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François Paul Jourme
FRANÇOIS-PAUL JOURNE IS THE MOST AWARDED WATCHMAKER OF OUR TIMES AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE BEST WATCHMAKER ALIVE. HIS MOTTO IS THE LATIN SENTENCE: “INVENIT ET FECIT”. HE HAS BEEN “INVENTING” AND “MAKING” WATCHES FOR OVER 35 YEARS. HE DRAWS ON HIS HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE
Excellence and precision are the essence of an F.P.Journe watch, as well as authenticity and chronometry. F.P.Journe produces all of its movements in 18K rose Gold, a first in the watch world and a unique feature of the brand. Signed with the label Invenit et Fecit- (invented and made), each F.P.Journe exclusive movement guarantees a manufacture caliber, entirely invented, constructed, and assembled in the Geneva workshops. At the crossroads between Arts and Haute Horology, the independent F.P.Journe Manufacture is a world in itself, embodying excellence, know-how and innovation, in respect of the haute horology tradition. It was founded with one principle in mind: innovate and uphold, if not outrival the high standards of Haute Horology. Every effort was made to verticalize the production in order to produce inside its walls almost all of the components necessary for the making of F.P.Journe watches. It includes the creation and production of all its dials and watch cases. The modernity of machines and instruments is essential to reach the expected level of perfection, but it is also paramount to maintain craft tradition, since many operations are still done manually, with an infinite precision, tirelessly repeated until flawlessness. In his Manufacture, François-Paul Journe is the master watchmaker and that differentiates the brand from other watch companies. In this rare instance, the watchmaker/ constructor is also the founder of his eponymous manufacture and the President. By being both the owner of the company and its production facilities, François-Paul Journe has the freedom to control his own destiny. It is a costly resolution, but the only way he conceives his watchmaking. He, François-Paul Journe, is intrinsically linked to his work – a Man, his Work.
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AND EXPERTISE TO FACE THE MOST DARING HOROLOGICAL CHALLENGES, DEMONSTRA-
TING A TIMELESS CONSISTENCY IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION WITH A SINGLE GOAL: TO MAKE EACH MECHANICAL TIMEPIECE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE.
The FP Journe manufacture in Geneva
HERE ARE 3 EXAMPLES OF MR. JOURNE’S WORK THAT REFLECT HIS IMPORTANCE IN THE HISTORY OF WATCHMAKING. From 1910 to 1920, the Swiss industry had doubts on where the market for timekeepers would lead them: pocket watches or the new craze, wristwatches. In what we call the “conversion era,” Swiss watchmakers basically rotated their pocket watches by 90 degrees, added lugs and voilà: here was your wristwatch. But by doing so, watches were now confronted with a new issue: the movement of the wrist. As you move your wrist, due to centrifugal (or inversely centripetal) forces, balance wheels have a tendency to go faster (more precisely, have a larger amplitude) or inversely, thus affecting the accuracy of the watch. What is resonance? It is an acoustic principle: put a watch to your ear and you hear a “tick tock.” Energy has been released in an acoustic form. It makes the air vibrate
until your ear membrane absorbs it and gives your brain the information. There is an emitter (the watch movement) and a receiver (your ear). So, the “tick-tock” is proof of energy being released but not used. In the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance, you have a double movement with two balance wheels that are both emitters and receivers. It is a law of physics that when two sources produce energy, if they are on the same frequency, they will communicate. And nature makes it so that they balance each other in opposition. More important: when one moves one’s wrist, one balance wheel will go faster while the other one will go slower. As they “resonate,” they will readjust themselves and therefore compensate for the movement - making the Résonance the only “true” wristwatch.
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is your wristwatch a wrist watch? The seconds hands will always be parallel. Because there is a double movement, it allows the user to set two different times on each of the dials. There is much debate on what makes a watch a true world timer. Obviously the resonance offers much more than a GMT (which only partitions time in one-hour increments over 24 hours). But many countries never adhered to the 1884 Washington International Meridian conference. Countries such as Australia use a half-hour increment. Nepal is UTC +5:45! Here you may set two different times that are totally independent - except that their seconds will be in sync. The Resonance movement
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LETTER FROM the EDITOR
FUN TIME, SUMMERTIME With summer here, who doesn’t have fun in mind? I recently had the pleasure of meeting Amanda Szabo, founder and CEO of ResortPass. I love hearing stories about how people take their ideas and turn them into thriving businesses. It’s not easy. And it is, indeed, admirable. In 2016, Szabo, an entrepreneur at heart who had already founded another startup, came up with the idea for ResortPass—a booking platform that offers daytime access to hotels’ and resorts’ pools, spas, fitness centers and additional amenities (for a price). She was living in San Diego and sneaking into nearby upscale resorts to enjoy their empty pools during the week. Considering how uncomfortable this made her feel, and how much it detracted from the whole purpose of being there—to relax—she realized that she and others would certainly pay for this privilege. Thus, ResortPass was born. The easy-to-navigate platform provides daycations for locals and travelers, and new revenue streams for hotels. Prices start around $25 for access to pools, hot tubs, fitness centers and more. Top tier day passes cost up to $150 for private cabanas, and many include food and drink services and other amenities offered by the hotel. With more than 130 hotel and resort partners in various cities within Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, Texas and Washington D.C., it’s just the beginning. We’ll be chatting more with Szabo in the fall issue. But just had to share this with you. Timing is everything, as they say, and it’s about time to go hit the pool and enjoy the warm weather! Speaking of which, visit giojournal. com to order your print copy of Gio to read while relaxing poolside. Enjoy the issue!
Sincerely yours,
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR , TRAVEL & BEAUTY EDITOR---------- BETH WEITZMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR------------------------JOHN RUSSO EXECUTIVE EDITOR---------------BONNIE DAVIDSON SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITORS -------- MARIE
LOOK ------------------------------------------MISTY MILIOTO
ART DEPARTMENT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR----------------JUSTIN MILLER ART DIRECTOR-------------------
RYAN CARANDANG
RETOUCHING-------------------------------- JASON BUSH PRODUCTION ARTISTS----------------------
RENE LOPEZ ------------------------------- JOANN ORZECHOWSKI
PARTNERSHIPS & MARKETING ADVERTISING --------------------CHARLENE LASKIN ---------------------------------- FREDERIC FOURNEL PUBLIC RELATIONS -------------BMP BEVERLY HILLS
ONLINE DEPARTMENT WEB DIRECTOR--------------------RYAN CARANDANG WEB PRODUCTION---------------------------ADVANTAGE WEB EDITOR---------------------------- MISTY MILIOTO VIDEO CONTENT-------------------------------TAS LIMUR
CONTACT MAILING ADDRESS
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WEBSITE
Beth Weitzman
Editorial Director, Travel & Beauty Editor Email me at beth@giojournal.com Follow me @beth_weitzman
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323.653.7774 2018©GIO JOURNAL, INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL CONTENT IS THE PROPERTY OF GIO JOURNAL, INC AND/ OR THE RESPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS, WRITERS, ARTISTS, ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAWS.
PHOTO BY { JOHN RUSSO
EDITOR’S LETTER
Gio
ISSUaE No. 5
8281 MELROSE AVE #307 LOS ANGELES, CA 90046
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CONTENTS LOOKINGgood
7 ........IT’S A MARVELOUS WORLD: ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE 9 .................................................................HAIR: CLIP IT REAL GOOD 11 .............................................................................BEAUTY: FACE FIRST 15 ........HAUNTED ENCHANTMENT: OLIVER JACKSON-COHEN 21 .............................................FRESH BLOOMS: MCKALEY MILLER, SARAH JEFFERY, LOGAN BROWNING, SYDNEY SWEENEY AND KAREN FUKUHARA
75 DEE OCLEPPO HILFIGER’S INSIDER GUIDE TO ITALY
35 ................................................. AND...ACTION!: JORDAN HEWSON 37 ............................................. AMIGA DEL PLANETA: EVA HUGHES
TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS
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PACIFIC OVERTURES: THE RITZ-CARLTON BACARA
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FRESH PERSPECTIVE: ANDAZ SINGAPORE
LIVINGgood
41 ....................................................................INSIDE OUT: LUXE LAVS 47 ............PACIFIC OVERTURES: THE RITZ-CARLTON BACARA 55 ..........................................................APPETITE FOR EXCELLENCE: HYATT HOTELS GOOD TASTE SERIES 61 ................................FRESH PERSPECTIVE: ANDAZ SINGAPORE 69 ..................................................................CENTER OF ATTENTION: INTERCONTINENTAL SAN DIEGO 75 ........... DEE OCLEPPO HILFIGER’S INSIDER GUIDE TO ITALY 79 ......................................................MAGNIFICENCE ON THE MILE: THE PENINSULA CHICAGO 85 ............................................ ATLANTIC COOL: VIRGINIA BEACH 93 .............................. LIVING IT UP: FAIRMONT KEA LANI MAUI 101................................................. MENU DE VERANO: UNICO 20˚87˚ 107...CULINARY TOUR DE FORCE: LEXUS CULINARY CLASSIC 113..........................................................................BIVALVES & BUBBLY 117..................................................RESTAURANT: FARO, BROOKLYN 119......................................................................... MOXY CHELSEA NYC 121................................... WHAT A TRIP: TWA HOTEL, NEW YORK 125.................CASA, DULCE CASA: LA AMADA, PLAYA MUJERES 127............................................. DESIGN: MODERNISMO MEXICANO 131.......HIDDEN NO MORE: SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN
PHOTOS OF DEE OCLEPPO HILFIGER, JESSICA CHASTAIN, MICHAEL FASSBENDER AND JANE FONDA BY { JOHN RUSSO
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FEATURES
135.......................................ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MUTANTKIND: DARK PHOENIX’S JESSICA CHASTAIN, MICHAEL FASSBENDER, SOPHIE TURNER, NICHOLAS HOULT AND JAMES MCAVOY 147................................................ JANE’S NEXT MOVE: JANE FONDA 155............................. A MAN OF MANY FACES: DIEDRICH BADER 157........................................................ GOOD SPORT: GIANNI PAOLO 159 .......FROM CANADA WITH LOVE: KATHLEEN ROBERTSON 161......................................THE ARTIST’S WAY: JONATHAN BAKER 163..........................MAD ABOUT MÄDCHEN: MÄDCHEN AMICK 165............................. THE STYLIN’ MR. SMITH: DOUGLAS SMITH 171........................... SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST: RACHEL BOSTON 175........................................... THE FACE OF TENNIS: TOP PLAYERS ON THE ATP WORLD TOUR
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FEELINGgood
201............LA DOLCE VITA: COOKING WITH ELANA HORWICH 213.......................... WELL EQUIPPED: STANFORD COURT HOTEL
JESSICA CHASTAIN
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219 ..................................................................................CONTRIBUTORS 222 ........................................................................PARTING THOUGHTS
MICHAEL FASSBENDER
Gio ISSUE No. 5
JANE’S NEXT MOVE: JANE FONDA
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Things couldn’t be grander for British-born beauty Elizabeth Henstridge.
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A NATIVE OF SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE HAS BEEN PLAYING DR. JEMMA SIMMONS, THE GENIUS BIOLOGIST ON MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., FOR SIX SEASONS ON ABC. THE SHOW’S RECENT RENEWAL FOR ITS SEVENTH AND FINAL SEASON MEANS DEVOTEES CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HENSTRIDGE AND THE TEAM FACE MORE ADVENTURES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
{ RACHEL MADISON HILL EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY { ANNA DEMARCO HAIR AND MAKEUP BY { KERRIE URBAN
INTERVIEW BY
What’s it like being part of Marvel?
Are you similar in any way to Jemma?
to work. We’re like family now, and being in each
I’d like to say the huge brain...um, the accent,
other’s lives for six years has meant we’ve shared
of characters that it feels like there are endless
for sure. We’re both loyal, can be headstrong
some really special moments.
A dream come true! Marvel has such a wealth stories to tell. I love the way Marvel is able to reflect humanity on a heightened scale, and the one-liners and quips are second to none!
and always strive to do the right thing. We don’t manage it all the time, but trying is the main thing.
Do you have any advice for her?
How has your Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. character, Jemma, changed from Season 1 to Season 6?
Keep going. You’re stronger than you realize.
capabilities and has more confidence in her ability
The show has brought so much to my life. It
She is more aware of her strength and
for combat. Her female friendships have become stronger, which is such a wonderful source of support and fun for her. And she’s still pretty forward about how clever she is. Simmons is a woman on a mission this season; she is singleminded and puts her own drive first, which is very fun to play. And she has some killer bangs and some pretty great costumes.
Have you or your co-stars ever gotten emotional while shooting? At the end of Season 5. We didn’t have the
Season 6 pickup yet and thought this was our last-ever scene. Our incredible assistant director
Has being on the show changed you?
scheduled it so we had our goodbye scene as the final scene on the last day. It was perfect.
validated my dream of being an actor and helped me realize I am good enough and capable. Being on a show for so long, you really get to see how all
What do you love most about being on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
the different parts work. I’ve been lucky enough
The camaraderie. There are so many people—all
to shadow some of our brilliant directors, which
with incredible expertise and experience—working
is something I would love to do in the future. Our
together to make something super cool. It’s a
crew is incredible, and I get to be surrounded by
magical process really, and one I feel so lucky to
mentors every day. It’s a very supportive place
be a part of.
Clip It REAL GOOD Ornate barrettes and bobbies do double duty as practical accessories and luxurious statements. AJA MANGUM BY {
Seeing Stars petite barrette, $168, at leletny.com
Metal hair clip with crystals, $650, at gucci.com
Le Sourire clip, $239, at eponavalley.com
Rose leopard hair clip, $1,145, by Dolce & Gabbana at farfetch.com
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ISSUE No. 5
Gab hand-embroidered barrette, $165, at ranjanakhan.com
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Crystal-embellished marbled acetate hair clip, $215, by MC Davidian at modaoperandi.com
Versace Spring 2019
FACE first LOOKING GOOD
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ISSUE No. 5
Youthful radiance is found at ONE Spa, a beauty retreat at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.
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WRITTEN BY {
BETH WEITZMAN
The first-ever spa designed by Los Angeles designer Michael S. Smith, ONE Spa at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica is a perfectly blissful complement to a pool or beach day. Clean, crisp and welcoming, it has natural woods and stone, and soothing tones of sand and sea, that bring the healing serenity of the Pacific Ocean inside. Boasting six multipurpose treatment rooms (including two wet rooms) and a mani/pedi room, ONE Spa is intimate, with the same yacht-like ambiance found throughout this beachy enclave. The spa’s services-including its famous facials by French luxury beauty brand Biologique Recherche-are available to hotel guests and nonguests, and hotel guests can enjoy the pool and fitness center pre- or post-treatment.
Complexion Refreshment Authenticity and harmony are the ethos of the Biologique Recherche skin care line, which is employed in the rejuvenating and pampering facials at ONE Spa. All products are pure, highly concentrated formulations of botanical, marine and biological extracts, without artificial fragrances or allergens. I recently checked into experience the revitalizing LIFT C.V.S. facial. The Biologique Recherche facial technique is based on three steps: skin assessment; a customized treatment plan according to skin type and environmental challenges, such as stress; and the treatment, in which specific products are chosen to best recondition the epidermis and help activate regeneration of the skin’s surface, as well as its deeper structures. Rather than using the traditional steam and extraction method of eliminating debris, Biologique Recherche’s facials rely on the high-quality composition, active ingredients and effectiveness of its products—which makes for a cooling, relaxing experience. The LIFT C.V.S. facial is designed to exfoliate, lift, restructure, firm, hydrate and protect the skin against exterior aggressions. It’s recommended for normal, seborrheic and/ or thick skin. After a thorough evaluation of the skin, there’s a double cleansing process and application of the Lotion P50 (exfoliating acid toner) most appropriate for your skin type. Then, the booster stage begins with the application of Lift C.V.S., topped by a mask for targeted results. Once both sides of the face are complete, a customized serum cocktail is applied to further target specific concerns, followed by face cream and finishing serum. It’s completely delightful and perfect for the warm days of summer.
Benefits: • Mechanically exfoliates the epidermis • Removes complexion-dulling dead cells • Smoothes and refines skin texture • Tightens pores • Accelerates epidermal reconstruction • Firms, tones and strengthens the skin • Acts like a 60-minute “face-lift” • Evens out skin tone and smooths skin
Magic Potions:
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• • • • • • • • •
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Solution Démaquillante Pour Les Yeux (makeup remover) Lait VIP O2 (double cleanser) Lotion P50 (exfoliator) L’Eauxygenante (vitamin-rich mist) Lift C.V.S. lotion and powder (exfoliator and uplifter) Mask VIP O2 (radiance restorer) + Masque Crème Biofixine (toner and wrinkle-smoother) Sérum Elastine Pure (antiaging) Crème au Collagène Marin (tightener and moisturizer) Fluide VIP O2 (brightener)
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HAUNTED
enchantment Born to fashion royalty (his mother, Betty Jackson, designed the outrageous costumes on the British sitcom Absolutely
Fabulous), the 6-foot-3 actor Oliver Jackson-Cohen has been gaining fame on both sides of the pond. His recent TV credits include the BBC miniseries Man in an Orange Shirt; NBC’s fantasy Emerald City; and his latest project, the hit Netflix series
The Haunting of Hill House. News that the horror show will be
back for a second season—but with a new name, The Haunting
of Bly Manor—is drawing shrieks of delight and fear: JacksonCohen is not allowed to say if his character will return.
{ JOHN RUSSO EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON GROOMING BY { MICHAEL DUEÑAS STYLING BY { FAIRFAX COPENHAGEN CLOTHING PROVIDED BY { RIFLESSI
PHOTOGRAPHY AND INTERVIEW BY
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The Haunting of Hill House has been received so well by viewers. When you were initially offered the role, did you think it would become such a big success? I don’t think any of us really did! When you sign on to a project, you always do it because you think it’s interesting, but you never really know if it’s going to resonate with an audience. The script was unlike anything I’d ever read. The idea of looking at a childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder, and how that affects us in adulthood, was quite a unique and exciting idea that I felt hadn’t been done before in horror. As an actor, the final product is always out of your control and sometimes projects that you sign on to do end up being nothing like what you envisioned. Hill House surpassed anything I’d envisioned and more. I feel very lucky to be a part of it, because Mike [Flanagan, the creator and director] was very clear about what he wanted to do and was allowed to fully achieve that. But again, you just don’t know what an audience is going to like and if they will take to it. All of us feel very fortunate that the Crain family really struck a chord with people.
Your performance as Luke Crain is brilliant. How did you prepare for the role? Lots! How do you play a heroin addict who is haunted by ghosts? I watched a ton of documentaries about addiction to begin with, but then realized that I was making a judgment on Luke by focusing on his opioid addiction. It would end up being surface stuff. So, I looked at why he was taking it, why he was numbing himself so much and what he was running from. I think what’s special about the show is that these characters (especially Luke, for me) are such incredibly honest portrayals of what childhood trauma does to you. If I’m honest, an awful lot of me and my own personal experience is in there. I was diagnosed with PTSD a few years back, so I was able to use all of that. I just focused on the terror of what he was running from and that was the biggest starting point. The whole thing was sort of therapeutic.
Which actor, past or present, has the best personal style? Past would be Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain
Delon and Montgomery Clift, for their ease and effortlessness. Makes you want to take up smoking in a big way. And present: Vincent Cassel, Ryan Gosling and Justin Theroux. Again, because of the ease of it all. None of those guys are trying to do anything or make big statements with what they wear. They are just being themselves, and I love that. It’s effortlessly cool.
How would you define your style?
I think it’s probably quite simple. It’s mostly Scandinavian with a tiny bit of Japanese goth/ creeper vibe. I love a simple color palette but really well designed. Again, I want it to be easy and effortless. And understated. I never really wear color. Lots of gray, navy blue, white, green and black. But oversized.
Are you more of a jeans and T-shirt guy, or do you like to dress to impress? I like to think you can wear jeans and a tee and make it impressive!
What defines a man’s style? Is it the way he conducts himself? His attitude? The way he dresses? Or a combination?
I think it’s a combination of all of those things. My parents worked in fashion, so I was around clothes a lot as a kid. My mum used to always say, “Wear what makes you feel great.” I have always adopted that attitude when it comes to dressing. If you’re trying to be something you’re not or trying too hard, it never really works. I think style is something that is unique to the person and will vary drastically from one to another. I love the way that clothes can dramatically change the way you see yourself and how you feel. It’s kind of insane that that can be done.
What’s the best decade for men’s fashion: the classic style of the 1950s, the hippie-chic vibe of the ’60s and ’70s, the colorful looks of the ’80s, or the current day?
I think current day is pretty exciting, because it’s a combination of all those decades. Personally, I think that you can never go wrong with classic, but it doesn’t mean it has to be boring. You can wear a classic navy blue suit that’s cut in a certain way and it is still interesting.
Which current designer resonates with your personal style? I love Kim Jones at Dior Homme. He takes
something very simple and makes it exciting. I love Alexander Wang, too, for the same reasons.
Oliver’s Favorites Watch: Paneraï Luminor
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Cologne: John Russo aftershave, which he gave me on this photo shoot
ISSUE No. 5
Wardrobe essential: Jeans by the Australian brand Neuw
Gio
Jeans: Classic jeans, but with a turn-up
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PINK FLORAL SEQUIN GOWN BY { RAVINI BY RITA VINIERIS COUTURE
LACE BODICE GOWN BY { WINNIE COUTURE
BLACK GOWN WITH GOLD LACE BY { MYSTERIOUS BY NPN
fresh
OFF-THE-SHOULDER GOLD JACQUARD GOWN BY { TARIK EDIZ
DRESS BY { WALTER COLLECTION
blooms MEET FIVE YOUNG ACTRESSES WITH BUDDING CAREERS IN TELEVISION AND FILM WHO ARE BLOSSOMING INTO FULL-BLOWN FAME BEFORE OUR EYES. PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHED AT { SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN JEWELRY BY { ART OF JEWELS
AMANDA MASSI BEKAH LESSER
STYLING BY {
HAIR BY { TMG-LA.COM, USING ORIBE
CAITLIN KRENZ
MAKEUP BY { OPUS BEAUTY, USING MARC JACOBS BEAUTY
Sarah
JEFFERY
After calling J-Lo “Mom” for three seasons on the NBC drama Shades of Blue, young darling Sarah Jeffery can now be seen casting spells as one of the lead witches on Charmed, The CW’s reboot of the 1998 cult classic. At only 23, Jeffery has been singing, dancing and acting for more than two decades, having made her theatrical debut at the tender age of 3, in her hometown of Vancouver, Canada. Next up, she reprises her role as Princess Audrey in Disney Channel’s original movie Descendants 3, set for release in August.
DRESS BY { WALTER
COLLECTION
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AMANDA MASSI NANCILEE SANTOS
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HAIR BY { TMG-LA.COM, USING BUMBLE AND BUMBLE AND GHD
MUAMERA PULIC
MAKEUP BY { OPUS BEAUTY, USING NARS
McKaley MILLER
Most recognized for portraying Rose on The CW’s Hart of Dixie and Sophie on FOX’s Scream Queens, 23-year-old McKaley Miller makes the leap from supporting cast member to leading lady in Ma, a psychological horror-thriller from Blumhouse Productions, the producers of Get Out and Happy Death Day. The 23-yearold Texan, a former competitive dancer, stars opposite Octavia Spencer in the scary story of a group of teens and the creepy things that happen when a lonely woman allows them to party in her house. Miller has recently wrapped Butter, an indie film also starring Mira Sorvino. Fans will next see her in an episode of the buzzworthy television anthology, Into The Dark, available for streaming on Hulu in September.
ONE-SHOULDER SEQUIN BODICE GOWN BY {
ELISABETTA FRANCHI
STYLING BY { AMANDA
MASSI
HAIR BY { NANCILEE SANTOS TMG-LA.COM, USING LENOR GREYL MAKEUP BY { TASHA BROWN THE WALL GROUP, USING CHRISTIAN DIOR BEAUTY
Logan
BROWNING
Simultaneously portraying two complicated characters on two different TV shows—Jelena on VH1’s scripted show Hit the Floor and Zora in PlayStation Network’s Powers—was a challenge easily met by actress Logan Browning. The Atlanta native had already proven herself to be a skilled juggler when, as a college student, she was also a series regular on Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns on TBS. Fans can currently catch the 30-year-old starring in the Netflix Original Series Dear White People, scheduled to return for its third season later this year; as well as the Netflix feature, The Perfection, a thriller about two young cello prodigies with a dangerously discordant relationship.
BLUE LACE DRESS WITH BEADED TOP BY {
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Karen
FUKUHARA
Japanese-American actress Karen Fukuhara, a bilingual martial arts champion who made her film debut as a sword-wielding superhero in Suicide Squad, currently stars in Netflix’s animated hit She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. She’ll soon enter the superhero universe again in The Boys, a series about a group of vigilantes who chase corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers, set to stream on Amazon this summer.
FLORAL GOWN BY {
CHIARA
AMANDA MASSI BEKAH LESSER
STYLING BY {
HAIR BY { TMG-LA.COM, USING ORIBE MAKEUP BY { TMG-LA.COM
AUSTIN EVANS
Sydney
SWEENEY
Best known for stealing scenes as the pious, God-fearing young wife, Eden, on the award-winning Hulu series, The Handmaid’s Tale, 22-year-old Sydney Sweeney can currently be seen on HBO’s Euphoria, which follows a group of high school students coping with drugs, sex, social media and violence. She also appears with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, predicted to be one of summer 2019’s biggest hits. Earlier high-profile projects include meaty roles in HBO’s Sharp Objects; neo-noir feature Under the Silver Lake; Big Time Adolescence, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival; and Clementine, which premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.
BEADED BODICE WITH TIERED RUFFLE TULLE GOWN BY {
WINNIE COUTURE
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JOR DA N H EWS ON
and…
ACTION! Engaging with social and political issues is just a mouse-click away, thanks to millennial tech entrepreneur, Jordan Hewson. WRITTEN BY { BONNIE
DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO Featured on the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Jordan Hewson is a tech entrepreneur with a social conscience. Clearly, she takes after her humanitarian parents, Bono and Ali Hewson. At 27, Hewson launched Speakable, a social action company that uses technology to enable website visitors to quickly and easily go from reading about an important issue to getting involved by making a donation, signing a petition or emailing a policy maker. “We are working to bridge the gap between media and impact, and to channel empathy into action,” says Hewson. “Moreover, in a time when technology is making it easier than ever before to complete every task from our smartphones, the ability to make a difference should also become simplified.” Speakable’s embedded Action Button links NGOs and nonprofits to relevant news content on sites that include HuffPost, Vice and The Guardian. Using an algorithm Hewson created, Speakable vets and matches nonprofits to articles about their issues and causes, publishes links and provides a means for users to instantly donate their time, money or signature.
