VOLUME V / ISSUE II / MARCH-APRIL 2021
T H E G A U N T L E T O F P O L O : C .V. W H I T N E Y C U P · H E R I TA G E C U P THE $20 MILLION SAUDI CUP · DUBAI POLO MASTERS
WEALTH EARN IT
$1 MILLION POLO CUP
SPEND IT
BEACH-FRONT LUXURY HOMES HAUTE COUTURE TRAVEL TOYS AND ART
GIVE IT AWAY
JOIN THE RACE TO SAVE OUR PLANET
BUILD WITH IT
INSIDE THE BIJAN EMPIRE
INVEST IN YOURSELF CONQUER NEGATIVITY ONCE AND FOR ALL
HAITI'S MOST PRIZED EXPORT
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING
COULD YOU DATE A CELEBRITY?
THE TRICKY RULES OF DATING IN HIGH SOCIETY
YOUR FOUR-WEEK PLAN TO A PRE-PANDEMIC BODY
VOLUME V / ISSUE II / MARCH-APRIL 2021
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Joshua Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief
Claire Barrett
Head of Photography
Eva Espresso
Contributing Photographer
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor
Raphael K. Dapaah Art Contributor
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Contributor
Stanley Pierre-Etienne Style Contributor
Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre Style Contributor
Philippe Lucas
Luxury Contributor Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai Michael J. Snell - The Hamptons Stanley Pierre-Etienne Caribbean Sara Ali - London Jessica Foret Wax - Santa Fe Charles Ward - Montecito K & Co. Media - Los Angeles Contributing Photographers Khalil Ali, Shaun Rajah Tony Belot, Jenna Peffley Global Polo Entertainment
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Gregory Bertrand Copy Editor
Katerina Morgan
Contributing Photographer
Michael J. Snell
Lifestyles Contributor
Charles Ward
Mansions of the Month Curator
Joey Velez
Wellness Columnist
Brett Chody
Trends Contributor
William Smith
Philanthropy Contributor
Elle Chrysler
Polo Contributor Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Content Copyright © Polo Lifestyles 2020 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@htpolo.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover Photo by Ricarda Piotrowski
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INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB THE GAUNTLET OF POLO U.S. Polo Women's Open Championship GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB The Grand Champions Cup The Palm Beach Open GHANTOOT RACING & POLO CLUB Al Amal Polo Day for Charity HH President of UAE Polo Cup MARRAKECH POLO CLUB International Women's Day Polo Cup AL HABTOOR POLO CLUB UAE National Day Cup Sir Winston Churchill Cup
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VOLUME V / ISSUE II / MARCH-APRIL 2021
SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G P O L O
DUBAI POLO MASTERS EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS page 26 POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Elle Chrysler
Polo Contributor U.S. Polo Connection @ellechrysler
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Josh Jakobitz
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Charles Ward
Mansions of the Month IdeaWorks Global @ideaworksglobal
Claire Barrett
Head of Photography
Claire Barrett Photography
@clairebarrettphoto
Eva Espresso Photographer
Eva Espresso Photography
@eva.espresso
Raphael K. Dapaah
Jyoti Paintel
Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles @jyotipaintel
Michael J. Snell
Gregory Bertrand
Lifestyles Contributor MJS Groupe @agnello_1
Copy Editor Polo Lifestyles @bertrand7367
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezartastesearth
Joey Velez
Brett Chody
Trends Contributor Polo Lifestyles @brettchody
William Smith
Wellness Columnist
Philanthropy Contributor
@velezmentalhealth
@willismith_2000
Velez Mental Performance May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
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The rules of high-society relationships, page 86
The Miramar, the epitome of beach-front luxe, page 145
Couture houses show inspir- Vétiver: Haiti's most-prized ing gold looks, page 94 export, page 62
WEALTH
CREATE IT. SPEND IT. DONATE IT. PASS IT ON. WIN IT. LIVE WELL. FROM HOMES AND COUTURE TO TOYS AND TOP 50 PHILANTHROPISTS LISTS, DIVE INTO THE STORIES AROUND WEALTH IN THIS ISSUE.
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L
AST AUGUST, THE HEADLINE ON THE COVER OF POLO LIFESTYLES READ, POLO IS BACK, AND IT REALLY WAS. THE UK SEASON WAS IN FULL SWING, ALBEIT WITHOUT SPECTATORS, HOSPITALITY OR THE USUAL FANFARE BEFITTING OF IT’S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND PROXIMITY TO THE CROWN. IT FELT DISCONNECTED. IT FELT FORCED. IT FELT LACKLUSTER. BUT, PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WENT ON – IT HAPPENED. When the Argentine season kicked off and we saw the photos and videos of empty stands in Palermo, it still felt weird. Our photographers were under strict Covid-19 restricted access, but they prevailed with still-stunning imagery from that hallowed polo ground. Then came the December-January lull. Maybe no one knew what was going to happen. Maybe the polo world was just being extra cautious, but it was quiet. Eerily quiet. Just days before the New Zealand BMW Polo Open, the national government shocked the nation when it announced that, despite best efforts and nearly 100 percent national lockdown, cases of Covid-19 had surfaced in the population. Lucy Ainsley, executive director of The Polo in New Zealand, was forced to cancel tickets and hospitality tents last minute. So it should have been no surprise to me when the Florida season started, quietly and without fanfare at first. But in Florida, polo is gaining ground and making up for lost time. At the International Polo Club, teams completed the unfinished 2020 Gold Cup. For The Gauntlet of Polo, the U.S. Polo Association is selling their fabulous brunch tickets once again. As photos and results started rolling in, our team crowded around my laptop to look at the photos. “Those must be from last year,” someone commented. “I can see spectators in the background.” We’ve become to accustomed to spectator-less polo that seeing fans on-site felt jarring. It also felt like polo – because polo is a lifestyle, as we often are heard saying at our office, on the phone or over Zoom calls. Without the lifestyle, you don’t experience polo as it’s intended; never has been that been made clearer than in the last 12 months. It’s the cars, the fashion, the food and drinks, the people-watching and the divot-stomping. If Florida is a preview to the 2021 polo season, then we’re moving in the right direction. In the meantime, we’re going to continue bringing all of the Polo Lifestyles aspects you know and love to you, each and every month. We hope you enjoy this issue about wealth: its power, its lure, its benevolence – and that you might be inspired to do something good with yours.
WEST PALM BEACH
Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com
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VOLUME V / ISSUE II / MARCH-APRIL 2021
athaiti Good morning from Milot, northern Haiti, with this iconic shot of the Palais Sans Souci
naomi Naomi is radiant in "The Utopia in Dystopia" Issue No. 362 of i-D
townandcountrymag Our pets have provided both comfort and creative outlet during a long year of isolation page 22
africapoloopen Live like royal everyday or at least for polo on Sundays at the Royal Salute bar, part of Africa Polo Open
lakayanm Haitian favorites, dressed up and photo-ready, make mouths water
madonnaunderground Love her or hate her, Madonna: Living for Love issue was the most-read, mostdownloaded and most-sold issue yet
devonjewelry Aquamarine, the official gemstone of March babies, is said to calm waves and believed to protect sailors
rimowa Intergalactic travel is on our minds since we watched the videos from Mars @nasa
oscardelarenta Looking splendid and happy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their pregnancy
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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
experiencethefrenchriviera There is no destination like the French Riviera and the view from above is stunning of this estate
mireilly_mireilly Desserts with candles in a socially cognizant, outside dining situation only mean one thing #HBD
uspoloassociation The Florida Palm Beach season has a chance at success in 2021 as Covid-19 restrictions ease slightly
ferragamo Salvatore Ferragamo showed a new men's travel bag in metallic silver, embossed in rubberized leather
yaeletvalerie Cheery, spring-inspired palettes from the beloved Caribbean design firm Yael et Valerie
haiti_polo_team As vaccinations roll out around the world, 2021 may be the year we return to some-kind-of normal
philippedodard Moody subjects and strong lines define artist Philippe Dodard, who displays a recent work
kingdejia
Lagos Polo Club flashback to the President's Cup last played in 2020 prior to global restrictions
ocpoloclub There's always a next-generation of polo players, up-and-coming prodigies and "los enfantes" page 23
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DU B A I P OLO M AST E R S
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S page P H O26 TOGRAPHED BY KHALIL ALI/SHINE TV
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WOMEN'S OPEN DE
DU B AI P O LO A R G E NM T IAST N A 2 0E2RS 0
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y K AT E R I N A M O R G A N F O R P O LO L I F E S T Y L E S
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WOMEN'S OPEN DE ARGENTINA 2020
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DU B AI P O LO M AST E RS
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S PHOTOGRAPHED BY KHALIL ALI/SHINE TV AND TONY BELOT
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D UB A I P O LO MAST ERS
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
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C .V. WH I T N E Y CUP
I N T E R N AT I O N A L P O LO C L U B page 36
W E S T PA L M B E A C H , F L O R I D A
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SA R AS OTA POLO CLU B'S WAYN E B R OWN MEMORIA L
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20 21 C .V. WH I TN EY CU P THE GAUNTLET OF POLO
R
ETURNING TO THE C.V. WHITNEY CUP® AND THE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH (IPC) FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018, ADOLFO CAMBIASO, ALONG WITH SON POROTO, LED SCONE TO A STATEMENT 12-5 VICTORY IN THE FEATURE GAME OF THE WEEK ON THE HOME OF THE U.S. POLO ASSN – FIELD 1.
