What started as a story for AVIAIR led, in August, to a memorable evening on the island and, as it turned out, to the next chapter. In early October we were back on Mallorca, this time as official partner and sponsor of HAUTE NUIT at the Lobster Club in Puerto Portals.
Felix Wille and his wife Yvonne Struzek, together with the Pink Panthers Collectors Club, had invited some 70 international guests. I had been looking forward to the evening, curious about the program and about the people it would bring together. Felix and Yvonne were wonderful hosts. They welcomed us with real warmth, looked after their guests personally, and, with everything going on, still found time to talk. It was a joy to see how much they delighted in bringing people together.
The evening had plenty of substance, too. At the Lobster Club, international fashion houses met contemporary art and companies with very different entrepreneurial approaches. On show were creations by THE MANNEI, Hermès, Chanel, and Oud Paris, alongside works by Vivian Atienza and ROTI. SAY Carbon Yachts, Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, AIA Intelligence, and Kühn Properties brought in names from yachting, hospitality, technology, and real estate. The lineup was as international as the crowd Felix and Yvonne had gathered.
Behind the well-known names and international brands were people with fascinating backstories, ideas of their own, and some genuinely surprising perspectives. The mood was refreshingly relaxed, the conversations personal and often very entertaining. I met people I would happily have talked with much longer, and I look forward to seeing them again.
One person I was especially happy to see was Bozena Bretag, who co-hosted HAUTE NUIT with Jana Azizi. Bozena was simply superb. I love her humor, her natural ease, and the way she connects with people. She did a wonderful job, and it was a real pleasure to see her again.
The official photographs capture the elegance and social spirit of HAUTE NUIT. What will stay with me beyond them are the personal encounters, the conversations, and the people who gave the evening its atmosphere. Some of those conversations sparked new ideas; others I simply hope to continue.
There were promising conversations for AVIAIR, too. Our magazine has established itself with a clear editorial voice and an international readership, and the interest in our stories and in the projects we are now developing was palpable on Mallorca as well. I'm excited about the new ideas and look forward to pursuing some of them.
My heartfelt thanks go to Felix Wille and Yvonne Struzek for their wonderful hospitality, to Jana Azizi and especially Bozena Bretag for their superb hosting, and to everyone who made this evening possible.
And, of course, to Thomas and Sandro Rath. Our Mallorca story began with them this summer, and I'm delighted by how much has grown from it since.
Photo Credits: © ue press / @uweerensmann
