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Australia November 9, 2023

More Than Just Serenity: Lake Victoria Serena Resort in Uganda

Nestled on the banks of the world’s largest tropical lake, I discover one of Uganda’s best hotels: the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa.

We check in after a dusty journey from Jinja, where Lake Victoria meets the source of the River Nile. A fresh fruit juice and a cool napkin are just the ticket before settling into our opulent room with its walk-in shower, TV and enormous bed. The balcony looks out onto the expanse of water below, foregrounded by acacia trees and the pristine golf course.

Settling into the rhythm of life in the resort, I swim a few laps in the pool before lazing at the water’s edge with a pina colada. Made with fresh pineapples of course. A lifeguard treats my partner to a spontaneous swimming lesson (learning to swim in the world’s best resorts is really the only way).

This is just one example of the fantastic staff. Everyone we meet is courteous yet friendly – and particularly useful when we lose our way. The winding pathways, bridges and fountains of the Lake Victoria Serena Resort make it a joy to get lost in. And yes, we even had to ask for directions on our third and final day.

Before our first dinner, we fit in a quick visit to the gym and make use of the deserted sauna and steam rooms, with an ice-cold plunge pool to boot. Our table at the fine-dining restaurant, Lago, is strewn with rose petals and makes an intimate setting for a delicious dinner. The chef serves up a hearty steak for my partner and a creamy avocado pasta for me with the aptly named ‘Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate’ for dessert.

The food at the resort is a highlight with a hugely extensive breakfast buffet as well as chefs on hand to cook up anything your heart desires. The main restaurant, Citadel, offers a delicious Mongolian-style BBQ on the night we try it out, and we visit the Marina restaurant for seafood specialities twice during our stay.

After eating my weight in fresh fruit and homemade cakes for breakfast, the resort organises a bespoke expedition to nearby Ngambe Island. A virgin island of tropical trees, birds and insects, Ngambe is also home to 49 orphaned chimpanzees.

Just talking to the staff about the chimpanzee politics on the island has me fantasizing about an alternative life as Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist. The chimps are so human-like in their interactions with one another and their cunning in stealing food! We are told that some chimps escaped into the human-only kitchen just the day before our visit. Part of me is quite sad to have missed the drama, but also relieved to have avoided a potential monkey attack.

After a tranquil ride to get to the island, the unpredictable Ugandan rainy season makes for a very bumpy journey back to the resort. I am heartened to be back in the cosy sheets of my huge bed for a nap as soon as I get back. The perks of Ugandan storms is that they tend to pass quickly, if aggressively, and I awake to glorious sunshine. As the warm sun sets, we enjoy grilled fish and salad by the water’s edge at the Marina restaurant.

Boarding my flight back to London, I feel both exhilarated from my adventures and rejuvenated from the pampering at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort. This is the perfect base from which to take boat expeditions to islands on the lake or to recuperate after a few nights on safari with a touch of luxury. The resort is renowned for its golf course and is a picturesque setting to try out golf for the first time. For the chimps, the pool and those views of the lake, this is one special East African resort.

For more information, visit serenahotels.com.

Australia November 9, 2023

#CocoTravel : 7 Reasons to Visit Melbourne Now

Melbourne has been voted constantly as one of the greatest and the most liveable city in the world for many years now. What differentiates the city from any other city is its unique culture and buzzing creativity.The steady rise in the number of flights to Melbourne reflects the higher number of tourists and travellers who discover the joys of Melbourne.

Browse Emirates airlines flight booking and make the bookings to the great city and find out for yourself what the fuss is all about and what makes Melbourne so special. Well, you can look forward to an eclectic mix of adventure, dining, shopping, and events. There is something or the other going on in the city and if you are looking for a break, there are many getaways spots for a quiet weekend.

Here are some good reasons why you must visit Melbourne

For the best gourmet food scene – Melbourne boasts of the most varied cuisines and Little Italy and Chinatown are well known for the famous delicatessens. Whether it is fine restaurants, pastries, coffee, artisan gelato, cheese cafés or noodles houses, there is something here to suit everyone’s taste and budget. You will never go hungry as its laneways and arcades are dotted with award-winning restaurants, trendy bars, famous cafes, and some fine chocolate shops.
For the world-class venues and sports – Melbourne is the mecca for sports lovers, and it is because of the best venues for Rugby League, Australian Rules, Cricket and Tennis. Any sports fan would love to visit the AAMI Park, Melbourne Park, Etihad Stadium and Hisense Arena. Passionate sports lovers and loyal fans travel from afar to Melbourne to catch their favourite teams in action all through the year.
For the great wildlife to watch – Phillip Island, Melbourne is loved by the animal and wildlife lovers because of the ample opportunities it offers to enjoy the wildlife. Go to Sutherland Beach to watch the penguins emerge and head home. The penguin parade is a great event and another animal that draws the tourists and locals is the Seal Rocks. October is the best month to spot the fur seals.
For the frenzy of street art – Melbourne’s street art is world famous and one of the most vibrant in the world. Some of the must-see sights are in the Hosier Lane that is filled with sprayed, stencilled alleys. At every corner, you come across a technicolor brilliance. Go for a Melbourne Street Art Tour that is organised by the city’s top street artists to get a wider perspective on creative art and discover some of the hidden laneways of the underground art scene.
For the festivals and events – Melbourne is well known as the cultural capital of Australia as it is brimming with live music venues, art galleries, and great museums. Countless festivals and events are scheduled throughout the year and on every possible field like food, sport, music, art, film and even events for kids. International musicals, comedy festivals, and blockbuster dramas attract thousands of peoples every year.
For a great shopping experience- Melbourne is one of the few cities where you can shop till you drop. There are countless outlets and malls where one can look for designer bargains and great sales. One of the city’s popular tourist attractions is shopping at historic markets in Queen Victoria that are more than 130-year-old.
For an enjoyable public transport system- In Melbourne, one can look forward to a stress-free holiday, because of the efficient public transport system. Take advantage of the traditional trams to move around and visit the hotspots.

Australia November 9, 2023

The Importance of Showing Respect for Other Cultures

A few years ago I was living and working in the small island nation of Samoa. The Independent State of Samoa, or Western Samoa, to distinguish it from it’s American cousin.

I was living with a local family, the Malakis, working as a journalist for the Samoa Observer and trying very hard to learn the fa’a Samoa – the Samoan way of life. And I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself. It’s definitely tough learning how to tie your beautifully handcrafted lavalava and how to husk a coconut, not to mention how to siva like a graceful Polynesian princess instead of like the plastic hula girl toy on the dashboard of your car.

