NiC Magazine | Fall 2014 *Premiere Issue* by NiC Magazine

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“I am my own work of art.”

Inside Joan Rivers Robert Risko Blake Little Iconic Gowns BEST RESTAURANTS SMART MONEY GETTING Gorgeous

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 @NowItCounts

S Y SHE’ H W S DS U REMIN S SHE DO IT? R A T S E T BIGGES OP.’ HOW DO S ’ D L R P O THE W E ‘QUEEN OF H T ERIA STILL ÉREZ-F H BY RIC

AR D P

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INSIDE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

Big Stories

Madonna, Again

The world’s biggest pop star keeps showing her would-be successors how it’s really done. By RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

Finding Risko

Robert Risko is not only the planet’s greatest celebrity illustrator, he’s also the smartest. By RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

Reverse Mortgages: This Is Not The Story You’re Expecting

When even wealthier homeowners are opting in, the question is: Why aren’t you? By BUCK WARGO

Iconic Gowns: Red Carpet Magic

In a sea populated with young Hollywood starlets, these women turned it out with class. By RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

Food Heaven

Presenting the dozen restaurants in the country you absolutely have to experience. By abby tegnelia

Blake Little: Hollywood’s Quiet Celebrity Photographer

4 FUNNY 5 HOME 6 EDITOR 46 GORGEOUS 49 GENTLEMAN 50 GET OFF MY LAWN

Meet Tinseltown’s worst-kept secret for chronicling the world’s most famous people. By RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

On The Cover

Madonna by Robert Risko; (opposite) Samuel L. Jackson photographed by Blake Little.

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“Everything I do and experience has a profound influence on my work.” —Photographer Blake Little, page 36

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FUNNY LADIES ONLY: 5 FUNNY WOMEN Tell us a joke

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 Volume 1, Issue 4

Richard Pérez-Feria

Whoopi, Ellen, Kathy, Wanda and Joan show us that comedy is woman’s work.

Vice President, Editor in Chief

“I don’t have pet peeves, I have whole kennels of irritation.”

Bill Baskin

Design Director Warren Baskin Senior Editor Buck Wargo Beauty + Grooming Editor Marco Medrano Entertainment + Travel Editor Abby Tegnelia Editors at Large Martin Berusch, Richard Zombeck Contributing Editor Mario Quirce Senior Photographer Myrna Suárez

Whoopi

Goldberg

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NiC is published by Complete Senior, Inc.

Ellen DeGeneres “Accept who you are—unless you’re a serial killer.”

Joan Rivers “I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.”

Kathy Griffin “I was raised right; I talk about people behind their backs.”

Wanda Sykes “Don’t bother me while I’m eating, or when I’m coming out of the crack house or something. Just let me get going.”

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Bill Baskin Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Buttke President Tetsuya Kosaka Chief Operating Officer Eli Gladden Chief Marketing Officer Complete Senior, Inc. 31642 S. Coast Highway, Suite 102 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 T. (877) 479-4544 (toll free) F. (949) 379-8041

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EDITOR JOAN RIVERS: Learning To Live In A World Without A COMEDY ICON HER SHOCKING death FLEW IN THE FACE OF HOW PRESENT ThE GREAT JOAN RIVERS WAS UP UNTIL THE VERY END. SHE WASN’T DONE. By Richard Pérez-Feria

here’s so much to say about Joan Rivers I frankly don’t even know where to begin. About two months before her passing on September 4—my birthday—I decided I was going to write about Rivers for a lot of reasons, but mostly about how her take-no-prisoners, unapologetic ferocity she’s always had on stage had been increasingly evident off stage. I was fascinated as a life-long Rivers fan (she referred to her most ardent followers as “Joan Rangers”) how the 81-year-old comedy legend was navigating this magical moment in her incredible life—so in control, so indefatigable, so alive. Everywhere you turned there was Rivers: Hosting her aggressively hilarious show, Fashion Police; promoting her tenth book, The New York Times bestseller Diary Of A Mad Diva; on her popular and intimate Web interview show, In Bed With Joan, on QVC selling her mega-successful jewelry, fashion and makeup lines; but, deeply troubling, Rivers had also become something of a regular presence on TMZ, the paparazzi gotcha! website, where Rivers had been giving shockingly indelicate, raw, off-the-cuff assessments of current, no-win, hot-button issues (the

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CRY ME A RIVERS On Fashion Police, Rivers mischievously got away with saying anything she wanted—the most jaw-dropping, saltiest, guffaw-inducing barbs on American television.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict, defending Alec Baldwin’s homophobic slurs) and I held my breath truly scared that my beloved Rivers was skating perilously close to getting “Paula Deened” if she continued down this unfortunate soundbite road. For the first time ever, I wanted—I implored—Joan Rivers to zip it. And that was what I was going to write about. Then, as we know, she paid a visit to a Manhattan medical facility and never came back to us. I was actually on Twitter when I first saw that horrible alert stating that Rivers had been rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in cardiac arrest. I literally stopped breathing. Even as I read the thousands of hopeful prayers, messages and scarce updates on her condition, in my heart I knew the Joan Rivers who reverberated so presently in the very depth of my soul was lost to us forever. When the global outpouring reached a crescendo on the news that, yes, in fact, Rivers had died peacefully surrounded by her two great loves, daughter Melissa and grandson Cooper, the only message I read that made me cry from my semifrozen state of shock was fellow fearless comic Sarah Silverman’s perfect three-word tribute: “She wasn’t done.” She’s right, damn it. Joan Rivers so wasn’t done.

Rivers was a galvanized tsunami of fearless comedy. She was ridiculously, relentlessly, side-splittingly funny and singularly unforgettable.

It’s almost unimaginable a world without Joan Rivers in it. That’s something I never had to encounter. I first saw Joan Rivers perform at the beautiful Saenger Theatre in New Orleans in 1983 while I was a student at Tulane University. I had never experienced anything quite like it. From my seventh row seat I witnessed a miracle— Rivers was a galvanized tsunami of fearless comedy: Elizabeth Taylor is so fat that she stands in front of the microwave and yells ‘HURRY!’; Prince Charles is so upset at Princess Diana because HE wants to be the next queen of England!; If you marry for love you’re stupid, stupid, stupid—men don’t want brains, when a man feels up a woman’s dress he’s not looking for a library card! And on and on it went like this for two hours. She was ridiculously, relentlessly, side-splittingly funny and singularly unforgettable. I fell deeply in love with Joan Rivers that night. How could I not? And I wasn’t alone. A few years later while working at Esquire magazine, my first job after graduating, I watched sadly as FOX cancelled Rivers’ late night show only seven months after its debut. I sent Rivers a short, handwritten note (remember those?) letting her know how much I loved her and reminded her to keep her chin up. Not two weeks later, I received—on personalized pink stationery, no less—a beautiful, funny, heartfelt response from Rivers thanking me for taking the time to reach out. I

still have that letter framed along with my most precious possessions. That Joan Rivers had real class. My can’t-miss weekly guiltiest of pleasures was watching Rivers mercilessly skewer her favorite celebrity targets Gwyneth Paltrow, John Travolta and the Kardashians on Fashion Police. I mean, seriously, can we talk? From that E! perch the always stylish Rivers mischievously got away with saying the most jawdropping, saltiest, guffaw-inducing barbs on American television and I loved every second of it. Joan Rivers was, up until the very end, right at the top of her game— sharper than a tack. And she wasn’t done. Damn it. I think I understood why Rivers recoiled a bit at the perpetual tags everyone tried to pin on her: “pioneer,” “living legend,” “icon.” Though she was certainly all of those things, to Rivers those labels belonged to people whose best days were behind them and she dared you to not call her current or relevant. This tireless dynamo was still burning up Twitter and Instagram right up until a few hours before her death. Not many pioneers would’ve even bothered with social media. Joan Rivers owned social media. That’s current. That’s today. She wasn’t done. Damn it, Joan Rivers wasn’t done.

