WHO WE ARE
A curated guide, set in a bilingual platform, that delivers an engaging selection of news, services, reviews and insider’s information from and on the global elite, combining the beauty of the world’s leading magazines with the timely, informative content of the best newspapers.
President & Founder
President & Founder
Born in Caracas, Venezuela and of German descent, Alfredo H. Zingg is an enthusiastic leader and a creative entrepreneur. He began his career at a very early age by the guidance of his father, Gustavo Zingg, who was at that time the major investor of the sole, private manufacturing automobile licensed plant for Daimler Benz outside of Germany, where the Mercedes Benz automobiles and commercial vehicles were assembled in Venezuela. This experience shaped him and formed the broad business view Alfredo possesses today. He moved up the ranks in his family business, becoming President of the family conglomerate Consorcio Inversionista Fabril S.A. until 2010. He travels between Caracas, Miami and Munich.
Vice President, Editorial Director & Founder
Vice President, Editorial Director & Founder
Emmy-nominated journalist, Ana B. Remos has had a distinguished career across two continents with leading names in magazines, television, and newspapers. From fashion icons Roberto Cavalli and Carolina Herrera, cultural figures Fernando Botero and entertainment headliners Gwyneth Paltrow and Sharon Stone to Aerin Lauder, Mikhail Gorbachev and Prince Dmitri of Yugoslavia, she has been led into their private worlds, sharing their successes, disappointments and personal experiences. Growing up in Europe, of parents who were in the Foreign Service, she gained a passion for the world of global communications, different cultures, and searching for the finest in life. She began her career in Madrid, seeing the world of fashion first hand as a model, then moving on to host Operación Torpedo or El Tragabolas (cultural contests for young people) for Spain’s TVE, and later, as producer.Miami was next on tap. She has been a guide to the luxury lifestyle and chronicler of the lives of leading figures in society, politics, fashion, culture, business and European nobility as editor of the most widely read “people” section in Knight Ridder’s (later McClatchy) Miami Herald, a “must read” for a who’s who”. At the same time, she became a correspondent for top publishing companies ranging from Vogue and Hola to Ocean Drive among many others.
She is equally well known in television as the producer and host of El Círculo, a weekly TV magazine that featured the lifestyle of the international jet set. Her newest passion is azureazure.com, which she founded, a curated online guide to the global luxury lifestyle and the people behind it.
Managing Editor in English
Katya Maruri is a professional editor with extensive experience in the newspaper and digital media industry. Her initial training as a reporter, calendar editor, social media and website manager allowed her to find her own style of writing and editing, which helped to develop her overall creative potential. Born in Miami, FL, she is passionate about fashion, arts and culture, gastronomy and travel. She earned a master’s degree in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International University to further advance her career as a communication professional. Since 2015, she has written for local publications like Miami Today, Naples Daily News and Edible South Florida and now focuses her efforts on being managing editor in English at azureazure.com.
Managing Editor in Spanish
Laura Rivera is a journalist and editor with more than 20 years of experience in the media industry. Her previous places of employment include El Mundo (Spain), where she was the content editor for the American continent., Telemundo, where she edited news and was responsible for the US elections page in 2012., Diario Las Americas, where she was in charge of the section de Finanzas y Mundo, and Yahoo, where she was editor and head of the homepage in Spanish for more than three years. She has won awards for multiple research papers, as well as for online coverage of the elections in the United States. She is an advocate of free and ethical journalism, and loves reading, research, travel, nature and culture. Laura was born and raised among the beautiful mountains and rivers of southern Argentina, in Neuquén. She graduated from the National University of Córdoba, and after working in large firm covering Argentine media and traveling the world, after that she settled in Miami, Fl, 13 years ago. There she had her family, and currently enjoys being managing editor of the Spanish edition of azureazure.com.
