artoflife

Memories of 2007

2007-12-21T17:01:00.000Z

This has been a tremendous year for Art of Life. We've had such amazing experiences and have had the extreme pleasure of meeting some really exceptional personalities. Some of my favourite moments include meeting Tom Ford at his store opening in New York City and him knowing who I was. Now that is a moment I will always remember. I learned alot during my exclusive interview with him at his beautiful home in London. Perhaps the most important thing I learned was that no matter what happens to you in life - especially when the best laid plans go awry, you have to believe that you will be okay. I remember thinking if someone like Tom Ford, who was at the top of his game when he was Creative Director for Gucci, could feel lost then it's okay when us regular people feel that way too. He has bounced back and is better than ever.

Ford did say that it feels like all the hard work in his life has prepared him for this moment where he has come into his own. I've had many people ask me what he's really like. All I can say is that the Tom Ford I met was funny, easygoing, and kind. I laughed alot while filming with him. Make no mistake he knows exactly when the camera is rolling and he performs accordingly. He's very much in control but he's also very accomodating. I had fun on that shoot.

Another great moment for me was meeting designer Carlos Miele in New York. This Brazilian designer who is known for his red carpet dresses touched me with his sincerity and passion for helping people less fortunate than him, especially those in his hometown of Sao Paolo. He teared up when talking about children who aren't getting the medical care they need or the women who can't feed their families. HIs foundation is one that helps these people directly.

He employs them to work in his factory and he uses their techniques and craft in his designs and on the dresses which have been worn by many celebrities. I remember thinking while we sat in his store in the meatpacking district in NYC that he's not doing this for any notoriety or fame. He genuinely feels and cares for his fellow Brazilians.

Art of Life also had the privilege of travelling to Cuba. Wow...what a fantastic experience that was for me. Amid the dilapidated facade of the buildings along the waterfront there is this richness of culture that permeates through the alleyways. No matter how poor the majority of Cubans are, there is this wealth of colour, food, music, and love that you can feel just walking through Havana. I met this wonderful grandmother. I believe she was in her 80s. She was at the home of the dance instructor I was scheduled to meet to learn some salsa. She had lost a lot including family members but she embraced us with such love and emotion that when we were filming the dancing we had to get her to dance with us and she was good! Really good. I will always remember her smile and how she would daydream as she sat by the window looking out onto the street. For me, that is what I will think when I think about Cuba.

There have been so many moments that are embedded in my mind. Moments that when I'm having a bad day I will think about and they will make me smile. Alot of those memories involve working with the Art of Life crew and what you all don't see and what is "behind the scenes".

One moment being travelling with our new producer Paula Sailes. We were waiting to depart Kuala Lumpur for Beijing after spending only 36 hours in KL to interview Motocross champion Casey Stoner. We were so tired that any little thing made us laugh. We were almost drunk with tiredness. I felt sorry for our cameraman James Stacey who had to put up with us gabbing away on the plane. We just didn't stop talking and laughing! And Paula has a very loud, infectious laugh. But that's the thing. See, Paula, James, and I are really friends and we love working together. When we travel we spend A LOT of time together. The only time we aren't together is when we're sleeping. We become family for each other. I couldn't ask for a nicer and more talented team. Each of us work together to bring out the best in each other. Sure we argue and we disagree but we respect the other's opinion and always come up with a compromise.

Antonia Mortensen, the associate producer extraordinaire makes sure we are where we're supposed to be. Her itinieraries are so detailed I am starting to feel lost without her. She's also brilliant at coming up with ideas for the show. Antonia is a godsend.

We all realize that we're extremely fortunate to do what we do, to have the experiences that make us ask "do we really get paid to do this?", and to meet the people who help make the show colourful, entertaining, yet informative. We have fun but we work VERY long days and most of it is quite stressful. That awareness of how lucky we are and that enjoyment certainly comes out in the show. At least I believe it does.

Thank you all for your support this year. I love reading your comments! I wish you all the love and happiness in 2008. Stay tuned for alot more coming from us. M.

24 Hours in Shanghai

2007-11-09T16:20:00.000Z

It's been 20 years since I left Hong Kong for Canada. I never went back to the Far East until a few weeks ago.

Art of Life decided it was time to do a show out of China and a Fendi fashion show on the Great Wall was the perfect backdrop to what was to be a thrilling, eye-opening, and overwhelming experience.

When I lived in Hong Kong, I never took the time to travel to mainland China. Growing up, we had visions of a stark, strict nation where people lived in fear of the government.

We had images of residents of China looking over at Hong Kong with envy for living the life they felt they deserved. At the time, Hong Kong was flourishing and a jewel in the Asian crown. It was (and still is) a vibrant, exciting city with a buzzing economy and an energetic day and night life - a place that many described as "New York City on speed".

But the world's focus is now on China. With over a billion people, an open market economy and a favourable currency China is on the verge of superpower status. My visit to the socialist state opened my eyes to changes that I didn't even think about during my two decades in North America.

The purpose of my visit was to see how the luxury industry is growing in China. Not just how foreign brands are prospering in China but how the Chinese are making a name for themselves.

The fact of the matter is money is being made at record pace and in record amounts. Millionaires are growing in number and consequently tastes are becoming very sophisticated. There is the assumption that the Chinese consumer is very logo-centric. Not so.

In fact, Angelica Cheung, the editorial director of Vogue China told me that the Chinese shopper expects more and a logo is not enough. Seasons Place, a luxury shopping mall on Beijing's Financial Street houses top designer brands. What is, perhaps, more telling is that some products on the shelves are not available anywhere else in the world. Such is the importance being placed on China.

Attention is also on Chinese contemporary art and artists. In October, the auction house Sotheby's broke a record for the sale of a painting by a Chinese contemporary artist. The result is the demand for Chinese art is growing exponentially. The irony is, the Chinese themselves aren't interested in what the Western world would consider a successful piece. A lot of works sold in New York and London are seen by the Chinese as pieces with political undertones.

Pearl Lam, a well-known supporter of the Chinese art world told me the Chinese themselves are more interested in expressions of their deep and rich culture. What sells amongst the Chinese is art that reflects their five thousand year history, their spirituality, and their modernity.

Perhaps, what struck me most on my trip to China was how I felt just being there. I wasn't prepared to feel so overwhelmed by emotion - especially when I was in Shanghai. You see, this is where my mother is from. This is where she was born and grew up until she left while she was in her twenties.

She left in 1962 after the Cultural Revolution and never went back, but her heart remained. Walking the streets of Shanghai I kept wondering if these were the same streets my mom walked along some forty years ago. She wouldn't recognize the city now as so much has changed. There is so much growth but the energy of the city is, I'm sure, the same.

My mother grew up in an economically and culturally prosperous Shanghai. But all that came to a crashing to a halt when Communism took over. Still, for my dear mother, everywhere we've lived in the world is measured against Shanghai.

Her love of Chinese food and culture is apparent to this day and permeates our home and the way we live. We celebrate Chinese New Year, her Chinese food is better than any I've had at any restaurant, and when my mother and I communicate often do so in Cantonese.

So going to Shanghai was like a homecoming for me. I felt so comfortable there. I felt it was part of me, part of my past, part of my roots. I thought of my late grandfather arriving in Shanghai in the early 1900s alone, not knowing anyone and not speaking the language. I thought of him learning and working hard and becoming a successful, well-respected dairy farmer.

I wish he could see what Shanghai has become today and how much wealth there is. I'd also love my mother to see it. She wouldn't recognize it. But she'll feel that energy she knows so well. An energy, that is reaching the rest of the world.

Gourmet food and fine wine

2007-09-21T09:28:00.000Z

I'm not much of a drinker. I'll have the occasional glass of wine or a bit of vodka once in a long while but that's about it. I guess I never acquired a real thirst for it. Plus, I think I got all that out of my system when I was younger. So you'll imagine my confusion yet curiosity over why some drinks are so expensive, and even considered collectible.

On Art of Life, I've been fortunate to try what some – including myself - would consider expensive drinks. I found vintage Dom Perignon very smooth and just slightly sweet while Cristal was quite dry. At the House of Krug I found I enjoyed the Krug Clos Du Mesnil 1996 over their signature Grande Cuvee. With vodka, it was fascinating to see Ciroc make theirs with grapes and with cognac. Remy Martin's Louis XIII should never be poured into a short, wide brandy glass. Instead, a sommelier's glass is ideal to experience the entire aroma and flavor.