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Millennials are clicking with the concept. “I’m so happy that @actionbutton just passed 1 million actions being taken on world-changing headlines,” Hewson posted on Instagram. “Here is to seeing Action Button in front of a billion people, to eliminate the friction between their inspiration and the impact inspiration can achieve.” speakable.org
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Hewson says she is determined to “empower news readers to do more than read headlines.” She continues, “They can change headlines. Our hope for the company is that if we can make it faster and easier for people to take action, they’re much more likely to do it. If it can be part of your daily online behavior, it can be as easy as ordering an Uber or buying a dress.”
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She was inspired to create this tool for immediate engagement after reading about the attempted assassination of Malala Yousafzai by the Taliban. She wanted to sign a petition to support the Pakistani girl, but was unable to find a link. “An hour later, I realized I hadn’t done anything to support Malala,” she says. “I was working as a campaigner at the time, trying to get people to take action on these issues. So if I wasn’t taking action, who was?”
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E VA H U G H E S
Amiga del
PLANETA
Fashion is Eva Hughes’ passion, and her personal mission is to inspire members of the Latinx community to get involved in environmental activism. WRITTEN BY { BONNIE
DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO Born in Spain and raised in Miami, fashion business expert and advisor Eva Hughes is passionate about two things—Latinx culture and saving the planet. As such, the former CEO of Condé Nast Mexico and Latin America and founder of Adira Consulting is a board member of Sachamama, a nonprofit that promotes environmentalism and sustainability in Latinx communities. (Its name means “mother jungle” in Quechua, the language of several indigenous ethnic groups in the Andean highlands of South America.) “Sachamama is an organization that embodies two parts of my value system, education and empathy,” she says. “My belief is that both are the keys to opening the door to change, and to changing perceptions and attitudes. It is about inclusion and community, enriching the lives of others.”
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“Contributing to this cause has made me realize that we still have a long way to go, not only in creating a conscience about taking care of our planet,” says Hughes, “but also about taking care of each other, our families, our friends, random people you do not know, children, animals.” sachamama.org
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She also works to increase visibility of climate change in the media. One of her proudest moments with Sachamama was celebrating the leadership and activism of former Vice President Al Gore, who was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Green Gala for Climate Change in 2018.
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To help reach Sachamama’s goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy in the future, Hughes has used her impressive networking and public speaking skills to raise funds for educational projects and to engage people around the world. “I love working with incredible people to secure a better life for all,” she says. “Being part of the creation of an organization that is all about community and Latinos, about people and the Earth we live on... We take for granted clean air and we shouldn’t. Earth is like a big plant. It needs to be taken care of, nurtured, respected and loved. Just like us.”
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INSIDE OUT THERE’S SOMETHING EXHILARATING ABOUT STANDING BENEATH WATER CASCADING FROM AN OUTDOOR SHOWER HEAD. AT FOUR EXCLUSIVE RESORTS, THE WALLS THAT SHOULD SEPARATE BATHROOMS’ INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS ARE MISSING, SO GUESTS CAN CLEANSE THEIR BODIES WHILE COMMUNING WITH NATURE.
WRITTEN BY { ANGELA
FAIRHURST
On an island in the Andaman Sea, only 19 miles off the coast of mainland Malaysia, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is tucked inside a UNESCO World Heritage Geopark.
The property is spread over 48 acres of tropical gardens between lush thickets of emerald jungle, limestone rock formations and the powdery white sands of a mile-long private beach. Designer Bill Bensley paired soaring wood-beamed ceilings and repurposed
teak floors with bold blue accents and local objects to give the resort a sense of place. Malay-style pavilions and villas draw inspiration from the surrounding Indian, Balinese and Middle Eastern cultures; their indoor-outdoor living spaces show off the finest in Malay craftsmanship. Each is set within tropical gardens and comes with its own plunge pool and outdoor shower, as well as hammamstyle bathtubs and ogee-arched doorways. Pictured here, a threebedroom garden villa features tropical woods, Spanish marble, hand-picked objets d’art, a private pool and an expansive hot- and cold-water open-air shower surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. fourseasons.com/langkawi
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The structures survived Hurricane Maria, but the landscape wasn’t as lucky. Even so, The Ritz-Carlton decided to renovate this entire property from top to bottom. Re-opened in Fall 2018, the 1,400-acre resort is a tropical paradise with more than 300,000 new plants tastefully placed during the restoration. Each of the 114 beachfront guest rooms and suites boasts a light color palette, modernized interiors and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to a private balcony or terrace. Most guest rooms have their own infinity plunge pools. The spacious
Meaning “golden” in Spanish, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is 11 miles east of San Juan, on Puerto Rico’s golden coastline.
bathrooms have deep soaking tubs and indoor-outdoor rain showers. ritzcarlton. com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/dorado-beach
A 20-minute motorized catamaran ride away from Male International Airport, Jumeirah Vittaveli is a serene resort on South MalĂŠ Atoll, in the Republic of Maldives.
Each of the 90 villas and suites, positioned on land and over water, has its own sizable swimming pool, direct access to the beach or lagoon and exquisite views of the Indian village, the resort’s private courtyards are
private terraces off open-air bathrooms. Dual sinks and a large soaking tub give way to an oval-shaped semi-openair shower. Outdoor day beds and traditional wooden swings make the bathroom without walls a most luxurious
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and romantic place to linger. jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/maldives/jumeirah-vittaveli
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filled with lush greenery; they lead to spacious beach villas with coral stone walls, tropical wood, thatch roofs and
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Ocean. Inspired by a Maldivian fishing
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The resort, designed by the San Francisco architectural firm of Sandy & Babcock International, features
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freestanding
guest
lodges and 22 owner lodges in the shade of ancient oak and redwood
trees, beside a rock-strewn stream bed and Lake Lommel. The elegantly rustic cedar-shingled units range
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from 600 to 3,000 square feet, with rooms connected by decks, trellised walkways and expansive outdoor living areas. Interiors designed by Los Angeles-based Darrell Schmitt Design Associates blur the line
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Deep within 157 acres of misty forests in Napa Valley, Calistoga Ranch Auberge Resorts Collection is a rustic, yet luxurious, escape.
earthy decor in the colors of copper, olive, sage and gold. Each cabin features an indoor bath and outdoor
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between indoors and outdoors with floor-to-ceiling windows, polished wood floors and contemporary shower garden. Amenities include Fili D’oro linens and Calistoga Ranch’s own line of bay laurel and eucalyptus-scented botanically pure hair care and body products. aubergeresorts.com/calistogaranch
RIGHT SIDE AD
PACIFIC OVERTURES On the sun-swept Santa Barbara shore, the recently renovated The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is a pet-friendly beachside resort where the lush life has a laid-back SoCal vibe
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and the ocean is the center of attention.
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WRITTEN BY { BETH
WEITZMAN
I
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t’s only two hours outside of Los Angeles, yet The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara feels worlds away. Driving up the porte cochere, the white architecture set against a bright blue sky is truly stunning. A welcoming team of bellmen escort me and my weekend companion—Lucca, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel—inside the recently modernized, open lobby, where a sense of well-being instantly sets in. It takes a special resort and level of hospitality to envelop you in serenity immediately; and this is one of those kind of places.
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Spread over 78 acres, there’s plenty of room in which to breathe and wander, even when the 358 guest rooms and suites in 19 buildings are fully occupied. Perched in grand fashion above golden beaches and set among lush mountains and gardens, the resort feels surprisingly intimate. There are three salt-water infinity pools; a reimagined 42,000 square-foot spa and wellness center; six culinary venues; new Ritz-Carlton Club® Lounge; 70,000 square feet of fully updated indoor and outdoor meeting and event space; and varied, thoughtful activities for guests of all ages. While the landscape, views and new design are all pretty epic, the star of the show is the super-attentive yet unintrusive service and sincere hospitality. And to say the property is pet-friendly is an understatement. We met three other Cavalier Spaniels (as well as many other gracious pups) over our three-day stay, and Lucca was allowed to join me in most places (understandably, restaurants, the Club and Spa are off limits, but she was
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Helmed by hospitality design phenom Hirsch Bedner Associates, the recent renovation draws inspiration from the hotel’s distinctive location on the American Riviera. Influences include Santa Barbara’s rich Chumash and Spanish heritage, and the Pacific Ocean and Central Coast wine country. Gorgeous details, like the reception desk made from Italian marble handcarved on-site by stone masons from Italy, are everywhere. A dramatically lit lobby art installation by Niki Zarrabi is comprised of 227 plexiglass disks on which photographs and paintings depict the area’s rugged cliffs and shoreline. An elegant glass chandelier glistens overhead.
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welcomed with open arms and large smiles everywhere else). She truly had the time of her life, which, of course, left me elated. Great service stems from an inspirational leader and Roberto van Geenen, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, upholds The Ritz-Carlton credo with passion. Having been with the brand for nearly 35 years, he understands what comprises authentic customer service. Under his leadership for the past two years (since The Ritz-Carlton took over management of the iconic resort), this fivestar oceanfront property has entered a new era of excellence.
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The contemporary and cozy interior is designed in rich yet neutral tones reflecting the sand, shore and gorgeous landscape. Beautiful custom furnishings made of natural wood and leather feature organic textures, metallic accents and stone detailing; smartly designed seating areas provide lovely areas in which to socialize, read a book or get work done, if needed. Adjacent to the lobby, Bacara Bar features a large circular bar, plenty of intimate seating areas and large picture windows overlooking the Pacific. In a nod to the region’s history of basket weaving, a large woven sculpture dangles directly above the bar. A nice selection of wines and specialty cocktails (such as the Holy Paloma with habaneroinfused tequila, St. Germain, grapefruit juice and lime juice) are available, as well as nonalcoholic Italian sodas (cream, strawberry basil, hibiscus and blackberry). A menu of shareable plates includes the not-to-be-missed Gruyere popover with craft butters; grilled naan bread and crudités with seasonal vegetables, roasted garlic hummus, za’atar oil and crushed pepitas; CA cowboy nacho skillet; and the Central Coast artisan cheese and charcuterie board. Cocktails and bites can also be enjoyed outside on the Ocean Terrace. Sitting beside a fire pit, with the brisk ocean breeze and unobstructed views of the shoreline below, is a great way to spend sunset, or time before or after dinner.
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A few steps from the lobby and Bacara Bar is the brandnew Ritz-Carlton Club® Lounge, a signature Ritz-Carlton amenity. One of the few stand-alone Club Lounges in the brand’s portfolio, it’s available as an upgrade to any room. With five food presentations each day, starting with breakfast and ending with dessert and cordials, plus a WMF Coffee Machine, two WineStation® machines, an executive kitchen and as much imbibing as one might desire, this is a welcomed perk. The villa-style Club Lounge also boasts an expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the spa and adult pool, as well as works by renowned Santa Barbara artists who draw inspiration from this beautiful region.
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Also drawing inspiration from sunny, sandy SoCal is the reinvented 42,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa and Fitness Center. The soothing sound of gently bubbling water and a floor-to-ceiling water drop pendant light welcomes visitors into the multistory building. A stone path leads to the reclaimed wooden reception desk, where another work of modern art—an installation by Emily Mann reminiscent of sea water gathering in a tide pool— reflects the influence of the Pacific Ocean. Serenity is enhanced in the relaxation rooms by cascading sheer pods, plush seating in front of a fireplace and a pair of gravity chairs. A full menu of beautifying and healing treatments for mind, body and spirit—massages, body wraps and scrubs,
facial treatments—incorporate ingredients pulled from the locale. The new 80-minute Sleep Ritual Massage, the pillar of the sleep wellness program, features a DreamKit (which is yours to keep) and provides a journey in which the entire body (including back, core, neck, face and jaw), mind and spirit are soothed. Aromatic vegan and botanical creams and serums are applied. Relaxing music plays. Serious bodywork reverses the effects of stress, gravity and aging. The results: better sleep, improved energy flow and a profound feeling of lightness. The full men’s and women’s fitness facilities include steam, sauna, whirlpool, changing rooms and a large revitalized gym with top-of-the-line strength equipment and weights, plus a luxurious refreshment area. An expanded outdoor terrace features an alfresco multistation gym and special flooring for movement and stretching. A variety of classes, from yoga and meditation to spin, Power Blast and TRX, are on offer.
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When it comes to total relaxation, the adults-only, fullservice pool adjacent to the Club and spa beckons. For captivating views and more excitement, the main pool, cooled by a Pacific Ocean breeze, offers plush cabanas (available by reservation), chaise lounges and full menu with poolside service. It’s one of the most coveted spots
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In addition, the award-winning Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program, created in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, educates guests and locals about the diverse ecosystems and natural wonders of the resort’s prime location on the Gaviota Coast—the largest stretch of undeveloped coastline in Southern California. Cousteautrained naturalists, including program leader Sara Welsh, teach participants of all ages about kelp forests, diverse species of birds, the Native American people who inhabited Central and Southern California, and more.
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to swim and soak up the sun in Santa Barbara. Sunscreen is available at the pool concierge desk; always-personable staffers come by with treats and an afternoon popsicle cart. Leisurely days blend beautifully with the temptingly delicious fare and cocktails found at the Pool Bar. A cool vibe and menu of fresh salads, chips and guacamole, pizza, fish tacos and the like, signature cocktails and frozen drinks are on offer. After the sun sets, HD televisions, lounge seating and fire pits keep spirits high.
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Another enticing option is The Bistro, with oceanfront terrace. Serving three meals a day, the restaurant’s varied menu highlights sustainable seafood and produce from local farmers. For breakfast, the avocado wholewheat toast and hard-boiled eggs—with sundried tomatoes, asparagus, pickled radish and pomegranate—is to-die-for. Lunchtime brings a selection of brick-oven pizzas, seasonal salads and the signature bistro burger, while dinner offers an array of surf, turf, pasta, paella and vegan dishes.
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A real culinary treat, Angel Oak, which houses the resort’s coveted 12,000-bottle wine collection, is helmed by chef Alexander Bollinger and offers a most glamorous option. You can dine inside or, better yet, under the stars on the open patio, overlooking the ocean. Come to the large lawn adjacent to the restaurant before dinner to watch the sun set. The modern American steakhouse with heavy emphasis on sea-to-table fare boasts a playful menu that highlights inventive dishes and respects the classics. Appetizers include roasted bone marrow with oxtail marmalade and pistachio gremolata; tuna and salmon tartare with local avocado, radish, ginger, lime, citrus miso aioli, crunchy forbidden rice and toasted nori oil; and from the raw bar, the epic Angel Oak Grande Plateau. Main courses include the house specialty of abalone with fresh pasta, rainbow chard and lemon beurre blanc; and A5 Japanese Wagyu with optional 1/2 lobster tail; Alaskan king crab or Oscar-style (pure heaven). The restaurant also hosts one of the area’s most decadent brunches, as well as the chance to spot migrating whales (in season). Guests on the go can pop into Blend, off the porte cochere, to grab beverages, fresh pastries and soft-serve ice cream, as well as quick breakfast and lunch dishes. To-go orders can be arranged for beach picnics, bike rides or
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Additional activities (most are complimentary) include tennis on three courts, beach walks and lounging, nature hikes, wine tasting, mixology classes, movie nights and stargazing. There are many memories to be made at the reimagined The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/santa-barbara
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And when the time finally comes to retire to your room, seaside-inspired guest rooms (set to be remodeled within the next year or so) feature super-comfortable beds, marble bathrooms, spacious private lanais and views of the pool, gardens, ocean and golden sunset. An in-room
iPad offers the utmost convenience and access to everything, ranging from housekeeping and turndown service to room service, wake-up calls, spa services, daily activities, information about the property and beyond.
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sightseeing excursions. The resort also offers a unique tasting experience right on property at the Foley Food & Wine Society Tasting Room, with flights from the Society’s participating partners including Kuleto Estate, Chalk Hill Estate, Sebastiani and Lancaster Estate.
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APPETITE FOR
EXCELLENCE WRITTEN BY { BETH
WEITZMAN
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Renowned for an outstanding food-and-beverage program, Hyatt Hotels is committed to nurturing its rising culinary stars, as showcased in The Good Taste Series, the hospitality brand’s annual, friendly competition among its most talented young chefs.
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Slightly more than five years ago, a few Hyatt chefs including Thomas Mckeown, executive chef at Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and Martin Pfefferkorn, Hyatt’s culinary director for the Americas, cooked up an exciting way for the hospitality company to recognize and retain emerging culinary talent. “Chefs are always the ones in the back, not in front. With Hyatt being known for its strength in food and beverage, we decided, “Why not celebrate it?” says Mckeown, the organizer of The Good Taste Series competition, an annual contest open to anyone from line cooks to executive sous chefs in Hyatt hotels globally. “It’s about all internal development and investing in the people here,” adds Pfefferkorn. The first event, at which I was honored to be among a small group of judges comprised of media, hospitality and food industry veterans, took place at the Andaz Maui 2014. It was a modest affair back then, open only to contestants hailing from Hyatts in the U.S., who had each won regional competitions to qualify. They were asked to use local ingredients and regional influences in two dishes that represented Hyatt’s global food philosophy: Thoughtfully sourced, carefully served. We judged their creations on taste, presentation, technique and authenticity, awarding additional points for two surprise ingredients incorporated into the dishes. The event was brimming with passion and excitement from morning to night.
What’s next for the evolving competition? “We’re considering growing the number of competitors to possibly nine, instead of six. We’re also exploring beverage and pastry elements,” says Kareti. Hyatt is also considering inviting top-tier World of Hyatt members to join the festivities in the future. Beyond the big competition, the event includes socializing with the chefs, Hyatt executive team members and invited guests. Serious bonding took place in Singapore, and the energy was contagious. After spending only a of couple days with Hyatt execs and chefs, it’s abundantly clear to me that Hyatt’s got serious heart!
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The night before the big cook-off, as chefs clinked their glasses atop sister hotel Andaz Singapore, they were presented with the “mystery black box” containing required items to include in their dishes— Australian grass-fed beef, sustainably farmed barramundi, home-grown herbs from the rooftop of Grand Hyatt Singapore, and organic vegetables from Malaysia. Each chef was required to prepare an appetizer and a main dish using these ingredients. They were judged primarily on taste and presentation, as well as kitchen skills—hygiene, mise en place and technical skills.
The event has a lasting positive impact on all contestants, not only the winners. “Last year Chef Hunter Keels [butcher and junior sous chef at Hyatt Regency Atlanta] won second place at global, and he was one of the two winners in the Americas,” says Colleen Kareti, Hyatt’s vice president of operations in the Americas. “He had to get a passport to go to the competition, as he’d never left the country before. He brought his dad, which was so sweet. The experience meant so much to him, and to us. We’ve also recently changed the prize. It used to be a vacation or education trip… But we started doing cash, because we found it really means a lot to the contestants to get a packet full of money,” she continues. This year, regional winners received $2,000 cash and an all-expenses-paid trip to the finals in Singapore, where they competed for a cash prize of $3,000.
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“Our purpose is to care for people so they can be their best, which includes helping our colleagues grow and realize their potential,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer, Hyatt. “The Good Taste Series enhances the strong foundation that
More than 220 chefs from Hyatt hotels and resorts in over 40 countries competed in rigorous regional contests for the coveted opportunity to showcase their culinary chops on this global stage, MasterChef style. A large ballroom was filled with media and VIPs from around the world. Competing chefs— including Lily Liu of Park Hyatt Hangzhou, Leandro Minelli of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Sebong Oh of Grand Hyatt Seoul, Jonathan Pasion of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Thomas Progeas of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme and Robert Schielke of Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa—prepared dishes for seven prestigious judges and more than 100 invited guests (guests’ votes were weighted and taken into account in the final tally). Judges included Filipino chef Margarita Forés; Bruno Menard, whose award-winning restaurants include the three-Michelin-star L’Osier in Tokyo; Dave Pynt of Singapore’s Burnt Ends; Tetsuya Wakuda, one of the world’s top Japanese chefs; Stefan Stiller, owner of two Michelinstar restaurants in Shanghai; and Dylan Jones and Duangporn (Bo) Songvisava, the husband-and-wife team behind one-Michelinstar restaurant Bo.Lan in Bangkok.
Chef Pasion of Andaz Maui Wailea Resort was crowned champion by the judges, with two creations drawing from his Filipino and Hawaiian heritage: barramundi tataki ki-lawin and adobo grass-fed beef cheeks. “Winning The Good Taste Series is the highlight of my culinary career. It made me realize that my hard work, dedication and staying true to myself have paid off,” he said. “I feel truly blessed to have competed in the global finals, and that I have an incredible support system. I hope winning The Good Taste Series will inspire young culinarians in Hawaii to know it’s possible to be a locally raised kid on a small island, and still be able to compete with the top chefs of the culinary world.” Chef Minelli of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Chef Progeas of Park Hyatt ParisVendôme were the first and second runnersup, respectively.
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Each year since then, the competition has garnered increasing attention; it is now a global happening that brings together the crème de la crème of rising culinary stars from Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The second annual global finals competition took place in April 2019 at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. “We are delighted to host this year’s global final of The Good Taste Series in Singapore, a city known for its diverse heritage, rich culinary traditions and vibrant food and beverage sector,” said Andreas Stalder, senior vice president, food and beverage operations and product development, Asia Pacific at Hyatt.
Hyatt has built for career development—from having inspiring mentors to providing an international platform to showcase our food and beverage talent—that will, in turn, enable our chefs to create unparalleled experiences for our guests.” Hyatt has “always enjoyed the reputation of being a leader in food and beverage,” added Stalder. “Our secret to success is to foster a nurturing environment where we develop and recognize our chefs and provide a stimulating platform to spark their creativity.”
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First runner up: Leandro (Leo) Minelli of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Hailing fromArgentina, Minelli has worked at various Hyatt hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean, starting with Park Hyatt Mendoza.
Second runner up: Thomas Progeas of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. A Parisian, Progeas has trained in the kitchens of acclaimed and Michelinstar restaurants in the French capital. At 24, he won the French national trophy of food and pastry organized by the Culinary Academy of France.
Robert Schielke of Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa. Originally from Germany, Schielke’s career with Hyatt started in 2006, and has brought him all over Europe, the Middle East and, currently, Africa. Middle East and, currently, Africa.
Sebong Oh of Grand Hyatt Seoul. Originally a computer science major, Oh decided to pursue his dreams and graduated with a degree in culinary arts. Oh has been at Grand Hyatt Seoul since 2005.
Lily Liu of Park Hyatt Hangzhou. The first woman chef to qualify for the global final of The Good Taste Series, Liu triumphed over 121 other chefs in regional competitions to represent mainland China in the ASPAC final.
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First place winner: Jonathan Pasion of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. A native of Maui, Pasion’s cooking draws inspiration from his family’s Filipino roots, the Hawaiian culture and his travels.
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GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE Set among lush gardens, the Grand Hyatt Singapore is centrally located right off Orchard Road, the city’s most famous commercial thoroughfare with dining, entertainment and luxury shopping aplenty. More than 675 modernized guest rooms and suites look out onto the swimming pool, garden or city; each is smartly designed with luxurious beds and spacious baths. With sustainability as a guiding principle of the hotel’s impressive food-and-beverage program, menus are brimming with quality ingredients, including seafood certified sustainable, greens from nearby cooperative growers and herbs from the hotel’s rooftop garden; the hotel was also the first establishment in South East Asia to serve Beyond Burger®.
Competing chefs were judged primarily on taste and presentation of their dishes, as well as kitchen skills—hygiene, mise en place and technical skills.
Beverage offerings include wines from biodynamic, organic and sustainable vineyards. Not to be missed, on the mezzanine level is MEZZA9, a culinary destination showcasing the showmanship of the talented chefs of the Grand Hyatt Singapore. Seating is spread along a lineup of open kitchens, where dishes come off a grill, from a steam basket, sustainable seafood counter, sushi bar and a patisserie counter. Serving up an authentic breakfast like no other is StraitsKitchen, located on lobby level. With halal-certified kitchens, the culinary team serves up popular local dishes in a seemlessly endless buffet lineup of hawker favorites from Chinese, Malay and Indian open kitchens. From fresh-made juice to noodle, soup and stir- fry dishes, it’s delish! The luxurious Damai Spa & Fitness Centre offers another kind of menu, with body treatments (massage, wrap, body polish), Kerstin Florian facial treatments (OxyGlow, C2 with anti-aging caviar, and personalized), mani/pedi and waxing. The well-equipped fitness center features Technogym, an array of classes, personalized training, swimming pool, sauna, steam, tennis courts, studio, outdoor plunge pool and badminton courts. Resort-like relaxation comes via a free-form turquoise pool surrounded by outdoor lounge chairs and private cabanas. Evenings are capped off at the Martini Bar, which serves up more than 30 types of handcrafted martinis.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE A treat for all five senses, Andaz Singapore weaves its vibrant locale into every guests’ unforgettable experience.