South America Correspondent
Federico Tibytt is a professional editor with extensive experience in the digital media and advertising industry. His initial training as an english/spanish translator and careers in political science, allowed him to find his own style and global perspective, which helped to develop his creative potential. Born in Rosario, Argentina he is passionate about technology, navigation, cars, tourism, art and gastronomy. Since 2008, he has written for various international media outlets such as eleconomista.es, about.com and mamaxxi.com among others. Since 2013, he has collaborated with azureazure.com, as our official South America correspondent.
Social Events
Laz More was born in Havana, Cuba. At age 12 he moved to Miami where he attended Miami Dade College and Florida International University. At FIU he was the editor of the University of Anthropology and Sociology Newspaper. Laz was also a news producer for Fox network. His first project was being a cultural advisor organizing trips for world famous events such as the São Paulo Biennial, Sundance film festival, Art Basel and various book fairs. He has worked as editor-in-chief of House King Publishing Group and has been an editor for Social Affairs magazine, a regional publication focusing on luxury, which highlights philanthropic organizations in the United States.
International Contributor
Nicole Muj is the founder of KULTURA PR, a public relations company that specializes in international entertainment , lifestyle and cultural clients. Ms. Muj is also involved in booking A-list Western music artists and celebrities in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Previously, she served as Associate Director, Worldwide Publicity, E! Networks, and held senior level positions at LA-based mPRm Public Relations and Comspan Communications. A seasoned writer who is passionate about travel, global film and luxury brands, Ms. Muj is a frequent contributor to Las Vegas Informer and Gothamology, and serves as managing editor of Indie Entertainment Magazine.
U.S. Correspondent
Patricia Abaroa was born in Miami, Fl., to Cuban parents, from whom she inherited a passion for reading and writing. She attended Miami Dade College and later FIU, where he studied Journalism and Mass Communications. She previously worked as Recruitment Coordinator, for nine years, for Miami-Dade’s Guardian ad Litem Program, a nonprofit organization that represents children involved in the Foster Care system. Simultaneously, she continued to cultivate her passion by working as a freelance writer with several international publications, including azureazure.com.
Since 2012, Patricia has been collaborating with the online publication, and has interviewed major personalities within the fashion industry (another one of her passions), including Kenneth Cole, Reem Acra, Alexander Vreeland and Edgardo Osorio, of Aquazurra. In October 2015, and after a successful performance in various facets of azure azure.com, Patricia joined the editorial team as its director. Although Miami is home, Patricia travels often to explore new destinations, learn new cultures and expand her personal experiences and professional work.
Gastronomy Correspondent
Victoria Amory is the author of the cookbooks Delicious and award winning Delicious Flavors. She writes about food, style and home for national magazines, newspapers and her blog victoriaamory.com. She is the host of the TV shows Celebraciones con Victoria Amory and Mansiones de los Hamptons for Spain’s Canal Cocina and Canal Decasa. Born in Spain, Victoria honed her skills as a hostess and passionate cook while organizing corporate events and chairing charity galas in New York and Florida.
Entertaining everyone from royals to bullfighters in her casual elegant style, Victoria has successfully intertwined the European style of her youth, adolescence, and lineage, with her sense of American spirit and practicality, to develop a philosophy of life and entertaining that she has magically captured in her books, magazine, journal, news and blog articles and in her television shows. She is more than just an international citizen; she has been able to blend real life responsibilities, children, husband, and households with a sparkling career. She lives between Connecticut and South Florida with her husband and their three boys.
Correspondent in Spain
Paloma Clavet developed her career in journalism in various communication media. She received her Master’s degree in Journalism from the Universidad San Pablo CEU, and began her broadcasting career as a contributor, editor and producer of the main programs of the COPE radio network. Afterwards she worked in various Spanish radio stations until she created her own radio magazine on Onda Cero Radio. Paloma has also been director and news anchor at Onda Seis Television, one of the main channels of the community of Madrid, property of the Vocento Group.
