DELUX Magazine Nov 2011

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Founded in 1857, Harris-Stowe State University is the product of remarkable traditions and rich history. As a historically black college, its faculty and staff value the opportunity they have to impact the life of a first-generation college student.

Your hometown HBCU… Changing lives one generation at a time. 3026 Laclede Avenue . St. Louis, MO 63103 www.hssu.edu (314) 340-3300 2 | DELUX Magazine SEPTEMBER 2011




#DREAMBIG


PRESENTED BY

500 north 14th street • 314-621-7277 • www.welovelola.com

/loftylola (fanpage)

/lolastl (profile)

@lolastl


BE BOLD BE SEXY BE DELUX PHARRELL Courtesy of LB Photography


THE•CONTENT

NOVEMBER 2011

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34 44

delux Features 16

Editor’s choice: tHE BISMARK & Chef Chris

44 pEOPLE: RYAN COYNE Delux sat down with The Irish

Perfectly butchered meats, sauces or self-proclaimed killer soups, Chef Harris is winning in the food game

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Distinguished Gentlemen Saint Louis’ top-ranking GENTS for 2011 remind us that a dream is as only as big as you make it. We introduce you to DELUX’s Distinguished Gentlemen of 2011

Outlaw. See what makes him dangerous

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KIMBERLY GOLDSON Project Runways Finalist is poised to become the best designer the world has ever encountered

56 STYLE: AZAD WATCHES 34 COVER: LARRY HUGHES #HOMGROWN 8 | DELUX Magazine NOVEMBER 2011

AZAD Watches worn by major celebrities 50 cent, Jim Jones, Akon, and our own Editor in Chief

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19

24

54 ON THE COVER

DELUX CHAtter 19

THE EAST LOOP: BINONS

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Shop Local

Best know for its Private Parties, Antwan Binion talks about Binsions, Fur, and holding down the East Loop

Looking for somewhere new to shop, eat, have a drink, or just hang out…check out our favorite local picks! Tell’em Delux sent ya!

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MADE IN SAINT LOUIS

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Many can claim that they put St. Louis on the map, but only a few can say that today, they’re keeping it popping.

delux space

To most people, Japanese food means sushi. But there’s a world beyond raw fish in the recent izakaya explosion.

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VERSUS/CALENDER

57

delux scene

Food for thought. And what to do

Just incase you missed it. See where Saint Louis’ affluent taste-makers and trendsetters spent their time

this month in the LOU

Mr. Homegrown Larry Hughes sets a new standard to style, accomplishments, and humbleness. Follow him on twitter @thereallhughes

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The Crew Keith N Griffin II

EDITOR IN CHIEF/PUBLISHER @DeluxMagazine

Lawrence Bryant Photography Director @lbfoto1

Michael Winfield Creative Director @brklynstl

Kyle A Griffin Marketing Director @DeluxPromo

Tiffany S Nashville Editorial Director @icyhot82

Courtney McCall Copy Editor

Robert Hughes Sales Manager MUA/Stylist Camille Scott Maria Antoinette Shi Salon Writers Tiffany S. Nashville Courtney McCall Onyi Kokelu Talancia Pea Yolanda Riley Bell Davis Kristyn Porter Photographers Lawrence Bryant Arthur Smith Keith N Griffin II Graphic Designers Tamika Butler Keith N Griffin II Asst to the Editor Temeka Tate Publicist Kandis Knight Advisory Board: Jacque Land, Dr. Christi Griffin, Bethal Harris, Jeffery Witt, Esq, Trina Claggett, Kim Moses

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DELUX-MAG.COM JULY 2011 | 11


12 | DELUX Magazine AUGUST 2011


Editor’s Chaos

GO BILLIKENS!

LOL! Believe it or not L Hughes and I have a lot of things in common than YOU may think... We both went to SLU & we both left early LOL.... I think his opting to the NBA was a little more smarter than my need to start a “find myself movement”... but here we both are again. Life is funny. Anyway. Well looks like we have this monthly publication finally under control. We truly appreciate the patience our readers and clients have had during this time of growth. This November issue features the Distinguished Gentlemen of St. Louis -- rather behind the scenes or in the forefront this list of GENTS is something special. HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!


Tiffany j.

EDGY • CHIC’ • BOLD

Taka

DARING • UNIQUE • FASHION

SHi SALON

1900 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 588-9948 Open Tue-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm

Jessica

URBAN ROCK STAR

Tawanda

CREATIVE • EXQUISITE • TALENT


Contributors Kim Moses

Courtney McCall

Kimberly Moses, a native to St. Louis, MO and President of Operations for the Larry Hughes Family Foundation is quite busy these days. She came on board the foundation in 2006 after losing her little brother Courtney who was a liver transplant recipient. Life outside of the foundation Kimberly devotes to taking care of her teenaged sister due to them losing their mother to cancer in 2007. In her spare time, Kimberly Moses enjoys designing fashion, choreographing, and relaxing at home watching movies.

Carefree and uninhibited, Courtney McCall holds nothing back when it comes to loving life to the fullest. International, national and local experiences have given her a unique take on what makes the world go ‘round’ yet made her as worldly as she wants to be with all things fashion and music topping her list of can’t live withouts. Journalistically talented, this eclectic mind is passionate about her ability to capture people with her words as Harris-Stowe’s assistant VP of communications, marketing, alumni affairs & development.

DELUXTHOUGHT in love and you thought love was enough to make up for the lack of everything else that you really need in a relationship. Or, once you got a nice salary and benefits, plus the work environment is everything you’ve ever wanted, you decide to chill as an employee instead of diving into that business you want to start. Or perhaps you are a spiritual person. Someone who is tuned in to the rhythm of life and God and you believe that there is deeper and greater truth than what you’ve been told, but you settle - because it’s easier - to just be told who and what God is rather than to search for yourself. So what happened?

Sometimes it’s real easy to take the path of least resistance, especially when you are comfortable and things are convenient. You’ve done it right? We’ve all done it at some point in our lives. At some point, you made a decision to stop there, either temporarily (until you realized what you were actually doing) or permanently. Either way, at some point, you decided that you weren’t going any further. Be it a job, a spouse or lifestyle, many people just stop in mid air. You were soaring to new heights in your life and all of the sudden you stopped. What happened? You fell