Samoa is the kind of place that wears its culture on its sleeve. Tourism is relatively low there, despite having beautiful weather, landscapes, beaches and people, so foreigners are few and far between and palagis (white people) stand out in particular. Everything that is done in Samoa is done with fa’a Samoa in mind and it is one of the only places I have travelled where the culture is so strong and so visible in every way. And with a culture that features the always impressive fire dancing, an almost co-dependent relationship with island music and a humble and always respectful manner of carrying oneself, it definitely does seem a shame to let that blend away with the phenomenon of globalisation.

In my first few weeks in Samoa I fell in love with this idea of the Samoan way of life. Of beautiful Polynesian dresses, and island music; of taking things in island time and learning my way around the Samoan sense of humour. My Samoan father, Dr Malaki, taught me everything he – and possibly anyone ever – knew about Samoa, about the history, the culture, the myths and the legends. I can assure you, I knew all about Maui long before Moana hit the theatres.

I was still young when I moved to Samoa; fresh out of uni with all the knowledge and no idea. Samoa was just a short flight from my home in Australia – short enough to be a weekend trip for some of you seasoned weekend break Europeans – but to me it felt like I was lightyears away from my home and everyone I loved. I, and the other Australian girl living with the Malakis at the time, became a real part of our Samoan family; like adopted daughters, they worried when we weren’t home when we said we would be, celebrated our front page stories and comforted us when the homesickness hit. Taking all these huge steps forward in my life without my family and friends around to support me, the Malakis filled that space, as only Samoans can, by cramming as many people as they can in there and leaving no room for sadness.

So when tragedy struck, and we lost our chief (our matai in Samoan); Dr Malaki, I wasn’t the only one adrift. Grief exists in all cultures. Emotions are a universal human constant. But often it’s culture that dictates how we manifest and handle those emotions.

The Malakis were broken, there’s really no other way to describe it. Crumbling from within the family had to find a way to hold themselves together long enough to plan and execute a traditional Samoan funeral with all the inherent cultural nuances whilst still upholding their Catholic beliefs.

Christianity is strong across most of Polynesia but arguably nowhere more so than Samoa. There are anthropological studies and theories drafted as to how both Christianity and traditional culture have been able to co-exist and thrive in Samoa, but without going in to too much detail the general conclusions are this. When missionaries first arrived in Polynesia their task was to take the local, native religion and replace it with Christianity – or whichever religion they had brought with them. It was a successful colonisation technique, perfected mostly by the French. But when the missionaries arrived in Samoa they quickly found that there was no native widespread religion for them to replace. For the Samoan people didn’t worship any religion – not, if you’ll excuse the pun, religiously anyway. The Samoan people worshipped their fa’a Samoa; their way of life. They worshipped their matai system, an island democracy considered quite advanced by the missionaries. They worshipped their society, and since the adoption of Christianity wasn’t going to affect their ability to do that, it was accepted with very little concern. The two belief systems could work side by side happily, or, as was the case at Dr Malaki’s funeral, inside and outside.

Samoan funerals usually last around a week and include both traditional cultural rituals as well as religious services. Throughout this week the body is displayed quite openly and friends and family members are encouraged to come and say goodbye, to hug, kiss and take pictures with the deceased. There is a traditional service, usually held around halfway through the week where anyone who knew the deceased are invited to eulogise. These services can last for as long as necessary depending on how well respected and loved the deceased was. Dr Malaki’s traditional service went for over 9 hours.

The next day all the furniture from the top floor of the house was removed and that night Dr Malaki returned to the house to spend his last night with his family, watched and prayed over by a rotation of priests accompanied by church choirs. Outside, the family were hosting the traditional Samoan exchange of goods. The Malaki’s large backyard had been turned into one part food hall, one part butcher shop and one part earth oven (called an umu in Samoan), all joined together by a large staging area covered by Samoan fine mats. On either side of the mats were rows of seats facing each other; one side for the family and the other for the attending villages. Seating was specific – the village chief in the middle, his orator to his right and the other village matai’s filling the remaining seats. Village after village arrived at the house, offering fine mats, tapa cloth, clothing and food. Every item was displayed clearly to both sides of the staging area before a counter offer from the family was given. This process lasted for 12 hours, from 6pm to 6am when the sun rose and it was time for Dr Malaki’s body to be carried to his childhood village where he would be buried.

The cultural complexities of the Samoan funeral are deeply rooted in their history of cultural continuance that has withstood missionary arrivals, civil war, and the dividing of the archipelago into American and Western Samoa. I could write this article for days and never be able to fully articulate just what it all means. But I guess that’s the point. Culture encompasses all that we know about the world from our particular point of view at a certain place in time and in geography. It gives us lessons in how to manage our societies, how to mark the passing of time, and how to grieve for lost loved ones.

As travellers we know the importance of respecting the environments in which we find ourselves. We know not to vandalise property and to not litter, or steal pieces of heritage sites. But the importance of respecting culture is something different. Culture encompasses all that a native citizen is. It is their outlook on the world, their unique point of view, the result of long histories, usually marked with violence, colonialism or dispossession that has led them to build the society that you stand in today. Respecting culture is not about loving the dance style, or the patterns of the clothing although those things are good too. Respecting culture is about honouring the people you meet, the people who came before them and the people who will come after.

Australia November 9, 2023

BossBoy Dario Cucci From Self Healing To Self Made

Dario Cucci learned from the best in the game, Anthony Robbins, when he sold his events at 100% commission, proving that he knows a thing or two about sales. It started in his twenties and he honed his skills over the following 15 years where he created his proven system for selling through relationship building.

Dario works with businesses to show them how to improve sales through building genuine relationships with their customers. he is committed to building true customer care that creates lifelong loyalty in the customer and long-term sales for the company.he has seen companies waste thousands of pounds trying to find new customers only to lose them with poor customer care within their first 12 months.keeping a customer happy and loyal is much less costly than finding a new one.dario teaches a simple and practical approach to building a better and more sale through true customer care and genuine relationships.

