CLICK HERE to view the Curators of Style Sizzle Reel.
MIAMI (April 23, 2024) – Starboard is introducing a new initiative, the Curators of Style, tailored specifically for discerning guests of Celebrity Cruises. Anchored in the insight that guests convey their essence through both their attire and lifestyle experiences, this forward-thinking concept has one goal in mind: To ignite inspiration and guide Celebrity’s guests on their personal journeys of self-expression through their wardrobe choices and the lifestyle they relish.
“Celebrity’s guests enjoy the elevated design and personalized lifestyle experience the brand offers across their fleet; and now with our Curators of Style, we will further enrich their cruise vacation with inspiring relatable stories as they explore their journeys of self-expression through exciting fashion and lifestyle choices,” says Lisa Bauer, Starboard’s President and CEO.
The Curators of Style are a diverse group of brand founders, tastemakers, and thought leaders that collectively enhance the onboard experience by bringing forth their distinctive perspectives, carefully curated selections and impactful contributions. Immersive in-store activations and captured content showcased across various platforms including the Celebrity Cruises website, onboard signage and stateroom television programming will enable guests to explore their own sense of style and reflect different aspects of their personality and mood through wardrobe and home entertaining.
The roster of expert guests can expect to engage with and learn from while being guided on their own journey of self-discovery, includes:
Seth Weisser, Co-founder and CEO, What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA):
Recognized as a luxury vintage expert, Seth Weisser co-founded What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA), the leading curator of pre-owned luxury goods and vintage apparel. For over 30 years, the company has been advocating the importance of accessibility and sustainability in the fashion industry while establishing rigorous authenticity standards and educating consumers on the value of vintage products.
Soraya Cedeno, Founder and Creative Director, Organic Tagua Jewelry:
Inspired by the skilled artisans of her coastal Ecuadorian village, Soraya Cedeno founded Organic Tagua Jewelry with a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable craftsmanship. With each piece, Tagua invites guests to connect with the unique stories behind the jewelry—a testament to her vision that transcends fashion, fostering a global movement for sustainability, social responsibility, and cultural appreciation.
Cora Spearman, CEO and Founder, Coradorables:
As the CEO and Founder of Coradorables, Cora Spearman leads a sustainably-made-in-Hawaii retail brand that encapsulates a mid-century modern, Hawaiian-infused getaway lifestyle for individuals of all ages. Motivated by the profound experiences of becoming a mother and overcoming head/neck and brain cancer, Cora channels her resilience and creativity into crafting not only vibrant and stylish fashion but also an entire sustainability-driven ethos for her company, the first and only product based certified B corporation in Hawaii.
Mary Frances Schaffer, CEO and Founder, Mary Frances:
Mary Frances, the visionary behind her self-named brand, has forged a transformative path in the fashion industry, establishing an international multi-million-dollar corporation that champions artisanal craftsmanship. With an enduring passion for embellishment and design, Mary Frances has created a brand serving as a canvas for self-expression through exquisite handbags. Drawing from her love of nature, travel and artistic influences from around the globe Mary Frances’ vibrant colors and designs, perfectly capture the essence of special moments and beautifully complement vacation-themed attire.
Jack Forster, Brand Ambassador, Citizen:
Jack Forster, a respected authority in both contemporary and historical watchmaking, has authored significant works and shared his expertise with prestigious publications like Vanity Fair, Forbes, and CNN. His interest in watches and clocks began while he was in graduate school and began to repair vintage pocket watches – usually from American manufacturers — as a hobby. Jack appreciates the compelling fusion of advanced technology and design in Citizen’s watches, fulfilling guest needs through the brand’s values of honesty, quality, overdelivering on value, making high quality design and cutting-edge technical watchmaking widely available.
Marcy Rudershausen, Senior Master of Whisky, Diageo:
As the first woman −and Latina− to be named Master of Whisky and boasting over 24 years in the whiskey industry, Marcy Rudershausen travels the world educating consumers and sales teams on whisky intricacies and diverse spirit categories. Inducted into Keepers of the Quaich —an exclusive international society to recognize, reward and celebrate those who have shown outstanding commitment to the Scotch Whiskey Industry, Marcy has served as seasoned judge at the World Whiskies Awards and World Drinks Awards.
Zak Doy, Brand Ambassador, Patron:
As part of Patrón’s iconic legacy, Zak Doy takes pride in representing a spirit brand that stands as the world’s #1 super premium tequila, embodying values dear to him—people, process, and the environment. He notes that Patrón not only offers super premium products with captivating stories but also aims to enrich the guest experience. As the most trusted and time-honored brand in the tequila world, the brand pioneered the Super Premium category, which aligns seamlessly with the premium experience guests have come to expect with Celebrity Cruises.
Immersive in-store activations will offer one-on-one interactions with the Curators, each orchestrated to be captivating and provide a unique experience for guests.
Photo Caption: Throughout 2024, the Curators of Style will lead several interactive in-store activations, connect with guests and share insights about their brands.
For more information about the Curators of Style, CLICK HERE to view bios and headshots, images of the onboard experiences and more.
About Starboard
Charting a new course in the duty-free industry since 1958, Starboard has been the world’s leading vacation retailer at sea with the purpose of curating a vibrant world for guests, cruise line partners, brand collaborators and employees. Starboard’s transformative retail elevates the experience on more than 85+ ships across 13 world-class cruise line partners: Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Resort World Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Virgin Voyages. Starboard’s dedicated Luxury Division partners with Azamara, Crystal, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Silversea, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Starboard is consistently recognized for quality and innovation by the travel industry, championing numerous awards, including DFNI-Frontier Americas Travel Retailer of the Year, Asia/Pacific Cruise Retailer of the Year, Global Cruise Retailer of the Year and Exceptional Achievement by a Cruise Retailer.
Going beyond sailing, Starboard’s sister company, Onboard Media, creates multimedia products for top companies in the travel and hospitality industry, driving brand awareness to generate sales and grow revenue. Both businesses are headquartered in Miami with additional Starboard offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Genoa, Italy.
Starboard and Onboard Media are proud to be a part of Global Travel Retail Holdings, LLC, an industry leading travel and technology-centric joint venture in partnership with Gissy Investments and LVMH.
Media Contacts
Maureen Gonzalez | FINN Partners
(954) 368-9809 | Maureen.Gonzalez@finnpartners.com
Paula Amador | Starboard Cruise Services
(786) 845-7524 | Paula.Amador@starboardretailgroup.com
