Beyond Luxury

#50 From 10 years at Nike to Le Coq Sportif: How He Reads Culture Before It Goes Mainstream|Pascal Monfort, Founder of REC and Chief Creative Officer of Le Coq Sportif

The culture strategist who reads what consumers want before it goes mainstream. Pascal Monfort explains why good taste, not follower counts, is becoming one of luxury’s greatest competitive advantages. Pascal Monfort is the founder of REC, the Paris-based cultural foresight and strategy agency built around its Research, Experts, Consumers methodology, with work spanning luxury, fashion and sport for brands including Lacoste and GANT. He spent nearly 10 years at Nike working across consumer culture and innovation, was Art Director at Issey Miyake, founded Ephemera, the Paris bookshop dedicated to rare fashion documents, and teaches the history and sociology of fashion. In 2026, Pascal was named Chief Creative Officer of Le Coq Sportif, where he is helping lead the next chapter of the historic French sportswear brand founded in 1882. In this episode of Beyond Luxury, Pascal breaks down the REC method and his consumer pyramid, from “seeker heads” to early adopters, and explains why he needs only 24 of the right people to crack a strategic question. We discuss: • How to identify cultural shifts before they go mainstream• Why 24 carefully selected people can reveal more than thousands of data points • The difference between creating culture and buying visibility• Why follower counts are a poor proxy for cultural influence• What Lacoste, Prada and GANT understand about cultural relevance • How Nike taught Pascal to read consumers and subcultures• Why human taste still matters in an algorithmic world• Why good taste is expertise, not decoration • What it takes to rebuild an iconic heritage brand like Le Coq Sportif Beyond Luxury explores the forces reshaping the global luxury industry through conversations with the people building what comes next. Hosted by Carlota Rodben, the podcast brings together leaders across luxury, fashion, hospitality, technology, culture and innovation to understand changing consumer behaviour, brand strategy and the future of luxury. Subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of luxury, every week. Follow us on : Substack → https://beyondluxury.substack.com/ Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/ Carlota's Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/ Podcast Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/ Carlota's LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/ Website → https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree → https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group Subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of luxury, every week.

#49 Miami Is the Fastest-Growing Luxury City in America. She's Building the Infrastructure to Save It | Anya Freeman, Founder & CEO of Kind Designs

A former litigator is 3D printing living seawalls that protect billions in Miami luxury real estate and rebuild marine life at the same time. Anya Freeman, founder and CEO of Kind Designs, has raised 22 million dollars, works with the Ritz-Carlton, the Mandarin Oriental and the Fontainebleau, and signed a contract with the US Navy, all from a factory on the Miami River. Beyond Luxury is a podcast delivering luxury industry insights across fashion, beauty and hospitality, with expert perspectives on brand innovation, consumer behavior and the future of luxury. This episode covers luxury real estate, sustainability without the green premium, product-led growth, craftsmanship, coastal infrastructure and what it takes to build a category-defining brand as a first-time founder. New episodes of Beyond Luxury drop weekly. Follow for more conversations with the founders and experts shaping the luxury industry. Read the deeper analysis on our Substack, Top Voices, linked in the show notes. Timestamps 00:00 Why Miami's luxury boom has a coastline problem 04:32 From litigator to seawall founder 05:50 Ukraine to Maine to Miami, the immigrant path 07:09 The flooding that started Kind Designs 11:46 How a lawyer rewrites the building code 17:38 Raising 22 million dollars and why Florida investors said yes 20:35 Being the only woman in seawall construction 27:54 What luxury developers actually want in a seawall 29:20 Turning the seawall into public art 34:11 The US Navy contract and a printer that ships anywhere 39:56 2030: the first female unicorn in Miami 48:02 What luxury means to her 57:42 The one thing you need to make it: grit Subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of luxury, every week. Subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of luxury, every week. Follow us on : Substack → https://beyondluxury.substack.com/ Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/ Carlota's Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/ Podcast Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/ Carlota's LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/ Website → https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree → ⁠https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group⁠

#48 How Luxury Brands Win the Creator Economy with YouTube's Creator Lead and Meta's Former Head of Luxury | Ina Fuchs & Morin Oluwole

