MARCH-APRIL 2022 THE FASHION ISSUE by Haute Living San Francisco

S A N F R A N C I S C O | S I L I C O N VA L L E Y | M A R I N | N A PA | N O R T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A

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LUXURY LIFESTYLE WITH PURPOSE

THEFROM FASHION ISSUE CASUAL TO COUTURE, STYLE IS BACK

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Property ID 43426

Property ID 82401

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6 BR | 5/2 BA | 8,979 sf | $6,950,000

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Recently remodeled. Guest Cottage. Gated golf community. Ocean views.

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Property ID 47336

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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

JR: CalRE #00465013, JM: CalRE #00526877

California Lifestyle Collection Belvedere Grand View Estate

Belvedere Grand View Estate

bar, wine cellar and deck with panoramic views. The dining room is next to the spacious open plan kitchen/family room/breakfast nook with fireplace and wallto-wall glass doors to view decks and a second family room/office with half bath around the corner. The kitchen with enormous center island is equipped with top An approximately 11,200 square foot home with stunning views from the Bay of the line appliances fit for a Michelin Star chef. Bridge to San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito, on appx. 1.2 Master suite features sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San acre lush garden double lot, this resort-like magnifi c ent view estate is truly a Francisco, a fireplace, a deck and an opulent bathroom of exquisite marble. one-of-a-kind property on the prestigious Belvedere Island. Incredible scale Three other en-suite bedrooms complete this floor. A separate guest floor with and unrivaled opportunity, in one of the most exceptional settings in Northern two bedroom en-suite sharing a living room with wet bar and a private view deck. California, overlooking San Francisco Bay with breathtaking panoramic views. Sweeping entertainer’s decks and walls of glass that bring phenomenal views The estate’s resort-like luxurious amenities are as impressive as the residence, to the forefront of the living experience, all in a beautiful and private resort-like offering the versatility to retreat in serenity or entertain elaborate and lavish events, featuring the indoor pool on the garden level with steam room, sauna, setting. spa, an exercise nook, an entertaining kitchen, dining, bar, two bathrooms, wallRebuilt in 2008, this gated contemporary style home off e rs 6 b edrooms, 1 0 to-wall glass doors opening onto a spacious deck with a hot tub and outdoor bathrooms, a 60 foot indoor pool and entertainment area with multiple decks dining overlooking the exquisite gardens, various terraces with seating areas and to enjoy world class views, with elevator and walkways connecting the levels and endless views. Ample parking within the gate, plus three-car garage. uniting the indoor with the fabulous gardens and sculptures. This is a perfect home to enjoy luxurious gardens, breathtaking views and resortDouble doors open into a light-infused, two-story atrium entrance of the home’s like amenities in the most exclusive Belvedere location. incredible fl o or-to-ceiling window walls, fl oo ding the space in natural light and For photos and details, please visit: immersing guests in breathtaking views. Offi c e nook with a fi rep lace, majestic BelvedereGrandEstate.com formal living room with soaring high ceilings, wall of glass windows, fi replace, wet

Price Upon Request

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

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Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

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California Lifestyle Collection Belvedere, California

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Lic.# 00712080

PUBLISHER’S Letter FOR TWO YEARS, WE WORE SWEATPANTS WITH MASKS WITH NOWHERE TO go—no events, no parties, not even dining in a restaurant! It’s so exciting as we produce the Fashion Issue for spring of 2022: mask restrictions have finally lifted and live events are coming back, giving us reason to be fashionable again. In this issue, we introduce three local couture designers, explore the stylish boutiques on Fillmore, and recommend the perfect gifts in our Haute Gift Guide. As travel bans are also lifted, our travel stories take you to Portugal’s Martinhal Hotels & Resorts, the Ritz Paris, and Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered its gastronomic capital and a leading “green” city. In the article on spring fashion trends, Lisa Aiken, the fashion and lifestyle director at Neiman Marcus, says fashion is closely aligned with our shift of perspectives. Indeed, I see that in this issue’s pages. The happy, vibrant colors and styles symbolize new hope and positive excitement for our post-COVID future.

OLIVIA HSU DECKER OWNER/PUBLISHER Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com www.HauteLivingSF.com Text 415.720.5915

We profile Ungaro’s new artistic director in this issue. My favorite fashion designer in the 1980s was the iconic Emanuel Ungaro. His soft, feminine draping, colorful and effortlessly chic trademark designs were highly popular on the world’s most fashionable women back then. In 2005, Ungaro retired and sold his fashion house to Silicon Valley’s internet entrepreneur Asim Abdullah for $84 million. I met Asim when I owned Château de Villette near Paris, and he invited me to the Ungaro fashion shows in Paris. Ungaro has gone through a lot of changes over last few years. In 2021, they hired a new creative director, Israeli Kobi Halperin. Our Carolyn Zinko interviewed Halperin as he ushers Ungaro into a new era. Halperin shared with Zinko his intention to build upon Ungaro’s original mission to celebrate women. This is an article all fashionistas must read! A fashion issue without Paris is like food without seasoning. I am so glad our contributor, Becca Hensley, wrote a delicious story of the fashionable and palatial Ritz Paris for this issue. This is a place where I hung out for many years, as did world-famous authors, politicians, actors, and more. Indeed, the glitterati came in droves. But from a fashion perspective, its most famous guest was Coco Chanel who was so besotted with the lofty hotel that she checked in once and remained for the next 34 years—despite her own apartment standing just around the corner.” I took French cooking classes at École Ritz Escoffier, the cooking school at Ritz Paris that opened in 1988. I just had my birthday on 2-20-2022, and my birthday wish is to stay at Hotel Ritz, attend Paris Fashion Week, and take more French cooking classes at École Ritz Escoffier! I hope to see you there too!! I wish you a fashionable 2022!

PUBLISHER Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Teresa Rodriguez Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com ART DIRECTOR Krisha Chhaganlal Krisha@HauteLivingSF.com DIGITAL EDITOR Laurie Jo Miller Farr Laurie@HauteLivingSF.com COPY EDITOR Karen M. Smith henhousepublishing@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Boden, Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Becca Hensley, Steph Keay, Fran Endicott Miller, Erin Hunt Moore, Robert Richards, Sharon Seto, and Carolyne Zinko. ABOUT TOWN AMBASSADOR Aubrey Brewster HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMBASSADOR Lydia Graham LUXURY AUTO AMBASSADOR Tim Lappen TL@JMBM.com SUBSCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Cindy Pelland Cindy@HauteLivingSF.com ACCOUNTING Sarah Trissel Sarah@HauteLivingSF.com LEGAL Carl Lippenberger Carl@lippenbergerlaw.com

Haute Living San Francisco Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com

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TABLE of CONTENTS

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

HAUTE FASHION 58

Dior’s collaboration with Technogym makes exercise elegant.

No need for Paris, you can find haute couture here in San Francisco.

Kobi Halperin adds his own distinct style to Ungaro’s bold colors and butterflies.

Lisa Aiken, fashion director at Neiman Marcus shares the latest spring must-haves.

Chef Mica Talmor fuses the flavors of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe for distinctly tasty food.

Step into footwear that combines fashion, comfort, and sustainabilty.

HAUTE DRINKS

Rabih Kayrouz debuts his designs at the SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show.

HAUTE DINING

The Sonoma International Film Festival celebrates 25 years of film, food, fun, and fashion.

We joined the glitterati celebrating Yuan Yuan Tan’s amazing 25-year milestone as SF Ballet’s principal dancer.

EDITOR’S LETTER

HAUTE CALENDAR HAUTE SHOPPING

Take a stylish stroll on Fillmore street.

Celebrate spring with sparkle and shine.

HAUTE KITCHEN 26

Designers with great taste in clothes show off their great taste in wine.

HAUTE EVENTS

Celebrate the sweet and savory flavors of Spain at Telefèric Barcelona.

HAUTE HOTEL 40

Follow in the footsteps of Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway at the ultra-luxurious Ritz Paris.

Martinhal Resort offers family-sized fun and luxury in Portugal.

HAUTE TRAVEL 48

Discover Lyon, an oft-overlooked gem for luxury, fine dining, and rich history.

Haute designers impart style and cachet to those who support the luxury lifestyle.

HAUTE SCENES

The Harborview Restaurant served up glitz and gourmet food at Haute Living’s magazine launch party.

Patrick King celebrated the short life of his son with a moving art exhibition titled Chasing Angels.

FOG Design + Art returns to raise funds for the SF Museum of Moern Art’s educational programs.

ON THE COVER: COLLEEN QUEN

HMUA: JOSETTE VIGIL JELVEH CREATIVE DIRECTOR: SHARON SETO PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: BESSIE GOTINGCO PHOTOGRAPHER: VINCENT GOTTI LOCATION PROVIDED BY: THE PALACE HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO VINCENT GOTTI EDITORIAL AND FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER WWW.VINCENTGOTTIPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Haute Living, San Francisco | www.HauteLivingSF.com

Haute Shopping

Haute Fashion

TABLE of CONTENTS Haute Drinks

Haute Fashioin

HAUTE BEAUTY 88

Copy the flawless beauty of runway models with these tips.

Dr. Karen Horton improves upon nature and keeps that natural look.

HAUTE WELLNESS 92

Stop tossing and turning and get in a pampered 40 winks.

After Mighty Leaf, Jill Portman launches a beverage brand focused on traditional wellness.

Haute Kitchen

HAUTE RESIDENCE 96

Sweeping ocean views and proximity to Tiburon put this resort-like property in reach of the best life has to offer.

HAUTE AUTO

102 Sheer speed or a stylish crossover? Ferrari and Aston Martin offer the

best of both.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR

106 Aubrey reminisces on the fashion inspiration of San Francisco’s best

dressed. 110 Nothing improves your style better than calm and serenity. Lydia

suggests meditation.

HAUTE SEAT

112 Enjoy a better, healthier you through Dr. Toni Brayer’s integrative ap-

proach to holistic healing.

9 Haute Hotel

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S Letter STEPPING INTO THE CRISP SAN FRANCISCO AIR SANS MASK, I am excited. There is a sense of enthusiasm for this new season for the first time in months. With COVID restrictions lifting, fashion is back at the forefront. We want to dress up, meet friends, and shop. So, it’s perfect that this is our fashion issue. While Olivia and I were grounded and unable to attend Fashion Week in New York or Paris, we decided to focus on the local talent. Steph Keay interviews three local designers who have taken their love of fashion to the next level, creating epic gowns, finely tailored suits, and beautiful wedding dresses made for comfort (page 60). Laurie Jo Miller Farr takes us on a stroll through the many stylish boutiques on Fillmore Street. The vibrant fashion mecca of Pacific Heights has some fantastic shops that have been dressing wellheeled locals like Heidi Says and Mio for decades. In addition, some newcomers on the block bring a welcomed sense of verve, like Gorjana Jewelry and Veronica Beard (page 16). We catch up with Lisa Aiken, the fashion and lifestyle director at Neiman Marcus. She shares with us the latest fashion must-haves and this season’s trends. Lisa says that fashion is closely aligned with our shift in perspectives. This season, we embrace excitement for new possibilities and a general sense of optimism for the future (page 72). TERESA RODRIGUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Haute Living San Francisco Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com www.HauteLivingSF.com

One of fashions’ icons, Ungaro, returns with a new designer and a fresh look. We get a sneak peek of Kobi Halperin’s first collection with Ungaro. Carolyne Zinko speaks to Kobi about his life, ethos, and challenges reshaping a brand with a rich history (page 68). From designer pours to sustainable shoes, Becca Hensley introduces us to Vera Wang’s latest obsession with wine as well as showcasing shoes made from recycled plastic bottles.

Spring is a time of rejuvenation and rebirth, and we wanted to capture that energy in this issue. So, we share some top sleep solutions created by luxury hotels worldwide and a few products to make you runaway-ready this season. As always, we love hearing from you. Feel free to email me at Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com with any comments and suggestions. We have more content online, so visit us at HauteLivingSF.com and sign up to receive our weekly newsletters of upcoming events and featured stories.

Cheers,

PHOTO CREDIT: ©VINCENT GOTTI, HAIR AND MAKE UP BY NELLIE MUGANDA

Sharon Seto chats with Mica Talmor, chef-owner of Pomella, who shares her recipes for almond baklava, butternut squash, quinoa and Manchego salad, and majadera with lamb kefta— just in time for Easter and Passover.

SAN FRANCISCO’S Contributors CAROLYNE ZINKO

Carolyne Zinko has long kept her antennae on the high life. She is the former editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Silicon Valley magazine and, before that, was a San Francisco Chronicle reporter for 22 years, writing about everything from crime and court hearings to largerthan-life personalities and philanthropic leaders. She lives in Menlo Park with her husband, Dan Dieguez.

SHARON SETO

A graduate of Golden Gate University and serial entrepreneur, Sharon loves the excitement and creativity of the business world and its people. Her addiction to business ventures began with the acquisition of the El Cid Building, site of the famous SF Jazz Mural. She has served as a board member, fundraiser, and event chair for nonprofit organizations, including the SF Symphony Board of Governors, City College of San Francisco Foundation Board, Red Cross Board, National Colorectal Cancer Alliance Board, SF Ballet, and Dress for Success.

ERIN HUNT MOORE

A connector, storyteller, mission-driven communicator, and mom, Erin Hunt Moore lives with her family in beautiful Sonoma wine country. A seasoned public relations and marketing consultant for over two decades, Erin has worked her PR magic for brands and companies on both U.S. coasts and in Germany, where she studied international relations and languages. A veteran of the food and beverage world, she now focuses her energies on supporting women entrepreneurs and thought leaders, companies, and brands leading with a strong social impact ethos and non-profit organizations pioneering change in the world.

BECCA HENSLEY

A bon vivant journalist who believes travel is the ultimate celebration of life awash with lessons waiting to be learned, widely-published, Texas-based Becca Hensley is travel editor for New Orleans Bride and editor-at-large for Insider’s Guide to Spas. In a career spanning three decades, she has contributed to scores of magazines and newspapers, including Architectural Digest, Elite Traveler, Global Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler, and the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @beccahensley.

STEPH KEAY

Steph Keay is a Canadian freelance and technical writer currently based in Silicon Valley. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, she spent a summer in Croatia assisting The Yacht Week with events management on the islands of Hvar and Vis. Formerly in PR/marketing, she has also placed stories for a variety of clients—including tech leaders, international artists, and acclaimed actors and musicians—with ABC, FOX, NBC, San Francisco Chronicle, The Mercury News, American Way, and others. In her spare time, she enjoys adventuring, photography, and travel— all of which she documents on on her website, StephKeay.com.

LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

Laurie is a US/UK dual citizen and dedicated urbanite who loves walkable cities. As a San Francisco-based travel writer, she enjoys views from its crazy, signature hills following half-a-lifetime promoting her two hometowns—a couple of oh-so-flat places: New York City and London. Laurie’s byline is found in USA Today, CBS, Where Traveler, Haute Living, Epicure, Fast Company, Napa Valley Life Magazine, Food & Travel Magazine, Eater, Google Touring Bird, and other major media titles. She was awarded Yahoo Contributor of the Year and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

Fran Endicott Miller is a luxury-focused freelance feature writer for a variety of lifestyle publications and websites, editor-at-large for JustLuxe.com, and California editor for luxury travel concierge service Essentialist. Prior, she held positions in the fields of politics, television, and professional sports. She is proud to have established the Golden State Warriors’ first community relations department and programs. When not traveling, she can be found walking her Northern California neighborhood with her beloved golden retrievers, Reggie and Nate.

JENNIFER BODEN

Jennifer is a freelance wine, food, and travel writer based in beautiful Sonoma County and has an extensive career in journalism. She contributes to KRON 4 News San Francisco, ABC 10News San Diego, and others. Prior to her writing career, she worked for several network affiliates as a news anchor and executive producer. She earned a degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University’s prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Events CALENDAR San Francisco knows spring has sprung when the magnificent saucer-sized pink, white, and magenta magnolias burst into bloom at San Francisco Botanical Garden. Across the city, a busy social calendar also blossoms this spring, including fashion highlights: Dress for Success Gala, SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show, and the Guo Pei exhibition at the Legion of Honor.

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

4-6 Cal Performances | The Joffrey Ballet A crown jewel of America’s homegrown dance companies, the esteemed Joffrey Ballet returns to Berkeley to conclude its six-year campus residency. Calperformances.org 7 San Francisco Performances | Isata KannehMason Recipient of the 2021 Leonard Bernstein Award, the internationally acclaimed pianist performs in her SFP solo debut at Herbst Theatre. 7:30 p.m. sfperformances.org 13 Joshua Bell & Academy of St. Martin-in-theFields Bell leads the ensemble in violin concertos by Bach and Barber, closing with Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Eroica. Louise Davies Symphony Hall, 7:30 p.m. sfsymphony.org

#BreakTheBias: International Women’s Day is March 8.

