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MILLIONAIR
magazine
Fashion Edit 2019
Design
HEROES The pieces, the people, the passion
Nicky Weir Photographer p104
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objects of desire Van Cleef & Arpels Avakian V&A Jewellry Vanda Jacintho
contents
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FASHION WITH ROS POLLARD Casey Gan - Layering on the talent
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MILLIONAIR COVER SHOOT The Cover Girl
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The CoveR TEAM Alisa Connan Nicky Weir Ben Fennell
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style with chris sullivan Mark Powell - Sharp Dressed Man
120
MODEL FILE Ellen Burton
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CORDWAINERS AWARDS Felicities PR
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JEWELLERY FILES Chopard inspired by LOVE
FASHION FILE The black & white classic dress Karl Largerfeld Forever
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CULTURE FILE Josie Goodbody a woman of many talents
delux edit Hermes Vhernier Cindy Chao Manolo Blahnik
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148
A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE Carmen Haid
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designer fashion file Daniel Wingate
SUMMER COLOURs Ruby Hammer MBE
159
Beauty Multi Taskers Ciona Johnson-King 7
contents
166
Heather Stewart-Whyte Music be the food of love
170
Bridget Hancock Antibiotics, Digestion & Flat Stomach
174
VIE AESTHETICS Q&A with Vicky and Ioannis
182
#lovedbylatouche Lifestyle editor Deborah Latouche
190
JULIET HERD INTERVIEWS... This month...Melissa Odabash
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entrepreneur Naze Bullen
210
LONDON CALLING with Juliet Herd
224
THE TRAVEL FILE Chris Sullivan visits Sarawak
232
UNDERCOVER MBFW Tbilisi Alison Lowe MBE
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ART FILEs Creative Talent...Lee Lapthorne
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GREAT BRITISH BRAND Aspiga
Exhibition Bulgari
248
264
art files Graham Black
Conversations with Elise Mike Flache
282
Safety in beauty Antonia Mariconda
Ild�i
www.adler.ch
RIVIERA INSPIRED
It's that TV show that got us hooked, not just because of the mind blowing story line, but the effortless chic style that has got us all talking in the office and googl'ing the outfits! Riviera's fashion has some stunning outfits in every scene, the costume designer is who we need as our personal stylist! Lot's of fast bright bold colours set against the backdrop of the Cote D’Azur. We truly have outfit envy in every episode.
Emilio Pucci Silk Sleeveless Maxi Dress
Aspinal of London Passport Cover Bottega Veneta Metal Sunglasses
Bvlgari Le Gemme Collezione Murano Calaluna Parfum
Wai Wai Rio Rattan Petit Balaio Cross Body Bag
Guerlain Kiss Kiss Palette Valentino Garavani Leather Rockstud Pumps
MilliOnAir Shopping
Editors Note I am incredibly proud of what the MilliOnAir team has created on the pages that follow, and this issue is one of the highlights of my career as Editor-in-Chief. From our interview with entrepreneurial business woman, Melissa Odabash, interviewed by Juliet Herd (p190), Ruby Hammer MBE bringing us glorious ‘Summer Colours’ in our Beauty section (p148), to Chris Sullivan's inspiring travel piece on Sarawak ''a truly amazing destination''(p224). We have focused on the ‘Design Heroes’ ‘The pieces, the people and the passion’, celebrating every one of our designers and entrepreneurs on the following pages. With the cover showcasing the playfulness of summer in our curated jewellery cover feature with a collection of pieces from Chopard, Asprey, David Morris and De Beers that capture that glamorous vibe of the season. With HUGE thanks to the cover team who helped shoot the story... Photographer Alisa Conan, Fashion & Jewellery director Marcella Martinelli, Makeup Nicky Weir, Hair Lara Zee, Film Crew Ben Fennell, Model Ellen Burton at Profile model management, Smashbox Studios. MilliOnAir is thrilled to introduce the talented writer Deborah Latouche who brings us new pages #LovedByLatouche, which includes London designers Vicki Sarge and Tempeley London amongst other equally trend setting designers. One of our new features ‘London Calling’ by Juliet Herd has some unique MilliOnAir readers offers including Daniel Galvin - the salon is offering a complimentary organic hair spa treatment with any hair colouring or highlights – or pop in for a signature 20-minute Belgravia blow dry and enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz! Lisa Franklin is offering a 10% discount on her signature product range and all facials (one per person) to MilliOnAir readers for the month of July – quote MilliOnAir when you order online. So it’s over to you, enjoy, treat yourself and share this wonderful issue… Millie Cooper Editor in Chief We are accessible online, so you can take us anywhere in the world whether it be via your smart phone, computer or tablet. Here is our link for your entertainment www.moa-global.com. 'not only access this edition but our back catalogue'. @millionair_mag 11
CONTRIBUTORS MILLIE COOPER Founder, Editor in Chief, Publisher and Art Director mail@milli-on-air.com MARCELLA MARTINELLI Creative editor & Jewellery/Fashion /Watch director marcella.stylist@gmail.com RUBY HAMMER MBE Beauty Editor rubyhammer@mac.com CHRIS SULLIVAN Style and Travel Editor chris@thesullivan.co.uk CIONA JOHNSON-KING Beauty Contributor purebeautyexpert@gmail.com JULIET HERD Contributing Editor juliet.herd@virgin.net BRIDGET HANCOCK Wellbeing and Health Editor bridgethancock1@gmail.com HEATHER STEWART WHYTE Health & Beauty Lifestyle Contributor ELISE C QUEVEDO Executive Business Editor LAURIE STONE Editor-at-Large STEVEN SMITH Contributing Entertainment Editor DEBORAH LATOUCHE Lifestyle editor deborahlatouche@yahoo.com MILLIE COOPER & LORI MIXSON Marketing & PR UK & UK ROSS POLLARD Emerging Designers Editor fashionworked@gmail.com ALISON LOWE MBE Fashion Contributor EMMA HARRISON Travel Contributor Advertising mail@milli-on-air.com Contributors LAURA MCCLUSKEY FELICITIES PR Twitter @millionair_mag Instgram @millionair_mag Facebook @millionairglobal Media Kit is available on our website www.moa-global.com Send news releases and story ideas to mail@milli-on-air.com ABOUT MilliOnAir online magazine showcases influencers, entrepreneurs and celebrities, alongside new & established luxury brands. The exquisite quality and timelessness of the magazine keeps the readership high and ensures longevity of advertising campaigns and is viewed by over 1 million individuals per issue. With cutting-edge cross-media opportunities and global distribution, we offer advertisers tailored & effective campaigns. ''Bringing people + Brands together''. MilliOnAir™ All content is copyright to MilliOnAir™Magazine and where stated inside any edition. Any reproduction of any part of MilliOnAir™ Magazine is strictly forbidden, unless with prior permission. MilliOnAir™ Magazine is published by Joomag, any views expressed in any articles or interviews are those of the individuals and not necessarily those of MilliOnAir™ Magazine.
MilliOnAir | THE JEWELLERY FILES
THE JEWELLERY FILES
By Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
Splendour of the red carpet with the new collection inspired by LOVE Each Chopard creation carries within the strength of the passion that brought it to life. For the Red Carpet Collection 2019, Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of the Maison, has chosen LOVE as her inspirational theme. Stemming from her extraordinary creativity and the age-old jewellery know-how that the Mains d'Art of the Haute Joaillerie Chopard workshops pass on from generation to generation, the Red Carpet Collection graces the Cannes International Film Festival – to which it has been an official partner since 1998 – with a whole range of emotions whose human and aesthetic richness echoes that of cinema. With the opening of the Festival, Scheufele unveils the 72 creations composing this year’s magnificent collection. .
www.chopard.com
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Inspired by LOVE
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Red Carpet Collection
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MilliOnAir | FRAGRANCE
Scents in Gold
Mesmerising FRAGRANCES “Poetry is jealous of you tonight, for as soon as I come to pen a few words, your perfume attacks me in the most civilised manner and I forget myself. I forget the poem. I forget the ...”
1 Boadicea The Victorious Valiant Eau de Parfum
3 Lalique Mon Premier Cristal Hirendelles Absolu De Parfum
2 Clive Christian Absolute Rose Crystal Perfume
4 Bond No. 9 Dubai Citrine Eau de Parfum
“The inner truth of ourselves is intertwined with our souls, while the soul is just like a strong perfume that can't be hidden by any means.”
5 Roja Parfums Haute Luxe
7 Tiziana Terenzi Assoluto Alioth Extrait de Parfum
6 Xerjoff Alexandria III Eau de Parfum
8 Creed Royale Exclusives White Flowers Eau de Parfum Splash 29
MilliOnAir | CULTURE FILE
A woman of many talents
Josie Goodbody
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
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aving spent almost fifteen years working in PR, with the likes of Chanel, Dior, Bvlgari before getting the job of a lifetime at Graff diamonds where she was lucky enough to be taught everything there is to know about diamonds and precious gemstones, by the king of diamonds, Laurence Graff. Of course this only enhanced her love affair with fine jewellery.
In 2011 after the death of her mother she started THE MONTE CARLO CONNECTION, loosely based on her 10 months living on the Riviera and her years in jewellery PR. She had always wanted to write novels – having spent years reading innumerable books and decided to start with what she knew best and loved most – jewels, and their mysterious stories. Her novels purposefully describe and depict jewellery as beautifully and truthfully as possible. She wanted to include elements of the industry or specific gemstones, where her readers would pick up pieces of information that they might not otherwise know. “I am always amazed at how little people know about gemstones – so few have any idea how, for example, the De Beers Group and Gem Diamonds, go about discovering and recovering gems; or really appreciate the skill of the brands who buy and then make these gemstones into the most exquisite pieces of jewellery.” Josie Goodbody explains. This series of books, is based on real life mysteries of the jewellery world – particularly when jewels have gone missing or being stolen. “PEOPLE I TALK TO SEEM TO BE AS FASCINATED AS ME BY THE MYSTERIES AND INDEED HISTORIES OF JEWELS.” JOSIE SAYS, “SO I WANTED TO CREATE A SERIES OF BOOKS WHICH BRING BOTH TO LIFE, AS WELL AS THE SUMPTUOUS SURROUNDINGS OF THE BOOKS’ SETTINGS.” After putting the first few parts of the novel started in Monaco in a file on her computer, she started, what became, her first novel - THE DIAMOND CONNECTION. It is based around the 1905 discovery of the Cullinan diamond – the largest ever found – and the mysterious myth about its fabled ‘other half’. There is a chapter set at the Cullinan mine (from where this mine was found) near Pretoria in South Africa. She writes the section of the book from her own experience of visiting the mine in 2010 and seeing how Her second, THE CHRISTMAS CONNECTION is in fact a novella and is set where she grew up – in Dorset in South West of the UK. Her protagonist spends a snowy Christmas in a huge stately home and discover the mystery of a pretty unknown event, when the Duchess of Windsor’s jewels were stolen in 1946. She came back to THE MONTE CARLO CONNECTION whilst pregnant, and wrote the whole book in a matter of months, helped by memories of living on the Cote d’Azur and reminiscing about the beauty and splendour of Monaco and the Riviera. And the characters she met along the way. Josie now lives on a large farm in Wiltshire with her husband, their son Arthur, dog Milo and are expecting a little baby girl in August. She has most recently worked on the development of an educational programme for the De Beers Group and writes about jewellery for various publications and brands. She is currently penning her fourth novel in the series – THE PARIS CONNECTION. www.josiegoodbody.com 31
MilliOnAir | THE FASHION PAGES
FASH ION /'fa ( )n/ A popular or the latest style of clothing, hair, decoration, or behaviour. "the latest Parisian fashions" vogue, trend, craze, rage, mania, mode, fad, fancy, passing fancy; current/latest style, latest thing, latest taste; style, look; general tendency, convention, custom, practice, usage; informalthing "the fashion for figure-hugging clothes" Read on for FASHION and MORE... 33
MilliOnAir | FASHION FILE
A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE
Carmen Haid
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Who is Carmen Haid? A woman of many talents and a formidable businesswoman Carmen Haid is a Luxury Brand Specialist and fashion curator with two decades of expertise, in which she gained the foundations that have aided her in her entrepreneurial success. Carmen has worked with some of the most prestigious companies such as Yves Saint Laurent, British Vogue, Celine and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2008 she founded ATELIER-MAYER.COM, a global platform for luxury vintage fashion online.
“Carmen has worked with
some of the most prestigious companies such as Yves Saint Laurent, British Vogue, Celine and Tommy Hilfiger.�
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Within five years Carmen developed it into a global luxury vintage brand, with an international following, trading in 104 countries it also had its own annual magazine a supplement to Vanity Fair, and won numerous awards for Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Fashion. The company was sold in 2014 - the same year Carmen started her epynomous Brand Consultancy, advising clients on Creative Direction, Fashion Curation, Visual Identity, Global Luxury Fashion and Lifestyle Brand Strategy with strong focus on Digital Communication and Events, she is also a regular speaker University programs sharing her knowledge and love of all things beautiful and sustainable. A woman of positive influence and a woman of meaning a full-time mother of three, a qualified yoga teacher, lover of music and a keen skier. What is there not to love about Carmen! Follow Carmen on @carmenhaid Photography: portrait picture @mrchucknoble others @hodadavaine
MilliOnAir | LOVES
WE LOVE
Mariela Open Back Jumpsuit
JUMPSUITS by
SOLER
Uta Frilled Top Jumpsuit
Thalia Flair Sleeve Jumpsuit
Joanna Lace Neckline Jumpsuit
Marie V-Waist Jumpsuit
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MilliOnAir | FASHION FILE
BVLGARI exclusive at Selfridges By Fashion & Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
Bvlgari presents an immersive customer experience with its pop up Cinemania boutique in the prestigious Corner Shop space at Selfridges London. From 8 July to 4 August 2019 www.selfridges.com
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BVLGARI exclusive at Selfridges
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BVLGARI exclusive at Selfridges
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BVLGARI exclusive at Selfridges MilliOnAir
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MilliOnAir | DESIGNER FILE
AGELESS SIZELESS FEARLESS Daniel Wingate received his BFA in Fashion at Parsons school of Design in New York, and subsequently took on design positions at Geoffrey Beene and J. Crew before leaving for Europe in 2001. There he held Design Director positions at Strenesse, Marc O’Polo, and Hugo Boss Woman until joining Escada in 2004, where he became Creative Director of the Escada and Escada Sport collections from 2012– 2017.
Daniel Wingate
WINGATE Collection is the brainchild of his visionary, international experience in the womens luxury market. AGELESS, TIMELESS, and FEARLESS are the key words for Daniel Wingate as it is his design philosophy. WINGATE is a two season concept each year that is produced exclusively in Europe, yet innovative in its inclusive designs for all women of today
Edited by fashion director Marcella Martinelli
www.wingate-collection.com
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MilliOnAir | MUST HAVE'S
The prospect of tonal dressing – by which we mean wearing the same hue, or variations of it, from head-to-toe – understandably seems a little intimidating at first, but as you’ll see it’s actually pretty simple to pull off. Here we switch out the dark ensembles for all white white & white with a slight tonal difference to make the look more interesting.
Jimmy Choo Kix 100 Mesh Ankle Boots
Unravel Hybrid Bomber Jacket
Prada Butterfly Sunglasses
Burberry Unicorn Print T-Shirt
Stella McCartney Reversible Falabella Tote Bag
AG Jeans Prima Crop Jeans 53
MilliOnAir | OBJECTS OF DESIRE
By Jewellery & Watch director Marcella Martinelli
Secret watches For the first time, the collection’s golden beads come together in a joyful dance to create two styles of secret jewellery watches: a bracelet and a pendant, with a design never seen before in Van Cleef & Arpels’ watchmaking collection. Inspired by the ‘’top et moi’’. jewellery style, the bracelet watches feature two different-sized motifs opposite one another on an open bangle. The larger of the delicately pivots to reveal an elegant white mother-of-pearl dial surrounded by a border of round diamonds. In keeping with the Perlee collection’s playful spirit, each of these three pieces offers a different association of colours and materials. On the first, green malachite provides a joyful contrast to the colours of coral and pink gold, while lapis lazuli complements the brilliance of diamonds and yellow gold on the second. In a luminous harmony, the third watch combines rose gold with the sparkle of diamonds.
www.vancleefarpels.com
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YLENIA MANGANO
MilliOnAir | OBJECTS OF DESIRE
AVAKIAN Tosca Collection
Edited by Fashion & Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
“A transformable piece can be worn in a variety of stylistic variations and that’s what we aim for while we design. Our Tosca earrings and rings are thus rendered in three variations, each comprising a changeable element. The collection of strands is reversible, with a gem stones adorning the strands on one side and a shiny metal finish on the other. We love for our jewellery to be worn in more than one way and strive to incorporate playful elements in our designs, whenever possible.” Haig Avakian – Vice-President
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MilliOnAir | OBJECTS OF DESIRE
V&A Jewellery Edited by Jewellery director Marcella Martinelli
''Working with artisans in the UK and abroad, our jewellery designers are constantly pushing the boundaries and exploring the creative possibilities of material and design.''V&A
TRAPEZE BLUE GLASS PENDANT NECKLACE BY MIRABELLE
YELLOW SILICON RING BY SAMUEL CORAUX
www.vam.ac.uk
THREE DISC MOONSTONE HOOK EARRINGS BY MIRABELLE
CUBE EARRINGS BY MATERIA DESIGN
BRASS KNIT NECKLACE BY MILENA ZU
STAINLESS STEEL SPIKE NECKLACE BY MATERIA DESIGN
TWIST ROPE RING BY MIRABELLE
RAINBOW SILICON HOOK EARRINGS BY SAMUEL CORAUX
FLOWER CUFF BY FO.BE
BLACK AND SILVER KNIT RING BY MILENA ZU
TUBES NECKLACE BY MATERIA DESIGN
BALLS KNIT RING BY MILENA ZU
THREE PETAL BROOCH BY FO.BE
THREE SCALLOP RING BY FO.BE
CLEAR BEAD BLACK SILICON YELLOW SILICON RING RING BY SAMUEL CORAUX BY SAMUEL CORAUX 61
MilliOnAir | OBJECTS OF DESIRE
Vanda Jacintho All about Vanda, Object d’Art and beautiful things Edited By Marcella Martinelli
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Born and raised in Brazil, Vanda’s career began aged just 17 when she was selected to assist the fashion editor of Vogue Brazil. Shortly after, she gained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Promotion from the prestigious London College of Fashion. A fashion editor, designer and consultant with a vast experience of prestigious brands Vanda founded Beach Couture a luxury global beachwear brand with Bikinis, swimsuits and printed panneaux - a silk shawl that can be turned into a dress and a skirt - were sold worldwide.
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With an overwhelming demand from globetrotter clients, from 2009 Vanda decided to focus solely on her delicately crafted shawls and a few years later the name Beach Couture was replaced by Vanda Jacintho, who in turn has also produced a range of products including jewellery . A selection of practical and chic resort wear with a 1960’s chic resort vibe Vanda designs are a colourful expression of her imagination. Made in Italy and Brazil and especially made to travel around the world with a strong following of women across the globe which convey the message of the refined Brazilian spirit. www.vandajacintho.com 67
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MilliOnAir | FASHION MilliOnAir | Fashion Update with ROSS POLLARD
Cassey Gan Layering On The Talent
By Fashion Contributor Ross Pollard
Autumn/Winter is all about layers, multiple pieces, textures and fabrics brought together to not only keep out the chills but to create looks of depth and contrast. With that thought bobbing around in my head I was excited to head into Fashion Scout for the CASSEY GAN presentation. Back for a third season in the hallowed fashion centre that is Freemasons Hall. CASSEY GAN is the Queen of pattern and layer, her looks as contrasting and varied as they are stunning, the Malaysian designer has an eye for constructing prints that amongst the best in the world so I was eager to discuss the show with her. First up was what attracted her to keep coming back to London Fashion Week?