There are some who believe that what they have is all that they are able to get so they stop there. And there are others who are afraid of stepping out into the unknown. Fear is one of the main reasons why people settle. Either you fear that the price to pay is too great or you fear that you won’t find another that has the positive traits as the person you are with. In any case, fear will always cause you to stop dead in your tracks and it will always cause you to feel trapped and empty. Fear suffocates its victims. It grips and stagnates you until you either see it for what it is and overcome

it, or until it kills you. We settle for less when we don’t know who we are or what we’re really worth or what we’re really capable of. So the way to remedy that is to simply, know thy self. When you know who you are, what you are worth and what you are capable of achieving, then fear cannot hold you back and you will not settle for less than what you were created to have and experience. It saddens me to know that so many are living their lives miserably, especially when they have the ability to choose otherwise. If you feel that you are about to settle for less than what you deserve, or already have settled, take some time to look at yourself. A good healthy dose of introspection is in order; wake up call, if you will! Pay attention to the signs, they are all around you. Life will let you know when you have settled or are about to settle. You will know deep within. You can choose to ignore that terrible feeling, or you can allow it to wake you up and move forward into the life you were meant to have, being the person that you were meant to be. When you realize just how MUCH you really are, you will never allow yourself to accept anything less than that! -love, sj


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The Creeping Monetization of Occupy Wall Street The Occupy Wall Street movement has seen all kinds in its monthlong run thus far: Everyone from rap stars to college kids to sympathetic millionaires have turned up to Zuccotti Park to lend their support to the anti-corporate, anti-inequality demonstrations. What OWS has seen very few of, publicly at least, is people trying to profit off the protests. That’s all about to change. As of about a week ago, a Long Island couple has applied to secure the trademark rights to the term “Occupy Wall Street.” Robert and Diane Maresca, a disabled former union laborer and an occupational therapist, respectively, put in their application in on October 18, with the intention to brand OWS for use on, among other things, tote bags, hobo bags, gym bags, bumper stickers, T-shirts, and footwear— all of which they want to bring to a store near you. Are you ready for your official Occupy Wall Street flip-flops? For what it’s worth, trademark experts don’t sound bullish on the possibility of OWS as a brand, and even the Marescas themselves

seem skeptical in an interview with “The Smoking Gun”. But the most important fact remains: As OWS grows bigger and more popular, so will the dreams of schemers attempting to make a quick buck off of it. For instance, far larger than the Marescas is MTV, which is jumping onto the OWS gravy train with a special OWS edition of its series “True Life”. One would hope that that would be a journalistic endeavor, of course, but let’s get real: Real World: Zuccotti Park isn’t outside the realm of possibility when discussing today’s ultra-exploitative, often dumb MTV. One exploitation of OWS that doesn’t sound so bad is the “Occupy Wall Street” book, set to be released sometime in December by progressive publishing house OR Books. It will include work by a thus far unnamed cadre of writers being called “writers for the 99%,” and it will record the important details of OWS thus far. Considering the release date, it sounds like it’ll make a lot of money as a holiday stocking stuffer. The catch? All proceeds from the sale of the book will go back to the occupy movement itself.

DELUX-MAG.COM NOVEMBER 2011 | 17



Binions EAT • DRINK • SOCIALIZE Story: Courtney McCall

Photos: Xpressions 2 Art

Best known for its private parties, Binions, located at 5917 Delmar Blvd., east of the Delmar Loop, might just be your venue for that next baby shower, reunion gathering or engagement dinner. Going five years strong, the 30-and-up non-smoking restaurant boasts a more mature audience with an actual VIP room, not just a make-shift VIP section. Its outdoor patio features live music and a classy, refined vibe. This isn’t the spot you come to because you have nothing else going on a Friday night. It attracts the young professional who has more to do than just club on the weekends. “A lot of people feel that you have to be open every day to make money, when you don’t,” says Antwann Binion, president of Binions. “We thrive off of special events and private parties. That’s our niche.”

B

This niche includes catering to the needs of individuals who may be hosting a private business meeting or even a late-night social gathering, with hours of operation Thursday through Monday, 4:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Dinner is served from 5 – 10 p.m. And for those looking to become a preferred customer, a B-Lounge party package is customized with on-site concierge, Internet access, private parking and bottle service. And for all the old Animal House fanatics, Binions will host the Animal House Wednesday Kick-off Party during Thanksgiving week, then every Wednesday following, which will featuring ol’-school sounds for a $3 cover charge. Darryl 1 Ruf DJ will spin the tables while you sip on $3 Long Island margaritas and pose for the camera for that same price. Though cliché, Binions is truly for the grown and sexy, taking no parts in T-shirts, baseball caps and tennis shoes, yet inviting you to relish in the ultimate Eat. Drink. Socialize. atmosphere.

DELUX-MAG.COM NOVEMBER 2011 | 19




Many can claim that they put St. Louis on the map, but only a few can say that today, they’re keeping it popping. Most things hot and sexy in other cities, St. Louis has its own local version. No reason to envy the East or West Coast by any means. Take a look at this diverse group of hidden hometown treasures reared right here in the Lou.

Original Version Clothing

T-shirts are a fun, sexy and provocative fashion statement. The tees at Teez Me Teez are based on pop culture references that cleverly blend innuendo, double entendre and homophones to entice, compel and arouse. In fact, the name really does say all. Teez (verb, derived from tease) - To arouse hope, desire or curiosity in without affording satisfaction. T-shirt (noun, derived from tee) - A lightweight, usually knitted,

pullover shirt, close-fitting with a round neckline and short sleeves, worn as an undershirt or outer garment.In other words, Teez Me Teez’s graphic tee shirts creatively tease your mind and stimulate your libido. Teez Me Teez Unique Ready-To-Wear Apparel, offering a host of witty yet suggestive shirts for men and women. OVC available at these Premier Locations RSRVD 6148 Delmar, in the Loop The Shop 10060 Natural Bridge Fashion Haus 6635 Delmar Ave www.TeezemeTeez.com

AIRPLAY FRAGRANCE

Rappers turned entrepreneurs, the St. Lunatics, are keeping the innovative ideas coming. With restaurants and wine under their belt, the group’s latest business venture will appeal to the masses. Airplay, the Lunatics’ line of air fresheners, promises to “kill all the smells you run from,” according to Kyjuan.

photo: king yella

After working with a chemist, it was decided to launch the product with four enticing scents, including Blue Chill, Red Riot, Green Light and Pink Sugar. It’s sweet enough for the ladies’ purses and tough enough for the fellows to ride with.

22 | DELUX Magazine NOVEMBER 2011

So how did this all come about? It’s part of the group’s image to evolve. “A lot of times, you have to sit back after music and realize what’s going on,” says Kyjuan. “We want to put our hands in things that we feel good about because we believe in the product. The problem I usually have with a lot of fragrances that kill smells, is that they also kill your nose,” explains Kyjuan. “’It’s like man, why you spray that?’ Airplay is oil based, so we’re not killing the ozone. It makes you feel better. Anything that adds on to feeling better and making people smile, we’re all over that.” Airplay can be purchased online at airplayfresh.com from a direct source or at participating BP and Mobile Mart stations, with plans to be on shelves at Wal-Mart, Schnucks, mom-andpop stores, car washes and auto-part stores in the near future.


