VIVIEN IVANYI
Globetrotter and passionate marketer, Vivien ivanyi has lived and worked in 10 cities, 9 countries and 4 continents. Throughout her more than 17 years career in the hospitality and travel industry she has sought to bring creativity and culture within the DNA of brands and other initiatives she has developed from co-branding to partnerships with musicians, artists, fashion, design and architecture.
Currently a consultant, most recently she was Marketing Director for the hospitality division of one of the Middle East’s leading groups, EMAAR, renowned for its iconic architecture including the Burj Khalifa.
Born in London, Vivien holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario in Canada and a Masters degree from the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School in Belgium.
If there was one piece of art you could feature in, which would it be and why?
As a fan of pop art I would have to say a portrait by Andy Warhol. Colourful and timeless.
Who inspires you and why? An artist, a family member, someone current or historical?
Many people have and continue to inspire me in life but from an early age it was first and foremost members of my family, several of whom are painters, photographers…some by profession and others as a hobby.
One of my favourite childhood memories is waking up very early when visiting my grandmother who lived in Switzerland. She had a flat with an amazing view of the Swiss Alps. With the windows wide open, the radio playing classical music, she had paint laid out, a canvas and was working on her next painting. She also did African mask reproductions in papier mache. I admired her perseverance, her passion and the way she interpreted still life. She enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and materials. Growing up my mother worked a lot with fabric. Painting on silk, batik and making her own clothes. At one time she even designed jewellery for a shop in Toronto.
What are your cultural aspirations? What do you still want to see, do and achieve?
Travel, travel, travel. Discovering new destinations and rediscovering ones that I love.
What are your favourite cultural cities in the world and why?
There are so many cities I love for many reasons. And there are still so many to visit. Dubai has become one of my favourite cities and it really does have a lot to offer in terms of culture. It is non-stop festivals, art exhibitions, concerts, restaurants and events. However, New York, London and Rome never cease to amaze me.
What are you up at the moment and where can we find it?
I am the Director for Brand Management at Raffles Hotels & Resorts. For more about me, on my Linkedin.