Current D’Ignazio Rahe, Associate Director of PR & Brand Communications for La Prairie North America, is a vibrant individual. In her personal life, she finds comfort and excitement in traveling. When it was time to marry her beloved CP, she knew immediately that Eleuthera, Bahamas, was the perfect location for their wedding. The island is a beautiful place with deep family ties and is home to her namesake: Current, Eleuthera. The event was a joyful, three-day celebration of their love, filled with the whimsy and irresistible charm of Harbour Island, creating memories that they will treasure forever.

What drew you to the communications industry?
I believe I was bound for the PR industry. When I was born my godfather wrote “May Current always be up-to-date, swift moving and high voltage.” I’ve tried to embody these words in all parts of my life including professionally. The communications industry is all these things. It’s fast moving and constantly evolving. You’re reading, writing, socializing, immersing yourself. I’d say my favorite part of the industry is getting to know and learn from so many unique, interesting, and talented individuals.

Tell us about your role at La Prairie.
I’ve been at La Prairie for 9 years. It’s been a beautiful journey and I now oversee the PR & Communications for North America. This includes media and VIP relations, brand events, artistic initiatives. La Prairie is known for its gorgeous skincare formulas, which makes my job easy but there’s much more to the brand. We support young and emerging talent who pays homage to that brand’s artistic roots. I’ve been fortunate to be introduced to incredible artists and art institutions through our local initiatives. I am always learning and feel lucky to come into contact, and work with, so many inspiring individuals. In my role I’m pushing to transform and keep the brand modern but also stay true to its heritage and luxury codes. It’s a game of balance and every day is interesting.

How did you get started with the company?
Before La Prairie I was working at a beauty and fashion PR agency. I loved the fast-paced environment, artistic photo shoots, event planning, running around the city, and meeting new people. I was on several different accounts but it was Hastens and Sensai, two established luxury brands, that really intrigued me. I would get lost in their press releases and the romanticism of their histories. I wanted to further immerse myself in this beautiful and alluring world. A friend at the New York Times told me about the open position at La Prairie and helped me submit my resume. After a few interviews, meetings (and months) I was hired. It was quite a competitive application process.

I understand the brand has been around since 1954, what is it like to work with such an established company?
La Prairie’s history dates to the 1930s and as a PR expert I get to use the rich past to communicate and market their products. There is so much pride in our Swiss brand – ingenuity, timelessness, quality, craftsmanship. Whether we’re sharing the pioneering research & development in caviar science or touting La Prairie’s intrinsic link to the cultural arts – the story behind the skin caviar cobalt blue (gifted by artist Niki de Saint Phalle); packaging design codes inspired by Bauhaus principles (form follows function). It is empowering to be a part of this type of organization. In Communications it is also important to challenge and push boundaries and imbue freshness. It’s a delicate dance. We want to remain true to the brand DNA but also evolve, elevate, and reinvent to stay at the forefront of the beauty market.

Do you have any advice for those breaking into the industry?
Find a mentor, someone you look up to. Ask questions. Listen. Be sincere. Send the hand-written note. My grandmother once told me: “Always behave like a swan– keep calm and cool on the surface but paddle like hell underneath.” It’s a competitive space but determination, a smile, and staying ambitious pays off.

Tell us about your and CP’s story. How did you meet?
The connection between us goes back to 2008 when I met CP’s brother in college. Fast forward to April 2014, it was inevitable I would meet CP on a boat cruise in New York City. There was instant attraction between us, but the stars weren’t ready to align quite yet. We remained social friends – always finding each other at birthdays and holiday parties in the city. Neither of us like to stay in one place for very long, and it wasn’t until a pandemic grounded the entire aviation industry, that CP and I revisited the repeated spark. We wined, dined, and decided to plan a ski trip to Vail and then meet up after Christmas at my family’s home in North Key Largo, FL. Things progressed quickly, and we moved in together in February 2021. CP popped the question on Memorial Day at the Ocean Reef Club.

