Lee Michaels

ACCENT

THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

LAVISH ADORNMENTS FROM THE RUNWAYS WHAT’S YOUR

BRIDAL STYLE? OUR NEW

HOME

CONTENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2013 FEATURES

B AT O N R O U G E 7560 CORPORATE BOULEVARD 225.926.4644 MALL OF LOUISIANA, 225.766.6000

4 Welcome Letter 6 Events

NEW ORLEANS LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER 504.832.0000

8 Our New Home

SHREVEPORT 6605 YOUREE DRIVE, 318.222.2929

10 Socially Speaking 12 Designer: Ippolita

L A F AY E T T E ACADIANA MALL, 337.981.8071

14 Lavish Adornments

JACKSON, MS. RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK, 601.957.6100

15 Lush Accents

SAN ANTONIO, TX. NORTHSTAR MALL, 210.541.9575 THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA, 210.699.9494

16 Luxurious Gemstones 18 Reunion

CEO LEE MICHAEL BERG

21 Engagement Rings: What’s Your Style?

32

22 Weddings

C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R KENNETH S. GIKAS VICE PRESIDENT GREG JOHNSON

26 Designers: David & Sybil Yurman

VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER MALL OF LOUISIANA JOHNNY TATE

28 Reads: Living a Charmed Life

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER JANE HARRINGTON

30 From the Runways

ADVERTISING MANAGER AMY GRAHAM

34 Red Carpet: Rainbow Brights 36 Trends: Strong & Soft

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BRENDA BERG CHAD BERG RYAN BERG, MARKET PRESIDENT SCOTT BERG, MARKET PRESIDENT

52 Design: Nate Berkus 56 Perfect Gems 60 Spirits: Fine Tequila

C R E AT I V E D E PA R T M E N T AMANDA MAYO JAMES OSBOURNE

64 Delicacies: Much Ado About Oysters

P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E B J I FA S H I O N G R O U P PUBLISHER STU NIFOUSSI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R HANS GSCHLIESSER MANAGING EDITOR JILLIAN LAROCHELLE PROJECT MANAGER LISA MONTEMORRA PRODUCTION MANAGER PEG EADIE PRESIDENT AND CEO BRITTON JONES

WATCH SECTION

CHAIRMAN AND COO MAC BRIGHTON

40 Advisor: Watch Wisdom

Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on size, quality and availability. Copyright 2013. Accent® is published

by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550, Norwalk, CT 06856, 203853-6015 • Fax: 203-852-8175; Advertising Office: 1384 Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-686-4412 • Fax: 212-686-6821; All Rights Reserved. The publishers accept no responsibilities for advertisers’ claims, unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Volume 11, Issue 1. Accent® is a trademark of Business Journals, Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

Printed In The U.S.A.

44 Interview: Karen Bradbury, Ebel 47 Watch Report 48 Profile: Raymond Weil 50 Profile: TAG Heuer 2

Dear Friends E

ach spring we see newness appear everywhere — in the living environment, in optimistic attitudes, in rebounding energy, and in long-awaited color. We anticipate new opportunities to create, improve and stretch previous boundaries. As a family-owned company founded in 1978, we continually do just that: test the limits and push the boundaries in design, in traveling to new sources for the finest gems, diamonds and metals, and in adding value for you in unique and measurable ways.

Later this year we will celebrate our 35th year of business. From our original store in Baton Rouge to eight stores in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, our passion for the world of luxurious gift giving has not just continued, but intensified. In that 35-year journey you have trusted us to deliver an Extraordinary Experience during every occasion celebrating yourself or someone important to you. Your confidence is why we do what we do with passion.

Our innovations in store design, jewelry concepts, and streamlined shopping access are chosen so your visits with us are more than you anticipate, but all we expect. As a measure of that vision, we opened our relocated Ridgeland, Mississippi store in March in the Renaissance Center. The store is designed to better serve you in the Jackson area and features a distinctive Rolex wall and a David Yurman shop-in-shop. Since very few retailers in the country are approved for those amenities, they are a noteworthy mark of our partnerships with these premier companies and other world-renowned designers.

The second generation of our family is fully engaged in directing our business, continuing our pursuit of excellence in every way and on every level. Our company Core Values ground us and are the standards against which everything we do is measured. Our friendship with you is a demonstration of that commitment to be your First Choice as your personal jeweler.

We hope you feel warmly welcomed when you enter our stores and fully appreciated when you say goodbye. We look forward to every visit.

Lee Michael Berg, CEO

EVENTS

What’s Happening

at Lee Michaels?

T

he fall brought no lack of events and excitement to Lee Michaels. We were proud to be the lead sponsor again this year at the Junior League of Covington’s annual polo tournament as well as a sponsor of the Las Americas Golf Tournament in San Antonio.

This year the Independence Bowl in Shreveport received a brand new trophy designed and donated by Lee Michaels. In our stores, the season was kicked off with our annual personal appearance by Konstantino, followed by holiday parties aplenty. We were very excited to partner with Omega to offer our customers a great party and pre-screening of the James Bond movie Skyfall, complete with an Aston Martin on premise for the customers’ viewing pleasure! Lee and Brenda Berg were invited by Tag Heuer to attend a very unique event, the America’s Cup Regatta competition in the San Francisco area. In store and out, the fall season was filled with great festivities!

From back left to right: Angela and Scott Jackson, Rose Hudson, Konstantino Sioulas and Jolene Johnson, attendees of the Junior League of Greater Covington’s Harvest Cup Polo Classic From front left to right: James and Marsha Baker, Leslie Berg, Meeta Patel and Chuck Williamson

Guests at our Baton Rouge holiday party

Bob Borrego, Lorena Ochoa and Amber Lenz

Konstantino Sioulas and Yolanda Dixon

Rebecca Aloise and Bob and Diedre Boese

Stacey and Dustin Parkman and Ryan Berg

Greg Johnson and Mike Owens with the new Independence Bowl trophy

fall

2012 Lee Michaels jockey at the Junior League of Greater Covington’s Harvest Cup Polo Classic

Robbie Swan, Ed Collins and model at Omega James Bond Skyfall event

Stacey King and Jerry and Melissa Steiner

The 2012 LSU Homecoming King, Taylor Cox and Queen, Kendall Knobloch and the Berg grandchildren

America’s Cup Regatta trip in San Francisco, sponsored by Tag Heuer

Ulrich Wohn, president of Tag Heuer and Lee and Brenda Berg

Caroline Green, Patrick Dumas, Jonathan Dumas, Debbie and Julio Dumas and Josh Dumas

Debbie Byrd, Virginia Gober, José Awill, Chad Berg and Vanessa West

UPDATE

OUR

NEW HOME

T

hrough the friendship and warm welcome we found in the Jackson metropolitan area over the past 17 years, our dream of building a freestanding store came true in March, when we proudly opened the doors of our new home at the entrance of Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

The new 5,000 square foot building designed by local architecture firm Dean and Dean/Associates features beautiful cases of American cherry wood with LED in-case lighting. The hand-crafted and reverse-painted Ulla Darni chandelier catches your eye as you enter the store, and the mural by Margaret Humphris that depicts the story of diamonds — with a magnolia blossom added as a salute to Mississippi — adorns the back wall. Our new store brings Ridgeland a sumptuous Rolex corner featuring lace wood and Rolex’s signature aqua glass wall. It also houses the first ever David Yurman shop-inshop in an independent jewelry store. This area was designed of beautiful black walnut to showcase our extensive selection of Yurman’s collections. You will also see expanded selections from favorite designers including John Hardy and Mikimoto. New designers to love, such as Ippolita, are also must-see destinations in the new store at the Renaissance. Our passion for providing each Lee Michaels customer with extraordinary jewelry, timepieces, and service experience has found luxurious expression in this new location. We look forward to introducing you to the exceptional level of quality and service for which Lee Michaels has been known for 35 years.