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Madonn (again) After more than three decades on top, Madonna has never been more relevant, more powerful or more interesting than she is at this very moment. How in the world does she do it? BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

’m writing about Madonna. Again. In one of those full circle moments Oprah tends to get very excited about, my first professional journalism assignment came in the form of writing a review of True Blue, the Detroit native’s album released in 1986. As an ambitious writer/editor of 21, I took the job very seriously. Just a day after turning in my earnest critique (a rave), I arrived in Manhattan to start my dream job at Esquire—magazine home to some of my writing heroes—Tom Wolfe, Gay Talese and John Gregory Dunne. It had been a very good week. The first time I heard Madonna was back in 1982 during my first semester at Tulane University. As I hurried to get dressed to meet friends for a long night of New Orleans’ particular brand of debauchery (how I do miss those days), I heard a voice I couldn’t place coming from my

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roommate’s radio—female, African-American, sounding a bit like a grittier Jody Watley. The song was “Everybody,” Madonna’s first released track, and something about the song, her voice and her one-word moniker struck a winning chord with me. Her second hit, “Holiday,” an irresistible happy dance confection, solidified that this Madonna was the next hot R&B female vocalist and I wanted to hear more. You can imagine my shock when I first laid eyes on Madonna on MTV burning up my screen in her video for “Borderline”—her first Billboard Top 10 smash—and discovered that Madonna was, in fact, white and blonde! Who was this Madonna? I was hooked. It’s surreal recounting the early days we were first introduced to the ambitious life force tornado bursting with in-your-face bravura that became the all-encompassing, omnipresent, intergalactic superstar with a Biblical name.

WHO’S THAT GIRL?

Madonna has been called many things—Material Girl, Queen of Reinvention, Madge, diva, maverick, whore—which, for vastly different reasons, all are partly right, but mostly wrong.

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What Madonna’s thousands of rapid-fire changing loo an intoxicatingly graphic, multi-dimensional scr From the moment we laid eyes on Madonna—with crazy fishnet stockings, dirty jeans and fingerless lace gloves—she had us under her spell. As the singer once famously said to a reporter, “Love me or hate me, but you have to deal with me.” And dealing with her is something the world has been doing with wide-eyed fascination for more than three decades. There’s no stopping this woman. Madonna’s tireless, unapologetic, get-out-of-myway armor she wears heavily reminds me—oddly—of

At the height of Madonna’s white-hot fame, there wasn’t a more recognizable woman on the planet, save Princess Diana. I took personal pride as year in, year out Madonna accumulated more ammunition—fame, money, power—and her numerous critics of all stripes sharpened their knives claiming that the public’s interest in Madonna had run its course. With the release of every album, every film, every failed romance, every trumped-up moral controversy, the cry was the same:

the late great Joan Rivers. Think about it: Both women, against impossible odds, not only survived to reach their respective fields’ mountaintop, but remained relevant competing against upstarts decades their junior. I’m not sure if anyone had connected Madonna with Rivers before, but their shared take-no-prisoners, relentless modus operandi is undeniable and quite admirable.

How could a marginally talented singer hold the world in the palm of her hand for this long? How indeed? Over the course of her remarkable career, Madonna has been called many things—Material Girl, Queen of Reinvention, Madge, diva, maverick, whore—which, for vastly different reasons, all are partly right, but mostly wrong. What Madonna ultimately achieved is nothing

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oks, clothes, hairstyles and passions have resulted in is rapbook for contemporary sociologists to marvel. less than reigning as the universe’s Queen of Pop, as in music, culture, life. Madonna has impacted the planet’s pop cultural zeitgeist more significantly than anyone in my lifetime. By a mile. Her detractors be damned: The world we inhabit is a better, less predictable place with Madonna in it—it’s also more colorful, more artistic, more tolerant, more exciting. It’s just more, a hell of a lot more. And then there’s her music and those songs happily stuck in our heads forever: “Like A Prayer,” “Papa Don’t

Bluntly—and indisputably—Madonna is the best-selling female recording artist of all time and is certified as such by Guinness World Records. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Madonna is also the best-selling female artist of the 20th century with an astonishing 64 million albums. Only The Beatles rank ahead of Madonna on Billboard’s 100 All-Time Top Artists, making her the most successful solo artist in the history of the American singles chart. Billboard also anointed

Preach,” “Into The Groove,” “Like A Virgin,” “Take A Bow,” “Material Girl,” “Ray Of Light,” “Cherish,” “Open Your Heart,” “Vogue,” “Music,” “Deeper And Deeper,” “Don’t Tell Me,” “Frozen,” “Hung Up,” “Rain,” “Erotica,” “Lucky Star,” “Secret,” “La Isla Bonita” and on and on and on—a head-boppin’ jukebox for the ages. Here’s what those songs have done for Madonna.

Madonna the top-touring female artist ever. Ever—as in all of recorded history. To top things off, Madonna—that “moderately talented singer” who most critics agreed had vastly outstayed her welcome—was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in her very first year of eligibility. Nobody’s bigger, folks. And nobody’s done more with less than Madonna. Nobody. Ever.

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What Madonna has achieved is reigning as the universe’s Queen of Pop—in music, culture, life. Of course, it’s not like Madonna came out of nowhere without any influences to guide her. In her earliest incarnations, you can see a bit of Cher in her shtick, a touch of Bette Midler’s sass, a dose of Marilyn Monroe’s ingénue mystique, but, incredibly, Madonna never came off as derivative. She borrowed, sure, but she always Madonnaized it. When she appropriated dance moves from the club underground, she made it palatable and relatable to the general public by demystifying its very subversiveness. Call it merely her mastery of reinvention if you want, but what Madonna’s thousands of rapid-fire changing looks, clothes, hairstyles and passions have resulted in is an intoxicatingly graphic, multi-dimensional scrapbook for contemporary sociologists to marvel. Is it any wonder why several universities offer advanced courses analyzing the many facets of Madonna’s amazing career? But while Madonna was inspired by Cher, Bette and Marilyn, it’s eye opening (to say the least) how, um, directly, Madonna’s younger musical contemporaries have liberally taken from her. Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue and Miley Cyrus all owe Madonna a huge debt of creative gratitude for sure, but most audaciously, gifted vocalist and provocateur, Lady Gaga, seems to have dissected Madonna in an unsubtle Single White Female copycatstalker manner. I mean, c’mon. But no problem, I’m from the school that believes imitation is the highest form of flattery and the more talented women the merrier. If anyone can pivot away from the current crop of pop stars and go in a new, unexpected direction is Madonna. Trust me, people.

ith the buzz for Madonna’s new album with powerhouse collaborations generating a deafening “this is the best in her career” frenzy, the 56-year-old gorgeous single mother is exactly where she wants to be. But old attitudes are hard to shake. After telling a close (though pretentious) friend that I was planning to write a big Madonna story about her

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unprecedented perseverance at the top of the music world competing with the likes of Beyoncé and Pink, great singers decades her junior, my friend’s reaction was immediate: “Madonna? Really?” He punctuated his sarcastic query with an epic eye roll to leave no room for misinterpretation. I asked him where his eye roll was for Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney, both of whom are still touring nonstop well into their great-grandfatherly years. His silence was both deafening and telling. It’s a friggin’ woman thing. Again. That’s the thing about powerful, no B.S. women like Madonna, like Joan Rivers, like Barbra Streisand—they get labeled as “difficult” or “aggressive” or “whore”— anything to knock them off their perch a bit for upsetting the natural (male) order of things. Well, Madonna’s having none of it. When she was photographed by Steven Meisel completely naked hitchhiking in broad daylight on a busy public street in Miami Beach (looking gorgeous, incidentally) in her wildly controversial book, Sex, a reporter asked her if she was “sorry” for causing such a fuss. Madonna burst out laughing and on her next album, released a single called “I’m Not Sorry.” Perfect. Is there any wonder why Madonna has always had a lock on the gay community’s heart? From her true friendships with artist Keith Haring and photographer Herb Ritts—both of whom died of AIDS—to her current ferocious defense of rock band Pussy Riot’s right to perform freely and for gays to exist without fear in Vladimir Putin’s increasingly draconian Russia, Madonna isn’t only fighting for what’s fair and just in her own life, but in yours. One of the first times Madonna ever appeared on TV was her debut on Dick Clark’s iconic American Bandstand. After performing, Clark asked the young singer a prescient question: “What are your dreams?” Madonna, with the chutzpah of a cat who ate the canary, looked at the television legend, smiled and said sweetly, “To rule the world.” Against all the odds, she’s done it. Madonna is the reigning Queen of Pop. And, yes, of course, her haters will continue to hate, but she’s already won the game. Boy, did she ever.

