My top five: Zia Yusuf
Co-founder and CEO of Velocity Black, Zia Yusuf, picks his favourite luxury brands and products
Entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Velocity Black, Zia Yusuf walked away from a successful career at Goldman Sachs to create a luxe online concierge service for London’s rich and successful in collaboration with this childhood friend and fellow financier Alex Macdonald.
The company, initially focused on exclusive restaurant bookings, now has a turnover that represents growth of more than 1000% over the last year. This translates to more than 35,000 bookings and experiences in 60 countries for its network of HNW individuals.
Yusuf, who splits his time between London and New York, is passionate about exploring disruptive luxury and unveiling ways in which pioneering technology and human expertise can change how we consume travel and experiences.
ZIA’S FAVOURITE LUXURY BRANDS
TOM DIXON - MELT MINI PENDANTS
I am a huge admirer of British designer Tom Dixon. His Design Research Studio used a 1920s cruise liner as a visual reference for interiors at the Mondrian London Sea Containers and his innovative industrial style is on display all over London. I particularly like his Melt Pendant lighting. It has a mesmerizing melting hot blown glass effect and is translucent when on and mirror-finish when off. It’s also half-metallised to create an extraordinary optic effect.
ROLLS-ROYCE - CULLINAN
This is the debut super-luxury all-terrain SUV by Rolls-Royce and it makes luxury off-road travel a reality for the very first time. The Cullinan is a distinct diversion for the British luxury brand and is effortlessly stylish. It can also handle dramatic landscapes in all weathers with intelligence and ease.
AUDEMARS PIGUET
Audemars Piguet is a great high-end Swiss watchmaking company. I admire their sense of heritage given the company is still in the hands of its founding families.
The brand has also surpassed technical and theoretical boundaries and like us, are pioneers in their industry. The Royal Oak, which launched in 1972, was the world’s first steel-cased luxury sports watch and has been regarded as a timeless classic for decades.
OFF-WHITE X RIMOWA TRANSPARENT CARRY-ON CASE
Upscale luggage brand Rimowa and designer Virgil Abloh teamed up to create this understated transparent suitcase collection. The Off-White x Rimowa suitcase is made with polycarbonate and featured in our Velocity Black luxury collection. It includes three smaller bags to organise your belongings when you travel, plus a slick striped leather luggage tag.
TOM FORD SUNGLASSES
The American fashion design turned film director is another iconic figure that makes my shortlist. From his impeccably tailored suits and iconic eyewear to his cinematic work and eye-catching campaigns, Tom Ford is an all round creative genius. His second film, Nocturnal Animals, was brutal but beautiful.