His Excellency Ben Ayade to be featured in an exclusive interview, this September 2016. by Hollywood Weekly Magazine, LLC

FILM FESTIVAL EDITION 2016

NFL Greats

To Be Honored The First African Governor To Grace the cover of Hollywood weekly

His Excellency Senator Professor

Ben Ayade to receive special image award at HWMFF HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 1

PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson

A LETTER From

The Editor

VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson

Every now and then there comes along an individual

of grace and beauty.

philanthropist, spiritual

OPERATIONS Erskine D. McSwain (1991-2000)

leader, celebrity

coach, world traveler, entrepreneur, are a few of the adjectives that describes Munni

MANAGING EDITOR Prather Jackson

Irone. She is ambitious and the fire that drives her passion is evident the moment one gazes into her deep brown eyes. Her heart is golden and her journey unique. She hails from a land where many spiritual leaders have walked the planet such as Ghandi , Mother Teresa. Perhaps

Prather Jackson

there is something there in the DNA that emanates across the globe that produces spiritual giants. Munni Irone says that she was awakened by Deepak Chopra. As a peace advocate, she also follows the footsteps of Dr. Hong of China, who is respected world wide for his promotion of peace. His walk has crossed paths with such individuals as the Pope. He is the promoter and founder of the Era of Conscience. He is the first global leader who created a community of happy and content people via wisdom and the martial arts. Dr. Hong will be showcased on the cover of Global Peace leaders 2017 limited edition book. Recently he was honored

FASHION EDITOR Jacob (For The Stars Fashion House) PHOTO EDITOR Giles Spencer MARKETING & SALES Launy Rhem ART DIRECTOR Karina Pacheco

in the states and was the special guest of honor at the event which Ms Irone co-produced at the Hilton Universal which brought together world leaders to promote peace. We are please to feature our exclusive cover story to showcase Munni Irone. This edition also features Recording Artist/Actress Kelly Rowland, TV Personality/

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Ewart music editor Dick Michaels

Web Designer Howard Chan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Karina Pacheco

Recording Artist Mel B, Sports Spectacular’sExecutive Director Beth Moskowitz, Morgan Stanley’s Managing Director, The Urban Markets Marilyn Booker and Entrepreneur/Philanthropist Tonya Winfield will be honored at the 8th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon, it was announced by LadyLike

LIFE & STYLE EDITOR Niki Shadrow-Snyder

Foundation’s President and CEO, Leah Pump. LadyLike Foundation will confer the honors on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Holly Robinson-Peete serves as the

Research Development Alberto Arellano

Luncheon’s emcee. The event is expected to raise over a quarter million dollars for the nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, empower and inspire young girls living in underprivileged communities around the Greater Los Angeles area. Funds raised at the luncheon enable LadyLike Foundation to provide six scholarships to college bound young ladies from the inner city of Los Angeles.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Hector Santacruz Featured Writer

Jennie Jones

contributing PHOTOGRAPHers Atishay Singh vp corporate accounts strategy & planning Rudy Germany Distributors dominion distribution gold key media news inflight, inc

Enjoy,

Prather Jackon Prather Jackson

Publisher 2 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

KEEP UP WITH HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY AT: www.hollywoodweeklymagazine.com FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @hollywoodweeklymagazine (323) 456-5004

WEEKLY

sustainability 26

Fashion industry gathered in Copenhagen to promote sustainability

His Excellency Senator Professor Ben Ayade

The First African Governor To Grace HWMFF 2016 Special Film Festival Edition

Taste & Style

Vin Lee, Chairman/CEO of Grand Metropolitan a $7 billion, 120 brand global luxury portfolio

Rebecca Wang

creativity and ideas to blossom can lead to a healthier mind and spirit

Let us handle your PR (323) 456-5004 HollywoodPublisher@gmail.com

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 3

AD SPACE

Benedict Ayade

Executive Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria. He was sworn-in on 29th May 2015. He ran successfully for the office of Governor in April 2015 on the platform of Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP).

enedict Bengioushuye Ayade, (born 2nd March

River State. His parents were both devout Catholics. His father

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State of Nigeria. He was sworn-in on 29th May 2015. He ran successfully for the office of Governor in April 2015 on the platform of

Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP). Before that, he was a member of the 7th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Early life Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade was born on the 2nd of March 1969 to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Akinsheye Ayade, a native of Kakum, a village in Obudu LGA, northern Cross

6 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Education Young Benedict Ayade received his primary education at St. Stephens Primary School, Obudu and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Obudu, Nigeria. He earned his B.Sc. (Honours) in Microbiology at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Nigeria (1984 - 1988) and proceeded to the University of Ibadan (1990 - 1994) where he obtained his Ph.D., winning the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology. Ayade went on to work as

a lecturer at Delta State University, Abraka where he was

Bill, Petroleum Refineries Bill, Green Cities Development Bill,

subsequently appointed Professor.

EFCC Act 2003 Bill, and National Energy Bill.[6] Senator (Prof)

From his work in groundwater remediation in Nigeria, Ayade invented a sewage treatment plant powered by solar energy. The technology he developed is currently being used off-shore by oil-producing companies operating in Nigeria. Ayade ventured into politics when he ran for a seat in the Nigerian Senate beating his closest rival, Patrick Agbe of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), with over 80,000 votes in the April 2011 elections. Ayade roundly defeated his rival with 91,123 votes who received only 11,056 votes. During his term in the Senate, Prof. Ayade held the position of Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology. He was also a member of other Committees such as Petroleum Downstream, Education, and Drugs/Narcotics/ Crime. Senator Ayade was one of the leading voices in the Senate and a prolific legislator, having sponsored a total of 41 bills and was ranked highest among the Senators of that particular dispensation. Among the bills he sponsored are Nigerian Naira Stabilization Bill, Nigeria Expatriate Quota Control Bill, Job Creation and Protection Bill, Federal Scholarship Commission

Ben Ayade won the gubernatorial poll, again on the platform of the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 2015 elections in Cross River State having polled 342,016 votes, ahead of the All Progressives Congress candidate in the state, Odey Ochicha, with 53,983 votes. On taking up office as Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade launched several important infrastructure projects, including a 260 km dual-carriage Calabar-Katsina-Ala superhighway, Calabar deep seaport, and a Calabar garment factory, all of which were projected to employ thousands of people. He also unveiled plans to build three new cities in the State.[8] [9] The superhighway encountered some opposition from environmental activists who complained that road was to pass through a forest reserve and that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not done before construction started. Ben Ayade is an accomplished academic and a speaker at numerous high-level events such as the Summit organised by the United Nations Secretariat for Climate Change when he led African Governors to the climate change negotiations in Paris in December 2015.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 7

Vin Lee

Taste & Style 8 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

vl: Grand Metropolitan has been a part of the Los Angeles business landscape for almost 15 years. Some of our brands like Wickes Furniture have been staples in the community for decades. We purchased our first fine jewelry store asset in California off of Rodeo Drive and have maintained offices/private showrooms in the area in and around Century City, Beverly Hills/Bel Air, and Santa Monica. Of course the Beverly Hills Cigar Club and Gallery Rodeo have been heavily active in the charity and celebrity events circles for many years. We thought it was time to formally introduce ourselves to our Los Angeles neighbors. Hollywood Weekly is the preeminent venue for us to reach out to the community. HW:Your colleagues define you as “Elegance Personified,” “Trend Savvy” and Eva Fairchild describes you as a shining example of what “Luxury” is all about. How would you describe your personality and who influenced your sense of taste and style? vl: Those are kind and generous compliments. Ms. Fairchild was very gracious for that endorsement. She has been a prominent influence throughout the West Coast from Malibu to Southern Baja, Mexico. Ms. Fairchild works with the NFL and NBA as a private exclusive real estate agent for retired and active athletes and for various charities. I am far more comfortable speaking about our brand and product offerings than I am about myself. I will say that as a younger man starting out in this business I was much louder and brasher. But I think, like the maturation of a luxury brand, the older, more experienced, and grayer I get the softer and hopefully more endearing I become. My 20s and 30s were filled with great ambition and anger as well as aggressive shameless self-promotion. I suffered under the weight and pressure of a heightened sense of grandeur. There was just so much I wanted to accomplish. Growing up in a modestly affluent community, I was very fortunate to have been exposed to much of what life has to offer from an early age. But walking Rodeo Drive in the middle of the night was exhilarating. The possibilities were endless. When I am on the beaches of Florida it does not have the electric blue of Southern California. When Grand Metropolitan made the transition to Beverly Hills/Bel Air, we were already positioned to plug in to the Hollywood scene. The Bohle Company had been instrumental in the entertainment/technology industries for decades including Playboy Enterprises, Sony, Warner Brothers, Kodak Theatre (Dolby Theater) and the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena. Meeting and mingling with A-List celebrities at red carpet or charity events was initially daunting. In 2005 we were fortunate to be invited to participate in George Clooney’s Tsunami Aid event. It was a significant turning