WRITTEN BY { BETH
WEITZMAN
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C
omprising the 25th to 39th floors of the striking
Epicenters in New York City and Los Angeles, the new
concave glass skyscrapers known as DUO Tower,
landmark on the Singapore skyline contains residences, retail
Andaz Singapore is the first location of Hyatt’s out-
spaces, restaurants and offices, as well as Andaz Singapore.
of-the-box luxury lifestyle boutique hotel brand in Southeast
Drawing inspiration and lively spirit from its surroundings,
Asia. With Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to the north,
the hotel is designed to excite guests’ sense of discovery. In
Indonesia and Australia to the west, and the Philippines to the
collaboration with prominent interior designer Andre Fu of
east, the Singapore outpost, which opened in 2017, is a short
AFSO, Andaz Singapore was imagined as a contemporary
20-minute drive from Changi Airport and only a five-minute
urban lifestyle destination. A Singapore-style alleyway sensory
drive to Singapore’s Central Business District. It’s an easy in-
experience with locally inspired techniques, furniture, art,
and-out, whether you are in town for a one-night stopover or
and fabric inform the design. Imagined as a contemporary
a more leisurely extended stay. It’s also directly connected to
bungalow, whimsical design details are found throughout
Bugis MRT station via underground pedestrian walkways,
the sizable guest rooms, beginning with a bold mango yellow
which makes it a most convenient home base if getting around
shophouse-style door and an entrance doorbell housed in a
the city is a high priority.
bespoke post-box, and continuing inside with floor-to-ceiling ivory paneling and touches of aubergine that pay homage to
With plentiful art, shophouses, independent fashion, and
the distinct palette of the shophouses. All told, 342 smartly
campy and vintage boutiques, Haji Lane in the Kampong Glam
designed contemporary guest rooms, including 26 suites, boast
neighborhood is always buzzing. In this precinct, intimate
floor-to-ceiling windows revealing stunning views of the city
alleys are peppered with hip cafés, patisseries and watering
skyline, Marina Bay Harbour, Bras Basah Bugis and Kampong
holes. Morning to night, the area is alive with vibrant colors
Glam. Also a highlight is the light and airy, modern-designed
and textures, and plenty of activity. In this Muslim center of
bathroom, including stand-up shower and vanity areas which
Singapore, you’ll also find traditional mosques, carpet shops
are large and inviting. The plush bed, dressed in luxuriously
and Middle Eastern cuisine. With a desire for guests to engage
comfortable linens, beckons one to sleep well with ease.
with, and experience the authenticity of the destination within As with all Andaz hotels, plenty of perks are included with
is situated in this happening area. Also nearby is Little India,
your stay, such as a complimentary minibar filled with
with must-visit temples, including Sri Srinivasa Perumal
locally sourced snacks and non-alcoholic drinks replenished
Temple, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and The Temple
daily, complimentary Wi-Fi, plus all-day complimentary
of a Thousand Lights; shopping at Mustafa Center; Marina
refreshments (Pellegrino and Acqua Panna waters, coffee and
Bay, home to a famous hotel, gardens and shopping center
tea) in the Sunroom—a modernized expression of a Peranakan
bearing its name; and Bras Basah Bugis, one of the city’s oldest
house—a bright timber-lined lounge brimming with luxuriant
neighborhoods, an arts and heritage district with museums,
hanging ferns, a favorite gathering spot among guests. Public
monuments and temples.
areas, including the elevators and restaurants, feature playful and an array of tropical plants that bring a sense of the outdoors
largest integrated development in the Ophir-Rochor district.
inside. A dazzling variety of acclaimed artworks showcased
Conceived by multi-award-winning German architect Ole
throughout the hotel, such as the color-saturated pieces by
Scheeren, who is celebrated for his works with the China
Brazilian sculptor André Mendes, creative works from local
Central Television Headquarters in Beijing and Prada
Singaporean artist Ahmad Abu Bakar, New York-based
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Clad in a latticework of hexagonal windows, DUO is the
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displays of textured woven rattan, crafts in bold tropical colors
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which it resides, it makes perfect sense that Andaz Singapore
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Filipina artist Monica Delgado, and Malaysian artist Fauzulyusri Mohd Yusof, add even more eye-candy and inspiration. Leaving no detail to chance, the hotel collaborated with local fashion label In Good Company, and the result is the Andaz Collection-custom-designed outfits for hotel associates to wear on the job that complement the dĂŠcor perfectly. Additionally, the Andaz brand partnered with The Society of Scent, an olfactory collective that includes a proprietary fragrance creation laboratory led by Jean Claude Delville, to develop custom scents that connect
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guests to local experiences at Andaz properties across the globe— and that will continue to evoke pleasant feelings long after checkout time. After a full immersion into the sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells of the Kampong Glam neighborhood, perfumer Christophe Laudamiel created Singapore Fusion #19, featuring ingredients that include dewy orchid (the national flower of Singapore), orange blossom, Indian sambac jasmine, clove, ginger lilies, guaiacwood and Chinese cedarwood. Infused in bathroom amenities and public areas, the scent will also be part of a lifestyle collection (lip balm, room scent diffusers and candles) that guests can take home to remind them of the experience. Another amazing olfactory experience can be found at Alley on 65
25—a sky-high culinary destination re-creating the spontaneous experience of Singapore street dining with seven shophouse-inspired venues, one bar, one lounge and five restaurants—all on one floor. With such an incredible array of cuisine to choose from, you really don’t have to leave the hotel. Perhaps even more delightful is that you can order from any of the menus, no matter in which venue you choose to grab a seat. Barbecued snacks from Smoke & Pepper are a great place to start, followed by an ode to Singapore’s zi char food culture (“zi char” means “cook and fry” in the Southern Chinese dialect) at Auntie’s Wok and Steam, where you’ll discover the most delicious variety of soups, rice, noodles, dumplings and other Chinese classics, as well as Singaporean favorites with a Szechuan influence— the double-boiled kampong chicken soup, Tiger prawns with red chili sauce, braised short rib with noodles in Szechuan broth, chicken Kung Pao with cashew nuts, mixed peppers and organic fried rice (white and brown rice, crab meat, egg, asparagus Sarawak pepper) are not to be missed. For dessert, there’s pan dan chiffon cake, a modern reinvention of the unofficial national chiffon cake, and velvety mousse combo in flavors like black sesame, durian, yam and coconut; or you can opt for a refreshing shaved ice from Icehaus. Either way, an epic dining experience. Another special dining option is 665°F, helmed by Chef Josephine Loke, who hails from
various Michelin restaurants in Singapore, named for the
designer goods, from beauty to fashion to home décor, are
temperature of its Pira oven and grill, specializes in premium
on offer. If you are lucky enough to be in town during the
meat and sustainable seafood. Pre- or postdinner, Mr. Stork
Boutique Fair, the twice-yearly shopping event featuring
rooftop bar, known for mixing up delicious cocktails with
mainly Singaporean merchandise, it’s a great way to spend
garden herbs and fresh fruits, Andaz Pale Ale on tap from
an afternoon shopping, eating and imbibing like the locals.
local microbrewery RedDot Brewhouse
along with an
observatory corner to enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view
Ready to see the sights? For a unique overview of Singapore,
of the city with lounge and teepee-hut seating.
book The Tale of 2 Quays Singapore River Experience through
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Singapore River Cruise. Highlights include Boat Quay, Clarke
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Staying fit at Andaz Singapore is easy with two state-of-the-
Quay and Marina Bay. The company also offers a Laser Show
art gyms at your disposal-one located inside the hotel, the
Cruise, which should definitely be on your itinerary. You may
other at a neighboring Virgin Active gym (in addition to
also want to head straight to the iconic 57th-floor rooftop of
the best-of-the-best equipment, a large variety of classes,
Marina Bay Sands for great views from the 490-foot infinity
including spin, are on offer as well as workout wear provided
swimming pool, set on the world’s largest public cantilevered
gratis for use at the facility). The pool on the 25th floor is the
platform. It’s definitely worth a visit here for drinks or dinner
perfect post workout retreat. With views of the city and a full-
at Spago, located on the same floor. Marina Bay Sands opened
service bar and food menu, it’s a great place to perch.
in 2010, and has been billed as the world’s most expensive stand-alone casino property. The Shoppes at Marina Bay
There are more malls in Singapore than in most cities, so
Sands is a mall comprised of a museum, two large theaters,
retail therapy is a popular pastime. Smart shoppers use the
celebrity chef restaurants, two floating Crystal Pavilions, art-
underground walkways (lined with shops, cafés, bake shops
science exhibits and the world’s largest atrium casino, with
and restaurants) to beat the unending heat. Nearby Orchard
500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. The complex also features
Road is home to all of the major labels, lending big-time glitz
a 1,120-foot SkyPark observation deck with a capacity for
to the area. Don’t miss a stop at Design Orchid, where local
3,900 people.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was founded in 1859 and offers walking trails amid spectacular tropical flora, including Singapore’s oldest primary rainforests. Spend a few hours in Chinatown, where you’ll find colorful Peranakan shophouses and a handful of historical attractions, including the old Hokkien temple, Thian Hock Keng, as well as the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple and James Mosque, and a plethora of hawker stations. Stop by Tiong Bahru, one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods now gentrified as a hipster area, which seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary with cool cafés and bakeries like the popular Plain Vanilla, indie boutiques and iconic wall murals. It’s the spot to come to see local musicians, artists and other creatives hanging out. Another hip spot is Dempsey Hill, boasting walking trails, a handful of cool shops and some awesome restaurants, including Chopsuey Cafe, an absolute must. The setting is chic and serene, set in a white-and-black colonial-style residential-like building with lush landscaping all around. Come hungry and get a taste of Singapore’s famous chile crab, along with a wide selection of steamed-to-order handmade dim sum plus favorites like Szechuan pepper chili chicken. Of course, stopping by at least one hawker center is a must. We opted for the Old Airport Road Food Centre, one of Singapore’s oldest and largest hawker centers. Opened in 1973, it was built to bring together street hawkers from all around the Kallang Estate in a single sheltered area. Today, it is home to more than 160 cooked food and drink stalls on the ground floor, including several famous
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (466 Crawford Lane, Tai Hwa Eating House #01-12 Singapore 190465 [Lavender MRT)]) and Hong Kong Soya #02-166, Chinatown Food Complex, Singapore 050335).
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Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (335 Smith St.,
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one-Michelin-star hawker stalls worth visiting,
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hawker legends. Of note, outside the center are two
With so much to see and do, next time I head to Singapore, I plan to stay a while longer. This, indeed, was a good taste!
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CENTER OF ATTENTION The new InterContinental San Diego is an urban retreat geared to luxury travelers.
WRITTEN BY {
ANGELA FAIRHURST
A welcome addition to downtown San Diego, the new InterContinental San Diego-located within the new BRIC mixed-use complex at Broadway and Pacific Highway, between the Santa Fe Depot and the San Diego Bay waterfront-is at the heart of all the seaport action.
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THE HOTEL
The front yard of this 19-story urban retreat is the park and plaza of Lane Field, the former baseball stadium and home of the San Diego Padres from 1936 to 1957; a plaque commemorates home plate. Reception is on the third floor. Natural light pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows in public areas, guest rooms and myriad event and meeting spaces. Complementing the glistening water views, interiors are designed with blues, grays and neutrals.
THE ROOMS
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There are 400 well-appointed guest rooms, including 24 spacious suites. The bathrooms have convenient features, including a main mirror that turns into a night light with the push of a discrete button; a makeup mirror that automatically lights upon approach; and wall-mounted and handheld shower heads with the on-off handle strategically placed on the opposite wall, so you don’t get wet while adjusting the water temperature.
THE CLUB
Club InterContinental enhances guests’ stays with concierge services, such as complimentary breakfast, a full bar with premium spirits, dinner and event reservations, and a quiet place to relax and sit on the private terrace and enjoy the view. If not included with your room, access to the club is available for a $125 daily fee.
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Vistal Bar + Restaurant, the hotel’s signature restaurant, has chef Amy DiBiase at the helm. The San Diego veteran buys the freshest
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local ingredients and catches of the day. Having also lived in Hawaii, she blends regional flavors of SoCal with influences from the Pacific Islands, Mediterranean fishing villages and Baja Peninsula, bringing fresh perspective to her cuisine, especially her famous gnudi. Vistal’s two water-view dining rooms, private terrace and 29-seat bar make it a prime place for visitors and locals to eat, drink and linger.
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Finally, the 19th-floor rooftop, with a bar, café and pool bar, will open by the end of 2019.
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Also onsite, but with a separate entrance, is the first West Coast location of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, with an interior that reportedly cost $10 million. The opulence is evident as soon as you set foot in the two-story restaurant, where a marble staircase is used to accesses a 7,000-bottle, temperature-controlled glass wine wall. Taking full advantage of the waterfront location, floorto-ceiling windows showcase the view. There’s indoor/ outdoor space, banquet seating, crystal chandeliers, two bars and five private dining rooms, not to mention USDA Prime wet and dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and an award-winning wine list.
THE FITNESS
On the fourth floor, a 3,300-square-foot health and wellness center features a yoga terrace with video wall that offers on-demand classes. An adjacent pool and sun deck provide unobstructed bay and sunset vistas.
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Love, food, shopping and serious R&R continue to draw the iconic designer to Bel Paese.
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DEE OCLEPPO HILFIGER’S
INSIDER GUIDE TO
ITALY
PORTRAIT BY { JOHN RUSSO WRITTEN BY { MISTY MILIOTO
BELMOND HOTEL SPLENDIDO
ove first brought model-turnedLHilfiger accessories designer Dee Ocleppo to Italy in the 1980s, when she
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and her boyfriend lived just outside Milan. Almost a decade later, that boyfriend was ancient history when she married Italian tennis player Gianni Ocleppo and moved to Monte Carlo, but often traveled back to Italy; the couple divorced in 2003. Five years later, the Italophile married fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. Visiting the finest Italian factories with him inspired her to create a collection of accessories that combines the exceptional quality of Italian leather artisans with a distinctly American point of view. Dee Ocleppo shoes and handbags are now favored by fashionistas who want affordable luxury. These days, the entrepreneur frequently returns to the bel paese (beautiful country) for work and to visit her two eldest children, who live in Alba. Here, she shares her favorite stops along the way.
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PARK HYATT MILAN
Are you currently working with any Italian fashion designers?
Serravalle Scrivia [Province of Alessandria in the
a wonderful place for relaxing and going for a
Piedmont region]. It is worth the trip for great
gelato and evening stroll. In the fall, I love the
bargains on everything from Gucci to Bulgari. I
Castello di Guarene in the Piedmont region. It is
Moschino, on a special project for Judith Leiber.
also love shopping in Capri when on vacation—
a beautiful 18th-century castle with a relaxing
The Sea Gull for the most beautiful and unique
spa, breathtaking views, and plenty of great
Which are some of your favorite cities in Italy?
ceramics, Russo L’Uomo and Donna Russo for
food and wine. The Four Seasons Hotel in
the latest and greatest designs, and the most
Florence is also a favorite. They have the most
it is so unique and simply magical. It immediately
wonderful vintage store, Wonderland, where
beautiful gardens with incredible sculptures
you can find a treasure trove of the most unique
to explore and roam during the day, as well as
items of clothing and accessories. Lastly, when I
great service and a wonderful spa.
I’m working with Jeremy Scott, head designer of
My favorite city to visit in Italy is Venice, because transports me to another time and place, and it always feels surreal when I am there. I also adore going to Rome, Florence, Capri, Positano and Alba. I love Rome and Florence especially for their museums, shopping and architecture. I love Capri and Positano for the stunning views, beautiful waters and local artisans—especially the sandal makers. Alba is a place where my older children call home; it is the Napa Valley of Italy, with fantastic vineyards and most
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beautiful stemware on the planet. My favorite
How do like to travel within Italy?
I love traveling by boat for visiting the coastal
factory is Signoretti. When I was first engaged
cities and towns, but I also love driving through
with Tommy, we purchased our very first glasses
the countrysides of Tuscany and Piedmont. It is
together and had “H” engraved on them. They
quite easy to drive from place to place in Italy.
are still very meaningful to me today.
However, in the larger cities, such as Milan or Rome, I would definitely recommend hiring a taxi or a private driver.
when it is the height of truffle season. Yummy!
one of my very favorite restaurants in Italy. It
What would be your perfect itinerary?
Which hotels do you like best to stay in Italy?
everything is organically grown on their farm.
to try to explore all the different regions in Italy. I
Food is shared family-style and everything
would start in Portofino, then head to Milan, the
Hyatt Milan. I love the service, location and clean
is just delicious. I also love Giacomo Bistrot in
Turin/Piedmont region, Venice, Bologna, Rimini,
Milan for a casual evening and the best pasta
Florence, Pisa, Siena, Rome, Naples, Capri,
pomodoro, as well as a great wine selection.
Taormina and then Palermo. Then I would leave
Harry’s Bar in Venice is a classic. Bellinis are a
a few extra days for exploring smaller towns.
must. I am usually full after the bread basket.
Afterwards, I would then need to head to a
truffle. It’s best to visit in October and November
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the glass factories where you can find the most
How about favorite restaurants?
famously known as the home of the white
One of my favorite hotels in Italy is the Park
design. I also love the Hotel Danieli in Venice for a classic and traditional Venetian experience. The Il San Pietro in Positano is exquisite, and I highly recommend it for a romantic getaway. The Belmond Hotel Splendido is wonderful in Portofino for a weekend escape and [it has] the
Lo Scoglio in Nerano [on the Amalfi Coast] is is a family-owned seaside restaurant where
My perfect itinerary—if I had a month—would be
weight-loss camp for another month.
Where do you go for simple relaxation?
best terrace in town for drinks.
For relaxation in the summertime, I highly
What are some of your favorite shops in Italy?
love Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo [both in
I love the Serravalle Designer Outlet in
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travel to Venice, I love heading to Murano to visit
recommend going to Sardinia. I particularly Sardinia]. The beaches are beautiful, and it is
Can you think of three things that are quintessentially Italian?
Great food, finest-quality craftsmanship and dangerously charming men.
ROME
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© JEREMYREDS / ADOBE STOCK
© BROWNING109 / ADOBE STOCK
CAPRI
Alba
Alba
VENICE
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TRAVELWITNESS / ADOBE STOCK
© RUDI1976 / ADOBE STOCK
© TIM / ADOBE STOCK
Alba
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©MARCORUBINO / ADOBE STOCK
© DP3010 / ADOBE STOCK
© BEPPEGIUSE / ADOBE STOCK
Alba
ALBA
POSITANO
FLORENCE
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MAGNIFICENCE ON THE
MILE Superb service, luxurious accommodations, a new rooftop hotspot and indulgent spa treatments are calling me back to The Peninsula Chicago.
WRITTEN BY {
BETH WEITZMAN
T
he Peninsula Chicago is one of my favorite hotels in The Windy City, with gorgeous rooms, superb service and incredible cuisine, and a recent stay reinforced my opinion. Centrally located on the Magnificent Mile, this luxury hotel has deservedly received the coveted Forbes five star and AAA five diamond awards for 17 years running, and it continues to evolve with the addition of its recently opened rooftop Z Bar and new spa services partner Subtle Energies. In celebration of its 15th anniversary in 2016, The Peninsula Chicago unveiled 331 guest rooms and suites redesigned by Bill Rooney. Accommodations impress with French deco-inspired decor, Pratesi linens on ultra plush beds, fine wood finishes and lush fabrics in soothing shades of deep blue and cream. Spacious suites offer a large living room with chrysanthemum-themed, hand-embroidered silk art walls created by artist David Qian. As one of the most technologically advanced hotels in the world, rooms feature smart amenities, including digital bedside and desk tablets (available in 11 languages) to control lights, temperature, television and music; review hotel services; and peruse restaurant menus, and information about the city and its attractions. LED touch-screen wall panels detail weather information, privacy settings and service options; and long-distance and international VOIP calls and highspeed Wi-Fi are complimentary. Comfort and convenience is assured with easily accessible power outlets, device chargers, a wireless printer, couch with retractable built-in cup holders, and service cabinet with a Nespresso machine, Bernardaud china and snacks. I especially like the spa function on the bathtub control that dims the lights and turns on relaxing music. It’s pretty fabulous! Gio ISSUE No. 5 LIVING GOOD
The VIP offerings continue with Keys to the City, a program that provides hotel guests access to top Chicago destinations and experiences. Four restaurants—The Lobby, Shanghai Terrace, Pierrot Gourmet, and the new rooftop Z Bar, which recently launched brunch—are exceptional. Plus, the Peninsula Spa boasts 15,000 square feet of luxurious services and amenities, along with a complete fitness center and indoor pool. Extra bonus: a bespoke BMW house car is available to transport guests within several miles of the property.
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LOFTY LOUNGE
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High above iconic Michigan Avenue, The Peninsula’s recently opened rooftop Z Bar is an internationally inspired destination that combines impeccable design, daring drinks and globally inspired cuisine. Named for the company’s first female general manager, Maria Zec, it’s the place to see and be seen.
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Guests arrive via dedicated elevators designed to look like lush forests; the doors open to a small welcome foyer. Conceived by awardwinning design firm Yabu Pushelberg, four distinct lounges each present unique design concepts and experiences. Guests travel through the spaces, excited by a sense of discovery. In addition to a dramatic skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows, there’s a delightful series of scenic murals and playful animal portraits created by Moss & Lam design studio-including my favorite one, an adorable pug. The front lounge pays homage to Chicago’s architecture with hexagonal-patterned, mixedmarble floors. This space flows into the second lounge, the sepia-toned main room with a 17-seat metal-topped oval bar as its focal point, a dramatic bean-shaped skylight and handpainted murals of Chicago’s iconic bascule bridges. The third lounge acts as a private
salon for 10 to 12 guests, plus an adjoining exterior space that connects guests to the bustling city energy. The final space, a 53-seat outdoor terrace, wraps around the north and east sides of the building. Grab a coveted seat here to enjoy spectacular views of the John Hancock building, the historic Water Tower and other Michigan Avenue landmarks. Music at Z Bar comes courtesy of renowned DJ and international music producer Alyson Calagna. Her global playlists and custom tracks are developed exclusively for the bar and create an atmosphere that is lively and upbeat, casual and soulful. Guests can also find Calagna’s curated playlists on Z Bar’s website via Spotify. ISSUE No. 5 LIVING GOOD
The sophisticated yet casual food menu features small plates with ingredients and flavors drawn from Asia, Europe and the Americas. Try the daikon frites, Z Bar’s version of French fries with Chinese lap cheong, garlic chive, white soy and spiced tomato jam; or the beef cracklings made with beef tendon and sprinkled with malt vinegar and Hawaiian pink salt.
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An innovative handcrafted cocktail program features bold, global flavors and with a hint of the exotic. Some drinks are crafted tableside, while others feature surprising touches like gold leaf, caviar, tonics and spices. A curated beer menu and extensive wine list also are on offer.
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SUBTLE PLEASURES
The 15,000-square-foot Peninsula Spa and adjoining fitness center, located on the top two floors of the five-star hotel, feature floor-toceiling windows, abundant natural light and epic views of the city. The Spa is comprised of eight treatment rooms, a mani/pedi room, a men’s and a women’s eucalyptus steam room, an indoor pool, a yoga studio, the most cozy relaxation area with fireplace, and an outdoor sundeck offering inventive spa cuisine. The Peninsula Spa recently partnered with Subtle Energies, an Australia-based Ayurvedic aromatherapy, natural skincare and wellness solutions brand making its first entry into the United States market by offering products available exclusively at The Peninsula Hotels in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. Treatments include a selection of therapeutic massages, rejuvenating facials, cleansing body scrubs and wellness journeys created to target specific concerns, such as aging, hormonal imbalance, fatigue and sleep disorders.
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Ten Subtle Energy treatments are available, including the signature Blissful Marma Massage, a 90-minute session that combines therapeutic and aromatherapy techniques, such as Ayurveda strokes, Marma point therapy, aesthetic lymphatic drainage and kasa bowl work to increase circulation and blood flow. Other offerings include half- and full-day spa retreats, couple’s massages, hydrating manicures and more.
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Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art fitness center boasts top-notch exercise equipment and complimentary fitness classes. In the pool, guests can choose from water Pilates, swim conditioning, interval training and other classes. On dry land, there are classes in strength conditioning, cardio and yoga. For a luxurious stay in the Windy City, you really can’t beat The Peninsula Chicago, my kind of hotel!
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ATLANTIC
COOL Virginia Beach is full of surprises
Like many people from the West Coast, I didn’t know much about Virginia Beach until I heard that Pharrell Williams, a native of the coastal city, held the first annual Something in the Water music festival on the oceanfront in late April—and it was awesome. So I decided to check it out for myself. My preconceived notions that it might be kind of staid promptly melted away. It’s bigger than I expected, with a lot more to do. I discovered an extensive food and art scene and one of my new favorite hotels.
BY {
ANGELA FAIRHURST
stay THE CAVALIER HOTEL
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Established in 1927 with architectural and design elements that surpassed other hotels in the area, The Cavalier Hotel became an icon and transformed the landscape and social scene of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The Cavalier hosted 10 U.S. presidents, and celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra. Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller and their respective big bands performed here.
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Today, The Cavalier is enjoying a rebirth and has become a destination for locals and world travelers alike. After an $85-million, four-year renovation, it re-opened in March 2018, with every detail meticulously restored and modernday luxury amenities added. Fresh flowers adorn the entrance. The reception area has dark wood and red velvet seating in an intimate, library-like arrangement that includes a vintage radio and a collection of antique telephones. The women’s public restroom has a wall of vintage gilt-framed mirrors. Guest rooms are well appointed with colorful art, contemporary furnishings and a mix of retro pieces, such as an amenity cabinet and a fuchsia velvet club chair. Fine linens adorn the comfortable beds. Becca, a warm, unpretentious farm-totable restaurant, serves cuisine with local ingredients, many from the chef’s garden.
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Attached to the Hunt Room, the Tarnished Truth Distilling Company carries out the ancient process of barrel aging fine libations in handcrafted copper and brass tanks. In the tasting room, visitors can sample the spirited results—bourbon, rye whiskey, special small batch varieties, AVA Vodka—which are available for sale in the distillery and mixed into The Hunt Room’s signature cocktails. In addition, private and hourly tours are available. cavalierhotel.com
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The Hunt Room is an intimate tavern and distillery warmed by a crackling fire in an open hearth. The sophisticated, yet rustic fare (Brunswick stew, duck fat-fried poutine, baconwrapped pork tenderloin) is washed down by hand-crafted cocktails, beers and selections from a lengthy list of whiskeys and bourbons.
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play
FAT TIRE BIKE RIDING AT FALSE CAPE STATE PARK
Located in southern Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier spit between the Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, with hiking and biking trails. One of the coolest ways to explore False Cape State Park is on a fat tire bike. With plump tires, these all-terrain bicycles feel more like floating than riding. We hopped on our fat tire bikes and rode the gravel trails, passing marsh land and bird life on our way to the sandy beach, where we saw dolphins. It was great exercise and great fun. visitvirginiabeach.com
IFLY SKYDIVING
Fear kept skydiving off my bucket list, but a simulated experience at iFly Virginia Beach definitely turned me into a thrill seeker. The experience creates the feeling of free-fall without having to jump out of a plane. Virginia Beach’s indoor skydiving experience is for all ages (except the very small) with no prior experience necessary. Groups receive a tutorial and follow the instructor inside a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, where they’re buoyed by wind speeds of up to 180 miles per hour for a full 60 seconds. iflyworld.com/virginia-beach
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CAPE HENRY LIGHTHOUSE
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There are two lighthouses at Cape Henry, within Fort Story military base near the northern end of Virginia Beach. The original Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792, was the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government, authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton to help boats maneuver the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. If the light was white, the waters were safe. A red light indicated danger. The iron staircase and brick lining were added in 1867. Built with the same Aquia sandstone as much of Washington, D.C., the lighthouse guided sea travelers to safety for almost 100 years. It’s worth climbing the 191 steps to the top to enjoy a 360-degree view of the area, including the “new” Cape Henry Lighthouse, a distinctive black and white striped cast iron structure that was built adjacent to the original in 1881. preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/cape-henry-lighthouse/
VIBE CREATIVE DISTRICT
ViBe Creative District is an arts, culture and technology enclave in a revitalized part of Virginia Beach’s oceanfront, with vibrant murals, sidewalk art, restaurants, boutiques and nightspots. Everywhere you look, you’ll find originality. There’s 1701, a co-working space for entrepreneurs, freelancers and other creatives; Three Ships Coffee, which began as a table at a farmers market and grew into a brick-and-mortar store; a hand sign painter; and a specialty leather bags shop. vibecreativedistrict.org
VIRGINIA MOCA
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The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is the leading contemporary art institution in the state. Regularly changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media by local, regional and internationally renowned artists. In an interactive section, museum-goers are allowed to touch, feel and play. Recent shows included an exhibit on Civil War era black history and a juried exhibition of Virginia artists. The only permanent piece in the museum is Dale Chihuly’s Mille Colori, a 14-foot tall, nearly 2,500-pound, multi-colored blown-glass chandelier that hangs just above the heads of visitors in the center of the sunlit Rodriguez Pavilion. virginiamoca.org
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TERRAPIN
Chef/owner Rodney Einhorn opened Terrapin Restaurant in 2006 and instantly raised the bar for fine dining in the area. Recently remodeled, his restaurant’s new and improved kitchen now has a charcoal-burning Josper oven, one of only a few on the East Coast; and a Dolly III pasta extruder. Following the philosophy “Keep it local, fresh and sustainable,” Chef Einhorn sources his ingredients from local sustainable organic farmers (most of whom he credits on the menu), bans hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup, and serves still and sparkling water purified in a zero carbon Vero system. terrapinvb.com
THE BEE & THE BISCUIT
A charming original 1919 cottage is the setting for The Bee & The Biscuit, serving breakfast and lunch daily, and brunch on weekends. Located in the rural community of Pungo in the southern part of Virginia Beach, the homey ambiance is as fab as the food. The specialty biscuits are scrumptious and the cheese grits are addicting. beebiscuit.com
At the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, the aloha spirit can be felt in spectacular rooms, restaurants, spa treatments and Hawaiian hospitality.