Forbes reported the most expensive champagne that can be bought off the shelf is Krug's Clos Du Mesnil 1995. It goes for at least $750 a bottle. Only 12,624 bottles were produced adding to the rarity and the price. Still, it is far cheaper than Louis Roederer Cristal 1990, a bottle of which sold at a London auction for $14, 730.

In the world of cognac, Remy Cointreau's Black Pearl will set you back about $10,000. Only 786 bottles were produced and each carafe is hand blown from special smoked glass by Baccarat. The Remy Martin Louis XIII is a mere $1400 a bottle.

So, why are they so expensive? Are they really worth it?

Remy Martin cellarmaster Vincent Gere told me that for him luxury is defined as rarity. He will never be able to enjoy the fruits of his labor, as the Remy Martin Louis XIII takes a century to make. It is aged in oak barrels and 100 years later the cognac is enjoyed by connoisseurs who will be able to taste the woodiness of the barrels and the subtle flavors of honey and plum. It's smooth because of the age and it's that dedication to perfecting the subtleties of flavors that adds to the richness of the drink. Those who do drink brandies and cognacs regularly will probably know the difference and the value of the various brands. But if something takes that long to make, there must be something special about it.

History and tradition also play a part in value. The House of Krug began six generations ago and to this day the grapes are still handpicked and a member of the Krug family is still in charge of making sure every bottle of their Grande Cuvee tastes consistent. Their craft is using the best that technology has to offer but only to enhance what tradition has taught them. In a time when we're always on the hunt for what's new, tradition is a rare commodity - and that also determines price. After all, if a business has lasted six generations, they must be doing something right. Right?

I have a friend who is an ardent wine collector for the simple reason that he enjoys drinking wine. If he finds a particular vineyard that produces a flavor he really enjoys he will buy a case. That's all it comes down to. If you enjoy something and can afford it why shouldn't you treat yourself? The more I work on Art of Life, the more I am learning about the finer things in life. I see the work that goes into making clothing, cars, cognacs, and champagnes.

Most of the time I do see the difference between those things that are made well and those that are cheaper. That said, I won't go about paying $200 for a t-shirt simply because it has a designer label, nor will I go about buying a $1000 bottle of champagne because it's what the rap stars are doing. If I see true value in something and I enjoy it then I will pay for it. Not to keep up some superficial image, but simply because I will enjoy it. After all, being able to enjoy your life the way you want is a luxury in itself, isn't it?

The face of beauty

2007-08-24T16:12:00.000Z

What makes a person look beautiful? Genetics? Clothing? Make-up? The beauty industry is a $200billion industry. The reason for its success and growth is simple. We're all looking for the next big thing, the one product that will make us look better, younger, brighter, and maybe even richer. Companies tap into that search and promise to deliver.

Aerin Lauder told me her grandmother (the beauty empress Estee Lauder) taught her that "every woman can be beautiful if (she) just (took) the time." Rebecca Korner of Korner Skincare shares the same thinking. Her grandmother also taught her that "there are no unattractive women, just women who don’t take the time to take care of themselves." There is something to be said about that.

I don't like wearing a lot of make up. I don't like to spend a lot of time primping. I even get antsy when I'm at a spa! Trust me folks, I'm working on those impatience issues. But perhaps that's the idea of these beauty and skincare companies. It's not necessarily just the product they're promising will deliver the glow but it's also about the time we should take just for ourselves. The five or 10 minutes to get ready for the day or to decompress after a long day should be just about us. It's tough when women have jobs, kids, families, etc. to focus on. We usually put ourselves last on the list. I know my mother was always that way. Her beauty regime was and still is very simple. She never takes more than five minutes to "put her face on." When I was little she was always running around after us, going off to work, and then coming home to make dinner and take care of the household. Today, even though us kids are out of the house, she still heads off to work but again, doesn't take more than five minutes to get ready.

We are all judged by the way we look. The thing is, who is doing the judging? We all know the photos of models in magazines aren't real. Computers can do wonders these days. Unfortunately computers can't tell a young girl reading those magazines that she is perfect just the way she is. As a woman who is on television my looks are always the first thing people notice, not my work - that comes after. But that's the way it is. It's the nature of this very visual business. It also means that it is very subjective. Bottom line, as long as I am happy with who I am and know that there is a fairly functional brain in my perceived-pretty head, then no one else's opinion matters (except for my boss' of course.)

We will always be judged for something. That's why it's so important that we don't judge ourselves and the people we care about ... especially about the way we look. There is no perfect face, perfect look to aspire to. The only perfection is the one you see in the mirror.

I guess somewhere along the way, we are taught that spending time on ourselves is actually selfish, that looks aren't everything. But here is one instance where being selfish is a good thing. See, if you are doing something that you feel makes you look good (whether it's putting on your make up, lathering on lotion, styling your hair,) chances are you will also feel good about yourself. Your self-esteem isn't found in a bottle but what's in the bottle may give it that extra boost.

There are times when I do think if I just had that perfect perfume, make up, hair, clothing that all will be right in my world. And that is often the marketing mantra of the big beauty companies. And while the occasional shopping spree does lift my spirit when necessary, I know it won't always solve my problems. But it's not necessarily about that is it? I say there is nothing wrong with a little retail therapy. I've always found that when I'm feeling low, I do a little primping. I take that extra time to make myself look and feel good. Maybe in my rushed day when I don't think about what I really need, that feeling is a reminder that I need to take care of me, if only for a few minutes. Trust me, a little gloss on a dull day always works wonders!

Prelude to an Awakening

2007-07-31T10:33:00.000Z

Life is funny. Not in a humorous way - although I have thought that a few times. It's funny in a 'you never know what's going to happen' way. The uber-aware may scoff at this thought with the 'well of course you're never going to know' attitude. But seriously, every time something happens and I'm caught off guard, I think, "How could I have not seen that coming?"

When major life events happen and we think about our next move, more often than not we come up blank. As much as we think we can plan our life, it often takes over and says 'check'. No-one is immune. Even wealth and fame cannot provide protection. However, what separates those who live their lives from those who merely exist is the search for and subsequent awareness of The Awakening.

It was designer Tom Ford who first told me about The Awakening. After more than a dozen years at Gucci, building it up from virtual bankruptcy to multi-billion dollar business, the decision to leave was a hard one. Differences of opinion and vision between Ford and Gucci's parent company, PPR meant something had to give and Ford made a dramatic exit.

The fashion world was stunned. Tom Ford was the man women wanted and men wanted to be. It wasn't just his talent that had made Gucci a desirable luxury brand, his ability to direct the timing of fashion is something he describes as a gift. The irony is, while he was able to dictate the timing of his industry, his work dictated the timing of his life. He expected to be at Gucci for much longer, but Life had other plans.

"I felt lost. Whenever you get to a point when you can't see your future, if you're someone like me who always has to have a plan, and always has to know where they are going, oh my god, if you can't see your future, you start thinking, well maybe I don't have one."

Talking to him, it's hard to ever imagine such a strong, confident man has ever felt lost. The dramatic gear change in Tom Ford's career was all over the fashion and business worlds. But when you strip it down to its bare bones, Tom Ford's own life changed. Sure he was in a comfortable position financially but for him, as it is for all of us at some point, it was about "what now?"

"It was really terrible. I think it came at a time in my life when I was possibly due a mid-life crisis anyway. I worked so hard all my life to get to a certain point and there's a wonderful quote about mid-life crisis that a mid life crisis is when you get to the top of the ladder only to find out that it's against the wrong wall...Even though I didn't want to leave Gucci at that time and it was quite traumatic for me, I tried to learn something from it. The thing I learnt was that I never ever in my life want to retire."

Ford told me that once he realized what he wanted to do he started mapping out his vision and his plans. Sheer determination is what led him to where he is now. But the one thing from our conversation that stands out for me is his belief that life at Gucci was a prelude to life now. There is something we can all learn from Tom Ford's experiences. It's a comforting thought that even someone as successful as Tom Ford can have tough times and feel lost but come out of it bigger and better. Most important for me was the notion that Gucci didn't ruin his career or, ultimately, his confidence.

But it's not easy. We all can't take time out to find ourselves. We have bills to pay and mouths to feed and are dependent on that paycheck.

Perhaps though to ease the sense of frustration and the loss of direction is the knowledge somewhere deep down inside that all will be well. I'm learning to have faith not only in Life but also in myself, that I too will have an Awakening when I need it.

I just hope I'll remember that when Life decides to have some fun at my expense.

The five-star treatment

2007-06-26T11:07:00.000Z

I'm not fussy. Nor am I particularly demanding. But when it comes to where I rest my head when I'm not at home, there are certain basics that I need before I can rest comfortably.

