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l o r e nz o ag iu s | jim sturge ss | ma ve rick co l l e ctive t he 21 s t c en t u r y collecto r | incredibl e india | l ammid i a ISSUE NO.10
EDITOR’S
FOREWORD Ten Years of 2006
2016
Khan also talks to us about how digital innovations have created a modern approach to selling and collecting art. Now firmly set in autumn with summer almost a distant memory, we look back to how Total Management Travel spent its summer through our exclusive range of global beachside escapes. With the season in mind, style gurus Joe Ottaway and Sam Jones also share their fashion predictions and advice on Autumn/Winter ‘16. Portrait photography can create some of the most powerful images. Lorenzo Agius is one of the leaders in creating some of the most iconic imagery of all time and in this issue we feature just a glimpse of some of his work, and he tells us who is next on his portrait list. Someone who could be next on the list is the effortlessly cool and multitalented Jim Sturgess who talks to Harriet Baylis about his upcoming projects and what it’s like to watch himself on screen.
I
n a world where there are countless food delivery companies and an army of tap and ride apps, startups and businesses are working on high impact and daring ideas to compete in this increasingly competitive time. In this issue of The Journal we introduce our new Business & Innovation section where we focus on innovation in technology, economics and design and speak with business leaders. The features within this section are written to inspire you as readers and to make us all think beyond the norm, leading to conversations on the future of business. In its debut edition we meet the inspiring Kate Roberts of Maverick Collective who is driving a philanthropic mission to change the face of fundraising for girls and women around the world. Paddle8’s Osman
FORE WO R D Ph oto graph by A l exandra Sa ra , a lexa nd ra -s a ra . com
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Travel is an ever growing presence both within The Journal and Total Management Co. with our leisure and business divisions expanding significantly. In this issue Katie Nelson journeys through the mystifying, ancient and colourful land of India. From manic Mumbai to calming Kerala, Katie highlights a selection of must visit destinations partnered with her guide on where to stay. As the innovators in the Business & Innovation section continue to achieve their goals, we hope that this edition of The Journal will inspire and lead conversations within business, travel, lifestyle, arts and culture, and beyond.
JACK DURLING EDITOR IN CHIEF DIRECTOR AT TOTAL MANAGEMENT
THE COV ER Photo graph by Lo renzo Agius
Editor in Chief
Associate Editor
J AC K D U R L I N G
I S ABEL CAR MI CHAEL
ISSUE NO.10
CONTENTS
14
20
LORENZO AGIUS
THE PERCEPTION OF COOL
The man responsible for creating some of the most iconic imagery (pictured) of all time, Lorenzo Agius tells us who features next on his portrait photography wish list.
Young, fun and not trying too hard to be cool, Jim Sturgess talks with Harriet Baylis about his forthcoming projects and what it's like to watch himself on screen.
28
42
64
INVESTING IN WOMEN
INCREDIBLE INDIA
1 0 0 % G R A P E , T H AT ’ S I T
Co-founder of Maverick Collective Kate Roberts explains how this very female driven philanthrophic mission is changing the face of fundraising for girls and women worldwide.
Mystifying, magical and often misunderstood. Enigmatic India mesmerises Katie Nelson as she journeys through this ancient and colourful land.
Following their dreams and starting a successful wine business from stratch, Elena Panagia meets natural born producers Davide Gentile and Marco Giuliani of Lammidia.
Š lorenzo agius, photo of keith richards
f eat u r es
ISSUE NO.10
CONTENTS 3
6
r eg u lar s
EDITOR’S FOREWORD
CONTRIBUTORS
the u p da t e
40 STYLE & SAILING IN:
8 G L O B A L PA R T N E R S H I P
Europe's finest marina leads the way to discovering this country's spectacular beauty
MONTENEGRO
photos clockwise, from top left © surf air, © paddle 8, courtesy of anna barnett, © annandale, illustration by claire cordiner
WITH SURF AIR 8
4 8 S TAY AWAY W I T H U S 24
bu s in ess & i n n o v at i o n
2 4 THE 21ST CENTURY COLLECTOR
Paddle8 Co-founder Osman Khan talks about how this very digital-age business has created a truly modern approach to art S TAY AWAY W I T H T O TA L MANAGEMENT 9 SIMPLE ELEGANCE ON LAKE COMO T O TA L M A N A G E M E N T S T E P S I T U P AT C E S
10 MODERN ART IS
3 2 M A K I N G WAV E S I N B U S I N E S S
EVERYWHERE
Travelling between London, Bilbao and Paris, we discover that art begins from the outside
54 COLOMBIA: NORTH TO SOUTH
Lush jungles, towering mountains and white sand beaches, Colombia captivates 5 4 S U S TA I N A B L E S U R F I N G
T R AV E L
Sudhin Shahani talks about how Surf Air is changing the way the savvy business traveller flies
“Our aim: to get everyone happy and drunk in the healthiest way possible” DAVIDE GENTILE,
Launching with some of the finest properties in our portfolio, take a journey to The AWAY Collection
64
Tracking the success of Safari Surf School and the first truly sustainable hotel in Central America g o u r m and 60 CALIFORNIA DINING SCENE
A straight talking gastronomic paradise
g lo b et r o t t er
6 2 TA S T E N O T E S
Vogue columnist Anna Barnett and Mexican newbie Peyotito supply this season's recipe cards 6 6 D E M Y S T I F Y I N G YO U R GLASS
Founder of Sager + Wilde, Michael Sager doesn't just talk wine
12
48
s ty l e & b ea u t y
62
36 AUTHENTIC AMAN
12 EN VOGUE STYLISTS
Exploring some of the world's most elegant properties in the Aman collection, we learn that this isn't termed as luxury, this is Aman
Style gurus Joe Ottaway and Sam Jones share their fashion predicitions and advice on how to dress for A/W 16
Discover how we spent our summer in this exclusive range of beautiful waterside properties
3 8 U N R I VA L L E D BEACHSIDE ESCAPES
total-management.com 5
Contributors ISSUE NO.10
ISABEL CARMICHAEL
Capturing iconic moments through a lens is the role of a photographer. But
MIRANDA MAY
what does it take to make a portrait image a part of history? When I met with
Being Director of Devel-
international portrait pho-
opment means that I am
tographer Lorenzo Agius
constantly in touch with
back in July I learnt that
our clients and industry
some of it comes down to
SOPHIE BINNS
luck but the rest is down to
contacts about company news, events and important global openings,
a desire to break boundaries and understand the
A fascination in art has
keeping them in the loop
person in front of you,
adorned my life, from
and learning about what
my school days to trips
is going on in the world of
to be very skilled at. Read
across Europe as an adult.
entertainment. This year in
more about his work on
In all shapes and sizes,
particular has been pretty
from street art to marble
significant for Total Man-
carvings, the huge and
agement, not only have
influential power of art is
we been celebrating our
apparent on a personal
ten year anniversary but
level and globally, as it
we have also welcomed
influences everything from
on board a number of
buildings to societies. In
new clients and team
this issue, I explore how
members. In our usual
the architecture of modern
news roundup find out
art galleries affects the
more about what’s going
art within. Read more on
on. Read The Update on
page 10 where I list some
page 9.
something which he proves
page 14.
KATIE NELSON
India: beautiful, misleading and one of my favourite places on earth. I spent a year volunteering around the world and India was my first stop. During my travels I spent three months working at an orphanage in the north and then at an animal
ADRIENNE MILLER
rescue centre in the south. Living like a local gave me
Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, Aman has become associated with untainted elegance. From its first property in Thailand it has expanded across the globe to cater for the discerning traveller, interested in discovering the culture of a place.
the opportunity to get to know the country and its people. I was fascinated
of the most beautiful art galleries in Europe.
by its history, rich cultural traditions, vibrant smells and colours. There is nowhere else on earth like it and I long to return. Read my commentary on travel in India on page 42.
Read my interview with Global Head of Sales, Christina Deeny on page 36. illustrations emma ridgway www.emma-ridgway.co.uk
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ROBYN O’RIORDAN
In recent years I have been lucky enough to visit a number of incredibly diverse and interesting countries across Asia, Africa, the US
ELENA PANAGIA
Coming from a wine making family I understand and respect the grape. When I met with Davide and Marco of Lammidia for my article on natural wine production on page 64, I instantly clicked with these winegrowers from Pescara in Italy. Not only do we believe that wine growing should mean no added chemicals, preservatives or pesticides, and come from organically grown vines which have very low levels of sulphites, we also believe in supporting artisanal growers, those who understand the soils and respect the land. This clean way of producing wine means that we as drinkers can benefit from the grape’s health prop-
and Cuba. I love seeing HARRIET BAYLIS
places deeply rooted in culture and passionate about
Having never really been one for ‘fangirling’ or celeb-obsessing, it actually seemed to work in my favour taking a casual approach to interviewing Jim Sturgess, as it turns out he trumps the laid back, un-phased attitude. Probably something I would have known had I been somewhat into obsessively following the talented and famous. Either way, Jim and I meandered our way through the transition of
their cooking: I guess it might be thanks to my Irish heritage that I am curious
SARAH WESTON
and like to try new things. My recent trip to California opened my eyes to this incredibly diverse and vibrant place; it is so interesting and multicultural, with new and exciting restaurants constantly pulling inspiration from one geographical perspective to another. Read more about my Californian culinary odyssey on page 60.
As Head of Travel at Total Management I am constantly pulled in different directions and I am required to always stay on top of travel trends, government advice and new routes. This year my travel focus has been on discovering the undiscovered and most innovative locations
man as struggling musician
worldwide, something
to household name and
which The AWAY
what it takes to decompress
Collection will explore. In
yourself from star to regular
this issue is an ode to the
London boy. Read the inter-
summer – it’s not totally
view on page 20.
over yet – I’ve visited a number of beach and
erties and antioxidants
water-side properties.
making for an altogether
There really is nothing
cleaner drinking experi-
like the sound of the
ence.
waves to transport you away. Read more on page 38.
CONNECT WITH US I NSTAG R A M : @totalmanagement TWITTER : @TotalMgmt FACE B O O K : facebook.com/TotalManagementGroup WE B : total-management.com
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THE UPDATE • t he l at e s t e ve n t , t r a ve l a n d li f estyle n ews f r om total m an ag em en t •
booking experience in order to ensure that each client has every inch of their trip tailored relevant to their individual requirements. Further information on the launch on page 48.
availability; daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests; $100 USD equivalent resort or hotel credit, to be utilised during stay; early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability.
theawaycollection.com
photos from top © surf air, kasbah bab ourika, sereno hotels, view apart / shutterstock.com, f11photo
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH SURF AIR Total Management has partnered with the all-you-can-fly subscription air travel service Surf Air as it expands into Europe. Designed to afford Surf Air Members with a full and robust travel service across all client requirements, Surf Air has partnered with Total Management to redefine the conventional travel service experience for its members via the Total Management Globetrotter Club. Surf Air Members will be offered preferential rates and services across accommodation, worldwide events and flight paths not currently included in the Surf Air network. The service will feature the most extensive array of travel benefits and services to discerning travellers across California and Europe.
S TAY AWAY W I T H TOTA L M A N AG E M E N T Total Management is delighted to officially launch The AWAY Collection, a handpicked portfolio of luxury and exclusive rental properties around the globe. The collection has been curated with three main objectives: to seek out the most unique and beautiful properties; to offer the most desirable and breath taking destinations, and to provide an exemplary
SIMPLE ELEGANCE ON LAKE COMO The second project of the owners of Le Sereno St. Barts, Il Sereno Lake Como, has made waves in the elegant setting of Italy’s unparalleled lake location. Awarded the title of "Most Anticipated New Luxury Hotel Opening in 2016" by Luxury Travel Advisor magazine, Il Sereno brings the brand’s philosophy of contemporary luxury to this striking and iconic setting. With rooms furnished and designed by creative mastermind Patricia Urquiola, the property’s 30 suites enjoy high ceilings, ample natural light and a minimal distance from the waterfront, with 23 of them directly positioned lakeside. A property swathed in vertical gardens, contemporary landscaping, wood, copper and local stone, this striking architectural addition to the Lake Como landscape also brings with it Michelin starred chef Andrea Berton, whose eponymous Ristorante Berton Al Lago brings together the ethos of simplicity and nature into one chic dining room and seasonally inspired menu. In addition to its prime location, the property is also partnered with a stylish 16th century Italian palazzo set on 18 acres of waterfront, featuring 19 bedrooms, luxurious events halls, vast gardens and the esteemed Sereno services. Villa Pliniana is located in the village of Torno, less than 1,000 yards from Il Sereno. ilsereno.com Travel Management Travel offers guests of Il Sereno: Upgrade on arrival, subject to
TOTA L M A N AG E M E N T S T E P S I T U P AT C ES The New Year sees the team heading back to Vegas for the annual CES event, a hotbed for innovations and ideas in consumer technology. Back on the ground to support our client's brand activations and events across the three day period, 2017 will also see our lifestyle and travel team providing dedicated support for some of the leading names in the industry surrounding this key event.