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TAKE A BOW

Madonna is the best-selling female recording artist of all time and is certified as such by Guinness World Records. Nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done more with less than Madonna. Nobody. Ever. NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 13

inding Robert Risko, the world’s greatest celebrity illustrator, opens up as never before.

BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

t’s no small feat that the mighty celebrity Liebovitz and Risko. I’m just lucky enough to be able to manifesto, Vanity Fair—first under its brilliant call one of them a friend. re-awakening by editor Tina Brown and later The first time I spoke with Robert Risko, I had spent under Graydon Carter’s decidedly if-it’s-notan inordinate amount of time trying to find him. In 1993, I broken-don’t-fix-it stewardship—for the past was set to launch a magazine I was editing and I thought three decades has had under contract the two absolute Risko’s sophisticated artistry was needed for a particular best graphic interpreters of the famous, Annie Liebovitz feature I was prepping. After a few rounds of phone tag— (photography) and Robert Risko (illustrator). you do remember leaving messages “after the beep,” Though both artists couldn’t yes?—we connected and what was be more different in approach, supposed to be a quick “are you free medium or temperament, the to do an illustration for so-and-so end result VF publishes month in, celeb?” ended up being a hilarious, month out does connect their work spirited two-hour conversation in undeniable ways: Familiar, yet that served as the initial indicator surprising; colorful, though often of how much Risko and I had in dark; uncomplicated, but complex. common, saw the world similarly And as an avid reader of VF since and absolutely loved the intoxicating Brown’s re-launch in 1984—and an vocal stylings of powerhouse divas editor in chief fortunate enough to (Patti LaBelle and Donna Summer have worked with Risko for decades come to mind most prominently). myself—I can safely say that there are Over the years, I’ve RISKY RISKO no better graphic artists dissecting commissioned Risko to create “I try to show both sides of glamour in what it means to be a celebrity than some of the most challenging my work,” says artist Robert Risko.

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christine baranskI, diane keaton, donatella versace “I’m a perfectionist.”

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Risko’s work is filled with beautiful contradictions: Familiar, yet surprising; colorful, though often dark; uncomplicated, but complex. celebrities and he consistently delivered instant classic depictions for a number of the design-forward magazines I’ve edited—Garth Brooks on a cover as King Kong atop the Empire State Building, Celine Dion for a lessthan-flattering cover story, Joan Rivers as defiant AIDS activist, the late ABC News anchor Peter Jennings in his final days—striking visuals all and masterfully, seemingly effortlessly, executed. When I announced that I was leaving Time Inc. and New York City to start a new chapter in my life producing television and films in Hollywood, my thoughtful team contacted Risko without my knowledge and commissioned an original work based on an actual photograph of mine. Risko’s signature genius is evident on that oversized framed illustration, punctuated with the iconic Hollywood sign serving as a backdrop complete with Klieg lights and a director’s chair. That artistic endeavor not only serves as my unofficial portrait, it proudly hangs in my home waiting for visitors to inquire how that came to be. It’s a story I never tire of telling. I caught up with Risko in his Hamptons retreat on Long Island as we reminisced about what has transpired in the more than two decades since we became acquainted to the state of the world—both for celebrities and civilians— and asked him the questions I really wanted to know the answers to. As always, Risko delivered. Finding Risko all those years ago became an important milestone in my career; what I didn’t realize then was it also served as a marker that I had made a genuine friend. Robert, talk to me about your process—there’s an assignment, a blank canvas and then what happens? Well, I do a lot of thinking and compose a visual image

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in my head based on everything I know about a subject through media images. I Google and YouTube the subject and flood myself with information and focus on their best and worst moments in the limelight. Then I draw away on blank paper and scan my sketch into the computer. Back in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s I would airbrush the illustration by hand, but in 1998 I started airbrushing in Photoshop. I had inhaled enough paint after 30 years so it was time to start going blind from staring at the computer screen. Right? Ha! It’s always something isn’t it? [Laughs] Do you remember a piece of art you came up with that you executed perfectly? Only one? [Laughs] I’m a perfectionist. The question should really be “Do I remember a piece of art that was less than perfect?” and, yes, there are some where the deadline came and I had to turn in something that I didn’t feel was finished. There were more than one, but I won’t name names. OK, the good stuff: Reveal some of your all-time favorite celebrities you’ve done. Diana Ross, Jack Nicholson, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, J. Edgar Hoover and Gloria Swanson. Have any celebrities reached out to you after they’ve seen an illustration of them published? Oh, yeah. Julia Roberts bought several of my pieces. Others who reached out to own their drawings include Gloria Swanson, Meryl Streep, Fran Drescher, Dionne Warwick and all the Labelle members (Patti, Sarah, Nona), Tom Hanks, Andy Cohen, Giorgio Moroder, Dustin Hoffman and Howard Stern. Richard, that’s just off of the top of my head. I’d have to look in my books to remember everybody. [Laughs]

BETTE MIDLER, (opposite) RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

“I don’t always give each subject the same treatment.”

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“I have discovered that celebrities can be so dif

Do you have a fantasy celebrity encounter? Seriously, I don’t have a fantasy celebrity that I would like to draw or meet. I did when was young, but I’ve discovered that celebrities can be so different in person that I just take it as it comes. I’ve met celebrities that I had admired and was disappointed when I met them in person and I’ve also met celebrities who weren’t on my radar that I absolutely loved. Your style is so undeniably “Risko,” is there anyone left to do? Oh my! [Laughs] It seems like there are more people to draw now than ever. There’s an endless stream of people who want to claim icon status today and that’s more difficult now because there are so many forums to be considered famous in. What’s the best thing about being so identified with Vanity Fair?

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fferent in person that I just take it as it comes.”

I consider Vanity Fair my home because editorially we’re on the same page. We enjoy the world of glamour, but we don’t let anyone get away with B.S. There’s a lot of “uncovering” that goes on behind the facades of the famous in Vanity Fair and I like that. I try to show both sides of glamour in my work.

MIKE TYSON, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, MICHAEL DOUGLAS “I don’t have a fantasy celebrity that I would like to draw or meet—I did when I was young.”

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“There’s an endless stream of people

ellen degeneres, diane sawyer “I consider Vanity Fair my home.”

Tell me, if not celebrity art, what would you have loved to pursue as a full-time career endeavor? I love to sing and perform and always thought I would’ve liked to have been on the other side of my drawing pen; however, as I see the toll it can take on the body physically with performers that I know I’ve concluded that I’m fine where I am and I will occasionally step out from behind the drawing board to take a bow and maybe even sing a song—if I wasn’t going to be an artist or

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singer, then I’d probably an anthropologist . [Laughs] Here’s a question I’ve always to know the answer to. How important is humor and kindness in your work? Unlike some of my contemporaries I don’t always give each subject the same treatment. If I want to be funny or kind it’s because I feel that way about the person. In the end I’m a seeker of truth and I think that’s the key to my success more than anything else. I try to draw people the

who want to claim icon status today.”