The Bismark CHEF CHRIS @

FORMALLY ME’SHONS

410 North Tucker Boulevard | St Louis MO 63101 story: Courtney McCall

photos: Lawrence Bryant

U

pon first meeting Bismark Head Chef Chris Harris, one quickly realizes that he is passionate about food. His whole demeanor reeks of culinary art. At 38 years old, Chef Harris is living his dream. A lover of all things food since he started cooking some 20 years ago, he is now a permanent fixture at the historic Michon’s, now Bismark Restaurant.

An unexpected opportunity to do appetizers during a brief stint as a dishwasher at the Stadium Club is what planted the cooking seed. “When guys working the appetizer station didn’t show up to work, the chef would call me off of dishes,” says Harris. “They ended up permanently moving me on appetizers. I love the speed and the craziness of cooking. It’s just exciting.” Chef Harris has worked at Bismark since the start of 2011, and he’s looking forward to shaking things up a bit and exposing customers to what he calls neuvo cuisine, which is a French cooking technique. “I’m really fond of pastas,” he says. “I have a style that is somewhat between southern Italian and French Creole.” Prior to joining Bismark, Harris spent some time working at the Central West End’s Wild Flower with Chef Leon and Owner Phil Czarnec as well as the old Summit Restaurant. He even got his feet wet in the restaurant corporate sector while working at Landry’s Seafood Restaurant. This exposed him to different parts of the business, including the corporate aspect and sole proprietorships. “This is where I became really fond of what I was doing,” he says. “I trained all the kitchen managers who came from various parts of the country because our Landry’s was the training facility for the corporation. I had to train the people who were my boss.” Now, Harris is running things and putting his personal culinary spin on timeless food classics like veal, risotto, steaks and seafood. “A lot of [cooks] torture and abuse seafood, and that may turn people off,” he says. “I want people to open their eyes more about food and broaden their horizons.” Whether it’s his perfectly butchered meats, sauces or self-proclaimed killer soups, Chef Harris is winning in the food game. Check him out as he transitions the menu of the old Michon’s into something that both new and old-school food aficionados will appreciate.

DELUX-MAG.COM NOVEMBER 2011 | 23


DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN 2011

Saint Louis’ top-ranking GENTS for 2011 remind us that a dream is as only as big as you make it. We introduce you to DELUX’s Distinguished Gentlemen of 2011. 24 | DELUX Magazine SEPTEMBER 2011


DWAYNE BESS Growth Coach, Author, Keynote Speaker & Mentor Dwayne Bess is author of the book, “The Perpetual Hand” and world-class speaker lives by the philosophy, “To grow and change one’s life starts with the desire to change others.” These words guide Bess in his commitment to achieving greatness through acts of kindness. Dwayne travels the country as a keynote speaker, while running a division at Konica Minolta, Business Solutions. His speaker experience includes hosting lecture series with Arun Gandi, Rubin Hurricane Carter, Kwame Mfume and Juan Williams. In his lecture series titled, “The Perpetual Hand” Dwayne delivers a high-energy message, shedding light on the fact that even at our very best we can always eclipse our potential by giving, receiving and interdependence. He has spoken to diverse audiences such as The United States Pentagon, Minority Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, The National Sales Network, St. Louis Business Journal, African Americans in Monsanto Network, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis History Museum, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and many more. He has appeared and received coverage on FOX, ABC, KPLR, Essence Magazine, The Bernie Hays Show and other media outlets, speaking on topics such as “How to Create a Selfless and Positive Life,” “Networking the Framework,” “Ladies Personal Protection” and “Anti-bullying.” Dwayne has had the pleasure of speaking to audiences from colleges to churches nationwide, helping them exploit their absolute power of being selfless to influence others.

MICHAEL KENNEDY JR. President, KAI Design & Build

What defines a distinguished gentleman? Is it someone who is refined? Someone who is successful? Or is it someone who is involved in the community? If all of these qualities truly reflect a distinguished gentleman, then Michael Kennedy Jr. is on the right track. Michael, the president of KAI Design & Build is the son of Michael Kennedy Sr., the founder of KAI. Kennedy Jr. still remembers the car rides with his dad as a teenager, during which he would always look out the window, fascinated with all of the new buildings being developed. Michael’s business interests started early, and it was evidenced then that he was destined to be a shot caller. In high school, he and a friend started a lawn-care business in Chesterfield that was funded by the money earned from bagging groceries at Schnucks. In 2000, upon graduating from Hampton University in Virginia, he joined the family business as manager of administration. “I wanted to be a part of transforming St. Louis to realize its true potential,” says Kennedy. For Michael, working so close to dad had its perks. “It can be hard being the owner’s son, but when you talk about motivation, you’re a lot more motivated when you know you’re helping the family,” he adds. Since its inception in the 1980s, the company has built a reputation as one of the largest minority-owned firms in the region. KAI Design & Build has done a huge percentage of the largest developments in the St. Louis area. Contracts include work on the Edward Jones Dome, Scottrade Center, Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Metro light rail stations and the Pinnacle Hotel and Casino. KAI’s many developments extend beyond St. Louis, including Dallas and New Orleans. This distinguished gentleman is not all work and no play. Michael enjoys playing golf, riding his bike, martial arts and watching professional football. And though he’s traveled widely, Michael loves St. Louis, his hometown for many reasons, but especially because of its culture of family values and its affordable living.

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NICHOLAS R POWELL

Ceo/Chief Consultant The Mind Game Nicholas Powell is CEO and chief consultant of The Mind Game, an applied sports psychology consulting company that caters to the needs of athletes, coaches, parents and other physically active individuals. The company assists with identifying and understanding how psychological approaches and interventions can be used to enhance performance and personal growth. Powell is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, raised specifically in “Concrete Jungle.” It was there that he realized that his life’s purpose was greater than his current surroundings, and his pursuit of that purpose started with an athletic scholarship to McKendree College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in both physical education and psychology. He went on to earn a master’s in kinesiology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Among his notable accomplishments is a recent company trip to Daegu, South Korea for the World Track and Field Championships, during which he provided support for some of his competing clients. He is now committed to helping new clients with their mental training as they prepare for the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London, England. He lives by the words of his high school coach and current mentor, Victor “Poppy” Thomas: “Confidence is not something that can be bought, but is something that lies deep within.” To learn more about The Mind Game, contact Powell at analyst06@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @itsamindgame.

JACQUE LAND

Executive Director 100 Black Men As the executive director of 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, Jacque Land oversees the organization’s initiatives that include mentoring, education, economic development and health and wellness. Along with his wife, Leata, he owns and operates The Platinum Group, a full-service media relations, marketing and image consulting company. In this role, he promotes major events in St. Louis and oversees the successful St. Louis American’s Salute series. Another business venture, JHL Concessions LLC, which he co-owns, specializes in the providing concession services for the Scottrade Center. Unbeknownst to many, Jacque has a media background, having owned his own record company and worked at Clear Channel Radio in the past. Jacque has always been imbedded in the community of which he lives, and he serves St. Louis actively in various capacities. He was instrumental in the success of “A Call to Oneness” movement to curb violence in the community. Such commitment to St. Louis hasn’t gone unnoticed, as recognized by his gubernatorial appointment by Jay Nixon to serve on the Missouri Lottery Commission, in addition to the numerous board positions he already holds. When it comes to both corporate and non-profit affiliations, Jacque Land is household name.


