Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry

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ACCENT

THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

FALL/WINTER 2016/17

THE SECOND GENERATION SPECIAL FEATURE: HOLIDAY FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

LEE MICHAELS FINE JEWELRY

TRENDS: ITALIAN GOLD



The O riginator of Cult ure d Pe arls.

S i n c e 18 9 3 .


CONTENTS

Fall/Winter 2016/17 B AT O N R O U G E 7560 CORPORATE BOULEVARD 225.926.4644 MALL OF LOUISIANA, 225.766.6000 NEW ORLEANS LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER, 504.832.0000 SHREVEPORT 6605 YOUREE DRIVE, 318.222.2929 L A F AY E T T E 4235 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PARKWAY, 337.981.8071 JACKSON, MS RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK, 601.957.6100 SAN ANTONIO, TX NORTHSTAR MALL, 210.541.9575 THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA, 210.699.9494 CEO LEE MICHAEL BERG EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT KENNETH S. GIKAS VICE PRESIDENT GREG JOHNSON VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER MALL OF LOUISIANA JOHNNY TATE

4 Welcome Letter

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER JANE HARRINGTON

6 Events: Red Box Insider

ADVERTISING MANAGER AMY GRAHAM HUGHES

8 Our New Addition: Rolex at The Shops at La Cantera

BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEE MICHAEL BERG BRENDA BERG RYAN BERG, PRESIDENT SCOTT BERG, PRESIDENT CHAD BERG, VICE PRESIDENT

10 The Second Generation 16 Trends: The Cutting Edge of Edgy 20 Light Up the Night

C R E AT I V E D E PA R T M E N T AMANDA THOMAS JAMES OSBORNE

22 Italian Gold 26 Holiday Floral Arrangements

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

30 Marco Bicego: The Art of Authenticity

PUBLISHER STU NIFOUSSI

34 Forevermark: In the Rough

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

36 Watch Report: Managers’ Top Picks

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R HANS GSCHLIESSER

38 Timepieces: Watch Out!

MANAGING EDITOR JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

40 Rolex: Desperately Seeking Daytona

PROJECT MANAGER LISA MONTEMORRA

42 Insurance: Better Safe Than Sorry 44 Timepieces: Celebrity Watch

PRODUCTION MANAGER PEG EADIE

46 Tudor: Return of the Black Bay

Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary

48 As Seen On…

BRIDAL SECTION

66 Perfect Gems

52 To Have and to Hold

is published by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550, Norwalk, CT

72 Amenities: Jet-set Pets

56 Top 10 Tips for Big Day Bliss

1384 Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-686-4412 • Fax: 212-

74 Wine: Sparkling Diversions

58 #SheSaidYes

responsibilities for advertisers’ claims, unsolicited manuscripts,

76 Food: Nuevo Mexico

60 Out of the Box

80 Décor: Small Spaces

62 Natural Wonders

depending on size, quality and availability. Copyright 2016. Accent® 06856, 203-853-6015 • Fax: 203-852-8175; Advertising Office: 686-6821; All Rights Reserved. The publishers accept no transparencies or other materials. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Volume 14, Issue 2. Accent® is a trademark of Business Journals, Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. Printed In The U.S.A.


THE DATEJUST 41 and design that keep it at the forefront of watchmaking. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST 41

rolex

oyster perpetual and datejust are

®

trademarks.


FALL/WINTER 2016/17

ON THE CUTTING EDGE In today’s world technology is the key. To ensure Lee Michaels remains at the pinnacle of this evolution we have invested a tremendous amount of capital in a state-of-the-art Customer Relationship Management system. Most small businesses don’t have custom programs such as ours but we recognize that these tools will allow us to better meet and support your needs. This holiday season, when everyone is buzzing with activity and there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day, we desire to make your Lee Michaels’ shopping experience trouble-free. Each associate is ready with an iPad, putting information at their fingertips and allowing for a seamless customer service experience. Your customer information, including birthdays and anniversaries, is captured along with your purchase history. Swift access to these records makes it effortless to view a loved one’s Wish List or check the status of a repair. Most repair estimates can be supplied immediately with direct access to repair pricing. All of our holiday advertising is just a click away, so you can locate that certain piece of jewelry seen on a billboard or in a newspaper ad. If the item is not available at that location, the sales associate can easily survey the companywide inventory to track it down. Access to designer websites opens up the possibilities of obtaining that special piece at the click of a button. If you are searching for the perfect diamond and not quite certain how to interpret the 5 Cs, our iPad interactive diamond presentation allows your sales associate to support you in obtaining the knowledge essential to make a well-informed decision. When it comes to knowledge, our associates’ iPads keep them up to date on those areas that allow us to serve you best. It has always been our intention to offer the finest in jewelry and watches. This requires us to be on the cutting edge of our industry by enhancing our company through these and other modern technological advances. We look forward to seeing you during this holiday season and making your shopping experience an extraordinary one. Best personal regards, Lee Michael, Ryan, Scott and Chad Berg

1.800.543.4367

LMFJ.COM


Introducing The Artisan Handcrafted Modern Chain Collection


community and events

Inside the

RED

B X

The Lee Michael Berg family and Mayor-President Joel Robideaux at the Lafayette location’s Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony

Sales associate Kaylee Fabré receiving her President’s Circle pin for sales recognition

2016 Miss LSU Crowning, Emilie Hebert

President of Cartier America Rudy Chavez, sales associate Mark Hendricks, Cartier representative Coralie Rodrigue and Lee Michaels vice president Johnny Tate

Dr. Luis Alvarez, Herbert and Renee Schilling, Cece and Matt Stuller at the Lafayette Grand Opening celebration


Lee Michaels top sales associates attending the Las Vegas jewelry show and party hosted by John Hardy

Lee Michaels sales associates enjoying the Las Vegas jewelry show

Attendees of the Baton Rouge Symphony League Mad Hatter’s annual event in Baton Rouge

Marco Bicego president Moise Cohen and a hand engraver displaying his talents at the Las Vegas jewelry show for members of our President’s Circle

Ryan Berg, Scott and Leslie Berg, Lee and Brenda Berg, and Chad Berg attending an American Gem Society ceremony and dinner in New York City


our new addition

THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA 8LI RI[ ÿ þþþ WUYEVI JSSX HIHMGEXIH 6SPI\ WLST MR WLST JIEXYVIW FIEYXMJYP REXYVEP QEVFPI SR XLI JVSRX JEGEHI Â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āă ]IEVW



Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry: THE SECOND GENERATION By Karen B. Gibbs

*SV E QER [LS¸W WTIRX XLI PEWX 37 ]IEVW SJ LMW PMJI LIPTMRK TISTPI GIPIFVEXI PMJI¸W LETT] QSQIRXW 0II &IVK JSYRHIV SJ 0II 1MGLEIPW *MRI .I[IPV] MW GIPIFVEXMRK E LETT] QMPIWXSRI SJ LMW S[R 3R .YRI 15 ĀþÿĄ LI QEHI MX SJÁGMEP µ-X MW [MXL KVIEX TVMHI XLEX - ERRSYRGI XLI TVSQSXMSR SJ Q] XLVII WSRW [MXLMR SYV GSQTER] )JJIGXMZI MQQIHMEXIP] 6]ER ERH 7GSXX [MPP FSXL XVERWMXMSR JVSQ QEVOIX TVIWMHIRXW XS TVIWMHIRXW SJ 0II 1MGLEIPW 'LEH [MPP XVERWMXMSR JVSQ KIRIVEP QEREKIV XS ZMGI TVIWMHIRX SJ 0II 1MGLEIPW 8LI XLVII SJ XLIQ [MPP JSVQ XLI 4VMRGMTEP

'SQQMXXII ERH FI VIWTSRWMFPI JSV NSMRXP] QEOMRK QENSV GSVTSVEXI HIGMWMSRW ¶ 0II 1MGLEIPW *MRI .I[IPV] MW RS[ E WIGSRH KIRIVEXMSR FYWMRIWW *VSQ MXW LYQFPI FIKMRRMRKW MR &EXSR 6SYKI¸W 'SVXERE 1EPP 0II 1MGLEIPW LEW I\TERHIH XS IMKLX PSGEXMSRW MR 0SYMWMERE 8I\EW ERH 1MWWMWWMTTM =IX HIWTMXI E FSXXSQ PMRI XLEX [SYPH FI XLI IRZ] SJ QSWX GSVTSVEXMSRW 0II WE]W LI¸PP QIEWYVI LMW WYGGIWW RSX SR XLI FYWMRIWW LI¸W FYMPX FYX SR LS[ [IPP LI XVERWMXMSRW XLEX FYWMRIWW XS LMW WSRW´]SYRK QIR [LSWI GSPPIGXMZI XEPIRXW ERH I\TIVMIRGI FVMRK QYGL XS XLI JEQMP] ZIRXYVI 10


The Second-Generation Leaders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

For oldest son Ryan,

XLEX MRZSPZIH QSZMRK XS 2I[ =SVO 'MX] XS [SVO [MXL HMEQSRH GYXXIVW EJXIV KVEHYEXMRK JVSQ ;EWLMRKXSR ERH .IJJIVWSR 'SPPIKI ERH XLI +-% µ*SV X[S ]IEVW - [SVOIH MR 2I[ =SVO 'MX] MR XLI PEVKI HMEQSRH HITEVXQIRX SJ 1 *EFVMOERX [LMGL EX XLI XMQI [EW SRI SJ XLI PEVKIWX HMEQSRH GYXXIVW MR XLI [SVPH ¶ WE]W 6]ER ;MXL [SVPH GPEWW I\TIVMIRGI MR XLI HMEQSRH QEVOIX 6]ER XLIR NSMRIH LMW JEXLIV MR XLI JEQMP] FYWMRIWW (MWXMRKYMWLMRK LMQWIPJ EW ER EWWMWXERX QEREKIV MR 7LVIZITSVX XLIR 2I[ 3VPIERW 6]ER [EW TVSQSXIH XS QEREKIV SJ XLI RI[P] STIRIH WXSVI MR 'EREP 4PEGI 8[S ]IEVW PEXIV LI [EW REQIH WYTIVZMWSV SJ XLI 2I[ 3VPIERW QEVOIX E TSWMXMSR LI LIPH YRXMP EJXIV /EXVMRE [LIR LI [EW TVSQSXIH XS ZMGI TVIWMHIRX SJ 0II 1MGLEIPW

When second son, Scott, graduated from Tulane and GIA, LI JSPPS[IH MR LMW

JEXLIV¸W JSSXWXITW F] KSMRK XS [SVO JSV >EPIW ,I FIKER XLIVI EW E HIXEMP EWWMWXERX XLIR QSZIH YT XS EWWMWXERX FY]IV ,I EHQMXW XLEX EX XLI XMQI µ- XLSYKLX - ORI[ MX EPP FYX - HMHR¸X ¶ ;MXL XLI KYMHERGI SJ E GEVMRK FSWW 7GSXX PIEVRIH XLI ZEPYI SJ XIEQ[SVO WSQIXLMRK LI¸W RIZIV JSVKSXXIR %JXIV [SVOMRK EX >EPIW LI EGGITXIH E TSWMXMSR EW EWWMWXERX XS XLI TVIWMHIRX SJ +IQZIXS E LMKL IRH PY\YV] NI[IPV] QERYJEGXYVIV [LSWI GPMIRXW MRGPYHIH 8MJJER]¸W ERH :ER 'PIIJ ;MXL I\TIVMIRGI MR FY]MRK ERH MR PY\YV] QERYJEGXYVMRK 7GSXX IRXIVIH XLI JEQMP] FYWMRIWW EW HMEQSRH FY]IV MR ĀþþĀ

11


After graduating from SMU, ]SYRKIWX WSR 'LEH STXIH JSV XLI I\IGYXMZI HIZIPSTQIRX TVSKVEQ EX 2IMQER 1EVGYW µ- PSZIH MX ¶ WE]W 'LEH *SV X[S ]IEVW LI [EW EWWMWXERX FY]IV JSV XLI QIR¸W WTSVXW[IEV HITEVXQIRX µ- PIEVRIH WS QYGL EFSYX RIKSXMEXMRK [MXL FY]IVW ERH [SVOMRK [MXL GYWXSQIVW ¶ *VSQ 2IMQER 1EVGYW 'LEH [IRX XS [SVO JSV E PY\YV] NI[IPIV MR XLI 2SVXLIEWX %JXIV E WLSVX XMQI XLIVI LI VIEPM^IH LI [ERXIH XS FI TEVX SJ XLI JEQMP] FYWMRIWW -R Āþÿþ LI NSMRIH LMW FVSXLIVW ERH JEXLIV EX 0II 1MGLEIPW [SVOMRK EW EWWMWXERX QEREKIV SJ XLI 0EOIWMHI WXSVI MR 1IXEMVMI

