“Off the Cuff” explores the career paths, current projects and next steps of the people shaping the world’s greatest luxury brands.
The interviews have a Proustian twist, allowing readers to get to know industry leaders on a personal level.
Preview the Q&A series below.
Mari Corella for eBay | LD: What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
MC: My first job was buying vintage clothes from thrift stores and selling them to thrift clothing stores for a profit.
This was the 1990s, before eBay existed and reselling was not yet common, so thrift stores were treasure troves of designer vintage clothing. I ended up working at one of those thrift stores, where I learned about fashion trends and how to value clothing, from 1920s dresses to Louis Vuitton handbags.
Though I didn’t realize it at the time, these real-life experiences were essentially the foundation of the fashion business: I learned about P&L management, marketing strategies, product merchandising, trend spotting, and more.
Read more about Mali here.
Xavier Touisat, Air France and Rosewood Hotels | LD: What skills are essential to your success? Have you developed these skills inside or outside the workplace?
XT: Through my various experiences, both professional and personal, I have developed some valuable skills that remain incredibly relevant today. Curiosity drives me to engage with winemakers, dig into their history, grasp their expertise, and passionately share their stories with my guests.
Rigor and consistency are fundamental principles essential in the world of fine gastronomy and they guide my approach to working hard and maintaining high standards.
Generosity drives my desire to inspire my guests and create personalized experiences to maximise their enjoyment and ensure every visit is unique and memorable.
Find out more about Xavier here.
Debra Downing, South Coast Plaza |LD: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
DD: My work ethic comes from my father, an entrepreneur who owned and operated large farms and other businesses, and I learned the importance of flexibility, adaptability and a positive attitude.
I got a job in the oil industry straight out of college, which wasn’t my first choice, but I had a mentor at college who encouraged me to get a job in the industry and absorb all I could about the job.
He understood something I didn’t at the time: that everything you do prepares you for your next position.
I ended up working there for seven years and it was an invaluable experience. Life is not linear, it’s an evolution.
Check out more interviews with Debra here: Also check out our additional interviews with Bentley’s Chris Cook, MCM’s Sarika Rastogi, Brown Harris Stevens’ Beth Freedman, Blade’s Roisin Branch, Monogram’s Julie Barnes and Positive Luxury’s James Edney.
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