Growing up in a modestly affluent community, I was very fortunate to have been exposed to much of what life has to offer from an early age point as everyone came together as people helping people. Afterwards these types of affairs became a lot easier to attend. Vin Lee Jewelers (Finlay Fine Jewelers) through a relationship with Dick Clark Productions, started dressing stars on the red carpets of the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys and Independent Spirit Awards. It is all very glamorous. I have had the honor of meeting some of the most beautiful and talented people in the world. Robert Downey Jr. is as cool as he portrays on camera. But sometimes being introduced to your screen or music idols can be a disappointment. I was invited to a birthday party in the Hollywood Hills for one of the greatest guitarists of all times. In person, not exactly the Rock God I had imagined growing up. What I discovered was that they played roles in film or television or for the press and were not who they were in person behind closed doors. I really don’t play a role. This is who I am. As for influences in my life, that is a hard question to answer. I have always been so independent. I will say that I greatly admire Bernard Arnault for what he has assembled with LVMH. Of course I didn’t get to start off with 40 million French francs from my father to launch my career in the 1980s. Or step in to the C-Suite when my father retired like Francois-Henri Pinault, Johann Rupert, and Nicky Oppenheimer. I was a student of the lives of both Howard Hughes and Aristotle Onassis as well as a great admirer of Daniel K. Ludwig. I certainly have a high level of respect for competitors Lev Leviev and Laurence Graff.

Style

HW: You are the Chairman/CEO of Grand Metropolitan a $7 billion, 120 brand global luxury portfolio that includes Department Store Bonwit Teller & Co., Finlay Enterprises (Diamond rings and Fine Jewelry), Heilig-Meyers (Home Furnishings), IMASCO (Cigars/Spirts) Orcofi (Haute Couture, notably fragrance, men and women’s shoes), Handleman (Rackjobbing), the Bohle Company (Public Relations), Caesar Golf, and this list is not fully complete. Clearly you do not need to do interviews, but yet you have decided to speak to Hollywood Weekly. How can we be of service?

In today’s political environment, Donald Trump is making a lot of headlines with his very loud and brash personality. A lot of people do not realize that the 70s and 80s business landscape was aglow with this type of businessman. I started off in a similar fashion with very aggressive posturing. Over 25 years of wonderful failures and mistakes peppered with a couple of successes, I would like to think I am much more patient and understanding now. I was often told that my feelings are just too big.

As for my sense of style, it has also changed significantly over the decades. In Los Angeles there is a “You are what you drive” mentality. In New York, “You are what you wear”. Operating on both coasts for so long is very expensive. As a sports car enthusiast in Beverly Hills I have had my share of exotics in the garage. As a jeweler, I have had the pleasure of many fine time pieces as well as Brioni, Kiton and of course Morty Sills. In fact for many years a personal goal of mine was to trade my Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon for a Bugatti Veyron.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 9

