”Your Quintessential New York Escape… „
Chronograph measuring elapsed time from 10 minutes down to 1/ 100 th of a second
FOR THE PAST FOUR DECADES, FRANÇOIS-PAUL JOURNE HAS BEEN CREATING INNOVATIVE WATCHES THAT MARRY HIS DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY OF CHRONOMETRY WITH MODERN INGENUITY TO CONQUER AGE-OLD HOROLOGICAL CHALLENGES.
While creating never before seen avant-garde movements, F.P.Journe keeps traditional assembly techniques and philosophies alive, including the ultimate goal of chronometry- precision. François-Paul Journe remains the designer and master watchmaker of his eponymous brand along with being the majority owner and president, giving him freedom and independence to create and release the watches he, the watchmaker, desires. Along with fabricating 95% of all watch components, the Manufacture owns their own dial and case-making facilities, further controlling and integrating the process from conception to production. Beneath the F.P.Journe logo on each watch is the line ‘Invenit et Fecit’, Latin for ‘Invented and Made’. Through FrançoisPaul’s extensive control and the full integration of the production process, F.P.Journe confidently states that their watches are entirely conceived and created in the Geneva workshops.
François-Paul makes it a point to use his unmatched technical skills to create watches that honor traditional processes and craftsmanship with ultimate precision, performing many tasks manually and assembling each watch individually- not in a production line. Each watch is completed entirely by one watchmaker, from assembly through testing. While this isn’t the most cost or time efficient process by any means, it creates a direct relationship between each watch and its watchmaker and this traditional way is the only way François-Paul sees fit to complete his watches. Every day, FrançoisPaul himself is at his bench, creating the next F.P.Journe innovation. Because of the intensive manual work performed on the watches and the one-to-one production method, F.P.Journe produces fewer than 900 pieces per year.
Yet François-Paul manages an impressive innovation streak: 26 distinct calibers have been released in the 20 years since the company’s founding! Of these, 7 have won awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) including 3 Golden Hands, the most coveted prize and the most of any watchmaker.
F.P.Journe exists in a state of balance between history and modernity, art and horology, with all four being important and indivisible from the watch. François-Paul has said he does not wish to create what has been produced before, but his watches have authentic historical ties. The innovations reimagine the function, design, and purpose of the watch. By starting the conceptualization of a watch with a design of the dial, design garners an importance comparable to technical excellence.
IN 1977, A 20-YEAR-OLD FRENCH WATCHMAKER EMBARKED ON AN ATYPICAL QUEST — TO CREATE HIS OWN TOURBILLON, NOT TO SELL OR SHOW, BUT TO PROVE TO HIMSELF THAT HE WAS ABLE. NEARLY SIX YEARS LATER FRANCOIS-PAUL COM PLETED THIS FIRST WATCH, A TOURBILLON POCKET WATCH WITH A SPRING DETENT ESCAPEMENT. IN 1999, THE 1ST WATCH BEARING THE NAME F.P.JOURNE IS, A TOURBILLON NATURALLY, THIS TIME FITTED WITH A CONSTANT FORCE MECHANISM, THE REMONTOIR D’ÉGALITÉ. THE PURPOSE OF THE REMONTOIR IS TO MEDIATE THE POWER DELIVERY FROM THE MAINSPRING TO THE ESCAPEMENT BY RELEASING ENERGY ONCE PER SECOND TO THE ESCAPEMENT, AVOIDING THE INEFFICIENCIES OF A WOUND SPRING.
20 years after, François-Paul revolutionized the tourbillon by rotating it 90 degrees. Mounted perpendicular to the rest of the movement, the 30 seconds tourbillon remains true to the original concept of the tourbillon, to counteract the concept of gravity on the escapement. In a pocket watch, a traditional tourbillon performed this task, however, on the wrist, the most common positions of the wrist leave the tourbillon operating horizontally. By being placed vertically, the functions of the tourbillon remain
constant with equal amplitude whether the watch lies flat with a pin buckle or is placed on its side when fitted with a folding clasp. The tourbillon rotates in 30 seconds, faster than the usual time of one minute, making the technical prowess even more visually astonishing. Surrounding the cage, a cone-shaped mirror-polished ring concentrates light, reflecting the tourbillon cage. A second reflector was created on the movement side to provide light around the tourbillon cage.
THE 4N ROSE GOLD BRIDGES THAT FORM THE DIAL ARE DECORATED WITH “CLOUS DE PARIS” GUILLOCHE FEATURES AN 48-HOUR POWER RESERVE AT 12 O’CLOCK AND SMALL SECONDS AT 6 O’CLOCK; THE REMONTOIR D’ÉGALITÉ IS LOCATED AT 7 O’CLOCK. usual
THE 42 MM CASE IS AVAILABLE IN PLATINUM OR IN 18K 6N GOLD. LIKE ITS PREDECESSORS, THE VERTICAL TOURBILLON FEATURES A REMONTOIR D’ÉGALITÉ FOR CONSTANT FORCE AND A TIME DISPLAY AT 3 O’CLOCK IN GRAND FEU ENAMEL TO REMIND THE VERY FIRST F.P.JOURNE TOURBILLON POCKET WATCH.
17.12.19 16:45
It’s been a minute since our last printed issue. Time just seems to be flying by. You blink your eyes and another year goes by.
It has been a year of amazing travel to some of the best hotels and resorts in the world. From waking up to the most breathtaking views of Positano, at TreVille, to amazing dinners in Corsica at Casadelmar, it’s been quite the year for luxury travel.
We have been photographing so many great actors for this issue as well; Eric Dane, Kristin Davis, Nicholas Pinnock, Liam Cunningham to name a few.
And of course we have some superstar athletes from Novak Djokovic to the top Indy Car racers Josef NewGarden and Marcus Ericsson. I have to say producing GIO is time consuming and sometimes a bit stressful, but the end result makes it all worth it!
John Russo Founder/ Creative Director
EXECUTIVE
PHILANTHROPY
Celebrity photographer John Russo brings awareness to hundreds of humanitarians & their charities in his latest book, “100 Making a Difference”.
INTERVIEW } KEN WALLER
OF JOHN RUSSO } TAS LIMUR
LOCATION } LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
PORTRAITS BY } JOHN RUSSO
For your latest book, “100 Making a Difference,” you traveled the world photographing Humanitarians and Philanthropists who are making a difference in the lives of others. How did this project come about?
After the success of my first book, “About Face,” I wanted to do another charity book. Since there are so many incredible charities, I was like, why focus on one when I can focus on 100? Little did I know how overwhelming the undertaking would be.
What were the challenges of finding, contacting, and photographing so many subjects?
I think I knew it wouldn’t be easy from the start, but honestly, I had no idea until I dove into the project. We first made a list of people who were doing great things. I assembled a team at my office to work on the project. Thank God I had an incredible staff to help with this project. Jason Bush, Stephanie Szeto, Tas Limur, Gus Dering, Justin Miller, Asia Willis, and Rachel Hill all worked so hard on this. Without them, the book would not have happened. I also had some friends jump in to help: Nick Ferroni, Kate Moulene, Elizabeth Chambers and Irena Medavoy. They connected me to so many amazing participants.
Then the biggest obstacle was getting to the people you wanted in the book. Ahh, that is probably the most difficult aspect of doing a book, especially with celebrities involved. Our team had to reach out to their reps. Keep in mind these reps get thousands of requests. So you have to be super persistent and keep contacting them. Thankfully I have relationships with most reps. That is not to say the “ask” was easy. It was not. Most of the publicists I have worked with over the years were happy to help and bring this to their clients; sadly, some did not. It was a huge eye-opener and a big lesson learned on my part. But hey, I just rolled with it and moved on to other people.
The people that we wanted in the book are, for the most part, very busy, and most do not live in LA. So lots of travel around the globe. It was a lot.
Did you have a sponsor finance the project? I can see it getting very expensive to travel around and photograph talent… Hair/makeup and styling etc.
Sadly, no; in terms of the production, photoshoots, and writing, I financed it all myself. I could have bought a house in Aspen for how much this book cost me! Ha! But honestly, it was so worth it. I figured this would be my contribution to all of the charities to raise awareness and much-needed funds. Graciously most hair, makeup, and styling was a donation. There are some great people out there who want to help great causes.
Charity books are sometimes difficult to find a publisher. How did you find a publisher?
Yeah, that’s the million-dollar question. I reached out to many publishers, and all were interested. Then I told them it was a charity book and that all of the proceeds were going to charity and no one wanted to touch it. I get it, everyone has to make money, so I was not surprised or annoyed with them. One of the gracious and super generous participants, Quinton Van Der Burgh, stepped up and said I’d love to finance the publishing. Thank God for him. He helped create a beautiful, timeless piece. I am forever in debt to him for his generosity.
What were one or two of the more memorable shoots?
Geez, there were so many. But I would have to say traveling to Zurich, Switzerland, to photograph Elton John for the Elton John Aids Foundation. The shoot happened so fast; his team literally gave me three days to plan and fly to Zurich. But it was Elton, so you know, hell
or high water, I was making that happen. He was so gracious and asked my assistants and me to stay for his concert and gave us front-row seats. And then I was in London photographing Livia Firth for the book; she mentioned Gisele and Tom; she literally called them in front of me. The next thing I knew, I was going to Montana to photograph them for their foundations. We went to their home and spent the day with them. What an incredible experience!
I see you have some big names, Serena Williams and Eva Longoria, that wrote forwards for the book. How did you get them?
I have been photographing both Eva and Serena for years. They are both great girls! Always willing to help with a great cause. They are both huge humanitarians and have literally devoted their lives to Philanthropy, so it was fitting for them to write forwards. I was so honored when they said yes! You know they are “true friends” when they show up for you. And they did just that, show up for me. I will never forget it. We have three other forwards, Irena Medavoy and Nicole Avant. Both jumped at the chance to help by reaching out to their friends to make to set up shoots and interviews. I absolutely love these women. And Quinton, our publisher, wrote a beautiful forward on the work he has been doing in South Africa. I am so humbled by all of them for taking the time to help make this book happen.
Is there anyone you wish you could have shot for the book but, for whatever reason, did not?
Yes, of course, a bunch. If they are celebrities, the majority of the time, the request never gets to the talent, so that’s unfortunate. But hey, I get it. I’m never discouraged because I know I’ll photograph them for the next book! The confidence is real! Lol
Will there be another book? A series two? It’s such a great concept, and I don’t foresee a shortage of people doing great things. You nailed it, there is no shortage of people doing great things, and I want to continue bringing awareness to great causes globally. We need to focus on these amazing people and how they are making a difference. So the answer is, Yes, there will be many more books and maybe even a documentary! I’ll just put that in the universe; thank you.
Is there a cause or charity that you are passionate about?
There are a few, but it breaks my heart when people are homeless. We live in the richest, most plentiful country, yet people live in tents under bridges. It’s mind-blowing to me that our governments don’t develop a plan so that no US citizen will ever have to be homeless. I am also passionate about caring for the elderly. Our country does not honor the elderly as other countries do. I want to work on a project that brings awareness to this problem.
You are one of the world’s most famous and recognizable photographers. You have been at the top of the game for nearly 20 years. How do you stay relevant in such a competitive field?
Well, I don’t know about all that but thank you for the praise. Look, I love what I do at the end of the day. I mean, I really love what I do. It’s fun and exciting, and I get to travel the world. I feel very blessed to be where I am. Super thankful to say the least. I’m not in competition with anyone; people hire me for what I bring to the table and hire others for their creative eyes. There is so much work out there for everyone. I have stayed relevant by consistently producing great work that I am proud of, and most importantly, I am not an asshole. I am super happy at every shoot, and if I’m not, I will win an Oscar for acting like I am. Lol
To learn more about the book, follow @100MAD To purchase the book go to @fieldandfort
The greatest tennis player who has ever played the game turns his focus to philanthropy through the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO LOCATION { INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA
I have had the pleasure to photograph Novak on two separate occasions, in 2014 and then earlier this year in Indian Wells. His passion, drive and unyielding dedication to giving back has inspired not only me, but millions of people worldwide to do more. From winning a record 24 grand slam titles to his ultimate quest for Olympic Gold, which he won at the 2024 Olympic Games, to his unwavering drive to be the best, is nothing short of miraculous. He is not only my hero, he is a hero for humanity.
“Belief is the most universal word to me, even more than hope. For one to achieve his dreams, he needs to truly believe in them.” Novak Djokovic
“The Novak Djokovic Foundation was founded in 2007 with a simple goal: to help. In 2012 that we switched our mission to early childhood development (ECD) and education. Today, our mission remains the same: change the world by investing in the early years. While supporting and working closely with children, parents, caregivers, and educators through investments, advocacy, empowerment, and promotion of our values, we are reshaping today’s system – and consequently – the future of the entire society.
Novak has always been very passionate and committed to the idea of giving back and helping younger generations. This is something he is dedicated to on and off the court. He always stresses how lucky he was to have the care, love, and support from an early age from his family, and how much their belief in him and his dreams meant to his success. This is why now, through our Foundation, he is able to do just that: provide this support system so that other children like him can dare to dream.
Of course, when his tennis schedule allows for some time off, he is the first one to come and support our work, the team, to greet our partners and donors, listen to the problems we wish to solve, and offer his ideas and suggestions – but his favorite activity is playtime with the children we help.
We have come a long way. When our work started, every second child in Serbia attended preschool. In rural areas, these numbers were even more striking – one in every four children. This meant they had to stay home with their parents or grandparents, without options to play and learn with their peers, and this, in turn, debilitated their start in life.
Ten years since we changed our mission and 15 since we founded the Foundation, we have helped more than 50,000 children through our comprehensive programs and projects. We have also trained more than 2,200 teachers, empowered 8,000 parents, built 11 playgrounds, and opened 52 preschools across Serbia. In just over a year, we have also opened 106 study rooms within the ECEC project, thus helping more than 2,700 children go to preschool. All these results were made possible thanks to the generosity of more than 200 organizations and 5,000 individual donors from 75 countries which share our values and beliefs.
Together, we have invested over $15 million, thus contributing to the improvement of the lives of entire communities, encouraging them to stay in their hometowns and plan their future there, instead of moving to larger cities or abroad.
Our main goal remains the same: to enable more than 90 percent of children in Serbia to attend preschool by 2030. So far, we have made significant progress in that regard and, with the increased institutional support and recognition we are getting as our Foundation is growing, we are on the right track to keep giving children a chance to prosper, to know the joy of success, and to believe that they are worthy of their dreams. “Jelena Djokovic”
In Indian Wells, earlier this year, on a very hot, very busy day for Novak, he took the time to do a photoshoot for Volume II of “One Hundred Making a Difference”. No questions asked, he simply made it happen. In my eyes and most importantly the eyes of the world he is the definition of an ICON.
To learn more about the The Novak Djokovic foundation @Novakfoundation
To learn more about 100 Making a Difference follow @100MAD
Norman Reedus reprises his iconic role as Daryl Dixon in the new Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
INTERVIEW } JOHN RUSSO
PHOTOGRAPHS BY } JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION } LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
PRODUCED BY } KEN WALLER FOR PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
GROOMING } BARBARA GUILLAUME
STYLING } JENNIFER AUSTIN
NORMAN REEDUS
Following his departure from The Commonwealth, Daryl Dixon washes ashore in France, raising the ire of a splintered but growing autocratic movement centered in Paris and endangering a young boy at the heart of a benevolent religious movement. Norman Reedus is... Daryl Dixon.
What a ride it’s been. You started a journey with “The Walking Dead” and are now in “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon”. Could you ever have imagined it would be this great of a run?
We aren’t done yet! I would never have imagined it would be the success it’s been, and the new show is another level completely we are all really proud of. I feel like this show and the continuation of this show has been such a blessing and such a rarity in this business that I am forever grateful to everyone involved.
Where does the new season of “Daryl Dixon” pick-up? What can we expect of Daryl and Carol?
The new season of DARYL DIXON picks up with the continuation of our story in France with DARYL DIXON-THE BOOK OF CARYL and what it means to be family and what we are willing to fight for to keep it.
What can you tell us about the universe expansion of Boondock Saints?
The only thing I can tell you is we have a spectacular team with the continuation of this franchise. We have always had a lot of love from the fans of the brothers and both Sean and I are so ready!
Looking back, are there any things you would have changed about your character Daryl? Would you have played him the same way if you had the chance to do it over again?
I think I would have played it exactly the same way. I love the way Daryl has grown as a man and a person. To get to play a role that grows over time the way he has is challenging and totally satisfying all the same time
Was there a particular year or storyline that you thought was exceptional?
I loved the story line seasons 1-5 and the continuation with Melissa, and I feel like those early seasons again.
When did Daryl peak, or did your performance of the character peak?
I think he is still peaking in different ways at different times of both that first run and this new run. It is a reset where we are right now with a lot of heart. I think the show as a whole had those but the role is a constant full flow.
What can you tell us about your new movie, “The Bikeriders”?
How did this project come about?
THE BIKERIDERS is based on a photography book from one of my favorite photographers Danny Lyon. Jeff Nichols is such an amazing storyteller and director, it’s really great to see what he and that insane cast has done. It was a real thrill to just be a part of it and watch it happen.
Is there a filmmaker you have not worked with in your career and would like to work with and why?
There are so many. Jim Jarmusch. I’ve always loved Denis Villeneuve. I really admire Yorgos Lanthimos. I mean I could go on and on.
You’re an incredible photographer in your own right - and have had books published and exhibitions all over the world. How did you get into it?
Thank you. I started in junior high school in a class and loved going into the darkroom and the smells and just kind of getting lost in all of that. I really got into it more once I started acting and traveling and seeing things I wouldn’t have gotten to see otherwise.
To learn more about Norman Reedus follow him @bigbaldhead
Scott Speedman fights for his life in his new thriller Teacup
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
DIGITAL COVER & VIDEO BY { KEN WALLER
PRODUCED BY { KEN WALLER PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
GROOMING BY { JOANNA FORD FOR THE WALL GROUP STYLING BY { JENNIFER AUSTIN
LOCATION { LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
How are you?
Just getting ready for the day.
You are taking the, “I’m just getting out of bed” to the next level. (laughs)
I have been up since six, but it takes me a while to really get my head around it.
Today is my birthday and I get to talk to you. Happy birthday. What are you going to do?
I will probably play some tennis and then I am going to have a little party at the house, for twenty people, which I never have tons of people over, but I have this big house and I am like shit, I should probably start to use the backyard and have a party, so that is what is going to happen. You will have to come up.
Yeah I have to see this.
You will be like, shit, I need to live here now!