Eighty percent of luxury discovery now starts on digital, so how do luxury brands stay desirable on platforms they cannot control? YouTube's Creator Community Partnerships Lead, Ina Fuchs, and former Meta Global Head of Luxury and Board Member of Biologique Recherche, Breitling, and Rituals, Morin Oluwole, break down the creator economy reshaping luxury, fashion, beauty and hospitality marketing. Recorded LIVE at Cannes Lions, this episode of Beyond Luxury covers creator communities, influencer strategy, brand storytelling, generative AI in luxury content, and the measurement gap in the creator economy. Expect specifics on Coach, Hermès, Dior and Jacquemus, on why community beats follower count, and on how brands protect brand DNA while giving creators real creative freedom. Beyond Luxury delivers luxury industry insights across fashion, beauty and hospitality, with expert perspectives on brand innovation, consumer behavior, craftsmanship and product-led growth. New episodes of Beyond Luxury drop weekly. Follow for more conversations with the founders and experts shaping the luxury industry. Read the deeper analysis on our Substack, Top Voices, linked in the show notes. Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Ina Fuchs and Morin Oluwole 04:46 Why 80% of luxury discovery now starts on digital 10:10 The fear of losing brand DNA to creators 13:19 Why followers are the wrong metric, and the Coach book charm campaign 16:28 Playing with brand codes: Hermès and Dior x Jisoo 18:58 The problem with the word “control” 21:10 Jacquemus and the bags rolling down the street 26:03 Brands as creators, and the hero-hub-hygiene framework 28:41 The measurement gap and the reality inside the boardroom 37:30 Heritage, desirability and generative AI 42:25 The twelve-month playbook for brands Subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of luxury, every week! Follow us on :⁠⁠⁠ Substack →⁠ https://beyondluxury.substack.com/ Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/ Carlota's Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/ Podcast Tiktok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn →⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/⁠ Carlota's LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/⁠ Website →⁠ https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree →⁠ https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group

#47 From Developing the Aman Beverly Hills to Defining Taste in Luxury Hospitality | Nadine Choe, Founder of The Stanza

Luxury hospitality is being reshaped by an $80 trillion wealth transfer, and Nadine Choe explains exactly who wins. Founder of the Milan-based media platform The Stanza, Nadine structured over $7b in development capital for hotel projects, including One Beverly Hills, a project flagged by Aman Hotel & Residences. She reads the industry through both the capital stack and the craftsmanship, a combination almost no one else brings. The Beyond Luxury Podcast covers the future of luxury across fashion, beauty and hospitality, with expert conversations on brand innovation, consumer behavior and where the industry is headed next. This episode gets into product-led growth in hospitality, luxury branding, craftsmanship, patient capital, members clubs, and why flawless service is becoming the real luxury as AI reshapes travel. New episodes of Beyond Luxury drop weekly. Follow for more conversations with the founders and experts shaping the luxury industry. Read the deeper analysis on our Substack, Top Voices, linked in the show notes. Timestamps- 00:00 Why luxury clients now collect experiences over objects 04:30 From underwriting billion-dollar hotels to building The Stanza 07:47 The $80 trillion wealth transfer and why luxury groups moved into hotels 14:20 Why a $300 room and a $10,000 room both call themselves luxury 17:00 Her real definition of luxury: removing every decision 18:19 Passalacqua, patient capital and the Dyson detail that gives it away 22:39 Why so many new hotels look exactly the same 27:00 How capital structure decides which hotels have taste 41:48 What makes a members club last instead of fade 50:30 How AI will split lifestyle and ultra-luxury hospitality 55:07 The one skill anyone entering hospitality has to have Subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of luxury, every week! Follow us on :⁠⁠⁠ Substack →⁠ https://beyondluxury.substack.com/Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/Carlota's Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/Podcast Tiktok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn →⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/⁠Carlota's LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/⁠Website →⁠ https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree →⁠ https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group

#46 He Had $12,000 and a Lucky Pineapple. Now Royalty Wears His Shoes | Edgardo Osorio, Founder & Creative Director of Aquazzura