One Company he worked with increased their Monthly Sales by 300%, after following his sales system so we couldn’t wait to
find out more about not only his personal success but that of the companies that he has worked with. Here, he tells us more…

Dario Cucci, you are a brand in your own right. Can you tell us about the journey to get you where you are today…
The difference between me and other experts out there, is that before I started my own business and became a Keynote Speaker, I actually worked within the Self Development & Financial Education Industry in Australia for 10+ years promoting other Experts & Coaches, selling their Event Tickets, Programs & Coaching Services, not only that I was involved in providing sales training for the Live Crew at Events, did the sales at the Events when People ran to the back of the room table and further more did the follow up calls, to sell more over the phone or prevent people from cancelling their programs they signed up for at the Event.

But eventually I not only got bored with doing that, as well as frustrated and felt stuck of not being able to move forward, which caused me to get ill with bells palsy, that was a wake up call to me, to make changes happen for myself and I moved from Australia back to Switzerland, where after I settled in after 2 years working again for another couple of companies, I decided to start my own Firm.

Since then, I not only healed myself from having had Bells Palsy, but was able to be published in 2 Bestselling Books as a Guest Author “A Journey Of Riches Volume 3 – Making Changes & Activate Your Life Volume 1” and I am the Author of 2 Books I wrote myself “Turn Your Customers Into Profit & Crossroads To Clarity”, held my own Seminars & Workshops and helped many other Business Owners improve their own way of selling their Services, by improving their Mindset, Communication Skills & Sales Strategies.

And about 2 years ago created the Event “The Ultimate Entrepreneur” which helps Business Owners break out of their Ground Hog Day Routine of growing a Business, by learning & working with International Speakers & Coaches on Marketing, Branding, PR, Communication & Sales, Mindset, Leadership & Health, to be able to take their Business grow their Business into a Legacy without sacrificing their Health over it.

The next Ultimate Entrepreneur I will be holding, is on 2 & 3 November 2019 which I am very excited about and to ensure the quality of training & coaching during the 2 Days we have limited the Seating to a maximum of 150 Attendees.

What do you feel set you apart from other coaches?
My ability to intuitively adapt my experience and knowledge when it comes to selling, customer service and leadership to their Business, so they can apply it immediately and get Results, where as other Coaches fluff around and have not been able to help those Clients that come to see, I was able to help them to gain clarity, have Breakthroughs and increase their Sales Revenue. One of my most recent Clients told me “I been to a couple of coaches in the past, spent thousands on them and didn’t get anywhere in 2 years, with you I just had one Session and gotten more from that one Coaching Session than with the Coaches I had in the past”. That is not a one off but I hear that on a regular bases when I finally meet my Clients and start working with them, which is one reason why they end up working with me long term because they know that I can help them and care for their success.Is there anything you would have done different in your career?
Yes, I would of started sooner with my business to be able to help more people and turn people away when I get the feeling that they are not coach-able and ready to be their own Hero.What does 2020 look like for you?
For me 2020 is the year of my transformation & the transformation of many people I inspire to do better in business & life and that want to share that journey with me. My goal is it to hold The Ultimate Entrepreneur in Canada and the US in 2020 as well as start a Documentary Movie that goes behind the scenes of The Ultimate Entrepreneur and shares my journey and the journey of those that are involved to be part of the Event.Your job has taken you all over the world, where do you call home?
I know that sounds cheesy what I am about to say but “Home is where the one feels loved & connected to the People and place they are living at” I love Switzerland, yet I also can feel at Home in other Countries such as Australia, London or Italy, what’s important to me is Family & Friends, as long as I have those, no matter where I am, I will feel at home, knowing that I have love in my Life no matter where I am living.To date, what is your proudest achievement?
Ah, that’s a great question, I’ve got many achievements, but I’d say one of my proudest moments was when I held my 3 Day Serve & Sell Mastery Workshop and my Students at the end of Day 3 gave me a Thank You Card, each with their own reason to why they where grateful that I held the Workshop and what it did for them. For me getting that acknowledgement and love, felt overwhelmingly good and I felt very proud that I was able to transform those Peoples lives with my 3 Day Workshop.
Your strap line is ’sales isn’t a numbers game, it’s a peoples game,’ can you tell us more about what this means? That saying is a lie in itself that has been told over centuries by other Sales Experts, if Sales were a numbers game, all we had to do is be clever with accounting software, automation and everything is solved. But it isn’t that easy, sales is the outcome of a great conversation that leads to the lead becoming a customer, without the customers the company wouldn’t be able to hire a book keeper and it would close down the Firm. When people buy from people they trust and experience great service they tell others about it and the company makes more money as a result of that.For me Sales isn’t a Numbers game, for me Sales is a People’s game, because the outcome of making Sales is directly related to the relationships we build with the People we are selling to.My current website is: www.dariocucci.netPeople can book their Ticket to attend The Ultimate Entrepreneur Event currently via Eventbrite by clicking here.

Australia November 9, 2023

Women Worldwide : Sustainable Luxury Beauty with Melissa Obeid

LA FERVANCE is an independent Australian-French company who are experts in sustainable luxury beauty. The founder of LA FERVANCE, Melissa Obeid, has directed and overseen every aspect of the product profile, performance, ingredients, packaging and testing.

Melissa’s love affair with France was ignited whist studying at The Paris Fashion Institute in the 90’s. She worked with the biggest names in the fashion world extending these experiences to senior fashion roles back in Australia, followed by a stellar career in high-level arts management. Melissa’s passion for clean beauty lead her to initiate the development and commercialisation of a suite of Australian made, 100% natural beauty products created under proprietary brands sold nationwide. This was an Australian first.

Melissa is a really heavy weight in the beauty world and we spent some time with her to find out more about her plans for the brand, what a day in her life is like and more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching La Fervance…

The LA FERVANCE journey is a truly inspiring one, even to me as the brand founder! It’s one of enormous courage and faith after Jamie and I were inspired to bring our family to France for a sabbatical in 2016 and here we are in 2020 having launched a high-end luxury skincare brand!

Whilst in Senior Management at the world renowned National Gallery of Victoria it is here that I got my inspiration and I discovered the Napoleon directed, Baudin led expedition to Australia (Terre Napoleon). I learned of the fascination which Napoleon and Josephine had with Australia and given my ties with both Australia and France, I found this particularly fascinating.

Then, following the development of natural skincare collections in Australia and my family’s relocation to France for a cultural sabbatical and to better understand the luxury skincare space, I was struck with an inspiration during our initial stay in Paris, to create a skincare brand containing high concentrations of 100% natural, active ingredients from Australia and France within a certified high-end, sustainable framework.

