The Gstaad Guy Podcast

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Tony Kelly, the Irish fine art photographer and director known for his vivid, cinematic imagery that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. From early days as a press photographer covering conflict in Afghanistan to developing a distinctive visual language built around colour, atmosphere, and playful storytelling, Tony reflects on how photography became an instinct rather than a technique. He shares how mentorship, relentless practice, and the right creative environments helped shape a style that prioritises original ideas and emotional impact over imitation or status.

The conversation explores the power of visual storytelling, creating images that feel playful, cinematic, and infused with a sense of nostalgia. Tony discusses shooting self-funded projects for creative freedom, the importance of substance over status, and why hard work and resourcefulness matter more than talent alone. From the cultural magnetism of St. Moritz and the timeless atmosphere of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel to the influence of James Bond and classic film aesthetics, he reflects on building a genre of photography that feels both glamorous and mischievous. A candid look at creativity in the modern era, why this may be the greatest time to be alive for artists, and why the most powerful images still come from curiosity, discipline, and the courage to shoot for yourself.

Filmed at The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(03:20) Hard Work 💪🏻🛠️

(04:23) Effort 🔥💪🏻

(05:53) Right Shooting Environment 📸🌄

(07:24) Style of Photography 🎨📷

(09:28) Mentor 🧑‍🏫✨

(13:00) Storytelling 📖🎬

(14:25) St Moritz 🏔️🇨🇭

(20:29) The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel 🏰🏨

(23:35) Mountain Values 🏔️💎

(27:01) Discretion 🤫🔒

(28:37) James Bond 🕶️🎬

(29:49) Nostalgia 📼💭

(32:16) Media Capital Of The World 🌍📰

(34:32) Self-Funded Projects 💰🎨

(36:19) Starting Photography 📷🌱

(38:18) Creativity Democratised 🎨🌐

(40:49) The New Creative Era 🚀🎥

(42:50) Hard Work vs. Talent ⚖️🎯

(44:19) “Ireland Is About Substance Not Status” 🇮🇪🌿

(47:53) Starting As A Press Photographer 📰📸

(53:12) Being Resourceful 🧠🛠️

(56:24) Greatest Time To Be Alive 🌍✨

(1:00:14) Validation 👍🏻✨

(1:00:58) Imitation As A Form Of Validation 🪞📸

(1:06:26) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, to explore how modern luxury hospitality is evolving from hotel stays into fully immersive destinations. As the driving force behind brands such as One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, Philippe shares how unlocking extraordinary locations and designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences requires both discipline and imagination. From selecting destinations to shaping brand emotion and storytelling, he reflects on what it takes to define the future while preserving exclusivity, privacy, and trust.

The conversation dives into the shifting expectations of a multi-generational, highly discerning clientele and why luxury today is about anticipating guest needs before they are spoken. Philippe discusses health and wellness stays, sports and longevity, mindfulness, and the growing demand for meaningful escapes that enhance how time is spent. They explore decision-making in private companies, curating experiences beyond the traditional hotel model, and the added value of personalisation in a world saturated with options. A thoughtful look at comfort, adventure, innovation, and the evolving relationship between brand and guest, revealing how true luxury is not excess, but precision.

Filmed in the One&Only One Za’abeel Royal Suite.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(02:02) Kerzner International Ecosystem 🌍🏨

(11:46) Decision Making 🧠⚖️

(12:30) Private vs. Public Companies 🔒🏢

(15:30) Selecting Destinations 📍✨

(21:26) Success By Design 🎯📐

(22:21) Destination Selection Process 🗺️🔍

(29:08) Defining The Future 🔮🚀

(30:36) Discerned Customers 👁️💎

(32:56) Health & Wellness Approach 🌿🧘‍♂️

(40:52) Target Clientele 🎯👥

(43:37) Understanding Your Desires ❤️🔍

(50:41) Sports & Longevity 🏃‍♂️⏳

(53:07) Montana 🏔️🌲

(53:30) Escapes & Retreats 🌅🏕️

(55:08) Curating Experiences 🎨✨

(1:01:03) How Time Is Spent ⏳📊

(1:03:47) Hotel Bar 🍸🏨

(1:05:15) Understanding The Consumer 🧠👥

(1:10:18) Demand & Consumption 📈🔄

(1:17:54) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, to explore how modern luxury hospitality is evolving from hotel stays into fully immersive destinations. As the driving force behind brands such as One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, Philippe shares how unlocking extraordinary locations and designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences requires both discipline and imagination. From selecting destinations to shaping brand emotion and storytelling, he reflects on what it takes to define the future while preserving exclusivity, privacy, and trust.
The conversation dives into the shifting expectations of a multi-generational, highly discerning clientele and why luxury today is about anticipating guest needs before they are spoken. Philippe discusses health and wellness stays, sports and longevity, mindfulness, and the growing demand for meaningful escapes that enhance how time is spent. They explore decision-making in private companies, curating experiences beyond the traditional hotel model, and the added value of personalisation in a world saturated with options. A thoughtful look at comfort, adventure, innovation, and the evolving relationship between brand and guest, revealing how true luxury is not excess, but precision.
Filmed in the One&Only One Za’abeel Royal Suite.