15 San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program | Taube Atrium Theater The 38th Schwabacher Recital Series kicks off 2022 with the first of four recitals highlighting global emerging artists and unique musical programs in an intimate setting. Additional dates: April 6, April 27 and July 28. sfopera.com/srs 16-17 and 18-19 San Francisco Symphony | Films With Live Orchestra The sensuous score of this James Bond spy thriller features the Academy Award- winning title song as the action unfolds on the big screen in Skyfall. The Disney and Pixar film Toy Story features an Oscar®and Grammy® Award-winning score. sfsymphony.org Cal Performances

MARCH Select dates Ninety-minute magnolia curated tours through the Botanical Garden (March 3, 12, 17, and 26) at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Or, hear from botany experts (webinars on March 3 and 17). Learn the ancient art of grafting (March 26) or take a garden docent tour. More information at sfbg.org

Through March 27 Imagine Picasso: The Immersive Exhibition The U.S. premiere of a multi-sensorial celebration of 200+ works depicting Picasso’s evocative images from the Blue and Rose periods, to forays into Cubism, and on to the prolific output of his mature years. Skylight at the Armory, 1800 Mission St. imagine-picasso.com

18 - 27 Oakland Restaurant Week Eat. Drink. Repeat. From neighborhood gems to food trucks to Michelin star restaurants, “Feast Your Way Through the East Bay.” Participating restaurants offer special lunch and dinner menus to showcase the city’s diverse cuisine. VisitOakland.com

PHOTO CREDITS: © PAUL KOLNIK

18 Dress For Success Sweet 16 Event “Casino Royale” is the theme. More than 9,000 clients have been served over the past 16 years. This annual gala helps empower and support women so they may develop and thrive. Palace Hotel. sfdress.org/sweet16

Events CALENDAR

Imagine Picasso Exhibition

19 27th Annual Red Cross Gala “Heroes Unmasked” is the theme as this signature black tie event returns to its iconic setting at San Francisco City Hall. rdcrss.org/3As0mXd

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF COURTESY IMAGINE PICASSO; COURTESY RED CROSS GALA

19 and 20 Cal Performances | London Symphony Orchestra Sir Simon Rattle conducts the LSO in a rare Bay Area visit. Bing Concert Hall on the Stanford University campus is the first night’s venue followed by Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley the following evening. calperformances.org 23-27 Sonoma International Film Festival The 25th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival presents the best in 100+ films, food, wine, and fun for five days. Downtown venues are entirely walkable in person and completely accessible online. Special culinary guests: Chef Jacques Pépin and Chef Joanne Weir. sonomafilmfest.org 24 San Francisco Ballet 89th Repertory Season Gala La Grande Fête, curated by Artistic Director & Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson is performed at the magnificent War Memorial Opera House. At 5 p.m., a gala sparkling wine reception precedes the performance (rescheduled date). sfballet.org

24 and 26 Chase Center | March Madness On the road to the Final Four, 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship West Regional marks the first time the event is in San Francisco since its inaugural at California Coliseum on Treasure Island in March 1939. chasecenter.com/2022-ncaa-tournamentwest-regional 26-27 United States Sail Grand Prix The final action is in San Francisco, hosting a $1 million winner-takes-all Grand Final as SailGP Season 2 concludes. The eight-nation fleet of high-flying F50s battle it out in San Francisco Bay. bit.ly/3FT3IUc 29 Chase Center | Billie Eilish “Happier Than Ever, The World Tour” comes to San Francisco for one show performed by the 19-year-old sensation from Los Angeles, youngest-ever winner of a Grammy for Album of the Year. chasecenter.com 29 - April 3 Cal Performances | Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley is like a second home to this world-famous modern dance ensemble founded in New York City in 1958. Under the leadership of artistic director Robert Battle, expect daring new works. bit.ly/3KBQy1u

Red Cross Gala at City Hall

30 San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show A long-awaited return features the stunning designs of Haute Couture designer Maison Rabih Kayrouz in a San Francisco debut. Presenting sponsor is Sam Malouf Authentic Luxury. Fairmont Hotel and Saint Joseph’s Arts Society. sfballet.org/support-us/specialevents/fashion-show 29 - May 8 San Francisco Ballet | Swan Lake Timeless and achingly beautiful, Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet Swan Lake has been beloved for more than a century since its American premiere by the San Francisco Ballet. Choreography by Helgi Tomasson. sfballet.org

Events CALENDAR

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

APRIL 6 and 27 San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program | Taube Atrium Theater The 38th Schwabacher Recital Series performs the second and third in a series of four recitals highlighting global emerging artists and unique musical programs in an intimate setting. Additional date: July 28. sfopera.com/srs 8 SFMOMA Art Bash Netting $2+ million to support the museum’s education and community programs, this year’s party kicks off with cocktails, dinner, and an art auction. After dinner, all seven floors of the museum will burst to life to welcome guests for surprising encounters, musical performances, and immersive art experiences until 1 a.m. sfmoma.org/event/series/ artbash 16 - Sept. 5 Legion of Honor | Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy Extraordinary designs from couturier Guo Pei, known for blurring the lines between fashion and art. Exquisite craftsmanship, lavish embroidery, and unconventional dressmaking techniques define works that are like artistic sculptural statements. First major museum exhibition to show the Chinese designer’s work. legionofhonor.famsf.org/ guo-pei 18 An Evening With Itzhak Perlman Learn more about the legendary violinist, the “man behind the music” and music-making with Perlman’s longtime pianist and friend, Rohan De Silva. The Great Performers Series at Davies Symphony Hall. sfsymphony.org

24 Orpheum Theatre | Il Volo: Sings Morricone The Italian pop-opera trio is touring America in a moving celebration of the famous composer, Ennio Morricone. Expect to hear some of the greatest hits from their repertoire, including ‘My Way’, ‘Grande Amore’ and of course, ‘O Sole Mio!’ orpheumtheatersanfrancisco.org 30 Golden Gate Theatre | RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles RAIN has mastered every song, gesture, and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a note-for-note live performance that’s infectious. Get back to where you once belonged. One night only. Broadwaysf.com

Guo Pei, L’Architecture

PHOTO CREDITS: © LIAN KU

21 -24 Dudamel Conducts Mahler Gustavo Dudamel leads the SF Symphony in a program that balances Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s dramatic Symphony No. 38, Prague and Gustav Mahler’s masterful Fifth Symphony. At Davies Symphony Hall. sfsymphony.org

HAUTE SHOPPING

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TERESA RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHER: VINCENT GOTTI PHOTO SHOOT PRODUCER: GIOI TRAN PHOTO ASSISTANT: BESSIE GOTINGCO HMUA: OZZIE MENDOZA MODEL: CHERIANN GLAB WITH STARS MANAGEMENT

HAUTE SHOPPING

Fillmore Street BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

N 1849, JEAN-BAPTISTE ALPHONSE Karr wrote, “Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.” The French have a way of putting it: The more things change, the more they stay the same. However, Monsieur Karr never made a visit to Fillmore Street. Although the closeknit Fillmore Merchants Association that was established in 1907 is the city's oldest, very little on Fillmore Street stays the same. Step into legacy Fillmore Street boutiques to

find up-to-the-minute collections as well as a timeless accent on independent designers of international repute. Some merchants have thrived for 40-plus years and others opened just four weeks ago. Still other stores, such as Alice + Olivia, have recently reopened following a pandemic pause. And a new addition, Redmint Holistic Wellness Sanctuary, is coming to 2044 Fillmore Street in spring 2022. So, it’s time for a Fillmore Street shopping update.

Did you know?

Fourteen massive iron structures known as The Fillmore Arches once stood at each intersection, casting light along Fillmore Street from Fulton to Sacramento. A reputation as one of the most illuminated streets in America ended when the arches were dismantled, melted down, and sold for scrap to support the war effort in 1943. 17

HAUTE SHOPPING

ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET Approaching from Divisadero, it’s delightful to notice how light floods in through large showcase windows of the shops on Fillmore Street’s eastern side, so this window shopping stroll begins there. To showcase classic British tailoring made in the USA, Rag & Bone has occupied one of the most prominent store corners in San Francisco since 2014. Retailer of quality, fashion-forward denim, casual wear, footwear, and accessories for men and women, the brand places an emphasis on authentic, well-made garments that last. 2060 Fillmore Street Occupying another enviable corner location for the past six years, FRAME is prominently perched at its home. Bathed in sunlight, biodegradable denim—“The world’s most luxurious jean that can quite literally be worn into the ground”—never looked so good. Garments displayed on wooden hangers are generously spaced on rails and what’s not hanging is “framed” in custom shelving, making it a pleasure to browse. At the moment, the two top sellers for this American fashion brand are hi-rise and relaxed straight jeans. 2142 Fillmore Street As every true San Francican knows, a day without layers is asking for trouble. Inspired by Ireland and using fine yarn, organic cotton, Merino wool, soft linen, and sumptuous cashmere, founder Margaret O’Leary brings distinctive style to her knitwear collection of comfortable, cozy sweaters and wraps. 2400 Fillmore Street Ready-to-wear from accessible fashion labels we all love fill the rails at Heidi Says. A Fillmore Street stalwart since 2001, an entire look can be put together in one place, since the collection includes clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. 2426 Fillmore Street For more than 30 years, Eileen Fisher has been about women's clothing that embraces simplicity, sustainability, and timeless design. While they’ve (sadly) phased out The System of modular dressing based on eight simple silhouettes, more sensible mix-and-match shapes are new for this season. 2216 Fillmore Street

Cuyana does women’s premium essentials around a philosophy that’s based on fewer, better things. A newcomer to Fillmore Street, last fall the label launched their second San Francisco store to complement the Union Square location. Foundational items and cashmere pieces put the emphasis on cozy, soft, casual. Handsome, hard-working leather bags, totes, small accessories, and wallets can be personalized with a letter initial charm crafted from Italian pebbled leather. 2116 Fillmore Street The personalization theme continues at Gorjana Jewelry, where signature charms come in 14-karat. Layer them on in chunky bracelets or delicate necklaces. Shop by initial or birthstone; engrave a message or a memorable date. 2056 Fillmore Street

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ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET No place says personalized fashion shopping at a Fillmore Street boutique more authentically than MIO, the street’s grande dame, established in 1986. A carefully curated collection of clothing and accessories comes from exceptional small and independent designers in Europe and Asia, particularly Japan. Look no further for fabulous, timeless Issey Miyake brands and more. 2035 Fillmore Street Alice + Olivia is very much open, so don’t believe everything you read on Yelp. By way of a greeting, two plush, red statement sofas say come on in and stay awhile. Launched in 2002 to create the perfect pair of bell-bottoms, the brand by New York designer Stacey Bendet was promptly discovered by Barneys, and it’s been popular ever since. Expect to find both whimsical, flirty floral dresses and sexy silhouettes. 2259 Fillmore Street Whether shopping for your own children or someone else’s, Mudpie is a delight. In a historic building with a spacious and charming interior, the store has been a Fillmore Street fixture since 1976. Filled with a curated collection of clothing, blankets, toys, and books for babies and little boys and girls, Mudpie displays an oldfashioned vibe that’s rare these days. Ask about gift wrapping and shipping to save a trip to the post office. 2185 Fillmore Street Enter under the faux floral entrance. There’s eye-catching artwork, raffia wall coverings, graphic silver wallpaper. Pass by the Billy Baldwin Studio tiger-print slipper chairs set off by cascading white orchids toward a pink illuminated sign that says “I Want IT All.” That’s easy to say for those who love classic Veronica Beard styles from the sisters-in-law team that launched the label in 2010. Some claim the signature Dickey blazers are a wardrobe game-changer. 2241 Fillmore Street I’m a “connoisseur of casual,” says Ruti, whose shop is stocked with unique fashion items she’s personally designed or handpicked. Keeping strong women with effortless panache in mind, her meticulously curated collection includes Israeli designers from Ruti’s native Tel Aviv. CORE by Ruti delivers basic wardrobe essentials like leggings, camis, tees, and tops. 2119 Fillmore Street

Scotch & Soda touts “Amsterdam” as their tagline, sprawled across the ubiquitous unisex foldaway tote bag that’s known as The Centraal. The boutique men’s and women’s fashion collection is designed to represent contemporary, free-spirited aesthetics. One of 246 freestanding stores for the brand, each urban location is found in a neighborhood that presents a sense of place. 2031 Fillmore Street

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Gift Guide BY BECCA HENSLEY

Spring Forward with These Stylish Wardrobe Pleasers

Spring is the season of new beginnings— and garden parties. As evocative as blooming flowers, these luxurious accessories will rule your next soiree.

She’ll spring across the lawn’s grassy carpet at her next fête wearing Chanel’s Summer 2022 Collection’s lipstick pink, patent calfskin flats ($1,225). Equally appealing, face framing metal and resin Chanel earrings look like flower petals around her visage ($625). chanel.com

From TIFFANY & CO. Sparkle with this 18-karat gold, T1 diamond-hinged bangle, created as a continuous, unbroken circle anchored by the T-motif at its center. Designed to represent inner strength, it can be stacked with other T1 bangles for dramatic effect ($32,000). Also shown, the Tiffany Victoria® vine hinged bangle in rose gold with diamonds ($9,700.00). Perfect for that little black dress, don the scintillating Tiffany Victoria® earrings, diamonds in platinum, combined with a luminous South Sea pearls ($8,800). tiffany.com

PHOTO CREDITS: CHANEL PINK FLATS & CHANEL EARRINGS, COURTESY OF CHANEL; TIFFANY & CO BRACELETS & TIFFANY VICTORIA® EARRINGS, COURTESY OF TIFFANY

From CHANEL

From SHREVE & CO

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Make an out-of-this-world statement with the Penny Preville 18-karat, white gold, diamond and blue Sapphire Galaxy Crescent Necklace, a stellar pendant glittering as the stars ($3,065.00). Ancient Romans wore aquamarines to cure procrastination; sport your gem in a Suna Bros-made platinum, aquamarine, and diamond ring, sure to bedazzle ($26,095.00). Available at Shreve & Co, the Bay Area’s leading jeweler since 1852. shreve.com

PHOTO CREDITS: FROM SHREVE, PENNY PREVILLE NECKLACE & SUNA BROTHERS AQUAMARINE AND DIAMOND RING, COURTESY OF SHREVE; SAINT LAURENT ZOE 105 MULTICOLOR FLORAL PUMPS & SAINT LAURENT MAXI SHOPPING BAG, COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO; GRAFF WILD FLOWER EARRINGS & GRAFF WILD FLOWER BRACELET, COURTESY OF GRAFF

From SAINT LAURENT

From GRAFF Just launched for spring 2022, Graff’s Wild Flower Collection pays tribute to the English garden. With designs meant to exude untamed femininity and youthful daring, the collection includes earrings, rings, pendants, bangles, and bracelets. The flower-shaped earrings ($11,500) illuminate the face, while the petal-adorned bracelet defines the wrist ($16,000). graff.com

Soar above the crowd and reach the highest blossoms in Saint Laurent’s flowery fantasy, Zoe 105 Multicolor Floral Pumps. Slendertoed, the 4-inch-plus stiletto heels are made from silk and leather ($675). She’ll have plenty of room for her purchases when she carries the Saint Laurent maxi shopping bag, a fantasy in leather and brass ($3,990). ysl.com

PHOTO CREDITS: © DOUGLAS DEPRES

HAUTE KITCHEN

Chef 26 Mica Talmor

HAUTE KITCHEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH SHARON SETO BY SHARON SETO

ES, MY WINTER FAT IS GONE BUT NOW I HAVE spring rolls from too many Lunar New Year holiday parties. Oh, dear! Spring is when the world comes to life, beautiful flowers bloom, creatures crawl out of hiding, and we start emerging more from our homes! During this season, I love going outdoors, walking to smell flowers, and just enjoying nature. For my husband, Dave, it’s totally about March Madness and St. Paddy’s Day with a beer on hand. When Easter Sunday comes around, we both get extra excited, because that means we have our entire family together for dinner to share stories, laughs, good times, and the love we have for each other through food. Similarly, Mica Talmor, chef-owner of Pomella, grew up in northern Israel in a family where, like many other Jewish families, feeding people was a way of showing love and affection. She is a pistol of energy, fun, and filled with zest for life. Chef Mica attended culinary school in Israel and worked in high-end Tel Aviv restaurants before coming to San Francisco in 1998 to attend pastry school at the California Culinary Academy. After graduating, she worked as a pastry chef at Eos in San Francisco and Grasshopper in Oakland. From 2005 to 2018, Talmor and her thenhusband, Robert Gott, owned and operated Savoy Events, a high-end catering company. In 2015, they opened their

first restaurant, Ba-Bite, a successful, fast, casual Israeli restaurant on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland. The restaurant quickly became known for its silky hummus and flavorful, seasonal salads. It was featured in Food & Wine and Sunset Magazine and on KQED’s Check, Please! Bay Area. Pomella is an exciting, Oakland-based Israeli deli, eatery, and catering company that offers vibrant food lovingly made by chef and owner Mica Talmor. Talmor’s approachable menu combines impeccably sourced California produce with the traditional flavors of the Middle East, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Eastern Europe. In addition, Pomella’s online deli opened during March 2020, just as the shelter-inplace order was mandated in Alameda County. Since then, she quietly perfected her online menu, which intentionally offers items that are perfect for takeout and delivery. When patio and indoor dining were permitted, she unveiled menu items to be eaten and served onsite, fresh out of the oven. The same items that were originally conceptualized for takeout will also be available as grab-and-go at the market. One can taste and see that this chef pours her love into each menu item and, moreover, her dishes are in synch with her motto of living life out loud. Bold and exciting! Yeah, my kind of girl! Website: www.pomellaoakland.com Instagram.com: @pomellaoakland

