The Wood Couture Podcast: Recent Episodes
Wood Couture
The world of bespoke furniture is filled with legendary design talent and entrepreneurs. With decades of experience, your hosts, Filippo Sona and Paolo Della Casa partners at Wood Couture, celebrate legendary contributors from across the globe through a series of striking conversations.
You'll hear from professionals in hospitality, manufacturing, design, branding and business sharing their insights and stories gathered along their journey. You can also contact us via www.woodcouture.com to share your feedback, we'd love to hear from you.
Najee Syriani, VP- Projects at Rotana Hotel Management, shares his insights on the hotel industry, sustainability in project demands, staying connected to the real world, and finding joy in the little things. Tune in to the Wood Couture Podcast for an enlightening conversation!
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Featuring Nina Grondin, the brilliant Managing Partner & Co-Founder of Curioso. Join us as we dive deep into the world of crafting remarkable experiences within company culture. Nina shares invaluable insights on fostering collaboration that truly drives innovation, embracing the power of diversity to create stronger teams, and the vital journey towards achieving genuine gender equality in the corporate landscape.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Blueprint of Purposeful Design: Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Ben Meyer, the visionary Co-Founder and Principal Architect of Mendil + Meyer Design Studio. Discover the captivating journey of blending design, architecture, and wellness, where every structure serves a higher purpose. Tune in to gain insights into the transformative world of purposeful design and how it shapes environments for a harmonious and fulfilling life.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
In this exciting collaboration between Studio Mae's, Mima Romanic, and Liz Linforth, we delve into the world of creative and sustainable interior design to transform your living spaces into serene sanctuaries.Discover how Studio Mae's innovative design approach intertwines aesthetics and functionality, prioritizing your wellbeing at every step.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
A captivating podcast featuring Karen Taylor, the brilliant Founder and Creative Director of Pattern-Haus. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of design and discover the driving force behind Pattern-Haus, a visionary studio dedicated to crafting dynamic and immersive spaces.Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
We've got a brand-new podcast episode ready for you! Join us as we delve into a thought-provoking conversation with Ian Rolston, shedding light on racial stereotypes within the hospitality industry. Together, let's challenge stereotypes and break the stigma. Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Striking a Balance: Sandy Depres Stevens, Co-Founder & CEO of Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel & Partners, on Designing for guest experience, profit-driven sustainability and women empowerment in the industry.Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
When fashion and architectural design become intertwined, this connection has led to the creation of some truly remarkable structures. But it's not just about aesthetics. Design can tell a story, and fashion has helped architects and designers bring these stories to life.
In this episode of the Wood Couture Podcast, we have award-winning interior architect and designer Piotr Kalinowski, CEO & Design Director of MIXD.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Designing with Purpose: Dwayne MacEwen, Principal at DMAC Architecture & Interiors, discusses Storytelling and Collaboration in Architecture on the Wood Couture Podcast.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Arturo and Lauren Engel are photographers and cinematographers focusing their shared expertise on architecture, interior design, and hospitality. Together, they have more than 25 years of experience capturing various brand’s visual language and elevating their stories with compelling imagery.Engels are international professionals that are split between Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, and Spain. Arturo, having grown up in Mallorca, and Lauren in Hong Kong, both share a global nature and a distinctive understanding of how to holistically capture a location’s influences and surrounding context.To shed light on better understanding photographers’ inspirations and process, they manage and produce Shiftercom, where they feature and interview leading architectural and interior design photographers. Engel also conducts interviews with design experts in architecture, interior design, hospitality, and the marketing associates that complements those professions on their blog.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
In this episode of The Wood Couture Podcast - Matthew Berman, Founding Principal at Workshop/APD, a design and architecture firm founded in New York City in 1999. The studio has since grown to more than 85 employees with an enviable roster of work that runs the gamut from seaside retreats and sleek urban lofts to luxurious family homes, high-end multi-family developments and trend-setting hospitality projects.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Tina Norden, Partner and Principal at Conran & Partners joins Filippo Sona at the Wood Couture Podcast - Talks about greenwashing sustainability in the corporate world, gender equality in the industry and many more.
