search for wine and try to grab the best I can find at a decent price.” Castroneves also likes to spend his down time under the sun, telling us, “Tennis is a sport that I love to play whenever I can and of course I just like to be in Florida – it’s my kind of weather.” It seems only natural, then, that his favorite places to vacation include Colombia and his home country of Brazil.

As you would expect, travel is an essential part of any professional race car driver’s routine, and the two Indy 500 champions definitely know how to arrive in true Jetset style. Whenever possible, the pair make use of a private jet to take them from race to race. And although it’s not a luxury they enjoy as often as they would like, the convenience of flying private allows them to make the most of their travel time in preparation for an upcoming event. While Pagenaud’s pre-race rituals often include a warm-up workout on a stationary bike or rowing machine (along with a healthy meal of chicken, rice, and green beans), both drivers say meditation is a must to allow them time to focus before a race.

Of course we couldn’t let them get back to racing without first asking about their personal vehicles. For Hélio, he says it’s a Bugatti Chiron that sits firmly atop his wish list while an Acura MDX is his current daily driver. Simon, on the other hand, enthusiastically tells us, “It depends on my mood and on the day. First off, my classic cars do not go out if it’s raining or gloomy! I drive a Mercedes-AMG GT as my daily sportscar. If it’s sunny and I just want to cruise, 1968 Mustang Fastback. If it’s sunny and I’m nostalgic of France, I take my Renault 5 Turbo on the curvy roads. For the ultimate love of driving, I take my 1989 911 Turbo Porsche.” Pagenaud goes on to say that his dream cars are the original Acura NSX, ‘98 Acura Integra Type R, and the new generation NSX which he says “is a subject of discussion with my boss in case we win Indy!”

After speaking with each of these ultra-talented and extremely down-to-earth champions, we asked each of them a final simple, yet powerful, question: If you could give the younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

“Play the game, be yourself, give it 100%. There is no point doing anything if you are not fully IN. And only YOU can be the judge of that dedication!” says Pagenaud. Four-time Indy 500 winner Castroneves tells us, “Tomorrow is another day and to always have passion for what you are doing. That’s what’s gotten me to where I am today.”

Wise words from two of the most deserving drivers on the grid. Our hats are off to both of you as you prepare for victory lane once more at the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, 2022.

The post Winner’s Circle: The Inside Track with Two Indy 500 Champions appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Photos by Hunter Canning

Anita Rogers, CEO & Founder of global luxury estate staffing company British American Household Staffing, shares her travel secrets whilst flying across the world to meet with clients and overseeing business projects.

Anita divides her time between New York, LA and London and is also the proud owner of the Anita Rogers Gallery in Soho NYC.

The British beauty invites you to take a glimpse into the success behind her premier agency and why the recent pandemic has given clients a new perspective and a desire for a more manageable and comfortable life at home with thanks to her impeccable staffing company.

Anita, can you tell us what your global company British American Household Staffing represents and offers?

We’ve always had a huge demand for childcare providers, domestic staff and also yachts but then Covid happened and suddenly everybody now wants a live-in nanny, a governess, a newborn care specialist, a chef, an executive housekeeper and also wanted to safely escape on a yacht! All this makes sense when you think about the gaps in schooling & structure that so many families have faced over the past year.

Your luxury company BAHS has an incredibly high profile and high net worth clientele, it must have its challenges and rewards.

It does. But it essentially comes down to the pride we take in pairing families with household staff to make life more comfortable, both private and professional clients who value structure within their busy schedules. We’re delighted to be able to provide a service and restore normalcy and consistency to our clients’ households and lives. We take great satisfaction in that.

Anita, as you travel a lot can you share what unexpected items you always pack for your business trips and why?

Every time I fly it’s like a mini break because of my non-stop work schedule with BAHS and the gallery, so I make the most of the down time where my cellphone is off and my head can truly be in the clouds! It’s my well earned time to give my feet a rest and my skin a drink! I kick off my heels and slip into some cashmere bed socks (my favourites are from The White Company) I also like to pack a nourishing treatment facial mask sachet (Sk-II Facial Treatment Mask) for when I’m settled in my seat for take off. It’s full of vitamins and amino acids which are very much needed when you’re in and out of meetings across busy cities like New York, London and LA.

