The Entrepreneurs

We explore how entrepreneurs are creating lasting impact through fashion. Les Deux co-founder Andreas von Der Heide stops by Midori House to talk about the inspiration behind their smart menswear collections, the role of physical retail in fostering connections with customers and leaving a meaningful legacy beyond just building a brand. Plus: we meet the founder of I Am Volya, a London-based online boutique that aims to promote Ukraine’s rich culture and support its fashion industry during the ongoing conflict. 

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Founder Jen Keane talks about her journey from working in material design for Adidas to launching Modern Synthesis, a biotech company using bacteria to create sustainable fibres for the textile industry. She talks about collaborating with Ganni and navigating negative perceptions associated with bacteria. 

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Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder and co-CEO of Swingers, talks about the mini-golf brand’s humble beginnings and meteoric rise. Grech-Smith emphasises the importance of corporate density and vibrant dating scenes for scouting new locations and advises international businesses to approach the US as a group of separate countries. Plus: we head to Dog Ppl, Los Angeles’s first canine social club, to meet the co-founder of Wagwell, a line of tailored dog treats and supplements.

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We meet the founder and CEO of Kagi, Vladimir Prelovac, a subscription-based search engine that aims to prioritise user privacy and provide a more authentic experience. Prelovac was fed up with existing search engines that he felt prioritised advertisers over users, so founded the company in 2018 to offer a viable alternative to the traditional ad-driven model.

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Ettinger’s managing director, Robert Ettinger, talks about the rich heritage of the family-run leather goods business, the challenges of preserving traditional manufacturing techniques in a modern world and selling its Britishness globally. He explains how the brand maintains its commitment to craftsmanship and quality while embracing sustainability and innovation. Plus: we head to Vaasa, Finland where Wärtsilä is developing greener engines and other technologies of the future. 

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How can we develop a more balanced relationship with technology and embrace its potential without compromising our overall wellbeing? Harriet Pellereau, co-founder and co-CEO of Mind over Tech, shares some tips for reshaping digital habits to deliver a better tech-life balance.

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UAE seafood special: we’re in Dubai to meet Fahim Al Qasimi, co-founder of Seafood Souq, a digital marketplace that serves as a platform connecting seafood buyers and sellers around the world. Plus: Ramie Murray, the founder and CEO of Dibba Bay Oysters, the first and only gourmet oyster farm in the Middle East, talks about the role of aquaculture in enhancing food security.

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Masamitsu Hata’s fascination with fashion took him from small-town Japan to some of the world’s most prestigious houses. Hata tells us how he made the leap to launch his premium footwear label, Timothée Paris; how the brand has expanded without losing its focus; and why it’s opening a flagship shop in the French capital.

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We meet Maryam Zamani, world-leading oculoplastic surgeon and founder of high-performance skincare line MZ Skin. Plus: we head to Seattle to hear how Norway’s international business delegation is leveraging the country’s enviable soft-power assets to promote its brand abroad.

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We meet Chris Stott, the founder and CEO of Lonestar Data Holdings Inc, a groundbreaking initiative working to establish commercial data centres on the moon to store and safeguard information for future generations. The centres will also protect critical knowledge from cyber threats, natural disasters and other risks that could compromise data integrity on Earth. 

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