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MilliOnAir | Fashion Update
“For me it’s quite a sentimental reason because I studied in London for fashion and I’ve always wanted to come back. It’s such a vibrant city where they accept a lot of colours and different cuts, and it suits my collection, the whole London scene, so I thought I really wanted to come back”.
As we stood together looking at the models on stage, I was struck by the difficulty of what she does and how she creates the looks. There is so much going on. My ever curious nature wanted to learn more about the process that extracts perfection from possible chaos?
“Literally everything is on the floor and I just match everything around. I love working with colours and I always thought clashing colours attract me a lot, so that’s why in every collection I do its really a very wide palette”.
Though the eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted the yellow block coloured dress, with the pattern coming from the draping and pinching rather than print, over the last couple of seasons we’ve seen yellow used in all her collections, her favourite hue as it turns out, but why amongst the riot of changing prints is there a step change in every collection? “I just wanted to break it up a little bit, because if it's all printy printy printy then you don’t know where to watch, because sometimes when you have something that’s block in the middle it looks perfect”.
MilliOnAir | Fashion Update
Photo Credit Simon Armstrong / Pop PR
One of the questions that I’m always keen to explore is how designers perceive the change in the fashion hierarchy, I put it to CASSEY that when I was a young man, (whisper it) nearly twenty years ago Europe was a huge exporter of fashion to the Asian market, and each year it’s become more and more pronounced that there has been a change, and now the dominant design region is Asia and there are a huge amount of designers not only selling in Europe but leading the way, what did she think was driving that change? “In my country there are more and more people who appreciate design, and they’ve started to spend on good designs, so then you see when there is a small demand you start to see a shift, and even in China, look at the emerging Chinese designers, it’s crazy, it’s so competitive. It’s great to have that opportunity, I think this is a great time for people discovering new designers and also with social media. I think that is a huge medium for people to discover new talent as well”. For me this was her best collection yet, each season her use of print is surpassing the previous collection, I’m also a big fan of how she rejects the premise that the winter months mean more muted tones, after all when the trees are bare and the skies are lead grey, don’t we need colour more than ever. One of the great joys of this job is watching designers grow and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
www.casseygan.com
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p100 Alisa Connan Photographer
MilliOnAir | THE MILLIONAIR SHOOT
THE COVER GIRL
By Fashion & Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
Photographer Alisa Connan @alisaconnan Fashion & Jewellery director Marcella Martinelli Makeup: Nicky Weir www.nicky-weir.com Hair Lara Zee www.larazee.com Film Crew Ben Fennell www.benfennell.com Model Ellen Burton at Profile model management www.profile-models.com Shot at Smashbox Studios London
Chopard watch from the L’heure du Diamant collection featuring round shaped sapphire and a brilliant- cut diamond dial , diamond bezel , crown and buckle, set in white gold on a navy blue alligator strap Chopard earrings from The Haute Joaillerie collection featuring blue chalcedony cabochon, spessartine, rubellite, trapeze – cut tourmalines, tsavorite, trapeze-cut topaz and pink sapphires. www.chopard.com Black halter neck swimsuit from Wolford www. wolford.com
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Asprey earrings, necklace, and bracelet from the Sunflower collection in white gold and diamonds www.asprey.com Heidi Klein Helsinki metallic-weave swimsuit wwwheidikein.com
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David Morris ‘Rose Cut Forever’ necklace with round and micro-set diamonds, matching earrings and bracelet. all set in 18ct rose gold Melissa Odabash black halterneck swimsuit www.melissaodabash.com
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Asprey earrings and bracelet from the Blue Chaos collection Blue Topaz & Iolite Blue Chaos Earrings set in White Gold Augusta wrap swimsuit by Figleaves www.figleaves.com Gina couture sandals with feather detail www.gina.com
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De Beers Necklace with diamonds set in white gold and De Beers diamonds earrings set in platinum www.debeers.co.uk Eres Swimsuit www.eresparis.com
Amira top by Roksanda Calleija Yellow Beryl and diamonds chandelier drop earrings with diamonds set in yellow and white gold
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Asprey earrings and bracelet from the Blue Chaos collection Blue Topaz & Iolite Blue Chaos Earrings set in White Gold Augusta wrap swimsuit by Figleaves www. figleaves.com Gina couture sandals with feather detail www. gina.com
H Stern Celtic dune earrings in noble gold with champagne diamonds www.hstern.net
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Stephen Webster Magniphesant Pave Earrings in White Gold, set with full White Diamond pave white rhodium plated and Poison Ivy Diamond Collar White Gold, set with pave White Diamonds www.stephenwebster.com Bulgari B.zero1 cat-eye sunglasses with crystal rose stripes dĂŠcor and pale gold colour metal frame and yellow lenses www.bulgari.com and Selfridges Wonder room Swimsuit by Dior www.dior.com
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Photographer Alisa Conan @alisaconnan Fashion & Jewellery director Marcella Martinelli Makeup: Nicky Weir www.nicky-weir.com Hair Lara Zee www.larazee.com Film Crew Ben Fennell www.benfennell.com Model Ellen Burton at Profile model management www.profile-models.com
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MilliOnAir | THE COVER TEAM
Alisa Connan Photographer
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
It is refreshing and exciting to meet new people and in this case it was the photographer Alisa Connan who shot our July issue of swimwear and diamonds. From our first meeting at Soho house we really liked her enthusiasm and it was a matter of time of before we would work together her optimistic and upbeat nature comes from Melbrourne , Australia where she was born, bringing the sunshine all the way accross the oceans and a great energy to have espescially when shooting on a tight schedule and having to make sure we cover all options to get the best images.
Alisa studied Photography at the prestigious RMIT university and after graduating she moved to the UK and began working for some of the biggest photographers in the industry before setting up her own studio in East London.
Passionate about capturing the strength in women, Alisa is known for her keen ability to ease even the most nervous personalities. There is beauty & honesty in the moments she creates and it shows in all her work for prestigious titles and clients such as Instyle, Marie Claire, Blackbook, Beauty Rebel Magazine, The Times, Laura Mercier, Bumble & Bumble, Max Factor & Bluebella Lingerie amongst many others. Her celebrity client list is also very impressive with the likes of Keira Knightley, Rose McGowan, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Alicia Vikander, Lily James, Rosamund Pike to name a few! what is there not to like about this beautiful ray of sunshine, Alisa Connan.
www.alisaconnan.com
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MilliOnAir | THE COVER TEAM
Nicky Weir
This months cover make up artist.
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Since an early age Nicky was surrounded by art, travel and photography. Her Vietnamese mother who was an artist and studied Fine Art MA at Central St Martins. Her father was a photographer during the late 60's throughout the 80’s, working with the likes of Charlotte Rampling, Terence Stamp, Judi Dench, The Beatles, The Who and many more. Nicky began her career assisting established known artists from there she progressed to freelance. her work has appeared in Vogue Russia, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, The Times, WWD Beauty to name a few her clients are many such as Miu Miu, Nike, Prada, Temperley, Trevor Sorbie and amongst others.
Her celebrity clients are also impressive Nicky has worked with high profile models Natalia Vodianova , Erin O’Connor, Laura Bailey Billie Piper, Debbie Harry and the late Amy Winehouse. Nicky is known for mastering effortless fresh flawless skin and keeping real beauty simple. She is currently based in London.
www.nicky-weir.com Instagram Nickyweir_m_up 105
MilliOnAir | TRENDS
GO Green
Max Mara Georgette silk jumpsuit
Stine Goya Farrow Shimmer Mini Dress Max Mara Water-repellent taffeta raincoat
Three Graces London Mabelle Maxi Dress
Huda Beauty Emerald Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette Bottega Veneta Parco Palladiano II Eau de Parfum MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip green Roger Vivier Strass Buckle Sneakers Bvlgari Mini Metallic Serpenti Forever Cross Body Bag
Rag & Bone Maude Hooded Coat
MilliOnAir | THE COVER TEAM
ector - freelance commercials - editor
N FENNELL
''I came up through a rather unorthodox ‘ad agency creative’ route into directing so I have lived life on both sides of that fence - starting as a designer and art director before moving into film. As such, I have years of experience in branding and design as well as directing commercials, branded content and fashion and now I’m looking to test the waters in directing film and TV. I’ve always been ‘the ideas guys’ with an eye for the dramatic and abstract. I truly love and relish in the process of turning an idea into something beautiful in film. That's why i'm always looking for that unique perspective through my treatments – something that makes the piece stand out, aesthetically and narratively, whilst ticking all the right boxes for clients. I believe all that stemmed from my exposure to Japanese and Korean TV and cinema growing up. Akira Kurasawa and movies like Akira and Oldboy inspired me a lot - to name just a few. My native style is thematically dark, hard hitting and abstract because of it. I’m also pushing into music promos to show this side of me more and my first short film (Mia) is in postproduction at the moment and is very indicative of my style. ''
You can check out my work and get in touch on the links below... www.benfennell.com vimeo.com/benfennell Instagram: @benjidirects
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MilliOnAir | STYLE FILES
STY LE //st l/ design or make in a particular form. "the yacht is well proportioned and conservatively styled" synonyms: design, fashion, tailor, make, produce "winter sportswear styled by Karl and Derrick" Read on for STYLE with CHRIS SULLIVAN...
MilliOnAir
Sharp-dressed man Photograph by Eliza Hill
Mark Powell
Kevin Rowland & Mark
MARK POWELL is nothing less than an institution who, long ensconced in Greek Street, is the universally acknowledged King of Soho. Hailing from Romford, he began with a small shop in Archer Street in 1985 selling ready to wear but as more customers requested custom made garments moved to Brewer Street where he turned to bespoke tailoring and made garments for half of groovy London including countless celebrities such as Mick and Bianca Jagger, George Clooney, Harrison Ford, Mick, David Bowie, George Michael, Bryan Ferry, Naomi Campbell, Tom Jones and Jonathan Ross. A few years back he moved to his current address in Marshall Street from where he has kitted out, among many others, Usher, Morrissey, Keira Knightley, and Sean Bean and, more recently, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Martin Freeman, Jude Law and Paul Weller. London’s most unique, most out spoken and well dressed tailor POWELL lives and breathes his craft and thinks about little else which is perfect if you are buying suit from him so perhaps not so clever if you’re his wife. I went to speak to him over a jar or two at his Soho premises.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MARK POWELL STYLE? MP- My style has always been drawn from nostalgia- whether it be from the 30s, 40s or 50s- but I think what I’ve managed to do over the years is make the look my own and create a modern contemporary look from taking all those elements and giving them a twist. And from what we know at the moment things are going very much in the vintage direction. Vintage as a style has become la fashion. And the difference with what I do, is it doesn’t look like vintage style because it doesn’t look like costume. A lot of people at the moment really are doing the vintage look, but they’re doing it in the sense of the textbook idea of what things are. But I take these different elements, and make them my own. I’m obsessed with keeping it contemporary and current. There was a MARK POWELL look I had back in the 1980s, which was very much, that sort of Neo-Edwardian and then in the 90s the 20s and 30s influenced me. But now I’ve managed to create a style that combines lots of different influences and my client base is very diverse. I’ve enjoyed a renaissance with that 60’s mod crowd because of the suits O did for Paul Weller, Bradley Wiggins and Martin Freeman- the three main guys from that scene - as well as a lot of really interesting people who aren’t in the public eye. WHAT DO THEY COME TO YOU SPECIFICALLY? MP- I think it’s because I’ve got as a personality and I give them the whole MARK POWELL experience. I am able to interpret what they want while still leaving a MARK POWELL fingerprint. When Paul [Weller] came back to me, he hadn’t actually been wearing suits for years, and then suddenly he had another big moment with people being interested about his style again. I mean, without being big headed, it did happen for him when you wrote that piece about him in my suits for L’uomo Vogue because he was wearing suits again. I think Martin [Freeman], is just a very stylish man who is very much into that 60s thing. I did a Miles Davies inspired late 50s double breasted suit for Martin that he’s seen on an album cover but gave it the MARK POWELL treatment. 113
Mark Powell Photograph by Eliza Hill
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND SAVILE ROW? MP- With regards to Savile Row they have their in-house looks, which is very limited and when you try and get them to do things outside of the box you realise how hard it is. So I think that is one of my key strengths; interpretation of influential styles of different periods. The other one of course, is the guy that comes in for the wedding and just gives me complete creative freedom to give them what they want. Of course it is a head to toe thing, and now of course we’ve got the guys down stairs doing the shoes which works very nicely. The customers are always very happy. YOU MENTIONED VINTAGE BUT RARELY WEAR IT YOUR SELF? MP- Well I think the whole thing with vintage which was a style that you and I were doing since the seventies so it became our style - the point was that we made it our style. It was us. So therefore it never looked like costume. My problem with a lot of the Vintage styling now when you go to a lot of Vintage Fairs which I know you do, I find it a little bit comical. They almost look like they’ve walked off a set of Dad’s Army or something. It looks like they’ve walked off a film set. Because of the Internet, I think it’s drawing on stereotypical influences, rather than an individual taste that we might have picked up from looking at an old book or at an old movie. We would take a part of a look, and then would make it our look so it was our style. I THINK WOMEN CAN CARRY IT OFF IF THEY DO IT EXACTLY. I MEAN I HAVE NEVER CHIDED A LADY WHO DRESSES LIKE AVA GARDNER OR KATHERINE HEPBURN IN THEIR HEY DAY. MP- On women the vintage look more often than not works, and looks very glamorous, but on men it can easily look like costume, and a bit silly really. That’s why I think it’s important when I do my work that I try and create period style influences that still look very contemporary. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE STYLE ERA OF THE 20TH CENTURY? MP-If I had to pick my perfect era in style, I think for the ultimate tailoring, I would have to look at the Edwardian Era. For me, I love the 1930’s Hollywood tailoring, but you can enter into the 50’s and it’s brilliant in it’s own way too. A lot of great style has been lost in the 21st century really. In the last 20 years it’s hard to see any great style icons doing it right. ANY WORDS OF WARNING TO WOULD BE STYLE MONGERS? MP- Dressing in a more stylish, casual way, you have to be very careful. I think tailoring within reason. You see guys now, doing period influenced style but with a tight modern suit and wearing a cap and all of a sudden it’s peaky blinders. But it’s not! It’s naff. It might be a nod to the style but it’s just a naff, modern, over-tight, over-tailored suit. There’s nothing worse than an over-tailored, tight fitting suit, they look absolutely ridiculous. That kind of generic style is plastered everywhere nowadays; things like The Only Way is Essex is full of it. Things like high turn ups on tight trousers and no socks. It’s ridiculous. Buying an over-tailored suit is far too easy; it doesn’t have to fit. You can go into Topshop and just pick it straight off the rail; it’s like a second skin! Good tailoring is supposed to roll over your body. 115
Jude Law & Mark
WHAT ERA ARE YOU LOOKING AT NOW AS BEING INFLUENTIAL? MP – The 1980’s if done right can look very good- although it’s a very minuscule thing. The 1990s can be okay as well. Things like the jacket line being a bit longer. But, it’s got to be very stylish. The long jacket was usurped by boy bands like E17 who looked like shits so destroyed that for a while but now is worth another look. The 70s have always got something to offer. TROUSER WIDTH? MP - Tight trousers have never been right. Oxford bags are great, and a peg trouser always good. I was doing a lot of oxford bags in the early naughties. Though, just like being too tight, too wide can sometimes look ridiculous. A shape that would work well, I’ve always thought, is an oxford bag with a kick on it. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG ASPIRANT? MP- They whole key to my success is totally believing what I’m doing and what I’m all about, and not following the rules. Just doing it totally on my own terms. I suppose that is why I get a lot of young and inspiring tailors and fashion students that are studying tailoring, coming to see me. Because I suppose they see me as more of an individual and more of a maverick with my approach to doing it. I think that’s the key to success really.
''If you believe in what your doing and love doing it, you should do it on your own terms and I think that’s what I enjoy about my own personal success.'' Far too many people follow the party line nowadays. I’ve always been interested in great British tailoring. Tailoring to me is all about combining traditional style and cut with post war street style that could be influenced by American, Mod or Ivy League styles. People come to me because I utilise a very purist ethic but use those parameters to create a very individual look by mixing eras and cuts. Being self-taught, I didn’t know the rules and so broke them. Before tailoring was done solely as a craft, I do think now many kids are doing it with the philosophy that I always had; which was more as using it as a point of design and style. As a way of preserving yourself through style and design tailoring, as opposed to just the craft of tailoring. Most tailors, they’re not always the most stylish of people nowadays. IS THERE ONE PERSON YOU’D HAVE LIKED TO CREATE A SUIT FOR? MP- If I could have made a suit for anyone, I would have loved to dress one of the great Hollywood icons. Frank Sinatra being one of them. Although Frank was very conservative, I do think he had very nice style. Very subtle. I also always admired Dean Martin’s dress sense.
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Mark Powell Photograph by Eliza Hill
WHO HAVE YOU ENJOYED DRESSING MOST? MP - I would have to say when I was 28 and going to Broadmoor Prison to dress Ronnie Kray. I know it’s a cliché, but seeing all the pictures of them, and then going to see him in prisoned he’s wearing your suit (and looking very good in it), it was a great feeling. He knew how to wear a suit. It was a late 60s suit I made for him, circa 67 or 68. Looking at the Krays in that period they were still dressing like they were in the early 60s. They never actually were very fashionable they were just wearing classic 60s style suits, which I suppose, was a very easy thing to do.
''Another person I was proud of dressing was George Michael, when he wore my stuff I thought he looked pretty impressive.'' Naomi Campbell was great fun. I designed a few suits for her so joined her at Paris Fashion Week. She wore my stuff the whole week and I ended up meeting Karl Lagerfeld and people like that. Lots of very iconic fashion people around; and being around her wearing my clothing was a pretty exciting thing to be doing in your early 30s. WHAT DO YOU OFFER A CUSTOMER THESE DAYS? MP- In the shop now I’ve got suits, shirts, ties, vintage tiepins, braces, and hankies, knitted ties. I also started selling a range of true vintage ties as I thought it was more style relevant. They work really nicely even with the more modern suits I do. I do off the peg, made to measure and of course bespoke. WHAT NEXT? MP- I’m looking at doing a big trunk show in New York soon, doing made to measure and bespoke. I’m doing it in collaboration with my factory, Wensum. I’m looking at doing it on the lower east side of New York, in either a pop up shop or a hotel. That’s the next plan. Probably in September or October at the latest. WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU’D LIKE TO SAY? MP – Lets go to the pub and get a few pints in.
Mark Powell Bespoke Tailoring 2 Marshall Street, Soho, London W1F 9BA www.Markpowellbespoke.co.uk shivaun@markpowellbespoke.co.uk 02072875498 Ready to wear suits: £850 2 piece, £990 3 piece Made to measure suits: Start from £1400 2 piece, £1950 3 piece Bespoke suits: Start from £3300 2 piece, £4000 3 piece
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MilliOnAir | MODEL FILE
Ellen Burton
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
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You may be familiar with Ellen Burton who has been modelling full time since she was 16. Her face has appeared on many magazine covers and campaigns and her very distinctive look reminds us of a movie star from the 50's or 60's her graceful physique is thanks to having studied ballet for 15 years and contemporary dance. Her love of acting has now finally become a reality as she has been accepted at IDSA ( Identity School of Acting) and will be starting in the fall. This is only the beginning for the talented Ellen Burton, watch this space! www.profile-models.com 123
MilliOnAir | CORDWAINERS AWARDS
Celebrating the next generation OF FOOTWEAR DESIGN
by Felicities PR
Celebrating the next generation of footwear design Deep in the heart of the City of London The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers’ celebrated the National Footwear Student of the Year Competition 2019 in early June. For the second year, the MilliOnAir team attended the awards evening to meet the top 15 shoe design students graduating from UK universities.
