Polo Lifestyles - Haiti December 2017

POLO LIFESTYLES Haiti VOLUME I / ISSUE IV / DECEMBER 2017

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LAVISH GIFT GUIDE Deck the Halls in Luxury

ST. MORITZ

SNOW POLO

HAITIAN QUEENS A Cultural Legacy

WORLD SERIES POLO Haiti Polo Team in the Outback

VICTORIA’S SECRET

Backstage with Angels page 1

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POLO LIFESTYLES Haiti T H E M AG A Z I N E

L’ÉQUIPE:

Claude-Alix Bertrand

President/Executive Editor

Josh Jakobitz

SVP Marketing/Editor

Lucy Crabtree Copy Editor

Oksana Toussaint-Vig

Senior Global Fashion Curator

Trystanne Cunningham

Senior Global Style Curator

Christelle Pierrette Pierre

Style Contributor, Port-au-Prince

Daniel Hawkins

Multi-Media Advisor

Mark Wine

Fitness Columnist

Wanda Gilles

Lifestyles Contributor

Wendelle Theodore

Style & Culture Contributor, Paris Desk

Contributing Photographers:

Dan Mitchell Angelica Ekeke Edner Julien Joe McInally

Matthias Gruber Gio Casimir Frederic Dupoux

Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Co. 280 Old County Road, Suite 152, Brisbane, CA 94005

All rights reserved.

For information or to advertise, contact editor@htpolo.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover photo by Matthias Gruber/Polo-Looks by Gruber Images, equestrian sports photography

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ARE YOU GOING?

Land Rover Polo in the City World Series Polo Melbourne ♦ December 2 Perth ♦ December 9 Adelaide ♦ December 15 www.polointhecity.com 124th Annual Hurlingham Open Triple Crown Hurlingham Polo Club November 11 - December 2 Hurlingham, Argentina www.hurlinghampolo.com 16th Bendura Bank Snow Polo Cup Münichauer Wieses Kitzbüheler Staße Austria January 11-14, 2018 www.kitzbuehel.com 34th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz St. Moritz Lake Switzerland January 26-28, 2018 www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com

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CONTENTS Born in a Blizzard St. Moritz Snow Polo pg. 38

At home with designer Ian Stallings, pg. 51 POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Ambassador ClaudeAlix Bertrand, Executive Editor of Polo Lifestyles

Josh Jakobitz, SVP Marketing and Editor of Polo Lifestyles

Journalist and TV host Christelle Pierrette Pierre picks top winter menswear, pg. 102

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Copy Editor Lucy Crabtree, profiled snow polo photographers for the cover story, pg. 43

Stylist Trystanne Cunningham shopped till she dropped to curate Gift Guide, pg. 66

Functional Muscle Fitness CEO Mark Wine on the myths of fat loss, pg. 108

Reporting from Shanghai, Oksana Vig takes us behind the scenes at Victoria’s Secret, pg. 79

One World Journalist Angelica Ekeke shot our holiday interiors feature in San Francisco, pg. 51

Haitian-American blogger Wanda Gilles of “L’Union Suite” hit the red carpet with celebrities, pg. 32

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Behind the scenes with Angels, page 79

Our Holiday Gift Guide begins on page 66

Dubai Cartier Party page 34

Five Myths of Fat Loss page 108

Beauty with a purpose and a history pg. 92

Cassandre Chery, Miss Haiti 2017 page 11

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COMMENTS TO THE EDITOR The November cover, Polo African Style, lit up social media and our inboxes.

Here’s what you were saying...

“Feels so glorious” “Beautiful” “Speechless! Words can’t describe how amazing this is. The finest,.. polished magazine.”

“Diggin’ it!”

“Fantastic magazine!”

“Amazed by your pics...

Waiting for more!”

“We’re lovin’ it!”

“Great job. The magazine is very well-made.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Back in August when my friend and polo player Claude-Alix Bertrand asked me to look at a concept for a polo lifestyles magazine, I couldn’t have imagined that in a few months’ time, my words here would be seen by over 100,000 readers around the world.

After the September and October issues, I quickly relocated to the Bay Area to be closer to the regional polo scene here in Northern California and to open and organize the Polo Lifestyles office in San Francisco. I arrived only one week after devastating fires destroyed thousands of acres just north of us. We honored emergency personnel in the November issue in “Reposted for the Record.”

As one poignant Instagram post demonstrated, “The Love In the Air is Thicker than the Smoke.”

Last week, I had the privilege of attending Lan Jaenicke’s Sip ’n’ Shop benefit for Napa vineyards. Perliss Estates, whose fine wines barely escaped the destruction, served their bold Cabernet and Zinfandel. Fashion and wine, two of our favorite things here at Polo Lifestyles, came together in Lan’s atelier on Fillmore Street to support each other.

This month in Australia, the Land Rover Urban Polo series will raise funds over the course of five weeks in five cities for Haitian education and feeding programs for families and schoolchildren in Camp-Perrin, Haiti—a beautiful but remote area of southern Haiti.

Project St. Anne, the recipient agency, will have the necessary funds to make the holidays special in Camp-Perrin.

In this spirit of giving and philanthropy, especially during the holiday season, we suggest year-end support of Project St. Anne, a favorite philanthropic cause here at Polo Lifestyles. Information about Project St. Anne immediately follows the 2017 Gift Guide.

Make someone’s season bright, Josh Jakobitz josh@htpolo.com

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Happy Holidays FROM

POLO LIFESTYLES

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Reposted FOR THE RECORD Curated Instagram posts from November

louvreabudhabi An audio-visual show over the Louvre Abu Dhabi during its opening

haiti_polo_team HRH Prince Harry and Megan Markle announce their engagement

Paralympian #athletes Beatrice Bebe Vio and Ellen Geddes fence in Rome

samanta_schein @mercedesbenz China Fashion Week “Alice in Wonderland� by Shegunag Hu

darrensculpts Edinburgh ice sculptures documented

by Darren Jackson

demileighnp Miss South Africa is crowned Miss Universe 2017 in Las Vegas

faithwilliams Channeling Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman in @wynter.lane at polo

pmqfortwo Home decor and DIY blogger Ariel GH at home for the holidays

The French team at gymnastics world championships in Montreal

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cultureeventcreative

lorisf95

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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles We will share noteworthy comments with you next month

cam_kuzon Polo ready in Brisbane, Australia, for the @polointhecity series

mudgee_polo

The Australian team took home the top prize from 11th Manipur World Cup

wenzilw Backstage in Shanghai at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show

phillipistrippin Australian voters overwhelmingly approve marriage equality

hermes All saddled up (Do they come in an orange box?)

karencivil Karen Civil honored with “Voice of Hope” award by @Fonkoze

rallyewerk Another beautiful day in St. Barth’s paradise

lunionsuite The @haiti_polo_team is competing in the Urban Polo Series Down Under

officiallylive Jamaican queen, Davina Bennett, stole many hearts during Miss Universe page 17

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STYLE THE TREE LIKE A CELEBRITY

There’s nothing like seeing your holiday guests gathered around the tree, and no one styles a tree like the Four Seasons. We picked three very different Four Seasons’ trees for your 2017 inspiration.

1. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul 2. Four Seasons des Bergues Geneva 3. Four Seasons George V Paris

1.

3.

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2.

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Hand-crafted loose ginger tea blends Available at dorpare.com

#whatsyourteastory #howdoyoutea #dorpare page 19

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TOWERING TREE INSPIRATION From ribbons to origami to poinsettias, these towering designer trees (left: Balsam Hill; right top: St. Regis Atlanta in blue and white; an origami-ornament tree; below: pine mixes with poinsettia at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens) are just the inspiration for which the holidays are calling. This year, the taller the tree, the more majestic the look.

Post your holiday decorations and tag @pololifestyles on Instagram for a chance to be Reposted for the Record on our social media or in the January edition of Polo Lifestyles.

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Scoreboards & Cocktails

TOURNAMENTS & ACTION IN NOVEMBER

Land Rover Polo in the City World Series Polo Haiti Polo Team vs. Team Australia

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Opposite page: Team Captain Claude-Alix Bertrand salutes the crowd following the match.

This page, Haiti Polo Team post-match in Sydney; the Pol Roger marquee champagne bar; spectators arriving on the red carpt; and photo ops with local and national press page 23

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Land Rover Polo in the City World Series Polo Haiti Polo Team vs. Team Australia

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Opposite page, top left: It gets physical during the match; top right: Miss Universe Australia Olivia Rogers arrives to start the match; bottom: family members receive the team after the match. This page, top: The fight toward the goal between Haiti Polo Team and Team Australia; below: E! News broadcasting live from the Land Rover Polo in the City in Sydney.

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The Boots & Pearls Victory Cup Featuring local, farm-to-table foods, spirits, beers and wines November 4 ♦ Austin, Texas

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New Orleans Womens Polo Charity Tournament

November 4 ♦ Folsom, LA Benefiting the Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana

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11th Manipur Polo World Cup

Imphal Polo Grounds ♦ Nov 23-29 Sixteen teams competed for the title India-B defeated Argentina 7-6

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Frenkoze

Fundraiser for Fonkoze Los Angeles ♦ Nov 11

Right: Garcelle Beauvais, Russell Simmons, Sanaa Lathan, and Maguerite Lathan Below: Jaime Monroy

Saturday, November 11 was a night to remember as people from all backgrounds and interests came together in Los Angeles to support Fonkoze’s mission of empowering Haitians, primarily women, to lift themselves out of poverty.

Celebrities at the event included actress and talk show host Garcelle Beauvais; actress Sanaa Lathan; media mogul Russell Simmons, who emceed the event; actress, dancer, choreographer, and director page 32

Debbie Allen; actress Melanie Griffith; actress Vicky Jeudy; actor Glynn Turman; media maven Karen Civil; actress Leah Pump; fashion designer Tina KnowlesLawson; and actor Richard Lawson.

With over 40 branches located throughout the country, Fonkoze is Haiti’s largest micro finance institution serving poor and ultrapoor women in rural Haiti. Fonkoze is an acronym for the Haitian Creole

phrase “Fondasyon Kole Zepòl,” meaning “Shoulder-to-Shoulder Foundation.” Its mission is to build the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing the rural poor with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. The foundation has more than 64,000 borrowers and 250,000 savers, and is divided into three entities.

Photographer: Eddie Julien Media sponsor: Lunionsuite.com

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Above left and right: Dancers and performers; below: Wanda Gilles and Karen Civil pause for a photo op with the press

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EXCLUSIVE & GLAM

Dubai Cartier Party With special guest Ellie Goulding

Cartier held its grand celebration November 16 at the Dubai Water Canal, an extraordinary place with unparalleled sophistication and breathtaking views. Members of the royal family, celebrities, influencers and guests from Emirati, Arab and Western high society attended this unforgettable event, whose uniqueness is its identify with contemporary luxury. The British singer Ellie Goulding provided an outstanding performance worthy of the event. She wore an Isabel Marant suit with Cartier jewelry.

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www.twigagallery.com 3333 Sacramento St San Francisco CA +1415-292-8020

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Ultimate in luxury of the future.

At this year’s gathering of the most magnificent classic cars at Pebble Beach in California, Mercedes-Benz is once again set to present a highlight: the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet is a car which, with its sensual, emotionally appealing design and innovative technical concept solutions, defines the ultimate in luxury of the future. At the same time the two-seater model pays homage to the glorious “automotive haute couture” 36 ofpage hand-finished, exclusive cabriolets.

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BORN IN A BLIZZARD

Photo credit: Daniel Mitchell

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“It had snowed all night and you would never have guessed there was a polo field beneath all that snow,” said Reto Gaudenzi, reminiscing about Saturday, January 26 1985.

For two years, he had worked hard to make the first polo tournament on snow happen; he had convinced innovators, won over skeptics and ignored notorious grousers.

And now, his baby was about to be buried under a pile of snow. “There was far too much for it to be compressed. And the town’s large and heavy snowblowers would simply have cracked through the ice on the lake.”

Polo players are fighters and Gaudenzi would not let himself be disheartened, “Thank goodness, Engadine people are known for not letting you down. We all started making telephone calls at the crack of dawn and by 7 a.m., two dozen locals had arrived to help clear the field with their small private snowblowers.”

After six hours of strenuous effort, they managed to clear a field measuring 40 by 80 meters— a field five times smaller than today. That did not prevent the novel concept from turning into a success.

The weather changed overnight and the following day awoke to brilliant sunshine, drawing more than 1,000 spectators and 100 journalists. The world premiere of snow polo was born.

Since then, snow polo has been adopted around the world, but the St. Moritz tournament remains unrivaled.

Being the only high-goal tournament on snow, St. Moritz is still the most important meeting place of the world snow polo community.

Adapted from snowpolo-stmoritz.com

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Snow 40 page polo in St. Moritz has been played snow or shine since 1985.

Photo credit: Matthias Gruber/Polo-Looks

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Two Polo Photographers Two Different Approaches

CAPTURING THE SOUL OF Written by Lucy Crabree Photographs by Dan Mitchell & Matthias Gruber page 43

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A RECIPE FOR STUNNING IMAGES BY DAN MITCHELL

By Lucy Crabtree | editor@htpolo.com He’s photographed stunning landscapes across Europe, Africa, and the U.S. He’s shot models, weddings, and graduations. But when given the choice, photographer Dan Mitchell gravitates toward sports.

“The positive atmosphere, fast action, and excitement of competition is a perfect recipe for stunning images,” he said. “It is this magic combination that makes me passionate to tell a story with an image without an explanation or caption.”

A two-time Snow Polo World Cup veteran photographer, Mitchell will be back for his third stint photographing the 2018 Cup in St. Moritz, January 26–28. Shooting polo matches poses unique challenges over other sports, such as capturing images that showcase the tandem relationship between the page 44

horse and the rider, covering a range of distances from close-ups to a few hundred meters away, and doing it all in sub-zero temperatures. But such conditions can be rewarding, too, and Mitchell looks for unique details, such as steam rising from the horses in the cold air as well as flying snow from horses in full gallop.

