DUTIFUL DYNASTY

While Christiane Brunk, fourth-generation managing director of Braun Büffel, was never pressured to break into the business, she was compelled to make a difference through the company, observes Samantha Lim

Entering the family business was not Christiane Brunk’s knee-jerk response. “It was only by accident that I joined the family business,” she reveals. “The company was introducing new software and my father, being unfamiliar with the technology, asked if I could support him.” Today, she is thankful that he had thought to ask her. “It was a very good decision, as I discovered my close links to the family business. After a few weeks I realised that maybe I would like to stay longer. I have now been with the company for 25 years.” When asked how many children are part of her brood, Christiane candidly replies, “Besides Braun Büffel? Just one! At the moment, Lina is interested in photography and social media. I had a discussion with my father and said, ‘Now I can better understand how you felt when approaching me to aid the family business.’ Somehow, I’ve found myself in the same situation. For example, with regard to new media, I have difficulty understanding the difference between Instagram and Snapchat!” The room guffaws at this but she simply beams. “It’s good to have a young one who can explain things a bit better.” Braun Büffel figuratively blew out 130 candles on its birthday cake this year, but despite its seniority, the luxury leathergoods brand is doing plenty to stay spry. Far from a Luddite, the brand welcomes evolution and new partnerships, particularly if it brings about impactful change. The year 2014

BLOOM & BLOSSOM Tattoo artist Lynda Chean chose botanical aesthetics for her figurine to allude to the fact that “children are the seeds of our future”