“Renaissance at Colony Park is pleased to have Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry as a new tenant. The Lee Michaels brand and reputation is highly respected in the retail industry. Adding names such as Rolex and David Yurman will be complementary to all of our existing local and national retailers and restaurants.”

— Andrew Mattiace, Developer and Manager of Renaissance at Colony Park

TECHNOLOGY

Socially Speaking

W

e invite you and encourage you to join us on Facebook, Pinterest, and our website this year. We are working hard to keep you informed on these outlets daily. Whether it is a great new piece of jewelry that has just arrived, an exquisite one-of-a-kind timepiece, or the hottest looks from the red carpet, you are sure to ďŹ nd all the latest trends and happenings. You will also be the ďŹ rst to know about exciting in-store events and how Lee Michaels is giving back to our communities. Facebook will also give an inside look at new collections and designers at your favorite store. Once you become a fan or follower, or if you have already joined the conversation, please post your experiences, questions and comments. We want you to share in these unique extensions of our store. Our social media sites are informative, interactive, but most of all FUN! We have some special things in store for you this year, so log on and join in the conversation today!

facebook.com/leemichaelsjewelry pinterest.com/leemichaels lmfj.com

DESIGNER

VISITS

NEW ORLEANS & BATON ROUGE What have you learned since you began that’s shaped you as a designer?

When I started out, I was designing the kind of jewelry I wanted to wear but couldn’t find.

No one was crafting truly wearable fine jewelry: jewelry that is meant to be worn — by real women — every day, for every occasion.

As I continue to develop my collections, it’s important to me that each piece I design is beautiful, wearable and makes a woman feel special.

Why was Lee Michaels a first choice as a retail partner?

Lee Michaels has a love and integrity for what they do that’s very similar to my own.

They know their customer so well and have a true connection to the community. Our partnership has been especially great due to how well Lee Michaels understands the relationship between the seller and consumer, and they truly understand what people are looking for.

What else encourages your design process?

The world is an endless source of inspiration for me — art, architecture, a walk down a New York street, a poem, a song — I am constantly inspired.

What kind of environment do you like to be in when designing?

I find I am at my most creative late at night — it may be the dark or the quiet solitude — but I keep a sketchbook on my night table as I am often drawing new ideas at odd hours.

How do you choose stones and colors?

I cherish the idea of respecting our natural resources. To me this translates into using materials for their innate beauty and doing as little as possible to them. I make collections around the mesmerizing sheen of shells or the delicate striations of exotic wood: simple, elegant and cool.

What do you know to be true about creating quality jewelry?

Craftsmanship is essential and noticeably present in every piece I design. It is really what differentiates my collection and something I never compromise on. To create contemporary, timeless pieces that are well designed and well made, is for me the epitome of quality.

Lavish adornments Bracelets, from top to bottom: John Hardy “Dot Collection” sterling silver and 18k yellow gold wide cuff, $995 14k white gold pavé diamond bangle, $9,500 John Hardy “Bamboo Collection” sterling silver, Swiss blue topaz and London blue topaz bangle, $1,295 14k white gold, emerald and diamond bracelet, $2,300 18k white gold, blue sapphire, green tsavorite and diamond bracelet, $22,000 Rings, from left to right: 14k white gold, emerald and diamond ring, $1,950 David Yurman “Cable Classics Collection” sterling silver, pavé diamond marquis ring, $450 18k white gold, diamond oval ring, $3,600

Lush accents

David Yurman “Metro Collection” sterling silver and 18k yellow gold and pavé diamond cable circle pendant, $850 14k white gold, pavé blue sapphire and diamond necklace, $450 Doves 18k white gold, white topaz over green agate doublet and diamond necklace, $3,375 14k white gold, garnet, amethyst, pink tourmaline and diamond necklace, $1,325 David Yurman “Infinity Collection” sterling silver and blue topaz necklace, $775 14k white gold, pavé emerald and diamond necklace, $525 Sterling silver, pink sapphire and diamond necklace, $400 Sterling silver and black pavé diamond necklace, $975

John Hardy “Bamboo Collection” sterling silver, Swiss blue topaz and London blue topaz earrings $495

18k white gold, peridot, blue topaz and diamond earrings $9,250

Luxurious gemstones

Doves 18k white gold, white topaz over turquoise doublet and diamond earrings $4,465

Ippolita “Rock Candy Collection” sterling silver and blue topaz teardrop earrings $1,595

18k white gold, yellow and white diamond ombre earrings $6,800

Platinum, sapphire and diamond ring, $80,000 • Doves 18k white gold, white topaz over green agate and diamond ring, $3,810 • David Yurman “Wheaton Collection” sterling silver, pavé diamond ring, $2,650 • David Yurman “Labyrinth Collection” sterling silver, prasiolite and pavé diamond ring, $1,200 Roberto Coin 18k white gold, amethyst, mother of pearl, lapis and diamond ring, $5,300

REUNION

H

istory, heritage, and superb artistry combine to commemorate Maestro Plácido Domingo’s 50 years of performances with the New Orleans Opera. Last fall our honored guest, Plácido Domingo, was reunited with the New Orleans Opera to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his triumphant 1962 New Orleans debut. To honor this momentous occasion, on behalf of his devoted patrons in the New Orleans Opera Association, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry and Lladro Porcelains presented The Jazz Trio to Maestro Domingo.

This exquisite sculpture is of the finest Spanish porcelain and embodies the iconic musical spirit of New Orleans.

Lee Michaels associates and friends gathered at the Roosevelt Hotel before the grand event

Jack Harris and Plácido Domingo with Lladró’s The Jazz Trio.

Harris created and donated the custom base crafted from cypress wood taken from the Louisiana swamps.

“50 years ago you brought your remarkable and beautiful talent to New Orleans. Thank you for honoring us with 50 years of beautiful music. We will always remember this evening’s magical musical experience. May this Lladro Porcelain, The Jazz Trio, which represents the iconic spirit of our great city, always stir memories of your many visits to New Orleans.”—Your Friends from New Orleans

the ultimate wine tasting glass C H Ă‚T E A U B A C C A R AT G L A S S E S

PEACE OF MIND STARTS WITH PROOF OF QUALITY. Carat Weight 1.53

Color Grade E

Clarity Grade VS1

Cut Grade Excellent

Laser Inscription Registry Number GIA 16354621

Natural Diamond Not Synthetic

A GIA report is certainty from the source.

As creator of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA sets the standards for diamond assessment, worldwide. Unbiased. Scientific.

A report from GIA gives you a clear understanding of your diamond’s quality.

Look for GIA Diamond Grading Reports and the jewelers who offer them. www.4cs.gia.edu

THE UNIVERSAL STANDARD BY WHICH GEMS ARE JUDGED.

MODERN Things that are ordinary just don’t cut it for the modern bride.