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Earlier in the day, Park Place bounced back from an overtime loss to overwhelm Aspen/Dutta Corp 9-3 on the Isla Carroll West field. The defense of Park Place was the story in the opening game of the day as they limited Aspen/Dutta Corp to just three goals in their Gauntlet of Polo® debut. Park Place impressed with a disciplined team performance that conceded zero penalty attempts and held Aspen/Dutta Corp to just 1 for 9 shooting over the first four chukkers, leaving little doubt
in the six-goal victory. After scoring eight goals in his first game, Hilario Ulloa displayed an increased focus on distributing the ball, finishing with three assists as all four Park Place players found the score sheet in the victory. Aspen/Dutta Corp showed some energy in the opening chukker with opportunities around goal but were unable to convert any of their three attempts, allowing Park Place to take the early 1-0 lead on a field goal from Juan Britos. The defensive-minded game carried
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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2 0 2 1 C .V. W H I T N EY CU P THE GAUNTLET OF POLO
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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into the second chukker with goals hard to come by for both teams. Stewart Armstrong came forward from the back of the game to put Aspen/Dutta Corp on the scoreboard, but Park Place’s Jack Whitman, playing in place of Andrey Borodin for the second consecutive game, responded with his first goal. In the lowest-scoring half of the season, Park Place’s Britos converted a Penalty 3 in the only goal of the third chukker to finish the half holding the slim 3-1 lead. The game changed in a decisive fourth chukker as Ulloa began to assert his 10-goal status on the game. Scoring two goals while assisting on a goal from Britos, Ulloa led a 3-0 chukker in favor of Park Place while Matt Coppola continued to be effective defensively in preventing Aspen/Dutta Corp from getting any open runs to goal. Held without a goal for the third time in four chukkers, Aspen/Dutta Corp faced a 6-1 deficit with two chukkers remaining. Ulloa’s third goal of the game to open the fifth chukker completed a run of six consecutive goals for Park Place. A Penalty 1 awarded to Gringo Colombres provided a brief reprieve for Aspen/Dutta Corp, but they were unable to match the pace of Park Place, who managed their lead over the final chukker to complete the resounding 9-3 victory. The much-anticipated debut of Scone lived up to the hype with teenager Poroto leading all players with five goals on accurate 4 for 6 shooting. With the proficient attack led by Poroto and Peke Gonzalez, Adolfo effectively managed the game from the back, keeping possession with Scone and holding Santa Clara to just 2 for 10 shooting and zero field goals in the second half. Santa Clara struggled to find the success they had in their opening game with the duo of Miguel Novillo Astrada and Luis Escobar limited to just one combined goal as Santa Clara trailed throughout the game in the 12-5 defeat. Scone wasted little time in the first chukker, dominating possession and keeping Santa Clara in their own half to build a 3-0 lead. Poroto scored two goals while father Adolfo added the third, leaving Santa Clara searching for a response after the first seven minutes of play. Displaying an impressive attacking presence, Poroto scored his third goal to open the second chukker and extend Scone’s lead to four. Finding their footing, Santa Clara fought back in the remainder of the chukker, producing three goals on solid teamwork, with one goal each from Felipe Vercellino, Novillo Astrada, and Will Johnston. Refocusing defensively, Scone kept Santa Clara off the scoreboard to finish the first half and received goals from Gonzalez and Adolfo to hold a commanding 7-3 advantage. The momentum of the rest of the game was in the fourth chukker as Santa Clara desperately needed to close the gap, but inaccurate shooting kept them from doing so, missing their three shot attempts at goal. The young duo of Poroto and Gonzalez continued to ignite Scone offensively as they added one goal and an assist each, leaving Santa Clara facing a difficult task, trailing by six with two chukkers remaining. Despite three missed penalty attempts in the final two chukkers, Scone effectively managed their lead behind their exceptional defense, preventing Santa Clara from scoring any field goals throughout the second half and cruising to the 12-5 victory. For his five-goal performance, Poroto was awarded Most Valuable Player while Adolfo’s GT Frapera won Best Playing Pony. page 41
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2 0 2 1 C .V. W H I T N EY CU P THE GAUNTLET OF POLO
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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USPA HE R I TAG E CUP 14 GOA L
PORT MAYACA POLO CLU B
E URE K A · SA RAS OTA P O LO BTA · MO UN T BRI LLI A N T HE AD E D TO T HE S E M I - F I N ALS page 47
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T H E U S PA H E R I TA G E C U P P O R T M AYAC A P O LO C LU B
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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T H E U S PA H E R I TA G E C U P
page P 50 H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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T H E U S PA H E R I TA G E C U P
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The advanced electric fastback
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T H E $ 20 M I LLI ON SAU D I CU P KING ABDULAZIZ EQUESTRIAN FIELD
S H A R I N G T H E $ 2 0 M P OT: GOLD - MISHRIFF - $10M
S I LV E R - C H A R L ATA N - $ 3 . 5 M B R O N Z E - G R E AT S C O T - $ 2 M 4TH KNICKS GO - $1.5M 5TH SLEEPY EYES TODD - $1M 6 T H M I L I TA R Y L AW - $ 6 0 0 K 7 T H TAC I T U S - $ 5 0 0 K 8T H B A N G KO K - $ 4 0 0 K 9 T H C H U WA W I Z A R D - $ 3 0 0 K 10TH DEREVO - $200K
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE SAUDI CUP
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T H E $ 2 0 MI LLI ON SAU D I CUP MISHRIFF - 2021 CHAMPION
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T H E $ 2 0 MI LLI ON SAU D I C UP MISHRIFF - 2021 CHAMPION
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VETIVER
HAITI'S MOST PRIZED EXPORT COVETED BY THE WORLD'S LEADING NOSES FOR IT'S SMOKY & MASCULINE NOTES
V
ÉTIVER, WITH ITS FRAGRANT OILS EXTRACTED FROM THE ROOTS, IS A KEY INGREDIENT IN THE WORLD’S LEADING SCENTS. DISCOVERED IN THE TAMIL REGION OF INDIA, WHERE IT IS ALSO USED TO MAKE BLINDS, TODAY, 80 PERCENT OF THE COMMERCIALLY DISTRIBUTED VÉTIVER OIL USED IN FRAGRANCES COMES FROM HAITI. COOPERATIVES OF VÉTIVER FARMERS, LARGELY BASED IN LES CAYES, ON THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST PRODUCE THE WORLD’S MOST SUPERIOR AND COVETED VÉTIVER OIL.
Vétiver, alone, is one of the finest perfumes known, with a woody earthiness that has made it a favorite since ancient times. Today, it is found in one-fifth of all male fragrances. Its masculine smokiness is likened to incense and cigars while its complex chemical make-up means that currently there is no synthetic substitute available. From Jo Malone to Hermès, here is a selection of the very best vétiver fragrances for men available right now. page 62
MILLER HARRIS
VÉTIVER INSOLENT EAU DE PARFUM
Fresh yet smoky, this rebellious take on a vétiver classic has a very sensual, energetic and modern spirit. An intriguing combo of earthy vétiver roots, aromatic herbs, cool spice and resins, it is vegan-friendly and free from artificial colorants, parabens and formaldehydes. Created in 2016 by renowned perfumer Mathieu Nardin, whose brief was to formulate a fragrance that took its direction from the forest floor; vétiver from Haiti, Italian bergamot, black pepper, elemi and cardamom from India take the leading role with iris, lavandin abs, amber and moss added to the mix to create ambiance.
MOLTON BROWN
VÉTIVER & GRAPEFRUIT EAU DE PARFUM
This higher-concentration EDP reboot of Molton Brown’s clean-cut, classic Vétiver & Grapefruit Eau de Toilette is an elegant new addition to the brand’s recent diversification into bolder scents
with greater staying power. Born out of the success of the Vétiver & Grapefruit body care line, it retains the signature warm and tonic tones of the original EDT but with a touch more depth and maturity about it. New-gen perfumer Julie Pluchet was enlisted to give the fragrance its air of sophistication, which she achieved by piercing the signature top note of grapefruit with a shot of cooling mandarin. Lavender and geranium uplift its warm heart while resinous amber and moss are aligned with Haitian vétiver and cedarwood for its sensual base. The awakening zest of citrus off the block, progressively darkening down into earthy vétiver and smoky woods, is a tried-and-tested formula that works well for masculine scents but is far from ordinary or run of the mill thanks to the finest-grade ingredients being used and the pure, honest approach taken to its construction.
JO MALONE LONDON
VÉTIVER & GOLDEN VANILLA COLOGNE INTENSE
The latest addition to JML’s Cologne Intense collection (a range of surpris-
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ing, opulent and highly concentrated fragrances) is a mysterious and noble powerhouse that sits under the oriental/ woody olfactive umbrella. As with the rest of the collection, which travels the world in pursuit of rare and precious ingredients (previous colognes have taken inspiration from Indian flower markets, Japanese rituals and Middle Eastern traditions), Vétiver & Golden Vanilla heads to the Madagascan coastline for its influence and inspiration. Cardamom and the freshness of grapefruit tea form its top layer, followed by the earthy vétiver, which forms a backbone to the scent, and precious vanilla bourbon (handpicked from the orchid-sown jungle). As with all of Jo Malone London’s creations, it is non-gender-specific, but, unlike some of the other highly concentrated Cologne Intense formulations, and partially due to its heart of elegant vétiver, is as appropriate to be worn during the day as it is for evening.
ATELIER COLOGNE
VÉTIVER FATAL COLOGNE ABSOLUE
Founded by Sylvie Ganter and Christophe Cervasel, partners in life as well as business, Atelier Cologne is the first fragrance house dedicated entirely to cologne and responsible for creating an entirely new concentration (Cologne Absolue) that takes its lead from the fresh and elegant characteristics of a legendary Eau de Cologne, but offers the long-lasting staying power usually only found with a pure perfume. This woody/aromatic elixir, made with 93 percent ingredients of
natural origin, is a class act with daring undertones. Sparkling and fresh, woody and cool, its main aim is to seduce (thus the “Fatal” tag) and it is a very uplifting interpretation of a vétiver scent due to its abundance of summery citrus fruits. Created in 2012 by master perfumer Jerome Epinette, it opens with a trio of Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian lemon and bitter orange, drying down to a more mysterious center of Tunisian orange blossom and violet leaf. The vétiver hit (which is of the finest quality from Haiti) then adventurously kicks in, closely followed by a quintessentially masculine and smoky trail of cedar and agarwood (oud). Marketed as for both him and her, it leans closer toward the profile of a more manly fragrance.
JO LOVES
PINK VÉTIVER FRAGRANCE PARFUM
The celebrated perfumer and founder of Jo Loves, Jo Malone CBE, set herself the task of reinventing vétiver as a clean and contemporary classic with the creation of this fragrance – not the easiest task given vétiver’s intrinsically earthy signature. Not only did she pull it off, but she also inadvertently formulated one of the most unique and desirable interpretations of the vétiver ingredient. Created in 2012, Malone tapped into a diverse range of cherished memories for inspiration: a spice market she would regularly visit in Grasse (the capital of French perfumery), a favorite hotel tucked away in Florence and her father’s crisp white shirts. Opening with a rush of effervescent crushed pink peppercorn, cardamom and juniper berries (better known for giving gin its refreshing and aromatic taste), the vétiver, combined with amber, is used in its solid and woody base. Sandwiched between the two, and adding heat, depth and intensity to the scent, is a spicy
cocktail of nutmeg, angelica, cumin and ginger. Great for day, but even better after dark.
CREED ORIGINAL
VÉTIVER EAU DE PARFUM
A woody, breezy classic, this fragrance, from a perfume house founded more than 260 years ago, gives its loyal, die-hard fan base the same elegant reassurance earned when wearing a well-cut grey flannel suit. And unlike many vétiver-based perfumes (which only use the root of the ingredient in their formulations), Original Vétiver stands alone by making good use of all three parts of the plant: its bawdy root, its grassy, verdant leaves and its heady heart.
LE LABO
VÉTIVER 46 EAU DE PARFUM
This should be top of your vétiver list if you like your fragrance to have some punch. Not to say you can’t wear it for day, but, in our opinion, it works better as an evening fragrance. It is without question the most alpha male of the Le Labo creations, combining 46 traditionally “manly” essences such as pepper, gaiac labdanum and cedar. An unidentifiable aroma of incense loiters in the dry-down giving it a spiritual dimension in its wake.
FREDERIC MALLE
VÉTIVER EXTRAORDINAIRE PARFUM
Created by renowned nose Dominique Ropion, Vétiver Extraordinaire is one of the most complex and sophisticated perfumes to embrace this earthy ingredient, boasting an unprecedented page 63
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indulgence of Haitian vétiver essence (Haiti is to vétiver what Ibiza is to partying, just for the record). But rather than being overpowering (as you might envision), it is soft and elegant, being tamed by complementary and creamy notes of sandalwood, cashmeran and cedar.
HERMÈS TERRE D’HERMÈS
EAU INTENSE VÉTIVER EAU DE PARFUM
Christine Nagel has given the pioneering Terre d’Hermès – originally created in 2006 by master perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena – a contemporary overhaul. As the name would suggest, the volume has been turned up on its charge of vétiver, which is immediately obvious from first spritz. But don’t be fooled into thinking this already earthy fragrance has been made even drier: by swapping out black pepper in favour of citrusy Sichuan pepper this new avatar is unexpectedly brighter.
latest collection, Series #10 Clash Eau de Parfums (of which there are three), continues this rep for being an industry disruptor. Described as “surprising encounters that shatter olfactory customs,” Christian Astuguevieille, CDG parfum’s artistic director, researched what happens when two raw materials that were never organically intended to meet are combined to create a new form altogether. The most successful in the collection is Radish Vétiver, mixed by perfumer Nathalie Cetto: an awkward fusion of two roots that are grown for very different purposes and with very different profiles. The enhanced vétiver note is sweet, earthy and spicy, while the radish, supported by cypriot and guaiac wood, serves a green but somehow synthetic awkwardness. A Marmite fragrance that won’t be to everybody’s taste but could never be accused of being generic or boring. Available in a travel-friendly 30ml size only.
HERMÈS HERMÈSSENCE
VÉTIVER TONKA EAU DE TOILETTE
The Hermèssence line of premium
COMME DES GARÇONS
PARFUMS SERIES #10 CLASH RADISH VÉTIVER EAU DE PARFUM
Time has taught us to expect the unexpected and embrace the atypical from Comme Des Garçons Parfums. Its page 64
fragrances from this hallowed French brand uses only the finest of raw ingredients and allows the luxury label the opportunity to unleash unbridled creative freedom. Vétiver Tonka, one of the
standout formulations in the line and one that is very much geared towards the masculine, is a unique and charming interpretation of the vétiver ingredient. Described by its maker, Jean-Claude Elena, as a “rough, earthy and unrefined” raw material, he felt the need to reappropriate and reinvent it, giving its woody signature a more mellow roundness. The result: Elena paired vétiver with the caramel, praline and blonde tobacco notes of tonka bean, giving it a softer and warmer personality.
TOM FORD
GREY VÉTIVER EAU DE TOILETTE
Like an elegantly cut grey flannel suit, Ford’s love letter to the vétiver ingredient is sophisticated, grown-up and a contemporary finishing touch for the well-turned-out gent. In Tom’s own words, “It [vétiver] is one of my favorite fragrance notes because it is timeless, grounded and has an enormous amount of character.” Unlike traditional fragrances that use vétiver as a background note, Grey Vétiver is present from top note through to its long-lasting drydown and benefits from a revolutionary extraction technique (used here for the first time in perfumery) capturing the ultra-pure essence of the woody vétiver root. Sparkling orange flower, sage and warm woods feature in its top with nutmeg, pimento and an overdose of the vétiver root extraction at its heart and amber woods and oak moss in its dry-down. By Adrian Clark and Robert Johnston/Special to Polo Lifestyles-Haiti
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HIGH SOCIETY
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PHOTO G RA P H Y BY J E N N A P E F F LE Y
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HIGH SOCIETY
THE HOUSE
OF BIJAN
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HIGH SOCIETY P HOTO GR A P H Y BY J E N N A P E F F LE Y
LIVING LIKE THE BIJANS MICHAEL J. SNELL Lifestyles Contributor @agnello_1
I
N WHAT IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST OPULENT CITIES (CURRENTLY HOME TO THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE PRIVATE RESIDENCE FOR SALE) RESIDES A HUMBLE, ENTREPRENEURIAL COUPLE. They've graced TV screens and editorial pages, and that is praised widely on social media – and you’d never think anything less by their carriage. Roxy page 70
Sowalty and Nicolas Bijan Pakzad were first introduced by mutual friends in their teens, and from that meeting, a lifetime together would be planned and spent. Growing up simultaneously in upscale Los Angeles, the pair formed a quick and tight bond as they matured together. In late 2018, Nicolas made the move to propose to Roxy in an impromptu surprise, cornering her on the Pont des Arts in Paris and proclaiming his love. Roxy, without hesitation, accepted.
Together, the couple has made waves through a myriad of smart dealings. Roxy, an extremely successful interior designer, has been profiled with the elite of her generation for her refined and luxuriously simplistic taste that has the
biggest personalities clambering after her consultation. All while Nicolas, who is co-CEO of the Bijan retail empire, manages the business and its duty to provide the ultimate in bespoke apparel. Both hover around that 30-year-old mark (we’ll let you guess who is older) and are enjoying their newlywed lifestyle at a home just minutes from Rodeo Drive. Joined by their pup, Red, who is a sprightful and sassy Vizsla, the trio lives in a 1941 estate found in classic Beverly Hills. Recently, the couple reminisced on first finding their fabulous abode while house shopping. “When we got to see it, finally, it was even more beautiful and charming and [to]us than we had imagined,” mentioned Roxy. “The gates open to this magical bridge, and you
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ascend into the middle of nowhere, with oak trees and deer.” The home itself is in a traditional bungalow style but on a sprawling acre-anda-half property. First built by the Pillsbury family and then later acquired by vocalist Taylor Swift, the Bijans are the third property owners. Consisting of four bedrooms and five baths, this estate has been tastefully modified to reflect both of their personal styles. “We’re definitely a very fun couple, and we wanted the house to reflect that and our travels,” said Roxy of her approach to blending tradition with contemporary touches. You’ll find a Botero sculpture inherited from Bijan resting on the coffee table, a Slim Aarons photograph hanging over the fireplace, and one
of Roxy’s favorite pieces: a wood-carved, banana leaf chair that belonged to her friend Josh Flagg’s late grandmother, Edith. The tasteful combination of classic and modern cues would have any style aficionado and designer alike drooling. Leave it to Roxy to incorporate thoughtful elements such as designing with notable Bijan color palettes or utilizing a posh fabric that was originally envisioned to be used as a tablecloth in the couple’s Villa d’Este nuptial décor, has since been re-imagined into the space. The power couple tied the knot in December 2020 in their backyard, which was still magically intimate, given that a wedding abroad page 71
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was hindered by current pandemic restrictions. Planned in just a month’s time, the couple decided that it was time to seal the deal and still were able to give one heck of a presentation. Including personal touches like a Bijan Silk Face Mask for each guest (who had also partaken in a drive-through Covid test provided for safety), guests also were delighted to sip cocktails featuring Bijan-branded ‘B’ ice cubes. Roxy placed her touch on the ceremony with tasteful florals, custom fabrics that were mirrored in lace on her wedding dresses (that’s correct, two – one for the reception) designed by Reem Arca and even snuck in some late-night catering that consisted of McDonald’s Happy Meals. Nicholas, naturally sporting Bijan on the big day, also chose to have a second
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outfit, changing into an off-white, silk dinner jacket with a shawl collar and satin cuffs. Unusual, but not impossible for a fashion icon heir to pull off, it turned into a buzzy, requested look following the event. “Since the night of the wedding, a few customers have ordered the same jacket after seeing our photos,” said Nicolas, who was photographed in it on the dance floor of the estate’s transformed motor court. The aforementioned motor court, a novelty to have in a dense city, is usually home to an established collection of vehicles, including a Bugatti Veyron, a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead and an Aston Martin Superleggera, all clad in signature Bijan styling of vibrant yellow and tasteful accents. When not parked at their gorgeous home, the motorcars
can be found right out front of the Bijan store on Rodeo Drive. The store, which had recently moved to its new home and flagship location, is now larger and can serve clients with an updated view from Nicolas. He’s introducing slimmer styling, a versatile accessories line and expansion that brings on additional boutiques at The Wynn in Las Vegas and the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. This appointment-only store provides a dedicated level of service that is required of its elite frequenters. Inspired by his father’s drive of success, Bijan is noted for garnering the world’s finest international brands to put alongside the Rodeo location. Keeping the business for 45 years is no small task, Nicolas noted, “The most important thing that he (my father) instilled was
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quality over quantity. He always said, ‘We’re not a rich-enough brand to make things cheap.’ Our prices are very high, but if you can afford it, we’re not expensive.” And rightly so, the Bijan family is in the business of the best of the best. Together, this couple is a modern-day representation of the American dream – both utilizing their talents and skillset to build upon the goals that they hope to achieve. It’s apparent given they both have a designer’s eye for tasteful elegance, we will see great things to come from the Bijan’s – possibly a Bijan Home Collection… who knows, but wouldn’t it be fabulous? MICHAEL J. SNELL LIFESTYLES CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
IM AGE C O U RT E SY B IJA N
PHOTO G RA P H Y BY J E N N A P E F F LE Y
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MUST LOVE DOGS PET ADOPTIONS SOAR AS ISOLATION TAKES ITS TOLL IF YOU'VE THOUGHT ABOUT PET ADOPTION IN THE LAST YEAR, YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY AND YOU HAVE THE PANDEMIC TO THANK. BRETT CHODY
D
Trends Contributor
@brettchody
OGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BUT OWNING A FURRY COMPANION HAS TAKEN ON AN ENTIRELY NEW MEANING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. DOGS PROVIDE LOVE AND COMFORT TO HUMANS, AND WE’VE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THEY HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH. A study done in 2012 found that dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, encourage exercise, and ease loneliness. With 2020 being one of the most lonely and unprecedented years to date, it’s no surprise that dog adoption rates are skyrocketing. In the first few months of the pandemic, shelters across the country saw a boom in fostering animals. Kelly Dicicco, who works for the ASPCA Adoption Center, told Newsweek that they saw a 70 percent increase in pets going into
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foster homes in the first few weeks of stay-at-home orders in both Los Angeles and New York City. She also told the publication that there was “an increase of around 400 percent when compared with 2019 in the amount of people who completed the online foster application during the first two months of the pandemic.” On April 5, Chicago Animal Care and Control shared on their Facebook page that for the first time ever, they were out of adoptable animals. “We’ve never typed those words before,” they wrote. “We are amazed at the outpouring of people wanting to help during this time.” A few days later, Wired reported that the Riverside County Animal Shelter in California had the same wonderful problem: the shelter was completely empty. As we all went into isolation, rescue animals went into loving homes. According to Megan Mueller, an assistant professor at Tufts University, the instinct to turn to pets during COVID-19 is backed by science. She told the magazine TuftsNow in March that research has shown that animals help older adults cope better with social isolation, and recommended that every-
one spend some extra time with their pet as stay-at-home orders began. “A lot of us are connecting remotely with other people right now, and that’s great,” she told TuftsNow. “But pets are physically present in a way that other forms of social and emotional support aren’t these days for many people, and there’s really something to having that tactile component of petting or touching a pet.” Chicago resident Shaun Rajah couldn’t agree with Mueller more. He adopted a dog– a Corgi and Jack Russell mix– during quarantine and has loved every minute of it. “He has been the best companion a man can ask for,” Rajah said. “Living alone, I made the best decision and it’s been incredible thus far.”
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Unlike Rajah, many people who weren’t ready to take the plunge and adopt a dog during quarantine elected to foster one instead. The Labelle Foundation is a foster-based nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that rescues, rehabilitates, and advocates for dogs. According to their website, the Labelle Foundation team has more than quadrupled in size from 2019 to 2020, and their foster and adoption networks have “grown leaps and bounds.” Their Instagram account (@thelabellefoundation) has amassed 260,000 followers and counting and is filled with pictures of every dog that is available to foster or adopt. The Labelle Foundation is known for its foster program, which puts rescue dogs in temporary homes to acclimate to people before finding a forever family through adoption. According to their website, in order to foster a dog you page 80
must live in Los Angeles, be willing to drive the dog to vet appointments, have a safe and loving home, and not leave the dog unattended for more than four hours. The foundation has said they have received a high volume of foster applications due to COVID-19, so it takes them some time to sort through all the applications. Kate Salerno, a junior at the University of Southern California, is one of the many Angelenos who has gotten involved with The Labelle Foundation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Salerno began to foster dogs for The Labelle Foundation in September 2020 and says it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. As a New York native living in Los Angeles, Salerno says fostering dogs has helped her adjust to pandemic life away from home. “Fostering dogs during this pandemic has made me a lot less lonely
and brought me a great deal of joy,” Salerno explained. “Being able to spend time with and nurture these amazing puppies has been rewarding and filled my days with happiness… it is a truly uplifting experience for which I am so grateful.” While no one can be sure how long this trend will continue, what’s important is how much progress has been made thus far. As Kitty Block, the president and CEO of the Human Society of the United States, puts it, “as long as foster numbers stay high and overall population in the shelters stay low, we’re on the right track.” BRETT CHODY TRENDS CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SHAUN RAJAH
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P U T T I N G TO DAY ' S TO P LU X U R Y L I S T I N G S AT T H E F I N G E R T I P S O F H N W B U Y E R S
Polo Lifestyles proudly announces its strategic alliance with Idea Works Global’s luxury guru and famous polo sponsorship marketing powerhouse, Charles Ward. Change your listing from For Sale to Sold by telling the story of your uniquely valuable estate within each Mansions Of The Month feature, be it situated in the greater Miami, Malibu, Montecito, Monaco, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Wellington or Palm Beach - or any other magnificent destination. Reserve your space in forthcoming issues of Polo Lifestyles with Mansions of the Month Curator Charles Ward. Contact Charles: charles@pololifestyles.com Click here to read the Rancho San Carlos case study - After languishing on the real estate market for years, it was a featured property in Polo Lifestyles - and closed less than 60 days later for $63 million dollars. page 84
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THE RULES OF HIGH SOCIETY RELATIONSHIPS
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LOVE TRIANGLES & POSTDIVORCE CO-HABITATING THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE SOCIETAL NORMS OF ELITE CIRCLES
CRESSIDA BONAS
J
UST AS WE WERE RUNNING LOW ON STEAMY NETFLIX ORIGINALS FOR OUR REGULAR DOSE OF ON-SCREEN DRAMA, ALONG CAME A LOCKDOWN, LOVE-TRIANGLE DRAMA WORTHY OF AUTHOR NANCY MITFORD – IN FACT, THE PRINCIPAL LEADING MAN COULD HAVE WRITTEN THE SCRIPT HIMSELF.