An independent luxury brand founder on why comfort, craftsmanship and staying private beat every conglomerate playbook. Edgardo Osorio is the founder and creative director of Aquazzura, a Florence-based luxury footwear and lifestyle brand recognized for its gold pineapple detail. In this episode of Beyond Luxury, a podcast covering luxury industry insights, brand innovation and consumer trends across fashion, beauty and hospitality, Edgardo shares how he built Aquazzura into a globally recognized independent luxury brand, sold in 58 countries, without ever taking on a conglomerate or outside investor. He talks about product-led growth, luxury branding strategy, staying close to craftsmanship, and what real luxury means to him today. New episodes of Beyond Luxury drop weekly. Follow for more conversations with the founders and experts shaping the luxury industry. Read the deeper analysis on our Substack, Top Voices, linked in the show notes. Timestamps: • 0:00 Intro • 4:18 How thirteen weddings led to a shoe brand • 13:19 Starting out at fifteen in Bogotá • 20:39 The story behind the gold pineapple • 31:27 Why independence means saying no to shareholders• 42:54 The copycat crisis that forced Aquazzura to diversify • 53:48 What luxury actually means to him • 57:16 Where the industry is headed next Follow us on :⁠⁠⁠ Substack →⁠ https://beyondluxury.substack.com/Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/Carlota's Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/Podcast Tiktok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn →⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/⁠Carlota's LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/⁠Website →⁠ https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree →⁠ https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group

#45 She Sold Out Candles With No Marketing Budget. Then Bottega Veneta Called | Daniella Nicola, Founder of Kensington Copy

Daniella Nicola, founder of luxury copywriting consultancy Kensington Copy, breaks down the psychology behind why luxury brands actually sell desire, not product. Her proprietary framework, Dream Awareness, maps exactly how luxury consumers make buying decisions, and in this episode she explains it in detail for the first time. She started by writing under a pseudonym from a 9-to-5. A stranger tattooed her words on their shoulder. Two candle launches sold out with no marketing budget, no audience, and no business experience. Daniella now works with luxury brands across fragrance, fashion, and lifestyle, including Bottega Veneta, applying the same principles of brand strategy and copywriting that built her own business from nothing. In this episode she breaks down the self-concept theory that explains why luxury sells desire and not product; her MVP framework for writing luxury copy that moves culture, Mythology, Vocabulary, Pictorial language, and why she has never explained it publicly before this; why advertising as a private club is the most powerful luxury marketing strategy most companies are not using consistently; the difference between premium buyers and luxury buyers and why the same message will not work on both; and what AI actually means for the future of strategic copywriting. Timestamps: 0:00 — Why real luxury sells desire, not product 2:30 — From IP law to poetry to selling out a candle launch 8:00 — The self-concept theory and the psychology of desire 13:30 — The MVP framework (Mythology, Vocabulary, Pictorial language) 18:00 — How to tell a story in two sentences 24:00 — Advertising as a private club: seduction versus pitching 30:00 — The copywriting funnel: tension, trust, and avoiding post-purchase regret 39:00 — Dream Awareness: premium buyers versus luxury buyers 46:00 — AI and the future of strategic copywriting 47:00 — Rapid fire: three words to describe the industry Follow us on :⁠⁠⁠ Substack →⁠ https://beyondluxury.substack.com/ Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/ Carlota's Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/ Podcast Tiktok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn →⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/⁠ Carlota's LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/⁠ Website →⁠ https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree →⁠ https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group ShopMy →⁠ https://shopmy.us/carlotarodben/my-latest-finds Get Your Books: Beauty As It Is →⁠ https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/164137313X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Beyond Luxury: The Promise of Emotion →⁠ https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Luxury-Promise-Carlota-Rodben-ebook/dp/B0CJ2WBMWP ⁠Beyond Luxury Group⁠ is a strategic advisory and new media group, guiding leaders towards the future of luxury and beyond. We work with top fashion/accessories, beauty/wellness, and hospitality/longevity brands to accelerate meaningful, future-proof growth. Get in touch to find out how we can support your business. ⁠Carlota Rodben⁠ is CEO and Founder of⁠ Beyond Luxury Group⁠, best-selling author, former Head of Innovation at Chanel, and host of the⁠ Beyond Luxury⁠ Podcast, ranked top 10% globally on Spotify podcasts.