Taste Today, I have slowed my tempo down a great deal. I do not feel the need to be so bright and shiny for all of the world to see. Family and friends are far more important in my daily life. I am delighted to share a Fatburger on a turnstyle off Ventura Blvd with great conversation or simply a cigar in the hot tub at 2:00 am. The closets are still filled with designer clothes and dusty Ferragamos. You will find my phone in my hand more often than a jewelers loupe. I prefer to drive an understated SUV with cupholders than Ferrari or Lamborghini. I enjoy silent auctions and private museum viewings to parties in the Hollywood Hills. My ownership of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club has brought me a wonderful education into the world of fine wines and spirits as well as introduction to some amazing talented people. I believe what has really influenced me the most over my career were my own mistakes. Starting out so young and naive, each failure along my path has carved off another rough edge. I have learned so much more falling down. It has helped me stand back up and continue down my path. HW: Another of your prominent colleague mention the challenges of knowing what to invest in, and determining how much to risk for a perceived ROI or return on investment. In building your portfolio, do you seek organic growth to gain market share, or do you also seek to acquire strategic businesses to fuel future growth within your organization? VL: I started Cinemagic Marquee (now Handleman Company) the same time Bernard Arnault (LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.E.), Johann Rupert (Compagnie Financière Richemont SA), and François Pinault (Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR) 10 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

now Kering) began forming their luxury goods conglomerates. Of course I was only 20 years old. I have watched how they put together deals and funded acquisitions. I had the pleasure of meeting Sumner Redstone during the National Amusements acquisition of Viacom. In addition I have studied how Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has leveraged insurance company assets into major holdings in companies in dozens of market segments including jewelry and furniture like Grand Metropolitan. Buffett’s mantra about value investing, borrowed from Benjamin Graham, has played a part as well. With such major shifts in the economy over the last two decades Grand Metropolitan has been able to acquire many strong brands. Most of which dominated the retail space in their respective industry. I am very competitive and prefer only to participate in businesses where we have a strong enough point of differentiation to be number 1 in some capacity. I do not wish to go head to head directly with LVMH, Kering, or Richemont unless we have significant positioning that gives us a chance. It took 3 years for us to negotiate for Finlay Fine Jewelers. While not readily a household brand itself, Finlays subsidiary brands have the prestige and ancestry to compete with Tiffany and Cartier. Our portfolio of over 30 jewelers have historically held a retail footprint 10 times that of those two iconic brands combined. Heilig-Meyers Furniture has a similar history. Rhodes, Glick, Krause’s, Wickes and dozens of regional furniture retail brands collected under the Heilig-Meyers Furniture group have also a combined historic retail footprint equivalent to many times the current industry leader. What was most appealing to me about Heilig-Meyers was the impact it had on local communities across

North America. In addition to being an economic influence with employment and development, over $10 million had been donated to charities including Cystic Fibrosis. When acquiring a legacy brand that has been in operation for over 100 years and perhaps grown to over 1,000 locations across North America you are capitalizing on the brand equity while also relying on organic regrowth. As we carry no debt and I am the sole shareholder, my focus has been on creating market value rather than ROI.

conglomerates it means heightened transparency and intense quality control/customer experience are vital. Customers and competitors and just plain unsavory characters may attempt to paint a different picture of you using these platforms. Personally I have over 30,000 Linkedin connections and daily I receive attacks and criticism mostly from strangers lashing out. They scoff at the price of a product or ridicule the design. It takes understanding to not respond aggressively. You cannot allow one unhappy person to bring down the whole machine. The manner in which you respond to negative comments or feedback is as important to your brand image as what caused the problem in the first place. I see a lot of people who love to post nasty comments online. What many do not understand is how poorly this reflects upon themselves and their own businesses as well.

HW: What, if any, are the relationships between the global luxury brands that you have in your portfolio and the way you have chosen to service your clients? For example, is your business model based upon a “Concierge” service whereby you seek to find the customer and provide for their needs or Afterwards some other philosophy? VL: Our luxury brand relationships with global clients have been built upon decades and in some cases centuries of servicing our customers needs. We are steeped in our history. Bailey Banks & Biddle, once the jewel in Finlay Fine Jewelers crown (before being sold off to investors) created the Great Seal of the United States, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star and Bronze Star. Grand Metropolitan is determined to create unique products and services for our clientele. The original slogan for our newest retail initiative Bonwit Teller & Co. is “The Specialty Shop of Originations”. We provide luxury goods you cannot find in other retailers.

these types of affairs became a lot easier to attend. Vin Lee Jewelers (Finlay Fine Jewelers) through a relationship with Dick Clark Productions, started dressing stars on the red carpets of the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys and Independent Spirit Awards.