DIANA ROSS, JOHNNY DEPP

“I try to draw people the way they’re perceived in the public eye. The public isn’t stupid.”

way they’re perceived in the public eye. The public isn’t stupid. If I do flatter someone whom is less than worthy people will know. Ha! We can’t get away with anything in this world. Everyone is a [television music talent judge] Simon Cowell. [Laughs] Robert, let’s end this on a whimisical note, shall we? If you could do absolutely anything right now, what do you think that would be?

You know what, that’s a really interesting question. Maybe I would take a vacation, but I’m not sure. I’m enjoying my life so I never “vacate” from it. However, it might be nice to disconnect from all my responsibilities for a while… maybe. [Laughs]

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Reverse Mortgages (This Is NOT The Story You’re Expecting)

When even the so-called “mass affluents” and “downsizers” with significant retirement savings are using reverse mortgages themselves, the question really is: Why aren’t you?

BY buck wargo

his isn’t the reverse mortgage story you’re likely expecting. At all. The headlines are stark when it comes to the retirement of Americans. One quarter of those 50 to 64 have not saved a penny, and 14 percent of those 65 and older are in the same predicament. Even among those older Americans who have saved for retirement, there’s not a lot in their kitty. By any definition of the term, Americans are in the midst of a severe retirement savings crisis. If you look at households with people ages 55 to 64 that even have an IRA or 401(k) or both and add the two together, the median plan balance is $120,000, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. If you do an optimal drawdown or buy an inflationindexed annuity, $120,000 gives you about $400 a month. That’s already prompted many people to turn to reverse

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mortgages to help in their retirement. Under a reverse mortgage, homeowners 62 and older receive a loan backed by equity in their homes. The lender isn’t repaid until the person is no longer living in the home. Homeowners can either get a lump sum in the beginning and draw out more later or have a line of credit from which to draw as needed. The Great Recession, which caused home values to drop, led to a nosedive for the industry. There were more than 110,000 reverse mortgages issued in 2008 and 2009, according to the Center. Those numbers dropped to 60,000 by 2013, but are expected to bounce back in the coming years. What could aid in the resurgence in the housing market in part is a large new group of retirees that are expected to take out reverse mortgages in the future. One is the group you wouldn’t think of first. It’s referred to as the “mass affluent” who have several hundred thousand dollars in retirement savings but will use a reverse mortgage

to supplement their income in a down stock market. The second group is homeowners who opt to sell their home and downsize into smaller ones and invest some of the proceeds while taking a reverse mortgage to keep from having a house payment. MASS AFFLUENTS The first growing trend is to use reverse mortgages to enhance the cash flow for those deemed as mass affluent retirees by financial planners. 75 million baby boomers—10,000 of them a day reaching 65 for the next 15 years—will provide a boost to the reverse mortgage industry, experts say. Of the 75 million, somewhere between 10 million and 15 million are considered part of the mass affluent category. “It’s a very misleading term because they’re not massively affluent. Rather, there’s a mass of them and they’re almost affluent,” says Barry Sacks, a California tax attorney and author and nationally recognized expert on trends in reverse mortgages. What it means is they have $750,000 to $2 million of net worth at retirement. They’re not so wealthy that they’re biggest concern is minimizing the estate tax when they die. They have too few assets to worry about that, a bigger concern for those with $5 million to $10 million and more of assets, Sacks says. These are people who typically have “almost enough money to live comfortably,” according to financial experts. Typically, it’s in a 401(k) plan or a rollover IRA, and typically, they have a home mostly paid off. It’s not uncommon for that group to have $750,000 to $1 million in a 401(k) and another $750,000 to a $1 million in home equity. In what goes against a lot of the conventional wisdom the public has about reverse mortgages, Sacks says these are the people that are most likely to be helped by having one. “The point of how to use it is the most important thing,” Sacks says. “If it’s used as a last resort after all of the other assets are exhausted during retirement, that’s the

conventional wisdom. And it turns out to be wrong. The conventional wisdom for a long time has said if you have your home equity, keep it in reserve. If you need it when you’ve exhausted all of the other money, then you have it working for you.” What is wrong with that thinking, Sacks says, is it doesn’t take into account the volatility of the securities portfolio of the 401(k) account or the IRA. With securities portfolios so volatile and going up and down over the years, drawing from them when it’s down is a mistake, Sacks says. If the poorer returns occur in the early years of retirement, then portfolio is likely to be exhausted if it’s drawn upon continuously, he says. “Instead of doing that, you use the reverse mortgage credit line to fill in those troughs when the securities portfolio is down and don’t draw upon the securities,” Sacks says. “If you draw from a reverse mortgage credit line and allow the portfolio to recover, there’s a far better chance there will be money flowing through a 30-year retirement.” What the experts say is older Americans should have a financial planner help develop a strategy that combines income from a reverse mortgage with other assets in their securities portfolio. “Rather than liquidating their stocks and investments in a down market, they take money out of a line of credit during those down years,” says Shannon Hicks, president of Reverse Focus, and a consultant that provides training and technology for the reverse mortgage industry. “Once their portfolio starts to recover, they stop taking it out of their line of credit and resume taking it out of their portfolio. What a study has found is the likelihood of the borrowing being able to have their portfolio last the rest of their life increased dramatically. In some cases, it went from a 65 percent success rate up to a 90 percent rate.” Why in the world will reverse mortgages be popular

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among this affluent group but not the super wealthy? The financial planners and experts say the super wealthy don’t need this. They can’t benefit as much from it because they live at a higher level than a reverse mortgage is capable of filling in for them. The reason is that a reverse mortgage is limited because all you’re allowed to draw from it is an amount based on your age and the value of your house up to a limit of $625,000. The wealthy have securities portfolios that are really much bigger than the $1 million, $1.25 million or $1.5 million that are typical of the mass affluent and homes worth much more.

If they used a HECM For Purchase, for that $300,000 home, a reverse mortgage may pay for $100,000 of that $300,000, price along with $200,000 from the $500,000 in proceeds from the sale. Now, they have a total of $300,000 to work for them in all the years they’re in retirement, he says. If they follow the 4 percent rule for safe investing and drawing, they would draw about $12,000 a year, Sacks says. That means they can get an extra $1,000 a month that they can spend from this drawing securities portfolio. They have their house, not free and clear, but

“If you draw from a reverse mortgage credit line and allow there’s a far better chance there will be money flowing throu hat about those who aren’t mass affluent? “If you have a $50,000 kitty, and you retire, you’re in very bad shape economically compared to the mass affluent,” Sacks says. “A reverse mortgage can help a little bit, but not in the significant ways that we have written about.” If that group with little investment income does a reverse mortgage, they should be disciplined and not burn up the proceeds in the first few years, experts say. If that’s not a good option and all they have left to live on is Social Security, then a second option is one that many older Americans can try—sell and downsize. DOWNSIZERS They can sell their house and downsize and get a much less expensive house and use the proceeds to help them in retirement. Under this reverse mortgage strategy, it’s called HECM For Purchase. A HECM is the official term for a government-sponsored mortgage known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. Imagine a person has a nice house and it’s all paid for and all they got to live on is Social Security. Let’s say their house is worth $500,000, they could sell that house for $500,000 and get a new house for $300,000, Sacks says. It’s going to be smaller and maybe not as nice, but it at least gives them some security, he says.