T H E V OYA G E R : J .W. H U L M E C O. PARTNERSHIP Total Management has collaborated with luxury handcrafted leather goods manufacturer J.W. Hulme Co. to bring you a travel guide that showcases destinations around the world where you can Explore, Experience and Escape partnered with an expertly curated selection of luggage and bags to accompany the stylish traveller.
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M IS
O
E V E
D
T R
, d ies , an ler sig n ous l a e g c d fa m of th aphi ost l a we , g r e m t a a p hy o f t h i r th w i to g m e es pho it so m s n, co vis s o shio ue I inn B d a s is an h f hie ide d wit this op w S n d e By orl fill ty. I y w a r t , at i v i t i c t c re r y re e e ve d s t d le s s . n t i s an en pe ro o p - u p a n d E u ro n s e o n tak , p ing s i as tions aint ller ie h I t i b i re , p g a t exh lptu ul ar scu utif a be
N R E
W Y R
H
A
E R E
photos from left courtesy of the guggenheim museum bilbao/erika ede, switch house tate modern/iwan baan, © fondation louis vuitton/louis-marie dauzat
S W I TC H H O U S E AT T H E TAT E M O D E R N , LO N D O N
It seems too that, rather than the building being created to house modern art, it is in fact dictating the pieces that are exhibited inside it. Our favourite is Olafur Eliasson’s Inside the Horizon, a commissioned exhibit comprised of 43 mirrored columns into which guests find themselves disappearing and reappearing, reflecting the glass exterior of the building.
Opening its doors in 1997, The Guggenheim in Bilbao is one of the first and perhaps most architecturally significant gallery openings ever. Almost 20 years old, this stunning building still makes our list of one of the most beautiful galleries in the world and I am sure you can see why. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, he created something which was daring and innovative: a building, clad in titanium and glass, with unexpected curves and shapes which glisten in the sunlight. In Bilbao’s port area, the urban inspiration for the museum, as it prefers to be termed, becomes apparent, as from some angles it takes the form of a magnificent ship, docked in the harbour. Becoming one of the most admired pieces of architecture in the 20th century, it is no surprise that visitors still flood to its doors. Despite the magnitude of this building, the art inside and outside is by no means dwarfed in comparison; in line with its striking appearance, the museum primarily hosts large installations, and often dramatic stand-alone pieces. These include pieces such as 'Maman' by Louise Bourgeois, a lofty sculpture of a spider which sits outside the museum, perilously perched on spindly legs and towering over visitors; and 'Shadows' by Andy Warhol, comprising of 102 silk prints hung edge-to-edge which work in unison to create impressions of shadows and light. This collection of distinctive sculptures and exhibitions reflects the essence of the building: the journey that starts as soon as guests see the museum’s exterior continues within its walls, surprising and astounding all those who visit.
F O N DAT I O N LO U I S V U I T TO N , PA R I S
Another design by Frank Gehry, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is one the architect’s latest offerings, opening its doors as recently as 2014. In a similar style to that of the Guggenheim, this glass structure is unique and yet oddly familiar. Although seemingly detached from the Parisian culture surrounding the gallery, it becomes apparent, once inside, that Paris lies at the heart of this design, with multiple outdoor terraces created for visitors to catch glimpses of this stunning city.
G U G G E N H E I M M U S E U M , B I L B AO Above: Andy Warhol Shadows, 1978–79
Last, and by no means least (in fact, the newest opening on our list) is Switch House at the Tate Modern in London. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, this new building opened its doors in June 2016 to the public to much critical acclaim. This is perhaps the most striking example of culture influencing design: in its twisted pyramidal shape, this brick building is not beautiful in its own right, except by invoking something so inherently and unmistakably ‘London’ to all who see it. Inspired by the original Bankside Power Station which houses the rest of the Tate Modern collection, Switch House is a combination of this raw industrial style and that of the 21st century, as windows at irregular intervals cut into the dramatic shape of the building, creating something wholly contemporary out of something so familiar. Inside, the unusual architecture of the building guides viewers through the collections and becomes part of the exhibitions themselves, up the sweeping staircases and past installations such as 'Pavilion Suspended in a Room I' by Cristina Iglesias and the towering 'Babel' by Cildo Meireles. Large, structural, interactive and live, the exhibits complement Switch House perfectly, as though originally intended to tell this dualpurpose narrative through contemporary art and the contemporary architecture of London.
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STYLE & BEAUTY • a s e a s on a l i nsi g h t i n to sar tor i al f lai r •
J O E O T TAWAY
@joeottawaystyle | joeottawaystyle.com
Leading stylist and image consultant of British menswear Joe Ottaway takes us through the Autumn/Winter 2016 men’s collections for an insight into the key pieces that you need in your wardrobe for the coming season.
M E N ’ S FA S H I O N T R E N D S AUTUMN/WINTER 2016
B
elieve it or not, now is the best time of year to start prepping and purchasing a winter wardrobe. In the world of fashion spring/summer is a very short season and it proves to be a nightmare for people like me as all my clients are in need of a summer holiday wardrobe, so things get extremely busy. For the more fashion conscious and organised among us however, here I will give you the low down of some of the key trends to look out for this autumn/winter.
EMBRACE ALL THINGS CHECK
Be brave and inject check and texture into your wardrobe; it doesn’t have to be a Rupert Bear-esque pair of trousers. Start off minimal with a crisp windowpane jacket. For the bold and brave go for a dapper wool tartan trouser for those crisp cold winter nights out. THE BOMBER IS HERE TO STAY
The bomber jacket has had a huge renaissance and it was seen everywhere last season. Even though I am not a huge fan of jumping on a style trend band wagon, I have however succumbed to this one. Inspired by more ‘Savile Row suede’ than the ‘Yeezy’ style, I have recently invested in a suede bomber from Gieves & Hawkes.
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REAL MEN WEAR PINK
Winter doesn’t have to be about earthy or moody tones. Inject some life into your winter wardrobe with pink. My tip would be to give a fashion nod to this refreshing trend by embracing the colour in a very subtle way through either accessories, or a salmon pink shirt with a navy blazer. HANDMADE
Think twice before you chuck out that sweater your granny made for you. A/W 16 is your chance to embrace bold and chunky textured knitwear, fine gauge merino wool V-necks will always be a stalwart in any gentleman’s wardrobe but chunky homemade jumpers make an entrance this season. POMP AND CEREMONY
With the Queen celebrating her record breaking 90th birthday this year what better way to pay homage to our marvellous Monarch with true regalia. The military influence was seen in a traditional sense from Burberry whilst a more contemporary interpretation came from Balmain and Dries Van Noten.
Right: Leather jacket by Gieves & Hawkes, £1,995.
STYLE & BEAUTY EN VOGUE STYLISTS
WO M E N ’ S STYLE REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2016
SAM JONES
@thestylealchemy | thestylealchemy.com
Leading female personal stylist, Sam Jones of The Style Alchemy, has spent 20 successful years working in fashion as a buyer, retail consultant and personal shopper. Rummaging through showroom collections and shopping in Milan, Paris, London and New York has always been at the forefront of her career.
A U T U M N L U S T- A F T E R PIECES Blouse by Gucci. Cross-body bag by Marni. All available at www.matchesfashion.com
L
et’s face it; the British summer was so unpredictable that many of us turned our attention to autumn/winter collections earlier than usual. The season sees an eclectic mix of all sorts. Saint Laurent goes all eighties glam on us. Dolce & Gabbana focuses on the stuff fairytales are made of. Gucci stays with vintage-inspired nerds, although with much more edge. Whatever pushes your button, there’s something for everyone. Within all these wonderfully creative and inspirational collections however, there are some key messages coming through.
For one, it’s a season to celebrate COLOUR . We could all do with an uplift. Lots of bright palettes and colour pop accents, seen everywhere but notably Delpozo, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Gucci. The WAIST is back. Prada lead the pack here, with their wide corset belts layered over everything from khaki military coats, to beautiful brocade skirts and dresses. Altuzarra, too styled their collection with belts, albeit less statement than Prada’s, but enough to accentuate the waistline and appeal to our more feminine sides. SHOULDERS are still a key focus, whether completely exposed, like Balenciaga’s off the shoulder jackets or ‘raised’ at Delpozo. LAYERING is in abundance. Céline, who
many of us look to for style guidance, play with layering dresses over trousers, well, running pants to be precise. Bizarre as it sounds, it actually works. Both Valentino and Adeam use figure hugging polo necks as the base. Layered on top are strappy velvet dresses or off the shoulder tops, and Delpozo styled a strapless all-in-one over a white shirt. Above all, many of the elements we started to enjoy this summer still feature for next season. Flamenco-inspired ruffles and frills, statement collars and cuffs, extra long sleeves on shirting, oversized shirts with oversized trousers, chunky heels and flats. For many of us, our personal style doesn’t evolve as quickly as trends do, so it’s with relief that we see longevity in our style investments.
Above from top: Offshoulder jacket by Balenciaga; Layering by Valentino; Raised shoulders dress by Delpozo.
illustrations courtesy of claire cordiner, www.clairecordiner.com @clairecordi
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Painting through the lens
From left: Madonna in the library, 2005; Tilda Swinton shot in Scotland, 2012 14 total-management.com
photos courtesy of lorenzo agius
Wondering what it takes to capture a truly memorable image, Isabel Carmichael talks to Lorenzo Agius, portrait photographer for a generation.
total-management.com 15
F
ine artist turned international photographer Lorenzo Agius probably doesn’t see himself as a maker of iconic moments, although that is of course his goal, and he tells me this early on in our interview. Down to earth and not interested in airs and graces, Agius isn’t necessarily the long term photographer to the stars you would expect. With a career spanning several decades during which he has captured the mood of a nation and spirit of an age, he is responsible for some of the most talked about images in popular culture. Working as an assistant photographer for six years learning his trade, prior to this he started out as a fine artist but three years later, following influential advice from fellow artists, he was steered away from the fine art world, deciding to invest his energy into photography. No better decision made, ever perhaps, as early on Agius was given the chance by a small independent film company to take the shoot for their next film. Deemed as a relatively unimportant poster by both Agius and the film’s director, the rest is of course history. Said film, Trainspotting, was a groundbreaking statement for the time, for which Agius took some of the most iconic film images ever and unsurprisingly, his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since. “It was a statement; the whole drug scene was going out of control and we were not trying to glamorise it. We were saying choose life, not drugs.” Talking me through his career with funny anecdotes about each shoot and subject, referencing strange and fantastical moments from the world of celebrity with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Jared Leto, Will Smith and Jack Nicholson, it is hard to imagine how you can stay sane amongst the uncompromising rich and famous. He is quick to point out that he doesn’t like
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From top: Brian Cranston, 2014; Lorenzo Agius
ego and rarely tries to prove anything to anyone, clearly the only way to survive in the egocentric world of on screen beauty. His subjects respond to his honesty and this respect is communicated in his images. Carving out a career on a resolutely low key basis and managing to remain friends with many of his globally famous subjects, he reminds me that in fact “these people are human beings themselves”, something which of course works in his favour when undertaking the largely impossible task of capturing the ‘real’ essence of that person through the lens. Some shoots, he tells me, are for making the person appear in a certain way: fashion campaigns and film characters, where the subject needs to appear heroic or cool, this is part of the day job, but capturing the raw ‘truth’ via a portrait is however another skill, just like actually painting a portrait. Something between in-house psychologist, artist and cultural observer,
“It was a statement; the whole drug scene was going out of control and we were not trying to glamorise it. We were saying choose life, not drugs”
From top: Angelina Jolie, 2005; Ewan McGregor as Renton in Trainspotting, 1996
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Agius often uses music on his shoots to help set the tone or get “the right energy” out of those in front of him. His personality is present in much if his portrait works and there is often an overriding emphasis on fun, as if he is painting a picture in his own innovative and spirited style. He says if the subjects aren’t feeling it then he might even send them home, as he did once during one of his first shoots with Angelina Jolie. You need to find the right balance of energy after all. Photographing some of the world’s most photographed people comes easy to a rare type of person; perhaps it is the mix of artistic talent, sense of humour, understanding of light, composition and technique that differentiates Lorenzo Agius’s work from the rest, making it distinctive and genuine. He tells me that one day he would like to photograph artist David Hockney. When that day comes I think we already know that the result is going to make a pretty big statement. lorenzo-agius.com Lorenzo Agius is exhibited by Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery, London and features as part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery. He is represented in the UK by Terrie Tanaka Management. Terrietanaka.com
From top: Bill Nighy, 2005; Eddie Izzard, 1997 Opposite page: Jack Nicholson photographed at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, 2007
THE PERCEPTION OF COOL Harriet Baylis meets Jim Sturgess, star of One Day, in some very brief down time to talk projects, passions and getting into the role. ‘The perception of cool’ is usually a conversation saved for 3am, with the soundtrack of something from the nineties: grungy with a touch of nostalgia. Had this been the scene for my conversation with Jim, I feel like we could have covered a lot of ground. The reality of our 4pm Thursday afternoon conversation though was not quite as cool but then again if you can start to delve into the perception of what being ‘cool’ means then we must have got something right… Jim Sturgess is back in London following a seven month stint in New York and a respite period in LA following the success of ‘Feed The Beast’ in America and the upcoming Stephen Poliakoff BBC series ‘Close To The Enemy’. It’s about time we got him back. For those not yet familiar with the two series, in true American/Brit contrast, ‘Feed The Beast’ is a sexy, drug-fuelled Southern California drama while ‘Close To The Enemy’ is a gritty postwar story set against a Blitz battered London. We talked about everything from modesty demonstrated by actors to having a face that people want to dress with facial hair.
