The Gstaad Guy Podcast

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon de Pury, founder of de PURY, former chairman and chief auctioneer of Phillips de Pury & Company, former Europe chairman and chief auctioneer of Sotheby's, and former curator of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, to explore a life lived entirely in pursuit of beauty, curiosity, and the extraordinary. Raised on Swiss values and drawn to galleries and collectors from a young age, Simon reflects on how a deep obsession with art, music, and human connection shaped a career at the very centre of the global art world.

The conversation moves through the philosophy of collecting, the evolution of taste, and why Simon believes everyone is a collector at heart whether they know it or not. He shares how art has become increasingly social, the barriers that have long defined the industry and the forces now dismantling them, and why the best pieces have a way of choosing their buyer rather than the other way around. Threaded throughout is the one tool Simon has always relied on as much as any eye for great work: humour. A generous, wide-ranging conversation about passion, obsession, and what it truly means to live with art.

Filmed at The Twenty Two (London), Gingko Suite.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:24) Background 🌍📖

(02:07) The Gstaad Guy 🎿😎

(03:15) Humour 😂🎭

(05:58) Charity Events 🤝🏻❤️

(08:50) Basel 🎨🏛️

(11:13) Curiosity 🔍🧠

(13:47) Passion For Art 🎨❤️

(14:14) Collecting Is An Art 🖼️✨

(18:45) Storytelling 📖🎙️

(21:26) How Taste Evolves 👁️📈

(26:04) Art Has Become Social 📱🎨

(29:47) Kanye West 🎤👑

(31:49) Footballers Buying Art ⚽🖼️

(33:22) Tastemakers 👔✨

(34:03) Fashion & Art 👗🎨

(36:54) Showcasing Your Art 🖼️💡

(39:48) Art Ecosystem 🌍🔄

(42:10) How Freeports Work 🏦🔒

(48:21) Important Factors In Art ⚖️🔑

(51:27) The Art Piece Choosing The Buyer 🖼️🤝🏻

(56:04) Interdisciplinary Approach 🔀🧠

(1:01:13) Obsession 🔥💭

(1:03:43) Attributes Of An Art Collector 🧐💎

(1:07:30) The Art World 🌍🖼️

(1:10:35) Money vs. Passion 💰❤️

(1:12:33) Art World Dos & Don'ts ✅❌

(1:15:34) DJing 🎧🎶

(1:18:28) Being Swiss 🇨🇭⛰️

(1:24:40) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

(1:27:45) The Future 🔮🚀
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with PROFF, the man behind the AskOkey universe, a former JP Morgan investment banker turned tailor, blogger, and one of the most quietly compelling voices in men's style, to explore what it truly means to dress with intention and live with purpose. From the boardroom to the cutting table, PROFF reflects on a life shaped by reinvention, resilience, and the profound relationship between how we dress and how we carry ourselves.

The conversation ventures into the philosophy beneath the cloth: the stoicism that steadies him, the desire to grow that drives him, and the responsibilities inherited along the way that forced him to find his footing faster than most. PROFF shares what it means to build something from nothing, why necessity has always been his greatest teacher, and how observation, solitude, and a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself can quietly transform a life. A thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about identity, grit, and the elegance of knowing exactly who you are.

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

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(00:58) Aura ✨🌀

(02:55) Solaro Suit 👔🌞

(05:32) Ask Okey Universe 🌍🙏🏼🙏

(07:49) Public Persona 🎭😎

(09:55) Becoming A Tailor 🧵✂️

(11:58) Audience Engagement 🎤👥

(15:04) What You Stand For 🏛️💪🏻

(17:00) Life Changing Moment ⚡🔄

(20:00) JP Morgan 🏦💰

(26:30) Playbook For Life 📖🗺️

(28:27) Stoicism 🧘⚖️

(30:18) Desire To Grow 🌱📈

(34:18) "Why Am I Doing This?" 🤔💭

(37:40) Spending Time Alone 🌙🚶

(38:49) "The Journey vs. The Destination" 🛤️🏁

(40:49) The Irony Of Life 😏🔄

(43:46) Being Content With Progress 😌✅

(47:35) Family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦❤️

(48:39) Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention 💡🔧

(53:00) Gentle Guidance 🧭🌿

(53:26) Grit 💪🏻🔥

(57:25) The Greatest Gift Is Observation 👁️🎁

(59:56) Knowing Where You Come From 🌍🏠

(1:02:21) Be The Best Version Of Yourself 🌟💯

(1:05:38) Looking For Knowledge 📚🔍

(1:08:01) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad The Gstaad Guy sits down with Björn Frantzen, the Swedish chef and restaurateur who holds nine Michelin stars across three separate restaurants, making him the only chef in the world to simultaneously manage three three-Michelin-starred establishments, to explore what it truly means to pursue excellence in the kitchen and beyond. From a football injury that rerouted his entire life to earning some of the most coveted accolades in gastronomy, Björn reflects on the discipline, creativity, and relentless hard work that transformed a passion for food into a world-class institution.

The conversation explores the complexities of life as a restaurateur, the delicate balance between being a chef and running a business, and the Swedish philosophy of "lagom" as a quiet force behind great work. Björn shares how he designs a dish, builds a team, and innovates within a tradition as exacting as French fine dining, all while maintaining the spirit of casual elegance that defines his approach. A rich and absorbing conversation about craftsmanship, culture, and what it takes to make people feel something through food.

