Elena
Business Development Manager
Europe / Asia / Middle East
You’ve worked at Christopher Boots for a number of years, could you tell us about your role as International Sales and Business Development Manager and how it has evolved over time?
I joined Christopher Boots initially in 2013 and then came on board in a full-time capacity the following year. Coming from an interior design background and having worked in a number of design-related businesses previously, I found Christopher by chance and was immediately attracted to the raw and honest aesthetic of his practice.
In those early days, we only had a handful of staff on the team, as the business was still in its emerging stage, so we all had to multitask a lot, allowing the opportunity to get involved in many facets of the business and its growth from site visits and initial client briefs to design problem-solving, logistics and final project execution. My role within the company has evolved organically over the past 8 years. The current focus is international projects and business development within Europe, Asia, and The Middle East.
Working with our international partners you’ve overseen many significant projects for the studio. Could you tell us about some of the special collaborations and the process from initial conversation to installation?
I enjoy custom commission one-of-a-kind projects the most. Navigating through new and yet-to-be-tested terrains appeals to my background in interior design. But equally, I love communication with the stakeholders to gauge and understand the intent and the vision, which then informs how we approach the design brief. I gain true satisfaction from getting my clients excited about the possibilities and getting the project over the line.
Working on a global level is very rewarding but can also be challenging at times – managing clients across the globe, I have to be skilled at language and cultural barriers, dealing with time zones, and local regulations to name a few. The icing on the cake is receiving final installed photography and a client gushing over how mesmerized they are with their new Christopher Boots piece. This is what I get out of bed for, as do many of my colleagues. Our entire team is a tight-knit family of like-minded individuals, each adding their own unique value with passion and poise.
There have been so many amazing projects over the years. The ones that spring to mind right now are an oversized PHASMIDA encrusted in semi-precious vibrant blue lapis lazuli in Megeve. A NEPENTHES cluster spanning over 8 metres in a stairwell of a heritage château in Marseille, South of France. Milan Design Fair 2018 with our verdigris collection was also a highlight and was acquired by the infamous Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Also, our ongoing projects with Cartier are always exciting – this year we will send pieces to the flagship in New York City. This is a wonderful brand alignment for Christopher Boots and we are thrilled to be collaborating with the Parisian luxury brand.
Thinking about the year ahead, are there any exciting international projects or collaborations we should know about? Christopher Boots has had a presence in Milan during Salone del Mobile for a number of years now, what does the studio have planned for the furniture fair in 2022?
Indeed. Despite the difficulties of the last 2 years including travel restrictions, we are finally in a position to return to Milan for the highly anticipated 60th anniversary of Salone Del Mobile, which is going ahead from 7-12 June 2022. This will be our first international appearance since 2019 and we are very excited! Christopher Boots will be revealing never seen before brand new collections. Currently embargo – so watch this space! The last show we had in the Brera district of Milan in 2019 was a great success and we anticipate an even better turnout in 2022.
Finally, are there any dream projects internationally you would love to work on?
We love to see our work appreciated across various applications. Whether high-end residential, commercial, or art spaces – our aim is to be at the forefront of bespoke lighting design globally, not simply creating a product for consumption.
We are committed to continuing to create timeless heirlooms with a spiritual quality that speak the universal language of beauty beyond physical borders, cultural differences, or politics. The sky is the limit for Christopher Boots, and we cannot wait for what 2022 has in store.