Podcast
The Luxury Item with Scott Kerr
Hosted by Scott Kerr · EN
Host Scott Kerr gives you the in-depth, unfiltered interviews with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands. Kerr chats with the biggest names in the luxury business, from CEOs and C-suite executives to creative directors and fashion designers, about the forces redefining the sector: from customer expectations and brand relevance to new approaches in creativity, operations, AI and growth strategy.
Want to get in touch? Email us, scott@silvertoneconsulting.com
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Bonus Episode: Eva Chow, Founder of KHEE Soju and Co-Chair of the LACMA Art + Film Gala
1w ago00:31:40Tap to summarizeEva Chow has been dubbed the "culture queen of Los Angeles" by The New York Times. She is a prominent cultural figure and Korean-American entrepreneur whose career spans fashion designer, restaurateur, arts patron, and founder of premium spirits brand KHEE Soju. Eva also co-chairs the star-studded Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art + Film Gala along with actor Leonardo DiCaprio. In this bonus episode, Eva talks with Scott Kerr about why Koreans’ deep cultural heritage and focus on quality make Korea a unique driver of global luxury demand and how she believes luxury houses are tapping K-culture superficially. She discusses how the LACMA Art + Film Gala became the "Met Ball of the West" and Gucci's steady partnership over the years. Eva describes launching KHEE as a way to reset what people think soju is and to position it squarely in the white spirits conversation. Plus: How she helped transform the iconic Mr Chow restaurant into a contemporary cultural salonFeaturing: Eva Chow, Founder of KHEE Soju and Co-Chair of the LACMA Art + Film Gala (kheesoju.com, lacma.org/ArtPlusFilmGala)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S18 E03: Lisa Bauer, President and CEO at Starboard
2w ago00:30:52Tap to summarizeCruise ships have become some of the most dynamic luxury retail environments in the world, and Starboard is the biggest player in the cruise retail business. Starboard's president and CEO Lisa Bauer sits down with Scott Kerr to discuss how the company brings top luxury maisons to life at sea with boutique‑level standards. She shares the psychology behind cruisers spending four or five figures on watches and jewelry, why cruise retail is an untapped luxury and experiential channel, and breaking the "mall at sea" stereotype. She also talks about how onboard clienteling strategies are different than land-based ones, and how Starboard builds luxury lineups for specific ships and itineraries. Plus: LVMH’s role as minority partner in sharing data and co-creating onboard concepts and experiences.Featuring: Lisa Bauer, President and CEO at Starboard (starboardretailgroup.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: Host Scott Kerr gives listeners in-depth, unfiltered interviews with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands. Kerr chats with the biggest names in the luxury business, from CEOs and C-suite executives to creative directors and fashion designers, about the forces redefining the sector: from customer expectations and brand relevance to new approaches in creativity, operations, AI and growth strategy. Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S18 E02: Francesco Galli Zugaro, Founder & CEO of Aqua Expeditions
Jul 700:30:35Tap to summarizeScott Kerr is joined by Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions, an ultra-luxury small‑ship cruise operator specializing in taking UHNW travelers on immersive expeditions to some of the world's most remote destinations. Francesco, who founded Aqua in 2007 and a pioneer of luxury river cruising, discusses why expedition cruising resonates with wealthy travelers and if their risk tolerance has changed in the last 20 years. He also talks about why Aqua deliberately chooses to slow down and go deeper into each destination’s ecosystem and culture on its voyages, how ultra-affluent guests getting younger and more active, and why its fine dining program is a psychological luxury counterpoint to the sensorially intense expeditions. Plus: Preserving Aqua's founder-led culture and exploratory DNA after its recent acquisition by Ponant Explorations GroupFeaturing: Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions (aquaexpeditions.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: Host Scott Kerr gives you the in-depth, unfiltered interviews with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands. Kerr chats with the biggest names in the luxury business, from CEOs and presidents to creative directors and fashion designers, about the forces redefining the sector: from customer expectations and brand relevance to new approaches in creativity, operations, AI and growth strategy. Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S18 E01: Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, Creative Director at Bang & Olufsen
Jun 3000:30:08Tap to summarizeScott Kerr sits down with Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, creative director at Bang & Olufsen, the Danish luxury audio company renowned for its synthesis of minimalist Scandinavian design with high-end speakers, headphones, and home entertainment systems. Kresten discusses the design and business principles that have anchored B&O's longevity for the last 100 years, staying culturally relevant without chasing trends, and why Scandinavian luxury resonates with consumers. He also talks about why B&O thinks about products in terms of customer life phases, how the brand is making itself more visually distinctive for the next generation, and taking a long-term brand perspective to ensure coherent evolution. Plus: How B&O designs automotive sound experiences to ensure each system feels emotionally native to that luxury car brand.Featuring: Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, Creative Director of Bang & Olufsen (bang-olufsen.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: Host Scott Kerr gives you the in-depth, unfiltered interviews with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands. Kerr chats with the biggest names in the luxury business, from CEOs and presidents to creative directors and fashion designers, about the forces redefining the sector: from customer expectations and brand relevance to new approaches in creativity, operations, AI and growth strategy. Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S17 E09: Ben Trodd, CEO of Four Seasons Yachts
