Showing posts with label The Phone Book Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Phone Book Interviews. Show all posts

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Bespoke Fairy Tales


The Phone Book Interviews

Once upon a time in not-so-gritty Chelsea, there lived two blonde girls-about-town. They had flawless skin, charming personalities and bottoms the envy of London. They were also exceptionally bright so that they didn't have to rely on their jealousy-inducing bums and forged grand schemes and entrepreneurial ideas instead. One such light bulb moment was their company, Hunter & Sand, a bespoke finishing service. 
Drawing on their past lives organising high end events, writing for International glossies and working all around the globe, they created their own exciting business. As with all stories, a green-eyed baddie was often lurking but they were able to slay them by being wild and fun and incredibly nice. 
Naturally these fairy tale ladies survive this less than fairy tale world with a cocktail (at the weekends-ish), a fluffy side kick called Maud and a lot of drive and ambition. 
Meet my great friends, the gorgeous Michelle Hunter & Alex Sandbach, the two latest Phone Book Interviewees.


Job Titles: Company Directors and Designers
Sum up Hunter & Sand: We specialise in the top layer of interior design through our bespoke finishing service, working with private and rental properties internationally.
We also offer a fabulous gifting service that has grown from our experience in guest gifting. We relish the opportunity to help our clients  find distinctive and original presents.
We do this job because... We take huge enjoyment in finishing a beautiful room and we share a love of attention to detail and interiors!
We couldn't get through the working week without… Fresh vegetable juices made by the ‘juice man’ in South Ken, Elle Décor and Maud – the third and furry member of Hunter & Sand’s team.
What inspires you? So much, but right now the eclectic cool of Andrew martin.
How has your past affected your future? Both growing up with bright, entrepreneurial Mothers has certainly had an impact on our career paths. Meeting three years ago, becoming great friends and starting Hunter & Sand together.
What's the soundtrack to your working week? Changes depending on our mood but Fridays tend to feature a bit of country!
Best Watering Hole in London? Duke’s for martinis, Blue Bar for champagne and Quo Vadis for cocktails.
Where's best in the country? Homemade bloody marys in the garden on a Sunday in the summer.
Words of wisdom? "In the most successful spaces you don’t see everything at once. The more time you spend in them, the more you discover. They open like flowers." Vincente Wolf
What advice would you give to someone starting up their own company? The first year is always the hardest but working for yourself and watching your company grow is the most gratifying experience.
Which moments are most rewarding? Winning any pitch, however big or small and a happy client.
How have your 'past lives' e.g. working in Mustique, writing in Boston etc contributed to your new career? Both of our ‘past lives’ have involved working under high expectations which have helped us to develop an acute attention to detail whilst also acquiring an appreciation of all things luxury!
What essentials do you carry in your handbag? Tape measure, patent studded Anya Hindmarch makeup bags, Blistex, almonds and our iPhones.
What is your greatest extravagance? BioEffect EGF Serum Facial at Santi Spa, South Ken.
What is your favourite journey? The flight home for Christmas.

The Head's Up: Look – Rugs and Cushions from Madeline Weinrib, NYC
Go – To the ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ ballet at The Royal Opera House
Stay - In the Playroom at Babington House
The Plug: Browse our website, www.hunterandsand.com and call us to find out what we can really do for you!


The delicious Maud. Every desk should have one. XX




Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Good Relations


The Phone Book Interviews

What's the best thing about a passport? Is it simply the ticket to somewhere exotic and away from the humdrum? Is it the document of freedom? Is it the annoying wallet of information you turn the house upside down for after putting it in a safe place?

The passport, I think, is the key to possibility. With that in your hand – horrendous photo obligatory as only assholes pose for passport snaps – you never know who you're going to meet and who you'll click with on your travels.
One such person I was fortunate to meet across the pond is Kelly Downey. She's basically the pin up for what all PR women should look and work like. As well as helping me with editorial copy and info for The Day Job she can also be relied upon for a little pick me up mid-afternoon email as our Gloucestershire/Palm Beach, Florida working days align. 
She kindly agreed to put fingers to key pad as one of my Phone Book Interviews.



