While I have never had a mentor in the traditional sense, I’ve consistently surrounded myself with influential figures in business and society, including major property developers and top designers. They provided the initial template for the development of my business, inspiring me as it evolved from event design to interior design. I believe that travel – and staying in luxury hotels – is the most productive education a designer can have, as they allow us to absorb the required knowledge via osmosis—style, decor, art, accessories, amenities, ambiance. I’m lucky that my lifestyle and career since I was in my early 20s have taken me to the very places my social connections and clients hang out, so I know exactly the vibe they’re looking for—relaxed elegance…”
Nicky Summer, Nicky Summer Interiors
NICKY SUMMER is a lifestyle designer based between London and the South of France. Her focus is on high-end residential and yacht interior projects; however, organising launch events has always been an integral part of her career. Here, we discuss the profile of the projects she undertakes, the challenges behind the scenes, and the advice she would give newcomers to the business…
C&B: “How did you first get into the world of events and interior design?”
NS: “My initial career was as an advertising and calendar model, then a Bond girl and 007 ambassador, which I still do to this day – for example, guest appearances and signings. My address book gave me a career in events, which led to my home accessories product line, which evolved into me styling, furnishing, designing, and then refurbishing residences, yachts, and hotels. It was a lengthy but very natural progression…”
Everything The Dorchester Collection does sets the benchmark in luxury hospitality, in my opinion…”
Nicky Summer, Nicky Summer Interiors
C&B: “As hospitality has always been a feature of your lifestyle, which are your favourite luxury hotels around the world, and why?”
NS: “The Martinez in Cannes for its decor in the suites and relaxed vibe; Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris for its level of hospitality throughout; Le Meurice in Paris (above, right) for its history, service, and cuisine. Everything The Dorchester Collection does sets the benchmark in luxury hospitality, in my opinion. In London, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park for its massive suites and proximity to both Knightsbridge and Hyde Park; The Maybourne Riviera, set above Monaco, for its low-key glamour and fabulous staff; Shutters On The Beach in Santa Monica for the relaxed vibe and indoor/outdoor decor; The Cipriani in Venezia for its genteel old-style elegance; The Colombe D’Or in St. Paul de Vence for its lunches and dinners in summer, and its cozy bar in winter; and Villa d’Este (above, centre) on Lake Como for the whole vibe. There’s a reason my company is called ‘City & Beach Lifestyle’! I rarely visit the British countryside for more than one night…”
My most memorable events? By far the most high-profile, was my involvement in the Istanbul relaunch of M/V ‘The Savarona’, the 136 metre vintage super-yacht. It was a massive three-day-long affair attended by 2,000 guests, including Prime Ministers and Presidents from around the world…”
Nicky Summer, Nicky Summer Interiors
C&B: “Which events that you’ve staged have been the most memorable?”
NS: “The most high-profile was my involvement in the relaunch of M/V ‘The Savarona,’ the vintage 136-meter super-yacht in Istanbul. It was a massive three-day-long affair attended by 2,000 guests, including Prime Ministers and Presidents from around the globe; therefore, many different companies were engaged in the organisation. I was responsible for the VIP guests attending from London. All the events I organised on behalf of the Alain Ducasse-led private members club ‘Monte’s’ in Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, are highly memorable. My company also planned the launches of most of the new penthouse apartments in the developments that line the Thames, including Putney Wharf, St. George’s Wharf, and Grosvenor Riverside, on behalf of the developers and agents. There’s almost always a theme to my events, such as ‘Diwali’ or ‘Venetian,’ as it makes the occasion more exciting and memorable for the guests. Another outstanding event was the major launch of the Kings Chelsea residential development on King’s Road. On yet another occasion, I organised an informal supper club dinner in a restaurant for exactly 100 friends, where every person attending just happened to be of a different nationality—Canadian, Spanish, Icelandic, Lebanese, Indian, Dutch, Russian, American, Italian, and so on, from around the world. That was memorable, incredible, and a lot of fun!”
On one occasion, I organised an informal supper club dinner for friends in a Chelsea restaurant for exactly 100 guests, where every person attending just happened to be of a different nationality—Canadian, Spanish, Icelandic, Lebanese, Indian, Dutch, Russian, American, Italian, and so on, around the world. That was incredible, and a lot of fun!”
Nicky Summer, Nicky Summer Interiors
C&B: “Talking of dinners, which meal has been your most memorable and why?”
NS: “Dinner with my significant other at Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris (above, top) in Monte Carlo— a beautiful experience in terms of company, decor, ambience, service, cuisine. However, there have been others – at home with close friends, in St Tropez, on the beach in Bali, so many great times…”
C&B: “Past or present, who would you most like to invite to a dinner party for 12 guests – and why?”
NS: “I like to mix it up, so I’d invite close friends and individuals I admire for their entrepreneurial qualities and fun, dynamic personality. There are many phenomenal people out there, but I wouldn’t necessarily invite them to dinner. On my guest list would be Elon Musk, Grace Kelly, Buzz Aldrin, Al Pacino, Carla Bruni, Audrey Hepburn, Wolfgang Puck, Richard Branson, Sara Blakely, Mario Testino, Simon Cowell, and Demi Moore – some of these people I’ve met, and on the face of it the group doesn’t necessarily look like it has much in common… however, they all do: they’re highly talented in their specific fields, but leave their egos at the door; they can hold a conversation; they all know the same places and like the same things; they have a sense of humour – and they’ve actually lived their life!”
C&B: “Which events or weddings have you attended as a guest that were inspirational in their design?”