Yeah, don’t tell my girlfriend that, she will be all about it. (laughs)
She wants to go there sooner than later I think. But yeah, we will see.
That’s awesome. Well you sound like you have a nice area where you are, so that’s a good thing.
In time yeah, we are still waiting on permits, but it’s going to be soon I think.
Well finally I got to work with you after all these years, so that’s a really good thing. Yeah it was fun. The photos were pretty awesome!
Yeah they were good, they were really good, I like them.
Nice. So we will jump right into it. So on set you mentioned to me that you finally watched Felicity. What took you so long to do this? (laughs)
Oh wow, what a big question. I think at that age, everything is just so dramatic, I was twenty-two when I got that show and I got that show out of, I was sleeping on my mom’s couch in Toronto, three days later I was in LA shooting the Pilot. Tried to leave, wanted to go back to Toronto, they were like no, no, we need to put you in a school, they rented me an apartment,
rented me a car, gave me a hundred dollars a week to live off, and I had to pretend to be a student in Pasadena so they could get me in the country legally, it was just so crazy and emotional and dramatic. And then I saw the Pilot, I remember seeing that and being of course very insecure, traumatized by me, but I saw that it was, whatever my abilities were, I do think I had a good idea of what was going to work and not, even at a young age. I thought that show was going to work the minute I got around all those people and that kind of thing. So it was just pretty much a roller coaster from that point on. And when it did come on and became the show that it did and popular, it was just hard for me, for my brain to understand that five million people were watching it every Thursday at 8 or whatever it was. So I definitely back other people with a different sort of extroverted look at being an actor or an entertainer or whatever, to lean into that and I definitely leaned out. So I did not see the show at all, although I saw ADR stuff and clips and I understood the tone and the tenor of it, but I never sat down and really watched it.
I was in my 20s when that came out and I watched it and it was like a huge deal, you couldn’t wait for a new episode to come. So it was kind of like a part of my life and many people that are my age, like wow, Felicity, that was the show. So that’s cool.
It was cool. Going back and making me watch it to do this podcast that JJ did with his company Bad Robot, it was cool to go back and they picked good episodes for me to watch. And I was blown away by it to be totally honest. I mean just the way it was shot with Matt and JJ and the way it looked and I didn’t know what I was doing at all as an actor, but that worked so well in a way that almost you have never been better in a way. They were shooting me in the right way and the writing was so good and the part was so good for me at that time, it was sort of overwhelming to watch, to be honest, to see what an engaging, the actors were so good at that stuff.
That’s awesome. Well now your new show, Teacup is produced by the legendary James Wan. Yeah.
Who I just photographed like three weeks ago. Oh you did?
So random. I photographed him for Esquire and he is such an awesome guy and fun.
Yeah he’s really nice.
He’s just an awesome guy. I hope to hang out with him, really fun. So how was the experience of working on one of his productions? I mean he is kind of like iconic in that genre.
Yeah. Look I mean I am a big fan of his movies and when this script came around, the person that wrote the scripts, I knew. Ian McCulloch and I had read his unproduced TV show, The Fade and it never got made. But I had read this script and fell in love with that script and fell in love with him as a writer. And then we were working on another script together and I brought him on this thing that we were developing, this movie that never came to fruition, not yet anyway. So when I heard he was doing something in the horror space with James Wan, it was really interesting to me because Ian is, he is kind of this really interesting, almost he does these like neo-Western type things. So I was really curious how he was going to meld the world of James Wan and his world and when I got the scripts they were the best of both worlds and in a sense that they had all the elements of his impending dread, but also with Ian’s really specific writing. So he didn’t know I got the scripts, I got the scripts and read and devoured them and then went on a campaign to try to get hired to be on this show to work with him really. And then just having Atomic Monster and James Wan there to guide us and work through everything was obviously invaluable.
So what is it about horror films that you think resonates so well with audiences?
Well I think, I remember just to bring up something, The Conjuring, when the first one came out, James Wan’s movie, I thought well, I was with my buddy that I see a lot of movies with, I was like, we got to go see it with an audience. And I think some of the comedy space that we have diverted from is going to come back and there’s that too with the comedy space. But I think something, there’s something weird and great and I don’t know if you have seen the Jaws footage of people watching Jaws for the first time or The Shining or The Exorcist, how people reacted as an audience, as a whole. And they use it in marketing campaigns and I think there’s something about this communal space of sitting down and being terrified all together and going through the jump scares. We have a friend we always try to see horror movies with because she screams so loud, almost inappropriately loud at everything, so it becomes this kind of fun thing to go and do. And I think that’s why it’s really
enjoyable to watch all these movies altogether. So looking back on your career, is there anything you would have changed?
Oh my God yes, of course, yeah, sure. (laughter) It kind of goes back to your first question and how I answered that, absolutely. It’s a good luck, bad luck thing when you get your first break, but I look at some guys coming into their big moments now and they are older and more seasoned and have gone through the ups and downs of understanding who they are as men really. And I was twenty-two and that was awesome and I wouldn’t change a thing for the world, that’s been my experience. But when that first wave came, that was a tough one for me to sort of get on the horse and just go with it and take that ride. I had a very kind of reluctant engagement with whatever, quote-unquote, the business and fame what have you, who I was at that time. So yeah, that part of it, there were opportunities that I just couldn’t deal with at that time. I hate when people get into specific movies that they had turned down because I don’t feel like that is a good thing, but there definitely things that now I would jump at the chance to take on those opportunities.
Do you think there is one defining film in your career that you think changed the perception of what you can bring to the table?
I think internally, not so much from an audience perspective, but I think something like My Life Without Me was, this movie I did with Sarah Polley and Mark Ruffalo and it wasn’t like the most groundbreaking role or anything like that, I was just coming off of Felicity and I had a movie called Underworld that was happening at the same time and it was commercial and successful and then this film came out which was like an indie film that kind of presented me in a different light and sort of allowed people to see me in a different way. But honestly, more now I think of things that I don’t think have happened in a weird way, I am actually still kind of like finding that role now that redefines me in a different way, as this older dude in his late 40s. So there is kind of stuff in the past that I have done, but I am always trying to do that now. There’s stuff like five years ago that I am doing now that I could have done five years ago. And I am just trying to find something that really, not just scares me so much, but like oh I didn’t know I could do that and take that on.
So Hollywood has changed since the Felicity days. Do you think it has changed for the better or the worse?
No, look, I mean I was lucky enough to not have cameras in my face. I lived a pretty classic 90s existence as somewhat of a well-known guy around town and thank God there was
no Instagram in my face and people taking pictures and doing all that, the ubiquitous nature of phones and cameras really, of filming everything, that would have been a disaster. And I think that also dictated our behavior and we were allowed to be a little freer and made mistakes and fuck up and all the things, in good ways and bad ways. But I don’t think social media at large has been anything but terrible for our business to be totally honest with you (laughs), I don’t think that’s a good thing. I worry about bad for sure, I am glad I didn’t come up in it. I remember when it started becoming more popular in 2012 it was sort of this drawing line I think of where the entertainment business went to.
I couldn’t agree with you more most of my friends are actors and I have seen lots of them be vocal and I don’t want to say put their foot in their mouth, but once it’s out there, you will be punished for everything that you say. And it’s so unfortunate and even though my Instagram is just really about my work… Your pictures are your work…
Political shit I don’t talk about, candidates I don’t talk about. These rights, those rights, it’s like why would I give people ammunition against me? And I think in our industry it’s the same thing. I mean you watch so many actors that because they spoke up big they got canceled or because they did this, they are a piece of shit or they get canceled and it’s very unfortunate and it’s that fine line of like do you do the social media or do you stay away from it?
Yeah I am in the middle ground. I do it, but I am half-ass doing it. It’s not anything like, again, I remember there were certain people coming out when I first started coming out and they were just so extroverted and there was the natural fit and I think some people have a natural fit with that and I just don’t. But the sharing of the personal side of things, that’s a tough thing for me to get my head around, but I am not out of it. But I mean there is a big movement and I think there are a lot of people who don’t do it that I love and respect and some I know and some I don’t. And I think I would like to see, I have a kid now and when she goes off to school there is a big movement about getting phones at school and I think that’s been not good for any sort of discourse, political, entertainment, anything, in education it hasn’t really been a good thing. So I am hoping there is sort of a movement away from that. But we will see, I don’t know, we will see.
Thank you. Great talking to you! That was quick, easy, and painless. Yes, just like your photoshoot man, they told me you were fast, but I didn’t know you were that fast. And you are really good, so I appreciate that too.
Hopefully we will get to work together again soon, I would love that. Yeah man, for sure. Happy Birthday!
To learn more about Scott Speedman follow him @scottspeedman
Eric Dane shows his villainous side in Bad Boys Ride or Die.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
PRODUCED BY } KEN WALLER FOR PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
LOCATION } LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
GROOMING BY { CHRISTINE NELLI FOR FORWARD ARTISTS
STYLING BY { CANNON FOR THE CANNON MEDIA GROUP
So can we talk about Euphoria? Absolutely amazing, raw, in your face, your character is definitely not expected, (laughs) which I think makes him brilliant. When you were offered the script did you have any reservations about taking this role?
No, I jumped at it, leapt at the opportunity. Cause nobody had ever asked me to do anything outside of the, be the archetypal character that they see when you look at me. And to date that was a plastic surgeon and an Army-Navy commander, right. Which are two very specific kinds of vibes. And while I have no problem playing those characters, I never truly felt like I was that guy. Part of my job is leaving behind that guy and being the guy that is being asked of me to play. But I don’t necessarily feel like a Navy captain or a hot plastic surgeon, I don’t know. I am a big fan of my insides don’t necessarily match my outsides.
How did you mentally get into that character, the thought process, specifically with Euphoria and I just loved that character, as did so many other people. I think it was brilliant. Thank you. I found a way in with other areas of my life where I sort of felt like, like I just said, I don’t know necessarily that my insides match my outsides and how people perceive me is how I saw myself. And a big part of the reason why I took that job was to kind of mix it up a little bit. And to answer your earlier question, I didn’t really have any reservations, I thought it was an interesting choice too. I mean it made sense because in a way I kind of am that guy, I am the successful pillar in the community, dutiful husband who had great kids, football stars and blah, blah and all these things that sort of put up this sort of facade that I have at all. And not only that, I make every right choice and I am doing everything correctly, but it couldn’t be more the opposite, right? And while I don’t have that as my life experience specifically, I have other things to draw on in my life that are no different.
100 percent, I totally get that.
In your next film, One Fast Move, you play an estranged father helping his son to pursue his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer. Prior to this role did you have any knowledge of the world of professional racing?
You know I have been to a couple of Moto GP events, they are beyond exciting and electrifying. And I have ridden motorcycles for a while now, but I never experienced the world of super bike racing. And that’s my story starring me. (he laughs)
What is it about sports dramas like Friday Night Lights, Ford VS. Ferrari and Rocky that you think resonate so well with the American audiences?
I think people love stories of redemption. I think people love stories of triumph against all odds, and don’t forget Hoosiers, the greatest sports movie ever, and The Natural, Hoosiers are I think the two greatest sports movies. One Fast Move is right behind it. But I think people love stories of redemption. And the underdog, people love stories with the underdog,
So in Bad Boys Ride or Die, you are the villain. How is that experience, just being a part of that whole franchise?
It’s fun. It’s a Jerry Bruckheimer movie and it’s Will Smith & Martin Lawrence and there’s a studio behind it and it’s got a release date and it’s got distribution and they have got a lot of money and it’s all these things that make for a kind of fun or sound working environment. And then you get personalities. And I couldn’t have been more pleased with the people that I worked with on that production, it was super fun. I am happy to report back that Will Smith is a fucking amazing guy. And I had a lot of fun with it. But playing the bad guy is fun. And my pat response is you get to do all the things, most of the things you wanted to do or say without having to experience real world consequences. And that’s part of the appeal. And the rest of it is just getting to be a part of that franchise, getting to be a part of something that’s as big and recognizable with the exposure that it gets and how beloved those characters are to their audience. Just going along for the ride man.
How do you think this film compares to the past films in the franchise?
You know, there’s a through line between the third installment and this one, because you have the same two directors. You have Mike Bay doing the first two and you have Adil and Bilall doing the second two. Both teams, Michael and Adil and Bilall are super adept at shooting action sequences while maintaining story, they are visually really dynamic guys. And after seeing the third one I knew that it was going to look amazing. But the script for the fourth one was terrific, Chris Bremmer did a great job with it. So the story was there and we knew that visually the tonality was going to be there because the directors had proven themselves on the third one. So in that regard, personally I think this is the best of all of them, because I think everything kind of culminated into this really great, so this one puts a story to an end that had been kind of a common denominator between the first three installments. And this kind of closes, kind of buttons up everything nicely I think.
And that helicopter scene was pretty epic. Was that like all A.I. or was that real?
No, that’s real. We had a massive Chinook helicopter on a gimbal and there’s, when people are parachuting out of the back of it, that’s CGI. But for the most part, all the fighting inside was practical.
Yeah I have to see that, I can’t wait to see this movie. You have to.
So the dream roles, some actors have had it, some actors are searching for it. Have you had your dream role and if so, what was it, and if not, what would you like it to be?
I would like to think that the way that I approach the job, any next role is the dream role. But I guess to answer your question, I haven’t gotten it yet, it’s still in front of me. And while the runway behind me may be a lot longer than the runway in front of me as far as my life goes, I still think my best days are ahead of me.
So these days, anybody with an I-Phone is now a filmmaker. Filmmaking is more accessible than it was back in the day. What do you think about this whole revolution of young filmmakers basically creating their own vehicles, or actors creating their own vehicles. Are you on board with this new approach to filmmaking?
I love it. Anything, anyway, any sort of accessibility that you can offer somebody so that we can get great art, I don’t care how it fucking comes. A good idea is a good idea. And whether some kid in the midwest with an I-Phone creates a feature length film with his friends, I don’t think it makes it any less artistic, I don’t think the endeavor is any less worthy and I don’t think the finished product is any less meaningful than say something Martin Scorsese did with the 80 million dollar support of a studio. It’s art, people create, so there’s more avenues and a better conduit to that.
I couldn’t agree with you more on that one.
So is there an actor or director that you have not worked with that you would love to work with?
You know, Denis Villaneuve creates such great worlds, I would love to work with him. Martin Scorsese would be great to work with because he’s such a master, it would be fun to get in there and watch him do his thing. Steven Spielberg is so great, all these great directors who I have heard that were really great with actors, I would love to get the opportunity to work with these people who have worked with the best of the best. They are the ultimate in our field, for acting, photographers, art, filmmaking, they are the gods of it all, the GOATS.
A lot of my actor friends are on a roller coaster ride trying to adapt to current Hollywood. What are your thoughts on the current political correctness of Hollywood? The notion that you have to like what everyone in Hollywood is liking or else. I think words are powerful and I think with the exposure that people are allowed with these various platforms without any arbiters to make determinations on what gets seen and what doesn’t get seen, I think people in general need to be very selective with the words that they use because words are powerful. And I think it’s a very tricky climate to navigate. But my advice I give to myself and I would give to anybody else is, choose your words very carefully. I don’t take a political position or a social position on really anything because everybody buys movie tickets and everybody watches TV. So I don’t want to alienate anybody, that’s just part of my job. I’m not a politician, I’m not an activist, I don’t need to speak up on anything. That said, I am still very careful with how I word things.
If you have an opinion that is not in alignment with the current popular movement or trend, you are called out and potentially canceled. Do you think this has gone to the extreme and is forcing people to conform to get work and stay in the game?
I think the idea of, “if there’s a little innocent bloodshed to move the overall sort of ideology into the right direction” is wrong. Personally I am not against anybody but that doesn’t necessarily mean I am for anybody either. I think everybody has a right to an opinion and a voice. But I do think that when you get into destroying people’s lives and chalking it up to well there’s got to be some innocent bloodshed to course correct and ultimately right the ship, I’m like uh, I don’t know if that’s such a great thing or if that is necessary, I don’t even know if that is necessary. But thankfully I have been able to stay out of this conversation, I am going to stick to that.
So if there is one thing that you could change about today’s entertainment industry, what would it be?
You know I think there used to be a lot more opportunity for actors. And that has diminished greatly over the past ten years, fifteen years. I can’t put a finger on why exactly that is, but I know that opportunities are scarce. Obviously movie studios aren’t making the amount of films they would make annually because the 40 to 60 million dollar movie doesn’t exist anymore, which actually gave birth to a whole new movement in independent filmmaking, which has been great. But I think the opportunities have diminished and they don’t like they are course correcting.
The way the industry has changed is crazy. And definitely I think the people like yourself, bankable actors, will continue to work and prosper and find new ways and new vehicles to succeed. I hope so, from your mouth to God’s ears brother. (laughter)
So finish this sentence, I worked with Eric Dane on set a few times and I have got to tell you, he is really ________ Pleasant to be around. Wasn’t that your experience John Russo?
It totally was!
Yes, you were friendly when I shot you when we were fucking in our 20s, we were at my studio on Wilshire Boulevard, in the garage, with my friend Dan’s cool old Karmann Ghia convertible and you were just awesome. Crazy has fast 20 years goes by! I got to witness your career just go up and up and up and I caught you at a different stage in your career and got to photograph you again and talk to you, which is the beauty of what I do.
Well you are just as pleasant to be around. I had fun shooting with you John.
To learn more about Eric follow him @realericdane
Kristin Davis on why home is where her heart is.
Tell us about your your home decor style? Is it more modern traditional, modern or rustic? my current home is a mix of modern and things I ‘ve collected from my travels , I think best described as transitional.
What color palette do you gravitate toward? Neutrals, warm beiges or more bold colors? I gravitate towards calm neutrals. I love using natural elements like wood and natural stone. I also have some jewel tones in rugs I bought in Morocco.
When choosing a couch, are you drawn to sinking in and having it be super comfy are you more drawn to firm upright designs?
I love a bit of a modern couch, but I also want it to be comfortable!
Fresh Flowers bring life to a home. What are your favorite flowers for your home? And the color.
I am obsessed with flowers, ever since I worked at a floral shop during college. I love white flowers, pink, coral and green. I just really love them all!
Since Covid more people have discovered that being and working at home is where they want to be. It made people really appreciate their homes. Would you consider yourself a homebody?
I am most definitely a home body. I love to stay home all day and do things around the house, though that rarely happens these days!
Art makes a home and gives it character. Are there any artists works you have in your home that you are loving?
I love fine art & photography. I have a few pieces by Takashi Murakami that I love very much.