PHOTOGRAPGHY BY SHELBY DUNCAN MAKE UP BY SARAI FISZEL HAIR BY RAMSELL MARTINEZ
Jim, you started out as a musician, moved to Manchester, started a band and then became an actor. Talk to me. Yeah, well music and acting were kind of the only two things I was ever good at; I didn’t have too many options. I was always playing in bands from the age of 15 and it was what I was always dreaming about. So I went to Manchester to start a band but ended up taking a Higher National Diploma at Salford University covering editing, screen production and writing, for those interested in the industry. I really fell in love with it and got in with a group of people really into theatre and cinema. So I really got into it, started writing short films and plays. It was really that for me, the play I wrote after university that I was spotted in. Had that not have happened I don’t know where I would be, I owe that man my life. I tell him that on a regular basis. Does music still play a part in your downtime? Yeah I mean music is pretty self-serving, you don’t need someone to tell you to do it. I don’t think I would find much pleasure in walking around my bedroom acting to myself. I can sit at a piano and put my head in music. The interesting thing is I was told to move back to London if I was really interested in being an actor, meet with an agent. But I ended up starting a band, moved to Manchester and ended up acting, moved to London to act and started a band. You can never plan your life! Had things been different, where would you be now? I am very glad that my band didn’t do well! I am pleased that acting became the front runner. I am not sure, I could be trekking about in a van up and down the country. It’s hard to sustain a life doing music unless you are at the top of the game.
photos © shelby duncan/shelbyduncan.com
Well given that acting did become the frontrunner, and going back to the guy who first spotted you in the play, who has been instrumental in your career? I always go back to Julie Taymor (who directed The Lion King and Frida), she cast me in ‘Across The Universe’ when no one knew who I was. She was looking for a young guy who was musical and could act, but not a ‘musical’ actor. She took a huge chance on me when the studio wanted big-name actors. Had she not done that, who knows what would have happened? She was a huge turning point for me. She gave me a platform; she put a lot of faith and trust in the unknown.
As you get older you do watch yourself less, you get tired of your own face. I did a showreel recently and I thought ‘I have done too many films with a moustache' You can get very bogged down with ‘being cool’, whatever that means, and actually it doesn’t mean anything. When I went to New York and I was in a musical I ended up thinking ‘I don’t care, I am going to enjoy this and have the best time’, I changed my attitude. I ended up thinking ‘f*** it’ and it lead to me meeting so many more interesting people in that head space.
That must have been a mad time for you, the change and suddenly people knowing who you were.
How does your preparation process go when you are taking on a new character?
Ah man, it was crazy. I was just about to give up on the whole acting thing, the band I was in had just broken up and I was scratching around trying to work out what to do next. Then someone said ‘you should go to this Beatles audition’. I mean it took me to America for the first time; I went to New York for nine months, it was crazy.
It varies so much, it depends on the character. When you read a script, something happens, you really connect. Someone offers you a part that you have no idea what you are going to do, it’s an accent you have never done or whatever and that is it when the work starts, you have to really dive in and work out who he is, how he moves, what makes him tick, what are his flaws. Normally, it is total-management.com 21
JIM STURGESS THE PERCEPTION OF COOL
just a good story and you connect, you want to tell their story. Subconsciously I guess you are always inspired by your surroundings, people around you and it’s all going in somewhere. Of your characters, which has been the biggest challenge? You know what, when you are on a job you always think ‘this is the hardest thing you have ever done’ and then you go onto another job and think ‘no this is the hardest thing I have ever done’. ‘The Way Back’, physically that was really really demanding, in the elements all day every day, for months. It never got easier, never an easy day. I could watch that and think: that was the hardest thing. But then you do a TV show and the speed at which television works, learning lines – that’s a challenge in itself. It’s hard.
Not getting any easier then..! Your advice to younger actors could be that ‘it doesn’t get easier’. Yeah definitely not one of those things where the older you get, the better you get, it’s like going to the gym, you think it may get easier… Looking at ‘The Way Back’, that is an emotionally and physically demanding job. What does it take to get you out of that head space, what is the decompression process for you? It’s a weird transition. You come back to earth, from trekking across amazing landscapes and having these amazing life changing experiences. You know, sometimes you make a film; sometimes you change your life. Cloud Atlas was that, it was a life changing moment.
JIM STURGESS THE PERCEPTION OF COOL
You can get ver y bogged down with ‘being cool’, whatever that means, and actually it doesn’t mean anything. When I went to New York and I was in a musical I ended up thinking ‘I don’t care, I am going to enjoy this and have the best time’, I changed my attitude
Do you watch your performances? Is it a useful critiquing tool or a useless endeavour? I do yeah, you can learn. It’s a double edged sword, you can over analyse. It can paralyse you though and stop the freeness and the organic ness of what you are doing. I think it is useful, I never quite get those actors that say they don’t watch themselves. I guess we could take this back around to the ‘what is the perception of cool’, but that is a whole other conversation and could take us deeper than we need to go right now! Hahaha oh yeah. But you know what, as you get older you do watch yourself less, you get tired of your own face. I did a showreel recently and I thought ‘I have done too many films with a moustache’. You have had some great facial hair progression through your life; I was looking at your photos and was thinking about the various facial hair pieces you have sported. I could be front runner for young actor with the most interesting facial hair. You clearly have a face people want to dress with hair pieces… I know! Not many people can say that. As you have grown and your career has developed, have you noticed a shift in your attitude and priorities? Yeah I mean as you get older, outside of the acting thing, the whole industry in which you feel so grateful to be there, but you when you were young you were so eager that you forget to look after yourself. People try to put an idea of you out there, but as you get older you have a stronger sense of who you are. You learn to say ‘no’ more, you’re not comfortable to do ‘this’ or prepared to do ‘that’. If I could say something to my younger self, it would be that – ‘it is ok to say no’, you don’t have to please everybody.
So what is next, what can we expect to see? Well I have ‘Feed The Beast’ out now and then the Stephen Poliakoff drama ‘Close To The Enemy’ coming out in October. Then there is a film ‘Geostorm’ due out next year. Three very different projects. So are you going to take a break or keep going with the things that interest you? Well you know I’m home now, reading things that interest me. I took a break after ‘Feed The Beast’ and now I’m back I am tinkering about. I like this period, you have no idea what’s going to come next – your antennas are up, you are waiting for something that feels right – it’s an interesting time. Sounds like a good place to be… Yeah I mean it is but then you start panicking you can’t pay the rent! As a working actor, the panic sets in every time, you think you will never work again. You are working and you are like ‘God, I can’t wait to do nothing’ then you do nothing, and then it’s ‘God, my whole life is falling apart, what am I doing’. Haha, I think that is true for the entire human race – never satisfied. Never satisfied – right! Never satisfied, but happy to laugh in the face of life’s obscurities. I would be happy with that.
‘Close To The Enemy’ is out in November on the BBC. A seven part series that is set against the background of the emerging Cold War. It follows Sturgess as intelligence officer Captain Callum Ferguson whose last task for the army is to ensure German captive Dieter (played by August Diehl) starts working for the British RAF on urgently developing the jet engine. Callum uses unorthodox methods in his attempt to convince Dieter to work with the British and eventually a friendship develops between the two men, but soon tensions arise as all is not as it seems. ‘Feed The Beast’ is currently being aired in America on AMC. For an insight into Jim’s musical capabilities (with a good cause), please also check out Jim Sturgess’ ‘Tragic Toys’. Set up to raise money for a friend diagnosed with MS. total-management.com 23
BUSINESS & INNOVATION • an ins i g h t i n t o t h e fu t u r e of b u si n ess, leader sh i p & i n n ov ati on •
The 21st Century Collector THE ART OF DEALING
When three entrepreneurs founded Paddle8 in 2011 with the idea of changing the face of the traditional auction house and bringing it into the digital age little did they know that their dream to make art collecting accessible to the young generation would translate to partnering with major online auction provider Auctionata. With plans to soon launch livestreamed Paddle8 auctions around the clock and to expand the live auction experience Total Management spoke with Co-founder Osman Khan to understand more about how his background in business and passion for art and collecting inspired the creation of this truly
Can you tell us more about the concept and where the idea came from? Alexander (Gilkes), Aditya (Julka), and I founded Paddle8 in 2011. After realising that the traditional brick and mortar model was failing to address the needs of the younger, mobile, digitally-savvy collector, we wanted to create a platform that offers collectors an easy and trusted portal to a curated destination for contemporary art. Can you tell us a bit more about your personal route into creating Paddle8? My foray into Paddle8 was a leap of faith based on an idea and a team, and sometimes that’s all you have to go on! As a long time consultant and investment banker, I had seen the disruption of traditional creative industries 24 total-management.com
for my entire career and felt strongly that at some point I wanted to be a part of that natural evolution, driving change and creating legacy. When we conceived the idea of revolutionising the auction landscape, all we really had to go on was a vision and the fact that three of us were capable, hardworking and brought together a very complementary skill set, so it seemed like a very natural and harmonious configuration. It is the world’s leading secondary marketplace for art and luxury collectibles, do you have competitors or is Paddle8 really the first ‘modern’ and technologically advanced approach to the auctioning of art? Yes, Paddle8 was one of the first companies to enter this field and after our merger with the online auction provider Auctionata in May 2016 and we are now the only company that provides the full collecting
photos courtesy of paddle8
modern approach to art.