It was upon settling in Provence, that the idea took on a life of its own and very soon we found ourselves aligned with the most reputable laboratories and partners in France – the prestige cosmetics mecca of the world – as we understood that if we wanted the best, it had to be done in France. In many ways, I feel LA FERVANCE continues the journey of fusing these two cultures which are so diverse.

You did a lot of research before launching the brand and perfection was the only way for you. Why was this important?

I’m a firm believer in that if one is to do something, ‘either they do it well or not at all’. One of the motivations for creating LA FERVANCE was to fill a void in the high-end skincare space through the provision of true authenticity around the provenance of active ingredients from 100% natural origins and offering a brand which spoke quality at every touchpoint. The ‘luxury’ is simply a consequence of this.

In order to achieve such ambitious outcomes, there was simply no choice other than to strive for perfection within EVERY aspect of the journey and product offering as our benchmark. We are very familiar with the process and regulations around skincare production in other countries, which is why upon discovering the details around producing skincare in France, particularly within a natural, certified framework, we knew that this was absolutely where we needed to produce LA FERVANCE. The very strict requirements around testing, compliance, regulations are second to none, therefore as time consuming and complex as it was to adhere to a 100% natural and 100% recyclable framework, within the specifications of a globally certified framework, the results are just exemplary and offer a guarantee to the consumer that they are truly buying the best products possible.

The striving for perfection will resonate with those who value the artisan approach which is LA FERVANCE and who appreciate that this comes at a premium. They understand and appreciate that handmaking and hand-filling our European made packaging here in France, compared with doing so abroad will mean they get a premium product and experience. The fact that we insisted on ingredients which are sourced predominantly from France and Australia, rather than choosing more cost effective ingredient options, also contributes to these outstanding results. Those who value our ethos and quality will resonate with the brand and be happy to align themselves with LA FERVANCE.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I don’t think the word average has ever really had a place in my life ? I start my day at 5am. Whilst this certainly does not come naturally to me, I recognise the importance of the extra two hours waking up early as being sacred and highly productive to me as what I can achieve during these ‘power hours’ far exceeds anything I can accomplish throughout the remainder of the day. I use this time to meditate, focus on my intentions, plan for my day. I’ll then wake the family and after a hearty breakfast I drop the children off at school. They attend an International bi-lingual school in Paris as they’re fluent in French, after being spoken to in French since birth and spending two years in a village primary school in Provence. Depending on the morning meeting schedule, I’ll then try to squeeze in a power walk, whilst admiring the stunning architecture and street scenes which inspire me daily, then it’s back home to prepare for the day. This can consist of meetings with our laboratories, packaging experts, suppliers, attending various industry trade-fairs, meetings with stores, product photo shoots – or planning sessions at our office near Opera Garnier. .

Being an independent brand, Jamie and I manage every aspect of its development in collaboration with experts in these fields to create the intended outcomes, so this means many diverse tasks being juggled simultaneously – and lots of ‘to do’ lists!

The afternoon sees me take on the role of Mum’s taxi, commuting our children to their various horse-riding, golf and tennis activities. We’d love to see some Aussie rules football in there, but it’s yet to catch on in France!

A family dinner follows during which we share about our day. The children are so invested in the LA FERVANCE journey, as they have lived every single moment of it since we arrived for our ‘sabbatical’ in 2016 and then decided to stay in France to develop LA FERVANCE. They have shared in discussions around colours, perfumes, textures etc. It’s been wonderful for them to be privy to the process and witness the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey.

The usual night-time routine follows and once the children are in bed, Jamie and I will continue working, before I apply ECLAT EXTRAORDINAIRE as a sleep mask before much needed good nights kip.

Who is your ideal customer?

I see the ideal LA FERVANCE customer being defined by an attitude not an age. It’s the savvy consumer who is astute, outward thinking, who won’t be influenced by smoke and mirrors marketing. They understand the skincare space, are aware of the ingredients they choose to place on their skin and appreciate their place in the market. They understand the motivations behind us using locally produced glass and responsible forestation packaging and both recognise and appreciate the various LA FERVANCE points of difference. In many ways it is a cynical consumer who questions and takes an interest in the story and who is inspired by such. Our ideal consumer takes the time to understand how our various decisions around minimising our carbon footprint and streamlining the product range, were made to support a more sustainable brand offering. They are astute, worldly, aware and can see through marketing hype by turning the package over to read the fine print ingredients – beyond the product name and positioning.

How do you want people to feel when they use your products?

LA FERVANCE feels like another member of our family. We have spent years perfecting the formulas and have approached every element with great integrity, so when people purchase the product we want them to feel special, to feel joy, to see and feel positive outcomes. Since launching on 29 November 2019, we have received nothing but positive and glowing feedback which is an absolute joy – extremely satisfying indeed.

We want people to feel completely indulged within the sensorial experience that is LA FERVANCE. The packaging, the product visual, texture, aroma, feeling and affects of LA FERVANCE are like no other in the market and so when people use LA FERVANCE, we would like them to feel transported to a different world when using the product.

ECLAT EXTRAORDINAIRE is our launch product and is an original ‘conflict free’ Italian gold infused multi-mask formulation, which may be used in several ways. It is a world first and by being an all-round beauty balm, with such a divine texture and perfume, it is proving most popular. As a morning instant glow product, there is nothing more active than this 100% natural, real gold balm which glides over the skin and doubles up as a ‘leave on’ treatment. As a sleep mask, it feels so soothing and indulgent and it may also be used as an innovative treatment mask, as after the treatment time the mask emulsifies with water and massage, leaving the skin plum and glowing upon removal!

What’s your best selling product?

This is a question best asked a year from now, once our first collection is rolled out in its entirety. We decided to launch with one stand out product ECLAT EXTRAORDINAIRE in November 2019, which is our certified, beautifully presented, exquisite multi-mask gold infused product, and the response to this has been exceptional. At the time of launch we ran a parallel sampling exercise, with those who had received a sample going on to order the product as they had become ‘addicted’ to the affects, the perfumes and the affects of placing real gold on their skin first thing in the morning.

Over the past few years we have developed equally exceptional and complimentary products, all within the ‘Fusionistique’ multi-functional framework.

Our philosophy is based on using targeted active ingredients in higher concentrations for more effective results, along with fewer more potent products within the collection. Less is more! This is what luxury is all about.

What has been your most successful moment to date?