Hotels are a regular part of my living experience as my job takes me to various parts of the world. There are some hotels that make you feel so comfortable that you really don't want to leave. I had that experience while I was in India earlier this year. I spent two weeks in one hotel in New Delhi and it was fabulous. I've also had the opportunity to experience a so-called boutique hotel in Geneva, which was exquisite. Right on Lake Geneva, the welcome we got was warm and while the room was ultra-modern with dark, sleek furniture, I felt very comfortable.

Then there are the Bed and Breakfasts. I actually really enjoy them. For me, they are the closest to feeling at home. There was one that I stayed at while working in the Orkney Islands in Scotland. It was attached to a local pub. It was very basic but very clean and they had their own little touches that made it comfortable, like homemade cookies that were placed in the room for the guests so that after a long day we could relax with a nice cup of tea and cookies. I love that!

So for me, it's not about the bells and whistles, like designer taps and sheets and a butler on standby. For me, it's about attention to the details of cleanliness, simplicity, and a feeling of being comfortable enough to relax because even though it isn't your home, it shouldn't feel like a museum or on the other side of that, a backpackers' hostel (no offense to the backpackers out there).

It is difficult to please everyone. Legendary hotelier Sol Kerzner's motto is to "blow away the customer." For him, it's worth the expense to have fresh flowers in his hotels everyday along with the latest high tech gadgetry. Even with massive projects like the multi-thousand room Atlantis resort casino in the Bahamas with rates ranging from $500 to $5000 a night, it comes down to individual taste, purpose of your visit, and how you want to feel. But when you really look at it, it really comes down to one thing: comfort. There are those who are comfortable with all the excess that money can buy and those that are happy with simplicity.

Arrigo Cipriani of Harry's Bar and Cipriani restaurants told me that there is a difference between service and taking care of your customer. He believes that taking care of the customer without imposing on them is key to a successful business. He should know. His father, Giuseppe Cipriani believed that service is the most important value in one's life. Arrigo Cipriani told me that when his father still owned Hotel Cipriani in Venice what set them apart was the feeling his guests would have when they stayed there. Giuseppe Sr. told his son that when guests closed their eyes, they still could feel the room, the sheets, the mattress, and it was that feeling that stayed with them. It was he who began the Cipriani empire with the tiny 33 square meter Harry's Bar in Venice. Today there are more than a dozen restaurants globally. Giuseppe's grandson (who shares his name) is taking the family back into the hospitality arena by launching luxury-serviced apartments in New York and Miami. They are not cheap (up to $3 million for an apartment) but again, the Ciprianis say what you're paying for isn't just the bricks or the bed you lie in, it's about that feeling of being looked after.

There are many in hospitality that will say that the core of their business is service. And while that sounds elementary, not everyone has perfected it. For me, service isn't about constant attention to me; it's about the attention to the details whether I'm at a 5 star hotel or at a little B&B in a small coastal town. For me, the mark of a truly great stay is just knowing that those that own and work at these places care for and take care of their establishment. That is a true measure of how much they will care for and take care of me.

Am I asking for too much?

Soaring to new heights

2007-05-25T12:14:00.000Z

It took roughly 10 minutes. Not long enough to really have a full experience but short enough to say I've done it. I'm talking about flying in a helicopter. This may come as a surprise to you but in all my dozen years as a reporter I've never really come across a time when I had to be on one. This "first" of mine happened when I went to Brittany in France to do a story on investing in private islands. We got to the airport and flew the short distance to Ile de Fort Bloque. It was fun, exciting, and had that feel of importance. My guide to the private island exclaimed it was utterly incomprehensible that I had never flown in a helicopter before. Truth is, I had never really thought about it before. What it did make me think, though, because of my job as host of Art of Life, I've had some pretty amazing experiences that I hope when I'm 85 I'd be able to tell my grandkids what their grandma got up to when she was young.

Last year I hopped on a World War II Spitfire. I was doing a story on how the luxury watch company IWC lures celebrity clientele (such as Boris Becker) and spokespeople to support their wares. It was a weekend in the English countryside and part of the theatrics involved flying in this classic fighter aircraft. The pilot of this two-seater plane was determined to show me what his baby could do. And he did. The turns, the dips, and the climbs left me feeling green and I'm convinced my internal balance has been off since then. Nevertheless, I still get looks of envy from airplane and history buffs whenever I bring up my little jaunt in this classic piece of aviation.

Imagine learning how to drive like a Formula 1 driver. Yep, F1 driver David Coulthard offered Art of Life his expertise on how to drive like a race car driver. Exciting right? Not for me. Why? Well folks, manual transmission, standard, stick-shift, whatever you call it, I don't know how to drive it. That's right, yours truly can only drive an automatic transmission car. Which means most sports cars are off-limits to me. So while I almost had that opportunity it had to be deferred to a colleague. Determined not to forego a hair-raising experience such as driving like a speed demon I learned how to drive the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti instead. It may not be the same (and David Coulthard wasn't my teacher) but it was a snazzy sports car to me and the folks at Ferrari were very patient with me. Fitted with a six-speed mechanical gearbox as well as the Formula 1-style paddle shifts meant even I could drive this smooth-mobile without having to worry about my inability to coordinate the clutch with the gear-shift. The sheer speed, noise of the engine roaring, and knowing my brother -- who is a sports car fanatic -- is envious and in awe are reasons enough for this experience to be a memorable one for me. FYI, I have tried learning how to drive a stick-shift, but alas it didn't stick.

These are just a few experiences that I've been fortunate enough to enjoy. Going through my list I can check off my first flight in a private jet, my first sip of Cristal Champagne (which if I'm honest, I really didn't like), my first stay on a yacht courtesy of designer Alberta Ferretti who took us along the coast of Italy. I can also tick off reporting from the Oscars, trying on diamonds worth millions of dollars on a yacht in Monaco during the Grand Prix (while the loud race took place just outside), jet-skiing on a frozen lake in northwestern Canada, and of course I can't forget playing elephant polo in Rajasthan, India.

While all these experiences have been work-related they are experiences I probably wouldn't come across in my every day life. It certainly makes me thankful. I'm looking forward to many, many more memorable moments.

Consumption with a conscience

2007-04-27T09:48:00.000Z

Do you care about your world? Do you care about making it a better place? Many of you will probably answer yes. I'll even go further and say that many of you will say yes but the demanding needs of one's life take over. I'm in that camp as well. When I was living in Canada and the U.S. I drove my car practically everywhere. I rarely recycled. And, my day consisted of being consumed by my work, my family and my friends. Now living in London, I don't drive a car. Instead, I take public transport. If I'm being completely honest, it's not by choice. No parking! To make matters worse I travel A LOT. I shudder to think what kind of carbon footprint I'm leaving with the frequent flights I take. I still don't recycle. And my day still consists of being consumed by my work, my family and my friends. There's one difference though. Now I wonder what more I could be doing to change my world instead of simply existing in it. Environmentally and socially.

I probably won't stop traveling on planes any time soon because 1) my job requires me to do so and 2) how else does one become more aware of the world around us? I could start recycling (in fact, I should). I know that if I were to buy a car it would be a hybrid because they are fuel-efficient. For those of you who care about the luxury aesthetics of a vehicle, Lexus and BMW have some hybrid models you should check out. As for the changing the world -- the first step is actually being aware of life beyond your front door. Rahul Bose, a successful actor and activist in India, said passion is not about just being angry at all that's wrong with the world but it's about being angry and wanting to do something about it.

It all starts with one person. The people I meet on Art of Life constantly inspire me. Not only because of what they have been able to accomplish professionally but also how they are giving back to society. Changing their world the way they know how. Take Carlos Miele for example. I like to call him "The Fashion Designer With Heart." I met him on a recent trip to New York and I was so touched by how deeply he feels about his fellow Brazilians and how much he wanted to change their lives for the better. Miele grew up in a poor neighborhood in Sao Paolo and he saw how hard life was for those around him. He considers himself one of the lucky ones where his parents worked hard to give him a good education so he could get out of that cycle of poverty. The pride he has for his culture is reflected in the clothing he designs, which are recognized globally. The intricate detail on the fabrics and hand embroidery are Brazilian-inspired and indigenous by nature. But frustrated by the government -- and who he called "the elite" -- in Brazil for the lack of social services for the millions living in the favelas, or shantytowns, Miele took matters into his own hands and started hiring women in these areas to help create the beautiful designs that are now worn by celebrities worldwide. As a result these women are employed, they are making money for themselves and their families, and they are feeling a sense of self-worth.

