POLO LIFESTYLES Haiti VOLUME II / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2018
POLOLIFESTYLES.COM
ANNIVERSARY ANNIVERSARYEDITION EDITION
SEATTLE POLO PARTY SEATTLE POLO PARTY
DARE TO DREAM
BRONZE MEDALS FOR BARBADOS AT CENTRAL AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN GAMES
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL POLO CHALLENGE
THE BOLD KOBY MARTIN HAITI POLO TEAM BRINGS GLOBAL POLO TALENT & PASSION DARE TO DREAM
BARBADOS TEAM GARNERS BRONZE MEDALS, ADVANCES TO PAN-AMERICAN GAMES
POLO ACTION FROM SOTOGRANDE GREENWICH GSTAAD & TEHRAN
POLO ACTION FROM
LOUIS VUITTON SOTOGRANDE
INSIDE THE WORLD OF GREENWICH CUSTOM PIECES GSTAAD & TEHRAN
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL POLO CHALLENGE
MODERN ART &HAITI THE BOLD KOBY MARTIN ROLLS-ROYCE'S VS FREDERIQUE CONSTANT'S USA-SEATTLE CRAZY RICH ASIANS: WHAT THE AUTHOR LEFT OUT OF THE BOOKS SOCIETY MISFITS THE RHAU SISTERS
SOCIETY MISFITS FROM HAITI TO BALI AND BACK $22.95 USD
INSIDE THE WORLD OF CUSTOM
LOUIS VUITTON
LITWAK JOYAS
VOLUME II / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2018
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POLO LIFESTYLES Haiti M O D E R N LU X U R Y P U B L I C AT I O N S
L’ÉQUIPE:
Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Josh Jakobitz
Editor-in-Chief
Mark Wine
Fitness Columnist
Joey Velez
Wellness Columnist
Kemissa Racine
Fashion & Style Contributor
Hans Ebenman
Travel Contributor
Giulia Di Palma
Lifestyles Contributor
Cezar Kusik
Food & Wine Contributor
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Guidance Contributor
Raphael Dapaah Art Contributor
Advertising Reps:
Jamila Sabha - North America Anne-Isabelle St. Pierre - Europe Contributing Photographers Tom Leers Farmington Polo Club Salinas Holcomb Ferdos Soodani Paul Renauldon/Gstaad Palace Horseplay TV Mike Guillory/YW Designs Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Copyright © Polo Lifestyles 2018 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@pololifestyles.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com
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On the cover: Lindzi Cox and Colby Smith, photo by Salinas Holcomb
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ARE YOU GOING?
Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open 16-20 Goals Santa Barbara Polo Club Silver Air Pacific Coast Open 14-20 Goals Regional President's Cup 4-8 Goals NYC Polo Club Northeastern Circuit Masters Cup 4-8 Goals Chicago International Polo Club Central Circuit Governor's Cup 2-6 Goals Brandywine Polo Club Gerald Balding 6-8 Goals Houston Polo Club Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup 12-16 Goals Regional President's Cup 4-8 Goals H. Ben Taub Memorial 8-12 Goals Tinicum Park Polo Club Sportsmanship Cup 3-6 Goals Mountain View Polo Club Karen Carra Memorial Women's Tournament 4-8 Goals Country Farms Polo Club U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship 20 Goals New Bridge Polo Club - Aiken, S.C. Northrup Knox Cup 12-16 Goals National Copper Cup 8-12 Goals Bronze Trophy 8-12 Goals Commonwealth Polo Club - Paris, KY National Arena Chairman's Cup 9-12 Goals Honolulu Polo Club Hawaiian Islands Circuit Congressional Cup 0-4 Goals General S. Brown 4-6 Goals Villa a Sesta Polo Club Gold Cup 10-12 Goals Women's European Championship 10-12 Goals Inanda Club, Sandton South Africa Nedbank International Polo Rosefield Polo Club, Johannesburg Africa Polo Open page 9
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CONTENTS Inside the World of Customized Louis Vuitton page 108
Summer in Sotogrande page 38 POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand
Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Giulia Di Palma Lifestyles Contributor The British Mallet @thebritishmallet
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Josh Jakobitz
Kemissa Racine
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Fashion & Style Contributor RACINE + KARALA @kemissa
Hans Ebenman
Raphael Dapaah
Travel Contributor The Rooftop Guide @the_rooftopguide
Art Contributor Dapaah Group @dg_luxe
Mark Wine
Jyoti Paintel
Fitness Columnist & CEO Functional Muscle Fitness @functionalmuscle
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles
Joey Velez
Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre
Mental Wellness Columnist Velez Mental Performance @velezmentalhealth
Brand Representative Layati Home @isasaintpierre
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Roberta & Sarah Rhau page 92
Chogun - Polo in Iran page 46
Leaps and Bounds in Barbados page 52
Seattle Polo Party
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented the first Seattle International Polo Challenge page 60
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COMMENTS TO THE EDITOR “This is the magazine for people with perfect lives.” “I'm not sure I can afford to open this magazine.” “Keep it up and thank you.” “C'est très élégant.” “Nice.” “Very luxurious.” “Ship one (copy) for me.”
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Growing up, just about the only time I remember being shushed was when the evening news turned to the weather forecast. My dad, with his eyes forever on the skies and horizon – not to mention the radar, the Doppler, the DTN, and most recently, his favorite weather apps on his iPhone – was and remains weather-obsessed. “How’s the weather?” is an instant topic of conversation for us whether by phone call or text. As an adult living in Caribbean capital cities, the weather was usually the farthest thing from conversation: it is hot, it’s going to be hot, and oh, it might rain. There was usually a driver with an umbrella handy for that particular scenario. Last month in Seattle for the International Polo Challenge, the weather played a leading role in the way the weekend unfolded. It rained and then it rained some more, which is the worst case scenario for the editor-in-chief of a printed magazine whose 500-odd copies (shipped overnight from Utah) went from damp to wet and back to damp. There were a few moments of sunshine – I don’t remember them, but our photographers’ photos are evidence that the clouds parted a few different times. I remember being hot, cold, wet, hot, and then, for the briefest and most glorious moment, dry before getting wet again as we gathered the last of our supplies and loaded them into the car to leave the Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club. “What did you expect from Seattle?” my dad asked when I called him the next day. “It rains there. A lot.” Dad was right, as usual. My favorite rainy day pastime is the movies, so that’s what happened next. “Crazy Rich Asians” has blown up the box office for it’s historical importance for its all Asian and Asian American cast. Published in 2013 as a trilogy, “Crazy Rich Asians” and its depictions of the Singaporean elite class were watered down in the first book. Author Kevin Kwan explained that editors thought the stories – from his childhood memories – were too unbelievable and would cause the book problems. As homage to the significance of “Crazy Rich Asians” this month, we’ve curated our travel section around Singapore and included an interview with Kwan in which he really opens up about the books’ journey from paperback to big screen. Also included this month are new contributions from Jyoti Paintel and Raphael Dapaah, who we’ve brought on for spiritual guidance and fine contemporary art criticism, respectfully. Welcoming them into the Polo Lifestyles fold is bittersweet because we also bid Adieu to Giulia Di Palma, who’s reported for us from the UK all year. We wish her the best in her new endeavors. I had the pleasure of interviewing Monique Bjerkhamn Archer of Barbados about her team’s performance in Eventing at the Central American and Caribbean Games in July. Their bronze medals are proof that no dream is too big or unattainable – truly inspirational.