BUSINESS & INNOVATION OSMAN KHAN
“Paddle8 operates in very traditional and very dynamic environments at the same time, and has brought together a fantastic team that shares the same vision and dedication to bringing the joy of collecting alive online”
experience online, including timed auctions, video auctions, benefit auctions and a curated online shop. There are of course various other online marketplaces offering art and luxury collectibles, but most of them just connect buyers and sellers or offer dealers an additional gallery storefront, but we provide the full service from start to finish. This unique value proposition has allowed us to become the global online leader in art, collectibles and vintage luxury, one of the top 10 auction houses worldwide outside of China and the fastest growing company in the sector in just five years. Why do you think the sector has been up until now so resistant to technology? I think the biggest challenge for all players in the art sector is to identify the ways in which the existing and future technology can enrich and facilitate their service offering, without compromising the aesthetic, visual, and emotional experience the clients value. Therefore, many players are afraid of waiving their traditional value proposition and thus continue to do business the “classic” way, which still works for some of their current clients, but will become increasingly problematic when future generations of tech-savvy, mobile collectors dominate the market. With that in mind, I think it is indispensable to embrace technology and integrate it into the value proposition from the very beginning. What does it mean to the art world to have a more diverse client base? Having a diverse client base is an essential requirement when you want to grow the business and establish new categories and products. For Paddle8, it was always important to attract collectors with different backgrounds from all over the world, especially since we
want to provide a comprehensive collecting experience that will eventually not only include contemporary art, but also collectibles, design and vintage luxury goods. Our current international user base of nearly 800,000 is an essential argument for our sellers to reach the right audience and will enable us to provide our buyers with the best possible auction experience and category diversity. Paddle8 has a number of noteworthy investors including Edgar Berger, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment International, while gallerist David Zirmer is on the Board. What do you think it is that inspires and appeals to those involved? All of our investors are fascinated by the content of our business, the objects we sell and the way our startup business has revolutionised a century-old industry. Paddle8 operates in very traditional and very dynamic environments at the same time, and has brought together a fantastic team that shares the same vision and dedication to bringing the joy of collecting alive online. The strong belief in our business model and our team, and the fact that Paddle8 has continuously demonstrated significant growth and a strong financial performance is what appeals to our shareholders and makes them want to stay onboard and part of this development. What’s the story behind the name? The word “Paddle” comes from the traditional auction world and refers to the sign that the bidder raises when he wants to signalise his bid to the auctioneer. "8" is a lucky number around the world, so Paddle8 ultimately describes a destination where bidders and collectors can get very lucky and find exactly what they were looking for. total-management.com 25
There seems to be a lot of emphasis on philanthropy within the business, how do you select the charities that you are involved with? When we launched Paddle8 we maintained a firm view that it was incumbent upon us as founders to find a way to leverage our expertise, technology and brand in a manner that would benefit our community, both locally and globally. In the fall of 2011, I reached out to the board members of the New York Academy of Arts and convinced them to host their annual gala auction online as a means of increasing the organisation’s exposure to a broader Paddle8 community and enhancing their overall fundraising goals by allowing a global collecting audience to bid on their artworks. The auction only raised $2k; however, over the next three years we led the development of our non-profit auction platform and committed to building out a team of professionals dedicated solely to servicing non-profits. In that time, we have hosted over 600 charity auctions globally from Los Angeles to Lebanon to Hong Kong, and helped organisations with a diverse range of philanthropic motivations raise over $50MM (the services are offered at next to no cost). In New York alone, our efforts with all the major arts organisations have dramatically changed the fundraising landscape, helping local organisations raise in excess of 40% of their typical fundraising goals by utilising the Paddle8 platform and in turn using those funds to offer new artist residencies, expand educational programs for emerging artists and host events targeted to improving awareness for the arts in the community. As we continue to grow the team we have had to become more selective about the partners we work with, but we always strive to ensure that we work with a diversified set of partners who can benefit from our platform and are engaging with the philanthropic mission of Paddle8 in a meaningful way. Where did your personal passion for art begin? I had always been interested in art, but primarily tangentially through friends who may have worked in the art world. In 2010 I attended my first art fair at NADA with a friend who owned a gallery at the time who was kind enough to give me a comprehensive tour and I felt as though my immersion into the art world had only really begun. Has the creation of the brand been a challenge? For us, building the brand has always been a key priority. We 26 total-management.com
“Today’s collectors are interested and well versed across many different categories and genres and there are more and more cultural influences that have broadened the traditional concept of what is labelled as art”
have put a lot of thought and dedication into building the Paddle8 brand, since it plays an essential role in building a trustworthy reputation in the market. Since we started the business by hosting auctions for non-profit organisations, we were able to cooperate with fantastic partners and increase brand awareness simultaneously. In addition, we offered our users top-quality content and products, which helped us to establish Paddle8 as a premium brand among a very sophisticated audience and become very well-known in the relevant target group. After our recent merger with Auctionata, the challenge will now be to transform and evolve the company’s brand in a way that best leverages its strength and extends it across a new product portfolio. You recently sold a rare sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan’s album ‘Once Upon a Time in Shaolin'. Do you think that Paddle8 has bridged the gap between what was traditionally viewed as ‘art’ allowing for a more outward looking approach to the field? Absolutely. Today’s collectors are interested and well versed across many different categories and genres and there are more and more cultural influences that have broadened the traditional concept of what is labelled as art. As a result, the desire to collect pop culture memorabilia of fascinating artists has been growing steadily and has led to a generally more diversified perspective on what is 'artistically' valuable. How are works for auction selected and in there a specific process? We seek out different kinds of collectible works — from contemporary art and design to fine jewellery and design objects with cult followings. Our experienced specialists curate the objects for our auctions, taking factors like authenticity, condition, market prices, and provenance, into account. paddle8.com
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BUSINESS & INNOVATION PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVE
Investing in Women
Looking after the needs of women on a global scale, Maverick Collective encourages young and prosperous philanthrophists to engage in the rights of girls worldwide. Co-founder Kate Roberts aims to overturn a generation of social investors, to engage them and make them aware of the continuing social injustices that affect women today; from birth rights, to access to medication and illness prevention. Aside from her role at Maverick Collective, Roberts is Senior Vice President for Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at PSI, a non for profit global health network. Maverick Collective is cofounded by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit and co-chaired by Melinda Gates. Kate Roberts speaks to Isabel Carmichael
Maverick Collective is a bold new programme that is redefining what it means to be a philanthropist. Our members embrace risk head-on, demand measurable results, and put the full extent of their true net worth to work. We know that solving big problems requires more than money: it demands leaders who are willing to listen with empathy, to fail and learn fast, and lend their talents and voice to generate impact. Why ‘Maverick Collective’, what does it mean? Last year, the UN member states all agreed to a global set of goals called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals call for new sources of funding, ideas and approaches to tackle extreme poverty and disadvantage. We see Maverick Collective as a response to the SDGs. Our mission is to build a community of strategic philanthropists and informed advocates who use their intellectual and financial resources to create change for women and girls. Ultimately, we are a philanthropic and advocacy initiative to end extreme poverty in our lifetime by investing in girls and women.
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How did you come up with the idea and what was your main inspiration behind an initiative to support only women? In 2007 I was humbled to be nominated as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum. I saw “The Girl Effect” video which put the needs of girls and women on the agenda in the international development community and galvanised donors around the need to invest in girls and women. However, the funding did not match the rhetoric and according to the United Nations, a paltry two cents of every development dollar went to programs exclusive to girls and women. This meant precious resources and talent were being left on the table by not engaging women philanthropists. How were you connected with Co-founder of Maverick Collection Crown Princess Norway Mette-Marit? In 2012, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and I visited India as part of our work advocating for girls and women. It was there that we connected, having known each other from various global health gatherings. We realised that we both shared frustrations with the amount of talk and lack of action we saw.
photos courtesy of maverick collective
What is the Maverick Collective for the uninitiated?
How did the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation become involved with your work? PSI at that point had been working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for 15 years. Through my work as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum I had many discussions regarding the challenges faced by women and girls. This led to a discussion with Bill Gates who suggested further conversations with Melinda as he indicated that we shared a common vision and goals in this area. Indeed Melinda Gates is one of the strongest advocates on family planning in the global health arena. Both HRH Mette-Marit and I later met with Melinda Gates and from that discussion Maverick Collective began to emerge. We were thrilled as Melinda Gates inspires both of us. We see her as a great example of a woman using her voice and resources to put family planning on the global agenda. She resonated with our emerging new model of philanthropy to truly amplify impact and create new champions for girls and women. We were honoured when Melinda Gates joined our nascent effort as co-chair, and together, we created Maverick Collective.
Maverick Collective has a full female board. Aside from the obvious emphasis on women’s rights and health, what connects Maverick Collective members and supporters? A key part of the Maverick Collective model is giving members the opportunity to be involved with their project and, where desired, lend their skills, expertise, voice, and influence. We work closely with members in the early stages of the partnership to understand how best to leverage their unique talents and time commitment to create the greatest possible impact for girls and women, whether in generating ideas to enhance the project, serving as a champion and advocate for an issue, or activating their network to inspire others to invest.
“Maverick Collective is a bold new programme that is redefining what it means to be a philanthropist. Our members embrace risk head-on, demand measurable results, and put the full extent of their true net worth to work”
Your work sees you help initiatives across the globe. How do you go about selecting the regions and communities that you work with? Population Services International (PSI) is a global health NGO with operations in 65 countries around the world. PSI has multiple program areas in the health sectors and this has allowed Maverick Collective to focus on six key
We provide members with a unique experience tailored to their interests, skills, and desired time commitment across three core areas: impact, education, and advocacy. Members work with their dedicated Partner Liaison, within the Maverick Collective team, to develop an annual learning, advocacy, and communications plan, and have the opportunity to engage with their project on the ground through field visits and regular interaction with PSI’s experts and country team. Our target is for members to become informed champions for girls and women through technical learning opportunities, workshops, conferences, speaking engagements, and working groups and retreats with other members. We also provide annual media and messaging training and opportunities to author opinion pieces and other publications that raise awareness of Maverick Collective’s approach to philanthropy, the member’s chosen health area, and other key issues facing girls and women in the developing world. As Maverick Collective is an initiative of PSI it sits within the overall framework of the organisation. Therefore, it does not have a legal board, however, strategic direction of the program is set by HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Belinda Gates and myself, with input and approval from the founding members. Do you work with men and do you receive male support? At this point, Maverick Collective does not have any male members, however, there are plans in the pipeline to bring onboard male members. We believe this will be a powerful statement, to see influential men advocating on behalf of women and girls.
areas: reproductive health, non-communicable diseases, water sanitation and hygiene, gender based violence, HIV and AIDS, and maternal and child health. We then seek to align with members’ interests and skills. Other key factors include: acute needs of women and girls; favorable policy environment; potential for leverage and scale; and opportunities for sustainability. PSI’s experts engage and solicit input from Maverick Collective members throughout the design phase of their chosen project.
Many of Maverick Collective programs engage and involve men and boys, as they are integral to many of the obstacles faced by women and girls. Do you see what you are doing as instrumental in improving women’s situations across the world; do you work with other organisations that are doing similar things to you? Our work at PSI is driven by passion and hard facts. We know we are bringing about positive change for women and girls on our programs total-management.com 29
Indrani Goradia’s work in India on reducing Gender Based Violence has attracted additional funding from USAID to make it the largest GBV program in India. Pam Scott’s work in Tanzania, looking at creating affordable and scalable models that breakdown the barriers teenage girls face in accessing contraceptives, attracted additional support to scale-up and work across East Africa. Kathy Viza’s cervical cancer project in India, is pioneering simple techniques to detect and treat cervical cancer. Her work has been taken up by the Uttar-Pradesh Ministry of Health and is now being rolled-out across the state by the government department. What does it mean to be a woman in business? Do you feel that you are equal in what you do? I absolutely 100% feel equal in what I do, if not better at times than a man, as women have more empathy, and are more in touch with their emotional side, which works well in this work. However, this is not the stauts quo for everybody. From my perspective, working in international development, it’s a different ball game in the developing world, where women are held back from education, not considered for key employment opportunities, and have no voice in their own communities and homes. We know that investing in women is one of the proven ways in which to break the cycle of poverty for everyone. For example, according to a 2014 UNESCO report, if all women in Sub-Saharan Africa completed primary education, there would be 70% fewer maternal deaths, saving 113,400 lives. Being a young women in business comes with its challenges, especially in the service industry where you 30 total-management.com
have to work harder than men to succeed. When you’re in a board room and surrounded by men, I don’t feel intimidated at all, I just know I have to work harder to be heard. Also, the environment is different to a mixed or even all female environment and this is because men react differently to solving problems and collaborate differently to women. Business inspiration: can you tell us about those you hold in high regard? I admire Anna Wintour as she is so focused and strategic, has developed her own brand which she uses well to communicate her mission, and combines her passion with her business and brand. I believe anyone who leads with their passion will be successful. I also admire, Sheryl Sandberg and the 'Lean In' philosophy; she has used her position at Facebook to get a message out about the importance of women's equality and used her platform the best way possible. I think Oprah Winfrey is one of the most inspirational CEOs that stays true to herself, brings in others, especially women, and supports them in whatever way she can to help them succeed. I find it admirable how we women support one another and lift each other. As Madeleine Albright has said: “there’s a special place in heaven for women who help one another.” What other initiatives are you involved with? Maverick Collective is all consuming across the six program areas, which leaves little time for other initiatives. However, I continue to work closely with the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader program, and more specifically, I am a founding curator of the program's Global Shapers initiative here in DC. Global Shapers engages young social entrepreneurs in solving some of the
photos courtesy of maverick collective
because we place great emphasis on measuring our work and using the data to direct our efforts. So far, Maverick Collective projects have reached 300,000 women across 15 pilot programs.
BUSINESS & INNOVATION PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVE
“We know that solving big problems requires more than money: it demands leaders who are willing to listen with empathy, to fail and learn fast, and lend their talents and voice to generate impact”
world's pressing problems. I also serve on the board of the Global India Fund and in my spare time I’m a keen artist. Future projects for Maverick Collective? Maverick Collective is developing our new pilot programs within the six program areas in which we work. Some of the exciting new pilot programs that we are seeking support range from maternal and child health and finding innovative new ways to prevent Zika; to introducing new technologies to engage mothers and daughters in preventing and treating cervical cancer; to working with men in South Africa to increase the uptake of PREP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis; a drug taken to prevent HIV transmission). Personally, the PrEP program for me is highly exciting as I think it will be a game changer in the fight against HIV. In addition, Maverick Collective is forming new tracks for next generation philanthropists. This track will have dedicated resources and support them to excel in their areas of interst and investment. maverickcollective.org
Note on PSI: Maverick Collective is an initiative of Population Services International (PSI), a leading global health organisation that makes it easier for people in the developing world to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire by marketing affordable products and services. PSI’s programmatic and country experts design and implement Maverick Collective’s pilot projects. PSI brings an extensive network across 65 countries, technical expertise across a variety of health areas, and a 43year history. Because nearly all of PSI’s 9,000 employees are local country nationals, health solutions are culturally sensitive, address specific needs on the ground, and are developed with local partners to ensure sustainable, long-term impact. PSI’s existing partners include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and a number of Fortune 500 corporations.