“Generally, having sunlight mixed with brilliant colors on a [snow] white background produces very remarkable images. For me, the strong and clear lighting helps expose the most detailed expressions of the rider and the animals,” he said. “As a photographer, I like action and emotions. With the St. Moritz Snow Polo event, I can spot the facial expressions of the athletes and animals. I like to ‘freeze’ these moments with images for the viewers. These frozen images are something you can savor and enjoy with a photo. Video or

even watching the event live does not provide this type of enjoyment of the sport.”

Mitchell is always looking for new challenges. “For me it is a natural evolution in life to learn something every day, and I find that when the learning slows or stops, I become restless and it becomes time for me to change,” he said.

Describing photography as his “dream job,” Mitchell pushes himself by starting his own photography business, shooting in a variety of settings, branching out to journalism and writing about the events he photographs, and mentoring new photographers as they master both the technical aspects of a camera and the art of capturing sporting events. Mitchell makes his home in Switzerland.

Websites: www.mitchellmedia.ch www.danmitchell.com

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MATTHIAS GRUBER

CAPTIVATED BY “ATHLETICISIM OF HORSES” Lucy Crabtree | editor@htpolo.com Matthias Gruber’s career as a polo photographer started by chance. He was on his way to test a new camera when he happened to pass by a polo tournament. Though he had no idea of the rules or the game, he was immediately taken with the athleticism of the horses and the excitement of the match. Soon after, he met someone who taught him how to take good polo photos.

Nowadays, he looks for three things when shooting polo tournaments: the horse, the rider, and the light. Horses, he says, are the true stars of the game, and must not appear stressed or frightened.

“There are unfortunately many such ‘bad’ photos,” he said. “Of course, these often only show a fraction of a second, but they damage the image of polo,

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particularly in Germany and Europe, where equestrian sports—justifiably so—have generally become the focus of animal protectionists.”

A good photo of a rider will display the rider’s technique, as well as convey action and even suspense. And lighting, of course, should be taken into consideration throughout. “Whoever can photograph polo can take pictures of anything,” Gruber said.

Gruber also photographs dressage and show jumping, but his true love is polo.

“Many of my personal favorite pictures are not pictures of the action on the polo field, but of grooms, polo horses waiting on the edge of the field, or players getting ready,” he said.

A veteran photographer for the Snow Polo World Cup in St. Moritz, Gruber

calls the tournament one of the most impressive on the polo circuit. His dream of combining sports photography and art saw light when his photographs were displayed in the Snow Polo VIP Lounge two years ago.

“There are still many tournaments that I would like to photograph. Unfortunately, this is often not possible without sponsors who are increasingly difficult to find. And there is often no longer any value attached to high-quality photos,” he said. “I always find this amazing, because the advertising effect of good photos is still extremely high.”

A native of Germany, Gruber spent most of his career as a physical therapist before switching to photography 12 years ago. He also specializes in architecture, interior design, and landscape photography.

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Unique Living International Property Search www.uniqueliving.com 4 Bedroom Chalet Courchevel 1650 French Alps, France Listing Price: â‚Ź5,595,000 New luxury chalet located in Courchevel Moriond in the heart of the Belvedere, sitting between 1850 and 1860, with direct access to the slopes. Due for delivery Christmas 2018.

The south facing property is situated in a prime location and is one of eight new chalets. It is distributed over 4 floors and comprises of 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a terrace, balcony, garden and a swimming pool.Â

Agent Serge Cowan +44 (0) 207 148 6480 frenchalps@uniqueliving.com page 48

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10 Bedroom Chalet | Megeve, French Alps, France Listing Price: €5,730,000 Beautiful chalet located in Praz Sur Arly only 200 meters from the slopes and the village center and a 5 minutes’ drive from Megeve Center.

The 550 sq. m chalet is a renovated farmhouse set on a 3500 sq. m plot with a second 220 sq. m lodge ideal for staff or guests.

The main chalet is distributed over 3 floors and the ground floor comprises of an entrance hall, a wine cellar, a 60 sq. m master bedroom with fireplace, bathroom and terrace, a further double bedroom with shower room and a relaxation area with steam room, sauna and massage room. The first floor comprises of a double bedroom with en suite shower room, 2 further bedrooms, a large 150 sq. m living room, a dining room with fireplace and an open kitchen with bar area. The top floor is a mezzanine converted into lounge or games room with small video games library.

The guest chalet is a semidetached chalet of 2 x 110 sq. m comprising in total of 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, living room, dining room and kitchen. Outside is the large garden with a jacuzzi for 8 people, a small garden shed which serves as a ski room with boot dryer as well as a mazot, staff small room and utility room. Additionally there is a garage for 6 cars and parking for 8 cars.

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH VIEWS TO DIE FOR Bentley Nob Hill San Francisco, California

Photos by: Angelica Ekeke

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AT HOME WITH DESIGNER IAN STA

Four hours into the photo shoot with Ian Stallings—complete with champagne, a Batman mask, and irreverent versions of traditional carols—the work grinds to a halt as we all stand in front of the oversized windows, captivated by the commanding views of the Bay at dusk.

The bridge lights on the horizon, the glittering towers of the skyline and the blue-on-pink-onpeach of the clouds. We pull out our mobile phones to capture the moment for our favorite social media channels.

“This is magnificent,” muses our executive editor.

Then Angelica, the photographer, slips back into work mode, clearing us from the frame and snapping away as the violet-blue in the sky turns to navy and then midnight blue.

We are in Stallings’ private home in Nob Hill, where he currently keeps his office while a new design space and gallery is remodeled— scheduled to open in 2018. His home is a collection of globally curated artifacts and memories combined with modern and minimal furniture finished in different white and off-white upholsteries. The modern holiday décor—pops of red in pillows, a train set under the tree and dozens of roses— fits into the entire scheme.

The ornaments that adorn the faux tree (“Recycled!” says Stallings) are gifts from friends over the years. He asks guests coming to his Christmas parties to bring ornaments as a host gift. The burning candles are “Bungo Firewood.”

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ALLINGS

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Photos, top to bottom: the light-filled living room with reds added for the holiday color scheme; a Timothy Cummings portrait on the nightstand; Versace porcelain on the modern dining room table; an inter-faith side table. page 54

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“

Sometimes you see something and you have to have it. Sometimes you have everything and everyone in your life, and you think, ‘I don’t need anyone else,’ and then you meet your new best friend. That’s how it is with things, too.”

I ask him what he collects and what he’s currently seeking. I don’t have a list,” he says. “Sometimes you see something and you have to have it. Sometimes you have

everything and everyone in your life, and you think, ‘I don’t need anyone else,’ and then you meet your new best friend. That’s how it is with things, too.”

Josh Jakobitz is the editor of Polo Lifestyles and the SVP Marketing for Haiti Polo Team.

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Ian Stallings on... Candles: “Bungo Firewood”♦ Champagne: “Anything!”

Holiday Travel Plans: “London” ♦ His Next Project: “I want to explore a new continent.”

His Favorite City: “San Francisco, of course!”

