Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another SLD meetup. Today we're gonna be talking about interior design, but not any type of interior design. We're gonna talk about super high-end. And we have the award winning luxury hospitality and residential interior design firm founded in 1979 with studios located in Paris and Chicago.
And for that we have the managing director and principal of the company called Pia ves Rojón, which is P-Y-R. And her name is Amy Jack Voski. What are you today? I love the glasses.
Oh, thank you. I have to, because we're on this model, I can't see. I see you. Clear.
I see you clear. I hear that you've already shared our little unique experience that we shared together. Listen, there's a connection right there between skydivers. So that's a unique thing.
But aside from that, I'm very impressed with your company, P-Y-R. And the things that you're doing as a luxury hospitality of residential interior design firm with studios with Paris, Chicago, and all the things that you're doing. I mean, my question to you is, where do we get started? Like, why the name?
Kerry Roshone is actually a man. So, over prior, he started the firm in Paris four or two years ago. And it just grew from there. So we're about 40 years old.
He's half the firm in Paris, and it expanded into the US, oh, many years ago as well. It was purchased by Perkins and Well, which brought us to Chicago. And based in Chicago, our hubs in Paris and in Chicago, we work globally around the world. We have projects in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the US.
We're kind of a global firm, if you will. That's amazing. You work with some of the most predominant brands. So tell us a little bit about, what are the, what are the, what are the major luxury brands across the globe?
Our work consists of renovation, repositioning, new builds. We do a lot of work with Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, Ritz Carlton. Every high end brand that you can think of, we've pretty much touched. We've spanned the globe between hospitality, inclusive of restaurants, spas, retail.
We've done the founding of Bushron retail store in Paris. And a lot of people don't realize this, but we've worked with major mission star chefs around the globe as well. Wow, that's a really good fact. No, I mean, you touch all the luxury elements, right?
When it comes to these incredible spaces. Now, what makes your business so unique? Like, why would these brands choose you? I know there's a lot of credibility from being around for so long, but what makes your business unique?
Oh, gosh, you know, I mean, I think it's just our heart and soul and our passion as a fundamental principle in terms of what makes this unique. But quite frankly, everybody in our firm is so highly educated in terms of their knowledge of design. It really is creating an experience. And it's really not just understanding design from an architectural point of view, but really honing in on the decorative arts and all the elements that really do bring interior design to life.
We have expertise in textiles and furniture, decorative arts, architecture, and it's all these components that really come together to create these incredible luxurious environments. And that's all driven by passion. But it really is this team of well-educated designers that are passionate about what they do. Well, that's part of the DNA of the brand, you know, when you build a business that you're passionate about and that's the power source, then it's just contagious.
And it's contagious also for the people that you work with. You know, you want to have that energy. But as you said, right there, no next is power. People want to feel that trust and be comfortable knowing that, okay, those that I'm working with know exactly what I want.
Exactly. We think about who we're designing for and what that outcome wants to be and what their experience is going to be because we're really creating experiences that enrich people's lives. That's something I wanted to ask you because people no longer just want the product or the service itself. They want to go through a beautiful experience because it's a really unique moment in their life, you know?
We're talking about really unique projects. So walk us through that experience. Like, why is a non-boarding process related? Well, I think it starts with, first off, what is the project?
What is the client's vision? You know, in a hotel universe, you have the client and you have the brand. So we have to marry the two together. So we're bringing two unique perspectives.
Usually they're generally aligned together on that. And to further that, it's where is it located and what are the goals, you know, because we really do like to string together, you know, a lot of people say about the history, the location, the architecture of the building, what the ultimate goal is, who is the guest? Who is the demographic that we're actually designing for? And it's all of these elements that we think about.
We ask a lot of questions from day one and it's from those answers that we spring forward our design. Wow, amazing. Now, tell me a little bit about the trends. Like, what are the studies?
You know, I'm hearing it down. You asked me that once before. So I narrowed it down to two very distinct trends because color trends and all of that do change on a yearly basis and we follow all that. But I think what you really need to know is the demographic of the people.
And we see two things. Shifting values and responsible luxury as the two key ingredients. The luxury purchaser and guest today is far different than their predecessors. You know, their younger generation and their values are different.
They want to be seen for what they do and not what they have. And, you know, in terms of that, that also leads to the responsible luxury. They want to get back to the communities. There are certain things that they want to be seen for and know for and they want it to be personalized.
So there's two actually though, quite hands-in-hand. But once you start understanding who the guest is, you know, they're not showing these displays of wealth, but they also want to create experiences. It becomes the foundation to how we approach design. I really love the responsible luxury.
I mean, that's the term that I really didn't hear before. So it's quite interesting to hear from you. And it makes total sense. Like this new generation is about showing what they're doing, how they can also give back, how it's like, it's a great synergy, right?
So how do you see me, not what I have, who am I versus what am I hearing? And what kind of experience you get to create for me that aligns with who I am as a person in my values and what I find important in the world. And it's really fundamental in what I'm seeing as far as the trend goes. Right.
Now as a company, obviously you're working with some of the most renowned brands and you're doing some impressive projects. But now that we are facing a really uncertain time, what are some of the difficult things you're facing? First off, I'm an incredible team. So I think they help me overcome every daily challenge on top of that.