Jun 1600:32:20Tap to summarizeScott Kerr speaks to Ben Trodd, CEO of Four Seasons Yachts, a new venture by Four Seasons designed to bring the brand's renowned ultra-luxury hospitality to the high seas. The inaugural vessel, Four Seasons I, officially launched in March. Trodd, a 25+ year veteran of Four Seasons, explains why ultra-luxury yachting is a natural extension of the Four Seasons brand and outlines how ultra-wealthy guests are shifting from overt opulence to intentional, hyper-personalized travel experiences. He also breaks down Four Seasons Yachts' competitive lens, how he preserves Four Seasons’ brand integrity while operating at sea, and using deep guests insights to anticipate preferences and design itineraries. Plus: Trodd unpacks the economics and KPIs behind the Four Seasons Yachts asset-light modelFeaturing: Ben Trodd, CEO of Four Seasons Yachts (fourseasonsyachts.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S17 E08: Simon Kneen, Brand President at J.Hilburn
Jun 900:32:12Tap to summarizeScott Kerr sits down with Simon Kneen, brand president and creative force at custom menswear clothier J.Hilburn. Over the course of his career at places like Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, and French fashion house Balmain, Simon has helped shape some of the most recognizable names in apparel. He explains why men have shifted their desire towards better fit apparel and intentional dressing, what he learned from repositioning Brooks Brothers and how his Banana Republic x Mad Men collaboration set a benchmark for TV‑to‑retail capsules. Simon also discusses how J.Hilburn blends atelier‑level product with a direct, stylist‑driven distribution model, why its stylists think like hoteliers, and what differentiates good, better, and exceptional materials in real life. Plus: How social meida platforms now function as each man’s “personal magazine."Featuring: Simon Kneen, Brand President at J.Hilburn (jhilburn.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S17 E07: Stuart McNeill, Founder and CEO of Knightsbridge Circle
Jun 200:29:09Tap to summarizeScott Kerr is joined by Stuart McNeill, founder and CEO of Knightsbridge Circle, one of the most exclusive invitation-only luxury concierge firms in the world. McNeill, who founded the company in 2012 after previously launching the American Express Centurion Card Elite Service, explains how his experience at Amex inspired him to build Knightsbridge Circle as a deliberately niche, ultra‑high‑touch concierge model that caters to the ultrawealthy. He shares how an Elton John philanthropy event helped seed his initial client base of centimillionaires, the extreme anticipation of member needs required to keep them engaged (and the firm's revenue stream flowing), and the surge in young crypto- and tech-wealthy members. Stuart also unpacks why the ultrawealthy have shifted from ownership to access and bespoke, unrepeatable experiences. Plus: Why he runs Knightsbridge Circle as a capped community of around 250 members worldwide versus a scaled model.Featuring: Stuart McNeill, Founder and CEO of Knightsbridge Circle (knightsbridgecircle.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S17 E06: Debbie Propst, President of Global Retail at MillerKnoll
May 1900:28:20Tap to summarizeScott Kerr is joined by Debbie Propst, president of global retail at MillerKnoll, a design collective of high-end furniture, interiors, and lifestyle brands formed in 2021 by the merger of American design giants Herman Miller and Knoll. Some of their most iconic designs include the Aeron chair, Noguchi table, Eames Lounge Chair, and Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Chair. Debbie discusses joining MillerKnoll right before the pandemic and how her direct experience with digital-first home retail and e-commerce gave her an edge in accelerating the company’s digital and omnichannel transformation during the crisis. She also talks about why the Herman Miller-Knoll merger made strong strategic sense, how it protects distinct brand identities within a broader design collective, how MillerKnoll managed through the post-pandemic correction in home-office and furniture demand, and why luxury consumers are shifting toward fewer, better things. Plus: Why storytelling, education, and design literacy are central to MillerKnoll's retail growth.Featuring: Debbie Propst, President of Global Retail at MillerKnoll (millerknoll.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S17 E05: Benoît Repellin, Worldwide Head of Jewelry at Phillips
Apr 2800:39:03Tap to summarizeScott Kerr sits down with Benoît Repellin, the highly respected auctioneer and global jewelry head at premier international auction house Phillips, to discuss the mechanics, the culture, and the human drama behind the jewelry auction world. Benoît sheds light on the strong appetite for signed jewelry pieces from heritage Maisons, why valuing jewelry comes down to art, nature, and provenance, and how Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the collector base and are drawn to pieces surfaced through pop culture moments. Benoît talks about how curation, not volume, is Phillips' competitive edge and how the smartest collectors buy with passion, patience, and a discerning eye. He grounds almost every conceptual point in specific, real auction stories. Plus: How Repellin's 100k Instagram followers have directly translated into consignments and biddersFeaturing: Benoît Repellin, Worldwide Head of Jewelry at Phillips (phillips.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
Transcribe →S17 E04: Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik
Apr 1400:44:51Tap to summarizeManolo Blahnik is one of the world’s most influential footwear and accessories designers. His shoes are known for their elegance, craftsmanship, and being a favorite of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. Scott Kerr sits down with Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik and the eponymous designer's niece, to discuss how she's been growing the brand globally while keeping the magic and artistry of the family-led business alive. Kristina talks about how her architecture training shapes how she works as CEO, how being independent keeps the company on a craftsmanship-first growth path, why the company leaned hard into a DTC strategy, and how the brand is protecting it's "insider" aura with younger customers. Plus: Why its virtual archive is protecting and extending Manolo Blahnik’s legacyFeaturing: Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik (manoloblahnik.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting (silvertoneconsulting.com)About: The Luxury Item is the leading podcast on the business of luxury, and an important resource for global industry decision makers who want to stay one step ahead. Listen to insightful conversations with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands as they share the latest trends, insights, and strategies that are helping them forge a strong path forward.Stay connected: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!
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