Miele's success isn't only his. It's the people who work with him who help create his brand. He may not have conquered the world but he has changed the world for the few hundred women he has employed. It's people like Miele who make me feel that even I can do something. I may not know exactly what that something is right now but I'm hoping the more people like Miele I can meet the more inspired and closer to the answer I will be.

Watch the program: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

The Art of Life show on luxury spending airs on Saturday May 26 at 11:30 and 17:30; Sunday May 27 at 07:30, 13:30 and 18:30; and Monday May 28 at 13:30 and 17:30. ALL TIMES GMT.

Cigars, Castro and Cuba

2007-03-21T17:14:00.000Z

When you drive along the Malecon (the coastline along the north shore of Cuba in Havana) you can get lost simply by looking at the crashing waves and the open water. I saw many Cubans sitting along the barrier separating the city from the Gulf of Mexico and I wondered what they were thinking. Were they thinking, "Is there more for me out there?" Or were they thinking, "How can I make life better for my family?" Perhaps they were simply thinking, "I love my home, my Cuba."

Old Havana. The architecture reflects its rich and often turbulent history yet somehow retains an air of dignity despite crumbling facades. Baroque-, colonial-, Art Deco-inspired buildings paint a picture of Cuba's past. There are old cars everywhere. Classic American Cars -- 1950s Chevys, Old Ford pickup trucks. Havana is like a movie set yet for Cubans this is real life. While tourism is a major industry for Cuba, its relationship with the outside world is anything but welcoming. After the Revolution in 1959, Cuba's cocooned society has had limited access to life outside the Caribbean nation. But that hasn't stopped the throngs of visitors coming into Cuba -- if anything out of sheer curiosity. When they get here, though, they find there is a little bit of everything; beautiful beaches or keys and a capital city filled with history and culture.

One of Cuba's most famous exports is cigars. Connoisseurs say it is the distinct flavor of these cigars that makes them different. The tropical climate of Cuba certainly has a hand in the flavor that emanates from cured leaves that have grown from tobacco seeds that are planted in the country's western province of Pinar Del Rio. The length of the fermentation process also determines the quality as well as the price. The longer the leaves are fermented (i.e. two to five years) the higher the quality. Then about 20 minutes away from Old Havana is Habanos' restricted Cohiba factory. There, expert hand rollers taught me how the various cigars are made. While I won't go into detail into the actual process, I'll simply say it takes a lot of practise, skill, coordination and patience. It has been said that it could take up to a year of training to become an expert hand roller.

The Cohiba is perhaps the best known and is the leader of the Habanos pack, the company that produces 27 varieties of cigars. Habanos is one of those examples of how the Cuban government has had to open up their market to foreign investors in order to recover and rebuild financially. Fifty percent of Habanos is owned by the state and the other 50 percent by the Spanish-French tobacco firm Altadis. While it is illegal for the United States to import cigars, that hasn't stopped its many fans and famous consumers coveting the Cohiba. Jack Nicholson is rarely without a cigar in his hands. I've heard Montecristos, Romeo y Julietas , and Cohibas are among his favorites.

While cigars are among Cuba's more famous exports, what I fell in love with were the people. They possess a warmth and spirit that despite their hardships, and they have many, they have a genuine joy of life. Someone told me that, "Sure, there are problems, but there are also solutions." It's a way of thinking for Cubans. A regular visitor to Cuba told me that while Cubans may not be able to afford expensive watches, they have the time to share with you. At the Rum Museum in Cuba where I had my first salsa lesson, I drank in the music and the sensual movement of dance. This is how Cubans express themselves and have fun. For them, finding the fun and life in everything is how they survive. When the average Cuban earns up to $20 a month and restrictions placed on how they communicate (Internet and TV are state-controlled), embracing their roots is what puts a smile on their faces. By dancing, eating and drinking their famous mojitos, Cubans find meaning to their life when material objects elude them.

Perhaps, though, the one thing I left Cuba with was a feeling of apprehensive hope. As the world debates over what a post-Castro Cuba will look like, Cubans themselves say they fear being left in the open for bidders. They say they don't want changes to their country's political regime to come at a price. Nor do they want American or Venezuelan influence in their politics. The one thing they told me that would make them happy is if their economic condition would improve so that life wouldn't be such a struggle. If that was to happen then perhaps Cubans themselves would be able to enjoy all the luxuries this Caribbean island nation has to offer and not just serve them up to the tourists.

Viva La Venezia!

2007-02-21T16:25:00.000Z

I am a jeans and flats kind of girl. I don't wear a lot of make-up. For me, comfort and simplicity is key. So imagine my apprehension when I was told I would be wearing an 18th century-inspired dress for a ball that Art of Life was invited to during the Venice Carnival. I was given a few to choose from and they were everything I usually shy away from: bright colours, intricate embroidery, and -- horror of all horrors -- something akin to a corset! But after a lot of soul searching and deciding to live for the moment I embraced the costume and the experience wholeheartedly.

I met Antonia Sutter a costume designer based in Venice whose clothes take you back to another time; a time when attention to detail, grandeur, femininity and masculinity were characteristics to be embraced and sources of inspiration. In her tiny atelier hidden in one of Venice's maze-like streets and alleys, people lined up waiting to choose a costume among the hundreds hanging on the racks. There were intricate hand-made masks everywhere all part of creating a dream, one that transports you to an era of magic and magnificence. This is Antonia's busiest time of the year and most of the year is geared up for this moment.

The costume Antonia had picked out for me was a beautiful dusty-rose and gold dress that once slipped on made me feel like a member of Venetian royalty. With layers and layers of fabric and detailed embroidery it was nothing like anything I had ever worn before. And like everyone that was at the atelier trying on outfits, the room was filled with an excitement at the anticipation of being taken on a trip to the 18th century. Most of those renting costumes from Antonia were attending her event, the most sought-after ball of the carnival.

Il Ballo del Doge or the Ball of Dukes who ruled Venice in the 17th century takes place at the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta, a stunning palace dating back to the 15th century. Built in Gothic style and overlooking Venice's Grand Canal it was the perfect setting for a party of an ethereal kind. No one was allowed in without a costume and that included the press. Over 400 guests all in period costume were welcomed into the illuminated warmth of a hundreds of wax candles lit in every room of this grand palace. We were treated to the Venetian specialty: seafood and a wonderful spectacle of Venetian culture from yesteryear with performances that include comedians, dancers, and musicians. I felt like I was in the movie Dangerous Liaisons and it seemed like we were all playing the part we were assigned.

I had never been to Venice before and being introduced to it this way has certainly left an indelible impression. While there is the fear of being a tourist trap with over 14 million people visiting every year, this city on the water has a personality of its own. It is perhaps the theatrical nature that Venice exudes that attracts visitors globally. And it is that theatricality that allures thousands during the Venice Carnival as they watch participants in colorful costumes and masks make their way through the crowds in the squares and the canal-lined streets.

Riding in the water taxi from the airport and into the city felt like I was being enveloped into a bright toy town on the water. It is everything I had ever imagined and seen in photographs, movies, music videos and paintings. The Grand Canal is flanked by over 500 years of architectural history making the first site breathtaking. The gondolas are there (even though they aren't what the locals use and are purely there for the tourists). Everything is expensive but the food and wine are worth it.

So, in Venice I learned to just be in the moment, to share the party-infused air with people from around the world as we walked slowly along the packed streets, to enjoy the drama that unfolded before me, and to inhale the excitement that was carnivale.

The good life: 2007 and beyond

2007-01-26T11:39:00.000Z

As we begin 2007, the Art of Life team is looking ahead to the kind of stories we want to cover. Our inaugural year was filled with so many different adventures (from heli-skiing in Canada to the Monaco Grand Prix) and we got to meet some great personalities (Donatella Versace at the Oscars to Olivier Martinez at an elephant polo tournament in Jaipur, India). So how do we top it? Truth be told, we have barely scratched the surface.

This year on Art of Life, while we want to bring you all the indulgences the world of luxury has to offer, we also want to share with you stories of goodwill. Art of Life's producer Andrea Armsden calls them stories of "ethical consumption."

You'd have to be living under a rock to not know about the kind of awareness people like Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, Bono, Bob Geldof, and Oprah Winfrey generate for certain issues and causes. But there are other people -- other companies - who, by way of their living and the way they operate their businesses, are benefiting mankind not just today but for generations to come. We hope to share with you the stories like that of Ali Hewson, co founder of high-end clothing company Edun, whose philosophy, "is to help increase trade and create sustainable employment for developing areas of the world with an emphasis on Africa, providing a business model that others can replicate and follow."