And we are, you know, we're not one without our team and our folks. What is right here? She's listening to you. And so, but honestly, you know, I think we're really well positioned because of what we do and who we are, we're really well positioned and we're in the world globally.
So that helps ride different economic issues that people keep talking about. I'm still not convinced that we're going to see a deep recession and I know that just seems to be the news headlines every day. But we have work in the Middle East in Europe, in the US, in China, and it's our work in the Middle East in Europe that balanced out the slowdown that we had in Asia. And, you know, and that's how we kind of ride those waves.
And it's our diversity of project types, right? Not only do we live in the hotel world, we have restaurants, spots, but we do residential. We do very high-end luxury residential. And that starts to offset.
So it's a question of how many project types and regions that you live in that will help balance out the various difficulties from an economic situation? Well, and again, the company- The years, uh-huh. 40 years. So the whole concept of adaptation is just part of your DNA because a company that has survived all the different waves, it really shows resiliency.
So why is something that you will say that has helped the company stand out and really thrive? Yeah, I'm going to say it's our passion for design. And I say that because, you know, I've been now with the company Year and a Half, and it's also listening to Mr. Chomp 4 designers.
We've designed retail, we've designed yachts, we've designed. We've actually given some credence to some very high-end hospitals in the Middle East where they want to VIP experience. So if you think of yourself as a true designer and not segmented into one area, that curiosity and passion will carry you through because you never stop designing. And there's always an opportunity.
And I think it's that that gives us the endurance and the desire to keep going is that passion. Wow, I love it. I love the idea because, you know, not the secret sauce. And sometimes what I always like to say is that energy is the current currency for professional and personal success.
I'm passionate at the end of the day is energy. So what people start seeing that comes from you, which is that passion, that energy, is what they really want because they know that they're going to have a great experience. They know that you're putting everything on that project. So, no, I think it's a great formula.
And definitely I see you guys continue growing. But tell me a little bit about what's the vision. What do you see yourself on the company? Oh, gosh, we have quite a great strategy.
We want to take the foundation of what's been created over the last four years and just expand that. You know, grow our different segments even larger than what we currently have. I would love to be doubled in size. I would love to bring luxury to every market and everything that we touch and do.
And even increase our footprint around the world and expand in areas that we haven't touched yet that are still open markets to us. Mm-hmm. Well, that's exciting. However, we can help for sure.
Now, my question to you, and this is definitely something that I'm really curious to know from you. The word luxury has so many different meanings. For me, OK, I really thought about this. For me, it is really kind of bringing your senses to life.
You know, we think of luxury as extravagant comfort and luxurious. Like we think of it as extravagant. Well, you know, for me, it's the extravagant, it's of all your senses, right? It's that moment where this incredible skydlight is on fire and sunset.
And it captures beauty in that. It's the touch of a beautiful cashier blanket that's wrapped around you. It's the smell of a beautiful, fragrant flower. It is the sound of a piano or some melody in the background that kind of soothes your soul.
And it's just sort of that, you know, the taste of like the most complex food. It's all of your senses coming to life. You know, that's all extravagant, right? It's luxury.
It's a state of being. It's a lot of. Wow. You know, it's funny, Amy, because I might just question so many times.
And everybody has a different response. But bringing your senses to life, I just love it. It's true, right? But I created a lot of experience for you if you've actually walked away feeling something.
And the only way to evoke your emotion is to evoke your senses. Well said, well said Amy. No, amazing. So my last question to you, biggest takeaway, something that has resonated with you as a personal individual, that you said, wow, this really, and again, we talked about fashion, but you want a personal level.
Is there anything that you will share with you? Oh, gosh, what is the takeaway? I started designing when I was a young child. And the fact that I was here today, all these years later, I say wow every day.
I say wow every day that I get to get up and design and travel the world. And that's something that I loved and passionate was. Gave me a fruitful career and surrounded by so much beauty and people. It's a wow for me every day.
The wow, the wow feeling. You know, it's funny because we didn't talk too much about it, but you and a side-driver, you know, and myself, we understand what it is to live life to the fullest and the feeling of sky-giving. It just makes you feel so alive once you land. So I believe that that wow sensation of doing what you love, it's just what opens the doors to do the next wall thing, right?
It's like contagious. It just keeps on opening doors. So it's not getting more of those wall experience. And the risk, right.
You know, you step out that door and there's only one way. So it's the ability to, you know, face life and take unique risks. That might lead you down some amazing journey that you don't know is around the corner. Absolutely.
Well, listen, Amy. I appreciate your time. Congratulations on everything you and your team are doing. I wish you nothing but success.
And if there is anything that we can do, we can do. Thank you so much for inviting me. Of course, likewise. And again, if you get a little bit tired of that, you got it.
You got it. I mean, obviously, I'm not the few I have perfects of both. So I'll stop down. Fantastic.
Thank you. Have a great day. Bye. Thanks again for everybody tuning in today.
We hope you enjoyed it. And remember, embrace its beautiful success in life. My name is Alvaro, and I'll see you next time.