The Crown’s Peter Morgan suddenly ditched society beauty, Jemima Goldsmith, to rebound back to his former girlfriend, actress and Morgan’s colleague on the set of The Crown Gillian Anderson, with whom he spent four years prior to leaving her. page 88
THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF SUSSEX
Goldsmith has now been similarly blindsided – she is said to be “shocked and confused” – about Morgan’s boomerang back to Anderson. Which is all the more confusing, as Peter is said to have taken to referring to Goldsmith as “The One;” before seemingly performing a handbrake turn to get back with Anderson. While onlookers gap slack-jawed at it all, in the new society – where aristocracy and celebrity seamlessly blend (and membership qualities are: gorgeous, glossy, rich and unbelievably well-connected) – relationships spin on different axes. Furious fallings-out are infra dig; everything is always tempered, because this social set is so intertwined, an awkward froideur would be terribly non-U. When Morgan originally left Anderson
C H E L S Y DAV Y
and to get together with Goldsmith, there were no acid public comments or explosions of wrath – such is the emotional containment of this tribe. Their relationship and dating practices differ because they worship at the altar of appearance and they always consider the optics. While we may feel intense sexual jealousy at the thought of our exes dating other people, let alone our friends, bred into this posse is a well-practiced gungho jollity. To admit to as pedestrian and visceral an emotion as jealousy would be to acknowledge insecurity, which is considered reprehensible. Instead, we see them steadfastly remaining friends with exes, having amicable divorces, being godparents to each other’s children and holidaying en masse. As evidence, journalists spotted Prince Harry’s ex-girl-
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DUCHESS OF RUTLAND
JEMIMA GOLDSMITH
friends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas at his wedding to Meghan Markle. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “The rich are different from you and me,” so, too, are their relationship mores. In the small, elite pool of the new society, it behooves members to always remain friendly and never to resort to anything as unbecoming as acrimony. By sweeping anything remotely negative under the giant Persian carpets, relations remain buoyant on the surface. The Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, is a supreme example of how to manage an aristocratic break-up with aplomb. She may be separated from the Duke, but continues to live in Belvoir Castle, the Leicestershire landmark, which they run together. Both the Duke and Duchess have new partners. Manners is in a long-term relationship
LO R D I VA R M O U N T B AT T E N A N D J A M E S C OY L E
with the estate manager and lives in a separate wing from her ex-husband. Their five children happily drift between their parents’ individual apartments. Even more progressively, when the Queen’s cousin, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, fell in love with a man, it was his ex-wife of 17 years, Penny, who gave him away at his same-sex marriage to new husband, James Coyle. Now Penny, James and Ivar, along with the Mountbatten’s three children, “Get on incredibly well,” according to Mountbatten. “When they first went to yoga together, the class assumed that he was Penny’s new man. She loved saying, ‘No, this is my ex-husband’s boyfriend…’ It’s fun to subvert expectations.” Among the upper classes, with their bohemian attitudes, eyebrows are rarely raised at any unorthodox relationship
dynamics. Hugely powerful and wealthy families have long interbred. Take Alice Goldsmith, Jemima’s brother Zac Goldsmith’s second wife. Alice is originally a Rothschild, which made it briefly awkward when she fell for Zac, because he happens to be the brother of her older sister Kate’s ex-husband, Ben. Two Rothschild sisters fell for two Goldsmith brothers – it’s like something out of an Edith Wharton novel about upper-class banking dynasties. They married in 2013 and now have three children together, making Zac a father of six. True to their tribe, they are all on good terms. While it remains to be seen if Morgan and Anderson will get their happy ending, or if Goldsmith will find long-lasting love, what is certain in the elite world of new society dating, you never bleat about anything as banal as heartbreak or betrayal. From The Telegraph
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FASHION & STYLE
A GOLDEN SPRING LOUIS VUITTON LAUNCHES AEROGRAM page 93
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COUTURE'S GOLD RUSH N A K A Z AT O H A U T E C O U T U R E
C
OUTURE SPRING 2021 RUNWAY SHOWS AND FASHION PRESENTATIONS STRUCK GOLD. THIS COUSIN OF SILVER AND BRONZE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MYSTICAL AND REPRESENTS ILLUMINATION, LOVE, COMPASSION, COURAGE, MAGIC AND WISDOM. THE PRECIOUS METAL IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH WEALTH, POWER AND GRANDEUR. page 94
Gold is, in any definition of the word, malleable. It’s fitting, then, that it manifested in different forms on the Couture runways this season. It is symbolic in pagan and Christian stories – from golden apples to golden fleeces – both shaping its meaning and connotations today. This season’s designers tapped into their inner mystic as they draped, dressed and masked models in gold. Dior, in particular, explored the connection between gold and fortune. The collection’s romantic Medieval undertones lent themselves to gold’s symbolism and themes of prosperity.
Valentino’s gold-masked models conjured the story of King Midas’ tragic touch and the accident that turned his daughter into solid gold. The collection acted like modern armor; as Valentino knows, there’s no better defense than a sky-high platform pump. Schiaparelli explored the artisanal side of gold, forging work that’s unique and full of character. More than a dozen other couture houses played with golden themes – from Chanel to Iris Van Herpen. And once spectators are allowed en masse back at polo matches, we expect to see a lot of gold on the sidelines. From The Impression
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ARMANI PRIVE
N A K A Z AT O
ARMANI PRIVE
RAHUAL MISHRA page 95
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CHANEL
VA L E N T I N O
S C H I A PA R E L L I
DIOR page 96
I R I S VA N H E R P E N
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VIKTOR & ROLF page 97
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LOUIS VUITTON LAUNCHES AEROGRAM
L
OUIS VUITTON HAS RELEASED A NEW MEN’S LEATHER GOODS COLLECTION CALLED AEROGRAM.
An aerogram is a lightweight sheet of writing paper that folds to form an envelope with a printed stamp, ready to be sent by airmail. Louis Vuitton has taken the name and turned it into a symbol for the Art of Travel that brings along with it the heritage of the house’s globally recognized fashion and the beautiful, magical experience of aviation. This new collection of men’s leather goods draws inspiration from typical luggage designs and conveys a more-contemporary-than-ever vision of travel. The Aerogram collection is now available to purchase both online and in-store.
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CHANEL
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ROYAL OAK CONCEPT FROSTED GOLD FLYING TOURBILLON CASE Hammered 18-carat pink gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, crown set with a translucent sapphire cabochon. DIAL Multi-layers graded blue dial with sunray pattern, pink gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. BRACELET Hand-stitched “large square scale” blue alligator strap with hammered 18-carat pink gold AP folding clasp. Additional shiny blue rubber strap.
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AMERICA'S
TOP 50 PHILANTHROPISTS: A TALE OF NEARLY $25 BILLION WILLIAM SMITH Philanthropy Contributor @willismith_2000
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NCE AGAIN, IT IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN POLO LIFESTYLES’ MARCH ISSUE COINCIDES WITH THE RELEASE OF THE CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY’S PHILANTHROPY 50, AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE 50 TOP AMERICAN PHILANTHROPISTS AND HOW THEY SPENT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. And spend they did. Almost $9 billion more than The Chronicle reported among this elite group compared to 2019. According to the report, a total of $24.7 billion was given to nonprofits in 2020 and there were some notable shifts in giving, not the least of these having been precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the eruption of focus on racial justice issues after the murder of George Floyd. Topping the list for 2020 is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who early in 2020, made a $10 billion dollar gift to create the Bezos Earth Fund, a grant-making initiative to combat climate change. page 106
In November, $791 million in an initial round of grants were made from the Earth Fund to 16 organizations, something Bezos characterized in media reports as just the beginning of the Earth Fund’s work. In addition, Bezos also made gifts in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, giving $100 million to Feeding America and another $50 million to pandemic relief efforts in the state of Washington. His total giving for 2020 was reported at $10.2 billion.
number seven spot on the list, with reported gifts approaching $470 million, including supporting pandemic relief efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and ongoing support for the sustainable seafood program of the Monterrey Bay Aquarium (an institution founded in 1984 with a $55 million gift from philanthropists David and Lucile Packard). The Schmidts fell from the number three spot in 2019.
Philanthropic largess has always been a hallmark of those titans of industry for any given generation. Bezos’ wealth, for example, as well as 16 others on the 2020 list, made their wealth in technology – the industry of the early 21st century.
Right behind the Schmidts at number eight is eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam, with reported 2020 gifts of $441 million. The Omidyars have been on the list every year except two since 2002 and are standouts for their investments in fighting extremism in politics and threats to democracy and its pillars, such as free and fair elections and a free and independent press.
Joining Bezos is Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter and on-line payment platform Square, who was number five on the list, gifting nearly $1.1 billion through donor-advised funds with much of it focused on various pandemic relief efforts. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, and his wife, Wendy, turned up at the
As an example, check out the Democracy Fund (democracyfund.org), an independent foundation established by Omidyar that has now committed more than $150 million to support healthy democracy.
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Other well-known names in the tech sector also make the 2020 list. Bill and Melinda Gates continue to utilize the power and uber gravitas of their foundation with $157 million in gifts, supporting vaccine research and advanced testing efforts for COVID-19. Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg found herself on the list for a fifth year in a row – in 2020 at spot fifteen – with nearly $123 in giving for long-held passions for gender equality issues and in providing significant support for COVID-19 relief efforts, including for food security in California’s Bay Area where economic inequality in the face of the pandemic was – and remains – particularly stark. No review of philanthropy from the tech front would be complete without Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan, who continue to put their own foundation to work, as well as a donor advised fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in evenly distributing
$120 million in gifts for 2020 and landing them in the 16th spot. Finally, new to the list this year is Airbnb’s co-founder, Joseph Gebbia Jr., who, after the initial public stock offering of the company’s shares saw his own personal wealth reach into the stratosphere, donate $27 million to efforts to combat homelessness in San Francisco and address the coronavirus pandemic. Gebbia clinched the number 47th spot in 2020. While technology wealth fueled extraordinary philanthropy in 2020, underlying trends of giving were also observed in the report. For example, landing in second place on the list is MacKenzie Scott, whose ex-husband Jeff Bezos topped the list. We have previously reported in this column on Scott’s giving which has been both expedient and purposeful – a rarity in philanthropy and especially so when we are speaking about nearly $6 billion. With a purported net worth in the neighborhood of $55 billion, Scott’s giving, more than any other philanthropist in 2020, represents a humble “leaning in”, to borrow Sheryl Sandberg’s
phrase, to the racial justice imperative of our time. Working with a team to make strategic decisions, Scott funded 512 nonprofits whose expertise, lived experiences, and on-the-ground know how would guide the eventual deployment of resources. This trend of devolution of authority to funding what works best has been a long-time coming in philanthropy and the issues of racial justice and income inequality have set the stage for a new era of philanthropy whose power, I believe, we have only just begun to see. Critical to this turn has been the COVID-19 pandemic, where America’s wealthiest have seen their own incomes boom at the same time that the nation as a whole has seen the largest economic decline since the Great Depression, almost a century ago. The pandemic created a rallying cry for neighbor to support neighbor, in gifts and acts of goodness, both large and small, for even the most basic of human needs. Food and housing insecurity became real issues for Americans in numbers that again, are reminiscent of the Great Depression and have not been witnessed in modern times. Indeed, the chasm that has emerged in the realities of the pandemic creates opportunities for not just reflection, but also for action and toward creating a stronger nation. And for you, the reader, may you find time to reflect. And act. And give. page 107
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COVID-19 VIRUS SURVIVES ON FABRIC FOR UP TO THREE DAYS S
CIENTISTS HAVE FOUND VIRUSES LIKE THE STRAIN THAT CAUSES COVID-19 CAN SURVIVE ON COMMONLY WORN FABRICS FOR UP TO THREE DAYS.
The study by De Montfort University in Leicester tested a model coronavirus on polyester, polycotton and 100 percent cotton. The results suggested polyester posed the highest risk. Microbiologist Katie Laird, who led the study, said the materials, commonly used in healthcare uniforms, posed a transmission risk. The study saw droplets of the virus added to the fabrics. The scientists then monitored the stability of the virus on each material for 72 hours. The results showed polyester posed the highest transmission risk, with the virus still present after three days and with the ability to transfer to other surfaces. On page 110
100 percent cotton, the virus lasted for 24 hours, while on polycotton, the virus only survived for six hours. “When the pandemic first started, there was very little understanding of how long coronavirus could survive on textiles,” said Laird, who is head of the university’s infectious disease research group at DMU. “Our findings show three of the most commonly-used textiles in healthcare pose a risk for transmission of the virus. If nurses and healthcare workers take their uniforms home, they could be leaving traces of the virus on other surfaces.” The study also looked at the most reliable wash method for removing the virus from 100% cotton fabric. Water was enough to remove the virus in all the washing machines tested when it was added in droplets but not when scientists soiled the fabric with an artificial saliva containing the virus. In these cases, only when detergent was used
and a temperature of 40°C or above was the virus eliminated. Using temperature alone, 67°C was required to eliminate the virus. The study found there was no risk of cross-contamination when clean items were washed with those that had traces of the virus on. However, Laird said guidance published at the start of the pandemic by Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS regarding uniform washing was based on «outdated literature.” PHE’s guidance said where it was not possible for uniforms to be industrially laundered, staff should wash them at home, but Laird advised against this. She said, “This research has reinforced my recommendation that all healthcare uniforms should be washed on site at hospitals or at an industrial laundry. These wash methods are regulated, and nurses and healthcare workers do not have to worry about potentially taking the virus home.”
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HEALTH page 111
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HOW THE FRENCH DRESS 'UNE SALADE' A BASIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE BEGINS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, WITH A SMALL SPOON OF DIJON MUSTARD.
F
OR MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE, I NEVER KNOWINGLY ATE A VINAIGRETTE. I NEVER MADE ONE UNLESS EXPLICITLY TOLD TO DO SO BY A RECIPE. I LIKED SALADS, BUT I PREPARED THEM IN WHAT I REGARDED AS THE ITALIAN WAY, WITH GOOD OLIVE OIL, A SQUEEZE OF LEMON, AND SEA SALT. IN THIS, I WAS ARROGANT TO A POINT OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS; AFTER ALL, I’D SAY, WHAT TASTES BETTER THAN GOOD OLIVE OIL? Then, about ten years ago, after moving to Lyon with my wife, Jessica, and twin toddlers, I was changed by two events. The first involved our young George, who returned from a day at L’École Robert Doisneau, the public school that he and his brother attended, full page 114
of enthusiasm for the canteen lunch. “Mama,” he declared, “I ate the most amazing new food! It was called une salade and had a delicious sauce. Can we have that at home?” (Mama was understandably proud.) The second event was six months later. I was working as a lowly stagiaire in the kitchen of a renowned local restaurant, La Mère Brazier, and had persuaded the chef, Mathieu Viannay, to let me try out for a position cooking on the line. The audition involved my preparing the daily staff lunch—le personnel, or what is called the “family meal” in U.S. restaurant kitchens. On Day One, I was told the basic menu—a protein (short ribs), a red-wine sauce, a starch, “and a salad with a vinaigrette—of course.” Of course. A vinaigrette. I contemplated the how-to: oil and vinegar, obviously, with more oil than vinegar. But how much more? And mustard, no? And what else? And how would this highly particular, very Lyonnais, belligerently
French culinary rear-guard crowd of cooks (my diners) make their own vinaigrette? I pictured them tasting mine—it was bound to be wrong—and spitting it on the floor. “The vinaigrette,” I said and paused. “Um, uh, how exactly do you make that?” Viannay looked confused. “You don’t know how to make a vinaigrette?” “Well, yes, of course I know. But I don’t know how you make it here. In Lyon.” As I’m sure everyone else knows, a basic French vinaigrette begins, first and foremost, with a small spoon of Dijon mustard, then salt, and then one part vinegar to three parts oil (often one of the lighter kinds, like canola). You dissolve the mustard and the salt in the vinegar, mixing with a whisk, then add the oil slowly until you have an “emulsion”—the creamy “third” solution that arises when two otherwise incompatible
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liquids (like oil and water) agree to hang out together. In the aftermath, and in what I now regard as a defensive repair job of my self-esteem, I quickly became an obsessed vinaigrette know-it-all. Maybe too quickly. I recall an exchange with Jessica—it was only a week or two later—after I had recoiled from a salad that we’d just been served at our local bistro, put down my fork, and declared, “That is a very loose interpretation of a vinaigrette.” “So now you’re an expert?” she asked in her easy, withering way. To be fair, what I had finally come to appreciate was the appeal of vinegar. Our bistro dressing hadn’t enough of it. Vinegar can be made from just about any fermented liquid—e.g., from fruit, like apples, or a starch, like potatoes— but, in France, it usually comes from grapes. So does the word. Vinegar is what wine becomes when it is left out page 116
in the air and spoils—the word comes from vin, “wine,” plus aigre, “sour, bitter.” The process wasn’t widely understood until Louis Pasteur published studies of it in the eighteen-sixties, but, regardless, vinegar had already been widely established for centuries as a fundamental of the French kitchen, pour l’acidité—for the acidity. Today the phrase is repeated relentlessly at French cooking schools. Poaching a fish, you add a shot of white vinegar—pour l’acidité. You start your béarnaise with it—pour l’acidité. Your red-wine sauce, your braised pork, your bœuf bourguignonne, your ratatouille. Pour l’acidité, l’acidité, l’acidité. Today my go-to vinaigrette is made, no surprise, with a base of wine vinegar. I also use grapeseed oil, at least in part for the symmetry of knowing that both my vinegar and my oil come from grapes. (Grapeseed oil is now widely available in the United States but was especially easy to get, in bulk, when we lived in the Rhône Valley, the corridor of some of
the most delicious, fermented beverages of France.) The vinaigrette that Daniel Boulud uses in his restaurants is the same, except that it includes garlic. He learned the recipe from his grandmother when he was growing up on a farm—it was what she served on just-picked lettuces—and I like that, too, knowing that his simple rustic dressing, handed down for centuries, is the one that he now serves at his upmarket restaurants in New York City. Once you have mastered a vinaigrette’s basic formula (mustard, acid, fat, salt), you can play with it—introducing a fruit element, like cherry or balsamic vinegar for red beets, say, or something lighter for the golden ones, perhaps a sherry vinegar, with an additional splash of white wine or a squeeze of citrus. I first experimented with using passion fruit when considering how to serve a plate of endives, the crisp, slightly bitter, whiteleafed member of the chicory family. For me, the dressing was a modest revelation and yet another lesson in the lifelong
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education of learning which flavors go with what. Conventionally, endive is prepared with walnuts (which my wife is allergic to) and blue cheese, usually Roquefort (which, alas, I can’t tolerate). I considered dressing it with a vinaigrette, but vinaigrettes seem to flatter delicate summer greens. Endive is not delicate. I found instruction among its hearty cousins. Frisée, for instance, which is often called a lettuce but is actually a chicory (it’s the one that looks like scrawny leaves having a bad hair day), is the principal ingredient in a salade Lyonnaise, and is served with lardons— bits of rendered pork belly—which seem to tame its bitter bite. Dandelion, which is a relative of the chicory clan (its leaves are so bitter that you normally eat them only when young), is often served in a dressing of anchovies. The lesson: strong flavors seem to call for comparably strong flavors. Passion fruit, of course, is more often dessert than dinner, but its fruitiness
seems to complement the endive’s bitterness (akin to how sweet often works with sour). I could have used oranges or apples, even pears, but, like everyone else in my family, I had fallen hard for the luxury of a tropical fruit in the wintertime. (One of the happy fortuities of Lyon was that passion fruit—which often came from the French-speaking island of Réunion—was widely available.) I use at least two fruits, which are bald and purple and hard on the outside but surprisingly vivid and aromatic within. I cut them in half and scoop out the pulp and seeds. The pulp tastes like a tangy tropical custard. (I also use a passion-fruit vinegar, which includes even more pulp.) The seeds are dark and round, like small, dried currants, and burst with a peppery intensity when bitten into. You spoon the dressing onto each endive leaf, a brightly orange puddle, but not too much, because you don’t want it tipping out when you pick one up with your fingers. This is another crucial feature. You eat the salad with your hands.
There is, I now see, another feature at work in the combination of chicory and passion fruit. The endive is northern, and, starved of sunshine, is white like wintry clouds before they snow. It is planted in dark cellars in the fall, harvested by hand directly from its muddy case in the winter; in the markets in Lyon, the farmers dig them out with their trowels. Then to dress the leaves with an equatorial fruit evocative of blue skies and green seas and balmy ease? It is transporting. I find myself thinking of my son George’s first salad, the amazing “sauce” on his salade. What is a sauce? A liquid composition, often an emulsion, that complements the food it is served with. It is not the main event. It enhances it. Yes, a sauce might be made with red wine or butter or pan juices from a roasted bird. But it can also be made with vinegar and fat—and even fruit. Young George understood this before I did. Bill Buford/Spcial to Polo LIfestyles page 117
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STAY-AT-HOME CONNECTING TO 'TIMS COUNTY' AND ALL ITS CHARACTERS GREGORY BERTRAND Copy Editor @bertrand7367
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ORLDBUILDING IS A TECHNIQUE WITH WHICH AUTHORS AND EVEN MOST READERS ARE FAMILIAR. WORLDBUILDING IS THE WAY J. R. R. TOLKIEN INVENTED HIS OWN LANGUAGES AND EVEN WROTE A HISTORY BOOK FOR HIS “LORD OF THE RINGS” TRILOGY THAT MAKES THE READER FEEL GROUNDED IN MIDDLE EARTH. STEPHEN KING’S DESCRIPTIONS AND FAMILIAR CHARACTERS IN HIS WORKS ACHIEVE A SIMILAR EFFECT. Pick up any novel, whether it’s a standalone work or part of an ongoing series, and you’ll find building blocks that make up a world, although you
might not recognize them as such. Worldbuilding can be in the backstories of the characters, a history for a madeup land, an established set of rules for how that world works or even the writing style of the author.
not needed, but when a writer does it and does it well, it can come out feeling quite special.