Conran & Partners: A collaborative design studio working across Master planning, Architecture and Interior Design.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
STAY CURIOUS! Another episode of Wood Couture's Rapid Fire podcast - Architect and Principal of Studio PCH, Severine Tatangelo with Filippo Sona in partnership with Global Hospitality Talk.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
The one and only Tristan Du Plessis with Filippo Sona on Wood Couture's Rapid Fire podcast! Great talks with industry leaders at the first ever Global Hospitality Talk on Wednesday, the 25th of January at the Conrad Hotels & Resorts Los Angeles.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Deepa Bhatia, the Co-founder and Managing Director of Capsule Arts with Wood Couture's Filippo Sona, on making everything work in your favor through hard work. Capsule Arts: The Middle East’s leading arts consultancy, Capsule Arts design and deliver bespoke art and accessories packages for the hospitality industry.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Vice President, and Director of Design at Leo A Daly International, Ryan D. Martin. A military man, and a veteran in the hospitality industry and a specialist in hospitality architecture.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or marketing@woodcouture.com
Known for his one-of-a-kind pieces and iconic lighting, Founder and Creative Director of Ramesh Gallery, Neel Shukla joins our very own Filippo Sona in this episode of the Wood Couture Podcast. Situated at the Hakkasan Atlantis the Palm, one of Neel's most recent pieces of art is revealed...
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
“It is important to remember that art exists to be shared; it is for everyone. You cannot ever really own art because it is never just yours alone…” — ANTONIO SIGNORINI
A journey that started in Tuscany, Milan, Florence, London, and now in Dubai - During this time Antonio developed the practice of “structural art” where he developed a method of working with architectural projects in cities all over the world - intervening at a structural level to ensure art is incorporated at all levels within the buildings he works with.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
CEO of Kerten Hospitality, Marloes Knippenberg, with Antony Doucet, the Chief Experience Officer of Kerten Hospitality, and Chef Eman - Culinary Director - Nakhati, join us on a special episode of the Wood Couture Podcast where it's all about food, lifestyle, and la dolce vita!
Kerten Hospitality is a mixed-use and lifestyle operator managing and operating hotels, branded residences, serviced apartments, workspaces, transforming destinations through impactful collaborations both with our own and other F&B, Retail, Art and Wellness brands.
''Nakhati.'' A premium gelato that is soon opening its concept store in Riyadh.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Samer Yamani, Founder and director of Creative Dialogue, a consultation agency specialised in design, crafts and cultural projects. Samer gives us insights on what it was like working on the Expo 2020 in Dubai. And with everything being digitalised, with the Metaverse, NFTs - Is this a threat to curators?
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Creative Director, Principal, EMEA at Campbell House, Jese Medina-Suarez joins us in the Wood Couture Podcast where he addresses the issue in designing hotels, why he chose design over real estate development, and his thoughts the possibility of design cross pollination in Paris.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Gabrielle F. Mather, Founder & CEO at Restaurant Secrets Inc & Cornerstone 61 Consultancy take on the F&B world, Fast-food chains in the UAE, Instagram VS reality, accepting vulnerability, and how challenges have given her more opportunities, especially being a woman in management in this industry.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Fazlin Hoosain, Founder of Collectic Interior & Furniture design studios shares how she started her own business, her most challenging project, a new design approach, her love for the arts and fashion, and the birth of The Phoenix range.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
In this episode of the Wood Couture Podcast, Horwath HTL’s Managing Director, Todd Wynne-Parry takes us to his journey of a higher purpose, his take on a new way of doing hospitality, sustainability within the industry, and his early aspirations of being an entertainment lawyer.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Joe Tabet - From being unemployed, coming to Dubai with $500 at hand, to becoming the Managing director of JT + Partners, an innovative brand in architecture, master planning and integrated design practices.
