Our Luxury Expert Contributors
We Proudly Introduce our Luxury Expert Contributors:
LUXURY INDUSTRY ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
DUNCAN ALISTAIR FORBES
Duncan is the founder of Club Exquisitely, a Private Members’ Club for Fund Professionals, UHNWIs (Ultra High Net-Worth Individuals) and families. Which is limited to 150 members in London alone. The club includes dedicated Lifestyle Management, 24/7hr Concierge and Asset Sharing services. Prior to founding Club Exquisitely he had a career in Marketing & Advertising, where he was involved with PR, Business Development and Brand Creation with various organisations; Dorsey & Dorsey a New York based International Advertising company being just one. He helped advise Luxury brands to managing events for Fashion & Finance based companies in London. Over the last 18 months he’s been involved with the film industry, where he helped brand Arctic Rabbit Pictures an up and coming film production company based in the United Kingdom, their first feature Tell No Tales starts filming in June. He has always been dedicated to sharing his Marketing & Luxury industry knowledge with others, and has most recently started doing small freelance luxury brand consulting projects for start-up companies; where he has just finished consulting for LUXE | BLACK a lifestyle Concierge based in South Africa. He is keen to do philanthropic work also, where he can benefit other people’s lives through education, mentoring support to skills development. When not working he is a keen lover of Polo, Swimming, Sailing, Squash, Cycling, Travel, Food and Fine Wine. Twitter: DuncanAForbes
INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRENDS
LAURA L HINDS
As an established professional in luxury marketing and image branding, Laura sought out the very best in the international luxury lifestyle industry prompting her to begin her own company. Platinum Envisions is an elite marketing and public relations firm specializing in high-end luxury lifestyle services, events and products. Under Platinum Envisions, Laura has put her experience to work for notables including Giorgio Armani, Moet & Chandon, Lexus, Bulova and The Ritz Carlton to name a few. Laura’s knowledgeable expertise covers Fashion & Beauty, Jewelry, Spirits, Travel, Hospitality, Real Estate and Entertainment. Twitter: LauraLHinds
TRAVEL
DM BANKS
With a background in video production, entertainment media, marketing and public relations, Banks has always loved to base many of his work assignments around the travel and tourism industries. With the love for travel and the passion of writing, he now balances his work schedule with freelance writing assignments based around the things he loves most: luxury travel, cooking, fashion, golf and fitness. He also continues to work with a number of non-profit organizations while also serving as Public Relations Director for DMB Public Relations; specializing in Travel, Tourism, Hospitality and Brand Development. Twitter: LuxuryTravelDMB
HAUTE TIMEPIECES
MEEHNA GOLDSMITH
Meehna Goldsmith has become internationally known and respected as a leading expert in luxury timepieces with a keen understanding of the market and emerging trends. Both luxury timepiece buyers and sellers regularly seek her advice and opinions. Since then, Meehna has authored dozens of timepiece stories for leading publications such as the Financial Times, Robb Report, Watch Journal, Cronos, and as the U.S. correspondent for HH Magazine. She has also conducted in-depth interviews and developed personal relationships with the CEO’s of major brands such as Audemars Piguet, Parmigiani, Lange & Söhne, Vacheron Constantin, Richard Mille, Girard-Perregaux and Nubeo, as well as up and coming independents. Twitter: TheWatchLady
PLATINUM JEWELRY
PHILIP PRESS
Based on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Philip Press is a celebrity jewelry designer, leading diamond expert, and renowned master platinumsmith who specializes in creating extraordinary platinum and diamond engagement ring and custom jewelry designs. He is frequently featured in the media for his platinum jewelry expertise and Hollywood celebrity, socialite and mogul clientele. Press creates vintage-style platinum pieces handcrafted to evoke the look of ornate Art Deco jewelry, as well as modern collections. Press has bejeweled droves of A-list stars for a wide variety of Red Carpet events including the Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes. Twitter: PhilipPressPlat
AMERICAN & EUROPEAN WORKS OF ART
ROBIN S.R. STARR
As Director of American & European Works of Art, Robin Starr heads one of Skinner’s most important specialty departments. In this key role she oversees a staff of specialists who appraise and catalog prints, paintings, sculpture, and works on paper for a wide variety of Skinner clients, including arts and cultural institutions, estates, major collectors, and private individuals. She is also widely regarded as one of Skinner’s most vibrant and animated auctioneers, bringing an enthusiastic spirit to the podium at Skinner’s American & European Paintings & Prints auctions, held three times annually. Starr’s area of specialization is in American paintings and prints from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Outside her role at Skinner, Starr is a major contributor to the success of Boston’s thriving arts and culture community. She conducts numerous benefit appraisal days, lectures, and benefit auctions throughout the year. Starr has lectured in art history at various colleges throughout New England, including as a Lecturer in Art History at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Starr joined Skinner in September of 1987 as a research and cataloguing assistant in the American & European Paintings & Prints Department. She received her M.A. in the History of Art, specializing in early medieval art, from Williams College. As an undergraduate, Starr combined an unusual double major in Art History and Physics through research in neutron activation autoradiography and its application in art historical research at Bates College. Twitter: SkinnerInc