There have been so many moments of success since we launched. I think that in terms of the turning point for LA FERVANCE – it was when we got the invitation to participate in the Positive Luxury, Positive Week event in London last October, hosted by the Universal Soul Company at Gazelli House in Knightsbridge. This is where I introduced LA FERVANCE globally for the very first time in view of the official launch in November and was able to talk about the brand journey, it’s inspirations, the ECLAT EXTRAORDINAIRE and answer questions from the guests. To be able to finally share LA FERVANCE within a public forum was deeply satisfying.

For me personally, this visit to London was also hugely rewarding, as it enabled me to reflect on my own personal and professional journey – having lived in London as a young Australian traveller back in 1994. Reminiscing about my time in that shared apartment in West Kensington, and all I had lived since then, only to come full circle, being in London again 25 years later as the founder of a luxury skincare brand, was cathartic experience – the feeling of which I will always remember.

You relocated to France to focus on this brand, why did you feel this was an important move?

Relocating to France from Australia was important for many reasons. For me personally, having lived in Paris in the 90’s where I worked in fashion and established many strong friendships and connections which continue to today, it was important to return to the source of this creative energy, the buzz, the inspiration. As a family, it was invaluable to have the experience of being able to travel throughout Europe and expose the children to such a rich history, different cultures, languages, friendships and memories.

From a brand perspective, to return to the source of the initial inspiration and that of the Napoleon directed, Baudin led expedition to ‘Terre Napoleon’ (Australia) was crucial to the essence of the brand. LA FERVANCE is a ‘Fusionistique’ brand and as such it fuses many elements, namely these two extraordinary cultures.

France is the global mecca of high-end skincare and perfume creation, so to develop and launch LA FERVANCE in France, to my exact brief and under the guidance of the global experts in skincare – with a combined experience of centuries, provides the brand with a clearly advantageous proposition and an energy which could not be achieved had it not been developed in France.

Are you planning on extending the range in future, if so, how?

A complete and complimentary collection has been in development since the LA FERVANCE journey commenced in 2016. Every product complies with the most stringent global certifications for natural cosmetics and fit within our ethos of 100% naturally sourced, active ingredients and have undergone rigorous testing. When skincare is designed to an exact brief by experts in their field, it is not necessary to have an excessive number of products within the daily regimen. The intention of LA FERVANCE is to streamline the routine, with highly concentrated products which fulfil several functions successfully.

Our current customer base is already asking when the next product will be released as they are so satisfied with the ECLAT EXTRAORDINAIRE which is a great sign.

How much does social media play a role in your business?

Being an independent, self-funded brand social media plays a significant role within our business model. We enjoy the instant responses received by those who engage with the brand and the potential we have to reach a wide and diverse audience.

Having said that, I still really enjoy print media and also like seeing the brand represented in this way.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

Not a single thing.

Given the long gestation involved with the research, development, testing, finessing, production, Jamie and I had a long time to consider our approach and to plan accordingly. We even managed to do a brand ‘refresh’ before the brand was launched! – hence by the time we came around to going ‘live’ with LA FERVANCE, we were content and confident.

Of course there are always some areas which one questions, but I believe this is all part of the journey and should be viewed as opportunities to do things differently in the future.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Oh, I love to travel too! I am yet to visit Central and South America, so this is on the bucket list. I only wish I had visited Cuba 20 years ago! Russia is also a country I am looking forward to visiting. I studied Russian history at senior school which I found fascinating and having also been in Senior Management at the National Gallery of Victoria for many years, I had the pleasure of viewing The Banquet of Cleopatra which was originally housed in the magnificent Hermitage museum, so this is absolutely a building in which I would like to lose myself for a day or two!

What are your plans for the brand in 2020?

To continue to spread the word about LA FERVANCE and what makes the brand a stand out in a crowded skincare space.

To establish key retail partnerships with global retailers aligned with our principals and brand culture.

Tell us your favourite quote to read when you are lacking inspiration…

I have so many favourite quotes. I live by quotes and Khalil Gibran is the author of many of my preferred ones.

Before I set off on my first o/s adventure as a young adult post university, I was considering the pros and cons of doing so and in a magazine I came across ‘Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome’. I cut that out and placed it at the front of my journal. I guess the same thinking applies today.

For any one aspiring to launch a company in the beauty industry, what advice would you offer?

Create a brand which is defined by your own passion, rather than one which complies with market trends. This will stand the test of the many challenges you will face and resonate with a genuine target market.

Find out more…

People can follow us on the usual channels of our website www.lafervance.com or #lafervanceskincare or our Facebook page.

We welcome any queries or questions at info@lafervance.com

Australia November 9, 2023

This Sydney bar has added vegetarian options to its menu and it’s a hit

If you’re a foodie then Sydney is for you, it’s all about eating out and eating well here and there is plenty to explore, especially if you’re a vegan or vegetarian. The plant-based space is becoming bigger, more diverse and much more creative as veggie joints continue to open across the city. Alongside the newness, what’s even better is when restaurants expand their menu to cater for those who choose a veggie lifestyle, which is exactly what Cruise Bar has done.

Cruise Bar is rather iconic, located in the bustling Circular Quay, its waterside and Opera House views are Instagram heaven. It’s a large and lovely space with a super laid-back eating feel which is great when you just want to grab a bite to eat in between sightseeing. Here at HOC, as you know, we just love exploring so what better way to spend a Wednesday than feasting on the freshly updated menu of Cruise Bar! Happy Hump Day indeed.

We ventured down to the waterside destination and enjoyed a delicious glass of red whilst we perused the menu; it certainly looked yummy and we were excited to road-test the new vegetarian creations which are all thanks to their Head Chef, Patrick Haney. We went straight for the house-made flatbread with walnut baba ghanoush, foraged hummus, muhammara and za’atar and greedily devoured the roasted cauliflower arancini with arrabbiata sauce too. We were off to a great start! Mains were just as delicious and the foraged green goddess salad with mixed greens, kale, cherry tomatoes, carrot, pear, walnuts and avocado croutons was divine. We also tried the mushroom and quinoa burger with foraged hummus, lettuce, roasted capsicum on a charcoal bun which was up there with some of the best veggie burgers we have ever tried, it came with fries too which was a naughty but nice addition. We rounded off the tasty evening with an indulgent Wood sorrel brûlée, a real treat and the best way to end a lovely evening enjoying Cruise Bar’s updated menu.

We were impressed and can’t recommend Cruise Bar enough as a place to visit for a flavorsome veggie dinner with a fantastic view. (Oh, and good wine too!)