HOWARD RICHARDS Harris - Stowe

Howard Richards is a man of multiple talents. From NFL to CIA to M-I-Z, Howard has left his mark on more than one industry. Present day, Howard serves as executive director of institutional safety and development at Harris-Stowe State University and the color commentator for Missouri football. He has an extensive resume that includes playing seven seasons in the NFL with both the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. “I played for a legendary and highly successful coach in Tom Landry and played with some of the greatest players to play the game, such as NFL Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Randy White, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Everson Walls, Robert Newhouse and Billy Joe DuPree,” says Richards. “Those players were great teammates, but even greater men. Playing with them on that team was an unforgettable experience.” Twenty-three years later and post-Central Intelligence Agengy, Richards has resurfaced in the broadcast industry, partnering with announcer Mike Kelly. He provides input as to why a play did or did not work for the Tigers. For Richards, it couldn’t be a better fit, and he’s excited about reliving a few of his college-day experiences. But even with all that, the script is still being written on his life. “I’ve had a very unique, interesting and atypical professional path,” says Richards. “Being able to pay forward some of the good fortunes that have been bestowed upon me, gives me great satisfaction. If I’m fortunate enough for my life to continue in this direction, my mark could be an indelible one.”

CRAIG DAHL

Safety, Saint Louis Rams Who’d have thought that a record-breaking high school track star and 2007 undrafted free agent would prove to be such an NFL asset? After winning a championship ring with his debut team, the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, against the New England Patriots, he was almost relieved to be joining the St. Louis Rams under the leadership of head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who was the Giants’ defensive coordinator during Dahl’s time in New York. It’s no wonder he was re-signed to the St. Louis Rams last year. With an impressive career at North Dakota State University, then notable NFL highlights, it was obvious that he had paid his football dues, and that his days as a successful safety had just begun. Dahl has been called the best safety on the Rams’ roster, with 98 recorded tackles and having started 13 games last season. With 2011 regular season stats of 28 tackles and one interception, he seems to be earning every bit of his $3.6 million contract.


BRANDON WILLIAMS Attorney at Law

Picking a profession because it seemed fun on episodes of “L.A. Law” isn’t really typical, but Attorney at Law Brandon Williams is far from the norm. He has built a successful law practice – The Williams Bloc LLC – on just being himself, something that his clients can appreciate. “I don’t know every attorney,” he says. “I’m just me, and I practice law like I’m just me.” And being just him includes enjoying what he does every day, something that he considers to be his ultimate career goal. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Williams transplanted to St. Louis to attend Washington University’s School of Law after graduating from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Today, he’s taking on life head on, and loving every minute of it, finding time to wind down with cigars, good friends and anything that entails not discussing business, even though he believes that he will be practicing law in this life and beyond. “Haven’t you heard of Juan Ponce de Leon and The Fountain of Youth?,” he asks. “I love swimming in that thing.” It’s this kind of attitude about work and life in general that keeps him moving…that and his baby girl. “I know this sounds cliché, but my daughter is my most favorite thing in this world. She motivates me to do better,” he says.


JEFF BABINSKI

VP & GM Lumiere Casino Jeff Babinski is vice president and general manager of Lumiere Place Casino and Hotels. As the leader of Pinnacle Entertainment’s downtown St. Louis operations, he oversees more than 1,000 employees. When he’s not working or lending his time to the various charities and boards that he supports, he admits that the best part of his day is the time spent with his wife and two daughters, all of whom are huge sports enthusiasts. “We love sports and try to take in as many games as we can,” says Babinski. “And how about them Cards! I practically lost my voice for almost a week when they won the World Series!” And though his work with St. Louis’ “best” casino is quite rewarding, Babinksi is happy to be amongst some of St. Louis’ finest. “We have so many great leaders in St. Louis and to be considered one of the distinguished gentlemen in St. Louis is something that I cannot describe in words,” he says. “I will say that it is an unbelievable honor, and I hope I represent St. Louis well.”

RICKY WHITTINGTON Plaza Motors

Native St. Louisan Ricky Whittington of Plaza Motors has set a strong foundation of success built on his faith in God. A 17-year automotive sales veteran, Ricky came to Plaza after 12 years with Lincoln Mercury. His dedication and experience has made him one of the top salesmen in the country. Committed to leadership and success, he seeks to bring new business to the dealership through service, sales, marketing and community outreach. He believes building a solid relationship is an essential part of automotive sales. Ricky is also a prominent fixture in the St. Louis philanthropic community as an for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Scott Air Force Base football camp, various back-to-school programs and Youth Lifeline America. He serves as the co-founder of Lindenwood’s Black Student Union scholarship which, each year, provides two four-year scholarships to deserving high school students. Ricky firmly believes that hard work, staying focused and keeping God first will set a foundation for great success.


E T A R B H E C L N U E A L C S U 0 2 O I N G A J I EST IDAY THE PR

A L I U Q OF TE

RedeямБned Taste

FR 4 6 R O O 9PM@D



WHAT IF YOUR MOM DIDN’T RECOGNIZE YOU? Mike Claiborne has been covering St. Louis sports for 30 years. His pre- and post-game experience includes shows for the St. Louis Blues, Rams and Cardinals. Moving into his sixth year as part of the Red Birds’ broadcast team with Mike Shannon, John Rooney and Rick Horton, he reflects on personal experiences with Alzheimer’s disease. No fun and games about it, Mike knows the challenges facing caregivers. Mike and his father were primary caregivers for Claiborne’s mother, Jean, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. They are one in 15 million Americans who have been affected by Alzheimer’s. Claiborne understands the critical need to create awareness for the disease, programs and services available to meet the needs of an increasing Alzheimer’s population. “It used to be that you carried it around with you like some deep, dark family secret because it’s so hard to see that person slipping and you don’t want to accept it,” he says. “But then they start to forget things…they have moments where things aren’t familiar to them, and then all of the sudden they don’t recognize you.” November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Currently, there are an estimated 5.4 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S., and this number continues to grow. In fact, every 69 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, there are resources available to assist with the difficult decisions and uncertainties that families face. “Many people dismiss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, believing that these symptoms are a normal part of aging. They are diagnosed too late and miss the opportunity to get the best care possible,” says Jocelyn Damper, Alzheimer’s Association outreach coordinator. “This is of even greater concern for African-Americans, who are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than other populations. People need to call their physician, receive a diagnosis and contact the Alzheimer’s Association for support and guidance.” Mike recalls that the access to support groups and research were not as readily available 10 years ago when he was caring for his 32 | DELUX Magazine AUGUST 2011