#44 He Built the Louis Vuitton x F1 Visibility. Now He's Saying What No One Inside Luxury Will | Martin Mangez-Casey

Former Global VP of Digital Communications, Strategic Planning and Brand Experience at Louis Vuitton, Martin Mangez-Casey is the architect behind the Louis Vuitton x Formula One partnership, one of the most talked-about brand moments of the last decade. Now running strategy for one of Hollywood's most prominent family portfolios, he has the kind of distance that makes an honest diagnosis possible. And he is using it. In this episode we go deep on what luxury brands are genuinely getting wrong, what the rare few getting it right are doing differently, and why the talent crisis in this industry is far more structural than anyone inside it wants to admit. We also get into why entertainment is becoming the only operating model that matters, what Chanel's Shanghai library reveals about long-game brand thinking, and why the first 100 days of any senior leader in luxury can define everything that follows. This is one of the most candid conversations we have had on the podcast. The kind that only happens behind closed doors. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: luxury's identity crisis and the "fashiontainment" shift 01:50 — Martin Casey: career path and following curiosity 03:45 — Behind the scenes: how LVMH x Formula One actually happened 08:00 — Why brands fail in sport partnerships and the green light mistake 13:30 — Creating culture vs. renting attention 15:20 — Chanel's Shanghai library and why it is smarter than a boutique 16:20 — ASAP Rocky, Chanel, and what the backlash really revealed 19:30 — Entertainment as the new operating model: Drive to Survive and 22 Montaigne 24:45 — Brand purpose: what Louis Vuitton got right and where others are lost 28:00 — The Chanel crossbody bag and wearing female freedom without knowing it 30:25 — Why luxury Maisons keep losing the talent they most want 34:00 — The playground problem: cross-industry hiring and why it keeps failing 43:50 — Hollywood family portfolios: speed, directness, and no fake calendar blocks 47:55 — Rapid fire: greed, speed, lack of serviceIf this conversation gave you something to think about, subscribe and follow the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Follow us on :⁠⁠⁠ Substack →⁠ https://beyondluxury.substack.com/ Editorial Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.media/ Podcast Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/beyondluxury.podcast/ Carlota's Instagram →⁠ https://www.instagram.com/carlotarodben/ Podcast Tiktok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondluxury.podcast Beyond Luxury LinkedIn →⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondluxurygroup/⁠ Carlota's LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlotarodben/⁠ Website →⁠ https://beyondluxury.group/ LinkTree →⁠ https://linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group ShopMy →⁠ https://shopmy.us/carlotarodben/my-latest-finds Get Your Books: Beauty As It Is →⁠ https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/164137313X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Beyond Luxury: The Promise of Emotion →⁠ https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Luxury-Promise-Carlota-Rodben-ebook/dp/B0CJ2WBMWP ⁠Beyond Luxury Group⁠ is a strategic advisory and new media group, guiding leaders towards the future of luxury and beyond. We work with top fashion/accessories, beauty/wellness, and hospitality/longevity brands to accelerate meaningful, future-proof growth. Get in touch to find out how we can support your business. ⁠Carlota Rodben⁠ is CEO and Founder of⁠ Beyond Luxury Group⁠, best-selling author, former Head of Innovation at Chanel, and host of the⁠ Beyond Luxury⁠ Podcast, ranked top 10% globally on Spotify podcasts.

#43 She Left LVMH to Build a Luxury Empire in Dublin | Ashley McDonnell, Founder & CEO of VYKO, Tech Powered Luxury, and Ireland Fashion Week

