Style Spotlight: Jess Berkin
Jess Berkin is making waves in Savannah as CBO of Left Lane Hospitality Group transforming the Mansion on Forsyth Park into the Hotel Bardo, the new luxury hot spot in town! We had the pleasure of styling Jess in her gorgeous Ardsley Park home for our latest photoshoot, showcasing some of our favorite pieces. Get to know Jess and check out the photos captured by Robin Maaya @robinbirdy below!
What lead you to your success?
Jess: Finding something I love and staying the course. I’ve been in hospitality for 15 years – I started in PR, moved into experiential marketing and later into brand development and management. Living the roles is the best way to understand them and later, manage those functions. I’ve also been fortunate to work for some exceptional leaders who later became mentors, and I look back on those experiences and try to emulate them in my own way.
What's your current TV/podcast addiction?
Honestly, I don’t do much of either. I’m always laughing with Giggly Squad.
What's one thing people don't know about you?
I grew up in Europe – Prague and London. I’ve traveled to more than 30 countries. Some of my earliest memories are in hotels, go figure.
What are three things you can't live without?
Coffee, my phone and lip balm.
What are some challenges you face in your industry and how do you overcome them?
Hospitality is a saturated space, and it can be challenging to set yourself apart while ensuring your brand is always upheld and well-maintained. I like to keep tabs on what’s happening outside of the industry (fashion, music, film) for new ideas, and pull inspiration from the hospitality brands that do it best.
What is inspiring you in life right now?
The LEFT LANE and Hotel Bardo teams inspire me every day.
Style icon?
Impossible question! Icons from 60s/70s like Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot, Bianca Jagger.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus less on what other people think and more on what makes you happy.
What is a skill you're working on mastering?
I’m working on setting better boundaries and continually striving to be a better leader. I’m also on a forever journey to master drinking more water.
What are you most excited about at this time in your life?
The highly anticipated debut of Hotel Bardo Savannah and our forthcoming lifestyle brand (announcing next year), of course! I am so unbelievable proud of these two brands and this team, and I cannot wait to share them with the world.
Thanks for reading! Follow Jess (@jessberkin) and the projects she's working on (@staybardo @saintbibiana) to keep up with the latest! And stay tuned for the opening of Hotel Bardo Savannah, coming February 2024!