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️
(02:02) Kerzner International Ecosystem 🌍🏨
(11:46) Decision Making 🧠⚖️
(12:30) Private vs. Public Companies 🔒🏢
(15:30) Selecting Destinations 📍✨
(21:26) Success By Design 🎯📐
(22:21) Destination Selection Process 🗺️🔍
(29:08) Defining The Future 🔮🚀
(30:36) Discerned Customers 👁️💎
(32:56) Health & Wellness Approach 🌿🧘‍♂️
(40:52) Target Clientele 🎯👥
(43:37) Understanding Your Desires ❤️🔍
(50:41) Sports & Longevity 🏃‍♂️⏳
(53:07) Montana 🏔️🌲
(53:30) Escapes & Retreats 🌅🏕️
(55:08) Curating Experiences 🎨✨
(1:01:03) How Time Is Spent ⏳📊
(1:03:47) Hotel Bar 🍸🏨
(1:05:15) Understanding The Consumer 🧠👥
(1:10:18) Demand & Consumption 📈🔄
(1:17:54) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Gstaad Guy sits down with James Ferragamo, Chief Product Officer at Salvatore Ferragamo, to explore how a century-old family business continues to evolve without losing its soul. From Florence and the historic halls of Palazzo Spini Feroni to working closely with artisans and creative teams, James reflects on joining the family business, navigating generational dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding a global luxury house. He shares how values, governance, and thoughtful risk-taking shape long-term decision making, and why the Italian approach to luxury has always centred around craftsmanship, beauty, and human connection.
The conversation dives into balancing tradition and innovation, sustainability, and diversification while staying attuned to consumer needs and cultural relevance. James discusses diversity, equity, and belonging, the influence of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn on Ferragamo’s legacy, and how craftsmanship becomes a product of culture as much as technique. They also explore leadership across generations, time management, and finding space to do what you love while building something that lasts, culminating in reflections on Ferragamo’s 100-year anniversary and the enduring difference between the what and the why.
Filmed at Salvatore Ferragamo’s head office in Florence.

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️
(01:53) Ferragamo HQ 🏛️👞
(02:21) Palazzo Spini Feroni 🏰✨
(03:17) Becoming A Shoemaker 👞🛠️
(04:54) Family Dynamics 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🔄
(06:22) Florentine Businesses 🇮🇹🏛️
(08:21) Ferragamo Today 👞✨
(11:50) Luxury The Italian Way 🇮🇹💎
(14:52) Tradition & Innovation 🕰️⚙️
(17:35) Sustainability 🌱♻️
(19:30) Value For Customers 🤝💫
(22:20) Men’s Shoes 👞👔
(24:18) Family Business 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🏢
(29:25) Generational Work 🧬⏳
(32:00) Joining The Family Business 🚪👞
(32:58) Luxury Businesses 💼💎
(36:01) Diversification 🌐🔀
(42:35) Priorities At Home & Work ⚖️🏡
(45:33) Time Management ⏰📋
(47:55) Problem Solving 🧩💡
(51:10) Developing Governance 🏛️📑
(54:13) The Fashion Pact 🤝🌍
(56:17) Consumer Touch Points 👆✨
(1:00:36) 100 Year Anniversary 🎉💯
(1:01:54) The What vs. The Why ❓🎯
(1:05:00) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Gstaad Guy sits down with James Ferragamo, Chief Product Officer at Salvatore Ferragamo, to explore how a century-old family business continues to evolve without losing its soul. From Florence and the historic halls of Palazzo Spini Feroni to working closely with artisans and creative teams, James reflects on joining the family business, navigating generational dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding a global luxury house. He shares how values, governance, and thoughtful risk-taking shape long-term decision making, and why the Italian approach to luxury has always centred around craftsmanship, beauty, and human connection.

The conversation dives into balancing tradition and innovation, sustainability, and diversification while staying attuned to consumer needs and cultural relevance. James discusses diversity, equity, and belonging, the influence of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn on Ferragamo’s legacy, and how craftsmanship becomes a product of culture as much as technique. They also explore leadership across generations, time management, and finding space to do what you love while building something that lasts, culminating in reflections on Ferragamo’s 100-year anniversary and the enduring difference between the what and the why.

Filmed at Salvatore Ferragamo’s head office in Florence.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:53) Ferragamo HQ 🏛️👞

(02:21) Palazzo Spini Feroni 🏰✨

(03:17) Becoming A Shoemaker 👞🛠️

(04:54) Family Dynamics 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🔄

(06:22) Florentine Businesses 🇮🇹🏛️

(08:21) Ferragamo Today 👞✨

(11:50) Luxury The Italian Way 🇮🇹💎

(14:52) Tradition & Innovation 🕰️⚙️

(17:35) Sustainability 🌱♻️

(19:30) Value For Customers 🤝💫

(22:20) Men’s Shoes 👞👔

(24:18) Family Business 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🏢

(29:25) Generational Work 🧬⏳

(32:00) Joining The Family Business 🚪👞

(32:58) Luxury Businesses 💼💎

(36:01) Diversification 🌐🔀

(42:35) Priorities At Home & Work ⚖️🏡

(45:33) Time Management ⏰📋

(47:55) Problem Solving 🧩💡

(51:10) Developing Governance 🏛️📑

(54:13) The Fashion Pact 🤝🌍

(56:17) Consumer Touch Points 👆✨

(1:00:36) 100 Year Anniversary 🎉💯

(1:01:54) The What vs. The Why ❓🎯

(1:05:00) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices