HYLAND
What do people not know about you?
I'm very private. Even though I love to entertain and have
some sort of reputation for being a host, I am innately
shy.
You are well-known for being a wonderful host. Is
hosting a means of finding clients?
I don't think I've acquired any
clients socially. I really don't. I
think its part of my persona, I like
the cross-pollination of people.
If I had wanted to remain in a
"country club" atmosphere I
would have remained where
I came from [Johannesburg].
It was an elite kind of society.
That's the beauty of New York,
an absolutely extraordinary
cross section of cultures and
personalities, which I embrace.
I have friends who criticize me
constantly, although kindly,
'why mix the social strata?'
I don't want to be only a part
of a selective group of people, I don't want to limit
myself. I heard recently, and I'm paraphrasing, "the soul
needs space." I really identify with that. You don't want
to be told what to do, and who to be with, and who to
have around you. I would simply dry up. It would cut off
all of the creativity in me.
Geoffrey Bradfield and Debbie Bancroft