The Beverly Hills Cigar Club represents a thousand cigar brands to its customers. Finlay Fine Jewelers and Heilig-Meyers Furniture equally represents thousands of designers, artisans, and manufacturers. It becomes everyone’s responsibility to jealously protect their position in the supply chain, to do the very best for customers, the company, and the community. Consistent communication is the key. Social media empowers us to have an ongoing conversation with our audience, whether it is our industry peers or current and future clients. How you respond publicly to negativity will resonate with everyone.

VL: Grand Metropolitan social media campaigns over the last 10 years have been managed by my public relations agency. The Bohle Company was the first firm that Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer of Microsoft hired to introduce DOS to the public. We were also significant in the launch and management of media relations for Beny Alagem’s (owner of the Beverly Hilton) Packard Bell Electronics.

We proudly maintain our reputation and heritage in each of our legacy brands. Most of the time it was the integrity of the institution that initially caused our interest in them. Today the investment community is quick to chase after startups and early stage disrupters in just about every industry. It is very hard to create luxury brand identity within the consumers mind with no history to support it. When I first started in the tobacco industry, I met with many top personalities. One in particular had just recovered from a stroke and had to relearn how to speak and think. And even through his struggle he imparted in me some incredible advice. He offered that the only difference between a $5 cigar and a $25 cigar is the story behind the band. Most all of the cigars on the market are made in the same places and often by the same hands. The blends are often indistinguishable to most pedestrian palettes. You will find that is common in many business segments. The reason you choose between one like brand or another, paying a premium, is often the story it tells. Louis Vuitton over Michael Kors. Ferrari over Ford. Uber over Lyft?

Social media is a wonderfully double-edged sword in today’s society. This resonates as much to our private lives as it does in corporate marketing campaigns. In both instances you have to protect yourself. The individual as well as the public at large are very empowered today with social media platforms. They have access to public figures and brands as if they were next door neighbors. While this has leveled the playing field for small mom and pop operators to compete side by side with global

Uber has recently come on the scene, effected the taxi cab business, and boasts a valuation of $50 billion, larger than most American businesses. The CEO of Uber, Travis Kalanick has been accused in the media of going on the warpath, attacking competitors, regulators, and even customers who question him. Yet even in the shadow of violence and crime exacted within the Ubersphere directly to the customer, the company continues to flourish. This is the division between consumer products and the luxury sector.

HW: Let’s talk a little about trends. Today we live in an age where your customers can communicate their opinion about your company and influence many others. How do you manage the risk of connecting with the public on social media sites, without worrying about spending an inordinate amount of time updating your response to their inquiries?

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 11

Over 25 years of wonderful failures and mistakes peppered with a couple of successes, I would like to think I am much more patient and understanding now I have been in this business for a very long time. I started out negotiating diamond deals in the backs of showrooms and building a reputation. Luxury is very much about image, reputation, and aspiration. Tesla is becoming a symbol of automotive luxury. Elon Musk, once a neighbor of mine in Bel Air (Holmby Hills), engages in social media to create anticipation for some new feature or announcement about one of his projects. He is very accessible and vocal. Recently Tesla sent out a scolding to Model S customers about abusing the Supercharger Network instead of filling up at home. Can a company that has yet to post a profit and relies on every single transaction to attempt to keep the “lights on” afford to offend it’s hard earned customers? With an aspirational brand it is a delicate line to cross. If I were to enter into the EV business to compete with Elon Musk, I would first acquire a brand that is established and build off of that reputation. It is very costly to recreate the wheel, especially in luxury. While I am only a few years older than Travis Kalanick, Elon Musk, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, my business was built privately, without venture capitalists or the public markets. Unlike my contemporaries that use other people’s money to build their enterprises, the risk is mine. The money funding expansion is mine. And the responsibility of Grand Metropolitan brands giving back is mine as well. So my reputation and integrity are paramount. HW: What causes are you passionate about and what do you do for fun? VL: Not many segments of the luxury industry can directly help out people in need. I believe this function to be the very best of what social media can accomplish. Heilig-Meyers Furniture and it’s subsidiary brands have been in a unique position to be able to give back. Firstly, Heilig-Meyers Furniture has worked with charities like Cystic Fibrosis and raised tens of millions over the years. That created enormous good will for the brand in thousands of communities across the country. But more directly we have been in a position to help organizations like Habitat for Humanity with furnishings. Many local furniture retailers donate beds, linens, and even kitchen sets to shelters and homeless projects. We use our social media reach to encourage competitors, customers, and others to participate as well. Hopefully leading the industry by example.

