Come with Monaco Life as we take you on a tour around the new Café de Paris and explain why and how designer David Collins Studio was able to achieve such a remarkable rebirth.
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Quentin Chiai is a young and ambitious entrepreneur who, after a highly disciplined military career and serving in the prestigious Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, made a life-changing turn to follow his passion for design.
Quentin Chiai founded Iconic Design in 2022. He is now expanding, and together with his team, they celebrated the inauguration of their new interior design showroom and boutique on Rue Grimaldi in the Principality on 1st February.
Their maxim: “Creating timeless spaces as iconic as the people who bring them to life”.
Monaco Life: Can you give us a summary of your background and how you ended up where you are?
Quentin Chiai: I am originally from Normandy. While in the army, I had the unique experience of serving at the Elysée under President François Hollande as Gendarme of the Republican Guard. Following that, I joined the prestigious Carabiniers de Monaco, a pivotal period in my life. The time during the pandemic served for introspection, leading me to transition from my military career to pursue my lifelong passion for design. Before entering the army, I had pursued construction studies.
Post-military service, I had the chance to join a prominent interior décor showroom in Monaco as a project manager. This experience was crucial for me and helped me develop the skill set needed, especially in the people management area. In 2022, I took the leap and founded Iconic Design, initially operating from a business centre and later expanding to our dedicated showroom and boutique on Rue Grimaldi.
Can you tell us about your personality?
People often describe me as rigorous, a trait instilled through my education and military background. This discipline and logical approach are evident in everything on the work side, as I bring order and am meticulous and methodical. On the other side, adaptability is also a defining aspect of my personality. Having been able to do many different things in life, I firmly believe that nothing is impossible; it’s merely a matter of thinking creatively and finding solutions.
On the flip side, I never stop to appreciate what I have accomplished, as I continuously seek opportunities to improve and grow, as a never-ending process. Lastly, I am genuinely friendly and curious: I enjoy getting to know new people professionally and personally.
What inspired you to develop your business idea?
I switched careers and started Iconic Design because I love design and real estate. Monaco’s particular market allowed me to create a company where clients can bring their vision to life in their spaces. Opening a showroom just made sense – now clients can see and feel the furniture, allowing them to explore different possibilities to craft a space that genuinely feels like them.
How did you come up with the name for your business?
Choosing the name “Iconic Design” was a deliberate decision. I wanted something easy to remember, catchy, and inherently connected to what we do. The name encapsulates our focus on creating designs that are distinctive and memorable.
What do you enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur? How do you manage your work-life balance?
The aspect I enjoy the most is the freedom to organise my time according to my priorities. It is true that the entrepreneurial mind is always engaged, allowing me to make things happen during both work and leisure time. However, controlling my schedule enables me to prioritise crucial aspects of my life, such as spending quality time with my young son.
Maintaining work-life balance is crucial for overall well-being. I achieve this by prioritising family, and leveraging the flexibility that comes with entrepreneurship. During working hours, I focus on efficiency and productivity to ensure that I can allocate ample time to both my professional and personal life.
What are your tips to create a great team?
Building an exceptional team starts with trust. When hiring, I sought individuals I could believe in completely. As the personnel expanded, I valued their feedback in the hiring process. Team dynamics are essential, and understanding the vibe among members is crucial for smooth operations. Diversity in skill sets is another critical consideration. I believe in having team members with complementary skills to cover a broad spectrum of expertise.
What aspects of the designer-client relationship would you highlight?
In our client relationship, effective communication is fundamental, ensuring we grasp the project vision accurately. We aim to deliver personalised spaces and emphasise making the entire design process stress-free. We aim to create an open and collaborative atmosphere, to let the client enjoy a seamless and comfortable experience throughout the project. Establishing a relationship based on mutual trust and understanding ensures a positive and collaborative design experience.
As a project manager, what questions will you ask your potential client to help define their project?
When initiating a project, I ask clients about their specific vision. Understanding their design preferences, themes they favour, and their desired timeline and budget are crucial factors in shaping the project according to their expectations.
What projects are you working on now?
From the start, we’ve been fortunate to work on a mix of residential and commercial projects. While most are residential, we have also received interesting commercial requests that add diversity to our portfolio.
What are the most critical factors and influences that will shape the future of your company and the industry at large?