If you prefer a fresh spin on the classic ring, a modern style is just for you. Open shanks and bold mountings, halo settings, or an unexpected twist on a 3-stone ring may be just the right designs for your non-traditional, modern taste.

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? ROMANTIC Romantics are inclined toward the feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love. Romantic styles include round or cushion-cut centers with micro-pavé, milgrain details, or beautiful side diamonds. The delicate designs and old-world charm are exactly what inspires romantic brides.

CLASSIC Classic describes something that’s original and also represents tradition. If you prefer a simple and clean design, a classic engagement ring may be a perfect match. These styles are timeless and the simple beauty of the settings highlight the brilliance and sparkle of your diamond. Whether a solitaire, a simple 3-stone ring or a design flanked with baguettes, these beauties will never go out of style.

WEDDINGS

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Thompson (Megan Hall) October 27, 2012 • Natchez, MS

Drs. Jay & Lauren Luke (Lauren Fletcher) September 8, 2012 • Abbeville, LA

I give you my hand to hold...

Mr. & Mrs. Kenny Rigby (Shannon Clark) December 11, 2012 • Saint Lucia

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Banks (Christine Aldrete) October 26, 2012 • San Antonio, TX

Ph o ccourte Phot urt sy of S Studio o Tra T n Photog Tr ograph ra y raph

Mr. & Mrs. Quinton Autin (Rebecca Block) December 28, 2012 • Franklin, LA

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Smallpage (Louise Acomb) March 24, 2012 • New Orleans, LA

and my life to share.

Mr. & Mrs. Daryl Ellis (Tiffany Butler) December 29, 2012 • Baton Rouge, LA

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hornsby (Courtney Axel) August 11, 2012 • Houston, TX

Dream BIG. Dream at Lee Michaels.

Apply today for Lee Michaels

Preferred Cardholder Program Lee Michaels cordially invites you to join our family of GE CAPITAL account holders. The Lee Michaels credit card offered by GE CAPITAL RETAIL BANK is the symbol of our extraordinary service, quality and value for which Lee Michaels is known in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and throughout the Gulf South. When you open your Lee Michaels credit card account, we can now offer you plans to help you achieve your dreams.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Extraordinary Experience of Lee Michaels.

FAST. SIMPLE. SMART. • Quick, in-store or online application process • Instant credit available • Low minimum payment • Special payment options available • No annual fee • Invitations to exclusive events • Subject to credit approval • For applicants desiring credit lines over $10,000, please apply in store.

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DESIGNERS Crossing Over “In the new Crossover collection [far left], we combine smooth and cable cords to create contrast, texture and a sense of movement. It’s really a symbol of the way Sybil and I work together: everything we do is intertwined.”

—David Yurman

WORKING

ARTISTS Sybil Yurman remains David’s muse.

And so much more.

‘‘W

e create art for people to wear.” With those words, David and Sybil Yurman articulated an enduring vision for their company, America’s foremost jewelry house for over 30 years. From the very beginning, their belief that art is personal — that the artist’s world is unique and the creative process is an expression of the artist’s aesthetic — made using the word ‘jewelry’ seem insufficient.

‘Jewelry’ doesn’t entirely encompass David Yurman’s vision of what he is creating, nor does it express his passion for the creative process, his love of design and his refusal to be led by conventional wisdom.

His interest in sculpting began early, at just 13 years old. During summers off from high school, David studied art, working as an apprentice to Cuban sculptor Ernesto Gonzales in Provincetown, Massachusetts. In his 20s, he hitchhiked to California, joining other artists in Big Sur, and immersing himself in the culture and lifestyle of the bohemian community. Moving back to his native New York City several years later to pursue his passion for sculpture and form, he served apprenticeships under master sculptors Jacques Lipschitz, Hans Van de Bovenkamp and Theodore Rozack — experiences he describes as life-altering. Then, another call from destiny: the chance meeting of his muse and future wife and partner, Sybil.

His romantic nature inspired, he sculpted a piece of jewelry as a gift for her. She wore it to an art gallery opening and the owner, taken with the design, asked if David had more to sell. He recalls, “I couldn’t imagine recreating something so personal that I had made for Sybil, so I said ‘no.’ But at the very same moment, Sybil said ‘yes’ — and, like that,

we found ourselves in the jewelry business.”

Though he never set out to be a jewelry designer, working closely with Sybil, a painter in her own right, led him to explore different avenues of artistic expression. For the two halves of the famed Yurman design team, their collaboration as artists epitomizes the very essence of yin and yang. “We complement each other,” says Sybil, “and that creates a dynamic unity.

Together, we create something bigger than us, sometimes larger than life itself.” While David sees the world through the lens of a sculptor, with a refined sense of proportion and a threedimensional perspective, his muse sees the world as a kaleidoscope of emotion, color, form and movement.

After years of designing sculptural jewelry that was sold at craft shows and galleries, it was David’s creation of the cable bracelet, a twisted helix of sterling silver wire composed of multiple strands, that put his name on the proverbial map. The piece became an instant icon, a contemporary classic that has served as the thread that runs through all of the collections.

Deemed a phenomenon in the jewelry world, David Yurman’s handcrafted creations — silver paired with gold, and diamonds and semi-precious stones set in silver — were revolutionary. The pieces, with ancient Gothic and Egyptian references, blended classic with contemporary styling. “We bridged the gap between fashion and fine jewelry, and we used art as the bridge,” says David.

For David and Sybil Yurman, beautiful jewelry is not the end result of a simple technique or a single element. Outstanding quality and extraordinary craftsmanship are achieved from a foundation of artistic excellence. Over 30 years later, what began as an artist’s passion for sculpture and a painter’s love for color has turned into a jewelry house that continues in the classic tradition of the guild, but pushes the boundaries of convention with imagination and innovation.

“We use art

to bridge the gap between fashion

and fine jewelry.”

David Yurman

26

The Norman Silverman Bridal Collection

The Stimulus

The Response

READS

L I VI NGA CHARMED LIFE

Stylist, designer, writer and founding fashion director of this magazine, BETH BERNSTEIN talks to Accent about love, life and the profound power of fine jewelry. generations, taking on each of our personalities as it changed • My grandmother’s fantasy gems • A platinum eternity band I bought myself. It was my first self purchase and it meant that I was independent and didn’t need a man to buy me jewelry.

• A locket and baguette stick pin from my mom, pieces that always remind me of her • My dad’s Cartier Tank watch • The plastic bead necklace my niece made for me when she was three • A pendant my dad gave to my mom that I had revamped into a ring; it keeps them alive, and together, forever…

Family is obviously important to you. What’s the best advice you ever got from your loved ones?

From my grandmother: “Always wear a little lipstick. And earrings…”

“Superstitions are just that. Worrying doesn’t make something not happen…” And the zinger: “If he hasn’t married you by now, he’s not going to!”

From my father: “People can only hurt you if you let them.”

From my mother: “You can usually see the train coming from afar; get off the tracks before it hits you.” And (the words I heard most often) “He wasn’t worthy of you anyway…”

What’s your best advice to women about buying and wearing jewelry?

I very much believe in personal style and creating your own look. Buy for who you are, not who your friends are. Try on lots of different things: you’ll learn your style as you get more comfortable trying on. Leave hints for your husband or significant other about your dream gifts. But never feel like you have to stick with something: you can change your style as you grow. The most important rule: there are no rules. Wear what you love. Wear your jewelry; never let it wear you.

