When jetsetters plan their next getaway, they expect the crème de la crème of the five star experience. The Mediterranean is a perennial favourite; with sleek yachts on cerulean waters, sumptuous seafood dinners al fresco, and endless options for a decadent nightlife. But wealth alone does not ensure access to the exclusive playground on the Med. From beach clubs, to nightlife, to all the best events, Mr Mirko Negri is the name to know. He is the puppet master of La Dolce Vita, and pulls the strings to the lavish lifestyle in this uber-exclusive scene.

Mirko Negri is currently based in Sardinia, where he is strategic consultant for the luxury five-star resort 7Pines. Having overseen the opening of Cone Club – the resorts enticing new beach bar and restaurant – he is dedicating his summer to ensuring its success. Mr Negri’s instrumental role in running some of the world’s best beach clubs, has paved a path he now hopes Cone Club will walk. Describing his projects as a ‘pregnancy’, he is fully committed to guaranteeing the highest of experiences for his guests. Mirko’s valuable insight and well-earned connections promise to set the seal on this.

WHO IS MIRKO NEGRI?

‘Because it keeps me alive’. These were the words Mirko Negri used to describe his unfaltering dedication to a career in entertainment. This perhaps is an indication of how the former managing partner of Nikki Beach Global has invested himself to the development of his projects. At the ripe age of 13, Mr Negri understood the importance of captivating the masses. Having set up a local radio channel with friends in Italy, he recalls a realisation within himself as having found his life’s mission. One that would have him engage, immerse, and delight others. With an enriching and reputable career, it is clear he has been successful in reaching these goals in more ways than one.

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

The World of celebrities, red carpets, and film premiers is one most people merely sample through the screens of their TV’s. Mr Negri speaks humbly of his realities within this field. Having founded the Stella Events company over 20 years ago, he has overseen some of the most culturally significant events in Venice and Milan. ‘It was a natural consequence of what I was doing at the time whilst managing partner of Nikki Beach Worldwide.’ They partnered with Jaeger LeCoultre, the sponsor for the Venice Film Festival, and created the infamous Nikki Beach & Jaeger LeCoultre terrace. ‘For many years it has been the most important luxury lifestyle event during the Venice Film festival.’ Celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Al Pacino, Sting, and Spike Lee are just a drop in the ocean of household names that attended.

For the 79^th Venice Film Festival, Mirko is looking forward to hosting Human Posology, an event set to encompass elements of the film festival, art Biennale, and Premio Campiello – the most important literary award. ‘I will have an exhibition and three days of shooting at Palazzo Doná dalle Rose, the ancient building, where we will organise a super glam 10-day event.’

WORKING IN SARDINIA

When asked about Sardinia, Mirko speaks fondly of his memories as a child. Piling into a station wagon with his family and two dogs, he spent annual summers of fun on the island that he now welcomes guests to. ‘I have had the opportunity to work all over the world. I left twelve years ago, and for every single year I was gone, I was missing Sardinia.’ Painting a picture of the sun setting as the moon rises, his love for the Islands magic is infectious.

NIKKI BEACH SARDINIA

Much like his own journey of finally circling back to Italy, Mirko Negri describes the evolution of luxury beach clubs as a 360 degrees circle. When Nikki Beach opened, its capacity to combine music, dinner, fashion, and culture, was ground-breaking in the industry. Having established itself as the first real luxury beach club, it was a catalyst for the development of its kind. Mirko expresses his gratitude to the Penrod family, whom he credits his valuable knowledge regarding this topic to.

EVOLUTION OF LUXURY BEACH CLUBS

As he reminisces over his time with Nikki Beach in Sardinia, Mr Negri speaks highly of its effortless elegance. Featuring natural materials such as wood, the beach club wore white alongside colours of the ocean, their intention being ‘to reflect nature and the great environment, in a polite rock and roll kind of way’. Unfortunately, over the last twenty years, the humility and class at the core of this concept has, in many beach clubs, deteriorated.

PHI BEACH SARDINIA

CONE CLUB SARDINIA

It is fitting that it be Cone Club Sardinia to reunite Mirko with his roots in Italy, as the beach club too, in his words, ‘is going back to the roots’. The new flagship has been purposefully designed to complement its natural landscape, with wooden architecture and an outdoor-only concept. Whilst it exudes a laid-back atmosphere, Cone Club simultaneously manages to capture the essence of absolute luxury.

The beach bar and restaurant offer services that continue from day to night. Bikinied bodies stretch across day beds, followed by silhouettes of dining couples. At night, guests can dance under the stars, as the Club skilfully unites the concepts of night life, beach clubs, and restaurants into one. Situated in Bahia Sardina and near Porto Cervo, the jetsetter magnet, Mirko looks forward to welcoming guests for a summer in Sardinia; ‘it’s going to be a blast.’

CHARITY WORK

Mr Negri and his fountain of wisdom, extends far beyond the perimeters of luxury beach clubs and parties. For over twenty years he has worked with Anffas Onlus; Italy’s international volunteering organization who seek to support people and families struggling with intellectual/relational disabilities. He hopes to continue this work for as long as possible, which has instilled an empathy he otherwise may not have known. It is clear his leadership skills are based on respect and positivity, and he carries this through to all of his projects.

When filtering through the endless possibilities for a means to temporarily escape, the magnitude of choice can be somewhat overwhelming. So when searching for somewhere to let your hair down on the med – from partying, to relaxing, to all the top events, – Mr Mirko Negri, with his Italian passion and inspiring work ethic, is certainly the only man for job.