The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein

For four decades, this New York designer has changed the hotel game, turned restaurants into must-see destinations, impacted the daily life of cities, and brought a sense of style and ingenious spectacle to Broadway. On this episode, Dan speaks with the Tony Award–winning David Rockwell about his teenage years growing up in Mexico, some of his groundbreaking projects like the original Nobu, the st...

It’s the city so well-designed, they named it twice: New York, New York. On this special episode sponsored by Ann Sacks, Dan speaks with four leading figures in his hometown’s design scene to explore the trends, movements, hotspots, and personalities that make Gotham the beating heart of the design world, including Alexandra Cunningham Cameron, a curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Mu...

There’s a new generation of jewelry designers that is bringing back artistry, narrative, and a sublime sense of luxury. On this episode (with some guidance from Levi Higgs, influencer and Head of Archives and Brand Heritage at David Webb), Dan speaks with two emerging talents: Emmanuel Tarpin, a French wunderkind known for turning his love of nature into one-of-a-kind, high jewelry pieces; and New...

Modernistic floating cubes placed in deconsecrated churches, marble stools shaped like plastic ones, and storage spaces retrofitted into stunning galleries: The creations of designer Massimiliano Locatelli are the epitome of Italian cool. On this episode, Dan speaks with the sharp-tongued architect about his stunning portfolio, and his new line of furniture created from a lifetime of wild experien...

On this special episode sponsored by Lumens, Dan meets three extraordinary studios in the field of design: British upstart Tom Massey uses radical materials and a sustainable approach to his gardens; Brooklyn and Athens–based duo Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis of Objects of Common Interest create spaces and objects that defy convention (but don’t call them “Instagrammable”); and Venice-bas...

A towering figure in postmodern dance, Lucinda Childs has injected an elegant spirit of collaboration, artistry, and whimsy to the artform. On this episode, Dan speaks with the legendary choreographer on her days learning from the likes of Tanaquil Le Clercq and Merce Cunningham, creating her groundbreaking performances with Philip Glass and Sol LeWitt, and the time a severe injury almost ended he...

Gadgets, accessories, furniture, computers, and even robots: In recent memory, the language of good design has been shaped and driven by Yves Béhar, founder of Fuseproject. On this episode, Dan speaks with the Swiss-born impresario on his early career with Frog Design, what motivated some of his most famous projects like One Laptop Per Child, what he thinks about A.I. and the housing crisis, and h...

Country homes squeezed into wedges, cars that look like they’ve been inflated like a balloon, and sculptures created by ordinary people interacting with quotidian objects—the works of Austrian artist Erwin Wurm defy expectations. On this episode, Dan speaks with the smartly subversive talent about his famed One Minute Sculptures, how the Red Hot Chili Peppers were inspired by his oeuvre, and how a...

A household name in food and fine dining, Eric Ripert has elevated seafood to new heights with his legendary New York restaurant Le Bernardin. On this episode, Dan and the maestro speak about his upbringing in the tiny principality of Andorra, how he cut his teeth in the demanding kitchen of Joël Robuchon, his fond memories of Anthony Bourdain, how his Buddhist faith keeps him grounded, his latest...

This artistic icon is something of a graphic design daredevil. Or perhaps a prophet. Through his wildly inventive works, he challenges conventions and communicates ideas that can alter the way we perceive society. On this episode, Dan speaks with the legendary creative on his latest book, “Now Is Better,” why he’s much happier than his documentary, “The Happy Film,” suggested he is, and reflects o...

This American artist not only creates beautiful things, but also beautiful communities. Through his groundbreaking installations, sculptures, performances, and public programs, he preserves the past and translates it into meaningful experiences for the present. On this episode, Dan speaks with the Chicago-based visionary on the power of ceramics, how the Black experience shapes his work, how he ca...

In the world of collectible design, Nikolai and Simon Haas have forged their own path to success by creating everything from sofas with monstrous feet and alien-looking sculptures to adorable porcelain tea sets. On this episode, Dan speaks with the Los Angeles–based brothers on their meteoric rise to fame, how Tobey Maguire and a highway accident factor into their unlikely origin story, and how th...

