An interview with Swann Hostein, the creator of CANDID, exploring the premium yacht hospitality focused on the Principality's finest artisans, delivering a Monaco Grand Prix with genuine local flavor.

Swann grew up in Monaco, and her deep connection to the Principality shapes every aspect of her work. Through CANDID she has created one of the most thoughtfully designed hospitality programs during Grand Prix week - a luxury yacht offering with prime views of the track that highlights the artisans, chefs, distillers and producers from Monaco and the nearby Riviera. We spoke with her about staying true to place, celebrating craft, and the thoughtful details that turn race week into something distinctly local.

How would you describe growing up in Monaco?

It is both unusual and delightful. The community is tight-knit, everyone knows one another, walking is the norm, and the sea is never far away. That closeness often surprises outsiders. For locals, Monaco is more than the glamorous image seen worldwide. It is simply home, complete with familiar bakeries, neighbors, and childhood haunts. The Grand Prix has long been part of daily life here, with engines reverberating through the streets and the city undergoing its annual transformation. It is simply part of the local rhythm.

When did you begin to reconsider hospitality and what an authentic Grand Prix week could offer?

It started from within the industry. After several years working in F1 hospitality before launching CANDID, I observed a clear pattern. Most guest experiences during this period, from yachts to terraces and the brands served, are brought in from elsewhere. Many operators arrive in May, operate briefly, and depart. The drinks tend to be familiar global names. Nothing is wrong with that approach, yet little of it reflects the actual location. The concept developed through ongoing discussions with my business partner Kirill Logachev, who brings more than a decade of experience in Formula 1 hospitality and events globally. We kept returning to one idea: Monaco's own makers, tastes, and people deserved a stronger presence in the Grand Prix experience.

Can you explain how CANDID came about?

It grew from genuine affection. Monaco is small yet home to a remarkable group of chefs, distillers, designers and start-ups who produce exceptional work in limited quantities because they care deeply. These individuals sit at the core of CANDID. When guests board the yacht, the gin, beer, sunscreen and food all communicate something real about the setting. In essence, it serves as a seasonal expression of the Principality itself.

Building such an experience requires careful attention and patience.

It does, and it remains the most rewarding part of the process. We visit producers, sample their offerings, hear their stories and develop lasting connections. The chef we partner with ranks among the most inventive talents on the French Riviera, celebrated for his lively, colorful dishes and fresh Mediterranean approach. All items served are small-batch and created with genuine respect for ingredients and the surrounding environment. These partnerships develop through months of dialogue. It is deliberate, enjoyable and precise work.

For someone new to watching the Grand Prix from a harbor yacht, what can they expect?

Picture arriving by private tender as engines hum in the distance. A glass of champagne is offered during the crossing. Once aboard, you sit inside the circuit, near enough to sense the cars. The day unfolds with a relaxed Mediterranean lunch, natural conversation, and as evening arrives the deck shifts to a calmer mood with music, sunset views and an aperitivo of carefully made local specialties. Across the weekend three distinct moods emerge: Friday's building excitement, Saturday's qualifying tension and Sunday's sense of release, all enjoyed from the same refined spot on the water.

Your background includes fashion design. Does that shape CANDID?

It influences both values and visual choices. I operate my own fashion label, and what attracted me to that field was an appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity and intentional decisions. Those same principles guide CANDID. Our guiding principles emphasize curiosity, attention to detail and the value of celebrating what makes things different. The artisans we collaborate with share this outlook. They work slowly and in limited runs because they value their creations. When a project brings together people who hold these beliefs, guests sense the coherence even if they cannot name the reason.

What direction do you see for CANDID going forward?

The Monaco Grand Prix offers an exceptional platform. Visitors fill the harbor for several days each year, and CANDID acts as a gathering place where the Principality's creative community can meet that audience, including founders, collectors and companies entertaining important guests. The broader ambition extends beyond the event: supporting these small Monaco brands as they expand together internationally. The wider benefit to the entire community is what motivates me most.

Finally, what feeling do you hope guests carry with them when they leave the yacht on Sunday evening?

That they truly experienced Monaco. That they sampled it, connected with it and feel drawn to return, for the destination itself as much as the racing. The most lasting memories are always candid.