“My dad is a great communicator,” agrees Chad. “But what impresses me most about him is how he did it all...” Building a Generation of Leaders &IGEYWI 0II¸W WSRW FIGEQI MRZSPZIH [MXL XLI FYWMRIWW EX ER IEVP] EKI´[SVOMRK [IIOIRHW WYQQIVW ERH ZEGEXMSRW [LMPI MR WGLSSP´XLI] KVI[ YT [EXGLMRK XLIMV JEXLIV¸W FYWMRIWW TVMRGMTPIW EX [SVO µ3YV HEH MW ER EQE^MRK VIWSYVGI XS PIEVR JVSQ ¶ WE]W 7GSXX µIWTIGMEPP] [LIR MX GSQIW XS FIMRK E PIEHIV ,I XEYKLX QI XLEX E KSSH PIEHIV RIZIV EWOW TISTPI XS HS WSQIXLMRK LI¸W RSX [MPPMRK XS HS LMQWIPJ ¶ 7GSXX SFZMSYWP] XSSO XLEX PIWWSR XS LIEVX FIGEYWI SRI XMQI [LIR XLI XSMPIX SZIVÂS[IH EX [SVO MRWXIEH SJ EWOMRK WSQISRI IPWI XS XEOI GEVI SJ MX 7GSXX XEGOPIH XLI HMVX] [SVO LMQWIPJ´MR HVIWW WLSIW ÁRI WYMX ERH EPP µ- TYX FYGOIXW SR Q] JIIX XS TVSXIGX Q] WLSIW ERH TERXW ¶ LI PEYKLW µERH YRTPYKKIH XLI XSMPIX ERH ZEGYYQIH YT XLI QIWW ¶ 0II EPWS XEYKLX LMW WSRW E ZEPYEFPI PIWWSR MR GSQQYRMGEXMSR µ;LIR WSQISRI XEPOW XS Q] HEH LI KMZIW XLIQ ÿþþ SJ LMW EXXIRXMSR ¶ WE]W 7GSXX µ8LEX WLS[W XLEX LI VIWTIGXW XLIQ - PIEVRIH JVSQ Q] HEH XS WMX HS[R ERH XVYP] PMWXIR XS TISTPI´GS [SVOIVW GYWXSQIVW JEQMP] ¶ 3ZIV XLI ]IEVW 0II XEYKLX LMW WSRW XLVSYKL LMW EGXMSRW XLEX XLIVI¸W QSVI XS PMWXIRMRK XLER NYWX TE]MRK EXXIRXMSR )WTIGMEPP] [LIR MX GSQIW XS IQTPS]IIW MJ XLIVI¸W E TIVWSREP TVSFPIQ SV RIIH HS [LEX ]SY GER XS LIPT µ1] HEH MW E KVIEX GSQQYRMGEXSV ¶ EKVIIW 'LEH µ&YX [LEX MQTVIWWIW QI QSWX EFSYX LMQ MW LS[ LI HMH MX EPP´ QIVGLERHMWMRK FYMPHMRK WXSVIW QEREKMRK LMW XIEQ ,I [EW XSXEPP] MQQIVWIH MR FYMPHMRK XLI FYWMRIWW ¶ LI EHHW

The Leadership of Lee Michaels 'LERKMRK JVSQ E WSPI TVSTVMIXSVWLMT MRXS E XLVII QER TEVXRIVWLMT VIUYMVIH 0II ERH LMW WSRW XS GEVIJYPP] HMZMHI XLI VIWTSRWMFMPMXMIW SJ XLI FYWMRIWW ;LMPI EPP XLVII RS[ QEOI QENSV GSVTSVEXI HIGMWMSRW NSMRXP] IEGL MW MR GLEVKI SJ HMJJIVIRX EVIEW SJ XLI GSQTER]

12


TAG HEUER CARRERA CALIBRE HEUER 01 Chris Hemsworth works hard and chooses his roles carefully. He handles pressure by taming it, and turning it to his advantage. #DontCrackUnderPressure was coined with him in mind.


Ryan Berg %W GS TVIWMHIRX 6]ER SZIVWIIW STIVEXMSRW SJ EPP 0II 1MGLEIPW WXSVIW ,I MW EPWS MR GLEVKI SJ XLI ÁRI XMQITMIGIW QEVOIX EGUYMWMXMSR SJ RI[ FYWMRIWWIW ERH FYMPHMRK VIPEXMSRWLMTW [MXL ZIRHSVW ERH GPMIRXW 6]ER RSX SRP] LEW XLI I\TIVMIRGI XS HS XLI NSF FYX LI MW KIRIVSYW [MXL LMW ORS[PIHKI µ,I XEYKLX QI EFSYX FY]MRK HMEQSRHW ¶ WE]W 7GSXX µ6]ER¸W TVSFEFP] XLI QSWX KVIKEVMSYW SJ XLI XLVII SJ YW ,MW NS] JSV PMJI FVMRKW ER IPIQIRX SJ JYR XS XLI FYWMRIWW µ,I EPWS LEW E OIIR WIRWI SJ VIGVYMXMRK XLI VMKLX IQTPS]IIW ¶ EHHW 'LEH µERH LI FIPMIZIW MR KMZMRK FEGO ¶ -RHIIH 6]ER MW GYVVIRXP] TVIWMHIRX SJ .I[IPIVW SJ %QIVMGE ERH LEW WIVZIH SR RYQIVSYW MRHYWXV] FSEVHW -R EHHMXMSR LI¸W E QIQFIV SJ XLI I\IGYXMZI GSQQMXXII SJ LMW =43 GLETXIV XLI FSEVH SJ .YRMSV %GLMIZIQIRX XLI EHZMWSV] FSEVH SJ .YRMSV 0IEKYI XLI I\IGYXMZI GSQQMXXII SJ XLI ;MXXI 1YWIYQ ERH E TEWX FSEVH QIQFIV SJ XLI 6IH 'VSWW ,I PMZIW MR 7ER %RXSRMS [MXL [MJI .IWWMGE ERH WSRW >EGL ÿā ERH %HEQ ÿþ

“Ryan Berg has the right combination of experience to be an effective board chairman. He brings a fresh perspective that focuses on growing Jewelers of America and the bottom line of all our members’ stores.” ´ (EZMH . &SRETEVXI 4VIWMHIRX ERH ')3 SJ .I[IPIVW SJ %QIVMGE ER SVKERM^EXMSR SJ ÁRI NI[IPIVW [LS EVI GSQQMXXIH XS LMKL IXLMGEP TVEGXMGIW ERH HIHMGEXIH XS MQTVSZMRK GSRWYQIV GSRÁHIRGI MR XLI NI[IPV] MRHYWXV]

Scott Berg %W GS TVIWMHIRX 7GSXX SZIVWIIW XLI GSVTSVEXI SJÁGIW MR &EXSR 6SYKI´MXW EGGSYRXW ERH TYVGLEWIW ,I MW EPWS MR GLEVKI SJ XLI X[S &EXSR 6SYKI WXSVIW -R EHHMXMSR 7GSXX MW VIWTSRWMFPI JSV EGUYMVMRK XST XMIV FVERHW PMOI (EZMH =YVQER ERH TYVGLEWMRK EPP HMEQSRHW 8S KIX XLI ÁRIWX HMEQSRHW LI XVEZIPW XS -RHME X[MGI E ]IEV [MXL IMXLIV 6]ER SV 'LEH µ;I EVI TVSYH XS WE] XLEX IZIV] HMEQSRH [I WIPP LEW FIIR TIVWSREPP] I\EQMRIH F] E &IVK JEQMP] QIQFIV ¶ LI EHHW 7GSXX¸W EFMPMX] XS WII XLMRKW JVSQ ERSXLIV TIVWTIGXMZI LEW [SR LMQ XLI VIWTIGX ERH EHQMVEXMSR SJ LMW FVSXLIVW µ7GSXX MW KSSH [MXL WXVEXIKMIW ¶ GSQQIRXW 6]ER µ,I LEW E HMJJIVIRX XLSYKLX TVSGIWW XLER XLI VIWX SJ YW ¶ µ,I XEYKLX QI XS EREP]^I WSQIXLMRK FIJSVI QEOMRK E HIGMWMSR ¶ EKVIIW 'LEH 7GSXX MW UYMGO XS HMVIGX XLIWI GSQTPMQIRXW XS LMW ÁRI IQTPS]IIW RSXEFP] WIRMSV ZMGI TVIWMHIRX .SLRR] 8EXI 7MRGI LI [EW LMVIH XS QEREKI XLI &SGEKI WXSVI 7GSXX LEW ETTVIGMEXIH .SLRR]¸W KYMHERGI ERH EHZMGI %GXMZI MR FSXL XLI NI[IPV] MRHYWXV] ERH XLI GSQQYRMX] 7GSXX MW TVIWMHIRX SJ XLI %QIVMGER +IQ 7SGMIX] ERH WIVZIW SR XLI )\IGYXMZI 'SQQMXXII SJ LMW =43 GLETXIV ,I¸W EPWS ÁVWX ZMGI TVIWMHIRX SJ XLI .I[IPIV¸W :MKMPERGI 'SQQMXXII ERH E TEWX FSEVH QIQFIV SJ .I[IPIVW JSV 'LMPHVIR E GLMPHVIR¸W TLMPERXLVSTMG SVKERM^EXMSR 'YVVIRXP] SR XLI 8YPERI 4VIWMHIRX¸W 'SYRGMP LI¸W EPWS E TEWX FSEVH QIQFIV SJ &EXSR 6SYKI +IRIVEP *SYRHEXMSR ERH XLI %VXW 'SYRGMP SJ &EXSR 6SYKI 7GSXX PMZIW MR &EXSR 6SYKI [MXL [MJI 0IWPMI ERH GLMPHVIR )QMP] ÿĀ .EGSF ÿþ ERH 0II ă

“The Berg family is well known in the jewelry industry for their leadership and volunteerism. Scott Berg, president of American Gem Society, has been a valued member of the board for many years. He has a deep knowledge of the jewelry industry and embodies the Society’s values.” ´ 6YXL &EXWSR ')3 SJ XLI %QIVMGER +IQ 7SGMIX] ERH %+7 0EFSVEXSVMIW ER SVKERM^EXMSR HIHMGEXIH XS GSRWYQIV TVSXIGXMSR IXLMGEP FYWMRIWW TVEGXMGIW ERH GSRXMRYMRK IHYGEXMSR XLVSYKL ERRYEP VIGIVXMÁGEXMSR SJ XLI GSYRXV]¸W VIXEMP NI[IPIVW SRP] ă GLSWI XS QIIX XLIWI I\EGXMRK WXERHEVHW JSV QIQFIVWLMT 14


Chad Berg %W ZMGI TVIWMHIRX 'LEH SZIVWIIW FSXL XLI 0EOIWMHI ERH XLI .EGOWSR 1MWWMWWMTTM WXSVIW 8LMVXIIR ]IEVW ]SYRKIV XLER 6]ER LI MW MR XLI IRZMEFPI TSWMXMSR SJ LEZMRK XLVII QIRXSVW´LMW HEH 6]ER ERH 7GSXX 'LEH MW UYMGO XS EGORS[PIHKI XLI LIPT SJ LMW GS [SVOIVW µ-¸Q 30 ]IEVW SPH ERH WYTIVZMWI ăă TISTPI ¶ QSWX SJ [LSQ EVI SPHIV XLER LI MW µ- GSYPHR¸X HS MX [MXLSYX XLI JERXEWXMG TISTPI - [SVO [MXL -X¸W RSX XLI JEQMP] FYX XLI TISTPI EVSYRH XLI XEFPI [LS QEOI YW WYGGIWWJYP ¶ µ'LEH MW XLI FMKKIWX TISTPI TIVWSR SJ EPP SJ YW ¶ WE]W 7GSXX µ,I¸W EPWS KSX XLI QSWX TSWMXMZI EXXMXYHI SJ XLI XLVII SJ YW ¶ µ,I EPWS LEW E KSSH RSWI JSV XLI ÁRIV HIXEMPW ¶ EHHW 6]ER µ;MXL GSQTPI\ MWWYIW XLIVI EVI WS QER] XLMRKW XS GSRWMHIV MX¸W IEW] XS SZIVPSSO XLI WQEPPIV XLMRKW ¶ 0MOI LMW FVSXLIVW ERH LMW HEH 'LEH MW EGXMZI MR XLI GSQQYRMX] ERH XLI MRHYWXV] ,I MW XLI GYVVIRX TVIWMHIRX SJ .I[IPIVW SJ 0SYMWMERE WIGVIXEV] SJ XLI 2I[ 3VPIERW &EPPIX ERH SR XLI FSEVHW SJ XLI 6IH 'VSWW .YRMSV %GLMIZIQIRX ERH XLI 2I[ 3VPIERW 6IKMSREP 0IEHIVWLMT -RWXMXYXI 'LEH ERH [MJI :ERIWWE PMZI MR 2I[ 3VPIERW [MXL WSR 1MGLEIP ÿć QSRXLW