The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is a traditional City of London livery company. A livery company is a trade guild created in medieval times to support its workers and we still have 110 livery companies in London to support a wide range of professions, crafts and trades. Cordwainers were workers in fine leather and the Company gets its name from "cordwain" (cordovan), the white leather produced from goatskin in Cordova, Spain. The Cordwainers' Company has strong links with footwear and leather education in the three British universities than run footwear design courses, as well as with the footwear industry and trade.
The Cordwainers’ Footwear Student of the Year competition is always an inspirational and glamourous evening which is held at the Clothworkers’ Hall, London. The 200 guests included footwear students, industry influencers and Cordwainers’ members who come together to celebrate the best upcoming shoe designers in the UK. It is a very prestigious evening and a fantastic opportunity for the 15 young students to meet and network with their future employers as well as industry leaders who will help their business.
It was wonderful this year to hear the inspirational keynote speech from previous award winner Helen Kirkum, who won the inaugural Cordwainers’ National Footwear Student of the Year Award in 2014. Helen had studied at the University of Northampton and explained that winning the award had opened many doors to her by giving her a platform to show her work, she generated significant press and the prize money allowed her to fund her RCA masters degree. Following graduation she went to work at Adidas before starting her own studio in London and now works on projects all over the world.
The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers launched the National Footwear Student of the Year Awards to support the future of the shoe industry and to celebrate and encourage young footwear talent. Penny Graham, Clerk at the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers said: “We are delighted to host this national award for the very best footwear design students. We believe that recognising and supporting the next generation of footwear talent is an important part of helping Britain to maintain its position as the world leader in the design and manufacture of footwear. Previous winners are making their mark in the industry and have used their prize money to fund further education in footwear design or start their own footwear design business.” 125
Winner Meta Cunder One of Meta Cunder’s designs
Dimitri collecting his award
One of Dimitri’s designs
Emily collecting her award
One of Emily’s designs
The 15 nominated students come from the three universities that specialize in footwear design, De Montfort University, University of Northampton and London College of Fashion. They submitted portfolios of their designs for a pair of shoes to the judging panel of Atalanta Weller, Joachim Sedelmeier (Head of Design, Shoes, at Paul Smith), along with guest judge and previous winner Helen Kirkum and chaired by Katie Greenyer, Creative Director, Pentland Brands. Liveryman Katie Greenyer (Chair of the Judging Panel) commented: "I can really say this has been the highest of standards and the toughest year to judge by far, taking us an additional two hours to debate the work, challenge each other, and to delve deep into the students' rationales to justify our decision". The 2019 winner of the award was Meta Cunder from London College of Fashion who was ecstatic about her win: “It feels incredible to win this award!” she said. “It means the absolute world to me, as it will allow me to kick start my career and help me set up my own brand.” Meta’s designs were inspired by the unusual and alternative, such as dark animalistic behaviour and mythological creatures; as she is passionate about creating “footwear for people of another world”
In second and third place the winners were also incredibly talented. Dimitri Gabellier from De Montfort University whose designs were inspired by 80’s computer graphic construction; and Emily Hill from London College of Fashion, whose ornate heels were designed to showcase the strength and femininity of Britain and the romanticism of the English Baroque movement. Master of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, Jonathan Hooper expressed his thanks to everyone who supported the awards: “The Cordwainers National Footwear Student of the Year Awards is a prestigious event, and we are grateful to the support from the footwear industry and the universities that make these awards possible. The Cordwainers have been nurturing and encouraging emerging talent in the footwear trade for nearly 750 years. Our position as the largest private provider of scholarships and bursaries in footwear education is part of our ongoing commitment to raise the profile of the footwear industry in the UK. This evening is hugely important, as it provides the students with the opportunity to network with the most influential people from across the sector and, in turn, enables industry professionals to meet the footwear stars of the future.”
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MilliOnAir | FASHION FILE
The BLACK and WHITE classic dress
Edited by Fashion Director Marcella Martinelli
Flattering femininity and classic craftsmanship have defined the Catherine Walker & Co brand since it was founded in London’s Chelsea in 1977. Catherine Walker created the fashion studio with her business partner and husband, Said Cyrus, a former lecturer in design theory at the Chelsea School of Art. Catherine Walker & Co is known for its exquisite bespoke evening wear which combines elegant femininity with masculine tailoring. Often thought of as the Savile Row for women, Cyrus was inspired by the precision of menswear tailors and mined their talents in the early 1980s and has, since then, regularly recruited their talents and applied them to the female form - resulting in a quintessentially British juxtaposition of a powerful, yet elegantly feminine silhouette. The label operates out of Chelsea a team of 30 crafts people, operating out of seven workshops, who handle every stage of the production process and expert embellishment. Hand applied decoration such as embroidery, lace, rouleaux and beading, this approach also allows for total quality control and a personal touch to the service that is rooted in the customs of haute couture.
Great design doesn't date.
The Catherine Walker & Co 65 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PX. 0207 352 4626 catwalk@catherinewalker.com www.catherinewalker.com @catwalkerco
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MilliOnAir | FASHION FILE
Karl Lagerfeld FOR EVER
A TRIBUTE TO KARL LAGERFELD HELD IN PARIS ON JUNE 20, 2019 Co-hosted by CHANEL, FENDI & KARL LAGERFELD All came together in Paris to pay tribute to Karl Lagerfeld at a celebration designed, directed and staged by Robert Carsen. The many facets of this extraordinary man were evoked through a tapestry of videos filmed throughout his life, interspersed with testimonials from people who knew him, as well as the generous “live” contributions of highly talented actors, musicians, dancers who interpreted some of the music and literature Karl loved so much. Actresses Tilda Swinton, Fanny Ardant, Cara Delevingne and Helen Mirren, friends of Karl Lagerfeld, recited and read excerpts from works by his favourite authors, such as Virginia Woolf, Stéphane Mallarmé, Colette and Edith Sitwell.
The extraordinary Jookin dancer Lil Buck, the brilliant violinist Charlie Siem (who played Paganini, one of the favourite composers of Karl Lagerfeld’s mother Elizabeth), Argentinian choreographer German Cornejo, accompanied by his troupe of 17 tango dancers and his 7-piece orchestra from Buenos Aires (Carlos Gardel was Karl Lagerfeld’s favourite singer and the tango was his favourite dance), the celebrated pianist Lang Lang (who played Chopin on the grand piano designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the 150th anniversary of Steinway), and American artist Pharrell Williams were also on stage to pay homage to the man who had deeply marked them and who was their friend. These artists – as well as the 2,500 guests present at the Grand Palais to celebrate Karl Lagerfeld – were immersed in a spectacular exhibition of 56 giant enlargements of portraits taken throughout his life by some of the most famous photographers in a setting designed by Robert Carsen, inspired by Karl’s favourite colours: black and white enhanced with a touch of red.
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MilliOnAir | DELUX EDIT
Hermes Arceau Petite Lune steel sapphire blue
By Jewellery & Watch Director Marcella Martinelli
DEL UXE /d 'l ks,'l ks/ luxurious or sumptuous; of a superior kind. "a deluxe hotel" synonyms: luxurious, luxury, sumptuous, palatial, opulent, splendid, magnificent, lavish, grand, rich, superior, high-class, quality, exclusive, choice, select, elegant, well appointed, fancy, expensive, plushy, posh, classy, ritzy, swanky, pricey, fancy-pants; "a deluxe hotel" Read on for the Delux Edit... 135
MilliOnAir | CULTURE FILE
Hermes Arceau Petite Lune steel etoupe
HERMES WATCHES
Edited by Watch & Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
Welcome to the new addition to the family the Arceau Petite Lune from Hermès Horloger, Within its elegant 38 mm steel case, polished or set with 70 diamonds, the Arceau Petite Lune watch conceals various playful and singular details. The sparkling white dial sprinkled with pearl grey numerals features a mischievous moon that appears to have escaped from an Hermès silk scarf. Available from September.
Hermes Arceau Petite Lune steel sapphire blue
www.hermes.com
Hermes Arceau Petite Lune steel raspberry
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MilliOnAir | DELUX EDIT
VHERNIER INTERPRETS CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY Edited by Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
Vhernier interprets contemporary jewellery like no other and is convinced it is its duty to “pay forward” a part of its good fortune to the world. For this, over the years, it has supported charity initiatives in Italy and around the world. Among these the “One ring to save the life of a child “ project, the “VHERNIER for Haiti Kids”, launched in the USA, and the support to the projects promoted by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation. The help to less fortunate populations was fostered with the support to the “Empower Shack” project developed by architect Alfredo Brillembourg through his studio, “Urban Think Tank”. And the protection of Italy’s Artistic Heritage was achieved with the support to Venetian Heritage.
Unique and innovative in blending traditional craftsmanship and experimental approach to shapes and materials, since its birth it has been wonderfully nonconformist. Almost as a form of resistance to platitudes and imitations, Vhernier has challenged the conventional codes of traditional jewellery design and created its own recognisable style, transcending fashion and becoming timeless. Celebrated for its impeccable quality, Vhernier jewellery is handmade by highly experienced master craftsmen who work wonders of precision and engineering using only the most beautiful natural materials, founded in1984 in Valenza, Italy, world capital of the art of haute jewellery, where each pieces is completely crafted. Characterised by soft curves, extraordinarily bold dimensions, and mesmerising plays of colour, it is a distinctive style, instantly recognisable, mirroring Italian design, art and architecture. A powerful inspiration filtered by the rigorous spirit of Milan.
www.vhernier.com
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MilliOnAir | DELUX EDIT
CINDY CHAO
Edited by Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel was founded in 2004 by jewellery artist Cindy Chao. Chao’s iconic Black Label Masterpieces, which are symbolic of the ongoing metamorphosis of both artistry and technique, merge the rarest gemstones with innovative designs. The White Label Collection, inspired by the artist’s core design concepts, encapsulates these same design principles in a multi-layered manner, offering an alternative to the exclusivity of her Masterpieces.
The brand was invited to participate in Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris. Last year, Chao’s 2018 Black Label Masterpiece XVIII “Peony Brooch” was awarded Outstanding Object Award” by the Masterpiece London Award Committee, praised as an outstanding example of contemporary craftsmanship and great design. www.cindychao.com 141
MilliOnAir | DELUX EDIT
“You put high heels on and you change.” -- Manolo Blahnik
Edited by Fashion Director Marcella Martinelli
www.manoloblahnik.com
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HOLLAND & HOLLAND
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MilliOnAir | BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE PAGES
EDITORS PICK
CHANTECAILLE Lip Veil A revolutionary light, gliding lipstick enriched with FairWild-certified, organic Baobab Oil, Wild Mango Butter and Argan Oil that leaves a luminous wash of pure, hydrating color on lips. Semi-sheer with a creamy, weightless feel, it kisses the lips with a nourishing gleam that feels deliciously smooth and silky. Sales of this limited-edition Asian Elephant Lip Veil will support Elephant Family, an NGO working in India to minimize animal/human conflict and assist in maintaining centuries-old migratory paths for elephants.
www.chantecaille.com
BE AU TY /'bju ti/ a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight. "I was struck by their beauty'' Read on for BEAUTY LIFESTYLE and MORE...
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MilliOnAir | BEAUTY NEWS
SUMMER COLOURS Ruby Hammer MBE With the weather getting warmer and the light being brighter skin is in and it’s a return to fresh faced beauty. Rather than the heavy contouring of the last few years we are seeing the ‘Meghan effect’... a sun-kissed, heathy rosy glow with freckles proudly on display. Rather than full coverage foundation and heavily chiselled features, let your skin shine and punch it up with a vibrant lip or eye. For the skin to truly glow hydration is key both internally and externally. If you travel you may notice that in some countries / counties your skin feels great but you don’t feel that you have changed your routine… this can be down to the water, softer water removes less residue from the skin whereas hard water means your product may not lather up as you are used to so you use more and end up with dryer skin.
I love the new CHANEL LES BEIGES WATER FRESH TINT for a bare faced effect. Apply the lightweight back of your hand and using the brush provided swirl to burst the micro droplets of colour within the formula, then dab and blend on to the face starting at the centre and working outwards.
For problem areas whether dark circles or blemishes I use LAURA MERCIER SECRET CAMOUFLAGE. Dot it on to spots, dark circles wherever you require but don’t forget the lighter shade brings elements forward and the darker shade pushes back – think back to your art lessons from school on light and shade!
To cheat a light glow MARC JACOBS INSTANT BLURRING BEAUTY POWDER is so light it never looks dull or cakey, sweep the brush across the pan and apply to set your make up with a light diffusing pearl finish it helps filter away imperfections.
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Cheeks should look like ripened fruits think peach, watermelon or plums. Dab on the apples of the cheeks for a youthful glow building up the colour slowly until you reached the desired flush. DANIEL SANDLER WATERCOLOUR LIQUID BLUSH is a silicone formula which means it lasts all day (and night) but has enough play time for you to behind without any heavy lines.
If you prefer a gel like consistency PAUL & JOE GEL BLUSH gives you a juicy blush perfect for dewy radiance. There are a selection of shades from both these brands ... both warm and cool tones to suit your individual colouring plums generally suit darker skin tones, watermelon for lighter skin and peachy or raspberry for medium tones just remember to be light handed when applying these products - Less is more!
For fresh faced beauty brows should be fluffy and groomed rather than thickly defined, for light definition I brush up with a toothbrush or mascara spoolie and SOAP BROWS which sets them in place.
For real standout Summer 2019 catwalks provided a rainbows of shades on the eyes and lips from green at Marc Jacobs to intense raspberry at Chanel. For your eyes lightly line around the lash line or smudge into the inner corner rather than highlighter. CLARINS WATERPROOF EYE PENCIL is great for lasting colour that blends beautifully whereas for a graphic pop of colour FENTY BEAUTY VIVID EYELINER is incredible precise with true vivid hues.
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For a juicy hit of colour on the lips HOURGLASS UNREAL HIGH SHINE VOLUMiZING LIP GLOSS or LANCOME L’ABSOLU LACQUER LIPSTICK both provide buildable colour with high shine. Apply to the centre of the lips and press together for a softer just kissed effect.
Don’t forget to emphasise your lashes by curling first and then applying waterproof mascara to avoid smudging in the heat, aim for simple definition to lashes rather than extreme length or volume (along with clumping).
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MilliOnAir | BEAUTY
So many reasons we love
Makeup London based luxury brand Rodial was founded by former Beauty Editor, Maria Hatzistefanis in 1999. Rodial products are formulated using high-performance, innovative ingredients. From the bestselling Dragon’s Blood collection to highly concentrated Booster Drop range, every product delivers instant results with longlasting benefits. Each collection has been engineered to offer targeted solutions to specific skin concerns, ranging from inflammation and dehydration to a lack of radiance and the advanced signs of aging. An authority in beauty following her years as an international journalist, Maria Hatzistefanis founded Rodial in 1999 after seeing a gap in the market for high performance skincare offering targeted, results-driven treatments. The brand has an extensive celebrity following and global reach with presence in 35 countries worldwide. Pairing world-class anti-ageing ingredients with groundbreaking innovation, Rodial products are highperformance skincare essentials to address a range of skin
concerns. Utilising unique and powerful ingredients such as bee venom and dragon's blood, all products have been carefully formulated to produce the best immediate results. After years of working wth celebrity makeup artists and picking up the best backstage tips, Maria then saw the opportunity to take Rodial to the next level and created the ultimate sculpting makeup collection designed to enhance natural beauty for a flawless, professionallooking finish.
I am very proud to have revolutionised the skincare market since 1999 with high tech skincare and innovative make up collections - Maria Hatzistefanis
Don’t think outside the box. Think like there is no box - Maria Hatzistefanis
www.rodial.co.uk
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www.igkhair.com
MilliOnAir | BEAUTY EXCLUSIVE
BEAUTY MULTI TASKERS
by Beauty Expert Ciona Johnson-King @cionajk
Summer's here and to make life a little easier here are some of my favourite beauty multitaskers! Face spritzers are no longer not just a fine mist of water. They’ve developed into truly beneficial products that provide anti-oxidant protection and nourishment for the skin. They also work as a cooling primer or makeup setting spray as well as, of course, providing hydration. I always like to prep the complexion with a spray before make-up. They’re also perfect to pop in your bag for an on-the-go spritz.
FRESH VITAMIN NECTAR GLOW MIST £34 This vitamin packed (C, E and B5; lemon and orange fruit extracts) fruit complex and revitalizing mineral spray provides nutrition and antioxidant protection for the skin. It delivers proven antioxidant defence.
ELEMIS SUPERFOOD KEFIR-TEA MIST £26 Infused with anti-oxidant rich Rooibos Tea extract and vegan, soy-derived Kefir Ferment to help soothe and brighten the complexion. Organic Aloe Vera, Coconut Water and a natural prebiotic help to balance the skin.
Tip... Mist over cleansed skin before application of serums/ moisturisers. May also be used anytime on the face and body for a hydrating boost or to soothe and calm the skin. MADE BY COPPERS MANUKA ALOE SOOTHING FACE MIST £10 This handy handmade vegan 30ml travel size, cools and refreshes with a light spray of gorgeous botanical water, enhanced with aloe Vera and lavender.
TALIKA - EYEBROW LIPOSOURCILS INK £22 This make-up eyebrow pencil that also helps the brows (by stimulating growth and increasing the melanin for more pigmentation) is a must-have. Use over a four week period for more defined less sparse eyebrows. Available in brown and chestnut. (Talika eyebrow growth gel is a great option for fair hair).
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OXYGENETIX OXYGENATING ACNE CONTROL FOUNDATION SPF 25 £52 A clever foundation that helps heal and treat acne-prone skin as well giving long lasting coverage. It’s breathable too. Salicylate acid penetrates and exfoliates inside the pores as well as on the skin to help reduce those annoying break outs. Plus, with its aloe vera, it's also calming and antibacterial for any aggravated skin.
HUDA BEAUTY NEON OBSESSIONS PALETTE £27 A petite power palette containing both subtle-tovivid pigments in matt plus metallics that can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks. A sweep of explosive colour brings you bang up to date!
KATE SOMERVILLE UNCOMPLIKATED SPF £32 You know the deal. You’ve just finished applying your make-up and suddenly the sun's out. Are you protected against harmful rays or not? Kate Somerville’s UncompliKated SPF means you never have to worry again. It’s a fine mist setting lotion with not just mattifying powers but also boasts a mighty SPF of 50. How have we lived without it?
RITA HAZAN LOCK + BLOCK £21 A handy spray that protects against humidity, UV rays, colour fade and it holds your hairstyle too. I can’t get enough of it for my red carpet clients.
Tip... Spray a little into the palm of your hand and pat into the hair gradually building up until you find the level your hair is comfortable with.
CHARLOTTE MENSAH MANKETTI OIL FINISHING MIST £38 This shine-enhancing mist protects against humidity, tames frizz, protects against moisture loss and gorgeously scents your locks. It can be used on wet or dry hair.
BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO £2.99 This iconic dry shampoo has long been an essential styling product for beauty experts. Its secret? It’s not just for cheating a hair wash but it’s great at volumising too, even freshly shampooed hair! Now that the joys of Batiste have hit the mainstream, the brand has a whole range of dry shampoos, each with their own benefits; hydrating, de-frizzing, damage control, volume and colour protect. There are even blonde, brown and dark tones to chose from. 161
AVEDA DRY SHAMPOO £23.50 A squeeze-to-use bottle containing 25 pure flower and plant essences. Handy for a post-workout hair boost, a little root lift or extending the time between a wash and blow dry!
BOTÁNICO VIDA OMEGA OIL £18.50 A vegan formula that all the family can use as it's certified ideal for children and babies. Containing omegas 3, 6 and 9 (courtesy of bioactive sacha inchi oil) it helps heal such skin complaints as excessive dryness, sunburn, stretch marks and scarring. It’s perfect for pregnancy too, since omega oil relieves itchiness and tightness and with regular use the skin's elasticity is improved.