A friend of mine is an air stewardess and once advised me to always do this on a flight because of the altitude and dehydration to our skin when in the air. I use the hours on long-haul flights to digitally detox and recharge my batteries so I feel mentally relaxed and physically hydrated and refreshed when I land. I always pack a pair of Ferragamo heels as I never know what last minute client dinners I may be invited to and they’re perfect for glamming up a simple dress. I keep a Melissa Odabash bikini in my luggage as part of my emergency travel kit as I can get whisked off to the Bahamas or invited on a yacht on a moment’s notice.

What is the travel tip by which you swear by that might surprise people?

As a gallery owner (The Anita Rogers Gallery is based in Soho NY and represents both primary and secondary artists) I know from personal experience that it’s always best to visit historical sites & museums etc, very early, very late, or when people eat! I always go to attractions at lunchtime as there’s less people as most tourists on city break trips head to lunch. So this way you get the most popular places all to yourself!

How do you choose where to dine when you arrive in a new city?

One of our wonderful clients told me that she Google’s ‘where do chefs eat in…’ whatever place she is in. It’s such a great idea and the restaurants that you find are amazing because they’re the chosen ones by those Michelin star culinary chefs! That’s how I discovered Bob Bob Ricard in London and Providence in LA.

What is your airline of choice?

Wheels Up. They have been aviation saviours during the pandemic and their service is impeccable. I’m constantly flying from New York to LA and to London for my companies estate assessments. Wheels Up have become our first choice when booking private jets and our most preferred when recommending to our high-net-worth clients who desire to travel in style with privacy to and from their estates that we look after.

Where do you like to take clients for dinners?

Eleven Madison Park in New York. I love their menu and the fact that it sits at the base of a historic Art Deco building near the Flatiron Building. It offers exquisite service and also private dining, so I often choose to meet some of my high profile BAHS clientele who come to us wanting their estates fully staffed. It’s also the perfect setting for drinks with art collectors following one of my art gallery events.

Where haven’t you been since before the pandemic that you can’t wait to visit again soon?

To Greece! There is no country like it, the Aegean glitters like diamonds on a deep azure water, like the quote from Homer’s Odyssey: “There is a land called Crete, in the midst of the wine-dark sea, a fair, rich land, begirt with water, and therein are many men, past counting, and ninety cities.”

Which resort do you visit again and again ~ and why?

Il Sereno Lago di Como – Torno, Italy. It is pure luxury and tradition right on Lake Como. I got most of my operatic vocal training in Italy and performed there for many years so I adore Il Sereno Lago di Como. As a business owner I often fly to Lago di Como for a break to recharge my batteries and sometimes I join clients, either art collectors or those who want their villas staffed. I love Italy and Italian traditions so it’s a favourite of mine.

Which hotel has the most unforgettable service?

The Aman resort in India – hands down. Everything from their exquisite decor to their impeccable service is out of this world. I could happily be on lockdown there! They have their Holistic Immune Support Retreat at Aman Kyoto which I plan to visit next as I’ve heard it’s incredible.

The most romantic place I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying was…

Marrakech – even without a special someone it is divine. So when visiting with a partner it really does become a haven of romance. It is very arty and, as a gallery owner, I get a lot of inspiration from being there where they have a YSL museum, photography museum, and Al Maaden gallery. There’s something very romantic about art and places that celebrate it.

The place that felt like a sanctuary to me was…

Oaxaca in Mexico, a mountain city rich in tradition and far away from the beach goers. The only way to get there from the US is two flights, one to Mexico City and another flight to Oaxaca. The women and men dress in traditional clothes and truly embrace their culture. I went here for a getaway and it was like being transported to another era and was an extraordinary experience.

Favourite travel website or app?

I’ve recently discovered mrsndmrssmith.com, a valuable website and app for stunning hotel and villa information.

What place in the world do you think is unfairly off-radar for even the most elite travellers and why?

Ikaria, a Greek island is my hidden gem. It’s 7 hours from Athens by ferry, far too windy to fly a plane to. It is completely frozen in time and being there is like being in Greece in the 1960s which I adore. The food is grown on their own land and fresh fish caught locally every morning. They have Greek music festivals often, where locals dance to traditional music all night and sleep all day. My kind of trip! It is a piece of paradise with pure white sand beaches that are pretty secluded. Oh and the food is exquisite! Ikarians can live past 100 often. Likely because of the stress-free lifestyle and the organic food, water and climate. Perhaps I’ll return there to retire!