“Chad Berg has promoted Jewelers of Louisiana with his excellent leadership, expertise and contributions to the organization. Our future looks bright as he continues to share his new and exciting ideas as president.” ´ 'EVSPMRI 6 &PIEOPI] I\IGYXMZI HMVIGXSV SJ .I[IPIVW SJ 0SYMWMERE ER SVKERM^EXMSR XLEX JSWXIVW ERH TVSQSXIW FYWMRIWW KVS[XL TVSJIWWMSREP MRXIKVMX] ERH GSRWYQIV GSRÁHIRGI MR XLI NI[IPV] MRHYWXV] XLVSYKL E NSMRX IJJSVX SJ IXLMGEP NI[IPIVW ERH WYTTPMIVW MR 0SYMWMERE

The Future µ1] FVSXLIVW ERH - WLEVI XLI ZMWMSR XLEX XLI GSQTER] GSQIW ÁVWX ¶ WE]W 6]ER µ;I¸PP EP[E]W FI PSSOMRK JSV RI[ WSYVGIW JSV SYV TVSHYGXW JSV XLI FIWX ZEPYI JSV SYV GYWXSQIVW JSV [E]W XS KVS[ ¶ µ7XVEXIKMG KVS[XL MW OI] ¶ EHHW 7GSXX µ;I QYWX QEOI WYVI [I¸VI HIPMZIVMRK I\XVESVHMREV] I\TIVMIRGIW XS SYV GYWXSQIVW ERH IQTPS]IIW MR IZIV] 0II 1MGLEIPW WXSVI IZIV] HE] ¶ µ(EH IPMQMREXIH XLI QMHHPI QER ERH XVEZIPIH XS XLI WSYVGI XS TVSZMHI LMW GYWXSQIVW XLI ÁRIWX TVSHYGX EX XLI FIWX TVMGI ¶ WE]W 'LEH µ8LEX¸W WSQIXLMRK [I¸PP GSRXMRYI XS HS ¶ 3YV PIEHIVWLMT [MPP FI QSVI PMOI ER IZSPYXMSR XLER E VIZSPYXMSR ¶ WE]W 6]ER µ8LIVI [MPP FI XVERWMXMSREP GLERKIW ;I GERRSX WE] [I [SR¸X GLERKI ER]XLMRK 8LI [SVPH MW GLERKMRK ERH [I RIIH XS GLERKI [MXL MX ;I QYWX FI RMQFPI IRSYKL XS TMZSX ¶ %RH TMZSX XLI] QE] FYX 6]ER 7GSXX ERH 'LEH [MPP RIZIV PSWI WMKLX SJ XLIMV JEXLIV¸W KSEP XS ZEPYI ERH IQTS[IV IQTPS]IIW EXXVEGX XLI ÁRIWX FVERHW TVSZMHI XLI FIWX TVSHYGXW EX XLI FIWX TVMGI ERH KMZI FEGO XS XLI GSQQYRMX] %RH ]IW XLI]¸PP VIQIQFIV XLEX 0II 1MGLEIPW *MRI .I[IPV] MW MR XLI FYWMRIWW SJ GIPIFVEXMRK XLI LETT] QSQIRXW MR TISTPI¸W PMZIW´LETT] QSQIRXW PMOI XLI SRI XLI]¸VI GIPIFVEXMRK XSHE]

15


trends

TheCutting Edgeof

EDGY S

ome seasons, jewelry is front-and-center in fashion, and for fall/winter 2016 that’s surely the case. “Runways from New York to across the Atlantic have shown us that the most current looks are about notice-me accessories. Obviously, that includes high-drama jewels,” says fashion forecaster David Wolfe, creative director at international trend forecasting agency The Doneger Group. There’s a cool, modern edginess to almost everything. In fine jewelry, it’s done imaginatively and differently by each brand. Some designs are asymmetric. Some are formed in mixes of yellow gold, black gold and oxidized silver. And some FOCUS ON BLACK OR GRAY GEMS AS KEY ELEMENTS. Wolfe reminds us that fashion trends today last longer than they used to, and he affirms that black and gray have remained strong since last year. Asymmetry on the catwalks has also been a huge influence. “Look at all the zigzag hemlines and waistlines,” Wolfe urges, identifying them as part of “the new disruptive dressing”—disruptive in a good way, where many of those old “rules” of style are broken.

KEY EDGY ESSENTIALS

Non-traditional nuances are new in jewelry. BY LORRAINE DEPASQUE

Certainly, mismatched earrings are indispensable this season. Earlier this year it was one of the most talked-about jewelry looks on Hollywood’s red carpets. Jewelry blogger Becky Stone, editor in chief and founder of DiamondsInTheLibrary.com, believes fun-to-wear mismatched earrings will become even more popular going forward. It’s a confident look to say the least! “Hoops, too,” she notes, “particularly bigger and atypical ones, with unexpected angles or embellishments.” With 75,000 followers on Instagram alone, Stone has noticed that, as more designers are doing asymmetrical, people are embracing it. “With bracelets, for example, I think you’re going to see a lot more non-traditional sculptural forms by the end of the year.” Time to talk about layering. It’s been trending for several seasons and you’re sure to see it continue. “However, some jewelry tailoring is starting, which means bigger, MORE STATEMENT PIECES and not as much stacking,” says jewelry writer and blogger Cathleen McCarthy, founder and editor of TheJewelryLoupe.com. Fashion for holiday and into next year is perfect for accessorizing with larger jewelry, agrees Wolfe, noting, “With the new erogenous zone being the shoulder (given all the off-the-shoulder clothes that allow for one or both to be bare) the time is now for big necklaces and earrings—notice-me jewelry!”

HOW TO WALK ON JEWELRY’S DARK SIDE Top: Roberto Coin Bottom: Ippolita

Some of the most innovative and exciting edgy designs are in blackened metals. “Yellow gold beautifully continues to trend,” confirms Stone, “but

16



there’s a lot more blackened metal as well.” Notably, distinctive, unconventional designs in blackened gold [aka rhodium-plated white gold] and oxidized sterling silver. McCarthy adds, “Dark titanium, too. Rose gold is also still on-trend, and I especially like the way certain luxury jewelry brands are MIXING GOLD WITH BLACK GOLD or oxidized silver.” There are many rich yellow gold pendants, for instance, on dark metal chains of all types, including links. “A great way to create edgy style this year,” McCarthy advises, “is to layer some blackened jewelry with your yellow or rose gold.” So, for example, if you’re stacking three, four or five bangles, even one dark-hued bracelet added in the middle will instantly give your overall jewelry look that trending avant-garde feeling.” Another good suggestion on how to get started accessorizing with edgy contemporary jewelry? Buy one great graphic piece: perhaps a theatrical two-finger ring, upward-trailing ear climbers, or A STRONG CHOKER/COLLAR, EITHER OPEN-ENDED OR CLOSED, as both are hot in fashion.

A FEW FRINGE GEMS (& COLORS) AT THE FOREFRONT Do not—I repeat: do not!—forget to buy some new jewelry with black or gray gemstones. Black diamonds, fancy black sapphires and black spinel are especially important. Both McCarthy and Stone like the way more and more artisanal collections are now featuring these untraditional gems. Stone suggests that, for fall/winter, when searching for an original piece of colored stone jewelry to add to your wardrobe, be sure to look beyond the “Big Three”: ruby, blue sapphire and emerald. “I’ve actually seen an uptick in interest in yellow sapphires, so you should definitely ask your jeweler about them,” says Stone. This isn’t a gem that’s typically in the edgy stone category but, as she reminds us, “Yellow sapphire is such a joyful gem—so vibrant and vivacious.” Right now and into 2017, the whole spectrum of fancy sapphires is in fashion—as are all the many shades of spinel. “Some spectacular spinel jewelry was premiered this year, and it’s refreshing,” notes Stone, “because, unfortunately, spinel tends to go under-appreciated.” Just recently, the jewelry industry named spinel as an additional birthstone for those born in August. Ask your jeweler to show you some modern spinel jewelry in its many different colors, from fiery reds and oranges to dark and edgy black beauties, from pastel lavenders to blues and greens. Speaking of blues and greens, McCarthy says, “There are so many shimmery ones for fall/winter—opal, moonstone and blue-toned labradorite, especially—and triplets, too, which are designed to create their own watery light show. Frequently with triplets, A BOTTOM LAYER OF MOTHER OF PEARL LENDS GLIMMER TO SLICE OF COLOR, EMERALD FOR EXAMPLE, all viewed through a transparent rock crystal prism.” Another gem that was, for a long time, somewhat off the grid in modern affordable jewelry is the Tahitian pearl. Well, it’s back—big-time—in its natural kaleidoscopic hues of black, gray, eggplant and dark green/blue. “Pearls, especially Tahitians, are everywhere this season,” McCarthy tells us, “big and small, and sometimes creatively carved, too.” As you think forward to your jewelry wardrobe for spring/summer, it will be more important than ever to own a few pieces of gray gemstone jewelry. So it’s definitely not too soon to start talking with your jeweler about your everyday style and start looking for a piece that’s fashioned with on-trend grays like Tahitian pearls, or slate-shaded labradorite, hematite, moonstone or mother of pearl.

18

Buy one great graphic piece: perhaps a theatrical two-finger ring, upward-trailing ear climbers, or a strong choker/collar, either open-ended or closed, as both are hot in fashion.

Top: Armenta Center: Penny Preville Bottom: Konstantino


LUMINOR 1 950 8 D AYS G M T A C C I A I O - 4 4 M M ( R E F. 2 3 3 )


Top: 18k white gold lariat necklace features round diamonds and round diamond cluster stations. Diamonds total approximately 7.79tw., $13,500 Bottom: 18k white gold necklace features round diamond circular links and tassel pendant. Diamonds total approximately 5.38tw., $11,500

18k white gold necklace features pear-shaped diamond stations and a double strand of round diamonds. Diamonds total approximately 7.66tw., $14,500


Light UP THE Night Be the diamond in the rough at this season’s black tie affair or holiday soirÊe.

18k white gold necklace features three strands of graduating round diamonds. Diamonds total approximately 21.56tw., $39,500 18k white gold necklace features two diamond Art Deco stations and a detachable double chain made of round diamonds. Diamonds total approximately 14.51tw., $39,500


a.

b.

c.

a. 14k yellow gold polished oval hoop earrings, $795 b. 14k yellow gold polished “U” hoop earrings, $650 c. 14k yellow gold polished oval thread-through hoop earrings, $795

14k yellow gold 33.5” necklace with oval link stations, $1,850

Italian GOLD 18k yellow gold and diamond oval link bracelet, $12,750


The Italian culture and its artisans have celebrated fantastic design and quality of jewelry for hundreds of years. Lee Michaels has been traveling to Italy for over 30 years to find the best and most innovative designs, superior craftsmanship and values from our Italian partners and friends. We have been busy collecting many of the latest designs handcrafted in the workshops of Florence, Valenza, Arezzo and Vicenza, and we want to share their extraordinary workmanship and values with our Lee Michaels friends. Please visit our stores this fall season, as they are filled with the best of the best sent from Italy with love. Organized in collaboration with

Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico From left to right 33.5” necklace with oval link stations, $2,000. 30” oval link necklace, $1,275. 30” various-sized link necklace, $3,450. All in 14k yellow gold.