I understand you’re a bit superstitious about your jewelry…

Just a bit! I always wear some sort of talisman when I fly. (I truly believe it helps land the plane…) I never wear a ring on my left hand ring finger because some Russian woman told me when I was very young that I’d never get married if I did. I’m still not married, and still longing for that band of gold…

28

“WEAR YOUR JEWELRY; NEVER LET IT WEAR YOU.”

NOLET’S GIN

You’ve been touring the country and the reviews have been sensational. Why did you write this book?

I felt there was something ultimately universal in the way women relate the most significant moments in their lives to jewelry. Open any woman’s jewelry box and there will be at least a few pieces that connect her to her past, that represent her present and that can be handed down in the future. As a writer and jewelry designer, I wanted to explore this theme, kind of what Ilene Beckerman did in Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

What did you learn about yourself from writing it?

More than I wanted to know; it was a painful process of self discovery. I learned that I hold on, am afraid of loss (thus I have every piece of jewelry every guy ever gave to me — even the ones I don’t want to remember). I learned that I have incredible connections that go deeper than I realized with the maternal side of my family. That I continually choose the wrong men and stay too long in bad relationships.

And that my mom and grandmother were the true gems in my life.

What have women told you about themselves upon reading your book?

I’ve had many women write me about their mothers: the shared emotions and shared jewelry boxes. Almost everyone who wrote mentioned the relevance certain pieces have to significant moments in their lives: the exciting time they got their ears pierced or the magical moment they were first given jewelry by a guy — even if it was from a vending machine!

Women have told me about the pain of selling their jewelry after a divorce, the joy of receiving their engagement ring, the bittersweet memories conjured up by their mom’s charm bracelet…

What are your most prized pieces and why?

• My mom’s baroque pearls handed to me in the hospital in a Ziplock bag when she died unexpectedly • My great-grandmother’s brooch, transformed four times for four

from the

5

1 FEELING BLUE

Shades from aqua to teal are making a splash in fashion!

Jewelry takes its cue and plunges in.

2

3

4

1. Emerald cut London blue topaz ring with diamond halo, $1,950. 2. Oval sapphire and diamond ring in platinum, $80,000. 3. Roberto Coin 18K white gold, iolite and blue topaz bracelet with diamond accents, $17,000. 4. Di Massima blue sodalite and quartz teardrop earrings, $2,100. 5. Konstantino sterling silver london blue topaz earrings, $1,400.

30

RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY ACCESSORIESDIRECTIONS.COM

RUNWAYS

from the

RUNWAYS

1

2 GRAPHIC IMPACT Black and white color blocking makes a strong statement.

3

7

6

1. David Yurman Moonlight Ice darkened silver cushion ring with hematite and diamonds, $2,200. 2. Ivanka Trump pavé diamond and black onyx drop earrings, $1,800. 3. 14K white gold, black onyx and diamond tassel necklace, $2,750. 4. 14K white gold black and white diamond ring, $2,175. 5. Ivanka Trump oval onyx and diamond cocktail ring, $4,800. 6. Black and white pavé diamond bangle, $6,000. 7. 14K white gold ring with black pavé-set diamonds crossing over white pavé-set diamonds, $1,550.

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RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY ACCESSORIESDIRECTIONS.COM

5

4

When you’ve found true love… …express it eloquently.

The Kotlar Cushion diamond is an exceptionally fitting symbol of your greatest love, your most significant achievement or your deepest commitment.

Sold only by jewelers recognized for their integrity and expertise.

Beauty… Art… Perfection… Since 1948.

Red Carpet RASHIDA JONES

Pop of Pink

CHRISTOPHER POLK

ASTRID STAWIARZ

At the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Awards Ceremony honoring her father, Quincy Jones, the Parks and Recreation star’s fuchsia pout pumped up the pink pattern on her dress. Though she kept the rest of her accessories minimal, Jones’ choice of jewelry proves two rings are better than one.

IVANKA TRUMP

RAINBOW BRIGHTS

Red All Over

Stars shine in every color under the sun.

JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

The always-elegant jewelry designer let her dress speak for itself at the 9th Annual Style Awards. Statement earrings and a silver bag subtly accented the sparkly floral appliqué.

JESSICA LANGE

IAN GAVAN

Orange You Glad

KATE MARA

Perhaps Lange’s golden cuff was a prelude to the statue to come. This tangerine dream turned out to be a winning look for the actress, who took home the Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her role as Constance in American Horror Story while wearing the goddess-like gown.

Not So Mellow Yellow ASTRID STAWIARZ

Even through the London fog, this rising star shone as bright as the sun at the West End premiere of her new Netflix series House of Cards. Mara added even more bold color with a jeweled bib necklace and violet box clutch.

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VANESSA HUDGENS

VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO

Blue Beauty

MONICA BELLUCCI

The actress played up her exotic good looks in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge during Fall 2013 Fashion Week at New York’s Lincoln Center. A satin sheath in a royal blue hue provided the perfect backdrop for intricate silver beadwork, while a cocktail ring helped Hudgens call attention to her avant-garde manicure.

MIKE COPPOLA

Green with Envy For a lesson in how to liven up basic black, look no further than this Italian bombshell, who paired a show-stopping statement necklace with a slinky black dress to cut the ribbon at the reopening of Cartier’s boutique in Milan last fall.

DOUTZEN KROES

White Hot

ASTRID STAWIARZ

Proof that a lack of color can sometimes be just as sexy! The Dutch model’s on-trend extras, including a studded bag and a stack of mixed bracelets, popped against the blank canvas at a party celebrating the inaugural issue of Generation W hosted by W Magazine and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

IMAN

BENJAMIN LOZOVSKY

Purple Passion Not many people can pull off head-to-toe plum velvet, but Iman manages to make it chic with the additon of a chunky gold tassel necklace. (Her glowing golden skin doesn’t hurt, either.) We bet Bowie would approve.

TRENDS

STRONG & SOFT

F

rom gelato greens to sherbet purples, jewelry’s newest pastel gem palette looks simply delicious! And this spring and summer, the sweetest delicately hued designs are those that spotlight the stone as the star. As the precious metal plays more of a supporting role in many of the new pieces, four interesting stone cuts in particular are adding to the latest statement jewelry’s drama: cabochons, checkerboards, rose cuts and slices.

THE COLOR STORY Although bright Emerald is 2013’s Color of the Year, according to international color authority The Pantone Color Institute, most of the other leading hues of spring and summer are toned down, more muted. In a one-on-one interview, Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman (often referred to as the “International Color Guru”) explains: “The first half of this year is more about less-bold shades that help us find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives.

That said, however, today we have a lot of trans-seasonal colors.”

Exactly what colors are at the top of this proliferation of pastels?

For women, there are 10 key shades, but here Eiseman discusses four of those that are especially significant to new luxury jewelry collections this season: Dusk Blue, Grayed Jade, African Violet and Linen. “You need to try a touch of all these on-trend colors in some way. And buying a beautiful piece of colored stone jewelry is a great place to start — because it’s like dipping your toe into new color waters. But just be sure it’s good color, from a quality brand and a respected jeweler that you trust.”

For warm-weather style, giant gems in subtle shades are oh-so-cool!