Do you have any requirements when renting or purchasing a new home? For example… It must have a window in the bathroom, high ceilings, tons of windows.
I feel like natural light is important when renting a house. I also try to find quiet places! Great Outdoor spaces are essential for a home.
Do you prefer a garden with flowers and vegetables or a more minimal approach?
I love a garden with flowers! If I’m looking to buy I definitely need some space to make a garden if there isn’t already one.
Is having a swimming pool at your home essential? A hot tub?
I currently have a pool for the first time and it’s a lot of fun for the kids. But it certainly does require maintenance.
People say, the idea of having a second home is great but the reality is a pain in the ass. What are your thoughts on that?
I have had homes on both coasts and there was such comfort in moving between them. But also a lot of work to keep each place working and stocked . So in many ways it was a relief to get all of our belongings in one house. Though I do still miss my NYC apartment.
If you had to choose…beach home, city home, mountain home or desert home?
I think I would choose a beach house because my Kids would be so happy to live on the beach.
What is the best thing about your current, full time home?
The best thing about our current full time house is that we are in a secluded area surrounded by old trees. I love to feel surrounded by nature whenever possible, even in LA.
Jeff Bridges proves that age is just a number in the “The Old Man”.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
GROOMING BY { THOMAS NELLEN
STYLING BY { LINDA MEDVENE
LOCATION { COLD SPRINGS TAVERN
PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
I only know you from being a “screen actor” and not television. The last time you appeared in multiple-episode TV projects was about 60 years ago on the “Lloyd Bridges show.”
Oh man, yes.
When you started your career, what is the one thing in Hollywood you think has changed for the best and for the worst?
Well, it’s funny, the best and worst, the lines are often blurry. One thing that comes to mind is digital cameras, they have stopped making movie film cameras, Panavision no longer makes film. Cameras and digital things makes, since film is not as precious, you can do many takes, there’s no limit on the length of film that’s running and that can be a good and a bad thing. There’s something that the preciousness of film gives you, a certain something. (laughs) It’s the same thing as editing when the Moviolas and you had to edit and it took time to scrape the film and paste it together and do all that. And now, with the KEM and other faster editing, movies have changed. So when it was slower, it added a certain quality, and the same thing about film versus digital, recording of video. One thing that has changed for the worst is no TV Guide man, there’s so much stuff on the tube and there’s no way to look and see how to look at it.
Between the pandemic and your illness, the production of “The Old Man” must have seemed like an eternity. Now that it finally came to fruition, you must feel lots of emotions. It’s like a dream, man. We started it three years ago. We broke for the pandemic, I got sick, and we came back and finished it two years later. The word dream comes to mind.
The word “old” carries a negative stigma in most circles. When you got the offer to play in a project entitled “The Old Man,” was there any hesitation on your part?
I’m not the only old man, Lithgow; I think he might be a couple of days old than me. Same with Joel Grey. I’m just one of the Old men. (laughs)
After your illness, you had some memory issues. How is that going?
Yeah, man, I don’t know if it’s old age or Covid but my memory, man…
You have accomplished so much in your career. What is next for Jeff Bridges?
Maybe I’ll retire, slow down… but my mind just won’t have it. I’m working on some music with T Bone Burnett.
Where would it be if you had to choose your favorite place on earth?
Well, Montana comes to mind. We have a place in Montana that we’ve lived in for over 40 years. Our house is the whorehouse from Heaven’s Gate, the hog ranch and Michael Cimino gave it to me, and numbered the logs, and moved it four hundred miles south and that’s where we live in Montana.
Is there an actor you have not worked with in your career and would like to work with and why?
There’s no one actor that comes to mind. I found total children who have never acted at all, are wonderful actors to work with, people off the street are wonderful actors to work with, no one famous guy comes to mind.
I understand photography is a passion of yours. Will there be an additional published book of your work any time soon?
I’ve published two books that are available to the public, Pictures Volume One and Volume Two. They are out of print right now, and I’m working on getting second editions.
In one hundred years, when a group of actors is studying your career, what is the one thing they should know about Jeff Bridges?
What is the one thing they should know about Jeff Bridges?
Gee, I don’t know. He was an actor who was lucky, he played in a lot of different roles. So a lot of different versions of what being a human being was like in the late 20th and early 21st century.
I don’t know; that’s a tough question. I don’t really know about that one, okay.
To learn more about Jeff follow him at @thejeffbridges
From “Echoes” to “The Nanny,” Michelle Monaghan is UNSTOPPABLE
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
MAKEUP BY { SARAH USLAN FOR VISIONARIES AGENCY
HAIR BY { DENNIS GOTTS FOR FORWARD ARTISTS
STYLING BY { JENNIFER AUSTIN
MANICURE BY { TRACEY CLEMENS
LOCATION { 1HOTELS WEST HOLLYWOOD
PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
You have had this career that most actors dream of. How do you stay so consistent in the game without burning out?
Firstly, I will say that I am so grateful to be working as solidly as I am, really, for what is the last 20 years. I’ve been very fortunate in terms of the projects that I’ve been able to do, the range I’ve explored and the different genres I’ve gotten to play in. I think I’ve dabbled in the things that are facets of myself - somewhat dramatic and comedic and physical. I enjoy working in spaces that are small, such as the independent world, which is fulfilling in terms of collaborating with young filmmakers and bringing something to life. And the bigger films, the Mission Impossible movies, for example, feed a different creative beast in me. That’s on the professional side, of course, but personally, I have a rich family life that I get to go home to - a beautiful little family that I just treasure, more than anything.
That’s amazing!
Yeah!
It’s like hitting the lottery every day of your life. I do feel like I have hit the lottery. That’s a lovely way of putting it, and I pinch myself. My husband and I both have a lot of gratitude for where we are in our lives. What I always try to remember, especially in this career, is there’s a natural ebb and flow and it’s not just in this industry; it’s in any career. Having been through many ebbs and flows of my own, there’s something to be said for being able to sit back and keep a healthy perspective.
So you have these two projects that are both so cool and so unique and different, Echoes and The Nanny, they are both thrillers. Let’s talk about Echoes first. You play two characters, Leni and Gina, identical twins. I would think that that would be so difficult, playing two characters at the same time, but obviously, you nailed it. Can you tell me about your preparation for these two roles?
Yes. It was one of the hardest creative endeavors I’ve tackled. (laughs) First, I went to Staples and bought about two hundred dollars worth of post-Its, markers,
and organizational tools to divide these women into their own worlds and essentially create a map of their intersecting lives. Fundamentally, in terms of prepping both, they share the foundational trauma of losing their mother, yet how each twin remembers that loss is really what informs their decisions and life choices. It was a huge challenge, but once I inhabited the roles, I was able to jump back and forth from one to the other as it was necessary throughout the day. In pre-production, there were days I was paralyzed with fear. I really believed in my mind I had no idea what I was going to do. Then once we start rolling cameras, I slid into their respective skin. I won’t say it completely effortlessly, but since I’d done the prep work, I was able to execute it. However, I was exhausted by the end of the series. I was ready to hang up their hats, so to speak!
And that plays back into the first question, how you have maintained this consistency in the game, in the industry, obviously people love to work with you and you deliver. And I think that’s what people look for, is that this is a person that simply delivers, and I think that’s like applause and a testament to who you are and what you bring to the table.
Well, I appreciate that so much. I really know that it’s so much of a collaborative process and I respect each individual player, whether they are my co-stars, my director, my writer, or hair and makeup, we are all spokes on a wheel. That doesn’t mean that everything goes smoothly, but for people to be in the room at this level, people are there for a reason. Being inspired by everyone that I’m working with enables me to always put my best foot forward.
Do you think this type of scenario in this movie could actually play out in real life?
(laughs) Nope. I think from some of the research that I was doing, kids who are twins do it to keep out of trouble or have fun. As adults, it’s not feasible but fun to watch! A lot of women who have watched the show would love to live both lives! Live in LA and be married to Daniel Sunjata and then switch and be married to Matt Bomer, living on a farm!? I get the audience appeal, a little vicarious living, perhaps.
So, speaking of Matt Bomer, you got to work with our amazing friend. Can we just have a Mattfest right now? (laughs) What do you love about working with Matt Bomer?
Oh gosh, I love that guy so much. I had heard through the grapevine for years that people just loved and adored him, but really it didn’t prepare me to quite understand what a gentleman he is and a consummate professional. As I mentioned earlier, I really am so inspired by the people that I get to work with, and Matt is at the top of my list.
What are your pros and cons to working on a miniseries instead of being a regular on a show?
I would look at both as luxuries. I had such an amazing experience working on The Path for three seasons with a terrific cast, amazing crew, and great creatives all around. We loved it. I was sad when it ended, but three years kind of felt like we had a beginning, middle, and end. For example, True Detective and Echoes, were limited. And for me creatively, for both of those, I can’t imagine the story going beyond what was written. I like the finality of a limited series, but still, maintain the time and space for a creative deep dive.
So your other project, The Nanny, we all hear these real-life horror stories, Nanny horror stories. But to see one play out on the screen is always exciting. As a mother and a wife, I’m sure you had some reservations or ideas about hiring the right Nanny. What are the things you would look for and things you would avoid in this search?
Indeed. It takes a village. (Laughs) It’s interesting because my husband, for whatever reason, has been the one that has taken the lead in hiring a nanny when needed. We’ve always been happy with our nannies, babysitters, and anybody that’s helped us out. The most important thing when hiring is looking for the qualities you look for in your friends or people that you want to spend time with. I want to spend time with people that are fun, and have a sense of humor. Those are characteristics that I love in my husband, and we adore in our children. We don’t take things too seriously. If you can make a mean snack, that helps too! (laughs)
The film takes on many hot topics, including race and gender, and socio-economic status. Do you think there’s any lesson that comes out of this film?
I am so proud to be a part of this film. Nikyatu Jusu is our writer and director and it’s her first feature. There
are just certain voices that are critical and “of the time” and hers is one of them. This film shines a light on a perspective that we don’t often see which is seeing the world through the eyes of an immigrant. The very people that are taking care of our children have often left their own children behind, in pursuit of what they consider the “American Dream”. It’s a confronting and haunting truth. The role made me uncomfortable, in the most perfect way. And as an actor, I felt compelled to lean into that discomfort with Nikyatu and our brilliant leading lady, Anna Diop. It’s tense and nuanced. And it will stick with you long after you watch it.
I love hearing this; it entices me, and it gets me very excited to see it; I can’t wait; I’m really, really stoked about it!
Thank you.
So we will go off topic with the current Hollywood, which is quite cause-driven; everyone has a cause, a stance, an opinion. What is your cause or causes, do you have any?
First and foremost, right now with elections right around the corner, Roe v. Wade, a woman’s right to choose is just of paramount importance right now; there’s no question about it. We need to codify it into law because there’s too much at stake. It’s not just a woman’s issue. It’s a civil rights issue. I want to live in a world where women and families and men can decide when and with whom they want to have a baby. That is so important to me.
The current Hollywood has also adopted a strong you are with us or against us stance on issues. So if you have an opinion that is not in alignment with the current popular movement or trend, you are called out and potentially canceled. Do you think this has gone to the extreme and is forcing people to conform to get work and stay in the game?
There are really two sides to it, right? I can’t say that we can deduce it to Hollywood because it really extends to every industry. In our industry we espouse tolerance, yet we have very little of it at times. It’s certainly important to call out offensive behavior and hold people accountable. I think it’s important for people to think twice before they say something or before they do something harmful to other people or potentially themselves. I think that the pendulum will swing, but I do think the threat of being canceled encourages people to act responsibly and respectfully.
So the world has changed a lot in the last few years, some things for the better and others for the worse. So if you had to identify a few silver linings for you personally, what would they be?
I really loved the slowdown and being at home. That’s not to say that being at home wasn’t stressful for other reasons; home school, of course, not knowing when anybody was going back to work, that’s all a given. But getting that one-on-one time for several months with our children and my husband was gold for us as a family; it was special. We did a lot of dishes (laughs). I remember that period fondly because I remember that was really when I instituted, and my husband as well, a lot of teamwork, a lot of team building, like not too indifferent about what was going on in the rest of the world, we were all collectively a team. We were banging pots with the neighbors at 5 PM and now when I look back, those were such fleeting moments, but they touched me to a core.
So the dream role, some actors have had it, and some are searching for it. Have you had your dream role, and if so, what was it, and if not, what would you like to be?
Oh gosh, that is a good question. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a dream role, my roles in Fort Bliss and Trucker were dream roles, roles, where I’m able to experience a whole new way of life & culture, have been so memorable because I have had the opportunity to walk in other people’s shoes and that’s been aweinspiring to me. But there is one thing that I haven’t tackled, and I don’t believe my career will feel complete until I do…is to have a role on stage one day. I really want to do a play.
So in years to come, when a class of young actors is discussing your career, and they will be, what is one thing they should know about Michelle Monaghan?
MM: Oh my gosh, (laughs) oh gosh, that is so hard. (Laughs) That I am perpetually tired, (laughter) that I really, really treasured every job, every role, and gave it my all. I have loved every single role that I have done and am grateful for the opportunities that I have had. I wish I had something cleverer. (laughs)
Nicholas Pinnock delivers another epic performance in the BBC’s “This Town”
INTERVIEW } JOHN RUSSO
PHOTOGRAPHS BY } JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION } THE BACCARAT HOTEL NYC
PRODUCED BY } KEN WALLER FOR PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
GROOMING } GENTLEE MEN’S STUDIO
STYLING } CANNON
REPRESENTED BY THE CANNON MEDIA GROUP
You are having such a wonderful career and have been part of many incredible projects. From “Django” to “The Book of Clarence” and now “This Town”. In looking back at your career which characters have stood out to you as being your personal best work?
It’s hard to choose just one because what I’m drawn to are the complexities and dynamics of each character within the given piece. I fall in love with all of them. There are things about John Ellis in Django that I haven’t found in any other characters in the same way. Deuce Williams, from This Town, had very unique insights for me as a character, which I hadn’t played before. Obviously Jesus, from Book of Clarence, was the most iconic role I’ve ever played; to Aaron Wallace in For Life, where I played 5 different versions of him within one episode sometimes. Then there are characters on-stage, which have given me so much to explore over time, that it really is hard to just choose one.
In the comedic biblical “Book of Clarence” you play the mysterious Jesus. How was it playing the ultimate role, the son of God?
It was not only a pleasure, because working with Jeymes Samuel, and the entire team was to date, one of the most unique experiences I’ve had. But to be gifted such an iconic role in a film that I believe will go on to have a cult status, for me has been such a career highlight.
In “This Town” you play Deuce, a father who is desperate to keep your son off of the streets of Birmingham. How did you prepare for this role? Have any experiences in your personal life help you resonate with this character?
Deuce is an easy one as he reminds me of a lot of people from my Jamaican family. Accent wise, it came natural to me, because I grew up hearing that as a child and throughout my adulthood. Where I found a connection with Deuce was he was fighting alcoholism. Although I’m not an alcoholic, I fight mental health issues every day, and I found a link between those two states of mind that allowed me to understand where Deuce was coming from and how to access that aspect of him.
The word on the street is that your show has an incredible soundtrack. There are great songs across the six episodes by Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley and Prince Buster to Blondie, Tubeway Army and Siouxsie and the Banshees. There’s even some Stiff Little Fingers, Tom Jones and Leonard Cohen on there. Historically great soundtracks have social immortality and create one more aspect to the project for fans. What impact does this soundtrack have on the show? Are you a fan of the music?
I’m a big fan of the music. That’s the music I grew up hearing. I think music has a language and a universality of its own, so wherever you are from, if you understand that time of Birmingham or not, the music will allow you access to that world., the people, who they are and what they are going through. The music is not only enjoyable to listen to, but especially around that time, a lot of the songs used in the show are political and had a message that could transcend culture, age and nationality.
It is obvious that people resonate with your roles you are playing. On our shoot, a man went out of is way to shake your hand. How does this feeling of adornment affect you? Does this motivate you to keep delivering epic performances?
Yes, absolutely. The fact that I can connect with an audience through the performances that I deliver is my job done. Everybody likes a pat on the back from their boss, and I see the audience as who I’m doing this for. If they are happy, then it motivates me to keep going, stretch myself, grow, and strive to deliver performances that are worthy of their attention.
You have filmed all over the world, are there any particular places that stand out to you as a place you could easily live?
Iceland. I loved filming Fortitude there. it was amazing. You could turn around 360 degrees and at some point in that rotation you would see a waterfall. There aren’t that many people, which I quite liked, and it’s quiet and peaceful and surrounded by nature.
If there is one thing you could change about the current entertainment industry what would it be?
Hierarchy. I would dismantle the hierarchy on set. This notion that some people are more important than others and we should be treating everyone the same. We are all there collab for one common goal, which is to make whatever the audience sees on screen the best it can possibly be. From the people who supply and maintain the trailers to executives who make the decisions and put up the money. We are all doing our part to work towards the same goal and outcome. I’ve encountered a few times when background actors weren’t allowed to eat during lunch, until certain people had their lunch first, and it angered me. I told them to go eat and questioned why these things happened. After a long explanation, I still don’t think things like that are acceptable in the industry.
If you could go back in time and have a meal with a famous actor who has passed, who would it be and why?
I had a meal with a famous actor who has now passed and it was everything. Michael Gambon was an inspiration and having sat down with him several times and shared many conversations, there is nobody else I would choose.
In 50 years when an acting class is studying your body of work ( and they will be) what is the one thing you would want them to know about you?
That my aim in delivering every performance that I ever had was to move people’s emotions, challenge their way of thinking and at the same time, entertain them to a point where even if they hated my performance, it left a lasting impression on them.
To learn more about Nicholas follow him @nicholaspinnock
Actress Lydia Hearst is embracing her penchant for horror films.
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
MAKEUP BY { ALLAN AVANDANO
HAIR BY { MARCUS FRANCIS FOR A-FRAME AGENCY
STYLING BY { JOSEPH CASSELL
PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
LOCATION { LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
When did you decide you wanted to transition from modeling to acting?
My true creative passion is acting. And although I absolutely love acting my background is in fashion and it’s not something that I would truly ever want to say goodbye to. I have always been drawn to the world of entertainment and self-expression. And I am thankful to have a family who has always believed in me and supported my dreams and ambitions.
Was there an “aha” moment, maybe a film you saw or a great performance, that may have inspired you to take the leap into acting?