Former top model Bibi Russell (who has appeared for Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani) established Bibi Productions, a company that has employed more than 35,000 weavers across her home country, Bangladesh, to bring to life her designs in their textiles. More importantly, she has helped in her own way to lift many out of poverty, given the weavers a purpose and future, and brought an international focus to a part of the world not many think about. She says: "It's about using culture and creativity to eradicate poverty." In 1999, Russell was named UNESCO Special Envoy: Designer for Development for her work.

There has been a lot of debate lately about the diamond industry and how the interest in the gem has fueled war and destruction in East Africa. While there has certainly been evidence pointing to that fact, resulting in the term "conflict diamond," there have also been examples of how the diamond mining industry has helped communities, especially in southern Africa, grow and become sustainable. According to the World Diamond Council, every child up to the age of 13 in Botswana has access to free education. The revenues from the diamond trade have been instrumental in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly through providing medication. It's because of this billion-dollar industry that governments in the third world are able to function and provide for their people. Granted, it was only seven years ago that the global diamond industry formally recognized a zero tolerance towards the importation of conflict diamonds but as a result of that policy, the U.N. now estimates that more that 99 percent of the world's diamonds are from conflict-free zones. While it is important to highlight the wrongdoing and exploitation that has taken place in various industries, it is also crucial to recognize those who are not only doing something about it, but are helping people legally overcome this and prosper.

These are just a few examples of some of the stories we hope to explore this year. Art of Life is a show about the finer in things in life and how people live that luxurious lifestyle. In addition to luxury, we hope to share with you how some of those people that do live the good life are giving something good back.

Where are you from?

2006-12-20T15:12:00.000Z

This month on Art of Life we take you to the region in India I have always wanted to visit, Rajasthan. The allure of the palaces of Maharajahs and their Maharanis gives this part of the country a romantic feel, one filled with the promise of beautiful architecture and of course, stunningly intricate jewelry. I wasn't disappointed.

I have been to India many times -- as a child on family vacations and as an adult for work, but I can't say I know the country nor that I've seen all that it has to offer. The only parts I usually visit are Delhi and Punjab and what I've learned is that India is so diverse, both geographically and culturally.

When it comes to the luxury tourism industry, India is a leader. They have learned how to use the history (turning palaces into hotels), the diversity (what you see in the north is quite different from the south whether it's the food, the people, the landscape), and the culture to allure people from around the world in search of something different.

To be honest, when I was younger I never understood it when people would say they wanted to visit India to find spirituality. I know I'm Indian by my ancestry but I still felt a sense of culture shock the first time I visited the country without my parents about 10 years ago. I remember thinking how different it was to everything I had grown up with. Not to mention the extreme poverty that was right in front of me. But then it hit me. Just a few days before I had to leave I remember feeling so sad because no matter what there is a genuine sense of curiosity among Indians living there and a sense of wanting you to feel at home no matter who you are and where you come from.

While many still go in search of spirituality, for me it's different. I'm visiting the land of my ancestors, my family. It gives me a feeling of depth and history. Yet it's not necessarily a sense of homecoming.

One question I get asked a lot is, "Where are you from?" Seems like a relatively easy question to answer, right? Not exactly. I've had to think about how to answer that question many times and each time I'm about to answer I wonder, should I give them the short answer or the long one?

The short answer would be to say I'm Indian. After all, you only have to look at me to know that. The problem is, I have never lived in India and saying I'm from there makes it sound almost false. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud of my heritage, of belonging to what my mother likes to term, "A proud Punjabi-Sikh family." But to say I'm from India implies that I have lived there and have absorbed all that being an Indian entails.

I was born in Hong Kong and lived there till I was 14 when we then moved to Toronto, Canada. I lived in the U.S. for more than three, and I now live in London, England. So when I'm asked where I'm from, I think about all these places that have shaped who I am and how I think about things. To make it even more complicated, my mother never lived in India. She was born and brought up in Shanghai, China, and no, she's not ethnically Chinese. My father, though, is the real thing: born and brought up in India and moved to Hong Kong only when he met and married my mother.

It's true that our ancestral history lays the groundwork for defining who we are but who we become has a lot to do with where we grow up and live. I know that each city I've lived in has certainly contributed to my life experience. Who knows where I'll end up?

I'm not afraid to move to another country if it's what I want to do and where I want to be. In any culture there is that same history of movement. Our forefathers left the land of their birth because many felt they had to whether it was to avoid persecution or because there was a need to find better opportunities to provide for their family. I know that many of us who do that now certainly have a great appreciation for different cultures and countries. There is a sense of feeling comfortable anywhere we go. That said, we also add to the cultural landscape of our adopted homeland.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has to face that question, "Where are you from?" time and again. I'm still searching for the best way to answer that question. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Wherever you are and whatever history and culture you follow I wish you all the happiness 2007 has to offer and hope that the art in your life is colorful. For now though, I'd like to thank you all for contributing to this blog with your comments. I look forward to reading more in the New year.

Zen and the art of total serenity

2006-11-23T15:48:00.000Z

Searching for serenity -- whether it's for your mind, body and/or soul -- is not easy. Not that I want to start off on a negative note, but do you ever feel like being still is the most difficult thing to do? Ever feel like your mind just can't be still? When they say in yoga classes, "Just free your mind of all thoughts," and "focus on your breath" or "be in the moment," it works for a couple of seconds and then my mind moves a million miles a minute.

A few months ago I was at a point where I needed to find serenity. We've all been there: that feeling where you just want to stop listening, stop doing and just stop thinking. Well, I was there. I decided to bite the bullet and enrol in a gym, even after stating: "I don't do gyms." My problem with gyms was I couldn't see myself working out on those terrifying machines and being coordinated (physically, not fashionably.)

Anyway, it got to the point where I felt I needed a release after working such early hours every morning. I went looking for yoga classes that would fit in with my morning schedule and I found it at a gym. Now I take Pilates, yoga and Body Balance classes three to four times a week -- and I feel great. For that one hour I feel like I'm just focusing on me. I learn to control my breath, to stretch and to really listen to my body.

The environment we live in makes it difficult to make the time and effort to do something that's just for us. I guess it comes down to realizing that work shouldn't be the be all and end all. We need other interests -- things we love that aren't part of our professional lives. We need to make the time to see friends because they make us laugh and give us things to think about other than work. Bottom line: we need a life that includes workouts, spa treatments, friends, hobbies, etc.

It was only in the past few months I realized a well-rounded life was what I needed. Like a lot of young professionals I was consumed with my job. Don't get me wrong; there is a time when you really need to focus on your career so that you can build something for yourself. I was no different. And while my career is a priority in my life, it isn't my only priority. Maybe it has something to do with hitting my 30s and realizing I want more.

I love my job and the people I work with. It's stressful, challenging, time-consuming, there's sleep deprivation, jet lag, but it's what makes the job interesting. Now, though, I also love having a life outside of work. I make workouts my priority. I make those close to me a priority. It all helps me feel more balanced. And that feeling isn't always easy to achieve.

To be honest, I was never really a fan of spa treatments. I didn't have the patience to be pampered that way. I've since discovered -- like my Pilates and yoga classes -- the time you take for yourself is really invaluable.

I decided to try a spa treatment at the ESPA retreat at the Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland. I was there to interview ESPA founder Susan Harmsworth and just being in Scotland (my favorite place) made me feel calmer. Susan is a strong, funny, lively woman and I learned a lot from her. She's interesting not just because of her drive for success but the reasons behind it. She wants to make people feel better about themselves by helping them release the negativity in their lives and allowing them to feel good. While any good businessperson is concerned about the bottom line, her main goal is to spread that positive philosophy by educating her therapists in the art of treating a person's physical well being.

It's the same philosophy Technogym founder Nerio Allesandri lives by. While he creates machines to sculpt the body, he says that's just the beginning. His idea of wellness is what makes a person feel better and live longer. His company's philosophy is that the wellness lifestyle "is found in small daily gestures, giving the right pace to life, managing your energies better..." Wellness encompasses how you treat your body, mind, and soul -- whether it's through daily exercise, what you eat, and how you think.

When you take time to treat your body well, it makes you a better person -- not just for yourself but also for the people you deal with every day. Your mind is relaxed and balanced. Your soul is calm and happy. Though it's important to do it for you, at the end of the day, nobody likes to be around an emotionally unbalanced, irritable and negative person no matter how much they love you. Trust me, I know.