The future of Iconic Design and the industry hinges on several critical factors. Firstly, our commitment to delivering exceptional service will remain paramount. As the market evolves, staying at the forefront of emerging design trends will be crucial. Additionally, we recognise the significance of environmental sustainability in design. Incorporating eco-friendly practices and materials aligns with the growing industry trend and our responsibility to contribute positively to the ecosystem. Lastly, the ability to adapt to changing client expectations and lifestyle preferences will play a pivotal role. By remaining agile and responsive, we aim to continue crafting timeless, personalised spaces that resonate with our clients.
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Photos source: Iconic Design
The helmet worn by Thierry Neuville during his second successful Rallye Monte-Carlo drive is to be auctioned over the weekend by Bonhams Automobilia. The money raised will be donated to the Association Antoine Alléno, a foundation set up by multi-Michelin star chef Yannick Alléno and his wife in memory of their 24-year-old son, who was tragically killed in 2022.
In the days after his win, the Belgian driver made the announcement via social media that he would be donating his helmet to this worthy cause and directed fans to Bonhams Automobilia, who will be managing the online event.
Bids on the custom-made piece, which was designed by artist Frédéric Platéus, will be accepted until midday on Monday 5th February on Bonhams official site, www.bonhams.com. The helmet can also be viewed in person on Sunday 4th February between 11am and 2pm at the Bonhams UK auction house in Guildford. James Garguilo, who is coordinating the sale, can be reached here.
The Association Antoine Alléno was formed after a hit-and-run drunk driver took the life of the 24-year-old son of Pavyllon Monte-Carlo’s Yannick Alléno and his wife, Isabelle Mescam-Alléno, in May 2022. The charity is dedicated to supporting, in any way necessary, parents and families who have lost a child.
By lunchtime on Friday 2nd February, the auction price had already reached €14,000 of a predicted €15,000.
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Photo via Bonhams
The uptake of RSA – the Active Solidarity Income social welfare benefit that provides a “minimum level of income for people without resources that varies according to the composition of the household” – and the activity bonus or prime d’activité is colossally low in France, with as many as 34% of those eligible for support believed to be missing out.
That could be about to change, however, following an announcement that accessing these social benefits is to become significantly easier under a new and streamlined system.
The French government has announced that the social net amount that applicants are required to declare to officials in order to receive RSA or the activity bonus will, from now on, appear on all employee pay slips.
This avoids the complicated calculations applicants have previously been required to work out for themselves on the forms, which are similarly derided as “cumbersome and confusing”.
Recipients can expect even more simplification to the process to come in 2025, when the government says it will be rolling out pre-filled out resource declarations that will automatically collect the funds from employers and designated agencies.
For more information, click here.
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Photo source: Towfiqu Barbhuiya, Unsplash
In what has been described as “the biggest news story F1 has seen for more than a decade”, Lewis Hamilton is to depart Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and join Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc at Scuderia Ferrari.
After rumours began appearing in the press on the morning of 1st February, an official announcement was made by Ferrari in the afternoon that confirmed the move.
“Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract,” was all that was initially revealed, but the British seven-time World Champion has since made his own statement.
“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team [Mercedes] and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together,” said Hamilton. “Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13-years-old. It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make… But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.”
Hamilton joined Mercedes from McLaren, where he began his F1 career, back in 2013. He went on to win six – nearly seven, which would have been a record – Drivers’ World Championship titles over the course of 11 seasons with the team, adding to one already obtained at McLaren, as well as 82 race wins in Mercedes’ colours.
But the shared success of Hamilton and Mercedes has waned somewhat in recent years; for the first time in his entire career, Hamilton didn’t win a single race in either the 2022 or 2023 race seasons.
Ferrari and its chairman, John Elkann, have reportedly spent years trying to lure Hamilton away from Mercedes.
According to F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto, “Last spring, sources say Lewis Hamilton received a call. It was Elkann. This wasn’t completely out of the blue. Ferrari had come calling before – and Hamilton knew Elkann well… During the call, it is believed Elkann made another play for F1’s most famous driver.”
Hamilton resigned with Mercedes on a contract that would last until the end of 2025 last summer, but “as with many contracts, there were ways of extricating either side from the deal”.
He is believed to have activated a “release option” in his contract and informed Mercedes bosses of his decision just hours before Ferrari made their own announcement.
The move means that Hamilton will be on a team with 26-year-old Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who recently signed his own multi-year deal with Ferrari.
See more: F1: Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc and Ferrari announce new deal beyond 2024
While Leclerc is yet to make a public statement about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, he made clear his respect and admiration for the seven-time World Champion when asked about the prospect of the British driver joining the team last year.
“If I say yes [I would like to be his team mate], I imagine it being the title of every newspaper,” he said. “I mean Lewis is such an incredible driver and he has achieved so much in the sport. I think anybody on the grid would love to have Lewis as a team mate, as everybody will learn a lot from him.”