Best, Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com
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Reposted FOR THE RECORD Curated Instagram posts from last month
uspoloassociation Paco de Narvaez on fire in Sol de Agosto's last game, scoring the winning goal in overtime
rollsroycebellevue Presenting sponsor of the @seattlepoloparty and Haiti Polo Team for the fourth year in a row
serenawilliams "Nothing about me right now is perfect. But I am perfectly Serena." Her complicated comeback to tennis. page 16
cduranaraujo Vanessa Galindo competing at the Juegos Centro Americanos y Del Caribe
trevor_matrix Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attended the wedding of Charlie van Straubenze in Surrey
djokernole #teamdjokovic shares the trophy with #nolefam at #cincytennis #goldenmasters
nachofigueras @cartier Hamptons Cup to benefit @ robinhoodnyc playing for Team @netjets #poloforgood
fashionmagazine No, @rihanna doesn't have a baby, but if she did, we could imagine a tiny Mini-Rihanna like this
garykarolli Viva la Guelaguetza 2018 and let the parties continue in Oaxaca, Mexico
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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
@saks does the most gorgeous cabanas The Saks Shops for the East Coast Open
#activeathlete Shachar Keizman documented the #GayGames10 hosted in Paris
iconaircraft reuters ICON Aircraft announces "Fleet Access," a full-service sales and aircraft management solution for the A5
justonehart The post-wedding getaway ride of UK's Charlie and Daisy - a cycle rikshaw
lunionsuite Rolls-Royce's @haiti_polo_team faced @frederiqueconstantusa Team USA-Seattle @seattlepoloparty
fdpup Meet Riggs! @firefactoryriggs E58/ L26 - Riggs says, "Bring me treats next time!"
greenwichpoloclub
oliscarff The Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow hosted the 2018 European Championships #synchroswimming
shacharnyc
seattlepoloparty @pololifestyles published a special edition to promote the Seattle polo scene globally with major partners
spiritual_jada Simone Biles is the first woman to win five US Women's Gymnastics allaround titles #blackgirlmagic page 17
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Scoreboards & Cocktails TOURNAMENTS & ACTION
THE HAMPTONS SUMMER SEASON Greenwich Polo Club Monty Waterbury & Silver Cup in Photos
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Scoreboards & Cocktails TOURNAMENTS & ACTION
Pink Ribbon Cup Farmington Polo Club Weekend of July 20
Held in memory of Sunny Hale, the best female polo player of her time who passed away from breast cancer at the age of 48, the 2018 Pink Ribbon Cup raised funds for the fight to end breast cancer. page 22
Farmington Polo Club hosted the USPA Northeast Circuit Women’s Challenge tournament better known as the Pink Ribbon Cup the weekend of July 20. The tournament was sponsored by Susan G. Komen of New England, the charity synonymous with the battle against
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breast cancer. The tournament both honored Sunny’s memory as well as raised funds for Susan G. Komen of New England. For the second year in a row, Stage Hill Polo took home the trophy. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Stage Hill Polo’s Sammy. Participating teams included the winners, Stage Hill Polo, as well as Women's International Polo Network, Taylor Hill Farm and Newport Polo.
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Scoreboards & Cocktails TOURNAMENTS & ACTION
HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP GSTAAD Gstaad Palace, Switzerland Aug 16-19
Cedric Schweri and Team Banque Eric Sturdza defended their title! Probably the most beautiful in 23 editions of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad. Although Schweri and his teammates of Banque Eric Sturdzawere were able to raise the trophy for the second year in a row, they truly had to fight for it.
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Scoreboards & Cocktails H U B LOT P O LO G O L D C U P G S TA A D
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The Victory Cup "America's Polo Match" Governor's Island New York
NYC Classic
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Scoreboards & Cocktails VICTORY CUP
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The Victory Cup has grown to be one of the largest equestrian events in the United States, and is definitely a fun experience. With the help of partners and sponsors, this event continues to grow and the quality of the overall experience continues to improve. The Victory Cup is more than a polo match – it features dozens of restaurants, spirit labels, beer and wine tastings partners plus one of the largest Farm-to-Table Dinner events anywhere. In its 14th year, this event isn’t just a polo match; it’s a networking and social destination drawing thousands for each event. With events throughout the United States, The Victory Cup has become known as “America’s Polo Match!”
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Scoreboards & Cocktails SOTOGRANDE Santa Maria Polo Club
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Scoreboards & Cocktails SOTOGRANDE
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Scoreboards & Cocktails SOTOGRANDE
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TEHRAN
Polo Cup 2018 Tehran, Iran
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Scoreboards & Cocktails TEHRAN
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EQUESTRIAN MONIQUE ARCHER
LIFE-LONG DREAMS LEAD TO MAKING HISTORY
Josh Jakobitz | josh@pololifestyles.com
From a family of polo players is born Barbados’ first eventing equestrian team. Founded by Monique Bjerkhamn Archer, the three-person team that includes her daughter Zoe, competed in and finished in third place at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia last month. Zoe delayed her freshman year of university to train for the three-part series that composes eventing: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The Games, which were held on a military equestrian base outside of Bogotá in July, saw established teams from Central America and the Caribbean page 52
compete fiercely for medals and qualifications; none more so than the team from Barbados. Led by Coach Joss Gray of the UK, Monique, Laura Smith, and Zoe proudly took home bronze medals in eventing. Eventing is the triathlon of equestrian sports with three, scored segments over the course of three days. Both the riders and the horses must be distinctly in tune from dayto-day as the requirements of the competition and scoring differ completely. “The first day is dressage, which is extremely disciplined; followed by the cross-country course in which you charge hills, descend slippery slopes… you jump logs and water,” said Monique. “It’s an incredible high due to the element of danger. The third day is show jumping – a return to precision and
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exactness.” Monique and her team nailed the competition and stood on the podium proudly representing Barbados, a country where eventing wasn’t even a known sport two years ago. “The other teams we talked to who have trained for years couldn’t believe we entered, qualified and were competing after just such a short time,” Monique said. It’s been an enormous effort personally for Monique who has championed the sport back home. Her father donated the land from their family farm to design and build the cross-country course that includes a water complex, steps, ditches and permanent corners. But it’s a dream come true for Monique who was badly injured as a child from a horse kick in the face that required reconstructive surgery in England. She remembers her mother crying next to her in the hospital as she endured surgery after surgery. “’Don’t worry…’ I said to my mom, ‘I’ll get to the Olympics someday,’” Monique recounted. Her team’s finish in Colombia qualified them for the Pan-American Games in
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Lima, Peru. Placing in Peru qualifies teams for the Tokyo Olympics. “The difference between the Central American and Caribbean Games and the
Pan-American Games is the CCI* level,” explained Monique. “Whereas the Central American and Caribbean Games were one star, the latter is two star.”
Zoe is off to England this fall – taking her horse Millridge Z Two with her. As for Monique, after months of being away– Miami, Bogotá, and elsewhere – she’s ready
to recover for a bit in the comfort of her homeland where she and her horse, Camross Diamond, will prepare for Peru.
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Motor Cars Bellevue
SEATTLE
COME RAIN OR SUNSHINE page 60
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SEATTLE POLO PARTY SEATTLE, Wash. – Cameron Smith’s cell phone wouldn’t stop ringing. “What’s the weather doing? It is raining there?” Blame the weather forecast for Seattle on August 11: rain, rain, and more rain. “Bright and sunny – see you soon,” Smith, the tournament director, replied to every inquiry; but to his team of staff and volunteers he countered: “Don’t tell anyone it’s raining! It’s gonna clear up before the gates open.” The dark clouds rolling in over Enumclaw, Wash., home to the Seattle page 62
Polo & Equestrian Club (SPEC), weren’t so convincing. Minutes later the sky opened up and soaked the entire set up. We huddled in the Frederique Constant VIP Tent, a 30x30 tent with a bar, display cases of fine timepieces, and, most importantly, side panels that kept us mostly dry. Steven Goldfarb, who distributes Frederique Constant at AG Jewelers in the Seattle area, joked that his tent would be extremely popular if the rain, indeed, kept up. The Rolls-Royce representatives, whose cars were parked outside in the rain, watched the sky for indications of a potential shift in the weather pattern.
The rain let up and the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars from the Bellevue, Wash., dealership were wiped dry. The sides of the tents were rolled up and bottles went on ice. Vendors removed the tarps and blankets that had hastily been thrown over products before the deluge. From his home office overlooking the entire polo club, Smith continued last-minute preparations for the fourth annual Seattle Polo Party, as volunteers, staff, and sponsors re-folded drink menus and wiped wet VIP tables and chairs. On the freshly wiped tables, we carefully placed issues of August’s Polo Lifestyles magazines, featuring British Beach Polo on the cover.
Story by Josh Jakobitz, photos by Tom Leers, Salinas Holcomb and Horseplay TV
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At registration, every guest also received a special edition of “Polo Lifestyles – Seattle Polo Party” upon arrival. In it, the ultimate guide to every aspect of the event, insight into the game of kings and the 16 players, and the sponsors who make it all possible.
and her well-dressed guests settled into lounge seating in anticipation of the opening match between Team ICON Aircraft and Team Aer Lingus as humidity replaced rain drops and attendees refreshed themselves with LIFE WTR and Bubly, provided by PepsiCo.