Job Title: Director of Palm Beach for Shamin Abas Public Relations
Job Description:  SAPR is a dynamic boutique PR agency with roots in Palm Beach, New York City and the Hamptons. We manage a variety of clients across the luxury lifestyle industry, with a particular focus on fashion, beauty, high-profile business CEOs and the niche sport of polo. Clients include shoe designer Sam Edelman, legendary supermodel Veronica Webb, polo player Nic Roldan, blinc cosmetics and advertising powerhouse Zimmerman Advertising, among others. We additionally handle the PR, sponsorships, event planning and execution for the Bridgehampton Polo Club, Greenwich Polo Club and the High Goal All-Star Polo Challenge. 
The Big Break:  I worked for many years as a news reporter and producer for CBS affiliates in Michigan and Florida. After spending one too many Friday nights chasing an ambulance, I moved to the PR world – and never looked back! 
I do this job for... The fun of it!  (Okay, also for the paycheck.) But, there are very few people who wake up excited for what the day might bring. I’m one of those people! 
I couldn't get through the working week without... My fabulous team! That, and coffee – lots of it.  Late night events = a major caffeine habit.
Who inspires you? My mother has inspired me since day one. Her work ethic is what pushes me every day to succeed. Shamin Abas has taught me everything I know about the industry and I always strive to represent her company positively. And Beyonce. Have you SEEN her recent documentary? It brought tears to my eyeballs.
Which moments are most rewarding? Landing a dream story for one of my clients.
What attributes are vital for success? Being fearless. You need to have the ability to tell a client no. Because they aren’t always right. 
What essentials do you carry in your handbag? I currently have 83 lip glosses or lip sticks in my bag. I’m a goo hoarder. Okay, kidding, but I do probably have about a dozen. I’m also always stocked with business cards. You never know who you’re going to meet out and about. 
Describe Palm Beach in 3 words: Sun. Luxury. Fabulous.
Best bar in Palm Beach? Buccan for the food and atmosphere. Cuchina for late night shenanigans.
And in Wellington? The Players Club is the only place to be during polo season – especially on Sunday nights after the match. The after party at International Polo Club moves to The Players Club and spills over well into wee hours of the morning. Always fantastic people watching as you get to see top polo players and some of the most elite equestrian riders in the world getting a little naughty.
Words of wisdom?  “When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets.”
Best professional advice? Learn to say no. 
The most unusual adventure you've had recently? We recently hosted the first ever equestrian event on Palm Beach at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. The crew from Extra was on hand, along with writers from the Wall Street Journal and all of the South Florida press. It was a challenge to juggle interviews with Mr. Trump, Melania Trump, singer Casadee Pope, Georgina Bloomberg, and all of the top riders – all set against the dramatic backdrop of a show jumping ring on the Intracoastal.  We managed to survive – trying to look as glamorous as possible – in the near 90-degree heat. [All sounds too Jilly Cooper for  words to me!]
The last time you were shy or scared? I was recently petrified to do the maid-of-honor speech at my best friend’s wedding. It wasn’t that I was scared to speak in front of a crowd, I just wanted to do her justice. Of course, a few glasses of champagne helped with that…it usually does!
The Head's Up: Continuing to grow with the company, adding to our stellar list of clientele and expanding polo’s footprint in the States. 

The Plug: Our upcoming High Goal All-Star Polo Challenge, captained by Facundo Pieres and Nic Roldan. Hello! Hanging around some extremely good-looking polo players is just part of the job...! 



The beautiful SAPR offices, The Fish Bowl

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Be Good to Beauchamp's

The Phone Book Interviews.

Answering the not-so-big questions tonight is a great and very talented girlfriend of mine, Alex Fagan. Designer to the gorgeous accessories brand, Beauchamp's of London, this incredibly accomplished girl has garnered many column inches in all the glossies with her innovative designs. Her adder and boa interchangeable belts are highly covetable and she's just launching the most fantastic Codrington Clutches and Baddiley Totes. Still trailing around with your beaten up vintage? Rectify it ASAP. And she does the cutest leather cuff bracelets – stack them up your arm with your man's watch and your spike bracelets. Check out the website here and bag yourself (no pun intended) one of her bespoke designs. One word: wow.



Job Title: Designer and Founder of Beauchamp's
The Big Break:  Liberty of London open call 2009
I do this job for the… the designing and total addiction to accessories!
I couldn't get through the working week without... a good gossip with the girls and cocktails!
Who inspires you… Andy Goldsworthy and Anya Hindmarch or in the non art/fashion world, Ben Ainslie!
Which moments are most rewarding?  Seeing a random person in the street wearing a bag or belt. And watching a new design grow from concept to reality. The first sample is like Christmas come early!
What skills/attributes are vital for success? Patience, perseverance, ability to make the job fun (when the going gets tough) and when possible, a bit of ‘attituuude’!
The Head's Up:  The Codrington Range and the Baddiley Tote have been really popular, particularly the bespoke versions.
The Next Big Thing: The oversized Codrington & the double stripe Baddiley tote  – I only developed the first sample of the latter over the weekend! Uber excited!
The Plug: Bags, bags and more bags!  Also, the 50% bespoke aspect of Beauchamp’s. I.e., chose your style but have it made to your own colour spec…
What essentials do you carry in your Beauchamp clutch? Beauchamp's x NAB triangular purse, phones, (any make up of Lolly’s!)
Best watering hole in London?  The Guinea Grill – a stones throw from the office!
And in the sticks?  The Black Horse in Fulmer!
Words of wisdom?   Work hard, play hard = inspired!
Best professional advice?  Keep going however tough…





Olivia rocking the range. Tempted you? Thought so.




Credit where credit's due: Beauchamp's of London