Apply today for the Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry

PREFERRED FINANCING PROGRAM

INSTANT CREDIT AVAILABLE* SPECIAL FINANCING OPTIONS* LOW MINIMUM PAYMENTS * Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payment required. Initial account activation in store only.

Lee Michaels is pleased to provide the LM Preferred Financing Program with the flexibility to help your dreams come true. Our convenient and fast approval process makes it easy and safe to apply online at LMFJ.com or in store. Let our extraordinary selections, service, quality and values earn your trust for a lasting relationship with us.



special feature

HOLIDAY

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS By Karen B. Gibbs

Mantle

Wreath

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26

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BLACK BAY BRONZE BRONZE CASE DIAMETER 43 MM WATERPROOF TO 200 M (660 FT) IN-HOUSE MOVEMENT

$OXPLQXP EURQ]H DOOR\ FDVH $Q DHVWKHWLF UHIHUHQFH WR KLVWRULF VKLSV DQG RWKHU GLYLQJ HTXLSPHQW WKLV PHWDO JXDUDQWHHV WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI D VXEWOH DQG XQLTXH SDWLQD WR PDWFK LWV XVHUõV KDELWV

TUDOR in-house movement MT5601. 2ō HULQJ D KRXU SRZHU UHVHUYH DQG UHJXODWHG E\ D YDULDEOH LQHUWLD RVFLOODWRU ZLWK VLOLFRQ EDODQFH VSULQJ LW LV FHUWLŎ HG E\ WKH 6ZLVV 2Ő FLDO &KURQRPHWHU 7HVWLQJ Institute (COSC).

TUDOR, BLACK BAY ®.

#TUDORWATCH TUDORWATCH.COM


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Holiday Centerpiece 8LMW HVEQEXMG GIRXIVTMIGI F] %REWXEWME 7XIZIRWSR SJ ,S[ XS (-= ;IHHMRK MR 0SW %RKIPIW howtodiywedding.com MW XLI TIVJIGX [E] XS WLS[GEWI ER IPIKERX LSPMHE] JIEWX -X JIEXYVIW E FIH SJ QM\IH ÁV ERH IYGEP]TXYW KEVPERH ÂS[MRK JVSQ E KVETIZMRI [VIEXL MRXIVX[MRIH [MXL WIIHIH IYGEP]TXYW )QFIPPMWLMRK XLI EVVERKIQIRX EVI JIWXMZI VIH TISRMIW XIE VSWIW ERH (EZMH %YWXMR KEVHIR VSWIW *SYV [LMXI XETIVW MRXIVWTIVWIH [MXL KMPHIH EVXMGLSOIW WTER XLI HMWTPE] [LMPI XLVII QYPXM PIZIP ZEWIW [MXL ÂSEXMRK GERHPIW KVEGI XLI GIRXIV 4LSXS GSYVXIW] SJ %REWXEWME 7XIZIRWSR

DESIGNER DECORATING TIPS: 1 2 3

(-2-2+ 8%&0) Present a tiered place setting of white and silver dishes, in different patterns and shapes, framed [MXL VIÂIGXMZI GLEVKIVW 8YVR RETOMR VMRKW MRXS WYVTVMWI TPEGI GEVH LSPHIVW ERH KMJXW *SV XLI PEHMIW GLSSWI [LMXI napkins and a silver and gold bracelet engraved with your guest’s initials. For the gentlemen, clasp a silver napkin with a personalized tie bar, pen or money clip. 78%-6'%7) (IGSVEXI IEGL RI[IP TSWX [MXL E FSYUYIX GSRXEMRMRK E WMRKPI [LMXI ÂS[IV WXIQ WYVVSYRHIH F] WMPO winter greens, leaves, berries and cascading ivy. Continue the theme to the landings, centering one bunch on the FERMWXIVW )RLERGI XLI GIRXIV SJ IEGL FSYUYIX [MXL E RIWX ÁPPIH [MXL HIGSVEXMSRW WYGL EW WMPZIV FMVHW ERH IKKW FEPPW SV KPEWW WXEVW *MRMWL IEGL GPYWXIV [MXL E WMPZIV FS[ IRHMRK MR VYJÂMRK VMFFSR WXVIEQIVW &9**)8 8%&0) 4PEGI ZEVMSYW WM^IH EVXMÁGMEP SV VIEP [VIEXLW SR WMPZIV TIHIWXEPW (IGSVEXI [MXL EWWSVXIH PIEZIW GEWGEHMRK MZ] ERH FIVVMIW -R XLI GIRXIV SJ IEGL [VIEXL EVVERKI QYPXM WM^IH WMPZIV QMVVSVIH KE^MRK FEPPW SV VIÂIGXMZI KPEWW NI[IPV] FS\IW ÁPPIH [MXL WQEPP [LMXI RSWIKE]W *SV EHHIH WTEVOPI IRX[MRI QMRMEXYVI FEXXIV] powered clear lights into each wreath of table greens. 28


If musical notes could be visualized‌ this is what it would look like. Because in life, all we hear is the symphony.

Symphony Collection +$1'0$'( ,1 1(: <25. :,7+ 7+( :25/'¡6 ),1(67 0$7(5,$/6


designers

AUTHENTICITY THE ART OF

A

fter many years working with his father, a successful value, Bicego creates the extraordinary, season after season. Vicenza jewelry maker who specialized in gold chains, “Because our jewelry is handcrafted by goldsmiths, there is a Marco Bicego launched his own collection of unique personal quality reflected in every piece. For example, handcrafted fine jewelry in 2000. our craftsmen use a special tool to Famous for its multi-colored engrave hundreds of tiny lines on gemstones in exclusive faceted the gold’s surface, creating a cuts, its hand-twisted coils and tactile finish that remains virtually hand-engraved gold, his unalterable through time and collections (crafted in Italy) are nearly impossible to imitate.” BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN inspired by the nature and the Always pushing the architecture of his extensive boundaries of modern design, travels around the world (Africa, Cairo, Jaipur, Murano and other Bicego’s collections continuously evolve and are meant to be fascinating locales). Infusing each piece with a particular mixed and layered for a personalized look. Here, we speak with cultural sensibility that goes beyond its beauty and intrinsic this passionate designer about his craft, and his life.

MARCO BICEGO’s unique

approach to jewelry, food and life.

30


Could you share a lesson you learned from your father, and one you hope to teach your children? One of the greatest lessons my father passed down to me was the craft of goldsmithing. But the more important lesson he taught me that I hope to impress upon my children is to do what you love. For me that has always meant making jewelry; my craft allows me to express my personal experience, passion and curiosity. I always urge my children to find something that holds the same significance in their lives.

You’ve traveled extensively: what’s your favorite place in the world to visit? It’s hard to choose. Most recently, my travels to East Africa inspired my newest Masai collection. The Masai people wear incredibly detailed ornaments that organically hug the body’s natural shape. My Masai collection follows this same accentuation, with each piece delicately hand-coiled with yellow and white gold and accented by pronounced stations of diamonds.

What’s your favorite place in the world to live? It would have to be Italy, of course! My heritage is the very foundation of my work and means so much to my identity. You can see the skills of old-world Italian craftsmanship through our use of the bulino technique to etch hundreds of fine lines into our pieces. Even today, our jewelry is handcrafted by second-generation goldsmiths, giving each piece a unique, imperfect quality.

What’s still on your bucket list? There is so much of the world that I still hope to see. My collections are a beautiful way to catalogue my travels, from Masai to my Jaipur collection, which was inspired by the “pink city” in India, where stone-cutting has been perfected over the ages. I want to continue traveling, transforming those inspirations into beautiful, timeless pieces.

What would you be doing if not jewelry design? Without a doubt, I would be cooking. Growing up in Italy, my mother was always cooking and I would help her in the kitchen. We always used fresh ingredients sourced locally. As I would help her, I would begin interpreting her recipes as my own. I love cooking for family and friends and have a nostalgic list of recipes that I can pass down to my children.

Describe your favorite meal?

Marco Bicego’s Eight Jewelry Essentials

1. A CLASSIC ITALIAN COLLAR 2. STATEMENT EARRINGS 3. STACKED BRACELETS 4. TIMELESS STUD EARRINGS 5. A CLASSIC YELLOW GOLD RING 6. MIXED METALS 7. LONG LAYERING NECKLACES 8. POPS OF COLOR

My favorite meal would absolutely be with my family and friends, whatever we eat and wherever we come together. They are my greatest supporters and are incredibly important to me. I love cooking with mushrooms, which I hunt for during truffle season, so I love making Fettuccine ai Porcini—it’s both simple and delicious!

Who do you most admire and why? I’d have to say my father, Giuseppe Bicego. The gold chain business he founded in Vicenza evolved into a very successful company. Without his expertise, encouragement and guidance in my formative years, my art would never be where it is today. For that, I am forever grateful.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RAYMOND WEIL is proud to be supporting Swiss sailing team Realteam as its OfďŹ cial Timing Partner and to introduce a new freelancer able to support the crew in the most extreme sailing conditions. A nice little tip of the hat to Mr Raymond Weil who was a member of the Geneva Yacht Club. Join the discussion #RWRealteam

freelancer collection


spotlight

ROUGH IN THE

FOREVERMARK’s focus on helping women in need and strengthening mining communities. BY JULIANNE PEPITONE

W

hen famed National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths visited a South African diamond mine for the first time in 1981, she was surrounded by burly male guards who kept eyes on her as they strained to hear the radio report of Princess Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles. But when she visited again in July 2015 to chronicle women’s advancement programs, she found herself instead greeted by proud female entrepreneurs and mining workers. The women were part of De Beers’ Forevermark programs that support career training and development for women in the communities where it mines. It’s part of a larger sustainability focus aimed at “building forever”—that is, building up communities to be socioeconomically strong even after the local mines are eventually tapped. “We tend to think of diamonds as something frivolous or symbolic,” admits Griffiths. “I’ve been working in Southern Africa for years and it never occurred to me until I saw it that the diamond business could be a real force for good in the local community.” She met scores of women including Sophia Mphuthi, an entrepreneur who started her own driving school in Kimberley, South Africa, using money from De Beers’ Zimele fund. De Beers says the fund benefited over 62 South African businesses in 2014, creating over 1,175 jobs in farming, jewelry design and other areas. More than one-third of the people who benefited directly from that funding were women. Overall De Beers has spent about $28 million on socioeconomic development programs, according to Nicky Black, the company’s head of social performance. Nearly 50,000 people have benefited as a result of the programs, which focus on education, entrepreneurship, health care and

other core concerns. Through the initiative, Forevermark has trained women for careers as miners, geologists, engineers, craftspeople, managers and more. “For the consumer, [forever] connotes these intense eternal emotions,” explains Black. “But for the community, it means sustainable development. Where will we be in 20 years?” De Beers is acutely aware that mining communities are dependent on a finite resource, and investing in women and girls ensures a possibilityfilled future. “The science shows that women play a remarkable role as connectors and foundation stones of their communities,” Black says. “When you support a woman you are in turn supporting her family, the community and society.” It makes business sense, too, Black insists, citing studies that show “if you spend a dollar on a woman’s development you get more bang for your buck than almost any other intervention, including inoculation and sewage. The actual outcome is greatest, and that’s what ‘forever’ means to us.” The efforts in South Africa mirror De Beers’ larger focus on building up its female workforce across the world. Women comprise nearly 24 percent of global employees, compared to 16 percent in the mining industry as a whole. “We’re outperforming the industry and we’re pleased by that, but I think everyone would say that’s still not enough,” Black says. “We’re working to change it.”

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®ROBERTOCOIN

POIS MOI COLLECTION


WATCH

REPORT

1%2%+)67¸ 834 4-'/7 TAG Heuer Connected

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

I was thrilled when TAG Heuer released the Connected watch this year! It is equipped with weather monitoring, Google Fit, and connects me with thousands of apps. It is stylish with innovative engineering.

8LMW MW XLI QSWX GSZIXIH ERH LEVH XS KIX watch of 2016.The new stainless steel (E] XSRE LEW XLI Á VWX WMKRMÁ GERX HIWMKR GLERKI since the ‘80s.The bezel is now made of 'IVEGLVSQ QEXIVMEP XLEX¸W WGVEXGL VIWMWXERX ERH XLI WYF HMEPW EVI RS[ FPEGO VEXLIV than silver, offering a bold contrast. It is the watch every collector wants and must have!