A canopy bed in the master bedroom sets the mood all year round in Stallings’ Nob Hill home.

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ST. BARTH’S

ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA page 58

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THE JET-SET HOLIDAY RENDEZVOUS There’s a reason why celebrities, models, socialites, and It girls (like Bella Hadid, Jessica Alba, and Chrissy Teigen) meet like clockwork every year on the tropical paradise of St. Barth’s for the holidays.

The island, an overseas collectivity of France, blends the sophistication of St.-Tropez with the laissez-faire Caribbean lifestyle—which means it’s exclusive yet totally unpretentious.

Walk into any beach-front restaurant, for instance, and you’ll see well-dressed women with Birkins eating lunch beside sandy, barefoot beach goers; walk into a club wearing jean cutoffs and no one will raise an eyebrow. It’s a specific brand of laidback luxury that breeds instant converts.

Make one trip, and you’ll find yourself immediately hooked. Still, St. Barth’s can be an intimidating place to navigate if you’ve never been especially during the holidays. Here’s everything you need to know before planning a trip. page 60

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Getting There There are no direct flights to St. Barth’s... Unless you charter your own plane. If a PJ isn’t a possibility, the next best option is flying to Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, where, upon landing, you choose your own adventure for the final leg: a 15-minute flight or a 45-minute ferry crossing.

Flying will get you to paradise quickly, but the flight itself—a roughly dozen-seat puddle-jumper—is not for the faint of heart. The runway in St. Barth’s happens to be one of the shortest in commercial aviation, making for white-knuckled landings.

Book your flights in advance as only two commercial airlines provide shuttle flights to and from the island.

Or there’s the ferry: an incredibly unglamorous but efficient option for nervous fliers. Buy your tickets in advance to secure your seat.

Where to Stay Cushy accommodations aren’t hard to come by in St. Barth’s, however, they sell out early. For complete seclusion, the freshly renovated Hôtel Le Toiny St. Barth is a no-brainer. The hotel’s neutral color palette and understated decor will make you feel like you’re living in the pages of an interior design magazine. Le Toiny has just 14 individual villas spread out over 42 acres—which means you may never see another guest the entire time you’re there.

It’s quite the opposite at Eden page 61

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Rock St. Barth’s, a splashy island mainstay where people go to see and be seen. The property even has a rock star-themed villa that’s equipped with a professional recording studio (Kenny Chesney has recorded tracks there), as well as a staff that prides itself on immaculate attention to detail.

The Christian Liaigre-designed Le Sereno is perfect for people who want something hip and trendy yet private at the same time. Couples often tend toward the elegantly romantic Cheval Blanc; adults traveling with children flock to the family-friendly Le Guanahani.

Unlike many other properties, Hotel Christopher isn’t on the beach, but its infinity pool—arguably the island’s best—is so spectacular you won’t even miss the sand. page 62

If you like having the comforts of home while on holiday, rent a villa. The island is known for its palatial pads, which range from one-bedroom guest houses to eight-bedroom estates.

Companies take care of all the arrangements—from airport transfers and dinner reservations to booking babysitters and organizing a masseuse.

The Beaches One thing St. Barth’s regulars love about the island is the diversity of its beaches. There are 16 of them, each with its own distinct personality. At Saline Beach you’ll find topless women frolicking in the translucent azure water and stretches of soft, white sand that feel like powdered sugar between your toes. However, Saline, like

most other beaches on St. Barth’s, is rather bare bones—no bars, no shops, no restaurants—so pack your own snacks and water.

If you prefer a more vibrant scene, head to St. Jean, where hot spots like Eden Rock and Nikki Beach provide ample peoplewatching. During the day, you’ll find the surfers at beaches like Toiny or Lorient and the snorkelers at Gouverneur or Petite Anse, but for sunset, everyone descends upon Shell Beach.

It’s covered in millions of thumbnail-size shells and home to the famed Do Brazil.

By Day Contrary to its über-chic image, the island is surprisingly casual in the afternoon, so don’t break

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out your heels before dusk. Unless, of course, you spend a Sunday carousing at Nikki Beach.

Once a week, the posh beach club turns into a table-dancing day party complete with bottle service, model-esque waiters, and oversize sushi boats.

Looking for something low-key? Head to Do Brazil, a no-frills joint on Shell Beach where you grab a table in the sand, order a mojito, and go for a swim while the bartender is muddling your mint.

There are plenty of bikini-friendly spots, too: Maya’s To Go and Kiki-é Mo have fresh salads and sandwiches; Tom’s Juice Bar in Gustavia is known for tangy house-made juices, acai bowls, and smoothies. If you’re renting a villa and prefer to cook for yourself, Marché U, just across from the airport, is flush with amazing produce.

By Night When the sun goes down, the island starts living up to its glamorous reputation. The swankiest spot for dinner is Bonito Saint Barth, a Latin-French restaurant that has a South Beach-meets-St. Barth’s vibe and no shortage of beautiful patrons.

Traveling as a couple? Go to Jean-Georges’s romantic On the Rocks at Eden Rock and prepare to fall in love all over again. The restaurant is perched high above St. Jean Bay with views to die for. Request a table by the ledge. French-Japanese fusion eatery Orega, located in the heart of Gustavia, is unanimously considered one of the best new additions to the local dining scene.

After-Hours If you go to St. Barth’s and don’t experience Le Ti St-Barth, you’re doing it wrong. The raucous, kitschy nightclub is a rite of passage for first-timers. Waiters whisk you into a secret back room, dress you up like you’re going to Burning Man, and send you off onto the strobe light-soaked dance floor. Hot pink mullets, matador capes, and feather boas are standard attire.

Barth’s outpost over Christmas and quickly became the celeb-studded club of the season.

Bagatelle, an offshoot of the original in New York, gets similarly rowdy, minus the costumes. Another New York transplant, 1 Oak, opened its first St.

Should you be in the mood for a late-night bender, look no further than Modjo St Barts. The loungeclub hybrid usually doesn’t get going until after 1 a.m. page 63

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2017 GIFT GUIDE MAKING THE HOLIDAYS MERRY & BRIGHT Curated by Trystanne Cunningham trystanne@htpolo.com

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For the Ladies

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1. Mouawad’s 1001 Diamond Purse with 56 pink diamonds, 105 yellow diamonds and 4,356 colorless diamonds; $3.8 million 2. Cartier Caresse Rubellite Platinum earrings with 362 round diamonds for a total 2.49 carats, cartier.com, price upon request 3. Fendi natural and pink-dyed lynx and black sable jacket $187,000 call +1646-952-8388 to order 4. Imperial Majesty by Clive Christian $215,000 per ounce 5. Jay Strongwater frames starting at $495, neimanmarcus.com 6. Le Vian Ring in 18k vanilla gold with 3.94 ct. neon blue paraiba tourmaline and 1.11 cts. t.w. vanilla diamonds, $31,498 7. Roberto Demeglio ceramic bracelets with 18 k white gold starting at $1,348, neimanmarcus.com 8. Hermes Red with Indigo and Pink Piping Birkin Bag, Resort 2018 Collection hermes.com price upon request