HAUTE KITCHEN HL: How did the last two years affect you and the restaurant? MT: Pomella opened in Oakland on March 26, 2020, at the same time many businesses were shutting down due to the San Francisco Bay Area's shelter-in-place order in response to the spread of COVID-19. Things did not go according to plan. What I've learned from the last two years is that you can achieve your mission in ways that you cannot possibly imagine. Pomella is fulfilling its true mission of being an everyone-wins organization where everyone who engages with the brand wins, not only monetarily or by consuming a great product, but by belonging to something greater—an organization that is a part of the community and that limits its environmental footprint. Under the circumstances of the past two years, you'd think that would be impossible; but, learning and using a whole new set of skills and tools helped me find ways to connect with customers and vendors. It helped me create a team that feels like family and allowed me to find ways to accomplish what I set out to do. Now, after two years of constant change and adaptation, not only has our mission never changed, but it somehow manifested itself. Maybe despite the crisis, maybe because of it, I can't tell, certainly not in any way that I could have imagined. HL: When did you start fiddling in food and who inspired you? MT: I'm Jewish; I was born to eat! I have always been obsessed with food. My grandmother had a huge influence on me. She, as well as many of my family members, are farmers. I used to help with different crops, milking cows, and collecting eggs. It formed the way I see food and the cycle of food. We didn't have processed food growing up; we had lots of produce. My grandmother would spend the whole day cooking, making cheese, or making preserves. It was a way of life. It's still the way I cook at Pomella. We cook from scratch, we soak and ferment. The food is producecentric and seasonal. I started cooking a little at home, because my mom worked long hours and I put lunch together for my brother and me. HL: What are your favorite childhood Passover (or Easter/ springtime) memories? MT: I didn't celebrate Easter, but I loved Passover. One thing my mom made was matzo brei. It's where you squish the matzo, soak them, and mix it with eggs, kind of like a frittata. Then on top, you'd spread homemade clotted cream that had been separated from the milk and was left in a jar on the counter until it soured. That, with salad of cucumber and tomato (shirazi), was breakfast or dinner during Passover. I haven't had that since I was living with my parents. I've tried to make it myself, but it's never as good as I remember. 28

“Life is for living. I'm here to live out loud.” —

CHEF MI CA TAL MOR

HL: Any traditional dishes growing up which takes you back in time? MT: Hummus! It is such a comfort food. I like it when my kitchen staff makes the hummus at work and it's still warm. I come by and take a spoonful. It brings me right back. It's so satisfying. I'm obsessed with fresh fruits and vegetables. A good Sharlyn melon, which is the melon I grew up with, can bring me to tears. What I really fall apart for is a really fresh strawberry, a crispy Persian cucumber, a perfect apricot, dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes. I choked up when one of my vendors brought me mulberries last spring. There's no dish that can do that for me, deliver that level of nostalgia and complete joy. HL: Your heritage obviously plays a huge role in your menu. What are your favorites and why? MT: One of my favorite things that I make is Pomella's date cookie. Date cookies are different all over the Middle East. They all have their thing that makes them typical for each ethnicity. My cookie incorporates the best characteristics from each type (according to me). For example, I use semolina flour, but a finer semolina, so it's sandy rather than grainy. I use butter as well as the traditional oil because I can. It's a little Iraqi in the way I use anise seed, Egyptian in the way I use mahleb, Eastern European in the way I roll the dough around the date, and a touch Moroccan with the addition of sesame seeds. I use organic date puree—that's the Californian in me. HL: How do you relax? MT: I hike with my dog, Easy, every day in the Oakland hills. And I take Zumba® classes on the patio at Pomella in the mornings before the restaurant opens. It's great fun and really relaxing, because you can't think of anything else, or you'll mess up the steps. HL: What's on the horizon for Pomella? Any endeavors for us on the lookout? MT: I do really want to expand on this little world we created. I created this cycle of interactions and want to make it a bigger circle. I don't see the full vision yet, but I'm confident I'll sort out the best way to go about it, only to have it change and morph by unimaginable circumstances.

HAUTE KITCHEN

Almond Baklava Makes 40 pieces.

P R O T I P : Pull the phyllo from the freezer and put it in the refrigerator for a day. From the refrigerator, let the phyllo sit at room temperature for a day.

PHOTO CREDITS: © LYDIA DANILLER

TOOLS • Wooden dowel • Quarter sheet pan (It is important to use the right size pan so that the baklava absorbs the honey properly) • Large pastry brush • Bowl for resting the pastry brush • Sugar water INGREDIENTS Syrup: • 2/3 cup honey • 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (about ½ lemon) • 2 teaspoons rose water • 2 teaspoons orange blossom water Bring water, sugar, and honey to a boil. Simmer for two minutes. Remove from heat, add lemon and flavored waters. Refrigerate. Almond filling: • 430 grams (3½ cups or 1 pound) raw almonds • 128 grams (½ cup or 4½ ounces) almond paste Pulse in a food processor to a fine mill (large pieces can tear the phyllo).

A S S E M B LY: • 1 pound pack phyllo dough • 2 cups clarified butter • ½ cup canola or another neutrally flavored oil 1. Mix butter and oil together. Brush the quarter pan with butter-oil mixture. 2. Working straight on top of the pile of phyllo, brush the top sheet with the butter-oil mixture. Spread ⅓ cup almond mix across the center third of the phyllo sheet, then use the dowel (starting at the bottom of the sheet) to roll the dough to the top of the sheet. Brush a second sheet of phyllo with the butter-oil mixture. Place the dowel at the bottom edge and roll a second layer on top of the first. Lightly “squish” the dough toward the center of the dowel from either side of the roll. Pull the dowel out of the roll and place on the quarter pan crosswise. Continue filling and rolling until you have 10 rolls in the pan. Brush oil mixture over the top and the sides of the rolls. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make them firm. (You can also freeze the tray for later, then cook the tray straight out of the freezer.) 3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. Separate the rolls from each other in the pan, then cut the rolls lengthwise into quarters with a large knife. Brush the seams and cuts with the oil mixture. 5. Bake for 40 minutes to an hour, rotating the pan after about 20 minutes and again, if necessary. When golden brown, remove from oven and immediately pour all the cold syrup on top. Make sure the baklava is blazing hot and the syrup cold. At first, the rolls will float in the syrup. Let soak for few hours or overnight to absorb the syrup before eating. 29

HAUTE KITCHEN

Butternut Squash, Quinoa & Manchego Salad INGREDIENTS • 1 small butternut squash (or about 1 cup cubed) • 4 teaspoon oil blend • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided in half) • Butternut squash spice mix (recipe below) • ½ cup quinoa • 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries • 2 tablespoons scallions, finely chopped • Pomegranate Vinaigrette (recipe below) • 5 ounces (1 bag) arugula • 4 ounces Manchego cheese, shaved Butternut Squash Spice Mix: • 1 teaspoon sumac • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice • ¼ teaspoon cumin Pomegranate Vinaigrette: • 4 tablespoons pomegranate concentrate • 4 tablespoons water • ½ cup canola oil • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard • 1½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon black pepper 30

A S S E M B LY: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. To make the spice mix for the butternut squash, combine all four spices and set aside. 3. Peel and cut butternut squash into half-inch pieces. Toss squash with spice mix, oil, and ½ teaspoon salt. Roast until tender, about 10-15 minutes. 4. Measure and rinse one cup of quinoa. Bring 1 cup of water and ½ teaspoon of salt to a boil, add quinoa and simmer on a low flame for approximately 12 minutes. Do not overcook. The quinoa should be crunchy, not mushy (it should have its little “tail”). 5. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the pomegranate concentrate, water, canola oil, mustard, salt, and black pepper. Set aside. 6. Toss the cooled squash, cooked quinoa, scallions, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds in about half of the vinaigrette, increasing to taste as necessary. (Extra vinaigrette can be refrigerated for later use.) It’s best to let the salad sit overnight for the quinoa to absorb the dressing. 7. When ready to serve, toss the butternut squash and quinoa mix with the arugula, 3 tablespoons of the dressing, and a pinch of salt. Divide salad into two servings. Top with Manchego cheese and serve.

PHOTO CREDITS: © DOUGLAS DEPRES

Makes two servings

Shirazi

HAUTE KITCHEN

Makes 6-8 servings INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS • 1 pound Persian cucumbers, small dice (If using English cucumbers, peel, and seed them first. Sliced cucumbers are not recommended.) • 1 pound tomatoes, small dice • 1 bunch parsley, finely chopped (You can use the stems, but avoid the larger part of the stem; only chop the part of the stem that has leaves.) • 1 bunch green onions (We finely chop only the green part and save the white part for a different dish. But if you like onion, chop it all.) • 1 bunch mint (Clip the leaves off the stems and chop them.) • 3 tablespoons high quality extra virgin olive oil • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (not bottled) • 2 to 3 teaspoons salt • You may add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper if you like; I prefer it without. Mix all the ingredients together. This salad will absorb the salt and the vegetables will juice out. The juice is great for soaking up in fresh bread or—even better—used to make a martini. At Pomella, we have a composed version of this salad made with romaine lettuce, red wine vinaigrette, and sheep's milk feta cheese.

Cucumber and tomato salad is probably the most common salad in the Middle East. Shirazi is the Persian version of this salad, and what makes it unique are the herbs. In the U.S., herbs are often used as garnish. I love the way herbs are used as an ingredient in Persian cuisine. The key to this salad is getting good cucumbers and good tomatoes. For our Shirazi, we use Persian cucumbers and the best tomatoes we can find. (Our favorite tomatoes are dry-farmed tomatoes from Sea Level Farms in Watsonville, California.). During the winter, when we can't get good tomatoes, we don't keep Shirazi on the menu.

Hummus

PHOTO CREDITS: © LYDIA DANILLER; © DOUGLAS DEPRES

Yields 10 cups

INGREDIENTS • ½ kilogram (approximately 1 lb.) dry garbanzo beans (i.e., chickpeas) • ½ tablespoon baking soda • 2 cups tahini • 1 cup lemon juice • 18 grams (about four cloves) garlic, peeled • 1½ tablespoon kosher salt • 1¼ cups ice water

This recipe has very few ingredients, so make sure each is of high quality. Cook the beans longer that you think you should.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Soak garbanzo beans in cold water for at least two days, replacing the water daily. 2. Add the beans to a pot and top with fresh, cold water a few inches above the beans. Add baking soda and cook until very tender. While cooking, stir and using a sieve to collect the floating shells. 3. When cooked, drain the beans, place in a food processor with the rest of the ingredients, and process to a fine paste. 4. Use within three to five days. 31

HAUTE KITCHEN

Chef Mica Talmor’s Majadera with Lamb Kefta With a garnish of fried onions and a healthy drizzle of tehina-yogurt sauce, majadera is certainly delicious enough to be eaten on its own. At Ba-Bite, the lentil and rice dish becomes a hearty base for various items such as fried cauliflower, roasted eggplant, roasted salmon, lemon saffron shrimp, chicken or lamb shishlik (cubes of meat, marinated and grilled), or lamb kefta (spiced ground lamb). INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS Majadera: • 4 ounces petite French green lentils (about ½ cup) • 2 cups white basmati rice • 2 teaspoons ground cumin • 2 teaspoons ground coriander • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon ground allspice • 1 bay leaf • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 2 teaspoons salt • 1 teaspoon sugar • 2 to 3 tablespoons canola oil • 2¼ cups boiling water 32

1. Soak the lentils overnight to aid in digestibility, if that’s a concern. Otherwise, start by filling a small saucepan with cold water and adding the lentils. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook the lentils until tender, about 25 minutes. (If you have soaked them, they only need a few minutes.) Drain and then rinse them in cold water. 2. Mix the spices, salt, and sugar in a small bowl. Pour the oil into a medium pot and heat it until it shimmers. Add the spice mixture and sauté, stirring frequently, for one to two minutes. It should bubble without burning. Add the rice, stirring to coat each grain, then sauté for a few more minutes, stirring constantly until the rice turns opaque. 3. Pour 2¼ cups of hot or boiling water into the pot and add the lentils. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to a simmer, then cover the pot tightly and cook for 13 to 15 minutes. When done, turn off the heat, fluff rice with a fork, cover again, and allow the rice to steam for another 10 minutes. Remove lid, fluff again, then serve.

PHOTO CREDITS: © DOUGLAS DEPRES

Serves 8

Chef Mica Talmor with guests

HAUTE KITCHEN

Lamb Kefta:

Many chefs first grill meat or fish and then finish it in the oven. Mica Talmor-Gott recommends the other way around: “You get the same flavor, and it makes it easier to handle.”

PHOTO CREDITS: © DOUGLAS DEPRES

• 2½ pounds ground lamb • 1 bunch mint, leaves only, finely chopped • 1 bunch parsley (avoid large stems), finely chopped • 1 yellow onion, finely diced • 1 ounce puréed garlic (about 6 cloves) • 2¼ teaspoons salt • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 tablespoon ground cumin • 1½ teaspoons ground allspice • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1½ ounces toasted pine nuts (about ¼ cup) 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Chop the mint, parsley, and onion by hand and mix with the lamb, garlic, spices, and pine nuts. Shape onto a metal skewer, if desired, into a sausage shape. Cook for 5 minutes in the oven on a tray, and then finish on the grill, on a grill pan or in a skillet until all sides are browned. At Ba-Bite, Mica Talmor-Gott uses only local, organic produce and sustainably raised meat, but she makes an exception for her tahini, insisting on Al Arz, a brand from Nazareth, which can be found at many halal or Middle Eastern grocers. Tahini-Yogurt Sauce: • 2 cups low-fat yogurt • ½ cup raw tahini • 1 garlic clove, puréed (about ¾ teaspoon) • ¾ teaspoon lemon juice • 1½ teaspoons salt • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand for 15 minutes for flavors to meld. Taste and adjust with salt and lemon juice as needed.

Fried Onions:

Deeply browned onions take a bowl of ho-hum rice and lentils to the next level. While many places caramelize them for several hours, Mica Talmor-Gott fries them until crisp and dries them overnight by the heat of the pilot in a gas oven. • 2 or 3 yellow onions • 3 to 4 cups canola oil, depending on the size of the pot 1. Slice the onions thinly (by hand or with a mandolin), making sure slices are the same size so they’ll cook evenly. Pour ¼ cup oil in a large skillet and heat until shimmering. Add the onions, and sauté́ them for 8 to 10 minutes until they lose most of their moisture. 2. Heat a pot of oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and set up a tray lined with paper towels. With a slotted spoon, transfer a few onion slices at a time from the skillet to the pot (do not overcrowd), frying until lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the towel-lined tray. Sprinkle with salt and then place in a very low oven overnight or in a 200-degree warming drawer for an hour. 3. If you don’t want to do this multi-stepped process, Mica recommends skipping the sautéing stage and deep-frying them a bit longer, or just caramelizing them in a skillet for about 30 minutes. 4. To plate, put a layer of majadera in a shallow bowl. Place two lamb kefta on top. Liberally drizzle with about ¼ cup tahini-yogurt sauce, then top with a handful of fried onions. 33

HAUTE DRINKS

RAISE A GLASS Drinking in Style with Designer Swills

“When I think of romance, fun, laughter, joy, friendship, I think of Prosecco. It is the wine that personifies emotion and sheer happiness.” — 34

VE R A WA N G

VERA WANG In case you thought Vera Wang dabbled mostly in bridal pursuits, reconsider how much she loves a good fête all around. This paramount fashion designer rejiggered the bridal industry in the 1990s; now, perhaps, she’ll redefine the world of bubbles. A promoter of art de vivre and big celebration, Vera Wang brings us Vera Wang Party, produced in collaboration with Piemonte-based wine producer Araldica and led by winemaker Claudio Manera. Applying her notable attention to detail, Vera Wang has steered Party every step of the way, from the grapes to the festive, matte silver bottle, sure to make a statement on every table. The personal invitation from Wang to celebrate life on the bottle’s back side only makes drinking it more entertaining. With devil-may-care spirit, Vera Wang’s Party suggests how to live our lives with bubbly in hand. “Why a Prosecco,” she asks? “When I think of romance, fun, laughter, joy, friendship, I think of Prosecco. It is the wine that personifies emotion and sheer happiness.” verawangparty.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF POTION ADAPTOGENIC BREWS PHOTO COURTESY OF VERA WANG

T’S A FACT: FASHION DESIGNERS HAVE GOOD TASTE— and we don’t just mean the visuals they create. They actually employ every one of their five senses into all that they do. So, why wouldn’t we expect them to parlay their aesthetic wisdom and fantasy into what we imbibe? Here’s to these clever creators and their tasty alliances in the wine and spirits world!