Our partner has worked in economic and cultural information, but her true vocation are conducting interviews and informing readers about what lies behind the news. Paloma Clavet currently collaborates with azureazure.com as European correspondent through reports and interviews with outstanding personalities from the Spanish social landscape.
Fashion & Style
A veteran of the fashion industry, Elysze Held was born in Boston, raised in San Francisco, and now maintains dual residences in Key Biscayne, Florida and Manhattan. Elysze began her career in fashion with the two most iconic fashion establishments on the West Coast, I. Magnin and Wilkes-Bashford and is the former fashion director of Florida landmark Lillie Rubin. Elysze has provided the on-air fashion commentary for both the Oscar and Emmy Awards on CBS, and has been behind the scenes at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week as both a stylist and a producer.
Elysze has recently been named as Most Stylish in Miami by the renowned Stylecaster Group and is a member of Conrad Hotels International Conrad Connections, a collective group of eclectic opinion leaders renowned for their cultural presence and local influence; they are the true ambassadors of their resident cultures.
Africa Correspondent
Bob Koigi is a multiple-award-winning journalist from Kenya who has worked extensively in print, broadcast and online media covering a wide array of subjects, including art, development, culture, travel and business. He is a journalism graduate from the University of Nairobi and holds a Master’s Degree in international studies from the same institution. Bob is a consummate traveler who enjoys the journey home to Nairobi, Kenya, as much as the open road. He is also an avid fan of the English soccer team Arsenal.
International Art Consultant, Special Curator and Art Contributor
Sébastien Laboureau holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Ecole des Mines de Paris and a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics. He benefits from an international experience in Management Control (at AXA Group) and Investment Banking (Mergers and Acquisitions at Goldman Sachs). Long-time, art enthusiast and experienced art collector, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MoonStar Fine Arts Advisors, an independent art consulting agency located both in Miami and Paris, with partners in Latin-America and Asia, trusted advisor of private collectors, and various institutions all over the world. He was elected Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Arts and business Council in Miami and sits on the Creative and Design committee of the Beacon Council, in Miami. He is regional representative fort Continental Europe of the Art Fund Association and serves on its Best Practices Committee.
He is notably the Strategic Art Advisor of Institut Van Gogh, in Auvers-sur-Oise, of Sofitel Group, and of BARNES Luxury Real Estate. He is also the urban art specialist for the leading auction house in Miami, Fine Art Auction Miami, and an art consultant for Markowicz Fine Art, a leading gallery in Miami. As a respected and independent expert on the art market, he is a keynote speaker to various private banks, family offices and public institutions to give lectures and conferences on the art market and on selected art history topics.
Gastronomy and Oenology Specialist
Irene Moore is a Miami-based freelance writer specializing in luxury lifestyle, focusing on wine, culinary, and travel. Irene obtained her Mastery of Wines Advanced Sommelier Certification at Florida International University’s Chapman School of Hospitality. She earned an MBA with a specialization in Marketing at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York, and her undergraduate degree at University of Kentucky. She is a co-founder and secretary of the South Florida Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. She has been writing professionally since 1992.
Irene formerly lived in New York, and worked for Fairchild Publications’ W magazine and Women’s Wear Daily, where she had a monthly column, “The W Personal Shopper,” for several years, and frequently conducted fashion seminars in luxury retail settings for W. She wrote several restaurant and shopping guides for Women’s Wear Daily and the New York Observer.
Gastronomy Correspondent
Born in Cesenatico (Italy), Fabio began his career in the Castrocaro Terme Hotel among a group of renowned chefs in the 1980s, such as Moras Claudio or the famous Amati Salvatore. What truly characterizes Fabio’s career is its international character. He has worked in Switzerland at the «Rialto» restaurant in Gstaad, where he learned from master chefs Francesco Naredi and Stephan Ungher, and at “Al Santabbondio” (one Michelin star) under the bâton of Martin Dalsass. The Chef later settled in Spain, where, he started became head chef at «La Trovata» in May 1990. Two years later he joined the restaurant «Teatriz» in Madrid, where he continued to develop his career for five years, learning from Spanish masters such as Antonio Machado, Hilario Arbelaiz, Francisco Duran and Mikel Santamaria, who taught him the secrets of classic and modern Spanish cuisine.