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1. Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets starting at $6,000, vancleefarpels.com 2. Harry Winston watch 18-karat white gold with alligator strap $59,200 harrywinston.com 3. Gucci Future Purse “Magic Lanterns� collection $2,980 gucci.com 4. Chanel Black No. 5 Plexiglas Minaudiere Clutch $4,500 5. Gucci Color-block Dionysus leather shoulder bag $4,700 6. Maurizio Braschi Pancho Mink Fur Vertical Cape with Horizontal Sleeves starting at $10,500 at select Neiman Marcus locations 7. Marco de Vicenzo embellished glitter booties Farfetch.com $1,725 8. Jay Strongwater Green Frame starting at $495 9. Lela Rose Floral Brocade Bell-Sleeve coat with fringe trim $2,295 neimanmarcus.com

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For the Home

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1. Jonathan Adler backgammon $495 jonathanadler.com 2. Simon Pearce Horse Decanter $239, simonpearce.com 3. Swarovski studded toilet $75,000 swarovski.com 4. Jean Michel Basquiat “Everyone’s 2 Cents” $2.9m 5. Lalique Gold Horse $535 lalique.com 6. Hermes five-piece dinner service $1,000 per set 7. Goyard Pet Carrier $1,530 goyard.com 8. Armand de Brignac Gold Brut Champagne NV 15L $15,999 finewineshop.com 9. Dorpare Ginger Tumeric Tea $14/bag 10. Tiffany & Co. Diamond Point Collection pieces start at $65 tiffany.com 11. Jo Malone candle “Pomegranate Noir” $455 jomalone.com 12. Fendi x Rimowa hard-side luggage select Rimowa retail locations and fendi.com 13. Boca do Lobo barstools

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1. iPad Mini Gold Case inspired by da Vinci’s solar illustrations $481,000 2. C Seed’s 262” 4K TV with 9.1 Surround Sound, built-in media server and fabric cover, starting at $539,000 3. Princess Diana Tribute Cognac by Fernando Altamirano $4.5 million with $500,000 to social causes with each purchase 4. Polo Ralph Lauren polo-inspired cocktail sticks $175 ralphlauren.com 5. Electrolux Grand Cuisine Range $103,000 grandcuisine.com

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1. Burberry Maxime Cotton Set for baby girl $425 burberry.com 2. Baby Shoes “Liza Minella Trapped in a Baby’s Body” $355 3. Diamond Pacifier 278 pave-cut diamonds for 3 carat t.w. can be customized with baby’s name, color diamonds and a return address for misplaced diamond pacifiers $17,000 4. Hansa Ride-On Pony delight toddlers with this miniature pony $650 MudPie SF or mudpie-sf.com 5. Sumo 24 carat Gold Baby Cot $7.5 million 6. Burberry Maxime Cotton Set for baby boy $425 burberry.com 7. Silver Cross Surf 3 Stroller by Aston Martin giving toddlers a taste of 007 $4,999 silvercrossbaby.com

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For Him

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1. PowerRay Underwater Drone $1,888 fully loaded 2. David August genuine crocodile Dopp Kit $9,550 and travel companion $6,550 davidaugustinc.com 3. Tom Ford signature 18k Gold Bracelet $11,900 4. Devialet Silver Phantom Bluetooth Speaker $1,990-$5,109 5. Kaiser Encore Ear buds $1,850-$3,150 6. Apple iPad Air in 24k gold by Karalux 7. Midual Type 1 Motorbike $185,000 midual.com 8. Duke + Dexter bespoke slippers and loafers starting at 90 pounds sterling dukeanddexter.com 9. Ley .925 Tequila Extra Anejo and Best Quality Agave $3.5 million ley925.com 10. Hasselblad H5D-60 Camera $40,500 bhphotovideo.com

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1. Legacy 500 Jet $20 million 2. Range Rover Velar 2018 base MSRP $89,300 visit your local dealer 3. Maserati Grand Turismo Sport a masterpiece of Italian design, base MSRP $132,825 4. Project Mars Luxury Yacht $161.5 million

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A WORTHY CAUSE PROJECT ST. ANNE

combined with the abject poverty common in rural Haiti, creates a polarity to manage.

That’s where Project St. Anne comes in. Founded by a small group of women passionate about giving back to their community, the project initially started in 2008 as an effort to commemorate the Feast of St. Anne, observed on July 26.

This holiday in Australia, Haiti Polo Team is collaborating with the Land Rover Urban Polo Series to raise funds for Project St. Anne through silent auctions over the course of five weeks in five cities. Project St. Anne, founded by Naika Charles D’Haiti (pictured above), is a favorite philanthropic cause of Polo Lifestyles.

The humanitarian aid group works with children and families on the

southern coast of Haiti in the rural city of Camp-Perrin. Camp-Perrin was devastated last year by Hurricane Isaac.

At that time, our editor was working with the Ministry of Health in Haiti to administer the cholera vaccination to 1 million Haitians. Camp-Perrin was part of his area of responsibility. The picturesque, largely agricultural city of 40,000 sits in a valley next to a natural lake. The natural beauty of the area,

In collaboration with the Priests of St. Anne Church in Camp-Perrin, Project St. Anne distributed hot meals to families gathered for the celebration to spark hope by expressing international population care and value for their lives and future. The goal of Project St. Anne is to continue feeding the less fortunate, serving them with dignity, and providing them the opportunity to share a sufficient and satisfying meal.

Additionally, Project St. Anne supports children’s education, promoting and maintaining the future of Haiti through investment in the greatest asset, the future.

To make a contribution, visit www.projectstanne.org

2185 Fillmore Street, San Francisco www.mudpie-sf.com

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D24K

COSMETICS

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INSIDE ACCESS TO VICTORIA’S SECRET BACKSTAGE IN SHANGHAI

BY OKSANA VIG

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BACKSTAGE WITH ANGELS Oksana Vig | oksavig@gmail.com

The backstage of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is a restricted zone, reserved only for accredited and approved journalists and editors from around the world. Few others are ever granted access to this part of the show.

Oksana Toussaint-Vig scored a coveted media pass and takes Polo Lifestyles behind the scenes, up-close and personal with Angels of Victoria’s Secret. The models start their days with light breakfast, prior to hair and makeup. While mobile phones and video cameras are strictly forbidden, no one can resist the backstage selfie.

HENRIETH PAUL & POLO LIFESTYLES

STELLA MAXWELL & POLO LIFESTYLES

OV: Herieth, what are your emotions right now?

Stella Maxwell was toying with her phone during hair and makeup—perhaps texting with girlfriend Kristen Stewart.

HP: Today is the best day of my life. Being part of the Victoria’s Secret cast for the second time in my career as a model is a great honor. I would like to thank Mr. Ed Razek for allowing me to live this experience once again.

OV: Tell me about your look today.

HP: I will not reveal anything for the moment. Be patient and you will see.

OV: What would you say to the readers of Polo Lifestyles in Haiti?

HP: I love Haiti. You know that I come from an African country and I always identify myself with this great nation. page 80

OV: Stella, today is your fourth fashion show for Victoria’s Secret. How do you feel compared to the three previous years?