In the Bellevue Lifestyle VIP Tent, Hugo from Treveri Cellars popped open bottles of bubbles for guests arriving right on time. Publisher Caitlin Agnew
On the sidelines, the eight players for the international match lounged in their custom Lululemon and APL warm-ups. Attendees, fans and media chatted up
players and posed for photographs. Solidly in its fourth year, the Seattle Polo Party added an international match component to the afternoon’s lineup. By inviting Haiti Polo Team to face Team USA-Seattle in the main match of the day, Smith raised the status from local event to an international challenge. Haiti Polo Team captain Claude-Alix Bertrand brought in a truly international 10-goal team from
Top: Players in the Seattle International Polo Challenge take to the field following the Rolls-Royce presentation of the Haitian and American flags. Above: Polo Lifestyles produced the event's souvenir glossy magazine "Polo Lifestyles - Seattle Polo Party" as well as promoted it internationally. page 63
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Teams Frederique Constant and Rolls-Royce battled it out on the polo field in the Seattle International Polo Challenge. Team Frederique Constant upset their opponent 8-5 in the end. page 65
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The trophy table included the perpetual trophy for the International Polo Challenge as well as individual Waterford crystal trophy, fragrances from Jo Malone London and sunglasses by Leisure Society.
Argentina, South Africa, Haiti and Nigeria for the match up. Doubled with serious jet-lag and mounted on unfamiliar ponies, Haiti Polo Team was a formidable opponent to Team USA-Seattle. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sponsored Haiti Polo Team while Frederique Constant sponsored Team USA-Seattle. The four players dressed in Frederique Constant with the homefield advantage tipped the score 8-5 and claimed the premiere Seattle International Polo Challenge trophy. The day’s Most Valuable Player went to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Johann du Preez of South Africa for Haiti Polo Team, who took home a pair of Leisure Society sunglasses as a souvenir of his time in Seattle. All players in the internationpage 70
al match: Bertrand, du Preez, Francisco Pizarro, Akin Sotomi, Smith, Dan Juarez, Ryan CroninPrather and Lucas Reid received 100mL Jo Malone London fragrances as part of the trophy presentation. The rain that held off for most of the afternoon fell again from the nowdark skies and onto the remaining players, attendees, and staff. Shuttles lined up to take Washingtonians back to the city and those driving their own cars queued up to exit. Our group loaded up the Polo Lifestyles Yukon XL and headed back to the city to freshen up for what was yet-to-come. That evening, attendees and players met at the W Hotel Bellevue’s Living Room club and patio to let loose and enjoy every last minute of the event. The line at the door was no problem for Seattle Polo Party attendees who
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VIP attendees in the Bellevue Lifestyle lounge, outfitted by Seattle design firm Tree, sipped on Treveri sparkling wine and hors d'oeuvres throughout the afternoon.
had been issued special access bracelets – just the thing needed to skip the line and head upstairs to the sleek and sexy party scene. With drinks flowing and music pumping, Drew Dambreville, who organized the social
side of the event, hosted locals and out-oftowners alike. As Saturday ended and Sunday began, we forgot who came out to support whom as the number of selfies taken rivaled the number of whiskeys consumed. page 71
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Top: VIP attendees of the Seattle Polo Party; Tournament MVP Johann du Preez Above: Haiti Polo Team: Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand, Akin Sotomi, Francisco Pizarro and du Preez; page 72
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Top: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bellevue, presenting sponsor of the Seattle Polo Party; Above: August's editions of Polo Lifestyles and Polo Lifestyles-Haiti were distributed to VIP attendees page 73
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Opposite page: ICON Aircraft's A5 goes from water to land seamlessly Left and below: The processional before the International Polo Challenge with the Haitian and American flags and national anthems.
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Top: Lululemon in Motion set up a mobile store and, in coordination with Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL), provided the warm-ups and sneakers for the players in the International Polo Challenge. Above: All drink proceeds benefited the More Love Project of Seattle. page 78
The dynamic duo behind the Seattle Polo Party, event planner Drew Dambreville and SPEC founder and professional polo player Cameron Smith page 79
The first Seattle International Polo Challenge trophy went to Team Frederique Constant: Cameron Smith, Dan Juarez, Lucas Reid and Ryan CroninPrather, pictured with Steven Goldfarb of AG Jewelers
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GLOBAL WIFI + POWER
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COUPON CODE HTPOLO
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MAKE ADVENTURE FLYING A REALITY: New adventures await THIS RV IS BASICALLY A PALACE: This palatial RV redefines "glamping"
Opposite page: Skyroam SOLIS provides unlimited global WiFi at your fingertips in over 100 countries page 83
VOLUME II / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2018 ADVERTORIAL
The Unreal ICON A5 Makes Adventure Flying a Reality Do you remember the days when you’d hold your arms out to the side like wings and dream of flying? Or the wonder that filled your mind as you zoomed around the yard, soaking in the bliss of unfettered freedom? ICON Aircraft brings this childhood memory to life with the ICON A5. The award-winning ICON A5, an amphibious Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), is built for adventure and celebrates the pure joy of flight more than any other aircraft in the world. While it’s great for short trips from point A to point B, it’s really designed for adventures launched from your nearby lake or airport to a secluded beach or grass airstrip. The ICON A5 is a versatile airplane that’s perfect for weekend adventures, with possibilities as endless as the imagination. The ability to land on water or a traditional runway enables you to travel to remote destinations and see the world in an entirely new way. Imagine a world where the lake in your backyard becomes your personal runway, where you can take off and explore the planet in 3D with your own front-row IMAX seat. And when the adventure is complete, the A5’s unique wingfold system and custom trailer enables it to be trailered, towed home, and stored in a garage or driveway. Simply put, the ICON A5 is unlike anything that’s come before it. Easy to fly, it’s the first pure consumer aircraft designed for people who want to experience the world in a
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way unencumbered by the typical confines of land and sea. It’s unique Angle of Attack (AoA) indicator provides critical, yet intuitive, flight data to pilots, and there’s also an ICON Parachute System (IPS), which can bring the plane safely back to earth if there is an issue. If you’ve never really considered learning to fly or thought that maybe it was out of reach, the ICON A5 is your airplane. In fact, learning to fly has never been easier or more fun. ICON built a world-class flight training program from the ground-up, and it takes as little as 3-4 weeks for beginning pilots to earn their Sport Pilot License. The fully loaded ICON A5 costs $389,000, and ICON is currently accepting orders for delivery in early 2019. Additionally, for those who want all the benefits of full plane ownership without having to manage their aircraft on their own, ICON is testing a new, fully managed fractional ownership program called ICON Fleet Access. It’s a full-service sales and aircraft management solution with half and quarter ownership shares. One of the many benefits of the program is that owners can use other shared A5 aircraft in locations across the U.S. For example, if you live in Seattle and are headed to Miami for the weekend, you can make a reservation at that location and your ICON A5 will be waiting for you there.
adventure@iconaircraft.com 707.564.4100
ADVERTORIAL
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iconaircraft.com
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Go to iconaircraft.com to learn more about the ICON A5 or to inquire about a demo flight. Follow @iconaircraft on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see what the ICON lifestyle is all about.
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BIG BOYS TOYS FOR MEN IN 2018
What a time to be alive. Thanks to a technology boom in the last few years, we now have a proliferation of awe-inspiring big boys toys at our disposal, ranging from the life-changing to the absolutely hilarious.