mother, as they are today. With so little information on the topic, he remembers feeling helpless and confused at times. “You think you’re doing the right thing – you hope you are – but when it’s all said and done, you always second guess yourself and whether or not you made the right move,” says Mike. Uncertainty and second guessing one’s actions is a common feeling among caregivers. “Yes, it is hard, but there are other people out there that are having similar experiences and you are not alone,” says Mike. Mike explains that as a caregiver, your patience can be put to the test and it is okay to take a break and rely on others for help. “Patience is the one thing that you will need to have more of than anything else – patience and understanding,” Mike suggests. “You cannot do it by yourself.” Mike is involved serves on the board of St. Louis Chapter Alzheimer’s Association. He helps to raise awareness of the disease through the association’s programs and services. Above all, Mike’s decision to become involved with the Alzheimer’s Association is one made out of compassion, experience and hope. “The cure may not be around the corner, but the momentum of getting to the corner is growing,” he says. This November, you can help spread awareness about Alzheimer’s disease by encouraging others to take action and support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association, including becoming a faith outreach ambassador, volunteer and simply an advocate. In recognition of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month, follow in the footsteps of Mike Claiborne and share your story or your time. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and how you can make a difference or receive support, visit alz.org/stl or call (800) 272-3900.


Think of all the special moments that could be taken from you.

New problems with communication, changes in mood and confusion with time or place are some warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward doing something about it.

24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 | www.alz.org/stl


LarryHughes Bigger than basketball Larry Hughes uses hoops as a catalyst to help



A

fter being on the radar as a basketball star in training since his days at CBC High School the assumption may be that Larry Hughes found his purpose on the court. He went on to enjoy a stellar collegiate athletic experience at Saint Louis University and ultimately a successful 12 year run in the pros. But it was actually the benefit of resources and celebrity found within a successful NBA career that created the pathway for his passion.

Almost as soon as he suited up as an NBA player, Larry Hughes has been lending his name to the cause he believes is his true life’s work – helping others. “This foundation is what I’m here for,” said former NBA star Larry Hughes. “I see a bigger picture as far as things that I can do to give back all that I have received for so many years.” Although officially launched in 2000, The Larry Hughes Foundation has been serving communities across the nation since 1998.

“On any given night, there would be 20,000 people in the arena in different cities,” Hughes said. “You have to give back to some of those faces who recognize you – you just have to.” While the primary purpose of The Larry Hughes Foundation is to promote awareness for organ and tissue donation, Hughes has taken it upon himself to give to the community in many ways via the foundation in what he calls “random acts of kindness.” He has given away gas, fed the hungry, offered toys and gifts to families in need when they couldn’t afford Christmas and more. “They were advertising TVs on commercials and I thought ‘I’m going to give away some TVs to people who are less fortunate,” Hughes said. “And anything I’ve done in the city I’ve played in, I’ve also done at home. So if Oakland residents received free gas when the cost per gallon had made it all but impossible to fill a tank – so did people in St. Louis. The same went for Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, back-to-school supplies and basketball camps are among the many gifts of the Hughes Foundation at the cities that he’s played for throughout his career – Hughes has always taken care of St. Louis area too. And the city has taken notice of his unwavering efforts to make life a little better for those in circumstances where they may not be able to help themselves at the moment.


In the past month he received special honors from the East St. Louis NAACP. He also stood alongside MLK Monument visionary Harry Johnson as one of the 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees for CBC High School. “The award wasn’t just for the four years that I was in the school or even what I’ve done since,” Hughes said. “To me, the award represents the fact that I’m on my way to really making a difference and they are rewarding me for it now.” Hughes is barely in his thirties, and even though he’s been doing so for more than a decade, he sees his life-long legacy of giving as just beginning. “Getting in the NBA Just took a lot of luck and timing – and being in the right place at the right time with a skill that I worked on over the years,” Hughes said. “I felt blessed to play and be in the league for 12 years, and I’ve always wanted to be the blessing that I have received and passing it along. You never know when you will be the person needing help, so the least you can do is help someone else.” Heart of a foundation Hughes knows about power of helping hands from personal experience. And he draws from his unique family dynamic as fuel to arm the community with knowledge about the importance of tissue and organ donations – which is the primary purpose of The Larry Hughes Foundation. At the same time that his sports star was rising, Larry watched his mother Vanessa bear the responsibility of meeting the health care needs of his younger brother with grace, dignity and courage. Justin Hughes passed away in 2006 at the age of 20 after living for nearly a decade as a heart transplant recipient. Vanessa and Larry have continually used the foundation to honor his memory, help other families who are currently living through the trials that come with having a child with similar health challenges and to raise awareness of the need to donate organs and tissue. “She’s the captain of the ship,” Larry said of his mother. “It’s a unique relationship because it’s really a partnership to be successful and make the right decisions.” And naturally, Larry’s respect and admiration goes beyond the work they do together within the foundation. He watched Vanessa balance the special needs of both of her children – him as an athlete in need of guidance amongst the trappings of success, while at the same time being a mother and health advocate for Justin. Her


grace and dignity gave him a blueprint for the type of person he strives to be. “She made me the man I am today,” Hughes said. “I saw how she worked and struggled. I had her to look up to and I’m always looking around to make sure I’m following in her footsteps.” Vanessa serves as Executive Director for The Larry Hughes Foundation and has even written a book, From Courtside to Bedside, chronicling one-in-a-million experiences that came with parenting her two sons. “The reward has been for me to go from saying ‘my van is in the shop and I can’t get my son to the doctor,’ to being the voice on the other end of the phone,” Hughes said. “For me, to be that voice on the other end of the phone has been a blessing to our family and everyone who has supported the foundation.” Kim Moses, a member of one of the families the Larry Hughes Foundation helped, has since joined on as an integral member of the team. After the foundation helped Moses pay for funeral services for her little brother, Courtney she joined on to pay forward the gift that the Larry Hughes Foundation – and help the organization grow to help even more families and individuals in need.