SM: It’s always the same feeling. Nothing has changed. I’m so excited to walk the runway. This is the best show in the world. And I feel very lucky to be one of the Angels who will wear the creations of Olivier Rousteing. I love Oli. OV: How many looks do you have today?

SM: Today, I’m wearing two incredible lingerie looks for the show. I feel so comfortable in them and I love my looks because they reflect my personality.

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Opposite page, left to right: Stella Maxwell, Grace Bol, Martha Hunt, and Barbara Fialho back stage This page: Amilna Estevao

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Lameka Fox (left) and Candice Swanepoel (right)

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ADRIANA LIMA & POLO LIFESTYLES OV: Bom dia Adri! How do you feel being a top model with a record of 18 fashion shows for Victoria’s Secret and the only one wearing the fantasy bra three times?

AL: Hi, bom dia! Do not make me feel old (laughs)! I learn new things every year and I fully enjoy each experience professionally. I am extremely proud of my career so far.

OV: Your best friend, Alessandra Ambrósio, just announced her final departure to dedicate herself to other things. Will you do the same?

AL: Making such a decision requires a lot of reflection. I have other goals to achieve, but I will not rush. I want to hit 20 (shows), which means I’ll walk the Victoria’s Secret runway for (at least) two (more) years.

OV: What do you like most about the organization of the show this year?

AL: I really like the fact that Victoria’s Secret decided to come to Asia. China has a great culture. Another thing I like is the collaboration of the brand with Balmain. Olivier Rousteing is a genius who knows how to dress a woman. There is nothing better than having him with us this year.

Polo Lifestyles followed Henrieth Paul, Barbara Fialho and Alessandra Ambrósio from breakfast to runway in Shanghai. page 85

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PLAYER PROFILE JOHANN DU PREEZ HOME: SOUTH AFRICA PROVINCE: HIGHVELD CLUB: EAST RAND POLO CLUB HANDICAP: 3

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HAITI POLO TEAM BEEFS UP ROSTER WITH JOHANN DU PREEZ South African polo player Johann du Preez joined Haiti Polo Team in late November in Australia for the Land Rover Urban Polo Series. A third generation polo player from Ficksburg, du Preez also works with Moolman Group of Pretoria, which owns and managers assets valued in excess of R7 billion and incorporates property investment companies.

Haiti Polo Team was received with much media fanfare for their first tournament Down Under.

With a polo handicap of 3 (www.sapolo.co.za), du Preez is an excellent addition to Haiti Polo Team and the first African member of the team representing the nation of Haiti. Team Captain Claude-Alix Bertrand is of Haitian descent while other players are Argentine.

From Brisbane, du Preez will travel with Bertrand to Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, where the final will be played December 16. Du Preez will return to South Africa in time for the holidays.

Interviews include The Polo Project (www.thepoloproject.com.au), imediacorp.com. au), E! News Australia, ESPN Australia, The Daily Telegraph (www.dailytelegraph.com.au), and The Courier Mail (www.couriermail.com.au).

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Johann.duPreez.16 page 87

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DOS BA NDER AS H A ND-M A DE CUSTOM A RGEN TI NE POLO EQU IPM EN T HAITI POLO TEA M COLLECTION

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Land Rover “Polo in the City” is part of the Urban Polo series, the largest national polo series in the world. Established in 2005, the award-winning “Polo in the City” spans five major cities in Australia, from November 18th to December 15th. Haiti Polo Team is thrilled to compete in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

Come cheer us on.

Tickets: polointhecity.com/hospitality

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History

HAITIAN BEAUTY QUEENS SIXTY YEARS OF BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE Oksana Toussaint-Vig | oksavig@gmail.com

The success of Haiti’s first beauty queen, Claudinette Fouchard, set into motion a series of investments in pageants to promote tourism on the island nation plagued with bad press and instability. Since then, Haitian beauty queens have made the colors of Haiti shine on the biggest and brightest of international stages.

representing Haiti at the Miss WorldSugar in Colombia, a competition she won. But she missed the 10th Miss World in London due to a conflict of dates between the responsibilities of Miss World-Sugar. Fouchard became a darling to the Haitian people and was featured prominently on international magazine covers.

Fouchard, the daughter of Jean Fouchard (then Haiti’s ambassador to Cuba) was elected Miss Haiti in 1960.

She had the heavy responsibility of

Two years later, Evelyn Miot, only 19 years old, succeeded Fouchard as the new Miss Haiti. Her participation in the Big Slam (Miss World, Miss

Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth) was a first for a Haitian beauty queen. On July 14, 1962, at the final of the 11th Miss Universe, Miot was the first black woman to be a semifinalist by reaching the top 15 finalists at the Miami Beach Auditorium.

In 1967, Haiti was scheduled to participate in “l’Exposition de la Terre et des Hommes” in Montreal. To promote the island, it was decided to send Haitian beauty ambassadors as representatives. Luc-Albert Foucard, then-director of the Ministry of Tourism organized a national contest, “La Reine du Tourisme” (The Queen of Tourism).

Women from every major school in the Port-au-Prince took part in the contest. Gladys Sylvain was elected Queen of Tourism, Jacqueline Coles (1st runner up) was Miss Grace, and Jacqueline Berrouet (2nd runner up) was Miss Elegance. Before their departure for Montreal, the three women were received with great pomp for a gala dinner at the National Palace by the President of the Republic, Dr. François Duvalier.

In Montreal, they were honored at Chateau Tremblain.

A year later, Haiti made a big comeback to the Miss Universe contest after six years’ absence.

Sixty-five countries sent contestants and Haiti sent Claudie Paquin

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WWW.HAITIPOLOLIFESTYLES.COM Haitian beauty queen Raquel Pelissier (this page) and historical beauty queen Claudinette Fourchard in 1960 (opposite page).

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A GLAMOROUS ERA

Haitian beauty queens once ruled the Pearl of the Caribbean. to represent Haiti at the 17th Miss Universe pageant in Miami.

Seven years elapsed before Haiti sent another candidate. In 1975, Haiti was present at the two biggest beauty contests, Miss World and Miss Universe. The results were excellent for both representatives of Haiti. JoĂŤlle Apollon, Miss Haiti World qualified in the Top 6 of Miss World at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Gertie David, Miss Haiti Universe 1975 nearly won the 24th Miss Universe in San Salvador, El Salvador. Gertie beat 69 candidates to win the first runner-up spot. Gertie became the second black woman

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to reach the place of first runner up in the history of Miss Universe.

In Santo Domingo, Françoise Elie represented Haiti at the 26th Miss Universe, where 80 candidates competed in 1977. Haiti abandoned Miss Universe for eight years, returning in 1985 with Arielle Jeanty.

Four years later in 1989, at Djoumbala Club in Petion-Ville, one of the biggest finals of Miss Haiti was organized.

The most beautiful girls of Port-au-

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Prince participated to the contest.

The results were tight since all the candidates were able to represent Haiti very well. After several hours, the jury chose three winners.