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HIT THE ROAD IN A PALACE ON WHEELS GLAMPING WE ENDORSE
You’ve got to see inside this thing to believe it. We promise you’ve never seen an RV like this before. Meet the Palazzo Superior, a luxury motor home from Marchi Mobile. Palazzo means “palace”— and that’s exactly what this thing is: a palace on wheels. The Superior is just one of two of Marchi Mobile’s mobile mansions — and one of six of the vehicles from the eleMMent and MMpro series. They also make VIP shuttles and upscale design trucks. When designing its vehicles, the company takes cues from yachts, sports cars, and aviation, which is why the cockpit features a panoramic, helicopter-like windshield. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the fleet is the Sky Lounge, which lifts itself up to create a roof deck. Inside, the 45-foot-long Palazzo Superior model has 732 square feet of living space in a style which can only be described as lavish, including a main area with ample seating, a bar, and an open kitchenette. There’s also a master bedroom and bathroom, complete with a vanity and rainfall shower — now that’s what we call glamping. Apparently, its massive size doesn’t make it any less safe or eco-friendly: Marchi Mobile assures customers that they’re committed to going green and they put the products through extensive tipping, braking, and fire safety tests. Of course, the grand glamper comes with a price tag to match: around $3 million, depending on the configuration. page 89
Written by Kemissa Racine
SOUL DEEP. CHAPTER FOUR.
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The Twiggy in Big Cheetah
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SOUL DEEP BY KEMISSA RACINE IS AN IDIOSYNCRATIC INTERVIEW SERIES THAT EXPLORES THE INNER WORKING OF INSPIRING CREATIVES AND CREATORS; FIRST AND FOREMOST, AS PEOPLE BUT ALSO VIA THEIR OPUS. SOUL DEEP SEEKS TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE, WHY THEIR BRAINS ARE WIRED IN A UNIQUE WAY, WHAT THEIR NARRATIVE IS AND HOW THEIR EXPERIENCE ON THIS EARTH DRIVES THEM EVERY DAY TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO.
Roberta & Sarah Rhau
The Rhau sisters
SOCIETY MISFITS: FROM BALI TO HAITI
I have a sister. Our relationship is the one that gives me the most grief and the most pleasure. She has this weird ability to brutally put me in check while being my biggest supporter. That bothered immensely me growing up. But I now realize that only a sibling can serve you the whole truth and nothing but the truth on a shiny silver platter. And that is priceless. I have personally known Roberta and Sarah for a large part of my life and it is apparent that their bond is similar to that of mine and my sister’s. Yet it is interesting how observing other pairs of sisters continually gives fresh perspectives on my relationship with mine. The
relationship with a sister is the most significant one could ever have. The disagreements, the squabbles, the rivalry, the competition… those all prepare us to confront life, to navigate it with thick skin and to be the most honest versions of ourselves as humanly possible. This
bond, as I have witnessed time and time again, between Roberta and Sarah, is the most unique, special and equivocal bonds there is. Only a sister knows why we are the way we are, why we feel the way we feel, without having to utter a word. We are our sister’s keepers. page 93
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When the Rhau sisters walk into a room, they are never alone. There is a third entity always present. A very palpable aura that is so bright one can almost discern eyes, a nose, a mouth, arms and legs, a heart, a soul. Their collective aura, because of the power of their individuality, is big, bright, beautiful and inspiring. It is present in the way they move as a collective, the way they speak, the way they create. Owning a Society Misfit bag is like acquiring a fragment of who they are as earthlings. Trust me, I know. And you should, too. Dearest eyeballs and minds perusing these words, kindly be forewarned: this is not a white picket fence, lollipops and rainbows interview. This will be a raw, thought inducing and revealing Q&A. Grab your metaphorical scuba gear, we are going Soul Deep! KR: So, Roberta and Sarah, what’s your story? Please introduce yourselves.
KR: How do two sisters from Haiti end up in Bali? Roberta: Sarah opened a furniture store in Haiti called BALI DÉCOR and exported furniture from both India and Bali. When I started working with her, I told her I’d join her on her next trip to learn more about the whole process
of buying and exporting. I immediately fell in love with the country the minute I stepped out of the plane. Of course she looked at me like, “Ok calm down (eye roll).” Little did we know, both of us, would end up spending seven years there and diving into the world of possibilities. KR: What are the challenges and advantages of working together as sisters? Sarah: Robby has always been the “crazier” one, perfect example of middle child syndrome, and I have always been more level headed with a silent demure personality. Challenge and advantage, I would say, is one in the same. Being so different helped bring a different edge into our designs in both retrospects. Our discussions start as difference of opinion, but would later on lead into creating something that represented our “gypset” lifestyle with a passion for travel, local cultures, and the arts, inspired our brand’s unique look and
The Kate Small
Both: We are very close in age and have
always been very close (along with our other siblings). We grew up in Haiti in a very business-oriented family, so trying new ventures has always been in our blood. From a young age, fashion has always been part of us and our passion. From working in one of our family businesses, one of them being a department store where we were buyers, to just wearing what we feel and expressing ourselves through that, has allowed us to push the boundaries and see what else can we do and how do we do it with respect to who we are. Our path and journey leading to Bali has been one for the books in self discovery.
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feel—because when you’re jet setting around the globe, functional fashion is a must. The bags are individually crafted from python, calf hair, and distressed leather, designed for gypsies, wanderers, and misfits alike. KR: How are Haiti and Bali similar?
The Mia Large and the Robby Vesty
That comfort of knowing how amazing Bali is in its simplicity in nature, made it feel like a second home – meeting people and seeing them around on a daily basis. Their resilience as a people, as a country; both Haiti and Bali are similar in that perspective. Most importantly, relating to a country where the people have to sustain and rely on foreigners. It’s a different notion to relate to – unless you’ve lived it. That’s what helped us infiltrate with the people there on another level in creating, working, and expand-
The Gordon Large and The Ellen
Both: Haiti and Bali are similar in the island life environment. The art, the history, and the power of unification of their people is strong and apparent.
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ing on a business and cultural level. KR: How are they different? Both: The major difference is everyone who moves to Bali is either escaping from their life or trying to find themselves. You reinvent yourself whilst working on being true to who you are to your core. Not having anyone judge you for your past or know enough about your upbringing to self consciously doubt yourself or influence you to do things because you should or have to; this is a whole new ballgame. It’s refreshing, scary, and all around gives you a slap in the face wake-up call in sense like “So now what?” Clean slate. You realize who you are and can be without the norms of what you’ve been instilled with and the norms of your society. KR: How do both places inspire you? Both: We wouldn’t say Bali and Haiti inspired our designs, just more in the sense of everywhere we’ve lived, traveled, and experienced, we take a bit of it all and include it all into formulating page 96
and designing a line which speaks loudly, subtly, and daring all in one. KR: Your brand is called “Society Misfits.” Who qualifies as a misfit? Both: A misfit is someone who challenges themselves in all aspects of their life. They are risk-takers, they challenge themselves, and venture beyond the beaten path. KR: Tell us the most rebellious thing you have done together as sisters. Robby: - Being together and venturing off half way around the world, I would say, is the top rebellious thing we’ve done. Trusting our gut, having Sarah believing in me as well (believing in us), was rebellious in it’s own right. From there, we worked with amazing people, we created our own brand, and actually built our own lounge/bar from the ground up: spray painting books and hunting for vintage decorative pieces, making our own pieces from distressed leather, expanding from a one-floor box office to a two-floor authentic lounge, the menu, the drinks, the events, videos, and all-around atmosphere.
Sarah and I would actually look online as to how to make mirrors look vintage (to create our mirror ceiling on the ground floor); we actually burned ourselves a few times in the process. In the process we were hot, sweaty, miserable but it was all worth it. The whole logistics behind it, bringing our culture into Bali, in its infrastructure; was rebellious by pure definition. TUSU, our bar and lounge, taught us to bring out and show yet another side of who we are, no inhibitions. KR: Define rebellion in your own words. Both: An act of unarmed, full-frontal transparency regarding life, values, mannerisms and self-truth to an established conformed society. KR: When is breaking the rules ok? Both: Breaking the rules has to do with breaking the boundaries of what limits you to properly grow individually and do things you wouldn’t normally do. That’s when it’s ok, that’s when you are a misfit. Its not about breaking the rules or what’s ok, its about breaking barriers in which rules shouldn’t adapt to you.