Eat, drink and be merry

2006-10-24T13:37:00.000Z

This month on Art of Life we feature our food and wine special. From Thomas Keller's artistic flair in his Napa Valley kitchen, to taking a centuries-old tradition of harvesting grapes for wine in the south of France and giving it a different twist to make vodka, we explore all that's involved in helping to make those special moments in our life memorable. Whether it's a wedding, a family gathering or just dinner with friends, what you eat and drink plays a special part. Let's face it, food and drink can make or break a party. More than anything, though, it's an opportunity to really enjoy life the way it should be: with those you love.

Growing up in Hong Kong and then Toronto, and having worked in North America and now Europe, I have seen similarities and differences in lifestyle, witnessed the choice between working to live and living to work, and of course experienced the many cuisines the continents have to offer.

Let's begin in Hong Kong. It has become this money-making metropolis where the New York Minute could very well be a tad bit slow for China's Special Administrative Region. Yet any Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning you'll find families filling up any and every dim sum restaurant where they gather to catch up on the week's events. See, for Chinese families (and for many ethnic families, actually), food is the glue that keeps relatives near and far together. I know at my parents' house in Toronto there is always something cooking. In fact, even before I arrive for a visit, my mother will have made many of my favorite dishes. They range from her specialty chicken curry or the unbelievable Chinese food she makes. And as much as I love her cooking (I can't tell you how much I miss it when I'm back in London), the one thing we all do when we're all together in Toronto is go to my favorite Shanghainese restaurant near our home. The noodles are mouth-watering and the dumplings are divine. Even though we usually order way too many dishes, I barely come up for air as I inhale all that's before me. It has become a tradition of sorts yet at the center of this tradition is food.

Unfortunately, though, those moments are few and far between. We get caught up in the daily grind of earning a living. Even in London, it's not too often where I get a chance to exercise my culinary talents (the few that are there). That's the thing, isn't it? Time -- or the lack of it. Many of us make do with frozen dinners or quick sandwiches to get us through the day. Food becomes a mere necessity and not an enjoyment to be savored. However, travel to parts of Europe where the lifestyle is centered around the idea of working to live and you'll find that meals are treated as the product of passion and a reason for their joie de vivre, like in Paris where even a glass of wine is taken slowly as the locals watch the world go by.

Food and a great drink are more than fuel. Done well and with one's whole heart, they fall into the categories of art, tradition and -- in some cases -- experimentation. My good friend Jenny Harrison who you'll see in this month's show, got a few tips from amazing chef Thomas Keller. Jenny is a fantastic chef in her own right. She's always trying out new recipes and is never afraid to take chances. I always looked forward to dinners at her home in Atlanta when I was living there. My favorite of her dishes are her pavlova and her melted brie stuffed with cranberries and walnuts. We would sit out on her porch on a warm summer evening eating a dessert that she's made, drink some wine, and just talk like two girl friends do. I would leave feeling warm and happy.

I guess the bottom line is that cooking and entertaining are not necessarily about creating something complicated and new. It's about having three crucial ingredients: a handful of eagerness, a whole lot of love and people you care about to share it with. Now that is definitely the kind of happiness worth pursuing.

People and their passions

2006-09-21T10:31:00.000Z

Sometimes it's the easiest thing in your life to find. Sometimes it's the most difficult. Everyone has one but very few can tap into it and make it their source of inspiration and income.

I'm talking about your passion. Whether food or fashion, sports or stamp collecting, your passion is that one thing that allows you to escape to a world in which you are in charge but perhaps more importantly, it's the one thing that makes you feel alive.

Art of Life has profiled many successful people and the one thing they all have in common is their passion. Whether it's Alberta Ferretti's passion for design, Thomas Keller's passion for food, Nerio Alessandri's passion for wellness, or David Coulthard's passion for racing, they all are successful because they are doing what they love.

But for many of us that's the hard part, isn't it? Making our passion work for us. It's not easy to take what is essentially a hobby and earn a living from it. For many of us life takes over -- whether it's raising children, paying off loans, keeping a roof over our heads, and feeding our families. Sometimes it's not easy to say I'm going to take what I love to do and make money off it.

Don't get me wrong, there are many people who aren't wildly rich but are doing what they love. A good friend of mine can't wait to go to work every morning and trade the stock markets. He says it's the challenge of balancing the complexities of the markets with the immediacy of results. It's the fast-paced environment that's filled with million-dollar pressures, but he loves every minute of it. He, I guess, would be among the lucky ones because he has found what he loves to do and does it for a living. Thing is, if you get to do what you love you can do it for as long as your mind and body allow.

So do you find your passion or does it find you? There are many of us who are so wrapped up in our lives (mainly because we have to be) that we can't find (or don't know where to begin to find or recognize) our passions. Plato said, "necessity is the mother of invention".

Perhaps necessity is also the key to leading you to your passion. I remember Fawaz Gruosi, founder of de Grisogono jewelry, telling me that it was his need to find a job that landed him at a jewelry store as an assistant (he said he basically started out getting tea for everyone.) He would later find his passion for designing jewelry, a passion that would earn him a multi-million dollar business and ultimately a lifestyle of luxury.

I love meeting people who inspire me. I love meeting people who are doing what they love to do. It gives me that kind of energy and inspiration to find that key to not only unlocking my passion but to earn a living from it. That, in my mind, is when I know I am successful.

I guess the secret is being open to it and to never stop searching until you have found it.

Don't take away my duty free ritual!

2006-08-16T09:14:00.000Z

Apologies for the delay in this posting, folks.

The news in the Middle East has resulted in a lot of our planned shoots for Art of Life being modified to accommodate my role as anchor of CNN Today.

I was supposed to go to St. Tropez a couple of weeks ago to interview Puffy/P. Diddy/Puff Daddy. He was there to shoot a commercial for his new fragrance Unforgivable, as well as to host his annual White Party. That assignment was given to my colleague Justin Armsden. I'm trying to get him to cough up some gossip on how it went. All he will say is it wasn't the easiest of shoots. Hmm ... loaded statement, I know.

In the midst of all the activity in the newsroom about the current conflict in Lebanon and Israel, another story erupted, which was the alleged terrorist plot to blow up aircraft over the Atlantic that was supposedly foiled.

Now if indeed there was a plot, it will have resulted in a few things:
1) A thinking (or hope) that British and American intelligence is working.
2) A potentially massive disaster was averted and
3) The way we shop at the duty free stores before we board our planes may change for ever.

While the first two are good news, the third is what has me not looking forward to flying. See, whenever I go on a trip for Art of Life, I try to make sure I leave for the airport extra early just so that I can browse through the stores (and maybe pick up a few things like perfumes, make-up, and if I'm being really extravagant, a lovely handbag.) Not only that, when I'm about to go on holiday, I love just browsing the drugstores and even liquor stores for my Dad who looks forward to a nice bottle of Scotch whenever I go home to visit.

But if these new rules are here to stay, my pre-boarding ritual will be gone. Sounds selfish, I know, but I and the millions of people who travel every day are contributing to what amounts to $25 billion in global sales in duty free shops worldwide. After all, shopping at luxury stores at the duty free counter can be considerably cheaper than elsewhere.

At the time of writing this I'm hearing rumblings that some of the tight restrictions are being lifted (we all knew that not carrying a handbag on the flight would be unfeasible -- although not being able to carry any make-up still has me quite concerned). And duty free shopping after you've gone through your security check is back on. Hallelujah! OK, so I may not be able to buy perfume or make-up but I can still browse, buy books and magazines, and maybe even get my shopping fix at the designer shops at Heathrow.

By the way, the Art of Life team is planning on travelling to Indonesia in a couple of weeks for a story on an holistic resort in Bali. Hopefully by then there will be some semblance of normality at the airport. We're all going to need a holistic experience after those long lines!

Seriously though, since 9/11 life as we know it has changed. Maybe it's my generation and the ones after me that are now realizing this. After all, our parents and grandparents have been through World Wars and revolutions. Whether our realisation manifests itself in tight security at airports or an understanding that there are people out there who want to hurt others, the reality is that feeling of safety that many of us had growing up isn't really there anymore. It's not naivete to feel that only now. It's an understanding that our lives are all interconnected in ways we probably wouldn't want to imagine -- that it's about us and them.

The hard part though is deciphering who is who. I only hope that little children growing up in this world of 24-hour news channels and endless coverage of "what could happen" and what is happening will be spared that rude awakening and when travelling with their parents for family vacations, they will still have that happy-go-lucky feeling.

Celebrating summer in style

2006-07-21T09:36:00.000Z

You know, you've all made me feel a little less guilty for not being a gym-oholic, so thank you for that. Thank you also for your thoughts on the show! Andrea (our producer), Dayna (our associate producer), Antonia (our production assistant), as well as the cameramen and editors all do such a fantastic job in putting the show together and making it look the way it does. My role, at the end of the day, is a small one but it's one I relish because I work with such talented people. We always manage to have a laugh, which is exactly what Dayna and Antonia did when they saw me mount a horse in Windsor as I did my interview with polo player Jack Kidd.

