Monaco Info - The Podcast

Our guest today has been called the Mick Jagger of the auction world. He spent his formative years between Switezland and Japan, and originally dreamed of becoming an artist. Instead, the introvert joined Sotheby's where he held senior positions and curated the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection. He conducted the first art auction in the Soviet Union, helping connect Russian and Western art markets, and later served as chairman of Phillips de Pury & Company. The Monaco resident has conducted high-profile charity auctions at the Cannes Film Festival, appeared as himself in Netflix's "Emily in Paris" and DJed at the legendary Jimmy'z. His distinctive art-world persona has even inspired "The Hammer", a documentary exploring his insider world. Meet auctioneer, art dealer and curator Simon de Pury.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today was born at the crossroads of two extraordinary worlds. Her mother was a celebrated star of the golden age of Egyptian cinema while her German father became a prominent figure in real-estate and later a diplomat. Speaking four languages, she went on to build a distinguished identity of her own, studying economics and law in Austria, with a career spanning investment, hospitality and real estate – and, of course, some singing and acting roles along the way. Today, the Monaco resident of 25 years adds diplomacy to her portfolio as she was appointed Vice Honorary Consul of Austria in Monaco in 2025. Meet Laila Schlereth.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today was raised among diamonds, but her first language was music. Born into an Asian family rooted in the jewellery business, she began sorting gemstones with her father as a child while pursuing life as a classically trained cellist. A shoulder injury ended her ambitions as a solo musician, redirecting her toward another form of composition: haute joaillerie. After studying at the Gemological Institute of America, Parsons and Columbia, she founded her namesake Maison in New York. Today, her jewels are worn by Madonna, Oprah, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Not only has her work entered major museum collections but she has also set multiple auction records, including a necklace that sold for 5.78 million dollars at Sotheby's Hong Kong. Meet Monaco resident Anna Hu.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today trained as a commercial lawyer in London before moving to the South of France in the early Nineties. He launched a luxury events company and joined Riviera Radio as operations manager and presenter, staying for 15 years and leaving as sales and marketing director. From there came senior marketing roles at Yachting Partners International and Fraser Yachts. Today, the author of "Smart Yacht Marketing 101: The Secrets to Sourcing, Winning and Retaining the World's Richest Clientele" is a commentator for CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox News. Meet yachting and luxury consultant, Mark Duncan.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is a British industrial designer who says, "I am trained to always think about how to improve something." As the co-founder of Origin Products, he helped transform the Polly Pocket concept into one of the world's best-known toy brands and created puzzles like the Rubik's Clock. The entrepreneur invested in Formula E to help shape the spectator experience, and more recently he co-founded Team Monaco for E1, the first all-electric powerboat championship series. Yet the inventor still finds time to illuminate the River Thames with an annual boat parade. Meet Monaco resident Chris Taylor.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.