Far left: Grace Oversized Clutch Medium; middle and right: Python Zip Clutch
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KR: What values are you committed to? Both: We are committed to the essence of true value of life. What it means to live, what it means to have family, friends, commitment, integrity and respect… without succumbing to what needs to be done in order to succeed in the entertainment/fashion world. KR: Today’s customer is spending money on experiences and products that add meaning or value to their lives, how would you describe the experience of owning a Society Misfit Handbag? Both: The whole concept behind Society Misfits is discovering and producing a product as unique as we are. Our muses are bold, infamous women in our society — honoring them by naming the bags after a few standouts. Each bag is made for misfits on the go; designed to be as versatile as the next, while still being fully functional. Robby: I remember going back and forth carrying so many things for events and personal engagements (come on, we all know the struggle), having to hold a bag just kept getting in the way
of living. At that time, I was super into vests, so I thought: BOOM! Why not make a vest that’s a bag!? Herein lies the creation of the ROBBY VESTY… subsequently many more ensued. In terms of us as sisters and partners; I (Robby) let the clothes speak for me, I create how I feel. Whereas, Sarah speaks for the clothes; she has a magical way of making even the simplest T-shirt speak volumes. Our bags are not a story, it’s the story. We want to add another level of edge to having a timeless piece; flipping the script… Taking “Everyone needs a little black dress” and changing it to “Everyone needs a Society Misfits bag to pair with that little black dress”. KR: A lot of your bags are made of snake skin; in an industry that is now shifting toward supporting more ethical products, how do you survive? Both: What a loaded question, and a good one. If and when snake skin would ever be endangered or on the endangered list, we would move to a more sustainable supply source to incorpo-
rate in our designs. Until then, its best to respect all opinions in consumerism and life choices. Let’s leave it at that. KR: As a society we’re consistently doing more with less; tell us about how your process of design and manufacturing accomplishes that feat. Both: All of our designs are based on that. Every piece we design … the most important question we asked ourselves is: How many ways can we wear this? Will this be timeless and yet stand out? How many different components can we include so that it’s convenient and transitional? That is the question and challenge most women face, so why not find a way to help us all? Complicated, yet so simple. KR: Which is your best-selling product? What do you attribute to its success? Both: Well, we aim for the misfits. We started off with designing handbags for ourselves, which led to a surprising amount of feedback. That gave birth to the whole creation of Society Misfits. All of our bags are so different, that it page 97
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attracts all women and men of different backgrounds and styles, can relate. That is success to us, that is what makes our products best sellers in our eyes. KR: Who is your favorite handbag designer in the fashion industry? Both: We don’t necessarily have a favorite, but one that has caught our attention and we relate to is: The Volon by Eujung Jang. KR: What about their craft inspires you to make yours better? Jang’s been quoted saying, “I don’t try to convince myself that I am super-talented at one specific thing like other artists, but I was always confident that I could understand the beauty of art design and felt that I was pretty adept at harmonizing them.”
in our creativity; individually and as partners. Right now we are in the works with working with a few artists to add a different element to our handbags. Python has to be treated with care and there is the risk working with colors, it can distress the bag. Why not have the option of linking our misfits to fellow artist misfits? That brings a certain authenticity and new depth to recycling something you previously own, keeping it, and bringing it back to life. KR: What other weird obsession unrelated to fashion and design do you have?
That’s epic. Her whole aesthetic speaks volumes and links all that she has learned, studied, and became, no matter how varied it is in relation to career paths she’s ventured into, we relate to that completely. We didn’t move to Bali to design handbags… we started off with purchasing and exporting the Balinese craft of furniture sculpting, which transitioned into meeting people, having an opportunity to dip into that fear of unknown curiosity that we had, and putting it into effect. That’s what it’s all about in the end: having a chance, jumping on it to contrive different formulated aspects within oneself and molding dreams into concrete reality. It’s not about making us better, its about drawing inspiration from knowing that there are people out there in which we formulate a community of drawing from experience and knowledge into creating something that speaks for itself. KR: Obsession is essential to creativity, what are you are currently obsessing over in terms of Society Misfits growing as a brand? Both: Our obsession has always been page 98
million sites, articles, design aesthetics, workshops open. KR: Tell us about your respective mentors and the most important lessons they’ve taught you. Both: Our father and mother are the humans that has shaped us into who we are. They grew up in the provinces of Haiti and started their own companies from nothing, absolutely nothing. They instilled in us the power of believing in what hard work can achieve. At a young age, they put us to work; whether it was wrapping presents or being a cashier in their store – they made we were grateful for what we had and never lost sight of that. When our father passed away, that was one of the hardest and greatest life challenges we faced as a family. It reminded us that family is everything. For that, we are eternally grateful and blessed. KR: What is the best advice you have given to each other as sisters? Both: Stop thinking what others want, as it can get lost when you start getting in public eye and critics. Do you. Believe in what you do. Be frank and stick to what is real. Everyone has an opinion; be reassured that happens everywhere with everything. As long as you don’t lose your voice, and let what you do speak for itself. KR: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Robby: - My weird obsession is being home and going through my closet and just trying out outfits for the sake of it. The crazier the better, the more wine, the better-ish (laughs). Of course, the next day there is a lot of “OMG” and editing looks but in the end always it’s therapeutic fun. Sarah: My obsession would be linking all that is fashion, design, travel, connections, and relations that continues to feed this hungry mind of mine. Robby: Check her laptop she has a
Both: Uhmmmmm, grow up?? Who us? You never stop growing up. We are all Peter Pan. No one wants to know and no-truly-no one knowns what they’ll be when they grow up. Just live and let be. Period. KR: What can we expect to see from Society Misfits in the near future? Bother: That’s unclear. And that’s ok. When it comes, it comes, when we do, we do. It’s all about the ride. What is certain is that we will always keep creating and designing true misfit style.
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EXPERIENCE HAITI: Cote des Arcadins
VOLUME II / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2018
ART REPORT KOBY MARTIN THE RISING STAR Raphael Dapaah | Art Contributor raphaeldapaah@hotmail.co.uk
From Amedeo Modigliani and Vincent Van Gogh, to Frida Kahlo and Jean Michel Basquiat - I have long pondered how some of the most iconic artists endured such profound personal trauma, and whether perhaps conversely, it was this deep affinity with pain that inspired their masterpieces. The notion of the tortured artist is far from a new one, in fact, it’s probably as old as art itself. As such, there are several schools of thought on whether an artist can truly even be considered
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great if they have never loved and lost, or indeed experienced some form of debilitating vulnerability. Whilst the jury is still out on this age old debate, one artist who is not a stranger to battling with the demons that are loss and suffering takes the view that ‘the best art comes from pain.' Koby Martin, a Ghanaian born artist now based in London, is on a smooth, and fast track to becoming one of the most acclaimed young emerging artists in recent years. His 2017 coming of age solo exhibition, ‘Boy in the Field’ was an emotionally charged display of work that vividly depicted the trauma the artist endured, and eventually overcame, as
an immigrant in the UK under threat of deportation. Having attended the private view of ‘Boy in the Field,' I found myself deeply moved by each of the 10-piece paintings displayed on the white washed walls of the unit 9 Gallery in London’s hip Shoreditch area. Whilst the traumatic experience, masterfully captured by Koby in a mixed media fusion of digital and acrylic on canvas was personal to him, the themes the work addressed were strikingly universal, lending his work greater gravitas and significance. It was therefore of no great surprise to me to learn that the majority of his paintings were spoken for ahead of the closing of the three day exhibition.
KOBY MARTIN
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Several months after the success of ‘Boy in the Field,’ I learned through the grapevine that the artist was planning a new exhibition titled ‘Asiamah’ and had already completed five of 10 large scale paintings that would feature in his new exhibition to be held at London’s old bohemian quarter, Soho. Admittedly, the cynic in me felt a morsel of doubt that the artist could live up to the brilliance and intimacy of his ‘Boy in the Field’ exhibition. It felt too soon, and of course, how could he upstage the performance art act that so perfectly supported the narrative of his paintings? It was over lunch on a sunny day in South London, at a local gastro pub owned by an old school friend of mine, that Koby Martin would extinguish all my doubts, and have me basking in his impending greatness. “You are only as good as your last work,” were the words that parted from the artist’s lips after taking a sip of his Coke. He smiled almost cheekily to himself, as one does when they are privy to a secret that you aren’t aware of but are dying to know. After a few minutes he relented, obviously picking up on my dismayed reaction, and wanting to put me out of my misery. He picked up his phone and started scrolling through his gallery to give me an exclusive preview of some of the paintings he was working on. I was immediately impressed by the size of the works; he had scaled up on the size of his canvases since ‘Boy in the Field,’ which for me signaled his growing ambition and confidence as an artist. However, it was only when he informed me that the theme of his exhibition was to be centered on death and revival in tribute to the passing of his late father that I realized that ‘Asiamah’ was not only going to be bigger than his previous exhibitions, but also more emotionally powerful. “So why Asiamah?” I asked as I settled the bill, and we prepared to leave after an indulgent lunch of Cajun fries and southern-style buffalo wings. “Asiamah is my last name,” he smiled. “It means ‘good things are about to happen for you.’” Raphael Dapaah is an art critic, promoter and collector based in the United Kingdom. Follow him on Instagram @dg_luxe page 105
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THE ART OF TRAVEL: DECODING LOUIS VUITTON’S BESPOKE TRUNKS
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Few things in life are as exciting as the idea of traveling somewhere else—with a bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk.
as special orders such as skateboard trunks, iPad trunks or even one-off violin trunks. Whatever the form, it is here that the savoir faire of the Asnières artisans is stamped on history.