In this episode, Joe discusses being born during the war, his mentor, gender equality in the industry, sustainability, and the obsession with green buildings, and what is really missing in hospitality design?
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
CEO of Atelier Pod, Lotfi Sidirahal - From his journey of being an artist to a visionary.
In this episode, Lotfi discusses sustainable designs in today's luxury hospitality. The fight to create and innovate, materializing dreams, design identities, turning down projects, and the importance of emotions in designing.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, talks about his journey to setting up business in the hospitality industry, his biggest dream, goals, and current opportunities.
In this interview, they discuss the core tenants of creating a sustainable team culture and how his experience in hospitality transformed him into an organizational leader. He also talks about the five key areas every hospitality industry should focus on -Artificial intelligence, Food & Beverage, Social Innovation, Human resources/Employee Satisfaction, and Sustainability.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Sonal Kotecha is the Founder & Design Director at Rumah Interiors - Applies design disciplines and inspiration from her global experience as both an agency and in-house designer.
In this episode, Sonal joins the Wood Couture Podcast host Filippo Sona to share her insights as a creative on running a business, and being in the residential interiors space.
Contact the show via: https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Hen’a Yadav, Principal at Studio Carter. The studio commits itself to have a positive influence through holistic and timeless design. All work starts from an artistic viewpoint, adding authentic creativity to a unique interior design. Studio Carter transfers a story into a tangible and shareable experience whilst constructing a narrative that people will be immersed in.
In this episode, Hen’a joins the Wood Couture Podcast host Filippo Sona to share her career journey as an interior designer and creative director for spectacular projects across the world, starting with royal palaces in the Middle East, to a boutique lifestyle-driven firm in LA.
Contact the show via:
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
Shadi Moazami is the Founder and Director of MAIA, a boutique PR and communication agency that helps hotels, restaurants in the hospitality industry, and luxury brands communicate their message to the world. With having extensive experience in the field, Shadi has a deep understanding of what it takes to build a successful brand message. She discusses trends, mistakes, and other aspects of the communication process. Being the third culture kid has also given Shadi a unique perspective on the world and has helped innovate herself and her work.
In this interview, Shadi joins the Wood Couture Podcast host Filippo Sona to share her journey and all things PR.
Contact the show via:
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe or info@woodcouture.com
The interior designer of the year by Hotel Designs, Albin Berglund is the co-founder and managing director of Bergman Design House, founded in 2016 with his wife Marie Soliman. They have worked together on various projects from BXR London with Anthony Joshua, Royal Palaces, 7 Star Hotels, and even superyachts to launching their own furniture collection. Formerly, Albin has also worked as a photographer by trade for many years.
Albin joins podcast host and Wood Couture co-founder Filippo Sona in-person o share the duo's journey managing the Bergman Interiors and how it has all evolved
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Marie Soliman - Berglund, Founder and Creative Director of the award winning Bergman Design House joins us on The Wood Couture Podcast. Since co-founding the London Interior Design House in 2016 with her husband, they have gone on to work on the BXR London with Anthony Joshua, Royal Palaces, 7 Star Hotels, and even super yachts. Marie sees every project as an opportunity to make it meaningful by creating an individual experience for their clients. She seeks to create spaces that deliver form and function while igniting emotions and strives to create a significant design that explores the arts, history, culture, and nature.
