ㅤ

— How did Imperia begin, and what was the original idea or inspiration behind creating this universe?

— Imperia came to me like a goddess in a dream. I’ve always been fascinated by New Year’s Eve and the adrenaline, the sparkles, the belief in a fresh start. I wanted that feeling all year.

During lockdown, when connection felt impossible, I imagined a world where people could meet again freely, beautifully, sensually. Inspired by Parisian salons of the 1920s, and as soon as Covid restrictions were gone, I created the first Imperia event as a place where elegance, performance, intimacy, and transformation exist together.

Something like this was missing in Berlin, a place where one could still feel special, elegant, and at the same time witness the arts of the moment and the performances that shape us. We are once again in the tumultuous ’20s, with wars and crises burning; Imperia is an entity that saves us.

Imperia was born from my desire to give hope and magic to people through connection, sparkles, fireworks, dancing, sensuality (a very important topic- sensuality and taboo must be a cure, not a taboo), champagne showers, dreaming out loud, and feeling like kings and queens.

I started Imperia alone with a few savings but with very clear ideas of the vision, without any investment. To this day, it remains so. I’m happy to call Imperia not only my family but also my child, my kingdom, my only living hope in a world that’s burning. I’m its mother and as a mother, my responsibility is to take care not only of my crew and dancers, but also of my audience.

I give people a safe and enchanting place, and every time we unite, I give them that magical NYE feeling, that feeling that after midnight a new world is possible, and finally, thanks to Imperia, it is.

— How would you describe Imperia’s identity today? What defines the brand and its energy?

— Passion, extravagance, beauty, and infinity.

We run entirely on passion from concept to execution. Imperia is bohemian luxury, respect for art and performance, champagne rituals, sensuality, and freedom. Our brand stands for extravaganza, bohemian luxury, love. We do always come and expect the audience to come dressed in their most elegant outfits and drink champagne. We do so because we want our temple and our artists to receive the respect and care they have always desired. Our energy and passion make people aware how important it is unite, to feel seen, heard, respected, to feel beautiful, to feel wild and extravagant, to dance in the middle of the people wet with champagne, to connect with strangers, to perform and to be entertained at the same time. It’s truly a magical and mystical movement what we’re doing.

— What is your personal vision behind creating immersive nightlife experiences, and what keeps you inspired?

— I feel it’s my task and mission. The nightlife has always been seen as a place of escape and I’ve spent years and years working in it. With Imperia I do not want it to be just an escape, I want the nights spent with us to be an ‘’arrival’’. What inspires me the most are the shiny eyes of people who truly feel this vision. We have so many performers who find a home at last inside of Imperia and we have audiences and so many regulars who keep coming back each time as though they are returning to their family home, which is what we are.

I’m inspired by the shine in people’s eyes, by performers who find belonging, by audiences who return like family. Sensuality is also central - desire is natural, artistic, healing. Through a mix of classical, burlesque, drag, pole, tango, and erotic performance, we help people rediscover themselves.

— Who is the core team behind Imperia, and how do they shape the creative direction and execution of each event?

— Imperia’s heart is composed of a small core: myself, Gaetano Formisano (stage manager and creative producer), Jacky Lu (burlesque performer and creative producer), and Camilla Cardin (costume designer, decorator, and creative producer).

These four form the essence of Imperia. As ambitious as each event can be with new themes and new performances, this core team makes everything happen. They say family businesses are always the strongest, and Imperia is once again the proof of that.

Alongside us, Imperia works with around 25 artists, dancers, and behind-the-scenes personalities who ensure that everything is executed to top perfection. Only once everything is perfect and wild do we pop our first bottle and let the confetti fill our hearts.

We put our whole souls into the productions, and our biggest wish is to feel our audience alive and to give them new hope for life.

— Looking back, what have been the most memorable or defining Imperia moments so far?

— Each event is more memorable, more magical, more extravagant than the last. But no one ever forgets the magic of the very first one.

When I first opened Imperia, it was just me, a few dancers, and a huge dream. I had not yet met the core professional team I have today. It was me, my intensity, my power, my dreams - pushing everything to where we are now. And here we are.