However, when we talk about worldbuilding, we mainly think of novels; not short-story collections. After all, the 60,000- to 100,000-word count of a novel necessitates that the writer works harder in building an established world. Short fiction and the collection, by their nature, are made up of many different narratives and operate more from a larger theme and sense of cohesion than that of any interlaced worldbuilding.
In “If I Had Two Wings,” Randall Kenan gives a masterclass in worldbuilding throughout the 10 stories in his collection. All of them either take place in the fictionalized county of Tims Creek, N. C., or are about characters who have their origins in Tims Creek. Kenan’s made-up county is almost like a fantasy version of the American South, that is to say: it elevates it on steroids, making the place stranger and more steeped in superstition than it already is.
It’s not fair to say that worldbuilding doesn’t take place at all in the individual stories of short-story collections. After all, we need to be immersed in those worlds as well. But it is rare to focus on worldbuilding on a macro level in short fiction, for example, making the whole collection feel as if all the characters either know each other, know of each other or live in the same town. And in fairness, most of the time, that’s
The residents of Tims Creek are all connected in some way, just like many other small southern communities. And just like in real life, the events that occur in the community, whether past or present, affect the citizens. Whether it’s a woman who is seemingly able to perform real-life miracles like in “The Acts of Velmanjean Swearington Hoyt and the New City of God,” or the rumors that float around town about the events that page 119
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RANDALL KENAN
"KENAN’S MADE-UP 'TIMS COUNTY' IS ALMOST LIKE A FANTASY VERSION OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH, THAT IS TO SAY: IT ELEVATES IT ON STEROIDS, MAKING THE PLACE STRANGER AND MORE STEEPED IN SUPERSTITION THAN IT ALREADY IS." - GREGORY BERTRAND
occur in “Ain’t No Sunshine” between a pastor, his wife and his wife’s lover. For a style of writing that feels so large and full of life, Kenan gives his narratives such a small and intimate feeling. Just like many communities exist at a literal crossroads, the characters in “If I Had Two Wings” are at crossroads in their lives as well. These are characters who are coming to terms with their
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sexuality, like in, “I thought I heard the Shuffle of Angel’s Feet.” And characters learning about their family history, like in, “The Eternal Glory That is Ham Hocks.” Stories like these are what put Tims Creek on the map of Randall Kenan’s career. Randal Kenan passed on last August at the age of 57. His fictionalized Tims Creek County was probably influenced
by the real North Carolina community he grew up in, Duplin County. Although “If I Had Two Wings” was his last published book, he was a prolific writer and a large figure in both Black and Southern Literature. GREGORY BERTRAND COPY EDITOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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{PRIVATE VIEWING}
DANIEL ARSHAM page 123
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VERNISSAGE
C R E AT E D B Y R A P H A E L K . D A PA A H I N T R O D U C I N G T H E - N E X T- B I G A R T I S T S T O T H E W O R L D O F A R T C O L L E C T O R S A N D C U R AT O R S
THE TIME DILATION AN EXHIBIT BY DANIEL ARSHAM IN NYC
R EPORTI N G BY M I C H A EL J. S N EL L W ITH PHOTO S BY C LAIR E D O R N/ C O URTE SY O F THE PE RR OT I N page 124
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IME DILATION, A SHOW THAT MARKS A DEPARTURE FROM DANIEL ARSHAM’S NORMAL REPERTOIRE, COMBINES THE FULL RANGE OF HIS ARTISTIC TALENTS. IT’S BEEN ALMOST A DECADE SINCE WE HAVE SEEN ONE OF ARSHAM’S PAINTED WORKS PUBLICLY, AND SADLY FOR US (UNTIL NOW), HE HAD CHOSEN TO KEEP THEM PRIVATE. In a combination of what feels like a neoclassic revamp on time-defiant archaeology, Arsham presented this collection alongside his signature crystallized sculptures, including characters from the Pokémon Universe as well as classical objects from antiquity. The object channeled his ability of sculpting as well as the origin of his talents, which stem from painting and drawing. These two trajectories allow for an artistic arrival - the center of an artist’s innate fascination of what happens when the foreseen difference of elapsed time occurs between two objects placed at different page 125
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distances from a gravitating mass. This has been translated into a 21st-century dialogue known as Time Dilation, or the blending of time. Showcased at the famed Perrotin gallery in New York, the exhibition is one of the first to encompass the entirety of the three-floor gallery. Limited to individual appointment times, small groups reserved viewing slots weeks in advance for the two-week-long public show. The collection, which featured a striking combination of mixed mediums, highlighted Arsham’s ability to combine classical fundamentals with his signature crystalline eroded aesthetic and time preservation in resin.
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When entering, viewers were greeted by a bronze bust of Jupiter, whose original work is owned and housed at the Louvre in Paris. Ornate unto itself, Arsham has further detailed the piece with hand-polished bronze and steel crystal fragments. As you walk through the exhibit, a recurring theme can be found with many of his pieces, even with the bust of Jupiter as countless other sculpted works resurface in the paintings also included in this collection. This style of capriccio painting unearths the playful combination of architectural fantasy by intertwining classic sculpture within a painted form, something Arsham has done with his modern interoperations of each classically reincarnated piece.
“When we look at sculpture from antiquity or the Renaissance or really any period, those were the popular culture of that era,” he says. “I’m trying to think about how would these things be looked at in the future, especially if you’re not able to understand the context in which we understand them?” he asked. Arsham partnered with the RMNGrand Palais in Paris, who granted him access to their archive of rarities and molds, all instrumental in the curation of this show. As you explore further into the collection, you shouldn’t be surprised to see a life-size Charmander cast in hydrostone with selenite and quartz or even a blue
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calcite eroded E.T. Video with beautiful crystal fragments – available for purchase at $22,000.
times’ evolution, creating a layered story taken back through the iconography that shapes our memories.
Arsham’s curiosity spans further as you reach the second floor, where he created vignette groupings of works all sub-illuminated through their resin castings. Iconic pieces of now-obsolete technology, which include generation one cellphones, VHS cassettes, computer keyboards and even classic film cameras, are paired with iconic items like the Etch-a-Sketch or a Captain Crunch boxes to create a colorful, multi-layer representation of time, blended and visible through each other. Each grouping of items gives the viewer a look through
On the third floor, you’ll experience Arsham’s curiosity with Pokémon, which have been influenced by Japanese mythology, now morphed and translated into their own 21st-century version. Having partnered with the Pokémon company, Arsham was granted access to the original founding pieces of work, allowing him to then translate the two-dimensional figures into the life-size sculpted and eroded works. This was one of the busier sections of the show and had a younger demographic scampering to see each piece. Some
stopped and studied while others pulled out matching Pokémon cards from their pockets to take photos alongside the piece. This exhibition contains some of the most iconic works he has ever created. Sculpting, painting and challenging perceptions while creating confusion are why Arsham feels art is worth making. “That’s where, as an artist, the viewer should be placed,” he said. “In a location where they’re forced to question something. It’s like magic, right? You’re forced to question your own relationship with objects and the universe.” MICHAEL J. SNELL LIFESTYLES CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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ALIGN WITH YO SPIRITUALITY · FAITH · QUESTIONS · GROWTH · FOCUS
BE WILLING TO ACCEPT CHANGE ON THE PATH OF SELF-DISOVERY “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood and I— I took the one less traveled by And that has made all the difference.” - ROBERT FROST JYOTI PAINTEL Spirituality contributor @jyotipaintel
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HIS IS PERHAPS ONE OF MY FAVORITE POETIC EXCERPTS OF ALL TIME, AND IT WOULD BE AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF MY LIFE. INDEED, THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHEN I WISH I LIVED A MORE CONVENTIONAL LIFE- STAYING IN ONE PLACE AND GROWING ROOTS INSTEAD OF MOVING AND EXpage 130
PLORING THE ROADS OF THE WORLD. Now that we have been living and also surviving in a pandemic for the last year, I have discovered many new things about myself, and even though it wasn’t entirely a thing of my own volition, I have changed quite a bit from the person I was pre-pandemic because I have adjusted my priorities in life through the process of self-discovery. All of us have had our lives disrupted, affected or altered by the new norms of social-distancing and the ever-present threat of illness. Basic things we took for granted, such as going to the movies, getting a haircut or enjoying a brunch with friends, are now difficult, if not impossible to navigate safely. The extensive and oppressive rules of safely quarantin-
ing take us away from most of society at large and thus have presented us plenty of opportunities to think, evaluate and assess our lives alone. So, stumbling upon some surprising feelings during self-discovery is also inevitable.
REAPING THE BENEFITS OF SELF DISCOVERY: BE WILLING TO ACCEPT CHANGE! THE ENNEAGRAM An interesting way to assess if there has been any significant personal change in us recently is to do a new personality test. Even if you’ve done many kinds before, during this particular time and space in the year 2021- so much has changed around us that the new energy, thoughts and emotions swirling inside us might reveal something surprising, pleasing and even inspiring. I have given a very brief description courtesy of the Enneagram Institute of the nine types to pique your interest here sufficiently. The real study takes quite a bit of time and dedica-
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OUR PURPOSE IN SY N C W IT H YO UR V IB E
R E N E WA L · C O M M U N I T Y · S U P P O RT · E X P LO R AT I O N · E N E R G Y tion, so be prepared to take on a little project that could have big results! This sort of thing could have a positive impact on your life, and it could change your life dramatically if you find out your passions lie elsewhere now than where they once were, even a few months ago! Yes, change is good! You can even find a professional who has a degree and experience in guiding people through the Enneagram analysis process in depth and can provide personalized input to give to you. Do any or many of these strike a chord with you? Could you have been one before and see yourself wanting to transition into a new role? A self-discovery journey via an Enneagram study might be a good start. Take your time with it and delve into some research online.
1 THE REFORMER The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled and Perfectionistic These personality types are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders and advocates for change: always striving to improve things but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards but are critical and perfectionistic. They have problems with resentment and impatience.
2 THE HELPER The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, PeoplePleasing and Possessive Helpers, as the name implies, are empathetic, sincere and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous and self-sacrificing. They are also sentimental, flattering and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others but can slip into doing things for others in order to feel needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs. At their best: unselfish and
altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.
3 THE ACHIEVER The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven and ImageConscious The achiever is self-assured, attractive and charming. Ambitious, competent and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think page 131
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SPIRITUALITY · FAITH · QUESTIONS · GROWTH · FOCUS
ALIGN WITH YOUR PURPOSE IN SY N C W IT H YO UR V IB E
R E N E WA L · C O M M U N I T Y · S U P P O RT · E X P LO R AT I O N · E N E R G Y of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be— role models who inspire others.
4 THE INDIVIDUALIST The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed and Temperamental As original thinkers they are self-aware, sensitive and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence and self-pity. At their best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.
5 THE INVESTIGATOR The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive and Isolated This persona is alert, insightful and curious. They can concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached yet highstrung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism and isolation. At their best: visionary piopage 132
neers, often ahead of their time and able to see the world in an entirely new way.
6 THE LOYALIST The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious and Suspicious The committed, security-oriented type, they are reliable, hard-working, responsible and trustworthy. Excellent troubleshooters, they foresee problems and foster cooperation but also become defensive, evasive and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They are cautious and indecisive, but reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.