I remember growing up watching my mom walk the catwalk for Thierry Mugler, and act in various John Waters films. It all seemed so magical and fantastic – I just knew that it was a world I wanted to be a part of. I firmly believe that if you are actively engaged in life as an individual, you are more able to draw from yourself. When you are an actor you have a script, but you must make yourself into the character, live the part, own the words, and breathe life into role. Acting itself is a form of play-pretend and make-believe, and the truly effective performances are ones that are grounded in intimate, emotional honesty.
In your most recent film Titanic 666, you play a pivotal role in a movie where your character seeks retribution and scares the hell out of everyone on board. How did you prepare for this role?
This character was very dark and psychologically fascinating. She is consumed by the tragedy of the Titanic and is determined to settle her unfinished business with the living as well as the dead. I had a lot of fun with this role and loved reuniting with some of my Z Nation family.
In your next horror film, Slayers, you’re not only starring, but you are also a co-executive producer. How did you become involved in this project, and what drew you to it?
It’s been a remarkable learning experience for me to be able to get a glimpse behind the scenes and gain a better understanding of the day-to-day process of filmmaking. This film is a unique and modern reimagining of the classic vampire lore, and as I am a horror fanatic, I signed onto the project Slayers as both an actor and producer. I loved the story and world that Writer/Director Asher Leven had created, and I am thrilled to be a part of this production.
Wow, you are one busy woman; you’re also starring in Akatsuki Entertainment’s forthcoming film, Root LETTER alongside Danny Ramirez, which is an English-language film adaptation of the Japanese video game; the film is intended as a gritty re-imagining of the game’s core story of a protagonist in search of a former pen pal who disappears under curious circumstances. Can you tell us about your role in this film? How was it working with Danny Ramirez? Have you worked with him before?
I play the role of Karen, a volatile and unstable mother who is emotionally tortured and desperately addicted to heroin. This role was extremely challenging as Karen is so different from who I am as an individual, but I love a challenge! Working with Danny was so wonderful, he’s incredibly talented and a lovely person, and I’m so excited to see where his career is taking him. We all worked extremely hard and put a lot of love, effort, and care into bringing these characters to life and telling this story.
With filmmaking much more accessible than years ago, what do you think about this new breed of young filmmakers grabbing their iPhones and assembling teams of friends and creating their own vehicles? Are you on board with this type of filmmaking?
I think it’s wonderful that more and more people have the accessibility and ability to create art and make films. I am fully on board with people pursuing their dreams and bringing their stories to life. It’s wonderful that artists now have the ability to get their work seen and both fans and consumers are able to be exposed to so many wonderful things that we may never have been able to see at any other time in cinematic history.
Choosing the right roles/projects in Hollywood is basically like rolling the dice. Is there any project you passed on that you wish you would have except it? And on the flip side, is there any project that you accepted that you wish had passed on?
I find myself drawn to character-driven roles and scripts where I’m forced to challenge and change myself, both physically and emotionally. I get to tap into different aspects of my personality and really change. With acting, every project and every role is a new adventure. I love to challenge myself – that’s a huge part of what draws me to a part. I love changing and I love working hard and tapping into these aspects of my personality that maybe I wasn’t even aware of before. And I particularly enjoy being able to work on fun projects with nice people and create art.
Most actors have their “dream role”; what is your dream role. What type of character would you like to portray, and who would be your dream costars?
I have accomplished so much and so many of my goals. Every job and each opportunity has been memorable and helped me to grow as an individual and a performer. My dreams have and I believe still are coming true. I just hope to be able to continue doing what I love and creating art with amazing people. I am grateful for each and every opportunity that comes my way, and
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
I don’t think I would wish for anything. To me, it’s important to live life fully to the best of your abilities, be present, and at the end of the day, you should follow your heart and be true to yourself. It’s pointless to wish when life is meant to be lived. And besides, as someone who watches pretty much all horror movies, wishes always backfire; so you may as well accept and embrace yourself and your life as it unfolds.
You have worked with almost every top photographer in the game, what was it like working with photographer John Russo in creating these absolutely incredible images?
In my fashion career, I had the opportunity to travel the world and work with some of the most iconic designers and photographers to date. Because of my work in fashion, I developed my own unique and personal sense of style and learned how to be comfortable in my own skin. I have been extremely fortunate in my career and am so thankful for every opportunity that has come my way as every job and each opportunity has helped me to grow as an individual and performer. And I am incredibly grateful for every day that I can work and continue to chase my dreams, especially when I am able to work with such incredible talent as John Russo. I had the absolute time with him, especially being just a couple of months postpartum and my first time since giving birth being back in front of a camera, he made me feel incredibly comfortable, confident, beautiful, and safe.
To learn more about Lydia Hearst follow her at @lydiahearst
the truly effective performances are ones that are grounded in intimate, emotional honesty.
LIAM CUNNINGHAM GETS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO PSYCHOPATH IN HIS NEW SCI-FI THRILLER, 3 BODY PROBLEM
INTERVIEW } JOHN RUSSO
PHOTOGRAPHS BY } JOHN RUSSO
GROOMING } BEAUTY BY SOLE
STYLING } JENNIFER AUSTIN
You have appeared in many iconic films and played intense roles in your career; which role stands out to you as your best work?
I’ve been really lucky. What I’m most proud of, in a lot of ways, though, is The Wind that Shakes the Barley. It’s a film from Ken Loach, a man whom I adore. He brought me in, and we won the Palme d’Or. It’s so historic for Ireland, and I am so proud of that. Game of Thrones is also one of the proudest things I’ve ever done. And A Little Princess, I’m very proud of that one. It’s a beautiful kids movie. But that question is a bit like asking which of your children is your favorite…I love them all for different reasons.
You are part of one of the most iconic shows of all time, “Game of Thrones.” When choosing new roles, do you try to steer clear of roles that are similar to the ones you played in Game of Thrones? I do, and mostly, that’s for the benefit of the audiences. If they see me doing the exact same thing and are paying good money for it, then I feel I’ve robbed them. Also, for me, it would just be a payday, and I would get bored in the process of filming. I need something to keep me on the edge and push me. Feeling close to failure is exciting, especially if you pull it off!
Although Game of Thrones is over, your fan base will continue to stay strong, especially as younger generations start to discover the series. Do you embrace the attention of the fans who will continually associate you with the show?
Oh yes, absolutely. We all shared this beautiful ensemble with that show. And we, as actors, only got to see the bits that we actually filmed, so when everyone in the cast sat down, we could enjoy it as much as the fans. It’s so lovely when people come up and are drawn to a project for different reasons. The fact that there are constantly new fans and that it continues to resonate with audiences only speaks to how great the material was and the entire team, both in front and behind the camera.
You went from Fantasy in “Game of Thrones” to Sci-fi in 3 Body Problem”. What other Genre would you like to work in? Romantic comedy? Love story? Drama?
It would be fun to do a family drama. I love seeing epic problems in a family’s life. I’ve always liked the interpersonal aspect. The big epic shows are wonderful but I always find the really interesting bits are what’s happening in the lives of the characters. I would love to do one of those amazing French family dramas….except that I don’t speak French!
In your latest show, “3 Body Problem,” you are basically saving the world. What do you most like about your character?
I love how single-minded he is. I wish I were as sure of myself as Thomas Wade is. How glorious to not have to doubt oneself! Although, he’s dangerously close to a psychopath, so I don’t want to be THAT sure of myself!
How is it working with your former “Game of Thrones” costars John Bradley & Jonathan Price?
It’s glorious to be in their company. It’s lovely and gives you a sense of well-being when you have people who have already proved themselves to be such extraordinary talents. As an actor, being surrounded by talented, decent, funny, and wonderful people is wonderful. I was delighted to work with them again.
Looking back on your career, is there one role you passed on that you wish you had said yes to?
No, never. I’ve never wondered if I made a mistake turning down something. I have a couple of regrets about projects I didn’t get, but I try to forget them as much as possible.
Hollywood (and its politics) have changed since you began your career. What changes do you think have had a positive impact on the industry, and what changes have not served the industry well?
Me Too has definitely made enormous strides. It’s far from perfect, but I’m glad it’s going in the right direction. And I think we are making such important strides in terms of diversity across the board. Again, there is still a long way to go, but all positive steps. All these steps have further improved accessibility in the industry. On the flip side, social media can be both good and bad. With social media, you will get exactly what you are looking for, so you have to be careful. If you want to feed your paranoia, there will be plenty of stuff there. But if you believe the good reviews, you have to believe the bad ones too, so you have to take it with a pinch of salt.
INDYCAR driver MARCUS ERICSSON has his eyes on the prize
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
PRODUCED BY } KEN WALLER FOR PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
GROOMING BY { SYDNEY SOLLOD
STYLING BY { SYDNEY LOPEZ
When did you first know you wanted to be a race car driver? How did you execute this dream?
From as early as I can remember, all I wanted to play with and loved was cars. So when I was big enough (8 years old) I kept asking my dad for a chance to try a gokart. He eventually let me have a go and I was hooked from then on. The next year my dad bought me my first Gokart and the rest is history.
Tell us a bit about the car you are currently racing. Do you have a favorite track or event and why?
I‘m racing in the NTT INDYCAR Series. My car is the number 28 Delaware Life Andretti Global Honda. It has around 650-700 horsepower and a top speed of 240+ MPH.
What song pumps you up for a big race?
I like punk rock and old-school rock for the most part before a race. Some bands I usually listen to are Millencolin, Offspring, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio.
What advice would you give to kids that aspire to be like you?
Dream big and work hard. Motorsport is not an easy profession but anything is possible.
As with all motor sports, there is a level of danger. How do you manage your fear?
I have respect for the dangers involved in what I do. But I know how much the safety of the drivers has improved in INDYCAR over the years. And how much the series focuses on always putting safety first. I never feel fear while driving but I also know the risks involved.
Do you have any lucky charms or race-day superstitions?
I decided early in my career to not have any. I was afraid the day I forgot something I would have a terrible race!
If you were not a race car driver , what would you be? Are there other sports or professions that you would gravitate toward?
I love hockey and was playing as a goalie until I was 16 years old. If I didn’t pursue my racing career I would definitely have tried to become a Pro Hockey player. I have several friends playing professionally and try to catch as much action in the NHL and in Sweden as I can when I’m not racing.
To learn more about Marcus Ericsson follow him @ ericsson_marcus
To learn more about INDYCAR follow them @indycar
Demian Bichir stars in Showtime’s latest adaptation of the classic Vampire film, “Let the Right one in.”
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
GROOMING BY { CATHERINE FURNIS
STYLING BY { ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
LOCATION { DOWNTOWN LA PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
Your latest project, “Let the right one in,” is a remake/adaptation for television. what are your thoughts on reboots?
I’m not a big fan of remakes. I’m not a big fan of anything that has been done in the past. But I’m also a big fan of the classics. I’m also a big fan of reexploring anything. That’s probably why we continue to stage Shakespeare all the time. It’s all about knowing what the new approach would be. What makes this something worth watching? For people like me, who are already a big fan of the original film, it all begins there. It’s all about the vision to make this appealing, to make this fresh, to make this powerful, and to make this something great, for people who are fans of the original story or not.
Is this your first time working with Showtime?
In this case, this is my second time collaborating for Showtime. At Showtime, you can show and tell anything the way you want to do it. There’s so much freedom there for creative artists. And then, it’s about who you’re going to be playing on the field. I love fútbol, or soccer, but I’m only as good of a player as the rest of my team, and everyone has to be phenomenal in their positions.
You get to work with a great cast on this project. How was that experience?
I couldn’t have been happier and luckier to have this group of actors because every time you go to work in a scene and they say, “Action!,” something happens where they bring your game up.
What is the main challenge for your character, Mark Kane?
As parents, we are ready and willing to do anything for our family. For our kids, we’re ready to cross any line, as dark as it can be. It’s about the health of your children. Once you get infected with a crazy virus, everything goes upside down. We, as humanity, know that very, very well, nowadays. We know what that is like. There are many things that go through my character’s mind, and one of them is fear. It’s the fear of leaving her alone in this world.
After watching an episode, I can see this is not only fun and I’m sure challenging, but clearly a lot of work. How was this experience?
That’s what we actors pray for. We’re always praying to find something like this, and it was quite a ride. Shooting these 10 episodes was one of the hardest projects that I’ve ever done. When we finished, and we wrapped, I was done. I was drained, literally.
“Let the right one in” airs on Sundays, on Showtime.
With multiple projects on the horizon, Garrett Hedlund is soaring above the clouds.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
GROOMING BY { JAMES MOONEY FOR ART DEPARTMENT
STYLING BY { NAKED CASHMERE, DOLCE & GABBANA, ACE RIVINGTON
LOCATION { SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA
Growing up in rural Minnesota, could you have ever imagined the career that you have?
No. My biggest dream, or what I thought my future was only going to consist of, was taking over the farm and perhaps working on the assembly line at Polaris, the ATV factor, ATV snowmobiles, and whatnot, so no. Growing up with three channels, becoming an actor seemed like the grandest fantasy anybody could have or would have ever sort of tried to come up with. I only went to the movie theater twice before I was fourteen, I think it was to see The Lion Kingand Starship Troopers. And no, nobody really left the farm from our tiny town; they would usually go off the freshman and sophomore year of College and seek comfort by returning home, being around their family, and starting a family of their own.
A good analogy would almost be like hitting the lottery, like what are the chances, because it’s the same thing with me. I came from a small town in New Jersey that had one traffic light, and to think that I could ever be where I am and be in the circles and do what I do, it’s almost like hitting the lottery or a dream come true. And I am sure that other people you grew up with must think that, like, dude, you don’t live on this farm, you are in a movie with Ben Affleck, you are traveling the world, you are the fucking star of all these movies. It’s humbling and overwhelming. Look you try and, it’s kind of at a point whenever I would return home I wouldn’t even really talk about those things much. I never wanted to seem like I was bragging, but I always missed home tremendously, I had left quite abruptly when I was fourteen to live with my mother in Arizona. And so I really missed it, I missed my friends and a lot of that. So when I went back, the last thing I wanted was to be treated any different, then when I left off being treated like. No, we chatted about that bit. My town was pretty much one-stoplight, maybe two, and I think we got the third one after I was gone. But still, it was only 2,500 people, we lived 30 miles out on the farm. And as you know, it’s not just one thing; it’s a lot of crazy steps that it takes. When I had gotten Troy, I remember that The Hollywood Reporter had said “fresh off the boat” this and that, newcomer moves to town gets Troy. But for three years prior to that, I was in Arizona, and I was flying to LA for auditions. I was working in a restaurant as a busser. I had gone to a talent scout and did a monologue in front of all these people and acquired my manager. I flew to LA myself when I was 15 with him and got signed with an agent. And they would start sending me auditions and the auditions would be for the next day. I didn’t even have a fax machine, so they would fax the sides over to the nearest Kinko’s, and I would have to drive to Kinko’s to get the fax, go online to Southwest, buy a ticket to Burbank airport and my mom would have to trust me to just fly to LA at 15, be picked up my manager at that time or one of his other clients, be driven to
the audition, be driven back, fly back, do my homework and go to school the next day. And so by the time I finally moved out to LA and had gotten Troy, I had been put on a lot of carbon footprint to be a struggling actor. But also, the whole process of even having a dream to become an actor, especially when you are in high school, especially when you are states away from Los Angeles or New York, you are always going to face that social opposition, kids in your class, this and that, I always was afraid to tell anybody what my dreams were, because how ruthless kids can be, saying oh, so you think you are going to be an actor. I didn’t want any of that, because maybe I was afraid I would believe them or didn’t believe. So I just didn’t tell anybody my dreams because I wanted to secretly go out and try to explore them myself and have my own failures and not have everybody else know them. So I didn’t have to be reminded of them so I could keep progressing to my own secret dream at my own secret pace.
That’s awesome. You are the definition of the word driven. Yeah. Look, it was tricky at that point. A lot of my friends were massive, it was a very big high school I went to in Arizona and the theater program was huge and everybody was insanely talented, the chorus department, everybody was insanely talented. Kids, my friends in chorus, went off to the Boston Conservatory or friends in Drama got full rides to that place in Ohio, the acting school, the University, I forget the name. And I just always wanted to, once I sat and started to become so inspired by films and performances, coming from a farm, I was so unaware of all the actors I was watching, I knew some of the big stars of today’s time and stuff like that, but I was so unaware of so much. And so my whole beginning was playing catch up on so much, still. I mean, pretty much now for eternity, we will be playing catch up to become a complete audience of all the great performances of yesteryear.
So that leads me to a good thing. So 2004 hits, you are in a huge movie with Brad Pitt, Troy, arguably at that point maybe the most famous actor at that time. So at that point, were you like, is this a dream? Were you almost pinching yourself, like I am in a movie with Brad Pitt, wow. It’s almost like did you feel like you made it or you were on your way to make it?
No, it was more when I got that film, yeah, it was kind of like the first unbelievable thing that had happened in my life. I felt like, and I have somewhat answered this question before, but I had this recurring dream up to that point that I was running across this lake, frozen over lake, and I would almost get to the other side, and I would fall through, and I would not be able to find the hole that I fell through in the water, all those different kinds of things. And it was always screaming that I get so far towards achieving a goal before something collapses from underneath me. And this was the first time that I sort of achieved what I set out to do and that felt really good. And the experience was unlike anything other at that point. It was a wonderful cast, I mean, for me, cause I graduated high school early and moved out to be there for Pilot season like everybody does, if you weren’t out for Pilot season, the year of auditions is going to be pretty dry and that’s your biggest shot at being up for something. I don’t think I’ve heard Pilot season in fifteen, twenty years. And so I graduated early, doubled up on my credits and moved out to LA and got that. But it was really unique at that time, it was connecting a lot of sort of, just symbolic sort of dots. I remember sitting with my mom, brother and sister watching, A River Runs Through It and her pointing to my older brother, that’s you and then pointing to Brad, that’s you. And I always thought it was going to be, as the film ends. But just that memory of sitting there watching the film with my mom,
my brother and this and that. And then for him to play my cousin, for my first film to be with him, it was surreal. So the whole thing was pretty incredible, to be sitting out there while filming in Malta, I’m 18, I’m going to set in London and kind of laughing in the lobby, like sitting down with Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Peter O’Toole, Brendan Gleeson and all these other guys. And all my friends are still going to class at 8AM. And so it was a glorious little thing.