AURELIA PROBIOTIC SKINCARE FIRM AND REVITALISE DRY BODY OIL £48 This vegan dry body oil both firms the skin (using macadamia and borage oils) and deeply hydrates it (with kukui and mongongo oils). With its fragrant blend of neroli, lavender, rose and mandarin it smells beautiful too. Spray some into the palm of your hands, cup over your nose and gently inhale to help calm the senses.
MilliOnAir | HEALTH BEAUTY LIFESTYLE
If Music Be The Food Of Love, Play On. By Health Contributor Heather S tewart-Whyte
I love music, who doesn’t? From our mothers beating heart in the womb, rhythm is in our blood, the base of music is all around us. William Shakespeare mused with the idea that an excess of music may cure his obsession with love, in a way that eating too much food removes ones appetite for food! I am drawn to the slow tempo of a ballad when my heart is touched by sorrow and love, in fact also when I’m feeling creative, it seems I like ballads more than I realised! Pop music gives me energy and I often use it when I’m cleaning the kitchen. With the odd outburst of song from myself ( doesn’t last long because I really can’t sing and it puts me off : ) ) and some pretty cool dance moves if I may say so myself, the boring task of cleaning the kitchen is done in not time. For many years now there has been one song only that pops into my head when I’m feeling so low and I have no more tears to cry………..”Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, it always gives me strength to get up and keep going, reminds me of the great moments I had in life and that there will be many more to come! Yes, it does all that for me, in just one song, pretty impressive eh? MUSIC IS THERAPY. It really is, and has become a recognised therapy to help with stress relief, depression and anxiety. It can help the elderly with memory loss and diseases such as Alzheimers and Dementia. Deaf people can feel the beat of music. The sound reaches the ears because it makes a wave or vibration. The brain processes different parts of music ( pitch, beat, timbre) in that of hearing and deaf people, these places are the same. ( Research from Hauser 2011). I wanted to look this up because i wanted to be sure that everyone can experience the wonders of music, even if one can’t hear. It can help children learn, I used to clap to a beat to help my children remember things they had to learn, much like singing the alphabet. And of course dancing to music helps with physical co-ordination.
Illustration by Lena Clara Gesse
Certain types of music can improve our mood, intelligence, motivation and concentration. it has been claimed that classical music stimulates the regeneration of brain cells!! I am going to have a big dose of that today, I really need it! :) Maybe I should play it in my sleep hmmm? Talking of sleep, it really can help, it works for babies, lets not forget to give it a go when its hard to nod off. So, I wanted to remind you all to dive into the world of music and explore what different types of music can do for you! But please, please don’t, run, cycle, walk and cross roads with both ear plugs in, it is not safe! I literally want to pull one ear plug out and yell, be careful.
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MilliOnAir | HEALTH
ANTIBIOTICS DIGESTION FLAT STOMACH By Health & Wellness Editor Bridget Hancock
It’s not just exercise but good digestion which impacts our immune system and detoxification can help us feel energised and avoid bloating and discomfort. If you have had antibiotics, and consume wheat and dairy which most of us have, you may have gut dysbiosis and these 10 steps will help you achieve your goal. 1. Keep Stress away from mealtime. A few deep breaths before eating to stimulate the Vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system thus aiding digestion. 2. Keep to a relaxed mealtime routine, eat away from distractions such as TV's, phones and computers. Always sit up and eat at a table. 3. Eat less food, the Japanese believe in Hara hichi which is repeated before or after eating and means “fill you belly until it is 80% full”. This is to prevent burdening the body with long digestive processes that accelerate cellular oxidation which is ageing. 4. Mindful eating, think about what you are eating and chew your food. Chewing increases the surface area of the food so digestion is easier and bloating is less. 4. Keep water away from meals as it dilutes stomach acid so drink 20 minutes before and an hour after meals. 5. Eat 3 meals a day, if this seems like too much make them smaller portions and avoid snacking in between.
6. Make sure you leave four hours between each meal and a twelve hour fast overnight. 7. Keep at least two hours between the end of the last meal and bedtime to give the body time to focus on rest and repair during sleep. 8. Keep a food diary for any bloating reflux or discomfort, so you can establish if there are foods triggering a digestive issue and remove them for four weeks to see if there is improvement. 9. Try a good quality probiotic to restore gut bacteria, VSL 3 ( £44 month) or Rhythm Health Life shot ( pck 5 £49.50 ) or Optibac extra strength (£60 for 6 weeks). 10. The Mediterranean diet of fresh fish fruit vegetables nuts and seeds is the diet that is linked to longevity. There are no farmed grains but generally it involves sitting and eating together, good quality food and a sense of community with some sunshine thrown in. Bridget Hancock BSc DIp Naturopathic Nutrition Health & Wellness Editor MilliOnAir www.Balanceretreats.net 171
MilliOnAir | AESTHETICS
SKINCARE AESTHETICS BEAUTY Q&A By Beauty Contributor Steven Smith
MilliOnAir presents the King and Queen of the aesthetic world - Doctor Ioannis Liakas and Vicky Grammatikopoulou. Their clients include celebrities, top models - and even royalty. Ioannis is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, senior lecturer at Queen Mary’s Medical School and an associate member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine. Before moving into the business side of aesthetics, Vicky was a teacher trainer and university lecturer. Together they are Vie Aesthetics, and run leading clinics in Harley Street, Germany and Southend. I AM DESPERATE TO HAVE A FACE LIFT, BUT I AM ONLY 40 AND FRIENDS KEEP TELLING ME THAT I AM MAD. I SAW A CELEBRITY IN THE PAPERS WHO HAS HAD A FACE LIFT. SHE IS THE SAME AGE AS ME, AND IT FRIGHTENED ME. IS THERE ANYTHING IN-BETWEEN THAT CAN BE DONE FOR A WOMAN MY AGE? DIANNA PETERS, MARGATE Dianna, without seeing you in person, I can’t comment on you personally. But really, a full-face lift in most cases should be left until your late 50's-60's. There are so many choices now on the market that I can perform that can take years off you. We do a treatment that we call the Vie lift. It incorporates a thread lift (instead of removing the patient's loose facial skin surgically, the cosmetic surgeon simply suspends it by stitching up portions of it), fillers and Botox, and in some cases a unique treatment called Endopeel that can lift your skin in an hour. You will be amazed by the results.
MY HUSBAND HAS REALLY BAD ACNE SCARS LEFT FROM WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER. HE IS TOO SHY TO GO TO A BEAUTICIAN, AND HE DOES NOT TRUST ‘LOTIONS AND POTIONS’, AS HE CALLS THEM. I THOUGHT IF HE WENT TO A DOCTOR LIKE YOU, HE WOULD BE LESS SELF-CONSCIOUS. WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THIS CONDITION? MARIA TOWNSEND, BRIGHTON We have many men that visit us, and many say once in the door they wish they had come sooner. Any good clinic should be discreet and attentive to anyone’s needs, including being aware if someone is shy and acting appropriately. I would need to see him in person to make a specific recommendation, but we have a number of treatments for acne scars, from peels to Plexr. Please see our web page. I REALLY WOULD LIKE A FIRMER BOTTOM, BUT TO BE HONEST, THE GYM IS NOT MY FRIEND. SHOULD I TRY FILLERS? VICKY MORGAN, TOTTENHAM You're in luck! A firmer bottom can be yours in three easy sessions using the revolutionary treatment Endopeel. After a patch test, a simple injection of Endopeel will get the job done. It’s a unique technique developed initially in Switzerland, consisting of a patented oily solution containing carbolic acid mixed with peanut oil acid. When injected into an area of loose skin tissue and muscle laxity, this creates a selective, reversible, pointed “chemical myolysis”; in other words, the skin and the muscles in the injected region tighten, hence reversing the signs of ageing. Model Danielle Mason and actress Nicole Gibbson are huge fans and love their new lifted and fuller bottoms.
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MADONNA'S FACE LOOKS AMAZING FOR 60. IT IS THE LOOK THAT I WANT. CAN YOU ACHIEVE IT BY USING FILLERS AND BOTOX, AS IT’S SUGGESTED SHE DID? SHERRIE WARWICK, KENT Our goal at Vie is not to make anyone look like someone else, but to help them be a better or fresher version of themselves. However, we do get a lot of requests for Kardashian lips and chins as well as the George Clooney look, and it’s a guideline. Madonna looks great, and we love her, but it would be unfair to speculate on what she has or has not had done. That said, if you come in for a consultation, we can certainly tell you how to get results. I AM A SUN JUNKIE AND CAN’T WAIT TO GO ON HOLIDAY. I WEAR SUN-BLOCK (FACTOR 50). I AM WORRIED THAT MY LOVE OF THE RAYS MAY HAVE DONE HARM. WHAT CAN I DO? SHEILA MCMANNERS, HULL Sun protection is fundamental to healthy skin, and the best long-term anti-ageing treatment one can think of. I agree entirely with your decision to protect your face with factor 50 sun blocker during your holiday. Once back, please book a consultation with our skin specialist at Cue Aesthetics. We will do an analysis of your skin, and if we diagnose significant chronic sun damage, we will follow the route of skin resurfacing with a chemical peel. This will renew your skin; the texture of your skin will get fresh. Any blemishes or sun/ ageing spots will disappear, too. From there on, we will keep you always rejuvenated with tailor-made medical products for your skin.
AND IT WAS EXPENSIVE. IS THERE REALLY ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO KEEP THEM AWAY? BEVERLY SMITH, BOURNEMOUTH Beverly, I would need to take a look, but we do offer a treatment which might help, called O.F. F. It is an electro-medical device with possible applications to a wide range of treatments, and is part of the revolutionary, non-invasive Soft Surgery technology offered in our clinic. We use O.F.F. to help reduce facial thread veins and angiomas, and also to dissolve and help reduce local fat deposits in face and body, such as double chin, eye bags, jowls, underarms, abdomen, thighs, the inside of knees, “love handles” and other areas in the body. The device delivers an electrical current with a fixed frequency for bio-stimulation, and thermal energy on the skin and the underlying tissues in the treated areas. The equipment has been tested in yearlong studies and has been shown to be highly effective and safe.
I HAVE JUST GIVEN BIRTH TO MY SECOND CHILD TWO MONTHS AGO. MY HAIR’S FALLEN OUT AND NOT REALLY COME BACK AS THICK AS IT DID WITH THE FIRST BABY. I LOOK TIRED. IS IT OKAY TO HAVE BOTOX AND FILLERS SO SOON AFTER? AND WHAT CAN MAKE MY HAIR THICKER? NICKY MORNING, BASILDON The first step is to see your local GP and have your blood work done and check your hormone and vitamin levels. If you need any additional vitamins that could be affecting your hair or face, we can do a series of vitamin drips or injections tailored to you. We perform stem-cell hair loss treatment using your own cells. The results are safe and fantastic. There is nothing saying you can’t have Botox or fillers as soon as you give birth, but to be on the safe side, maybe wait a few months or until you stop breastfeeding. Either way, it is best to come for a consultation.
To book a FREE consultation, call 07899673578 0r 02071646140 or book online HERE. Vicky Grammatikopoulou Vicky promotes a holistic approach to the issues of image and confidence and in this endeavour, she ensures that the experience of our clients is a positive and empowering one.
Dr Ioannis Liakas Dr Liakas offers free no-commitment consultations and follow-up appointments. He always takes time to listen to your concerns and questions and is thorough in explaining all about the procedures. Dr Liakas always aims for optimal, natural-looking results using only top-of-therange products and combinations of treatments to achieve the best possible outcomes.
www.vie-aesthetics.com Please send your questions to Steven Smith 177
MilliOnAir | INSPIRATION
IN SP IRE
/'in-spahyuh r/ to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence, to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought,. "Their courage inspired their followers.''
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MilliOnAir | LIFESTYLE EDITOR
By Lifestyle Editor Deborah Latouche
Everyone’s talking about the Get Up, Stand Up Now exhibition currently on at Somerset house, curated by acclaimed artist Zak Ove its explores the impact that the creativity from the African/ Caribbean Diaspora has had on the UK and Beyond. It’s truly celebratory to see so much great art, music and creativity from people of colour in one space. Yinka Shonibare’s Revolution Kid (calf) As part of GET UP STAND UP NOW exhibition. www.somersethouse.org.uk
When initially asked to do this page I felt super excited to explore all the things that I am in love with right now. It then became a massive task to edit it all down, quickly becoming apparent that for this issue I wanted to concentrate my efforts on what I love about my home town London, be that veteran designers Vicki Sarge and Tempeley London or the countless fantastic exhibitions or theater productions that are continuously popping up. It is fair to say that there is no better city to spend the summer months than good ole London Town.
Dress: Temperley London www.temperleylondon.com
I was completely blown away by Lara Bohinc's new solar system inspired collection, her geometric yet feminine style ooze’s luxury and I just cant get enough of Brass in the home. Apollo armchair and the planateria table light. www.bohincstudio.com
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The mini Berlin bag by DeMellier is my go to bag for running around a busy city. www.demellierlondon.com
Cire Trudon - This candle fills my home with the comforting scent of orange and cinnamon. www.trudon.com
The perfect hand cream sumptuous and medicated. www.buly1803. com
Earrings: Vicki Sarge www.vickisarge.com
Shoes: Malone Souliers www.malonesouliers.com
You can’t find a more statement luxury ring anywhere else than this beauty from Aisha Baker. www.aishabaker.com Based between both London and Dubai Aisha Baker’s fairytale pieces are to die for.
Frances de Lara - My Bleeding Heart glasses available at www.matchesfashion.com
Christopher Kane Leather skirt www.christopherkane.com
We could all do with more Joy in our lives which is why I adore this T-Shirt by Christopher Kane www.christopherkane.com
Buly Huile Antique is an amazing dry body oil, the more you put on the better it feels. www.buly1803.com
www.renerwear.com
MilliOnAir | FASHION FILE
A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE
Melissa
Odabash
By Contributing Editor Juliet Herd
I
f you happen to visit Melissa Odabash HQ in London’s Mayfair, you may be surprised to see the all-female staff wandering around in swimwear. But for the women employed there, it’s an entirely natural part of the working day. “There’s always someone in a bikini,” says designer and former model Melissa. “There are so many different body shapes, so I make them try them on. They may come in shy but they’re not after a few months,” she adds with a laugh.
It’s 20 years since this savvy, enterprising American started her business, selling swimwear door-todoor in Rome, Italy, where she worked as a ‘fit’ model for all the major couture houses, including Valentino, Fendi and Prada. Santis, here during a weekend visit. “He’s not involved in the business at all; he has his own company,” she explains, revealing that she is careful to keep her home life with her husband and two daughters, Alaia, 21, and Avalon, 16, completely separate. “I leave my office and shut off. It’s family time,” she says, still adhering to the Italian work ethic that champions a work/life balance. “I loved it [in Italy]. I had the time of my life. The biggest dilemma was where I was going for the weekend or if I had enough gas in my Vespa,” she smiles. There was little competition at the time and she By her own admission, however, she is something managed to quickly stand out with her glamorous ‘high fashion’ designs, landing a two- of a workaholic, partly because she remains year contract with lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret passionate about her business and thrives on keeping one step ahead in a volatile retail market. and securing precious editorial coverage in She’s also very much her father Arthur’s Sports Illustrated, with her pieces worn by the daughter. A self-made housing contractor in New likes of Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. Jersey, he instilled in Melissa and her four She now counts a red carpet-worthy roll-call of brothers and sisters the importance of being A-listers among her fans, including Elle independent and earning their own living. “He Macpherson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyonce, used to take us to orphanages to give away our Cameron Diaz and Kate Moss, and her collections (five a year) are sold in more than 60 old toys and he always helped anyone who needed it,” says the designer, who produces an countries. The Duchess of Cambridge has been photographed wearing a Melissa Odabash bikini annual mastectomy line in partnership with the Future Dreams Breast Cancer charity and plans to on holiday in the past, but has she designed help underprivileged young undergraduates swimwear for the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan study fashion at college through the Odabash Markle? “I’ve done pieces for everybody,” she Foundation. discreetly demurs. “As long as people are happy Her schedule is daunting by most people’s and like my designs, that’s what counts.” standards. She breezily tells me she’s due to To celebrate her anniversary, she created an present her new collection to agents who have exclusive line of shimmering gold and silver evening dresses and jumpsuits, which sold out so flown in from around the world that day, as soon swiftly, she has decided to continue the range. “I as we finish our chat. “This month alone, I’ve love it because I can work with fabrics that don’t visited ten countries – Florida, France, Spain, Italy, the Caribbean, all over. It’s a crazy need to go in water,” she reasons with her schedule,” she laughs unapologetically. trademark positivity. “I have fun doing new Here, Melissa reveals how she became one of the things.” Melissa, 49, who speaks fluent Italian and still has world’s pre-eminent swimwear designers, who contracts with Italian factories, moved to London her celebrity icon is and how her experience of living in Italy as a young entrepreneur still 19 years ago after meeting her half-Italian, halfSpanish husband, corporate strategist Nicolas De influences her business – and mindset – today. 191
HOW DID YOU START OUT IN THE INDUSTRY? “I was living in Rome [in the late 90s] as a model and couldn’t find any swimwear I liked. At the time, it was all about brights and patterns with zebra prints and crazy tacky neon, so I decided to start my own collection using only solid colours and high-quality fabrics. I was a ‘fit’ model for all the big Italian brands – Valentino, Prada, Fendi – and used to sit in on their meetings with big clients, which was a good learning experience. I wanted to bring back elegance, and within two years, with the help of a friend who still works with me today, I managed to get my pieces featured in Sports Illustrated on all the supers, from Heidi Klum to Tyra Banks, and then into department stores. I now sell in 62 countries, including all over the States.” . DID YOU HAVE A MENTOR WHEN YOU STARTED THE BUSINESS?
Melissa Odabash
WHY DID YOU MOVE TO LONDON? “I came for a weekend and met my husband – that was 19 years ago. I love London. It’s my favourite city in the whole world and I would never move back [to the US]. I feel totally British.” WHO HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE? “I’d say my mother Lois. She’s always been supportive, believed in my ideas and never discouraged me from doing anything. She taught me to sew and got me into fashion at a young age. Her first job was as a buyer for Lord & Taylor [department store]. She made me watch all the fashion shows with her, and even though she was a housewife in New Jersey, she read Women’s Wear Daily every day; it was like our bible. At 80, she’s still totally into fashion and looks impeccable. She had to raise five kids, so she never worked [once she married], but was super creative and talented. “I found out recently that my father’s mother, who came from Italy, started the first all-female factory making clothing in New Jersey with her eight sisters.”
“No one helped; no one wants to give away their secrets, such as where to buy fabrics. I just asked questions over and over again. It’s all about trial and error and making your own mistakes. I found my first factory outside Rome and slowly expanded from there. Victoria’s Secret bought my swimsuit, which ended up being their biggest seller, so I had to find new factories that had the capacity to do their orders as they were huge. That continued for two years and then they started doing their own knock-off versions.” WHAT MADE YOUR BRAND STAND OUT? “There wasn’t that much competition back in the day. You either bought Speedo or La Perla. My focus was swimwear, whereas most brands would have just one swimsuit at the end of their shows. Now, everybody has added swimwear. For me, it’s all about good quality and fit, and the feedback I get from women is they feel so confident when they wear my pieces. It’s taken years and years of experience to achieve the perfect fit as there are so many different body shapes.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG DESIGNERS? “Internships are key, and learning the ins and outs of a business before starting on their own. The competition is insane, so it’s not easy. There’s no longevity anymore; I see hundreds of swim brands every year, but you never hear from most of them after 18 months. Cash flow is always a problem as you often don’t get paid for nine months. It’s very hard to survive in retail. My advice would be to focus on what you want to do and don’t give up. It’s all about trial and error and there’s nothing wrong with making mistakes and picking yourself back up.” HOW HAVE YOU STAYED AT THE TOP OF YOUR PROFESSION? “I’ve been very fortunate. I think it’s from learning what sells and what doesn’t - I might design something I love and it sells in the UK but not in other countries. Or, a celebrity wears something and there’s not enough stock and it sells out. I have to prejudge and guess what is going to sell in advance, and even with experience, I can still get it wrong.” IS YOUR PASSION FOR SWIMWEAR STILL AS STRONG AS EVER? “Totally. I love it. I love making women look good. I’m involved 24/7 – and keep a notepad next to my bed. There are no designers, just me and the amazing girls working with me. My offices in London, Italy and New York are all female.” WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BEST QUALITY? “Patience. Living in Italy, you have to have a lot of patience as nothing works. Sometimes there’s no electricity or the roads are shut because of pollution. Common sense and positivity are my motto.”
