Podcast Summary: The Entrepreneurs – “Meet the man behind Nomad, the travelling showcase of collectable design”

Host: Tom Edwards (Monocle) Featured Guest: Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte, Founding Director of Nomad
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Entrepreneurs spotlights Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte, the visionary founder behind Nomad, a travelling showcase for collectible design. Recorded during Monocle’s weekender in Abu Dhabi, the conversation explores how Nomad reimagines art fairs and design exhibitions by translating them to extraordinary, often historically-charged locations—from a modernist decommissioned airport terminal in Abu Dhabi to venues around the globe. Nicolas shares insights into how Nomad curates its events, the emotional power of architecture, the response from new audiences in the Middle East, and the challenges (and opportunities) of always staying one step ahead.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origin and Concept of Nomad

Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte details the genesis of Nomad and its philosophy:

• Intensive research in the Middle East led Nicolas to Abu Dhabi, inspired by the city’s burgeoning cultural scene and the changing demographics post-Covid.
• Nomad aims to distinguish itself by “never being in the fairground or in any generic building.” Instead, it seeks out modern heritage sites that offer unique, emotionally-resonant experiences (17:16).
• The choice of locations, such as modernist buildings from the 70s and 80s or historic villas, is fundamental, forming the core of the Nomad experience.
  • “The location is always the starting point because we need a strong location to be able to be Nomad.” (24:03)

2. The Abu Dhabi Edition: Process and Partnership

• Nicolas recounts the process of collaborating with the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) in Abu Dhabi.
• After extensive location scouting, the DCT recommended the decommissioned Terminal 1 of Abu Dhabi’s airport—a modernist building designed by Paul Andreu, famed architect of Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
  • “Rita, the director, pulled out of her hat somehow, like the airport… I looked at it, yes Rita, please take me to the airport right away!” (19:17)
• The turnaround from venue confirmation to exhibition installation was “a marathon”; the entire project came together in two and a half months with little sleep, but strong teamwork (20:16).

3. Emotional Impact and Audience Response

• The Nomad fair evokes intense nostalgia, especially for locals revisiting a space tied to decades of travel memories.
  • “This is a great example of how architecture can generate an incredible reaction on people somehow through memory and also physical interaction of the space... I had a lot of people coming, saying, ‘I have goosebumps. To be able to come back to this building... is incredible.’” (22:18)
• The blend of architecture, memory, and cutting-edge design is central to Nomad’s magic and uniqueness.
  • “That’s exactly what we’ve been doing for the past 15th edition at Nomad… this sort of dialogue between architecture, memory, and also the future.” (25:46)

4. Identity: Boutique, Human-Scale, and International

• Nomad positions itself as a “boutique fair”—never exceeding 40 to 50 exhibitors to maintain intimacy and quality (21:19).
• It’s described as part trade fair, part salon, with a human scale aiming for meaningful interactions with design, art, and high jewelry.
• Nomad’s global ambitions are inherent to its DNA, with past and future editions set in St. Moritz, the Hamptons, Monaco, Capri, and more (23:54).

5. Curatorial Strategy: Destination as Story

• Locations are chosen not just for their beauty, but for their cultural resonance and their ability to engage local and international communities.
  • “It has to be a stunning experience… we need the local community to engage with and we need it to be an interesting destination also for our global community.” (24:03)
• Past venues include “a monastery in Capri… Venetian palazzo… the former villa of Karl Lagerfeld in Monaco.”
• Nicolas highlights the shift in the Middle East towards valuing modern heritage, seeing Nomad’s nostalgia-infused approach as timely and impactful.

6. Surprising Success, Future Pressure, and Ambitions

• Nicolas admits surprise at the overwhelming success and rapid resonance of Nomad Abu Dhabi, which drew international collectors and viral attention even in its first year (26:20).
• Plans include returning to Abu Dhabi’s terminal for several years, deepening collaborations (e.g., with Etihad Airways, integrating aircraft installations with artists), and creating parallel narratives in new locations like the Watermill Center in the Hamptons (27:28).
  • “Sky’s the limit. We can do incredible things there… everywhere we go, we always want to create this experience. And I think that’s the main idea of Nomad.” (29:01)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the role of architecture:

  “Architecture can generate an incredible reaction on people… through memory and through also physical interaction of the space.”
  – Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte (22:18)

• On Nomad’s approach:

  “The location is always the starting point because we need a strong location to be able to be Nomad.”
  – Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte (24:03)

• On the emotional impact for visitors:

  “To rediscover the airport in this manner is stunning. That was like the feedback I keep receiving and people I don’t know are stopping me, let’s say when I walk in the airport…”
  – Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte (22:18)

• On success and future ambitions:

  “We have a very strong program for next year… we always want to create this experience. And I think that’s the main idea of Nomad.”
  – Nicolas Bellevance Lecomte (28:28–29:01)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction to Nomad & Abu Dhabi location – [17:16]
• Scouting and selecting the airport terminal – [19:17]
• Rapid preparation and teamwork – [20:16]
• Fair format: boutique and intimate – [21:19]
• Emotional connection to architecture – [22:18]
• Nomad’s philosophy and worldwide reach – [24:03]
• Success and future venues/ambitions – [26:20], [27:28], [29:01]

Tone and Style

The conversation is inspiring, intellectually curious, and cosmopolitan—reflecting Monocle’s editorial voice and Nicolas’ passion for design, architecture, and meaningful experience. The episode flows from logistics and curatorial decisions to the emotional and philosophical impact of design in extraordinary places.

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Nomad is not just a design fair; it’s a journey through extraordinary spaces that amplifies the emotional impact of art and design.
• Success comes from a curatorial philosophy rooted in respect for local culture, collective memory, and intentionally chosen locations.
• The project’s impact in Abu Dhabi exceeded expectations, both for visitors and the Nomad team, demonstrating the power of fusing nostalgia with contemporary creativity.
• The future of Nomad includes even more innovative and memorable experiential design, as it continues to reimagine what and where an art fair can be.

Learn more:
Website: nomad-circle.com
Next editions: St. Moritz (February), Hamptons (Summer), and return to Abu Dhabi (2026)