Marie joins podcast host and Wood Couture Co-Founder Filippo Sona in-person to explore more about her journey and future plans.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Emma Burdett is the founder of WILD - Women in Leadership Deliver platform, as well as an activist, keynote speaker, and transformational coach. Following a sequence of life events that led her from rock bottom to finding her real calling as an advocate for gender equality. The Dubai-based entrepreneur established the platform for all women to come together, create relationships, collaborate, and win. Emma meets with Wood Couture co-founder Filippo Sona. She talks about her journey, how women face challenges and how she wants to help and motivate them.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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Jana Bader, is the General Manager at Bench Events based in Saudi Arabia. Born in Saudi Arabia, Jana has extensive experience in PR, marketing and advertising and now is responsible for driving the growth of Bench Events in Saudi Arabia. She joins podcast host and Wood Couture co-founder Filippo Sona via Zoom to discuss the opportunity and challenges for hospitality in Saudi Arabia, sustainability and the role of women in hospitality.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via Instagram @woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Vera Dieckmann, is the Founder and CEO of the renowned interior and product design firm, XO Atelier. Over the last 23 years, Vera has gained significant experience for renowned firms such as David Ling in New York, Gunther Spitzley in Zurich, Matteo Thun Studio in Milan, DWP Malaysia, as well as Marriott Holdings and Accor, where she perfected her skills in custom product design, light installations, furniture, textiles, and accessories. Vera founded her own studio in 2018 to provide clients with the assistance and focused services they require, driven by an intrinsic desire to find her unique direction.
Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host, Filippo Sona interviews Vera to find out more about her journey.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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or info@woodcouture.com
Maja Dimnik is the Founder and CEO of World of Glamping, a specialized platform showcasing the benchmark for premium experiential travel. A sought after advisor and leader for setting up quality standards in all areas of eco tourism and experiential lodging, she is the mastermind behind the award winning Charming Slovenia Herbal Glamping. Wood Couture Co-founder, Filippo Sona, explores this emerging area in hospitality and tourism with the expert guidance of Maja.
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Cristiano Pistis is Senior Director at Eclettico Design, a luxury hospitality brand under the Lombardini22. He has 20 years experience in the industry holding a variety of roles including architecture, interior design, project management and technical advisory. Cristiano calls in from Milan to chat with Wood Couture Co-founder Filippo Sona. He breaks down his opinions on challenges and factors affecting hospitality design, construction and hotel operations in Italy.
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Chris comes from a family of hoteliers, and is an alumni of the prestigious Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne. Chris has successfully worked in corporate hospitality for most of his career with Shaza Hotels and Kempinski. When a light bulb moment came to him to pursue his passions through entrepreneurship, Chris leaned into his adventurous side and teamed up with Noelle Homsy to create ENVI Lodges which launched at the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference last September 2021.
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ENVI Lodges is GCC’s first luxury-eco-lodge brand and management company which launched in September 2021 at the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference. In this video, founders Noelle Homsy and Chris Nader talk about putting sustainability and transformative experience at the core of ENVI. They believe that the market is shifting to align more to nature. immersive journeys and eco-conscious travel. Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host, Filippo Sona interviews the founders to find out more about this exciting new brand.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Noelle Homsy is Co-founder of ENVI lodges, a newly launched brand of luxury lodging focused on experiential and sustainable travel. With a background in architecture and engineering, and some years working in conflict resolution and contractual risk management, Noelle decided to pursue her personal calling in hospitality. Combining her skills, passion for experiential travel, Noelle teamed up with Chris Nader to create a new generation of travel.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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Kristina Zanic returns to the podcast for an encore interview fresh off stage at Downtown Design Dubai 2021. She talks about the future of flexible spaces and the perseverance required to get through the last 2 years. She also touches on how her firm contributes towards the ever growing conversation and actions required to create a more sustainable future.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
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or info@woodcouture.com