Victoria Beavers - Manager The Shops at La Cantera San Antonio, TX

José Awill - Manager Lakeside Shopping Center Metairie, LA

Baume & Mercier Clifton Complete Calendar

Rolex 41mm Datejust

Baume & Mercier has created a very versatile and classic everyday timepiece. I really like that it has a larger dial at 43mm, but still has the look and feel of a sleek dress watch. I especially love the moon phase.

Kyle Wilkinson - Manager Mall of Louisiana Baton Rouge, LA

This is one of Rolex’s most iconic and popular models.This “new” version is unique as it features E RI[ MR LSYWI QSZIQIRX [MXL TEXIRXIH TEVXW and a Parachrom hairspring.The Datejust never goes out of style and is just a really great watch.

Greg Johnson - Manager Youree Drive at East 70th Shreveport, LA


4ERIVEM 8YXXSRIVS 0YQMRSV

Raymond Weil Toccata

This watch is just so cool! The bracelet, like the case, is coated in a zirconium oxide powder, which offers a uniform matte appearance [MXL ER MRGVIHMFP] LEVH à RMWLMRK´à ZI times stronger than steel. I particularly PSZI XLI FPEGO SR FPEGO GIVEQMG PSSO

This watch is so timeless and elegant. I can dress it up or down and wear it with everything.The perfect touch of diamonds on the dial really adds a spark to this piece.

Anthony O’Connor - Manager Corporate at Bocage Baton Rouge, LA

Kim Henry - Manager Ambassador Crossing at Settlers Trace Lafayette, LA

TAG Heuer Aquaracer

Tudor Black Bay

I am active and always on the go.This watch was inspired by the aquatic world and has a sporty look and feel with an extra touch of femininity from the diamond dial and bezel. I love that I never have to take this piece off.

I love this watch as it has vintage design GYIW E KVIEX JMX ERH JIIPMRK LSYV power reserve, and comes with an additional fabric strap. It is a great iconic watch fromTudor.

Paula Shaver - Manager North Star Mall San Antonio, TX

Tony Sanders - Manager Renaissance at Colony Park Ridgeland, MS


timepieces

WATCH OUT! Why buying and servicing your timepieces with an authorized dealer is more important than ever. BY CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD

I

t’s not hard to avoid obvious knockoffs when it comes to luxury watches. Just be careful you’re not ambushed by a Frankenstein. “Frankenstein” is a new watch industry term rapidly spreading among consumers, who are right to be leery. The term refers to watches that have been spliced together from some parts that are genuine and some that are counterfeit. Typically made in Asia, they can easily fool the eye—especially of a buyer blinded by the prospect of getting a great deal. The emergence of Frankenstein watches underscores the importance of buying a fine timepiece from an authorized dealer. “Buying a watch online is like gambling,” says Michael Pollak of Hyde Park Jewelers. “Sometimes you win, but mostly you lose.” And when you lose, you lose big, because these fakes often mimic very expensive models. A consumer spotted an $80,000 Audemars Piguet timepiece priced at a mere $40,000, Pollak recalls. But when the buyer sent it to the manufacturer for servicing, it never came back. In its place was a letter explaining that the watch was not genuine and had been confiscated for infringing on the brand’s trademark. The buyer has no recourse, and even a seller with 100% positive feedback could claim he didn’t know the watch was a Frankenstein. For Pollak, this all comes down to the perennial problem of not knowing a watch’s provenance when buying from an unauthorized dealer. The same thing applies for watches that are stolen. The seller may not even know it, he explains, but once again, as soon as the watch is taken in for servicing, a company such as Rolex will immediately check the serial number against a database of stolen watches. If it comes up as stolen, you’ll never see it again. “According to Rolex, the watch either

belongs to the previous owner, an authorized dealer or the insurance company,” says Pollak. Either way, “It does not belong to you.” Authorized retailers provide a clear paper trail of a watch’s history, can ensure that a watch comes with a manufacturer’s warranty and that parts are available should it need repair, and provide a trustworthy resource if the customer is dissatisfied for any reason. You’re also dealing with someone who’s intimately familiar with the brand. “You have the ability to speak with someone who has received the proper training on the brand you are considering,” says Hank B. Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers. Siegel says his service center sees thousands of watches each year, and the main issues are attractive fakes, genuine cases with fake movements, watches that were originally genuine but have been altered with non-genuine parts, genuine watches with fake warranty papers, watches reported stolen, and finally, watches that are genuine but without proper import documentation and duties paid, which leaves them subject to confiscation. “The bottom line is, unless you are buying from a retailer explicitly authorized by the watch brand, it’s buyer beware,” says Marc Green of Lux Bond & Green. “Whether from an auction house, website, non-authorized dealer, or anywhere else, there is always the looming question of whether something is genuine.” Authorized dealers are also imperative when having a watch serviced, as an unauthorized repairman could use counterfeit parts and turn your genuine, papers-and-all watch into a Frankenstein without your knowing it. “Some say authorized service centers are too expensive and take too long,” says Green. “We say you get what you pay for. You may take your Mercedes to the corner garage for a minor adjustment, but not when major parts are needed. With watches, you want them serviced correctly with a guarantee.”

38

True luxury timepieces, like the Patek Philippe Ref. 5170R shown here, can only be purchased from and serviced by authorized retailers.


©2016 EBEL – Ref. 1216198

EBEL WAVE PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE VILLA TURQUE – LA MAISON EBEL – DESIGNED BY THE RENOWNED ARCHITECT LE CORBUSIER.


timepieces

Desperately Seeking

DAYTONA What one young business exec wouldn’t do for the newest ROLEX… BY JARROD WEBER

M

y first recollection of a Rolex Daytona was this beautiful stainless steel work of art on my father’s wrist. Although I was too tied up with school, sports and dating to truly focus on watches, I couldn’t help but admire the pure beauty of this magnificent timepiece. Never since have I seen a watch I admired as much. So of course I felt tremendous joy when, upon graduating law school, my parents placed two green boxes with gold crown logos on our kitchen table. “Mom and I are so

proud of you,” my dad said, somewhat choked up. “We think you’ve earned your first Rolex.” He then opened both boxes: in the first was a brand new Rolex Daytona, the other contained the Daytona I’d always admired on his wrist. He asked which I wanted. I immediately chose my father’s for its sentimental value. I can’t think of any possession I’ve ever had or will ever have that means more to me than that Daytona. I’m sure that at the right time, my son will acquire this priceless family keepsake. But for right now, I want, I need, I crave, I simply must have the new Rolex Daytona with black dial and ceramic bezel. Ever since the extreme buzz surrounding its release at the Baselworld Watch Fair in March, I’ve been relentless in trying to figure out how to acquire this elusive prize. Most say there’s a five-year wait list... I can’t wait five weeks, let alone five years! The Daytona was the Rolex model first given out to winners at the Rolex 24 at Daytona Speedway. At some point in time, Paul Newman (himself a motorsports enthusiast and race car driver) started wearing it, and from then on, watch aficionados, collectors and guys in the know wanted nothing else. Since its launch in the 1960s, the watch has gone through a number of redesigns, all of which are now collector’s items that have appreciated significantly in value. The modern Daytona as we know it was released in the late 1980s; at that time, Rolex outsourced the movement to Zenith. In 2000, Rolex developed the capability to make the chronograph movement in house. They also made small cosmetic changes to the face of the watch (on the black dial, the sub-dials became silver rather than white; on the white dial, the sub-dials were also silver rather than black). For either dial option, purchasing a Rolex Daytona has become a dance of persuasion, persistence and finesse, convincing dealers to sell you one out of the maybe two or three watches they’ve been allotted. The release this year of the new stainless steel Daytona is the first significant design change since the ’80s. The bezel is now made of Cerachrom material that’s virtually scratch-resistant to ensure longevity. The sub-dials on the white dial are now black rather than silver, offering a bold contrast recalling Paul Newman’s iconic timepiece of yesteryear. Everyone wants one. All are told to put their names on the list. It’s an undisclosed list with obscure criteria: Are you famous? Are you quasi-

40


famous? Will you be photographed in the watch? With whom? People are determined to figure this out. I’ve been on the hunt, calling dealers throughout the Tri-State area as well as across the country. Since Rolex authorized dealers are not permitted to ship out of state, a buyer needs to purchase in person. I’ve researched the home state of my alma mater (Michigan) discovering cities I didn’t know existed (to which I’ll be traveling if they call me!). My wife is Romanian and fluent in the language;

she’s phoned her home country and I believe I’m top of the list in Bucharest. Yesterday, my father and I attended a Rolex Daytona event. We tried on the watch and I’m more committed than ever to finding it. I’m on their wait list, but they were not all that encouraging. Leaving the event, I texted my wife: “Isn’t it time you visit your family in Romania?” (Editor’s note: Jarrod wrote this essay hoping it would move him up on the list. Sorry Jarrod, but you’ll have to wait in line with the rest of us!)

The Daytona was the Rolex model first given out to winners at the Rolex 24 at Daytona Speedway. At some point in time, Paul Newman started wearing it, and from then on, watch aficionados, collectors and guys in the know wanted nothing else.

’’

Left to right: Cosmograph Daytona in Yellow Rolesor, Cosmograph Daytona in 18K Everrose Gold with Leather Strap, Cosmograph Daytona in 18K Yellow Gold

41


insurance

Take no shortcuts when it comes to safeguarding your treasures.

F

SAFE

or cinephiles, the phrase “jewelry insurance” may conjure up scenes of Cary Grant as a French Riviera cat burglar in To Catch a Thief, trading quips with the austere agent from Lloyd’s of London. In fact, insuring precious gems may be a tad less glamorous, but certainly a necessity for nearly everyone—not just wealthy dowagers showing off their jewels around a roulette table. It starts when a man decides he’s ready to propose to his sweetheart. From the moment he leaves the jeweler he should have a policy in place covering the cherished engagement ring—even before he plans his elaborate proposal scenario involving the bottom of a Champagne glass or a golf hole. “Ideally you would receive an appraisal and insure an engagement ring right when you purchase it,” says Trina Woldt, VP and chief marketing officer of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, one of the oldest in the business. Most jewelry insurance claims are not due to theft but loss, “which includes accidental loss and mysterious disappearance,” she explains. “That could be anything from the dog eating it to having it fall from cold fingers while shoveling snow. And you’d be surprised how many people lose their rings on their honeymoon because they’re not used to wearing a ring and forget that fingers shrink in water.” And on the off chance that a dashing cat burglar does enter your home, be advised that your homeowner’s policy might not provide the ideal coverage. It’s also important to note that filing a jewelry claim under your homeowner’s might cause your premium to increase dramatically. Jeweler’s Mutual plans are comprehensive and cover any kind of loss or damage. Its policies offer to repair or replace a lost item through the jeweler of your choice. In general, specialty jewelry insurance costs about 1 to 2 percent of the value of an item per year, so a $10,000 ring would only cost

BY CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD

THAN SORRY

$100 to $150 per year to insure. “It’s a really affordable way to safeguard items that have both monetary and emotional value,” says Woldt. Deductibles can be as low as zero. (Watch insurance is its own category, but operates identically.) To decide whether you need it for an engagement ring, Grandma’s pearls, or other items, look at each of them and stop to evaluate your instinctive emotional reaction to finding out that they’ve gone missing. The stronger the emotional reaction, the more reason to insure. For those who want even more peace of mind and are more worried about theft than loss, there’s the option of acquiring a safe in addition to insurance. New York-based Empire Safe is a family business in operation since 1904, catering to both businesses and residences. Empire Safe’s products range in price from $2,500 to $35,000, and are recommended for residences with $100,000 worth of jewelry or more. Once again, cinephiles with vivid imaginations are probably picturing stealthy thieves with high-tech equipment trying to pick a lock. In truth, what a thief really wants to do is either break open your safe or move it, so avoid an inexpensive one. “Ninety-nine percent of people selling safes don’t deal with high-end clients,” says Empire Safe president Richard Krasilovsky. “They’re selling safes that can be opened with common tools in the house.” The primary deterrent is weight. Empire Safe designs apartment safes that weigh 500 pounds and are secured to the floor. “They’re strong and heavy and the objective is to intimidate the burglar so he’ll go to shop elsewhere.” In houses, a ground-floor safe can weigh over 1,000 pounds, come armor-plated on all sides, and offer fire protection as an added bonus. Because when it comes to your valued keepsakes, do you really want to take chances?