In 1997 he joined “Don Giovanni”, and for three years he developed new Italian cuisine for the most demanding customers of the Plaza Oriente in Madrid, such as Luciano Pavarotti and Alfredo Kraus. Fabio has also presented TV programs such as Pasta Gansa and Italian Cuisine at the Cooking Channel. Currently, he travels constantly through Europe and the United States to advise entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector and collaborates with EscuelaMasterchef.com to offer Italian cooking courses online.
Argentina Correspondent
Walter is a journalist with a background in communication sciences and research. His experience touring the Rio de la Plata region of South America has allowed him to develop travel stories for IAC Publishing. Currently focused in generating multimedia content, Walter writes for Hombre magazine and El Mercurio de Chile’s “Guioteca”, and Colegios of Argentina magazine. He is the author of the novel Notes from Whales, which is based on his work on nature and the environment. He has also participated in Viva Fifty!, Voxxi Latino and WSI, as well as in radio production. He is an attentive observer and scholar of the history, geography and customs of the different societies of the world. He currently resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
International Correspondent
Saida Santana is a multidisciplinary artist and journalist who lives between Miami and Madrid. Her journalism experience has been developed in the fields of entertainment and media, both in front of and behind the cameras. She has presented and scripted television shows for Spain’s most prominent channels including TVE, La Sexta and El Terrat and is a fiction writer for Telemundo (USA). She also contributes to Pshycologies Magazine, Aprendelo.com, Investigartes, Frontera D, and INYBN. As press officer, her last campaign was the promotion of Kate MacCann’s book Madeleine.
As an actress she has starred in numerous plays, television series and movies, screened in Spain, USA, Italy and France. Saida is also an acting coach with extensive credits in international productions. Saida Santana holds a Ph.D. by Rey Juan Carlos University. Degree in Communication: Journalism, Master in Performing Arts, Master in Life and Executive Coaching and Master in psychodrama techniques. She combines writing, acting and coaching with her professorial activities at Universidad Antonio de Nebrija and in the Master of Broadcasting Journalism Program of Antena 3.
Correspondent in Los Angeles (LA)
Luxury, fashion and lifestyle expert Lara Shriftman co-founded Harrison & Shriftman in 1995. The agency specializes in public relations, marketing and events for high-profile luxury brands. In addition to serving as a correspondent for Extra with her own segment, Party Confidential, Lara has authored four books on entertaining, Fete Accompli, Fete Accompli Workbook, Party Confidential and Party Confidential: New Etiquette for Fabulous Entertaining.
Gastronomy and Travel Correspondent
As an editor for valuable Anglo-Spanish media, J.M. Towers has devoted his journalistic career to professional fields that include culture, society, cinema and especially gastronomy and wines. After finishing studies in journalism at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain), he was chosen, after a rigorous selection process, to become a radio editor for the BBC World Service in the Latin American and Caribbean desk. He was based in London, where he conducted interviews with leading world personalities. J.M. currently produces articles and reports for various media such as Paraula, Time Out, Valencia 7 days, Tu Tempo Magazine, Valencia Mes a Mes, Mini Diari, Hello, Showroom, and the gastronomy blog eldisfruton.com, and azureazure.com
Collaborator and Beauty Expert
Raquel Watters is president and founder of Rik Rak, a beauty and luxury emporium located in Miami. Growing up in New York City around her stylish mother, who was her mentor, Raquel developed an awareness of beauty, chic and elegance that has come to symbolize her style vocabulary. Shortly after graduating with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, she and husband had the idea to create a haven for all things fashionable and stunning.