LORRAINE DEPASQUE

On that note, here are some of the pretty-in-pastel gems that fine jewelry brands are focusing on this season. Because they’re fashion forward, you’ll often find them in pieces that are important to add to your jewelry wardrobe, like multi-strand bracelets and necklaces, power pendants, dramatic drop earrings and epically sized fashion rings.

Dreamy Greens. Prasiolite, opal, chalcedony, moonstone, agate, green amethyst, jade, peridot, tsavorite, chrysoprase, tourmaline, green sapphire, green diamonds. And emerald, of course, because Emerald is the Color of the Year!

Pretty Purples. Quartz, jade, moonstone, amethyst, mother-of-pearl, purple sapphire.

Be-in-Style Blues. Moonstone, blue topaz, labradorite, blue cat’s eye, blue agate, aquamarine, turquoise, chalcedony, blue quartz, iolite, lapis-lazuli, sapphire, tanzanite, zircon, blue diamonds.

The Right Whites. Rutilated quartz, agate, pearls, moonstone, motherof-pearl, white coral, champagne diamonds and linen-like shades of rough-cut diamonds.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JANE BOHAN, STEPHEN WEBSTER, ERICA COURTNEY, ROBERTO COIN

SOME PERFECT PASTELS

ST. BARTHS BLUE

collection

John Pizzarelli

Poncho Sanchez

Patti Austin

Ramsey Lewis

Wynton Marsalis

So many great performers...and we’re just getting started!

2013-2014 SEASON TO BE RELEASED SOON! WWW.ARTSBR.ORG

proudy supported by

THE RIVER CITY JAZZ COALITION DEREK E. GORDON, FOUNDING MEMBER Verge and Cheri Ausberry, C.J. Blache and Sherri McConnell, Maria and Brian Despinasse II, Leo and Gwendolyn Hamilton, Tim and Stacia Hardy, Darrell Hunt, Dr. Antoine Keller and Allison Chauvin, Cornelius and Karen Lewis, Drs. Jamel and Nicolette Martin, Ronald and Belinda Mason, John and Virginia Noland Fund, Albert and Roberta Sam, Josef Sternberg Memorial Fund presented by

ACCENT MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION SPRING/SUMMER 2013

GETTY 1

WATCHES

FOCUS: ADVISOR

WATCH WISDOM

TIME TO ANSWER YOUR PRESSING QUESTIONS.

IS IT NECESSARY TO SERVICE MY WATCH IF I’M NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT? All watches need maintenance. The extent of the service required depends on the particular timepiece, its movement and its age.

Generally, quartz watches need battery replacements every two to three years. Mechanical watches, much like automobiles, need regular servicing. The inner movements of the mechanical watch are lightly lubricated to reduce friction between the parts and ensure accuracy and reliability. Deterioration of the lubricants occurs over time and results in higher friction, increasing wear and tear and decreasing precision. A mechanical watch should be serviced every three to five years. Watches should always be taken to an authorized retailer to be properly serviced. If the wrong gaskets, batteries or parts are used, it can result in more expensive repairs down the line. Even quartz watches, after a simple battery change, have to be properly sealed and closed to ensure their water resistance.

IS A WATCH A GOOD INVESTMENT? Many people buy a watch because they love the individual statement the piece makes about them. However, in today’s economy, people also want to know that the watch they’re buying will hold its value over time, and maybe even go up in value. Most top-name watches will hold their value and some can even become heirloom pieces over the coming generations. If you’re looking to start building a watch collection, invest in different styles of watches appropriate for different situations, and do your homework regarding the most coveted brands.

Special or limited-edition watches are almost always a good investment in the long term. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; our knowledgeable watch experts are here to give you guidance.

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CSX-33 DIAMOND, DIAMOND DIAL CSX-33 DIAMOND GOLD, DIAMOND DIAL

FOCUS: ADVISOR

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT WATCH TRENDS? One of the most important trends in the watch market today is definitely the proliferation of dual-, triple-, and multi-time zone watches. For today’s global business person, or any busy traveler, having alternate time zones readily available at the flick of the wrist is almost essential. These timepieces come in a wealth of styles and in an array of price ranges, offering design and technology options for men and women. Chronographs also steal the limelight with their form-meets-function attitude. A chronograph is a watch that times multiple events, and it can be a very useful tool. Another important trend today is the move toward new timepieces for women. These include mechanical and quartz watches that offer sophisticated features and functions, like elegant moonphase indications, chronograph counters and calendars.

I HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT “COMPLICATED” WATCHES; WHAT DOES THIS MEAN (AND ISN’T LIFE COMPLICATED ENOUGH)?

The term complicated refers to timepieces with certain functions or features that are considered top feats of watchmaking. The most coveted complications vary depending on personal taste and watchmaking progress. Among the top categories today are tourbillon watches (expensive, complex mechanical calibers that house an escapement, which compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity), repeater watches that chime the time on demand via a series of gongs and hammers, and perpetual calendar watches that can track the day, date, month, year and leap year (and sometimes moonphases and more) for hundreds of years to come. Some of the world’s finest complicated watches can have waiting lists, but please stop in anyway — we’re happy to show you some fabulous timepieces whether or not you plan to buy.

WHAT NEW MATERIALS ARE BEING USED IN WATCHMAKING? As watchmakers progress in their quests for innovation, they naturally turn to other fields, such as the space and automotive industries, to see what these state-of-the-art worlds are utilizing.

This has led to a wealth of new lightweight, rugged, hypoallergenic materials being incorporated into wristwatch cases, dials and straps. Among the more interesting materials being used: high-tech ceramic, carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and alloys of various elements. These are great new introductions that are well worth checking out the next time you visit the store.

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NIGHT VISION Inspired by the Original Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox Swiss Army timepieces reflect relentless commitment to quality and functionality.

3-year warranty I Swiss Made I Exclusive LED functions I 40 mm I Water resistant to 50 meters I Scratch-resistant, triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal I Ref. 241569

SWISS ARMY KNIVES CUTLERY TIMEPIECES TRAVEL GEAR FASHION FRAGRANCES

FEATURE Tell us an interesting fact about Ebel’s brand history.

Ebel was founded in 1911 by a wife and husband that were true partners with an incredible vision. They literally created a marriage of beautiful designs with quality watch manufacturing.

Does the name Onde and X-1 have special meaning?

Onde means wave in French, which encompasses the design being sculptural, yet sensual and chic. X-1 was inspired by Ebel’s founding in 1911 with the watch being a modern interpretation of sport chic design that is unexpected.

What does the introduction of the Onde and X-1 collection do for the overall brand?

The introduction of the Onde and X-1 collection was part of Ebel’s strategy to redefine luxury by incorporating a new level of style and fashion into the brand. These collections were designed by a woman; they are the ultimate icon of self-expression for women. The new collections attract a young mindset and appeal to the modern, chic woman who is confident and independent.

What was the inspiration for these two collections?

The inspiration behind the Onde collection was to create a new design interpretation of the iconic wave. We wanted our designs to portray the idea of the wave literally flowing, with sensual fluid lines and sculpted curves. The Onde design translates how a wave would develop if a pebble was dropped into a calm body of water — creating a rippled effect. This ripple/wave is clearly seen from the bracelet side view as it moves away from the case. It is abstract yet sculptural. X-1 was designed to be luxurious and playfully sportive.

The new EBEL X-1’s striking contemporary design is directly connected to the brand’s rich history. The EBEL X-1 is both elegant and unexpected. The collection is rendered in exciting combinations of 21st-century design elements and modern materials including smooth ceramics, stainless steel and PVD coating.