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BUSINESS & INNOVATION MAKING WAVES
MAKING WAVES IN BUSINESS TRAVEL
I
magining a travel experience without incurring congested airports and delays Total Management explores the rise in travellers who are opting to fly with flying clubs and private jet charters. We speak with Executive Chairman of Surf Air Sudhin Shahani to understand exactly what the appeal is and how the service works. How did the idea for Surf Air develop? The idea came from wanting to serve a very specific audience; that being business travellers and people who travel often, particularly on short haul flights who really need to save time by not going through commercial airports. The idea developed on this basis, the concept really is to save business travellers time and hassle. We wanted to try and find a better way to travel and also save money at the same time. 32 total-management.com
The private aviation market is becoming quite saturated with competitors: Wheels Up, JetSmarter, Beacon and Blue Star are all companies seemingly working with a similar target audience. How does Surf Air differ and what are the benefits of the membership process compared to the generic private aviation model? Surf Air is different because it serves a different customer. We serve people who fly often and fly the same route for regular business. Almost all of our customers fly for business and have a corporate account with us. Other private aviation companies such as Wheels Up and JetSmarter still serve the private aviation customer; primarily for leisure and for a better rate than existing carriers, whereas the customer that we serve here in California for example pays $1,950 a month for unlimited flying. The typical profile is someone who is travelling two or three times a month. Whereas in the past they were regularly paying up to $500 to
take a last minute business flight, now they are choosing to fly Surf Air because not only are they saving money on last minute trips but they are also saving two hours on each side of the journey because they aren’t going through a commercial airport. Our members are predominantly sole business travellers who travel frequently between the same two cities and tend not to be families or those travelling in a group. While there are a number of companies serving the private aviation customer, we are really serving the core business customer and offer the flexibility of a commercial flight within a private aviation experience. Do you profile each member to confirm suitability for membership, or can whoever joins use it? We do have a membership application process and undertake background checks and see what their typical travel patterns are so we can ensure that we meet their needs and flight habits.
photos courtesy of surf air
Surf Air is the first private, all-you-can-fly club offering a smart travel alternative for the entrepreneur. It’s a whole new way to fly for a new way of doing business. Serving California with European operations starting in October (and additional destinations to follow), Surf Air is redefining the future of flying and living.
"While there are a number of companies serving the private aviation c u s t o m e r, w e a r e r e a l l y s e r v i n g t h e core business customer and offer the flexibility of a commercial flight within a private aviation experience"
Who are the pilots / crew and how does service in terms of safety and security differ from flying with standard airlines? The pilots are a mix of people who come from flying with commercial airlines and those who have flown larger charter operators. We only work with pilots who have flown a certain number of hours so primarily they are a blend of commercial airline pilots and large private fleet operators. How is it possible to have a corporate jet experience at a reduced cost? It’s possible because of the frequency at which we fly. We have a fleet of 12 aircraft and there are around 85 flights a day. When you fly this frequently and concentrate the service on an 8-foot aircraft with a maximum of 8 passengers per plane, in the short-haul market you can produce a lot of seats out of the service to share them amongst members. What made you decide to expand into Europe and how did you decipher your Surf Air routes and destinations? As I mentioned, the business is perfectly optimised for short haul markets and
premium business markets. Europe is a great example of this; there are a number of commercial centres in Europe where business markets are within two hours of each other. A number of them originate in London; it’s a natural hub. If you look at routes such as London – Zurich and London – Geneva where you have a high frequency of business class travellers and a high volume of private aviation traffic you see the necessity. As we grow we intend to serve the locations with the highest number of business travellers in the world. Where are your airports? In the US we fly out of a selection of small private airports that are located close to the centre of the city, or in some cases we fly out of private terminals at the major airports. In Europe as a whole the private airport infrastructure is less developed so we will be serving from the private terminals at the major commercial airports. What are Surf Air’s limitations and what have been your biggest challenges within Europe? In Europe we are partnering with TAG Aviation which does a great job of operating in the European environment. It is too early
to tell but we have a number of committed founding members. For the European market we imagine this to be a highly anticipated service, how have you found interest so far and do you have a waitlist or capped membership number? We have a capped membership number and also a founding member’s category. Leading up to the launch we had a large number of applications and as such we have reached the limit of our founding member’s category. People who look at the Surf Air model who are frequent travellers may say it looks too good to be true, how would you respond to this? Prior to starting to fly, a prospective member can see our schedule - we publish all of our schedules - so people know exactly what they are getting before they fly. Europe is an incredible expansion, but what does the bigger picture look like for Surf Air in the coming years? The bigger picture looks like an increase in the number of high value, short-haul business markets around the world. There are now many more in the US, Europe and the Middle East, along with new markets in South America and Asia. The idea is for Surf Air to create a business base for business travellers in all of the most frequently travelled commercial routes across the world. surfair.com total-management.com 33
Changing the way you fly. Unlimited private flights from $1,750 per month Learn more at www.surfair.com
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The Bremont Boeing Model 247 and the F/A-18 Super Hornet share the same hardened Custom 465® Steel.
BREMONT BOEING MODEL 247
WE’VE NEVER BUILT A WATCH FROM THIS KIND OF STEEL BEFORE. BUT IT SEEMED TO WORK OUT OKAY ON THE F/A-18 SUPER HORNET. A few years ago the British watch manufacturer Bremont and American aviation giant Boeing, embarked on a development project to build a range of mechanical timepieces that embraced the latest in material and manufacturing research from the worlds of horology and aviation. The result is something remarkably special.
GLOBETROTTER • a g u i d e f o r th e di sc er n i n g tr av eller •
ALL THINGS AMAN
Renowned for creating spaces with privacy and a sense of peace, Aman resorts capture the beauty of some of the most diverse and historical landscapes on the planet without foregoing detail to luxury – a word the brand prefers to eschew - believing elegance to be of higher importance. First opened in Phuket, Thailand in 1988 by Adrian Zecha, the founding Aman retreat has since lead to the creation of 31 resorts, hotels and private residences across 20 countries. Clockwise from top: Amanoi set in the lush coastal vegetation of Vietnam's Nui Chua National Park; Amankora in Bhutan with views of the soaring 7,000 metre Himalayan peaks
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eeking to offer transformative experiences and breathtaking locations around the world, Aman has created a level of luxury travel based around holistic wellbeing and traditions of a place; it is not simply luxury in the way we thought possible. Deriving its name from the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, the brand today operates a collection of unique properties making every Aman experience different, in order to create a homely atmosphere, observing the company ethos for simple and authentic style. Adrienne Miller learns more about this innate sense of elegance from Christina Deeny, Global Head of Sales for Aman.
photos courtesy of aman
AUTHENTIC AMAN
S
GLOBETROTTER ALL THINGS AMAN
Clockwise from top: The swimming pool overlooking the skyscrape at Aman Tokyo; Absorb the magic of Luang Prabang with a private Mekong River cruise at Amantaka; Sweeping views from Amankora’s Paro Lodge Bonfire; The Thimphu Suite which is set in the upper reaches of the Motithang area, one of five lodges at Amankora; Amantaka’s Khan Pool Suites include its own private pool, an outdoor lounge area and a spacious living room.
Do you have a favourite Aman property? It is extremely hard to choose just one as all our properties are so very different – from the architecture, design, offering, experience. But if I had to choose, I would go for Amankora. Everything about Bhutan appeals to those who want to combine a spiritual experience with one of adventure: the peace, serenity, way of life, culture, the treks through the kingdom and ancient monasteries. We have five lodges located throughout the country which allows us to curate a really insightful and seamless journey for our guests.
‘...A M A N S TANDS FOR : P R I VAC Y, I MP EC C A B L E S ERV I CE, P E ACE, OU T S TA NDI NG DE SI GN A ND ARC HI T EC T UR E’
Of those you haven’t been to, which property do you want to visit? It has to be our property in Luang Prabang, Amantaka. Luang Prabang is really a hidden gem of Southeast Asia with its natural beauty, spirituality and regal history. There are century-old monasteries, saffron-robed monks and bustling night markets. It has a certain ‘go slow’ mentality which is a welcome change from the frenetic pace of life we have all become accustomed to! Amantaka is perfectly located in the centre of the town to explore everything Luang Prabang has to offer. What do you feel is behind the long standing success of the Aman brand, and what do you see for the future of Aman? I feel that part of our success is due to not compromising on how and where we choose to open properties.
Amantaka benefits including upgrade on arrival, continental breakfast daily, 60 minute massage per room and early checkin/late check-out. Amankora benefits including continental breakfast daily, 60 minute hot stone bath for two people and early check-in/late check-out. Aman Tokyo benefits including upgrade on arrival, full american breakfast at The Restaurant by Aman for two daily, $100 food & beverage credit and early check-in/late check-out.
We take our time to ensure that we are able to offer our guests all that Aman stands for: privacy, impeccable service, peace, and outstanding design and architecture. These, in particular the service offering at our properties, are things that we will never compromise on. Then our loyal guests or ‘Amanjunkies’ as they have coined themselves are also a huge reason why we are where we are today. With regards to the future of Aman, our focus will remain on offering authentic experiences that really open up destinations in original ways for our guests. Following on from the success of Aman Tokyo, we are also looking into growing our ‘vertical’ properties. Wellness will continue to be a huge focus for us and refining our offering in this sector. total-management.com 37
Unrivalled Beach side Esc a p es
There is nothing that symbolises getting away from the norm more than hearing the sound of the waves and feeling the sand beneath your feet. In this collection of beachside properties, Sarah Weston explores some of the most desired locations.
La Co(o)rniche, Bordeaux
GLOBETROTTER BEACHSIDE ESCAPES
CASA DEL MAR One of only two hotels in Los Angeles with direct beach access, Casa del Mar is the slightly less well known sister property of the iconic Santa Monica Shutters on the Beach. With stunning views over the Pacific Ocean, this 1920’s style revival hotel was once a beach club for the Hollywood elite. With only 129 rooms, this boutique property uses sweeping sea views and four poster beds to perfectly combine California cool with classic Italian Luxury. Prices from $495 including upgrade on arrival, continental breakfast daily, $100 Spa credit and early check-in/late check-out. (Santa Monica, California, United States)
photos clockwise from left courtesy of la co(o)rniche, casa del mar, qualia, aman resorts, la co(o)rniche, the cape
QUALIA Situated in the heart of Whitsundays on the tropical Hamilton Island, qualia is a private world of sensory perfection. It is surrounded by the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach which is often voted as one of the best beaches in the world. qualia is not only a luxury retreat, but the perfect base to easily explore the location. Check into The Beach House – for unrivalled views from its own 12 metre infinity pool. Prices from $1,100 including upgrade on arrival, daily full breakfast, Whitsundays Sunset Cruise and early check-in/late check-out. (Hamilton Island, Australia)
AMANPULO Cerulean sky and turquoise sea merge at Amanpulo, a whisper-quiet private island retreat in the Philippines. Part of the Cuyo Archipelago, northeast of Palawan Island, guests can only arrive by private plane to the island’s own airstrip. Amanpulo’s powdery white sand beach stretches the full 6.5-kilometre perimeter of the island, enclosing an unspoilt tropical wilderness. Prices from $1,485 including upgrade on arrival, continental breakfast daily, complimentary à la carte lunch for up to two people and early check-in/late check-out. (Palawan, Philippines)
THE CAPE, A THOMPSON HOTEL The Cape made its debut in June 2015, and is situated along one of the most desirable stretches of white sand in Los Cabos. This all new luxury hotel features 161 oceanfront guestrooms, all with unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez and the destination’s famed icon, The Arch. The Cape seamlessly blends Thompson’s signature upscale urban aesthetic with a distinct 1960s Bajameets-Southern California feel. Prices from $499 including upgrade on arrival, A la carte full breakfast daily, $100 food & beverage credit and early check-in/late check-out. (Los Cabos, Mexico) contact total management for bookings
L A CO(O)RNICHE Situated against the highest sand dune in Europe, La Co(o)rniche is perfectly bounded by sea and sky. A quick jump down the dune and you are on Pilat- Plage’s most idyllic, however undercelebrated beach. Phillipe Starck’s revival of this 1930’s basque house combines fresh Rosé lunches with an eclectic collection of quirky art. Prices from €490 (Bordeaux, France) total-management.com 39
STYLE & SAILING IN: F
ormally Serbia and Montenegro, a remnant of what was formally Yugoslavia, Montenegro finds itself nestled on the Adriatic coast bordered by Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia. ‘Black Mountain’ as it translates, Montenegro is home to large swathes of thick forest and mountainous areas making it a popular destination to explore the arresting natural beauty of the country. The somewhat unlikely playground for the international rich and famous, in recent years this Balkan state has become a hub for superyachts which flock to the coastline to enjoy the luxury facilities of the country’s largest marina; Porto Montenegro, located in the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor. Originally built as an Austro-Hungarian naval base which was decommissioned following the end of the Cold War, in addition to 228 residences, restaurants, 40 total-management.com
bars, shops, a yacht club, a five-star Regent hotel, and a Naval Heritage museum, the marina boasts a swath of 450 berths for yachts and superyachts alike, not to mention an international education option by way of Knightsbridge School which offers the International Baccalaureate for children aged 3-19. Popular amongst foreign investors this once quiet fishermen’s haven and politically troubled nation is widely tipped to become one of Europe’s most exciting locations. Montenegro’s style is hard to beat. Mesmerised by the blend of elegance and grandeur, Total Management Travel tips the country’s most desirable hotels.