About 30 minutes from Paris, in its special-order workshop at Asnières-surSeine, lies the heart and soul of Louis Vuitton. This is where LV transforms the desires of its travel-loving clients into reality—explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza’s famous bed trunk, the Maharajah of Baroda’s tea trunk, Ernest Hemingway’s library trunk, and Greta Garbo’s shoe trunk.
And what a storied history: Louis Vuitton’s luggage company was founded in the right place at the right time— when the 19th century enthusiasm for imperialist expansion converged with the birth of the steam age. The new-fangled railways and steamships enabled more Europeans to travel to far-flung destinations than ever before—and these well-to-do globetrotters wanted a practical yet glamorous means to transport their belongings.
To this day, key pieces are created in this shrine to the art of travel: rigid trunks, designs in rare or exotic leathers, as well
The house’s eponymous founder recognized the necessity for a new design and provided it. Vuitton was the
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first trunk-maker to produce flat-top trunks, better for stacking, and he also made them lighter—and impervious to inclement weather—with flexible poplar-wood frames and waterproofed canvas sides. As an aesthete, Louis Vuitton had a very recognizable signature style. His brand’s artisanal trunks have different kinds of finishes: solid Trianon grey hemp oil, red-striped cloth, checkered Damier canvas, and the classic monogram canvas. Very popular with sophisticated travelers, Louis Vuitton products have been copied for centuries, and the different finishes were developed mainly as a way to discourage counterfeiters. In addition, all Louis Vuitton trunks,
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whatever the vintage, come with two identifiers that will help to authenticate them—a serial number and an official label. These days, counterfeiters focus on producing fake LV purses and other small products, but it is still not out of the question to find a counterfeit trunk. The saddlers, carpenters and locksmiths who created some of Vuitton’s earliest trunks—wardrobe trunks, bed trunks for explorers, secretary trunks, streamer trunks, car trunks, aero trunks, and even a trunk for carrying paintings, like one made for Henri Matisse—were not only masters of their craft; they were able to apply their skills to any request. Their modern counterparts are equally adept. A fifth-generation member of the Vuitton family—Patrick-Louis
Vuitton— oversees the Asnières workshop, where he’s in charge of special orders and commissions. LV employs about 200 craftsmen in the workshop, cutting wood (poplar, which Louis favored for its lightness and flexibility) and sewing hides (from lamb, goat and calf to stingray and python). Other artisans assemble and finish the trunks, always adhering to the rules— the logo must always be centered, the monogram must never be cut, the flowers must correspond perfectly from one edge to another, and so on. The final step is putting the signature Louis Vuitton tumbler lock in place. Since the founding of the company in 1854, every trunk has been given a unique registered lock number, which records when it was made, by whom
and where it was purchased. Louis Vuitton receives about 450 special orders per year, some of which the founder’s great-great-grandson designs himself. If certain designs evoke some of the legendary trunks, such as the thin leather trunk crafted for violinist and conductor Pierre Sechiari’s Stradivarius, others display rare or technical fabrics, in mink, or Plexiglas. Indeed, the historic special made-toorder service is well attuned to modern times. One client, Karl Lagerfeld of rival brand Chanel, commissioned PatrickLouis to create a carrying trunk of black Taiga leather with LV’s trademark brass fittings and a red interior for his 40 iPods. Previous commissions filled by the atepage 111
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lier range from one by a Chinese customer who asked for a trunk that would allow him to watch TV and serve coffee absolutely anywhere, to five Malle Plénitude trunks, each holding 23 bottles of the finest vintages from Dom Pérignon. For underage imbibers, PatrickLouis has created a trunk that holds baby’s bottles. Other recent renditions of the Louis Vuitton trunk have included the “Journey of Tea” trunk, which was designed by Hong Kong’s very own Alan Chan in 2016, as well as a trunk to house a two-turntable DJ deck.
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“I have three keywords for the work I do—quality, tradition, innovation,” Patrick-Louis said, adding that, “Louis Vuitton’s special made-to-order service is a perfect example of our savoir faire and pioneering spirit.” Clients should note that the Asnières atelier is generally not open to the public. However, a customized trunk can be ordered from any Louis Vuitton retail store in the world, from Panama to Paris, and from Amman to Ulaanbaatar.
BESTSELLER
BUBBLE BOX
For night owls and party lovers, Baccarat has dreamed up an exceptional set of six champagne glasses. Pictured with the Harcourt Seau for the Perfect Champagne Ambiance
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THE ROOFTOP
ORGO
GUIDE
Inspired by "Crazy Rich Asians"
The Best Sky-High Restaurants in Singapore Hans Ebenman | The Rooftop Guide CEO
Singapore may have a famous skyline -- made even more recognizable by this month's blockbuster "Crazy Rich Asians" -- but it’s hard to distinguish the best rooftop restaurants in Singapore. The city is so bright and vivid, so full of energy and countless forms of entertainment, shopping and dining venues, that is hard to simply choose one or two… or three or four. That’s why we’ve decided to bring to you a list of five fantastic places where you can indulge in traditional Asian cuisine or a fusion-driven dish or two. Polo Lifestyles’ contributor page 116
and The Rooftop Guide CEO Hans Ebenman’s top five choices for a dinner way up high in the Singapore sky follow.
ORGO ROOFTOP RESTAURANT Orgo is the crème de la crème of Singapore’s finest rooftop restaurants for exceptional dining. The ambient atmosphere is accompanied by an endless skyline of urban buildings that won’t leave you disappointed, especially over dinner. The nearby colossal skyscrapers look fantastic, reflecting the bright sun over Singapore during the day, and create a romantic, modern and picturesque atmosphere at night. Reserve your seat and enjoy the majestic Singapore skyline at dusk. www.orgo.sg/
CE LA VI ROOFTOP RESTAURANT CE LA VI is known for both its playful and iconic name, and its impeccable menu of food and drinks. This modern mix of rooftop bar and restaurant in Singapore lights up the candle to a fairly intimate indulgence of fantastic dishes and beverages. The 360-degree skyline view is possibly one of the best choices to enjoy the sunset, while the comfortable furniture on the terrace is the best place to relax and absorb the excitement of one of the busiest districts in Asia. sg.celavi.com/
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AURA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT Elegant and modern multi-concept dining, located on the two top floors of Singapore National Gallery, Aura is indeed the perfect place to combine some of Singapore’s best culture with one of its finest dining options. Aura offers classic Italian cuisine to the views of downtown Singapore and Marina Bay Sands. Open for both lunch and dinner. www.aura.sg/
LAVO ITALIAN ROOFTOP RESTAURANT Atop the 57-story-tall Sands SkyPark, with amazing 180 degree views of Singapore, LAVO really is a rooftop restaurant with a view. Opened in 2018, this Italian-meets-American restaurant is Marina Bay Sands’ latest addition of fantastic and luxurious venues. Open daily for dinner and weekends for lunch, chef Ralph Scamardella and crew also present a Saturday Soirée once a week that redefines ‘Vibe Dining’. Dress neatly to feel right at home. lavosingapore.com/
ARTEMIS GRILL ROOFTOP RESTAURANT This terrific rooftop restaurant in Singapore is a hidden gem in the crown of Asia, despite its great appetizers, wonderful wine list and highly professional service. Artemis Grill is a calm and rarely overcrowded place. A casual dress code and reservation at least a day earlier will do the work. artemisgrill.com.sg
From top: Lavo, CE LA VI, and Aura
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HIGH TEA
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SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE
LESSONS THROUGH TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS
Jyoti Paintel jyotipaintel@gmail.com
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hen tasked with writing a column on spirituality, mysticism, all things Divine and Cosmic, my mind reeled. I quieted that sharp part of my psychology again and methodologically set about on the task ahead. How would I explain to a sophisticated and rational mind that our relationship with the Cosmic and Divine are the most important things we can cultivate for ourselves, and for others? I wanted these answers to be without excessive explanations. I needed to show that it is of a visceral nature, pure, and wholly ethereal - like the way the sun and the moon hang across from one another every day and every night, in a perfect balance. I have difficulty dealing in the superficial and thus don’t spend much time in shallow waters, unless necessary. I
can be polite and civil, but if you are not willing to show me something meaningful or deep now whether it’s a lifetime of friendship or a solitary encounter, I start to drift. I think this is something that people might notice about me right away. This isn’t for everyone, but on the other coin: I’ve noticed this approachability, this accepting nature is an invitation to suddenly allow others to drop their guard and show me
dive into the fear with total abandon. I tested this idea in my real life and it allowed me to overcome my lifelong fear of the sea by simply joining a scuba course, and becoming a certified diver. I’ve since been a lifelong ocean enthusiast. We must somehow learn a strategy for approaching the proverbial deep waters of life if we’re going to survive. The panic and selfdoubt will come back, and it will linger.
