Italian entrepreneur Flavio Briatore’s newest restaurant opening offers a lad-back fine dining experience in Knightsbridge
Flavio Briatore has never stood still. From Formula One racing, to a nightclub empire, to high-end restaurants, he has transformed all the industries he has been involved with. At the heart of all his work is glamour and luxury, and his latest dining offering, Maia in the heart of London?s Knightsbridge, takes this to a new level. Kristina Spencer investigates
Adrenaline, excitement, adventure ? these have been a part of Flavio Briatore?s life since the early days. Born in 1950, the Italian tycoon worked as a ski instructor and a door-to-door insurance salesman before meeting Luciano Benetton, founder of the eponymous clothing company. Known for his business wit and endless charm, Briatore was soon appointed Benetton?s director of American operations and went over to the US to open more than 800 stores during the 1980s. Follow LUX on Instagram: luxthemagazine
In 1988 in Australia Briatore saw his first grand prix and a year later was named commercial director of Benetton?s Formula One team. The Italian understood that, for the audience, racing was less about the mechanics behind the operation and more about the spectacle and the excitement. Formula One had never seen anything like him before ? Briatore transformed the sport into one of the most glamorous on the planet, and made a fortune along the way.
The restaurant Maia offers a swinging sixtie...