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WRITTEN BY { BETH
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perfect getaway for families, friends, couples and solo travelers, the Fairmont
Kea Lani, Maui offers a wide array of guest accommodations, island-inspired restaurants, authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences, plus the state-of-the-art Willow Stream Spa, multiple pools, private cabanas and personalized service. Situated on the coveted south shore of Maui in Wailea, amongst 22 acres of tropical oceanfront on the idyllic golden sands of Polo Beach, Fairmont Kea Lani is Hawaii’s only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort. The distinctive resort is comprised of a main high-rise building offering 413 onebedroom suites (860-1,100 square feet), as well as 37 private two- and three-bedroom
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villas (1,800-2,200 square feet). Inside, suites impress with spacious bedroom and living areas, full entertainment systems with two flat-screen TVs, an oversized marble bathroom with personalized Le Labo amenities, a foyer pantry area with convenient compact chiller and microwave, and a large private lanai with epic ocean and sunset, tropical garden and mountain views. The villas, meanwhile, feature a full gourmet kitchen with dining area, two master bedrooms with an oversized marble bathroom, full entertainment systems with multiple flat-screen TVs, and a private 95
furnished courtyard with plunge pool and barbecue grill.
Eating in-suite or villa is always a tempting option, as is dining in any of the resort’s array of restaurants. The award-winning Kō (open for lunch and dinner) specializes in sugarcane plantation era-inspired cuisine, featuring Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean and Japanese menu items. Executive Chef Tylun Pang has created an expansive menu focusing on authentic island family recipes passed down from prior generations. He sources more than 90 percent of the sustainable, fresh and tasty fish, beef and produce locally. Two standout starters: Ahi on the Rock, You Sear It, featuring shichimispiced ahi tuna with orange ginger miso; and Lavender Honey Macadamia Nut Shrimp with seasoned shrimp served crisp, kula ali’i lavender honey sauce and candied macadamia nut. Must-try main courses include Kalbi Flat Iron Kobe and the fresh catch, ginger-steamed with Chinese sausage, shiitake mushroom, ginger, scallion, cilantro, shoyu sizzling oil and jasmine rice. On Sunday and Monday evenings, be sure to order the Sunday Night Laulau, a modern take on a traditional Hawaiian dish that includes Maui fresh catch fish, shrimp, scallops, spinach, mushrooms and baby bok choy, all wrapped in ti leaf. Four-course twilight dinners also are available here, oceanfront or poolside, with a private table for two and wine pairings.
For something extra special, book the Kō Garden, an intimate outdoor venue surrounded by palm trees, exotic flowers and flickering tiki torches. Or indulge in the four-course Twilight Dinner in a private, candle-lit cabana next to the tranquility pool. Meanwhile, Luana, which is open from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., embodies Hawaii’s culture of pau hana—the time after work reserved for relaxing and socializing. Enjoy a taste of Hawaii’s modern culture with music, wine, craft cocktails, sushi, flatbreads and small plates. On Tuesday evenings, enjoy tiki drinks paired with live music, and on Friday nights, The Luana Experience Series with live music, progressive cocktails and happy hour specials is a fun time. AMA Bar & Grill, located at the upper lagoon pool, serves up lunch and dinner with flavors of Hawaii’s modern canoe lifestyle. Think: contemporary poke bowls, salads, burgers and tacos. The swim-up bar for refreshing cocktails and fruit smoothies is always a good and
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refreshing idea.
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It’s nice to have a spot to grab a juice, coffee and quick bite. At Makana Market + Cafe, the resort’s new gourmet marketplace, Maui and Hawaii Island grown and roasted coffees including nitro cold-brew coffees, espresso, matcha and exceptional Lot35 tea blends are on offer. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the cafe serves a selection of house-crafted pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizzas, smoothies, acai bowls and poke bowls featuring locally harvested fish. Finally, the resort’s beloved Kea Lani Restaurant, which recently embarked upon a $2.4 million makeover, will feature a totally new layout and decor once completed later this year.
Also expected to be complete later this year is a new state-of-the-art fitness center, which will be relocated from its existing ground level location to an expansive space above Kea Lani Restaurant at the lobby level. In the meantime, guests still have access to the current 24-hour fitness center. Chill time is easy with three swimming pools (including one adults-only pool, and two family, activity pools with a 140-foot waterslide connecting to both.) Poolside cabanas at the adult pool are a must-do for the ultimate in peace and serenity. Complete with unlimited chilled ISSUE No. 5
refreshing snacks throughout the day, the relaxing
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The award-winning Willow Stream Spa is
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water, tropical juice and soda, plus a sampler of
recognized as one of Hawaii’s top hotel spas, a full
atmosphere is sheer bliss.
where you could easily spend hours. Repeatedly menu of locally inspired experiences, combining Maui-sourced products with ancient Hawaiian tradition and the latest in spa technology, eases the mind, body and soul.
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Signature treatments include the Hawaiian Pa‘akai (60 minutes),
There are even more new guest amenities and programs in which
which begins with a body scrub of Hawaiian sea salt, organic
to indulge and enjoy. Book the Inspire Your Energy wellness suite,
coconut oil and locally grown green papaya and lemongrass,
a one-of-a-kind 860-square-foot one-bedroom suite designed to
followed by a Vichy shower and infra-red light therapy. An
create the ultimate luxury retreat for health-minded travelers.
application of rich Hawaiian coconut oil tops off the treatment.
Think specialty vitamin-infused showers, luxury linens designed
The WaveMotion Massage (60 minutes), another top treatment,
to promote sleep, skin care and aromatherapy amenities, spa
employs a unique treatment table that moves with the rhythmic
experiences and in-suite fitness equipment. Those who are seeking
motions of the therapist for a truly relaxing experience. The table
adventure should book the Luxe Villa Adventure package, which
creates a sensation of weightlessness and allows the therapist to
includes personalized airport transportation, a five-night stay in
use joint-release techniques to stretch clients’ muscles.
a luxe two- or three-bedroom ocean-front or ocean-view villa, a signature villa barbecue prepared by a private chef, two 60-minute charter that can include whale-watching, sunset cruising,
foot, head and neck massage using a handcrafted lomi stick made
snorkeling and paddleboarding from the bow of the luxury power
from invasive guava wood with a volcanic clay foot mask to ease
yacht.
tired feet. Meanwhile, a new holistic facial experience addresses The newest offering on a full program of fitness activities is a
with the addition of intention-setting and gemstones used to
4-mile guided hike along the ancient Hoapili Trail. Also known as
activate the chakras. The Vital Essence Facial is rooted in ancient
the King’s Trail, the Hoapili was designed in the 16th century to
Chinese medicine and designed to improve complexion and overall
unify Maui’s 12 districts. Led by the resort’s Energy Ambassador
skin wellness. A massage cleanse, masks and custom product blend
along the coastline, the excursion reveals expansive ocean views,
are paired with special techniques and a dynamic structured water
ancient stone walls and heiau sites. Mahalo, Maui! fairmont.com/
elixir, leaving you feeling simply beautiful.
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fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness, dryness and uneven skin tone
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Willow Stream Spa wellness experiences and a two-hour yacht
of services. The Restorative Volcanic Foot Experience combines a
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The spa recently added a few new treatments to its tempting menu
kea-lani-maui
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MENÚ DE VERANO WRITTEN BY { JENNIFER
AGRESS
Gio ISSUE No. 5 LIVING GOOD
At luxury resort UNICO 20˚87˚on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, “all-inclusive” even applies to a six-week culinary extravaganza with Michelin-starred chefs and top mixologists.
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here’s something magical about Riviera Maya. The
beer-and-bourbon cart. Take a yoga class; work out at the
unwavering hospitality of its locals aside, Mexico’s
fully equipped gym; do a beachfront exercise class; or enjoy
northeastern Yucatán Peninsula is rich in natural
guided meditation. If you’re a golfer, head to the Robert
beauty. With the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Gulf of
Von Hagge-designed Hard Rock Golf Club Riviera Maya
Mexico on the other, it’s home to powder-white sand beaches,
at UNICO’s sister hotel as many times as you want. Float
swaying palms, red clay deserts and sunsets you’ll dream about
on unicorn rafts in any of three pools and, while you’re at
for days. The food—tacos filled with fish caught in local waters,
it, order a tequila sunrise at two swim-up bars. If you want
grasshopper mole, spicy chilaquiles, and guacamole made
to do some sightseeing, you can take a guided excursion to
tableside with avocados picked from nearby trees—seems
Chichen Itza or the jungles of Riviera Maya, where you can
simple, but opens your
rope-swing or cliff-jump into cenotes, water-filled sinkholes
palate to a world of complex
in the limestone bedrock.
flavors and textures. Walk through the streets of
Room for Comfort
the coastal resort town
Designed for sophisticated travelers, the resort’s 448 lavishly
of Playa del Carmen and
appointed guest rooms make you feel like a star. Every room
watch as the country’s true
has floor-to-ceiling windows looking directly out to the Gulf
colors come alive, literally.
of Mexico, and either a balcony with a double-hydro spa
Whether you’re admiring
tub or a ground-floor terrace with a semi-private swim-up
the handwoven serapes
pool. In-room mini bars are stocked with alcohol and snacks
favored by local men or
according to your preferences, including mixology kits with
the splashy tablescapes at a
the ingredients to make your own cocktails, like the rojo
taqueria, you’ll notice bright
Oaxaca with mezcal, hibiscus flower, house-made agave
hues of sunflower yellow,
syrup infusion, orange juice and diced watermelon. Plush
magenta, green, orange and
robes feel like giant sweatshirts, and there are pillow and
hot-pepper reds everywhere.
aromatherapy menus, too. Everything is touched by local
The playful whimsy of this
designers and features Yucatán Peninsula elements.
palette perfectly aligns with the soundtrack of Mexico:
Personal Concierge
mariachi bands playing
Having everything at your fingertips is part of every
in the streets; children excitedly running through open-air
all-inclusive experience. Having a dedicated local host to
tiendas; and travelers with margaritas in hand, kicking off or
customize your trip is the UNICO 20˚87˚ experience. As
winding down their trip with a joyful “¡Salud!”
a guest of this exclusive resort, you will be met at check-in by an expert on the resort and the area, who will serve as will not only check on you multiple times each day (and
20˚87˚, a property designed for serenity-seeking adults, named
even send a friendly “Good Morning!” at wake-up time)
for the longitude (20° N) and latitude (87° W) of the region.
but also schedule any service or meal you might want; give
In addition to all the usual amenities you’d expect to find,
you insider tips about the surrounding area; wash and iron
this Mexican gem includes plenty of extras, all included in
your clothes; pack for you when it’s time to leave; shine your
the price of your stay. At the holistic wellness spa, you can
shoes; make you cocktails and bring them right to your
spend time in the hydrotherapy suite; indulge in massages
door; change your pillows and aromatherapy selections; and
with volcanic stones; have a healing facial; or stop by the
even draw a bath for you. Your local host can do anything
barbershop and pair a shave with drinks from the salon’s
and everything. All you have to do is ask.
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Convenience meets luxury at the all-inclusive UNICO
ISSUE No. 5
your personal concierge throughout your stay. He or she
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All-Inclusive Redefined
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Mayan culture; his cooking is deeply rooted in Mexican
Five globally inspired restaurant options at UNICO 20°87°
flavors and draws inspiration from all that is Yucatecan.
promise top-notch cuisine for every palate, from elevated
Staying with the local theme, the on-site 20.87 Restaurant
fine dining to casual beachside buffet, all using locally
incorporates the hotel’s coordinates into its name. Sitting
sourced ingredients. For a taste of the Mediterranean,
right on the beach, this option gets to the heart of the
Mi Carisa offers coastal Italian cuisine straight from the
UNICO 20°87° experience with a concept that shifts
wood-burning oven. Mura House draws on flavors and
throughout the day, starting with an extravagant morning
techniques from all over Asia, bringing together three
buffet and transforming into an intimate steak and fish
different styles of Japanese cuisine: teppanyaki, yakitori
grill in the evenings.
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and sushi. For quick and light bites, the European caféinspired Café Inez offers fresh juices, coffee, tea, baked
Of course, when in Mexico, you need to make time for
goods, sandwiches, paninis and salads large enough to
a fiesta or two. Palmera Lounge, a throwback to Cuban
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ISSUE No. 5
Dining and Drinking
constitute a meal. A rotating roster of chefs at Cueva
cocktail lounges of the 1940s, features live entertainment,
Siete—which translates to “Cave Seven,” based on the
expertly crafted rum concoctions, dancing and an
seven original caves of Mayan mythology—currently
authentic cigar bar. Open all day, Bar Balam is UNICO
places Chef Xavier Perez Stone at the helm. His regionally
20°87°’s day-to-night lobby cocktail bar. “Balam” means
focused menu harnesses the mysticism and reverence of
“jaguar” in Mayan (hence, the huge jaguar statue on the
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bar), and it is a powerful symbol of strength in the ancient
Restaurante in Madrid, Spain (July 31-Aug. 4); Chef Abel
Mayan tradition. In that spirit, cocktails are appropriately
Hernández of Eloise Chic Cuisine in Mexico City (Aug.
bold and inspired. If wine is more your style, La Botella is
7-11); Chef Noah Sandoval of two-Michelin-star Oriole, in
the resort’s own wine store, where you’ll find sommelier-
Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood (Aug. 14-18); and Chef
selected reds, whites and sparkling wines.
Jesús Sánchez of two-Michelin-star El Cenador de Amós in Cantabria, Spain (Aug. 21-25).
Superbia Summer plenty more on the menu of summer fun: tequila and wine
20°87°, when six stellar chefs (with eight Michelin stars
tastings, handcrafted cocktails by expert mixologists,
among them) and some of the world’s most innovative
pool parties hosted by world-renowned DJs at three Gulf-
mixologists take over the hotel’s kitchens and bars for six
facing pools, and live entertainment. Perhaps the most
weeks of fine food and drink. In the schedule are Chef
tantalizing aspect of Superbia Summer is that UNICO
Roberto Ruiz of one-Michelin-star Punto MX in Madrid,
20°87° does not charge an additional fee for the privilege
Spain (July 17-21); Chef María José San Román of one-
of partaking in any of it. There are no surprise surcharges
Michelin-star Monastrell in Alicante, Spain (July 24-28);
on your bill at checkout time. All-inclusive, indeed!
Chef J. Antonio Medina of one-Michelin-star A’BARRA
unicohotelrivieramaya.com
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17-Aug. 25), the second annual culinary fiesta at UNICO
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While food is the primary focus of July and August, there’s
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As summer heats up, so does Superbia Summer (July
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CULINARY
TOUR de FORCE Luxury vehicle maker Lexus and its hotel partners are the driving forces behind an annual fine dining weekend filled with surprises. BY { MARIE
LOOK
O
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nce a year, the Lexus Culinary Classic invites driving enthusiasts and gourmands alike to Sausalito’s utterly postcard-perfect retreat known as Cavallo Point, the Lodge at the Golden Gate, for a three-day weekend of epicurean sophistication. The lineup includes multicourse menus by the world-class chefs from Cavallo Point and Lexus’ other hotel partners, pours by Napa Valley vintners, tutoring in wine blending and cheesemaking, and enhanced excursions to destinations both public (the San Francisco’s farmers market) and private (filmmaker George Lucas’ by-invitation-only Skywalker Ranch). It culminates in Sunday afternoon’s Grand Tasting, a veritable smorgasbord of all the hotel partners’ signature dishes alongside premier wines. The whole affair is intended to be not just a good time but also a showcase—a taste—of the kind of special experiences Lexus owners can regularly enjoy. Examples include access to the Lexus Suite Lounge at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre, discounted tickets to Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, preferred parking at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., and being among the first to secure spots at the discrete events on the Classic’s annual itinerary. For the Culinary Classic’s fifth incarnation— featuring 15 world-class chefs, 20 vintners and a fleet of Lexus vehicles—I am along for the ride. Well, in the driver’s seat, technically, as my adventure begins on a Friday in April when I slide behind the precision-crafted steering wheel of a loaned 2019 Lexus LS 500 Hybrid. Boasting a high-performing hybrid engine plus executive-quality seating and superior driveassist technology, the LS promises to be a morethan-acceptable carriage for the six-hour journey my boyfriend and I are now eager to undertake from Los Angeles north to Marin County. So in pursuit of firsthand knowledge of what makes both a Lexus and a Lexus-curated event so unquantifiably special, I ready myself to bite, sip and, yes, steer my way through every aspect of the culinary nirvana that awaits. The 400 miles go by much faster than I expect, with just one break halfway to switch drivers and zero stops for gas. The upgrades don’t hurt either, like the ultracomfortable 28-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats with massage capabilities; the four-zone climate concierge; and a Mark Levinson-designed, immersive surround sound audio system with 23 speakers, including four in the ceiling and the largest subwoofer ever in a Lexus (our road trip playlist never sounded so good). A spacious interior means my boyfriend—who is 6-foot-4 and generally feels cramped in most spaces— doesn’t complain once about a lack of stretching room. Instead, “smooth” and “a surprising amount of acceleration” are his first impressions of the LS 500h.
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With a twin-turbo V-6 engine, 354 total horsepower, and a multistage electronically controlled transmission married to a four-speed automatic transmission, this car has a greater get-up-and-go factor than I had anticipated. Not to mention, it just looks good, both outside and inside, with a 12-inch touch screen up front; premium wood trim; super-soft perforated leather; and Kiriko cut glass and hand-pleated fabric on the door panels. The sum of all the details makes our on-the-road home away from home a delight. By the time we arrive at our destination, the LS 500h has already made a solid case for sustainability and luxury coexisting in the same road machine. But the weekend is just beginning and, as first-timers to the Classic, we’re looking forward to seeing what else Lexus has in store for us. To start? An epic venue. As we start up Cavallo Point’s horseshoe-shaped drive, the visual is striking. The former structures of Fort Baker, a U.S. Army outpost built at the turn of the 20th century, come into view, with several charming officers’ residences—converted into two-story suites—encircling the drive. Now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, these and other historical buildings from the fort’s heyday are part of the 142-room retreat called Cavallo Point, created by the Fort Baker Retreat Group, spearheaded by Passport Resorts and opened in 2008. At the property’s main lodge, the valet temporarily relieves us of the LS 500h, and a porter shuttles us and our bags via golf cart to a higher point on the property, where 13 two-story buildings (constructed according to green architectural standards) comprising Cavallo Point’s contemporary lodging are set into a hillside. Upon entering our secondfloor Contemporary Deluxe King suite via a private entrance, the first thing we notice is the incredible view of the horseshoe drive and front lawn against the breathtaking backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and sailboats touring San Francisco Bay. Also waiting to be appreciated are the 478-square-foot space’s bamboo furnishings, gas fireplace, cozy window seat, floor-to-ceiling windows, and balcony with outdoor lounge chairs facing the water. We’re tempted to enjoy a glass of wine on the deck before sunset, but there will be time for that later. Right now, we have the first Classic event on our itinerary to look forward to—the Asian-inspired East “Meats” West dinner a short walk away at Cavallo Point’s Mission Blue Chapel event space. At the outdoor cocktail hour, we and the other guests enthusiastically circle a 2019 LC Inspiration Series on display—one of just 100 limited-edition vehicles—featuring a V-8 engine, 471 horsepower and the ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. Painted flare yellow with bespoke yellow semi-aniline interior
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trim and yellow stitching, it doesn’t exactly keep a low profile, and as the waitstaff ushers us inside the chapel, my boyfriend and I are still discussing the model’s starting price tag of $106,201. Among our hosts is Lexus ambassador Scott Pruett, a veteran race car driver and the winemaker of Pruett Vineyard, who welcomes everyone to the first Classic event of the weekend. “It’s an honor for me to be a Lexus Brand Ambassador for several reasons,” he says. “Not only do I believe the cars are exceptional in ride, comfort, performance and attention to detail, I completely embrace and embody the culture of Lexus and what it stands for. It’s been a great transition going from racing, where for 50 years I have experienced an adrenaline high, to being able to get my adrenaline fix driving Lexus high-performance vehicles.” Our fellow dinner guests include locals and travelers alike, all with appetites at the ready. And the chefs from Lexus’ hotel partners, in addition to featured chef Brandon Jew of San Francisco’s Michelin-starred restaurant Mister Jiu’s, do not disappoint. The evening’s four tantalizing courses include grilled Magdalena scallops with shimeji mushrooms and kelp flakes by chef Bernard Ibarra (Terranea Resort); Australian lobster dumplings by chef Pablo Mellin (Pebble Beach Resorts); tea-smoked duck breast with black garlic by Jew; and a matcha panna cotta from chef Nate Lindsay (Bardessono). Vintages by Clif Family Winery, selected to complement each course, round out the experience, and suffice to say we don’t return to our room hungry. The next morning, we meet Cavallo Point’s executive chef, Michael Garcia, along with James Beard Award-winning author Laura Werlin and other participants at the main lodge ahead of the Farmers Market Excursion to Ferry Plaza. We’re whisked across the Golden Gate Bridge via the property’s fleet of Lexus vehicles (always available to Cavallo Point guests for test-drives or short outings) to the landmark Ferry Building, home since 1993 to the city’s best-known marketplace. We weave among the vendors, surveying locally sourced meats, fish, vegetables, nuts, flowers and more. Garcia explains that all purveyors at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market must be from the area and incorporate sustainable farming practices, which enhance the quality and taste of their foods. But talk can be cheap—well, less delicious anyway—so we taste-test where we’re permitted to do so, sinking our teeth into slices of blood oranges, tender-skinned tomatoes and berries bursting with juice. At the urging of Werlin, an expert in Marin County’s cheeses, we try the awardwinning organic farmstead products by Nicasio Valley Cheese, which are so good my boyfriend and I agree, right there on the spot, that all other cheeses will forever pale in comparison. With our appetites now in check, we return
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to Cavallo Point in time for the afternoon’s Napa Valley Wine Blending class, led by Lexus ambassador, master sommelier and CEO of Heitz Cellar Carlton McCoy, and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards winemaker Brooke Shenk. The knowledgable pair describe differences in the flavor, body, tannins and color of four varietals: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Then, armed with a number of St. Supéry vintages and a graduated cylinder, I play winemaker for an hour, pouring, swirling and tasting a few millileters at a time, zeroing in on blends that are pleasing to my palate. My tablemates and I enjoy comparing our results. If the afternoon was all about education, the evening will be all about play. The main event, the Forage and Feast dinner, is set to unfold at the very magical, very private Skywalker Ranch, which has served as both a workplace and a retreat for Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas over the past four decades. Among its sprawling 4,000-plus acres are such reported wonders as a farm with animals, organic gardens, a vineyard, an olive grove, an apiary and an observatory. But the ranch is not open to the public, nor is it visible from the road, nor is photography permitted. I absolutely can’t wait to see it. About 90 enthusiastic dinner guests, including my boyfriend and I, are transported via chauffeured Lexus vehicle 35 minutes north of Cavallo Point to the secluded enclave in the Nicasio region of Marin County. Just as the sun starts to set, we arrive at the edge of the ranch’s sprawling acreage, of which much remains undeveloped, preserving the land’s majestic beauty. After traveling through a gate and down a long, winding road, we reach the area of the property known as Summit at Skywalker Ranch, an exclusive retreat for invited guests only. Following a reception in the ranch’s private wine tasting room, where vintages by winemaker Scott McLeod for Skywalker Vineyards are flowing, we move to the Summit’s main building. After we enter, the polite directives of “no photography inside, please” make complete sense, as I take in the rare art, memorabilia and vintage movie posters. The only element that could rival the cinematic ambiance is the cuisine, including four farm-to-table courses by chefs Derek Leinonen (Lake Placid Lodge), Laurent Pillard (St. Regis Aspen Resort), Sunny Jin (Resort at Paw’s Up) and Ryan Rupp (Skywalker Ranch). My favorites include Pillard’s grilled Spanish octopus with green chickpea hummus, spiced panisse and lime, and Jin’s cask-smoked king salmon, served with parsnips, candied kumquats, blistered radishes and juniper gastrique. Following our meal, Skywalker staff invite us to tour the main building at our leisure, so as singer-songwriter Sara Niemietz croons, my boyfriend and I make our way upstairs to
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The 2020 Lexus Culinary Classic is expected to take place in April, with tickets made available in February. Lexus owners receive a 15 percent discount on tickets to Classic events and Cavallo Point offers a 10 percent discount on accommodations for guests attending a Classic event. lexusculinaryclassic.com, cavallopoint.com
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visit The Rockwell Gallery, where we thrill at the opportunity to admire some of George Lucas’ private art collection, which includes original works by Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish and others alongside original concept art for the Star Wars films. After a good night’s sleep—and visions of fine food and drink dancing in our heads—we manage to rouse ourselves Sunday morning in time for the Mission Blue Ride, a spin class with Lexus ambassador and former professional cyclist Christian Vande Velde. Though he’s competed in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, he quickly puts our fears at ease: The class will be intense but not intimidating. To a killer soundtrack, he motivates us through sprints, up hills, and in and out of our bicycles’ saddles. Instead of struggling to keep up, we find ourselves smiling, laughing and, most definitely, sweating as we put 60 minutes toward burning off a fraction of the unforgettable indulgences we’ve enjoyed over the past few days. Before we know it, the only event remaining is that afternoon’s Lexus Grand Tasting, held in one of Cavallo Point’s well-appointed event spaces with a view of the bridge and featuring 10 Lexus hotel partner chefs in addition to craft beer from Blackberry Farm brewery and vintners from Napa Valley, Marin and Sierra Foothills. For guests who have chosen this as their single Culinary Classic event to attend, it must be an exciting—and mouthwatering—introduction to all that Cavallo Point and the other Lexus hotel partners have to offer. For my boyfriend and me, however, the Grand Tasting is equal parts exciting and bittersweet, as we realize we are now enjoying our last few bites with new friends. We bounce among the circle of tables, visiting with the chefs, taste-testing dishes and noting our favorites. Before we go, we try Laura Werlin’s magnificent grilled cheese sandwich, featuring cheddar, raspberry jam and chocolate; and we enjoy one more glass of red with Lexus driving ambassador Scott Pruett as he pours us one of his own vintages. And then, as much as we hate to tear ourselves away, it’s time to start thinking about returning to our lives in Los Angeles and bringing our luxurious Lexus Culinary Classic weekend to a close. Well, almost to a close—we can still look forward to enjoying those massages in the Lexus LS 500h on the way home.
