ISABELLE VON RIBBENTROP
Isabelle von Ribbentrop is Head of London Corporate Communications at the Pictet Group. Her overall responsibilities include advertising, branding and corporate identity, film and photography, events advisory and strategic philanthropy.
Isabelle has been instrumental in the development of the Prix Pictet photography award.
Prior to joining Banque Pictet, Isabelle founded the Elisabeth von Senden Stiftung named after her deceased mother. The purpose of the foundation, the first one of its kind, is the psychological support for tumor patients. After working for the editorial office of GQ-Magazine (Condé Nast) in Madrid, she worked for J.J. Eilles GmbH & Co. KG, Munich.
Isabelle holds a BA Hons in History, Politics and Philosophy from the Humboldt University, Berlin and an MA in Imperial and Commonwealth History from King's College University, London.
If there was one piece of art you could feature in, which would it be and why?
The Artworks of Jeppe Hein (Denmark). His interactive sculptures and installations combine elements of humour with the 1970s traditions of minimalism and conceptual art.
Who inspires you and why? An artist, a family member, someone current or historical?
My grandmother, Princess Marianne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, inspires me with her way of taking photographs and capturing people in the most unforeseen situations, her sense for cooking and her pragmatic lifestyle. She is always positive, interested and cherishes every new day. Her motto is that "life is too short to worry" - if you have any worries, write them in your diary. That is probably why she is "up and running" at 97.
What are your cultural aspirations? What do you still want to see, do and achieve?
I have so many cultural aspirations - too many to list them here, but I always bear in mind that wherever I go or whatever I do, I will make the most of every opportunity and never take anything for granted. I am grateful for everything and everybody I meet.
What are your favourite cultural cities in the world and why?
I don't have any favourite cultural city in the world. Every city has its own speciality, advantages and virtues. You just need to look out for them and absorb them.
What are you up to at the moment and where can we find it?
At the moment I am fundraising for the Elisabeth von Senden Stiftung (foundation) www.evs-stiftung.de. Another cause that is important to me is to reach global awareness through the images and the message of the Prix Pictet, the world's first sustainable photography award.