YOU DRESS A LOT OF CELEBRITIES. WHO GIVES YOU THE BIGGEST THRILL WHEN YOU SEE THEM IN YOUR SWIMWEAR? “I’ve been dressing Barbra Streisand for the beach for the past two years and she is my icon. She was staying at a private resort with a friend, who was wearing all of my things, and they contacted me and now I make all her swim and beachwear. She likes very classic styles and loves everything. I’ve done everyone from Beyonce to Rhianna, but Barbra is my idol.” YOU’VE GOT TWO STAND-ALONE BOUTIQUES IN LONDON – WITH THE RISE OF ONLINE SALES, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR THE RETAIL MARKET? “I hate seeing independent stores shutting down and we have to do something about business rates. I think there’s a move back to bricks and mortar; women love walking around a store, feeling fabrics. Mine have been there a long time and are doing great. People still like to come in and try things on. There’s still a joy in strolling around, window shopping.”
lunches and you’d leave work, open a bottle of wine and eat a bowl of pasta. In August, all the factories would shut down. I still go by the Italian schedule and go away for the month of August to my house in Miami. I haven’t changed anything – I just don’t have the four-hour lunches anymore! I’m not a corporate person at all.” TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARITABLE WORK? “I design a mastectomy range for the Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity – this is the fourth year with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the charity. I want to grow the Odabash Foundation, which my father started when I was a kid, and help give grants to new designers. When Future Dreams gave me gave me a humanitarian award two years ago, it was much more fun than winning designer of the year.” WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU? “Good health. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. I’ve always looked after myself.”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR POP-UPS? “I’m doing more pop-ups, which involve a lot more work than people think as you have to fly stock all over the world. I’m always doing something somewhere, and have some coming up in the Caribbean in the winter.” WITH YOUR FULL-ON SCHEDULE, WHAT ARE YOUR TRAVELLING TIPS? “I pack light all the time, drink lots of water and always get a spa treatment when I arrive somewhere, usually a massage to help de-stress. I’m so used to getting on a plane, it’s like my daily commute.” ARE YOU STRICT ABOUT SEPARATING YOUR WORK AND HOME LIVES? “Definitely. I leave my office and shut off. People don’t want to hear about my [work] problems. It’s family time. I started my business before social media existed and was in your face 24/7. When I was living in Italy, the work ethic was completely different. There’d be four-hour
www.odabash.com
MilliOnAir | ENTREPRENEUR
Nazer Bullen
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Nazer Bullen is one half of industry leading boutique communications agency Goodley Bullen PR, based in the heart of London. Together with founder Kara Goodley the team has continued to drive the business forwards, helping luxe fashion clients share their stories across multiple platforms. The partners complement each other perfectly, combining to provide a depth of expertise to their clients.
Whilst studying Engineering at University, Nazer began her fashion career modelling and acting, which soon developed her love for style and fashion. Nazer has evolved her unique sense of style over her time in the industry, with a clear sense of her own identity. Her fondness for vintage and preloved items allows her to select from an eclectic wardrobe, whilst always maintaining her sense of self. Well known for representing large established brands, Goodley Bullen also has great focus on helping new brands to gain a foothold in a competitive market and realise their potential. For the last 7 years the Business have worked with Ascot Racecourse to define and modernise the dress code for the world famous Royal Ascot event, attracting VIPs and opinion formers to share in this prestigious celebration of racing and fashion.
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Nazer is a warm and dedicated businesswoman, who believes in maintaining close professional relationships with her clients, with a hands on results driven approach. This is perfectly illustrated having spent over a decade and a half representing Pretty Ballerinas. Nazer comments “We have worked together for so long now that I feel as if we are part of the same family!” Nazer has been instrumental in helping to create the concept and growing the brand status, driven by her love of shoes in particular. The collection is now quite extensive! Throughout her 19 years in the business, Nazer has worked with numerous, international brands. She has been responsible for multiple campaigns for high street giants such as Karen Millen, Mango and Esprit, in addition high end brands including Escada, Rimowa, Suzannah, Tara Jarmon, John Rocha, Krizia and William & Son. Although London is her place of business, Nazer’s rural home allows for some rest and down-time only a short commute from the Fashion hub. Away from the office, Nazer enjoys travelling with her husband of 15 years. Also in her spare time Nazer can be found balancing energetic “Fight Club” boxing classes with Dynamic Hatha Yoga, combined with meditation and relaxation to wind down after a busy day in the ever evolving Fashion World.
www.goodleybullenpr.co.uk
Photographer - Kirstin Sinclair. Suit by www.mulberry.com pink dress www.gulhurgel.com yellow dress www.beulahlondon.com red hat www.lockhatters.com and dress by www.beulahlondon.com
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MilliOnAir | TRAVEL
TR AV EL
/'trav( / make a journey, typically of some length. "the vessel had been travelling from Libya to Ireland" (of an object or radiation) move, typically in a constant or predictable way. "light travels faster than sound"
Read on for TRAVEL inspiration... 205
MilliOnAir | BEACH FASHION
Beautiful Beachwear byYAMAMAY Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Established in 2001, Yamamay has become one of the Italian leading brands in the underwear and beachwear markets, developing a network of about 700 stores worldwide. Its product range includes underwear, lingerie, corsetry, swimwear, nightwear, clothing, accessories.
Its mission is to make the store an emotional, creative and engaging environment, where the consumer can fully benefit from the excellent quality/ price ratio. The Yamamay products are glamorous, sexy, colorful and elegant. They are designed for fashion-conscious customers, and perfectly embody the Italian excellence and style.
Discover more
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MilliOnAir | CITY TRAVEL
LON DON CALLING WITH JULIET HERD
By Contributing Editor Juliet Herd
TALIAGE TREAT
DANIEL GALVIN JR, BELGRAVIA For the ultimate sun-kissed style, celebrity colourist Daniel Galvin Jr has created the Taliage technique, which gives the same impact as Balayage – but without over-processing the hair. His secret is to apply colour just to the mid lengths, leaving the tips colour-free. For blondes, hues range from buttery to Icelandic, while brunettes can opt for smoky browns through to caramel. Creative style director James Brunt recommends keeping hair soft around the edges for a looser, more tousled look this summer. For MilliOnAir readers, the salon is offering a complimentary organic hair spa treatment with any hair colouring or highlights – or pop in for a signature 20minute Belgravia blow dry and enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz! Just quote MilliOnAir www.danielgalvinjunior.com or call 02072451050 211
MilliOnAir | CITY TRAVEL
LON DON CALLING WITH JULIET HERD
By Contributing Editor Juliet Herd
DINE AT SETTE
DINE AT SETTE, THEN HEAD TO ‘UNDERGROUND BAR’ NOLITA SOCIAL AT BVLGARI HOTEL, KNIGHTSBRIDGE: Londoners can now enjoy a taste of Manhattan at Sette, part of the hip Italian restaurant
concept Scarpetta (which means to indulge in a meal down to the very last mouthful). Devotees of the American offering will be pleased to see signature dish spaghetti with tomato and basil on the menu along with other classics, featuring seasonal, local ingredients. Make sure you try the creamy polenta with fricassee of truffled mushroom. After dinner, head downstairs to Nolita Social, named after New York City’s North of Little Italy neighbourhood, for some cool jazz and heady cocktails in true Big Apple nightlife style. For Sette bookings call 0207 1511025; www.settelondon.co.uk www.nolitasocial.co.uk
MilliOnAir | CITY TRAVEL
LON DON CALLING WITH JULIET HERD
By Contributing Editor Juliet Herd
SEXY FISH AFTERNOON TEA AT SEXY FISH, BERKELEY SQUARE, MAYFAIR
Afternoon tea, but not as you know it. Sexy Fish has deconstructed the traditional offering and added a Japanese twist. Start with a shot of matcha tea before working your way through an array of exotic delicacies, all served on an octopus-like stand inspired by mystical underwater creatures. Variations on the British classic include smoked salmon and pickled cucumber in a steamed bun, Thai chicken sandwich with puffed rice bread, matcha, cherry and rose éclair and yuzu, lemon and sesame tart. Served 3-5pm Monday to Friday, priced at £58 per person or £70 with a glass of house Champagne. Reservations: 020 3764 2000 www.sexyfish.com
MilliOnAir | CITY TRAVEL
LON DON CALLING WITH JULIET HERD
By Contributing Editor Juliet Herd
SHOE SHINE
MANOLO BLAHNIK AT THE WALLACE COLLECTION: Feast your eyes on fabulous footwear by maestro Manolo Blahnik while perusing the museum’s masterpieces in an unmissable exhibition co-curated by the designer himself. Until 1 September www.wallacecollection.org
MilliOnAir | CITY TRAVEL
LON DON CALLING WITH JULIET HERD
By Contributing Editor Juliet Herd
SECRET FACIALIST
LISA FRANKLIN If you do one thing for your skin this summer, treat yourself to a pollutionbusting Lisa Franklin facial. Skincare expert Lisa has developed a pro-effect range containing bioactives and essential nutrients (ingredients include the delicious-sounding Australian super fruit, Kakadu Plum extract) designed to protect against environmental pollutants. All Lisa’s products are sustainably sourced and natural, such as her new water-free Clinic Prive No 1 Serum, which delivers vitamin C deeper and faster into the skin. The Sloane Street clinic also offers the latest in micro-vibration using Endospheres therapy and the most advanced in micro-needling with SkinPen. Every bespoke treatment finishes with a relaxing Rose Quartz lymphatic facial massage. Lisa Franklin is offering a 10% discount on her signature product range and all facials (one per person) to MilliOnAir readers for the month of July – quote MilliOnAir when you order online www.lisafranklin.london or call 02077520217
MilliOnAir | ON THE GO ESSENTIALS
Mini BAGS for all OCCASIONS 1
We all love a petite accessory and this season it’s all about the micro bag. These mini beauties give any look a wow factor and a talking point. With all sorts of colours, fabrics and prints, there is one to match every outfit By Editor In Chief Millie Cooper this summer.
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5 1 Valentino Garavani Leather VLTN Clutch Belt Bag 2 Gucci Mini Marmont MatelassĂŠ Shoulder Bag 3 Mark Cross Mini Leather Grace Box Bag 4 MCM Mini Rockstar Vanity Case 5 Valentino Garavani Mini Leather Candy stud Top Handle Bag
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10 6 ChloĂŠ Mini Faye Bracelet Bag 7 Dolce & Gabbana Mini Embellished Sicily Bag 8 Dolce & Gabbana Mini Leather Sicily Bag 9 Jimmy Choo Mini Metallic Balti Bag 10 Dolce & Gabbana Nano Embellished Sicily Bag 221
Visit www.maxxroyal.com For reservations please call +90 242 444 62 99 or e-mail book@maxxroyal.com
BELEK | KEMER
MilliOnAir | THE TRAVEL FILE
SARAWAK
By Travel editor Chris Sullivan
I first saw Borneo, in a David Attenborough retrospective special. He visited there in 1956, met tribes who seemed from another century and rescued a baby orang utan. Ever since I’ve wanted to visit. The third largest island in the world it is one of the last bastions of unmitigated oddness, Populated by scores of tribes: warrior Dayaks with blackened filed down teeth and blow pipes; Pena still covered in traditional tattoos and the Iban who still hunted heads after WW2, it is still home to huge variety of exotic wild life. Orangutans, proboscis monkeys, saltwater crocodiles and the magnificent hornbill alongside the world’s smelliest fruit, biggest flower and largest moth at some 10 inches wide. Of course, no one I knew had ever been there which considering that today everyone has been everywhere it made it even more appealing. Subsequently, I arrived in Kuching - the capital of it’s main ‘county’ Sarawak - some 15 hours after I left home and deposited myself in a suite the size of my flat in the cities newest hotel, The Pullman, and looked out over the city.
The first thing I noticed was the total lack of tourists. The second thing was that I had the huge hotel pool and terrace all to myself for the whole afternoon. The next day, still not ‘all there’ after my grueling flight I agreed to kayak down the Semenggoh River. Initially, a good idea, I soon realised that sitting with one’s legs at 90 degrees to ones body for 3 hours while paddling like Hawkeye in Last of The Mohicans in 90 degree humid heat is, no matter how one does it, unmitigated agony. Lovely views, lovely water but by Jove it was hard work. I must say that that evening I was not a happy bunny. It was hard to locate a muscle that didn’t ache so opted for a massage and made the huge mistake of asking the tiny middle age Oriental lady (who I now believe was Mike Tyson in a dress, for a strong massage. As a consequence I could hardly walk to my room. In just 2 days I had turned from a ‘normal ‘ healthy chap into a relative cripple. Of course the advantage of starting any vacation such is that things can only get better and they did. My wife and eight year old son child turned up and took the Mick as I hobbled around the room groaning with every twist which curiously made it all worthwhile. At least someone got a kick out of it.
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Consequently the next day I was looking for something rather pedestrian that had no chance of testing my mettle or shaking my tree so moseyed on down to the Sarawak Village to get a handle on the island. Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states of Borneo; the other Sabah lies to the North and in between lies the independent Brunei. To the South lies the seriously Muslim Indonesian Borneo that most folk never mention. Sarawak itself is very British. Everyone speaks English; they drive on the left, have UK plugs and are extremely polite and incredibly well mannered. This is down to the mad bad and dangerous to know, James Brooke, an English adventurer who in 1833, bought a 142-ton armed schooner and with a small crew of men sailed into Borneo to suppress a rebellion and violently quell the hordes of pirates who sailed down the Sarawak River beheading men and raping and enslaving women. With the help of the myriad indigenous tribes who’d fallen foul of the pirates he defeated the brigands, became the first white Rajah of Sarawak and created a state of harmony between the tribes. Sarawak Village is run by these tribes who exhibit their food, skills and wares in a rather hokey down at heel fashion. We tried our hands at a blowpipe, were chased by a monkey and took in a surprisingly marvelous performance of tribal song and dance the likes of which I’d not heard before.
freshly scalded lobster. Luckily, we’d planned a day with the Orang Utans at The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre that cares for wild animals, which have been found, injured in the forest, orphaned, or kept as illegal pets. On arrival we were given a quick orientation lecture and whisked into the monkey’s enclosure to chop up food (guava, banana, sweet potato, papaya leaves and hearts of palm with a smelly duiran and honey dressing) for the Orang Utans before mucking out and cleaning their cages. When all done we fed these magnificent creatures by hand through a cage and then observed them as they did their bit in their rather large enclosures. My son then adopted an Orang Utan called Doris for a nominal sum that goes straight back to helping these utterly incredible creatures. We met others there such as a former ad executive called Naomi from Surrey who had dropped all to come work here ad infinitum and Australian Kerrie who was training to become a helper. Both were beaming with joy.
After lunch we went into the rain forest to see the results of the Centre’s efforts and saw gangs of rehabilitated Orang Utans (which is Malay for "person of the forest’) who, successfully re introduced to the wild come to a jungle feeding station each afternoon for food with their numerous offspring. We stood mouths agape watching these stood in awe for an hour and watched these great apes swing through the trees The next day, my aches subsided, we took a boat and eat and play and were all truly moved. A life changing moment for my little boy, he assets that to Bako -Sarawaks oldest national park this was the best day of his life! Unfortunately established in 1957 - and took in a jungle walk Bornean orang-utan populations have declined by up and over a mess of tangled vines and rocks more than 50% over the past 60 years, and the covered by a canopy of trees until we stumbled species' habitat has been reduced by at least 55% onto this most beautiful barren beach where we over the past 20 years through logging but mainly had no option but to swim in the crystal clear waters. Our attentions thwarted we turned to see deforestation in pursuit of palm oil that is a a gang of long tailed macaque monkeys emptying vegetable oil has no nutritional value and is used in a huge variety of products – such as pizza our bags and running off with my wife’s dough, chocolate, instant noodles, margarine, antihistamine tablets and our snacks. We saw a pair of Bornean bearded pigs, a gang of proboscis biscuits, ice cream, pot noodles and packaged bread and the big one bio fuels that have three monkeys, a plantain squirrel, crazy looking frogs times the climate impact of traditional fossil fuels an a fluorescent green Asian pit viper wrapped - all of which are rather bad for us all. Palm around a branch. My 8-year-old son was so oil industry is responsible for about 5,000 land excited he could hardly speak while I made do with bad sunburn. It’s easy to forget that Borneo and human rights conflicts while Palm oil ranks among the U.S. Department of Labour’s top four is on the Equator. worst industries for forced and child labour. After a few hours in a cold bath, a liberal anointing in Aloe Vera and a big dose of painkillers I woke the next day looking like a
stir-fried with fragrant wild ginger flowers, onions and anchovies, Star gooseberry stir-fried with egg and giant jungle ferns stir-fried with fragrant wild ginger flowers. Simply incredible, it was a foreign and as unusual as Borneo itself. But that was typical of every meal we had. Top Spot is an aquatic food hall on the top of a multi story car park that serves some of the finest fish this reviewer has ever tasted that, cooked in a choice of sauces and style (e.g. fried, grilled, BBQ, with sambal, sweet and sour, soya or oyster sauce etc.), comes with rice and vegetables such Now fully into the Sarawak (an area the size of England and Scotland) experience we decided to as pok choi. At another food hall in the sticks we ate hinava (raw fish marinated with lime juice visit one of its 18 National Parks and opted for and herbs) is otak (rectangles of fish wrapped in Bako the oldest 22 miles north of Kuching on banana leaf and grilled over charcoal) and with the stunning Muara Teba Peninsular. After a noodles in a spicy soup and were smiled and short car journey and a quite stunning a speed waved at by the locals because, as Peter our boat ride we decided on the easiest of the rather wonderful guide explained, they had never organized jungle treks - Telok Paku - that, even seen white people before. though less than a mile or so took an hour (the longest is 8 hours) and was remarkably testing All in all Sarawak is an amazing place to visit .It is in the sweltering 100 degrees Fahrenheit and also really inexpensive. A double room at the 90 % humidity under dense canopy of trees. Its Riverside including a marvelous breakfast was virtually impossible to comprehend how British just £40 the same at the Damai beach Resort soldiers in 1945 might have walked with heavy guns, full packs in outfits not constructed for this while a three course meal for three of us including drinks at Dyak was AED £40 and a intense humidity through this tangle rock hard mere £45 at Top Spot for a feast including huge roots where one might easily snap an ankle, up prawns, crab, scallops and sea bass. But if you’re and down the steep micro hills under this on a real tight budget you could eat for £6 a day canopy of trees. They have my admiration. (a big bowl of Sarawak Laksa at Mom’s Laksa Kopitia is £1) and stay at the Home Stay Indeed all of these trips had been made from Kuching for £15 a night. But at whatever price Kuching which, but a few hours from most Sarawak is an amazing destination so much so locations on our list, is remarkable as it is a city that I was reluctant to write this as I would hate albeit at rather small one, By now we had to see this destination spoiled by hordes of switched hotels to the lovely five star Riverside Majestic that, less modern than the Pullman, was tourists in search of cheap thrills as it’s more than that. infinitely more charming. We had stayed one night at the tree houses in Permai Rainforest But at whatever price, Sarawak, is a truly amazing Resort that overlooking the beach are indeed very rustic very novel and certainly worth a look. destination that, almost untouched by tourism, is waiting to be discovered by the world. I’d get there soon if I were you. Steeped in the island culture that evening we dined at a rather special restaurant, The Dyak, a restaurant that purveys a mix of Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ul cuisine, which was again a new one on me. On the recommendation of Dyak’s For all info www.sarawaktourism.com owner Alistair (his grandmother was a Dayak Princess whose feet were never allowed to touch the floor) we feasted on chicken cooked in CHRIS SULLIVAN FLEW MALAYSIAN AIRLINES. bamboo with tapioca leaves; Tilapia garnished with ginger and chillies, wrapped in turmeric leaf THANKS TO JO HARTLEY AT HILL BALFOUR and steam-baked Dayak style. Bitter nuts (petai) FOR ARRANGING THE TRIP. Palm oil development allows poachers into exposed habitats that have been cleared for plantations. It is this estimated that the Sumatran tiger will be extinct in less than three years if nothing is done to protect their habitat or combat poachers. As for orang-utans the most threatened are those that live in Northwest Borneo around Sarawak. A mere 1,500 individuals or so remain. Something has to be done.