photos courtesy of porto montenegro, aman
MONTENEGRO
REGENT HOTEL PORTO MONTENEGRO Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro, designed in Italian palazzo-style by architects ReardonSmith in the town of Tivat located on the shore of the Bay of Kotor, is the hub of luxury in the country’s most coveted marina. Looking over the palm tree lined marina and out across the bay, towards a mountainous horizon, this exceptional location makes the Regent Porto Montenegro the perfect place from which to explore the Bay of Kotor, Tivat and the rest of Montenegro. Divided across 57 rooms which comprise suites, penthouses and residences, the property also has its own spa, including five treatment rooms, an outdoor pool with bay views, a gym, Hammam, sauna and more where guests can unwind, relax and experience holistic wellbeing. Rooms from €175 including upgrade at time of arrival,buffet breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay, complimentary lunch for two in the Dining Room Restaurant and and early check-in/late check-out.
contact total management for bookings
Clockwise from top left: Regent Port Montenegro; Villa Milocer at Sveti Stefan by Aman; Sveti Stefan Suite Private Pool; Regent Port Montenegro
SVETI STEFAN BY AMAN Made up of a number of luxury accommodation options, Sveti Stefan by Aman comprises a fortified village that dates back to the 15th century which is home to the property’s unique Cottages and Suites, each accessible via stone footpaths and designed distinctively to follow the organic contours of the island. Villa Milocer, a former royal summer residence is home to Suites that overlook the sea and the main Sveti Stefan residence from which guests can admire the property’s 800 olive trees, ancient cedar and pine forests. Each of Sveti Stefan’s 58 dwellings are individually laid out and decorated, combining historic features with contemporary reinterpretations. Rooms from €772 including upgrade on arrival, continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests, complimentary luncheon for two once during stay and early check-in/late check-out.
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INCREDIBLE INDIA Words by Katie Nelson
W
alking through the streets of India instantly carries you to another place and time. India is a vivid attack on the mind in every way. Its colours, sights, sounds and smells create an enchanting world, a magical place that can break you down but always leaves you in awe, clamouring for more. All the clichÊs you have heard about India are undoubtedly true. For most visitors it’s not an easy country to understand, navigate or sometimes accept. It compels you to alter the way you see the world. It forces
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you to adjust, to be patient, to negotiate. India's wonders bring pain and pleasure; but time spent in India is almost certain to leave you a changed person. You will leave tougher, enchanted, more humble and compassionate. Most importantly you will leave with memories to last a lifetime. From manic Mumbai to calming Kerala, here are a few highlights to help you navigate this magnificent and maddening country.
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DELHI As India’s regular welcome port of call, Delhi is the perfect introduction to the country. It is a modern capital city with a history that runs deep. Stepping off the plane you are immediately aware you are in “Incredible India”. Among the glass and chrome of this modern capital are reminders of the city’s millennium-long history. Tombs serve as traffic roundabouts, ancient forts provide the backdrop for concerts and a sparkling new metro station sits in front of mazes of lanes that have barely changed since the 17th century. In the course of a day in Delhi, you could visit a 500-yearold mosque, browse upmarket boutiques, get an Ayurvedic massage, eat sushi and attend a free concert in the park.
W H E R E TO S TAY / T H E I M P E R I A L
The Imperial is an iconic and luxury hotel with an awe-inspiring heritage entwined in colonial elegance and splendour. It is situated in the heart of the capital and reminiscent of the peaceful days of the Raj. The fragrance of jasmine wafts around you, there’s soothing piano music in the background and opulence is everywhere; in the marble floors, the fountains and the chandeliers. It all adds up to an air of luxury heeding back to a different era. High ceilings, impeccable décor equipped with all the facilities and modern conveniences. All 235 rooms and suites overlook lush verdant gardens offering discreet luxury, serenity and total privacy.
MUMBAI Some say that Mumbai isn’t a representation of ‘the real India’. It’s a crowded and chaotic place, but amidst all the madness Mumbai still manages an air of tranquillity. Lazy early morning strolls along the river offer a much needed respite within the hustle and bustle. This respite doesn’t last long though, so relish it, and then be prepared to dive into the disorder with the 16 million other people. Mumbai is also the centre of India’s thriving Bollywood film industry. Don’t be surprised if you are approached to appear as an extra in a film. The free lunch might not be worth it, but trust us, the experience and costumes surely are.
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W H E R E T O S TAY / TA J M A H A L PA L A C E
The Taj Mahal Palace opened in 1903, giving birth to the country’s first harbour landmark. The flagship hotel of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces overlooks the majestic Gateway of India. This legendary luxury hotel has played host to kings, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe, and is acknowledged as a world leader in hospitality. Each of the 550 rooms and suites is a striking blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history and modern facilities.
JAIPUR Colourful Jaipur in Rajasthan is chaotic and brimming with interesting artefacts. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachwaha Rajput, after years of scrupulous planning, the construction of Jaipur, the City of Victory, began in 1727. Today, the past remains very visible in the city’s dusty, lively streets and with its ever present majestic forts. The old or walled city is often referred to as the Pink City because that’s the colour of the Hawa Mahal and many of the other buildings.
W H E R E TO S TAY / A L I L A F O RT B I S H A N G A R H
Alila Fort Bishangarh, set to open early 2017, comes to Jaipur with a heritage resort that beautifully preserves the Jaipur Gharana architecture, which was influenced by both the Mughals and the British. Following restoration of this beautiful 230-year-old fort, Alila will bring an all-suite hotel featuring 59 suites that are designed for quiet indulgence with all promising fantastic views of the pink city. The original fort is being left intact with much care in order to recreate the courtly flavour of Shahpura’s royalty.
AGRA No trip to India is complete without a stop in Agra to visit The Taj Mahal. The Taj is however just one of Agra’s magnificent Mughal buildings. Jahan, the architect Mughal emperor, built The Taj Mahal as a memorial for his second and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. Although Jahan built a new capital in Delhi, the elegant fort, and the many tombs, gardens and mosques within the city limits helped to secure Agra’s place in Indian history.
W H E R E TO S TAY / O B E R O I A M A RV I L A S
The Oberoi Amarvilas delights in its unrivalled location, just 600 metres from the iconic Taj Mahal. Each of the 102 rooms and suites offer uninterrupted views of this ancient monument to love, while elements of the layout and design pay homage to its Mughal splendour. The hotel is reached along a sweeping driveway, lush with native trees and lit by flaming torches. Just inside, a Mughal style entry is ornamented with cascading fountains and framed by an arched passageway and gold leaf murals. By day, guests can travel in private golf buggies to The Taj Mahal and by night, you savour a candlelit dinner beside its soft silhouette.
contact total management for bookings
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GOA Goa is different. Here, the familiar traffic jams and bustling streets yield to easy-going sleepiness and broad smiles. This is where the crowded cities are replaced by coconut groves and diesel fumes fade under the fragrance of ripening mango. Goa’s landscape is remarkably varied, ranging from thick forested mountain ranges through lush river valleys to unspoiled beaches. The former Portuguese colony - it only became part of India in 1961- is India’s smallest state. What it lacks in size it definitely makes up for in charm. It has retained much of a distinct post-colonial Portuguese personality. Although it is no longer the completely untouched paradise discovered by the flower children of the 1960s Goa remains pleasantly peaceful.
W H E R E T O S TAY / W R E T R E AT & S PA
W Goa is spread over 25 acres on the scenic Vagator beach in North Goa. From stylish cafés to hip boutiques and eclectic music clubs there is aura of creativity and cultural mix. With a private coastal setting and breath taking views of the sea and the Chapora Fort.
KERALA Kerala’s tropical backwaters have long been a meeting place for the world’s major religions and ideologies, as well as for the merging of fresh and salt water. Yet these splendid backwaters have remained peaceful, gentle and slow. Here, women wash their clothes on the banks while men wait patiently behind fishing lines. Vast stretches of calm, green waters end in a coconut tree-fringed horizon. Further inland from the lakes and lagoons, narrow canals lead into an even more unhurried world, without roads and cars, where every village home has a boat moored at its doorstep. This is the heart of Kerala: part Venetian, part tropical and entirely charming.
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W H E R E TO S TAY / S P I C E R O U T E S H O U S E B O AT S
Spice Routes Houseboats offer a unique and enchanting way to experience the vast waterways of Kerala’s remote places. Located at Alleppey, the Venice of the East, and strategically positioned at a vantage point on the backwaters, Spice Routes have well planned routes for optimum exploration. Every houseboat comes with its own crew consisting of a driver, assistant and a personal chef who dishes out tantalising local cuisine. All houseboats are equipped with modern conveniences including sun decks, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, uninterrupted water supply, a wellstocked kitchen and skilled crew who ensure you have a luxurious experience.
T R AV E L EXTRAORDINARY Your bespoke passport to the world
travel@total-management.com
S TAY AWAY WITH US
A portfolio of luxury exclusive rental properties hand-selected from across the globe, The AWAY Collection combines some of the most beautiful locations selected for their unique architecture and design features, exceptional service, heritage and history.
From left : Exterior view from Bayscape; Incredible panoramic views from living space; Contemporary bedroom design
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ompiled by knowledgeable experts in travel, this exclusive collection forms part of the Total Management portfolio and equips clients with access to the brand’s wider services. Widely recognised as a leading provider of entertainment, travel and lifestyle solutions globally, this bespoke property search has been curated to showcase a range of luxurious and unique villas, chalets, boat charters and ranches from around the world to meet a range of budgets. Properties endowed with facilities to host a dream wedding or celebration, corporate retreat or media and film shoot, the collection travels through the UK, Europe, The Americas, Asia and beyond, bringing together distinctive and fascinating locations in one exceptional collection.
Bayscape, New Zealand is part of the Off The Radar Collection. Imagery provided by Annandale. Please contact hello@theawaycollection.com for reservations and further details. Exclusive benefits include, Complimentary Breakfast Provisions, Early check-in/late check-out, $100 Food & Beverage credit. total-management.com 49
Casa Kimball, Dominican Republic is part of the Couture Design Collection. Please contact hello@theawaycollection.com for reservations and further details.
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photos Š paul warchol
Clockwide from top : The private estate is situated on 3 acres of property with 180 degree Atlantic ocean views; Beautiful modern architecture with 47m infinity pool; One of eight bedrooms within the property
Clockwide from top : 18m x 4m infinity pool with sea and sunset views; The outside dining table seats up to 20 people on the edge of the forest; Sunken chill out lounge area with fireplace; Clever use of space and light gives the house an incredible open feeling; Top floor roof terrace with 360 degree views of the surroundings
Can Benirrรกs, Ibiza is part of the White Isle Collection. Please contact hello@theawaycollection.com for reservations and further details.
Chalet Savoleyres, Verbier is part of the Ski & Snow Collection. Please contact hello@theawaycollection.com for reservations and further details.
Clockwide from top : The indoor pool and outdoor hot tub look out over uninterrupted views of the mountains; The master suite has jaw-dropping views of Verbier with private balcony; The grand dining room features a bespoke chandelier sitting over the table catering for a sophisticated evening; The sitting room focuses around an authentic stone fireplace; Massage room seperated from the pool by one way glass
Over Yonder Cay, Bahamas is part of the Private Islands Collection. Please contact hello@theawaycollection.com for reservations and further details.