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IMAGE COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT / THE KOBAL COLLECTION

Better


CLINT J.

STEFAN M.

THERE’S A FUNNY THING THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BUILD FACTORIES IN THIS COUNTRY. IT’S CALLED JOBS.

VALISA M.

ALEX S.

AVAIL ABLE E XCLUSIVELY AT FINE WATCH & JEWELRY RETAILERS


timepieces

John Travolta wore Breitling at a boutique opening.

Dan Stevens wore Baume & Mercier at British GQ’s Men of the Year Awards.

Chris Pratt wore Panerai at the Golden Globe Awards.

CelebrityWATCH A timely look at men’s style. BY JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

Patrick Dempsey wore TAG Heuer at the Monaco Grand Prix. Eddie Redmayne wore Omega at the opening night party for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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#M IC H ELELEA D IN G LA D Y


launches

RETURN OF THE

BLACK BAY

TUDOR’s new Black Bay

timepieces have collectors clamoring.

S

ince its launch in 2012 (with a red bezel), TUDOR’s Black Bay model has become a watch that conjures some serious street cred amongst watch collectors and enthusiasts given its strong nod to the historical watch references of TUDOR’s rich past. The essence of the Black Bay dates back to the 1954 TUDOR Oyster Prince Submariner, reference 7922. This was the technical dive watch that spawned future iterations, which became the preferred tool watch of the Marine Nationale and the U.S. Navy beginning in the ’60s. Throughout this time, TUDOR Submariners evolved, showcasing new and subtle design details with each model update. Ultimately, the culmination of these refinements directly inspired the 2012 Black Bay model as it exists today. So much so that the Black Bay took home the coveted Revival Prize at the 2013 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (often dubbed The Oscars of watchmaking). As of 2015, the Black Bay model was offered with a red, blue, or black bezel. In 2016, all colorways in the Black Bay line were fitted with new in-house manufacture movement MT5602, boasting an impressive 70-hour power reserve. There is no doubt as to why collectors are clamoring for these iconic, highly recognizable and historically important timepieces. The expansion of the Black Bay family in 2016 doesn’t end there; three entirely new models were introduced as well: Black Bay Bronze, Black Bay Dark and Black Bay 36. The Black Bay Bronze is TUDOR’s first-ever high-performance dive watch with bronze aluminum alloy case. The alloy was designed to patina over time, producing a variation of complementing warm tones. With its 43mm case, the Black Bay Bronze is now the largest case size available in the popular Heritage collection, housing TUDOR manufacture movement MT5601. The Black Bay Dark offers a fresh take on the stealth-like black aesthetic. With an all-over black PVD-treated steel case and bracelet, The Heritage Black Bay Dark has an entirely satin finish, reminiscent of military utility equipment. Like the Black Bay Red, Blue and Black, it features TUDOR movement MT5602. And, like every Black Bay and timepiece in the Heritage collection, this model comes with an additional fabric strap with purchase.

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Rihanna wore Mikimoto at her RiRi fragrance launch.

Alice Eve wore Armenta to attend the Men in Black 3 New York premiere. Florence Welch wore Gucci during an interview.

As Seen On... Our favorite stars share a love for our favorite brands! BY JILLIAN L ROCHELLE 1 A


Celine Dion wore Harry Kotlar at a live performance.

Jennifer Lopez wore Stephen Webster on the American Idol set.

Olivia Wilde wore John Hardy to the NBA All-Star Game. Robin Roberts wore David Yurman at The Academy Awards.

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Know Your Diamond CARAT WEIGHT

COLOR GRADE

CLARITY GRADE

CUT GRADE

Look for diamonds graded by GIA, the creator of the 4Cs. Learn more at 4Cs.GIA.edu

CARLSBAD

ANTWERP

BANGKOK

DUBAI

GABORONE

HONG KONG

JOHANNESBURG

LONDON

MUMBAI

NEW YORK

RAMAT GAN

SEOUL

TAIPEI

TOKYO


BRIDAL

SHUTTERSTOCK

A SPECIAL WEDDING SECTION FROM ACCENT MAGAZINE


Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Davidson (Brittney Bennett) April 8, 2016 New Orleans, LA

To have and to hold

Mr. & Mrs. Halston Barcelo (Megan HonorĂŠ) June 17, 2016 San Juan Capistrano, CA

from this day forward

Mr. & Mrs. Ignacio Macias (Pamela Rodriguez) May 28, 2016 San Antonio, TX

Mr. & Mrs. Travis Brown (Brittany Lewis) April 24, 2016 Jackson, MS


Mr. & Mrs. Kerbert Newton (Silva Burrell) July 18, 2015 St. Francisville, LA

Mr. & Mrs. Chandler Rice (Jenna Linn) May 28, 2016 Baton Rouge, LA

To love and to cherish all the days of my life

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Rodriquez (Maria Lamothe) May 28, 2016 Roatan, Honduras

Mr. & Mrs. Brody Bourg (Bailie Guidry) June 11, 2016 New Orleans, LA


Mr. & Mrs. William Greul (Megan Jobert) October 5, 2015 Orlando, FL

Today I promise

this to you

Mr. & Mrs. James Baker (Monique Shuler) November 14, 2015 New Orleans, LA

Mr. & Mrs. Jamison Dodd (Rebecca Barker) December 12, 2015 Wesson, MS

Mr. & Mrs. Deron Smith (Abbey Lewis) August 28, 2015 New Orleans, LA


™ are Trade Marks of The De Beers Group of Companies. ® and © Forevermark 2016. Forevermark ®,

It’s a long journey to become the one. In our constant pursuit of absolute beauty, every Forevermark diamond undergoes a journey of rigorous selection. This is why less than 1% of the world’s diamonds are worthy of the Forevermark inscription – our promise of beauty, rarity and responsible sourcing.


bridal

Wedding planning can be an emotional roller coaster. We asked licensed marriage and family therapist Marissa Nelson for advice on how to stay calm and enjoy

10TIPS

this special time in your life. BY LAURIE SCHECHTER

TOP

OW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT IN-LAWS: Remember, marriage is a transition for everyone. Relationships improve with time, effort and shared experiences. Be patient, be kind, and most important, don’t take things personally. HOW TO MANAGE CONFLICT IN YOUR BRIDAL PARTY: If you are unhappy with a bridesmaid’s actions, express yourself, says Nelson. Calmly talk to your friend about what you needed from her, how she upset or disappointed you, and how together you can move forward. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PARENTS DON’T LIKE YOUR FIANCÉ: Sit down with your parents without your other half. Clarify what their concerns are. Let them know that, while you understand, they should trust the way they raised you, Nelson advises. And remind them you know what’s best for you. Build respect and work towards acceptance through open lines of communication. HOW TO NAVIGATE WHO DOES AND DOESN’T MAKE THE GUEST LIST: It’s important to look around the room on your wedding day and have all the people that you love and have a bond with there, celebrating with you, says Nelson. Uninvited guests may be upset, but stick to your guns. Choose people because they’re special to you, not out of obligation. HOW TO GET YOUR GROOM INVOLVED: Your fiancé can contribute in different ways. Some give financial or emotional support. Others help closer to the wedding day, running errands or picking people up from the airport. Engage your fiancé so he feels his contribution matters, says Nelson. And don’t get upset if he isn’t involved in exactly the way you imagined. HOW TO KEEP THE PLANNING AS FUN AS THE WEDDING DAY: This wedding is a reflection of your personality and vision, so have fun and get

creative with unique touches that reflect who you are as a couple, says Nelson. Be silly. Enjoy being a bride and take it easy. This is time for pampering, and excitement about the future as a Mrs. HOW TO DEAL WITH LAST-MINUTE NERVES: Nerves are to be expected as you step into this new phase of your life. But don’t let those thoughts spiral to overwhelming you. Call on your bridesmaids or maid of honor to rally around you, with love, to calm you and assure you everything is going to be okay. HOW TO BE TRUE TO YOUR WEDDING DREAM EVEN IF OTHERS WANT SOMETHING ELSE: Being true to who you are as a couple means having a clear vision for your day, maintaining boundaries and keeping a united front. Know which wedding details are non-negotiable and which you are willing to compromise on, so that your family can be included in the process, suggests Nelson. HOW NOT TO FEEL OVERWHELMED EVEN WITHOUT A WEDDING PLANNER: Don’t try to take on every task by yourself or suffer in silence with a long to-do list. The key word is delegate. Have a team of friends and family that you trust to help execute your wedding vision. Most importantly, says Nelson, take everything one day at a time. SINGLE BEST ADVICE FOR THE WEDDING DAY: Detach yourself from the idea of perfection. You are stepping into and preparing for marriage. If some things don’t go as planned, it’s okay. Be present. Soak in all that is a day to celebrate love. Marissa Nelson is a licensed marriage and family therapist, an AASECT certified therapist and the founder of IntimacyMoons Couples & Singles Retreats.

56

SHUTTERSTOCK

H

FOR BIG-DAY BLISS



bridal

Propose with one of these trending styles and post the good news!

#SHESAIDYES BY LORRAINE DEPASQUE

A FEW FAVORITE CUTS Perhaps celebrity engagements (Blake Lively, Julianne Hough) have played a role in its popularity, for never in recent times has the oval been so in demand. “This fancy diamond cut is one way a bride can have something out of the ordinary,” says Guttery, “and depending on how the stone is cut it can really elongate the finger and look very graceful on your hand.” Nonetheless, according to The Knot’s study, 49% of modern brides still prefer the traditional round, while princess cuts come in as second most popular.

GEM AND METAL COLORS TO LOVE If you do decide on a classic round center diamond, another way to differentiate is by choosing a stone other than a white diamond. “Colored

gems are in vogue for bridal,” says Guttery, “especially ruby, emerald and all shades of sapphire.” He mentions aquamarine, too. Light blue gems and pink stones have notably become more sought-after in bridal since the Pantone Color Institute named Serenity (a pastel blue) and Rose Quartz (a light pink) as the 2016 Colors of the Year. A pink gemstone set in rose gold is a beautiful, feminine, tone-on-tone look. Just the same, says Baillie, “Our latest research shows that 68% of brides still want 18K or 14K white gold for their wedding rings.” That said, more and more, as women look for artisanal flair, they’re buying yellow gold, reports Guttery. “Specifically, rich and buttery 18-karat. The glow it gives off is radiating, and the textures and patterns in yellow gold look great.”

DESIGN ’N DETAIL Whether in the precious-metal surface of your wedding ring, the prongs and bezels holding the gems, or the overall aesthetic, today’s bride is looking for detail, Guttery emphasizes. “Even if a ring itself is simple, the head may have scrollwork, a shank might have an unusual pattern of pavé diamonds and cutouts, or the focus gem may be held by artistic prongs. Also, a lot of today’s designers are re-interpreting elements from past eras—Edwardian or Deco, for example—and incorporating them into their signature bridal styles. Something I’m definitely noticing is more ornate scrollwork.” One last thing: Before you begin your search for that once-in-a-lifetime ring, be sure to ask your jeweler about two-stone designs, including bypass styles. It’s a retro silhouette that’s made its way into modern bridal—and lots of (soon-to-be) engaged women are falling in love with it.