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SARAWAK
MilliOnAir | TRAVEL WITH ALISON LOWE MBE
Tbilisi loves you …. and we love you right By Fashion & Travel Contributor Alison Lowe MBE
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you arrive in the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia the first thing you will notice, when you open your phone, is that there is free WIFI network across the city called “Tbilisi Loves You.” That is the start of what will become a mutual love affair, as Tbilisi we love you right back!
I have been travelling to Tbilisi for four years as a guest of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) Tbilisi and each time my love of the city, the country, the fashion and the people grows. It is hard to decide where to start to share the many elements of this country that I love, as Georgia is a land of endless discovery and wonders. Georgia is currently being credited by all the international travel press as being the coolest ‘hipster’ hotspots to visit. The capital Tbilisi is changing and adapting to meet the needs of international tourists, however throughout the country there are still areas unspoilt by tourism which are full of authentic character. Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, Georgia has a unique culture, with elements from east and west that results in an experience like no other in the world. Georgia is one of the crossroads on the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes that connected China with the Mediterranean. Formally known as the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, the country declared independence from Russia in 1991 and is now known simply as Georgia. It is a small country with a big personality and its passionate residents are welcoming and hospitable, encouraging visitors to come and share their inspirational landscapes, delicious foods and wines, and discover their fashion.
Every year when I visit, I stay in the capital city Tbilisi , which is a charming mix of modern and traditional architecture. For me, the draw is the Old Town, where I can spend hours wandering along narrow cobbled stone streets, peering into doorways that reveal the history of old Tbilisi and admiring the original architecture of intricately carved verandas which are balanced precariously above colourful houses and old shops. Around every corner, between the high fashion stores and the international hotels, there are small doorways or basements where the locals sell their produce, vintage clothing or books alongside street stalls and flower sellers. I have always stayed at Rooms Hotel in Tbilisi, which is a very cool, designer hotel created from a former publishing house in a very eclectic part of the city. The hotel is a hub for both local and international creatives, a cool place to stay, hang out with friends, have a meeting or just chill. Alongside modern architectural elements the hotel also includes industrial Soviet-era style features, vintage Georgian furnishings and local artworks. There is always a warm welcome at the hotel with attentive staff and great food, so Rooms Hotel always offers a charming stay. During my visit in May this year, I also took the opportunity to visit another hotel in the group, Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi. Lots of my fellow fashionistas had visited during their stays for fashion week and I had been very jealous of their experiences, so this time decided to go and see what it was all about. I decided to take a personal tour and was introduced to the charming Kartlos, the founder of Inter Georgia Travel who was my driver and tour guide for the day trip to the mountains. Kartlos made the whole experience, as he was so knowledgeable about the history of the region as well as passionate about promoting his country. He stopped at all the key historic places on the way, found the best small restaurant for a lunch of local speciality khinkali and Chacha (a local brandy or vine vodka that is known for curing all evils!!) before heading along the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi. Along the route we passed some fabulous new ski resorts that will definitely be on my hit list for future visits, as although I don’t enjoy the actual skiing, I love the community and après ski life and it looks like this would be a rich experience in Georgia. The area is officially called Stepantsminda but it
is more commonly called Kazbegi. The national park is located in the northern slopes of the Caucasus mountains and the Kazbegi mountain is surrounded by religious traditions and myths. The town is utterly charming and great place to use as base camp for walking, hiking or skiing. At the top of the town is the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, which offers stunning views of the mountains. The architecturally designed hotel has all the excellent design features, warm hospitality and creative community that we now expect from Rooms. My fleeting visit did include a hot coffee and honey cake on the terrace as we looked out over the mountains to the picturesque Gergeti Trinity Church in the distance. It is a long drive to Kazbegi for a day trip but it was still worth it, but next time I plan on staying in Rooms and discovering a bit more of the area. Alongside my tourist activity in Georgia, my central reason for being there was of course for the fashion week. I was thrilled to be invited again to visit and view the collections and meet the designers in May this year. As I have written about before, MBFW Tbilisi is having a huge fashion moment. Due to the hard work and dedication of founder Sofia Tchkonia, as well as her passion to support her country, MBFW Tbilisi has become the must-see fashion week each season, garnering more interest and excitement now than the big four. The fashion week draws press and buyers from across the world who are looking to discover the new talent on show, following the success of brands like Vetements and David Koma and of course local creative Demna Gvasalia who is now the artistic director at Balenciaga. The history and geography of Georgia means that creative talent finds inspiration from multiple influences, which results in unique designs. The designers in Georgia are encouraged to push the boundaries of their creative talent rather than conform to a recognised fashion industry system. There are still multiple challenges for the new fashion brands, including limited access to fabrics, business support and mentoring as well as the challenges of manufacturing and exporting to international markets.
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Yet they are overcoming these challenges and breaking out of Georgia to share their talent across the globe. There isn’t an international fashion magazine across the globe that isn’t writing about the fashion talent in Tbilisi, so all eyes are focussed on this fashion capital to see where our next trends will come from. One thing that I found surprising when I first visited the fashion week was how supportive the designers were of each other. Having been used to European and American brands being so secretive and fearful of other brands and designers, I was surprised to find such a collaborative approach in Georgia. From the Vetements collective led by Gvasalia to fashion house Material, which has become a kind of incubator for creative directors, there is an inherent supportive attitude. The designers support each other’s shows and there appears to be a very close community with designers, stores, factories and industry bodies all working together. One way that this became apparent to me this season was when I went to visit the new flagship
store from handbag brand Moods Collection. I have followed Moods Collection for a couple of seasons and love the bags, so was thrilled to support owner Nino Giorgadze and visit her new store in Tbilisi. In the store Nino has curated a great display of the brands own collection ,but also invited other Georgian fashion designers to showcase their work in store. The new store is in a prime location, based on the same street, Kote Afkhazi Street, as my favourite concept stores DOTS and Materiel, which sell many of the designers showing at MBFW Tbilisi. There were too many fantastic brands at MBFW Tbilisi to talk about in this feature, but alongside all my favourites this season, including Irma De Flore, Elenny, Mach & Mach, Babukhadia, Eloshi, Liya and Materiel, there are a couple I have to pick out. One of the benefits of the fashion week is the stunning locations around Tbilisi that the designers choose to host their shows in. These include stunning homes, the Writers House, a Silk Factory, car parks, traditional restaurants, basketball courts and even the Opera House, but this season two brands went one step further.
The first was SITUATIONIST, a brand that is now getting international acclaim. This season it has to be their show venue that stood out, although their collection also had many highlights, as the brand continues to develop strong signature looks. This season the brand decided to take the fashion crowd out of their comfort zone and show the collection at the Chronicle of Georgia, a majestic, monolithic memorial site high up above Tbilisi – think Stonehenge x 10. On a beautiful day it would have been dramatic, but the drama was increased by storm force winds and rain that nearly ripped the clothes from the models during some gusts. Anywhere else in the world the show may have been canceled, but the show must go on in Georgia and fashion crowd stayed the course to support the brand. The other unusual venue this season was from the brand ANOUKI who took us to view their show on a real runway at the Tbilisi International Airport. With passports in hand, the fashion crowd went through security and on to a shuttle bus to an airport hanger with a Georgian Airline plane in it, on the edge of the working runway. With planes taking off alongside us during the catwalk show, the ANOUKI collection impressed with 80s inspired, glamorous looks that would be a great edition to any international starlets wardrobe. My time in Tbilisi is never long enough and I am always sad to leave. As always I can’t wait to return in the future to visit not only the capital but also venture off the beaten path to discover more of this magical land. High on the agenda next time is Kakheti, which is the region where wines have been made for at least 8000 years. Of course I am going to view the history of this region, but will also have to sample some of the fine produce, as Georgian red wine has become another element that I love about this country.
SITUATIONIST
ANOUKI
Tbilisi we love you and can’t wait to come back! Alison Lowe MBE
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Lee Lapthorne
MilliOnAir | DESIGN
DE SI GN
/d 'z n/ decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), by making a detailed drawing of it. "a number of fashion students were designing a garment"
Read on for design inspiration...
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MilliOnAir | ART FILE
Creative Talent
Lee Lapthorne
Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Artist, mentor and art director, Lee Lapthorne has been selected as the new artist in residence at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford upon Avon, where he has created two unique sofas for the Trust. 'The Bard's Rest' is currently being shown at Hall's Croft, and 'The Love Settle' can be enjoyed in the gardens of Anne Hathaway's cottage. The Stratford Gallery is absolutely delighted to be showing Lee's first hand built works in porcelain, reflecting the works of Shakespeare, as part of his cultural engagement with the town.
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The Love Settle is an outdoor garden lounger bearing intricate digital, screen-printed and embroidered weatherproof fabric inspired by love and romance in Shakespeare’s world. The Mygind Design Scandinavia two-seater garden lounger features a modern-interpretation of Shakespeare’s quotes, characters from his plays and items from the collection, including the famous Second Best Bed. Visitors can see the Love Settle in the beautiful historic gardens of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Lee's success stems from his unprecedented drive and unique approach to his art. Effortlessly shifting energy from working in partnership with brands and clients creating a backdrop and a concept from which to showcase their work, to his pivotal role leading the team at On|Off, on the search for the next big thing. This is all really second nature to Lapthorne. Through the years Lee Lapthorne has collaborated with talents such as Rankin, Groove Armada, and most recently, Haris Nukem, as well as producing over 300 shows globally for the likes of Peter Pilotto, J.W. Anderson, Roksanda Ilincic, Gareth Pugh and Gucci, among many more. The Bard’s Rest is a modern-interpretation of a Greaves & Thomas pop-up sofa designed with bespoke textiles inspired by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s museum and archive collection including intricate embroidery from a 16th century sweet purse, and the original rosette from David Garrick’s Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769*. The Bard’s Rest will be displayed in Hall’s Croft the elegant Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna, and her physician husband John Hall.
www.leelapthorne.com www.thestrattfordgallery.co.uk www.shakespeare.org.uk
MILLIONAIR
MILLIONAIR
MilliOnAir | BRITISH BRAND FILE
Ethical & Sustainable British Brand ASPIGA Founded by Lucy Macnamara
Launched in 2006 with a beautifully beaded Kenyan sandal, ethical brand ASPIGA is now a leading British sustainable fashion and accessories brand. Founded by British entrepreneur, charity worker and passionate philanthropist, Lucy Macnamara, ASPIGA beach actively stimulates the economies of talented artisans in developing countries.
“I was in Southern Africa and fell in love with the most beautiful Kenyan leather beaded sandals and spotted an opportunity to bring them back to sell in the UK. I’m passionate about fighting poverty and realised I could provide much needed jobs to local men and women in Africa, and also keep the artisanal traditions alive,” commented founder Lucy Macnamara. A humanitarian by nature, Lucy built her career in the charity sector, working 12 years for the Prince of Wales charity, Business in the Community. She had always wanted to run her own business, and after discovering the beautiful sandals, dedicated all her spare time over two years to developing the Aspiga Beach concept.
“I knew I had found something special and after two years of research and development I launched them to the trade in London. They were snapped up by 40 stockists including Fenwick of Bond Street. I was thrilled and at this point left my job to work full time on ASPIGA”. Over the past thirteen years, Lucy has mentored the Kenyan artisans who produce her collection, as well as providing investment and financial support. The success of ASPIGA has seen these businesses grow from one founder to over twenty members of staff.
“To be in partnership with these talented artisans and see their businesses grow is my greatest achievement. I have now started fund-raising for an orphanage in North Kenya,” continued Lucy. Subsequent to the sandal success, cross body beaded bags and belts followed, then in 2015 Lucy went onto launch a ready-to-wear bohemian inspired clothing. The range of breezy maxi and midi dresses, skirts and shirts, all in timeless silhouettes with bold embroideries and tassel details are perfect for the free-spirited traveller. Using eco-friendly linen, the collection is made as sustainably and ethically as possible. ASPIGA recently opened its first pop-up shop on the Kings Road the collection is available from
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MilliOnAir | ART FILES
Artist in residence... Graham Black Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Photograph by Tif Hunter
GRAHAM BLACK
is a silkscreen printmaker based on a working dairy farm in St Buryan, near Penzance, in Cornwall. His affinity with West Penwith’s rugged coastal landscape motivates and underpins much of his work. The rocks and pebbles discovered on his daily walks, surfs and bike rides around Land’s End are a major influence, as are the twisted, distorted Monterey pine trees that inform his Japanese-woodblock-inspired prints. Black works predominantly with silkscreen printmaking but increasingly eschews the traditional mechanical approach to this process by deliberately painting pigment directly onto the screen to create spontaneous inking effects, rendering each of his prints unique. His technical skill and artistry, tethered to his fresh approach to and empathy with the local landscape, saw him selected as a member of the renowned Cornwall Crafts Association. His work is sold and seen at Newlyn Art Gallery, The Exchange in Penzance, and Trelissick, Trelowarren and Padstow Galleries. He is also a senior lecturer in Illustration at Falmouth University. The wilds of Kernow are a world away from Black’s former metropolitan life as art director of magazines and campaigns for some of the biggest, most respected brands in publishing, including the Financial Times, The Economist and The Observer. He grew up in South London and Sussex, where he studied for a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration at Brighton University, but has been drawn to the Cornish coast since his early childhood. Relocating there in 2016 to focus on his printmaking, he says he has ‘finally come home’.
www.bureauxblack.co.uk graham@bureauxblack.co.uk
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MilliOnAir | HIGH JEWELLERY
A NEW PHASE IN CARTIER’S STYLISTIC ADVENTURE UNFOLDS. Edited by Jewellery Director Marcella Martinelli
At the heart of Magnitude, the new High Jewellery collection by Cartier, materials collide in a marriage of precious stones and ornamental hard stones rarely seen in High Jewellery. An unexpected encounter, a stylistic feature steeped in character that balances technique with creative flair, updated by Cartier time and again since the early 20th century.
In Magnitude, Cartier brings together with bold, creative panache materials that were never meant to meet. Diamond allows rutilated quartz to sparkle; sapphire shines alongside matrix opal; emerald gleams next to rock crystal, and pink diamond is coupled with morganite and coral. Side by side the gems converse in a dialogue that flits between opacity and transparency, the mineral and the precious, pure colours and shimmering nuances, earth and light.
Original form, landscaped material, primary colours, varied nuances: the design translates the power of confrontation through an interplay of lines, ruptured rhythms and flowing movements. Light flashes from stones that bear the memory of the world. From this glittering collision, rippling rays of light project the force of the origins into the future.
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Aldo Cibic for Selva: Pont Table is born Verona, June 2019 - 2019 is a very important year for Selva, full of big news, as the partnership with important international designers. In this scenario, the Pont table is born, designed by Aldo Cibic; an iconic piece of furniture expressing a structural and poetical idea of design using solid wood. “Its profile is like a bridge and actually, from the symbolic point of view, I like it very much”; that’s why the table has this name. Made of ash wood, it consists of two parts: the plane is large, geometric and slim and the curved legs, smooth and oval enlarging reaching the intersection. A big table (cm L 270 - D 115 - H 73) with a structural lightness out of the ordinary. A traditional piece of furniture with a well defined, versatile and strongly impressed contemporary personality: the Pont table sets perfectly in the Selva living philosophy, with an incredible mix and match of styles, materials and colours. With its Ash Dark, Ash Tobacco and Ash White finishings, the Pont table places itself as a must have for all design dining spaces all over the world.
Selva srl Via J.Selva, 307 37050 Isola Rizza (VR) Italy selva@selva.com P. +39 045 6999111 www.selva.com
In the picture the Pont table by Aldo Cibic for Selva
Press office Terzomillennium Barbara Bruno barbara@terzomillennium.net P. +39 045 6050601 www.terzomillennium.net
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Passion for Millinery Edited by Marcella Martinelli
Rachel Trevor-Morgan childhood ambition was to become an actress and this developed into a keen interest in theatre costume. It is from this sense of the dramatic, coupled with her mother's love of hats, that Rachel's passion for millinery has evolved. Rachel gained apprenticeships with Philip Somerville and Graham Smith. The latter was her biggest influence: he offered a rigorous training in the disciplined craft of millinery whilst maintaining the individuality of design and flawless finish which are central to its art. This background has given Rachel a strong base in couture millinery where each hat is hand blocked and stitched and every flower hand dyed and rolled. Rachel now operates from her 17th century atelier in London St James's where she delivers private client commissions. Her mission is to provide her clients with the perfect hat or headpiece. She is renowned for her beautiful handwork and design resulting in the glamorous, feminine elegance on which she has built her reputation. Her success arises from a passion for her craft, and an understanding of the balance required for a hat to flatter and finish an outfit. In the summer of 2006, Rachel was given the accolade of being appointed to design hats for H.M. The Queen, who has worn Rachel’s hats on many high profile occasions: Royal Ascot, Her 80th birthday celebrations at St Paul’s, Her Diamond Wedding celebration at Westminster Abbey, meeting George Bush in Washington, to name but a few. In January 2014 Rachel was given a Royal Warrant for HM The Queen. Rachel also designs hats for other members of the Royal family. Over the years Rachel has provided many of London's top fashion retailers with beautiful and contemporary designs: including Harrods, Fenwick, Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason. In 1997 Rachel launched her first bridal headdress collection. Her fresh approach to bridal headwear offers an alternative to the modern bride. Rachel is known for her soft and feminine signature feathers and flowers. These pieces are for the couture bride. www.racheltrevormorgan.com 18 Crown Passage, King Street, London SW1Y6PP
MilliOnAir | NEWS
NE WS /nju z/ a broadcast or published report of news. plural noun: the news synonyms: report, announcement, story, account; (news) item, article, news flash, newscast "I've got some good news for you" Read on for the Latest NEWS...
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MilliOnAir | EXHIBITION
BVLGARI unveils the exhibition The Story, The Dream
at Castel Sant'Angelo and Palazzo Venezia
(from left) Lucia Boscaini, Cecilia Matteucci Lavarini and Jean-Christophe Babin
From 26 June, the exhibition BVLGARI, the story, the dream will open in two locations run by Polo Museale del Lazio: Palazzo Venezia and Castel Sant’Angelo. The exhibition project is the work of Polo Museale del Lazio, directed by Edith Gabrielli, in collaboration with Bvlgari, with contents selected by a scientific advisory board of distinguished academics such as Francesco Benigno (Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa), Chiara Ottaviano (sociologist and historian of mass communication), Daniela Luigia Caglioti (Federico II University in Naples), Emanuela Scarpellini (Milan University). The themes relating to Bvlgari’s style and creativity have been developed by Lucia Boscaini, Bvlgari’s Brand and Heritage Curator.