Sebastian Herkner founded Studio Sebastian Herkner fresh out of university in Offenbach, Germany. He is passionate about balancing sensibilities in creating quality products. Sebastian joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
In this video, Sebastian describes how consuming and producing products is changing. He talks about how quality is being redefined by the times, the role lighting plays in the unique spaces designers create and his thoughts on Dubai Design Week’s theme on sustainability.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Vera Dieckmann is the CEO and Creative Director of XO Atelier. She joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
In this interview, Vera speaks about the vibrance of the industry and the new brands and influencers entering the space. She also makes a great point about the use of light as we enter the new normal.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Rock Galpin is Design Director at Rock Galpin Studio in London. He joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
In this interview he shares how sustainability starts with products that are designed to last. He also makes an incredible point about stopping the design process to consciously focus on price and value engineering. As far as 2022, he expands on how the last few years have brought us back to our “true needs”. A great interview with an incredible contributor to our industry.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Sonal Kotecha is founder of Rumah Interiors in Dubai. She joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
In this interview she shares how conveying sustainability to clients remains the responsibility of an interior designer and a trend that has seen her residential clients renting out their properties as holiday homes. She also shares how her business grew in 2020 thanks to e-design services and cloud technology, allowing her to service clients from New York to Nairobi with a remote team.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
David Ross is the Director of Downtown Design. He is a lifelong design lover with a passion for bringing people together. David joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
David reflected on the importance of physical interactions in contrast to the challenges in connectivity as a result of the global pandemic. He also spoke about how Dubai Design Week’s Theme on sustainability supports the diversity at this year’s fair.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Petr Santrucek is Project Consultant at LASVIT, our collaborators for a special Downtown Design Dubai series of the Wood Couture Podcast. Petr points to a new world of technology and lighting that will enable LASVIT to light interiors with their fantastic art pieces, but also the external facade of a building.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
David T'Kint is a former Partner at the global design firm Hirsch Bedner and Associates (HBA). Driven by the passion for Lifestyle Hospitality, David launched a design studio under his name in 2021. He joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
David is a great believer in curating experience and approaches each project as a unique venture to tell a story through design. This is common ground he found with LASVIT while working on projects such as the Raffles - Jakarta, Kempinski - Beirut and Ritz Carlton - London. David sees the future in wellness and sustainability to such a degree that he integrates these principles into his studio’s contracts. He declares that these “trends” are turning into necessities in the coming years and that embracing value-engineering helps achieve the intended design narratives and client goals.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Rakan Jandali has been with KCA International for 14 years in various roles, and is currently Design Associate. He joins Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host Filippo Sona at the LASVIT booth at the Downtown Design exhibition in Dubai.
Rakan is a close collaborator of LASVIT. He shares how sustainability has been shaping client requirements lately and his lessons on adaptability from the global pandemic. He believes that the industry is trending towards integrating technology, biophilic design and minimalism, and explains the impact that lighting can have on all these trends.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design, to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting the design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Lukas Cerny is the General Manager of LASVIT in Middle East and Southeast Asia. Extremely passionate about how people experience a space, Lukas shares with Wood Couture Co-founder, Filippo Sona, what lighting brings to the table. He talks about this years’ exhibition at Downtown Design - the new LASVIT ICON, Cipher, in collaboration with the legendary design duo Yabu Pushelberg; The Spacey Table Lamp, a taste of Czech bohemian glass craft by Lukas Novak and A:Live, the inspired kinetic installation by Stefan Mihailovic.
Lukas also shares us his thoughts on Dubai Design Week’s Sustainability Theme and lets us in on some of the exciting projects LASVIT is working on for 2022 including art for the new Four Seasons in Saudi Arabia, the Doha Airport and hospitality projects in Qatar in preparation for the World Cup.
This interview is part of The Wood Couture Podcast, Dubai Design Week Special with LASVIT where Filippo Sona speaks with industry experts visiting Downtown Design to bring amazing insights on the latest topics affecting design and hospitality.