BY BECCA HENSLEY

HAUTE DRINKS

NICOLE MILLER This resplendent designer has a French heritage, so naturally, the first wine she’d launch would be this eponymous rosé from the vineyards of France. Touting the large amount of wine she pours for friends and colleagues in the summer in Sag Harbor as her first inspiration for this French wine, the ever-spellbinding fashionista, famous for her colorful neckties and flirty, form-fitting dresses, has said it was a dream to have her very own pink wine. Made in Bordeaux, her wine was crafted to have year-round appeal and is meant to bring joie de vivre to all occasions. A melding of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet, it presents a sexy, diaphanous pink hue and tastes of electrifying strawberry, red currant, and tangerine, all fused with a subtle minerality—as clean-lined and sensuous as Miller’s clothes. Clear and crisp at the end, it pairs well with picnics and friends. nicolemiller.com

SUSAN ALEXANDRA

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF NICOLE MILLER; COURTESY OF KETEL 1; COURTESY OF ECCO DOMANI

New York-based Susan Alexandra, a firm founded by Susan Korn, specializes in bedazzlement, color, and that sort of conviviality that the Danish call hygge. No wonder Ketel One Botanical asked the designer to collaborate on a limited edition cocktail accessory collection to evoke more joy in our lives and make every night a special occasion. Featuring the designer’s bead-forward elements, beloved by celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, the handmade kit has been envisioned to pair perfectly with a Ketel One Botanical Spritz. Ideal for a hostess gift, it includes a beaded ice bucket, wine charms, and garnish-inspired barrettes. “Hosting and entertaining are my passion, as I’ve been a long time Ketel One lover,” says Susan Korn. “The full collection is rich in the Ketel One Botanical signature hues and is a breathtaking display of hand-beaded workmanship.” ketelone.com/vodkas/botanical

JEREMY SCOTT Some call American fashion designer Jeremy Scott, creative director of the fashion house Moschino and leader of his namesake label, “fashion’s last rebel.” Madonna, Lady Gaga, Kayne West, and Justin Bieber are among his clients. His edgy, irreverent designs, awash with pop culture images, cartoonish shapes, and bright colors, have made him a favorite with show business celebrities, in particular. Not surprising, in its annual enlistment of an artist to design a limited edition label, Ecco Domani picked Scott last summer to celebrate the Italian wine’s 25th anniversary. A big hit, the label drew from the designer’s nineties, graffiti-like aesthetic. Ecco Domani’s crisp Pinot Grigio hails from the Italian Tre Venezie region. Each year, the company taps an artist or designer to plot a collector’s art bottle. While Scott’s Ecco Domani label is still available in stores this month, oenophiles should be prepared to welcome the wine company’s newest designer next summer. Watch for that name to be announced in May. eccodomani.com 35

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PINTXOS, PAELLA, AND PORRÓN Telefèric Barcelona brings a taste of Spain to the Bay Area BY STEPH KEAY

PHOTO CREDITS: © ELISABET RIGOL

CHANCE VISIT BY AN EAST BAY DEVELOPER to the Padrosa family’s restaurant during his honeymoon in Spain led to the first U.S. outpost of Telefèric in Walnut Creek. When a space in the reclaimed brick building on Mount Diablo Boulevard opened up, Brian Hirahara immediately called Xavi Padrosa, whose mother, Soledad Urabayen, opened their first restaurant almost three decades ago in Sant Cugat del Vallès. Originally called Rondes and renamed Telefèric after a toy telefèric (gondola) that hangs above its entrance, the family’s restaurants in Spain set the stage for the three Telefèric locations that now operate in the Bay Area: Walnut Creek, Palo Alto, and the latest outpost in Old Town Los Gatos. Owners and siblings Xavi and Maria Padrosa moved to the Bay to oversee the expansion of their family’s restaurant, beginning with the Walnut Creek location in 2016, followed by the Palo Alto location in Town & Country Village in 2019. The Padrosas have now successfully brought the flavorful food and warm ambiance of their family’s restaurants in Northern Spain to the Bay Area, also retaining authenticity by bringing in executive chef Oscar Cabezas and their staff from Spain.

The garden room at Telefèric Barcelona

The Bogavante Roll, featuring sautéed lobster on brioche

PHOTO CREDITS: © ELISABET RIGOL; © ABEL RINCON

“The Paella Lobster reigns among diners in the Bay Area restaurants.”

Lobster paella and assorted tapas

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The 360-degree bar at the new Los Gatos location

Paella Veggie with seasonal mushrooms, snow peas, cauliflower, and artichokes. Paella purists will want to request their paella to be prepared with socarrat, the coveted, crispy, caramelized layer of rice at the bottom of the paella that offers even more flavor and texture. The menu also offers platos, such as a 40-ounce Catalan tomahawk premium ribeye steak, and secreto ibérico, acorn-fed Iberian pork with shiitake, Iberian ham, and mojo verde. A new addition to the menu at the Los Gatos location is a prime Wellington, featuring braised short ribs in puff pastry, injected tableside with a caramelized onion sauce. Rich and tender, this new plate is sure to become a local favorite.

Pulpo Telefèric

PHOTO CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) © ELISABET RIGOL; © ABEL RINCON; © ABEL RINCON

At the new Los Gatos location, a 360-degree bar anchors the space. To the right is El Merkat, which offers a variety of imported Spanish goodies from cuttlefish ink- and foie gras-flavored potato chips to house-made sangria and paella kits. To the left is a dining room partitioned into two areas, a space that is overall warm and welcoming, thanks to the Barcelonabased architecture firm Maria Padrosa brought in to craft the open space concept. Tarruella Trenchs Studio’s design evokes the Mediterranean with a sophisticated and natural aesthetic inspired by the Costa Brava region. The “garden room,” which opens to the patio, features woven light shades and a wall of verdure. The restaurant is outfitted with sleek Spanish tile, lime stucco, oak wood accents, and wooden furniture to modernize the space. Black-and-white photographs depicting life in Barcelona line the walls. A spacious dining room, tucked away along the back wall, may be reserved for private events. Led by Barcelona native Cabezas, the menu offers a wide variety of tapas (or pintxos), including jamón ibérico de bellota, melt-in-your-mouth ham cured for 38 months and hand-sliced onsite, and Pulpo Telefèric, a sumptuous Galician grilled octopus with savory pimentón potato purée and truffle oil. The main attraction, Telefèric’s paellas range from seafood to vegetarian: I’m told the Paella Negra, with squid ink, scallops, seasonal mushrooms, octopus, gulf shrimp, and clams is the most popular back at the family’s restaurant in Spain, but that the Paella Lobster reigns among diners in the Bay Area restaurants. Sweet lobster and juicy gulf shrimp meet earthy mushrooms and coins of octopus and calamari in this savory seafood combination, which is perfect split between two diners. Also available is a crab paella with gulf shrimp and octopus, secreto ibérico paella with acorn-fed black pig filet and pork belly, and 38

Crab paella

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Pulpo Telefèric

Meanwhile, the beverage menu whisks diners away to Spain with a selection of fresh and fruity concoctions, as well as an extensive wine list. Telefèric Barcelona’s signature gin and tonic menu offers three inventive styles: the Ibiza with dry gin, silver dust, butterfly pea tea ice, and kaffir lime; the Catalan with botanical gin, grapefruit, rosemary, and orchid; and the Turkish Rose, with floral gin, Mediterranean tonic, raspberry, and viola flower. The latter two are prepared with artisanal cubes of handcut ice. Other highlights include The Tourist, a tart and refreshing, raspberry-forward tequila cocktail, honey-sweetened and made with lychee and lime. The Gothic Mojito arrives bubbling (thanks to food-grade dry ice enclosed in a mesh strainer), a golden mixture of rum, lime juice, passion fruit purée, and soda in a Mason jar adorned with a magenta orchid and mint leaves (strawberry and raspberry versions are also offered). Oenophiles will have their pick of premium Spanish wines—from Albariño to magnums of Tempranillo—and a trio of sangrias: the signature red version infused with warm spices and berries, a white version made with serrano pepper vodka, and a cava-rosemary lemonade version with prickly pear juice and berries. There’s also an option to experience a porrón, a festive and communal way to pour wine into the mouth without touching the spout. Before you indulge in a little sobremesa (the Spanish tradition of relaxing and socializing at the table after a heavy meal), be sure to save room for Telefèric’s crowd-pleasing churros or Torrija French toast served with Catalan cream, banana, and vanilla ice cream—or try the trio selection, which covers Telefèric's most popular desserts. Telefèric Barcelona is now open for lunch and dinner in Los Gatos, with plans to launch paella classes (virtual and onsite), as well as evenings featuring flamenco dancers. Its authentic Spanish ambiance and goblets of sangria promise a good time, and the mouthwatering tapas are made for splitting with great company. The only trouble is you might not be willing to share.

Sangria Telefèric

PHOTO CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) © STEPH KEAY; © ABEL RINCON; © ABEL RINCON; © ABEL RINCON; © ELISABET RIGOL; © STEPH KEAY

Ham croquetas

Lobster paella

Prime Wellington

39 El Merkat

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COCO’S PLACE Fashionable Ritz Paris Reigns BY BECCA HENSLEY

PHOTO CREDIT: © VINCENT LEROUX

ECADES AGO, ERNEST HEMINGWAY quipped “When in Paris, the only reason to not stay at the Ritz is if you can’t afford it.” Legendarily, the writer also dreamed of the hotel at night, claiming that his visions of an afterlife always happened within the Ritz Paris’s ornate halls. He wasn’t the only luminary enraptured with the palatial hotspot, opened in 1898 by César Ritz as the first hotel in the world to have en-suite bathrooms, electricity, and telephones. Indeed, Proust wrote most of his major works here; F. Scott Fitzgerald flirted shamelessly in its bar; Teddy Roosevelt stopped over on the way home from African expeditions; Greta Garbo sequestered herself solo at its corner tables; and King Edward VII got stuck in its bathtub (which led to César Ritz inventing the “king-sized” tub, as the story goes). Indeed, the glitterati came in droves. But from a fashion perspective, its most famous guest was Coco Chanel who was so besotted with the lofty hotel that she checked in once and remained for the next 34 years—despite the fact that her apartment stood just around the corner. 40 RITZ Paris lobby

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PHOTO CREDITS: © VINCENT LEROUX

Coco Chanel suite

I can’t stop thinking about the marvelous Coco Chanel when I check into the Ritz Paris. I imagine her gazing down at me from the window of her namesake suite as I climb from my Mercedes sedan into the capable hands of what seems like a thousand helpful bellmen. On the eye-catching Place Vendôme, steps from the Opera, Rue de Rivoli, the Louvre, and the Tuileries Gardens, Ritz Paris occupies what feels like an entire side of the vibrant square, known for its monumental column. Inside, swept seamlessly among deft personnel, I feel as privileged as a princess. After check-in, I follow an attendant along the catwalklike hall, once nicknamed Temptation Alley for the beguiling vitrines that flank it. Romantic with a vaulted skylight hung with bronze lanterns, the stunning passageway connects the two villas that compose the storied hotel. As I walk toward the gleaming elevator to access my suite, my leather mini boots clip-clop on the floor and my silk scarf floats behind me as if lifted by a ghostly hand. The Ritz Paris seems like my very own stage—and I feel strangely at home. In my room at last, with views over the rooftops of Paris, a bottle of the Ritz’s own Champagne awaits, as do pillowcases monogrammed with my initials on the canopied bed and elaborate, golden swan faucets in the marble bathroom. There are signature peach-colored towels (César Ritz believed them more becoming to the visage than white), the original, vintage, gilded light switches, and sumptuous fabrics (satin damask and gauffraged velvet, for example) throughout. No wonder Chanel made this sanctum her home. It solicits utterances of delight at every turn.

Coco Chanel suite

The Coco Chanel Suite The grand Ritz Paris has no shortage of breathtaking, life-changing suites, but, fashionistas won’t regret choosing Suite Coco Chanel, a luxurious, 2,000-squarefoot sanctuary which conjures the soul of the brilliant designer. Kitted out with her preferred Coromandel lacquered screens, crystal chandeliers, Venetian mirrors, and a palette of beige, black, and white—all enlivened by gold accents—it features stunning photos by the likes of Cecil Beaton and reproductions of Karl Lagerfield’s drawings. With panoramic windows overlooking Place Vendôme, it exudes a breezy, elegant-but-casual feel. Aptly, the suite demonstrates her oft quoted words: “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” (32,000 euros per night)

Naturally, a hotel is more than a suite. (Wait? Is it?) So, I do occasionally tear myself from my velvet sofa and the view from my window of Rue Cambon, home to Chanel (the atelier) itself. But here’s my dirty secret: as much as I love Paris, I barely leave the Ritz Paris during my visit. There’s so much to experience here. Not a resort, it’s a palace—and more than that, it reigns as an experience that satisfies every faculty. For example, at the Bar Hemingway, a Lilliputian, transcendent speakeasy which requires elusive reservations, I nurse a very strong, hyper-chilled, tomato-y martini and ogle the array of Hemingway artifacts from old typewriters to plane propellers to black and white photographs of the writer and his friends. Hemingway comes to life instantly and time stands still … or goes backwards. Could that be him at that table behind me? Each afternoon, I sit in the Salon Proust among the classically paneled walls, cozy in a salmon-hued chair, gazing at the novelist’s own portrait while sipping tea from a delicate china cup, people-watching, and reading a novel. When I need exercise, I shuffle to the state-of-the-art gym, descending the dedicated spa elevator in my bathrobe to swim in the seriously glamorous indoor pool.

PHOTO CREDIT: © VINCENT LEROUX

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Ritz Paris

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Pastry chef François Perret by Berhard Winkelmann

PHOTO CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) © MAELLE SALIUM; © BERHARD WINKELMANN; © VINCENT LEROUX; © VINCENT LEROUX

Outdoor dining at RITZ Paris

Mornings begin at Le Comptoir, the Ritz’s new patisserie outpost helmed by genius pastry chef and king of dessert whimsy, François Perret. I gobble my weight in voluptuous, cream-filled madeleines and lobster sandwiches (n'est-ce pas; wouldn’t you?), usually taking them back to my suite, though sometimes walking to a favorite bench on the Seine. For happy hour, I snare a table at the just-launched, exclusively tiny Ritz Bar, positioned near the foot of the hotel’s famous staircase. There, an astrological clock rises each day at 5:30 p.m. to announce happy hour, sending a light show across the ceiling and walls. Huddled in my perfect corner, I choose from a quixotic menu of astrologically themed cocktails, each like sipping a liquid horoscope. Will Scorpio be auspicious, I wonder? Or should I order Pisces? It is said that Hemingway charged into the Ritz Hotel as the Nazi occupation ended, prepared to liberate it, along with his favorite watering hole, the Ritz Bar, now appropriately renamed Bar Hemingway (the heretofore mentioned speakeasy). Greeted by the general manager, who asked him to put away his gun and told him the Germans had left already, Hemingway retreated to his usual table and began to swill in celebration. He wanted, I imagine, to drink away the essence of Hermann Wilhelm Göring (who had commandeered the Imperial Suite) and his Nazis comrades, who all purportedly made a habit of drinking in this watering hole. It took Hemingway some 51 dry martinis to take the bar back as his own, and numb his mind, according to accounts. I understand Hemingway’s passion for the Ritz Paris. After all, Coco stayed for 34 years.

Pool at Ritz Paris

Famous interior staircase

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PORTUGAL’S MARTINHAL HOTELS &

RESORTS Luxury travel for families in the “California of Europe”

OR THOSE OF US WITH CHILDREN, luxury travel becomes a very different proposition than what it was when we were dependent-free. Finding a balance between adult interests and those of your kids can be a challenge during travels—and not everyone gets it right. Now that we are carefully beginning to return to booking travel after a hiatus, it’s more important than ever to find destinations that work well for families. Portugal’s Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts gets it right. Martinhal is a collection of awardwinning resorts and hotels in some of Portugal’s most breathtaking settings, specializing in highend, luxury accommodations and experiences for the entire family. Portugal has steadily been trending as a top European hotspot with good reason. The selfproclaimed “California of Europe” has quite a list to offer: mild, glorious weather year-round; pristine beaches; vineyards and beautiful countryside; stunning architecture; a cosmopolitan capital; warm citizens; delicious cuisine; and a complex, rich history. Portugal also has a reputation for being very family-oriented, a natural home for the Martinhal concept. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Martinhal was founded by husband-and-wife

team Chitra and Roman Stern, entrepreneurs, hotel and real estate developers, and parents to four children. As an international couple having lived in and traveled throughout many countries in the world, including Singapore, India, the UK, Switzerland, and Portugal where they now live, the Sterns experienced firsthand the gaps in service and amenities at luxury hotels and destinations for parents traveling with children. “Our collection of family hotels and resorts, located in four of the most beautiful areas of Portugal, remains a popular choice for families who want to get away, spend quality time together, and create wonderful memories in a luxury setting.” says Chitra Stern, co-founder, Martinhal Resorts & Hotels. “We aim to make parents’ lives that little bit easier by providing a range of facilities that offer comfort, relaxation, fun, and entertainment.” Although there are common elements to the Martinhal resorts and experiences, each property offers special features based on the location, whether on or near the lush coast or in the bustling capital of Lisbon. For our own recent family trip, we chose three properties to experience and highlight: Martinhal Chiado in Lisbon; Martinhal Cascais just outside of Lisbon; and Martinhal Sagres on the Algarve.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTINHAL HOTEL & RESORTS

BY ERIN MOORE

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Two-bedroom apartment at Martihal Chiado, Lisbon

TIP: Leave the car: you don’t need one.

THE BEST OF LISBON: MARTINHAL CHIADO Kicking off our Martinhal experience in the capital was a fantastic introduction. Martinhal Chiado is a unique combination of boutique family hotel and stylish, luxury-serviced apartment living. There are 37 beautifully appointed apartments, ranging from studios to one and two bedrooms each, with their own kitchens and living rooms. Each apartment is equipped with washers/ dryers, dishwashers, and internet and features helpful 24/7 reception. Our 1-bedroom was perfect for our family of three. Although Martinhal Chiado does not have the outdoor amenities of its coastal resorts, there is a kid’s club supervised by dedicated staff (and open until 10 p.m.), complete with a climbing wall and a range of organized activities. An onsite café, M Bar, offers breakfast, snacks, and light meals daily. The restored 18th century building is tucked onto a quiet street in one of Lisbon’s most elegant neighborhoods near the popular Bairro Alto and filled with boutiques, cafés, wine bars, and restaurants.

