Benny Castles – World – 2017 Industry Panel

THE WILD ONES

BENNY CASTLES – WORLD – 2017 INDUSTRY PANEL

Our 2017 Wild Hearts Industry Panel, hosted by Greta Kenyon of Together Journal at our Wild Hearts Auckland event, featured a collection of incredible industry leaders.

Over the next few weeks we will be bringing you a behind the scenes interviews with each of these amazing New Zealand entrepreneurs currently shaking things up in the industry.

Trendsetters. Game Changers. New Zealand Industry Leaders. We speak to entrepreneurs who are leading the way and inspiring hearts around the globe.

Benny Castles – WORLD

World was established in Auckland in 1989 by Denise L’Estrange-Corbet and Francis Hooper. Benny started working at World over 17 years ago as a part-time retail assistant and is now a partner in the company and is the go to man behind the company’s brand, clothing, philosophy and NZ trends. Benny himself is someone you notice instantly. He’s ridiculously cool, high fashion, hardworking and a genuinely nice guy.

World has become one of the most iconic brands in NZ and Benny and his team have set the bar incredibly high when it comes to incorporating fashion and art. There is something exciting about World pieces, with each collection exuding vibrance and fun. Their stores are located over both the North and South Island and are a reflection of their pieces, from beautiful fragrances, skincare products, candles and statement piece accessories. World is a forward thinking game changer in the NZ fashion industry and is still one of the most sought after shows at NZ Fashion Week.

We were so lucky to have Benny on our Elite Industry Panel at our Auckland show which was hosted by Greta Kenyon from Together Journal and we look forward to hopefully him back.

What is one of your favourite scents to encounter on a daily basis?

In my fortunate position, where I am surrounded by an overwhelming selection of historic and contemporary icons of niche luxury fragrance it is impossible to have favourites. I do however have phases where I like to explore different brands or scent profiles. There is a recent release at WORLD Beauty which when I smell on a customer or a staff member I am always stuck by it’s sumptuousness – that scent is Amouage Myths.

Best advice you have ever received about being a business person?

I’m not sure I fit well into the category of the business person – our point of view as a retailer is a little different and the best way to describe that is a phrase I’ve stolen from our Creative Director and Co-Founder Francis Hooper who says “do what you love, figure out how to sell it later.” Hopefully this rings true across our boutiques where the in store experience should feel full of genuine appreciation and enthusiasm with our creations and those of the people who we represent giving an experience to each customer that opens the mind and shows an intelligent luxury.

What inspires your style?

Everything and anything, quite often it’s a book or a movie, a pieces of art – as a designer you must be constantly looking both at what inspires and also what does not. I am always inspired by the people around me and especially the WORLD team, our in store staff who continually push the envelope of elegance and creativity in how they express themselves through fashion. When people show a genuine excitement with their outfit or if that outfit has given that person a strong sense of themselves, that is when you see real style.

What is one of your favourite scents to encounter on a daily basis?

Whats your favourite destination to travel to in New Zealand?

Currently, I would have to say Queenstown. At the end of 2016 WORLD opened its most recent boutique in down town Queenstown and after spending a number of years scouting retail opportunities and then setting up the store it has become a location where the natural beauty can not be denied nor does it diminish over time. The atmosphere and friendliness of the area and the people is also inspiring and makes each visit feel like a new home where we have been welcomed into the community.