LEVEL 1, 2, 3 OVERSEAS PASSENGER TERMINAL CIRCULAR QUAY WEST
SYDNEY, NSW 2000

+61 2 9251 1188
INFO@CRUISEBAR.COM.AU

Arts November 9, 2023

FALL IN LOVE WITH THE LONDON CABARET CLUB THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

The London Cabaret Club invites guests to ‘Gatsby With Love’ this Valentine’s Day. The Great Gatsby Valentine’s dinner and show is set to transport guests to the glamorous 1920s, fit with sumptuous food, mischief, tassels, champagne glasses and world-class performances. This bespoke show and immersive fine dining experience, is created especially for Valentine’s romancing by London Cabaret Club artistic director Doni Fierro.

Cabaret goers can immerse themselves into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s world renowned love story and feel as if they are a party guest at Gatsby’s mansion. The varied acts at the show will be performed to heart-soaring songs such as Lana Del Ray ‘Young and Beautiful’. All will be played out against the lavish backdrop of the 1920’s Art Deco Bloomsbury Ballroom with its high-reaching ceilings, intimate seating areas, ornate windows, spectacular bar and commanding marble entrance. The event is ideal for an extravagant and interactive date night with a partner or a girlie and glamorous Friday night out.

Now in its 6th year, The London Cabaret Club originally launched as a pop-up within the Chelsea Arts Club in July 2013, followed by sell-out residencies at One Mayfair and The Collection in South Kensington, before moving in to their permanent home within beautiful art deco settings of The Bloomsbury Ballroom, a stunning venue perfectly situated between The City and The West End. Their winning formula of original choreography and unparalleled production with unrelenting attention to detail makes it one of the capital’s most exciting nights out.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day we met with the CEO and Founder of The London Cabaret Club and asked her about the upcoming show and what she loves the most about her job…

What led you to work in such a fabulous industry?

Following business school in Sydney, I spent some time working in management consultancy and finance in London then moved to New York to continue further study in the Arts. I then became a huge Broadway theatre enthusiast. My working life subsequently took me to London, and here I fell in love with the West End. With my love of musical theatre and experiencing the social scenes of both London and New York, I felt there was a gap in the market to create an new unique experience in London which would entail a combination of excellent theatre style entertainment combined with a high end dining experience – and so The London Cabaret Club was born!

What sets the London Cabaret Club apart?

The first thing that sets us apart is our permanent residence at The Bloomsbury Ballroom. It is an amazingly beautiful art deco building between the City and the West End that is perfect for our performances and the atmosphere there really enhances our shows.

The second, is the quality of our shows. To date, The London Cabaret Club shows have been centred around a range of quintessentially British themes. For example our show ‘Queen Of Roses’ celebrates Britain’s female monarchs. ‘Hats, Heels & Horses’ focuses on a day at the races and our current show ‘Gatsby with Love’ transports guests into a decadent 1920’s party, inspired by the Jay Gatsby, the great anti-hero in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. We offer interesting and very entertaining themes which change seasonally to keep customers coming back. The London Cabaret aims to become an icon of London which appeals to our own residents as well as visiting tourists.

What is the usual crowd at the venue?

The crowd reflects the rich diversity of the city of London. It’s not unusual for celebrity clientele to attend our shows – visitors and fans have included famous figures as varied as Simon Cowell, Millie Mackintosh, Darcy Bussell, Louis Walsh and Olivia Colman. We also have some wonderful loyal fans from all walks of life who love to return to experience the different shows that we host throughout the year.

Why does it make the ultimate night out?

The sheer variety of unique, high quality entertainment, combined with fantastic level of service and fine dining options that accompanied the performance is what makes the London Cabaret Club a one of a kind experience.

What is the favourite thing about what you do?

The most favourite thing about my job is being able to be creative with what I do and through this creativity being able to deliver a unique and wonderful experience to our clients…

Start your Valentine’s Day by joining The London Cabaret Club at The Rose Bar from 6.30pm. For more information and to book tickets, see: www.thelondoncabaretclub.com/valentines-show

Arts November 9, 2023

FALL IN LOVE WITH THE LONDON CABARET CLUB THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

The London Cabaret Club invites guests to ‘Gatsby With Love’ this Valentine’s Day. The Great Gatsby Valentine’s dinner and show is set to transport guests to the glamorous 1920s, fit with sumptuous food, mischief, tassels, champagne glasses and world-class performances. This bespoke show and immersive fine dining experience, is created especially for Valentine’s romancing by London Cabaret Club artistic director Doni Fierro.

Cabaret goers can immerse themselves into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s world renowned love story and feel as if they are a party guest at Gatsby’s mansion. The varied acts at the show will be performed to heart-soaring songs such as Lana Del Ray ‘Young and Beautiful’. All will be played out against the lavish backdrop of the 1920’s Art Deco Bloomsbury Ballroom with its high-reaching ceilings, intimate seating areas, ornate windows, spectacular bar and commanding marble entrance. The event is ideal for an extravagant and interactive date night with a partner or a girlie and glamorous Friday night out.

Now in its 6th year, The London Cabaret Club originally launched as a pop-up within the Chelsea Arts Club in July 2013, followed by sell-out residencies at One Mayfair and The Collection in South Kensington, before moving in to their permanent home within beautiful art deco settings of The Bloomsbury Ballroom, a stunning venue perfectly situated between The City and The West End. Their winning formula of original choreography and unparalleled production with unrelenting attention to detail makes it one of the capital’s most exciting nights out.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day we met with the CEO and Founder of The London Cabaret Club and asked her about the upcoming show and what she loves the most about her job…

What led you to work in such a fabulous industry?

Following business school in Sydney, I spent some time working in management consultancy and finance in London then moved to New York to continue further study in the Arts. I then became a huge Broadway theatre enthusiast. My working life subsequently took me to London, and here I fell in love with the West End. With my love of musical theatre and experiencing the social scenes of both London and New York, I felt there was a gap in the market to create an new unique experience in London which would entail a combination of excellent theatre style entertainment combined with a high end dining experience – and so The London Cabaret Club was born!

What sets the London Cabaret Club apart?

The first thing that sets us apart is our permanent residence at The Bloomsbury Ballroom. It is an amazingly beautiful art deco building between the City and the West End that is perfect for our performances and the atmosphere there really enhances our shows.