The X-1 collection unexpectedly incorporates Ebel’s iconic, sensuously wave-shaped links.

If Onde and X-1 were women where would they vacation?

Onde would want to be in a dramatic, luxurious location filled with natural beauty. X-1 would need to be in a place where she could be active yet still luxuriate as she wished.

How did you get started in the watch business and what are you most passionate about in your role?

I always had a passion for watches as a child. I am very fortunate to work in an industry revolving around something I genuinely enjoy. Having the opportunity as a woman to work on the Ebel brand, a brand with such a strong heritage involving women, gives me great pride in what I do. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing a woman in her Ebel timepiece. Every woman should own one!

“The introduction of the Onde and X-1 collection was part of Ebel’s strategy to redefine luxury by incorporating a new level of style and fashion into the Ebel brand.”

— President of Ebel, Karen Bradbury

ONDE & X-I

FOR ME.

©2012 EBEL – REF 1216097

Onde, new from EBEL. Steel, 18K rose gold & diamonds.

TIMEPIECES

WATCH REPORT

Men’s Baume & Mercier 43mm Clifton in steel case, with a complete calendar moon phase dial and Dubois Dépraz 9000 automatic movement, $4,700

Men’s 41mm TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500 meter in stainless steel with automatic movement and ceramic bezel, $2,900 Men’s 42mm Rolex Sky-Dweller in 18k pink gold with bidirectional rotatable ring command bezel and annual calendar with Saros system, $39,550

Ladies’ 30mm EBEL Onde in stainless steel with 38-diamond stainless steel bezel and 12-diamond crown, $5,950

Ladies’ 29mm TAG Heuer Link in stainless steel with silver diamond dial and diamond bezel, $5,800 Ladies’ 35mm Raymond Weil Jasmine in stainless steel and rose gold PVD coating with diamond bezel, $3,750

FOCUS: PROFILE

by Karen Alberg Grossman

THE ART OF TIME

A CONVERSATION WITH OLIVIER BERNHEIM, PRESIDENT & CEO OF RAYMOND WEIL GENÈVE. What was the original goal when the brand was launched back in 1976?

My father-in-law, Mr. Raymond Weil, was a visionary. In 1976, while Swiss watchmakers were struggling with outdated business models, he saw an opportunity. His goal was to democratize, worldwide, Swiss watchmaking, to produce elegant and exquisite watches with the highest quality standards but at more attainable prices. Today, my mission is to continue my father-in-law’s extraordinary adventure.

Remaining true to the brand’s spirit, we’re offering new designs and variations in color, materials, shapes and sizes.

The Maestro collection, for example, features a new chronograph, a phase de lune complication for ladies, and some retro-inspired models.

Freelancer is revisiting its classics with new interpretations of the bestselling chronograph and the open-dial visible balance wheel models.

The new Jasmine collection features a subtle flower motif, which now adorns the heart of its dial, on a guilloché finish.

How would you differentiate your company, and your watches, from the competition?

Raymond Weil is one of the last independent family-owned businesses, with the third generation now in charge. Our brand benefits from the horological knowledge of Mr. Weil, renowned in the watchmaking industry as a living legend.

Our watches are creative and elegant, offering high quality standards at unequaled prices. They benefit from Mr. Weil’s 63 years of experience, from my 30 years, and from the latest technological innovations made by our R & D department.

You’re known for a focus on art and music; how does this relate to watchmaking?

Music is a family passion: my father-in-law is a great lover of classical and lyrical music and was inspired by it from the outset when he named his first collections after famous operas. He transmitted this passion to my wife, who is a professional pianist, and to my sons who are musicians themselves. I’ve carried on developing this unique duo — watchmaking and music. They have much in common: precision, creativity and the emotions they inspire.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

Staying independent in a highly competitive market. By so doing, we’ve added a human component to our business model.

What kind of person wears a Raymond Weil watch? How many watches do you own and which is your favorite?

A person who wears Raymond Weil is attentive to quality, and appreciates innovative, elegant timepieces. In addition, this person likely favors the traditional values conveyed by a family-run company.

Personally, I have a collection of about 60 Raymond Weil watches and cannot pick a favorite; each is appropriate for a particular moment of life.

That said, I currently love wearing a recent creation: my Maestro Phase de Lune Semainier, a unique timepiece with seven hands, combining harmony, elegance, tradition and innovation.

What can we expect from Raymond Weil this year in terms of technical and aesthetic innovation?

Mr. Raymond Weil invented a fresh approach to luxury. My two sons, Elie and Pierre, and I strive to continue along this route. (They are particularly keen on introducing new technologies in marketing.)

Our timepieces are at once classic and modern, casual and elegant.

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maestro collection

FOCUS: PROFILE

by Robert Haynes-Peterson

THE STRONGEST LINK

O

TAG HEUER DOES WELL BY DOING GOOD. Natural Resources Defense Council — was in town filming The Wolf of Wall Street. He bounded on stage to join Diaz and Babin, showering high praise on the brand. "It's incredible to work with a company that cares so much, and gives so much. That kind of dedication to service is important to me, and it's reflected in everything TAG Heuer does."

The Link Lady Trilogy Limited Edition set and Leonardo DiCaprio Link Automatic Chronograph Calibre 16 watch are now in stores.

TAG Heuer fans can also enjoy a technological breakthrough this year: the TAG Heuer Mikrogirder. The innovative regulator, which TAG Heuer claims challenges the 300-year heritage of hairspring/balance wheel mechanical regulation, allows the company to present a highly accurate chronograph, impervious to gravity, with minimal isochronous error.

Winner of the 2012 Aiguille d'Or — the top prize in all categories at the Geneva Watchmaking Gran Prix — the Mikrogirder Chronograph replaces the spiral hairspring and classic balance wheel with a coupling beam and excitatory beam system, paired with a linear oscillator. The technology allows the chronograph accuracy to 5/10,000 of a second, beating 7.2 million times each hour. The design features a anthracite dial and rubber strap, with assymetric case.

nly a couple of weeks after Hurricane Sandy, when much of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey were still plunged in darkness, TAG Heuer went ahead with its plans for the Manhattan launch party of its latest Link collection, the Link Lady Trilogy Limited Edition. Created in conjunction with brand ambassador Cameron Diaz, who attended the event, the Trilogy collection (a limited-edition steel ring, bracelet and watch trio featuring the first automatic watch in the Link Lady line) was already slated to do good: Profits are dedicated to support UN Women, an organization that advocates for women's rights around the world. In the wake of Sandy's destructive force, however, the watch company knew it must do more.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy," TAG Heuer president and CEO Jean-Christophe Babin told the crowd of 500 or so, many of whom had flown in from Europe for the event. "We decided it was important to help New York Cares with their relief efforts, and we are donating $100 for every guest who is here."

As it happened, actor Leonardo DiCaprio — another TAG Heuer brand ambassador, whose new Signature Link Calibre 16 Chronograph (with blue dial) will raise funds for Green Cross International and the

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UN I C EF D OES N OT EN D ORSE ANY BRAN D OR P ROD UC T.

EDUCATION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE. Visit www.montblanc.com/signatureforgood to learn about our Signature for Good initiative and to build a better future - brick by brick. With the Signature for Good Collection, Montblanc supports UNICEF’s education projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Montblanc will donate 10% of the retail price excluding VAT/Sales Tax to support UNICEF’s education programs in these regions and help children pave their way to a successful, self-determined, and happy life.