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they don’t have to pay any mortgage on it, he says. “While you live in it, you don’t have to service a reverse mortgage. They’re really helped out,” Sacks says. “Sure it has to be paid back after they die or move out of the house but, in the interim, they have an extra $1,000 every month inflation adjusted for the rest of their lives. Let’s say a couple is getting $3,000 a month in Social Security, then a $1,000 a month from their investments that’s a 33 percent increase. If you draw 4 percent, it’s likely to last for 30 years. That’s a pretty good deal for people who aren’t in a position and don’t have that great big 401(k) that is $800,000 to $1.2 million that mass affluent have.” Sacks and other financial reverse mortgage experts say those winning strategies can be beneficial to retirees. hat has hurt people in the past when it comes to reverse mortgages is some don’t have the discipline to dole it out slowly. They’ll get a taste for that money and start to spend it too fast and not realize it has to last 25 to 30 years. That mindset has to change when people retire and no longer have a salary. It’s important to have financial discipline to manage the flow of money, experts agree. “What has given reverse mortgages a very bad name was that before people knew about using it as a financial planning tool, they grabbed the dough and consumed it, not thinking that they’ll need the money 10 years from now,” Sacks says. “They’ve gone five years, six years

and seven years and have used it all up, and then they’re stuck. They have no home equity and nothing else. It’s very sad. It’s not the fault of the reverse mortgage. It’s the fault of a lack of any financial discipline and any realism.” Hicks says changes by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development will help with that problem. Rather than the borrower being able to take all of the money on day one, now they have restrictions where the borrower has access to take 60 percent of the loan in the first 12 months to discourage burning up all the cash. These two options should help the industry grow,

w the portfolio to recover, ugh a 30-year retirement.” analysts say. Hicks says he wouldn’t be that surprised if reverse mortgages among the mass affluents make up 25 percent of the market in the future and says it’s a great market to target. Hicks says the industry is at a “historic crossroads.” From 1989 until 2009, the reverse mortgage program remained relatively unchanged and the qualifications were quite simple. Whereas today, the industry is moving towards traditional underwriting and while narrowing the demographic of the individuals that may qualify for the program financially, he says. “The general perception of reverse mortgages as a product of last resort is moving into one of more of a mainstream product,” Hicks says. “Mine isn’t a popular opinion in the reverse mortgage community. I started out as a reverse mortgage originator before I started this company with other partners. I don’t think we should be lending to those individuals who are going to be financially challenged even after a reverse mortgage to meet their ongoing obligations of paying property taxes and homeowners insurance.”

Sacks says reverse mortgages aren’t going anywhere and wouldn’t be surprised if the one million reverse mortgages in existence today grows by at least 150 percent in the next 10 to 20 years. The reason is that he views it as a “wonderful vehicle” that’s now beginning to be recognized for its value as a financial planning tool to those who are prudent, disciplined and responsible. “Over time, I believe they’ll be around for decades and come to be used more responsibly,” Sacks says. “It’s a very good tool if used properly but it has unfortunately acquired an underserved bad reputation because it wasn’t used properly in its early years. It has taken time to overcome this bad reputation, but we’ll get there.” Boomer demographic bodes well for the industry at large, Hicks says. Out of eligible homeowners, the industry has only penetrated two percent or less of the entire market. “We’re definitely in a growth industry, which seems like a strange thing to say because we’re also in a contraction phase right now. Once we get things sorted out and the dust settles, then I think we’ll start seeing explosive growth.” The question is what about the other 98 percent and why are they not onboard, he says. The problem is people want to eliminate a mortgage, Hicks says. “We have a lot of market potential and it’s just getting over that hurdle of public perception and bias to begin reaching these individuals,” Hicks says. “I think making inroads into the financial planners will help us, but I do believe that even though more affluent seniors with money under management will use the product, I still think we’ll always have those people who want to eliminate their mortgage payment.” There’s a lot here to think about. What do you think?

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NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

(red carpet magic) As the celebrity world once again turns its focus to fashion, it’s the ideal time to revisit some of Hollywood’s all-time best head-turning dresses worn by strong women (not girls). BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

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ELLEN BARKIN

(left) Boasting the body of a woman a decade her junior, the Ocean’s Thirteen star’s dress at the movie’s 2007 premiere at the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard was all everyone was talking about for days.

SHERYL CROW

At the 2004 American Music Awards, the multiplewinner wowed fashionistas everywhere with a blackand-white show-stopper from red-hot designer Narciso Rodríguez.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR

(left) Bucking conventional wisdom in a short Michael Kors sparkling stunner, the eternally youthful actress made a winning sartorial statement at the 2002 Golden Globes red carpet.

KIM CATTRALL

Pretty in pink isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly consistent with her Sex And The City character Samantha Jones, but the blonde bombshell made heads spin at the 2004 Emmy Awards.

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ANDIE MACDOWELL

(left) At the Moscow International Film Festival in 2011, the Southern beauty makes sure no one will forget her floral stunner—from Russia with love, indeed.

CHER

Though equally comfortable on some “worst dressed” lists, the superstar stole the show at the 2000 Academy Awards in this black, goth couture piece.

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GEENA DAVIS

(left) At the height of her stardom, the taller half of the Thelma & Louise duo won the 1999 Academy Awards fashion night in a romantic, pale pink dress for Hollywood royalty.

OPRAH WINFREY

O had never looked as stunning on a red carpet as she did back in 2002 at the Emmy Awards sporting a pale yellow gown by designer Bradley Bayou.

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IMAN

(left) Mrs. David Bowie shut the red carpet down in a black-and-white floor-length knockout by Christian Dior at the designer’s New York City’s flagship store opening in 1999. Proving that a Hollywood legend can dress age appropriate and still win style accolades, Kate Hudson’s mom did just that at the 2005 Golden Globes—and how.

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NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

ood NiC PRESENTs the absolute BEST restaurant EXPERIENCES in the COUNTRY you have to TRY.

By Abby Tegnelia

ome tourists are always grabbing a quick bite while taking in the sights. And then there are the rest of us, who are apt to plan entire trips around what we’re going to eat. Looking for that one to-die-for meal to celebrate a special occasion? Here are NiC’s picks for the dozen most “Wow” restaurant dining experiences in the US with food so good, one meal is worth the price of the entire vacation. Here they are in alphabetical order;

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JOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STONE CRAB

This eatery is the single best ambassador for all that is great about Miami Beach. NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

Jean-Georges is an ode to minimalism, its dishes boasting an menu-only Eleven Madison is old-school opulence personified. Before dinner at this bastion of modern American cuisine, check the health of your Google Images results, as the maitre d’ famously researches all reservations ahead of time, so he can address guests by name—it’s personal and thrilling.

ALINEA

When you sit down for your meal, be prepared for anything at this luxe Chicago restaurant.

Alinea [Chicago] At Alinea, dinner really is a show, from the entry tickets you purchase ahead of time (like at the theater), to the creative dishes. When you sit down for your meal, be prepared for anything—from courses you eat right off the table to gimmicks such as an apple-flavored “balloon” made of sugar, which you can suck the helium out of to sound like a chipmunk. It’s all amazing.

Gary Danko [San Francisco] In a town so filled with trendy gastronomic musts, Gary Danko takes it old school in the best possible way, from impeccable timing on his three-, four- and five-course meals, to iconic favorites such as lobster and caviar. Oh, and the legendary cheese cart is a must: Choose an array from the gorgeous display, and then indulge on pieces of just-sweet-enough raisin bread. Jean-Georges [New York City] Jean George Vongerichten has internationally famous restaurants all over the planet, but the winner is his three Michelin-starred location on Manhattan’s Central Park West, the city the French-born chef now calls home. Jean-Georges is an ode to minimalism, its dishes boasting an every-bite-counts precision you have to experience to believe. Save room for dessert—trust me.

Bottega [Yountville, Napa Valley] Located in one of the oldest wineries in Napa, local resident, television host, Top Chef Master and vintner Michael Chiarello wins raves with his artisanal Italian fare. His risotto just may be the best on the planet, and his reduced sauces will have you licking your plate. Commander’s Palace [New Orleans] The one that started the national obsession with savory New Orleans restaurants (and propelled Emeril Lagasse to stardom) is still the best. They also offer the greatest brunch experience around, with weekends serving up only-in-New-Orleans jazz with heaping plates of local favorites such as whiskey-soaked peaches, beef brisket and zesty barbecued shrimp over mascarpone grits. Eleven Madison Park [New York City] What dining should look, feel and taste like, the tasting

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COMMANDER’S PALACE This is where America’s obsession with New Orleans’ restaurants began.

n every-bite-counts precision you have to experience to believe. trip to Gotham. You’ll be dreaming of this meal for years to come. I still do. Mr. Chow [Beverly Hills] Mr. Chow is easy to dismiss for its Hollywood A-List crowd and paparazzi hovering outside, but the meal from top to bottom is a sumptuous feast of modern Chinese dishes. Don’t have time for a sit-down meal? Take in the scene at the small, but lively (celebrity-filled) bar.

JOëL ROBUCHON

The unforgettable Las Vegas restaurant is reminicent of an extremely ornate private home.

Joël Robuchon [Las Vegas] Every dish in the 16-course degustation menu is a work of art at Joel Robuchon’s The Mansion at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. As the name suggests, the restaurant is reminiscent of an extremely ornate private home, down to the gold-accented dishes. A bread cart that is nothing less than a masterpiece, three plates of delicious desserts and a meal for the memory books in between—this allnight event is what destination food travel is all about. Joe’s Stone Crab [Miami Beach] The single best ambassador for all that is great about Miami Beach, this no-fuss eatery is legendary for many, many reasons. First, who could resist a meal of perfect stone crabs after a day in the sun on South Beach? Every celebrity in the world (Tom Cruise once lived nearby) has eaten at this hot spot, which now has a bustling to go offpost for those who prefer to eat their seafood at a private picnic. Run, don’t walk. Le Bernadin [New York City] Widely deemed the best seafood restaurant in the world, dapper Executive Chef Eric Ripert is also famous for ensuring the most incredible service. Spring for the Chef’s Tasting; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience of his infamous “almost raw,” “barely touched” and “lightly looked” courses. This is an absolute must on your next

Per Se [New York City] No serious food person can claim that title without experiencing the magic that is Thomas Keller’s Per Se. You’ll be raving about your meal for months. Forgoing meat? No problem—Keller is one of very few French-American chefs who offers a (mouth-watering) vegetarian tasting menu option.

THE FRENCH LAUNDRY With Napa Valley’s hills as a backdrop, this is an absolute must stop on any tour of great American restaurants.

The French Laundry [Yountville, Napa Valley] There’s something magical about taking in the rolling green hills of The French Laundry’s magnificent gardens before walking into the famous brick building in Yountville. From the famous salmon cornet greeting to the melt-in-your-mouth desserts, the ingredients and flavor profiles are out of this world. This is what Heaven must be serving for dinner.

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NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

little

Blake Hollywood’s

Quiet Celebrity Photographer

Blake Little is much like HIS STUNNING celebrity photographic images—powerful, artistic, silent, Riveting.

By Richard Pérez-Feria

he one thing you eventually learn about world-renowned celebrity photographer Blake Little is this: Whether you’re perusing his latest stunning image of one of the planet’s most famous superstars or having a midafternoon coffee in a hole-in-the-wall spot he frequents in a decidedly unglamorous section of Los Angeles, you find yourself inhabiting a remarkably stark, silent environment. Blake Little’s work—much like Blake Little the man— doesn’t need to make a lot of noise to be noticed. At their best, Little’s portraits capture the precise moment the well-known subject is communicating a hushed inner message. And, similarly, at his most relaxed, the photographer himself observes a lot more than he speaks (a genuine rarity in me-me-me Hollywood) and Little’s strength of character—and wicked sense of humor—reveals itself over time, again, exactly like his beautiful work. This personal/professional symmetry goes largely unnoticed by both the casual observer of Little’s photographs and Little’s acquaintances. But those of us who have known and worked with the Seattle native for decades have been enriched as artistic colleagues

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

LITTLE MAGIC

“I have always been an observer,” says photographer Blake Little.

KEVIN SPACEY

“I work with the same basic process regardless if the person is famous or not.”

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

At their very best, Blake Little’s beautiful portraits capture the precise moment the well-known subject is communicating a hushed inner message.

VALERIE HARPER

“Celebrities are familiar with the process of having their pictures taken.”

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by his wondrous skill with a camera and embraced by the power of his loyalty as a friend. It’s a good place to be. The roster of A-listers Blake Little has photographed is staggering—Tom Cruise, Glenn Close, Samuel L. Jackson, Jane Fonda, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mike Myers, Julianne Moore, Christopher Meloni, Valerie Harper, Steve Carell, Jack Black and on and on—but it’s the images I’ve commissioned Blake Little to shoot over two decades for the magazines I’ve edited highlights best the photographer’s true mastery. Little has memorably shot numerous celebs for me including Alicia Silverstone, Eduardo Verástegui, Aaron Eckhart, Andy Garcia, Judith Light, James Marsters, Karina Smirnoff, Sonia Braga and dozens more. In fact, Little’s gorgeous portrait of Braga—Brazil’s answer to Sophia Loren—proudly hangs in my home. Beyond his passion for celebrity imagery, Little is also an accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited in New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles and Japan and has also authored several books Dichotomy (1997), The Company Of Men (2011) and Manifest (2013). Little’s work was recently exhibited at the prestigious Eiteljorg Museum in downtown Indianapolis. In many ways, Blake Little is the biggest open secret in Hollywood when the need

BLAIR UNDERWOOD

“There’s a wonderful intimacy about photographing someone alone.”

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

Sonia Braga, Marcia Cross, Jane Lynch, Jane Fonda

“I think it’s beautiful how people age.”

“When I sent the photo to Vince Vaughn’s rep, she said, ‘The photo looks great, but you forgot to fix Vince’s finger’. I said, ‘What’s wrong with his finger’? I hadn’t noticed that he was missing half a finger on his left hand.”

arises for a singular, memorable photographic image that will resonate into the subconscious and live in the pop cultural ether and that’s why so many magazines and movie studios have Little’s number on speed dial. What Little delivers with his celebrity portraits time and again is haunting artistry in a world of mass produced consumption. The photographs are rich in subtext and exude an intoxicating nuance—much like the man himself.

How does your life infuse your work? I have always been an observer. Photography is the center point of my life. Everything I do and experience has a profound influence on all of my photographic work.

How different is your approach when shooting a celebrity for a magazine cover versus shooting a “real person” for one of your art books? I work with the same basic process regardless if the person Blake, tell me, what was your earliest memory of is famous or not. I always have a plan and some firm ideas viewing a situation “photographically?” of how I want to photograph my subject. I research details When I was in my first semester of college, and facts about my subject and use these I was taking photographs in a local park. elements in some way in the photograph. There was a old concrete box gun bunker at When shooting celebrities, we’re always the top of a small hill. The hill was perfectly working with a crew—hair, makeup and covered with tall wild green grass. I was wardrobe. It’s a team effort. Celebrities are setting up a shot of the scene with my 4” x 5” familiar with the process of having their camera when a boy walked by with his dog. pictures taken and this usually makes it I asked the boy to run to the top of the hill easy once you establish a trust. With sowith his dog. I only shot two pictures. Later called real people, it can be much simpler that year the photo won second place in and I often work alone. It can be a great The Seattle Post newspaper photo contest. way to work. There’s a wonderful intimacy HONEY BOO BOO This was one of my first photographs about photographing someone all alone. Blake Little’s new art book, where I directed the photograph. Creating Preservation, will be out and directing the photo with my subjects Tell me some celebrity stories. in December and features subjects drenched in honey. soon became my preferred way to work. I worked with the beautiful Julianne Moore

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Julianne Moore

“The photograph of Julianne Moore on the New York City rooftop is one of my favorites.”