ABOUT

Anita Rogers is the founder & CEO of luxury estate staffing company British American Household Staffing (BAHS) that provide Nannies, Governesses, Chefs, Butlers, Housekeepers, as well as yachts and aviation for clients across London, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Anita Rogers Gallery in SoHo, NY represents a diverse roster of emerging, mid career and posthumous artists whose work speaks to the contemporary landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The post Anita Rogers: Jetsetting Inspirations of an International Entrepreneur appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

There’s something special happening in the quiet countryside of Hethel in Norfolk, UK. A revival is underway in an iconic automaker’s historic home town, with ambitious plans to put the hallowed brand solidly back on track. In June, I sat down with Phil Popham, CEO of Lotus Cars, to discuss the revolutionary new all-electric Lotus Evija and how an infusion of investment in the British manufacturer has created quite a buzz in the automotive world.

Popham is no stranger to helping turn around a revered brand in peril. He spent more than 25 years at Land Rover, including his last 9 years there as a member of the board (working for both Jaguar and Land Rover). After leaving the company, he joined the team of another luxury brand at Sunseeker International in 2014 and used his leadership expertise once again to help shine new light on the British yacht builder. Popham says the move to a new automaker was not on his radar, but when he was approached in 2018 about a move to Lotus Cars, he admits the chance to revive the brand was simply too good to pass up.

Popham has long been a fan of supercars and still recalls the Lotus Esprit hanging on his wall alongside vintage posters of the Countach and Testarossa. Having been inspired by the brand’s championship racing history in Formula One, the story of Colin Chapman, and the James Bond-like nature of Lotus’s iconic vehicles, the decision to join the British manufacturer seemed like a no-brainer. Yet given the company’s various challenges and ownership changes throughout the years, there were valid concerns and questions that needed answering. Fortunately, a majority share of Lotus Cars had recently been acquired by Chinese automotive powerhouse Geely Group, and the new ownership offered a significant opportunity for reinvestment in the coveted car company. Sufficiently intrigued, Popham headed to China to meet with Geely chairman Li Shufu and the board. He says it took no more than an hour and a half before he was convinced.

“To have the opportunity to come in, to rejuvenate the brand, to create a really ambitious long-term strategy, knowing that it had the financial backing of the fastest growing automotive business in the world in Geely, was an opportunity that I just couldn’t turn down,” says Popham. “There was, to be honest, not another opportunity that I could see in the automotive industry as exciting as this one.”

That opportunity would launch Popham and his talented engineering team on a uniquely daunting mission: to create a bold statement piece that would serve as a “calling card” for the future of the brand. He acknowledged that although most people are well aware of the Lotus name, not many know what they do today. There was a need to remind the public of the company’s core capabilities in chassis dynamics, lightweighting, and aerodynamics, along with the chance to exhibit the brand’s third-party engineering accomplishments (including the development of a Lotus bicycle). The new CEO added 250 expert engineers to the team and set off on an arduous adventure to create the world’s most powerful car, with industry-leading EV technology, that would highlight future design cues and show that Lotus is serious about its long game.

The Evija, then, is more than just the UK’s first ultra-lightweight electric hypercar. It’s a brand statement for Lotus, loudly proclaiming “We’re back!”, as Popham enthusiastically tells me. And the stunning new model isn’t about making huge profits or filling showroom floors at local dealerships. No more than 130 of the 2,000hp Evija will ever be produced, making this project all the more special and important for the legendary British automaker.

The car itself embodies the pinnacle of cutting-edge engineering and features world-class battery technology to help it achieve such an impressive power output. The technology was developed with help from Williams Advanced Engineering, best known for its Formula One racing team. Together with Lotus, the two brands have more racing championships than perhaps anyone in their sport, making the partnership with Williams a perfect complement to the company’s new vision. Popham tells me there was a natural synergy between the teams, with like-minded engineers and a set of core values that already exist at Lotus. Working in tandem they’ve created the world’s most energy-dense battery capable of recharging in rapid time. Drawing on their combined decades of racing experience, they’ve also managed to eliminate any unnecessary weight from the vehicle, helping the Evija become the lightest electric hypercar on the market.

When asked about the significance of EVs in the future of Lotus Cars, Popham replied, “We see the long-term electrification [of the brand].” He says their next car will be a gasoline powered model, inspired by the Evija, and that it will likely be the last model to not offer an electric option. Working with Geely Group has given Lotus access to a previously unimaginable level of resources, supplies, and technology. “We often compare it to a kid going into a candy store,” he tells me, adding that the brand also offers value back into Geely’s large portfolio by providing engineering work, as well as contracting with other Geely Group brands.

Before we ended our meeting, I asked Mr. Popham what Jetset readers can look forward to from Lotus Cars. He says in addition to a new sports car in 2021, more than a billion dollar investment is being made in the future of the brand, with well over $100M already going into the purpose-built facilities in Norfolk and plans to enter new segments and new markets in the coming years.

“It’s a fantastic brand with a really exciting future that’s underpinned by the ownership and investment we’ve got now. It’s a great time to be at Lotus.”

The post Revolutionary Revival: An Interview with Lotus Cars CEO Phil Popham appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Bode Miller is a new kind of mountain man. He’s way beyond bombing down black diamonds in the blink of an eye, and onto enjoying slower, immeasurably beautiful pleasures. Living his best life as a family man at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Big Sky, Montana, he’s evolved beyond “champion” into the most meaningful version of himself. A present, mindful father, a winter sports educator; meet the man who relishes angling Montana’s rivers and can always spare a quarter cord of firewood for a neighbor.

Any alpine community from Chamonix to Courchevel would be thrilled to welcome the Millers. The clan exudes robust energy and boundless love. The kids are sweet natured; the toddlers, rosy cheeked dollops of giggling, fluffy meringue. Here in Big Sky, he’s just Bode, patriarch of a sporty bunch, a diplomat for fresh alpine air. Renowned for his sentient snow literacy, Miller has fallen hard for life in Big Sky, Montana.

On our exceedingly deep dive of a call, Bode opened up about what building a life in Montana has meant to his family. “I knew this was my happy place; but could it be for them? After the first three days, I had my answer. The kids were out climbing boulders, coming home with twigs in their hair,” he recalls, a fond warmth in his voice. “It was like watching bear cubs find their way in their element, not even knowing this was their element.” After 35 years of self-oriented sacrifice to succeed in his sport, now it’s all about family. “My wife, Morgan can kick back and exhale up here; the kids get to see us relaxed. As a result, they’re exploring self-reliance, a critical part of child development,” Miller observes.

The combined ski areas of Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin created one of the largest ski areas in the United States, with more than 5,800 acres of skiable terrain and nearly 28,000 acres of resort development in Montana’s Big Sky region. The jewel of the region, Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, is a 5,700-acre, membership-based ski and golf community. Nestled alongside Big Sky Resort, this private club offers a living coffee table book of beauty and adventure. Every acre thrives in balance, what needs tending is meticulously maintained; what is rugged is left wild and free. Spanish Peaks’ luxury mountain homes are what property dreams are made of; sensitive stewardship of this coveted alpine setting inspires the architectural design process. A seamless blend of site and design emerge euphoric, innovative living spaces to inspire generations of alpine enthusiasts.

Graced by a Tom Weiskopf 18-hole championship golf course, Spanish Peaks members also enjoy access to 5800 acres of skiing at Big Sky Resort, with a private base located at the Clubhouse. Such Bode Miller-inspired amenities feel right at home in Big Sky, a fresh slate in comparison to Aspen and Telluride, both of which are repurposed mining towns. Soon, there will be a billion dollars worth of infrastructure in Big Sky. “Big Sky has solid backing, debt-free developers determined to make this a 21st Century ski town,” Miller says.

As a Giant Slalom junkie, seeing Bode compete over the years never failed to release feel-good endorphins, my eyes riveted to the screen. I knew he would flirt with the fringe of sanity—riding a catastrophically cathartic edge—blazing a trail of emotional fire and technical fury. With sheer grit and steely gravitas, Miller was a champion to call our own. To a generation of young skiers, he was the achingly cool big brother they wished they’d had growing up. Rising from humble beginnings in rural New Hampshire, he had a relatable origin story.