See, the idea for our July show was to explore summer in England and one of the first things came to mind was polo. Now, those of you in Pakistan, India, Iran, and even China would probably argue that polo originated in one of those countries, but it has become a very English sport since the late 19th Century. Granted the English can't claim it as solely their sport, but for us at Art of Life (and trust me, for you watching), what would you rather see, me learning to play polo or trying my hand at that other English summer pastime, fly-fishing? Without much debate, we left the fly-fishing to my very patient colleague Justin Armsden.

Back at Jack Kidd's country home in Oxford, he walked me through some of the basic moves of handling a polo stick. Not bad getting training from a professional polo player who not only has polo in his blood but was also competing the next day at the esteemed Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup, where the best of the best in the world of polo compete.

My pony Bono was very kind to me even though I had a feeling he sensed I didn't know what I was doing. See, the last time I was on a pony was when I was around eight and I was in Kashmir on summer holidays with my parents (back when it was a beautiful holiday destination and not one of the most dangerous places on Earth). I loved it though. It was exhilarating that for a bit there I actually thought I could take it up as a hobby and I could have a pony! Well numerous factors would contribute to that not happening: 1.) I can't afford it and 2.) I'm not coordinated enough (I have a hard time not tripping over even when walking in flats). Seriously though, Jack was patient and watching him ride his beautiful Argentinean polo pony while showing his sister Jemma how to play was great.

Jemma meanwhile, is a well-respected make-up artist and has made a name for herself by bringing something different to the world of make-up and that is education. Teaching women how to apply make up is key to her marketing and image. Jemma regularly appears in fashion magazines and is well known in the glamour circles but in person she is so down to earth and really nice. For her, family is key. Her brother Jack is an investor in her company, her sister Jodie is the face of her brand (and a famous model in her own right) and her husband is the one who spurred her to go out and live her dream. It was really inspiring to hear her be so open about her fears, that despite the insecurities she had about starting her own business without knowing much about the business world, she forged ahead with creating her own brand.

After hanging up my polo stick and brushing off the hay in my hair, we got ready for the most anticipated party of the season -- the Serpentine Gallery's Summer Party. Seriously, anyone who is anyone in London (and even across the Atlantic) rush to get tickets to this fundraiser. Model and businesswoman Elle MacPherson, Linda Evangelista, actresses Mischa Barton and Tilda Swinton, singer Will Young and, quite exciting for yours truly, the guys from Duran Duran: Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes. Seeing them walk in was the highlight for me! I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. But duty called and I didn't get a chance to meet them. Sorry folks, I wish I had a story to tell you there.

The bright side though, Art of Life did have exclusive access to the party. So while the celebs drank Champagne, the paparazzi had to contend with clamoring outside to get their money shots. Perhaps though for me, the most interesting thing about this fundraiser was hearing what these celebrities are actually helping to raise money for.

The Serpentine Gallery helps fund arts and education programs in schools. We visited one of the schools that the gallery has been involved with, the North Westminster Community School in London. With artists-in-residence and guidance from the Gallery, students are encouraged to broaden their mind and get involved in creating something that they can be proud of.

Talal Hamdan is one of those students. He told us that through the project he has gained self-confidence, and his self-esteem has been nurtured. Art was never something he ever thought about exploring but after getting involved, he knows it's a part of his life now. Photography is his chosen medium and while he says it's not his chosen career path, it has given him a broader view of the world. One he looks forward to exploring with confidence and excitement.

At the end of the day, we may look at these fundraisers as just a chance for the rich and famous to get together and be seen to be doing something good for the community. The reality is, by showing their support and donating their time and money, they are.

I hope you're all having a fantastic summer. (and winter, for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere.)

Getting into shape

2006-07-05T09:35:00.000Z

Thank you so much for your comments! Really glad to know you all enjoy the show and the blog. Please keep them coming!
You know, this show is a different kind of experience for me in the sense that for the most part, my job at CNN involves hard news. On CNN Today, the morning news show I co-anchor, we report on war and politics, natural disasters and events that make history; whereas on Art of Life it is news of a different kind. We have strong business elements but also it's a look into another world.
Working on Art of Life is kind of like a stream of consciousness. We don't necessarily shoot stories in sequence. That is, we don't necessarily shoot stories to air that same month. For example, we are planning on a Mind, Body, and Soul show in a few months where we find all the elements one needs to be healthy -- especially when money is no object.
You know the adage, a healthy body means a healthy mind? Well, I was supposed to get started on that with a consultation with personal trainer to the stars Matt Roberts. He has worked with Tom Ford, Naomi Campbell, Sting and his wife Trudi Styler.
I was really looking forward to getting started simply because I have a hard time actually getting motivated to even step foot in a gym. For some reason the thought of going into a room filled with people who all know what they're doing (and look good doing it) just doesn't appeal to me. I used to work out when I was living in Atlanta. I took kickboxing classes which always left me feeling great right after the class. I also loved my yoga and Pilates classes. I even looked forward to them. But once I moved to London, going to the gym just didn't have the same appeal. Or maybe I'm just lazy.
Anyway, when Andrea (Art of Life's producer) came up with this Health show I thought, "Well, if it's for work I'll do it." How dedicated, eh? So, after much to-ing and fro-ing and trying to get the right dates in all our diaries, Day One with Matt Roberts was scheduled and written in ink. I was even looking forward to it.
I was told Day One would begin with a consultation. I would be weighed, pinched, questioned about my eating habits, given a health background check -- and all of this would be filmed so you could all see my progress (as we would film over a period of a few months). Now, as much as I like all of you to feel like you're experiencing the show with me, there is no way I would let anyone see me being weighed or pinched. I'm sorry. Not going to happen.
We get to Day One and I'm all ready to go (had my gym bag packed) and a huge story breaks. Iraq's most wanted militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is killed by U.S. and Iraqi forces. I have to jump right back up on set and CNN goes into wall-to-wall coverage of this breaking story. So, Day One had to be postponed. Such is the life of an ever-changing news day. No worries though, folks, we're working on getting Day One and then some back on track.
One way we have been able to combat my lack of training was to interview the founder of TechnoGym, Nerio Alessandri. It's an Italian company that designs and manufactures high-end gym equipment. It also has a philosophy that believes in a well-rounded approach to a healthy lifestyle. That is, it's not just about the physical, it's about being positive, eating well -- and of course -- exercise that you enjoy. I will have more on this interview when our Health show airs in a few months. A quick preview, though, I just got back yesterday from Italy where I worked out while being trained by Nerio on the top deck of his boat the "Istranka" off the coast of Capri. I even used the machine Madonna raves about. Not too shabby.

When bigger is not always better

2006-06-07T12:22:00.000Z

In Monaco during the Grand Prix you learn one thing: there's being rich and then there's being RICH. Here, it's a whole other playing field where everything from cars, yachts and diamonds are bigger and -- some would argue -- better. This month, the Art of Life team flew to Monte Carlo to not necessarily cover the race itself, rather we were there to experience what goes on around the event. Everything from parties on yachts to black tie affairs.

Life in Monaco ceases to be normal when Formula One rolls into town. But normality to me is probably very different to what is considered normal to others. To those who frequent Monaco for the Formula One race, what is considered normal are sights of Lamborghinis and Ferrari Enzos making their way through the tiny streets, and massive yachts docked right next to each other where your neighbor is Flavio Briatore or Philip Green, or even Roman Abramovich. Such is life on this seaside town.

Our first port of call was the Steinmetz yacht where we met with CEO Nir Livnat. Docked in a prime viewing spot for the race and the revelers (one would have to pay around $100,000 for the privilege to dock there), we talked about how the Grand Prix is a lucrative time for the diamond company, so much so that Steinmetz, in partnership with Sotheby's, showcased their glittering goods on the yacht for their valued clients. Surrounded by suited security guards, some of the world's most expensive diamonds are on display in a private cabin.

I not only held a rare pink diamond worth around $10 million, I also saw up close what a 108-carat diamond looks like. By the way, it is also worth around $10 million. Thing is, and if I'm honest about it all, the bigger the diamond doesn't necessarily mean the better. There is the risk (in my view) of it looking either fake or just plain gaudy. I understand that for some people it's a status symbol, but seriously, I know I wouldn't want to walk around with a 108-carat diamond around my neck. Not only would I be afraid of it being stolen (hence the need for a bodyguard to guard not me but the stone), but also I'm betting that only a trained eye would be able to see that it's actually the real thing. But again, that brings me back to what I was saying earlier about what I think is normal and what those that exist in the world of uber-riche think is normal. The pink diamond, now that's more my style. Anyone have $10 million lying around they can spot me?