Martinhal Chiado is centrally located, and Lisbon is an ideal city for exploring on foot, with hills and a new ferry building reminiscent of San Francisco! The city is also well-served by an excellent public transport system, and taxis and Uber transport are readily available. Be sure to jump on the famous yellow number 28 trolley, also a slice of San Francisco For shopping, don’t miss the Rua do Carmo, the uphill shopping street that runs from Rossio (Baixa) to Rua Garrett (Chiado). In addition to shops, this street also offers cafés and restaurants and a famous ice cream shop, Santini Chiado. Sights not to miss with the family include the Oceanario de Lisboa, one of Europe’s largest aquariums, and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit Sintra by train, just 40 minutes out of the city, and its glorious Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the fairytale Palácio de Pena, and the ancient Castelo dos Mouros, also a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. For foodies, there are several wonderful wine bars and restaurants within blocks of Martinhal Chiado, all family-friendly and fabulous. Insider intel: like many Europeans, the Portuguese typically eat dinner on the later side, traditionally around 9 p.m., though many restaurants open after 7 p.m.

An historic address: the Martinhal Chiado apartment hotel in a restored 19th century building

Lisbon's famous red rooftops

GETTING THERE: TAP Air Portugal, the Portuguese airline, offers direct flights to Lisbon International Airport from six U.S. cities, including San Francisco. (www.flytap.com) 45

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BETWEEN CITY & COAST: MARTINHAL CASCAIS The stunning, 5-star Martinhal Cascais is situated near the coastal resort towns of Cascais, Estoril, and Sintra. Although the region is technically part of Lisbon, it feels like a world away. Set between two championship golf courses, Quinta da Marinha and Oitavos, the landscape is lush and tropical. A range of boutique suites (84) and villas with private terraces and balconies offers guests ample accommodation options for their families. The resort features two restaurants; MBAR, the family breakfast area; one indoor and two outdoor pools; Finisterra Spa; and a vast kid’s club (nearly 8,000 sq. ft.), complete with a soccer pitch, playground, clubhouse and café, and pool, all supervised by dedicated staff. Designed by a renowned, local architect, the resort is light-filled and full of intimate, comfortable corners with views to the beautifully designed native gardens and pools. Pool tables, reading nooks, and game corners create warm and welcoming areas for family entertainment. The spacious guest rooms are thoughtfully laid out with families and privacy in mind, including sliding walls which easily close to create private spaces and bunk beds in some suites for smaller children. With its proximity to beaches and crystal-clear waters, the resort offers a broad range of activities and amenities. The family concierge will become your best resource, helping you to book bicycles to explore the many miles of biking trails along the coast, time at the golf courses, and even tickets to an important soccer match back in Lisbon. The service is warm and amazingly helpful. 46

Terrace suite overlooking the lush gardens at Martinal Cascais

Suite interior, Martinhal Cascais

TIP: The local cuisine is delicious! Cascais is a famous fishing village, and the local fresh fish and shellfish are fabulous! Have the concierge help you book a table at O Pescador, an absolutely delicious seafood restaurant or one of many other restaurants.

GETTING THERE: Fly into Lisbon International Airport and secure pick-up directly through the hotel or rent a car at the airport.

The lobby at Martinal Cascais

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Stunning view from an ocean house, Martinhal Sagres Signature Martinha Sagres: view of the Algarve Coast

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTINHAL HOTEL & RESORTS

A BEACH PARADISE: MARTINHAL SAGRES Martinhal Sagres was the very first resort built by the Sterns 10 years ago. While it has many of the features of the other properties, there are so many unique qualities here. Importantly, the resort is nestled within a protected natural park directly on the beach. Led by a sustainability ethos, the Sterns were very careful during the design of Martinhal Sagres to build conscientiously, working around existing plant and animal life and bringing in only native plants for mindful landscape design. The result is a terrain that feels completely in harmony. Nearly every angle of the resort provides sweeping views of the ocean and the dramatic cliffs of the Algarve. Martinhal Sagres offers a range of eight different accommodation options: hotel suites in the main lobby building; 2-level apartment/condo-style spaces with kitchen and full amenities; and, several types of luxury villas and houses to accommodate larger families and groups up to 10, many with their own pools. The resort offers a large, outdoor kid’s club and play areas, its own store, bike rentals, indoor and outdoor pools, several restaurants, and a spa for parents in need of pampering. With its location on the Algarve, Sagres is a beloved destination for water sports, offering many opportunities to enjoy the ocean, from surfing, windsurfing, and kayak lessons to dolphin watching. The weather is mild and sunny year-round.

Terrace room, Martinal Sagres

TIP: Rent bicycles and ride into the town of Sagres and beyond to the Fortaleza de Sagres, the fort said to have been built in the 15th century. It has such incredible history and views far out into the Atlantic. In ancient times, Sagres was thought to have been at the end of the world, as the southwestern-most point of continental Europe. Looking out into the vast Atlantic, it’s easy to understand why.

GETTING THERE: Fly into Lisbon or nearby Faro Airport (FAO) and rent a car. The views are beautiful! In honor of its 10th anniversary, Martinal is offering a range of special packages and opportunities this winter and beyond. For more information, visit martinhal.com.

Stay a while: luxury villa at Martinhal Sagres

Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) across the Saône

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Lyon

FRANCE’S SECOND CITY

HEN WE THINK OF FRANCE, IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT Paris is the city that comes first to mind for most. Perhaps the Côte d'Azur in the south or Champagne or Bordeaux, depending on goals and interests. But Lyon? Likely not. Although Lyon is France’s third largest city after Paris and Marseilles and home to nearly 2 million, it’s still slightly under the radar for many. But it’s a city full of surprises to discover. Lyon is one of France’s oldest cities, a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered by many as its gastronomic capital and a leading “green” city. There are more than a few reasons why this gem should be your next French destination, and possibly your favorite!

PERFECTLY SITUATED Think of Lyon as France’s heart. It is conveniently located in the country’s middle and easily accessible by main roads and railway lines. It’s a quick and picturesque 2-hour trip from Paris on the TGV, France’s efficient, intercity, high speed rail service. For those exploring by car, Lyon is nestled between the famous wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais to the north and the Rhône Valley to the south, giving reason for its acclaim as the “gateway to the Rhône Valley.” It's a mere hour and a half to two hours away from the French Alps and some of the best skiing resorts in the country—including Courchevel, Chamonix and Les Deux Alpes. For history aficionados, Lyon is a cultural and historical paradise 48

filled with beautiful architecture and rich tradition. Established in 43 B.C. where the beautiful Rhône and Saône Rivers converge, Lyon was the capital of Gaul and one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. Its historic old town on the edge of the Saône, Le Vieux Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the second largest neighborhood of intact Renaissance buildings in Europe after Venice. Here, you’ll find remains of the Roman city of Lugdunum, the Roman theater, and the smaller Odeon, now used for outdoor concerts and light festivals. A network of narrow, vaulted passageways connecting buildings called “traboules” offers a look at Renaissance life. With its strategic location as a central meeting point in routes from northwestern Europe to the Mediterranean and Italy, Lyon was a primary trading city of the Middle Ages. Later, with access to the Orient, it became the capital of French silk weaving and a key textile industry hub. Situated high above the city sits one of its most famous sites and views of the city, the neo-Byzantine Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, built in the 19th century as an homage to the Virgin Mary and a visible display of the wealth and favor of the city. Across the Saône is Lyon’s popular meeting place, the Place Bellecour. This gigantic, dusty, red square set between the Saône and the Rhône and graced with a bronze equestrian statue of French King Louis XIV is considered the very heart of the city. Lyon’s Parc de la Tête d'Or dates back to the mid-18th century and is one of France’s largest public parks, spanning 290 acres.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LYON TOURISM

BY ERIN MOORE

HAUTE TRAVEL

Charcuterie stall at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

A table for two at Michelin-starred La Mère Brazier

PHOTOS CREEDITS: COURTESY OF LA MERE BRAZIER RESTAURANT; COURTESY OF LYON TOURISM; COURTESY OF LYON TOURISM; COURTESY OF LYON TOURISM

THE CAPITAL OF GASTRONOMY EATING IN LYON To say that Lyon is for foodies is an understatement. Widely considered the gastronomic capital of France, the city boasts more than 2,000 restaurants, at least half of which showcase its acclaimed Lyonnaise cuisine. With such a massive selection of eateries, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that you’ll find a wonderful selection of excellent restaurants at all levels, from its beloved and charming bouchon, or “corks,” (small, traditional bistros showcasing local favorites) to its wealth of Michelin-starred establishments. Before diving into restaurant choices, venture to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (halles-de-lyon-paulbocuse.com), located in the PartDieu neighborhood near the main train station, Gare de Lyon PartDieu. Named after the late chef Paul Bocuse, one of Lyon’s (and the world’s) most revered chefs, Les Halles is a famous indoor market where Lyon’s finest butchers, charcutiers, fromagers, pastry chefs, chocolatiers, and wine specialists have set up shop in colorful stalls situated among wine bars and a number of restaurant outposts with seating behind glass walls and interior rooms. For a finer dining experience, choices abound in Lyon. In addition to a number of time-honored classics, a new guard of innovative, next-generation chefs are creating a stir, including the Michelinstarred Restaurant la Mère Brazier (lamerebrazier.fr), Café Sillon (lesapothicairesrestaurant.com), Le Kitchen Café (lekitchencafe. com), Bouchon Thomas (restaurant-thomas.com), Les Apothicaires (lesapothicairesrestaurant.com), Les Trois Domes (les-3-domes. com); and the bouchon, Le Café du Peintre (lecafedupeintre.com).

Les Trois Domes Restaurant

The beautiful, Michelin-starred Les Loges Restaurant in the 5-star Le Cour de Loges Hotel

HAUTE TRAVEL A CITY FOR SHOPPING Lyon is a shopper’s paradise, whether you’re looking for original, handcrafted silks and textiles, modern home designs, or haute couture. Here are a few areas to explore.

Luxury boutiques Central to Lyon’s Presqu’île district, between Place Bellecour and Cordeliers, lies an exclusive, luxury shopping area known as the Carré d’Or, with more than 70 boutiques featuring the most renowned names in French luxury, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès.

Independent Designers

Shopping Centers Lyon has a number of well-known shopping centers, including one of its largest, Part-Dieu shopping center (near the Part-Dieu train station), with roughly 200 stores, including the Galeries Lafayette department store. The Confluence Shopping Center, located in one of the city’s newest districts, features more than 70 shops, 25 restaurants, and a movie theater in an open and airy, “yachtstyle” building.

Antiques on the famed Rue heaven for antiques lovers

King Louis IV, the heart of Lyon's Place Bellecour

Luxury shopping at Lyon's exclusive Carré d’Or

50 Lyon’s Presqu’île district near the central landmark, Place Bellecour

PHOTOS CREEDITS: COURTESY OF LYON TOURISM

In Passage Thiaffait, a 19th century passageway, the Village des Créateurs keeps the city’s tradition of textiles and creativity alive, promoting young artisans and makers launching their businesses. At the bottom of Croix-Rousse hill, unique shops sell a wide selection of small, handcrafted or French-made gifts. To the south of Place Bellecour, around Rue de la Charité and Rue Auguste Comte, designer furniture shops and showrooms showcase new designs, from lighting and furniture to fixtures and decorative objects. Rue Auguste Comte, famous for its antique dealers, is home to small, ready-to-wear boutiques and famous Lyon decoration and design brands. Les Puces du Canal is the place to go for vintage and antique items. France’s second largest flea market attracts some 500 exhibitors and welcomes shoppers and visitors on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sunday mornings.

HAUTE TRAVEL WHERE TO STAY: LYON’S MOST LUXURIOUS HOTELS

The historic Hotel Dieu at night, home of the Intercontinental Hotel Dieu Lyon

PHOTOS CREEDITS: COURTESY OF INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL DIEU; COURTESY OF COUR DE LOGES HOTEL

ART AND SCIENCE Every Sunday morning between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., vendors set up along the banks of the Saône in the Vieux-Lyon (Old Lyon) district for the Marché de la Création. It is a great opportunity to support painters, sculptors, and artisans, Lyon of today is a major cultural, industrial, and business center with world class universities, renowned museums, and a vibrant, innovative technology hub. Lyon has a new acclaimed Museum of Science and Anthropology in the new Confluence district, where the Saône and Rhone rivers meet. At Place des Terreaux, you’ll find the Lyon Fine Arts Museum, considered one of the best provincial museums in France with an excellent collection. With the long tradition of silk weaving and textile production in Lyon, it’s understandable that Lyon’s Textile Museum (near Place Bellecour) is one of the best of its kind. The Modern Art Museum, the Lyon Cinema Museum, and the Electricity Museum are all outstanding. A major arts, music, and cinema hub, Lyon hosts more than 21,000 events and a number of festivals annually. The city's Festival of Lights is a 4-day event culminating on December 8. The festival commemorates the sparing of Lyon from the Black Death (i.e., the bubonic plague) in 1643. Many buildings are specially illuminated for the event, and people throughout Lyon put candles on their window sills. In June and July, the Nuits de Fourvière festival stages approximately 50 outdoor concerts and theatrical performances in the historic Roman Theater.

A city with a healthy collection of Michelin stars takes its hospitality seriously, and Lyon’s most coveted hotels are a testament to that. Here are a few of Lyon’s best: Intercontinental Hotel Dieu: In the renovated Grand HôtelDieu of Lyon, once a monastery and then the city’s most important hospital for 800 years; featuring 144 beautifully appointed rooms, including 28 duplex suites overlooking the river. (ihg.com) Villa Maïa: A member of Leading Hotels of the World, this classic sits atop historic Fourvière Hill, overlooking Lyon and the Soane River. (villa-maia.com) Boscolo Lyon: Founded in the late 1800s, Boscolo Lyon is one of Lyon’s first hotels, centrally located near the Place Bellecour, showcasing a beautiful blend of both Italian and French design aesthetics. (boscolocollection.com) Cour des Loges: This opulent Renaissance gem boasts modern touches with rich colors, tapestries, and furnishings. Les Loges is their in-house Michelin restaurant featuring the masterpieces of Chef Anthony Bonnet. (courdesloges.com) Hotel de L’Abbaye: Once a 19th century presbytery, the ambiance is charming and stylish: it's a perfect retreat for guests looking for a smaller, quieter experience. Onsite is L’Artichaut from acclaimed chef Clément Lopez. (hotelabbayelyon.com)

Beautiful, hand-painted headboard at the Cour de Loges Hotel

HAUTE TRAVEL

TRAVEL STYLE Where to Find Fashion on the Road

BY BECCA HENSLEY

OME SAY THAT FASHION IS SOCIETY’S MIRROR, a reflection of trends that define, elevate, and inspire us. To whit, at the presentation of her 1969 collection, Coco Chanel reminded us that fashion wasn’t just about clothing. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening,” she said. We think she’d agree, too, that when we travel, fashion beckons us to flow deeply into the heart of our experience. It paves the way for our journey as clearly as road signs. It clarifies the difference between one place and another. Inevitably, it reminds us exactly where we are. Whether it’s the uniforms the flight attendants don on an Air France flight that whisks us to Paris, the grand suite aboard a Caribbean cruise ship decked out by Ralph Lauren in American-style casual elegance, the silk-flanked Explorer suite by Jim Thompson at Anantara Siam Bangkok, or the traditional Swiss Alpine trousers and jackets designed by St. Moritz-based fashion company Bündnertuch as uniforms for the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz's affable employees, fashion only draws us further into the enchantment of our destination.

