S5E24: The Politics of Luxury with David Leigh Pemberton, Deputy Director of Policy & Engagement at the British Fashion Council
Behind the gloss of London Fashion Week lies a complex machinery of trade, taxation and soft power. David Leigh Pemberton sits at its centre — navigating the delicate relationship between creativity and government as Deputy Director of Policy & Engagement at the British Fashion Council. In this episode, he unpacks how fashion's future depends on the policies shaping it — from the campaign for VAT-free shopping and the realities of post-Brexit trade to the quiet diplomacy that keeps British design globally relevant. We explore how advocacy sustains artistry, why creativity is one of Britain's most undervalued exports, and what it takes to make luxury a national priority rather than a cultural afterthought.
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S5E23: Designing Human Tempo with Founder & Creative Director, Tatjana von Stein
Luxury hospitality is evolving—dissolving the boundaries between home, hotel, and cultural space. Few designers navigate that shift more intuitively than Tatjana von Stein. As Founder and Creative Director, she leads a London and Mallorca-based studio reimagining how people experience place through narrative-led design that incentivises human behaviour. From award-winning members' clubs and boutique hotels to her collectable furniture line Mise en Scène, her work explores what she calls "human tempo"—the rhythm and psychology of how we move through multifaceted spaces. In this conversation with Anant Sharma, Tatjana unpacks how design quietly directs behaviour, mood and connection. We explore the merging of hospitality, residential and workplace environments, her Mediterranean expansion, and why true luxury lies in understanding human psychology, not excess. A dialogue on narrative, tempo, and the future of spatial design—where understanding how people truly inhabit space matters more than trends.
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S5E22: Cultural Gravity: Divia Thani, Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveller, on Luxury's Eastward Pull
As Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveller, Divia Thani is witnessing a profound shift in the balance of cultural influence. Once defined by Western ideals of taste and sophistication, luxury is increasingly shaped by perspectives from the East—by travellers who value meaning over display, connection over consumption. In conversation with Anant Sharma, Divia reflects on travel's evolving power centres, the rise of India and the Middle East as arbiters of modern luxury, and how storytelling can restore depth in an age of infinite access and instant gratification.
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S5E21: The Business of Flight with Edwin Brenninkmeyer, Founder & CEO of Oriens Aviation
In this episode of What The Luxe, host Fred Moore sits down with Edwin Brenninkmeyer, Founder and CEO of Oriens Aviation, to unpack the mechanics, mindset, and meaning behind modern private aviation. A commercial and private pilot with more than two decades of experience, Edwin brings the precision of a pilot and the perspective of an entrepreneur to a conversation about what true craftsmanship means in an industry often mistaken for theatre. He shares the founding story of Oriens Aviation, its partnerships with Pilatus, Tecnam, and Cirrus, and how integrity and long-term value creation sit at the heart of his leadership philosophy. From sustainability and electric flight to the psychology of service and operational excellence, this is an inside look at how purpose, precision, and trust elevate the business of flight.
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S5E20: Designing Desire with Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer—From James Bond's DB10 to Tomorrow's Icons
What does it take to design pure desire? For over two decades, Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin, has shaped some of the most iconic cars in history—from the One-77 hypercar to James Bond's DB10. In this episode, he shares how Aston Martin became a "love brand," why luxury is shifting from utility to emotion, and how sound, scent, and craft define the future of mobility. From London's Routemaster bus to Miami apartments, Reichman's vision extends far beyond the road. A rare look inside the creative mind driving tomorrow's icons.
From the flawed masterminds at the heart of Matter Of Form, global leaders in Brand & Digital Experience, comes a series set on reframing luxury. With some strong – and mostly sound – opinions on the state of the sector, MOF CEO Anant Sharma and COO Fred Moore are debunking convention and conducting (occasionally) gracious debate surrounding what's next with an enviable line-up of industry leaders.
Portugal