Brian FEINMAN

What was your very first job? What does it feel like to look back at it now? 

I began my career as a freelance journalist for the magazine Made in France International- Groupe Les Echos and wrote articles and interviewed creative leaders in the beauty, fashion and luxury industries that represented French savoir-faire.

Please describe, in your own words, what your former job was and what work it entailed.

As Marketing and Communication Director, my role was 360° and covered a large scope. My multi-tasks involved identifying consumer needs, developing cross-cutting strategies, negotiating business opportunities, establishing alliances and partnerships with external sources, product development, new concept and collection launches, production of the BIGUINE Magazine, images and vidéos, directing advertising, public relations (press, web, social media, tv, radios) events, philanthropy, identity and brand image as well as national and international network coordination.

How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? and which train of events did bring you to where you are today?

I have always had a creative approach to what ever I do, personally and professionally. Since my childhood in New York, I was interested in French Culture, Literature and Art, then came to France and pursued my studies in those fields as well as in History of Italian Art, Cosmetic Chemistry, Perfume Composition and Economics. My education led me into the creative world.

In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how and where do you usually find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?

I neither follow « what is in style » nor follow trends, I prefer to set them!

I often go to museums, exhibitions, galleries and operas in France and Italy, and in cities such as Athens and New York… I get inspiration from art, music and aesthetics of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as, at present ,through technology, science, nature, botanical, marine and the mineral world which stimulate my senses and influence me for graphic, color, texture, fragrance, cosmetic and culinary creations.

If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, especially for the creative work and innovation it required rather than its recognition or industry success, what would it be?

There are many. I am most proud of the book Blondes, Brunes & Rousses en Cuisine, that I wrote with a renowned gastronomic author. I had an original idea to mix psychology, nutrition, and gastronomy in a cookbook with recipes developed according to ones hair color, and succeeded in convincing a major editor  to publish the book.  L’Oréal backed it, the rights were granted to Innéov, it was highly praised by the medias and it won a prestigious award.  I also launched the innovative BIGUINE TV 15 years ago in our salons, and in 2008, I created  modepass.com,  an avant-garde community platform website/blog, that the magazine  Femmes at that time called it the « Facebook for fashion & beauty ».