The Big Interview

Eggers is the author behind bestselling and award-winning books such as ‘A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius’, ‘What is the What’ and ‘The Circle’. But apart from a career as an author, Eggers is also a journalist, editor, graphic designer and artist. He is the founder of independent publishing company McSweeney’s, which produces books, a quarterly journal of new writing and a monthly magazine. He met Monocle’s Ed Stocker to talk about his work, influences and more.

Nadja Swarovski, great-great-granddaughter of the founder of the Austrian crystal producer, is in charge of corporate communications and design services; she has also kept the heritage brand current with a series of collaborations with the likes of Alexander McQueen and Zaha Hadid. She talks to us about the challenges she’s faced and what the future might hold.

Sweden’s splendidly outspoken foreign minister Margot Wallström joins Monocle’s New York bureau chief Ed Stocker to discuss, among other things, her feminist foreign policy, Sweden’s non-aligned military position, the country’s role as a temporary member in the UN’s Security Council and how she upholds her moral views while also being diplomatic.

‘New York Times’ bestselling author George Saunders has just won the most prestigious literary prize in the English-speaking world: the Man Booker. He sat down with Monocle’s Georgina Godwin to talk about his career and winning debut novel ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’.

Alexandre de Betak is commonly referred to as “the Fellini of fashion” and it is easy to see why. For the past 25 years the Frenchman has been creating exuberant shows for the world’s best designers. He sat down with Monocle’s Jamie Waters to talk about supermodels, New York in the nineties and the changing role of the runway in the age of smartphones and social media.

Graham Stirk is a partner at the internationally acclaimed and award-winning architecture practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. He has designed iconic London buildings such as the Leadenhall Building (or “Cheesegrater”) and NEO Bankside. He joins Monocle’s Tom Edwards to talk about the complexity of some of the practice’s projects and what keeps him going.

Steve McCurry is one of the most iconic photographers of the past several decades. He has explored Asia and the Middle East extensively and his work spans conflicts, ancient traditions and contemporary culture. He sits down with Monocle’s Henry Rees-Sheridan to talk about capturing the world and his most celebrated image, ‘Afghan Girl’.

Doyenne of French cinema Isabelle Huppert sits down with Monocle’s Robert Bound to talk about her upcoming film with Neil Jordan, ‘The Widow’, how confidence has come to guide her roles and how less is more when it comes to acting.

Lowry has been at the helm of New York’s Moma for 22 years, overseeing acquisitions of works by major artists, the creation of new departments and various expansions and renovations. He joined Monocle’s Tomos Lewis to talk about the importance of museums when it comes to enriching public life.

CNN’s senior international correspondent Clarissa Ward talks to Monocle’s Christopher Lord about her fascinating career. From her early days as an intern in CNN’s Moscow bureau to reporting undercover from Syria, Ward has seen it all and continues to believe journalism can give a voice to those caught on the frontline.