Style is a way to show who you are, and the French know that better than most. Ergo, it will surprise nobody that Air France has sported some of the most stunning in-flight uniforms since the airline’s inception in 1945. Christian Dior, Cristobol Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Jean Patou, and Pierre Cardin have all spun their magic for Air France’s in-flight wardrobe. Since 2005, spiffy crews have been proud to fly only in couture designer Christian Lacroix’s incomparable combination of 100 harmonious items—from soldier blue jackets to Parisian scarves to bow-adorned sashes to Hollywood heyday-esque, form-fitting, red gloves. Add in the complimentary champagne poured in every class of service, and Air France flights feel like front row seats at a fashion show. airfrance.com 52

Christian LaCroix for Air France uniform

PHOTO COURTESY OF AIR FRANCE

AIR FRANCE

HAUTE TRAVEL

Ralph Lauren-designed Owner’s Suite, Oceania Cruises

OCEANIA CRUISES Amongst the Miro- and Picasso-sheathed walls of Oceania Cruises’ stunning Marina and Riviera ships (which display more than 2,000 works of fine art between them), guests can retire on either ship to their top-of-the-line Owner’s Suite guest room to be enveloped in the aesthetic viewpoint of none other than Ralph Lauren. Meant to be a manifestation of the designer’s outlook of barefoot elegance, every inch of each 2,000-square-foot suite has been conceived by Ralph Lauren Home. Expect Lauren’s omnipresent navy, bone, and camel hues, floor-to-ceiling windows dressed in Grimaldi-weave sail fabric, and extras such as an ebony player piano and Mad Menesque bar in the foyer. oceaniacruises.com

Kris Goyri for Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF OCEANIA CRUISES; COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS RESORT TAMARINDO

FOUR SEASONS RESORT TAMARINDO Famed Mexico City designer Kris Goyri contributes to the indigenously drawn, location-specific ambiance at this new, Pacific-sited hotel set at the jungle’s edge between La Manzanilla and Barra de Navidad in the state of Jalisco. His one-of-a-kind collection, commissioned by the resort, incorporates references from pre-Hispanic symbolism through colors, silhouettes, textures, and shapes. The designer wanted to represent the landscape, the resort’s goal to offer an authentic Mexican experience, the people and history of the region, and the mysticism of the Aztec calendar. Each uniform, though created with minimalist lines, is drenched in visible local folklore. fourseasons.com 53

HAUTE TRAVEL

THE HERMITAGE HOTEL For more than a century, downtown Nashville’s beloved icon, The Hermitage, has been a haven for making memories and providing guests with unforgettable moments. Its newest chapter embraces a slice of modernity under the leadership of native daughter Reese Witherspoon and her Draper James American lifestyle brand. Collaborating with the hotel, Reese and Draper James bring a new staff wardrobe that features a print called “The Ditsy Flower,” meant to reference traditionally Southern floral splendor, as well bright yellow accents, emblematic of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Guests enraptured by the fashion can take home their own “Loretta” dress in the hotel’s custom print. This fashion refresh from Draper James is one of the many features of The Hermitage Hotel’s top-to-bottom renewal this year. thehermitagehotel.com

Draper James for The Hermitage Hotel

Jim Thompson at Anantara Siam Bangkok

Every tourist to Bangkok learns about Jim Thompson, an American businessman who helped resuscitate the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He introduced the bright jewel tones and theatrical color combinations now associated with Thai silk worldwide into the global fashion world, while boosting the local cottage industry of handwoven silk. Mysteriously, Thompson disappeared in 1967 after going for a walk in Malaysia, becoming yet more legendary. In homage, ritzy Anantara Siam Bangkok offers The Explorer Suite by Jim Thompson, a capacious, 2-bedroom hideaway meant to suggest a Thai summer home brushed with colonial touches. From teak floors to local fabric and artworks, the sumptuous suite brings with touches of Thai heritage. Notably, it also features some of Thompson’s earliest silk and linen prints, presenting a slice of Jim Thompson textile history. anantara.com

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF THE HERMITAGE HOTEL; COURTESY OF ANANTARA SIAM BANGKOK

ANANTARA SIAM BANGKOK HOTEL

HAUTE TRAVEL

HOTEL CHÂTEAU DU GRAND LUCE Built in 1760, this grand house dominates the tiny French village of Luce. As Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay’s retreat in the countryside, it provided a tranquil oasis from the rigorous pace of 18th century Paris. Remote, it served as a supreme party house where he welcomed guests as noble as Voltaire, Mozart, and Rousseau. Today, the estate invites as a tantalizing stay for modern-day, discriminating travelers an ideal spot to base among the Loire Valley’s vineyards and castles. Incredibly opulent, it coddles guests majestically with rooms filled with antiques and art, leafy grounds, and noteworthy service. Like icing on the cake, Hotel Château’s natty staff sport uniforms worthy of their surroundings, but sprinkled with some modern whimsy. Look for ubiquitous Wayfarer Ray Ban sunglasses (a nod to the property’s American owners), Liberty of London outfits, Converse Comme Des Garçons shoes, and the pièces de résistance: vintage Louis Vuitton pochettes. chateaugrandluce.com

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF HOTEL CHÂTEAU DU GRAND LUCE; COURTESY OF CARLTON HOTEL ST. MORITZ

Louis Vuitton for Hotel Château Du Grand Luce

CARLTON HOTEL ST. MORITZ On the Alps’ southernmost side near the Italian border, posh St. Moritz reigns as one of the glitterati’s most sought-after winter retreats. Considered the birthplace of winter tourism, home twice to the Winter Olympics, the see-and-be-seen town also revels in its age-old, Swiss traditions—from fondue to Alphorn playing. At the elegant Carlton St. Moritz, the ski town’s own Bündnertuch, makers of traditional Swiss mountain-wear, has re-imagined the staff’s wardrobe, summoning local design motifs, including Alpine jackets, Grisons-cloth trousers, and a limited-edition jumper. carlton-stmoritz.ch

Bundnertuck for Carlton Hotel St. Moritz

A G E N T B AY A R E A* *TheLeading100.com

$4.5 Billion

Over 1 Billion Sold

Top 0.01%

in local sales

in the last two years

of agents globally

10 Dedicated

Over $592 Million

38+ Years

team members

sold in 2021

of local experience

c 8 31. 214 .19 9 0

TimAllenProper ties.com

S O LD

SAUSALITO

Cope-House.com | Sold at $5,000,000

Perched in the hills above Sausalito abutting miles of parkland, offering world-class views from Belvedere and Tiburon across the East Bay to the iconic skyline of San Francisco, this modern retreat was designed by esteemed architect Obie Bowman of “Sea Ranch” fame.

S O LD

BIG SUR

PEBBLE BEACH

SAN FRANCISCO

BixbyCreekRanch.com $20,000,000

PebbleBeachElegance.com $14,650,000

SFHeaven.com Sold at $3,120,001

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HAUTE FASHION

STYLISH WORKOUTS Dior’s Collaboration with Technogym Makes Exercise Elegant

O FOR THE BURN … IN STYLE. WHO SAYS your home gym has to be utilitarian? Wellness aficionados with a penchant for personal style (think Kelly Wearstler, Roger Federer, Raphael Nadal, the Kardashians, and Daniel Boulud) have already been keeping their fitness rooms chic with Technogym equipment, the luxe Italian fitness brand known for its high-tech performance and sleek, furniture-like shapes and profiles. This year, the brand offers fashion buffs a snazzier set of machines, workout innovations as stylish as they come. In a glamorous collaboration with Dior, Technogym brings fashionistas a limited-edition set of over-the-top workout products so gorgeous they make exercising as swanky as a stroll down the catwalk.

Called Dior Vibe, the line is currently debuting in Dior pop-up stores around the world, including locations as diverse as Hong Kong, London, Beverly Hills, Soho, Paris, Tokyo, and Milan. The upscale, exquisitely designed collection features three pieces of haute equipment: a treadmill, a multifunction bench, and a wellness ball, each created in the Technogym Research and Innovation Center with the Dior creative team. The trio of products embodies the best of both brands, boasting good looks, classy gravitas, and incomparable quality. Design elements include the famous Dior star (the founding couturier’s lucky charm) and the house’s emblematic signature “Christian Dior” highlighted by five horizontal stripes in contrasting colors.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POTION ADAPTOGENIC BREWS PHOTOS COURTESY OF TECHNOGYM AND DIOR

BY BECCA HENSLEY

The Collection

HAUTE FASHION

TECHNOGYM MY RUN Compact and quiet, this state-of-the-art treadmill connects to your tablet to offer a wide range of on-demand running and walking workouts. By simply placing a tablet on the My Run console, users can choose an on-demand workout by their favorite trainer.

TECHNOGYM BENCH BY DIOR

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TECHNOGYM AND DIOR; © LAURA JANE COULSON

Innovative and eye-catching, this bench has supermodel power. It offers myriad exercise options in a small space, including a series of dumbbells, elastics, and knuckles—enough to facilitate more than 200 exercises. The Technogym app provides an extensive library of complementary, on-demand workouts.

TECHNOGYM BALL BY DIOR: You may want a second one of these for your desk at home. Designed to keep you on the move even while sitting, Dior’s Technogym Ball acts as both a seat and a wellness tool. It provides a complete exercise program for flexibility, toning and balance. 59

PHOTO CREDITS: ©VINCENT GOTTI

HAUTE FASHION

Quen dons one of her designs, the “Empress” new coat

HAUTE FASHION

Life-Changing

COUTURE Meet three couturiers making their mark on the world with creations that can heal, empower, and even save the planet. BY STEPH KEAY

Inspiring personal histories. Unparalleled artistry. Fashion that transforms the way women look and feel. These are just a few of the phrases describing the three couture designers we’ve chosen to spotlight in our annual fashion issue, from an effervescent go-getter who draws inspiration from the world around her to an Australian creative director liberating brides worldwide to a lawyer-turned-designer empowering women through professional attire and out-of-the-box occasion wear.

HAUTE FASHION

The Butterfly Effect

PHOTO CREDITS: CREDITS: ©VINCENT CLOCKWISE,GOTTI FROM LEFT: @RALPHWENIG; PHOTO COURTESY OF KOBI HALPERIN; @RALPHWENIG

Even through the computer screen, Colleen Quen’s megawatt smile and effervescent energy are contagious. The fourth-generation Chinese American has been creating art nonstop since she was five years old, and the fun has just never stopped. “I thought, when I turned 50, I was coming full circle, but I'm awakening even more—as a spirit, as a woman, as an entrepreneur, as a creator,” she tells me. During her college years, she pursued a degree in computer science and a minor in business. “While I was debugging programs, I was also designing costumes—I was a competitive freestyle ice skater. So, during that time I was competing, I was [also] getting my degree and creating costumes on the side,” says Quen. It’s hard to imagine that one person can do so much at once, but her bubbly energy convinces you that anything is possible. “I was just [going] nonstop ever since I was young, and I never stopped. I'm still creating.” After graduating and landing an interview at IBM— where the dress code at the time reflected its moniker “Big Blue”—she realized the conservative corporate world wasn’t for her. “I would have always had to wear that navy suit. I said, ‘No, I can't do this. Can I go to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising?’” She laughs. “And I got my degree in fashion design.” She immediately got a job at Wilkes Bashford—a label that has long catered to the San Francisco elite—as the women’s assistant designer for its Wilkes Sport label. She continued to work with local designers, such as Esprit co-founder Jane Tise, renowned women’s sleepwear designer Eileen West, and Karen Alexander, as well as the Gap, before furthering her education by studying French couture under Simmin Sethna. “It’s like getting your Ph.D. in design,” she explains. Quen opened her own couture design company in 2000 and began dressing clients such as Patricia Sprincin, Akiko Yamazaki, Goretti Lo Lui, and Emily Sano. Word of Quen’s whimsical designs spread, and soon she was making appearances as a guest judge on America’s Next Top Model and dressing celebrities like Tyra Banks for the Emmy Awards and Vivica A. Fox for Champagne Perrier Jouet’s 100th anniversary. Her lifelong evolution can be credited to an immensely creative childhood in which she was exposed to many 62 Quen in her eye-catching "Peony" evening gown

PHOTO CREDITS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © @RALPHWENIG; @RALPHWENIG; COURTESY OF UNGARO; @RALPHWENIG

HAUTE FASHION

Quen wears her timeless "Madame Butterfly" gown

varying forms of art. Quen’s mother was her first art teacher, instilling creativity in her from a young age through design, painting, and ceramics. A skillful instrumentalist who has always been inspired by music—“I see things through sound and shape and form”—Quen also plays the flute, piano, guzheng (Chinese zither), and erhu (Chinese violin). It’s come full circle with her career as a couturier via creative collaborations, such as the Resonance Series with the New Century Chamber Orchestra last May for which she painted and created a mixed media sculpture inspired by their real-time performance of Debussy’s “Danse sacrée et Danse profane.” Yearning to connect more with her Chinese heritage, she also studied Chinese brush painting with master artist Madeleine Fu, a student of the world-renowned Chang Dai Chien (“He’s like the Picasso of China,” she says), and began practicing tai chi and qi gong. “I mixed it all together into my fashion, so it's very spiritual.” More than a designer, she is also a sculptor, performer, and poet who draws from her life experiences to create works of art from the heart. “Now when I create, I'm more like a healer.” Quen’s one-of-a-kind couture is tailored not only to the client’s measurements, but also their energy. “I am a couturier, definitely, but I'm also an artist, and I mix it all together into my medium. Every person that I meet is special to me,” she explains. “When I meet you, I meet your spirit. I meet your aura. I meet your life. I want to get to know you, and then I create for you.” One of Quen’s most popular creations of all time is her signature “Madame Butterfly” dress, which has drawn consistent adoration since its creation in 2000. She attributes the timelessness of her designs to her background in French couture and inspiration from her Asian heritage, which makes for a design that’s universally appealing. “Madame Butterfly” is currently on display at The California Museum, which honors Quen in its “Remarkable Women” exhibit. Although she has always been a renaissance woman, as illustrated by her illustrious career, she became especially committed to exploring herself after battling breast cancer 10 years ago. “It was like, ‘I have so much time left.’ It made me more awakened and appreciative,” she says. “I don't take anything for granted anymore.” She strives to continue evolving—not unlike a butterfly—as an artist and to help others through her trade. “I love life,” she says, beaming. “I want to be transforming all the time.” 63

HAUTE FASHION

Something New

The Bella gown

Founder Megan Ziems

The Anya bridesmaid dress in 'Moonshine'

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF GRACE LOVES LACE

When Gold Coast native Megan Ziems went shopping for a wedding dress in 2010, she was struck by the lack of customization and overpriced options. Finding the industry “disillusioned with the structured, traditional wedding ‘uniform’ that dominated the market,” she eschewed convention and fearlessly set out to revolutionize the bridalwear industry by prioritizing distinctive, luxurious designs in addition to comfort and sustainability. Ziems launched Grace Loves Lace in 2011, liberating women from the traditional dress shopping experience with an innovative e-commerce model which has since evolved into a small network of boutique showrooms across Australia and the United States. It was a business choice that served the company especially well during the pandemic, with the framework for virtual appointments and dresses made in-house (as opposed to relying on an overseas manufacturing facility) already well-established. The company specializes in versatile wedding gowns handmade with luxurious, stretch-fit, French lace, and soft silks, all-original designs by Ziems and head designer Rosie Keating. Remarkably, all Grace Loves Lace dresses have no zippers, corsetry, or boning—making them incredibly comfortable with a fit that highlights every curve. Crafted for comfort and movement, brides can feel uninhibited, capable of moving, dancing, and laughing freely. At its San Francisco showroom, Grace Loves Lace’s signature bridal shopping experience offers tailored, oneon-one service and private styling suites in an intimate space crafted by interior designer Becky Allen. With a modern twist on rustic Mediterranean, the showrooms are an extension of Ziems’ beachside Queensland home, bringing a piece of its free-spirited founder into every showroom. Ivory swaths of lace and silk are displayed in the window of the showroom on Jackson Street, where I’m checked in for my appointment and introduced to my personal stylist. I’m led to my private suite to try on the handmade gowns, passing spotless arched mirrors framed by lush sprigs of bougainvillea. The first gown, Noah, is a dazzling feminine silhouette covered with delicate Chantilly lace and trims, its skirt lined with soft silk godet panels. Off-the-shoulder, scallop-edged lace arm bands give the dress a gorgeous Bohemian twist. I also slip into the Paloma—which the design for the Noah

HAUTE FASHION

“Effortlessly sophisticated, captivating, down to earth, sexy, and authentic … warm as the Spanish sun and cool as the Californian night.” The Sofia gown

dress evolved from—a romantic and sophisticated gown of glimmering silver thread lace. Off-the-shoulder arm bands with delicate silver beaded trim complement the subtle shimmer, and scalloped lace edges frame the bust, the delicate front opening in the skirt, and the dramatic train. All Grace Loves Lace gowns are handmade ethically in Australia by the atelier’s in-house production team, and gowns are only sold directly through Grace Loves Lace to provide an exceptionally tailored bridal experience. Its avant-garde approach is a perfect match for the nontraditional bride, which Grace Loves Lace describes as “effortlessly sophisticated, captivating, down to earth, sexy, and authentic … warm as the Spanish sun and cool as the Californian night.” Milky white freshwater pearls adorn my ankles, peeking out from the Paloma’s center-front slit. Grace Loves Lace also creates jewelry, shoes, and accessories to help complete the look. Flower girls, bridesmaid dresses, and occasion wear are also offered, including Amitié—a line of luxurious, cowl-neck slip dresses bias-cut from repurposed satin. Sustainably crafted using 97 percent recycled materials—7.6 plastic bottles for every meter of fabric, to be exact—the timeless dress comes in universally flattering shades of dusty rose, olive, ivory, and steel blue. Sustainability is a major tenet of the company, which goes to great lengths to ensure that its packaging and suppliers are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It strives to incorporate any excess material into designs to help eradicate fabric waste. Vogue once called Grace Loves Lace responsible for “the world’s most pinned wedding dress” on Pinterest, and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s daughter has been spotted in the GRACE Mini collection’s tulle and Chantilly eyelash lace flower girl dress. The company’s international sales skyrocketed 260 percent between June 2019 and 2020 despite the pandemic—in fact, they were able to save the big day for many brides whose dresses were held up in offshore factories due to disruptions to global supply chains caused by COVID-19. However, despite its incredible growth, the cult Australian bridal brand remains true to its values of distinctive design, transparency, and sustainability—all while catering to today’s bold brides with the signature aesthetic of “luxury they can dance in.” 65

Grace Loves Lace's luxurious yet eco-friendly bridesmaid dresses

HAUTE FASHION

Clothes Make the Woman

Stylish suits from the Ellen Wise Couture Daywear Collection

“The slit is her little secret that she decides when and if to share—she is in complete control of her sensuality” — Wise in her 'Ice' capelet

ELLEN WISE

PHOTO CREDITS: © TANJA LIPPERT

Inside Ellen Wise’s sunlit atelier, arched windows offer a picturesque view of the oak and redwood trees spread across the 15-acre property atop a hill in Woodside. Though warm and inviting, this is where some of the Bay Area’s most powerful women—such as Deanna Tryon, Silicon Valley Chief of Protocol—come to be dressed by the dedicated couturier. As a patent lawyer in the eighties when the field was heavily male-dominated, Wise understands the importance of being well-dressed all too well. A sexist comment by a male attorney while Wise was working on a case in New York lit a fire in the self-proclaimed feminist who, impressively, did not swing at the male chauvinist with her tailored cordovan briefcase. “I just gave him a look and thought to myself, ‘Oh, you have no idea. We are winning this case,’” she says with a smile. Wise was also employed as a chemist and an attorney at ALZA Corporation and Syntex, respectively— biopharmaceutical companies founded by the coinventors of the birth control pill—working at the forefront of new technologies for global women’s health and empowerment. She wanted clothing that would match her passion for the cause. “I began creating suits that allowed me to move through the world as a strong and competent female attorney.” Wise eventually took a step back from law to be a fulltime mother, a period she recalls with content. Just as she was considering returning to her career, serendipity intervened. She walked into Wilkes Bashford where the manager inquired about her jacket. She explained that she had sewn it herself and, assuming she was a designer, he asked if she could produce them for the store. She pulled out her legal business card and passed it to him with an apologetic laugh. As she was driving home, a lightbulb went off in her head. “I thought, you know, I've always loved designing clothes. What could I do with that?” Immediately, Wise knew she did not want to design clothing to be mass-produced. She began researching European haute couture, drawn to the idea of crafting bespoke clothing while cultivating close relationships with clients. Wise learned couture sewing techniques from Susan Khalje, a world-renowned couturier and educator, but her “aha” moment came when she studied the timehonored method of moulage with Parisian master draper Julien Cristofoli. This method, in which fabric is manually