Hamilton’s move to the Italian manufacturer means that Carlos Sainz, who has been at Ferrari since 2021, has been ousted from his seat. In the aftermath of Hamilton’s shock switch, Sainz posted on social media, saying, “Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024. We still have a long season ahead of us and, like always, I will give my absolute best for the team and for the Tifosi all around the world. News about my future will be announced in due course.”
At 39 years of age, many had expected Hamilton to end his career in the comfort of a Mercedes, but the British driving legend clearly believes he still has more to give the sport.
As Barretto puts it, Hamilton has “one final roll of the dice”.
“Achieve a world championship with Ferrari – giving them their first title in nearly two decades in the process,” he writes, “and his legend will be cemented as the greatest of all time.”
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Photo source: Lewis Hamilton, Facebook
In an interview with Monaco Life, Marika Taishoff, MBA director at the International University of Monaco, reveals how the degree is integrating Monaco’s world-renowned luxury and wealth management ecosystem into its curriculum and forming the business leaders of tomorrow.
Marika Taishoff has been Director of the Master of Business Administration programme at the University of Monaco (IUM) for 13 years, and is celebrated for her expertise in luxury sectors, strategy and customer experience management. She is a recognised ‘Top 40 Business Case Writer’ and her impactful career has spanned education, consultancy and keynote speaking.
All considered, she’s perfectly placed to offer detailed insights into the programme’s strategic positioning at the intersection of luxury services, wealth management, entrepreneurship and innovation. As Taishoff explains, the degree has been tailored to leverage Monaco’s unique strengths and to ready leaders to navigate the complexities of the global market.
“We specifically designed our electives around Monaco’s core competencies. For instance, our luxury brand destination management course isn’t just about luxury, it’s about understanding the dynamics of how a place like Monte-Carlo crafts and maintains its luxury status,” says Taishoff, emphasising the programme’s unique approach to integrating Monaco’s world-renowned luxury ecosystem into its curriculum.
The importance of entrepreneurship and innovation is deeply woven into the fabric of the programme.
Taishoff highlights, “In today’s business environment, understanding the pillars of entrepreneurship and innovation isn’t optional, it’s critical. That’s why we’ve embedded these disciplines right at the core of our curriculum.”
A distinctive feature of the Monaco MBA is its robust career and personal development coaching, coupled with a mentorship programme tailored to the aspirations of its participants.
“Our one-on-one coaching sessions are transformative as they’re about shaping leaders who can confidently navigate their professional landscapes,” Taishoff explains.
The programme’s commitment to experiential learning is evident in its capstone options: the Corporate Consulting Project or the Entrepreneurial Business Plan.
“We want our students to leave not just with knowledge but with experience. Whether they choose to develop their own business plan or work on a corporate consulting project, they’re applying what they’ve learned in a real-world context,” says Taishoff, before recounting the success of two MBA graduates who, through their capstone project, launched a productivity platform that has since garnered investment and attention from a Monaco-based investor.
Monaco’s diverse, international setting plays a significant role in enriching students’ educational experience. Taishoff recalls the transformation of a student from the US: “He had never left the US before joining us. Monaco, with its cosmopolitan flair, was a revelation to him. Today, he’s thriving as a CFO in Los Angeles. It’s a testament to the growth we foster here.”
Flexibility is another hallmark of the Monaco MBA, with hybrid learning options that accommodate the changing circumstances of its students.
“We’ve evolved our delivery methods to ensure that no matter where life takes our students, they have uninterrupted access to their education. This adaptability is crucial for today’s professionals,” she notes.
The success stories of Monaco MBA alumni underscore the programme’s impact. Taishoff details several, including: an MBA graduate who transitioned from language translation to leading a real estate agency in Monaco; a Portuguese alumnus who, post-MBA, co-founded a successful trading company in Monaco; and a former professional cyclist who now works for a leading wealth management company as a wealth advisor for athletes.
“These stories are a reflection of our programme’s ability to not just educate but to fundamentally alter career trajectories,” she asserts.
The Monaco MBA programme caters not only to career-focused individuals, but also to those seeking personal growth and new perspectives.
“They might not need a job or have independent means, but they feel like they are missing out on something. It’s more of a question for personal development for some,” says Taishoff, highlighting the programme’s commitment to broadening horizons and engaging with a diverse community.
The Monaco MBA offers a holistic business education, merging luxury, finance, entrepreneurship and innovation to prepare graduates for the global business landscape.
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