The second, is the quality of our shows. To date, The London Cabaret Club shows have been centred around a range of quintessentially British themes. For example our show ‘Queen Of Roses’ celebrates Britain’s female monarchs. ‘Hats, Heels & Horses’ focuses on a day at the races and our current show ‘Gatsby with Love’ transports guests into a decadent 1920’s party, inspired by the Jay Gatsby, the great anti-hero in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. We offer interesting and very entertaining themes which change seasonally to keep customers coming back. The London Cabaret aims to become an icon of London which appeals to our own residents as well as visiting tourists.

What is the usual crowd at the venue?

The crowd reflects the rich diversity of the city of London. It’s not unusual for celebrity clientele to attend our shows – visitors and fans have included famous figures as varied as Simon Cowell, Millie Mackintosh, Darcy Bussell, Louis Walsh and Olivia Colman. We also have some wonderful loyal fans from all walks of life who love to return to experience the different shows that we host throughout the year.

Why does it make the ultimate night out?

The sheer variety of unique, high quality entertainment, combined with fantastic level of service and fine dining options that accompanied the performance is what makes the London Cabaret Club a one of a kind experience.

What is the favourite thing about what you do?

The most favourite thing about my job is being able to be creative with what I do and through this creativity being able to deliver a unique and wonderful experience to our clients…

Start your Valentine’s Day by joining The London Cabaret Club at The Rose Bar from 6.30pm. For more information and to book tickets, see: www.thelondoncabaretclub.com/valentines-show

Australia November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide: Hannah Terziu captures wedding moments with Love Story Events

Someone’s wedding day, is probably the most important day in most peoples’ lives. It is an unforgettable experience that marks the beginning of a new story, shared with the couple’s closest family and friends. To be a part of a wedding is truly a special experience, but to plan the magic of a wedding, is a whole different story.

Hannah Terziu has built her business around capturing unforgettable wedding moments. Not to mention, capturing them amidst the stunning backdrops of the Amalfi Coast. A love for events and wedding planning led her to leave London and jump headfirst into her passion. Love Story Events is a testament to her talent and willpower as both a wedding planner, and an entrepreneur. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and if these photos say anything, it’s that Hannah certainly made the right choice in pursuing her dreams.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What made you fall in love with wedding planning?

I tend to think of myself as having 3 children — my actual two children, Benjamin who is 2 years old and Serena my 5 months old baby — but also my third baby which is my business! Every day is a struggle to balance my time between these 3 commitments. They keep me busy — but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Whilst I was born in the UK, I moved to Sydney 4 years ago and live in Sydney with my husband and kids. We travel back to Italy each year to deliver the seasonal weddings, which is a great excuse to also visit family and friends in Europe at the same time.

I remember the moment I knew that event planning was for me – I was evaluating different career options following my degree. (which was in Law, not events!) There were about 4 different roles I was thinking about. However, the only thing that kept “sticking with me” was event planning. I decided to pursue it.

My first role was at the Ritz Hotel and this cemented my passion for wedding planning – I loved meeting couples, exploring their vision and seeing the wedding day unfold. I then moved into the field of private events working for HM The Queen’s Household at Buckingham Palace. I loved every moment of my time there and was privileged to be involved in some of the big historical events. However, I missed working with the public and especially with couples; and that’s when I moved to Italy to pursue destination wedding planning.

What made you decide to move to Italy?

My career in London spanned 5 years and by then I felt I had experienced the best that London had to offer. As a person, I like to continually grow and challenge myself. I had always LOVED Italy as a location — so when I was thinking about the next step for my career, moving abroad, learning a new language and working in destination weddings, sounded like a good fit for me. The concept of Love Story Eventswas born, but I knew I needed to get hands on experience in Italy before I could fully launch the company.

When I got to Italy, there were a number of challenges. At first I worked in Rome – it wasn’t the best experience as I ended up not being paid for the 6 months I worked and having to sleep in the office. But by then I had already invested and was determined not to go back home without having gained the experiences and insights into destination wedding planning that I needed.

I moved to the Amalfi Coast and was fortunate enough to connect with the right people there and so my destination wedding planning experience began. The language took me a good 6 months to pick up — it was helped by the fact that I met my (now) husband there, which was certainly all the motivation I needed to learn quickly! After 2 years delivering destination weddings in Italy, fluent in Italian and having married myself, I was ready to move into the next phase.

In your expert opinion, what are the essentials to creating an unforgettable wedding?

In my opinion having a destination wedding it makes it unforgettable — it sets the wedding apart as an experience of a country, especially as guests tend to make a holiday experience out of it. I love seeing both the Bride & Groom’s reaction when they first see their wedding venue and also the guest at the wedding — they are often rendered speechless as they step into the venue and see the views (especially on the Amalfi Coast).

Another essential to an unforgettable wedding is the delivery — what I mean by this is how it flows on the day, how relaxed the couple are and the guest perception. The key to the success of this is in the planning. It ensures that all the details you have put into the day come to pass and that the celebration runs smoothly. It is important the wedding is a true expression of the couples styles, personalities, ideas and vision, so that the day feels genuine not a like putting on a show — making for an authentic, unforgettable wedding for all.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

Being discovered has been the hardest thing. Whilst I was confident I had the passion and skill to create destination weddings, I needed to learn a lot about how to reach my target audience and thus about social media. Marketing is always evolving, it is a constant learning curve to keep up with. Persevering with getting the brand out there is still challenging, but I am beginning to see real growth in the company and so I am encouraged to see that my efforts are starting to pay off.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

The best advice I can give is not to over think things in the start-up phase and to deal with problems or challenges as they arise. It is easier to find a solution when you are “in motion” rather than thinking about it being static. Honestly, before I set up Love Story Events, I found myself wondering how living in Australia and having a baby (I had just given birth to our son at the time) was going to work logistically with planning weddings in Italy. But I also knew I had worked too hard to give up on my dream. So I started the company. — and solutions presented themselves as I went along. So my advice is to get started! ?

www.lovestoryitaly.com

Australia November 9, 2023

The chicest cocktail in town: Around the world with Madame St. Germain

The face of the seriously on-trend elderflower liqueur, St. Germain, Camille Vidal exudes effortless French cool. Set on sharing her passion for the art of the aperitif, this cocktail guru has gone from bartender to brand ambassador and major girl boss, founding a group for women in the drinks industry and publishing her own book – how to drink French fluently. To celebrate the launch of our Food Issue, Camille lets us into her life as a brand ambassador, as well as some of her favourite spots around the world to say “Santé!”.