A former LVMH executive is building Ireland's first luxury group. Ashley McDonnell reveals VYKO and the untold story of Irish craft luxury. Ireland has centuries of mastery in wool, linen, whiskey, and knitwear, yet no luxury infrastructure has ever been built around it. Ashley McDonnell spent a decade inside LVMH, Dior, Puig, and Google, studying how the world's great luxury houses scale heritage into global brands. She saw a gap nobody was filling. VYKO is her answer: a luxury brand group designed to acquire, elevate, and globalize the best of Irish craft. In this conversation, Ashley walks through her acquisition framework (three questions, no P&L required), explains why fragrance is always the first strategic move inside a new brand, and lays out VYKO's market expansion roadmap from New York to Dubai to Shanghai. She also shares the story behind Ireland Fashion Week, which she launched with 54 designers and generated 500 million impressions on zero budget. This is one of those episodes where the last answer changes how you think about what luxury actually means. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 — Introduction 00:00:23 — Why Ireland is luxury's most overlooked origin story 00:05:20 — Ashley's decade inside LVMH, Dior, Puig, and Google 00:12:32 — What VYKO is and how the luxury group model works 00:46:40 — The 3-question brand acquisition filter 00:44:37 — Why fragrance is the first move in every acquisition 00:22:36 — Ireland Fashion Week: 54 designers, 500M impressions, zero budget 00:36:35 — The expansion map: New York, Dubai, Shanghai 00:56:36 — What luxury actually means to her 🎙️ Beyond Luxury Podcast · Season 4, Episode 1 Subscribe for the conversations shaping luxury's next chapter. #LuxuryBusiness #IrishFashion #LuxuryStrategy #CraftLuxury #VYKO FIND US Substack → beyondluxury.substack.com Instagram → @beyondluxury.media Instagram → @beyondluxury.podcast Carlota's Instagram → @carlotarodben ShopMy → @carlotarodben Website → beyondluxury.group LinkTree → linktr.ee/beyondluxury.group FIND Ashely McDonnell & VYKO on IG: ash.mcdonnell vykogroup irelandfashionweek techpoweredluxury

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#42 Facing AI Fear in Luxury: The Counterintuitive Truth About Technology and What Makes Us Human | Carlota Rodben

What if we told you AI adoption will make interactions more human than ever?For years, the industry feared that embracing technology could dilute brand value and displace human expertise. Yet in today’s landscape, it is precisely the intelligent integration of technology that allows brands to stay relevant, elevate their equity, and enrich their creative and operational excellence.This time, Carlota Rodben was interviewed on the Experience Vision stage by Andrea Pavon, External Advisory Partner at Beyond Luxury Group and Founder at Rune Futures, unveiling key insights drawn from leading brands such as Dior, Hennessy, Cambour, Ferrari, and Audemars Piguet, among others, all sharing their perspectives on the opportunities that lie ahead at the intersection of luxury and technology.They explored:-From fear to overstimulation and lack of confidence: the three barriers luxury brands have have acontinue to face when approaching technology.-The delicate balance of blending craftsmanship and innovation while safeguarding heritage and identity.-Why the most disruptive impact of technology on luxury may already belong to the past, and why its most transformative potential is only beginning to unfold.-How technology is reshaping every touchpoint: from hyper-personalized digital experiences led by brands like Doji, to more efficient and sustainable supply chains throughout the entire product lifecycle.-How an industry once positioned behind technology is now revealing its true strength: turning the pursuit of dreams into meaningful realities.-The growing imperative for qualitative, agile intelligence to remain ahead of the curve, especially in an era oversaturated with information.Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#41 Réalité Étendue et Luxe: Comment l'XR de Snap Transforme Nos Émotions (FR) | Geoffrey Perez, Global Head of Luxury at Snap.Inc

In this episode, Geoffrey Perez, Head of Luxury at Snap Inc., shares how luxury is evolving beyond products into experiences, emotions, and deep cultural relevance. He explains how new generations seek meaning, personalization, and emotional value, not just status or objects. With his experience leading luxury partnerships at Snapchat, Geoffrey breaks down how digital platforms offer new ways for brands to build intimacy, craft narratives, and create immersive moments that resonate with younger audiences. He explores how technology allows luxury brands to stay human and personal at scale, how XR is redefining brand interaction, and why exclusivity is no longer just about scarcity, but about relevance and timing. Geoffrey also reflects on the importance of brand purpose, cultural sensitivity, and the art of crafting desire in a fast-moving digital world. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#40 Beauty Innovation: Why Physical Products Are Just the Beginning | Ines Alpha

TL;DR • Ines Alpha talks about her collaborations where creativity thrives within clear constraints. She values working with teams that respect her artistic vision, balancing freedom with specific direction. • Her projects explore blending physical face wear with augmented reality (AR), creating a unique fusion of 3D makeup and digital experiences. Ines worked on both the physical design and AR elements to make the two worlds interact seamlessly. • AR makeup allows for new forms of self-expression, enabling people to explore different identities digitally. It offers more freedom compared to traditional beauty standards, allowing people to experiment without physical boundaries. • Ines envisions a future where AR makeup could be featured at high-profile fashion events, with both physical and digital beauty merging for immersive, forward-thinking experiences. • The evolution of AR technology and social media platforms is shaping the future of beauty, making new forms of creative expression possible, and opening up opportunities for innovative collaborations. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#39 Future of Makeup: The 3D Artist Who's Making Physical Beauty Products Look Ancient | Ines Alpha