So acting can be a roller coaster of highs and lows. At what point do you think you had your high and at what point do you think you had your low? And maybe there was no low. No, I have had higher expectations of something. It hasn’t really been sort of highs and lows really, they’ve all been incredible learning experiences. I’m proud of the work and the stepping stones put into each project because they all added up to me sort of being equipped with tools at this very moment that I haven’t had in the last, it was 2003 when I started, I didn’t know a damned thing about shooting back then, any of the technicalities. People I was surrounded by were in high school were studying theater. I was learning what I wanted to one day ultimately do when I was going to watch films like I Am Sam and stuff like that at the cinema. Even films, I can’t even rightfully say there’s any film I regret doing because all of them were such tools for me to, as I said, to feel as equipped as I feel right now and ultimately what I feel is sort of a sense of fearlessness. So that’s that. I will try and make something a little bit more concise for you because this is interesting. What I was almost going to say at the beginning was, when you were saying highs and lows, I’ve had high expectations of things and then saw it back and was revealed low results. But no, that is not even right to sort of say, cause I was almost going to say man, it felt like Troy was the first unbelievable thing that had happened and then my God, On the Road, that was another unbelievable moment for me, because I was such a Beat Generation fanaticand Kerouac was so holy to me and all these guys. And I played Neal Cassidy and that really meant something to me. And the journey meant an insane amount. So there’s more that every once in a while something is so clearly representing what’s going to be the beginning of the next chapter for you. And I strongly feel like I am at that right now, with a couple of other projects that I have done this year, it was just with a couple of directors that just really let me fly. I’m really excited about all the tomorrows right now.
So choosing the right role, or should I say being steered towards choosing the right role by your agents, is always a crapshoot. On one hand, you want to work, and on the other hand, your agents are positioning you to take only the biggest roles, so they sometimes pass on everything. This is always risky. Has this scenario played out in your career, and how have you handled it?
GH: I feel like my team has got a pretty wonderful sense of everybody creatively that’s out there and what they would mean to me. But I would say Mudbound for me, which I thought was an incredible ensemble, a very powerful piece, I wouldn’t say everybody was crazy about me doing it, and I am so glad that I did it. I loved the story. I could see it from the get-go. This film that I did right after that, Burden, I had people telling me that I shouldn’t do this, especially not after Mudbound, but I went with my instincts. After I read it, I saw something and I thought that I could do something with it, something unique. And those two films have really been a sort of driving force in my career. Once again two wonderful directors that sort of just wanted to experience the characters through you, weren’t trying to mold you into their vision of anything. And nearly no rehearsals, no rehearsals for cam, we just blocked, and you are in it, which really
allows the actors to trust that what they bring on the day, you can do a couple of takes and the director is going to trust you and move on because that’s what you did, it’s what you intended to do. And so I would say maybe on some of those. Other ones, there may be a couple of studio ones that I was steered towards, just because it would be a smart thing to do. Sometimes those smart things, smart things can really take a toll and not come out as fruitful as everybody imagines, especially if they are a studio film and there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen when it comes to editing the thing, then it can be an overly curated result of something. And so being able to go in and have a very tight shooting schedule, like one of the films I just finished this year, I just saw the director’s cut last week, this film Desperation Road, we shot it in 16 days and three weeks later the director, Nadine Crocker, had her first edit done, that is some ambitious shit. They should win an award just for getting everyone together there on set and on location and being committed to their roles and giving their blood, sweat, and tears coming out and the director turns around, busts her butt and has the director’s cut within three weeks, that’s the stuff that feeds me, that’s the creative circle that is fulfilling. And all you do is, for me, I just feel like that’s where I get my gusto from, is being a part of projects like this.
JR: So you have consistently worked in a very inconsistent industry. How have you stayed in the game and kept yourself relevant? GH: (laughs) You know what, I think I passed on a lot of, well, I mean, the short and sweet answer of that is really, I suppose I have been primarily pretty choosy on just really wanting to work with great directors on great material no matter the budget, the scale, this or that. It’s wonderful to, geez, from going from, spending three years sort of prepping for On the Road with Walter Salles and then going into the Coen Brothers, Angelina Jolie, Joe Wright, Soderbergh, Ang Lee, Dee Rees, it’s just, it was making the right decision at the right time to turn down something insanely appealing financially to be able to work with all of these guys creatively. To be able to experience the process has really just sort of freed me up and allowed me to witness some of the greatest directors that I feel are out there. And to realize after a while that you just look around a little less for a stamp of approval, you come more prepared and more prepped on set each day than you have ever been and you just care a little bit less about what anybody thinks. Yeah and there were things, very appealing things to a lot of people of what I have turned down thus far in my career that I just knew that for one way, shape or form I just wasn’t ready for them and maybe that I knew I wasn’t ready to be catapulted out there because I wouldn’t be able to represent myself in the right way. I just knew that, maybe that’s still like a thing going all the way back to do I belong in this circle? So I just didn’t, some guys have the pizzazz to go out there and just be charming as shit at all times, I just didn’t feel like I had that. (laughter) So I would rather sort of sit back and work on some creative projects that scared the shit out of me so I could just gain a little more grit and feel like I belong.
That leads to a great question. You have been in so many epic films, from Troy to Four Brothers, Tron, Unbroken, and my favorite, Mudbound, which I loved. Which role do you feel really gave you the opportunity to show your best work?
I mean out of those Mudbound. I mean it was a very real character. And maybe that is because it was a character that I had the most compassion for. I found him to be so relatable in his struggles and all these wonderful attributes. And qualms about him were also beautifully sitting right there on the surface. And I just want to make those shine. And Dee Rees was the most beautiful to work with, talk about a director that just lets you fly. All you want to do is wink and
cry and scream and smile and laugh and withdraw and all brilliant and loud all at the same time. And that was a really wonderful cast, a wonderful crew but a very short shoot and in the middle of extreme elements out there an hour and a half outside or so from New Orleans that we were dealing with, tornadoes and lightning storms and all of this. But we are also dealing with a very sensitive sort of racially divided subject and in post-World War II Jim Crow era. And so at the same time it was a very educational for me and an experience and that is the zest of it. The zest of it as well is when, sometimes when you expect it maybe it doesn’t happen as much, when you least expect it you come off being a stronger person for it, a better person for it. And I feel like that that film made me stronger in many arenas.
So of all the genres you worked in, where do you think your talent is best suited for, action, romance, drama, comedy, Sci-Fi, is there one genre that you are like I just always get offered roles for this? How about, what is more, interesting is, I feel like I can make you laugh. What I am really surprised about is that near to nil, if there’s one on there. If it was it probably wasn’t intended to be, but where the fuck are the comedies in my resume? (laughter) So maybe the question should be reverted to why aren’t there more of a certain genre? I don’t know, I mean, I do know the answer to your question very well, but I would feel goofy admitting to what that is. But yeah, there’s a certain something that people do come to me for.
JR: So Triple Frontier has to be one of my favorite action films. I think I have seen it like four times. I actually just watched it on the plane back from Puerto Rico. How was the experience working with Ben, Oscar, Charlie, and Pedro? To me, they all seem like pretty awesome guys.
Yeah, it was a fantastic experience. We had a great group. We shot in Hawaii. Oscar and I, that was our third film. We’d been buddies for about eight, or nine years at that point. Charlie and I had been best friends for sixteen, seventeen years at that point and we are all living in Hawaii, showing up every day shooting the shit with each other, going through boot camp, this and that. And then we got way up in the mountains in the Sierras in Nevada, and we shot in Columbia, in Bogota. And we got to do worldwide Press together. Whispers were going around soon after that they were thinking about continuing on that story. I think that it would be a charming one to go back and assemble the team for it together again. By the way, have you only seen your favorite film four times?
(laughs) I’ll see it ten more times. It’s just good, I mean, I am like a huge action guy, and that film is awesome. And I like all the characters, so it’s easy for me to watch them repeatedly. So I have another good one for you, you teamed up with Sly Stallone in a TV series called Tulsa King. How was it working with such an icon? Sly is the best. I’ve known him since before I even shot my first scene on Troy. Coincidentally the trainer that Warner Brothers set me up with, Gunnar Peterson all the way back in 2003, personally trained Sly as well. And so when I showed up to train with him, there’s Sly climbing the ceiling, rope, knees jacked out, just with his arms, this and that. But here’s the thing, why I wanted to jump on and join him on this was Sly had been the sweetest mamma jamma to me over the years, and Gunnar’s gym, it was always what are you up to, how is this, how was that experience on this film and I did another film and how was that experience, this experience? And then I would run into him at a restaurant in town, and I would turn around, and somebody was yelling my name, it’s Sly, (imitates Sly) “Garrett, c’mere!” And I would jump over, and he would say this is
Garrett and he would run off my whole resume, and he would say I did that film with Brad and this football film, Friday Night Lights and Four Brothers with Wahlberg did this, and Tron, and that country film with Gwyneth, how was On the Road, and it was like Sly, that finished six days ago, how the fuck did you know? So he’s very keen on this. And then he’s just aware of anything and everything. And I just love him, he’s a wonderful storyteller and he’s an amazing writer and an amazing director and he’s the fucking world’s hero. How many people, not just actors, every competitor ever, from the time he made Rocky until now, for hundreds of years after this, will be inspired by what he did within that. I mean creating the true inspiration for underdogs and giving those that dream hope forever. Like he is great, I love every minute of it, and I am excited to see. Look, it was just him and I getting to sit back and do a like mano y mano stuff out there with a great group of directors, a great group of producers, creators and the best writers out there right now. It was awesome.
So Hollywood has this you are with us or against us stance on politics. Either you are a liberal and accepted or called out and hated. How do you handle the pressures to conform, and do you think it is fair in a so-called free country?
My goodness, this is probably one question we can scratch. (laughter) All you got to do is just voice that you are a J.D. Salinger fan, and you quote something from Catcher in the Rye, and they know that you are screaming non-conformist from the rooftops. I am sort of the least political person you probably ever met. So all I do is keep my mouth shut. That’s the best you can do. But I don’t really even have a mouth to keep shut. I really just kind of have no opinion about anything.
You are better off. You are so fucking better off because you don’t have to worry, like, oh shit, who did I offend, and when am I getting canceled? You are right. You are doing the right thing. So how has the industry changed for better or worse since you started your career? Do you think it’s changed for the better or for, the worse?
Yeah. I guess off the top of my head, even back then in 2003, there was such a divide. You were either a film actor or a TV actor. And now there’s no divide on that, so it’s changed so much that everybody out there admittedly saying the best material is on television these days. Nobody would have called that back then. And so a lot of people, even on this last Press tour I was on for Tulsa King, everybody was sort of strongly convinced, the journalists and everything, that the theater experience is dead, nobody wants to pay anymore to go to the theater and stuff like that. So for that, I feel sad about how it could potentially change, even in the future from now, but how it’s changed since I began, I am just glad that there is no more of the snarky divide between if you are a film actor or a television actor. I think there’s great material out there, and nobody is no longer judged for which ones they gravitate towards because there are no rules these days, there are so many one-offs that you can experience a whole journey of a character in a one-off sort of miniseries and jump off and do a couple of films and go do a couple of seasons on what have you or this and that. So there’s just an array to throw your darts at great material and have the freedom to do it without being locked into something for so many years, you can dabble in different arenas these days, which is nice. And I am all for sort of not being cuffed into anything.
So your music, I have to say, is pretty darn amazing. You can see the devotion and passion you have for creating it. What gave you the push to pursue music, and did your role in Country Strong push you to say okay, I’m doing this, or have you known all along that you were doing this in terms of music?
Before Country Strong, I never would have. That’s one of the things I was touching on previously, was that if you can have an experience on a film where everybody says, oh my gosh, you are so lucky, you get to go onto this film and learn this new trial, you get to ride a motorcycle in this, isn’t that exciting, or you get to ride a horse in the scene, that’s so exciting. And my job was six months before starting to shoot Country Strong was to add, by the way, we started shooting, to look convincing, to be one of the next up-and-coming Country artists to watch. Even though most of my preparation for that film was just going out and getting up around Nashville because all the guys that were in my band were talented musicians, I had been introduced to so many talented artists and they all invited me to come up and play, so there was a point during the production of that film where previously I’d feared the performance parts because I didn’t think I would have had all my cords down or all this and the stepping stones that it gets to just playing and singing at the same time too. And I just threw myself into it and I got up and performed at all these other places to the point where I was like, yeah, I am not so worried about these scenes anymore, let’s just have more of these performances. After the film no, I didn’t want to pursue music because I always said that was a character and I put work into characters. But I just learned how to play guitar and had taken it with me in every hotel room, every isolated moment from that moment on. And working with other beautiful musicians, doing other films that involved a lot of music, ultimately the directors started asking me on every film if I could contribute a song to it. So then I would be sitting there writing songs for all these other projects that didn’t involve music centrally and then it kind of was just engraved in me, it was my anti-loneliness device in every hotel room or journey from that point on, because it helped me write more, helped to relax me more and gave me an outlet to a lot of the other writings that I do that served no other purpose than to just fill in a notepad or a moleskin and sitting on a shelf if it wasn’t going to be published or this or that. So when I was working on this film Dirt Music that came out over COVID with this wonderful singer-songwriter Julia Stone, part of, she’s part of an Australian folk group, Angus and Julia Stone, they are phenomenal, you would absolutely love them, adore them. Her and I wrote a lot of songs together during that film and it was kind of more from that moment that I was really hooked on wanting to do something more with all of these after that and I think in 2019 I spent a lot of time writing a bunch of tunes with a pal of mine Corey Chisel, we must have knocked out 15, 20 songs really quick and none of those, we will put those out at some point, and some of the other ones with Julia. And then Luke Wooten, who is the producer I worked with on the Country Strong songs, anytime I was on Country
Strong I was in the studio with him and he had been kind of nudging me ever since we did that, like are we going to do that album together? And it was in the Spring of 2021 that we got in contact with each other and he said are we finally going to do that damned album? And he said I got something I want you to hear, it’s not necessarily radio fodder but I can’t listen to it without crying every fucking time I hear it. And he sent me over that song and I always wanted to, I just thought it was a beautiful message and every time it warmed my heart, broke it, reassured it and coddled it all at the same time. And I said these are the kinds of songs that I would put out any day. Another wonderful songwriter Jesse Joe Dillon, I have known for quite some time and she would always send me these songs that she was writing at a co-writing session each morning and they were always just one beautiful hit after another. And a couple of these hadn’t been swooped up as of yet, and so we would record it and we always wanted to do a song called The Road which I had written in 2011 and some other songs I had written. And Jesse, I would ask her if More Like Home had been swooped up yet, that was one of the best ones. And so we just started putting a lot of tracks down and we still got so many that Luke and I have done that I am so excited about. We are putting these out there at out our own pace at the moment and I am just so excited to see what happens in the future with them, I am just really enjoying this. I am really enjoying everybody’s response to them. Yeah, it makes me feel proud.
That is a great thing and I think it’s awesome. And the cool thing about your music and your acting is, it gives social immortality. Long after we are gone, your music and your art will live on. And I think that leads to a good question, in a hundred years from now, when young actors are studying your career, and they will be, what is the one thing that you want them to know about you?
Well shit, eventually, if you paint it colorfully enough, and that means by not being too careful and not being too perfect, it’s going to have an array of colors across the board. Somebody will say this motherfucker danced to the beat of his own drum. I don’t know, it reminds me, I just watched Ethan Hawke’s project he did on Paul Newman over the last few weeks, and I have admired Paul greatly ever since I was young. Actually, his biography was one that really kind of formulated my view on a lot of things. I really related to him, and it’s funny, even though the majority of the time, he wasn’t really sure of himself. And I thought it was beautifully put the way he did. He said those guys like Jack are so hopefully themselves and Nicholson, Malkovich, this and that. They’ve never had to be in my shoes of the guy that is always trying to be something else. And I think when you come from a farm in the middle of nowhere and the upbringing that I’ve had, the only thing that would get you out is to be something else. And so that’s ingrained in me. So maybe this guy sure made a success of being someone else.
JR: Garrett, you are an amazing fucking dude. Thank you for being so open and honest.
To learn more about Garrett, follow him at @Garretthedlund
INDYCAR driver JOSEF NEWGARDEN takes it to the limit
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
PRODUCED BY } KEN WALLER FOR PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
GROOMING BY { SYDNEY SOLLOD
STYLING BY { SYDNEY LOPEZ
When did you first know you wanted to be a race car driver? How did you execute this dream?
I have always loved race cars since I was a kid. I loved speed, loved the challenge of driving something to the limit. I don’t think I knew I wanted to be a race car driver for a living until I started racing go karts. That’s when I really started dreaming about driving professionally one day. So I was about 13-14 years old when I started really feeling that dream.
Tell us a bit about the car you are currently racing. Do you have a favorite track or event and why?
I race in INDYCAR currently, this is my 13th year in the series. I love the type of racing that INDYCAR provides. We go to a variety of tracks – road courses, street courses, ovals of all types – so you have to be incredibly diverse in our championship to find success. And I love the challenge of that, where we have so many different track disciplines that we have to master. Some of my favorite tracks are short ovals. I love Iowa Speedway, Milwaukee Speedway, both great tracks that are challenging. But it’s hard to beat the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There’s a special feeling when you’re there running the Indianapolis 500, so I think that one will forever take the top spot on my list.
What song pumps you up for a big race?
I don’t really have any songs that I listen to before a big race. I would probably listen to something calming but inspiring. I like a band called Empire of the Sun, I think that would be the right mix to get me in the correct mood before a race.
What advice would you give to kids that aspire to be like you?
I think what’s most important in life and motorsports specifically, is the connections you make with people. It’s really important to take care of the people around you and always focus on the connection points that you have in life. You can never do anything alone, it doesn’t matter how much talent you have or how much focus or dedication, success is always going to require a team effort in a lot of ways. So embracing team, embracing people around you and trying to do the best for the people around you is the most important in life.
As with all motor sports, there is a level of danger. How do you manage your fear?
Fear is not really a big factor in my mind – it can’t be if you want to drive in INDYCAR to the absolute limit. There’s just no room to have fear or doubt in your mind while you’re driving these cars. It’s always a possibility that something could go wrong or that I could get injured, but it’s not something I have room for when I’m operating the vehicle. Racing, in a lot of ways, is about calculated risks, you’re always trying to weigh risk versus reward, but you’re more so thinking about that on a competitive level and where it’s going to affect your race outcomes and not how it is going to affect you from a safety standpoint.
Do you have any lucky charms or race-day superstitions?
No good luck charms, no superstitions. I purposely don’t believe in superstitions. Actually, you could tell me something you believe is bad luck or is going to be negative, and it’s probably something I’ll actually do before a race just to try and keep with the thought process that there’s nothing that’s going to affect the outcome outside of our focus and the work we put into it.
If you were not a race car driver , what would you be? Are there other sports or professions that you would gravitate toward?