And Larry is hoping to go beyond and raise the bar with respect to the foundation’s many successes. “Each one, teach one,” Larry said. “I made a promise to myself to reach the young people – to get them more involved and more aware of the importance and necessity of organ and tissue donation.” The Larry Hughes Foundation recently held an organ donation drive at Busch Stadium during a St. Louis Cardinals Game, and Larry was given the honor of throwing out the opening pitch. And as Larry, his mom and Moses work towards making a difference, Larry believes that Justin is smiling down on them for what they are doing in his honor. “I know he’s happy and at peace,” Larry said of Justin. “He’s definitely the driving force behind who we are, why we think the way we think and why we are willing to help the next person – because for so long he was the person that needed that hand.” For more information about the Larry Hughes Foundation, visit www.Larryhughesworld.com or twitter @thereallhughes



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DELUXCONSCIOUSNESS

The Power of the Pap Story: Planned Parenthood of St. Louis

For many women the gynecologist office can sometimes be an intimidating place, but it doesn’t have to be so scary if you truly understand the benefits of your annual pap smear and well women exam. Let’s break down the process of a pap smear. First, you recline back while the doctor or nurse opens the vaginal canal and uses a swab (mascara brush-like tool) to brush the cervix for a sample. The cells are deposited onto a microscope slide and examined for any abnormalities that could be early signs of cervical cancer. Then, just like that, it’s over. Pap smears are simple, quick and relatively painless. Why do you need a pap smear? Well quite simply, a pap smear could save your life. Pap smears can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer, and if caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap smears can also find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing at all. When should you get these pap smears? All women should start getting pap smears at age 21. Then from age 21 to 30, women should have a Pap smear every two years. Women 30 and up who have had three normal Pap smears in a row can switch to getting the test once every three years. Women with certain risk factors may need to have more frequent Pap smears, so be sure to discuss it with your doctor or nurse. Another important part of your annual well women’s exam is the breast exam and optional STD tests. It is recommended that all sexually active individuals get tested for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. If you are already at the doctor, you might as well check your status! Pap tests and well women exams are an essential part of your health care. Planned Parenthood makes it as easy as possible for women to have lifesaving screenings and care with a sliding scale of services to meet a wide range of individuals’ needs. We also have next-day appointments available at all six health centers (CWE, North County, South City, St. Peters, Fairview Heights and West County). For additional information call Planned Parenthood at (314) 531-7526.


DELUXCONSCIOUSNESS

Four Lessons Teachers Can Learn from Jay-Z

STORY BY: Liz Dwyer

BLOG: www.good.is/community/LizDwyer

Jay-Z may have inspired a generation of rappers and entrepreneurs, but for most teachers, his hustler past and materialistic lyrics hardly make him a role model. But in a recent piece for Teacher magazine, New York City educator José Vilson writes that when it comes to engaging young minds, working toward a goal, collaborating, and expanding areas of expertise, teachers can learn from Jay-Z’s massive success. Vilson, a math teacher, coach, data analyst, and member of the Teacher Leaders Network, writes that when Jay-Z began to reach a broader audience, critics accused him of selling out. Similarly, teachers don’t want to ditch their high academic expectations just to engage all students. Just as Jay-Z figured out how to reach the masses while staying true to his roots, it’s possible, Vilson says, to communicate with students in a relatable way “without sacrificing the meaning, context, and depth of what we teach.” Jay-Z’s music is critically acclaimed and his albums always go platinum, but he’s had his share of career missteps. Teachers also make mistakes, Vilson writes, when they don’t “listen to a student when we should have,” or “could have better planned a lesson.” So teachers, particularly new ones, have to learn the same lesson Jay did: Those mistakes won’t “break” you “unless we fail to learn from them and they become patterns in our careers.” When it comes to collaboration, Vilson notes that while Jay-Z’s worked with fellow rappers like Kanye West, he’s also expanded far beyond the hip-hop sphere, teaming up with everyone from Linkin Park to Gwyneth Paltrow. In order to “improve students’ experiences,” teachers need to do the same by reaching beyond their grade level or department. For example, “science and language arts teachers can cocreate lessons that help students identify and use literary techniques as they read and respond to science texts,” he argues. And, just as Jay-Z is no longer “just a rapper”—he worked on President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and has supported United Nations’ efforts in Africa—teachers should not see themselves solely as instructors, Vilson writes. Over the next 20 years, he says, educators should become “teacherpreneurs”—spending part of their time teaching students and part of it “solving our schools’ most pressing problems.” Vilson’s thoughtful analysis is certainly a departure from the dismissive way so many educators treat Jay-Z and other pop culture idols. If teachers can learn these lessons—whether from Jay-Z or someone else—they will, Vilson writes be able to “make a greater impact on our world.”

PHOTO: Lawrence Bryant


The Makings of a Champ Story: Onyi Kokelu

Photography: Lawrence Byant

Ryan Coyne, the “Official Irish Outlaw,” is not a new face to the world of athletics. Although now a pro boxer, he dabbled in various things, including football and political science, before deciding to pursue a career as a professional fighter. Take a look at how this St. Charles native has shaken up the boxing world. Q: So you are the Official Irish Outlaw. Is this name a self proclamation or it was given to you? Great question. I get this all the time. I’ve always been a bit of an Irish hard head. I’ve always kind of done things my own way, against the grain. Someone called me “Irish Outlaw” one day during an amateur fight years ago and it fit like a glove. Not OJ’s glove, but a new pair of Isotoners! Q: What is it like fighting for legendary boxing promoter Don King? It’s interesting, lucrative, frustrating, exhilarating, satisfying, complicated...[yes] all those sentiments; depends on the day and where things are at the current moment. Don is the greatest promoter in the history of boxing. He has done great things for my career, but like any difficult business, it’s not without obstacles. At the end of the day, I’m glad he’s in my corner, rather than going up against him. Q: What feeling does being undefeated give you? It’s a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Being undefeated in the fight game is something that is extremely difficult to do. It’s like defending the castle. Someone is always trying to storm the gate, and you have to be ready and know that everyone out there is a little extra motivated to try to hang that first loss on your record...but it’s not happening! Q: For someone who knows nothing about boxing, tell me a little about your division, the cruiserweight? Well, you caught me at a transitional point in my career. While I’ve fought the majority of my career in the cruiserweight division, I am currently in the process of moving down to light heavyweight, 175 pounds.. But it’s still a great question for prospective fight fans out there. Think of the cruiserweight division as the heavyweight division of yesteryear. The weight limit of the division is 200 pounds. Great heavyweight champions in history like Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier would have been cruiserweights in today’s fight game. The division was conceived so that 190-pound fighters didn’t have to go up against 260-pound fighters that dominate the heavyweight division today. Q: Okay so what’s with the beard? When I have a big fight coming up I often let it grow like Paul Bunyan. When I’m grinding out a tough training camp, I don’t need to be worried about being pretty. My last fight was supposed to be for the world title, and frankly I looked like I was homeless by the time I hit the scales. My sole focus is on dominating my opponent, and concern for my appearance at those times is well, not a concern. Q: What is something about you that most people don’t know? Wouldn’t you like to know........


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Shop Local Words by C ourtney M c Call , T i ffan y S . N a s hv i ll e, yOLAN D A r I L EY

S t. Lou i s has so much to offer; great b eer, ta st y food , bi -pola r weat h er, and crazy wonde rf u l p e ople. What more can y ou as k for?