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BIVALVES AND BUBBLY
pop over to Four Seasons resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara for Dom Pérignon and oysters every Friday night, all summer long. KELLY SCHNEIDER BONNIE DAVIDSON
WRITTEN BY } EDITED BY }
E
xtra-special occasions call for vintage Dom Pérignon and freshly shucked oysters. That’s the thinking behind By the Glass & By the Shell, a celebratory event to kick off summer weekends at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara.
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As part of its new summer offerings, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is featuring this sure-to-please, end-of-the-workweek Champagne and oyster bash at the Ty Lounge every Friday, through Aug. 31st.
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I recently had the pleasure of attending the preview of the weekly summertime soirée, which was held in the La Pacifica Ballroom and Terrace at Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, the exclusive
A crowd of local foodies and spirits enthusiasts toasted with the premier Champagne brand’s 2006 vintage. We enjoyed endless glasses of Dom Pérignon, as well as offerings from the seafood buffet (lobster, shrimp, clams and oysters) and gold-encrusted desserts.
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This decadent new experiential dining program features Dom Pérignon Vintage by the glass, paired with plump, briny oysters shucked tableside and an array of specially crafted mignonette sauces.
beach club adjacent to Four Seasons. Beside Butterfly Beach with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, this was an optimal setting for a most elegant affair.
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FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA The iconic destination, built in 1927 and rich in Santa Barbara history, recently underwent a $350-milliondollar renovation. Set on 22 lush acres along the California coastline, just 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is the epitome of beauty and elegance.
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Guests in a “Jungle Room” category or higher also receive complementary access to the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, adjacent to and managed by Four Seasons. Offering exceptional views and tasteful decor, the club features a modern aesthetic and an Olympic-size swimming pool.
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Featuring Art Deco tiles and elaborate light fixtures, the heart of the resort is the pool, surrounded by detailed brickwork, a seemingly infinite jungle landscape and endless cabanas. The Bungalow suites come complete with their own private pools. Amenities are extensive: a full service spa, onsite José Eber salon, and four restaurants all feature panoramic ocean views.
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Situated atop the vast and beautiful Butterfly Beach, the resort features 206 guest rooms, as well as 12 exclusive bungalows that effortlessly capture the SoCal vibe. All private bungalows and terraces overlook the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. The grounds feel tropical, with impeccable landscaping and excellent use of indoor and outdoor spaces.
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FARO BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY
WRITTEN BY { ANGELA
FAIRHURST
I
Gio ISSUE No. 5 LIVING GOOD
n the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Faro is a pasta-centric American-Italian restaurant with one Michelin star. Located in a renovated warehouse once used by MoMA to store sculptures, the industrialchic space features high ceilings, whitewashed brick and reclaimed wood. Chef/co-owner Kevin Adey focuses on using healthful, locally sourced produce from New York farms and meats from Animal Welfare Approved heritage breed animals. He mills his own wheat and corn for fresh, handmade pasta, bread and porridge (and offers glutenfree alternatives); butchers whole animals; and serves his food on dishware handcrafted by Brooklyn potters. Menus are seasonal, based on available ingredients, and every preparation is creative and delicious. The chef’s rabbit larb with young snap peas, radishes, greens and mint vinaigrette is a standout. His handmade tortelloni with peas, ricotta and bottarga is in the category “best pasta I’ve ever had.” His signature dish, a wood-fired crispy pig’s head, is plated with pickled green strawberries and watercress to cut the richness. Other menu highlights: mackerel crudo, candele pasta with lamb ragu, and rolled radish. Note: Faro is a short walk from the Jefferson Street stop on the L train, but service on that subway line may be slow due to ongoing repair. Traveling from Manhattan? Call an Uber or hail a taxi. 436 Jefferson St., Brooklyn, NY, 718.381.8201, farobk.com
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Moxy Chelsea NYC
F L OW E R D I S T R I C T, N E W YO R K C I T Y WRITTEN BY { ANGELA
FAIRHURST
M
Gio ISSUE No. 5 LIVING GOOD
oxy Chelsea NYC, a recently opened, 35-story expansion of Marriott International’s lifestyle hotel brand, blends beautifully into its neighborhood, New York City’s Flower District. Guests pass through the floral design shop, Putnam & Putnam, to enter this fragrant urban oasis, where four dining and drinking concepts by TAO Group and Francesco Panella include Feroce Caffè, an all-day cafe and pasticceria; Feroce Ristorante, a lively indoor/outdoor spot serving classic and modern interpretations of Italian dishes; and Bar Feroce, a second-floor lobby lounge and backyard garden, where visitors and locals sip cocktails and snack on spuntini (Italian bar bites). Most opulent is The Fleur Room, a Rockwell Group-designed rooftop bar and lounge with a wall of glass that affords a jaw-dropping panorama of the Manhattan skyline, from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building. In warm weather, the floor-to-ceiling windows retract, turning the lofty space into an alfresco veranda. Year-round, a copper-clad bar, water droplet chandelier and vintage disco ball salvaged from L.A.’s Vertigo nightclub complete the enchanting ambiance. Spirits are lifted even higher with a fizzy Spritz Barbarossa (Tanqueray, Cappelletti, prosecco, blood orange). 105 W. 28th St., New York, NY, 212.514.6699, moxy-hotels.marriott.com/nyc/chelsea
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what a
TRIP WRITTEN BY { BONNIE
DAVIDSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { DAVID
MITCHELL
THREE HIGH-CONCEPT COCKTAIL
BARS FROM HOSPITALITY CAPTAIN GERBER GROUP HAVE JUST
LANDED—INSIDE A 1962 AIRLINE TERMINAL, ABOARD A VINTAGE
LOCKHEED CONSTELLATION PLANE AND POOLSIDE OVERLOOKING AN
ACTIVE RUNWAY—AT JFK AIRPORT’S NEW LANDMARK TWA HOTEL.
B
ack in the days when flight attendants were called stewardesses and pilots turned off “no smoking” signs once airborne, Trans World Airlines passengers arriving or departing at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport passed through the TWA Flight Center, a spectacular, neo-futuristic terminal designed by architect Eero Saarinen and built in 1962 for Howard Hughes. Thirteen miles from midtown Manhattan, the midcentury masterpiece was curvaceous, carpeted in chile-pepper red and undeniably sexy. An icon of the heady, golden age of air travel, it was designated a New York City landmark in 1994, shuttered when TWA Airlines went out of business in 2001, and listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places in 2005. Now, after a $268 million restoration and renovation, the beloved building is revived as the TWA Hotel, a 512-room retro-chic destination with firstclass amenities; six restaurants, including Paris Café from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten; a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, said to be the world’s biggest hotel gym; mini-museum curated by the New-York Historical Society; and a payload of high-end retail options, including a Shinola store. For lofty libations, Gerber Group, the owner-operator of 15 cocktail bars and restaurants across New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Santiago, Chile, offers three innovative bar concepts—The Pool Bar & Observation Deck, Connie and The Sunken Lounge. Make reservations… and fasten your seatbelts.
THE POOL BAR & OBSERVATION DECK A prime perch for sipping, snacking and watching the big birds go up, up and away, The Pool Bar & Observation Deck is on the seventh floor of the TWA Hotel. A 63-by-20-foot infinity-edge pool (open year-round) and 10,000-squarefoot observation deck afford guests a 360-degree view of multiple JFK runways, including two of the longest in North America. Close enough to see all the action, but far enough away to avoid jet fumes and engine noise, plane spotters can order classic and specialty cocktails with aviation-inspired names like The Runway and The MileHigh Spritz; wines by the glass; craft beers; fresh-pressed juices; and light bites, including smashed avocado with red onion, jalapeño, pomegranate and blue corn chips.
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thepoolbartwa.com
CONNIE Across the tarmac and up the aircraft stairs, visitors enter Connie, one of only four Lockheed Constellation L1649A planes left in the world, now transformed into a 125-seat cocktail lounge. Inside and out, from wingtip to wingtip and nose to tail, the 1958 speed demon built by Lockheed Martin was painstakingly restored to its original glory. The cockpit, refitted with authentic flight instruments, is open for inspection. In the spacious cabin, airplane seats have enough legroom to perform an aerial ballet between rows; if you’re not lucky enough to snag one, there’s a cozy seating area at the front of the plane, perfect for proposing a toast over an old fashioned or two and nibbling on some marinated olives or crudite with hummus.
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THE SUNKEN LOUNGE In the space where crowds of screaming teens gathered in 1965 to welcome the Beatles on their second visit to the United States, The Sunken Lounge, adjacent to the bustling hotel lobby, is a most stylish place to linger during a layover, with or without a martini. Cushioned red banquets and small tulip tables furnish this conversation pit, and an old-fashioned split-flap board clicks and clacks as it displays the times of make-believe arrivals and departures. Connie, the vintage plane-turned-bar, is visible beyond the soaring wall of glass. Off to the sides, the tube-like corridors made famous in the movie Catch Me If You Can connect to Jet Blue’s Terminal 5 and two guest room wings, Hughes and Saarinen. Retro cocktails include the three-olive Sunken Lounge Martini, served with a TWA flight wings pin; and the Come Fly With Me, garnished with a sprig of mint and a classic TWA swizzle stick.
thesunkenloungetwa.com
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CASA,
DULCE CASA Living on a caribbean beach is easy at La Amada, a luxury condominium community on Playa Mujeres, Mexico. BY {
MISTY MILIOTO
Only a few miles from tourist-packed Cancun, Mexico, Playa Mujeres features privacy, serenity, breathtaking white-sand beaches, an underwater sculpture museum and the only residential offering for those seeking a permanent getaway in this part of the Yucatan. La Amada, composed of 215 luxury condominium residences (118 are still available for sale), is located within this 930-acre master-planned resort community. With incredible views of the Caribbean Sea, an on-site marina and the lush Laguna de Chacmochuc Preserve, these tropical yet modern homes feature authentic and locally inspired design with marble flooring, lavish stone, custom wood cabinetry and high-end appliances.
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The community allows owners and their guests to enjoy the advantages of a luxury beach resort without the crowds and without ever leaving home. A new 23,000-square-foot Beach Club wows, with two infinity pools leading to a private beach, posh cabanas for exclusive lounging, and a locally inspired restaurant serving up dishes like catch-of-the-day ceviche and Baja tacos. Other amenities include the Yacht Club building’s rooftop deck with a 100-foot pool, swimup bar, grilling area and hammocks; and a recently expanded, top-notch health club with state-of-the-art equipment and space for group exercise classes and yoga. Meanwhile, the Owner’s Lounge features a prep kitchen and is perfect for hosting gatherings. Parents can volley on the grass tennis courts or shoot hoops on the basketball court, while las niñas y los niños enjoy time at the 538-square-foot La Amada Kids Club. For grab-and-go bites, the Marketplace Cafe offers food, wine, an indoor coffee bar and gourmet ice cream. Additionally, ownership in the community comes with access to the Greg Norman-designed golf course at Playa Mujeres Golf Club, the Playa Mujeres Marina, lush rain forest gardens and the Mayan ruins of El Meco. The area also is home to world-class fly-fishing, kitesurfing, whale shark-watching (mid-May through September), deep sea fishing and birdwatching. Condominiums from about $340,000 to $1.5 million. 888.389.5302, laamada.com
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MODERNISMO
mexicano
DESIGNER
E R I N N VA L E N C I C H R E I M AG I N E S T H I S C A B O S A N L U C A S R E S I D E N C E W I T H A N AT U R A L T W I S T
PHOTOGRAPHY BY {
MELISSA VALLADARES
I
’ve always loved Mexico. So when I was presented with the opportunity to reimagine this villa in Cabo San Lucas,
I said yes. It ended up being a gut renovation and required a lot of large-scale changes to the architecture. Although the location was amazing, it was definitely lacking in a point of view and had a serious dose of ’90s style that needed an update. My goal with the project was to bring in more natural elements, warm woods and stone, instead of the slick glossy materials that had been chosen years before, to give it an organic feeling-a modern take on the warmth you find in classic Mexican architecture. I wanted a timeless look, but with modern flair. For instance, some of the rooms had typical Mexican colors, vibrant blues and greens, which were beautiful but felt dated, so I painted all the rooms white, and filled them with natural color palettes. For the sofas, I used a gorgeous Ralph Lauren printed fabric, which had a chic Mexican vibe. The warm tones contrasted with the whites and tied in the darker wood wall that continued from the entry into the living room.
The backyard received the largest overhaul. My clients really wanted to increase the usability of the backyard. The oceanfront property had a great view, but it had a lawn area which limited the amount of space that the family could use out there, and it was elements that hung over the deck were cut the top of the structure, giving the area height and grandeur. I also completely changed the wall. The grass lawn was replaced with wood and stone decking, and we added a huge modern bar/barbecue area for entertaining. The perimeter wall now has a wood trellis,
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exterior and raised the roofline with a parapet
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back, and a new wood overhang is level with
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awkwardly broken up. Rounded architectural
and a large stone fireplace wall with lights glows in the evening. 128
I love wood, metal and stone together! For the long entry hall
is right in line with the desert theme of the entire property.
from the front door down to the living room, we clad one wall
I continued that theme with the landscaping in the front of
with wood, which contrasts nicely with the white walls and
the house, as well, by removing the lawn and palm trees and
sleek tile flooring. There were frosted windows in the dining
bringing in sand and succulents and desert grasses.
room to shield the view of the neighbor, so we added woodslatted screens to those. Wherever it felt natural to put in a
This project took a year, so as one can imagine, it was quite
wood element, we did.
an immersive process, to say the least. It was really great to find multiple ways to find relaxation and get the physical and
The kitchen was given new life by removing the upper
mental rest I needed to complete the job.
cabinets altogether and tiling the back wall with a warm tumbled stone. Since this kitchen had a massive amount of
Now the sunsets may be breathtaking, but Mother Nature is
storage, the uppers were not really needed, especially since
always a powerful presence. Back in 2014, Hurricane Odile
the family stayed in the home for only a week at a time. I
completely took out the swimming pool while running her
stained the cabinetry darker to modernize it. The result was
course through the Baja Peninsula, so we had to completely
a kitchen that feels more open and allows for great art and
re-do the pool and palapa, which allowed me to change the
stone to be the focal point, instead of excess cabinetry. We did
Jacuzzi and add some fire elements out by the waterline.
a custom canopy to hang multiple metal mesh light fixtures, bringing in a mix of materials.
I think that it’s important for any work I do to feel cohesive. Each bedroom has it’s own palette, but it’s a subtle difference
I was born to parents with green thumbs (my father was a
from space to space. With this particular project, I kept in
landscape architect, my mother an avid gardener), so plants
mind the feeling of being at a chic boutique hotel. When on
are always a huge component in any work of mine. I had a
vacation, I think that’s the feeling we all want, to feel swept
custom succulent wall done for the hallway which, of course,
away by an exotic location, but also peaceful and comfortable.
5 Things I Adore About C A B O SA N LU C A S 1. Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful resort city, bubbling with culture and cuisine. 2. Mexico has beautiful landscaping. The native plants and trees served as the inspiration for the color palette I chose for this home, as exemplified in the rich browns and orange on the doors, and the natural, earthy colors throughout.
4. Las Ventanas is the best hotel in Cabo San Lucas. Lucky for me, it’s walking
5. The sunsets in Cabo are absolutely breathtaking. I relished having them as my daily backdrop.
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distance from this project!
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nearby job site was a perfect reason to dine there more than usual.
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3. One of my favorite restaurants, Flora Farms, is situated in Cabo. Having a
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HIDDEN NO MORE BY }
YUMIKO WHITAKER JOHN RUSSO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY }
Local Botanic Treasure Emerges as a Haven
O
ften referred to as a hidden gem and jewel of the peninsula, South Coast Botanic Garden’s 87-acre expanse is Los Angeles’ answer to the bustling rigors of urban life.
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Located just 25 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles, the site also caters to a
As a thriving nonprofit foundation that is part of a County of Los Angeles collaborative, the Garden’s trustees and leadership are working hard to expand its reach as a premier cultural attraction. One such effort is the soon-to-arrive exhibit dubbed Hide and Seek: Art Meets Nature, featuring pieces from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The project represents a pivotal moment for the Garden and for LACMA, as the art museum packs up its galleries for a major renovation project and the Garden opens its gates to a selection of notable works for long-term display. southcoastbotanicgarden.org
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An engaged and growing membership base frequent the space for regular treks through the Garden’s open meadows, showpiece Rose Garden, Instagrammable Living Wall, and rugged interiors reminiscent of outdoor jewels such as Mammoth, the desert and other quick getaway destinations. Many first-time
Generations of members and visitors have entrusted the Garden to play host to life’s biggest celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and memorials, in addition to serving as a perfect backdrop for corporate events. The Garden also supports the local community and its partners with private receptions, meeting space and free school visits and tours.
plethora of film and entertainment shoots for TV’s most popular shows and a cadre of world-renowned recording artists.
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Tucked away by a plethora of massive trees and thriving greenery lining its entrance on fast-moving Crenshaw Boulevard at the base of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, this biodiverse South Bay treasure welcomes thousands of local and international visitors annually.
visitors convert their modest admission fee to a membership to take advantage of the Garden’s year-round splendor and robust slate of fitness classes, familyfriendly entertainment offerings such as movie nights, concerts, and themed scavenger hunts, horticulture and art workshops, or for the vast get-lost-in-themoment respite spaces.
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After nearly 20 years and 11 cinematic installments in the X-Men saga, Marvel’s superheroes explore space —and their own psyches— in Dark Phoenix, the highly anticipated franchise finale.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO WRITTEN BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON
It’s the 1990s. An interplanetary mission to rescue NASA astronauts goes terribly wrong when young telepath Jean Grey becomes possessed by an evil cosmic force, her powers amplify and turn lethal, and she spirals out of control. Meanwhile, a mysterious extraterrestrial has entered the picture with her own dangerous agenda. In X-Men: Dark Phoenix,
Simon Kinberg’s directorial debut, the mutants must confront a demon in the family and, in the process, reveal their own humanity. Here, the five stars—Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Nicholas Hoult and James McAvoy—share their thoughts on the 12th (and probably final) X-Men sequel’s shockingly intense and dramatic characters.
JESSICA CHASTAIN
{ A DANGEROUS EXTRATERRESTRIAL } STYLING BY { ELIZABETH HAIR BY { DJ
QUINTERO MAKEUP BY { TYRON
STEWART
Clearly, Jessica Chastain has the power to captivate on television and in films. She’s brought nuance to performances in Zero Dark Thirty, The Martian, The Help, Interstellar and The Zookeeper’s Wife. In Dark Phoenix, she plays a shapeshifting alien whose identity was shrouded in mystery prior to the film’s release. What can you say about your character?
Did you have a hard time getting inside her psyche?
I’m fascinated by the powers of Jean Grey [played by Sophie
coming from a very logical place. And so, her decisions and
Turner]. I try to inspire her to embrace her power and not be
actions weren’t motivated by emotion. It was a sense of
ashamed of it. And [I have] devious plans to use it for myself.
figuring out what was in front of me, and X plus Y minus 3
I can say I play an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth because
I didn’t so much have to do that with her, because she was
is this. It’s very much her always moving forward but never
Did you do any comics research?
wallowing.
multiple characters in the X-Men universe, and I couldn’t just
Did you have to spend a lot of time getting into makeup?
Strictly script, because my character is a culmination of research her through the comics.
It’s no makeup. Basically, that’s the color of my eyebrows and eyelashes! [Actress] Tilda Swinton and I have very similar
Did you watch (or rewatch) the earlier movies?
coloring, so I was inspired by her. I was talking to Simon and
I’d seen them all, but I didn’t feel like I needed to go back before
said, “If I don’t wear makeup, my coloring is going to be like
we started shooting, because it is a different film. And I knew,
Tilda Swinton’s, and perhaps with a light wig, there could be
with Simon [Kinberg] directing, it was going to be its own thing.
something really open about that.” I told him I wanted to create a character that you felt like you could fall into their eyes, and
What made you decide to sign up for a superhero film?
by not wearing makeup, it really kind of allows that.
together on The Martian. I loved the Dark Phoenix story. The
This is Simon’s directorial debut. How was he as a director?
It was a connection with Simon, because we’d worked
antagonist and protagonist are both females, which I thought
He’s wonderful as a director because he really leaves space
was fascinating. And there are some great scenes between
for actors to contribute. When I said that I had this idea about
Sophie’s Phoenix and my character.
her as this clinical veterinarian type, he immediately went
movie in their head when they’re writing, so they have trouble
met with Simon and we were talking about the character, I told
seeing it any way other than that, and nothing will ever be
him that I had this idea of her being like the vet who tells you
what was in their imagination, because people are human
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that you must put your dog to sleep. She comes from a place
beings and have their own ideas. He was very welcoming to
where she has more knowledge than you. She’s clinical, not
work with in collaboration.
There was something in that that I really connected to, this
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speeches that I have in the film. Sometimes writers create the
She’s mysterious, but she’s very straightforward. When I first
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home and wrote something, and I think it inspired one of the
Is your character complicated?
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emotional, and if you don’t agree with her to kill your dog, she’s going to judge that you’re not being humane in your decision.
What would you say is the theme of the movie?
The movie is about freedom of being who you are, the sense
kind of clinical, vast, intelligent being that was there just to try
of our happiness and sadness, the light and the dark. One
to, in her mind, help people. She says something about good
can’t exist without the other, and to suppress one side of
and evil just being labels… If you think about Jean Grey, for
who we are, I think, leads to more damage. You must express
the majority of her life she has been trying to be a good girl, to
yourself. You have to talk things through, to communicate
behave a certain way and do what she’s been told. Now she
with your family. And when you cover up what you think makes
feels so much shame about this darkness. Honestly, we all
you ugly by ignoring it, more chaos ensues. When a person
have darkness. You can’t have light without darkness. So she
[goes through a] transformation, do you lose them? Are they
doesn’t have to hide her imperfections or the things about her
no longer who they were? There’s that sense of loss, also. So
that might be messy. That’s what I played with this character.
much about this movie is about family.
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MICHAEL FASSBENDER
{ ERIK LEHNSHERR / MAGNETO } STYLIST BY { VICTORIA GROOMING BY { LEE
SEKRIER MACHIN
Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender has played Erik Lehnsherr, the mutant terrorist also known as Magneto, since 2011’s X-Men: First Class. As the X-Men’s most dangerous foe, Magneto is able to telekinetically manipulate magnetic fields. Over time, the character has evolved into a leader in his own right and even struggled with society’s treatment of mutants. Dark Phoenix finds him living on the remote island of Genosha, a refuge for wayward and homeless mutants. What brought you back to the film series?
as a child and then, of course, with his wife and
another, to be comfortable with one another
child—a sense of death is always with him. But
and to have that camaraderie. We trust each
specifically wanted to come back because
this is a mature Erik. He’s more at peace, and he
other, we depend on each other and we all like
only leaves this haven out of loyalty. It’s like an
each other. So, it’s just the maturation of that
old Western. He’s got to go on his mission.
relationship, I think.
Did you get to act with Jessica Chastain?
Are you ever tempted to go method with Magneto’s feeling of isolation?
I loved the journey up to Dark Phoenix and Simon [Kinberg] was directing. I wanted to
lend whatever I could bring to the table for him. He was such a fantastic collaborator and engineer of First Class , Days of Future Past and
Apocalypse, and I was really excited to see him
It was great to have her join us. We didn’t
get in the director’s chair.
really have a lot of scenes together; just a few moments in the final act of the movie.
Absolutely there are times where I’ll just go
How did Simon do in his directorial debut?
She’s present with Jean, and so it mainly was
away and find a corner where I can just be by
acting beats that I had any interaction with
myself if I need to be in more of a meditative
like he’d been doing it for years. He’s been on so
her character, to be fair. It’s a very technical
state. We’re all at ease with one another.
exercise. You’ve got to make sure that the
We all know each other very well and it’s
timings are right and know that a lot of things
whatever each of us needs to do. There’s
are going to be added in later. It’s making sure
always a respect there about whatever the
those rhythms are correct.
other person’s process is and if anyone is ever
He was very relaxed, very confident; it seemed many massive films and been an integral part in so many of them. He’s also a very smart man, the kind of guy that doesn’t speak unless he’s educated on something or has knowledge on it. He observes, he listens—all the ingredients to make a great director. I think he wanted to strip everything down, boil it down to the bones… even visually, the way he shot it. A lot of it is handheld, and I’m not wearing any Magneto costumes. The helmet is there, but everything
It depends what my mood is on the day.
struggling on camera, or in a moment, we’re
Have you gotten used to the whole special effects aspect of filmmaking these days?
all there for each other 100 percent. We want
movies, you had to imagine what they
What is the theme this time around?
everyone to be the best on these sets.
Absolutely. When I started doing effects
were going to put in later. There was some
Female characters and power. Simon had unfinished business after The Last Stand , and
storyboarding stuff. But now they’ve got previsualization stuff that they show you on a
you could tell from Apocalypse that he was
Did the others envy you for being able to wear a turtleneck and jeans?
laptop, to see what it’s going to look like and the
putting this story in place, setting it up. So, the
geographical elements. Of course, you know
germ of that was there. And the timing, as it
it’s going to be a lot more fantastical when the
happens, just seems to be in sync with what’s
was an easy in and out for me, especially if you
team has spent some time on it. I enjoy the
going on in the real world. But Simon’s always
technical challenges; it’s another thing that
been of that mindset, the equality across the
needs to be learned, and it’s something that
board for both the female and male characters.
I don’t know! I certainly was very thankful that it look at what Nicholas goes through each day
is fun to explore. It’s not only being in time
What’s going on with Erik?
stunt team. If you’re on wires, it’s the riggers… Everybody is communicating in the same
Somebody else is causing trouble?” Although
always alive in him! He’s formed Genosha,
rhythm. It’s like a dance and I enjoy that.
Apocalypse already stole that from me in the
He’s finally become the cult leader that was so he’s managed to create this community, independent state/nation where mutants can live in harmony and without attack, and anyone who agrees to pitch in and do their part is welcome. It’s self-sufficient, it’s off the grid, and it’s the culmination of his struggles through the series. Since his family has been ripped away from him—[considering] what happened to him
with the actors. It’s also being in time with the
Were you pleased to not be the threat?
I was a little bit jealous, to be honest. “What?
movie before, so I was getting used to it!
Was the mood still playful on set?
At the beginning you’re really trying to bond with everyone, you’re getting to know each
Would you come back again if asked?
I’m not spending much time thinking about it.
other. Those sorts of silly games can be a little
I’ve had a great journey on these four films.
annoying if people are trying to gather order
I’m happy. If something comes up that looks
on set, but they’re also very important for the
interesting, I’m always willing to read and take a
actors to get to a personal level with one
look. But I’m perfectly happy.
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easier route.