If there’s one magazine that truly sets the standard for excellence in design, it’s Architectural Digest . On this episode, Dan speaks with Amy Astley, the title’s Editor-in-Chief, about how she broke into magazines, her years at Vogue , breaking boundaries by launching its spinoff Teen Vogue , her thoughts about taste in the Instagram era, and the importance of embracing the new to stay relevant....

Designer, artist, iconoclast—Gaetano Pesce has been a creative force for more than 50 years. Celebrating his legacy in a new book, “The Complete Incoherence,” the Italian-born legend chats with Dan about the most important muses of his life, how he predicted the limited edition object, the meaning behind his imaginative work, and his absolute favorite New York restaurant. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Few jewelry houses can match the elegance and craftsmanship of Van Cleef & Arpels. On this episode, Dan speaks with the brand’s president and CEO, Nicolas Bos, from its headquarters in the heart of Paris. The pair discuss the origins of the house and its famed Mystery Set, the emergence of gender-neutral attitudes in the field, and the executive’s undying love for the film "Barbarella." Hosted...

Stylists have more creative cache than ever before—now often acting as tastemakers, designers, creative directors, and even artists. On this episode, Dan speaks with three talents from the worlds of fashion, food, and interiors to discuss their inventive and unpredictable careers: Alastair McKimm, editor-in-chief of the respected fashion magazine i-D ; Laila Gohar, an artist who uses food as her m...

Designer, educator, visionary: Toshiko Mori is one of the most respected names in architecture today. On this episode, Dan and the award-winning talent and professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (and the former chair of Harvard’s Department of Architecture) chat about her influential projects in remote regions of Senegal, breaking barriers for women in the profession, her early memories...

All jewelry can sparkle, but the unique and often fantastical haute joaillerie by the German house of Hemmerle is a cut above. On this episode, Dan speaks with Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, the dynamic couple and the fourth generation to run the brand from its headquarters in Munich. The trio discuss the company’s storied legacy as a supplier to the Vatican and the Bavarian court, how it elevates...

On this special episode sponsored by Lumens, Dan meets three extraordinary emerging talents in the field of design: South Africa's Zizipho Poswa shares her memories of the women who raised her and inspired her bronze sculptures; Mexico's Fernando Laposse explains the impact of agriculture on his materially minded works; and Belgium-based Linde Freya Tangelder chats about how she walks freely betwe...

Since the 1970s, Alberto Alessi has been a trailblazer in the world of product design, working with a roster of all-star talents to produce legendary items for his family’s company, Alessi. On this episode, Dan speaks with Alberto about the time he partnered with Salvador Dali, his creations by the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh, and why it’s bad for designers to have a style. Hosted on Acast....

Style, home, and food guru Athena Calderone has everyone buzzing. On this special call-in episode, Athena opens up about her career and answers burning questions from some of the leading names in her Rolodex, including Aurora James, Jason Wu, Jenna Lyons, Missy Robbins, Andre Mellone, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Austrian capital is a place with history around every corner, where layers of cultural complexity create an environment that endlessly rewards exploration. On this episode, Dan talks with hoteliers, curators, museum directors, and creatives who are upholding the legacy of a city bursting with art, design, music, and culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this season finale of the podcast, Dan shares an on-air meal with Gabriel Hendifar, artistic director of the acclaimed lighting and furniture brand Apparatus. Over various courses corresponding to phases of the impresario’s life, the two discuss the genesis of his growing company, the rule-breaking events he’s thrown, and why he’s going through a midlife epiphany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Some power players in architecture and design have outsized impacts on the built environment that will last for generations. On this episode, Dan speaks with real estate developer Harry Macklowe about some of the biggest deals in this legend’s career, how he got Steve Jobs to build the original Apple Store glass cube, his love of Art Deco and mid-century modern, and his latest project: One Wall St...

Style icon and philanthropist doesn’t begin to accurately describe this very special guest on the podcast. On this episode, Dan and Deeda speak at her home about everything from her years abroad with her ambassador husband and her extensive years in fundraising to her new book that gives an intimate glimpse into the ultimate well-lived life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...