Arnaud Vaissie may profit from others’ misfortune, but he built International SOS solely to ensure their safety.

Vaissie runs medical and security services mega-firm International SOS. His $1.1 billion company operates in 70 countries. More than 80 of the Fortune Global 100 companies are his clients. Its alarm centres handle eight calls a minute. On average, two evacuations are conducted every hour.

But for someone who seemingly thrives on disaster, Vaissie is actually irenic at heart. “Strangely enough, the more organised the world, the better we are,” he says. “We are organised to deal with chaos but we wish as peaceful a world as we can have.”

Vaissie says, “We’re creating this new industry, [one] that offers corporations a complete rethink of their duty of care, and the way they deal with medical and security issues for all their employees worldwide.”

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak, there wasn’t an existing way to isolate the infected to protect caregivers. But Vaissie wouldn’t take no for an answer. As a result, the rapid development and creation of a machine, called the Portable Medical Isolation Unit, was “a fabulous example” of the spirit of innovation Vaissie is proud to have in the company’s DNA.

Vaissie has high regard for Singaporeans. The company has dual-headquarters: one in London, and the other, in Singapore. Recently, the group’s holding company relocated here too. “We feel that Singapore is the right place,” he tells me. “It’s an ideal location. [Here], we find the expertise, the infrastructure, and the mindset of a platform interested in the world out there. Singapore and International SOS share the same lot: that we will survive through international expansion.”

Manhattan-based consultant Alan Rohwer has worked with the Versace empire and Donatella herself for the last 20 years. He is a consulting stylist for the brand’s home furniture business, Versace Home. Among his projects include a beachfront house on Sentosa Cove, which incidentally belongs to the founder of Da Vinci Home Gallery, which carries the Italian brand’s furnishings. The Peak catches up with the style master and asks for his top five redecorating tips.

Add a dash of colour
Rohwer believes that homeowners should experiment with colours around the house. From the wall dressing to the fabric of the sofa and furniture, the use of different hues and textures can help change the feel of a room. “Don’t be afraid of colour,” he says.

Let there be light
“Lighting is essential,” Rohwer asserts. It’s the last thing that most people think about. Lighting can change the mood of a room. You can actually create real emotions with lights.

Be at ease
According to Rohwer, furniture and the interior design must be practical and cosy. “Comfort is key. If a room looks cold, it’s going to be impersonal,” he says.

Yin and Yang
“Use plants, not cut flowers,” he professes. Rohwer believes that having real plants in the room helps create a harmony amongst the living and non-living objects: “Furniture was once a living thing. They were trees if they are chairs; animals if you use leather.”

It’s in the details
Be it the silverware you use or the food you serve, it’s the minute details that can set your home apart, reveals the home styling guru. “It’s the little things, but it’s the big difference.”

Exclusivity can only be achieved through customisation. Here’s a guide to everything custom-made. Let your imagination run wild.

AT WORK

Porcelain
Spanish specialists Lladro can mould a mini-you in the kiln if money is no object. While the factory can accede to any design, the founding family must approve the final masterpiece if you want their name on the sculpture.

Pen
Handcrafted pens from Caran d’Ache can be made with your original design and your favourite material.

Car
Part of the exclusive Rolls-Royce experience is being able to customise your very individualised ride. Designers will work with you to incorporate your personal insignia or special grain of wood veneer.

Furniture
Engage Saporiti Italia to create designer furniture specifically for your physique. It’s all handmade in Italy with the highest quality material and you can even buy the rights to the design.

Briefcase
Create your dream bag with Hermes, who can create a one-off piece just for you. It’s not just the colours or trims that you get to choose. The designers can come up with innovative concepts and solutions that suit your exceptional demands.

AT HOME

Camera
Leica offers two film-based cameras in their Ala Carte programme. Choose from over 4,000 configurations to personalise your M7 or MP camera: colour of the lens cap, leather trim and layout of the controls. And you can even engrave your signature on the body of the camera.

Watch
Watch brands like Vacheron Constantin and Azimuth are able to create a single, exclusive timepiece just for you. With the former, in a bid to preserve its brand image your design must pass the scrutiny of a panel of specialists. If you want something wilder, the smaller atelier may be the better option.

Shoes
When the words “bespoke” and “shoes” appear next to each other, French boot maker Berluti immediately comes to mind. But be prepared to hold your breath for months — or even a year — for your handmade shoes to be delivered.