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as Beast! Compared to him, I definitely had an
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is pared down to be a character exploration.
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{ JEAN GREY / PHOENIX } STYLING BY { KATE
YOUNG WOOD MAKE UP BY { HUNG VANNGO HAIR BY { CHRISTIAN
SOPHIE TURNER
Best known as Sansa Stark on HBO’s phenomenal hit Game of Thrones, Sophie Turner first joined the cast of X-Men in 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse as Jean Grey, a class-five mutant with telepathic and telekinetic abilities. In Dark Phoenix, her character’s superpowers go into overdrive and threaten to destroy our planet, even as she wrestles with her own inner demons. Did you have any inkling your character’s evolution would be so extreme?
know how to work around actors and how
just thought it was going to be an ensemble
And a very smart one. I said, “Simon, you
No, not really. When I went into Apocalypse, I
piece the whole way through. Once we started wrapping up that film, I heard whispers from the hair and makeup people, who’d heard the next one’s about Jean. But I didn’t really know until about six months before we started shooting and Simon [Kinberg] sat me down and discussed what this was going to be. From that meeting, up until we started shooting, we were just working, working, working on it. It was very
have to direct for the rest of your life. You’re incredible.”
Was it exhausting—emotionally or physically—to embrace Jean’s dark side?
It started out to be quite draining, but when I started to approach the character a little differently, I realized that the dark side of Jean is a release for her. She almost goes into a meditative state. It just feels so good. And that switched it around, where the dark
How did you research the role?
because it needed to come out of Jean. The
was more on Jean’s psychology. We based
and not Phoenix.
a lot of her emotions on mental illness and addiction, and specifically, schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder, so we did a lot of research on that. I became fascinated by mental health. What really grounds this movie is that it’s character-driven and emotional, and not always fantastical like the
side was the calmest part of all of it for me, hardest part was just playing Jean herself
Was it fun to inhabit her kick-ass side?
It was very fun. But I guess I’m just attracted to kick-ass female characters. It’s nice to play empowering women. That’s all I currently look for in scripts—strong, powerful women. But I think that’s what every female actress is
other superhero movies.
looking for in scripts right now.
You have an incredibly dramatic role. Were you nervous about it?
This might be the first superhero film— and maybe the first film of any kind, ever—in which both the antagonist and protagonist are women. Your thoughts?
Yeah, I was quite nervous. I mean, in
Apocalypse I didn’t really have a crazy
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amount to work with. I had a little bit of the character. But I read the script and it was
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interested, passionate, enthusiastic director.
exciting.
There wasn’t any Dark Phoenix research, it
thought, “Oh my God, this is incredible.” It just
a delicious five-course meal for an actor. I meant a lot of preparation and hard work, but Simon was the perfect partner in crime. He was the most collaborative, supportive director ever. And it was his first time directing, so we were both cheering each other on from the sidelines. He completely belongs in the directing world. Obviously, his writing and producing past really helped him
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to work around the crew. He’s a genuinely
All the female characters in this movie
are strong. We have a female protagonist, a female antagonist … [and] the female protagonist is also somewhat of an antagonist. And it’s all about Jean’s relationship with the females throughout this movie, which is really very interesting. None of the women are subservient to a man, which is incredible. It’s crazy to think that this is the first X-Men movie led by women. That’s really exciting to me. And it comes at exactly the right time as well.
How do you feel about the costumes, especially those ’90s yellow outfits? Did you all start laughing at each other? Kind of! It was also cool, though, because
those are the iconic comic book costumes. It was fun to see all of us together in those. Often the comic books are so far from what the movies are.
How do you like working with special effects?
It can be quite embarrassing. There are moments I feel like such an idiot doing it. I mean, a lot of the time I was holding a tennis ball. For minutes! But it’s also quite challenging and fun, because you really need to push your imagination with it. There’s a bit that you see in the trailer where there’s a helicopter and I’m turning it. And that wasn’t green screen. I got to do that, and the helicopter really crashed down on the ground. And that was, like, the coolest thing! That was when I really felt like a superhero. But the rest of the time I just feel like an idiot.
What was it like working with Jessica?
I was a huge fan of hers before we met, so I was terrified to meet her. I kept hiding when Simon would say, “Come meet Jessica.” She’s been so influential to me. I still can’t believe I got to have one-on-one scenes with Jessica Chastain! That is the coolest thing as an actress—to have someone like that doing one-on-one scenes. Female empowerment. It was amazing. We had a really good time… little pranksters on set. Jessica’s a lot of fun.
How was it getting back together with the gang?
It’s a really fun cast. We’re all such good friends and we spend every evening together. It’s just such a family, down to the producers, the director… Everyone is just so in love with each other.
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NICHOLAS HOULT
{ HANK MCCOY / BEAST } STYLING BY { WENDI
& NICOLE CRAIG
GROOMING BY { KUMI
Nicholas Hoult returns to the role of Hank McCoy, whose mutant power transforms him into the figure known as Beast, with blue fur, night vision and claws. Hoult has played the character in First Class, Days of Future Past and Apocalypse. In Dark Phoenix, Hank has settled into his role as a professor at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. But things are about to change for him and everyone else, as fellow mutant Jean Grey’s power begins to grow. What’s going on with Hank in Dark Phoenix?
people on set, there’s already so much which is imagined that at
at the end of the last one. He still lives at Xavier’s School for Gifted
there’s something to react to.
At the beginning of the movie, we largely find Hank where we left him Youngsters. He’s still a professor there and he’s one of the more senior figures. I’d say he’s slightly more of an equal to Charles [Xavier] now. In the last movie, he’d just begun teaching. The one before that, he was more his carer/enabler. A student, before that. Simon [Kinberg] gave me this beautiful, emotional place to go with the character, to
least when I’m in a scene as Beast, they see me in the makeup and
What is the theme of the movie?
It’s about what happens when you try and protect people, hide things from them and take care of them. But then the truth emerges and it’s even more painful because of what happened, and it
play elements of Hank and Beast we haven’t seen before.
unleashes things that you can’t even begin to understand or control.
How was Simon as the director?
other side, you have this element of the X-Men being accepted at the
he’s producing. He understands storytelling and that’s the most
how quickly that can change. You see it with everyone. The media
He’s been very hands on in terms of when he’s writing and when important thing; he’s a great raconteur. To give him the reins, and for us to be able to work with him and see how he’s developed the characters, was really wonderful. Simon was very much about getting into that emotional side, working scenes and giving you space to bring them to life. The wonderful thing about Dark Phoenix is, it’s all rooted in very basic human emotions—betrayal, hurt, love, loss, all those things. And it’s watching these people with powers and
It’s very much about a family being broken apart. And then on the beginning of the movie. They have fans and they are heroes. And seems to love building up a hero and then shooting them down as quickly as possible. We see these stories play out in front of our eyes.
Was it fun getting back together with the cast? Still like a bunch of school kids? No BB gun fights! We were very sensible this time, very focused
after reading this script and seeing what the movie was about. I feel
abilities react and deal with those in these climates.
like people really got their game on and concentrated on what their
Has Hank’s style changed?
great to catch up, but it wasn’t quite as chaotic as some of the other
than his years, very much the professor look. But his style does
commitment to it.
Hank’s always had his own special style. He’s always looked older slightly change in this one. I didn’t get too many ’90s nods though.
characters were doing and the story. We still had fun, it was still films. We were so enthused by what Simon was pitching to us and his
He’s no fashionista!
How was working with Jessica Chastain, the new cast member?
You’re back in the Beast makeup. Does it get easier?
with. But we’ve been very fortunate in terms of having brilliant cast
talented than ever, and they’re exploring some new designs, in terms
Kevin Bacon and now Jessica. These characters are built wonderfully
It’s the same makeup as the last time. The team is faster and more
To be honest, those parts of the movie my character isn’t as involved members—Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Oscar Isaac,
of the paint on top of the makeup, but it’s basically the same.
and then brought to life by actors who add dimension. To have her as
Did they consider using CGI, rather than making you wear all that makeup?
very lucky.
character that’s nice. When you see a movie from 10, 15 years ago,
There were certainly scenes that I was excited to play, and therefore,
There’s something about the makeup and having the real, tactile CGI that was great then doesn’t look so good now. I think that’s what we’d be seeing with this character. If he’d been CGI through
these movies, you’d look back to, say, First Class , and think it looks completely different. The rate of technological development and graphics… Yes, they could do it. But for me playing him, it’s great to have the real weight and movement of the makeup. And for the other
one of the main threats of the movie and bring her talent to it... We’re
Is there a scene you’re particularly excited about?
hopefully, they’ll be exciting for people to see! But there’s a lot that we have to imagine on set, so to actually sit in a cinema and see the finished thing is a treat for us. You’re not there every day, you don’t see everything going on, and big chunks are green screen, so I’m intrigued to see how it all comes together. But if the scenes that I loved playing turn out as I hope, then they should be great.
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JAMES MCAVOY
{ PROFESSOR CHARLES XAVIER }
STYLING BY { WILLIAM GROOMING BY { TARA
GILCHRIST HICKMAN
James McAvoy reprises the role of Charles Xavier, creator of the X-Men and founder of Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. A scientific genius and paternal figure with a host of powers, including astral projection and mind control, Xavier has the hardest time adapting to mutant Jean Grey’s surging powers. What made you return to yet another X-Men movie?
would sometimes completely redesign a character or let us flip
characters. I know I do. I’ve always enjoyed being in these X-Men
we were very comfortable with him giving us a bit of direction. It
I think a combination of things. We all enjoy playing these films. I love this company of actors. And the crew, people like Hutch [Parker], our producer; Simon [Kinberg], our writer and now director; Josh McLaglen, our 1st AD/producer. There’s a massive extended family that goes back nearly 10 years that you feel very loyal to. And it’s also the character that I feel loyal to, getting to take Charles forward and do something else with him as well. It
lines in and out. Also, if he had an idea for a moment here or there, did feel extremely natural when he slid into the director’s chair for this movie. His natural instinct was to pare down, rely on the acting—[it] still has spectacle, but [he wanted] to pare down some of the primary colors and make them more nuanced. To strip it all back, keep it real, go for the drama as well as the crash, bang, wallop. But definitely go for the emotional drama. We all realized
just feels right.
that this was Simon’s first film as actual director, so we wanted to
Where do we find Charles?
Just to have someone new in the chair might do that anyway, but
Formerly, he was a figurehead or a leader of a social movement. He’s now a leader of a political movement. He justifies what he’s doing because he can say that he’s being loyal to his principles, but I think he’s forgotten that those principles only exist to protect the people that he should be loyal to. That’s his family, that’s his kind, his species. I think he sees himself as the torchbearer, the friendly face of mutanity for humanity. He’s justified what his ego is making him do, becoming the center of attention. Charles is selfless. His vanity is very low. He’s very wise. His empathy rules
work as hard as we could. I think that gave us a renewed focus. he’s part of the family, so we all wanted to bring it for him.
How was working with Jessica Chastain, the newest cast member?
I think we had only one scene together, unfortunately. Actually, I had a couple scenes with her character, but she wasn’t always there; sometimes it was a special effect. One of the reasons she said she took the job was she was looking forward to hanging out and acting with me again, and then we barely crossed paths!
him. His almost priestly nature is what defines him.
I remember us being a little bit pissed off at the whole thing. But
Did you enjoy developing the character over the last decade?
she’s a lot of fun on set. She can do it and still have fun, which I
enjoyed exploring that fallibility. I’ve gotten to do him in so many
a long time and we all get on really well. Somebody coming into
Yeah, it’s been fun playing with Charles for this long, and I really different modes and stages of his life and career. From First Class to Days of Future Past , he’s unrecognizable. And then even more different in Apocalypse. This one, again, he’s slightly different, he’s more like he was in First Class , but with a huge platform; he’s a public figure. Getting to flex different muscles as an actor is cool. And it really doesn’t feel like I’ve been playing the same person. It feels like he’s been slightly different people each time. Partly, it’s the fact that even though we’re only aging a year or two between each movie, each film has about 10 years between it, which means that you can take big leaps and show what has happened with them in the intervening narrative. Generally, in between each film,
she’s an amazing actor. As much as she’s this very serious actor, really, really appreciate. Also, we’re a big family. We’ve been going that might not just slide in there, but she became part of the crew.
Are you sorry you didn’t get to suit up, like the others?
I am, a bit. I’d like to wear a daft superhero suit. And this time around, they were quite sparse and practical, I thought. But I generally like to get suited and booted in the stuff. Even when it’s uncomfortable, it’s worth it. I’m slightly jealous. I do get my in-thefield look with a turtleneck, which I rather liked.
Is Dark Phoenix the X-Men’s swan song?
Every single one we’ve done has felt like the last one we do. I’ve
something vastly different is going on with each character.
always gone, “If this is the last one, it’s been great.” We’ve got
How was Simon Kinberg as a first-time director?
to do? But if this is the last one, it feels, narratively speaking, like
already been working with us as a writer/director/producer. He’d
last decade—like it ends up well, and you’d be happy to walk away
By the time Simon took over and directed Dark Phoenix , he’d always been very collaborative about the screenplay. If we had ideas to tweak things, lines or even just whole character arcs, he
new owners for the franchise, and who knows what they’re going a good end. It feels—at least the four films we’ve done over the at this point. And I’m certainly happier to walk away at this point than I would have been at any other point.
JANE’S NEXT MOVE ACTRESS, ACTIVIST, FEMINIST AND PERENNIAL FITNESS GURU JANE FONDA IS LAUNCHING HER FIRST-EVER FASHION LINE—STYLISH EXERCISE AND ATHLEISURE APPAREL THAT SHE PROMISES WILL NOT MAKE WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE WANT TO RUN AND HIDE. Gio LOOKING GOOD
RUSSO DAVIDSON STYLING BY { ALYSSA PASSAVIA HAIR BY { JONATHAN HANOUSEK MAKEUP BY { DAVID DE LEON EDITED BY { BONNIE
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ack in the 1980s, during Jane Fonda’s reign as high priestess of exercise videos (the original Jane Fonda’s Workout remains the bestselling VHS of all time), women were aerobicizing in leotards, tights and leg warmers—an unforgiving spandex uniform that made the most of every body’s imperfections. But that was then and this is now. The fitness tides have turned from high-impact to gentleon-the-joints; Fonda no longer implores exercisers to “feel the burn”; and workout-wear has gone from skintight to breathable, moisture-wicking and comfortable. Fonda may now be a member of the senior citizenry, but she is still sexy, setting trends and committed to fitness. In partnership with Evine Live Inc., a multiplatform and digital commerce company, she is introducing the Jane Fonda Collection, an eponymous lifestyle brand that includes sophisticated athleisure—tops, yoga pants, fitted jackets, hoodies, sweatpants, graphic tees with empowering messages, and limited-edition sweat suits to benefit various nonprofits, including Lambda Legal’s fight for LGBTQ rights. All items are made in the U.S.A. and designed to flatter women of every shape, size (from XS to 3X) and age, including those over 50. “We are, after all, the fastest-growing demographic in the world,” says the eternally youthful icon.
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What advice do you have for women who have never exercised, or who haven’t exercised in years and want to get back into it?
First of all, work with a trainer or someone who’s had a lot of experience, who can show you what to do and what you shouldn’t do. For example, how to warm up and cool down, and how to be sure that you stretch. Another thing that’s very important is, don’t get discouraged. It doesn’t matter if you have never worked out before. It doesn’t matter how old you are. I’m 81 years old, and if I had never worked out before in my life, it would be a great time to start. It is never too late. You just want to go slowly. You want to do it carefully. Don’t push too hard. But moving when you’re older is one of the most important things you can do for your health and for your mental attitude.
What inspired you to create an apparel line?
I’ve been associated with fitness and working out for many decades, but I’ve never really been able to find clothes that made me feel fun and comfortable and were functional for working out, or things I could just throw on over my workout clothes and go to lunch or shopping. And so I decided to make my own line in partnership with Evine. And I’m so excited about it. It’s a lot of fun to create.
Does the clothing look best on any particular body type?
I’ve tried to design a line of clothes in such a way that there are things that will look good on many different body types. You know, none of us are shaped the same. And sometimes you want to accent the positive and maybe cover up the things that you’re not wanting to flaunt. So I’ve made a variety of shapes and sizes just to suit different kinds of women. It’s all about making you feel the best you can be at whatever age you are. It’s about making you feel comfortable, no matter what size you are. It’s about being comfortable in your skin and in your body.
What can we expect to see in the line?
Functionality and comfort, but also a little pizzazz. You can expect people to say, “Wow, where did you get those pants?” “Wow, where did you get that jacket?” I like bright colors. I also like subtlety. I love plaids. I love animal prints. I love a combination of all of them. I’ve found, as I’ve begun to wear my new line of clothes, that people are constantly asking me, “Where did you get that?” Which, of course,
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makes me very happy.
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On a personal level, what do you love most about your new clothes? Fitness is such a passion for me, and I spend so much time working
out, walking or hiking, so I tend to spend all day in the clothes that I wear to work out. And I just like to throw things over that will make them look fashionable. They may be workout clothes, but I’m making a fashion statement at the same time.
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A MAN MANY
OF
FACES
ACTOR DIEDRICH BADER HAS RANGE, DEPTH AND AN UNCANNY ABILITY TO MAKE TV VIEWERS LAUGH.
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RUSSO DAVIDSON INTERVIEW BY { RACHEL MADISON HILL GROOMING BY { MELISSA WALSH EDITED BY { BONNIE
USING BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA STYLING BY { CHLOE
ASSISTANT { MERRIT
TAKAYANAGI STAHIE
Shooting three shows at once is quite a feat. How did you manage? The schedule could be pretty intense on the days where I had to
do double duty. One day I went from American Housewife to Better
Things , shot through the night, then back to American Housewife [the next morning]. That was the hardest day. But most were like my first scene on Veep — shot it and then I scooted to the set of American
Housewife before lunch. The producers were in constant communication, coordinating the whole thing.
Of the three shows, which character do you most relate to?
I do love the wonky history professor, Greg [the husband on American
Housewife], and that he loves his wife so much, so Greg is closest to me. But Rich [the female star’s gay best friend on Better Things] is such a good friend and a great listener, and I aspire to that. I’d say Bill [the communications specialist on Veep] is the furthest away from me because he is essentially a predatory beast.
Do you enjoy being funny?
I really love doing comedy, that’s my great love. I think about it a lot and watch others, but also try to capture the joy of performing it. I think people’s lives are tough enough at the end of the day, and I hope that what I do brings them some joy. If I’ve done that, I’ve fulfilled my purpose.
Why do you think you’re on casting directors’ short lists?
That I am on any list would be something of a shock to me. I’m odd, let’s face it. I’ve been lucky this year to have three women that believe in incredible talents.
What would be your dream role?
Honestly, I’ve never been happier or more fulfilled as an actor than I am sweet, smart Greg; tragic, supportive Rich; and the shark, Bill. So, I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself now.
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right now and can’t imagine a better scenario than to be able to enact
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me and want to work with me. I love being a supporting player to these
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imultaneously appearing in three hit television shows—ABC’s American Housewife, FX’s Better Things and HBO’s Veep, which aired its series finale in May—did not leave funnyman Diedrich Bader with a lot of free time. But even when the supporting player was at the height of his busy shooting schedule, he managed to squeeze in some voice-over gigs. Turns out, his husky baritone is as malleable as his demeanor, and he’s put words in the mouths of animated characters on numerous shows, including Disney’s Milo Murphy’s Law, Big Hero Six: The Series, Tangled: The Series and Miles From Tomorrowland; Boomerang’s Wacky Races; and Netflix’s All Hail King Julien. In person, the sitcom regular with a voice made for cartoons seems like someone you’ve known all your life.
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FROM ICE RINK TO ACTING ARENA, GIANNI PAOLO PLAYS A HIGH-SCORING GAME. PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN
RUSSO MADISON HILL EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON GROOMING BY { MELISSA WALSH INTERVIEW BY { RACHEL
USING BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA STYLING BY { FAIRFAX CLOTHING BY { BOAST
A
fter graduating from high school, Gianni Paolo spent a few years gliding across the ice as a junior hockey league player. Rather than partying with his teammates between games, however, the athletic Rhode Island native enrolled in improv classes—and that’s when the acting bug bit. He moved to Los Angeles, found an agent and jumped into showbiz with roles on TV shows, including Starz’s Power. Now, the 23-yearold up-and-comer’s career is taking off like a bottle rocket as he plays Chaz, the teenage life of the party in the new horror flick Ma, starring Octavia Spencer as a stranger-turned-friend with ulterior motives.
COPENHAGEN AT BOASTUSA.COM
What was your initial reaction to the news you’d been cast in Ma? I just remember sending GIFs of people throwing up to my
reps, because I was just so nervous waiting to hear. I really loved the character and, at that point, I had auditioned four times, the last being with Octavia, so I was waiting to hear at any moment. I finally got the call and I basically jumped off of my couch onto my living room coffee table with excitement.
What was it like working with Octavia Spencer?
Working with Octavia was honestly a dream since the second I walked into the audition room. I remember being so nervous and she said, “Look at this young Tom Cruise,” and winked at me. She just made me feel so comfortable. Leading up to the film, I was overthinking everything, because I didn’t know what to expect with Octavia on set. I’m really loose and like to joke around, and I wasn’t sure that would fly around Octavia. I was completely wrong. The second I walked onto set, she was doing accents and making everybody laugh. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life thus far. She’s a really great captain, and it shows in this film.
What do you like or dislike about your character, Chaz?
To be honest, Chaz is probably one of my favorite characters I’ve played up to this point. He’s not a stereotype of a typical high schooler or teenager, which is what you see a lot of actors and writers fall into. Chaz is just a super-grounded high schooler looking to have fun and make his friends laugh. He’ll always say the wrong thing at the worst time possible and wouldn’t turn down a joint even if it was his wedding day.
Based on this film’s scary story, will you be more hesitant to trust strangers in the future? I guess I’m always skeptical of people’s intentions, so
immediately when I started reading the script I was, like, “Uh, no, don’t do that guys.” I found myself in a couple similar situations in high school (don’t tell my parents), so I connected to it in a real way. It definitely was an eyeopener because you can really see how fast things can get out of hand. Intention is everything, I think, and Ma doesn’t have the best ones.
What would be your dream character to play?
My dream character is sort of similar to Tommy Egan in
Power, played by Joseph Sikora, on Starz. He plays a drug dealer who grew up on the streets of New York with his and he is just incredible. From the way I look, I usually get who isn’t the nicest, and I would love to explore other characters similar to Tommy.
What do you love about acting?
hurt me, especially in school. All I wanted to do was make people laugh and have fun. But schools, to me, are the antithesis of that. The best part about acting is being able
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Growing up, I was always loud and outgoing, and it always
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cast as someone who is rich and put together, or someone
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best friend. I worked alongside him a little bit this season
to express yourself and be celebrated for it, instead of being criticized. All throughout school, I was told to do the exact opposite of what I am making money doing now, and it feels kind of great.
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KATHLEEN ROBERTSON
From Canada,
With Love { RACHEL MADISON HILL EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY { TONY DURAN
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Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Kathleen Robertson has amassed more than 60 film and television credits, including Netflix’s family drama Northern Rescue, TNT’s crime drama Murder in the First and Fox’s teen classic Beverly Hills 90210. Behind the scenes, she is a scriptwriter, currently adapting The Possibilities, Kaui Hart Hemmings’ follow-up novel to The Descendants, with Jason Reitman set to direct; and Little Bee, based on Chris Cleave’s best-selling novel, with Julia Roberts slated to star. Additionally, she is turning Lady Killer, the Dark Horse Comics book series, into a feature film, and has a first-look development deal with Universal Cable Productions.
Hollywood’s gift from our neighbor to the north does double duty as an actress and a writer. You’re originally from Canada. When did you move to Los Angeles? I moved to L.A. when I was 19. No green card.
No papers. Just showed up, got a hotel at the Sheraton by Universal Studios and hit the ground running.
How did you get started in acting?
Nobody in my family is in the entertainment industry, so it’s actually quite miraculous that I ended up where I did. I always knew from a very young age that this is what I wanted to spend my life doing. I did theater and my first paid job as an actor was for The National Film Board of Canada at age 10.
When did you first start writing?
I’ve always written, but just never showed it to anyone. But I have journals and screenplays and short stories in drawers starting at age 15.
Does your acting background help your writing? It’s huge. I always approach everything from
character. Plot is the least interesting part to me, which is funny. I’m always more drawn to very internal, personal stories.
Many of the characters you play are strong women, like yourself. Would you like to portray any other types of characters?
KATHLEEN’S FAVORITES
I’m from a steel city, but for whatever reason, I’m
Isabel Marant, Marni, Stella McCartney, Celine
Yes. I’d actually love to play the opposite of that.
always cast as highly educated and a total badass.
Designers:
I’d like a non-badass role.
Fashion era:
What’s next for you?
cardigans, structured handbags.
projects, one with Charlize Theron and one with
Wardrobe essentials:
I’m developing a bunch of new television documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger. Finishing
Little Bee for Amazon and Julia Roberts. And writing Lady Killer, based on the Dark Horse Comics, for director Michelle MacLaren. And hopefully lots of chill time with my boys!
The ’50s. That white skin and red lips, tiny beaded
Vintage red-faced men’s Rolex, green Acne leather jacket, and my rose gold and diamond initial earrings. I have K, C, B and W (for my husband, my kids and me). I wear one in each of four holes in my left ear.
Travel destination:
How would you define your personal style?
Canada. I miss my family and friends.
sweatpants and Lanvin.
Restaurant:
Edgy. Comfortable. Mix of high and low. Ripped
A sushi place in a strip mall near my house in Hollywood, where I’ve been going for 15 years. I’m not saying the name.
Producer, director, writer and actor Jonathan Baker is a creative chameleon.
the
ARTIST’S WAY BY { JESSICA
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RUSSO
From Wall Street asset management to Broadway musicals to Hollywood movies, Jonathan Baker’s career path has taken some surprising twists and turns. You made the leap from asset management to the Broadway stage and the movies. How did that happen? My mind always wanted to play. I studied psychology and
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religion and got a job on Wall Street to pay the bills. I knew
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How and why did you get involved in writing, producing, directing and starring in the upcoming film, Manifest Destiny Down: SPACETIME? I was the acting coach for the two leads and wanted to
nothing, but I answered an ad and got a job at Salomon
highlight their versatility. It’s an absurdist satire, very
Brothers. I was using the money I was earning to re-invest
existential and super quirky. Conceptually the movie was fun
in the arts and was producing my friends’ plays at night. I
for me because science and religion were ultimately saying the
was making too much money and knew I needed an out, so I
same thing—the universe is a product of intelligent design.
answered an ad to be a Broadway assistant. That job led to producing more, and then the opportunity to move to L.A. to intern at Sony Pictures came. Everything happens for a reason. It is cliché, but true.
You’re the producer of the national touring company of Spamalot and currently in post-production for two films, Sylvie and The Banker. What kind of stories excite you? Stories that aren’t being told every day and that have the
How do you define yourself ?
