Walpole: What does your role entail, and how long have you been doing it?
Antoinette Lettieri: I have worked in the field of luxury events for 20 years. Currently, I am based at The Lanesborough as Head of Events and Event Partnerships, where I have been for seven years. My role is to lead the events team to capture and host London’s most prestigious and glamorous events, to forge, maintain and create new client relationships, to cultivate event partner relationships, and to keep the events offering innovative and industry leading.
What’s your career background and what makes you passionate about what you do?
I studied Fashion Marketing and wanted to be a buyer. Whilst I was studying, I joined up with a few of London’s top caterers at the time – Rhubarb Food Design and the Admirable Crichton – as a waitress and it was here I got the event bug! So contrary to how things may be now, I started off in operations, and it was from here that I understood the mechanics of an event grass roots up. I also loved the glamour of seeing the most incredible venues from Palaces, museums to the chicest boutiques on Bond Street and this inspired my love of luxury events.
Can you tell us about a woman who you look up to regarding your work?
Lucy Gemmell, the founder of Rhubarb Food Design, where I started my event career, was hugely influential on me. I was her PA for two years and in that time of sitting opposite her daily, I witnessed this amazing, gutsy creative energy to push boundaries and take creativity to another level. With two young children and a fledgling business, Lucy demonstrated how with determination, grit and importantly kindness you can achieve great things. This has stayed with
me.
What’s a significant obstacle for women in your industry or the wider luxury sector that you feel isn’t talked about enough - and why is it important to highlight?
I think female wellbeing and, in particular, women going through the menopause needs to be more of an open subject in the workplace. I feel there needs to be more of an open dialogue, more education on the matter so that employers give the support that might be needed. At The Lanesborough, we will soon be launching a pathway to address this important topic to support both women and managers through this time.
What advice would you have to other women following your career path that would have helped you when starting out?
Whichever path you follow, there are no short cuts. Learn your craft inside out, from all angles so that you have an absolute understanding of your given profession that is unshakable. And, most importantly, dress to impress!
What does success look like to you?
The feedback I receive from my clients gives me my barometer of success. To hear a client say that their event was beyond their wildest dreams or expectations really hits home for me.
