Meet Adriana Lerner | Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adriana Lerner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adriana, what do you attribute your success to?
Uniqueness of its quality and design

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I have moved to the US 22 years ago. During this time, I have traveled the globe for corporate business and had the opportunity to experience many different worlds and cultures, which helped me develop a special eye for the exotic and the unique. My international career started at IBM where I spent 21 years in leadership positions in IT, Marketing, Direct / Indirect Sales and Business Development. I have joined Schneider-Electric in February, 2013 in Paris as Sr. VP of Strategy for the Buildings Division. Prior to joining Schneider-Electric I have spent six years at Tyco where I was Vice President of Global Business Development while also heading the Tyco business in Brazil. After 30 years in the corporate world, I decided I wanted to be more creative everyday while having full control of the missions I would give my support to. So I quit my last job and founded Arrivals Gate in 2015 with the mission to use my creativity while opening borders bringing traditional handmade objects into modern life. My focus since the beginning is my work with a cashmere factory in Kathmandu / Nepal that was extremely affected by the April 2015 earthquake that hit the country. They execute my cashmere shawls creations that I describe as ART in cashmere. With that, I have expanded my experience in the global business world to engage with communities while creating art. My creations explore the individuals’ desire to be unique. As a result, what could seem to be only an “accessory”, reveals itself to be what we are in the choices we make as individuals. I have created the exhibition “Unexpected Cashmere” in 2016 (first shown at Bossa Gallery, Miami Design District). In 2017, created and curated the exhibition “Take Your Art For a Walk” for Art Basel Week also at Bossa Gallery. In 2018, with photographer Eduardo Rezende, launched the series “Urban Flow” that uses the cashmere factory rejected pieces to create art in photography. I have an MBA, B. Sc., Business Administration, and B. Sc., Information Technology from Pontificia Universidade Catolica / Rio de Janeiro. Co-authored Seducao dos Modismos, Adocao Indiscriminada de Novas Praticas Gerenciais; McGraw-Hill, August/1998. This book originated from my Master thesis “The Fashion of Managerial Theories.” I serve in the City of Aventura, FL as vice-chair to city mayor on the “Arts in Public Places Advisory Board” (Sept, 2016 to today) and I am a mentor for corporate individuals and designers around the world. I am the international art correspondent for Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, responsible for the press coverage of international art fairs and major art exhibitions and collaborate with articles for their monthly editions. I often collaborates with Istituto Marangoni in Miami mentoring students and teaching how to transform a product into art. Back in 2011, I created an educational project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to teach electronic security technologies to the underserved youth and provide them with coaching and employment. The ongoing program has graduated 160 Certified Security Technicians to date. About my career transition: since what I do today is 100% related to my passions and I know I am at my sweet spot, the transition form the corporate world to the art world makes me feel I am constantly living a dream. I use a lot of my management skills from my “past” live and I make full use of my creativity into my business. Not only to create my art and products, but also to manage partnerships and business processes. My goal is to keep Arrivals Gate as a small business, independent and with a big social focus.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, describe the best spots of Miami is one of my favorite jobs 🙂 Before Art Basel that happens every December, except this year ;( I write a complete guide to Harper’s Bazaar Brazil with an itinerary of the art scene, what to visit , see and where to eat. I divide it into neighborhoods. The 2019 edition can be found at: https://harpersbazaar.uol.com.br/bazaar-art/guia-completo-da-semana-da-arte-em-miami/ And I also have an English version in PDF if you would like to read it 🙂 I live in Aventura, FL and my city is 20 minutes away from many museums and design areas of Miami. I would take my friends to visit some of the private art collections like the Margulies Collection, a visit to the BASS museum and a walk at the Miami Design District to see amazing flagship stores architecture and outdoor art. For food I always avoid the big chains. Lettuce & Tomato is my favorite restaurant near my city and Mandolin, a greek bistro, my favorite at the Miami Design District with outdoor seating. Miami also hosts The Parodi Collection that belongs to Paquita Parodi: 200 yrs of clothes and accessories collection in a private museum. A hidden gem and a must see in the city! To visit emerging artist studios I would take my best friend to the bake house. Always inspiring!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my mother, Noemia Lerner, that always executed all my design ideas since my childhood and taught me about style. To my past and current mentors that always listen and keep me on track! They never let me feel alone on this journey. And finally to my mentees from whom I also learn a lot!

Website: www.arrivalsgate.com
Instagram: arrivalsgate
Linkedin: adriana lerner adelson
Facebook: Arrivals Gate

Image Credits
Carol Machado