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ANDY GARCÍA

“There’s a fine line between looking great and looking real.”

several months after giving birth to her daughter. I was able to meet her daughter Liv whom she brought to the shoot. Liv was less than a year old at the time and still breastfeeding. We only photographed for about an hour, but the photograph of Julianne on the Manhattan rooftop is one of my career favorites. She’s an amazing woman. I photographed Tom Cruise during the making of Top Gun. We did the shoot in his rented house in San Diego. It was the beginning of both of our careers. The shoot with Tom Cruise was a careerchanging opportunity for me. I got a photo rep

and a stock agent within a month after the shoot. I shot Sacha Baron Cohen for the film Borat’s advertising campaign. At the time of the shoot the marketing team at Twentieth Century Fox told me that this was just a little independent movie. Within a few months the movie blew up—it was everywhere. My photograph for Borat was all over the world. The film was a huge sensation that year and now everyone had seen the photo. This was my first direct experience dealing with the power of the internet. I photographed a great picture of Vince Vaughn early in his career. Vince is sitting on a motorcycle in the

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

“I really love shooting celebrities because

they’re talented, interesting and beautiful. They make amazing subjects.”

middle of the street near my studio in Hollywood. I love this photo—it has a classic quality and something about it reminds me images of James Dean. When I sent the photo to Vince’s publicist for approval, she said, ‘the photo looks great, but you forgot to fix Vince’s finger’. I said, ‘what’s wrong with his finger’? I hadn’t noticed that he was missing half a finger on his left hand (since childhood). We quickly added the missing half finger and the crisis was averted. Photo approved. Is there a celebrity that you’d consider a dream “get?” Daniel Day-Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Tilda Swinton and LeBron James to start. I love shooting celebrities because they’re so talented, interesting and darn beautiful. They make amazing subjects.

much as possible and with varying thicknesses created a quality that I had never seen before. The honey has a way of diffusing the personal qualities of the subjects, often making them unrecognizable and democratizing their individual traits into something altogether different and universal. The images take on the qualities of objects preserved in resin or amber; frozen in suspended action like the victims of the A.D. 79 Pompeii volcano. The subject becomes like a statue or an embryo— some angelic and others horrific.

Do celebrities get more interesting to shoot after 50 or more difficult? I think it’s beautiful how people age. Of course everyone wants to look their ChrisTOPHER Meloni very best, so there’s a fine line between “I want my portraits to be real.” looking great and looking real. I want my portraits to be real. The established celebrities Tell me about your upcoming book and art shows? understand this; they have a mature understanding My brand new body of work is called Preservation. I especially when they’re confident in their careers. photographed 90 people—men, women, children from age 2 to 85 all completely covered in honey. Preservation In the next decade, Blake Little will be... will be published this December. Preservation will be …continuing his photography career while concentrating exhibited at the Paul Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles on his monograph publishing gallery and museum in March 2015. Preservation began through a process exhibitions—and also thriving in interesting advertising of experimenting with honey. Initially, I started and editorial work. Sounds great, right? [Laughs] shooting the way it pours and drips on just the face or Click here for more NiC stories: specific areas of the body. After several sessions it became clear that completely covering the figure as

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

GLENN CLOSE

“I research facts about my subject and use these elements in some way in the photograph.”

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

GORGEOUS

FACE OFF

With pool chlorine, sea salt and intense sunlight behind us, we have some post-summer sloughing to do.

FALLING LEAVES MEANS YOUR AUTUMN BEAUTY REGIMEN JUST GOT very SERIOUS Being pro-gorgeous this time of year allows us to be assertive IN fighting back the damage summer may have done. By MARCO MEDRANO

hen it comes to pro-gorgeous skincare and beauty, post-summer is my favorite time to anti-age. Why? For many beauty junkies, writers and aficionados itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just fashion that takes center stage this time of year, but

NiC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

skincare and makeup get reinvented with anticipated product launches while age-reversing breakthroughs get introduced. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dive in, face first. With pool chlorine, sea salt and intense sunlight behind us, we have some post-summer sloughing to do.

Remember, any exfoliation or microdermabrasion (whether in slower “bio” form via a cream or serum), or more physically accelerated by over the counter scrubs, acids, crystals or devices allows for our power products to enter the skin more effectively. Provided we’re anti-aging gently, over time (a mere days and weeks) and not sanding surfaces overnight. Note that extreme inflammation or down time isn’t part of this process and more assertive applications should be left to a professional. One of my favorite high potency brands, Germaine de Capuccini, offers a one-two punch that focuses on visible renewal via a DIY weekly treatment, gently renewing skin with four hydroxy acids, while the daily serum (step two) uses a mild action ten percent concentration of encapsulated Glycolic Acid called “hydro retexturing.” Synergyage Glycocure Booster + Exfoliating Mask. For everyday sloughing, Options Universe Exfoliating Scrub keeps those cells moving along. Their Timexpert lineup also delivers. Timexpert Rides Refinition is a powerful 3HD serum that goes on top of your usual creams, enforcing tone, texture and line correction—in simpler terms, the brand promises a “luminous appearance that is typical in youthful skin.” Need relief from heavy, swollen, tired legs? Essential oils plus extracts of mint, lemon balm and rosemary comprise Perfect Forms Freedom Legs Spray (it can even be sprayed over pantyhose). OK, we’ve smoothed and circulated cells topically. But the really big beauty news is focused on Tria Beauty’s Age-Defying Laser. An FDA-approved, at home laser

skin device that’s breaking boundaries as a tool that previously could only provide youthful results from a licensed medical spa or doctor’s office. I’m in my second week and it’s delivering tighter, firmer skin. I have a high threshold of tolerance when it comes to anti-aging, but even I was amazed how the beginner’s level one setting of this laser provided stimulus to the skin. This item is what many of us have been waiting—no—praying for. At the core of sagging, spots and wrinkles is both circulation and collagen reproduction. Get excited. This laser addresses all of that and more, and makes your entire anti-aging regimen more useful. Let’s keep beating down the age monster. Want to produce more elastic fibers and collagen ? Balance the distribution of emerging skin pigments and not just cure uneven tone?  Increase skin hydration and neutralize free radicals from interior and exterior pollutants? Of course you do. From Norway comes the clinically tested Cuvget Collagen Boosting Serum. Cuvget is making big Arctic waves and their Marine Enzyme Foaming Cleanser (left on for a couple minutes after massage cleansing) helps bio-actively remove only the unwanted dead cells and hydrate the skin. This is a simple beauty line with powerful results that can be weaved into any skincare program. Now, it’s time to chat about the ever-important eyes. You could literally blink and wake up with lines around your eyes if you’re not paying attention to the most delicate (and vulnerable) part of your skin. Launching now is La Prairie’s Cellular Eye Essence Platinum Rare. Containing platinum peptides, colloidal platinum water, black tea ferment (firming) and white bird of paradise extract, one large drop of this rarified gel/serum elixir combats all pesky signs of eye aging—puffiness, sagging, dark circles, tone discoloration

