A Life Curated

To mark the opening of Schiaparelli's exhibition Fashion Meets Art at the V&A, I met Marisa Berenson at Claridge’s for a thoughtful and quietly fascinating conversation about her life, work, and remarkable family legacy.As the granddaughter of Elsa Schiaparelli, Marisa grew up close to one of fashion’s true innovators—someone who blurred the lines between couture and art long before it became a conversation. We talk about Elsa not just as a cultural force, but as a grandmother: her wit, her discipline, and the world she created around her.Marisa’s wider family story is equally rich, spanning figures such as art historian Bernard Berenson and astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli. Discovered by Diana Vreeland as a teenager, she went on to become one of the defining faces of the 1970s, collaborating with an extraordinary roster of photographers including Avedon, Newton, Bailey, Penn, Bert Stern, Slim Aarons, Guy Bourdin and Cecil Beaton.She also reflects on her film career, from Death in Venice to Barry Lyndon, and offers clear-eyed insights into navigating both the fashion and film worlds.We return to Elsa in the context of the V&A exhibition—what it captures, what it leaves unsaid, and how her legacy continues to shape the way fashion and art intersect today.#marisaberenson #schiaparelli #icon #fashion #artDownload, it's a masterpieceSpecial thanks to @marisaberensonofficial @claridgesProduced by @martinlumsdenMusic by @robinkatz_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With tickets currently on sale for the incredible Nevill Holt Festival, opening on May 29th, I sit down with the founder, David Ross. For a man who rarely gives interviews, I was over the moon to be given this opportunity. In the early 90's David co-founded The Carphone Warehouse and has since built a formidable art collection of predominantly British artists and established the David Ross Foundation. In 2000, David bought the spectacular 13th Century Nevill Holt Estate which now hosts the festival. In this episode we discuss his first art memory, what he was like as a child, the rules he sticks to in business, his collection, what he loves and laments about the art world, what the festival means to him and the wider cultural community, and much much more.Download, it's a masterpiece.To view this year's festival line up and book tickets, please go to www.nevillholtfestival.com A special thanks to Jigsaw for sponsoring the episode, please view their latest spring collection at www.jigsaw-online.com.Thanks to @nevillholtfestival@insidejigsawProduced by - @martinlumsdenMusic by @robinkatz_Portrait of David by Zoe LawHost portrait by David Bailey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cold nights closing in? Feeling cosy? Brighten up your evening or early morning runs with this brilliant episode with Beatriz Milhazes, Brazil's most famous artist. We discuss how she pioneered a new art movement in the 80s, what her ambitions were at university, her personal experiences representing Brazil at the Venice Biennale in 2003 and 2024, her solo at the Guggenheim earlier this year, and what she felt when she broke the record for a Brazilian artist at auction. Plus her studio. routines and much, much more. Download, it's a masterpiece.Thanks to@beatrizmilahzes@whitecube@martinlumsdenBeatriz Milhazes portrait © Beatriz Milhazes. Photo © Lucy Dawkins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to be entertained? I recorded my first live episode at the House of Koko, with the painter and writer, HARLAND MILLER. A mesmerising raconteur with a Woody Allen-esque dellivery filled with subtle wit, Harland delivers his first art memory, what he was like as a child, how his art has evolved since he launched the Iconic Penguin Series to his latest exhibition of Letter Paintings, plus much, much more including his recurring dream about self help cinemas and his upcoming memoir, One Bar Electric .. also available on Youtube as a video so download and enjoy, it's a masterpiece.Thank you to Harland, Clemence / House of Koko, Anjelica Mandy, White Cube and Katie Heller. Produced by Martin LumsdenMusic by Robin KatzPhoto © White Cube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's widely known Jean Pigozzi created the selfie, always with a camera, full of engaging stories, a sharp collecting brain, and an elite circle of friends, I'm thrilled and honoured to have sat down with the great man. Listen as Jean discusses how he built the world's largest collection of African contemporary art, his innovative ideas for his new museum, what makes a great photograph and his relationships with his famous friends, plus much, much more. Download, it's an absolute masterpiece.Photo by Anh DuongProduced by Martin LumsdenMusic by Robin Katz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sit down with my first billionaire guest, Lord Michael Spencer, regarded as the city's most successful entrepreneur, in this pulsating episode, we discuss his childhood in Ethiopia, the cut and thrust of setting up ICAP the uber successful voice brokering firm, what are the steadfast rules he sticks to in business, we also dive into his impressive collection, why he buys art, which artists he would love to own, his world famous ICAP Charity Days, we dip into politics and much much more....recorded in front of a fabulous Francis Bacon, download, it's a masterpiece!Thank you to Lord Michael for being a wonderfully entertaining guest!Photo copyright owned by Michael SpencerProduced by Martin LumsdenMusic by Robin Katz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I talk to the simply incredible DIANE VON FURSTENBERG. Global fashion icon, entrepreneur, and steadfast advocate for female empowerment, we discuss her first art memory, the miracle of her mother's early life, what is was like hanging out with Andy Warhol and that famous kitchen polaroid, what is was like being painted and photographed by Francesco Clemente, Chuck Close and Li Song Song. That's just the start. We then talk about how she created the iconic wrap dress, if she knew early on that she going to be a huge success, what it means to her to be an icon, how she deals with failure, what her family and staff think about her, and DVF also offers invaluable advice on starting a fashion business and much, much, more.Download, it's filled with LIFE ADVICE and is an absolute MASTERPIECE.Thank you to @therealdvf for being a true icon and fantastic guest.Photo copyright owned by DVFProduced by Martin LumsdenMusic by Robin Katz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former journalist who rose to the top of the FT and became CEO, John transformed a loss making paper into a £500m revenue generating multi media global empire, this episode is one of my favourites. We kick off with John's first art memory, his love of music, and auditioning for Chrysalis Records, then dive into his journalism days, if he still gets the itch to write, how he transitioned from journalist to CEO, the three key decisions which transformed the FT and the key decisions that will keep it going. We discuss the AI Elephant in the virtual room, what makes a modern CEO, his collecting tastes, which include Bonsai trees, surfboards, and a deep love for music photography and much, much more! Download and play, it's an absolute masterpiece.Cover photo by Alex GriffithsMusic by Robin KatzProduced by Martin LumsdenThis episode is kindly sponsored by Oliver Bayliss of Bayliss Rare Books, the best rare book dealer in the business - www.baylissbooks.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is this my most stylish episode yet? I went to Nicole's house last Sunday, surrounded by her wonderful sculptures and discussed her first art memories, how Giacometti inspired her, how art played a role in her illustrious 40 year fashion career, working with Jean Gibson, how Eduardo Paolozzi taught her to look at everything as art and much, much more. I absolutely loved this episode.. download, it's a masterpiece.This episode is kindly supported by @waawworldCover photo by Harry BordenMusic by Robin KatzProduced by Martin Lumsden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With FRIEZE week coming up soon, and Surrealist female artists hitting big numbers at auction, I thought it would be the perfect time to release this episode with the amazing JULIE CURTISS. Since I saw first saw Julie's work at her solo at White Cube Mason's Yard in 2021, I was transfixed by her paintings which are filled with the uncanny, mundane, and grotesque shapes all painted in vivid colours. We discuss Julie's upbringing, her emotions when her paintings were flipped at auction achieving 10,000% return, what it's like being an artist working with White Cube, what are the emotional processes she goes through when making her work and some of my favourite paintings she's painted. Download, it's a masterpiece.Thank you @whitecube for setting this up.Credit line: © Julie Curtiss Photo © White Cube (Fabrice Gousset)Music by @robinkatz_Produced by Martin Lumsden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.