12 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

In 1913 there was a terrible flood in Columbus, OH. Thousands of people were left homeless. Their houses were flooded, the furniture was ruined. Many of those people were Glick Furniture customers who had purchased on credit. The company ran a newspaper ad announcing to all customers that their bill was paid in full. When they got back on their feet, to come in and pick out new furniture, and Glick Furniture would refinance the new purchase. Over 100 years later, Grand Metropolitan continues that philosophy. I am very fortunate to have many of my personal interests as business interests as well. For a few years I was very involved in track racing vintage sports cars. But I do work a great deal, often 7 days a week. So I take my pleasure in quieter times. Living where I do allows me to enjoy walking the beach grateful for the life I have and the people I have shared it with. Many nights end with a turkey sandwich, two fingers of scotch and a cigar. The Beverly Hills Cigar Club participates in charity auctions, celebrity events, and red carpet functions including the Cannes Film Festival, Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Independent Spirit Awards. Grand Metropolitan sponsors events at the PGA Tour, NFL Super Bowl, and various music/entertainment venue VIP lounges and brand expansion marketing campaigns. We also participate at the G20 Economic Summit, World Economic Forum at Davos, Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills. In addition, Grand Metropolitan brands have hosted and sponsored events with NASCAR, Formula 1, Concours d’ Elegance, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and Bike Week in Daytona Beach. HW: How do you feel about our economy and is this a good time to be in the luxury business and why? VL: We were very reluctant to admit the economy was in so much trouble during the downturn. The market segment we cater was the last to really feel the effects of it. When the ripples finally hit our clients, competitors, and vendors, it created enormous opportunity for Grand Metropolitan. But the luxury industry as a whole took a huge hit to image. It was very unpopular for many years to flaunt jewels on the red carpet. Many people discarded their Ferrari and Bentley keys for Prius. The art dealers began having fire sales on what were once heralded as blue chip investments. The jewelry business changed significantly. Initially out of 2,600 jewelry retail clients, over 800 of them went out of business. It weeded out many over leveraged operators from the industry. Billions of dollars worth of jewelry enterprises were dismantled as creditors fled for the exits. This enabled us to acquire many clients, competitors, and inventory for pennies on the dollar. Much of our commodity inventory was originally purchased when gold was at $300/ounce and silver was $4/ounce. When clients began defaulting, their remaining inventories were assimilated back into ours. Simultaneously, precious medal prices started to climb. Gold reached near $2,000/ounce and silver close to $40/ ounce. Retail jewelers converted into gold and silver pawn shops overnight begging clients to allow them to hedge between old rings and necklaces and refinery rates.

Today so much has improved. People are getting back to work and are enjoying putting their money back in to the economy. Last year I was in Dallas, and gas prices were the lowest we had seen in many years. Love is in the air as people can now start to plan for future, family, and buying a home. This sparks sales for engagement rings in our jewelry business and new home furnishings in our furniture business. This new economy has created a spirit of entrepreneurship all over the globe. People are more motivated to start their own businesses, be their own bosses, make a change in the world. Grand Metropolitan recently just partnered with fashion designer David Ford to launch his second line of luxury eyewear. We spoke for about a year while David was creating his first line. He immediately sold out and captured the attention of celebrities from film, television, and the music industries. It is important to me that while our brands have these legacy reputations, the luxury products we provide our clients are exciting, innovative, and high quality. HW: Hollywood Weekly Magazine host an annual International film festival that attracts submissions from 60 countries. We have noticed Iranian filmmakers seeking waivers of the submission fees due to current sanctions imposed on their country by the US. Your luxury brand appeals to certain demographics within the marketplace. Do you wish to share your opinion on lifting sanctions on Iran as it relates to US businesses that cater to the luxury market? VL: I think Hollywood Weekly Magazine has incredible foresight to host this event. I think for many years, Hollywood was not only the capital of the film industry, but practically the only place you could make movies. Bollywood really helped to show the world that there are other voices and talents and abilities to create great entertainment. The emergence of other contributors, like the Iranian filmmakers, participating in this field is significant and long overdue. I have a dear friend, writer, director, indie producer Lisa France, who was able to navigate through bureaucratic waters to film the first American movie in Cuba since the embargo. “Love & Suicide” with Luis Moro, Kamar de los Reyes, and Daisy McCrackin, had the Cuban community and landscape as costar. I believe the more these barriers are broken down we can gain greater understanding of one another. Unfortunately I don’t feel I am qualified and certainly not experienced enough in these matters to offer a valuable point of view. Grand Metropolitan has been primarily focused on its positioning within the North American markets. While we are planning to expand abroad, it takes years to develop and execute organic growth in other cultures. Luxury isn’t much of a front runner in emerging markets.