58

IMAGES COURTESY OF HARRY KOTLAR, RAHAMINOV, PENNY PREVILLE

W

hite, yellow, or rose gold? Round, square, or cushion cut? Classic, modern, or vintage style? When deciding on an engagement ring and wedding band, the choices may seem overwhelming. “We found that one bride-to-be went online and actually looked at 3,800 engagement rings in one day,” chuckles Bernadette Baillie, director of education for TheKnot.com. “That’s huge dedication!” Baillie recalls the story while discussing the results of her popular wedding site’s 2016 Luxury Bridal Jewelry & Engagement Ring Study, for which The Knot surveyed 13,000 Millennial couples. To help get your own research underway, we also spoke with jewelry expert Benjamin G. Guttery about what’s trending in wedding ring designs, diamond cuts and colors, precious metals and more. Guttery, a GIA graduate/jewelry trend forecaster/brand advocate, is also founder of the blog Third Coast Gems.



bridal

Out of THE BOX

Personalize your special day by throwing away the rule book. BY JULIANNE PEPITONE

THE PARTY DOESN’T STOP HERE

ALTERNATIVE TREATS TAKE THE CAKE Artfully arranged cupcake towers became the trendiest way to ditch the wedding cake a few years ago, but now all kinds of alternatives exist—many of which don’t include cake at all. Donut towers: Like a Little Black Dress, this cake alternative can be dressed up or down: stacks of apple cider donuts with milk for a cozy-casual fall wedding, or carefully constructed towers of ganache-iced confections alongside espresso at more elegant affairs. Donut towers can look more traditional, too: Philadelphia-based Federal Donuts constructs displays of its treats on a tiered stand and adds decorative elements like flowers and ribbons, if desired. Ice cream: Think DIY sundae bars packed with toppings like decadent fudge and buttery toffee bits. Or build-it-yourself ice cream sandwich tables with loads of flavor options and gooey cookies to mix and match. For a pricier but super-fun treat, hire a good old ice cream truck to roll up as the celebration winds down. Tipsy Cones is a grown-up version of the Mr. Softee truck, offering alcoholic flavors like whiskey mash, drunken French toast and watermelon mojito ice. Throwback treats: Yes, weddings are about joining together as adults, but dessert inspires pure childlike joy. Los Angeles’ Cake Monkey specializes in gourmet versions of childhood faves like Ho Hos, Oreos and Little Debbies, whipped up with high-quality ingredients like bittersweet chocolate and fleur de sel.

The wedding was perfect, the reception was a blast… and now, the DJ is packing up as the venue staff turns on all the lights. It’s a bummer when the party comes to a close, but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Planned wedding after-parties are on the rise, but informal post-nuptial hangouts are an easy way to keep the revelry going past midnight. A simple option: Rent space at a bar that’s within walking distance of the reception venue. Beach brides and grooms might invite guests to a post-bash bonfire, while winter couples can host a cozy s’moresroasting session with spiked coffee. Massachusetts teacher Jessica Dougherty and her husband Kerry opted to plan a post-wedding bowling session, complete with custom “Team Jerry” shirts, for their special day. They chose Point Lookout Resort in Maine specifically because the complex offered loads of fun options on the grounds, and they wanted to help create a full weekend getaway for their guests. “It was so funny to see the pairings—my high school friend’s husband bowling with Kerry’s friend from Italy,” Dougherty said. “But the real point was to have some downtime with the people who mean the most to us. I know it sounds a little corny, but we wanted the love, the moment, to last as long as possible.”

60

ANYTHING GOES Rigid wedding-party rules once required matchymatchy dresses and an equal number of ’maids and ’men. But selecting the party is meant to honor the people in your life, regardless of gender, age or any centuries-old guidelines. Now, anything goes: a “bridesman,” “best woman,” or “man of honor,” and the 89-year-old who served as a bridesmaid in her granddaughter’s Pennsylvania wedding last year. Burberry employee Katelyn Venezia, 30, opted to forgo the traditional wedding party altogether for her July 2016 nuptials—but she still honored her closest friends, sans fuss. “I didn’t want them to feel pressure or strings attached,” Venezia explains. “I felt the practice of getting everyone together to try on dresses and then having them spend hundreds on something they won’t wear again was outdated.” So she wrote 10 girlfriends letters thanking them for their friendship and explaining her plan: she wanted the group to get ready together the morning of the wedding, but there would be no formal procession down the aisle and no matching gowns. The cards included an inspiration board, and Venezia invited each woman to choose her own dress for the wedding in one of those colors. “I wanted to let the girls know they are so special to me,” she says. “That’s what’s important— the friendships, not the bridesmaid dress.”



bridal

natural

Wedding hair is having a boho moment. BY JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

WONDERS TOP TRENDS When asked what today’s brides are requesting most, hairstylist Emily Carcaramo of Once Upon a Bride doesn’t hesitate. “Natural, natural, natural!” she replies. Carcaramo, who also styles celebrities for editorial and television appearances, always encourages brides to consider textured updos or half-up styles for longevity purposes. “But for those brides set on wearing their hair down, go for natural-looking waves. And no matter how thick your hair is, I suggest adding extensions so the volume translates for your photos and doesn’t fall flat halfway through the festivities.” Angelo David, who styles hair on-location for celebs like Coco Rocha and Christie Brinkley as well as in his eponymous NYC salon, couldn’t agree more. “Many women wish they had thicker hair, and on their wedding of all days, they should feel like the best version of themselves. We can match Couture Extensions to your hair so you look like yourself, only better, and your style will hold up all day.”

While messy, piecey hair can look great in photos, brides getting married outdoors should avoid having too many loose strands. (Same goes for brides who have outdoor photo sessions scheduled before or after the ceremony.) You never know when a gust of wind might come along and turn your style from boho to bedhead.

In! Natural Texture Out: Pageant-Perfect Ringlets In! Over-Ear Embellishments

Out: Princess Tiaras

In! Budding Blooms Out: Birdcage Veils 62

LEAVE IT TO THE PROS Though “undone” hairstyles may look effortless, they’re often anything but. Many actually comprise several intricate steps and are best left to a trained professional. Even if you consider yourself a whiz with the hot tools, this is one time you should call for backup. Kate Middleton famously did her own makeup for her April 2011 wedding to Prince William, but she knew enough to trust the pros with her tresses on that allimportant day.

TOP IMAGE COURTESY OF CLAIRE PETTIBONE, INSET IMAGES COURTESY OF DAVID’S BRIDAL

LOCATION, LOCATION


Love takes spark THEN IT CALLS FOR SPARKLE. That’s where we step in. We specialize in elegant pairings for you and your intended- the right ring for that finger and the proper band to match. We’ve been designing magnificent diamond rings since 1892 so we know a thing or two about combinations. Come meet with Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry to guide you through every step of the selection process.


ELEVATE YOUR EXPECTATIONS!

With three San Antonio locations to choose from, there’s an elevated dining experience just minutes away!

1133 Austin Highway 210.824.8686 / 434 N. Loop 1604 West 210.483.8989 / 22211 IH-10 West 210.698.2002


THE

ESTATE JEWELRY COLLECTION

At Lee Michaels

Antique Design. Modern Perspective.


PerfectGEMS

Explore the little luxuries the world has to offer. BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

BALI HIGH

As if lolling on the sandy beaches of Bali wasn’t enough to lure you to this tropical paradise, the Ritz Carlton Bali has added another temptation. Their special Sarong Concierge, Tresna Dewi, will take guests on a halfday journey that includes seeing samples of local textiles used to make sarongs, visiting an artisan workshop to witness the behind-the-scenes production process of Endek (Bali’s capital’s official cloth), getting an etiquette lesson on how to wear and walk elegantly in the garment, and then visiting a nearby Hindu temple, clad in their sarongs, where they can take in the site’s beautiful décor and hand carvings. Is there a better way to be a local culture vulture?

THE GOLD STANDARD We already know how lovely gold can look on your neck, wrists or ears, but it turns out it’s even better on your face. Euphorie Cosmetics’ Le Royal Luxury 24K Gold skincare line uses the precious metal in everything from an anti-aging eye mask to a cellular serum, all-day moisturizer, facial peeling gel, night cream and filler cream—and with good reason. Gold restores lost elasticity to tissue, slows down collagen depletion and breaks down elastin to prevent sagging skin. Now, your face’s luster can match the shine of your favorite pieces of jewelry!

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PerfectGEMS

The LUXURY of LAUGHTER C

artoons are always good for a laugh, but sometimes, they’re equally good at making us take a closer look at society. Nowhere was that truer than the cartoons featured from 1877 to 1917 in the magazine Puck, many of which are on display as part of With a Wink and a Nod: Cartoonists of the Golden Age at Chicago’s Richard H. Dreihaus Museum. The exhibition, which features 74 rare original drawings for the magazine, also includes illustrated commentary on America’s upper class by such artists as Samuel Ehrhart, Louis Dalrymple and Franklin Howarth. A companion exhibition, Gilded Age Luxury, showcases more than a dozen small luxury goods from the same period, including J.P. Morgan’s own walking stick. We suggest you run and see it before January 8, when these exhibits will close.

M

Heavenly REST

ost beds are for getting a good night of ZZZs, but not Swiss artist Conor Mccreedy’s latest art installation, My Blue Heaven. This ingenious, glass-encased design uses the artist’s famous Mccreedyblue pigment combined with the finest white leather, gold/brass pin buttons, and, most importantly, a specially created bed from Bernarda Beds made from the finest micro wood and top-quality silver. The wood base under the box spring was crafted from naturally fallen Austrian trees so it absorbs humidity, and the silver technology prevents any germs. As for the mattress, forget Sealy or Serta—it was personally commissioned and modeled exactly on the artist’s body and weight, movements and comforts. This one-of-a-kind work is currently traveling the world’s most renowned art fairs, and is expected to be on view during Art Basel Miami in December.

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THANKS

for the memories

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone finds taking a great photograph as easy as point and shoot. For travelers who lack even the most basic camera skills, or want to leave both their camera and cell phone behind, there’s Flytographer. This very clever service, now available in 175 of the world’s major cities, connects you online with one of its 350 qualified photographers, who can join you on your trip and capture those precious memories clearly and beautifully. And while the results are not instantly available, you only have to wait a mere five business days to see the finished product—which you’ll then have a lifetime to savor.



SERVICE AWARD PROGRAMS MILESTONE & RETIREMENT GIFTS SALES RECOGNITION AWARDS SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT GIFTS

C O R P O R AT E G I F T S & AWA R D S The Lee Michaels Corporate Gifts & Awards Division offers a full range of distinctive products for companies and organizations celebrating essential milestones. We communicate the right message to clients, employees, peers and communities.

TOURNAMENTS & GOLF TROPHIES

Our competitive service and commitment to excellence guarantee that everyone will enjoy the reward, recognition and representation of your business. For customer service, please contact Lindsay Chustz Guerin at 225-368-3641 or lindsayg@lmfj.com.


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amenities

Jet-set

PETS

Have furry friends, will travel. BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

E

xtra socks, check. Phone charger, check. Pomeranian, check. That’s right: millions of Americans these days are choosing to bring their beloved animal companion with them when traveling, whether for vacation or a special family occasion. But depending on where you’re going (and how long you’re going for), it’s not always as easy as making sure you’ve packed your cosmetic case.

Kimpton Hotels, considered by many to be the most petaccommodating of hotel groups, will also provide water bowls, treats, pet beds, toys and pooperscooper bags. Some of their hotels go one step further, including an outdoor “Doggie Happy Hour,” where owners can sip and savor offerings from the hotel’s restaurant while pets are treated to their own delights. (Kimpton also happily houses cats, birds, and other pets of most any sort.) Meanwhile, at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, the pet bowls are specially filled with Evian water. Many members of the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott family of hotels also do their utmost to accommodate canine companions. (That said, all hotels do not let pets into their restaurants or any area serving food, and leashes must be used in indoor public areas.) Some boutique hotels are going one step further. The Enchante Boutique Hotel in Los Altos, California not only provides some pet-friendly rooms with patios, but also offers all pets a welcome package including organic biscuits, and sells chef-made organic pet treats and other wonderful items in its gift shop. (The hotel also has agreements with a nearby dog behaviorist and a professional pet photographer.) Unsurprisingly, the Cypress Inn in Carmel, California—co-owned by actress and animal activist Doris Day—has a special area where you can wash off your pet after a walk on the nearby beach, and offers cozy petblankets for in-room use, among other amenities. So for those humans who consider their pets part of the family, there’s no reason not to include your beloved animal companion in the family fun of traveling.

GETTING THERE Experienced pet owners say if your destination is within driving distance (and Spot can fit in the backseat), traveling by car can often be simpler than flying. Just make sure you stop every four hours or so to let the dog walk and do his/her business, and never leave the pet in a car alone. If you must fly, don’t plan the trip last minute. Be aware that every airline has different policies—although few allow dogs larger than 20 pounds in the cabin. (Do you really want your pet in cargo?) Fees vary wildly. So do each airline’s rules as to how many pets are allowed on each individual flight, so booking as early as possible is advised. And get to the airport well in advance, as you may need extra time at security or before boarding to ensure your companion’s comfort and safety.

BEING THERE Tip number one: Standard policy at any hotel is that the pet cannot be in the room without his human companion. Fortunately, many chains will arrange for pet sitters or dog walkers upon request.