Filmed at Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(00:33) Inspiration ✨🌟

(03:28) Earning A Michelin Star ⭐🏆

(09:20) Consumer vs. Creator 🍽️🎨

(11:35) Creativity 🎨💡

(12:35) Discovering Cooking 👨‍🍳🔍

(14:00) Football Career ⚽🏃

15:18) Sports & The Restaurant Industry 🏅🍴

(16:55) Swedish Business Acumen 🇸🇪💼

(21:28) "Lagom" ⚖️🧘

(28:32) Chef To Entrepreneur 👨‍🍳🚀

(30:33 Being A Restauranteur 🍽️🏠

(34:37) Acquiring Experience 📚🌱

(38:27) Next Generation 👶🏻🔮

(42:54) Designing A Dish 🎨🍴

(45:16) Innovation In The Industry 💡🔧

(49:00) Wine Pairing 🍷🍾

(54:09) Kitchen Environments 🔪🍳

(59:00) Being A Good Customer 😊🤝🏻

(1:01:21) Music 🎵🎶

(1:02:01) Balance Between Personal Life & Work ⚖️❤️

(1:04:54) Specialisation 🎯🔬

(1:09:07) Food In Japan 🍣🇯🇵

(1:09:47) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon Cohen, the South African-born, Australian-raised entrepreneur behind Cohen Handler, the buyer's agency that turned a gap in the market into a movement, to explore what it truly takes to build something original in an industry resistant to change. From discovering real estate to flipping the traditional agent model on its head, Simon reflects on the drive, honesty, and relentless problem-solving that transformed a bold idea into one of Australia's most trusted property firms.

The conversation ventures into the lessons only life can teach, taking risks before you're ready, earning client trust through radical transparency, and why chasing your dreams means being willing to reinvent the wheel entirely. Simon shares the values that shape his team, the passion that fuels his process, and why in a world of imitators, being genuinely original is still the greatest competitive advantage. A candid, grounded conversation about building with purpose, betting on yourself, and what luxury real estate truly demands of the people who serve it.

Filmed at the TASCHEN London bookstore.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:33) Discovering Real Estate 🏠🔍

(03:00) Seller Agent vs. Buyer Agent 🤝🏻🤝⚖️

(04:56) From Salesman To Entrepreneur 💼🚀

(06:45) Entrepreneurial Landscape 🌍📈

(09:08) Doubt 🤔😰

(09:56) Main Business Driver ⚙️💡

(11:06) Australian Market 🦘🇦🇺

(12:19) Innovation 💡🔧

(15:40) Earning Trust 🤝🏻🏆

(18:38) Team Values 👥❤️

(20:16) Passion 🔥❤️

(21:16) Outcome vs. Process 🎯🛠️

(26:10) Building Connections 🤝🏻🌐

(30:41) Competition Breeds Innovation ⚡💡

(34:34) Buying A Property 🏡💰

(38:38) The Real Life Gstaad Guy 🎿🏔️

(43:33) Decision Makers 🧠👔

(44:23) Who You Want To Be 🪞✨

(46:33) Technology 💻📱

(48:12) Remote Lifestyle 🌴💻

(51:10) Seizing Opportunities 🙌🏻⚡

(54:19) Understanding Your Customer 👂🏻🎯

(57:32) Transfer Of Wealth 💸🔄

(59:31) Luxury Requires Luxury 💎👑

(1:01:30) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Elie Saab Jr., CEO and Vice Chairman of Elie Saab Group, to explore how a family vision rooted in haute couture grew into one of the world’s most recognisable luxury houses. Reflecting on the inception of the brand and the influence of his father, Elie Saab, Elie Saab Jr. shares how family values, Middle Eastern roots, and an upbringing centred on groundedness and resilience shaped his approach to leadership. From curiosity and ambition to grit and the desire to succeed, he discusses the mindset required to step into a legacy business while carving out your own path.

The conversation dives into joining the company, restructuring the organisation, and expanding the brand globally while protecting the spirit of couture craftsmanship. Elie Saab Jr. reflects on diversifying the house into a broader lifestyle brand, the realities of the fashion industry, and why passion must always be balanced with humility. They also explore leadership, learning, choosing the right partner, and building the support system required to sustain long-term growth. A thoughtful look at turning dreams into action, driving innovation without losing heritage, and preparing a family business for future generations.

Filmed at Elie Saab's London Bruton Street Boutique.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:28) Inception Of Elie Saab ✨🧵

(03:10) Family 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦❤️

(06:58) Work Environment 🏢💼

(07:15) Middle Eastern Roots 🌍🕌

(09:53) Celebrating Life 🥂🎉

(11:14) Desire To Thrive 🔥🌱

(13:44) Joining The Business 🤝🏻🏢

(17:25) Upbringing & Values 🧬🧭

(20:20) Choosing Your Partner 💍🤝🏻

(25:01) Future Generations 👶✨

(25:55) Diversifying The Business 🌐📈

(32:59) Becoming A Lifestyle Brand 🏡💎

(33:42) Reality Of The Fashion World 👗⚖️

(36:35) Passion vs. Humility 🔥🙏🏼

(40:35) Learning 📚💡

(41:35) Becoming CEO 👔🏆

(45:41) Restructuring 🔧📊

(50:27) Driving Growth 🚀📈

(53:16) Future Of The Industry 🔮✨

(56:50) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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