Allegra Lorenzotti, the brand director at ASH hotels, is one of those people you pass on the sidewalk in New York and think, “why is everyone in this city so cool?” I’ve long admired her taste: in fashion, design, photography, food and very specifically, olives. Which is why I’m not surprised by how much I loved this interview.

What do you want to read next?

Cliché, but I still haven’t read “I Regret Almost Everything” by Keith McNally, and it feels overdue. Given my proximity to hospitality, I’m honestly a little embarrassed I haven’t gotten to it yet. I love a sharp, opinionated industry memoir, and he’s obviously built such a notoriously singular point of view.

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

The ‘90s Jil Sander ads. I come back to them constantly. They’re quiet but severe, minimal but emotional. When everyone was doing more, she was doing less. The casting, the light, the negative space. Nothing extra, nothing apologetic. These ads still find themselves in everyone’s moodboards and somehow I never tire of them.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

It’s winter and absolutely freezing in New York in case you haven’t heard haha. The only thing guaranteeing my warmth is Uniqlo HeatTech. Not glamorous, but essential.

On the opposite end of the spectrum: I’m completely obsessed with the Noma mushroom garum. It’s this strange, deeply savory umami liquid that makes everything taste better — eggs, vegetables, even just a vinaigrette. It feels slightly witchy and I love that.

“I’m thinking about my home in a very personal way. I want to be obsessed with every single piece I let in.”

Best gift you’ve ever given or received?

My best friends commissioned a pair of custom stools by Minjae Kim for my birthday. They’re incredibly special — sculptural but playful. I recently moved, so now I’m in the process of finding the exact right place for them. I love living with pieces that carry memory and deep meaning.

What do you do in your alone time?

I walk. A lot. Sometimes aimlessly, sometimes with one destination in mind (a gallery, a new shop, a specific sandwich), but I always try to take a different route to get there. I like noticing new buildings, textures and good ole NYC signage. I also love a good sauna. Schvitz resets everything.

What’s a movie or TV series you tell everyone to watch?

"Industry." I’ve been loyal since day one, one of the few who was hooked from the very beginning. In my opinion, it’s some of the best writing on TV. The characters are messy and sharp and deeply human. Knowing the creators makes it even sweeter to watch everyone finally catch up to how good it is.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

“When people show you who they are, believe them.”

Any songs or albums on repeat?

I’ve been completely hooked on Everything But the Girl lately. Especially Driving (Masters at Work Remix). There’s something about it that makes me want to walk through the city at night. I also have been coming back to a lot of Peter Gabriel.

What super specific thing are you obsessing over lately?

I recently moved house and truly all I do is scroll Facebook Marketplace, LiveAuctioneers and deep Instagram saves. But I’m thinking about my home in a very personal way. I want to be obsessed with every single piece I let in.

Right now, interiors feel so copy-and-paste and trend-driven. I want more mess. More individuality. I want to feel the person in the room.

At the beginning of the year, I went to a small American Folk Art design fair with my dear friend William and found a Tramp Art box I couldn’t leave without. Since then I’ve fallen down a complete rabbit hole on American Tramp Art – the hand-carved repetition, the devotion, the slightly obsessive quality. It feels soulful and unpolished in a way I really love.

What are you working on right now and why?

I run Brand at Ash Hotels across the entire portfolio. We currently own and operate four properties: Hotel Peter and Paul in New Orleans, The Siren Hotel in Detroit, Neptune in Providence, Hotel Ulysses in Baltimore.

We have some exciting openings coming up, including Shenandoah Mansions in Richmond, plus new restaurant concepts at existing properties.

Mémère’s at Hotel Neptune in Providence, Rhode Island – “a love letter to matriarchal kitchens” by Ash Hotels

I’m also keeping my side project, Send Olives, alive and growing. Personally, I’m constantly looking for ways to connect good people to each other, stay inspired, and get better at saying no so I can focus on what actually matters. ⚘