HAUTE FASHION

The Allesandra (left) and Allegra (right) gowns from the Ellen Wise Couture Cielo Bridal Collection

draped onto a dress form and sculpted into a wearable work of art is “a means of designing in 3D,” says Wise. “It is a completely different world than the flat-pattern [technique]. It gives you so much more of a broader scope and design.” She launched Ellen J Custom Couture in 2010— rechristened Ellen Wise Couture in 2016—becoming known for her hand-sewn, true couture pieces made from luxurious yet sustainably and ethically produced fabrics sourced locally and abroad. “The thing that I find powerful and meaningful about custom couture and bespoke design is the ability to give a client the confidence that they're wearing something that's exactly right for the occasion, for their personality, for their body,” says Wise. “It fits meticulously, it’s the highest quality, and it's one of a kind—because that was the confidence [I had] when I was working in the tech and legal world wearing my own things.” Tryon has employed Wise for years to create suits for her to speak on the floor of the United Nations and to greet presidents, ambassadors, and prime ministers. Custom clients also came calling for bridal and occasion wear, which Wise designs to give women the same confidence and empowerment as her suits. Wise shows me an elegant wedding gown from her 2022 bridal collection, which features a playful slit of intricate lace concealed within the flowing duchesse satin skirt. “The slit is her little secret that she decides when and if to share—she is in complete control of her sensuality,” Wise explains. In her idyllic atelier, a dress form adorned with a snowwhite bodice of ornate, hand-appliquéd lace stands next to her worktable. Sketches are spread out alongside a Chanel-inspired suit jacket—one of her signature pieces. A stunning jet-black, strapless mermaid gown that evokes the classic glamor of Old Hollywood adorns another dress form. The bride for whom it has been designed is a rebel— hence the unconventional color—yet the lines on the dress are classically elegant, perfectly reflecting the dichotomy of the client and her style. “I want to love what I'm doing. I want to feel purposeful in a meaningful way,” she says, reflecting back on her career. “I don't think I consciously realized that I was doing that as a means of empowerment at the time, but I certainly look back on it as that.” Using the finest textiles, Italian tulles, and European laces, Wise’s exquisite creations drape her clients in pure luxury—and the courage and conviction to go forth and conquer. 67

HAUTE FASHION

PHOTO CREDITS: © PATRICE STABLE

Bright colors in the Ungaro ready-towear Spring/ Summer 1991 collection

Ungaro's sequin butterfly top, Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2000 collection

HAUTE FASHION

A MAISON’S METAMORPHOSIS Kobi Halperin Ushers Ungaro Into a New Era

BY CAROLYNE ZINKO

PHOTO CREDITS: © PATRICE STABLE

FTER TWO PANDEMIC YEARS AT HOME IN sweatpants, it feels like it’s time to climb out of our comfort cocoons in favor of clothing that’s more flattering and feminine, but not fussy. Kobi Halperin may be able to help us unfurl our wings as the latest designer at Emanuel Ungaro, the French fashion house owned by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Asim Abdullah. Created by the late Emanuel Ungaro in 1965, the house is known for its butterfly motifs, polka dots, bold colors, mixed prints, and ruched, draped apparel that evoke a sense of elegance and ease. Ungaro retired in 2005 and died in 2019. “Emanuel Ungaro was a designer really celebrating woman—he was not necessarily following trends,” Halperin said via Zoom from his showroom in New York. “Back in the days when everything was very proper and very French and classic in a way with the moment of Balenciaga and the moment of Dior, he was like a gypsy, bringing all the colors and the prints and, really, the celebration of women.” “That is the starting point,” he notes. “I want to be very humble in my approach. I want to celebrate women. I don’t have any desire to force my ideas on them. I just want to make them look and feel beautiful.”

Emanuel Ungaro backstage at his Haute Couture 1987-88 show

HAUTE FASHION

From left, the Olivia dress, $795, and the Khloe blouse, $475, with the Meli short, $375, Spring/Summer 2022

“I want to be very humble in my approach. I want to celebrate women. I don’t have any desire to force my ideas on them. I just want to make them look and feel beautiful.” —

KOBI HALPERIN

Halperin, an Israeli who previously worked at Elie Tahari and Kenneth Cole, created his own eponymous line in 2015. The challenge at Ungaro is big. He’s the ninth designer since 2005, when Ungaro retired and Abdullah acquired the business. But instead of being nervous, he’s excited by the opportunity to bring a new generation of customers into the fold. “When I mention Ungaro, if they know the brand, they smile,” Halperin says. “And if they don’t know the brand, they are excited about this European aesthetic and its femininity. So, if I can keep the smile and make the brand successful, I did my job. Because then I can make more people happy, looking beautiful.” His first collection for Ungaro, Resort 2021, debuted last fall, followed by the Spring/ Summer 2022 collection shown in New York and Paris. It featured the house’s iconic butterfly, as well as bold colors like fuchsia, tangerine, and yellow, and the ruching and draping that are the brand’s other hallmarks. The Fall/Winter 2022 collection will hit the runways of Paris Fashion Week in March. 70

The Gretchen dress, $795, Spring/Summer 2022

PHOTO CREDITS: CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: @RALPHWENIG; EREZ SABAG; @RALPHWENIG

Kobi Halperin

PHOTO CREDITS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © @RALPHWENIG; @RALPHWENIG; COURTESY OF UNGARO; @RALPHWENIG

HAUTE FASHION In the Ungaro archives in Paris, Halperin found “a paradise of inspiration” in the couture pieces he saw dating from 1970 through 2007. (Mariah Carey and Salma Hayek have been famously photographed in Ungaro’s iconic, sequin butterfly halter top from 2000.) Halperin’s task is to reimagine what the woman of today wants, because, as he puts it, “the needle has really changed.” Part of moving the house forward means that at present, Ungaro is not producing a haute couture line, although it’s on his wish list for the future. Currently, he’s designing two lines— contemporary and resort—sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue, with prices ranging from $400 to $1,000 per item. He’s got an eye on craftsmanship and quality, creating pieces that he feels are timeless, yet offer value. Blouses are a big seller. “We are living in this life of Zoom, so a beautiful blouse is the answer; because, the truth is we can all be with our sweatpants or our comfortable pants, but we can put a beautiful blouse on and that’s what we need,” he says. “Then there’s the idea of being versatile—that you can wear the same polka dot blouse with your jeans and be super casual, and then put the right shoes on and be all decked out and very chic and wear it all night.” “It’s about the idea of giving you, as a consumer, the choice of what to do with it and wear it in a way so it doesn’t look so fussy,” he says. “The beauty of what I’m trying to do with Ungaro is this effortless feeling, a nonchalant feeling.” In another nod to today’s market conditions, Ungaro apparel will be offered in inclusive sizes, from XXS to XXL, with tailored pieces running from sizes 0 to 16. “This is not just for a petite French girl, it’s for every woman,” he says. Local fashionistas can find out for themselves when Halperin comes to the Bay Area for a private dinner with clients at Abdullah’s home in Atherton on March 29, followed by a personal appearance at Saks on Union Square on March 30. “I’m very familiar with the customer I’m trying to target,” Halperin says. “I love her, and she feels it, and then she’s giving me the love back, and we’re building a successful story.”

The Mariel skirt, $545, and the Catherine blouse, $445, Spring/ Summer 2022

The Ava dress, $595, Spring/ Summer 2022

From left, the Faye blouse, $495, with the Emmy short, $375, and the Lorena dress, $595, Spring/Summer 2022

A look from the Fall/ Winter 2022 collection

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP

HAUTE FASHION

Exclusive

NEIMAN MARCUS FASHION & LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR DISHES ON FASHION TRENDS FOR SPRING 2022 BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

N AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, HAUTE LIVING, San Francisco spoke with Lisa Aiken, Fashion and Lifestyle Director, Senior Vice President for Neiman Marcus Group. Known widely for her chic personal style, Aiken is so much more than a fashion director ... she’s an influencer! Immaculately dressed and accessorized, Aiken brings the latest looks from the runways and the streets of London, Paris, Milan, and New York to her 100,000 Instagram followers. Aiken says, “With the start of the Spring 2022 season, we anticipate a sense of optimism and adventure as customers fill their calendars with upcoming celebrations and travels. I think that this season’s trends closely align with the shift in perspective as people embrace excitement for new possibilities and a general sense of optimism for the future.” Here is the official list of Neiman Marcus Spring Women’s Must-Haves for Spring 2022: • Tailored Shorts • Chain Jewelry • Chunky Sandals • Cropped Tops • The Blazer • Color-Pop Accessories • White Dresses • High-Waisted Denim 73

“The joy and playfulness that spring emulates is what our buyers and Style Advisors hope to deliver for customers when they enter our store or shop online to refresh their wardrobe” —

LISA AIKEN Lisa Aiken

HAUTE LIVING SAN FRANCISCO X LISA AIKEN

HL: These trends are amazing for mix-andmatch, the blazer with tailored shorts and chain jewelry and chunky sandals, for example. What else completes a great look for Spring 2022? LA: This season is all about versatile pieces that can seamlessly rotate and adapt to fit any occasion. I love pairing a blazer with highwaisted shorts for a more modern look, but you can also wear it over a cropped top for a more casual occasion. 74

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP

HL: What a fabulous list of spring trends. We absolutely love the sound of these looks that are trending for Spring 2022. Indeed, everything seems spot-on for outdoor events—which continues to be the most popular way for people to gather together these days. LA: We are seeing a lot of recent trends adapting to shifting lifestyles, and this season’s trends are ideal for the outdoor gatherings and events that we are all looking forward to this Spring – an opportunity to dress up!

HAUTE FASHION HL: How might cropped tops and highwaisted denim be styled together in a look that clearly says 2022? LA: Cropped tops and high-waisted, wide legged denim jeans are flattering, versatile pieces that effortlessly fit into any wardrobe. To bring your look into 2022, I would recommend layering an open, button-down shirt or a loose-cut blazer over your cropped top for a more modern, polished look. Finish the look by adding a chunky sandal or a small block heel, and always remember to add a belt. HL: The blazer is such a classic, an item that adapts so well to fashion trends, from Dynasty-style shoulder pads to loosefitting boyfriend casual. What will this year's blazer look like? LA: The blazer continues to be a wardrobe essential that can transform any ensemble into a polished look. This season, however, tailoring has evolved from more structured to a looser cut, allowing for ease of wear through the warmer months. We’ve seen a shift towards lighter fabrics such as linens, and we style it over cropped tops and jeans or dresses to keep things light this spring.

HL: Can you tell us more about which "colors that pop" will feature strongly in accessories for Spring 2022? LA: This season is all about vibrant, bold, and brilliant colors. When it comes to accessories, you can never go wrong with pairing a bright, super-saturated statement piece with a neutral look to really reimagine the understated looks in your wardrobe. HL: We say "yes" to the white dress. Tell us more! LA: A white dress is a staple as we head into the warmer months. The fresh and timeless appeal of a breezy white dress revolves around its ability to be styled in a multitude of ways—whether that be a head-to-toe white or neutral look or adding in pops of color.

HL: Can trendsetters and buyers at Neiman Marcus put their finger on anything that inspired this season’s looks or any of the individual items on it? LA: The beauty of these pieces is how well they play together and can be mixed and matched to inspire style in all of us. The joy and playfulness that spring emulates is what our buyers and Style Advisors hope to deliver for customers when they enter our store or shop online to refresh their wardrobe. It’s all about having fun with fashion and feeling your most beautiful and confident. Lisa Aiken will visit Neiman Marcus San Francisco on April 21, 2022. For more information, email Lisa_Frisch@NeimanMarcus.com. 75

Soulful SHOES HAUTE FASHION

Spring Into These Sustainable Shoe Options

BY BECCA HENSLEY

PAOLO SHOES Handcrafted in Italy, but designed in San Francisco on Hayes Street, Paolo Shoes show how elegance, eco-consciousness, and practicality can go hand in hand. Available in various colors and unisexsized, the eye-catching shoes are vegetable dip-dyed. Shown are a woven, low-top for street wear or a slick high-top for party fun. $249 paoloshoes.com Paolo Shoes Low Top Rothy's:The Driver in “Limón”

ROTHY’S Launched in 2016, Rothy’s began with a mission to lead the shoe industry in sustainability. Cleverly, they managed to both pioneer a low-waste manufacturing method and make a fabulous flat. Stylish, comfortable, knit from plastic bottles, and machine washable, their shoes elevate every outfit and go from day to night. Shown here, The Driver in “Limón” is a slip-on loafer meant to go places. The Point in “Driftwood” has a sleek, pointed toe. Its rich chocolate color goes with everything. $145 rothys.com

KIZIK

Kizik shoes: The Athens

Designed with travel in mind and for easing the stress of our fast-paced lives, these clever shoes work just as well for casual office day. Created with a compressible heel and patented HandsFree Labs® shoe entry technology, these shoes guarantee you won’t have to wiggle your foot or bend down to put on your shoes on ever again. The Athens, shown here, has a breathable knit fabric which provides just the right amount of air flow to keep your feet cool. $129 kizik.com

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF PAOLO SHOES; COURTESY OF ROTHY’S; COURTEESY OF KIZIK SHOES

The Point in “Driftwood”

HAUTE FASHION

SUGGIES Handcrafted in California and founded by two northern California women, Suggies proudly touts work to protect the planet— as well as your feet. For each shoe sold, the company plants a tree. Classic and sustainable, they have an ultra-cushioned footpad and flexible sole. The stitched construction negates the need for toxic glue, thereby ensuring a smaller carbon footprint. The company partners with an Italian tannery which holds a Gold Rating from the Leather Working Group for ethical tanning practices. $159 shopsuggies.com

Suggies aloe green shoes

33.9

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF UGGIES; COURTESY OF 33.9

Suggies black leather shoes

Made for both men and women, 33.9 is a fashion sneaker with a design inspired by old-school 1960s and 1970s styles. Founder Nicole Mussleman created them as an homage to her father, NBA coach Bill Mussleman. The details include inside soles with an orange illustration of a basketball play drawn by her dad and an inspiring note about always taking the “long shot” in life, scrawled on the interior tongue of the shoe. 33.9 refers to when Mussleman set the NCAA record in 1969, when as coach of Ashland College basketball team, the opposing team was never able to score more than 33.9 points. $295 shopkoch.com 77 33.9 sneaker

HAUTE FASHION

“I don’t do static clothes. When I design clothes, I think: we have to live in it, we have to move in it” — SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show Rabih Kayrouz F-W 21-22 couture 2

R A B I H K AY R O UZ

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY MAISON RABIH KAYROUZ; © ROGER MOUKARZEL

SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show Rabih Kayrouz F-W 21-22 couture

HAUTE FASHION

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET KEEPS US ON OUR TOES Fashion Show Début By Designer Rabih Kayrouz BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

NNOVATIVE AS EVER, ONE OF THE WORLD’S leading ballet companies and the first professional ballet company in the United States, proudly celebrates its trailblazing role in dance. Now in its 89th season, there’s so much going on at the San Francisco Ballet, we’re kept on our toes to not miss a beat. The San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show makes its long-awaited return on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 featuring celebrated Haute Couture designer Rabih Kayrouz in his San Francisco premiere. The French-Lebanese designer is one of only 16 members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture—the Parisian protected class of Haute Couture—and also a balletomane, frequently collaborating with Paris Opera Ballet. In San Francisco, the event chaired by Rhonda Mahendroo takes place at Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, a stunning venue for the designer who is known for architectural cuts and exacting construction. In a 2020 interview with San Francisco Ballet, Kayrouz talked about connections between his fashion design aesthetic and ballet. “I love both contemporary and classical ballet, and to be able to contribute is an honor. And in the past when I’ve presented fashion shows, I’ve incorporated ballet dancers, most recently prima ballerina Marie Agnes Gillot. It’s something that I have experience doing and that I love because I work so much, when designing, on the movement. I don’t do static clothes. When I design clothes, I think: we have to live in it, we have to move in it,” he said.