I will try to expertly write about things I am not an expert in, but if you are actually are looking for someone bona fide in such things, please look up Mr. Deepak Chopra. Unfortunately, our only connection is that we are both Indian and enjoy meditation. their vulnerable side, their innermost real, and their agony and ecstasy, too. The very meaning of the word superficial denotes a fear of the deep, triggers our fear of the abyss. Yet, it also prevents us from having conversations or experiences that allow us to delve far beneath the surface of the ordinary, into exactly the extraordinary, the mysterious, merging with what else – nirvana. When we finally relent and dive deep, we discover the abyss actually exists as only a science fiction in our minds. How many times has it been said that if you are afraid of something, you must just
It's then I realize its time to turn to levity, my best friend. The ability to make wise cracks at myself and the world at large has proved to be a solid coping mechanism for my survival, and usually the absurdity of life never fails to give me things worthy of my dark sense of humor. Its not always appropriate, but I don’t always care, either. I will try to expertly write about things I am not an expert in, but if you are actually are looking for someone uh, bona fide in such things, please look up Mr. Deepak Chopra. Unfortunately, our only connection is that we are both Indian and enjoy meditation.
But if you’d be willing to humor a novice, a mere mortal such as I, then I’d be happy to walk you through my own trials and tribulations, and even allow myself to be vulnerable. If ‘to err, is human’, then to doubt thyself must also be human in equal parts. Perhaps the precursor to the error, but which is actually worse – the fear of, or the actual happening? In my experience it has been the incessant worrying and the talking down to myself. I remind myself that while my contribution might not be ground-breaking news, it is important to share stories and ideas because they had the potential to educate, to encourage, and to empower others. When I feel afraid to tell my story, I always remember something I once read about the bravery of Anne Frank: what if that 12-year old decided that keeping a diary was foolish? We will now feel the magic of humanity through her words, forever. One thing becoming “spiritual” has given me is a new compassion for others, a reminder to be kind, wherever and whenever the chance should appear. Rumi, the Mystic Sufi poet wrote: “..be a light to others, be a ladder, walk out of your house as if you were a shepherd.” This is a new and important gift page 121
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SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE
for me, and I know I can pass this on as a gift. I also know, without a shadow of a doubt, that some part of my existence is now devoted to asking questions and finding answers, as a process, over and over. Okay, the idea of the shepherd watching over others is also a common theme in spirituality, but how does that look in 2018? What does it mean to be alive and compassionate? How does one navigate through this life with intention, so as to leave a meaningful legacy and not a scar? I wanted to be dedicated student, if I was going to be able to cure myself. I set upon the task of becoming a scholar of Lao Tzu’s classic manual, a treatise on the art of living: “The Dao de Jing,” or translated simply, The Path. Throughout this study, Divine Will is touched upon often. One of the universal truths of any spirituality is that we have the willpower to overcome our fears through Divine Will. Divine Will also implies that destiny is actually only one simple part of it: the idea that everything we decide is always completely in our hands. Our character is the reflection in the mirror of the choices we make when our spirits are truly tested. In Steinbeck’s “East of Eden,” the classic biblical tale of Abel and Cain – good and evil – Divine Will is described as Timshel, ‘Thou Mayest’. The story’s credibility lies on our ability to accept human potential for both, in admitting that indeed, both of the two exist inside of us, but so does the Divine – and we have a choice. This is what makes us Divine as humans: given a chance, we would choose to do the right thing. But still, I wanted to know what page 122
Timshel really meant. I meditated by listening to a spoken English translation of The Dao de Jing, read by the Daoist scholar Stephen Mitchell. I listened and meditated and then listened some more to the Dao de Jing until finally many years began to pass, and I had memorized all 81 chapters by heart. The Dao de Jing is broken into two parts: one for the pupil to listen and encompass, and the other half is meant as platform for moral debate and critical thinking. I broke apart sections of the Dao and tried to understand what this scholar Chinese mystic from the 12th century BCE had to give to the world. Lao Tzu wrote of the Great Masters who had achieved ‘wei wu wei’, or “doing, not doing,” (a main tenet of Daoism) that can be described as simply the strongest most powerful action there is: doing nothing at all, flowing like a river and simply waiting for the answer to manifest on its own. I chose Divine Will as a potent and all-encompassing theme of this first column because it is also the theme I find the most in my study and practice of all things mystical. In film making, there is a concept of ‘suspension of disbelief,’ which allows us to continue to produce and sit through films such as Mission Impossible: 4 and pretend that Tom Cruise really does have as much strength as 10 men. So literally, Divine Will is this: we must let go of what we think is impossible. We must decide and make that decision with conviction and courage that which
is and that which is not in our control. We must also decide what we are willing to fight for, which is greater than Divine Will. Our own will is so great, so empowering that we can slay dragons, effortlessly move mountains, and be more powerful than fate itself. There is no real definition of it I can provide to you, only ideas or concepts. However, I do believe that somewhere inside every reader there will be a moment of knowing exactly to what I am referring. It will not require words that are eloquent, because the truth rarely is, and so I address that part of your soul to step forward now. But Divine Will is not all. After all, who amongst us hasn’t had to live through the proverbial Hero’s Journey of struggle and survival, and ultimately deliverance? We must make our decisions with conviction, and with courage we must accept what is and isn’t in our control. Most of all, if we are willing to fight for our convictions, then the will is so great, so empowering that we can slay dragons and effortlessly move mountains, hence we can be even more powerful than fate itself. If I’m able to provide someone comfort through sharing common experiences of struggle and survival, then it is worth it. If I can show someone a path I took that provides answer, or I help break down walls, then I will gladly face this blank document page on my laptop for our editor every month, and keep fighting the good fight.
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VOLUME II / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2018
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COACH WINE:
RECOVER of motion (ROM), training with improper technique, and repetitive training of the same movement. No matter what the result may be from training sessions, we know that recovering post-workout is almost as essential as the training session itself.