Curated by Chiara Ottaviano, the exhibition follows Bvlgari’s history as an example of the success of an Italian company in the transition from being a small, family-run firm to a global luxury brand. Bvlgari stories and anecdotes will be included in a broader study of the decisive factors in securing the international standing of Italianproduced fashion and design with its unique mix of originality, excellent craftsmanship, richness and tradition. The show incudes jewels from the company’s Heritage Collection, some of which are being exhibited for the first time, as well as creations on loan from important private collections. The exhibition narrative will be enriched with previously-unseen archive documentation, historic photos and films covering over one hundred years of the Maison’s history, interlaced with numerous stories relating to the economy, society and customs. As an elegant counterpoint to the jewels of the Brand’s Heritage Collection, the haute couture dresses from Cecilia Matteucci Lavarini’s private collection give a vivid feeling of the tastes and trends of the various epochs in which the Bvlgari story has unfolded. The story starts with the company's founder, Sotirio Bulgari, the talented silversmith who left Greece and came to Rome in 1884 looking for his fortune. It then covers family anecdotes, marketing strategies and creative intuition right up to the beginning of the 1990s. The Maison's success with wealthy clients and prominent socialites is a further element to illustrate the affirmation of the Brand and its network of contacts. The jewels that were owned and worn by the stars of the Dolce Vita like Elizabeth Taylor, Gina Lollobrigida, Ingrid Bergman, Anna Magnani and Audrey Hepburn reflect the international fame achieved by the brand in the period after the Second World War, a critical time for the rebirth of both Rome and Italy as a whole.
lines that are typical of Bvlgari. The Maison's particularly popular and distinctive iconic creations include the gold jewels set with ancient coins which reflect its talent in revisiting old traditions in a highly contemporary manner. The creations from the 1980s and 90s, modular and wearable at any time of day, illustrate the Brand’s ability to be in tune with the dynamic life of working women. The exhibition will play on the idea of a “corridor through time” with a series of installations featuring arches and steps welcoming mannequins dressed in the outfits - both onlookers and protagonists of the various eras that are described in the route. “The exhibition is the product of a rigorous, balanced and transparent academic project,” underlines Edith Gabrielli, director of the Lazio Museum Centre. “I already believed that Bvlgari is one of the most impressive Italian businesses, and my opinion has been confirmed. It is so in the history of taste, because the Bvlgari brand encapsulates a great tradition of technique and beauty in applied arts. It is so in the history of work: we should never forget the hundreds of people, mainly Italian nationals, who are employed in the manufacture at Valenza or in the Maison's headquarters in Florence and in Rome. For this reason, organizing an exhibition about Bvlgari and with Bvlgari is definitely a positive contribution to our country.”
“This is a unique chance to rediscover Bvlgari’s history and creativity as an icon of Italianproduced craftsmanship, beautifully enhanced by the splendid settings of Castel Sant’Angelo and Palazzo Venezia. The talent, passion and ability to capture the spirit of the time possessed by the company founder Sotirio Bulgari and subsequent generations of his family have shaped the history of jewellery in general, and this success story in particular,”
The show will focus on the key aspects that make Bvlgari's style unique and recognisable still today, as the emblem of an Italian school of jewellery with ancient roots and which is constantly evolving. The exhibition thus explained Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the showcases the most emblematic jewels that capture the excellence in craftsmanship, the taste Bvlgari Group. for colour, the sumptuous shapes and rounded
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Guests included: Carey Mulligan, Daniel Lismore, Anna Cl
“The valuable research carried out with the technical committee and the curator, Chiara Ottaviano, has enabled us to present the company's history in a very original way, interweaving it with topics and anecdotes that start in Rome to extend to the whole world” added Lucia Boscaini, Bvlgari’s Brand and Heritage Curator.
leveland, Greta Ferro, Lilly zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Alessio Lapice, Carlota Bulgari.
The catalogue coming with the exhibition is published by Rizzoli and will be available in the two museums and the in the most important bookshops all over the world. Following the exhibition itinerary through photos of jewels from Bvlgari Heritage Collection and of dresses from Cecilia Matteucci Lavarini’s collection, the book is enriched by researches and contributions written by members of the Scientific Committee and by historians of enterprise, cinema, fashion and anthropology. In addition, a portfolio of yet unpublished pictures by photographer Chiara Quadri, offers a new interpretation of the two collections.
Alisa Connan Cover Makeup Artist p100
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MilliOnAir | CONVERSATIONS WITH
Mike Flache
A visionary with a twist By Business Editor Elise Quevedo
He is one of the best entrepreneurial minds I have encountered, and he is a visionary in the world of investment and digital growth. I could not think of a better individual to feature this summer than Mike. I’ve had countless conversations with him, and each time he blows my mind. I now understand why so many Fortune 500 companies are looking for his advice. Mike is someone I highly respect. He has spent many years behind the scenes, advising some of the best brands around the globe, and now it’s time to share with the world who this amazing individual is in his first ever in-depth interview. So, I thank Mike for giving me this privilege. He is a true warrior in the business world!
T
here are people in this world whose presence is immediately felt as soon as they walk into a room, even before they say a word. That describes entrepreneur, angel investor and advisor Mike Flache, a humble, down to earth, unique human being with a lot of knowledge to share. If I had to compare him to an A list celebrity, so you can understand the type of person he is, I would say he is a mixture of Keanu Reeves and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I say like Keanu because of his humbleness, the way he stays out of the public eye and because of all of the philanthropic things he has done without looking for recognition. And he is like Dwayne, because trust me, when it comes to business, Mike simply kicks ass just like Dwayne does! He does not conform to anyone; he is a shark in business and his successful ventures show that. Don't try to bullshit Mike Flache, as he will see through it in a heartbeat and, just like Dwayne, he will not let anyone stop him from achieving whatever he puts his mind to.
Mike is not your typical entrepreneur and angel investor. Together with talented teams he builds digital businesses worldwide. He believes in emerging technologies, mutual appreciation, and values diversity to accelerate digital growth and develop the successful companies of tomorrow. His mission statement? “Enabling Digital growth to create sustainable added value for people, businesses and the environment” Mike spends much of his time helping build high-tech startups in Silicon Valley, Europe and Asia. In selected cases, he also serves as an advisor to companies from traditional industries to help them master digital growth. He has worked with founders and executives of top companies such as Coca-Cola, MercedesBenz, Huawei, Silicon Valley Innovation Center, BMC and Codetrails, just to name a few. And if that wasn’t enough, he is a partner of venture capital and private equity firms like V/G Ventures, a recognized global thought leader, an international speaker, the creator of the “Digital Growth Sessions”, a Top 10 influencer for digital transformation and a member of the Global Business Leaders Institute.
SO MIKE, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND? When I look back, two things in my life have played a big role since my early childhood: performance and technology. As a 6-year-old, I discovered my passion for soccer through my parents. Over the years, the initial kick turned into a competitive sport: training five times a week, competitions on weekends and traveling thousands of miles a year. All this parallel to going to school. In my heydays, I was under contract with the youth team of a German Bundesliga club and belonged to the extended squad of the German youth national team. At that time, despite facing numerous hardships as a 15-year-old teenager, it was a lot of fun for me. Through sport, I was able to see much of the world at an early age. In addition, I learned how to set goals in life and actually implement them. I also learned how to deal with defeat and stay motivated. Soccer defined my life at the time. However, I lacked the mental balance. That changed suddenly when I discovered computers in the early 1980s. AMAZING, MANY YOUNG BOYS DREAM OF PLAYING SOCCER AND YOU ACTUALLY GOT TO LIVE THAT DREAM. WHAT A GREAT KICK START IN LIFE! WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN TECHNOLOGY AT A YOUNG AGE? What fascinates me about computers until today is programming. For example, a complex problem can be solved with just a few lines of code, which is just awesome. Sure, things were quite different back then compared to today's possibilities. But it was not less exciting. Quite the opposite. I still remember exactly how, as a 9-year-old, I had saved my allowance to buy the book "Computer Programming in Assembler". When I held it in my hands, I virtually devoured the content. Granted, I did not immediately
understand everything at first. But dedication and constant experimentation brought me closer, step by step, to my first own computer program. That was a great feeling. Today I know that computer programming was an important balance for me at that time. It proved to be more than that, when I had to give up my career as a competitive athlete at the age of 17 due to a serious accident. Fortunately, despite this difficult time, I did not face a bottomless pit. My exploration of technology gave me a new perspective at that time. It helped me deal with emotional ups and downs after the accident. So, I turned from performance sports to performance business. Over the years, I have established my own ventures and supported various technology companies. I THINK YOU HAVE JUST TAUGHT A GREAT LESSON HERE. IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A DIVERSE SET OF SKILLS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IN LIFE. AS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND ANGEL INVESTOR, YOU BUILD DIGITAL BUSINESSES TOGETHER WITH TALENTED TEAMS WORLDWIDE, TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THAT. I am involved in more than 15 companies and projects in different areas. With that in mind, it's not so easy to highlight a specific topic [laughs]. As an entrepreneur and angel investor, I spend much of my time helping build high-tech startups in Silicon Valley, Europe and Asia. The focus is on disruptive business models in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, SaaS, and financial technology. In selected cases, I also serve as an advisor to companies from traditional industries to help them master digital growth. As a globally recognized thought leader in the field of digital transformation, I work with executives of Fortune 500 companies, innovators and institutions. I also share personal insights with people across the world through keynotes, panels, media, and events. 265
I am a partner of venture capital and private equity firms, such as V/G Ventures Switzerland. I am also one of the founders of “Safe Water Gardens�, a nonprofit organization that uses digitalization to address the global sanitation crisis. I find this diversity of topics a great asset. On the one hand, I am learning something new every day. On the other hand, the companies and their teams benefit from it. For example, we transfer strategic innovations from disruptive business models to traditional businesses. This creates completely new business opportunities for these companies. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO SUCCEED IN THE DIGITAL WORLD? Our world is experiencing a digital transformation that is fundamentally reinventing the customer experience. IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data are pushing companies to change their operations processes. Organizations that are able to adapt faster to these circumstances have a significant competitive advantage. In most cases, however, this also requires a change in the corporate and management culture. The latter must be open, collaborative and less authoritarian. Startups certainly have advantages over corporations in this regard. YOUR MISSION IS TO ENABLE DIGITAL GROWTH TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE ADDED VALUE FOR PEOPLE, BUSINESSES AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? Whether profit or nonprofit organization, every business basically has one simple task: to improve people's lives and/or the state of nature and the environment. This requires a high degree of added value. The digital world offers enormous potential in that regard. Together with talented teams in startups, corporates and NGOs, I want to open up these opportunities and create sustainable added value for people, businesses and the environment through digital growth. To do this, I bring three things to my projects:
access to capital, entrepreneurial experience and a worldwide network of contacts. WHAT SHOULD ENTREPRENEURS CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR AND SELECTING PARTNERS FOR THEIR BUSINESS? Finding good business partners is crucial to success. Therefore, entrepreneurs should put great emphasis on proper selection. There are many different types of business partners, e.g. a co-founder who helps build the joint venture; or individuals and companies that contribute in specific areas such as sales, marketing, engineering, etc. Each business partner has a direct influence on the development of the company. Therefore, three essential questions have to be answered in advance: First, does the potential partner fit the business model? Second, does the partnership create a strategic and/or operational added value? And third, do both partners share the same vision and values? For the analysis, as an entrepreneur you should not forget the most important thing in the end: Above all, you have to like and trust your business partner. GREAT BREAKDOWN, THANK YOU MIKE. WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FACTORS FOR A BUSINESS TO DRIVE DIGITAL GROWTH? A dedicated team! That sounds simpler than it actually is. Because you can quickly find people in your own company who are interested in digital growth. However, it is far more difficult to find people who have the necessary experience to plan, develop and sustain digital growth from the ground up. An additional factor is the right mix of skills in the team. You need team members with different abilities, e.g. people who can look beyond their own business, industry and competitive landscape.
''Mike is not your typical entrepreneur and angel investor. Together with talented teams he builds digital businesses worldwide. He believes in emerging technologies, mutual appreciation, and values diversity to accelerate digital growth and develop the successful companies of tomorrow.'' My experience is that you will not find all the right people in your own company. In that case, it is a good idea to look for corresponding key competences from outside sources for a certain time.
THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY NEED TO CUT THEIR LOSSES. WHAT DO YOU KNOW TODAY THAT YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHEN YOU FIRST GOT INTO BUSINESS?
However, the overall goal remains the same: to increase added value in the company.
As a young entrepreneur, I too often focused on the product or service we developed with our team. At that time, I assumed that the rest of the world would respond as enthusiastically as we did.
WE TEND TO FOCUS ON SUCCESS, BUT WHAT ABOUT MISTAKES? CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ONE OF YOUR BUSINESS MISTAKES IN THE PAST AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT? First of all, it is important to understand that mistakes are good because they provide us with the opportunity to learn and to improve ourselves. I was born and raised in Germany. So, I know well that this point of view is not very widespread in my home country. The motto is: "Whoever fails is a failure!" This is quite different in the USA, where the "culture of failure" is part of entrepreneurial life, just like binary code is part of the computer. And that brings big advantages. Especially in light of the rapid speed in the global markets. I have already experienced this in my projects: For the new product of a software company, we had developed a go-to-market strategy. Although market research provided positive feedback, the product definitely could not prevail on the market. After a few months, we decided to no longer pursue the go-to-market. That was disappointing for us personally. However, the company saved several million dollars over the medium to long term from this "rapid failure�. I AGREE WITH YOUR LAST STATEMENT, I FEEL COMPANIES SOMETIMES KEEP GOING FOR LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD, EVEN
Of course, that was not the case [laughs]. Today I know that it is all about people: customers, employees, business partners, shareholders, journalists, etc. They all need to benefit from a win-win situation under one hat. This is often enough strength to act. But one that pays off to make the company successful. SPOT ON MIKE! THAT THINKING COMES WITH AGE, WISDOM AND EXPERIENCE. WE NEED TO LEARN THAT JUST BECAUSE WE THINK OUR PRODUCT/IDEA IS THE BEST THING IN THE PLANET, THAT NOT EVERYONE MIGHT THINK THE SAME. LIKE MYSELF, YOU ARE ALSO A GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADER FOR FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? To be an acknowledged global thought leader, I associate first and foremost with responsibility and the task of sharing my own view and knowledge with others. I am convinced that we can only solve the challenges of the future - whether digital or analogue - together. Collaborations between people and between companies are an important key to this.
My most recent positive experience was the 18th Responsible Business Summit Europe 2019, which is hosted by the Ethical Corporation every year. 500 business leaders travelled to London to outline new strategies, investments and collaborations targeting climate and social challenges.
employment opportunities. A 2017 study by Accenture Strategy estimated that smart city applications enabled by 5G networks could create three million new jobs over the next seven years. It will certainly take some time before we can fully exploit the potential and see concrete applications or business models being implemented.
Sure, economic growth and profit will continue to play a role in business - but not exclusively anymore. It is time to redefine our understanding ARE WE OVERUSING THE TERM "DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION"? WHAT IS THE of success and responsibility. REAL IMPACT ON VALUE CREATION AND COULD NOT AGREE MORE. THERE IS A LOT DIGITAL GROWTH? OF TALK ABOUT 5G AND ARTIFICIAL That's a good question, Elise. INTELLIGENCE IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR I believe that we should pay less attention to VIEWS ON HOW THESE AREAS WILL buzzwords, but rather to what is actually behind CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD those terms. OPERATES? Emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, or Robotics, are changing the world. Especially AI and the new mobile standard 5G will transform our (business) world from the ground up because the opportunities to create sustainable added value for people, businesses and the environment through these technologies are countless. Take, for example, artificial intelligence in healthcare: innovators in the industry are already using AI to predict the likelihood of disease. Intelligent analysis of large amounts of data can also help identify the causes of diseases and how to treat them. In order to solve the infrastructure challenges of our cities, 5G can contribute significantly, e.g. through networking of intelligent vehicles with road network systems, traffic can flow more efficiently. This has a positive impact on the environment.
Digital disruption addresses the impact of the change processes we are witnessing whenever new technologies penetrate business operations and the market. That sounds a bit scientific [laughs]. However, digital disruption is much more than propagated by analysts and vendors. For most companies, this is now harsh reality causing them to possibly risk falling behind. Future-oriented CEOs and executives see this situation as an opportunity to develop revolutionary products, services, or even business models, e.g. through innovation within the organization or from outside. Let’s take the Forbes Insights / Treasure Data survey: 57% of surveyed companies promote innovation either through partnerships with, or acquisitions of, innovators, start-ups or disruptive businesses. The term digital disruption may be worn out by its inflationary use. Looking at the details behind it reveals the true impact on companies and the opportunities for digital growth and value creation.
Emerging technologies also create new
''Mike spends much of his time helping build high-tech startups in Silicon Valley, Europe and Asia. In selected cases, he also serves as an advisor to companies from traditional industries to help them master digital growth.''
FOR THOSE WANTING TO UNDERSTAND DIGITAL GROWTH BETTER, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? Personally, I find "How to Go Digital: Practical Wisdom to Help Drive Your Organizational Digital Transformation (The Digital Future of Management)" by MIT Sloan Management Review exciting. The book offers advice from management experts on how to drive your business into the digital future. "Leading from Within: Conscious Social Change and Mindfulness for Social Innovation" by Gretchen Ki Steidle is also worth reading. Steidle describes how personal investment in self-esteem can shape leaders, inspire change in others, build stronger relationships, and design innovative and more sustainable solutions. Last but not least, I recommend "Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy - and How to Make Them Work for You," a book by authors Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, and Sangeet Paul Choudary. These three highly sought-after experts on platform businesses reveal the “what, how and why” of this revolution and provide the first "user manual" for building a successful platform business. BRILLIANT RECOMMENDATIONS! I’M SURE A FEW PEOPLE WILL BE ADDING THOSE TO THEIR READING LIST. WHAT AD-HOC PRACTICAL TIPS/ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD? This question cannot be answered in a simple blanket statement. It depends on many different factors, e.g. in which industry does the company operate and in which phase is the market? Most important, however, is the personality of the entrepreneur - if he or she is a hero, team player, patriarch, adventurer, or explorer.
topics in everyday business. This makes it hard to see beyond what is right in front of you, which makes it significantly harder to make informed decisions. That's why I take one week off every quarter. I actually set an appointment with “myself”. During this week, I do things that have nothing to do with the business at all. For example, I go mountain hiking, try out new sports or just read a book on the beach. No matter what I do, after this week, I return to work with a clear mind and rejuvenated gut instinct. WISE WORDS MIKE. SOME ENTREPRENEURS ARE ON THE GO ALL THE TIME AND END UP BURNING OUT. TAKING TIME OUT IS PARAMOUNT, EVEN IF IT’S JUST A FEW MINUTES PER WEEK. AS A TRUSTED ADVISOR, YOU WORK WITH MANY EXECUTIVES ACROSS THE GLOBE. WHAT DOES GOOD LEADERSHIP MEAN? I notice again and again in companies that leadership is understood as a method or "work instruction". I firmly believe that leadership is much more: an attitude based on a value system. Above all, this requires a clear commitment from leaders and their teams. The core task is to build a trusting relationship based on mutual appreciation. For the longest time, executives - and C-level executives, in particular - used to have the “last word” in many organizations. Decisions could be and, routinely were, made single-handedly by one individual in charge, even if their entire team disagreed.
My personal experience is:
This approach is nearing its well-deserved end. And it is about time: Authoritarian styles of leadership completely fail to meet modern business requirements.
I have always found it valuable to distance yourself from the business from time to time. I also find it useful to exchange with trusted people. Often you are too personally involved in the
Professionalism and a laid-back attitude are not mutually exclusive. Kindness does not equal weakness. And not only does enthusiasm for genuine cooperation lead to a very special team spirit, it also produces excellent results.
''Enabling digital growth to create sustainable added value for people, businesses and the environment.''
THAT WORD KEEPS POPPING UP, “VALUE”. A TOPIC WE HAVE DISCUSSED OFTEN IN OUR CONVERSATIONS. A SIMPLE WORD THAT HAS A LOT MORE POWER THAN PEOPLE THINK. AUDIENCES ARE THIRSTY FOR KNOWLEDGE AND WE CAN ONLY DO THAT WHEN WE ACTUALLY SHARE VALUABLE INSIGHTS.