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wine

SPARKLING DIVERSIONS

FRANCIACORTA, Italy’s “secret” sparkling wine.

I

n recent years, Americans have developed a renewed passion for sparkling wines beyond Champagne. While Italy is best known for Prosecco, Lambrusco and BY ROBERT HAYNES-PETERSON Moscato, people are now discovering Franciacorta, a more complex sibling. Made in the metodo classico (or “Champagne method”), where secondary fermentation—the bubble part—occurs in the bottle rather than in steel tanks, bottles age at least 25 months for non-vintage and at least 37 months for vintage or millesimato wines before they are released. The Franciacorta DOCG (a region designated for control and quality of production) lies in Lombardy at the base of the Alps in northern Italy. Elegant, rustic vineyards stand on low slopes and broad valleys below daunting dolomitic Alpine peaks. Sparse trees, gravelly limestone soils and crystal clear lakes reflect the (relatively) cool weather conditions perfect for making bright, tart bubblies commonly evoking hints of pear, papaya, grapefruit and apple. “Franciacorta gives much of the same wonderment of brioche and hazelnut aromas as Champagne, but with refreshing hints of citrus, and a persistent effervescence,” notes wine educator Keith Beavers of VinePair.com. Beavers was part of a nationwide series of “Bubble Boot Camp” seminars this year organized by CitySip.com, of which one was a multi-day “Fun With Franciacorta” event in New York City. Though Italians and Romans have been making still wines in this part of Lombardy for millennia, sparkling wine is a newcomer: winemaker Franco Ziliani produced the first 3,000 bottles in 1961 while working for Count Guido Berlucchi (credited with dubbing wine “Franciacorta” for the first time). The appellation achieved DOC status in 1967 and DOCG in 1995. Today a number of stellar brands are available, notably Bellavista, Ca’ del Bosco and Berlucchi. Many wine writers and sommeliers consider Franciacorta Italy’s best sparkling wine and the one that, like Champagne, can cellar for years or decades. “With a total production that is only 1/20th of the production of Champagne and 1/30th of the production of Prosecco, Franciacorta will continue to focus on a natural approach to the winemaking process, and quality over quantity,” says Giulio Galli, managing director of TMT USA, which imports Bellavista. “We see an evolution where sparkling wines are no longer relegated to celebratory occasions, but are consumed in many different situations by a growing number of people.” Not everything elegant needs cost an arm and a leg: most Franciacortas are nonvintage, ranging between $15 and $35. But if it’s luxury expressions you seek, you have options. The Ca’ del Bosco Annamaria Cleminti Rosé ($100) is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from 30-plus-year-old vines, with all steps of vinification and aging taking place in oak casks. And last year, Bellavista released a limited magnum opus (in magnum bottles) called Meraviglioso. The blend of six premium vintages from over the past 30 years will run you between $500 and $800 a bottle—if you can find one.

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New Orleans

Restaurant R’evolution 504.553.2277

Ridgeland

Seafood R’evolution Chef John Folse

601.853.3474

Chef Rick Tramonto


food

NUEVO

MEXICO Zarandeado adobo-marinated sea bass, charcoal grilled with Miraflores ratatouille

O

We’re not talking about the state of

ne thousand miles south of San Acapulco first inspired him, ensuring that Diego, I’m seated at the marble bar of today his ingredients all grow within 100 the Hilton Los Cabos’ El Meson miles of his kitchen. restaurant (a farm-to-fork and sea-to-table food spot), where I’m chopping a potpourri of Why did you decide to work in ingredients for what will be lunch—a unique Cabo when your training could guest experience the hotel can arrange upon have gotten you a job anywhere? request. Before me is a basket overflowing I can imagine tremendous places like Paris with the freshest ingredients I’ve ever seen, for and New York, where you can bring in the a tortilla soup and guacamole. I know how best-quality products, but I have farmers who BY SHIRA LEVINE fresh the produce is because only two hours have a lot of love for their products. I gain earlier I hand-picked the cilantro, radishes, creativity from that. tomatoes, peppers, arugula, corn, edible wildflowers and a dozen other delights from Can you give me an example? the verdant, fertile grounds of the Huerta Tiky When I saw the zucchini flowers today my Cabo farm alongside Chef Mauricio Lopez. imagination was like, “I can do this, and this As the Hilton’s post-Hurricane Odile and this.” I’m really impressed with how the culinary asset, Mexico’s celebrity chef brings a farmers worry about the products; they love culinary genius with a heavy helping of them. So I care very much about all the great sustainability to his mixing bowls. Rather than ingredients I have in front of me. I love when I focus on flying in fine products from far-flung hear, “Chef, I have a new product for you; you locations, he’s got farmer Gilberto Verdugo need to use it in your dishes!” The farmers just over an hour away, beyond the Sierra de la give me ideas; they say, “Do it roasted.” And Giganta in Miraflores. Chef Lopez sources the then that gets my imagination working, a fruits (and vegetables) of Verdugo’s labors to revolution in my mind. prepare uniquely tasty menus for guests who’ve included Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Adam Sandler…and me. Tell me about your food memories from Acapulco. While gathering greens with the sweet-faced, crinkly eyed chef, I When my abuela started cooking, the house smelled delicious—steaks got to know the man whose abuela’s kitchen back in his hometown of with cumin, onions, garlic, pepper. She would let me smell the pan. We

New Mexico, but rather a reimagined look at Mexico’s cuisine that’s haute

enough to tantalize the palate. Here, we chat with a leader in the kitchen, CHEF MAURICIO LOPEZ.

76



children thought it was meatballs. She would tell us to go outside because she wanted it to be a mystery. I would look to see the ingredients and then imagine the seeds, the onion, the garlic and the cumin that she put into it.

What would be your last supper?

Do you cook for your grandma and your mom now?

How does she make them for you?

I was born in Acapulco so I like my resources. I like to be on the ocean and catch and make my food. I also like cheese, prosciutto and pasta. I love pasta more than enchiladas—and I like enchiladas. But the truth? Sopes made by my wife.

Simple: corn, a little oil, salsa, cheese, onions and cream. That’s it! That makes me happy! No salmon. No foie gras. No caviar. Sopes.

They love how I cook because I show them how they can make another kind of preparation with their recipes.

And when you are feeling fancy, what do you like?

How old were you when you started cooking? Seventeen. I was one of 15 kids trained to be future chefs for a high-end company. I was one of two guys from Mexico. I won the contest when I was 19 and they sent me to Cancun to start my new life. I trained two-and-half years from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. with three chefs from Asia and France. Now I create my own style of cuisine.

Margarita

Foie gras of course. Also the seafood in Italy, the carbonara pasta in Rome. They use what I love: tomatoes, oil, garlic, basil. That’s it. Simple and easy.

That is your food philosophy: easy, delicious, clean and fresh.

How would you describe your food?

Yes. I have the ocean before me. I have fish. I add the ingredients, what’s in front of me. I don’t have to go to Europe for foie gras, or to Chile for salmon. Everything is here!

A little of everything. I like Italian food. Mexican was one of the last cuisines that I learned. I like simple freshness. I like farm-to-table.

What is an ingredient you don’t have that you want?

You don’t always keep it simple. You got very detailed in your collaboration with the Hilton’s Eforea Spa and its director, Adriana Tello. When I saw the inside of the spa I saw the little tables, and all the little brushes and bottles, and I thought, “I can do something like this with food.” My chefs can do something very special right in front of the guests, with stations and little details, a food menu that reflects the spa.

I don’t need anything else, I have everything. Why do I need caviar if I have really good, fresh fish here? I have really good tuna! Japanese come here to Mexico for our tuna.

You studied with great chefs and mentors. What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned? The best, most important and unique ingredient that I can put on my plate is love.

NORTH OF THE BORDER Wall or no wall, Mexican food culture will continue to influence cuisine here in the United States. The best Mexican-inspired eats are undeniably delicious and increasingly authentic, fresh and local for those who prefer maiz over flour, and are in the cilantro-isdelicious camp. I ate at thoughtfully menued restaurants across the U.S. and found a few special spots where you can get your buen provecho on. In coastal Alabama, dishes get innovative in order to keep things local. At Chef Chris Sherrill’s FLORA-BAMA YACHT CLUB, the lionfish nachos and a catfish ceviche with red snapper cracklin’ give the menu some south-of-the-border flair. James Beard semifinalist Chef Bill Briand, of FISHER’S ORANGE BEACH, fuses Latin flavors into his blue crab claws, marinated in a charred corn vinaigrette with pickled chiles, cilantro and smoked paprika. In Pittsburgh, Chef Dave Racicot’s TÄKO boasts grilled pork shoulder tacos al pastor with roasted pineapple and avocado salsa. My favorite? Tacos Täko: grilled octopus with harissa aioli, preserved lemon and mizuna greens and herbs. The Hawaiian island of Oahu’s fine food scene embraces its multi-culti diversity by using local poke and ahi as base ingredients. At BUHO COCINA Y CANTINA, the Mexican spicy tuna bites take ahi to the next level with spiced serrano chili, chipotle aioli and a tomatillo habanero dressing. At the Four Seasons at Ko’Olina’s brand-new FISH HOUSE, Chef Martin Knaubert’s Mexican corn forever seduces palates, and the chicharon-style duck with Portuguese sausage fried rice is not to be missed. Don’t mess with a foodie’s taco night! At SPOON & STABLE in Minneapolis, Chef Gavin Kaysen’s North Loop restaurant is the food spot du jour come Saturday night. The former Daniel Boulud protégé’s tacos out-dazzle fancy food trucks with mouthwatering filling options: octopus tacos with cranberry beans, and red mole duck with ramp salsa and fried cheese curds.

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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


décor

Small

SPACES

Big style for little kids. BY CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD

W

hether they’re preparing to have their home photographed for a shelter magazine or just want to instill good taste from an early age, stylish parents are putting as much attention into the design of their children’s rooms as the rest of their home. And that means designers are having to add kids’ rooms to their repertoire. Fortunately, it doesn’t require a degree in child psychology or familiarity with the latest Disney characters. Stylish and functional children’s rooms have nothing to do with fantasy themes and everything to do with quality and taste. For interior designer Susanna Salk, the market for sophisticated children’s furniture and design has been growing for about a decade. In 2010 she wrote Room for Children: Stylish Spaces For Sleep And Play, which she calls the first-ever book on the topic. “In shelter magazines you never used to see where the kids lived,” she says, “and then suddenly magazines started putting kids jumping up and down on fabulous furniture on their covers. Parents today want to extend the style and function of their home into the children’s

And in this case, succeeding. “Give kids more credit,” Salk advises. “They don’t need dumbed-down-design rooms. Let them play a role and chances are they’ll take better care of it.” As for designers, Salk says they should treat design for kids the same as for grown-ups. “It’s just another room of the house, so ask ‘What do you love, what makes you happy, what do you need for this room to be functional?’” Cultivating taste in children at a young age is, of course, subject to the whims of fashion, which are always in motion. “As with fashion, kids’ furniture and design follows trends,” says Sasso Sidi Said, owner of New York-based Dodo Les Bobos, which offers children’s furniture and design services. “For a while it’s been black, white and gray, and geometric patterns. The parents like it as it’s away from the classic pink and blue, but girls from toddler to pre-teen are still very much into all shades of pink.” Kids can be fickle with their interests and change comes rapidly during adolescence, but high-end children’s interior design is meant to better

rooms, and give them the same attention and imagination that they’re giving to the rest of the house.” That imagination doesn’t include theme rooms, however, and Salk was adamant about not including them in her book. “The nicer the room, the less you’re going to need to change it. Why spend $10,000 on a Star Wars theme when in a year the kid will be sick of it?” You might think that getting kids to appreciate fine design is about as easy as getting them to do their homework or eat their vegetables. But, just as with studies and Brussels sprouts, that doesn’t stop parents from trying.

accommodate this change. “Not having theme rooms makes it easier to evolve into another stage,” echoes Said. Although children grow and will need their beds replaced, and will have to trade a toy chest for a study desk, neutral colors in decor make these changes simpler. In the past couple of years, Said has seen the market explode for children’s furniture, most of it Scandinavian and simple in style. “It’s wellthought out, functional, chemical-free and does not sacrifice on design. I think it’s important to give real design furniture to children, and to make them aware of the beauty and the work that was put into creating it.”

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PURE FORM


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

FALL/WINTER 2016/17


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