HW: In general terms, what foreign countries do you see trending well for US exporters that seek affluent consumers? VL: That is a very interesting question. We get approached constantly about opening up offices and showrooms in Asia, Dubai, India and all over South America. For the last few years my

focus for Grand Metropolitan expansion has been towards South Africa and Russia. In fact we have spent the last year negotiating to acquire Ellerine Holdings Ltd., the furniture retail unit of African Bank Investments Ltd. Ellerine was started by two brothers, Sidney and Eric Ellerine, in 1969 and grew to have about 8,000 employees and 947 stores by July this year. There were more than 50 bidders in the asset-sale process, brands Ellerines, Beares, Furniture City, Dial-A-Bed, Geen & Richards, and Wetherlys. Grand Metropolitan’s own furniture retail unit Heilig-Meyers opened discussions to participate in the process. The company began to entertain offers to sell its Wickes Furniture assets in effort to fund the expansion into Johannesburg, South Africa for both furniture and diamond divisions. I believe that South Africa is today what China was 10 years ago. Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and Sir Richard Branson are all competing to bring internet to the 4 billion unconnected people on the planet. Grand Metropolitan wants to be positioned to provide our goods and services through mobile when that happens. Acquisition of Ellerines well established brands would allow Heilig-Meyers Furniture to seamlessly cross into that new market. In addition, a positive relationship readily established within the South African community would allow us to expand our diamond operations. Some estimates show that over 80% of all web traffic is generated from mobile devices. We have spent the last few years redesigning our online presence for mobile responsiveness. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 13 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 13

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By prather jackson

HW: My goal is to enhance society is achieved by identifying

teach them how to become strong, passionate individuals. I

extraordinary individuals like you, Ms. Wang, and sharing your

believe that we as a society should continue supporting the arts

story. You have made significant contributions to society, in a

in order to foster both psychological strength and creative and

variety of industries, most notably the Arts and Charity, and we

innovative thinking.

are delighted to publish this exclusive interview. My hope is that your story will inspire others to follow your shining example.

HW: Your academic studies, as you’ve mentioned, include formal training in Clinical Psychology where you discovered

What would you consider to be your core values? How do these

arts in therapy. Can you cite examples of how Charities have

values drive your daily life and how do they drive your overall

incorporated Art into their service to society?

aspirations?

RW: The Foundation for AIDS Research hosts a number of

RW: Art has an incredible power to change people’s lives, and

events which bring together artists, musicians, fashionistas,

philanthropy is one way to foster such changes. It is my desire to

and others of world renown to benefit amfAR’s research

inspire and give others the opportunity to pursue their passions.

programs. I supported amfAR Milano 2015 last September,

In that way, my own compassion for others helps me see their

where prominent fashionistas, musicians, and artists came

potential and want to give back, while my self-discipline keeps

together to advance amfAR’s AIDS research. amfAR Milano

me focused on achieving those goals.

