American Express Essentials
Nine years of columns and features on culture, travel, and personal growth
Essentials is American Express’s monthly online magazine for a young, urban audience, attracting between three and four million views per month.
From 2015 to 2024, Starry Sky Director Livia Formisani wrote a regular column for the magazine entitled Challenge Yourself, in which she explored new hobbies, sports, and art classes — and shared her experiences. In addition to the column, she contributed numerous articles, primarily in the Culture, Lifestyle, and Travel sections.
Column: Challenge Yourself
In 2017, Livia Formisani was offered a regular column in American Express Essentials, titled Challenge Yourself. Aware of her passion for trying new hobbies, the editors invited her to explore a wide range of activities — from art courses and sports to creative pursuits — and report on them. The result was a whirlwind of adventures and personal growth, from expressionist dance to goldsmithing, aikido to mosaic-making, all written in the first person.
Interviews and Articles on Culture and Lifestyle
Livia Formisani also contributed a wide range of articles to Essentials, primarily in the Culture, Lifestyle, and Travel sections. These included interviews with numerous artists and notable figures, such as Alain de Botton, Roman Mars, and Zaria Forman.