DESIGN

TELLING

STORIES

Nate Berkus discusses his new book, The Things That Matter. BETHANY RABORN

D

esigner, film producer, author and TV personality Nate Berkus has made a career out of taking interior design beyond paint colors and fabric swatches. His latest book, The Things That Matter (Spiegel & Grau, 2012), gets to the heart of design in a way that has you simultaneously poring over the vibrant pages and setting it down to rearrange your living room. Here, we chat with Berkus about the book, his own home décor, and more.

Your new book focuses on design as a personal statement. Was there a point where you realized design was not just about making things pretty?

I realized that very early on. My mom is an interior designer, so “home” was more about a well-designed room than a home-cooked meal. That was her way of saying she cared about her family. Things were not expensive, but they were beautiful. It was ingrained in me that assembling interiors was not something to be rushed.

You talk about incorporating things from your travels into your décor. How does one avoid a room full of kitschy souvenirs?

I do a lot of research before I travel. I talk to the concierge at the hotel, I talk

to a friend who’s gone there before, to really get the best sources for everything. I have a deep knowledge of furniture creators and modern art, but one thing that is always important to me is the element of the handmade, whether it’s a Navajo basket on a coffee table or a South American belt on a pile of books. I look for the best silversmith in Portugal, the best textiles in Asia or ceramics in Mexico. I look for what’s indigenous, what’s historic and traditional.

When you walk into someone’s home, what stands out as “good” or “bad” design?

What makes me happy is walking in to see different styles all combined.

That may be a Swedish dresser, a French mirror and a Native American rug in one room. I think it makes a room feel layered, like it was assembled over time. I love when someone takes a risk. I may not love what they did, but I am taken in when I see someone is adventurous. Conversely, what bugs me is when everything is of the same quality or out of one catalog. You can tell when someone spent a great fortune, but you don’t know anything about that person except that they’re rich.

In the book, you discuss designing your own home in NYC. How was the process different than designing for other people?

In a designer’s own home, he is answering only to himself, so he can take more risks. I like to let things find me, whereas with clients you don’t have the luxury of buying things haphazardly. For my home, I started to feel like I didn’t have roots; I wanted to assemble everything in one space, under one roof. Over 570 boxes were delivered to that home and as I went through all of them, I started to understand my own connection to things. I had to decide what to keep, where to put it, what it went with. The editing process is the most important part. Even if there is something you love, if there’s no place for you to display it and enjoy it and have it add to the graciousness of your home, then it should be edited out.

What did you learn from writing the book?

I didn’t set out to write an autobiography, rather I wanted the book to be about how I approach design. I hope people recognize that we each have a story, which is why I shared my own in the book. Everyone I’ve known, everywhere I’ve been, everything I’ve done has influenced my style. I hope people will stop, take a beat, and decide for themselves what really serves them in the home and what doesn’t. Only then can someone achieve an interior that truly reflects their personality.

What’s next for Nate Berkus?

My Chicago design firm is constantly undertaking new projects. I am excited about my collaboration with Target, and hope people find a few things from my line to add to their décor. I’m producing a second feature film that I’m really excited about. I love books so much, and after producing The Help, I wanted to find another project where I could make a beloved book into a film. We need more of that.

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SILVER & GOLD CLASSICS

Featuring timeless designs, the Classic Collection redefines the technique and remarkable craftsmanship that gives Konstantino jewelry its distinct identity. Handcrafted in Sterling Silver and Gold, these designs are sophisticated and rich in tradition.

BECAUSE A STAR DESERVES FOUR MORE. At the four-star Renaissance

®

Baton Rouge, you’ll discover a wedding venue as extraordinary as the day you are celebrating.

Elegant surroundings. Spacious ballrooms for up to 600 guests. Skilled, creative planners to ensure your event is a dream come true by making everything perfectly yours. Every flower. Every morsel.

Every song. Every moment. After all, we’ve designed it for the most important wedding ever… yours.

TO CONFIRM YOUR DREAM WEDDING CALL (225) 215-7000 7000 Bluebonnet Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70810 renaissancehotels.com

PERFECTGEMS EXPLORE THE LITTLE LUXURIES THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.

A STROLL THROUGH HOTEL LA MAMOUNIA

Marrakech has a fascinating history, exotic markets, exciting nightlife and a delightfully opulent hotel. La Mamounia, a former palace celebrated for its mixture of traditional Moroccan and modern French styles, offers intriguing experiences from great art to ice cream. Take a walk through the reception room, lobby and tearoom, where Moroccan paintings and statues inspire. Stop at the Italian Bar to view the latest photography exhibition while sipping a Le Grand Dame Champagne cocktail made with citrus essence. Next, wander outside into the serene 17-acre garden filled with olive and citrus trees, magnificent roses and an extensive kitchen garden (you might chat with the chef as he gathers vegetables for dinner). At the center of the garden is Le Menzeh, an ice cream pavilion that offers pastries and freshly made ice creams. Finally, to recover from your exertions, complete your tour with a Royal Hammam treatment at the lavish spa.

THE NIGHT SPOT

It’s no secret that Broadway singers and actors hate when the curtain comes down and they have to leave the stage.

So on Tuesday nights, after the shows are out, performers and the fans who love them gather for Backstage at 54 Below (located in the basement of legendary Studio 54) to keep the music and jokes going over drinks and supper. Led by musical director Brad Simmons and host Susie Mosher, gypsies, Broadway and cabaret stars (and occasionally an audience member) sing or do their routines in this intimate and fashionable 144-seat space created by Tony-winning set designers. The wine list and food are good, the service excellent, the crowd always fun. And you never know who might turn up to perform. End your evening on a high note.

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BOTTOM LEFT MARC BRYAN-BROWN

CHRIS LEE

DONALD CHARLES RICHARDSON

SPIRIT OF THE PAST

ALEX R. KIRZHNER

Built in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgos family, Ashford Castle is set on 350 acres with a spectacular backdrop of Irish woodlands, lake and mountains. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness purchased the estate in 1855 as the family’s country residence. Since becoming a hotel in 1939, the castle has welcomed dignitaries and celebrities including Prince Edward, King George V, Ted Kennedy, Sharon Stone, Brad Pitt and Barbra Streisand. The castle offers contemporary comforts and conveniences, but naturally, oldworld traditions still thrive. There’s Ireland’s first school of falconry, a decanter of sherry in each room, and tea served in the drawing room. And in keeping with conventional castle ambiance, there’s also a ghost, reportedly from the 19th century when the Guinnesses were in residence.

Not to worry: guests who’ve seen the young female apparition say she’s friendly.

LIGHT FOOTED

This spring, let your feet shine with bright bejeweled footwear by Ivy Kirzhner, featuring cloisonné metal work and exotic leathers.

The 2013 collection includes the Ark, a dress wedge with crystals and snake leather inlays on an 18K gold-plated heel. The Taj Mahal gladiator sandal features gold silk metallic leather with crystals.

Nefertiti is an ornamental high wedge with 18K gold-plated hardware and hand-enameled cloisonné treatment. Pictured above are the Montezuma Deco-bejeweled slippers in royal blue and hot coral kid suede and gold silk metallic, and the Tresor, a Deco ballet flat in gold silk metallic and opal, both with crystals on an 18K goldplated hardware ornament. Step into a brilliant summer.