By Mark Wine BA; CSCS; USAW; PT, PES, CES
Do you feel sore, stiff, exhausted, and broken down after every workout? If this is you, or even if this is not you, start paying attention to your recovery tactics with superior attentiveness. Resistance training and other variations of fitness and athletic training can cause elevated levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that leads to depression and cell destruction (catabolic). Training can also lead to extreme levels of lactic acid and/or hydrogen ion build up, which causes immediate and delayed fatigue. Lastly, training can lead to inelasticity within the soft tissue, tendons, and ligaments by training within a short range
First, it’s essential that you ingest whey protein powder with a high concentration of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) post-workout. When performing resistance training, weightlifting, and/or any form of explosive training make sure to include a high dosage of the Amino Acid leucine afterwards. 3-5 grams of leucine, at minimum, should be supplemented post-workout. Another benefit of ingesting whey protein is in relation to cortisol and testosterone (T) levels; particularly free T. Metabolic stress significantly increases cortisol levels and can decrease free T levels. It is necessary to balance the levels between the two hormones. The goal is to rid the body of cortisol and increase free T levels. Supplementing with Vitamin C post-workout has proven successful in clearing out cortisol levels within the body. To increase free T levels, supplement with Zinc, Vitamin D, and magnesium. Low free T levels can last for up to a couple
&
FASTER BETTER
days. Supplementing with the supplement “ZMA” can aid in replenishing free T levels. Second, performing self-Myofascial Release (SMR) post workout is an essential step in recovering by creating greater levels of soft tissue elasticity. SMR is better known as “foam rolling.” Foam rolling should be like any other workout regimen, progression must be incorporated. Start with a “hard foam” roller for your first time rolling. The pain and discomfort you feel is adhesions and knots within the soft-tissue layer. These painful spots can only be broken up through foam rolling or deep-tissue massaging (i.e. ART). Once the “hard foam” roller seems to cause little to minimal discomfort, than the time has come to progress to a hard rubber or plastic roller. These rollers can even include trigger point technology. Foam rolling is simple and complex at the same time. Post-workout foam rolling directions are as follows: Slowly roll along the muscles entire length. Stop and hold on any painful or tender spots until the pain has slightly subsided; approximately 30 seconds. Continue to roll along the entire muscle until all the spots have generally subsided.
Static stretch with 30 second holds. The soft tissue therapy followed by static stretching will not only decrease soreness but it will lead to greater performance in the long run. And did I forget to mention that it can significantly reduce the risk of injury? Third, a common misconception is that strength/ hypertrophy/power increases are created during the lifting session. In actuality, these changes in muscle integrity are made during rest and recovery. Increasing blood flow to trained muscles is a common practice to aid in muscle recovery. The FireFly recover device stimulates the peroneal nerve (located near head of fibula) and deliver painless vibrations which leads to an increase in venous, arterial, and micro-circulatory blood flow leading to a quicker recover for the Lower Body. Adding a FireFly device to your recovery routine, you can accelerate the return of Creatine Kinase to baseline levels, there for accelerating recovery and letting an athlete return to training faster. Fourth, recovery between workouts is extremely important. Metabolic stress causes acute fatigue to the muscles that were most active Recover Faster & Better continues on page 166
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M U S C L E
F I T N E S S page 129
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MOLD YOUR MIND
FEAR
WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF?
about fear, which I was fortunate enough to experience myself several weeks ago: Skydiving. I was deathly scared of skydiving for as long as I could remember: What if the parachute did not open? What if something happened to the plane? What if I die? All these things went through my mind when I thought about skydiving.
Joey Velez, M.A., M.B.A. The great Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he-whodoes-not-feel-afraid, but he-who-conquers-that-fear.” With the word fear, people think of spiders, or arachnophobia, but also the negative connotations that come with the word. What we fail to realize is that fear is a natural human emotion that all individuals experience. Although it may be unpleasant, fear does not have to be something that holds us back. We can use fear to step outside our comfort zone, we can use fear to motivate us, and we can use fear to gain life experiences. Will Smith once said, “God placed the best things in life are on the other side of terror.” He was talking about his experience skydiving – a great YouTube video by the way – where he talks page 132
I did not sleep well the night before, and I also nervous waiting in the hangar for our plane to arrive. As the plane ascended toward 13,000 feet, my legs were shaking and the nerves really started to elevate. The moment of truth was sitting on the edge with my feet hanging outside the plane, and then, off we went. No more than two seconds into my free fall, my fear vanished. I went from worried about if I would make it to being amazed by the beauty of the landscape in front of me. After we landed, I realized that I had nothing to be afraid of. Had I let my fear take control, I would have missed out on one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Types of Fear Fear can either hold you back from performing your best or it can push beyond your wildest dreams. There are two types of fear: fear of failure and appropriate fear. Fear of failure is just that: being afraid to fail for it may lead to criticism, lack of self-control, or exposing a lack of skills. When we expect to fail, this leads to an increase in hesitation and self-doubt, diminishes our perseverance, which then leads into unsuccessful experiences. This continues the vicious cycle of fear of failure. There is also what is called appropriate fear. At times, fear can be an integral motivator for accomplishing a task or performing up to our capabilities. During the 2014 NBA
finals, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Greg Popovich spoke of having appropriate fear when his team looked to take a 2-0 series lead by stating “We believe in it. Appropriate fear, basically, equals respect for your opponent. Don’t take anything lightly. Nothing comes easy. A little bit of fear is motivating. It doesn’t mean you’re scared. It means you’re smart.” They went on to lose that game by two points, but having appropriate fear kept his team from entering a state of complacency. Fear does not have to negatively impact our feelings, thoughts, and behavior towards any task or performance. Fear, when utilized properly, can be used to our advantage in any scenario.
Confronting Your Fears How do you confront your fears? Simple, just do it, right? Well, in reality, it is not that simple. There are several things you can do to help confront your fears. Building awareness and changing your perspective are two aspects to consider. You can start by asking yourself a couple of questions. First, “What are you exactly afraid of?” For me, I was worried that if the parachute did not open, then I was dead. This fact alone kept me from attempting to sky dive for a very long time. However, talk to enough people, and you understand that the instructors place a huge emphasis on safety, and you begin to understand how safe it actually is. Second, instead of asking yourself the worst-case scenario question, such as “What if I die?” or “What if I do not jump?” ask yourself “What if I live?” or “What if this is the greatest experience of my life?” Too Fear: What Are You So Afraid Of? Continues on page 166
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VOLUME II / ISSUE IX / SEPTEMBER 2018
RECOVER
FASTER AND BETTER
during the workout. Sprinting, for example, causes lactic acid build-up that can dramatically affect repetition performance. It can take up to two hours for lactic acid to completely clear out of the muscles that were exhausted. However, does this mean that you are able to repeat the same performance with the same power output two hours later? Not quite. A by-product of metabolic stress is creatine kinase. Creating kinase is a good tell of muscle damage and can be elevated throughout a 24-hour period post-training. Strength and power outputs will be significantly lowered
because of the muscle damage. Damaged muscles can take days to recover, particularly leg muscles. Training on damaged muscles and/or fatigued muscles will result in reduced performance and a heightened risk of injury. Therefore, it is important to the following four things: Supplement with the right nutrition (i.e. whey and BCAA) post-workout to recover and decrease soreness.
Utilize blood flow therapy, such as FireFly Recovery, as a stimulator to accelerate recovery Take at minimum a couple days in between similarly trained / focused workouts. Ex: do not perform two days in a row of resistance training on the legs; do not perform two days in a row of Plyometric or sprint training.
Foam roll and stretch to increase elasticity and blood flow within the muscles.
FEAR: WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF? often we consider worst-case scenarios and never look at the best-case scenarios. Building awareness and changing your perspective are a great start when attempting to confront your fears.
you to perform your best, no matter the situation. Saying things like “You can do this!” “It really is not that bad” or maybe “Suck it up!”… it all depends on your personality and what makes you go.
You can utilize your breath to narrow your focus. Using my skydiving experience as an example, during the plane ride up to 13,000 feet, all I was focusing was on was taking full, deep breaths and counting each one. This took my mind away from the fact that I was 13,000 feet above ground, or that I was about to jump out of a plane. Focusing on something as simple as your breath can greatly decrease nervousness and can also take your mind away from the fear that you are about to confront. You can replace the breath with thinking of a particular image that makes you happy or makes you laugh, all of which hold the same purpose of placing your attention away from your fears.
Break the Cycle
Finally, you can use positive or motivational self-talk to confront your fears, whichever suits your personality. Having the right form of self-talk can increase motivation, build confidence, and allow page 134
Being afraid or having fears are normal human emotions that we all experience, but not everyone attempts to confront those fears. In order to break the fear of failure cycle, we must understand our fears and make peace with them. We must use our failures as a learning tool, not as a description of our character. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’” Do not be afraid to confront your fears. Face them head on. Accept the challenge. In the end, much like I felt with my skydiving experience, you may be asking yourself “What was I so afraid of?”
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