“Fusing my love for fashion and Rik’s talent for beauty, the concept of Rik Rak was born.” Along with her two girls, who have been the faces of the company since its inception, they have created what is now a perfect mixture of a salon and boutique. “For the past 25 years, I have dedicated all my efforts as a buyer to introduce the latest trends in fashion to our clients.”
Former columnist and azureazure.com mascot
Lulu Flynn was a seven-pound, miniature Shih Tzu and daughter of author and entertaining expert, Lara Shriftman. She was a gift to Lara from Kelly Rowland and Serena Williams. Lara had never had a dog before but one of her best friends Lara Flynn Boyle had a Shih Tzu named Greta Garbo that she adored so, of course, Lulu Flynn was a magical fit. When Lulu Flynn was a puppy, Lara was increasingly busy doing work for television. As a result, when Lulu Flynn was growing up, instead of being trained to sit, she was being trained to pose for the camera. Being on the set, it became clear that Lulu Flynn was a natural. She was a small dog with a big personality, and the ultimate hostess.
Her parties were featured on the Today Show, Extra and The CW, and in magazines including Star, W, LA Confidential, Quest, Hamptons, The Daily, and Forbes.com. Lulu Flynn was also a contributor for Hollywood Life, LA Confidential and Mom Logic. An international jetsetter, Lulu Flynn developed an appreciation for the finest amenities and personalized service. Lulu Flynn launched her pet program at One Bal Harbour Resort and Spa, her home away from home in Miami.
Lulu Flynn and One Bal Harbour partnered with Share-A-Pet, an organization that provides certified and insured pet-assisted therapy to those confined to hospitals, nursing homes and children’s centers. Lulu Flynn also wrote a book, The Ultimate Dog Party and created a line of greeting cards. Lulu Flynn split her time between Beverly Hills, New York and One Bal Harbour.
Features Editor
The former editor of Hello! Fashion Monthly and ex-international managing editor of Hello!, she enjoys creating a rapport with her interview subjects and getting to know the person behind the brand.
Some of her interview highlights over her 30+ years in the business include Tom Cruise, Cate Blanchett, Stephen Spielberg, Queen Rania of Jordan, Kim Kardashian, and Nicole Kidman.
She’s also immersed herself in the fashion world with a particular focus on sustainable and ethical fashion, and counts herself lucky to have met and interviewed a wide range of industry notables, from designers Camilla Franks of CAMILLA and Jacques Azagury, to models Miranda Kerr, Shanina Shaik, and Natalia Vodianova.
In the UK, she’s written about some fabulous women’s brand founders, including Rene Macdonald (Lisou), Samantha Cameron (Ceffin), Daisy Knatchbull (The Deck), Kalita Al Swaidi (KALITA), and shoe designer Camilla Elphick.
Beauty Editor
Global makeup artist, brand founder, and beauty expert, Ruby Hammer MBE has over 30 years of experience within the beauty industry. She has worked across editorial and commercial shoots, haute couture catwalks, and TV as well as founding two beauty brands, including her new eponymous beauty range Ruby Hammer.
A pioneer in the movement towards inclusivity, Ruby gives a fresh approach to modern beauty recognizing the needs of the individual over structured technique. In 2007 she was awarded an MBE by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II for her long-standing contribution to the cosmetics industry and currently sits as an advisory board member on the British Beauty Council.
Jewelry, Fashion & Watched Editor
Marcella Martinelli is an Italian Fashion & Jewellery editor who has been involved in the fashion industry for two decades and arrived in London from her native Switzerland where she studied art and fashion, consequently attending the London College of Fashion then working for Vivienne Westwood. Her career later flourished as a stylist and journalist working for the likes of How to Spend it, Financial Times, The Times, Vanity Fair, the US InStyle, also working with famous personalities such as Annette Bening, Warren Beatty, Julia Roberts, Damian Lewis, Naomi Harris, Russell Crowe, Helen McCrory including red carpet events such as the Oscars, The Golden Globes and BAFTA.
Marcella specializes in the luxury market for fashion, Jewellery and travel.