7 THE ENTHUSIAST The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractable and Scattered These people are extroverted, optimistic, versatile and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness. At their best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous and satisfied.
8 THE CHALLENGER The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful and Confrontational They are self-confident, strong and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straighttalking and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their best: self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous and inspiring.
9 THE PEACEMAKER The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable and Complacent Nines are accepting, trusting and stable. They are creative, optimistic and supportive, but also too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness. At their best: indomitable and all-embracing, they bring people together and heal conflicts. JYOTI PAINTEL SPIRITUALITY CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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Austrian Wines
The understated elegance and charm of the alps
BY CEZAR KUSIK
SOMMELIER & WINE WRITER
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In SearchWines Austrian of Solace T H E U N D E R S TAT E D
ELEGANCE AND CHARM OF AUSTRIAN WINES
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CEZAR KUSIK Wine Contributor @cezartastesearth
ESPITE ITS GEOGRAPHIC HANDICAP OF BEING LANDLOCKED, AUSTRIA IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. MOST OF IT IS MOUNTAINOUS, WITH THE ALPS DOMINATING THE LANDSCAPE AND DICTATING THE CLIMATE WITH COLD WINTERS AND RELATIVELY WARM SUMMERS. What can be considered lowlands amounts to about a quarter of its territory. The second biggest river in Europe, the Danube, runs through it, adding to its allure. Aside from its natpage 138
ural beauty, Austria’s man-made appeal centers around historic and culture-rich cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Innsbruck, where music, art, wining and dining intermingle harmoniously. Seven years ago, I was invited by one of my favorite wine importers, Gregory Condes Wines, to Austria. The culmination of the visit was the celebration of the 222nd anniversary of one of the historic wineries of Austria’s Kremstal wine region, Salomon Undhof. Vienna was our base. Vienna! With its cultural and artistic legacy of such genius minds like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gustav Klimt and Sigmund Freud, the city sets certain expectations and delivers them. “Gallantly civilized” is what comes to mind when experiencing Vienna. With its royal architecture,
perfectly manicured parks, centuries-old theater and symphony houses, cafes steaming with freshly brewed coffee and decadent sachertortes, schnitzel houses and the omnipresent tunes of Mozart and Strauss floating through the air, Vienna is it for me. Austria hadn’t been a country of note on the international wine stage until the mid-80s. Its wines were mainly designated for local consumption or bulk export, mostly to Germany. Ironically it was a disastrous incident that drew the world’s attention to Austrian wines. The year was 1985. Out of sheer greed (as my grandma used to say, “Greed is the source of all the evil in the world”), a handful of dishonest winemakers decided to add diethylene glycol to their wines and ship it to Germany. Yes, you read it correctly. DG, the same poison-
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ous ingredient that goes into antifreeze and gets rid of unwanted spouses in True Crime documentaries. What it does to wine in smaller quantities is it adds artificial sweetness and a full-bodied mouth-feel. The Germans uncovered the scam during the quality tests, the proverbial s**t hit the fan and the news spread around the world. Heavy prison sentences were issued, 37 million bottles of wine were poured out, and one of the culprits committed suicide. Despite the initial severe consequences of the scandal, the Austrian wine industry persevered and turned things around. With the help of the country’s government, some of the strictest, most quality-oriented wine laws in the world were implemented. It took over a decade for the efforts to pay off. And they did pay off. Not only that, the industry recovered, but its strict, draconian regulations elevated the quality of Austrian wines to the highest class in its history, making them an envy of many world wine regions of higher pedigree. It wasn’t until 2002 that Austrian wines, especially the whites, gained huge international recognition. During a highly publicized blind tasting organized by the fine wine dealer Jan-Erik Paulson and hosted by the one and only Jancis
Robinson OBE, ComMA, MW, Austrian wines, led by its indigenous grape Grüner Veltliner, astonished the expert tasters. Seven of the 10 first places were taken by Austrian whites. The secret was out.
AUSTRIA’S WINE REGIONS In 2003, the first-ever Austrian Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) was introduced. It is a legal delamination system that connects specific regions with a particular grape variety. The system imitates the French appellation model. The country is divided into three major wine regions: Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, and Steiermark (Styria). And then there is Vienna. Niederösterreich encompasses eight sub-regions: Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal,Traisental, Wagram, Weinviertel, Thermenregion and Carnuntum. These are mainly white wines appellations with Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal being the stand-outs. Burgenland lies in the warmer east. Specializes in red wines and sweet wines, most notably famous Ausbruch, a dessert wine made from botry-
tized grapes grown around the lakeside town of Rust. Its sub-regions include Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, Mittelburgenland and the newest appellation of Rosalia. Steiermark. This picturesque, bucolic region is known as The Green Heart of Austria. It comprises three DACs: Weststeiermar, Vulkanland Steiermar and Südsteiermark. Here again, the white grapes dominate; Pinot Blanc, Marillon, Traminer, Muscat and most notably world-class Sauvignon Blancs from Südsteiermark. Vienna, the capital, has its own DAC. It stands alone, mainly because of its size (with its minuscule 1,574 acres of vineyards). It is the only capital city in the world with its own wine appellation. It is best known for its Wiener Gemischter Satz, or in layman’s terms, Viennese field blend. White grape varieties like Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Traminer are grown, harvested and vinified together to result in an easy-drinking, alluringly aromatic and affordable style of wine.
AUSTRIAN GRAPE VARIETIES It is the case among all European wine countries that a wide gamut of both indigenous and international grape varieties are grown in the vineyards. Austria page 139
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Austrian Wines
is no exception. There are 26 white grapes registered for the production of wine and 14 red. The proportion of white to red is two-thirds to one-third, respectively. We’ll focus on four signature, native grapes that Austria is most known for: Grüner Veltliner (white), Zweigelt (red), Blaufränkisch (red), and Sankt Laurent (red). Grüner Veltliner is undoubtedly Austria’s pride grape. It is the grape that initiated the country’s international stardom. Its genetic parents are uncertain. Traminer grape is possibly one of the contributors. Grüner Veltliner wines offer a wide range of flavors depending on the micro-climate of the vineyards, wine making techniques and the style of wine. One thing is certain; at its best, it can be astonishing: complex, highly concentrated, texturally sublime, with the impressive aging potential. Its flavors span across a wide range: from citrus aromas like lime and grapefruit to tropical fruits of papaya, ripe banana and passion fruit. Savory notes of white pepper, edamame, garden herbs and green pepper with a touch of salinity. Its food pairing versatility is brilliant, specifically its ability to match seamlessly with two difficult vegetables: artichoke and asparagus. Blaufränkisch. This is the most complex of all three reds in question. It is
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a late-ripening grape that elegantly combines juiciness and freshness. The wine is characterized by black pepper, strong woody aromatics recalling tree bark, black cherry and wild blueberry flavors. Its firm tannins can be a bit aggressive when young but become lush and velvety with age. The grape is mainly grown in Burgenland and Niederösterreich. Sankt Laurent. Named after St. Lawrence’s Day - August 10th – around the date the grapes begin to change color. This is a bit of a finicky of a grape. It is difficult in the vineyard, ripening unevenly, low-yielding and sensitive to even moderate weather changes. It has a bit of a brutish personality, rough around the edges with barn-yardy characteristics and gritty tannins. But there is fruit to compensate for its savageness: sour cherry and blackberry notes. Zweigelt. This third member of the Austrian red trinity is actually the genetic offspring of the two grapes described above. Its offspring characteristics manifest themselves in an easy-going joyfulness and charm. The fruit here is freshly picked raspberries, cherries, plums with a touch of floral aromatics of lavender and violets. Its body is the lightest of the three, with softer tannins. Its versatility in food and wine pairing is impressive. These are just the grapes that represent Austria’s wine making from its most
unique perspective. As I said earlier, there is a plethora of other grapes, both local and transplants. You can’t talk about the Austrian wine industry without mentioning its magnificent Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs, Traminers, Muscats, Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrahs, just to mention a few. Austria’s newly acquired reputation for high-quality wines stands disproportionally to the volume of its production. It accounts for only one percent of all total world production with around 114,000 acres under vine. The industry comprises mainly of small, boutique wineries making it an antithesis of mass production. That translates to a very hands-on approach to the craft; attention to detail that leads to a heightened awareness of the quality. That combined with the general affordability of the wines, makes Austria one of the best choices on the current wine market. Finally, if one should talk about a dynamic connection between a country and its wines, Austria is a good example. There is a certain similarity between Austrian culture and the style of its wines, a certain affinity of sensibilities between the two. Both the wines and the broadly understood culture of the country exhibit a certain understated elegance and grace. CEZAR KUSIK WINE CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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MANSION OF THE MONTH
MIRAMAR HOUSE · MALIBU
T
21528 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
HE EPITOME OF LUXURY, THIS CUSTOM-BUILT OCEANFRONT HOME RESIDES IN ONE OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE ENCLAVES IN MALIBU. CAPTIVATING WITH AN UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE AND ADORNED FOR A LIFESTYLE OF LEISURE AND BEAUTY, MIRAMAR HOUSE IS THE BEST BEACH HOUSE AVAILABLE IN MALIBU. It is a gracefully designed estate with over 7,264 square feet of beach-front
living at its finest. Situated on Malibu’s highly coveted La Costa Beach, the home offers direct beach access. Bursting with natural light and masterfully curated, each bespoke detail of this outstanding five-bedroom, eight-bathroom estate tells a timeless and unique story. Visitors enter through a columned doorway, surrounded by a handset stone driveway and pristine landscaping. Inside, the entrance is elegantly appointed with a black and white marble tiled foyer and a trickling fountain that leads guests into the striking courtyard, featuring a deck, pool, spa, outdoor bar, and greenery a perfect environment for
indoor/outdoor entertaining. Through the living area, which includes a large painted brick fireplace and chandeliers, a wall of sliding doors allow for breathtaking views of the Pacific. Walk out onto the expansive hardwood deck, which overlooks the ocean—a perfect setting for lounging, outdoor dining, and entertaining. A retractable black and white striped overhang offers shade when needed. A bright sunroom attaches to the beach-front deck, enclosed in wall-to-wall windows. Every detail within the home is thoughtful and refined: a crystal chandelier is centered in the formal dining page 145
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MANSION OF THE MONTH
THE BEST BEACH HOUSE IN MALIBU
room; the kitchen echoes the black and white theme throughout the home, with a large black island floating in the middle of the room amidst the bright white surrounding cabinetry, marble countertops, and stainless steel Viking appliances; a circular stairwell features an artistic, geometric black railing. Upstairs, each bedroom offers its own spectacular glory; the primary bedroom page 146
has three sets of French doors that open to a private balcony patio with full ocean views on the horizon. The attached all-white bathroom is striking in its monochrome, featuring marble countertops, a claw-foot soaking tub, and separate oversized shower. An upstairs theater has dual balconies opening to both the ocean as well as the interior courtyard. Two walls of French
doors open to create a grand, open space, with a fireplace adding ambiance. With dual two-car garages and additional parking in the driveway, the logistics of beach-side living are made easy. Moments away from the worldclass shops and restaurants of Malibu, residents will find Miramar House to be a unique beach-side haven—glamorous yet cozy, grand yet charming.
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SANTIAGO ARANA
Principal +1424.231.2399 santiago@theagencyre.com
Ranked the #8 real estate agent in the country, Santiago Arana has closed billions of dollars worth of real estate across Los Angeles, taking his place among the most distinguished professionals in the industry.
