2019-10-01 Robb Report

(John Hannent) #1

ROBBREPORT.COM 83


What have you done recently for the first time?
I’ve been deep-sea fishing all my life, but I recently went to Block Island^1 and
jigged my first striped bass.

What’s the most recent thing you’ve added to your collection?
I’ve just acquired a 10-foot stuffed Kodiak bear for my taxidermy collection. I
bought it from a lot, from a gentleman who ran a National Geographic museum.
Right now it’s in my garage in Westchester.

What do you most crave at the end of the day?
My family. My son, Leo, is 5 years old, and he’s the most amazing little creature in
the world. I love coming home to him at the end of the day.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
I’d like to learn how to be a motorcycle or car mechanic. I hope to God I get rein-
carnated as a grease monkey.

If you could stick at one age, what would it be and why?
The age I am now: 40. You have a strong foundation and experience in business,
in family and in life.

What do you still do that’s analog?
I listen to a lot of vinyl, and I have a really big collection of reel-to-reel tape
recordings. I also shoot and develop my own film.^2 I try to be as analog as I can.

How would you describe your look? How would others?
Eclectic. Unexpected. People expect a three-piece suit, that kind of thing—which
I used to do, back in the day. But I’m a lot more comfortable now. I’ve found a
groove. I still dress up from time to time.

Do you have a particular hotel that you return to?
Hotel Splendido in Portofino. I’ve been there a couple of times. It’s cool, very old
school.

And a restaurant you’re into right now?
There are a few, but one I love in particular is 4 Charles Prime Rib in Manhattan.
It’s really low-key—there are maybe 15 tables in the place. Great basement vibe,
wine list and fantastic food.

What’s the most recent thing you regret not buying?
Shares in Juul.^3 My brothers and I all had the opportunity to invest.

What car are you most attached to?
My 1962 Chevy Impala.^4 Motorcycle-wise, I have a ’99 Sportster 1200. I bought
that on eBay and drove all the way to Indianapolis to pick it up. That I could never,
ever sell. I love that bike.

Who’s your dealer and what do they source for you?
Mister Freedom.^5 He has an amazing collection of vintage clothes, and they do
great reproductions as well.

Do you still write letters?
I write thank-you notes. My mom taught that to me growing up, and I do it with
my son now all the time.

Bowie or Dylan?
Bowie.

3
The e-cigarette
company, which
began as the
Stanford thesis
of two former
smokers, is now
valued at $38
billion.

5
Founded by
French expatriate
Christophe Loiron
in 1990, the store
operates out of
California, offering
an extensive
collection of
vintage clothes,
books and props.

1
A 10-square-mile
isle off the coast
of Rhode Island,
Block Island
is a renowned
destination for
striper fishing,
with catches
occasionally
topping the
70-pound mark.

2
Fayed has a
background in
visual arts. Many
of his images
as mixed-media
artworks end up
on the walls of
the townhouse.

4
Sporting the
Impala’s signature
three taillights on
each side, the ’62
was known as a
boxier incarnation
than previous
models. Fayed
named his Odell.

Read the full interview online at robbreport.com/fayed.

ROBBREPORT.COM 83


What have you done recently for the first time?
I’ve been deep-sea fishing all my life, but I recently went to Block Island^1 and
jigged my first striped bass.

What’s the most recent thing you’ve added to your collection?
I’ve just acquired a 10-foot stuffed Kodiak bear for my taxidermy collection. I
bought it from a lot, from a gentleman who ran a National Geographic museum.
Right now it’s in my garage in Westchester.

What do you most crave at the end of the day?
My family. My son, Leo, is 5 years old, and he’s the most amazing little creature in
the world. I love coming home to him at the end of the day.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
I’d like to learn how to be a motorcycle or car mechanic. I hope to God I get rein-
carnated as a grease monkey.

If you could stick at one age, what would it be and why?
The age I am now: 40. You have a strong foundation and experience in business,
in family and in life.

What do you still do that’s analog?
I listen to a lot of vinyl, and I have a really big collection of reel-to-reel tape
recordings. I also shoot and develop my own film.^2 I try to be as analog as I can.

How would you describe your look? How would others?
Eclectic. Unexpected. People expect a three-piece suit, that kind of thing—which
I used to do, back in the day. But I’m a lot more comfortable now. I’ve found a
groove. I still dress up from time to time.

Do you have a particular hotel that you return to?
Hotel Splendido in Portofino. I’ve been there a couple of times. It’s cool, very old
school.

And a restaurant you’re into right now?
There are a few, but one I love in particular is 4 Charles Prime Rib in Manhattan.
It’s really low-key—there are maybe 15 tables in the place. Great basement vibe,
wine list and fantastic food.

What’s the most recent thing you regret not buying?
Shares in Juul.^3 My brothers and I all had the opportunity to invest.

What car are you most attached to?
My 1962 Chevy Impala.^4 Motorcycle-wise, I have a ’99 Sportster 1200. I bought
that on eBay and drove all the way to Indianapolis to pick it up. That I could never,
ever sell. I love that bike.

Who’s your dealer and what do they source for you?
Mister Freedom.^5 He has an amazing collection of vintage clothes, and they do
great reproductions as well.

Do you still write letters?
I write thank-you notes. My mom taught that to me growing up, and I do it with
my son now all the time.

Bowie or Dylan?
Bowie.

3
The e-cigarette
company, which
began as the
Stanford thesis
of two former
smokers, is now
valued at $38
billion.

5
Founded by
French expatriate
Christophe Loiron
in 1990, the store
operates out of
California, offering
an extensive
collection of
vintage clothes,
books and props.

1
A 10-square-mile
isle off the coast
of Rhode Island,
Block Island
is a renowned
destination for
striper fishing,
with catches
occasionally
topping the
70-pound mark.

2
Fayed has a
background in
visual arts. Many
of his images
as mixed-media
artworks end up
on the walls of
the townhouse.


4
Sporting the
Impala’s signature
three taillights on
each side, the ’62
was known as a
boxier incarnation
than previous
models. Fayed
named his Odell.


Read the full interview online at robbreport.com/fayed.
Free download pdf