SERENITY MYO

Serenity MYO Salon, meaning serenity is Mine, Yours, Ours, has a selling point that is quite simple: its staff just might be the best in the business. While skills play a huge part in this, the fact that Serenity’s team of stylists has absolutely no qualms about working together is a much better testament. “The thing that I think sets us apart is that we actually are a family that works together. We don’t get hung up on what chair a client is sitting in; if I can’t do a style, there is another stylist in the salon who can do it and do it well,” says Owner Carl Royston. “We want our clients to have the best experience.”Matching clients with the most appropriate stylist is something that the Serenity team takes very serious, allowing them to effectively meet the hair care needs of its growing client base. Seven years strong, Serenity specializes in styling natural hair, cutting and coloring and also features an on-duty barber and nail technician. Find your inner peace and tranquility at Serenity MYO!

The Racq Salon & Spa

Marc Stevens Gallery

Racqueal Carter, the owner of this beautiful boutique salon, is a certified stylist with many years of experience styling elite clientel. Find them on Facebook and tell them DELUX sent you!

Marc Stevens is that upbeat, professional and caring salon that nurtures all of your beauty needs. It operates under the motto, The Stevens “Care” Team realizes we have the ability to do more than just change your appearance, we feel we can change your life. With that in mind, let Marc Stevens “Revitalize your image and create an oasis of escape.” 3319 Olive Street, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103 (314) 535-1818

The Racq Salon & Spa opened August 2011. This full-service salon specializes in total makeovers, extensions, color, wax, lashes, manicures and pedicures, massages, and a Make Up Artist is always on duty. Its private massage room is all you need to unwind after a busy work week.

2605 North 14th Street St Louis, MO 63105 (314)241-7227 48 | DELUX Magazine NOVEMBER 2011

Marc Stevens Gallery & Spa specializes in healthy hair, massage therapy, facials, body wraps, body waxing, manicuring and pedicuring. The gallery takes pride in being up to date in the most current hair styles and black-hair techniques. With flexible hours and moderately priced services, it’s no wonder you can get a virgin relaxer for $35-$95. If natural hair is your thing, twist styles start at $35.


Shop Local Message luxe

Reward your body with the soothing, luxurious, ultimate stress-free salon and spa experience. Since opening three months ago, Massage Luxe, located at 3016 South Grand Blvd., is not only the go-to spot for massage therapy, but also a preferred choice for waxing services and facials. This is not your ordinary Luxe, as this particular location is owned and operated by a pair of innovative and enthusiastic African-American women Kalimba Kindell and Delfaye Jason. Its professional atmosphere puts you at ease from the moment you walk through the door, boasting all of the amenities as its major competitors and all the right offerings for any form of tension relief geared toward refurbishing your mind, body and soul. A short walk from Tower Grove Park, you’re urged to visit the newest addition to the city’s South Grand Loop.

314 hair salon

The self-proclaimed premier salon in St. Louis, Studio 3one4, embodies an ambiance unlike any other. It features six style studios, including WINKS Eyelash/Barber Studio; Clay “The Ultimate Barber;” The “Wayne” Event Barber Studio, Bobby’s World and Kenya’s Comfort Lounge Hair & Nails. Its contemporary designs are topped with elegant lighting, flat-screen televisions and enough comfortable seating to keep Tabitha from taking over any time soon. The mere interior will have you wanting to hang out with the 3one4 staff even if you aren’t being serviced…yes, it’s that tight! A one-stopshop of beauty services that span from eyelash artistry to natural styles, 3one4 is your place for the ultimate luxuriously pampered experience. www.studio3one4.homestead.com/ 11806 West Florissant Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63033 | (314) 450-0184

Heels-n-deals

Owner Paris Davis started selling shoes from the comfort of her home and was inspired to take it to the next level from the response and feedback she received from her customers. She decided on the heels-and-deals concept as a result of working in the retail industry for several years. Heels n Deals works because online shopping is a trend that will never go away. But, there’s more to Heels n Deals than just sifting your way through hot stilettos. Its shoe party option adds a different twist to the traditional just-hanging-with-girlfriends wind-down. According to its site, “A shoe party is the ‘crème de la crème’ of all shopping parties; a one-of-a-kind, tantalizing celebration for women and their passion for shoes.” The ultimate shopping experience right from the convenience of your home…or not! 4138 Martin Luther King | http://www.heelsndealsstl.com/ DELUX-MAG.COM NOVEMBER 2011 | 49


< DELUX-TINI 1 tablespoon Raspberry and Honey Puree Perrier Jouet Champagne to top Process: Add the puree to a champagne flute. Top with the prosecco or champagne and swirl lightly with a spoon before serving.

< Foodtruck vs StreEtcart> ....... mmmmm

My Pandora > expand your ear knowledge Sean Price and Brand Nubian

< Kevin Clash VS ELMO > this is wierd... he makes a living with his hand up elmo’s ###


<NOV

04>

Vikter Duplaix @LOLA nov

17 >

Creations by Camill e @ Hiro

< nOV

18

Isaac Bruce Foundation The event will celebrate Isaac Bruce’s career and induction into St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame while raising money for the Isaac Bruce Foundation.

26

< NOV > DJ Kon Vs. DJ MDCL @LOLA


Kimberly Goldson

Photography: Lawrence Bryant

As their predecessors were challenged in season’s prior, the final critical undertaking of the ninth season was for Ayoung-Chee, Viktor Luna, Joshua McKinley, and Kimberly Goldson to take $9,000 and five weeks to create a cohesive collection. It was to be showcased at New York’s Fashion Week. Being in the final four was a major step for Goldson, who made her first [wearable] dress for her sister for her wedding rehearsal dinner in 2007. “I did attend FIT, but I majored in fashion merchandising management,” she explains. “My design training is self-taught with a lot of trial and error.” Q: What’s playing on your iPod when you’re designing? A: Jay-Z – “Brooklyn We Go Hard,” Adele – “Rolling in the Deep,” Kelly Rowland – “Motivation,” Nickleback – “Rockstar,” Chrisette Michelle – “I’m a Star.” Q: When did you realize you had designer potential? A: I’ve always had a unique style and would alter and reinvent clothing for my friends and me since high school, but I didn’t realize I had the potential to be a designer until about 2006. Q: Favorite designer(s)? A: Oscar de la Renta, Alice and Olivia, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, Christian Siriano. Q: What is a fashion must? A: Great shoes. Q: What are your strengths as a designer? A: My strengths as a designer are my structure, style, taste level and my ability to tailor for a [real] woman’s body. Q: What’s influenced your designs over the years? A: My structure aesthetic was heavily influenced early on by Oscar de la Renta. My mom has always been my inspiration. I look at pictures of her from the ‘70s and marvel at her style. Now, as I’ve developed as a designer, I am no longer influenced solely by one designer or one thing. Q: What’s your biggest fear as a designer? A: Making a garment that ends up on the worst-dressed list. Q: If you designed for the first lady, what would you design for her? A: A shift dress with a unique detail (maybe at the collar or on the shoulder) for her to wear to luncheon. Q: What celebrity would you like to design for? A: I would design a red-carpet dress for Jennifer Hudson. I’d like to highlight her new figure but give her something different than what she is used to wearing. Q: How did you end up auditioning for “Project Runway?” A: I stumbled upon the casting call a week before the deadline. I rushed my video and application in, and here I am. Yay! I auditioned for PR once before, for Season 6.



deluxSPACE HIRO

From SUSHI to ICE LOUNGES, we sought out two local spots worth checking out!

