The Luxury Item with Scott Kerr

Scott Kerr sits down with Carrie Baker, president of Toronto-based luxury outerwear company Canada Goose, whose signature coats and parkas are commonly spotted on Hollywood celebrities and affluent urban consumers. Carrie discusses how the six-decade-old family-owned business, once a brand worn exclusively by Canadian rangers and arctic explorers evolved into a $1 billion global luxury lifestyle brand. She also talks about its commitment to remaining a “Made in Canada” brand, how winter wear became a hot category, why the brand is all-in on brick-and-mortar, expanding its offerings into non-parka products, putting a focus on the female consumer, and why it finally went fur-free. Plus: How Canada Goose is approaching Web3 Featuring: Carrie Baker, President of Canada Goose (canadagoose.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comThis episode is sponsored by Ulysse NardinListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend!

David Hurley, Deputy CEO of top international luxury watch retailer Watches of Switzerland Group joins Scott Kerr to discuss what's been driving the rampant demand for Swiss luxury timepieces over the last few years and how long the boom will continue. He also talks about the state of the company's five-year global expansion plan, how the UK-based Watches of Switzerland gained a foothold in the US, playing offense in Europe's growth, why its multichannel business model of mono-brand and multi-brand boutiques has been so successful, and the rise of independent Swiss luxury watch brands. Plus: How new consumer segments (e.g., young people, women) have changed the way Watches of Switzerland does businessFeaturing: David Hurley, Deputy CEO of Watches of Switzerland Group (watchesofswitzerland.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comThis episode is sponsored by Ulysse NardinListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend!

Scott Kerr is joined by Anne-Lise Cremona, CEO of luxury bespoke fragrance house Henry Jacques. Anne-Lise discusses how the maison was born nearly a half century ago from her father Henry Cremona's love of the time-honored French perfume traditions. She also talks about taking over as CEO at a critical time and elevating it to new global heights without losing sight of her roots, why today's consumer has a new appetite for fragrances, the process behind creating and naming a new scent, and how the fragrance collaboration with tennis star Rafael Nadal and his wife Maria Perello came about. Plus: Why it took so long to open a Henry Jacques boutique in ParisFeaturing: Anne-Lise Cremona, CEO of Henry Jacques (parfumshenryjacques.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend!

Scott Kerr sits down with Ducati North America's CEO Jason Chinnock to discuss the strategy behind the record sales performance of the renowned Italian luxury motorcycle manufacturer and the importance of the U.S. market to the overall business. He also talks about how Ducati is constantly innovates to keep customers engaged, measuring success beyond sales figures, the type of person Ducati appeals to, and why it has no plans to introduce 'affordable' entry-level motorcycles. Plus: How Ducati is gearing up for the electric eraFeaturing: Jason Chinnock, CEO of Ducati North America  (ducati.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend!

Scott Kerr sits down with sisters Mariella and Attilia Avino, who currently run the legendary Palazzo Avino on Italy's Amalfi coast, to talk about growing up in the hospitality world in this glamorous destination, taking the reins of the family business, and how they're keeping the celebrated five-star luxury 'Pink Palace' in a league of its own. They also discuss the challenges of renaming and re-branding an already distinguished hotel, the importance of maintaining the spirit of Italian hospitality and a family-owned feel, how luxury hospitality has changed, who they see as their competition, and ways they're improving the guest experience that give them an edge. Plus: What is The Pink Closet?Featuring: Mariella and Attilia Avino, Co-Owners of Palazzo Avino (palazzoavino.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comSubscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, and check us out wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend!

LVMH-owned Champagne house Krug is one of the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world. Manuel Reman, President of Krug, joins Scott Kerr to discuss what's driving the surging demand for Champagne and why the 180-year-old French house has such an extraordinary reputation. He also talks about Krug iD transparency technology, the craftsmanship devoted to producing its iconic flagship Krug Grande Cuvée, tackling climate change, and how Krug's first female cellar master Julie Cavil is upholding the Maison's revered legacy. Plus: Why pairing music with Champagne is an important element of the Krug experienceFeaturing: Manuel Reman, President of Krug Champagne (krug.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comSubscribe to us on Apple Podcasts or check us out wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend!

Award-winning legendary chef, restauranteur (Aureole, et al.), and hospitality entrepreneur Charlie Palmer sits down with Scott Kerr to discuss his journey from a 23-year-old executive chef at one of New York City's preeminent fine dining institutions to building a company of iconic restaurants and food-focused hotels. He also talks about his signature “Progressive American” cuisine, the challenges of managing his growing brand footprint, why he has maintained so much staying power in the dining scene, how people's shifting views on food have impacted the restaurant business, the launch of his new 'culinary-forward' hotel brand Appellation, and the future of high-end dining. Plus: Is the TV show "The Bear" a realistic portrayal of life in a restaurant kitchen? Featuring: Charlie Palmer, Chef/Restauranteur/Hospitality Entrepreneur (charliepalmer.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

Family-owned and -operated Palmaz Vineyards in Napa Valley is regularly voted one of the best wineries in the region and is known for fusing the time-honored art of winemaking and cutting-edge technology. Scott Kerr sits down with Christian Palmaz, COO at Palmaz Vineyards, to discuss his father Dr. Julio Palmaz's journey from inventor of the balloon-expandable heart stent to vineyard owner. Christian also talks about the engineering marvel of the vineyard's 18-story subterranean winery "Cave", the smart technologies and big data analytics used to improve the winemaking process, expanding into cattle operations and creating a Wagyu beef enterprise, why Millennials are their best wine customers, and navigating through climate change and extreme California weather. Plus: Is AI technology eliminating the romance in winemaking?Featuring: Christian Palmaz, Chief Operating Officer at Palmaz Vineyards (palmazvineyards.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

In this encore episode (published May 10, 2022), Nicolas Girotto, CEO of Bally, talks to Scott Kerr about how the iconic 170-year-old Swiss luxury house is moving to boost relevance and growth these days. Nicolas talks about Bally's recent appointment of LA-based streetwear designer Rhuigi Villaseñor to oversee the creative direction of the brand, balancing heritage and cultural relevance, increasing investments in strong smaller U.S. markets, the brand's enormous digital success in China, exploring the metaverse opportunity, committing to the Fashion Pact and producing eco-friendly products, and the Bally Peak Outlook initiative to clean up Mount Everest and the Himalyas. Plus: Honoring Bally's artisans through a digital portrait campaign Featuring: Nicolas Girotto, CEO of Bally (bally.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comNewsletter: brilliantcut.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

In this encore episode (published January 18, 2022), Scott Kerr is joined by Shannon Knapp, president & CEO at The Leading Hotels of the World, a prestigious hotel group with a worldwide collection of more than 400 independently owned and operated luxury hotels. Shannon discusses Leading Hotel's business model, its unique selling proposition to potential member hotels and the brand standards these independent hotels must meet to join the collection. She also talks about how it's handling the acceleration of competitive soft branded hotels and Airbnb luxury rentals, the leadership lessons learned from the pandemic, key luxury hospitality trends and insights from its inaugural Luxe Report, and speaking to young wealthy travelers. Plus: Is the metaverse part of Leading Hotel's future?Featuring: Shannon Knapp, President and Chief Executive Officer at The Leading Hotels of the World (lhw.com)Host:Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout The Luxury Item podcast:The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry.Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertone_incEmail: scott@silvertoneconsulting.comNewsletter: brilliantcut.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!