I would probably be doing something in the financial world, probably an equity trader, a portfolio manager, a financial advisor. I certainly love finances and the equity market, so I could see diving into that world and trying to find an avenue that fit me best.
To learn more about Josef Newgarden follow him at@ josefnewgarden
to learn more about INDYCAR follow them @indycar
Go back in time to the magical Beaverbrook
luxury country estate hotel
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION { BEAVERBROOK UNITED KINGDOM
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property.
My career in the luxury hospitality sphere spans over 20 years and includes positions as Director of Operations at ANdaZ Liverpool Street Station and Innovation Lab Leader at Hyatt where I learnt the importance of championing guest and personalisation experiences. I’ve also held various hospitality consultation roles all of which helped equip me with the skills required for the execution of strategic planning, the creative ability to launch new products and services and oversee the development of in-house departments at Beaverbrook.
Has your role been the same at the property, or have you worked in other roles at the company?
I joined the Beaverbrook family in 2019 as Hotel Manager where I honed my skill set and product knowledge before making the jump to General Manager. I reached my current position as Group General Manager in 2021. These previous positions were crucial to aiding my ability to translate the brand’s strategy into service elements.
Can you tell us the brand philosophy at Beaverbrook?
Beaverbrook celebrates all that is quintessentially British – I would say that this is our core foundation. We also celebrate the history etched within the walls of the estate, as well as the incredible nature on our doorstep. Wellness is a huge pillar for us and our offering is rooted in our surrounding nature –our experiences and practitioners change depending on the seasons. Meanwhile, showcasing the great outdoors through active adventures and activities is instrumental to the brand. All of these combined allow us to epitomize understated luxury – we focus on the simple pleasures yet with the highest standard of service, which is why our discerning guests return year after year.
What makes your property different from staying at other resorts in the region?
People: I’m so proud of the team at Beaverbrook. They are a big part of what makes the estate so special and unique. Our team is so passionate. No matter what role each team member plays, they all work as a team and are excited to push the boundaries and excel further. Like Beaverbrook, we want our team members’ personalities to shine bright and we have created a safe environment for them to be authentically themselves.
Luxury with fun: We take our luxury offerings seriously here at Beaverbrook but we have fun with them. Our guests know they will experience the best of the best when it comes to amenities and on-site activities, but they also know we put our own spin on these offerings. For example, the martini pram is a guest favourite. We took a vintage-style pram and turned it into a ‘strolling’ bar cart so guests can have their martini shaken or stirred in front of them on the patio of Sir Frank’s Bar. In the summertime, we set up bespoke hot air balloons as elevated outdoor dining tables in our Italian Garden. Guests dine under custom-designed hot air balloons while sipping bubbles. It’s become an iconic summer program that we elevate even further each year.
Activities: No matter the season, there are endless activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. In the wintertime, we set up our famed ice-skating rink and you’ll see adults and children joyfully spinning on the ice, or sipping seasonal drinks by the rink. Throughout the springtime, the estate comes to life and you can spend hours strolling through the iconic and very scenic bucolic Surrey countryside. You can pick up a pair of Hunter wellies that we offer complimentary to guests and spend the afternoon strolling or biking through the 420-acre estate.
Our tennis courts and brand new pickleball courts (we were the first country estate in the UK to have pickleball courts) are beloved by our guests. For those looking to learn a new skill, we offer fencing classes. Our spa is the estate’s crown jewel. Our robust holistic wellness program goes beyond the surface-level meaning of wellness and aims to inspire long-term behavioural change and provide our guests with treatments that offer deep restoration. We have an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, and a newly debuted Meadow Hut treatment room which is nestled in the estate’s woodlands. Our spa is truly very special and is a key differentiator between us and other country estates – both in the UK and around the world.
History: Beaverbrook is steeped in a rich tapestry of history, woven with the threads of British aristocracy and global diplomacy. Originally built in the late 19th century as a haven for Lord Beaverbrook and his close network of high-powered guests, the estate has witnessed moments of profound significance, from Winston Churchill’s wartime strategizing in the cinema (which still remains operational today) to intimate discussions between world leaders. Today, we honour Beaverbrook’s legacy by offering a sanctuary of refined luxury, where guests can immerse themselves in the timeless elegance and incredible beauty of the Surrey countryside.
Proximity to London: To reach Beaverbrook, you catch a direct train from London Victoria to Surrey and it takes under an hour. From the station, a short and scenic taxi ride will have you at the doors of the estate in 10 minutes.
What about your property keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
I believe it’s a combination of our team charm and knowledge, a luxury product, exclusive and unique experiences and lots of fun!
We have stayed at the world’s top hotels, and I must say your property is by far the top of the top. The grounds are breathtaking from the staff, which is on their “A” game at all times, and the suites are simply magnificent. How have you maintained such a high level of consistent perfection in an ever-changing hotel market? Is there a secret to your success?
Clear vision from our owners, simple communication and a passionate team about attention to detail and delivering unique personalised experiences.
Tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers.
At Beaverbrook, we pride ourselves in curating highly unique and experiential offerings for our guests. One of my personal favourites is our annual hot air balloon dining experience that takes place in the gardens every summer. Guests are seated in six stationary hot air balloons that are decorated with a beautiful vibrant design. They have the chance to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine while feeling like they are dining in the clouds. We also open a winter ice rink every year that is complete with cabins that offer sweet treats, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Last year, we launched the WildKitchen, a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen masterminded by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie. It’s the first to be launched within any hotel in the UK and celebrates the pleasure of outdoor dining in an environment that allows year-round culinary experiences. The WildKitchen can seat between 12-26 guests and is designed to withstand wet and windy conditions. The experience brings fire back to the heart of cooking and guests are invited to select their chef and cuisine type. It’s a fantastic special occasion venue. It’s also worth noting that The Coach House Spa has curated a highly unique menu of rotating visiting masters to ensure we’re constantly elevating our wellness offering to appeal to the ever-changing needs of our guests. Names on the roster this year have included abdominal therapy practitioner Amanda Porter who has led dedicated retreats for men and women; medical herbalist Jo Dunbar; and famed acupuncturist James Mutkin.
Can you tell us about your dining options?
Culinary delights abound at Beaverbrook with The Dining Room, The Garden House, Mrs Beeton’s, the Pizzeria, Coach House Deli, and the innovative all-weather group dining option, the WildKitchen on offer. Located in The House, The Japanese Grill offers an elegant menu of delicately prepared sushi, sashimi, and nigiri plus the finest cuts of meat and fish from the Josper grill. The Beaverbrook Bento Boxes are the perfect offering for a spot of lunch, while the seasonal tasting menu of locally sourced, modern Japanese gourmet specialties provide a remarkable dining experience led by talented chefs.
Guests who fancy themselves explorers of food can find a haven tucked away behind a traditional walled kitchen garden, The Garden House Restaurant. A place where comforting, home-cooked dishes and interiors inspired by the surrounding gardens conspire to create a delightful dining experience, while the atmosphere of The Garden House possesses all the romance and serenity of an English country garden, the Anglo-Italian menu features rustic, Mediterranean-style dishes that showcase the very best of the seasons.
The Village is the hotel’s newest opening (December 2023), and is home to Mrs Beeton’s Restaurant. Named after the famous Victorian culinary goddess, the menu offers classically British fare, prepared using local ingredients alongside an elegant wine list. Guests can enjoy impeccable design and flawless dishes, whilst taking in the picturesque scenes of Beaverbrook’s extensive woodlands and views of The Village.
Last autumn, the hotel launched its WildKitchen, a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen masterminded by celebrated British filmmaker Guy Ritchie, marking a first within any hotel in the UK. The special occasion venue, which has been designed to withstand all weather conditions, celebrates the pleasure of outdoor dining in the Surrey hills and brings fire back to the heart of cooking through two unique menus – a Japanese nomadic option and a wild surf and turf concept.
Offering a relaxed and comforting dining experience, The Pizzeria at Beaverbrook is the perfect spot to dine with family and friends. The deli offers authentic Italian dining with fresh, seasonal produce perfect for sharing. The traditional pizzas are stone oven-baked to create a truly authentic taste.
Fresh, seasonal, and wonderfully simple food can be found at the Coach House Deli. There, hotel guests, spa members and spa day visitors can enjoy everything from superfood salads and cold-pressed juices to sweet treats and a delicious variety of flatbreads baked in the traditional stone pizza oven.
What are some of the unique treatments the Spa has to offer?
Beaverbrook’s Coach House Spa has been designed with nature at its core by highly acclaimed contemporary artist, Sir Brian Clarke. Its ethos is of a holistic, natural and nurturing approach to wellness, and thanks to the leadership of our Wellness Director, René van Eyssen, is something that is highly unique – as of yet, not yet replicated elsewhere in the UK.
Within the past year, we launched a new outdoor treatment area called ‘The Meadow Hut’, providing a fully immersive well-being experience for guests that centres around natural healing techniques. The space plays host to an innovative, new ‘Vibration Sound Bodywork’ treatment that cannot be found anywhere else and incorporates energy cleansing with sage and rosemary; sound bathing that uses chimes, Tibetan bowls, gongs and tuning forks to balance one’s state of being; and a full body massage to revitalize.
The Coach House Spa is also home to a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). This involves a hyperbaric chamber adding pressure to the body, while the gases in the air supersaturate the bloodstream leading to a quick and dramatic rise in oxygen levels which helps repair cells, energise the brain, ease anxiety, and is a cleansing tool to fuel the body’s defences against viruses. The therapy requires no more than breathing inside the chamber where the higher-pressure atmosphere delivers up to 20 times more oxygen into the bloodstream. Guests always remark on how energised they feel after this treatment.
Can you tell us about the property’s latest addition, “The Village”. How does it differ from “The House?”
The Village emulates the charm of a timeless, quintessentially English village within the woodlands of the Beaverbrook estate. Reconstructed on the site of the original estate’s workers cottages, The Village offers 21 guest rooms, housed across a collection of ten cottages. Each luxury suite has been crafted by interior designer Nicola Harding. Harding’s designs burst with colour and patterned wallpapers and it’s an extension of her existing creations at The Garden House and our sister property, Beaverbrook Town House. Creative Director, Sir Frank Lowe, has brought his usual whimsical, creative curatorial flair to the entire concept, as well as all the artwork within – creating an altogether unforgettable experience to the surprise and delight of our guests. The Village is also home to a new restaurant, Mrs Beeton’s, named after the famous Victorian culinary goddess. It offers a Britishinspired menu. The new offering also includes The Dower House which is set within its own private 55 acres. It has a private swimming pool, studio or spa treatment room as well as an Aston Martin for guests to drive. The Village is perfectly positioned to host families and can be bought out in its entirety unlike The House.
Treville Positano is an iconic and ultra-luxurious hotel. The former home of the acclaimed Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, Treville Positano is a hidden gem.
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION { TREVILLE, POSITANO
Perched atop a cliff overlooking Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Treville Positano is an iconic and ultra-luxurious hotel. The former home of the acclaimed Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, Treville Positano is a hidden gem that combines the cosmopolitan glamour of a bygone era fused with the enchanting flavors and colors of Southern Italy. Surrounded by nature, the hotel is an exclusive sanctuary that allows guests to relax in the utmost luxury. Home to the exclusive restaurant, Maestro’s, which takes inspiration from locally grown ingredients from Treville’s onsite organic farm, the vibrant in-house Bianca Bar and La Traviata, a dedicated wellness and spa, Treville Positano invites guests to experience la dolce vita in pure tranquility and style.
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property.
My journey in hospitality began early, inspired by my family’s deep connection to the industry. With a large family of over 100 members, nearly all of whom are hoteliers or hospitality lovers, luxury accommodation quickly became my passion. With over 20 years of experience with hospitality companies worldwide including Starwood, Sofitel and Hilton, I was drawn back to my roots in Campania. The opportunity at Treville Positano came as a natural progression in my career, allowing me to place my expertise and passion into one of the world’s leading and most distinguished hotels.
Has your role been the same at the property, or have you worked in other roles at the company?
As Treville Positano’s General Manager, I focus on crafting bespoke experiences for our guests while ensuring the smooth operation of the property. In late 2021, I was offered the opportunity by the Friedland family to assume leadership at Treville Positano and lead the development of their hospitality brand.
Can you tell us the brand philosophy at Villa Treville?
At Treville Positano, our brand philosophy revolves around embracing the timeless charm of the Amalfi Coast while providing unparalleled luxury and personalised service. We aim to create an exclusive sanctuary where guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings, indulge in exquisite cuisine using produce from our on-site farm, and experience true Italian hospitality. Our commitment is intertwined with the property’s rich history and design legacy, once the esteemed home of Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli. His influence in every aspect of Treville Positano, from the meticulously curated gardens to the elegant interiors, ensuring that our guests experience the same artistic flair and attention to detail that defined Zeffirelli’s own cinematic masterpieces.
What makes your property different from staying at other resorts in the region?
Treville Positano stands out for its intimate and exclusive experience against the stunning backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. With only 16 uniquely designed suites offering panoramic views of the sea on a two-hectare property, we ensure privacy and exclusivity for our guests. What truly sets us apart is our rich history as the former home of Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli. This legacy of hospitality, history and design infuses every aspect of the guest experience.
What about your property keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
MA: Guests return to Treville Positano for its beauty, service and unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s the breathtaking views, the accommodation or the personalised attention of our staff, guests are drawn back by the promise of an expectational stay that exceeds their expectations every time. The property has a unique ability to make guests feel like they’re returning home, amidst the warmth and charm of its history.
We have stayed at the world’s top hotels, and I must say your property is by far the top of the top. The grounds are breathtaking from the staff, which is on their “A” game at all times, and the suites are simply magnificent. How have you maintained such a high level of consistent perfection in an ever-changing hotel market? Is there a secret to your success?
We prioritize guest experiences above all else, continuously refining and enhancing Treville Positano to exceed expectations and provide consistent world-class hospitality. Our dedicated team have a deep understanding of our guests’ needs, working with genuine care and passion to ensure that every guest or colleague leaves Treville Positano with unforgettable memories.
At Treville Positano, the Japanese term ‘Kaizen’ is what drives our daily operations and teamwork, harnessing a culture of continuous improvement. We understand that when you do something well, there is always room for it to be done better. Therefore, we are always actively seeking feedback from colleagues and guests to ensure Treville Positano provides unparalleled luxury hospitality experiences.
Tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers?
We offer a range of unique curated experiences designed to immerse guests in the beauty and culture of the Amalfi Coast and Zeffirelli’s home. From private yacht excursions along the coastline to guided hikes along the renowned Path of the Gods trail, Neapolitan gesture and language lessons, and cooking classes, we provide guests with experiences the showcase the best of our region.
What are some of your chef’s local specialties at Maestro’s?
Maestro’s our exclusive restaurant showcases the finest Italian cuisine with a seasonal menu inspired by locally grown ingredients from Treville’s own organic farm. Offering a true farm-to-table experience, Chef Vincenzo Castaldo oversees the menu, which features traditional Italian dishes infused with Mediterranean flair and international influences. Some of our chef’s specialties include freshly caught seafood dishes, handmade pasta with Mediterranean flavors, and delectable desserts made with seasonal fruits from our farm. Our Smoked Eggplant Ravioli with Datterino Tomato Sauce and the Amalfi Lemon and Purple Basil Tart using produce from our organic farm have been popular specialities among guests recently.
What are some of the unique treatments La Traviata offers?
La Traviata Spa and Wellness, named after one of Zeffirelli’s operas is housed within an eccentric greenhouse originally part of one of his production sets. With a wealth of international experience, La Traviata revitalizes body and soul by integrating Eastern and Western rituals. Offering a diverse range of treatments ranging from Thai and Holistic massages to exfoliation packages, facials and manicures that are bespoke to each guest.
For more information, please visit villatreville.com
Casadelmar Hotels provide unparreled luxury on the Magical island of Corsica.
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION { CASADELMAR, CORSICA, FRANCE
But it also offers a special treatment made with essential oils from Corsican shrubs grown in Casadelmar’s own herb garden, such as everlasting flowers, lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme depending on the season.
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property?
I’ve been working 35 years in the hotel business. Venice, London and Paris the most important experiences and from the opening here in 2004 at Casadelmar and La Plage Casadelmar sister hotel.
Has your role been the same at the property, or have you worked in other roles at the company?
Yes GM since the beginning.
Can you tell us the brand philosophy at Casadelmar?
Casadelmar puts design in the heart of nature. The hotel is an ode to nature, magically melting into the landscape. It gives pride of place to the sea by integrating it into the heart of its aesthetic from the moment guests arrive. Designed by renowned landscape architect Jean Mus, the Mediterranean gardens form a precious backdrop that sets the scene for a constant dialogue between flora and fauna. The minimalist wood and glass architecture, refined decor and spectacular views throughout create an atmosphere of calm and comfort.
What makes your property different from staying at other resorts in the region?
At Casadelmar, the sea belongs to everyone. All rooms and suites open onto magnificent terraces with commanding panoramic views of the bay.
Can you tell us about the Beach Club?
The spirit of Casadelmar, but on the beach! Just a 5 minute boat ride from it’s sister hotel, the hotel restaurant La Plage Casadelmar opened in 2012. The guest accommodation comprises twenty-one guest rooms and suites. the private beach on the white sandy cove offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Porto-Vecchio. La Plage Casadelmar exudes an atmosphere of unparalleled refinement, but its greatest luxury is its location.
What about your property keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
Our places provide a strong feeling of well-being and serenity. The complementarity of the two establishments as a resort is a force of attractiveness.
Elegance, breathtaking views, high gastronomy, well-being … Casadelmar is a paradise regained where guests come to recharge their batteries.
At La Plage Casadelmar, our services are oriented towards making our customers feel as if they were in their own vacation home. With much conviviality and simplicity, we are out for excellence.
Tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers?
Taking dinner on an unforgettable gourmet journey under the stars around the Mediterranean by Casadelmar’s 2-Michelin-starred chef, Fabio Bragagnolo. Going for a picnic in a secret cove or having lunch in a typical restaurant in Sardinia by magnificent Itama yacht available for daily charter. Celebrating unique wedding or anniversary in dream location. An opportunity to make own event “made-to-mesure” on the beach. Enjoying holidays in precious intimacy in the private villa overlooks the bay that offers all the services of the hotel. Hidden in the gardens, with private swimming pool brings together three of the hotel’s most beautiful suites.
And much more…
What are some of your chef’s local specialties?
The 2-Michelin-starred Casadelmar restaurant offers an unparalleled experience driven by chef Fabio Bragagnolo’s delicate, meticulously-prepared cuisine, inspired by the shores of the Mediterranean. Its menu combines local products from Corsica and its native Italy. his cuisine highlights the fishing products that he selects with jealous care: fish, crustaceans and shellfish that he prepares in his own way, such as red prawns, picked from the vegetable garden and caper ice cream, local cuttlefish in two ways or the nasturtium ravioli with wood-fired langoustines, bitter Sicilian almonds and clams.
What are some of the unique treatments?
The spa offers a wide range of natural treatments and traditional therapies based on the rituals developed by British skincare and spa specialists ESPA. But it also offers a special treatment made with essential oils from Corsican shrubs grown in Casadelmar’s own herb garden, such as everlasting flowers, lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme depending on the season.
We have stayed at the world’s top hotels, and I must say your property is by far the top of the top. The grounds are breathtaking from the staff, which is on their “A” game at all times, and the suites are simply magnificent. How have you maintained such a high level of consistent perfection in an everchanging hotel market? Is there a secret to your success?
Thank you so much! The hotel is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Throughout all these years, we have been keen to maintain high standards. we have enlarged, renovated, improved… “everything must change so that nothing changes” ! Casadelmar is affiliated with “Leading Hotels of the World” which imposes the most elite quality standards. it helps maintain excellence. Listening and paying attention to customers are essential. The staff stands out for their ability to listen, their responsiveness and their absolute discretion. a personalized service, adapts to the profile and expectations of each person thanks to proposals that anticipate preferences, whether they follow a lifestyle or spiritual convictions.
To learn more about Casadelmar follow them @casadelmarhotels
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION { MONTE CARLO BAY RESORT, A PREFERRED HOTEL
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property?
After obtaining an MBA in Hotel Management and Finance at the Institut de Hautes Etudes de Glion, I studied marketing and management at Cornell University. Later, I became Operations Director of the Acropolis complex in Nice, managed by the Accor group. Then, I took over the management of the Novotel Coralia in Chamonix, before managing the Carnac Center in Brittany.
My experience and vision of the marriage between the hotel industry and luxury thalassotherapy led me to work in Corsica and Sardinia, where I managed the Porticcio site, the Coralia Club Marina, and the Sofitel Timi Ama. In 2003, after launching the France Thalasso Operations at the Accor headquarters in Paris and participating in the opening of sites abroad, I left for new horizons such as aeronautical negotiations and television communication.
As a high-level sportsman, I like to take up challenges.
This is what I was offered in 2006 when I joined the MonteCarlo Société des Bains de Mer Group. I then took over the management of the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, a reference establishment that is a forerunner of technological innovations in the field of preventive health, well-being, and aesthetics. Within the Group, I was able to actively participate in the management of innovative projects such as the organization of the unmissable Boxing Bonanza tournaments, the launch of the Monaco casinos 24/7, and the design of the Cercle MonteCarlo loyalty card.
I also manage in parallel La Rascasse, the unmissable bar located at the Port of Monaco!
More recently, in 2016, I was entrusted with the management of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the latest addition to the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group. A new challenge that now drives me daily.
How long have you worked with the property? Has your role been the same at the property or have you worked in other roles at the company?
I have been managing Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort since early 2016. My managerial vision is to listen, to be available and responsive, to make people want to excel themselves, and to give them the freedom to take initiative, to set the example, to innovate and surprise to always aim higher!
Can you tell us the brand philosophy of the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.
In the early 2000s, the development of tourism and the attractiveness of the Principality led the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group to increase its hotel capacity. Avantgarde and keen to preserve its reputation for excellence, the brand imagined a new hotel concept for Monaco.
In 2005, a new sumptuous establishment rose from the sea: the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. The demand for modern development required high technical expertise as the hotel is entirely designed on the sea. The project, led by the Brusselsbased architecture firm, L’Atelier d’Art Urbain, and Monegasque architect Louis Rué, developed the idea of an ‘L’ shaped building with three towers benefiting from optimal orientation on the Mediterranean Sea.
Like a magnificent peninsula, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers a chic and casual atmosphere, conducive to relaxation and escape. The perfect balance of Monegasque chic and Mediterranean cool. I like to say that is “a resort within a resort”. Indeed, our hotel offers a true concentration of the Monegasque experience, combining hotels, gastronomy, nightlife, well-being, and entertainment.
We have chosen as our brand positioning “Where our spirit meets your style”.
I also place a great deal of importance on CSR, and I am proud that the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is recognized as the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer green pilot hotel.
Indeed, since 2013 the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has set up the “Bay Be Green Team”, a dedicated team that organizes and monitors all environmental actions. We are proud now to have the Green Globe Gold standard certification, an international recognition.
What makes your property different from staying at other hotels in the region?
The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort was born to meet the demands of a clientele in search of quality, comfort, and modernity.
This is what I am committed in to developing the Resort’s incomparable assets. Indeed, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers serene luxury, with 332 spacious rooms with terraces, 75% of which have a view of the sea, with 21 suites of contemporary design and 1 Diamond Suite. We have 3 restaurants, all headed by Executive Chef Marcel Ravin.
In addition, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers a unique nightlife experience, very much appreciated by our guests, with the Blue Gin bar and direct access to Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo nightclub. Sports and wellness are also on the agenda, as we offer an indoor and outdoor swimming pool heated all year round, a magnificent sandy-bottomed lagoon, and a Cinq Mondes spa.
More than 400 employees work every day to ensure impeccable service. We have a multicultural team dedicated to excellence while maintaining a friendly atmosphere. The staff is there to ensure that guests have a perfect and always surprising experience. I would say that this is our true strength!
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is also part of the group Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer offering a unique Art of Living, a one-of-a-kind Resort since 1863.
What is it about your property that keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
I am convinced that it is our committed staff, always looking for excellence, which makes customers want to come back. In fact, our teams are regularly rewarded for their exceptional work.
To give you some examples, Tony Suray, our Chief Concierge, has been a Clef d’Or since May 2017. Marcel Ravin, our Executive Chef at MonteCarlo Bay Hotel & Resort, has been awarded a second star in the Michelin Guide in March 2022, after having obtained and maintained his first star in 2015.
Not to mention the place! An amazing resort with all you need at the same place. Our clients usually say that they feel at home, in a chic yet casual atmosphere, where they can just be themselves.
Does your property offer any unique curated experiences that are exclusive to the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort?
We offer several unique and exclusive experiences, including in the recreational facilities. For starters, we have a beautiful sandy lagoon winding through the hotel gardens. This exceptional lagoon winds between terraces, waterfalls, kiosks, and islands of greenery. The latter, designed by the famous landscape architect Jean Mus, are an invitation to relax. In October 2019, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort’s swimming pool was voted “Best Hotel Pool in Europe” by the Villégiature Awards 2019.
We are privileged to also have 4 hectares of outdoor spaces, with a large Mediterranean garden on the sea, bringing together 1500 plant species and offering many privatizable spaces. The 400 Meter square organic vegetable garden maintained by Terre de Monaco and supplying the starred Blue Bay restaurant with fruits and vegetables, is a great source of pride.
Always looking for the best, we decided to imagine and create two informal luxury suites: the Rafael Nadal Suite and the new Eleven Diamond Suite. Some experiences are unique, rare, and precious, an expression of pure luxury, and a stay in one of these Suites is worth the trip.
To begin, “The Rafael Nadal Suite”. The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is an official partner of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Master, who wanted to pay tribute to Rafael Nadal, the first player to win this Monegasque tournament, who went on to win it more than 10 times.
This suite, which overlooks the sea and was chosen by Rafael Nadal for his stays in the Principality, is in the image of the champion, namely elegant, discreet and inspiring. The decoration is influenced by Rafael Nadal’s sporting universe and is enriched by the cult objects that have marked his career. The suite was inaugurated in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, and Rafael Nadal, at the time of the 112th edition of the Monte-Carlo Masters and the 90th anniversary of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Located on the 11th and top floor, the prestigious “Diamond Suite Eleven” is a place where timeless luxury meets the spirit of relaxation that the 4-star Resort embodies so well. It was born from the desire to make an intimate haven of peace that opens onto the Mediterranean. With a somewhat crazy venture: creating an outdoor space on top of the hotel. With private elevator access to the fully reserved 11th floor, this suite offers a space of 195 sq.m, including a 21 sq.m terrace, 180° sea views, and high-end services in an elegant and timeless backdrop.
This cozy nest is offering the possibility to get everyone together since it can be connected to a duplex suite, making it perfect for sharing good times with family and friends.
Stay there is an extraordinary experience, where time stands between sky and sea. And, to let you in on a little secret, a famous tennis player who loves Monaco once said that stepping through the door makes him “feel at home”.
If a guest wants a fully curated experience from the private flight to car service, spa treatments, private tours & excursions, meals, and support staff (nanny, security) can the team at Monaco Bay Club make this happen? Would this be through the concierge? Our concierges are totally dedicated to making our clients happy. Each desire (almost) can be fulfilled thanks to our amazing team!
Who is the profile of a Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort guest?
It really depends on the period of the year. In Winter, we have principally business customers whereas we have mainly leisure guests in Summer.
The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is a well-known place for business tourism as it offers the full infrastructure required for an event (car launches, sales seminars, incentives…) and its success. With a heliport, 15 meeting and banqueting rooms mostly with sea view (70%), and a business center, this is a unique place for business events. The outdoor spaces, the lagoon, and the Mediterranean Gardens are particularly well-suited to the organization of exceptional events for cocktails and receptions but also celebrations such as weddings.
Regarding leisure, we have young guests who particularly appreciate the trendy, contemporary, and chic atmosphere of the Resort.
The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort thus offers a genuine concentration of the Monaco experience, combining hotel, gastronomy, nightlife, well-being, and entertainment, not to forget the additional Monte-Carlo Societe des Bains de Mer exclusive facilities.
Our international clientele is also attracted by famous Monaco events such as the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, and much more!
Can you tell us about your dining options?
The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers a wide range of culinary experiences. From gastronomy to bistronomy, it satisfies all the cravings.
Marcel Ravin is the Executive Chef of the 3 restaurants: the Blue Bay, the gastronomic restaurant, L’Orange Verte, the bistronomic one, Las Brisas, the Summer one.
With two Michelin stars to his name, Marcel Ravin invites the guests to join him for a bold and creative culinary experience, completed by the sea and flawless views stretching all the way to the horizon.
Another essential stop while visiting the Resort: L’Orange Verte. It offers relaxed and convivial food, perfect for lunch or dinner on the go in Monaco.
Located between the sea and lagoon, Las Brisas, the summer restaurant, is the ideal place for a sunny lunch in an idyllic setting.
Are there any special exclusive experiences that will be offered to only Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort guests?
“La Table de Marcel” is a unique sensory experience to discover at Blue Bay restaurant. Close to the center of the kitchen, between the dining room and the ovens, chef Marcel Ravin created an exceptional table for two people.
This unique, ultra-sensory experience consists of 14 creations for a moment of sharing and conviviality, for an unusual evening during which chef Marcel Ravin will plunge guests into his culinary universe imprinted with creativity and sensitivity.
Other exclusive experiences to discover… are “Cocoon Bay” and “Sea Bay”, our private spaces by the lagoon or by the sea, to enjoy in summer time, for the most beautiful and indulgent day of the season!
The Sea Bay is the perfect place to lounge by the water in the unspoiled surroundings of the Larvotto Nature Reserve. Whereas Cocoon Bay with Balineseinspired vibes and bespoke service is the perfect spot to enjoy, with intimacy and comfort, by the sand-bottomed lagoon.
To conclude, one night…or more, in the Diamond Suite Eleven, is for sure a unique journey to the heart of Europe’s most sought-after destination!
http://Preferredhotels.com
To learn more information on the property visit http://montecarlosbm.com
General Manager Francois-Xavier Schoeffer tells us why 1 Hotels Mayfair is THE place to stay in London.
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION { 1 HOTEL MAYFAIR, LONDON
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property.
My journey into hospitality began at a young age, inspired by dining at restaurants on the Île de Ré with my uncle. I studied at Thonon Hospitality School and started my career at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes.
In Paris, then moved to Paris in 2000 where I worked with Intercontinental Paris under the mentorship of Dagmar Woodward, and Westin Paris Vendome before joining Hotel Lutetia in 2008.
I supported the launch of Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam and opened Café Royal in London with The Set Hotels. Returning to Paris as the General Manager of Hotel Lutetia from 2019 to 2021, I then joined The Doyle Collection to reposition The Kensington as a five-star hotel in London.
Joining SH Hotels & Resorts and CrossTree for the pre-opening of 1 Hotel Mayfair felt meant to be. This project embodied everything I aspired to be a part of: a mission-driven company, a fabulous location, stunning design, and a team of great people.
Has your role been the same at the property, or have you worked in other roles at the company?
This is my first role with SH Hotels & Resorts.
Can you tell us the brand philosophy at 1 Hotels Mayfair?
At 1 Hotel Mayfair, our brand philosophy is centered on being a mission-driven leader in the luxury travel industry. We prioritize environmental impact in all aspects of our operations, from design and construction to daily practices, ensuring every decision aligns with our commitment to being in harmony with nature.
We believe that leading with sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing design, luxury, or functionality. Our nature-led Biophilic design philosophy, holistic Mind & Movement & Wellness initiatives, and carefully curated Food & Beverage offerings are all crafted to reflect our dedication to sustainability. This commitment is woven into every element of our hotel, from the subtle educational touchpoints to the overall guest experience, demonstrating that true luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
What makes your property different from staying at other City Properties in London?
1 Hotels offers a distinctive approach to luxury hospitality, and 1 Hotel Mayfair is a prime example of this vision for global expansion. Our team, representing 44 nationalities, is composed of remarkable individuals who bring their unique personalities to their roles. We pride ourselves on effortless service that is both elegant and relaxed. Sustainability is at the core of our operations, from eco-friendly practices to locally sourced materials, ensuring our guests enjoy luxury with a conscience. From our outstanding front-of-house team to our exceptional culinary offerings, 1 Hotel Mayfair provides guests with a truly remarkable London experience. I envision the hotel as the vibrant living room of Mayfair, a place where guests feel at home and inspired.
What about your property keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
It’s the exceptional service, prime location, and personalized experience we deliver. Our guests appreciate being recognized and having their preferences acknowledged and fulfilled. They also value the diverse range of activities and amenities we offer. Additionally, our commitment to sustainable luxury creates a unique and meaningful experience that resonates deeply.
But it’s not just about these elements. Guests return for the warm, welcoming atmosphere we foster, the attention to detail in every aspect of their stay, and the sense of belonging they feel with us. They enjoy our thoughtfully curated spaces, which offer both comfort and sophistication, and our seamless blend of elegance with a relaxed, approachable vibe. The continuous feedback we receive and the relationships we build with our guests further enhance their experience, encouraging them to come back again and again. Our goal is to cultivate a strong return guest rate over time, and while this takes patience and dedication, it’s gratifying to see so many returning guests from London and beyond.
We have stayed at the world’s top city hotels, and I must say your property exceeds expectations. How have you maintained such a high level of consistent perfection in an ever-changing hotel market? Is there a secret to your success?
Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that there is always room for improvement. We continuously evaluate our performance, celebrating our successes and identifying areas where we can enhance our offerings. This mindset fuels our curiosity and drives us to explore innovative ways to exceed guest expectations. At SH Hotels & Resorts, we also place a strong emphasis on empowerment, encouraging each team member
to take initiative and make swift decisions that elevate the overall guest experience. By combining our commitment to continuous improvement with a culture of personal ownership and responsiveness, we create exceptional and memorable stays for our guests, which is central to our success.
Tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers?
Our property offers a range of unique experiences designed to immerse guests in Mayfair’s charm and London’s vibrancy.
For example, Mayfair’s Tree Tapestry Tour allows guests to explore the area’s hidden natural treasures using a specially crafted tree map created with The Tree Council. This tour reveals the beauty of Mayfair’s trees and provides a fresh perspective on the local environment.
For a dynamic city exploration, our Audi Experiences offer excursions with our house car, the fully electric Audi Q8 e-tron, to iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, The Royal Academy, and the West End theatres. This is an especially exciting way to discover London.
At Bamford Wellness Spa, guests can indulge in wellness treatments that emphasize a deep connection with nature. Through personalized treatments and natural skincare products, we provide a journey towards relaxation and rejuvenation.
These curated experiences reflect our commitment to delivering memorable moments that celebrate both the local environment and personal well-being.
To find out more about 1 Hotels Mayfair follow them @1Hotel. mayfair
Deep rooted in Family & Tradition, The San Montano Resort & Spa is Ischia’s best kept secret.
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and you found your way to owning or working at this property?
Yes, so my relationship with the hospitality business started at birth. I come from a family of third generation of hoteliers, first with my grandpa and then my father. Both have passed on their passion. So basically I can say I was born in a hotel. I started doing smaller jobs like helping the gardeners or the maintenance, and that’s how it all began. It’s a funny story, when I was getting bad grades at school, during Summer, I think I was 13 or 14, my parents taught me to work. The said if you have bad grades you go work with the maintenance, if you have good grades, eventually you can start working in the front. So I started in every department of a hotel, in a 4 star property that we have here in Ischia. Slowly the passion came when I graduated high school and I started University in Naples but I was still mentally a little bit too young. So I spent a couple of years just enjoying my life, not studying too much and in University also because in Naples there were no hospitality business colleges. After a couple of years I decided it was not my way, I was studying Economics. And then I wanted to apply for a Swiss college in Switzerland, but I needed to improve my English, my English was still a little bit broken so I couldn’t apply to Universities. So I spent a couple of years in the UK working and learning, I was in the UK for six months and then came back in the Summer season to Ischia. At 22, I applied for the University in Switzerland and from then on it changed my life. The college was kind of a melting pot, all different kinds of people from Asia, Latin America, Europe and the USA. It was a magnificent experience and it helped me get great connections. I also worked for a few years in Switzerland before coming back to the island, I worked in Geneva in a Michelin star restaurant, as a server. Then I worked in a five star property in Gstaad, then another five star property in Lugano, Switzerland. After graduation I decided to come back home and it was the best choice possible. Growing up in such a small place, a small village, an island can be sometimes limiting. I recommend everybody go out and have their experiences. Eventually I came back with a different life. So that’s where it all started. And then I started my way, I worked here at San Montano starting in 2016, I was working in the front office and then slowly being the general manager assistant and then in 2020 I became the GM of the property. So it wasn’t the perfect year because what happened then was pretty challenging, but looking back, it was an amazing experience, we brought incredible results in terms of brand recognition, revenues and all the aspects were satisfying for my work, so my family is now happy that I am running the place and so that’s the long story short. (laughter)
That’s a great story, good for you. So what’s the brand philosophy at San Montano?