Miller knew when he stood at the start gate, a hush falling over Kitzbuhel, that sustaining sovereignty in the face of immeasurable variables was key. “You need something that is yours, that you own, complete authorship and accountability,” he confides. “Everything I did from a young age was in line with this element of independence. The psychological act of standing on my own against fierce competition, knowing what I had done was enough.”

Even the most successful male American alpine ski racer of all time panics. Racing against the top rivals on the planet, there was no ceiling. “I saw a picture of Hermann Maier that put me in the tank for a year and a half,” chuckles Miller. “He’s on a physiotherapy table, electrodes attached to his quads, with muscles that don’t belong on a human being. He’s technically better, better equipment, and his quads had obscene muscles. I’m like, super, that’s my next 34 races.”

In retrospect, Miller feels the majority of what he accomplished was mind over matter. “It became about empowering myself. The one thing I could get Hermann on was that. He’s too tactically sound to risk crashing, he believes in his ability; I didn’t believe in my ability then, so I had to take risks tactically. I’m from New Hampshire, a gritty New England boy. I knew I could master the psychological side—be gnarlier, be tougher mentally; that was my ace in the hole,” he reflects philosophically. “It boiled down to what I was willing to do mentally, and how I managed my inspiration and arousal level come World Cup time.”

Bode belongs to an exalted caliber of athletic heroes who transcend sport itself. He exudes that elusive “clutch” (way before the concept emerged as a pop culture phenomenon), something rivals with far more finesse could never seem to achieve. By exposing his flaws unflinchingly, when the virtuoso won, finish line spectators erupted beyond applause—veering wildly toward collective deliverance.

Shaped by the backcountry, both athletically and constitutionally, his early training was more lumberjack camp than elite regimen. He’s come a long way from the kid born to loving, hippie parents, in a cabin in the woods without electricity or running water. Ever the gear aficionado, I get saber-toothed butterflies when Miller starts to talk Crosson, the ski brand he’s been involved with since spring. “It’s a dichotomy in our minds; science versus art. Crosson lives at the intersection of inspiration and skiing; this reflects how I approached the sport from the beginning,” he muses. “The artistic component is the only part, more or less, that’s immortal, or is limitless. If you race for physical validation, you reach your quota. There is no quota for art; the exploration is limitless.”

The post Montana Platinum: Bode Miller Finds Sweet Elevation in Spanish Peaks appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

In light of the unveiling of two new mid-engine hybrid supercars, Jetset was recently given the opportunity to speak with David King, Vice President and Chief Special Operations Officer for Aston Martin Lagonda, and President of Aston Martin Racing. What ensued was a thought-provoking inside look at the company’s newest creations and the future of the revered luxury brand.

Jetset: What is it about Valhalla that separates the new model from other hypercars on the market?

King: Valhalla is the third mid-engined Aston Martin that we’ll create through our mid-engined family of hypercars. It is a direct offspring of the mighty Valkyrie, featuring many of the same principles of aerodynamics and chassis engineering, While many of the current crop of hypercars of course deliver exceptional levels of performance, this car is borne from one of the most exciting technical collaborations within the automotive industry at this moment, allowing Valhalla to stand comparison with any of its current and future rivals.

Jetset: What new features and/or innovations from Valhalla are the most exciting for the brand?

King: Valhalla is set to include the first all-new Aston Martin designed engine since the Tadek Marek era of the 1960s-70s. We are creating a twin-turbocharged V6 that will be capable of being hybridized, so the performance characteristics and potential of this setup is incredibly exciting. We’re also looking to optimize the aerodynamics of Valhalla in partnership with FlexSys. Using their FlexFoil technology, we are able to create “morphing” aerodynamic elements, which can react in real time to the dynamic state of the car. This is something that has not been done before within the automotive space and I believe will help to set this car apart from its rivals when the 500 coupes hit the road.

Jetset: How does Aston Martin plan to continue its unprecedented momentum after the launch of two new mid-engine hypercars in 2019?