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GORGEOUS For beauty junkies, it’s not only fashion that takes center stage now, but skincare and makeup get reinvented. and lines. La Prairie science holds an often-imitated delivery system and why makeup artists mix an additional drop with their concealer for smooth, glide-on coverage and luminosity. It’s good to know that we have La Prairie’s Platinum Rare Collection to do the heavy lifting. Have you ever wanted a real time, in-the-moment snapshot of your facial skin’s health? Or possibly, what’s coming up (literally) on your skin’s calendar underneath? If your skin or beauty routine is in question consider IOMA Paris or the Ioma Sphere. Their patented photoscopic devices (at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores) reveal skins’ micro and visible imperfections with five detailed images, to better target your specific remedy. Launching right now is Ma Crème. Not your average cream, as each singular Day and Night Cream consists of eight serums that include a whopping 18 actives—all in one bottle. Precision proportions are based on your IOMA Sphere diagnosis: One day cream; one night cream—that’s it. If you’re hesitant about a custom cream, then feel confident with their Youth Booster (with a revolutionary moisture sensor built into the cap for a one-pump or two-pump serving), the #3 Ultimate Generous Serum which is a collagen stimulator that improves tissue density or #2 Flash Youth Eye Contour Concentrate which regenerates cells, firms and drains eyelids instantly. IOMA invites (dares, really) you to see, improve and track your results with them digitally—in person. An originator of using advanced peptide science as messenger molecules that work at a cellular level, Hydro Peptide scores high marks in richness and results. Your skin can only go one way, up, with Power

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Serum, Power Lift and Face Lift. You can tell from the first application there’s no hype going on here. Toggled with regular facial visits from one of Hydro Peptide’s authorized spa vendors, you’re sure to remain refined and taught. I had one of the most transformative signature facials from the Setai Spa (Wall Street, NYC) who uses their pro line with the ability to address multiple concerns. As skincare science enables us to appear less flawed, wearing less makeup is a true luxury. But when you want to feel beautiful, Estée Lauder says “wish granted” with their new Pure Color Envy sculpting eye shadow and lipstick set. The lipsticks contain deep hydration and multi-faceted pigments that last up to six hours. The eye palettes offer three looks, stunning color combinations and can be applied wet or dry (genius) for day-to-night drama options. Visit esteelauder.com for more details. For those who still feel going under the knife is the only way to transform your appearance, think again. I take amazing care of my skin, but after 15 months of self-imposed “Botox sobriety,” my skin looked great, but I couldn’t hold back those seriously strong frown line muscles commonly found in men. Off I went to see the expert, Dr. Joseph Pober (Dr. Pober, MD) who performed his injectable magic, introducing me to Xeomin, a more pure, less reactive form of Botox that can also be better for those who’ve developed resistance. But he also informed me of “Lipocontouring” of the face and body (injecting our own body fat) to re-contour facial shapes in jowls, cheeks, forehead, lips, etc.). That sounds like an interesting topic to write about for sure. When the leaves start to change and football dominates our Sundays, you now know it’s also time to take action to remain, beautifully, pro-gorgeous.

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GENTLEMAN BECOMING A GENTLEMAN GUYS, by caring about your appearance, you can still become the kind of man you were born to be. By MARCO MEDRANO

on’t be scared, fellas: This article is for all men, not only the fussy ones. The term “gentleman” doesn’t need to strike visions of an impossibly fastidious dude cracking his newspaper in an overstuffed club chair, wearing an ascot. A real gentleman excels in any setting—pounding back beers and barbeque wings on NFL Sundays very much included. Being a gentleman requires possessing a mix of a positive attitude, selfless consideration, but mostly, is reliant on what kind of impression one leaves behind. The man who underneath rumpled denim took the time to shave, hold a door open and made another person feel heard—well, that’s a real gentleman. Are you one? Shaving has gone old world high tech. The Art Of Shaving has just scored major points in my advanced, sometimes jaded, grooming world for they’ve pulled us back a few decades while thrusting us forward with skin technology. Our dad’s double-edged safety razor is back—though much improved and handmade in Germany. Their online shaving video is truly helpful in getting the best shave ever. Now for the innovation part: Overnight Balm. Infused with lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils that revitalizes skin, the balm is a customized blend of shea butter and jojoba oil to help protect your face from further drying (aging) as you sleep. Apply after washing—done. If your face maintenance is more type-A (as in anti-aging), then “A” is for Anthony. A real innovator in intense

age-reversal with results-oriented ingredients that remedy even the most sallow, spotted, lined or sagging skin. Anthony’s High Performance line gets serious with AntiWrinkle Glycolic Peptide Serum, Vitamin C Facial Serum, Vitamin A Facial Treatment and Continuous Moisture Eye Cream. Each can (and should) be layered in that exact order. You’ll thank me. Every man should always use a facial scrub. But their Glycolic Facial Cleanser will ensure your skin’s age won’t be marching ahead of you. Plus it really allows the above products to most effectively do their job by clearing the way. Everyone will notice. The majority—and I mean a full 80 percent of male fragrances have common “notes” that even the most unsophisticated nose recognizes. It’s OK to be a snob in the cologne department. Remember, we’ve set out to make a lasting impression. So, for even those that don’t wear fragrance regularly, it’s important to be memorable. But classy. And unique. Annick Goutal Eau D’Hadrien eau de toilette will not only say you know the best things in life, it will feel like a secret weapon every time you spray it on. People will be drawn to you—and it’s going to be awesome. For the more conservative days, spray once above your navel, then place both wrists over the puddle. Then place your scented wrists just behind your ear area. Still a bit hesitant? Eau D’Hadrien Shower Gel or Soap will help you kick start your own personal scent. Taking their matching Scented Candle to bed is yet another way to achieve that can’t-miss attraction. Yes, it takes a real man to become a gentleman.

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EYes On The Road! No Driving With ‘Phablets’ When did tech, smart phones and tablets replace happy hour as the road’s biggest menace? By MARiO Quirce

o this is the tech revolution, eh? Driving home at sundown, I noticed an SUV swerving in front of me, first going to the left over the lane marker and then overcorrecting over to the right, only to repeat the process again. I immediately thought, “Oh my God, this person is drunk, I better pass and put as much distance as I can between us.” Being of a certain age, and having gotten my license before the age of social media, Wi-Fi and smart devices, it was a fair assumption. Back then, the only reason to swerve was if you had overindulged at happy hour. Well, OK, perhaps there was one more possibility—someone trying to duplicate what they’d read in Penthouse Forum. As I passed, I looked over to the right to verify the person was not in some distress or having a cardiac event. That’s when I notice her face was down and glowing like she’d just come back from Fukushima. Perhaps I had been judgmental and this was a hero first-responder just returned from the tragic site. But upon closer examination it was radiation from the “phablet” resting on the steering wheel that was making her face light up. Driving was only her secondary activity; phableting was the main event of her evening on the boulevard. There was no way to tell for sure whether she was Facebooking, tweeting, Youtubing, texting, sexting or streaming her favorite telenovela, but she sure wasn’t driving. My gut told me I should rule out her studying for

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an online mixology degree. Now, I can’t put the blame entirely on the driver; those smarty-pant tech billionaires share some of the blame for putting the cart before the horse. First you invent driverless cars, and then you invent mobile devices and social media. No driverless car, Larry? No patent for you! No driverless car, Bill? No copyright for you! No driverless car, Zuck? No trademark for you! Failing action from the learned examiners at the US Patent and Trademark Office—who are too busy these days rescinding trademarks from sports teams with names they deem offensive—I propose a new challenge for Silicon Valley. Not pouring a bucket of water over your head, but a real challenge that will save us much aggravation, protect life, limb, sheet metal and even help reduce car insurance rates. Give us wheels connected to a real smart devise that can roll a four-thousand pound vehicle down the road without human intrusion, so the driver, now just another passenger, can text, stream and do just about anything else on their iWhatevers. It won’t affect me; I’ll use my free time behind the wheel for napping, as I put ten bucks on my pay-as-yougo semi-smart phone and it lasts me six months. As for tablets, the only ones I’m concerned about are the ones I wash down every morning with my OJ.

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