When did you know he was the one?
There was chemistry from the day we met. When we finally started dating it just felt right like it was always meant to be. If I must pinpoint a specific time, I think it was early on in our relationship as bf/gf. We went on a daytime art date, and 5 days later I still hadn’t gone home. It was natural. I felt at ease and complete. Energized by his presence. Simply being around each other is the best. We can be traveling the world or sitting in silence in our apartment and it’s the best time. When CP finally met my parents, he fit in easily, that really solidified, what I intuitively knew already.

How did you decide on your wedding dress? Was there something specific you had in mind?
I was looking for something whimsical that would work well on the beach. My mom came to New York City and the first place we went was Lee Petra Grebenau, a cute boutique around the corner from my apartment. It was super easy, and I ended up buying the first dress I tried on. It was not your traditional wedding dress.—a 60/70s daisy fabric with beautiful appliqué throughout. We thought it fit in well with the weekend celebration theme. The dress was a custom design with a slightly fuller skirt with silk ribbon to create a nipped waist effect. Sheer but structured with a corseted bodice (complete with boning). Tapered straps. It felt romantic and feminine yet cool and modern. For my veil I went with a shorter length, which seemed more playful. The fabulous tailor, Blanca Zhuzhingo, carried the daisy applique up the straps + veil so everything looked cohesive.

Lots of thought was put into the details of the wedding, please share the length of the planning process.
This was a 10-month process. I was between two venues and once that was solidified it was off to the races. I created a fairly extensive deck/mood board, which helped all of my vendors understand the look and feel I was hoping to create. I had several work events leading up to the wedding, including Art Basel Miami Beach, an event in Aspen and Los Angeles, so it was a lot to juggle, but it was rewarding to see it all come to life and everyone having so much fun.

Were there any ideas that didn’t make the final cut?
Our dear friend and talented photographer Charles Roussel shot the wedding but I realize now that we should have had another photographer and videographer capturing additional little moments. The time goes by so fast and with 112 guests and 4 events there’s lots going on.

What was your favorite part of the wedding?
Oh, I can’t choose one. The weather was majestic. All our favorite people were there, family friend Juan Areco (who once performed alongside Carlos Santana) played the guitar with Johnny on violin. The ceremony shared the relaxed tempo of the island: its physical beauty, the beach, and the turquoise sea shining through. One of our friends married us. We had a few readings by family members from EE Cummings and Kahlil Gibran). We shared our handwritten vows and it was beautiful, sentimental, and simply perfect. I understand there was not a dry eye on the beach. After party: An outfit change and CP and I jumped into our Moke and headed to Gustys. We reunited with our friends and favorite DJ Jamal Johnson, who spun the most epic playlist. Every song was perfectly curated and the dancing was electric. The infamous Gus (of Gusty’s) sent out for burgers for all the guests. The cherry on top was in the wee hours of the morning, we watched the Lyrid meteor shower on the Pink Sands beach.

How is married life different than dating life for you and CP?
Life feels relatively the same – we’ve been jetting around, summer trips, weddings. I think it’s more of a solidified feeling now. We’re a team; an unbreakable unit. It’s a partnership and we compromise and support one another. It’s now about knowing/understanding each other’s hopes, dreams, quirks. We discuss this: setting ourselves up for the future and all that we want to accomplish and aspire to be.

What are your plans for the future?
We both enjoy our careers, traveling, making time for friends and family. I’m always planning our next social gathering. Staying active: playing tennis, squash. Staying current: checking out the latest restaurants and art exhibitions in New York City. Perhaps I’ll finally make time for my passion project Current Collective.

Where do you see yourself, professionally and personally, professionally and personally, in the next five years?
I think of everything as a long-term game. I hope to rise in the ranks at La Prairie. Perhaps expand to oversee another market. Living in New York City with a child or a dog. Balancing work/life. A country home near the water would be a nice escape.

Interview by Gabriela Gonzalez, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Mia Fyson, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
Photos by Charles Roussel

Current D’Ignazio Rahe's Wedding