Sushi & Modern Izakaya

609 Eastgate Ave, Delmar Loop, St.Louis, MO 63130 Words by:Theresa Harris

HIGHLIGHT

SHIVER... its cold in there Imagine standing (or sitting) for 30 minutes in a 15 degree freezer at the back of a club drinking vodka & crans (my personal fave vodka drink). That’s the experience that new downtown St. Louis hot-spot is offering for a mere 20 bucks (that includes usage of a parka and gloves if you need it). Shiver Vodka Bar & Champagne Lounge (1130 Washington Avenue, 314.241.3900) is the name of the place, and the freezer, it’s called an ice lounge. Apparently they are all the rage in Las Vegas. Owner Brad Jurevas, formerly associated with previous downtown nightspots, such as Home and Buca, wanted to bring something unique to the area. “We were looking for something on Washington Avenue that didn’t exist,” he stated. “Everybody loves it because it’s something different to try.” So if you enjoy a good vodka drink as much as the next guy (or girl). Grab your crew and check it out.

HIRO

Sushi and modern Japanese Izakaya 609 Eastgate Ave, Delmar Loop, St.Louis, MO 63130 hirostl.com 314.721.9168 To most people, Japanese food means sushi. But there’s a world beyond raw fish in the recent izakaya explosion. Think of an izakaya (pronounced ee-ZAH-ka-ya) as a Japanese tapas bar; a place to grab drinks and small, enticing plates. HIRO, which is modern izakaya, is passionate about delivering a truly unique and relaxing dining experience, completely removed from the every day norm. Izakaya-style food has a harmony of flavors and combines its rare ingredients and superb presentation on the plate. Relax and sample a cool saketini, cocktail or mocktail at the bar. HIRO is all about sharing, educating and providing a fabulous space for you to wine, dine and chill out with friends.



WINSLOW’S HOME 7213 Delmar Blvd | University City, MO 63130 | 314-725-7559 | www.winslowshome.com

Story: Kristyn Potter

Winslow’s Home can easily be argued as one of the loveliest places in St. Louis. With its quaint atmosphere, dark wood accents, hand-picked housewares and purely old-world country charm, this all-encompassing restaurant, market, gift shop and general store is proving itself to be a St. Louis staple. Settled in University City, in the former U. City Quality Foods building on Delmar, Winslow’s Home is a 3,000 square-foot gem that features made-to-order meals from scratch, with freshly grown, local seasonal produce and items from Winslow’s Farm, about 35 miles west of St. Louis, in Augusta, Mo. Several local and organic items are for sale in the grocery, making the quaint and pleasing atmosphere also a place that supports and encourages sustainable living, stating “Living sustainably is not just a trend to us, it is a way of life.” Owner Ann Sheehan Lipton, who has worked for Wohl Shoe, LVK Associates an d Mackey and Associates, has an extensive background in interior design both commercially and in a retail atmosphere. She is also an avid gardener and member of the Contemporary Art Museum’s board. Executive Chef Cary McDowell, who studied at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City, joined Winslow’s Home in 2009. The store, named after American artist Winslow Homer, is a careful juxtaposition of elegance, creativity and quaint charm, and is open six days a week. 56 | DELUX Magazine NOVEMBER 2011


GREY GOOSE PRESENTS: RISINGICONS MARSHA AMBROSIOUS & MIGUEL


GATEWAY CLASSIC FOUNDATION

“Together We Can Make A Difference” Ameren Missouri, St. Louis Rams, St. Louis American and World Wide Technology presents the “Together We Can Make A Difference” Scholarship Fundraising Reception. This reception was presented as an opportunity to raise awareness about the scholarship program and the importance of sustaining Earl Wilson, Jr.’s vision because of the impact the scholarship program has on the students and the community. To date, the SLGCSF has awarded approximately $3M in scholarships.


LOLA I’m Lola. STL’s ever-enigmatic three-headed beast. Award winning food, cocktails, and music!! What more do ya want?

DELUXMAGAZINE

WINTER 2010 | 2011

59DELUX MAGAZINE

JUNE 2011

59


DELUX|PROFILED

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ith more than 18 years in the watch game, he really does know best.

Recently featured as part of the DUB Magazine Project with Cool and Dre on MTV2, Azad is catching the eye of hard-working people who enjoy purchasing high-quality arm jewelry. 50 Cent has rapped about them while wearing the brand in his videos. The same goes for Jim Jones and Akon. Azad Watches has worked with Donald Trump, Daddy Yankee, Ice-T and more. The latest line, Legends of the Game, is in honor of Dr. J and Rev. Run. “I not only sell watches, I design, put together, and repair [them],” Ermankhah says. “I am a true watch connoisseur.”

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azad WORLD

OF

“Your watch collection is not complete without an Azad Watch,” says founder and CEO of Azad Watches, Babek “Bobby” Ermankhah.

Azad Watch means freedom, and it ties well into the fact that Azad believes in freedom of choice when deciding upon a luxury watch line. To add to the expertise of the Azad team’s keen sense of watch style, they also offer comprehensive repair services for all major brands including Breitling, Rolex, Cartier, AP, Omega and of course Azad. “Every man should have a good wife, good house, good car and a good watch,” he says. “The Azad brand offers an exceptional variation on the telling of time, as is attested by its unique collection of timepieces.” www.azadwatch.com http://www.youtube.com/user/annazadwatches


DELUX-MAG.COM NOVEMBER 2011 | 61


boutique + unique in the Delmar Loop

Leisure Stays We’re located in the heart of one of the most vibrant restaurant, shopping, music, arts & entertainment districts in the country: the Delmar Loop. Unexpected creative touches complement our luxury room accommodations. See a show, have a bite, take the elevator home for the night!

Business & Meetings The Apollo 8 and Apollo 11 meeting rooms provide full-service business and corporate meeting spaces with superb catering options, hi-tech amenities, and a hassle-free planning process. Relax afterwards in one of our sumptuous sleeping rooms or suites.

Parties & Events

Eclipse Restaurant Moonrise Hotel 314-726-2222 314-721-1111 EclipseStLouis.com MoonriseHotel.com 62 | DELUX Magazine NOVEMBER 2011 6177 Delmar in The Loop, St. Louis, MO 63112

Let our highly-trained staff help you plan a one-of-a-kind event on our Rooftop Terrace, in Eclipse Restaurant, or in one of our banquet rooms – our eclectic lobby is the perfect entry space to your out-of-this-world event!


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