Glaphyra Jean-Louis was elected Miss Haiti 1989, Sabine Balmir, first runner up; and Yola Chantal Augustin, second runner up. The new Miss Haiti wore the colors of the Haitian bi-color at the 38th Miss Universe at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Hotel in Cancun, Mexico.

For many years, Haiti withdrew from the international Big Slam scene.

Haiti did not send any candidates to a beauty contest for almost two decades. In 2010, Dominican beauty pageant guru Magali Febles, whose grandfather was Haitian, contacted the Miss Universe organization in New York to apply for the Miss Haiti franchise. The franchise was granted and she became the national director of Miss Haiti.

After 19 years of absence, Sarodj Bertin was selected as the new Miss Haiti beside nine other girls at the Karibe Convention Center in

Juvenat, a suburb of Port-au-Prince.

Bertin had the greatest responsibility to show a positive image of the country only a few months after the earthquake. The young ambassador of Haitian beauty made a media tour in several countries including the United States. At Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Bertin represented Haiti with distinction at the 59th Miss Universe pageant.

Anédie Lucrecia Azaël replaced Bertin the following year in a final organized during the show “Ayiti Deploge” (Haiti Unplugged) at the Karibe Convention Center. The pageant was broadcast live by TNH “National Television of Haiti.”

Azaël represented Haiti beside 88 other contestants at the 60th Miss Universe in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In 2012, with the support of her good friend Chris Puesan, now the director of Miss Haiti and Miss Curacao, Azaël sent her candidacy to Miss International in Japan requesting to participate and represent Haiti.

They accepted her and in October 2012 Haiti debuted at the third

largest beauty pageant in the world.

Azaël qualified in the Top 15 and also received for her orphanage for doing extraordinary social work in her country.

In 2013 Puesan partnered with Azaël by creating the first Organization of Miss Haiti. They acquired the franchises of Miss World, Miss International, Miss Grand International, Miss HispanoAmericana and Reina de Cafe. A casting call at the Karibe Convention Center selected candidates for Miss Haiti 2013. Ketsia Lioudy Iciena from Cap Haitian won Miss Haiti World 2013 and Clara Luce Lafond of Port-au-Prince was first runner up and Miss Haiti International 2013.

Lioudy represented Haiti at the 63rd Miss World pageant in Bali, where 127 contestants competed for the crown -- making the biggest turnout in the pageant’s history. Clara Luce Lafond participated in the 53rd Miss International in Tokyo.

In 2014, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, Minister of Tourism, took in of Miss Haiti. Castings were organized page 95

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throughout the national territory. It was the most diverse contest ever organized in Haiti. Ten finalists were selected for the finals including Cassandra Chery (current Miss Haiti Universe 2017) who abandoned the competition due to a contract with Elite Models. Carolyn Desert, a young entrepreneur, took the place of ChÊry and won the competition. She competed at the 64th Miss World in London. Miss Haiti was noticed by her signature look – her bald head.

In 2014, Lisa Drouillard, a young model living in New York, ranked in the Top 10 during a competition in Thailand. Raquel Pelisser succeeded Drouillard as Miss Universe Haiti 2015 and was first runnerup at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant in the Philippines. Twenty-one year old Chery was crowned Miss Haiti 2017 at the Marriott Hotel in Turgeau, Port-au-Prince in September. The Miss Universe 2017 pageant was held November 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV. No details of the event outcome were available at press time.

Miss Haiti beauty queens, for 60 years, have been catalysts for promoting beauty with a purpose in Haiti, along with a powerful and positive image of the island nation on an international platform.

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KIP & LOLA

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Men’s Style & Trends WINTER WONDER READY Christelle Pierrette Pierre | christellepierre@gmail.com

Christelle Pierrette Pierre | christellepierre@gmail.com

Models to choose:

The centerpiece of the man’s winter wardrobe is, as always, the coat. For the neat, elegant and refined man, only a quality coat will do—one of high fashion, neutral, and made of wool in a weaving such as sparkling woolen, double woolen or woolen sprained.

-The Chesterfield

The coat must be silky in appearance, with a soft texture, regular sewing, well done buttonholes, and a viscose, polyester, or silk lining. A fur-lined coat is extra chic. A perfect finish would be variations such as camel, ebony, navy blue, anthracite gray, shades of Bordeaux, green, and orange. page 102

-The Cross-Buttoned Coat -The Military Coat -The Covert Coat -Duffel Coat The multi-functional parka is the winter piece offers warmth, waterproofness, length and lightness without harming elegance. A fur hood gives it a certain charm, especially with snow polo competitions coming up.

An ideal choice, the trench coat is one of the most formal winter pieces—think of the iconic camel

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1. and 10. Scarves in silk from Mona Roussette, $219; 2. Blue quilted jacket from Hackett, 301 Euros; 3. Balibaris wool sweater; 4. Red linen coat from Dolce & Gabbana, 1,550 Euros; 5. Linen coat with fur collar; 6. and 7. Beanies from Sandro, 65 Euros, and Tommy Hilfiger, 40 Euros; 8. and 9. Gloves from Ride & Sons, 89 Euros. page 103

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Burberry. The trench coat perfectly exudes “chic” without overdosing on it. Generally woven in cotton, the trench protects against the wind and rain. For maximum comfort and warmth, do not hesitate to add another piece of winter clothing to your stylish trench.

Sleek and minimalist, the mackintosh is made of cotton and wool, and is a more elegant choice of trench coats.

A staple of the male wardrobe, the chino is a light, comfortable and elegant cotton pant. Of military origin, the chino offers maximum comfort for the winter and its sober colors keep fashion faux pas at bay.

What is more classic than a beautiful sweater? A warm sweater stays elegant without overdoing it, and the options are endless: wool, especially Merino wool; cashmere; yak wool; angora; alpaca; and even vicuña, an even more refined and luxurious sweater, soft with amazing insulating power.

The cardigan is also an excellent choice to complete your winter wardrobe. Another faithful option is the jacket—quilted, bomber, leather or Aspesi jackets are all fashionable.

Do not neglect the accessories: select neutral and classic gloves, scarves and hats.

Tis the season to afford luxury comfort and be at the height of wearing the most beautiful brands.

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FIVE MYTHS OF FAT LOSS

By Mark Wine BA, CSCS, USAW, PT, PES, CES

With the New Year around the corner, it is time for resolutions. The majority of resolutions are often fitness-related, with the number one resolution being to lose weight. Five myths often drive fat loss goals; learn how to counter them and get started on the new you.

Myth #1: Diet.

The new definition of the word “diet” is a dietary plan that limits the amount of food one consumes daily. This definition creates a platform for failure and turns dieting into something that is started and stopped. However, in order to achieve a successful “diet,” one must make modifications to their lifestyle, including seeing healthier foods and beverages as regular foods, not diet foods; properly defining the word “diet”; educating oneself on the various types and groups of healthier foods; learning how to balance meals; and finally, learning how to stabilize blood sugar.

The first step is to define the word “diet” correctly. A diet, by definition, is the food and beverages one consumes on a daily basis. According to fad dieters, a “diet” is a reduction in calories and/or a limitation of select foods and beverages. Proper levels of fat loss depend on whether or not the phrase “being on a diet” can be properly redefined as “my diet.”