NS: “Back at the very height of my Bond Girl days, the horse racing scene I appeared in was staged in the grounds of Château de Chantilly outside of Paris – with a very large cast of actors, extras, and crew. The 007 sets and costumes are 100% authentic, and the banquet served included real food, wines, etc.—no expense spared. The design, production, and styling were magnificent, as you’d expect. Since then, I’ve rarely staged anything myself on that scale of extravagance, however it was amazing to see what the designers had pulled together for the film. Andy and Patti Wong used to host incredible formal, glitzy events in London; I once attended an absolutely amazing wedding at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in the South of France…”
C&B: “Who has mentored or influenced your design work over the years?”
NS: “I’ve never had a mentor, as such; however, I’ve always surrounded myself with influential society figures, property developers, designers, and so on. They were the original inspiration behind how I built my business from launch event design through to interior design. Travel and staying in fabulous hotels are also two of the most productive things you can do as a designer, as you absorb essential knowledge by osmosis—style, decor, accessories, amenities, ambience. We produce interiors to a turnkey finish, so all the elements complement one another, and this research is essential. Probably the most influential figures in my interiors and events career have been clients such as Alain Ducasse, Anton Mosimann, Matthew Freud, and John Hunter—who founded Northacre Property Group—plus senior hoteliers; also designers Colin Cowie, Ralph Lauren, and Michael S. Smith—their approach to everything is exacting. Various personal friends who entertain a lot and have invested in beautiful properties around the world have been an inspiration – their innovative, dynamic personalities, immaculate attention to detail, and dedication to constant learning are what sets them apart, and that’s definitely influenced my tendency towards self-motivation, perfectionism, and work ethic…”
C&B: “Which industry symposiums have been most beneficial or productive for you, and why?”
NS: “I rarely attend symposiums or network in that way; I gain my knowledge from experts face-to-face, books, online, and through films. All my projects come to me through my contacts, social network, and by word of mouth. I attend the larger trade shows in Paris and Milan, which is where I find interior suppliers; I gain inspiration through travel, in hotels, art galleries, fashion shows, and concerts—style at a certain level is interlinked, as are my clients. The closest I ever come to a symposium vibe, where a group of people comes together to learn and with a common goal, is when someone is standing at a lectern while I’m attending an art or interiors auction…”
C&B: “Do you have any current or past lifestyle collaborations of significance?”
NS: “I view almost all of my projects as collaborations, as I love to bring likeminded talent and brands together and give them a cross-branding platform. Long-term lifestyle associations have been Champagne Krug, Olympus Cameras, Focus SB lighting accessories, Fragrance Dubois, HR Owen, Farrow & Ball, various art galleries, floral design brands such as RVH Floral Design, furniture suppliers, and flooring companies…”
C&B: “What would you have done differently in your career, if you could – has there been any major challenges?”
NS: “There are so many things – it’s been a long and winding road! I’d have changed my surname earlier—my official name is Nicky Clark, and for many years I had a social and business conflict with a hairdresser who has a name spelled almost identically to mine. It caused all sorts of confusion among friends and business contacts. I’ve had many, many challenges in my life and career, and some have dimmed my aura for quite a long time, however I don’t dwell on them. The past is the past, and we all did what we could at the time…”
C&B: “What is your favourite saying or quote that you rely on?”
NS: “I’ve got a few: ‘How you do one thing is how you do everything’; ‘Rejection is God’s protection’; ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’; ‘How something starts is how it continues’—all these are true, in my experience…”
C&B: “Finally, what advice would you offer women coming into the lifestyle design business?”
NS: “I’m very protective of other women, and I love to support them. Hindsight is 20/20, so I’ve got lots of advice to offer up based on my own experience: Always aim to be the best solution to the problem, when it comes to presenting your concept to a new client. Avoid having a partner if you can – I was always independent for many years, but got completely towed under by mine. Have an industry solicitor check over all your contracts. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time – always be prepared to walk away. Never attend an initial site visit alone—trust me on this. The luxury lifestyle design business is hugely social; therefore, you absolutely must network—and your vibe attracts your tribe. Travel as much as you can – it teaches you things you didn’t realise you needed to know. Never, ever touch drugs; limit tattoos/body art; limit alcohol intake; don’t gossip, as it always returns to you negatively; dress the part; and look after your personal maintenance, fitness, and health. Don’t mix business with pleasure by working on behalf of close friends or family—they often can’t see past your role in their personal life, which isn’t good when discussing budgets or parameters of the project—no matter if you’re 22 or 62, they’ll almost always view their project as a favour to you, and your career as your ‘little hobby’, despite your prestigious client list. Treat your career as a business, only work with clients who have a decent budget and maintain that standard. A project isn’t definite until the deposit has landed in your bank account. Document everything—absolutely everything—via email and archive that correspondence for years; don’t rely on what people say, as ‘recollections may vary.’ Often you’ll hear something after a project has completed and think, ‘That’s not correct’—and when you have it all in writing and/or photographs, then it’s harder for anyone to dispute. Don’t move away geographically from your place of business—you’ll miss out, you need your ear to the ground, and commuting is an unnecessary pain. Build a reliable network of quality suppliers. In essence, the lifestyle design business looks glamorous and elegant on the surface; however, you’ve got to be organised, work hard, and be strategic because underneath, it’s as competitive as any other. Many will doubt you, underestimate you, and attempt to drag you down. Forge ahead anyway, my friends – ‘a rose in one hand and a shotgun in the other…'”
CONTACT: http://www.nickysummer.com