I am definitely an artist. Fundamentally. I was into music as a
right moral background. I believe these types of movies will fundamentally add to our culture.
kid and credit music with saving my life. When I was in the third grade I had dyslexia. My mother, one of the most profound and supportive people in my life, realized I was always tapping
Do you have any advice for aspiring showbiz pros?
Don’t get good at anything but what you’re most passionate
and thought, “So let’s start him in music.” I was ostracized in
about. It takes a long time for everything to harmonize. And,
school for my learning disability but was excelling in music.
whatever you do, don’t give up. That’s the trick. A lot of people
It went from drumming to trombone to singing to dancing to
give up. Sometimes it just takes longer. Hollywood sells
performing and acting. Piano lessons. Ballet. Musical theater.
everyone on the dream that it happens overnight. My life has
The music and the arts gave me a voice and confidence.
been a marathon. I did not pop early.
J ONAT H A N BA K E R
MÄDCHEN AMICK
Mad About
Mädchen
INTERVIEW BY { RACHEL MADISON HILL EDITED BY { BONNIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY {
TONY DURAN
She claimed fame as Shelly Johnson on the original version of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks (1989-1991), reprised her role in the cult TV series’ prequel film, Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014), and its revival on Showtime (2017). These days, model-turned-actress Mädchen Amick is killing it as the fierce and formidable Alice Cooper on The CW drama Riverdale.
You moved to Los Angeles as a teenager. Did you struggle at all before you landed your role on Twin Peaks? I started preparing to leave home [Reno, Nevada] at age 14 to follow my dream of becoming a successful actress. I enrolled in high school theater, joined the debate team and built a modeling portfolio by doing lots of photo shoots with local photographers. Elite Models committed to signing me if I came to L.A. at age 16. Once I arrived in Hollywood, I got a commercial agent. Then a theatrical agent. I spent the next two years pounding the pavement. I would get in my car every morning at 8 a.m. and go from auditions to go-sees, returning home around 8 p.m. I filled my calendar (and checkbook) with lots of odd jobs. Print modeling, commercials, music videos and smaller acting roles. You’re a mother of two. If one of your kids wanted to leave school to follow their dreams, what would you say? Absolutely not! I found it funny when my son and daughter reached the age of 16 and I reflected back to myself and thought, “Now how would I react if they came to me with the same plan that I went to my parents with?” I just couldn’t imagine it. Luckily my husband and I convinced them to get a full education first. Now, at age 25 and 26, they’re both in music and acting, and they have an education that will help them if they need something to fall back on.
What was it like working with David Lynch? David Lynch is not only a sweet, intelligent, kind man, but he is a true master at his craft. An absolute genius. I’m so grateful that he was my indoctrination into film and television. He gave me an invaluable perspective. Twin Peaks only lasted a season and a half, because at the time, networks didn’t know how to deal with such an innovative show. It truly broke the mold of television, but advertisers, studios and networks didn’t know how to manage it. How do you feel about your Riverdale character? I’ve been on many shows and played a wide variety of parts, but playing Alice Cooper has been a highlight of my career. She’s such a fun ride! I’m challenged by her storylines and love the twists and turns. Mostly, I love working alongside my scene partner, Lili Reinhart. She captivates me. Not only is she an incredible young woman, but her talent runs so deep. It’s a true gift to watch her process. Do you have anything in common with Alice Cooper? I certainly hope not! Kidding aside, I’d say we share the same mama lion instinct. Don’t mess with our babies! ISSUE No. 5 FEATURES
How would you compare Twin Peaks and Riverdale? I see the similarity in the enthusiasm for both shows and each of them being such a global phenomenon. The shows themselves are very different though. Twin Peaks was odd, timeless and very methodical. It had a slow pace and pushed emotional boundaries that weren’t before seen on network television. Riverdale has a very quick-witted and modern feel. It’s extremely fast-paced and much like hopping on a roller coaster every week. So, buckle up, people!
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How did instant fame from Twin Peaks impact you? Once that first two-hour special hit the airwaves, everything changed. My career and opportunities became very exciting, but the privacy in my personal life became chaotic. The frenzy that surrounded the show spilled over into all of the actors’ private lives. I couldn’t go to the grocery store or gas station without being recognized, and people sometimes followed me home. I learned very quickly that I loved the art of acting. I loved the process. I enjoyed the familial atmosphere of the set, but I didn’t like the fame. It made me uncomfortable. It felt very strange and insincere that just the week prior to the Twin Peaks fame, I couldn’t get a table at a fancy restaurant, but now I was being ushered to the best table in the house. I remember thinking to myself, “I’m the same person as last week, so why are they treating me so different now?
How are the young Riverdale stars handling their fame? I think they’re handling the fame quite well. They’re staying humble, not taking it too seriously, and appreciating the career opportunities it’s creating. But I don’t envy the social media aspect of their fame. It’s so in your face, often times critical. And it’s relentless, every moment of every day. It’s a part of the business I wish they didn’t have to deal with. I don’t think it’s mentally healthy.
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The Stylin’
MR. SMITH Best known for playing the son of a polygamist on HBO’s Big Love, Canadian cutie Douglas Smith is returning to the premium cable network as a dreamy surfer dude in Season 2 of Big Little Lies. He’s also reprising the role of detective Marcus Isaacson, which he created for TNT’s 19th-century psychological thriller The Alienist, in the series’ sequel, The Angel of Darkness, which is currently shooting in Budapest. Here, the actor proves that he has substance…and style!
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Actress Rachel Boston takes the lead In the new TV movie, The Last Bridesmaid, a romantic comedy in which she is both the star and an executive producer.
save the
MARIE LOOK ROBERT LYNDEN HAIR BY { MARIE FERRO MAKEUP BY { ELLE LEARY STYLING BY { JESSICA PASTER WRITTEN BY }
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ith a strong fanbase built on such television series as NBC’s American Dreams, USA Network’s In Plain Sight and Lifetime’s Witches of East End, Tennessee native Rachel Boston next delights audiences in The Last Bridesmaid, a Hallmark Channel original movie. For the film—her seventh with Hallmark—she pulled double duty, serving as both executive producer and leading lady. As Becca, a total romantic, she won’t give up on love, despite having already lived the old adage “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” nine times over. While holding down maid of honor duties at her cousin’s wedding, Becca meets videographer Kyle Taylor, played by Paul Campbell, and romantic comedy ensues.
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Where did the idea for The Last Bridesmaid come from? A few years ago, I was the maid of honor at my brother’s
wedding and everyone was asking, “So when are you getting married?” It made me laugh, and as I was sitting on the plane, heading back to work, I started thinking, “This is so relatable! This is a romantic comedy.”
Had you worked with any of the other cast members before?
Paul Campbell and I tested on a show together years ago, and I remember him being this hilarious and incredibly kind man. And he is. I was thrilled when I found out he was signing on to the film, and we had such a great time working together. We started a band during the movie and shot little music videos between setups. It was one of the most memorable and fun sets I’ve ever worked on.
Are you an optimistic romantic like your character, Becca?
I am a very hopeful person, yes. I’ve been through a lot, and I still believe in love. My vision of it has evolved over time. And I’m also happy on my own. That has been an important part of my journey. I certainly don’t feel that I need a man in my life, but I am open to sharing my life with someone who truly enhances it.
Becca makes jewelry outside her day job. What are your creative outlets when you’re not on set? I grew up on a mountain, so I love spending time in nature.
My brother got his Ph.D. in Hawaii, and I spend a lot of time there. I go to dance classes and work on scripts and write by the ocean. And I hike a lot. I love nature photography. Maybe I could play a National Geographic photographer in a film. That would be so fun. That life seems like one amazing adventure.
Did you enjoy the dual role of female lead and executive producer?
I absolutely love it. I feel this is an amazing time for women in film, and I am so thankful to be a part of it. The first project I produced was an independent film, and I learned a lot about navigating every department and it sparked something for me. Working behind the camera enhanced the work I was doing as an actress, and I really enjoy storytelling, so I liked being involved in
Have you stayed in touch with your castmates, Julia Ormond, Mädchen Amick and Jenna Dewan?
the development process and then post-production.
Yes! We just got together at Julia’s house. We are on a big group
What’s it like to be a part of the Hallmark community?
still pitching a movie idea. We want to shoot a movie to wrap up
special. And the stories are so uplifting. Just yesterday I was in
iPhones.
I love being part of this family… It’s the people that make it
television. That’s the magic I feel. You know that if you watch a Hallmark film, it’s all going to be okay. It’s all going to work out in
Is there a type of project that’s still on your wish list?
I love comedy. I think I’m in a chapter right now where I just want to laugh. And romantic comedies are so much fun because you get to explore relationship dynamics and communication and how
Do you still get recognized for your work on Witches of East End?
with amazing people and tell stories that are inspiring.
I do! Supernatural shows really connect with an audience on such a different level, which leads to some amazing conversations. I met a lovely girl in an airport recently, and she was telling me how this one storyline—when I fell in love with a ghost—helped her let go of something really painful in her life. Something clicked while she was watching that episode, and it helped her heal. It was so wonderful to connect with her. What a blessing to be part of that!
we screw it up and then get it right. I just want to keep working
Any fun memories from life on set?
We started a cover-band cover band while we were filming The
Last Bridesmaid. We cover cover bands. I don’t know what’s going
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how thankful she is that there is still uplifting entertainment on
the series. So at the very least, we may just shoot one on our
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the grocery store, and a lovely woman came up to me to tell me
text and all keep in touch. That’s a very special cast. We are also
to happen with it, but we made a lot of music videos. Maybe Paul and I can make a Christmas movie next and put out a Christmas album? Now there’s a pitch! Maybe that’s our next movie? We finally get married. A Married Christmas. The musical. 174
FACE the
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TENNIS THE RIVALRIES, THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT AND THE PASSION OF TOP PLAYERS ON THE ATP WORLD TOUR ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE IN THIS PORTFOLIO OF STUNNING PORTRAITS
PHOTOGRAPHS AND INTERVIEWS BY TENNIS ENTHUSIAST JOHN RUSSO SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE BNP PARIBAS OPEN IN INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA JACKETS BY MATCHLESS LONDON
DOMINIC THIEM
What do you love most about tennis? Well, tennis is such a special sport. What I love most about the game is that I’m alone on the court. I make all of my own decisions and I can be happy with the win or the loss.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I think it would be Andre Agassi. He was part of my first memories of tennis. He played some of the first matches I watched on television.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I think it would be Steffi Graf, because she had such a complete game, a good backhand and slice. I enjoyed watching her, as well, so I would have really loved to play her.
What is your weapon on the court?
I want them to say they loved to watch me on the tennis court and that they always had the feeling that I gave everything out there.
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In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you?
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backhand, and the power of them.
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BORNA ĆORIĆ
What do you love most about tennis? I love all of it. I enjoy competing, working hard on the practice courts and, for sure, the best feeling is winning.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I would like to play Goran Ivanišević, I think that it would be a very interesting match for everyone.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Serena Williams. I have never played with her, but she seems like she hits the ball strongest.
What is your weapon on the court? My weapon is my head, in my opinion. Always staying in the game and fighting, even if I’m losing. Of course, I feel like my back hand and
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serve can also do some damage.
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In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? That I was nice person on and off the court.
ANDREAS SEPPI
What do you love most about tennis? I love the competition the most. I also love the adrenaline you feel when you go on court to compete against another player. As I’m getting older, I enjoy competing against the next generation of ATP players.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I would like to play Pete Sampras, because I watched him many times on TV when I was a kid and because he was one of the best in tennis.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Serena Williams, of course. Because her game is very powerful for women’s tennis.
What is your weapon on the court? I don’t think I have a really big weapon (like a big
tried to take the ball early on the rise and play aggressive.
Not sure what people have to say about me in 50
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always a pretty solid guy from the baseline who
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serve or forehand or whatever). However, I was
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FELICIANO LÓPEZ
What do you love most about tennis? The fact that you have to solve the problems yourself without any help when you play.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? Pete Sampras. He is the only legend I was not able to play.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Maybe Serena, because she has a great serve
What is your weapon on the court? My serve, definitely
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you?
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I wish I could have the respect from most of my
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colleagues and people in the tennis world.
BOB BRYAN
What do you love most about tennis? Having a purpose every day, working hard to reach a goal.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I had a chance to play against my idol, Andre Agassi, and it was a lot of fun. I would love to have another shot at him.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I think Martina Navratilova, just because of her lefty serve, her attacking style and her amazing volleys. She took time away from her opponents.
What is your weapon on the court? My strongest weapon is my serve and my forehand. And then, the X-factor weapon between my brother and I is our communication.
and, hopefully, made doubles stronger.
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that we loved the game and we gave back to the fans
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I’d love them to say they had fun watching us play,
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FELIX AUGERALIASSIME
What do you love most about tennis? I love the competition. Getting out there and playing in front of a lot of people, that’s what I play for. I think the competition in front of the fans is the best thing.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? Yannick Noah. He’s a great legend. I had a chance to meet him at a special moment in his career.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Serena Williams. She’s the closest to beating the guys, so I think she’d be very challenging.
What is your weapon on the court? I would say, my serve. I’m getting to a point where my serve is a good weapon for me. I can win some
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points even when I’m not playing well.
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? Hopefully, I’ve won many titles, maybe grand slams. But mostly that I was always a good competitor and that I was a good person outside of the court. It’s also very important for me that I was a good example for the generation to come.
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DENI KUDLA
What do you most love about tennis? Tennis is definitely a sport that exposes everything. There’s nowhere to hide. It really makes you become a problem solver. The individual aspect, knowing that everything that happens falls on you, the glory and the failure. It’s definitely one of the most mentally tough sports in the world.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I would love to play Andre Agassi. He was awesome and I would just love to see that timing. I never got the opportunity to hit with him or meet him, so Agassi for sure.
Of all of the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play and why? I would like to play Serena, because I think she is the greatest of all time and I would love to see how
My backhand down a line is definitely my signature shot.
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What is your weapon on the court?
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that goes.
I want them to say I was a hard worker and a great competitor. I really admire and idolize David Ferrer. The way people respect him since he has retired is something that I would like as well. 182
FRANCES TIAFOE
What do you love most about tennis? One-on-one competition. Obviously, I’m a singles guy. The problem solving, the adapting constantly to your opponent and pretty much just trying to out-think your opponent.
If you could go back in time and play a against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? Yannick Noah. I thought he was a legend, with the dreads and everything like that. He looked sick, obviously, for me. I have to be honest, he’s a big inspiration, as well as Andre Agassi.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I have to go with Steffi Graf. Everything she did. She won every single match, every tournament possible and all the majors. And Serena. That goes
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without saying.
What is your weapon on the court? Forehand and movement. I’ve been moving well and finding my forehand. I’m playing some good tennis.
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? That I was a hell of a competitor.
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TAYLOR FRITZ
What do you love most about tennis? What I love most about tennis is the one-onone competitive aspect of it. I like the feeling of winning and competing against somebody.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I’d want to play either Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras, because they’re both U.S. legends and two of my favorite players.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Probably Serena. Definitely Serena. Just because she has the most power and she’s also the greatest of all time.
What’s your weapon on court? My serve, my forehand and sometimes my backhand. Every shot. I try to make every shot a
pressure and being clutch.
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I’d like to be known for being good under
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weapon for me.
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GILLES SIMON
What do you love most about tennis? In each game, you have a different type of player, a different type of game, everyone shows different skills and different personalities on the court.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I would like to play any of the older top players. Just to see what it was like to play back then.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I would say Serena, because she’s just the best player.
What is your weapon on the court?
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I don’t have enough. I try my best every time.
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In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? That I was playing a different style game than the other players.
STAN WAWRINKA
What do you love most about tennis? For me, it’s to find a solution to win matches. To play in front of people, in front of the crowd, on a nice court. To have this emotion that you feel when it’s a tight match, when you get nervous and the crowd is involved.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I think Pete Sampras. He was always an amazing player to watch. I have always wanted to feel what it would have been to play against him.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Well, for sure, it’s Serena Williams. I think it would be a great challenge to play against her. She has an amazing game, she’s been playing so many years, so much experience. She has a powerful game, serving big, returning big, so it will be a nice challenge to play against her.
What is your weapon on the court? I think my powerful game is from the baseline. I can also play really powerful from backhand and backhand, especially backhand down the line.
could to be best I could be. Winning three Grand Slams so far, Olympic, Davis Cup and beating the
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Hopefully that I was a player who did everything I
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forehand. I enjoy putting a lot of pressure with my
number one player in a Grand Slam final. For me, the most important thing is to push myself to the limit.
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KAREN KHACHANOV
What do you love most about tennis? The way you fight, you fight alone on the court. You try to think what’s going on and analyze it. Tennis is a really complicated sport, because you need to solve your problems by yourself. You need to always try to find a way to win. Every week you have a new opportunity, you either win or lose. I think from one hand it’s pretty tough but on the other hand, I just love to play tennis. I like the feeling of being on the court, to competing and trying to win.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I think it would be Marat Safin, because he was one of my favorite tennis players at that time and I would love to play against him. People compare me to him a little bit and it would be interesting to see where my level is against him. Also, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, of course.
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Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Of course, Serena. She is at an unbelievable level. I would also say Chrissie Evert.
What is your weapon on the court? I would say my serve, my forehand and my aggressive style of play.
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? That I have my own character. I was a great fighter, competitor, and that people respected what I was
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doing on court and what I achieved in my career.
MARCO CECCHINATO
What do you love most about tennis? I love how the game has impacted my life. The best moment was my semi-final at Roland-Garros. This made me quite famous in Italy and now everyone knows my name. This is one of the many things I love about the game.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the fame, who would it be? Marat Safin, because he was very talented and was beautiful to watch play.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Justine Henin, because she has an unbelievable backhand.
What is your weapon on the court? My forehand.
guy on and off the court.
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LUCAS POUILLE
What do you love most about tennis? That every week you have a chance to be better.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? It would be Yannick Noah and I will play only on his forehand.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I would say Amélie Mauresmo, because of her game. I think she plays different than the other girls and she mixes it up a lot. It would be interesting.
What is your weapon on the court? I would say my forehand.
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That I’m the last French to win a Grand Slam.
KEI NISHIKORI
What do you love most about tennis? First of all, I like competing. For singles, it’s only you fighting on the court and you have to figure out everything for yourself. Also, I like hitting winners. That’s something I love.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I’d like to play Jim Courier, because we have similar styles and I think there are many things I can learn from him.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I will say Naomi Osaka, because she hits and strikes the ball very well. I wish I could play against Osaka.
What is your weapon on the court? My backhand on the line. For sure, my backhand.
many things from him and that’s something I’m trying to do.
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a warrior on the court, like David Ferrer. I learned
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I hope they enjoy watching me play. I try to be like
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MIKE BRYAN
What do you love most about tennis?
The fact that tennis is extremely challenging and constantly makes you work to balance your mental skills, physical strength, flexibility, strategy and stroke production to achieve success. When you have a weakness in one of those categories, you have a much harder time winning matches. I enjoy the daily process of trying to improve and become the most well-rounded player and person I can be.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be?
I would love to have competed against some of the great Aussie legends, like Rod Laver or Ken Rosewall. The way they both played the game was beautiful and pure. Their strokes were efficient and silky smooth but the power they could generate with wood rackets was amazing.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play?
Serena Williams would be the toughest to play, because of her serve. She has pinpoint accuracy but can deliver a lot of heat on it too. She backs that up with powerful athletic movement and punishing ground strokes. Her intense competitive nature would also make her a very feisty opponent.
What is your weapon on the court?
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My consistent and quick hands at net. As young kids, Bob and I did hours and hours of volley drills to sharpen our reflexes. I was also lucky enough to grow up returning my brother’s huge serve everyday, which made my return very solid.
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In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you?
I would love for people to say that Bob and I helped popularize doubles and that we stood out as one of the greatest teams that have ever played the game. Also, I’d like to be remembered as a tennis player who played with passion, energy and love. Lastly, Bob and I have stayed together as a team through thick and thin. That is hard to find in today’s world of always trying to find the next best thing or just moving on to another partner when things get tough. Hopefully the messages of commitment, togetherness and longevity can be seen as themes that prevailed even long after we’re done playing.
MATTEO BERRETTINI
What do you love most about tennis? I love the fact that every week I get a new chance. Tennis gives you lots of possibilities. And I love the rivalries between players. They are sincere, unique and always respectful.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? John McEnroe. I like to play for the crowd, to entertain spectators, and John had a particular kind of tennis and there was always something going on in his matches. He always brought something different and entertaining to the court.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I think Serena. She serves well and she plays aggressive.
What is your weapon on the court? don’t know which I would pick.
someone who always tried to improve himself and was never laid-back satisfied after achievements.
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I want people to look back on a real performer, on
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My serve and my forehand. Between the two, I
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NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI
What do you love most about tennis? I think that the most interesting part is traveling. Traveling, in some ways it’s good, in some ways, it’s difficult. Also, competing against oneself. Tennis is an individual sport and being able to compete against yourself, and not depending on somebody else. Oh, and lastly, being able to play every week, I have new opportunities to succeed. So, because of all this, I really like tennis.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I think I would play Marat Safin, one of my favorite players. I think he was unbelievably talented.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I would play Anna Kournikova. I would play her, for sure.
What is your weapon on the court?
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My forehand and backhand. I like them both. I really like to play from the baseline. That’s my strongest weapon, for sure.
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? I don’t know. I never thought about it. I try to be a very simple person, you know, on court and off court. And so, if somebody would say that, “He was a nice guy, or a nice player,” I think that would be good.
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MISCHA ZVEREV
What do you love most about tennis? What I love, it’s hard to say. It’s something that’s just part of my life, it’s part of who I am. It’s a oneof-a-kind sport. I like the atmosphere, traveling to different cities every week and being around many different types of players. Each week, you have an opportunity to improve and do something different.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? Growing up, Andre Agassi was my favorite player, as well as Pete Sampras. I really enjoyed watching them. I would actually pick a wooden racquet and play against them.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? I would say either Steffi Graf or Serena Williams. Obviously, Serena, because she has a big game and she can serve big. She has good ground strokes. And I have always felt inspired by Steffi. You know, and I feel like she was an incredible fighter, very
What’s your weapon on court? serve and volley game. That and the fact that I’m a little unpredictable. I try to not give the opponent any rhythm, so I think that’s it.
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? Nice volleys.
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disciplined on the court.
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she had this determination, great backhand slice
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PABLO CARREÑO BUSTA
What do you love most about tennis? What I love most is the competition, the atmosphere that we live during the tournaments and the adrenaline before the game
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? My idol when I was young was Juan Carlos Ferrero. When he retired I was starting to play, so I never had the opportunity to play against him.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Probably the most challenging to play would be Serena Williams. She is the best player of my time and probably the best player ever.
What is your weapon on the court? My forehand is my best shot, but maybe my best
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weapon on court is my mentality.
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In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? I would like to be remembered as a good person and as a player who has given everything for tennis.
GRIGOR DIMITROV
What do you love most about tennis?
The competition. I love the day-to-day challenge that it offers and the obstacles that you need to overcome. Also, looking within yourself, finding which battles you want to fight and which battles you’ve got to leave. For me, it’s one of the most complex sports out there.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be?
I would definitely want to play Björn Borg and John McEnroe. The two are complete opposites, but they would be so much to learn from them. Each has a completely different game. I mean, every time they played against each other, you could always see the differences, but you could also learn.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Steffi Graf, the way she possesses pretty much everything. But that slice, I think, would rattle you a little bit. And her movement to explore the court and hit that forehand!
What is your weapon on the court?
I don’t know. I would like to say it’s some of the shots, but I think it’s also how you use your body, your movement and agility on the court. To chase different balls, to make the right decisions. I want to say my body is my biggest asset because when we get out on the court, even though the game is a lot of mental, you have to use your physicality.
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I definitely want to make sure that I left a mark on the sport. Not from the record stand point…that’s not my goal. This has always been one of my main things... I really want people to see [that] athletes [are] like everybody else. You know, we just happen to be good at what we do, [but] we all also have to deal with our problems outside the court. I have demons, expectations, and so on. I would say, for sure, I would also like to be remembered by my good results and as a Grand Slam champion.
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TOMÁŠ BERDYCH
What do you love most about tennis? It’s the feeling after winning a match, standing on court and enjoying that moment. It’s just great!!
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? I would love to play Pete Sampras. It’s very close to my generation but, unfortunately, I missed him by one year on tour. I would have loved to play him! In addition, all greatest players in the history [of tennis] for last 15 years!
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? Look, my story is, when I was 13, I practiced with Martina Hingis, who was number No. 1 in the world at the time. Although I won 63 to 64, she went on to win [the] Australian open that year.
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What is your weapon on the court? I think it’s my forehand, but overall, striking the ball fast and clean was always my strength.
In 50 years, when people look back on your career, what do you hope they’ll remember about you? First of all, [that I was] honest. I am trying to be myself throughout my career and that is what makes your personality. So, then anyone can make an opinion on me as they see it.
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DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN
What do you love most about tennis? The competition. When I’m playing cards, when I’m playing PlayStation, when I’m playing everything, I love the competition.
If you could go back in time and play against someone who has retired from the game, who would it be? Wow, this is a difficult question. I’d choose Roger Federer, because you never know when his last tournament will be. And Andy Murray, because we don’t know if he’ll play again.
Of all the top women’s players, past and present, who do you think would be the most challenging to play? The Williams sisters. Both, because they are really, really strong.
What is your weapon on the court? My legs and my movement.
happy I was playing and how people enjoyed seeing me.
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[They liked] my smile on the court and how
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la
dolce vita ELANA HORWICH TEACHES NON-COOKS HOW TO BE A BADASS IN THE KITCHEN, THE ITALIAN WAY, IN HER NEW BOOK, MEAL AND A SPIEL.
INTERVIEW BY { BETH WEITZMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN SCHELL
When did you first become interested in food?
I joke that I fell in love with cooking as a child, because the kitchen was the only place in the house my mother couldn’t find me. In many ways that’s true. Because my mom didn’t like to cook, I saw the kitchen as a safe refuge to try out simple creative experimentations without any onlookers or judgement. Plus, I was hungry. Later, in my 20s, I was living in Italy and I used cooking as a way to make peace with food. As many teenage girls do, I had a challenging relationship to eating, but cooking gave me the opportunity to re-create this relationship. Cooking allowed me to no longer be a victim to food, but rather a playful master of it. Plus, living in the country known for its cuisine, I became extremely passionate about learning as much as I could in an organic way. I never took cooking classes, but I paid very close attention to what I was eating, to the way Italian women prepared things and to how my European roommates made their meals. I guess you could say my passion for food has been lifelong, but it definitely crept up slowly, gaining momentum in different times of my life for different reasons.
What does cooking mean to you?
Cooking is a means of nonverbal self-expression. It’s an intimate and powerful way we can connect to ourselves and then transmit feeling without having to say a word about it. It connects us to our fellow humans and gives us the opportunity to connect in a primal and loving way to each other.
At what moment did you know you were destined to write a book?