The next step is education in order to page 108

develop a foundation of knowledge for healthy eating. Educated persons subconsciously make superior decisions about types of foods and drinks, as well as how to prepare them. Some healthy options include choosing whole grains versus enriched flour products; limiting sodium levels by avoiding condiments or added salt; spreading carbohydrate consumption over many meals versus a few meals; avoiding high amounts of sugar; learning to eat low-glycemic foods; and various other healthy choices.

The third and final step is to vary food and drink consumption. Eating the same foods over and over again is “a diet,” and varying foods is one of the simplest ways to burn fat and achieve superior nutritional benefits.

However, it is imperative to have a few stable foods to fall back on daily; go-to foods in times of need.

For example, oatmeal for breakfast provides sustainable energy along with resistant starches; low-sodium lunch meat (turkey or chicken) saves money and unhealthy omega-6 fats; mixing dark greens with leafy greens adds vital nutrients; and drinking water throughout the day maintains proper bodily function and fat loss.

Studies have shown that individuals who consume water regularly often have a lower body fat percentage than those who do not.

Myth #2: Eat less, not more.

The most common mistake modernday dieters make is simple calorie restriction. On one hand, calorie deficits result in weight loss. Burning 2,000 calories in a single day and eating less than 2,000 calories in

that same day results in a caloric deficit. Sounds simple, right? Well, not exactly.

Dieters who count calories try to remain in a constant caloric deficit.

This often leads to eating two meals per day, sometimes even one. It can also lead to low-quality calories with no nutritional value. Although this may result in weight loss in the short run, it often results in lean muscle loss and an increase in body fat. The longer the body remains in extreme deficits, weight loss will cease and weight gain will start.

The human body is meant to go through periods of starvation. Before modern times, people used to have to work for their food by hunting, farming, and fishing. They would go through long periods of starvation; the human body adapts to this and stores up any calories that are consumed. Every time one’s body is fed, regardless if it is once or twice per day, these fat stores accumulate.

In times of desperation, the human body knows it must have sufficient energy to perform required tasks.

The body calls on fat for energy (i.e. calories). Fat, regardless of where it is derived, has nine calories per gram and provides sustainable energy to be called on during times of starvation. Eating fewer meals results in increased fat storage because the body understands it needs to store these calories to be used as energy later. In order to achieve optimal fat loss, one must limit the size of their meals and eat more frequently. Frequent eating trains the body to utilize calories as they are consumed versus storing them as fat. This type of eating can

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drastically elevate one’s metabolic rate by keeping the body in a constant state of fat burning.

or added hormones. The protein breakdown is 85% casein and 15% whey.

Eat five to seven small meals per day. Space them out two to three hours apart. Choose low-glycemic foods. Prepare protein and fat in a healthy way—over low heat, cooked in Omega-3 fats, and with low sodium. Eat protein and fat with every meal. Increase fresh vegetable intake. Choose nutrientdense dark leafy greens often. Find a high quality protein shake that is easy to grab on the go, which can serve as a meal replacement with fast- and low-absorbing protein.

FitProGo shakes, for instance, consist of ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk with no artificial sweeteners

Myth #3: Cardio is the best way to burn fat.

Cardio burns calories from the moment one starts exercising until the moment the cardio exercise ends. Lifting weights, on the other hand, increases caloric expenditure throughout the day, resulting in reduced body fat and increased lean muscle. Individuals with higher levels of lean muscle have a higher resting metabolic rate, lower body fat percentages and higher daily caloric expenditure.

Lifting

heavier

weights

with

shorter rest times leads to nearly double the caloric expenditure than that of a typical cardio session. The best exercises are multi-joint complex movements, such as dead lifts, squats, and cleans. These exercises drastically increase lean muscle levels while elevating caloric expenditure postexercise. This extended elevation in caloric expenditure is known as post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). EPOC results in high amounts of calories burned for up to 72 hours.

Tip for cardio-holics: perform High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to achieve higher levels of fat loss and lean muscle growth. HIIT means constant variation between sprints, page 109

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FIVE MYTHS OF FAT LOSS Continued

resistance, pace, maximum exertion.

recovery

and

Myth #4: Zero carbs.

Nearly everyone who starts a zero carb diet “falls off” the diet and watches their weight pile back on. Zero-carb diets can be very dangerous, with numerous long-term side effects. One of the first side effects is loose stool, or diarrhea.

The human body is made up of two masses: lean mass and fat mass (including water and bones). In order to achieve greater lean mass (muscle) while lowering fat mass, one must consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates or cycle between a low-, moderate- and high-carb diet.

The primary role of carbohydrates is to serve as an energy source for activities less than three minutes in duration; carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for max exertion exercises. Carbohydrates serve as an ergogenic aid by increasing muscle glycogen, which allows for greater work output and lean muscle retention. If an individual’s carbohydrate levels are too low, then work output will be lower and the body will pull energy from other sources.

Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of muscle and are one of the main energy sources called upon during low- or zero-

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carb diets. An inadequate amount of amino acids in the body, especially the branched chain amino acid Leucine, results in muscle loss and fat gain. Individuals on a low-carb diet must consume an adequate amount of amino acids in the body to counter this effect.

Ketogenic diets, low-carb diets, require fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day. The primary goals are to burn fat and lose weight. This diet can be successful for some but not for others. First, it generally works for persons with higher levels of body fat. Leaner individuals generally require higher carbohydrate intake.

Second, the carb levels must be cycled. For example; an individual might eat under 50 grams of carbs for three days but will then need to recover with a moderate to high carb count the fourth and fifth days.

Finally, pick carbohydrates that are whole foods and low-glycemic.

These carbs will limit blood sugar fluctuation while keeping your body in fat-burning mode. Low-glycemic carbohydrates include sweet potatoes, whole grains, cherries, apples and legumes.

Myth #5: Fat free.

Healthy fats (mono-unsaturated) derived from sources like olive oil or fish can help one lose weight while burning fat. Healthy fats have numerous hormonal and fat loss

benefits. Mono-unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to health benefits such as improved skin, fat loss, low LDL cholesterol levels, higher HDL cholesterol levels, optimal production of testosterone, and hair health. Unprocessed whole foods are the most nutritious sources and can provide various healthful benefits. To ingest healthy monounsaturated fats, choose oils such as olive oil or avocado oil.

Omega-3 fats, particularly from coldwater marine source, are the best fats to maintain blood sugar and burn body fat. Western diets are high in omega-6 fats, which can lead to fat gain. To counter omega-6, consume 1 gram of omega-3 fat daily for every percent of body fat. For example: individuals who have 20% body fat should consume 20 grams of omega-3 fats daily. To ingest omega-3 fatty acids, choose foods like fish, salmon, wheat germ and walnuts.

Saturated fats are not all bad, intake should be limited to about 20 grams daily, based on an individual’s characteristics. Saturated fats from lean red meat, dairy, eggs, coconut and various other sources can be advantageous. Cook saturated fats over low heat so they are not rapidly oxidized and hardened.

Coach Mark Wine is the CEO of Functional Muscle Fitness.

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