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MOLD YOUR MIND NAME IT TO TAME IT:
ACTING IN SPITE OF NEGATIVITY JOEY VELEZ MA, MBA @velezmentalperformance Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
B
ACK IN CALIFORNIA DURING THE WARM SUMMER DAYS, MY FAMILY OFTEN HEADED OUT TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY, WHERE MY STEPFATHER WOULD SAIL US AROUND ON HIS CATAMARAN.
Sometimes these days would be calm and relaxing, but there were plenty of times when it was quite the opposite. If you are reading this and have experienced these less than peaceful times sailing, you probably know what I mean: rough waters, other boats impeding your path, high wind gusts, and maybe even a mutinous shipmate. These perfect storms come out of nowhere to try and stray us off course, but the ship must sail on. The same is true of everyday life. Negativity is all around us, which can be viewed as distractions that take your attention away from where it needs to be to perform your best. These attention page 158
thieves come into your mind to steer you off path and to make your life more difficult. Regardless of what is going on around us, we must press forward. You must learn to continue toward your destination and act despite the negativity. Doing so will increase your chances of accomplishing your goals and performing at an optimal level.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? Negativity comes in many forms: undesirable results, nothing going your way, internal self-talk, harmful words from others, poor personal habits and even your surrounding environment. One thing these forms have in common is they make it more difficult for you to act your true, authentic self. It becomes more challenging to achieve the results you want to achieve because your attention and actions are diverted elsewhere. One thing is for certain: these moments are not only unpredictable, but almost guaranteed to happen. When negativity comes around, you must act to maintain progress. There are two types of actions you can take: random action or purposeful, deliberate action. For example, let’s say you are running late for work and you realize you have no idea where your car keys are. Random action could look one of two ways. First, you place immediate blame on your spouse or your children. You start pointing fingers, yelling obscenities and bringing up other
misfortunes about that other person, but you eventually realize they were in your pocket. You now walk out the door, disgruntled and annoyed that you wasted 10 minutes of your day looking for something that was not lost. Second, you might begin catastrophizing. You might call yourself an idiot, saying you will never get to work, which means you will be fired, which means your family will disown you, which means you will lose your house, which means you will end up homeless. On the other hand, purposeful and deliberate action looks a little different. Once you notice your keys are missing, you set down your briefcase and start investigating. You ask yourself, “Where did I leave them last?” “What was I doing?” Then you start patting yourself down and realize, “Hey, they were in my pocket the whole time!” You head out the door with a smile and laugh as you get ready to start your day. Now, which action would you choose in this situation? Do not act for the sake of acting; take deliberate and purposeful action to stay the path because random action will lead you down a rabbit hole you do not want to go down.
ME, MYSELF, AND I Growing up, I gravitated toward negativity. If I made a mistake and someone criticized me for it, it must’ve meant that I was not good enough. If I failed at something, then I would give up. A pes-
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simistic mindset was a constant figure in my life. Negativity swirled around me, and I could not do anything about it. My path was forged for me. It was not until college that I realized I was letting negativity dictate my actions. I learned that I had a choice in my thinking, I learned that I had a choice in how I acted and responded, and I learned that it was up to me to make those changes. Around this time, I came across a video on YouTube from an ex-Navy SEAL named Jocko Willink. The video is called “Good”, and if you have not seen it, then I suggest you take three minutes of your day and give it a watch. In this video, he talks about how he says the word “good” when he experiences failures and adversities. Saying this short, simple word allows him to acknowledge what happened but then redirect his attention toward what he can do instead. This video helped change the way I viewed negativity. Mishaps, failures and adversities are not in my control, but what I can control is how I respond to those situations. It was at this point I began to forge my path.
NAME IT TO TAME IT To take action despite any negativity, you first must acknowledge its source. It is difficult to change what you do not know; therefore, you must name it to tame it. The truth can hurt, so this step may be more challenging than it sounds, but it is vital. For example, if you are a pessimistic person, neutral situations are more likely to turn negative based on your perspective. Therefore, you must first accept and acknowledge that you are pessimistic, which is not easy, and I
speak from experience. This acknowledgment can be out loud, to another person, or written down on paper, but to learn what is impacting your actions, you have to know what it is. Next, you want to create an anchor. Something you can utilize that will stop you from veering too far off course. Your anchor can come in the form of a power statement, which is a form of selftalk to increase confidence and redirect your attention. Power statements must meet certain criteria to be most effective: they must be purposeful, productive and reflect possibility. Purposeful refers to being deliberate with reason, as opposed to being more spontaneous and random. For example, remind yourself, “Just breathe,” instead of, “I hope this works out,” which has less intent behind it and is leaving things up to chance. Productive refers to being more task and present-focused, as opposed to letting the situation dictate your self-talk. For example, saying, “Focus on the next sales call,” instead of, “I have to sell this next person,” which can create irrational beliefs and unnecessary stress. Finally, possibility refers to not setting any limitations on your actions. If you tell yourself, “I can’t,” or “There is no way to come back from this,” then you have already lost. Power statements increase your confidence and put you on the offensive by controlling the thoughts that you want to have to perform your best. Power statements can be motivational, such as, “You can do this,” or they can focus
more on mechanics, “Strong base, steady balance.” The key here is to have a meaningful statement that passes the gut-check feeling. Now that you have laid anchor, you must readjust the ship’s wheel to get you back on track. You can do this through focal cues, which can be short phrases, words or images to guide your attention back to the present moment. An important factor with focal cues is choosing cues that are based on what is most important. For example, let’s say you are sailing along in open water and are hit with a high gust of wind. Having the cue, “Reef the sail,” lets you know that you need to reduce the sail’s size so you can move effectively through the windy terrain. Focal cues can also be motivational. For example, repeating the statement, “You are the captain,” might remind you that you are in charge of this ship; not Mother Nature. Once you have your anchor and you have redirected your attention to the path that lies ahead, you can sail more smoothly and reach your destination more efficiently.
FINAL THOUGHTS There are times when you can use the negativity around you to fuel your actions. However, you must make sure you are taking purposeful and deliberate action that continues you on your journey toward your destination. There are also times when negativity leads you so far off course that it is hard to regain traction. In these moments, you must utilize your anchor to recalibrate, readjust and redirect your efforts and attention so that you can make a more effective decision and perform your best. page 159
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HEALTH IS WEALTH
A FOUR-WEEK PLAN
TO GET BACK INTO SHAPE
F
OR THE PAST 12 MONTHS, WE HAVE EFFECTIVELY BEEN LAB RATS. THE WORLD HAS CHANGED AND SO HAVE OUR BODIES. WHETHER YOU’RE SOMEONE WHO FEELS YOU HAVEN’T MOVED SINCE LAST MARCH, OR DID AN HOUR OF WALKING EVERY DAY, OR KEPT UP WITH HOME WORKOUTS, WE’RE ALL SEEING AND FEELING THE EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC ON OUR FITNESS LEVELS.
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Generally, we’re seeing a slight increase in weight, but a significant rise in body fat (up by 15 to 20 percent on average) with lean mass (muscle) falling by five to six percent. Circumference around the waist has increased on average by five percent, the thighs have decreased by eight percent and the arms and chest have changed only marginally. The loss around the thighs is particularly telling. To burn fat, we need our prime muscle, the big hungry ones, to be fired up and strong. So, the thighs, the chest, the back, and the butt have to all keep some mass in order to consume calories. Cardiovascular training is vital for our well-being and overall calorie expenditure – however, with a small daily window, in which people predominantly
performed low to moderate cardiovascular exercise – that long walk, slow run, long cycle ride – we have not been producing challenges to our body. If your normal routine pre-lockdown was to go to the gym, you were regularly testing the muscular structures and forcing them to adapt and burn. This constant pressure burns energy and raises metabolic base so that we burn more calories when doing nothing, even when we sleep. What has also become abundantly clear from the busier and busier physiotherapy clinics is that our postures have really not had a good time in lockdown. The loss of muscle in our butt, thighs and stomach has brought high levels of hip and knee pain, and our necks have become considerably stiffer as we have
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been spending more time “flexed” over a desk or slumped on a sofa.
HOW TO BUILD BACK STRONGER WEEK 1 AND 2 EVERY DAY
Now the end is in sight, it’s time to undo the damage, press the reboot button and begin to rebuild our fitness levels back to where we left them and then, vitally, go beyond.
MOBILITY
Of course, exercise and activity have enormous, proven benefits for mental well-being too – which is more important than ever right now. With this in mind, I advise against watching YouTube sessions; rather, get outside and exercise with a partner – we’re social creatures who are inspired and motivated when getting active with others. Be patient. When you are allowed back on the tennis court or into the gym, the temptation will be to attack the workouts with the vigor of a teenager. Remember that you aren’t, and it’s been quite a while. Right, I’ve devised a four-week fitness plan to get you feeling fitter and healthier as the end of lockdown beckons. It’s all about getting mobile again, strengthening the core and gradually building some muscular strength endurance again.
WINDMILL 10 MINUTES 8-10 REPS/SIDE CORE SINGLE LEG EXTENSION 20 MINUTES 20-30 REPS STRENGTH LUNGE AND ARM RAISE 30 MINUTES 10-15 REPS
4 DAYS A WEEK Lay on your back with your shoulders curled upward and your abdominals braced. Starting with both legs raised at a 90-degree angle at the hip and knee, extend one leg outwards until straight, maintaining the same flexed spine position, then return back together and alternate the movement for each leg. EVERY DAY From a standing position with a moderate/light dumbbell in your left hand, step backwards into a reverse lunge and raise the straight left arm above yourself. Step back to the start position again and lower the arm. Focus on keeping your body weight on your heel of the front foot throughout.
MODERATE CARDIO FAST WALKING 30 MINUTES MINIMUM 4 DAYS EACH WEEK
WEEK 3 AND 4: FOUR SESSIONS PER WEEK MOBILITY BIRD-DOG 5 MINUTES 15-25 REPS
EVERY DAY Starting on your hands and knees, reach your right arm forward to a horizontal position and your left leg behind you to the same level. Brace your abdominals whilst you do this and use your glute muscles to control the leg movement. Return back downward to the point where your right elbow touches your left knee, then repeat.
CORE
If you’ve been exercising regularly already, you might add in an extra session if needed. Likewise, if you are starting from scratch, don’t feel that you need to progress from the first two weeks of the plan until you are ready.
OBLIQUE PLANK ROTATIONS 10 TO 15 MINUTES
You should expect that it’s going to take two weeks just to get the basics of mobility and core developed, plus some very basic strength, before the moderately higher intensity can be worked in. It will then take another four weeks to begin to see some great changes, so figure on eight to 10 weeks to return to something like normal again, which should be just in time for that holiday in Scotland.
12-15 MINUTES
BY MATT ROBERTS, PERSONAL TRAINER
Starting on your hands and knees, reach your right hand and arm through under your left side so that you feel your back rotate and your upper back stretch. Then return back and open your body upwards so that your right arm points directly upward and you feel your spine rotate and chest stretch.
15-20 REPS
EVERY DAY In a side plank position on your left side with your top foot placed ahead of the bottom one, start with your right arm in a vertical position and then rotate downward in order to touch your right elbow to the ground. Return back to the top position and repeat.
HIIT
Such as skipping, cycling, rowing, running
MODERATE TO HIGH CARDIO INTERVAL TRAINING
STRENGTH SINGLE LEG DEAD LIFT 20 MINUTES 10-20 REPS MODERATE CARDIO
EVERY DAY Using a barbell, kettlebell or dumbbell, stand on one leg and pivot on the hip of the standing leg to raise the other leg behind yourself whilst lowering the weight towards the ground. This is a slow to medium paced movement and you should brace the abdominals throughout. The standing knee should be slightly bent during the movement.
FAST WALKING 30–40 MINUTES FAST WALK OR 20 MINUTES SLOW JOG 4 DAYS EACH WEEK
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