CONCERT GRAND

Steinway Lyngdorf is a collaboration between Steinway & Sons, makers of the world’s finest pianos, and audio innovator Peter Lyngdorf. Their speaker systems range from the invisible to the compact to the giant. Currently, the state-of-theart choice is the Model LS Concert. Combined with the SP-1 Stereo Processor or P-1 Surround Sound Processor and Steinway Lyngdorf’s fully digital amplifiers, it’s perfect for luxurious home theaters. The open-baffle design makes the speaker interact with the room much as a musical instrument would, resulting in extremely open and life-like musicality. There’s also a remarkable remote that weighs nearly 2.2 pounds, with a rotating wheel crafted from solid, gold-plated brass and mounted on precision-machined Swiss bearings, providing intuitive and total command of the system.

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Think Of Citrus As A Great Restaurant With A Fine Hotel Attached.

No offense to typical hotel restaurants, but Citrus is no typical hotel restaurant. Our daily menu is equal parts inspiring, tantalizing and deliciously innovative. We search San Antonio’s local markets and provisioners for the freshest and finest ingredients. All so that you may enjoy a meal worth talking about and worth coming back for. Who knows, you might even choose to stay the night so you can dine here again sooner.

15 0 E A S T H O U S TO N S T R E E T, SA N A N TO N I O, T X

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2 1 0 . 2 2 7. 9 7 0 0

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W W W. H OT E LVA L E N CI A - R I V E R WA L K .CO M

Citrus Restaurant of fers a fresh t wist on dining inside Hotel Valencia on San Antonio’s famed River Walk .

E xecutive Chef, Jef fer y Balfour

©2010 Hotel Valencia Corporation. Valencia® is a registered trademark of Newhall Land & Farming Company and is licensed to Hotel Valencia Corporation. The Valencia logo is a registered service mark of Eland Investment Corporation.

SPIRITS

FINE

TEQUILA

Mexico’s national spirit looks toward luxury.

T

he Margarita continues to rank as one of the country’s most popular cocktails, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS), as well as a perennially popular resort option. Fortunately, today’s drinker has an unprecedented range of premium and superpremium tequila options from which to choose, whether sipped, shot or mixed into a drink. Casa Dragones is a super-premium, limited-production blend of blanco (aged two to six months) and extra añejo (aged five years) tequilas, designed for refined, smooth sipping. It’s made in small batches and bottled in individually engraved, signed and numbered crystal decanters. “For us, it’s one bottle at a time,” says co-founder and maestra tequilera Bertha Gonzalez Nieves, “and we never want to change that.” At about $300 a bottle, it’s not for shooting. Instead, it’s for sipping and is part of what could be called a Third Wave of Tequila in the U.S. (Jose Cuervo representing our introduction to the agave-based spirit in the 1960s and ’70s, Patron/Sauza/El Tesoro taking us further along the journey in the ’80s and ’90s, and today’s artisanal and luxury products expanding our horizons yet again).

Most of the flexibility in tequila production involves the fine points of harvesting agave hearts, or piñons, how and how long the piñons are cooked, and specific distillation techniques. Blending differently aged batches, as Casa Dragones does, is a relatively new twist, one which Maestro Dobel

Single Estate tequila ($45) claims to have mastered first. A clear, colorless blend of various aged tequilas, Dobel is unexpectedly earthy on the palate, in part due to the use of Balkan oak. Don Julio, meanwhile, launched its Añejo 70 Claro ($70) in late 2011. Not a blend of aged tequilas, rather a clarified and filtered añejo, the result is a clear, colorless juice like a blanco, with the toasted oak and dusty sugar notes of an aged spirit.

Perhaps the most interesting experimentation happening with tequila involves barrel choices. Most brands employ new oak or used bourbon barrels (the way most Scotch whisky does) during the aging process, but a few are exploring sherry casks, port barrels and more. DeLeon, a Guanajuato-based spirits brand, launched Leona on December 21 last year (the “end of the world” on the Mayan calendar). It was the first in a series of high-end, limited-edition “reserva” releases from the brand. Founder Brent Hocking says, “We were lucky to have purchased extra Sauternes barrels used in finishing our añejo expression. While going through the warehouse, we decided to experiment and see what would happen if we left some to sit.” Taking the tequila to the aging “edge” of the añejo classification (34 months), the resulting liquor is sweet, rich and complex and, quite simply, one of the most intriguing tequilas on the market. At $825, it had better be good of course, but Leona is no vanity project. It’s definitive proof that tequila has potential, as a fine spirit, far beyond body shots at spring break.

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COURTESY DELEON TEQUILA

ROBERT HAYNES-PETERSON

POCKET KNIVES

MONEY CLIPS

WRITING INSTRUMENTS

CUFFLINKS

E state

c1860’s

c1880’s

French 18kg, onyx and turquoise earrings, $3,450

American 14kg, turquoise drop earrings, $3,450

THE

COLLECTION

Antique Design.

Modern Perspective.

c1880’s

American Victorian 9kg and turquoise earrings, $1,695

Designs © MAKUR DESIGNS ®. All rights reserved. Made in the USA.

FINE JEWELRY & DISTINCTIVE GIFTS

The Perfect Match: Rose Gold and Morganite

DELICACIES

MUCH ADO ABOUT

OYSTERS You won’t get pearls from these babies, just an incredible eating experience!

KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

T

he legend: Ned was an “old Native American dude” who lived alone on an island in the Long Island Sound. The waters surrounding his island were teeming with Bluepoint oysters (named for Blue Point, Long Island, where they were originally discovered) so he harvested them for sustenance. He wasn’t rich, but he sure was happy!

Following in his footsteps, Ren Brighton has been farming Bluepoints since college, a passion he picked up from his grandfather, who owned some property on the Sound.

His business — Ned’s Island Oysters: Fresh Bluepoints delivered to your door — is just over a year old, comprises two acres of beds in Darien, Conn. and is very labor-intensive. Beginning with local broodstock, the oysters start out in a hatchery. “It’s all about temperature manipulation,” Brighton explains. “Spawning usually takes place only in the hottest part of summer, but if we heat the water to 30 degrees C, the oysters are tricked…” They then grow in cages in the Sound until they meet Ned’s standard of three to four

inches; of course, the waters are carefully monitored by the State Bureau of Aquaculture. From spawning to market size takes 18 months to two years.

Caveat emptor: Since ‘Bluepoint’ is not trademarked, other regions have attempted to market their oysters under this name. Be warned: these imposters don’t even come close! Explains Brighton, “No rivers flow into the area where our beds are located, so the waters here are a little saltier, and rich with algae, plankton and various nutrients.”

In addition to a delicious and nutritious eating experience (Ned’s Island oysters were described by one taste tester as “sweet, perfectly briny, with a lingering tannic green pepper finish almost like a Chinon or other Cabernet Franc…”), oysters are reputed to be an aphrodisiac, and oyster farming (a sustainable activity that uses no pollutants) is known to replenish the seas. In fact, oysters eat by filtering out micronutrients from seawater at a rate of about a gallon an hour, thus keeping marine ecosystems healthy. So eat oysters, save the planet, and enjoy!

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© D.YURMAN 2013

LEE MICHAELS FINE JEWELRY ACCENT THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

SPRING/SUMMER 2013