alone has raised over $7 million for AIDS research. I have

HW: You have become known as a strong supporter of the Arts. Why is it important for you to be an advocate? RW: During my work as a psychotherapist with the University of California and other institutions, I experienced firsthand how the arts and creativity can be a powerful factor in the therapeutic healing process. I believe that learning to harness your own creativity and truly express yourself can be incredibly cathartic, helping us to express powerful emotions, especially

also had the honor of supporting the Annual Academy Awards Viewing Parties hosted by the Elton John AIDS Foundation over the last several years. Through such events, I have seen the great influence that the arts and entertainment fields can have on the world when we come together and fight for causes affecting people worldwide. These events are a testament to what can be achieved when global icons in the Arts come together for such a vital cause.

negative ones, in a way that is not destructive. I advocate for

HW: With regards to the role that Charities play in uplifting

organizations like BAFTA, the Serpentine Galleries, and the

humanity, I understand that you are also involved in The Royal

Royal Academy of Music because such organizations can make

Academy of Music, which is a world-renowned institution and

a positive impact on people, particularly young people and

Britain’s oldest conservatoire.

Rebecca

Wang HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 17 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 17

This past November, Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester, president of the Royal Academy of Music, hosted a private dinner and reception for its supporters, Rupert Murdoch, and Jerry Hall, and others. This event was hosted on the illustrious grounds of Buckingham Palace. You attended the event as one of its supporters. Please share what you believe the importance is of your continuing support for the Royal Academy of Music?

“I know that allowing your creativity and ideas to blossom can lead to a healthier mind and spirit.” –Rebecca Wang

HW: The Royal Academy of Music is a world-renowned institution of music education, and they offer numerous programs and scholarship opportunities for children from underprivileged areas to receive one of the best possible educations in music. I think it is important for children to

HW: Each year, the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR),

be exposed to the arts and music from an early age, as this

hosts an array of events, including the Inspiration Galas, to

can help develop their imaginations, their creativity, and give

generate awareness and fundraising for their AIDS research

new perspectives of the world around them. The Academy’s

programs.

focus on fostering a culture of music learning can help uplift communities and provides numerous opportunities for audiences to experience music in a classical setting.

You have acted as a sponsor for the 2012 Paris Inspiration Gala and chaired both the Los Angeles and New York Inspiration Galas in 2013 and 2014, along with amfAR

HW: You are also a patron of Serpentine Galleries, which is

Chairman Kenneth Cole and others. You also supported

currently chaired by former New York City mayor Michael R.

amfAR Milano 2015, an annual event which benefits amfAR’s

Bloomberg and has become an internationally renowned gallery

research and education programs. Those who have received

over the last fifteen years. The Serpentine Summer Party is a

awards at these events to honor their long term work and

highly prestigious annual fundraiser for the galleries, and has

committed stance towards AIDS include Princess Mette-

recently been supported by such icons as the Princesses Beatrice

Marit of Norway, philanthropist Aileen Getty, fashion legend

and Eugenie, Keira Knightley, Lily Allen, Ben Goldsmith, and

Valentino, singer Jennifer Lopez, and film director and

Pharrell Williams. Why is this organization important to support?

designer Tom Ford.

HW: The Serpentine Summer Party provides a fantastic setting

HW: What role do you think people of high profile – actors,

for both established and up and coming artists to showcase their

filmmakers, or athletes – can play in supporting humanitarian

creativity in an open, natural area. The Serpentine Pavilion at

and healthcare causes? How have you personally evolved based

the 2015 Summer Party, for instance, was designed by renowned

upon what you have experienced as a philanthropist?

Madrid-based architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano of the studio SelgasCano. Their design served as both a showcase for their vision and a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of an outdoor art exhibit that also served as a gathering place in the heart of London.

RW: I believe global, high-profile citizens such as entertainers, musicians, and athletes can always do more to support amfAR and other institutions working to eliminate AIDS. These events are primarily intended for fundraising, but they are also used as public platforms for global issues such as AIDS.

By providing such prestigious showcases, the Serpentine

Spreading awareness about these issues and organizations like

Galleries can foster further development and interest in the

amfAR is vital to their continued existence, because celebrities

creative arts. The Summer Party, too, is an opportunity for the

can become the public face of these issues, bringing a level

Galleries to host a high-profile event in the midst of their public

of international attention and reach that may otherwise be

exhibits in the wonderful city of London.

difficult to attain.

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