View this post on Instagram

Oui les amis Maison St~Germain Paris is opening tonight and I couldn’t be more excited to share with you all what we created in collaboration with the fabulous @lolarykiel and talented @juneinmarch ?? ? ? ✨?? #maisonstgermain #paris #cocktail #stgermaindrinks #stgermainaroundtheworld #spritzlife #freshflowersonlyfreshflowers #elderflowers #fashionweek #parismonamour

A post shared by Camille Vidal (@madame_cami_vidal) on Oct 4, 2018 at 5:03am PDT

HOC: You’ve worked at high-end bars across the globe. What are your top 5 bars in 5 cities and why?

I’m very fortunate that I get to travel around the world and visit different cities and their beautiful cocktail bar scene, so it’s hard to pick only 5!

Dante, New York: My home away from home! I just love the energy in New York so much – I lived there for a few years and any excuse to go back to visit is a good reason and the bar scene there is great.

Le Mary Celeste, Paris: Paris is another great place to go and I’m lucky that it’s only a train ride on Eurostar away! I love the aperitif culture and how everyone enjoys a drink together after work on the terrace – it feels so lively. Le Mary Celeste is a great aperitif spot with delicious food, but it’s too difficult to choose just one place in Paris, Café Moderne is a restaurant run by dear friends of mine and Combat is another amazing bar – I could go on and on.

Mint Gun Club, London: Despite the grey and the cold I LOVE London (although we’ve had the most amazing summer!). This is a beautiful little bar with insanely delicious cocktails – perfect rain or shine.

Black Pearl, Melbourne: I lived in Australia a few years back and I’d choose Melbourne as my top pick. It’s such an incredible place good food, good coffee, good drinks, good people. My favourite bar has to be Black Pearl – but watch this space as there are about to be some amazing bars opening there soon.

Big Bar, LA: I might be French, but my heart lies in California. I love LA and Big Bar has a great daytime vibe. For the evening, I’d suggest Normandie Club – it serves up creative drinks in a stylish setting.

HOC: When you aren’t jetting around the world with St. Germain, what is your favourite destination to travel to?

I love India and I wish I could travel more there. The culture, people and food are all amazing, the country has so much beauty. I’m also a yoga teacher and student so I feel connected with this country.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmJopnLAExm/?utm_source=ig_embed

HOC: Here at #Teamcoco we’re all about our girl gang. You recently founded St. Germain Ladies Bartender Club – a networking group for women in the industry. Can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to create the club, and what you hope to achieve?

Supporting women in the industry has always been a big focus for me. I’ve started Les Femmes du Bar which is the St. Germain ladies bartender club about 6 years ago. I wanted to build a community that will support and inspire the amazing women in the hospitality industry.

HOC: If you could only have one cocktail for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A Bamboo Cocktail – it’s dry vermouth and sherry. Rich Hunt (owner of Mint Gun Club) has made a version which adds St. Germain, coconut water and fresh tarragon to it – it’s the best drink I’ve ever tasted!

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Bienvenue to Maison St~Germain London ✨ @stgermainuk x @houseofholland_ get together with floral designer @juneinmarch to bring to life a sensory experience telling our story of our 1000 elderflower blossoms it takes to create each and every bottles of St~Germain ? Open until Saturday join us les amis! . ? @houseofholland by @henryholland ? @juneinmarch ? @stgermainuk #MaisonStGermain #London #drinkfrenchfluently #stgermaindrinks #stgermainspritz #stgermainaroundtheworld

A post shared by Camille Vidal (@madame_cami_vidal) on Jun 14, 2018 at 11:15am PDT

HOC: What cocktail is trending at the moment and how can we recreate it?

A massive trend at the moment in drink is low ABV spritz and aperitif style cocktails. It’s my favourite style of drink and makes me so happy! The St. Germain Spritz is an amazing example of this and very easy to make at home.

HOC: Having launched St. Germain’s first coffee table book, How to Drink French Fluently – where did the idea for the book come from?

I wanted to write a cocktail book to show the incredible versatility of St. Germain but also showcase the recipes from all the amazing bartenders that create delicious cocktails using our beautiful French liqueur as a thank you! I thought the book was a great way to introduce the world of cocktails to more than just people who work in the industry too. I wanted to talk about more than just a drink, I wanted to talk about occasions and teach people about what to drink and when to drink it at different moments during the day. The book is organised by time of the day: brunch, afternoon cocktails, aperitif, dinner and nightcap. I’m currently working on a new book which is coming out in January – watch this space!

HOC: What was the best part about putting it together?

Seeing the creativity of all these bartenders featured in the book! It was a nice way to also say thank you to them and putting them in the spotlight.

HOC: You grew up in France, but have spent time in Australia, NYC London, where do you call home?

That’s a good question and something that I get asked quite a lot! Although I am from France, I left 10 years ago and have travelled far and wide, so I also consider myself from all those places I’ve been to and lived in. I met some amazing people along the way who have influenced and inspired me so there are lots of different influences that make me, me. I recently did a DNA test which flagged to me I actually have no French in my DNA! Turns out, my ancestry is mostly Iberian and North African which is fascinating.

HOC: Do you find there is any stigma attached to being a woman in a male-dominated drinks industry?

The drinks industry is a beautiful community and a pretty supportive one! I wouldn’t say that gender equality is an issue in the drinks industry only and I think it’s not quite there in the world in general regardless of where you work. It’s up to us all to make small changes that will facilitate this for next generations.

HOC: What are your favourite female-centric drink brands? Any female distillers, bartenders?

So many women inspire me in the industry! From bar owners to bartenders, women I work with and women I get to mentor. I’m in awe of their talent, creativity, strength, determination, energy and kindness.

HOC: What advice would you give to women who want to make a career for themselves in the drinks industry?

Be kind, be honest, be driven and most of all, be yourself and don’t apologise for it!

Read more about Women in the drinks industry in our Food Issue!

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Come share an aperitif with us for our last day of Maison St~Germain London ?? mes amis ? We are serving the #stgermaincocktail at the main bar and we might even have a secret bar upstairs with a menu of #stgermaindrinks design by myself but shhhhhh it’s a secret ✨ #maisonstgermain #london #popup @stgermaindrinks.uk @stgermaindrinks ? @patchdolan

A post shared by Camille Vidal (@madame_cami_vidal) on Jul 29, 2017 at 9:03am PDT