FINE WINES
MARIE KEEP
Marie Keep is the founder and Director of the Fine Wines department at Skinner. In spearheading this strategic business effort, Marie was instrumental in establishing Skinner as the only major auction house in New England to offer fines wines at auction. Her personal knowledge and passionate appreciation for the finest producers and vintages have quickly made Skinner a viable venue for the consignment and purchase of fine wines. Actively involved in Boston’s growing food and wine community, and a long time wine connoisseur, Marie launched Skinner’s Fine Wines Department at the close of 2006. She also established Skinner’s collaboration with its retail partner, Lower Falls Wine Company, a third generation wine seller based just west of Boston. Marie also plays a key role operationally at Skinner as Managing Director of its two galleries. In this capacity she manages day to day operations at Skinner, oversees 60 auctions and events annually, and manages over a dozen staff members. Marie joined Skinner in 1998 as the Boston Gallery Director, a position she held until 2007. Prior to joining Skinner, Marie worked in New York at Christies auction house. She has also worked as a teacher for children at risk. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Vassar College. Twitter: SkinnerInc
FINE JEWELRY
VICTORIA BRATBERG
Victoria Bratberg is the Director of Skinner’s Fine Jewelry Department. A respected jewelry and gem expert, she appraises and brings to auction all categories of fine jewelry from early nineteenth century to modern designs by contemporary artists. Victoria joined Skinner after serving as a buyer of fine jewelry, watches, and luxury goods for Circa Jewelry in New York. Prior to Circa, Victoria led the Arcade Jewelry Department at Sotheby’s in New York. Promoted to head of the department after only one year, she used her sharp business acumen and deep understanding of this market to achieve record results, including the department’s first sale of more than $1 million. Passionate about classic 1940s jewelry, Victoria started designing her own pieces inspired by the timeless, feminine styles of this period. She eventually left Sotheby’s to found Victoria Bratberg Jewelry, successfully developing and marketing her own line of jewelry. Victoria holds a bachelor of arts degree in the history of art from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. She is also a Graduate Gemologist, having received her training from the Gemological Institute of America in New York. She currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts. Twitter: SkinnerInc
FOIE GRAS, TRUFFLES & CAVIAR
LAUREL PINE
It started with a childhood dream of becoming a chef, and developed into a lifetime obsession with delicious and exquisite foods from around the world. Laurel Pine began to learn how to cook at age 8, has been attending the Fancy Food Show since she was 10, and worked as a caterer and private chef during her high school and college years. In 2004, Laurel founded Mirepoix USA, the premier website dedicated to cooking with and enjoying foie gras, truffles, caviar, and other luxury foods. She has prepared and published hundreds of luxury food recipes, many of which can be seen on Mirepoix USA’s YouTube Channel, blog, and various culinary social networks. Twitter: MirepoixUSA
LUXURY BABY & CHILDREN
RACHEL FLORIO-URSO
Celebrity Baby Trend Expert, Rachel Florio-Urso has a proven track record when it comes to public relations and integrated marketing. With over a decade of on-air appearances and product placements on major network television, leading publications, and high-ranking blogs, she is the go-to-expert in this industry. Rachel Florio-Urso is well respected and her references, client roster and press pages speak volumes about her organizational skills and work ethic. No one is more experienced or better connected in this market. Celebrity Baby Trend Expert, Rachel Florio-Urso partners with Silly Bandz® creator Robert Croak to launch Designer Diaperz! Twitter: @CelebBabyTrends
EAT LOVE SAVOR MAGAZINE
and its other luxury publications brings you content from both our in-house writers and Luxury Experts based around the world.
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE: Each expert brings their own perspective and expertise to each piece. AREAS OF EXPERTISE: We have experts in such fields as Luxury Travel, Fine Jewelry, Art, Antiques, Haute Timepieces, Gourmet Food and more.
ARE YOU IN THE LUXURY INDUSTRY AND INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING?: We only add Experts by Invitation. If you are a Luxury Expert we’d like to hear from you. In order to be considered, please introduce yourself by email and share with us why you think you’d be a good fit to join our roster. No story pitches initially please. We do not accept unsolicited material.
We are interested in experts in: luxury spas, jets, yachts, resorts, goods of excellent quality and craftsmanship, cars, fashion, culture, food, wine and spirits and more.
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