In this podcast episode, Ines Alpha, a leader in the world of 3D makeup and augmented reality, shares insights into her creative journey, particularly her collaboration with Studio Halia. Ines discusses how she blends the physical and digital realms, emphasizing her passion for constraints in design that lead to true innovation. She highlights her work where physical face wear and makeup are enhanced by AR, allowing users to customize their appearance in real-time. Ines explains the importance of collaborating with expert teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AR, especially in creating highly interactive and personalized digital makeup experiences. She also touches on the community aspect of her work, explaining how AR allows people to explore new identities and self-expression, often in spaces where traditional self-presentation might be limited. Looking ahead, Ines reflects on the future of augmented reality in major beauty and fashion events, foreseeing a shift where digital transformations will be just as prominent as physical ones. As technology evolves, she envisions a growing connection between the digital and physical worlds, with new opportunities to create more immersive and expressive experiences for her audience. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#38 Doctors Gave Up on Her But She Didn't: The Gut Health Lifestyle That Brought Her Back From the Brink | Yalda Alaoui

TL;DR • Yalda's personal journey highlights how chronic inflammation is at the heart of many widespread health issues—from autoimmune diseases to conditions like cancer, thyroid imbalances, and even depression, proving just how essential it is to address inflammation for long-term health. • The Eat Burn Sleep method focuses on three pillars: food, movement, and mental wellness, designed to reduce inflammation without the need for extreme or restrictive diets. • Her approach challenges common wellness trends, such as the vegan diet or high-intensity workouts, emphasizing sustainable, evidence-based practices tailored to individual needs. • Health and wellness are becoming increasingly recognized as essential luxury pillars, with people prioritizing long-term vitality and holistic well-being over temporary fixes. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#37 Eat, Burn, Sleep: The Science-Backed Method Revolutionizing Gut Health | Yalda Alaoui

In this episode, Yalda Alaoui, a leading expert in chronic inflammation and nutrition, shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a top figure in health and wellness. After battling autoimmune diseases, Yalda spent over a decade researching lifestyle changes to heal herself, discovering the link between chronic inflammation and many modern diseases. This led to the creation of Eat Burn Sleep, a platform focused on managing inflammation through food, movement, and mental wellness, offering a balanced lifestyle that doesn’t require perfection but aims for sustainable health.Yalda emphasizes a flexible approach, allowing occasional indulgences while reducing inflammation. Her method has helped thousands, from chronic disease sufferers to doctors who now support her approach. She also discusses how wellness has evolved into a luxury, with more people seeking long-term health solutions over quick fixes. Yalda believes the future of wellness will focus on natural, unprocessed food and a slower, more balanced lifestyle.Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#36 Startup Investing Secrets: How to Build Teams That Attract Funding in Luxury Tech | Blake Lezenski

TL;DR • Blake shares the importance of team dynamics in early-stage investment, stressing that a capable, well-aligned team is more important than a great idea at the outset. • We delve into how the scalability of business models, particularly in the luxury and tech space, is crucial; and luxury brands need to adapt quickly, with a focus on profitability rather than growth at any cost. • Blake highlights that the future of digital luxury will be about blending traditional luxury with digital innovations, creating immersive, interactive experiences for consumers that go beyond transactions. • AI and blockchain technologies will play a key role in protecting IP, verifying authenticity, and enabling the co-creation of luxury items with consumers, offering both scalability and personalized luxury experiences. • Luxury will evolve to allow for more consumer-driven design, where users interact with brands on a deeper, more personal level,such as co-creating fashion with the brand’s heritage and digital assets. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#35 AI Startups in Luxury Fashion: A Great Idea Means Nothing Without the Right Team | Blake Lezenski