Now I have a family, and each event becomes more memorable because it’s a dream, a void, a fever, a new galaxy.

The grand finale moments when the champagne pops, the whole crew is on stage, the audience is standing and clapping, the crew hugging and crying, the euphoria in the air - these are the moments I live for.

Another unforgettable moment is the epic “Five minutes until we open doors.” This is when all the work is done: the concept, the marketing, the sales, the rehearsals, the costumes. The whole crew is hyped and already in costume, ready to open the doors to the other dimension. Our audience is lining up outside, the expectation is rising, this rush of adrenaline is incomparable. Nothing compares to this, not even the biggest orgasm.

— What inspired this year’s theme, the “Golden Gods Gala,” and why does it feel right for this moment?

— I feel that 2025 has been a year of self-love  not only for me but for everyone I know. A year of realizations, eliminations, growth, boundaries, challenges, and discovering the magic power inside ourselves without depending on anyone else.

We want to end this year with an homage to this feeling, and the best way is for everyone to understand: YOU ARE YOUR OWN GOD AND YOU ARE GOLDEN.

If you are strong enough to face life on your own and if you can love yourself, you can create miracles. In a world burning with addictions and toxicity, the last thing we need is religion inside Imperia the only religion is love, and the only God is your own self.

— Why is the Marmor Bar the perfect location for this edition, and how does its history influence the atmosphere?

— This epic venue has seen a lot of history. Its buildings are filled with stories, ghosts, and unforgettable moments. Its floors hold unique happenings, secret corners, and untold tales.

We are here to continue the epic history of a mansion only truly known by Gods. The moment you enter its doors, you are transported not only back in time but also into the future, the present moment, and beyond.

This mansion has lived many lives  once the legendary Chalet of Berlin nightlife, and before that a 19th-century tax administration house. Now we have transformed it into a pleasure home of dreams where we forget about taxes at least for one night.

Rumor has it that long ago it may have been an orphanage, but that is a story only known by ghosts and Gods. And in December, none of us is an orphan anymore - we are all family inside Imperia.

— What makes this Gala unique compared to previous Imperia events creatively, visually, or emotionally?

— Our Golden Gala  this year dedicated to Gods is our signature December event, the ceremony that closes the year in epic majesty.

It is more imperial, more extravagant, and it marks the beginning of the New Year celebrations. We start on the 19th and continue until January 1st and beyond.

This is the event where we thank our partners, affiliates, members, and everyone who keeps Imperia alive. It’s a majestic celebration, a wonderland of extravaganza where finally there is no tomorrow.

Each Imperia event is extravagant and unique, but the Golden Gala is the ceremony people wait for all year. This year we will fly in the best performances across all floors, covered with champagne and vodka, and we will have sensual butlers feeding us caviar.

— What kind of experience do you want guests to have on the night of the Gala, and what atmosphere are you and your team trying to create?

— Antique Gods of wonder, a temple of extravaganza from ancient Greece and the Roman Empire a palace of gold, music, bodies, performance, and union.

A moment to feel passionate, luxurious, infinite.

Each floor gives you a different feeling, and each God you meet leads you to new discoveries.

— Looking ahead, what is your vision for Imperia in 2025/26, and what future concepts or locations do you dream of exploring?

— Beyond being an imperial event, we are a movement and a society.

In 2026 we are creating more exclusive VIP intimate events for our most dedicated members to fully connect and network.

We are exploring venues tailored to each of our concepts, expanding to new cities, and bringing this magic abroad but Berlin remains our heart. This is where we created Imperia, where we are needed, and where our family lives.

We are also working on a book revealing the true and deep story of what Imperia really is - its magical secrets known only to our closest circle.

We are excited to share this epic story, because Imperia is not just an event, a show, a gala, or a movement - it is something much deeper, and its secrets will truly surprise you.

In a time when every event is a conscious choice, it feels important to celebrate women like Kim, female founders who arrive in a new city and dare to create something bold, meaningful, and beautifully different. Imperia embodies the essence of Berlin: ever-changing, extravagant, diverse, and full of vision. The Golden Gods Gala is not just a night, it is a reminder of what is possible when creativity, courage, and community come together.