Michel Adam Lisowski is an Austrian businessman and successful entrepreneur. He spent his high school years in Vienna and was granted a scholarship for Mathematics at Princeton University. Fashion was always his passion: in the early 80s, he started his first fashion business, operating a big factory producing his own brand of clothes for a big retail chain. During his time in Paris, he founded FashionTV in 1997. Today, FashionTV is a multi-media platform offering a 24/7 review of global fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
Today, Michel Adam is the president and CEO of the global 24/7 television network FashionTV. The company has become one of the most widely distributed satellite channels in the world: 31 satellite and 2,000 cable systems, with a total of 500 million households in 192 countries across the five continents. FashionTV is a multi-media platform, which includes TV channel, app, OTT and SVOD services, worldwide that provides glamorous entertainment with an emphasis on the latest fashion trends.
Have you achieved as much as you thought as a child today? Do you have sweet reminiscences of your childhood years?
I always dreamed big. My strategic thinking ability helped me to build several big companies. On the other hand, I always enjoyed what I was doing. During my high school years in Vienna, I spent a lot of time with my friends. Many of them had an international background like me.
If I would ask you to change everything in your life and create a new one what would that be?
I would do everything the same way again.
How important is family for you and what role has it played in your life?
Family is very important to me. I grew up with my mother, who always supported me, and my brother. Now, I’m a proud father of four children. My family is the centre of my life, even if I’m far away travelling.
You are the founder and owner of Fashion TV. Have you thought of expanding your businesses in other areas too?
Yes! And we did. FashionTV is more than a TV channel. FashionTV has its own fashion brand, in collaboration with action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme as well as F beverages such as F Vodka, F Prosecco, Fashion water and energy drinks and several franchise businesses like F parties, F bars, F clubs, F beauty salons and F hotels. We recently opened a fashion club in Poland, the “Fashion House”.
Can you tell us a few things about Fashion TV?
FashionTV provides access to the latest & hottest fashion trends. The globetrotting and international audiences associate the channel with luxury locations, hotels & high-class venues. It is the only TV equivalent to thousands of various fashion magazines and appeals to everyone who is interested in fashion, design, lifestyle & latest beauty trends. FTV's unique mix in production and distribution, innovative technology and distribution give the viewers a VIP access to the best available quality.
FashionTV is available in SD, HD and UHD and can be received through satellite, IP or mobile application. The F+ multi-content platform features 12 visually stunning streams with all types of themes such as Fashion weeks, Swimwear, Models, Designers, Bridal, Hair and Makeup, Fashion Men and more. The F+ app is available on the web, Apple Store, Google Play, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon TV, Roku and on many OTT platforms.
Is there fashion today and how do you see it through your own eyes?
Fashion is my passion! We express ourselves through fashion. It’s non-verbal communication that is internationally understood. Fashion is art for the eyes and my biggest incentive for most of my businesses.
This year Fashion TV turns 25. What are some of the big events you have created around the world?
FashionTV events were attended by international top models, star designers and celebrities from all around the world like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Ivanka Trump, Roberto Cavalli or Flavio Briatore. We just had the glamorous World’s excellence gala in Athens at the foot of the acropolis with FashionTV singer Ania J. Hundreds of VIP guests attended the gala which was displayed on huge video walls next to the historical sight.
What was your motivation to write and produce the film “Exodus to Shanghai”?
The project was quite a long time in my mind. I wanted to honour the Jewish people who escaped the Holocaust. A Chinese Consul called Dr. Ho helped thousands of Jews by issuing exit visas to Shanghai. The idea was to create a movie that is entertaining and honouring at the same time. “Exodus to Shanghai” premiered in 2016 at the Berlinale in Germany and was a huge success.
What’s your life motto?
Everything is possible!
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