An unforgettable dinner with longtime friend of IMAGE, Jo Malone CBE, at The Marker Hotel, Dublin.
Jo Malone and IMAGE joined forces once again to collaborate on a magical evening of luxury and indulgence. The legendary fragrance entrepreneur, returned to Ireland for another truly memorable – and exclusive – experience.
On the evening, we enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a very special dinner – an extra-sensory partnership between Jo and The Marker’s executive chef Gareth Mullens – where sight, scent and flavour will each play a key role in elevating this most epicurean of evenings.
After dinner, IMAGE contributing editor Melanie Morris interviewed Jo about the inspiring journey of a woman born to create. Meet the fragrance doyenne in person and shop at the on-site Space NK Jo Loves pop-up shop for access to 2018’s most sought-after fragrances, candles and gifts.
Jo Malone has worked in the fragrance industry for over 20 years, starting out by mixing homemade perfumes in her apartment. Word spread of her exceptional scents, and she quickly launched her own business, which gained cult status around the world. Jo eventually sold it to Estée Lauder in 1999 and stayed on as creative director until 2006. In 2013, Jo launched Jo Loves, a new fragrance brand with a store in Belgravia in London.
Jo Malone and IMAGE joined forces once again to collaborate on a magical evening of luxury and indulgence. Another truly memorable & exclusive experience.
Jo in conversation
Where do you have your best ideas?Jo Malone and IMAGE joined forces once again to collaborate on a magical evening of luxury and indulgence. Another truly memorable & exclusive experience.
I don’t have a traditional desk in an office, so a lot of my ideas come from sitting in a coffee shop or going for a walk in the park, where something will captivate me or grab my attention. If I had to pick a particular place that I have my best ideas, it’s probably the south of France or in Paris; when I’m sitting in the environment where fragrances are created. For me, I don’t go looking for inspiration – if I do, I often can’t think of an idea at all. But if I’m in a creative environment, I will be creative and I think that’s true of most creative people. Creativity has its own oxygen and if you want to be creative, be somewhere that sparks your imagination. The V&A museum in London, for example, is an amazing source of creativity for me. I’m always on the lookout for ideas that let my imagination run free.
How do you relax?
I love a glass of wine at the end of the day! I’m also a big pilates advocate. I’ve been doing it for about 6-8 months and it has completely changed my mindset, my body, how I react to stress, everything. It’s how I switch off. I love anything that takes me out of the day-to-day thought process of running a business, and that also makes me creative. Going to the movies, travelling, art, cooking, anything creative. I really am a lover of life, and to relax is, for me, to have a Sunday lunch with the people you love and trust and to enjoy other people’s company.
What is the hardest thing about running a business?
When you’re an SME, you often have to be all things to everyone. What drives a business, in the beginning, is the passion for a product or a service – you see a gap and work towards filling it. But as the business grows and becomes successful, you need more people who can do different things to help it. I think the hardest thing is often to find the right people to carry your torch and your vision because as an entrepreneur, your heart is so ingrained in it. There are always going to be hard days as an SME. If you hit all your goals, move your goals. Don’t just rest on your laurels. Stretch yourself, become better than you ever thought you could be.
What is the hardest thing about running a business?
When you’re an SME, you often have to be all things to everyone. What drives a business, in the beginning, is the passion for a product or a service – you see a gap and work towards filling it. But as the business grows and becomes successful, you need more people who can do different things to help it. I think the hardest thing is often to find the right people to carry your torch and your vision because as an entrepreneur, your heart is so ingrained in it. There are always going to be hard days as an SME. If you hit all your goals, move your goals. Don’t just rest on your laurels. Stretch yourself, become better than you ever thought you could be.
Jo Malone and IMAGE joined forces once again to collaborate on a magical evening of luxury and indulgence. Another truly memorable & exclusive experience.Jo Malone and IMAGE joined forces once again to collaborate on a magical evening of luxury and indulgence. Another truly memorable & exclusive experience.Jo Malone and IMAGE joined forces once again to collaborate on a magical evening of luxury and indulgence. Another truly memorable & exclusive experience.
All of Jo’s new range can be found here…
https://www.joloves.com/jo-by-jo-loves.html