In this episode, Blake Lezenski talks about his approach to early-stage investing, focusing on the importance of team dynamics and market validation. He highlights that a strong, cohesive team is crucial, even if the idea is still in its infancy. Blake also discusses the shift in digital luxury, stressing the need for immersive, self-expressive experiences in the industry, with AI and blockchain playing key roles in the transformation. He envisions a future where AI helps brands create personalized luxury experiences at scale while ensuring IP protection through innovative solutions like AI-powered provenance verification. Blake concludes by exploring how Web3 and digital fashion can empower consumers to interact with luxury brands in new ways, creating a more dynamic and scalable luxury ecosystem. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#34 Creator Economy Playbook: Advanced Brand-Building Secrets From Snoop Dogg's Strategist | Kai Henry

TL;DR • Kai Henry’s career journey started with managing iconic figures like Snoop Dogg and David Banner, providing him with firsthand experience in understanding the intersection of culture and commerce.• He shares his expertise in developing lifestyle brands such as Beats by Dre, SkeeTV, and Sol Republic creating authentic connections between brands and their audiences through cultural relevance and innovation.• The rise of digital culture and technologies like NFTs and Web3 are reshaping the landscape, and Kai emphasizing how these tools offer brands opportunities to innovate while staying true to their core identities.• We delve into Fewture Co, and how Kai aims to support talent, brands, and executives in adapting to the evolving digital frontier, helping them authentically engage with new technologies and culture shifts Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#33 Personal Branding Secrets: From Snoop Dogg to Leading the Creator Economy | Kai Henry

In this episode, Kai Henry, the visionary behind Fewture Co, shares his journey from managing cultural icons like Snoop Dogg and David Banner to his current work reshaping the creator economy. Kai’s unique ability to blend corporate strategy with cultural insight has allowed him to innovate organizational infrastructures for today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.Kai reflects on his early career working with Snoop Dogg, drawing inspiration from the rapper’s ability to diversify his brand across music, fashion, and other industries. This experience shaped Kai’s approach to talent management and brand development, blending creativity with business savvy.Kai helped build iconic brands like Beats By Dre, SkeeTV, En Noir, and Sol Republic, serving as Chief Creative and Strategist. His work was pivotal in establishing a solid reputation for nurturing talent and crafting authentic, culturally relevant brands.Now, with Fewture Co, Kai aims to support talent, brands, and executives in navigating the next frontier of the internet, creating spaces for authentic engagement and collaboration through new technologies. His goal is to empower the next generation of creators to build sustainable, multifaceted brands. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#32 Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower: How the Facebook Scandal Insider Is Rebuilding Digital Ownership | Brittany Kaiser

TL;DR - Brittany Kaiser advocates for delaying social media access until university age, aiming to protect young people’s mental health. She points to the troubling links between social media use and rising mental health challenges, including eating disorders and increased suicide rates among youth. - We delve into blockchain as a game-changer for data ownership, empowering individuals to securely control, profit from, and share their personal data with full transparency, helping to safeguard against data manipulation. Brittany shares that blockchain’s traceability could have prevented the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal, where lack of oversight allowed for massive misuse of personal data. - We learn about the The Chateaushi Project and how it merges blockchain technology with the preservation of historic estates, creating a sustainable, community-driven model for restoring cultural landmarks. - The Chateaushi model goes beyond preservation by integrating community engagement. It offers experiences like sustainable agriculture, wellness programs, and fine dining, helping create a new, sustainable financial ecosystem for historic estates. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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#31 Own Your Data: The Whistleblower Who Exposed Cambridge Analytica | Brittany Kaiser

In this episode, we sit down with ⁠Brittany Kaiser⁠, the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower turned data rights activist, to uncover the urgent issues shaping our digital future. From exposing the dark side of data misuse to advocating for ethical AI and blockchain solutions, Brittany shares her mission to empower individuals with control over their own information. We dive into the hidden dangers of social media on mental health, especially for younger generations, and why Brittany believes delaying access to these platforms could be life-changing. She also reveals how blockchain technology can revolutionize data ownership, giving people the power to monetize their own digital footprint and build a more transparent and equitable online world. But Brittany’s story doesn’t stop at data ethics. Her latest venture, Chateaushi, merges her passion for technology and historic preservation, using blockchain to sustain and restore iconic estates in a way that redefines investment and cultural heritage. This is an eye-opening conversation about the future of digital rights, ethical innovation, and the power of technology to shape a more just society. Don’t miss this inspiring episode that challenges everything we know about privacy, ownership, and trust in the digital age. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Beyond Luxury Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ for even more insights and inspiration.

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