King: Aston Martin really is on a relentless path of reinventing itself and pushing to expand its product portfolio. It’s something that everybody within the company recognizes that we need to do, to make sure that this 106-year-old company continues into its Second Century. As Andy Palmer has laid out under his Second Century Plan, we are creating seven cars over seven years, with two special models to be released each year too. Valhalla sits as one of those special models, while the series production mid-engined Vanquish is part of that seven-car lineup and will follow a year later, benefitting from the design and research of both Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valhalla. We have a series of teams working on the next generation of models following the these mid-engined hypercars, namely the battery-electric powered Lagonda range, and when the time is right we will look to the beginning of the next seven years. It really is a cycle that we’ve trained ourselves to cope and work with, to get the best from our company.

Jetset: How important is hybridization for the future of Aston Martin?

King: In a world where there are greater social, regulatory and tax pressures, hybridization is an exceptionally important tool for Aston Martin moving forward. It helps performance, driveability, emissions and efficiency. We have already made it known that all Aston Martin sports cars will feature some form of hybridization by the mid-2020s and the technology now allows us to create cars with exceptional levels of performance that match and surpass the levels of performance that we can already deliver. Aston Martin Valkyrie, Valhalla and Vanquish will be the first models to showcase what we can do in this field.

After speaking with Mr. King, it’s unequivocally evident that the future of Aston Martin looks brighter than ever, with its refined focus on innovative new technologies and an incessant determination to become the best automaker in the world.

The post Jetset Exclusive: Interview with Aston Martin Executive David King appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

If you ever get a chance to share a Hennessy cognac with sculptor and “feeling” artist Arik Levy, do. Levy is a most celebrated and successful multidisciplinary artist best known for his “Rock” sculptures (composed of mirror-polished stainless steel), furniture and light designs, public sculptures and Hennessy crystal designs. Levy puts deep emotion into both his work and his conversation with the purpose of bringing out your own.

I sat down with the artist in Shanghai during the Discovery Tour of the reintroduction of Hennessy Paradis Impérial to talk about the philosophy and inspiration behind the creation of the stunning new crystal decanter and the service ritual.

Levy’s introduction at the reveal:

I have been working now with Hennessy for over 10 years. I’ve been a part of many different and fantastic projects, each a special journey. The first time I tried Paradis Impérial, I noticed it was the beauty, the experience, and the knowledge which was hidden within the elegance, the modernity of it. These words are like the impressions, the starting point for me. For the inspiration, the challenge was how to bring the carafe (the decanter) to the same level as the Paradis Impérial blend. As an artist and a designer, I’m bound to deliver the precision and the truth of every act I’m doing. There is no beauty shot on it, there is no one line that should not be there. There is a moment where you cannot add anything, and you cannot subtract anything from the creation. And like a sculpture, there have been thousands of hours of shaping and reshaping until this very exquisite moment appeared. And that is the result of where light becomes material and reflection become liquid and the liquid becomes the stage and the stage becomes experience.

JETSET: You have said the world is about people not objects. How did you incorporate this philosophy into the design of the new Hennessy Paradis Impérial decanter?

AL: We are here because of people. We are here, this event is here, because we have a relationship with the Maison but not necessarily with the object. If the relationship with the people is good, there will be a frequency between them. While the bottle itself is just an object, it’s a vehicle to the service ceremony. For this, you need a container—it could be a plastic bag—somehow you have to bring that liquid from here to there. How do you do it? This is one way.

But when you come into action with it then you are igniting the whole system of generosity, exchange, feelings, friendship, family, tension or relaxation and this is through the ceremony, through the different tools in the design [crystal vials, tulip glasses]. Each tool is treated like a sculpture. They are all standing on their little podiums like Greek statues.

JETSET: Last night during the reveal party, you were telling me about the significance of the number 8 in your design. Can you tell me more about that?

AL: In spiritual geometry, 8 is a circle—a circle is a perfect geometric form—which has a twist in it; 8 is a lucky number here in Asia for many different reasons. And 8 in Hennessey—it’s the 8th generation of the master blender. Many of my sculptures have sides related to 8. The Paradis Impérial carafe has two polygons in it—one has 8 faces and one has 6 faces so you can read the light in 16 different angles.

JETSET: I’m interested in the craftsmanship of the bottle, what kind of work went into the design?