Contact the show via
https://www.instagram.com/woodcouture_ffe
or info@woodcouture.com
Can Faik is the Editorial Director of Hospitality Interiors and Event Director of the Hospitality Leadership and Design Conferences (HLDC). With over 20 years experience in journalism, the last 10 in the hospitality industry, Can has since built up a legendary network of designers, hotel owners, brands and celebrities which has made him the journalist of choice for the hospitality and design industry. In this episode of the Wood Couture Podcast, the interviewer becomes the interviewee as Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host, Filippo Sona, talks to Can about what’s currently going on in the world of hospitality and what how his relationships have helped shape his career.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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or info@woodcouture.com
Damien Perrot is the Global Senior Vice President Design and Innovation for Accor. Amassing 23 years experience within the company, from creating a system for train catering, to traveling around the world to manage projects. He currently oversees global design, innovation and technical services for Accor’s huge portfolio of brands including Ibis, Novotel, Fairmont, Raffles and recently, lifestyle brands like SLS and Mondrian. Damien calls in from his office in France to chat with Wood Couture Co-founder, Filippo Sona.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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or info@woodcouture.com
Carla Conte is Founder and Creative Director of Brand Creative based in Dubai, which offers branding, interior design and graphics services in the region. Born in Canada to Italian parents, Carla originally had ambitions to be a dermatologist until she found herself interning for Ron Harris of the award winning interior design firm, IDG (now under Watt International). Years later, she runs her own award-winning design studio. Carla welcomes Wood Couture Co-founder, Filippo Sona, into the Brand Creative office where they chat about influences, inspirations and insights from her experiences in life and work.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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Philip Gillard is the Principal and Managing Director of Hirsch-Bedner Associates (HBA), the multi-award winning luxury hospitality design firm with 23 offices worldwide and 1,400 designers. A native of Bristol in the UK, Philip leads the operations in the Middle East from the his appointment in March 2021. He is a RIBA-chartered architect with a portfolio across architecture, interior design, and master planning. Philip has 25 years of industry experience in the region, handling projects in high-profile hospitality and residential to retail and commercial design. Wood Couture Co-founder and podcast host, Filippo Sona, interviews Philip at the Dubai office.
If you’re listening on Apple, please leave a 5* rating and review, and Android users please follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Contact the show via
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Shahbaz Tiavar is Vice President for Procurement covering India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey for Accor, based in Dubai. He manages an extensive brand portfolio of more than 28 brands across 41 countries which includes exciting lifestyle brands like SLS, Mondrian and 25hrs. During his years in Accor, he has built up expertise in bringing innovation, sustainability and efficiency in the field of sourcing and procurement.
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This interview features Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, who is all about bringing people and communities together to drive transformation and innovation. Getting his start in real estate consultancy, Jonathan got into events unexpectedly when he volunteered to organize a conference during his time with Insignia Hotels. He has since been running leading international hospitality conferences such as Arabian Hospitality International Conference (AHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC) and SAHIC Latin America and The Caribbean.
Jonathan calls in from Canada to chat with Wood Couture co-founder and program host, Filippo Sona. The discussions bring insight into an events business during a global pandemic and aspects within the hospitality industry that’s moving it into the future.
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In this very special episode of the Wood Couture Podcast, host Filippo Sona is joined by his business partner and mentor, Paolo Della Casa, a 30-year veteran in bespoke furniture manufacturing. His career skyrocketed in the USA and has handled projects for global brands like The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Marriott, and Hilton Hotels among many. Paolo has also lent his expertise and experience to Kempinski Hotels as External FF&E Director. Paolo talks about manufacturing in China, how to stop hotel opening delays and how honest and open communication has allowed him to have a long and successful career.
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Wood Couture co-founder, Filippo Sona visits Colab in Dubai to sit down with its founder and creative director, Richard Wilson. Colab is the 1st and only materials library in the UAE, through which, Richard wants to foster education and inspiration around materials. He encourages designers, architects, and students to equip themselves with enough knowledge to challenge the status quo of the design and build industry.
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Stephanie Smith is an NCIDQ certified interior designer who has worked alongside Frank Nicholson and his daughter Pam Nicholson and agencies like the Rockwell Group. She’s worked on high profile projects such as the refurbishment of the Fairmont Royal York, twice! Stephanie isn’t short of the entrepreneurial spirit herself having established her own a design firm, Element Inc., before coming back to the corporate hospitality. She is currently the Executive Director for Interior Design for Accor North and Central America - Luxury Division and also Leads the Global Brand Design and Technical Services for Fairmont. Connecting from Toronto, Canada, Stephanie joins Glenn Huskie, Partner and CEO at Wood Couture, for a chat.