Questioning your own leadership strategy is a worthwhile endeavor. After all, one thing has not changed in our digital age: the necessity of attracting the best talents and keeping them around.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN LIFE SO FAR?
YOU SIT ON THE BOARD OF A FEW INSTITUTIONS. TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH. It depends on whether it is a high-tech company with a disruptive business model or an industrial company with a 100-year family history. You can certainly imagine that the conditions and the environment in both cases are very different. While one side welcomes you with open doors, the other side slams them in your face. The opportunities and risks arising from innovation are thus interpreted in very different ways. This is exactly where I see one of my main tasks: Helping all stakeholders of a company better understand the challenges and opportunities for digital growth, value creation and investment. YOU ALSO SHARE PERSONAL INSIGHTS WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD THROUGH KEYNOTES, PANELS, SESSIONS, AND EVENTS. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST? Of course, I get excited if I can add value to audiences and organizers through one of my keynote speeches or participating in a panel. In addition, events such as The Mobile World Congress or Digital Asia are also a tremendous asset to me. The exchange with experts from a wide variety of topics offers new impulses and enables everyone to learn from each other. For me, an event is particularly successful if I can give and take added value at the same time.
Yes, there are some experiences. By far the most dramatic was in 2004. I was on vacation in Thailand with a group of friends when the tsunami surprised us like so many other people. I will never forget this December 26th. A wonderful sunny morning full of peace and quiet that suddenly turned into an inferno. People with whom we shared a dive the day before were lost or dead. Even today, 15 years later, it is still hard for me to talk about what I experienced that day. In moments like that you realize that money or success have no meaning. Because both are easily buried in a fraction of a second under a huge wave of water and mud. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT MIKE, I CANNOT BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE. YOU WERE MEANT TO SURVIVE IT TO CREATE THE GREATNESS YOU HAVE OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS AND WHAT IS YET TO COME. YOUR VIEWS ABOUT BUSINESS AND LIFE CHANGED AFTER YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT? Above all, I learned one thing from this experience: nothing lasts forever! Everything has its time. And we should appreciate and use this time. Since that day, I've been convinced that life is about making your dreams come true - and the joy of sharing with others, be it personal or business.
CORRECT! ONE LIFE ONLY, SO WE HAVE TO LIVE IT TO THE MAX. I LOVE HEARING THE DIFFERENT REASONS AS TO WHY PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY DO; SO MIKE, WHY DO YOU CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHAT DRIVES YOU? I wondered for a long time after the tsunami experience why I was one of the the only ones who survived this event while other people had to give up their lives. At some point, I came to realize that I still have a job to do. That unleashed new forces inside me. At a young age, I almost exclusively focused on my business and my success. That alone was not enough for me now. It may sound a bit cheesy, but I wanted to give my life a deeper meaning. I started passing on my knowledge and experience to other entrepreneurs as well initially, only at informal meetings and to people I personally knew. Through word of mouth reputation, more and more people came to me and asked if I could help them with their entrepreneurial issues around the digital world. Thus, I discovered my vocation as an angel investor for high-tech startups and as a trusted advisor for seasoned entrepreneurs. These tasks give me a lot of pleasure. It is a good feeling to see that you can support and help other people along the way.
ONE THING I HAVE NOTICED; WHEN YOU HAVE AN IDEA OR PROJECT IN MIND, YOU DO NOT LET ANYTHING GET ON YOUR WAY. YOUR EXPERTISE IS EXTREMELY VALUABLE AND I KNOW THE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS YOU WORK WITH ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU ONBOARD ONE OF YOUR PERSONAL PROJECTS IS "SAFE WATER GARDENS"; CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT IT? "Safe Water Gardens" is definitely a project that is close to my heart. It was in 2017 when my friend Tim-Frederik Kohler told me about the project for the first time and then put me in touch with the initiator Dr. Marc van Loo.
The idea for the "Safe Water Gardens" was born out of a stroke of fate. Marc runs an eco-resort with his wife in Bintan, Indonesia. When the daughter of one of his co-workers fell ill with a bacterial infection and died a short time later, Marc could not rest anymore. Together with other scientists, he began to search for a solution so that something terrible like that would never happen again. In Indonesia alone, 370 children under the age of 5 die from contact with contaminated water every day. Today, more than 40 great people of different nationalities stand behind the project. Add to this Another goal was to expand my entrepreneurial the many people in the companies supporting the activities to include social projects. With that in mind, I visited some aid projects, e.g. in Thailand, “Safe Water Gardens” project as part of their CSR initiatives. I am glad to see that not only our team Sri Lanka and Namibia. It was important to me is continuously growing, but that we have also to better understand the people and their been able to attract well-known organizations challenges as well as the work of local aid agencies. I have seen much suffering and painful such as Borouge, Sinar Mas, Shell, and Musim destinies on my travels, but I have also met many Mas as supporters. positive thinking people who look to the future The “Safe Water Gardens” organization was with confidence and hope. You can certainly brought to life by a coalition of educators, imagine how such experiences humble a human concerned citizens, and business partners. Our being. vision is to provide a safe and affordable sanitation system for every home in rural areas What drives me? worldwide. I try to create sustainable added value for people, We use digitalization features to connect people businesses and the environment with what I do. around the globe who are adapting the system to That motivates me every day anew. their region and needs. Together we will build 100 million Safe Water Gardens. YOU DON’T TRY MIKE, YOU DO! THAT IS
I am incredibly proud and honored to be one of the founders. To help build this organization is not an obligation, but a privilege. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU FOR? That's simple: I would be very happy if people remembered the topics and things I am working on, not me as a person. WOW, WHAT A HUMBLE ANSWER, MAYBE NOW PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN I SAID AT THE BEGINNING YOU WERE LIKE KEANU REEVES! (LAUGHS) EVEN THIS INTERVIEW, WHICH IS YOUR FIRST INDEPTH ONE YOU HAVE GIVEN, YOU MADE IT QUITE CLEAR YOU DID NOT WANT IT TO BE ABOUT YOU, BUT ABOUT THE IMPACT AND VALUE YOUR WORK HAS. IT IS QUITE UNIQUE AND REFRESHING TO FIND PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN LIFE. NO WORDS! SO WHAT IS NEXT FOR MIKE FLACHE? ANYTHING YOU CAN SHARE WITH US? Oh, of course, there is a lot. If I tell you all of it, our interview time would probably be significantly longer [laughs].
WHAT DOES MIKE FLACHE ENJOY DOING IN HIS SPARE TIME? I love doing sports, whether on land, water or in the air. WITH ALL THE EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM YOU HAVE GATHERED SO FAR IN LIFE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Never forget the first lesson in life: Brain over muscles! TELL US SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU? As a young child, I was very afraid of the dark because I thought monsters would attack me. That's why I always sang loudly. My weird tunes probably scared them off [laughs]. WHAT COUNTRY WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT THAT YOU HAVE NOT SEEN YET? I am fascinated by the Himalayas and a related trip to Nepal. AND FINALLY, WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Therefore, in a nutshell here are three representative topics :
Chocolate is my second passion.
First, together with a small, exquisite team, we are currently setting up a new company that will turn the distribution structures in the energy sector upside down.
What a great ending to this chat, thank you so much for your time Mike! What an honor talking to you and finally sharing with the world who you are.
Second, with “Safe Water Gardens”, we are currently rolling out phase 2 of our vision. I personally would like to attract more people and companies to this project.
And there you have it folks, an insight into the world of Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Advisor Mike Flache. Or as I like to call him, the Keanu Reeves or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson of the business world [laughs]
Third, I have built a team of world-renowned thought leaders. I am proud to work with CEOs and these great minds to enable digital growth and value creation. LET’S FINISH WITH SOME QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS
With so many topics to discuss, I am sure I will be doing a follow up soon to talk more in depth about his projects. If you want to stay connected with Mike, please visit www.mikeflache.com or follow him on Twitter and Linked In
WHAT INSPIRES YOU IN LIFE? Twitter @mikeflache Linkedin mikeflache Getting up every morning and doing the things I love.
MilliOnAir | LAST WORD
FIN AL /'f n( )l/ coming at the end of a series #notbtw. "the final version of the report was presented" last, closing, concluding, finishing, end, ending, terminating, terminal, culminating, ultimate, eventual, endmost "their final year of study" Read on for THE LAST WORD...
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MilliOnAir | LITTLE BLACK BOOK
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Christmas, Inc. is a professional Christmas decorating company, providing tailor-made services to suit your home or business. Based in the heart of the home counties, our dedicated team specialises in concept design and fabrication, right through to installation, take down and storage. We’re not only passionate about Christmas, but also about great design and we’re on hand to help you every step of the way. We are committed to using the very finest quality products, which are sourced globally and are regularly maintained. We produce the majority of our bespoke items in-house, which allows us to deliver a luxurious service at an affordable price. This year, we are very pleased to bring to you the very latest in LED technology, this technology is not only super-efficient but is also environmentally-friendly. www.christmasinc.co.uk Attilus is the name that gourmet chefs and connoisseurs associate with exquisite caviar and the finest cuts of sturgeon. Our philosophy is simple: just as the quality of champagne begins in the vines, so the health and well-being of our fish determines the quality of our caviar. We create our own caviar at a fishery in Jessen, Germany and are one of the few producers in the world offering "real" Oscietra caviar to customers. We don't rely on anonymous international producers to supply our "black pearls", nor do we allow anyone else to re-label our precious yield. Our ongoing pursuit of excellence combines an appreciation for tradition with the application of modern technology. For us, creating one of the world's most elite natural delicacies requires patience, precision and a commitment to maintaining the very highest standards. www.attiluscaviar.co.uk
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MilliOnAir | SAFETY IN BEAUTY
Antonia Mariconda
By Beauty Contributor Steve
I
had the pleasure in meeting the inspiring woman campaigning to make the cosmetic, aesthetic and beauty industry safe for everyone. On the 6th of July, ANTONIA MARICONDA will host the prestigious SAFETY IN BEAUTY DIAMOND AWARDS.
Antonia is an author, beauty writer, and TV presenter who is also known as the Cosmetic Coach. Antonia has fought to make the industry safer for the last five years, and was invited to the House of Commons to talk to MPs about the challenges she faces.
YOU HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE THIS YEAR’S AWARDS AWAY FROM THE DORCHESTER HOTEL, WHY IS THIS? Being the founder of The UK’s Safety in Beauty Campaign, while booking the venue I had no idea that such atrocious news about the owner would surface months later. I simply cannot fathom the idea of endorsing a dictator who is capable of violating human rights to such a degree that the words ‘death’ and ‘gay’ sit alongside each other in one sentence. I naturally felt compelled to cancel our annual awards ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel and move it to another venue. Naturally this wasn't easy, and it was quite exhausting fighting our case with the hotel chain, but when something inside you feels right, you find the strength to see it through and I am glad I did. The Safety in Beauty Campaigndoes not tolerate any kind of prejudice; I could not have contemplated setting foot in that place and it would not have been something I could sleep easy with at night. We embrace the LGBT community and kindness, compassion, and tolerance are what we all need right now in the world, not antiquated, outrageous, and immoral dictators.
WHAT WAS YOUR EARLIEST BEAUTY EXPERIENCE YOU REMEMBER HAVING DONE?
en Smith
Sadly my family didn't have a lavish income when I was growing up; laser hair removal was an expensive luxury and makeup seemed unaffordable. I didn't really have my ‘glow up’ until I was almost 20. I clearly remember having my long Brazilian-style wild and curly mane being chopped off to a shoulder blunt cut bob, and then blow-dried sleek straight. That to me was a huge turning point in my life and it made me feel elegant, lady-like, and sexy. I really started to focus on everything else, and began to really get into grooming and skincare and the joys of discovering good quality makeup, no cheap teeny gimmicky stuff. Sadly, around a couple of years later I suffered a terrible car crash and my worst nightmare as a young lady happened; I sustained a good deal of facial injuries and developed body dysmorphia as a result. It would then take years to heal from that, but I am lucky that I did. The power of a good haircut and style at such a young age was the catalyst for me personally, and I will never forget that.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A TREATMENT—AESTHETIC OR BEAUTY WISE—THAT HAS GONE WRONG? After having a car crash at just 22, I was keen to try and get my face, body, and emotional well being back to some kind of resemblance of the person I was before. I very naively underwent a lot of procedures to feel better about myself, and I have had a total of eleven surgical cosmetic procedures. Some were good and some not-so-good, and it was this ‘walking blindly’ into the cosmetic wilderness that led me to question; who do we turn to when things go wrong? The answer for me all through that decade of procedures was ‘no one’. A few years later, I set up the Safety in Beauty Campaign after writing my first ever book for Apple Press and Firefly Publishing called The Cosmetic Surgery Companion. My experiences led me to vocalise my concerns, my highs and lows, and encouraged me to write a blog that gathered a staggering Twitter following of around 50,000 people, which in turn led to people coming out of the woodwork and share their stories with me. In that unity, I knew I had to start something to help these people and in turn influence and pressure change in the cosmetic and aesthetics industry for the better. 181
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR THEIR BEAUTY? When I was younger I used to copy the looks and style between J-Lo and Kim Kardashian. I naively believed that beauty had to be sexy, but in the last five years my ultimate role model has now evolved into a more elegant, sophisticated, and intelligent beauty, and I love the look, the style, the beauty, and the brains of Queen Rania of Jordan.
WHAT’S THE WORST CASE YOU HAVE EVER SEEN OF BAD PRACTICE ON A CLIENT IN THE AESTHETIC FIELD?
I have seen hundreds of cases of cosmetic work and treatments gone horribly wrong. I am often called at all hours by distressed women and men who have had their lives turned upside down for making the wrong choice. This is often an unwitting choice which can devastate lives beyond belief, and this is the reason I trained in DO YOU THINK COSMETIC AND AESTHETIC counseling so I could offer the victims coming to Safety in Beauty proper skilled support. It's so TREATMENTS CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE? important that the consumer does their research and always asks ‘if something goes wrong, what Absolutely yes. Having suffered body dysmorphia myself, I was unaware of the slippery will this practitioner do to help me?’ Most importantly, they must make an informed choice. road that cosmetic treatments can yield if they are not managed properly. Emotional well being The worst cases I have seen range from a lip that is a such a hot topic in the press and media right had completely fallen off as a result of necrosis following injectable lip fillers, or botched body now, and only this week the government announced guidelines for cosmetic professionals surgery where the victim was left with horrendous open, gaping scars that reminded me and clinics to implement better mental health of something from a horror film. The worst case screening for patients of elective cosmetic was possibly a young lady who still lingers in my procedures. memory for committing suicide following a botched breast procedure. There are too many I welcome this as a trained body image tragic cases to identify just one, and often the counsellor. In addition to my media work and talks about safety in beauty, I am also concerned psychological injuries far outweigh the physical scars. about the body-related image issues that our younger generation is set to experience since we live in a culture of ‘insta-perfection’, selfies, and flawless media images of celebrities and influencers. The truth is that our current culture is bad for our mental health, while we also have busier lives, and our lifestyles and dietary choices are a lot more disposable. The general pace that we live at encourages us to think that the elixir to happiness is a tweak here and there, and yes, while these treatments can have a huge positive and beneficial aspect to them, the key word here is ‘BALANCE’. It's so important we learn to accept ourselves and love ourselves for who we are; we are all aging, but we are living longer and looking better and better with each decade. The emphasis now with many diseases being at critical point should be health, well being, and emotional wellness. After all, it is pointless having a flawless exterior but a neglected and unwell inner self.
YOU ARE INCREDIBLY ATTRACTIVE YOURSELF, DO YOU GET MANY PEOPLE ASKING YOU FOR ADVICE? In my forties! We have to step the game up here; we can't rely on just slapping on a bit of tinted moisturiser. Ah, the joys and memories of being 21! I have always loved the glamorous look, but I have finally come to accept myself now and relax a little about being pristine and perfect. I really embrace good living more than I do perfection. I want to be a great role model for my beautiful 13-year-old daughter and help her understand that life as a woman now is so much more than just the way we look; it’s about finding your personality and identity and really embracing it. I do get asked for lots of advice, and for five years I have published a very successful and award winning blog, but these days I like to write, coach, and teach my subject more than try out the latest lipstick and skin treatment. I think I just grew up and loved life more than I did vanity in the end. Although beauty will always be my passion, I prefer an elegant sophisticated look with a natural, minimal healthy glow rather than my previous days of total glam diva. HOW CAN PEOPLE REPORT PRACTITIONERS OR DOCTORS THEY SUSPECT OF BEING BOGUS? The trouble with the UK is the distinct lack of regulation in the aesthetic industry. The fact that anyone with little or no training can embark on a course and learn invasive medical aesthetics is shocking. It's only in the last three to five years that we have started learning about the implications of the lack of regulation through our campaign Safety in Beauty and other beauty campaigns. If you suspect someone is practising in aesthetics and they seem sub-standard or unsafe, don't be afraid to call the local council they have a shop and report them. Is the insurance certificate clearly displayed on premises? If not, ask the practitioner, salon, or clinic why it isn’t. Ask for credentials and qualifications—you’d be surprised how many are fake! Never walk into a salon or clinic off the street to have a treatment without researching them first; speak to people
who have had experiences with that clinic or salon and ask for details. If you suspect that a medically qualified professional is dubious, then ask them about their qualifications. If they are a dentist, a doctor, or a nurse, they will be registered with the GMC, GDC, or NMC. If you can’t find their name on these registers, don't be afraid to ask them why; be your own Detective Columbo, a few hours of research could save you and indeed others from needless pain, bad work, and suffering. No one wants that. If you’re stuck and need advice on a rogue practitioner or business, contact us at Safety in Beauty and we will investigate for you. WHAT TREATMENTS HAVE YOU HAD AESTHETIC-WISE, AND HAVE YOU BEEN HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS? I have had countless treatments with an amazing array of fantastic professionals and clinics. Some of my favourites include Ultherapy to my jawline and face (Air Aesthetics) which massively improved some minor sagging. Of course, I love Botox (twice a year), and use soft fillers to smooth out just a few lines. At the moment, so far in 2019 I think EmSculpt is one to watch out for (Dr. Rita Rakus Knightsbridge), as well as AquaGold (from Venn Healthcare), SkinPen (from Bioactive Aesthetics), Skinade, Dermalux, Priori Skincare, Boutique Teeth Whitening safe, effective and inexpensive. My eyebrows are my favourite and are from the leaders Karen Betts and Dawn Forshaw from Finishing Touches. Heliocare is an absolute must, and PCA Peels are my go-to, and a Hydrafacial is my essential. HOW DO YOU DECIDE THE WINNERS OF YOUR AWARDS? Each year, the Safety in Beauty Campaign recruits a panel of industry experts and professionals to help steer and ensure that the campaign runs efficiently with adequate medical, legal, and psychological expertise. All of our advisory panel members kindly provide their services on a voluntary basis with no financial remuneration or compensation. All of the work carried out at Safety in Beauty is purely voluntary.
Our expert advisory panel members also serve as our judges for the SAFETY IN BEAUTY DIAMOND AWARDS. Each judge is allocated specific award categories not in conflict with their individual roles and professions. We allocate medical categories to non-medical panel members, and non-medical categories to our medical panel members to ensure that there is a fair and clear system of judging with no bias or influence. We also choose six mystery judges formed of members of the general public which can include other professionals from non-industry vocations and press and media representatives to judge the categories. We do not allow patients or customers from any of the award finalists to act as judges, and we closely check to ensure that there is no conflict of interest in respect of our mystery-judging panel. We also monitor the IP address of online votes to ensure no duplication. Individuals may only vote once in this category. Multiple votes submitted under the same name, email, or IP address are discounted from the final count.
For details of our current advisory panel, please visit www.safetyinbeauty.com
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