AL: It started from drawings, which went into models. Reflection of glass is very complex compared to the amount of liquid. As the bottle changes, the identity changes, so it has to look good all the time. And that’s very tricky. The liquid itself enhances the surface so you have the reflection behaving differently depending on the amount of liquid. When I make a sculpture, I work and work and work in three dimension, in two dimension, in low dimension until I cannot add anything to it and I cannot subtract anything from it. It’s a special moment between me and myself that I know—this is the right moment.

To help somebody feel becomes a big task that is hard to achieve. But when I feel right about it, everybody feels right at the same time. So, it really brings the craft of science and the science of craft together.

JETSET: What’s your favorite drink?

AL: Water.

JETSET: What is your favorite material to work with as an artist?

AL: Emotions. Intelligence, if you want a second one.

JETSET: I like that. I thought you were going to say, “crystal” or “steel.”

AL: Those are just vehicles; those are just bridges.

JETSET: Can you tell me about the service ceremony/ritual at the reveal dinner?

AL: The ritual is that moment of intimacy that you can share. For me, the greatest moment of the dinner was when everybody had their own crystal vial on the table in front of them and everybody poured their own Paradis Impérial into their own crystal glass. We served ourselves. It was the most fantastic moment and, for me, the turning point in the history of Hennessy. The moment you serve yourself, you are creating intimacy between you and yourself, and you are agreeing. It’s a very powerful moment. For me, yesterday I had goose skin when that happened, because I knew the service ritual was going to be a turning point.

JETSET: Let’s talk about the Hennessy Paradis Impérial Trunk and Nomad Case crafted by the artisans at Louis Vuitton. What part of it excites you?

AL: What I really like about it is this trunk’s portable idea. Because the drinking comes forth from one place to the other without displacing. It’s the dream of molecular displacement. You drink it, you close your eyes. The moment when you close your eyes for a fraction of a second, it’s that moment where you feel what you can’t see. You can feel the white flower flavor. You can feel the taste.

It’s a good joint venture and for me it’s another mark in the history of Paradis Impérial. You don’t have to buy the case to have Paradis Impérial or vice versa—you can if you wanted to.

JETSET: What can we look forward to from you in the future?

AL: I have a fantastic project I’m finishing now—the official outdoor sculpture for the new Hermitage Museum [satellite]. It’s a sculpture put in their urban environment that will be installed at the end of the year. It’s an outstanding piece and beyond monumental for me. It’s probably my biggest to date, not necessarily in size or weight—which it is—but in its volume, presence and aura.

I practice that every day is a new day; there is beauty in everyday experience.

For more on Hennessy and the reveal in Shanghai, read my interview with Hennessy Chairman and CEO Bernard Peillon.

The post Art of Precision: An Interview With Hennessy Carafe Designer Arik Levy appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

A distinct group of guests and international media were treated by Moët Hennessy to a VIP experience to reintroduce their crown jewel cognac Paradis Impérial, its stunning new crystal decanter crafted by artist Arik Levy, and its perfectly tailored tribute trunk created by the artisans at Louis Vuitton. Read more about the reveal here.

I sat down with Hennessy Chairman and CEO Bernard Peillon during the Discovery Tour in Shanghai to discuss the inspirations behind the extraordinary works of craftsmanship and the Hennessy connection to Shanghai.

JETSET: As you know, Jetset readers reach for nothing but the finest in quality, class and craftsmanship. Can you describe how Hennessy and Louis Vuitton embody these same principles?

BP: These two families have travelled the world to expand their businesses, and the idea of the ‘art of travel’ that is totally embodied by Louis Vuitton is completely in sync with who we are as well. Hennessy is 99% international and the most global French company there is. While we are part of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), we are and are run as separate entities, however, we share a common culture, or common understanding, and approach of high quality and impeccable craftsmanship to our world and our trade.

JETSET: Hennessy again chose artist Arik Levy to design the new decanter and its service accessories. How is this partnership synergetic?

BP: We wanted to have somebody that could rework Paradis Impérial on two different aspects – conceptual and emotional. With Arik, everything is extremely intellectualized, and he does not do things by chance. We’ve worked together now for basically a decade. I know Arik’s approach to concept and design has been thought to the ultimate level. For example, when he designs one of the facets of the carafe it’s not just to create attention – he crafts it in a way that is almost like a diamond; it refracts light on the blend to change the overall look in different settings and as it’s being consumed. That requires a level of sophistication and conceptual approach that Arik is really good at.