Clockwide from top: Exterior view of Meridian House perched on the island's central hilltop; Expansive master suite in Meridian House; Soar above the turquoise waters and lagoons in a 9 passenger seaplane; Outdoor dining at Meridian House; Three-tier infinity pool and hot tub at East Cove
GLOBETROTTER GREAT ESCAPE
COLOMBIA North to South
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Words by Sophie Binns
LA GUAJI RA PENI NS U L A CARTAGENA DE I NDI AS
BARI CHARA
VI LLA DE L E YVA BOGOTĂ€ POPAYAN
rom the Caribbean Sea down to the Amazon rainforest, Colombia is a vibrant and diverse country filled with lush jungles, towering mountains and white sand beaches. Escaping the political unrest that has troubled this beautiful country for decades, Colombia is now making a name for itself as the up-and-coming travel destination in South America. Travel expert and self-proclaimed adventurer Sophie Binns takes us on a journey from the North to the South of this unique and intriguing country, through cities, colonial towns and the extraordinary Coffee Triangle. At the most northern point of Colombia lies the La Guajira Peninsula. Romantic, isolated, with rising dunes and picturesque fishing villages, this desert landscape is laced with history, lusted after for centuries by the Spanish conquistadors, smugglers from Europe and pirates for the wealth of pearl deposits found there. This area is difficult to reach and not for the faint hearted, but that makes the journey there all the more worth it. Head to Cabo de la Vela and sleep in one of the beachfront hammocks, taking in the views: on one side, the ocean and on the other, desert as far as the eye can see. Following the coast south, you will reach the city of Cartagena de Indias. Founded in 1533 by the Spanish, Cartagena grew quickly, aided by the gold and precious metals plundered from the tombs of long gone native cultures. Attacked by pirates, desired by the English, Cartagena remained under Spanish rule, against all odds, for nearly 3 centuries. Now the Old Town’s cobbled streets and faded colonial beauty entices and inspires its visitors; it is best explored on foot and at leisure. Hidden away in a maze of winding streets, is a yellow painted colonial house, covered in purple bougainvillea: boutique hotel Casa Pestagua. The hotel has 11 rooms, a large pool and a rooftop Jacuzzi, offering visitors a truly luxurious stay without losing any of its colonial glamour or charm. Outside the confines of the Old Town, you will find an expansive and modern metropolis, full of art galleries, hotels, shops and nightclubs.
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photo courtesy of hotel hacienda buenavista © andres herrera
Opposite page from top: Views from Hacienda Buenavista; Coast of La Guajira Clockwise from top: Lobby Gran Salon at Casa Pestagua; Hacienda Buenavista; Suite at Casa Pestagua; Regent Bogota and the Andes Mountains; Classical architecture in Cartagena
Continuing your trip southwards and into the centre of this diverse country, you will find many beautiful towns and villages, but none as much so as Barichara and Villa de Leyva. Both towns were declared national monuments and as such have been miraculously preserved, despite the increasing number of tourist visits. Villa de Leyva is the more conveniently located of the two, being only three hours’ drive from Bogotà, thus this picturesque colonial town, with cobbled streets and beautiful churches, has become a popular destination for visitors. Barichara meanwhile is further afield and quieter than Villa de Leyva but well worth the visit: both for the beautiful colonial architecture and for the adventure activities in nearby town of San Gil. Although the capital of Bogotà is a key part of any trip to Colombia, a melting pot of urban cool and historical heritage, we take you next deep into the heart of the famous Colombian Coffee Triangle. Dotted with coffee plantations, the lush landscape around Pereira, Manizales and Armenia is absolutely stunning. From the deserts of La Guajira in the north, this countryside is unrecognisable. Visit one of the fincas (local coffee farms) and then explore the landscape on one of the many horseback trails. When you’re ready for bed (once the caffeine has worn off), there’s nowhere better than the luxurious Hacienda Buenavista. This boutique hotel has five individual suites, outdoor dining on the garden terrace and – best of all – unparalleled views across the Colombian countryside from the hotel’s beautiful infinity pool. The Hacienda Buenavista also has its own working farm, with 100 acres of avocados, passion fruit, plantains, and mandarins. The last stop on our journey (although by no means covering everything there is to see and do in this amazing country) is Popayán, which lies in the South West of the country and on the main highway towards Ecuador. It is known as La Ciudad Blanca (“The White City”) for the white facades that cover its colonial buildings; key sites include the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Torre del Reloj. If you are lucky enough to visit this unique town during Holy Week, you will witness Semana Santa, one of the largest Easter celebrations in the world, second only to Seville in Spain, with nightly processions and tens of thousands of visitors. We are madly in love with this diverse and exciting country, a juxtaposition of old and new, of city and country; devastatingly beautiful and untamed, we can’t think of anywhere else we’d rather be. total-management.com 55
Sustainable Surfing Imagine actually following your pipe dream: upping sticks and taking off to a remote part of the world, setting up a new life in a tropical place and starting a business in paradise. Could it actually work out? Meeting with Tim Marsh, CEO and Founder of Safari Surf School in Costa Rica, it seems as if it maybe could. By Isabel Carmichael
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orn in Hawaii with a spirit of adventure and passion for surfing, Tim’s pipe dream really did come true when he set up Safari Surf School in Costa Rica. With an interest in creating sustainable options for surfers, cultivating the local land and working with the community, the school is now sister to a sustainable boutique hotel, the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design property in Central America. Combining a passion for surfing with a desire to maintain the beauty of a place, its nature and environment, Safari Surf School has evolved
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in recent times to founding its LEED certified headquarters: Olas Verdes Resort in Nosara, Costa Rica. Making sustainability its core, every element of the property is designed to respect the environment, contribute to the community and work with the land to preserve its fragile and essential ecosystem. We speak with Tim Marsh, Founder and CEO of Safari Surf School to learn how it all started for this very special sustainable brand.
photo courtesy of safari surf school
GLOBETROTTER SURF SAFARI
Can you tell us more about how you started out?
What makes different?
School
Can you tell us more about the sustainable aspect of your business?
In my late 20s I did quite a bit of travelling around the world chasing my dream of perfect surf, exotic places and cultures, and really in an odd way looking for a place I could move to and live. Living a simple life with great surf always appealed to me. I didn’t have an idea of what I’d do for a living, and in retrospect I was quite delusional, but we daydreamers usually are. I only knew I wanted a simple, tropical life, close enough to the great surf where I could experience the healing power of the ocean on a daily basis. When I eventually discovered Costa Rica, this is truly where I realised I was meant to be.
In a nutshell, the authenticity of the vacation, the sustainable facets to our program. Almost anyone can teach surfing but we actually teach surfing while showing guests our local culture, people and events. We bring people into our “family” and they feel that love of what we all (from myself and my wife to all of our staff) do and are trying to convey by teaching the art of wave riding while sharing what makes Costa Rica so special...the “pura vida”.
Sustainability is a broad word and I didn’t know too much about sustainable tourism back when I started our program in ‘99. But what I had learned in my travels prior and just growing up on an island was that sense of appreciation for other cultures and ways of life. With that sense instilled in me from an early age it was to me a “no brainer” that my business would focus around the local people and businesses in the location I wanted to be in. I fell in love with the people and beauty of Costa Rica
and I wanted to share that with anyone who would listen. So it was obvious to me that hiring, training, educating of the local people was key to what I wanted to do: to enrich other people’s lives while making a living for my own family. Our business practice was formed on the principles of giving back to the locals. This came in terms of employment, of using local services and businesses for my clients benefit while providing financial gains for local people. This was a basic instinct for me. As time grew on I learned more about sustainable travel and began getting more actively involved in helping the local community with certain charity
Safari
Surf
‘S u s t a i n a b i l i t y i s a broad word and I d i d n’ t k n o w t o o m u c h about sustainable tourism back when I started our program in ‘99. But what I had learned in my travels prior and just growing up on an island was that sense of appreciation for other cult u r e s a n d w a y s o f l i f e’
events or helping locals in need. Everything from beach clean ups to large scale musical festivals that would help raise funds for certain programs or people. It became apparent that I could do more and with the purchase of land and through the idea of building a new surf hotel facility it was brought to my attention that we could build responsibly -so we entered into an agreement to build the first LEED certified hotel in our area. This was a monumental task considering that LEED was not something common place in Central America. There is a tremendous amount of information here about what we did and I’d be happy to total-management.com 57
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photos courtesy of safari surf school
‘O u r b u s i n e s s p r a c t i c e w a s f o r m e d o n the principles of giving back to the loc a l s . T h i s c a m e i n t e r m s o f e m p l o yment, of using local services and businesses for my clients benefit while providing financial gains for local peop l e . T h i s w a s a b a s i c i n s t i n c t f o r m e’
share it at some point. The fact of the matter is our hotel Olas Verdes Hotel has just received the highest certification possible, Platinum - which is just an amazing feat. We are the only Platinum LEED certified hotel in all of Central America. My next project is working with STOKE Certified through which I am aiming to be the first surf school program ever to be sustainable certified with best practice. You work with local schools on a number of projects; can you tell us more about these? We are actively engaged in “Pack for a Purpose” for which we donate items that guests pack and bring down to us for donations to local schools. We donate time and money to help rebuild or add building to local schools. We hold charity events to raise money for schools and local community projects. We have programs that reward local kids who are doing well with their studies by bringing them to our facility monthly for a beach clean-up and then free surf lessons and a barbecue and pool day. What other community projects are you involved with? We work closely with the Refuge for Wildlife in Nosara. We donate $50 for every guest that comes to our program to this amazing program. We work with Costas
Verdes as one of their sponsors as we donate $100 per month to this awesome cause. We also include “plant a tree” day for guests who would like to offset their carbon footprint from travel. We work with Surfing Nosara Foundation where guests express their wishes to be involved in any local projects going on. We put on local surf contests annually to help local churches raise money to be able to build homes for poor families who may have lost all of some of their homes to storms and flooding. Are there other sustainable surfing hotels out there? You know the “greenwashing” marketing is certainly out there. There are many places that say they are sustainable because they recycle or they don’t use plastic cups. To my knowledge there are no other legitimate “surf hotels” out there that are in the same class. Travel: do you visit other places known for their surfing? I’m in the beginning process of developing a new program called Safari Surf Adventures which will be dedicated to intermediate level surfers. This will be a high end highly educational program taking guests to some of the best and most remote surf breaks in the world. We will be obviously using Costa Rica and Nicaragua and also adding Peru, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Portugal to start. safarisurfschool.com total-management.com 59
GOURMAND • a g u i d e t o th e epi c u r ean wor ld •
fo i l a C ng i n i D e Scen
California: known for its desirable climate, cosmopolitan lifestyle and some of the most diverse and stylish restaurants the world has to offer. Unlike the East Coast, California is known for its outdoor culture, which stretched along this enormous state features beaches, mountain ranges, national parks, vineyards and more. California’s dining culture draws influence from a combination of its geographical location and the lifestyle adopted by those who inhabit the laid back Pacific coast. Inspired by the Californian ethos to health, wellbeing and enjoyment, we bring you some of the freshest restaurants on the scene in our favourite Californian cities that have met the expectations of popular trends across this multicultural food landscape. BY R O BY N O ’ R I O R DA N
Norah is one of West Hollywood’s sublime new additions. What guests are sure to receive is beautifully prepared food in equally as beautiful surroundings. On entering the front doors your eyes are immediately fixed on the industrial-chic design that has been successfully executed by interior designer, Thomas Schoos (Tao, Lexington Social House, Bottega Americano). Norah features a striking marble bar which was crafted by Hamish McShane that invites an attractive crowd to sip on cocktails from a small menu of fresh fruit and vegetable based drinks. In keeping with the metropolitan lifestyle of California, the menu in Norah touches on a multitude of different cuisines and regionalstyle cooking. Expect influences from the likes of Southern dishes, such as Cast Iron Cornbread, to Italian gnocchi, even to Masa Harina Dumplings. 8279 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
NORAH
Wolf is the debut creation from Chef Marcel Vigneron. At Wolf, they pride themselves on their practice of “zero-waste cooking”, meaning that absolutely every edible part of the ingredients in their cooking is used. Vigneron himself compared this to how a Wolf would do the same for a meal. Vigneron’s style of cooking is known as molecular gastronomy whereby chefs explore the physical and chemical transformations in cooking, subsequently leading to some very interesting dishes for us! Vigneron’s global experience is translated into the dishes he serves, which while being familiar and comforting, have an extra kick to them. Some of our top picks on the dinner menu include Burnt Carrots: coconut, charcoal, passion fruit, tarragon, macadamia, lime as a starting snack, and the White Miso Black Cod. The simple yet inventive meals served here pay homage to the global fusion that surrounds the Los Angeles dining scene. 7661 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 60 total-management.com
WOLF
photos from top © lyudmila zotova, © josh telles, © yasmin alishav
rnia
GOUR MAND CALI DINING SCENE
KALI
Chef Kevin Meehan along with wine director, Drew Langley have opened a new restaurant born out of their well-known, pop-up dinner series, Kali Dining. While the surroundings are minimalistic and rather basic, the food is anything but. Langley and Meehan described the aim of their new venture was to produce Michelin star cuisine, without the pretentious and formal atmosphere that often accompanies it- and they have succeeded in just that. What it lacks in dramatic and fussy décor, is made up for in delicate and flawlessly presented dishes. Some of the must-try dishes include the Beet Tartare, the Wheat Berry Risotto and the Asparagus and Nettle Soup. So many restaurants now locally source and proudly brag about this, with Kali being no exception- they source all their ingredients from local Californian farms making the menu “90% organic and sustainable.” While the menu features wines from all over the world, the ones that are listed for pairing with their tasting menu all come from smallproduction Californian winemakers. 5722 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
The only casual French-Caujun bistro in the upper Napa Valley area opened its doors last year. This delightful spot opened under the direction of Chef Brandon Sharp, who is famously associated with the renowned French Laundry in Yountville, where he worked as Chef de Partie alongside Thomas Keller. The menu features French classics modernised by unique and special tweaks, such as the caramelised Sweet Onion Soup and the Croque Madam which is served with Millionaire’s Bacon and Mornay Sauce. Influences from Southern style-cooking, most noticeably, New Orleans make their way to the brunch menu in the form of the delicious Buttermilk-Fried Chicken Breast & Waffle. An attractive feature of the restaurant is the option for diners to enjoy their meal on the patio of the restaurant surrounded by draped wisteria and Californian orange trees. 1226 Washington St, Calistoga, CA 94515
photos from top © rachel jacobson, © lyudmila zotova, courtesy of waxman's
E VA N GE LIN E
HERB & WOOD
Making our way to Little Italy in San Diego, we have the newest venture from Brian Malarkey and Chris Puffer (Searsucker, Herringbone). The 230-capacity, multi-concept space features four distinctive areas which all have their own vibe; a small lounge area on entry, another lounge space called the “lavender lounge,” the main dining room and last but certainly not least, the gorgeous patio which features a double-sided fireplace. The design has a slight Parisian boudoir meets city sleek lounge feel, with seating ranging from horseshoe-shaped booths, plush indoor seating, outdoor casual patio seating, and most notably, a glass-fronted open kitchen. Herb & Wood features a large wood-burning oven which is the focal point around their dishes which have an earthy, yet elegant element to them by being heavily protein and roast vegetable based: Roasted Branzino, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Leg of Lamb, to name a few. The kitchen also makes their own pizza dough and baked goods fresh on site daily for their extensive and delicious desert menu. 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Berkeley native, Jonathan Waxman has opened a new restaurant in Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. This exciting new addition to the Bay Area offers real and wholesome Northern Californian dishes with an Italian flare. The space itself is in a large, warehouse-type surrounding, and offers indoor as well as outdoor seating. The menu here highlights the surrounding areas ingredients and the flavours associated with Californian cooking, along with what it is the farmers and purveyors have in season daily. 900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109
WAXM A N ’S total-management.com 61
GOURMAND TASTE NOTES
S M O K E D S A L M O N WA F F L E S RECIPE BY ANNA BARNETT
METHOD
INGREDIENTS
Make sure you have a waffle maker to hand as this will be your key utensil. When you're set, melt a knob of butter in a pan then add in the finely sliced shallots and cook until soft and sticky. Next melt 200g of butter and set to one side to cool.
