Essentialist closed the FT Business of Luxury Summit (FT Live) in Barcelona with a perspective shaped by craft, place, and the senses. Our way of saying that luxury today is often expressed by the intangible and the authentic, and the need for eyes that can find it. Our local tastemakers Evarist March and Ernesto Collado shared how years of dedication can translate a destination in unexpected ways—in their case, Catalonia, expressed through herbs, scent, and memory. In a fast-moving industry, it was a reminder that what matters most is what stays with you. This is the kind of luxury we believe in: Built by curious minds. Made for curious minds. #FTLuxury
About us
We are a membership-based travel service driven by a global community of tastemakers and travel editors. Thanks to them and their deep understanding of what truly matters in every destination, our members enjoy thoughtfully planned and bespoke journeys that make travel more enriching and memorable, sparking their own curiosity to explore the world. We feel a deep responsibility towards our members as we recognize they entrust us with one of their most valuable assets: their time. We honor that trust by learning how they like to spend it and then elevating it with travels shaped by curiosity and curated discovery far beyond the obvious. We aim to make every journey wide in scope and rich in detail—layered with encounters that connect members not only to the place, but to the people there who embody the spirit of their craft and the essence of where they’re from. Through them, one experiences the forces that truly shape a destination’s character.
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http://www.essentialist.com
External link for Essentialist
- Industry
- Travel Arrangements
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- 51-200 employees
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- Palma de Mallorca
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- Privately Held
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- Luxury Travel, Bespoke travel, Expert Travel, Travel, Travel Inspiration, Editorially Driven, Curated Destination Content, and Insider Experiences
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Palma de Mallorca , ES
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New York, New York 10001, US
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Essentialist reposted this
From 18–20 May, the FT Live Business of Luxury Summit, in association with Dyens & Co., was in sunny Barcelona to explore how brands are navigating uncertainty, economic shifts and evolving consumer behaviours. Against the backdrop of global inflation, geopolitical disruption and a growing demand for purpose-driven luxury — three days of panels, interviews and networking revealed critical insights for industry leaders. Key themes included: - Global economic pressure: How inflation, tariffs and market volatility are challenging growth strategies across the sector - Changing consumer dynamics: From Gen-Z collectors to VVIP expectations, brands are redefining exclusivity and experience - The rise of resale: With pre-owned goods outpacing new in some categories, luxury is rethinking value and ownership - Sustainability beyond branding: Ethical supply chains, circularity and regulation are now strategic imperatives - Tech’s expanding role: AI, digital innovation and data are reshaping how luxury is created, distributed and experienced We'd like to give thanks to our partner speakers for their invaluable contributions made to their sessions and for their contributions to Business of Luxury as a whole: - Tina Edmundson | Marriott International - Anne-Laure Colcy Versavau | Capgemini Invent - Andrew Fletcher | Christie's - Joan Jove | McArthurGlen Group - Mike Silvestro | Flexjet - Jasmina Banda | Chalhoub Group - Alexis Hoopes | eBay - Filippo Bianchi | Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - Vishal Kapoor | Chia Network We are incredibly thankful to each speaker that brought their unique perspectives and expert insights to the Business of Luxury stage including: - Marc Puig | Puig - Damien BERTRAND | Loro Piana - Sabrina Elba | S'ABLE Labs - Kristina Blahnik | Manolo Blahnik - Kristian Tear | Bang & Olufsen - Giovanna Vitelli | Azimut|Benetti Group - Ernesto Collado Sala | Essentialist Tastemaker - Evarist March Sarlat | Essentialist Tastemaker The summit also offered powerful moments of connection, from a welcome drinks reception hosted by Marriott International to a black-tie gala dinner - underscoring the value of in-person exchange in shaping the future of luxury. As the sector continues to evolve, we invite you to reflect: 1. How will second-hand, tech and sustainability reshape luxury business models? 2. What does leadership in luxury look like in a more complex global market? Explore the key takeaways and watch our video on demand here: https://lnkd.in/gkhGMige #FTLuxury
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We’re proud to have two Essentialist tastemakers—Evarist March and Ernesto Collado—closing the Business of Luxury Summit in Barcelona (FT Live). Evarist is a leading gastro-botanist whose deep knowledge of wild plants has shaped the kitchens of El Celler de Can Roca and beyond. Ernesto is a Catalan perfumer who distills the Mediterranean landscape into scent—translating terrain into memory. Together, they bring the countryside into the city. And remind us that travel, at its best, is guided by expertise, emotion, and the senses. At Essentialist, we curate a global network of curious minds—individuals who don’t just know a place, but reveal its essence.
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Essentialist will be in Barcelona next week for the Business of Luxury Summit (FT Live)—bringing our editorial perspective to the global conversation on the future of luxury. We believe place is more than a destination. It’s a culture, a rhythm, a point of view. To mark the occasion, editor Elizabeth Bennett curated a short field guide to Gràcia—a former village absorbed into the city, now known for its creative energy and local rhythm. A few highlights: · Coush Armó – Organic bread and wild-fermented pastries with Catalan, French, and Argentine influences. · Casa Figari – Low-lit neighborhood bar with vinyl nights, jazz sessions, and seasonal cocktails. · Paral·lelo – Artisanal gelato with bold flavors like gorgonzola-habanero and cherry-coffee. · Casa Vicens – Gaudí’s first residential project—less visited, beautifully preserved. · Berbena – A small open-kitchen restaurant with a daily-changing menu and 300+ wines. · Galería Santa & Cole + nanimarquina – A shared space spotlighting two Catalan design leaders. Even in one of Europe’s most visited cities, luxury can still feel local, thoughtful, and deeply personal. #FTLuxury
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