The second element is that emotional connection. People can see the simplicity and the beauty and understanding of the effort that’s gone on behind the scenes and that generates an emotion that is almost spiritual. So, we have the freedom to create in many different ways, and Paradis Impérial offers a different way to trigger an emotion. It’s like any piece of Basquiat art, if you don’t immerse yourself into it completely, then the emotion you feel is just an aesthetic emotion based on superficiality. Here, we try to bring depth into the emotion.

JETSET: Can you speak to this image. Are these different eaux-de-vie that go into Paradis Impérial?

BP: It’s to illustrate the idea of selection. If you have spoken with Renaud [Fillioux de Gironde, the eighth-generation Master Blender], he’s probably told you that on average only 10 out of 10,000 eaux-de-vie that he tastes every year with his team have the unique potential to one day become part of the Paradis Impérial blend. So, we don’t go into an exercise that is based on multitude, we go into an exercise where the precision of the blend to achieve such a perfection is the essence of the concept. It’s how Renaud creates a symphony and reaches ‘the point of elegance.’

JETSET: So, it’s the blending of different eaux-de-vie that creates the perfect blend, the ‘point of elegance.’ I think that’s a really interesting part of the story.

BP: And that’s why Renaud’s title is Master Blender. It’s really this art of creating harmony in Hennessey’s style based on elegance. The reason why we created Paradis Impérial is because Renaud’s uncle – Yann Fillioux, the seven-generation Master Blender – was constantly describing his cognac as being elegant. I said to him ‘But what is the ultimate idea of elegance? Show me.’ And he did. And that’s Paradis Impérial.

JETSET: Shanghai is a city deeply rooted in tradition yet open to a world of innovation and a Hennessy-style appreciation of the French art de vivre. Can you speak on the similarities or differences in cognac consumption in China vs. the U.S. and France?

BP: In the U.S., cognac is consumed after dinner in a very traditional manner, which is basically – big chair pulled up by the fire, big snifter, musty, masculine. It is much more relaxed in the U.S., which is one reason why Hennessy is so successful.

In China, it is enjoyed over a meal, as we did last night during the reveal dinner. In Shanghai, wine is not the best food pairing you can get; you need to have something that goes with the spiciness. Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse based on the different provinces. For example, szechwan is much spicier than food from the east region, where flavors are a bit more subtle. One drink that stands up to this cuisine is cognac, so people enjoy it with their meals. In fact, 80% of cognac is drunk over meals; it’s the primary occasion where people will enjoy Hennessey.

Also in China, there are trendy bars where you have hundreds of young Chinese male and females. What is interesting is that female Chinese enjoy cognac as much as males. You have a bottle of Hennessey on each table with a pitcher of, say, cold green iced tea to mix with the Hennessey or they’ll have soda water or fresh apple juice, and they will spend the night drinking it. That is an extremely dynamic part of China. At the core, we are part of their way of life, even more than in the U.S.

JETSET: You are an art lover and avid trekker, correct? What are a few of your favorite destinations you can share with like-minded Jetset travelers?

BP: Trek around the mountain range of Mont Blanc. What a beautiful way to cross three countries – France, Italy and Switzerland – experiencing great food and unbelievable sites. You can do the seven-day trek in the summer. It’s not technical, you just need to be in good physical shape when you go. There is a lot of spiritual dimension.

Shanghai is also a good place to go for art, as well as places in the U.S. like Miami. There are some wonderful places for street art and great expressions in Soweto in South Africa, as well.

JETSET: Can you speak to the future of the next Hennessy collaboration?

BP: Soon, we are meeting with one of the greatest Chinese artists whose art is already collected by some very famous people. His work is fascinating. That is about all I can say right now.

JETSET: One more quick question. I’m Norwegian. And instead of “Cheers,” we “Skål,” where you have to look at each other in the eyes before and after you take a drink. Do you have a favorite or traditional alteration to the standard “Cheers”?

BP: In the old days we used to throw the glass over our shoulder. LOL

JETSET: Empty, I hope?

BP: Empty, yes.

JETSET: Thank you for your time, it was a great pleasure.

Look for our interview with artist Arik Levy coming soon.

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