All of that said, there were some pretty stunning pieces on board the yacht and while they wouldn't tell me how much it was all worth, for security reasons, the guards watching us like hawks gave us a good indication that this was not your average showroom. Steinmetz admits that not only is the Monaco Grand Prix good business for them and Sotheby's Diamonds, its collaboration with Formula One's McLaren Mercedes team gives all the players involved a different kind of edge for being associated with each other. After all, it was only McLaren Mercedes drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya that had their steering wheels emblazoned with diamonds. How very Monaco!

Also very Monaco: the parties. Right next to us on the Steinmetz yacht was Team Renault boss and ex-boyfriend of a few supermodels (Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum) Flavio Briatore's big boat Force Blue. There was a lot of activity on the yacht in preparation for a party he was throwing for Formula One head honcho Bernie Ecclestone's wife. It was her birthday party. Rumor has it anyone who was anyone in Monaco during the Grand Prix was at that soiree. (Well apparently not everyone as Art of Life wasn't invited.)

We were, however, invited to the Dolce Vita Ball (that's me and Art of Life Associate Producer Dayna beforehand) -- a black-tie fundraising event in which celebs like Boris Becker and Petra Nemcova attended (apparently Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth stopped by around 1:30 a.m. but by then we were already at the after-party hosted by London's The Cuckoo Club). The highlight though, was getting to see former Fugee Wyclef Jean perform. He was there to raise money for his organization Yele Haiti whose goal is to bring about change and growth to the impoverished children of his native country. He told us that the Monaco Grand Prix was an ideal time to raise awareness and money for any charity or issue simply because of the celebrity association and also the fact that some of the wealthiest people in the world are there. Well it seemed to have paid off as in the end about $1 million was raised for Yele Haiti. But perhaps the icing on the cake was the surprise visit by U2 front man Bono who dropped by to perform a duet with Wyclef. Not too shabby if you were paying the $10,000 package that included tickets to the ball!

I got back to the hotel at around 3:30 a.m. and found that the after-after party at the famous Jimmy's club right next door was still pumping. Not only was there bumper-to-bumper traffic of Ferraris and Porsches waiting to get closer, there were throngs of hopefuls waiting outside. It may sound snobby of me to say but I refuse to wait in line to get into some club just so that I may possibly catch a glimpse of some celebrity. Not my scene.

So, did I have fun in Monaco during the Grand Prix? Yes. Was it an eye opener on how the less-than-one-percent of the world's population live? Oh yes. Have I become a Formula One fan? Despite the noise, absolutely. Was I gob smacked at the sights of helicopters taking off from massive yachts? God yes. Could I see myself in that parallel universe hobnobbing with rich and famous till the wee hours of the morning? Hmmm...I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Wedding season!

2006-05-16T09:38:00.000Z

Spring is in the air and you know what that means...Wedding Season! Well Art of Life is getting into the swing of things. Ok, before you all groan and think we're getting all mushy with images of couples happily picking their crystal, we are actually thinking about all the singletons out there and how difficult it is to meet people, even those in high society.

Enter The Dating Headhunter. For a fee between $22,000 and $110,000 you get a team of experts lining up eligible men and women. For this month's show, we follow a potential couple-to-be on their first date.

As Art of Life's Associate Producer Dayna Hochfelder tells us, you'll want to stay tuned for this nailbiter. Will they hit it off?? We didn't forget about those who have hit the marital jackpot. Our personal shopper takes us on a tour to find antique wedding rings.

In May's show we also look at how high-end watch companies market their ware. IWC put on a show for journalists as they unveiled their limited edition watches that include the Pilot's Watch Spitfire, the exact replica of the watches worn by pilots in the 1930s and 1940s. It was a two-day event in the English countryside of Hampshire and included everything from clay pigeon shooting, flying in a Spitfire (which I don't recommend for the weak stomachs out there. Trust me on this one), and dinner at Highclere Castle hosted by Lord and Lady Carnarvon.

All stops were pulled and that meant out came the celebrity spokesmen such as tennis champion Boris Becker and art gallery owner/London's man-about-town Tim Jefferies. Both were delightful and added a touch of boyish charm to an event that saw more men then women attend.

Sailing into shopper's paradise

2006-04-25T09:28:00.000Z

Every once in a while I have to pinch myself to remind myself that yes, I am indeed on assignment and working. This month, I have had to do just that.

See, my usual workday consists of me waking up at 2 a.m. every day to make it into work at 3 a.m. so that I can prepare for CNN Today, which goes to air Monday to Friday at 5 a.m. BST.

Well, when on assignment for Art of Life, those hours are usually not an issue and nor is the normal stress of anchoring a three-hour live news program.

This time around though, not only did I work "normal" hours, the conditions (for the most part) were, in one word, beautiful.

This month, my producer Andrea, our cameraman Darren and I made our way to the Italian coastal town of Cattolica to meet up with designer Alberta Ferretti.

The first leg of our trip was a relatively easy one except for the 5 a.m. wake-up call -- although for me that was a lie-in -- and the pouring rain as we landed in Ancona.

After a two-hour drive from the airport to Cattolica, I checked into my hotel room to dry out.

Our hotel, owned by Alberta Ferretti, was right on the beach. I open up the curtains and there in all its blue (OK, rain-induced gray-ish) glory was the Adriatic Sea.

Andrea and Darren were off shooting another element for the show. We eventually regrouped and, after a 16-hour day, fell asleep to the pounding of the surf outside.

Built in a small bay, the town of Cattolica is, for the most part, a sleepy beach resort. Except of course in the summer when Italians flock here to enjoy the stunning views and weather that this north-eastern town has to offer.

This is where we find Alberta Ferretti and her factory, where labels such as Alberta Ferretti, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Jean Paul Gaultier, Narciso Rodriguez and Moschino are produced and distributed. They are all labels under Ferretti's company Aeffe Fashion Group.

The woman herself is a petite, charming blonde who graciously opened up her home away from home to allow us to see its inner-workings.

We find her in her airy, sun-soaked studio (the rain stopped overnight, thankfully!) working with a team of designers on the 2007 spring/summer collection.

She was quite nervous, not because of the camera but because she felt her command of the English language wasn't so strong. Not so. Her ability to express herself became more animated and passionate when we spoke about her love of the female form and how sensuality, femininity and modernity were what made her designs distinctive.

Right after filming in the factory, we made our way to Genoa for the main part of our story and from where we would host this month's show.

This is where we find Ferretti's 135-foot (41-meter) icebreaker, formerly used by the Russian Navy. Gone is the military ship. In its place is this beautifully decorated boat that is Ferretti's home on the water.

With six state rooms, a dining room, a gym, living room and outdoor dining space, this boat is an all-encompassing habitat that would make those Russian sailors very happy to endure the harsh weather out in the North Sea if their living conditions were like this.

Ferretti told me she finds inspiration when she's on her boat but more importantly, this is a place for her to be herself, away from the prying eyes of the public and away from the pressures of everyday life. This is where she can enjoy her life with her close friends and family, eating the finest seafood prepared by her extremely talented young chef.

We had a taste of that life for two days as we sailed along the Italian coast. Looking out into the open water, toward the pastel-colored coastal towns, Ferretti and I spoke of the one strong influence in her life: her mother.

A seamstress in Cattolica, Ferretti grew up with the image of her mother draping fabric over a model and with a few artfully placed pins turning it into a work of wearable art. It is that same image we see in Alberta as she worked on a model back in her studio in Cattolica.

The shoot was a glorious one (aside from the occasional bout of seasickness that all three of us on the crew suffered). When else are we given the opportunity to enjoy the sun, have full command of a boat and its captain who turned the boat in whichever direction to please Darren so that we got the best light from the sun for our filming, and eat amazing food all the while feeling at ease on a renowned designer's boat? I guess that's what they call the "art of life!"

But the piece de resistance was the access we got to Alberta Ferretti's factory. And by factory, I mean the clothes.

Art of Life's producer Andrea is a beautifully stylish woman whose eye for design is impeccable. Now imagine this stylish woman with VIP access to a room filled with pre-season clothing just off the production line.

As Darren, our cameraman, succinctly put it, it was like a swarm of locusts eating its way through a field of fabrics. He included me in that analogy. All I can say in our defense is that it's not very often we get to shop like this!