AD: We want our guests to embrace the destination. The essence of Ischia, a five star property with a laid back atmosphere. The property offers relaxation and privacy, guests feel at one with nature. So this aspect, and especially after the pandemic, people are very much focused on nature and the aspect of peace of mind. In the last few years many people are looking for a vacation where they can relax and enjoy the open space and enjoy life. I always say on such a small island there’s so much to do. First of all, in terms of proximity you move so easily from the seaside to the mountain. The mountain top of Mayo, which is 900 meters high and being up there it feels completely different, a completely different scenario, it feels like not being on an island anymore. And also in terms of the culture of the people, it’s different, the restaurant, the food offerings are different, you feel being on an island, you get seafood and the main dishes are seafood, but if you think that the signature dish of the island is rabbit, that tells you already about the big diversity that is in the culture and in the food. I will say you have a very authentic destination, authenticity and of course the quality of the food and diversity of the different experiences mixed up with the most important feature, which is the thermal water. Ischia is an island and we have 60 different natural thermal sources of hot springs, for example at San Montano we have our own thermal water, source of hot springs that comes from a hundred meters below the sea level. So we go down the hill, and from down the hill we have a pump, we go a hundred meters below the sea level and in the past we did and we found this almost boiling hot water that we pump up and use to fill up the pools and the spas for spa treatments, for the thermal mud, we let this mud macerate in the thermal water for more than six months and then they get this incredible particular benefit, which is cosmetic and medical and we do offer these treatments at our spas, it’s very good for the skin and for specific problems, for back pain, for bone pain. So besides the well being, also the medication, which comes with the whole package of the well being. But not only medication but also cosmetics, so there is also a way that we are changing the way of looking at the thermal treatment, that in the past where it was only medication, which is already an incredible feature, but also cosmetic and for prevention, it’s very good for the skin and softening the skin. For example in the thermal water, all of our pools we have on property in Ischia there’s a concept of the thermal gardens, there are these gardens that are open to the public, where there are different pools, hot pools, hydromassage, sonars, and we have recreated the same concept on the property for the exclusive use of our guests. So you can find eleven other pools outdoors and natural spas with natural steam, always outdoors and then of course our spa where we have sonar and Turkish and these other facilities for, again, for the well being.
Very in depth and amazing answer. You have answered so many of the questions already with what you are saying. (laughs) How about this one, tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers. Well again, it could be on property, as for example for specific spa treatments that we do, one unique treatment that we do at San Montano is our Lemontano Ritual, which is the joke of the word lemon and San Montano, so it becomes Lemontano, which is not only the lemonade that is our signature drink, our lemonade, that is also a special recipe that our bartender makes with our lemons from our garden. So we do it from the 500 more lemon trees that we have on property and we have a spot under the lemon grove where we do this personalized couples massage under the lemon grove. So it really feels like being at once with nature, especially in this period where all the trees are flowering, there is this strong smell of lemon flowers so it’s a really unique experience that you hopefully can find only here. And then off property as I was saying, we are really much focused on the experience of the island, so not many people know that for example there is a strong heritage of winemakers, so there is this activity that we propose to all of our guests, of a hike, a day of a hike, going up on the mountain, starting with the wineries, wine tasting and then going down through the hike to the naturals, which is this beautiful sandy beach, where there is the natural thermal activity underneath and there is also this unique experience of the volcanic cooking, which, it happens probably at another couple of places around the world, like in Japan I have heard they do this kind of similar activity, so it’s basically digging one meter below the sand, you already have the hot thermal steam, it’s getting closer to the water, to the sea and you dig and you have this boiling water that comes from underneath the sand. So there are the locals that cook there, there are some restaurants that offer this experience of the volcanic cooking. So they wrap the fish and they put it underneath the sand and it gets the cooking with the thermal energy, which is a beautiful and unique experience as well. So yeah, the experienced are all related to discover the island and this uniqueness.
Going there to Capri, there is a lot of pressure to have the most money, the biggest boat, etc, but coming to Ischia to enjoy the local culture, to relax and really take in all this raw natural beauty is really something special. Absolutely, I agree 100 percent with you. That is something that we have also seen, the trend with travel agents, let’s say they can measure very well the trend of the market. And that is exactly what they are saying, that now it’s insane what you find, the crazy rates also in Capri. We also have a property in Amalfi, in San Andreas, this beautiful property that we opened in 2021 and the rates are, here is one and there is five. If I have an entry level here that is around six, seven hundred, there is two thousand example for the night. And that already tells you the big difference in the market because there’s such a big demand and it’s always super crowded. And yeah I feel like people are going there because everybody goes there. They need that photo for social media. ( he laughs)
Having an infinity pool outside of your bi-level suite is pretty much unbelievable.
True, true. True and what I can add on top of that is that many other properties have their pool but this one is a thermal water pool. So you have these specific enzymes that lower the stress level so it’s a different experience, not just a pool, which is always fun to have, always good to have a pool, but on top of that, there is also this thermal, hot spring and reaches the possibility of having a private pool and you can do the thermal massage and it relaxes the back.
When we walked around the town, it still felt like a small town, it felt like a village. It wasn’t intimidating, there were some beautiful local stores, but it wasn’t the chain stores of Capri. In terms of shopping, you can find something unique here, because there are these little boutiques that the owners run the place and they have different brands, but they order what they like, so you can find unique pieces that maybe you cannot find in the stores in New York. Yes, this is the little town of Locamino and down in the village here is a beautiful village and there are beautiful boutiques, there are a couple that are very nice. And also in the town of Santangelo, it’s very beautiful and very nice little boutiques and yeah, you can find really unique pieces. And I wouldn’t like to have those big brands, even though you will have a different kind of market, adding something more to the market, to the demand, but then you risk to destroy the authenticity of the place. And then also in terms of safety you mentioned that you felt very safe and I always tell everybody that also being on an island, it makes it even safer, this is the perfect place for growing with my family and my kid and because it’s really, really safe, there’s zero crime rate. Sometimes people think that outside Italy and Naples, but also now the major area of Naples, it’s changed so much, it raised so much the level of hospitality and services and the crime, it’s going down. There are some places for example, the Spanish Quarters, where fifteen years ago you couldn’t get in and now there are many tourists and it’s full of people. And nothing can happen to you, because even though there is some crime organization, because you don’t see people but it’s present, but they want that the economics of the place goes well. So they are the first people that don’t want you to get robbed there, because you have to come back and you have to spend at the bars. So let’s say it balanced things, so it’s strange but it’s even safer now than Milan and Milan and is getting really bad in terms of its reputation. And then being on an island, again, it’s much more safer. I always say, I sleep with my door keys out of the door, I have my scooter, my car is not locked, everyone can go and take it, but no one does, because first of all, we are 60,000 citizens among the island, so we are a pretty big island. There’s not everybody who is really rich but there’s also not poverty, so everybody has a good living standard, so everybody really lives well so you don’t have crime at any level.
We had an amazing stay at your property and will be back! You are always welcome!
To learn more about the San Montano Resort follow them at @sanmontanoresort
INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO
LOCATION { FINCA CORTESIN HOTEL
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property.
I was born in the former GDR, known to most simply as East Germany, and grew up near Dresden. Before attending the University of Halle, I first had to complete my mandatory military service, which in those days lasted 18 months.
Then world events took a course that would not only influence but shape the rest of his life. We were all hoping that things would change, but when the change came and the Wall went down, it happened so quickly that few of us were really ready for it.
After several months as a truck driver in the East German mandatory army service, I was suddenly faced with German reunification and the official disbanding of the Volksarmee. It meant that I started my service in one army and ended it in another, which was quite something to get your head around. I simply handed my old uniform in one night, went to bed, and put on a different uniform the next morning. I was with the West German Bundeswehr for the last month or so of my military service.
While still coming to terms with it all, I was suddenly struck by the opportunities presented with all this change. I decided that now I could, I would head into West Germany and try to pursue a career in the next best thing to acting – the hotel industry. And so he set off in an old Lada for Bavaria, where after a fair bit of rejection, I was given a chance to learn the trade at a Relais & Chateau Hotel run by someone who had escaped across the wall a generation earlier. I worked hard, but I learned everything, from how a kitchen works to logistics, maintenance, housekeeping, reception, and all the many parts that go into making a great hotel where people feel looked after.
From here followed a career path that would lead through Cliveden House and The Halkin Hotel near London’s Hyde Park to Salzburg, Belmond La Residencia in Mallorca, and the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg – both former Orient Express Hotels. It was there that I was headhunted by Finca Cortesin.
Has your role been the same at the property, or have you worked in other roles at the company?
I am proud to be a caretaker of Finca Cortesin and have been at the property’s helm since its launch. After being called to raise the bar for renowned establishments at Finca Cortesin, I had tried to express my perfectionism and passion for guest service since 2009, ensuring that this serene, nature-filled land estate continues to entice high-end clients from across the globe.
Can you tell us the brand philosophy of The Finca Cortesin Hotel?
Our main goals at Finca Cortesin have always been sophistication, exclusivity, and privacy, which is reflected in the architecture, design, and interiors of the resort – giving every area a big, bright, and spacious feel.
The key values of Finca Cortesin are to provide exceptional dining experiences, renowned service, peace and tranquillity, and the most important value for our guests: Privacy and discretion. These aspects will continue to be central to our luxury customer experience.
What makes your property different from staying at other resorts in the region?
Built to the vision of Mr. Javier López Granados, CEO & President of Single Home, it is the product of a labor of love in which he wanted to create something very special. Everybody was chasing modern, contemporary or mock-Moorish styles at the time, yet Javier wanted to design a resort with the feel of a country estate where people could be close to the sea, golf, and all the other amenities of the Costa del Sol, but also find a peaceful refuge surrounded by nature on the edge of where the true Andalucía begins. It was to be a place where people with busy, demanding lives could come and relax and be pampered with old-fashioned service and care, and so it is. With the vision of Javier, the architecture of Ignacio Sierra and Roger Torras, the landscaping of Gerald Huggan, an 18-hole champions course designed by Cabell Robinson, and the decoration of Duarte Pinto Coelho
in the hotel and sisters Ana and Christina Calderón in the rooms something truly unique has been created. We work hard to offer the classic ambiance and service of a true grand European hotel.
What about your property keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
Our acclaimed, intricate interior design combined with impeccable service, superb food, exceptional spa, world-class golf, and prime real estate makes our Finca Cortesin the epitome of refined yet relaxed Mediterranean living. We are proud to have created a destination that guests leave wishing they could stay forever, and it seems that it works, as we are thankful to have 46% of repeat guests returning every year to Finca Cortesin.
I have stayed at the world’s top hotels, and I must say your property is by far the top of the top. The grounds are breathtaking from the staff, which is on their “A” game at all times, and the suites are simply magnificent. How have you maintained such a high level of consistent perfection in an ever-changing hotel market? Is there a secret to your success?
We work hard to offer classic ambiance and service that will ensure our guests’ stays continue to be a sophisticated, pampering, relaxing experience and keep our standards up to our guest’s expectations.
At the heart of everything we do at the resort is the emphasis that we put on experience. Whether on the golf course, in the spa, or at one of our restaurants, we ensure that every detail is taken into consideration to ensure that our discerning guests enjoy an experience like no other.
Tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers?
Finca Cortesin offers 23,000 sqm of manicured gardens, a luxurious Spa & Wellness center offering the very best in Thai treatments, four swimming pools, tennis and padel tennis courts, a spectacular 6,000 sqm Beach Club, exquisite dining options, all in a serene, elegant and refined setting; ARANĪ Yoga & Meditation Center launched back in May 2019; 18-holes World Championship Golf Course designed by Cabell B. Robinson will be proudly hosting next Solheim Cup 2023; Our Golf facilities also boasts a state-of-the-art Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy.
Can you tell us about your dining options?
All of Finca Cortesin’s restaurants are a sensory delight. Our kitchen team is led by German Executive Chef Lutz Bösing, alongside an expert team of professionals, all imparting their creative flair to contemporary Spanish cuisine. Bösing’s culinary career stretches more than 30 years, 20 of which he
spent refining and mastering Spanish gastronomy. Today, his main focus is to harmonize classic traditions with modern concepts in his ongoing search for the best products and “flavors of life.” We have three main restaurants to choose from: El Jardín de Lutz for authentic Spanish cuisine; our signature Restaurant REI offering Asian cuisine, Restaurant and Don Giovanni for award-winning Italian dishes.
We also offer three more casual eateries at the hotel for those who prefer a more laid-back ambiance. The Blue Bar serves tapas and cocktails in the patio lounge, spacious outdoor terrace, and Moroccan and Indian ‘chill-out’ lounges; while our 6,000m² Beach Club, just 1km from the hotel in the Bahía de Casares, offers delicious paellas, the best Mediterranean fare, and poolside drinks right on the beach. The Pool Restaurant offers an air kitchen concept with a daily market menu with the freshest product cooked in a Josper Basque Grill and a Monolith Kamado Grill, the best in Mediterranean cuisine in an exquisite atmosphere at lunchtime.
Can you tell us about your new property in Mallorca? How will this differ from the Finca Cortesin?
Just a 15-minute drive from Palma, Mallorca, in the foothills of the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana Mountains, lies Son Net – a stylishly understated, art-filled hideaway on a private estate dating back to the 17th century. Famous for its history and palatial design, Son Net is nowadays co-owned and managed by our acclaimed Finca Cortesin team and is being lovingly restored and redecorated by the Spanish well-known interior designer Lorenzo Castillo to offer an exquisite and sophisticated retreat with classically elegant bedrooms and suites maintaining the mansion’s original features, such as rustic beams, stone floors, antique fireplaces, original 17thcentury interior courtyard and spring-fed well, and a private chapel. The outdoors are breath-taking, featuring a 30-meter pool flanked by private shaded cabanas, surrounded by impeccably tended lawns and flower beds, giving way to the ecological vegetable garden and private vineyard.
Upon grand reopening next Spring 2023, Son Net will also boast an entirely new feature: a luxury Spa & Wellness center with enticing design features such as warm ochre-hued interiors, detailed tiling, and arched windows that offer a serene view over the mountain ranges. The Spa will boast various spaces – including five treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and relaxation areas. It will offer beauty lovers myriad facial and body treatments that promote relaxation, turn back the hands of time, or boost recovery after an active day out.
To find out more about this truly incredible resort, go to http://fincacortesin.com or visit http://preferredhotels.com
S E R R A S HO T E L
B A R C E L O N A
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HIP SERRAS HOTEL IN BARCELONA, TELLS US ABOUT THE PROPERTIES
CONNECTION TO PICASSO.
Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property.
After almost ten years of working in London, at The Ritz London, I met with Mr. Serra, the now Serras Barcelona owner. He had a great vision of how the best hotel should be, and together with a great team, we created Serras, a new concept of Luxury Boutique Hotel.
Can you tell us the brand philosophy of the Serras Hotel?
To create memorable experiences for all our guests. To look after every guest with the highest standards and with the biggest genuine smile.
Can you tell us about the hotel’s connection to the artist Picasso?
We are very fortunate to have the hotel where the first studio of Pablo Picasso was. He was only 15 years old when his father got him a small studio on our Rooftop where he painted the most important paintings of his first area – Cience and Charity. We have a great relationship with the Picasso Museum and our guests love it.
What makes your property different from staying at other hotels in the area?
The location is unbeatable, in the Gothic Quarter and in front of the Sea. The interior design is exquisite, with the most comfortable rooms, but what really makes us so special is our team. Guests feel at home with our team looking after them through their stay. Stepping into the breakfast room with your favorite coffee waiting at the table for you while our Guest Relations Team organizes a bespoke itinerary to discover the hidden treasures of Barcelona, this is luxury. This is luxury, to finish the day on the Rooftop in front of the Marina, refreshed by the sea breeze, and have our Barman make a special cocktail for you with your favorite ingredients. Having dinner at our Informal Restaurant on the Rooftop and having the chef come to the table with the catch of the day fresh from the morning and have it prepared for you, this is luxury.
What is it about your property that keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
Serras is a hidden gem, with only 28 rooms and suites, which make 28 VIPs that are looked after by our team. Guests feel at home in the comfort of our rooms and know that everything will be set up the way they like without even asking for it. Mr. and Mrs. B book their room the night before their arrival, so it is ready when they get to the hotel at 8 AM; they have their favorite breakfast ready in the room for them, their personal toiletries, and they are ready to hit the city after a nice shower. Mr. A likes to have a cold bottle of sparkling water in his room on arrival with our homemade chocolate, and it is ready for him no matter his arrival time. One of our most regular guests likes to have our homemade lemonade at 6 AM on the Rooftop when she finishes her yoga session, and it is always ready for her without having to ask for it.
Does your property offer any unique curated experiences that are exclusive to the Serras Hotel?
Yes, every experience we offer is bespoke for our guests and exclusive for Serras, but the experience that is truly unique is the Picasso Private Tour. Guests are greeted on our Rooftop, where young Picasso had his first studio, then taken around the city to the hidden places where he took his inspiration and his most important paints are based on.
Can you tell us about your dining options?
Michelin Chef Marc Gascons is in charge of our cuisine, based on fresh seasonal local products that are available throughout the hotel. Our Restaurant Informal in our Rooftop is the most exquisite place to taste his creations, no complicated plates with the best products from the local cuisine overlooking the magnificent Marina Port Vell.
To learn more about this unique property visit https://serrashotel.com/en/
Photographer John Russo along with 11 talented photographers create an epic Fashion story at the Castelfalfi resort in Tuscany.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO, PHILIPP MONIHART, LISA RUBERTI, JORGE ANTONIO, LILIYA LUBENKOVA, JAVIER A. ARZE, ALICE SPINELL, MARY JANE DAVEY, CHARLENE ARIANNA, PRISCILLA ROBINSON & JULIAN FUNKE
STYLING BY { ANGELA CARPIO WEARING BERNARDO, GUCCI, IL BORGO CASHMERE, WONGVALLE, GUALTIERO MG
MAKEUP BY { BIANCA DEL GIUDICE
HAIR BY { BIANCA DEL GIUDICE
HAIR BY { CASTELFALFI RESORT IN TUSCANY
PRODUCED BY { KEN WALLER, PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY {
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Milestones are set beside the road not to commemorate how far you’ve come, but to mark the distance to the destination ahead. At Preferred Hotels & Resorts SM , we are proud to celebrate five decades of travel and hospitality. It’s a landmark that comes amid great change in how, where, and why we travel. Thank you for taking this journey with us.