Knob of butter 4 baby shallots, finely sliced and lightly fried 250g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 375ml full fat milk 2 organic eggs, whisked 200g butter, melted and cooled 2 spring onions, finely sliced Small bunch of parsley leaves – Finely chopped Generous sprinkle of sea salt flakes & freshly ground black pepper ¼ zest of lemon 50g smoked salmon, roughly diced
In a mixing bowl combine the plain flour, baking powder, milk, eggs and the cooled melted butter. Mix until thoroughly combined but don’t over do it. Next gently fold in the cooked shallots, spring onions, parsley and smoked salmon. Turn your waffle maker on and wait for it to reach optimum temperature, brush with butter and spoon in around 2-3 tablespoons of the waffle mixture. Be sure to give your mixture a stir each time to allow an even amount of salmon and shallots for each waffle. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden and crisp. For the lemon and basil sour cream simply muddle the lemon zest, basil leaves and salt flakes then add in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Gently stir into the sour cream leaving it marbled. Serve the waffles with half an avocado and a generous slice of smoked salmon and a dollop of basil sour cream. Sprinkle over your finely sliced lemon zest, add a little extra black pepper and serve.
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Lemon & Basil Sour Cream ½ zest of lemon Handful of basil leaves stems removed Sprinkle of sea salt flakes Good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil Half a pot (150g) of sour cream 150-200g smoked salmon to serve 2 avocados Peel of half a lemon, finely sliced
photos courtesy of annabarnettcooks.com, @annabarnettcooks
Vogue food columnist and author of Eat the Week Anna Barnett is brining creativity back into the kitchen. The former fashion professional who worked for British label House of Holland is dedicated to taking the hassle out of food shopping and meal planning for the busy modern lifestyle with her collection of fresh recipes inspired by culinary traditions from the world over.
PEYOTITO M A RG A R I TA ‘Tequila is to wake the living; Mezcal is to wake the dead.’ And so sets the tone of Notting Hill’s youngest Mexican venue. With its signature Margarita heading up its cocktail menu, Peyotito celebrates the vibrant Mexican culture with a playful twist and a strong shot of Mezcal.
photo courtesy of peyotito
31 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2EU
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
50ml Tapatio Blanco Tequila 25ml Cointreau 20ml Fresh Lime Juice Dollop of Agave Necter
Shake with ice Strain over an ice filled rocks glass rimmed with Tajin (dried chili and salt mix)
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100% GRAPE, T H AT ’ S IT
GROWING EXTENSIVELY IN RECENT YEARS, TOTAL MANAGEMENT ‘S PASSIONATE WINE EXPERT ELENA PANAGIA LEARNS THE STORY OF SMALL NATURAL AND ORGANIC WINE LABEL LAMMIDIA AND SPEAKS WITH ITS FOUNDERS ABOUT HOW THEY WENT ABOUT SETTING UP THEIR BUSINESS WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE OF PRODUCTION.
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One of my earliest childhood memories really was of making wine. I was born in Tuscany to a family of wine producers which has been actively making wine for generations; for us making wine has always been a tradition. Every year, around the second half of September up until the first two weeks of October, which in Italian is known as la vendemmia, when the grape is at its most ripe, we start our wine making process. To this day, in my family it is only my grandparents who are in the position to cofirm when this actually is. Over the course of four weeks, every weekend me and my family, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins included, come together at our home in the Tuscan countryside. This ritual also extends to family friends; everyone is invited to take part. You might ask how the process works of course. Well, it is actually quite simple. It takes care and attention and some willing participants. The dress code for grape pickers: wellington boots and a tracksuit. Days are usually long but beautiful, the sun is still warm and we work until it sets. While we are sectioned off in groups among the vines, my grandfather directing our movements as we go, we begin to slowly and carefully pick the grapes which are collected in large red plastic boxes. The large boxes of grapes are transported back to the wine cellar by tractor where they are crushed down manually using materials and machines which have been used by my family for hundreds of years. La vendemmia comes and goes from year to year; a ritual tied up with singing,
translation by isabel carmichael
WITH THE NATURAL WINE SCENE
GOURMAND 100% GRAPE
chatting and picnicking so it is quite a special moment together as a family. Over the course of the last 50 years my grandfather has lovingly cared and caressed these acres of vineyards that spread across the hills around his house. His passion for his vineyards has allowed him to produce a high quality wine which is well liked by many, above all those interested in the production process of organic and natural wines, since his wine really is made of 100% grape and nothing else. My grandfather’s philosophy has always been to produce an organic handmade wine which goes well with food but not one for retail. This kind of care and attention can only reach loved ones after all.
“Our aim: to get everyone happy and drunk in the healthiest way possible”. DAV I D E G E N T I L E
LIVING THE DREAM What started out as a bit of a hobby and indeed a similar love for wine as demonstrated by my own grandfather was pretty much where things began for Davide Gentile and Marco Giuliani who set up Lammidia in 2010. Childhood friends from Pescara on Italy’s east coast, their story began through a mutual love for wine and wine tasting, over the years visiting a number of tasting
photos courtesy of lammidia, left to right, davide and marco
events, fares and natural wineries across Italy, Spain and France before deciding to go from being passionate consumers to full scale natural wine producers. The turning point happened in the summer of 2010; Marco had a full time job in Pescara whilst Davide was fully immersed in the world of marketing in Milan with dreams of one day moving to London or New York. However, their day jobs were short lived, with both of them asking themselves whether their current reality really was what they wanted in life. Deciding it wasn’t and it was worth taking a mad leap in the dark, they left their respective positions to regroup in Pescara some months later, their passion for wine to be put to the test through what would be their new project. Without having any prior knowledge or study into how you go about making wine, the pair undertook a series of experiments and in six years they made more than 60 different wines. Of course it wasn’t all pot luck and blind testing. Davide’s grandmother owned a house in the Abruzzo countryside which came with some land, a wine cellar and some old wine making equipment, whilst they were able to call on friends who were already producing organic wine for red and white grapes. In true Italian tradition la vendemmia as you see, is very much tied up with friends and family. Using traditional methods, what was by this point ‘Lammidia’ was producing up to 2,000 liters of wine equaling roughly 3,000 bottles. Their set up is as follows: four different types of wine; one red, one rosé, one maceration red wine and one
white which comes from Montepulciano and Trebbiano grapes. Creating interest amongst friends and family for their wines and coming up with their brand name – Lammidia: an envy or bad eye in the Abruzzese dialect, a name which came to mind when Davide’s grandmother used an ancient ritual to get rid of ‘La ‘mmidia’ which stops the fermentation process taking place. In 2014 founders Davide and Marco had their first “legal” harvest, and now they take their wine across and beyond Italy. In London they are represented through Gergovie Wines at 40 Maltby Street, working with their philosophy that chemical pesticides and fertilisers are not necessary, the wine should come from the land and grape only. As Davide and Marco tell me, their philosophy comes through continuous research, experimentation and innovation with a simple aim: “to get everyone happy and drunk in the healthiest way possible”. With that I can’t disagree, so let’s raise a toast to the humble grape. total-management.com 65
DEMYSTIFYING
GOURMAND MICHAEL SAGER
YOUR GLASS
Starting out with the desire to recreate the service style and atmosphere of busy speak easy cocktail bars, Michael Sager moulded his experience of being sommelier at Milk and Honey and passion for natural and fine wines to create Sager + Wilde on Hackney Road back in 2013.
From left: Sager + Wilde located on Paradise Row in Bethnal Green; Michael Sager
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S
ince its opening, the Sager + Wilde brand has grown in size and success and has welcomed a sister venue located on Paradise Row in Bethnal Green, along with a number of industry recognitions including featuring as part of the Top Wine Lists of the World by The World of Fine Wines. Living for a time in San Francisco where his understanding for wine and the wine scene developed, Sager searched to demystify. Noting a general shift in focus from classic grape varieties and expensive regions to natural wines and local producers, Sager + Wilde has created an ethos which easily makes it, and as a result, London home to some of the best wines available in the world. We spoke with founder Michael Sager to find out what is next on the cards. Sager + Wilde has evolved since you first started out and you have now two venues in London. What is next on the cards, do you see yourself opening other places? At this point I am fully concentrated on making these two places the best they can be and I want to keep on engaging with the global wine, food and cocktail community. Sager + Wilde has two bars located in East London – one in Hackney and one on Paradise Row in Bethnal Green - how do you divide your time between venues? I work at Paradise Row in the daytime and then host for two nights a week. I live above our venue on Hackney Road and stop in there twice a day, working once a week behind the bar too - so I don’t get rusty!
“ I W O N ’ T R E S T U N T I L I H AV E M Y O W N M E Z C A L IMPORTING BUSINESS, SHOWING PEOPLE HOW A M A Z I N G T H AT S T U F F I S . I T ’ S T H E O N LY S P I R I T T O H AV E TE R R O I R T H E WAY W I N E D O E S . T H AT ’ S W H AT ’ S N E X T ”
What are your views on the London wine scene? Do you feel that American and New World varieties are popular and understood or is this still new ground? I genuinely love the London wine scene because it is very balanced in terms of its offering and diversity, far more so than in New York, Paris or Copenhagen. Does your job allow you to travel regularly to tastings? Ha! Well no one is paying for me to go unlike sommeliers at big restaurants or hotels. Then again, whenever I choose to go, I can go. I wouldn’t trade that freedom for anything in the world. I love travelling, it’s the very essence needed to succeed in the global wine community. How do you source suppliers? I don’t. I come across wine that I want and then I find the supplier who has the wine. Again, travelling is a quintessential part of this. What is your take on the natural wine movement; do you think this is the future of wine production? I love it because of its honest approach. I dislike the turning of a blind eye to faulty wines and the dogmatic approach of some sommeliers. Altogether it (natural wine) is the best thing that has happened to wine. More people drink natural wine now which is what we should all aspire to achieve. So hail the natural wine movement! Do you still think this is a heavily male orientated industry? Too much so! I have always strived to have 68 total-management.com
women running my places; there are no better noses than those of women. They also have the emotional intelligence needed to succeed in this business. Aside from Sager + Wilde venues, where would you recommend drinking in London or New York and across the US? In London I like Noble Rot, Brawn and The Remedy. In New York it has to be The Four Horsemen in Brooklyn. What is next? I won’t rest until I have my own Mezcal importing business, showing people how amazing that stuff is. It’s the only spirit to have Terroir the way wine does. That’s what’s next.
SEEING SOMETHING NEW. The Courtyard at Rosewood London, steps away from Covent Garden
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