In the midst of my sophomore year of college, I took a one-time experimental dose of magic mushrooms and had an epiphany. I understood that it was my life’s purpose and journey to write about life and love and that I was destined to live and work abroad so I could learn about such subjects that I knew so little about. I took a leave of absence from Brown University and, through a series of coincidences, found myself in Italy for nearly five years in total. It took me 20 years to finally write this first book, but I never ever let go of that sense of purpose. I made many difficult choices on my career path, always choosing the ones that could lead me to be a storyteller, that would give me the wisdom to have something worthy to share with others.
When did you know it was going to be a cookbook?
In my early years in Italy I decided I wanted to write a cookbook based on the recipes of all the Italian mothers I knew. I went to Maria, who I write about often in Meal and a Spiel , and asked her for her meat sauce recipe. Turns out she had no recipe! She couldn’t even explain how to make it in detail because it was so obvious to her that she skipped all kinds of important steps while explaining it to me. I felt defeated and gave up the idea of writing a cookbook for well
The trials and tribulations of my career... After living in Italy, I set off
looking for a career that would ultimately allow me to express myself. year in a classroom was in inner city L.A. I gave it a go at being a theater actor in NYC. I performed stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. I practiced hands-on healing body work and organized creative tours throughout the boot of Italy. All of these ventures spoke to different important aspects of me, but nothing tied it all together, and as a
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For the most part, I was a high school history teacher and my first
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Tell us about the trials and tribulations that inspired you to write Meal and a Spiel?
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over a decade, until I started to teach cooking classes here in L.A.
result, I felt incredibly defeated. (Side note: I’m from an overachieving Jewish family where everyone went to college and then followed a straight line to success. Everyone but me.) 204
After more than a decade of searching, I decided to do something drastic. I decided to do nothing for as long as it took until I could hear what moved me on the deepest level. And in the midst of “nothing,” I started to cook for cooking’s sake. One day, a friend was over and said she would love to learn to cook. “I can teach you,” I said. “But I don’t have the feel,” she lamented. “I can teach you the feel.” And with that, we opened my fridge to find a bunch of dinosaur kale, which they call cavolo nero in Italy, and whipped up a pasta in 20 minutes. She was so amazed at not only how delicious it was, but how easy it was, she went home and told her mom. The next day they called me and offered to pay me to teach them to cook. I sent out an email to about 30 people saying I had two spaces left in a cooking class, a blatant lie. And to my utter surprise, six people signed up. Everyone insisted I do it again, and before I knew it, I had a cooking school on my hands.
Where did the name Meal and a Spiel come from?
I needed a name for this new venture. I used to read a rhyming dictionary when I was a kid, so I was looking for a name that would work with meal. Meal and a Spiel! That was it. This would give me the permission to write about my musings on humanity, as I had set out to do many years earlier when I had heard that calling. With each recipe I developed, I wrote spiels—stories, sales pitches, commentary. And now, nine years later, I have finally put all of it into my first book: Meal and a Spiel: How to Be a Badass in the Kitchen.
What did you enjoy most about your time in Italy?
The best part of Italy is the appreciation for what they call il dolce
far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. Casual meals can last a whole day, coffee an entire afternoon, sitting in the countryside basking in the beauty of the surroundings feels like it never has to end. Life slows down in Italy and there is a profound romantic sweetness to that.
Top things you learned while living in Italy?
First, fluency in the Italian language and Roman dialect, which is loud and vulgar, but also hilarious and colorful. Second, olive oil is not just used to oil the pan, it’s the foundation of all flavor and must be used in abundance. Third, the key to making delicious food is using the best quality ingredients you can find. And fourth, the importance of the sensual life and appreciating beauty in all of its forms. The Italians call this la dolce vita , and they bask in it.
What do you mean by, and how did you come to create, the concept of intuitive cooking?
Intuitive cooking means you no longer need to be married to recipes, that you can cook from the heart and walk into the kitchen, take a look around your properly stocked pantry and whip up something because you actually know what you are doing.
Do you believe that anyone can be a badass in the kitchen?
Absolutely! Learning to cook isn’t learning how to perform brain surgery. It’s really not that hard, particularly if you follow the Italian model. Plus, one doesn’t need to learn a million different dishes to be a badass. Make burrata crostini with confidence, and boom,
you’re a badass. It’s okay if that’s the only thing you know how to do, because being a badass is about unleashing your passion and knowing your ability to give pleasure from the kitchen, even if in one simple way.
What do you love most about teaching people how to cook?
I love seeing their eyes light up when they break through the fear of cooking and realize that they will totally be able to do what we learned in class at home.
Where did the idea first come from to teach cooking classes in your parent’s kitchen? What did they think of that? Shortly before my first cooking class, my parents moved into the home where I currently teach. I was devasted that they moved from my childhood home, but when the opportunity came to teach a cooking class, and it was suggested that it be in someone else’s home, I realized that with the burners in the center of the island, and with space for up to 15 people, my parents’ kitchen was the best place for it! My parents love it. They usually make themselves invisible, but when they do come to say hi, they tend to get compliments from people about how “fun, lovely, talented” their daughter is. And who doesn’t want to hear nice things about their kids, particularly one they worried about because she nearly never found her career path!
Do you still teach there, and what should readers expect in a Meal and a Spiel cooking class.
Yes, and I also teach in private homes across the country. Expect to participate fully hands on, to have fun, to get messy and to let any notions go about cooking that no longer serve you. Expect to connect with new people, to eat delicious food and be a part of transforming order into chaos and then chaos into a fabulous meal.
How can Gio readers sign up to take one of your classes?
Join my mailing list at mealandaspiel.com to get first access to class sign-ups as soon as we announce classes. Private group classes can also be arranged.
What is your favorite ingredient?
Extra virgin olive oil. Use more of it than you think!
Core ingredients for Italian food: olive oil, kosher salt, red pepper canned), parmigiano reggiano and pecorino romano, olives. Tools: microplane, a good knife, a good pan, a braiser or dutch oven for slow cooking
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flakes, capers packed in salt, pasta, fresh herbs, tomatoes (fresh or
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What do you consider must-haves in the kitchen?
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What’s your go-to cheese mix on a cheese platter?
Favorite market in L.A.?
and try to include one hard, one soft and one semi-firm.
organic, mostly local and the prices are fantastic. I love to get
I prefer goat’s milk and sheep’s milk cheeses because
Italian specialty items at Guidi Marcello in Santa Monica (it’s a
they’re easier to digest and they taste like Central Italy.
hidden gem, if you can find it) and Eataly.
Five things you always have in your fridge?
Secrets for making the perfect crostini?
reggiano; radicchio and endive; fresh herbs; almond milk.
or rustic country loaf. What’s important is that you don’t oil the
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Mix goat’s, sheep’s, and cow’s milk cheeses for balance,
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A bottle of prosecco in case guests come over; parmigiano
I get all my fresh produce from the Santa Monica Coop. It’s all
For crostini, I often use a French baguette, but I love a ciabatta bread before toasting it. That will make the flavor of the olive oil
Five things you always have in your pantry?
Pasta; canned tomatoes; pine nuts; tamari; olive oil.
taste a bit rancid. Toast it plain and then drizzle lots of olive oil on top.
This recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and savory, yin and yang, masculine and feminine, firm and
Burrata Crostini with Honeyed Leeks and Basil
Creamy. Basically, sex on bread. And when I say sex, I mean delicious, loving, playful, consensual, expressive, connected, open-minded, exuberant sex. You’ll have to top your burrata with an extra touch of salt and olive oil, though. Don’t think about it too much. Just enjoy it.
Makes 10 to 12 Crostini
• 8 ounces burrata, cut into ¼-inch slices
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
• 3 large leeks, outer tough layer removed and cleaned
• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 30 grinds of the pepper mill, plus more for topping
• ½ to 1 teaspoon raw honey (yes, raw is important for the flavor!)
• 1 bunch basil, thinly sliced
1. Place the cheese on a plate and cut into thin slices. It will get messy. It’s okay.
2. Place a medium pan over medium heat, and let it get hot for a few minutes.
3. Remove the dark green top and the root end of the leeks. Cut the white and light
green part lengthwise into quarters, then cut those quarters crosswise into ⅓-inch
slices.
4. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and then add the leeks. Stir.
5. Let the leeks cook until very soft, about 7 minutes, adding salt about halfway
through. (You can add a couple of Tablespoons of water if needed. Be careful not to
let the leeks burn.) Remove from the heat.
6. Add the pepper and the honey to the leeks, and mix well. Begin with a ½ teaspoon
of honey, and if you like it sweeter, add a bit more. You want enough sweetness to
balance out the pepper.
7. Position the oven rack on the second rung from the top. Put the broiler on high and
let the oven get hot for at least 5 minutes.
8. Toast the bread on a baking sheet by setting it under the broiler until golden,
about a minute. Turn the slices over and toast the other side. Be careful not to let
the bread burn.
Assemble the Crostini:
1. Spread a thin layer of the leek mixture on each piece of bread, and top with a
spoonful of cheese to cover the surface.
2. Sprinkle with more salt, and drizzle a little olive oil.
3. Garnish with 4 to 5 slices of basil.
4. Serve immediately.
Make ahead: Prepare the leeks (steps 3 through 6) and bring the burrata to room temperature before you begin to toast the bread and assemble the crostini. Quickie variation: I teach this version often in class when we’re pressed for time. Forget the leeks. Just add light swipes of creamy honey to your bread, along with olive oil, and then top with burrata, salt, pepper, basil… and more olive oil.
Pesce alla Mamma di Edo
grilled branzino with lemon and olives Two minutes prep. Six minutes cook time. A meal worthy of your finest guests. The secret to this fish: You grill it, and then place it on a platter with abundant lemon juice, and some olive oil, salt and oregano. The fish soaks the juices right in, so there is no way this fish could ever be dry, even if you overcook it. Another magical touch to turn beginners into badasses.
Serves 2 to 4 For the topping: • 20 pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped • ¼ cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley • 3 to 4 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 40 grinds of pepper mill
For the fish: • 2 juicy lemons • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ teaspoon dried oregano • 2 whole branzinos, filleted (See Note)
Prepare the topping:
1. Place the olives and parsley in a small bowl and drizzle with the olive oil until the ingredients are well coated. Grind in the pepper, which
will temper the saltiness of the olives. Mix well and set aside.
Prepare the fish:
1. Light your grill or grill pan and let it get very, very hot.
2. Squeeze the lemons on the platter you intend to use to serve the fish. Add the olive oil, salt and oregano. Swirl it around and lick your
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finger to taste. Adjust the seasoning. You want it lemony, but with enough salt and olive oil to temper the lemons.
3. Dry your fish really, really well with paper towels. Drying the skin will prevent it from sticking to the pan. This is important. Cook the fish
for about 4 to 5 minutes skin-side down, until you get some nice grill marks and a golden skin. Your skin might stick until it is nice and
cooked, so just chill out. (If you find that your skin is sticking completely for some reason, just drizzle a little oil on the side of it while it
cooks. That will help loosen it up.)
4. Flip it over and cook for about 2 minutes on the other side, until you see golden marks on the flesh.
5. Place fish flesh side down on the prepared lemon platter and let it sit for 5 minutes, to soak in the juices. Before serving, flip the fish over
and spoon some of the lemony juices over it. Top with a nice spoonful or two of the olive mixture. (Alternatively you can serve it skin side
up, which is quite pretty.)
6. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Note: Each fish has two fillets. In a dinner that has other courses, one fillet per person is enough. That said, I always make extra, in case someone wants seconds. Since this fish is also great served at room temperature, I sometimes use it on a buffet with salads or Grilled Eggplant Burrata Involtini. In that case, I cut each fillet in half before grilling to make smaller servings. Make-ahead prep: This fish will not dry out while it sits in the lemon juice, so it’s okay to prepare it a couple of hours ahead and serve at room temperature.
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Flourless Chocolate Blender Cakes with olive oil and coconut milk
This is essentially a soufflé for people who aren’t perfectionists. This dessert is all about the chocolate and my other favorite ingredient, olive oil. These two were made to be married, and it’s a sophisticated partnership. I leave it to you how much extra olive oil to drizzle, but if you want to accentuate the darkness of the dark chocolate, go ahead and pour on the oro liquido. In addition to using olive oil instead of butter, we’re doing a healthy twist on a soufflé by using coconut milk instead of cream and just a touch of brown sugar. The coffee accentuates the flavor of the chocolate. The recipe can easily be halved or doubled. I usually throw the cakes into the oven just as we sit down to dinner, and they tend to be done right on time for dessert. The seductive aroma of chocolate wafting from the kitchen will let you know when they’re almost ready.
Serves 8
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and “grease” each ramekin with the olive oil. 2. Pour a few inches of water into a small saucepan. Fit a heatproof bowl over
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
and garnish
the saucepan making sure it doesn’t touch the water. Heat the water to a
simmer. Add the chocolate to the bowl and stir gently to melt.
• 7 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
3. Use a silicone spatula to pour the melted chocolate into a blender. Add
• 2 Tablespoons natural cacao powder
the cacao powder, sugar, eggs, coffee, and coconut milk. Blend on high until
• 2½ Tablespoons brown sugar
everything is well mixed. The longer you blend, the more your cakes will rise.
• 4 eggs
4. Pour the mixture evenly into the prepared ramekins.
• ½ cup hot strong coffee or weak espresso
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or until you can
• 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
• Ice cream (optional)
6. To garnish: This is your chance to let the olive oil stand out and make this
clearly see that there is no more liquid on top, 30 to 35 minutes.
dessert unique. I recommend anywhere from ½ teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon
extra-virgin olive drizzled on each cake, depending on your personal palate.
I love olive oil—as by now you know! If you are serving with ice cream, pour the
oil on top of the ice cream for a wow effect. Make sure to bring the bottle to
the table.
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Are there recipes you didn’t include in your book?
There are about 150 more recipes that I didn’t have room for in this book! Stay tuned!
Who or what inspires you every day?
I am inspired to be my best self and I let my higher self guide me in the right direction. Sometimes I just need to enjoy and celebrate where I am at, but then I keep going, trying to expand myself and reach my fullest potential. It’s a journey!
What are you most grateful for?
The incredible education and opportunities for travel that my parents gave and allowed for me at a young age, which opened the world to me to see the humanity in all people.
What are three things you would tell your high school self?
First, I love you just the way you are. Second, it’s okay that you’re stuffing your emotions down with food (I was a compulsive eater in high school and was fat!). This is all part of the journey to making peace with ourselves. Soon you will learn other ways to be patient with your emotions, and I will be by your side. And three, I’m so proud of you for working so hard.
What are your favorite restaurants in L.A., casual and fancy?
Casual: The only place I order in from, Tocaya Organica. Fancy: Had a few delicous meals at Simone in DTLA. You can taste that it’s the love of a woman chef in the ktichen!
How do you stay in such great shape when you’re so food-focused? Well, thank you. First of all, I don’t eat processed food. The body can’t digest that. And I don’t live to eat. I eat to live. I am very focused on eating healthy for my particular body’s needs and it’s also important for me to nurture my soul with more indulgent foods. It’s never about trying to stuff flavors into me, but rather about loving myself with what I eat. (Wasn’t always that way... see above!)
Where can people buy your book?
You can get signed copies from my website: mealandaspiel.com or on Amazon. We just got a distribution deal, though, so look out for it in stores this October!
WELL EQUIPPED STANFORD COURT HOTEL A multimillion-dollar renovation focuses on good health and the sweetest dreams.
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WRITTEN BY {
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BETH WEITZMAN
Perched atop San Francisco’s historic Nob Hill, the landmark
It also includes a new collection of Urban Sanctuary Wellness
400-room Stanford Court Hotel—a member of Preferred
Rooms, developed in partnership with San Francisco-based
Hotels & Resorts—recently underwent a multimillion-dollar
travel company Well + Away, which provide guests with
reimagination of its guest rooms, lobby, and public and meeting
accommodations most conducive to healthy living and peaceful
spaces with the digital-age, wellness-oriented traveler in mind.
slumbering.
In keeping with the city’s tech-forward spirit—and California’s
Each room features not only a selection of pillows, but also
healthy lifestyle—the renovation includes a new state-of-the-art,
meditation, workout and white noise apps; fitness gear
1,500-square-foot fitness center with Kinima virtual personal
(activewear, yoga mats); healthy snacks and CBD teas; and an
training and Peloton bikes.
uplifting, energizing ambiance.
“More than ever, wellness is an integral part of how our guests work, sleep, eat and play,” says General Manager Tony Roumph. “We strive to go above and beyond when it comes to guest satisfaction. With our Urban Sanctuary rooms, we are able to bring health and wellness at Stanford Court to a new level beyond physical fitness, but also state of mind.”
The Urban Sanctuary Experience at Stanford Court • Well + Away VitalKits: Filled with vegan and gluten-free snacks, wellness products and a Well + Away San Francisco VitalGuide featuring San Francisco’s best vegan restaurants, workouts, juice bars, running routes and more. • Gaiam Gear Lending: Newly released activewear by Gaiam, plus use of yoga mats and meditation cushions during your stay. • Fitness App Access: A 30-day complimentary subscription to thousands of audio-based guided workouts and programs on the Aaptiv Fitness app, such as strength training, running, yoga and more. • Meditation App Access: Improve sleep and meditation with a complimentary 30-day subscription to the Calm Meditation app. • The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self-Care: Written by wellness journalists Emma Loewe and Lindsay Kellner, this manual includes easy-to-practice wellness rituals. • CBD Teas: Soothing, anti-inflammatory teas from Buddha Teas in chamomile blend and peppermint. • Budding Greenery: In-room, oxygen-boosting plants uplift body, mind and spirit.
Stanford Court Hotel also offers a number of other wellness-centered amenities, such as Blix electric bikes; custom-made New Albion bicycles; FloWater filling stations and reusable water bottles; a “Nod Hill” menu that includes a selection of hypoallergenic pillows, earplugs and amenities to ensure a good night’s sleep; and access to the nearby Nob Hill Spa at Huntington Hotel offering an array of spa services. The hotel’s Urban Bundle ($30 per day) includes unlimited access to the fitness center, morning beverage service, tech library loans, digital newspapers and magazines, and more. There’s plenty to do nearby, including an Equinox gym for those members craving their go-to classes. Located on the site where railroad mogul, university founder and U.S. Senator Leland Stanford once had a private mansion, Stanford Court is centrally located near some of the city’s best dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural attractions. stanfordcourt.com
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A Side of Fun COCKTAILS & BITES AT SEVEN STILLS NOB HILL
Equal parts brewery, distillery and gastropub, Seven Stills Nob Hill anchors Stanford Court’s re-conceptualized restaurant and bar concept. Enjoy an innovative menu of tasty bar bites and dinner fare, plus seasonal cocktails crafted with Seven Stills’ artisanal bitters, Seven Stills draft beer and a bevy of California wines on tap.
SEE BEACH BLANKET BABYLON
Be sure to catch Beach Blanket Babylon,
the world’s longest-running musical revue, before the cast makes its final curtain calls on New Year’s Eve. As one of the most popular San Francisco attractions, the outrageous performance follows Snow White as she searches for her Prince Charming. Seen by more than six million people from around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, the production features spectacular costumes combined with quirky takes on current pop
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TOUR GRACE CATHEDRAL
Explore Grace Cathedral’s rich history, stunning art and iconic architecture during a guided tour led by Head Verger Charles Shipley. The church, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1906, was carefully rebuilt starting in 1927 and completed in 1964.
©ALEXANDER DAVIDOVICH / ADOBE STOCK
FEELING GOOD
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culture.
UNWIND AT NOB HILL SPA AT HUNTINGTON HOTEL
This sanctuary of serenity features 10 treatments rooms, a whirlpool and saunas, a eucalyptus steam room, an indoor infinity pool, a tranquil Zen Room and a fireplace lounge. New on the
menu is the Nob Hill Spa CBD massage, designed to calm anxiety, alleviate stress and relive pain. With ingredients including cannabidiol oil, arnica essential oil and birch essential oil, the CBD Pain Relief Massage Oil attaches to cannabinoid receptors just under the skin’s surface when massaged onto the body and absorbed through skin. The body utilizes the CBD benefits wherever it’s most needed.
Upon entering the rustic-chic space at Del Popolo, wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. Most recently named a 2019 Bib Gourmand, this is the go-to small plates, plus a top-notch wine and beer list.
FEELING GOOD
place for mouthwatering pizza and market-driven
ISSUE No. 5
it’s impossible to avoid the wafting aroma of
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John Russo
Gio Creative Director John Russo is one of the top celebrity photographers in the world. He’s spent more than two decades photographing the likes of Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Julianne Moore. His work has graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Esquire, and Harper’s Bazaar, and advertising campaigns for brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and Gucci. One of his current projects, 100 Making a Difference, is a book chronicling 100 philanthropists and humanitarians—including Malala Yousafzai, Maria Shriver, Drew Brees, Sugar Ray Leonard and Cindy Crawford—and the charities and causes they support. Originally from Ventnor, N.J., John now lives in West Hollywood, where he can often be found on the courts, perfecting his tennis game. @johnrussophoto
Angela Fairhurst
Angela Fairhurst is a veteran television and event producer, content creator and travel journalist. Luxury hotel bathroom obsessed, she began writing a column for PeterGreenberg.com that launched in March 2013, bringing the bathroom to the forefront of travelers minds. Two years ago, she added another column, Luxe Lodgings, focusing on special features in upscale hotels. Both are found at LuxeLavs.com, along with @ JauntTV and JauntTV.com for experiential travel images, articles and video vignettes.
Bonnie Davidson
Jason Bush
Jason Bush has been visually oriented since his childhood in Oklahoma, and he fell in love with photography while living in Chicago. He moved to Santa Barbara to study photography, and has lived and worked in Los Angeles for close to a decade.
Jessica Luza
An actress and writer from Atlanta, Jessica Luza followed her dreams to La La Land just two days after graduating from Georgia Tech and has spent the past decade enjoying Instagrammable sunsets and trying to avoid street-cleaning tickets. Her credits include House MD (“Yes, Hugh Laurie is really nice!”), The Game, Necessary Roughness, Satisfaction, Men At Work and Let’s Be Cops. She also appeared with People’s 2017 Sexiest Man Alive, Blake Shelton, in a commercial for Gildan underwear. Her articles have been featured in regional publications. @jessluza
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Gio Executive Editor Bonnie Davidson is a longtime journalist specializing in food, fashion, travel, arts and entertainment, and luxury lifestyle. The former editor-in-chief of a group of publications for affluent visitors to New York City, she also edited the official program of the Tony Awards; worked on staff at Cosmopolitan and GQ; and has contributed articles to national magazines, newspapers and websites. She and her husband Michael relocated from Manhattan to New York’s Hudson Valley, where deer and wild turkeys regularly wander past her home office’s window.
Bekah Wright
Encountering the unexpected is de rigueur for this travel and entertainment writer. Her celebrity tête-à-têtes with everyone from Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, Ludacris, Steve Carell and Celine Dion have appeared in TV Guide, Bon Appetit, Yahoo Travel and Westways. As the founder of Change Your Life Travels VR, Bekah brought viewers along for the ride in the much-lauded 360 film Experience the Majesty: Grand Canyon South Rim. @changeyourlifetravels
CONTRIBUTORS Misty Milioto
Based in New Orleans, Misty has spent the past 18 years as a writer and editor working with magazines across the U.S. She is an avid traveler who loves uncovering amazing experiences in luxurious destinations around the world. She also enjoys writing about food and libations, art and culture, design, shopping, spa treatments and living life in the moment.
Nadine Jolie Courtney
Nadine Jolie Courtney is an L.A.-based freelance writer covering luxury travel, royalty and the lifestyles of the 1%. A former magazine editor, her freelance work has appeared in Town & Country, Robb Report and Angeleno, and she regularly creates digital content for Town & Country, Vogue and Architectural Digest. Author of the best-selling guide Beauty Confidential, her fourth book, AllAmerican Muslim Girl, will be published in 2019 by FSG Books for Young Readers. @nadinejoliecourtney (IG), @nadinecourtney (Twitter)
Marie Look
Marie Look is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles with a background in lifestyle content for print and digital magazines. She specializes in covering luxury, travel, entertainment, wellness and technology. Her work has been featured by C Magazine, Haute Living, the Modern Luxury magazines and others. When she’s not writing, she’s training for her next half marathon or exploring a different neighborhood in L.A. @marielook
Erinn Valencich
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Kelly Schneider
A California native and graduate of Chapman University, Kelly Schneider works in sales and enjoys traveling the world. She is the editor of a travel and leisure blog in which she documents her 21st-century life and style.
CONTRIBUTORS
Los Angeles-based designer Erinn Valencich has a keen understanding of the classic California lifestyle. The granddaughter of a fine cabinetmaker and daughter of an architect, her approach to design underscores the importance of craftsmanship and livability. Erinn’s custom 90-piece furniture line, ERINN V, is handcrafted in California and available at fine to-the-trade showrooms around the country. In addition, her signature collaborations with lifestyle brands include Baldwin’s new Hollywood Hills by Erinn V hardware collection. She’s been featured in Elle Décor, Architectural Digest, Town & Country and House Beautiful. @erinnvstyle
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Aja Mangum
A freelance beauty and fashion editor, Aja Mangum’s work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, Bloomberg Pursuits, Men’s Fitness, Refinery29, Brides and more. Prior to freelancing, she held various titles during her 10-year tenure at New York magazine, and her final role was beauty and market editor.
Tas Limur
A Los Angeles-based artist specializing in photography and video production, Tas Limur was born and raised in Bangladesh and he received his education in Manchester, U.K., before moving to the United States. When Tas is not behind a camera, he plays bass guitar in a progressive rock band called Kolm.
Jennifer Agress
Jennifer Agress is a Miami-based food and travel writer who has called South Florida home for 32 years. She is City Editor of DiningOut Miami, and her work has been featured in Thrillist, Orbitz, Travelocity, INDULGE, Time Out, Modern Luxury Weddings, Jezebel, Recommend, Haute Living, Preferred Travel, Canadian Traveller, Private Air Luxury Homes Magazine and more. When she’s not writing about where she’s going or what’s on her plate, she’s likely jetting off on her next adventure—follow her on Instagram at @jenniferagress to see where she lands.
CONTRIBUTORS
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Justin Miller
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Rachel Madison Hill
Rachel Madison Hill grew up in Los Angeles, in a family of music and entertainment industry pros, surrounded by some of the most creative and influential people around. A natural curiosity about what makes people tick led her to conduct celebrity interviews for Gio. In her free time, she likes to explore the culinary offerings of other cities.
Gio Production Director Justin Miller found his love for art and all things creative early in life. With a background in graphic design, photography and social media, he works as a photo producer in Los Angeles. In his spare time, he can be found anywhere but the beach.
“THERE IS NO GREATER JOY, NOR GREATER REWARD THAN TO MAKE A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE.” ~MARY ROSE MCGEADY IN MEMORANDUM OF MONETTE AND FRED ROBINSON THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION AND LOVE. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.
–John Russo, Creative Director