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Dimitris Manikis is the President & Managing Director of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA. He spent 27 years of his professional life working in “vacation exchange” with Resorts Condominiums International, better known as RCI. Dimitris’ story is one of remarkable love for people, something he gets from the great mentors of his life. Get to know these mentors, the failures and philosophies that made him the cheerful, passionate man with a genuine love of people and the hospitality industry. Join Wood Couture co-founder and program host, Filippo Sona, in this inspiring conversation.
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Neel Shukla is one of the most recognised faces in the UAE's art scene, crafting installations for Burj Al Arab, The W, Grosvner House and many premium locations across the UAE. In this exclusive episode of The Wood Couture Podcast, Filippo Sona, Partner at Wood Couture, visits Neel in his Dubai workshop to talk about hotels, art, inspiration and the work of Ramesh Shukla, the legendary photographer that famously captured iconic images of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Neel shares an insider’s view on the world of hotels, art, inspiration and the work of his father, Ramesh Shukla, the legendary photographer that famously captured iconic images of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
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Monika Moser has a lifetime's experience in hospitality, growing up in hotels around South America where her father’s work took the family. She is one of the select people in the industry who has such a varied and extensive experience in hotel operations and now lends her expertise in the area of hospitality interior design. From being a managing director at Wilson & Associates, Monika is now COO of Campbell House.
Some highlights include Monika’s early days in hospitality, transitioning into interior design - filling the gaps between design, functionality, budget and “the new normal”. The interview also delves into insights from her reading list and love of Opera, and how she sees the future.
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Karin Krautgartner is the founder of design studio byKK Designs. Before starting her own journey as a businesswoman she was one of the first employees of Marcel Wanders, working closely with him for 20 years, helping to build the iconic product and interior design brand into what it is now. Karin calls in from Amsterdam to have a chat with Wood Couture co-founder, Filippo Sona.
Karin shares her journey transitioning from designer into the owner of her own studio, byKK Design, and shares her insights on our favourite topics - lifestyle, sustainability, gender equality and value engineering.
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Robbyn Carter is the Founder of Studio Carter based in Santa Monica, California. An award winner designer that emerged from the Marcel Wanders camp and designed for Philippe Starck, Robbyn now leads a team of international creatives crafting timeless interior design work for the hospitality sector. Robbyn calls in from the US to talk with our host and co-founder of Wood Couture, Filippo Sona.
Some highlights of this episode include Robbyn sharing stories about her award winning project, The Fairmont in The Maldives, how she recruits, why she embraces losing focus, and what more the interior design community can do to embrace sustainability.
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Luca Franco is CEO of Luxury Frontiers and one of the most progressive hospitality project developers in the world. His work is grounded in nature and authentic, immersive experiences in remote and radical parts of the planet. He calls in from Chicago, Illinois to talk with our host and co-founder of Wood Couture, Filippo Sona.
Some highlights of this episode include Luca talking about how he assimilates into new cultures, how he hopes to inspire and transform people through travel, what the ROI of a sustainable project is and how he centres himself if he loses focus.
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In this very special debut episode of the Wood Couture podcast, we interview our dear friend and collaborator Kristina Zanic, a multi-award-winning icon in the interior design industry that has truly mastered infusing her global citizenship into some legendary hospitality projects. We hear more about how this would-be physiotherapist pivoted her career into interior design, undertaking various projects and partnerships, which led her to ultimately co-found Kristina Zanic Design Consultants.
Some highlights in this episode are Kristina talking about how to listen to clients and stakeholders, adding your own flair and innovation, and never veering too far away from the key aspects of functionality that are critical to a successful interior design project. She also warns against the dangers of sending an email whilst you're angry and offers up her unique perspective on the role of women in the interior design industry.
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