On the question of inspiration, Kayrouz explained, “It’s really the movement that inspires me. People walking in the street, people dancing…all the gestures, all the body movements are inspiring for me. What we call ‘body language’ is important to me…It’s really the movement that leads me in all my designs. The movement, the attitude. Without talking about a theme or some specific inspiration for me, I’m generally inspired by the woman: I’m inspired by her movement. Through all my collections, I try to compose or to build the perfect wardrobe for this lady I have in my mind. She’s a strong lady, who likes to play, whose presentation, whose attitude, is simple. She’s not trying to do anything or prove anything. That’s the attitude I love.” The event will benefit a wide range of San Francisco Ballet initiatives, including critical relief, new works, scholarships for San Francisco Ballet School students, and community outreach programs. A seated lunch is followed by a runway show with tickets ranging from $500 to $5,000. Guests who purchase VIP tickets for $5,000 will join Rabih Kayrouz for an intimate dinner the night before the show and will enjoy premiere seating at the runway show. Grand Benefactor tickets at $1,000 include a cocktail reception with VIPs and the designer and dancers the night before the show. Patron tickets are $500. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Meg Sullivan at msullivan@sfballet.org or 415-865-6625. 79

HAUTE EVENT

YEARS OF SIFF

SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IS BETTER THAN EVER

Silver Anniversary & the Silver Screen

IVE AND IN-PERSON IS BACK…AND THERE’S no better way to appreciate great cinema. Affectionately known as SIFF, Sonoma International Film Festival marks its Silver Anniversary with the best in films, food, wine, and fun on March 23 – 27, 2022. The nonprofit arts organization is excited to embrace its second quarter-century, doubling down on dedication to promoting independent filmmakers from around the world as well as supporting passionate student filmmakers from around the corner. Sonoma International Film Festival is “One of the

25 Coolest Festivals in the World,” says MovieMaker Magazine and one of “America’s Top 10 Destination Film Festivals,” according to USA Today. The pedestrian-friendly event is staged over five days in walkable venues centered around historic Sonoma Plaza, anchored by the wonderful 1933 movie house, Sebastiani Theatre. A special thank you comes from everyone at SIFF to all those that supported the event through its creative pandemic pivots, ranging from SIFF Saturdays online to screenings at the drive-in.

PHOTO CREDIT: © MELANIA MAHONEY

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

Films and Fun In the 2022 festival lineup: Audiences enjoy 120 of the best in new independent cinema from 30 countries. SIFF programming includes full-length features and documentaries, as well as shorts categories: animation, comedy, culinary, documentary, dramatic and foreign. As always, the Sonoma International Film Festival offers many engaging and lively opportunities for ticket holders and patrons and to meet the artists, producers, actors and filmmakers at the Opening Night Party, Backlot Evening Parties, Industry Mixer, VIP Meet & Greet and more. Festival fan favorite, special guest actor/director Karen Allen is coming to SIFF on March 23 at 9 a.m. to talk to students and guests during the Media Arts Program Showcase.

Chef Jacques Pépin

PHOTO CREDIT: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) COURTESY SIFF; © TOM HOPKINS; © MELISSA MCARDLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Food and Wine The legendary Chef Jacques Pépin is being honored in person at SIFF’s popular Chefs & Shorts Dinner on Thursday, March 24. Participating chefs including Michael Howell (Devour!), Roland Passot (La Folie, Left Bank), and Seadon Shouse (Timber Cove Resort), prepare a five-course dinner, pairing each dish with a short film and wines. The occasion is the perfect alchemy for a collaboration between Sonoma International Film Festival and Devour! The Food Film Festival. The SIFF honorarium provides a $10,000 donation to the Jacques Pépin Foundation supporting community-based organizations by helping individuals detached from the workforce to gain confidence, skills, and employment in food service. At a luncheon on March 25, Bay Area Chef Joanne Weir presents Plates & Places. On her PBS television show, the James Beard Award-winning cookbook author, international cooking teacher and renowned restaurateur takes audiences to some of her favorite culinary destinations, filmed on location. At this SIFF event, she presents the flavors of Spain, Morocco and Greece, including some great wines and chocolates. Festival passes are on sale now at sonomafilmfestival.org

Chef Joanne Weir

HAUTE EVENT EVENTS

Atmosphere at SF Ballet Hosts Yuan Yuan Tan’s 25th anniversary dinner on February 13, 2022 at the Palace Hotel

The City Celebrates YUAN YUAN TAN O BY ROBERT RICHARDS | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

the original event was postponed due to the pandemic, honored Tan’s prolific career which is now longer than any other dancer’s in the company’s history. The event followed a matinee performance of Tan dancing in Tomasson’s Caprice and Robbins’ In the Night.

Yuan Yuan Tan and Helgi Tomasson

PHOTOS BY © TATYANA FILATOVA

N FEBRUARY 13, SAN FRANCISCO gathered at the Palace Hotel to celebrate principal dancer Yuan Yuan Tan, our city’s most admired ballerina, as she marks her 27th year with the San Francisco Ballet. The soiree, billed as her “25th anniversary” after

82 Yuan Yuan Tan, KeQin Tan, and Su Zhang

Sharon Seto, Zhengyu Huang, and Yuan Yuan Tan

HAUTE EVENTS

Alan Villareal, Anita Paciotti, and Juliette LeBlanc

Robert Shaw, Deidre Shaw, Lillian Phan, and Justin Pace

Antoinette Chattin and Luke Ingham

Carl Pascarella and Yurie Pascarella

Kristi Yamaguchi

Shirin Kaufman, Jim Marver, Nancy Kukacka, and Camille Ashley

PHOTOS BY © TATYANA FILATOVA

Attendees enjoyed a reception in the ornate Garden Court, a 3-course dinner in the grand ballroom, and a special presentation honoring Tan. City Hall was set aglow in lilac in her honor, and Mayor London Breed declared February 13, 2022, as Yuan Yuan Tan Day in San Francisco. SF Ballet patron Sharon Seto chaired the event, and all event proceeds will support an array of SF Ballet artistic projects, including new works, scholarships for San Francisco Ballet School students, and community education programs for thousands of youths, families, and seniors.

Yuan Yuan Tan

HAUTE SCENE

Sharon Seto, Yuan Yuan Tan, and Karen Wong Liu

Christopher Dennis, Brittany Whitmer, and Doug Waggener

HAUTE LIVING, SAN FRANCISCO

LAUNCH PARTY BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Elizabeth Fullerton, Lily Samii, Lisa Zabelle, Roman Gronkowski, and Charles Baker III

Goio Tran and Sherry Ann Glab

Christopher Dennis, Yuan Yuan Tan. Danielle St. Germain-Gordon

OVERLOOKING THE PALM-LINED EMBARCADERO AND THE Bay Bridge’s twinkling lights, San Francisco’s Harborview Restaurant & Bar is definitely a room with a view. That made a sparkling setting in which to celebrate Yuan Yuan Tan’s 25th anniversary as principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet and her status as cover girl of the January-February 2022 issue of Haute Living, San Francisco. “It’s nice to see everyone here,” she said, surrounded by colleagues, friends, and guests. They included Danielle St. Germain-Gordon, the ballet’s interim executive director; Christopher Dennis, production manager for the ballet; philanthropist Denise Hale; former KGO TV reporter Carolyn Tyler; jazz singer Paula West; and many others.

Pablo Fischer and Orkut Buyukkokten

Terrie Absher and Tina Shaw

Toni Brayer and Craig Patterson

Kymberly Henry, Justin Pace, and Tuan Cao

Restaurant co-owner Karen Wong Liu served up menu favorites, including steak cubes with Maggi sauce, steamed har gow shrimp dumplings, and a newish invention—crispy salt and pepper tofu fries. “We came up with this before the pandemic as something creative to eat for happy hour,” she said, “and it’s been a hit ever since!” Guests wore masks or mingled on the terrace outside (or both) to deal with the latest viral variant. “You have to make an effort,” Hale said. David Seto was happy to be around others instead of at home, for a change. “It’s wonderful to be here,” he said. “You’ve got to live!” The evening’s highlight was the raffle of a pair of Tan’s ballet slippers, which went to real estate developer Mark Calvano, a takecharge man of many deals. “I’m not sure where I’ll put them, because they don’t fit, but I have to remain on my toes,” he said with a smile. “So, you never know.”

Amanda Braza and Calvin Yee

Irene Krylov, Vasily Vein, and Clara Shayevich

Yuan Yuan Tan and Mark Calvano with the toe shoes he won

Carolyn Tyler, Paula West, Gwyneth Borden, Karen Clopton, and LaTonya Lawson

Vasily Vein and Clara Shayevich

Yuan Yuan Tan and Denise Hale

HAUTE SCENE

Patrick King, Dr. Carolyn Chang, and Holly Baxter

Olivia Hsu Decker, Heide Betz, Maryam Muduoglu, and Elena Zorn

CHASING ANGELS BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Jack Calhoun and Vincent Gotti

ART IS PERSONAL FOR J. PATRICK KING, WHOSE RECENT exhibition, Chasing Angels, 17 works of mixed media on wood and paper, was a tribute to Jacqueline King, the toddler he and his wife, Dr. Carolyn Chang, lost to cancer six years ago. “I paint as a happy man to celebrate her life,” King said, “but I paint as a man with a broken heart.” Organized by art consultant Heide Van Doren Betz in a Pacific Heights mansion provided by Gregory Malin’s Troon Pacific real estate development and investment company, the show drew 75 guests, including interior designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, Mark Sullivan of Neiman Marcus, and restaurateur Jorge Maumer for an evening of cocktails, caviar, and contemplation. “Standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by Patrick’s paintings, put me in place of peace and beauty,” Maumer said. “Patrick’s work,” said Betz, “is powerful and ethereal at the same time.”

Karen Kubin, Mark Sullivan, and Barbara Brown Lauren Silva, Brianna Brekke, and Alex Silva

Gregory Malin and Betsy Linder

Vincent Gotti and Elisa Stephens

Resso Martinelli, Gioi Tran, Mark Calvano, and Pernella Sommerville

John Capo and Orlando Diaz-Azcuy

HAUTE SCENE

SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra, Allison Speer, Susan Swig, Stanlee Gatti, Douglas Durkin, Sarah Wendell Sherrill, and Katie Paige

Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger and Kaitlyn Krieger

FOG DESIGN + ART BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Event co-chairs Wayee Chu and Ethan Beard

AFTER LAST YEAR’S PANDEMIC-INSPIRED HIATUS, FOG Design + Art at Fort Mason roared back to life as a benefit for educational programs at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. New blood is joining the old guard, from opening night cochairs Wayee Chu, a philanthropist, and Ethan Beard, former Facebook and Google exec, to patrons such as Instagram CoFounder Mike Krieger and his wife, Kaitlyn, and Komal Shah and her husband, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Gaurav Garg. Guests browsed 45 galleries, wowed by a variety of art that ranged from a house made of wooden letters to a silk-screened ping-pong table that guests were allowed to play on. AT&T’s Ken McNeely especially appreciated the works of social realism by fellow North Carolinian Romare Bearden. “After two years of near cultural isolation,” McNeely said, “I couldn’t think of a better way to open the art season.”

Mauro Zanetti, Maria Manetti Shrem, and Eva Zanetti Gaurav Garg, Komal Shah, and Bijoy Garg

Stanlee Gatti’s “21 Pop” entry sculpture, an ode to Arion Press

Dr. Inder Dhillon and Ken McNeely

A patron taking a closer look

Museum of the African Diaspora Executive Director Monetta White and Lisa Jackson

HAUTE BEAUTY

CATWALK BEAUTY Products and Tips for that Top Model Glow BY BECCA HENSLEY

ehind the gorgeous clothing, the creative designers, the welldraped models, and the adoring fans, makeup artists play an integral role at any fashion show. We met with Bobbi Brown National Makeup artist, Michele Shakeshaft, who shares three things she’s learned backstage at the world’s top fashion shows.

At our shows, the designers always want perfect skin, but they do not want to see foundation. It is about a downtown, effortlessly fresh look. This means having the right skincare and a wide range of foundation shades to match all skin types and skin tones. I always have Vitamin Enriched Face Base and small, travel friendly containers of Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation in my kit. Vitamin Enriched Face Base is a multi-purpose moisturizer and primer, and Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation is fuller coverage foundation. I mix these two together to create a sheer, hydrated foundation and use the Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation by itself to build a fuller coverage, only where needed.

Another thing I’ve learned, is that cream products travel better, take up less room, and tend to be more versatile than powders. I always have a small bag of Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks and Extra Lip Tints. With Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks, I can neutralize darkness on the lid, create a full eye look, or use them as a contour or highlight. The Extra Lip Tints give a youthful, glowing flush of color to the lip and the cheeks. (An Extra Lip Tint is a must have in my personal bag, as well.)

I try to keep powder products to a minimum, because pressed formulas can break—and then, game over—and loose powders can get messy; but, some powder is also necessary. I need setting powders to take down excess shine, and I love the look of Bobbi’s Highlighting Powder to add a smooth, luxe, luminous, pearlescent glow to the skin. It’s a stunning formula that can be used wet or dry and on any area of the face. It’s hard to recall a show where this product wasn’t used.

PHOTO CREDIT: ASHIONSTOCK.COM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

EIGHT DESIGNER- AND CELEBRITY-APPROVED BEAUTY BOOSTERS FOR ON AND OFF THE RUNWAY

PHOTO CREDITS: THE FEELIST MOST WANTED RADIANT FACIAL OIL, CREDIT THE FEELIST; BASMA BEAUTY STICK, CREDIT BASMA; LA PERLA MASCARA, CREDIT LA PERLA; KEVYN AUCOIN GLOSS, CREDIT KEVYN AUCOIN; BALMAIN, CREDIT TO BALMAIN; DOLCE GABBANA LILY, COURTESY DG; L’OREAL BRONZER, CREDIT L’OREAL; BOBBI BROWN EYESHADOW& BOBBI BROWN HIGHLIGHTING POWDER, COURTESY OF BB

You know you need it. Most Wanted Radiant Facial Oil, best when used alone, calms, soothes, and revitalizes the skin with supercharged, plant-based ingredients, including 500 milligrams broad spectrum CBD, marula oil, and rosehip oil. Use it anytime you need a glow-y boost. thefeelist.com

HAUTE BEAUTY

You may know La Perla as a fashion brand. But the long-time fashion titan now offers makeup as opulent as its famously sexy lingerie. Frame your bedroom eyes with La Perla Mascara in "Ink Black," a zinger of rich, inky color, perfect for layering. One stroke starts your day, but double up for sultry nights. laperla.com

Be incandescent with Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face and Body Gloss, an exclusive, all-over highlighter. Hydrating, cheekbone enhancing, radiantly shimmery, and glow-y. It takes the years off and the sleepless nights away. Add to your existing routine for an added “glass” effect. kevynaucoinbeauty.com

Kourtney Kardashian and Paris Hilton swear by Basma Beauty’s The Foundation Stick. Conceived by entrepreneur Basma Hameed, a paramedical scar camouflage artist and Look like you’ve just a veteran of more than returned from the 100 surgeries herself, the islands with L’Oréal miraculous foundation Balmain has been Paris Sublime Bronze uses pigments to match a French luxury Self-Tanning Facial skin tones and correct fashion house Mist. Creating a streakunsightly discoloration and since 1945, ever a free, natural-looking scars. Buildable, ideal for provocateur in the tan, it nourishes with contouring and highlighting, industry. Nowadays, the easy-to-use stick comes vitamin E and smells it extends its like fresh coconut. in a wide range of 40 colors. products to include basmabeauty.com orealparisusa.com hair care. Apply the Balmain Hair Wear Dolce Lily for yourself. Couture Styling Dolce&Gabbana’s latest Gel Maximum fashionable scent celebrates Hold for longthe enchanting pink lily flower. lasting runway Created with passion by days (or nights renowned perfumers Nathalie out) for coiffure Cetto and Nisrine Grillie, the power. Lightweight, sensual fragrance promises perfect for short and medium confidence on the runway or hair, it also tames those flyat home. dolcegabbanabeauty. aways. balmainhair.us com/perfumes

Go from bare to bold and every look in between with an effortless wardrobe of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks. This swipe-and-go eye shadow glides on easily and stays all day for instant, effortless eyes. Prime, line, define, or highlight with buildable shades that enhance every skin tone, eye shape, and look. Available in 19 shades. bobbibrowncosmetics.com 89

HAUTE BEAUTY

What's HOT in Cosmetic Treatments Interview with Bay Area’s Leading Plastic Surgeon and Our New Online Contributor, Dr. Karen Horton

R. KAREN HORTON SPECIALIZES in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for women. She is wellknown for providing beautiful, long-lasting, and natural-looking results at her private practice in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. Dr. Horton has also been a plastic surgery patient herself, and we are excited to announce that she will be regularly contributing articles to our website.

Topics will include dispelling plastic surgery myths, trendy treatments, and products and services that produce the best results, including her personal, goto treatments for a youthful appearance. Recently, Dr. Horton was kind enough to sit down with us and chat about her life, career, top cosmetic treatments, and giving back to the community.

BY JENNIFER BODEN

HAUTE BEAUTY HL: Let’s start with your charity involvement, Dr. Horton. What causes are you passionate about? KH: I have always given back to community events and womencentered charities. One example is the Sparkle Foundation. My dear friend, Samantha Tradelius, inspired me to get involved to help women in need in the Bay Area, and now throughout California. I have also donated my time, expertise, and passion to breast reconstruction awareness events and education about options available to women facing breast cancer. In 2012, I was grateful to host the first-ever Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day in San Francisco, and I devoted a portion of my practice proceeds to breast cancer reconstruction for women who cannot afford to have reconstructive surgery. HL: We appreciate how open you are about your personal journey with plastic surgery. Tell us more about that and the cosmetic trends you’re seeing. KH: Bigger isn’t always better. I’m excited that people want to look NATURAL, even though they’re “having work done.” Natural is my personal aesthetic. In fact, I was a surgical patient myself a few years ago! My goal was to have proportional, naturallooking results that wouldn’t interfere with daily exercise and would not be obvious to others. I documented my breast augmentation journey on my blog (drkarenhorton.com/blog) in a 10-plus-part series. I share it all, from how I chose my surgeon, preparing for surgery, and recovery to talking to my 11-year-old twin daughters about my decision, to getting back to exercise, body image changes, and my final results. In addition to my blog, I also share my personal favorite cosmetic treatments on Instagram (@drkarenhorton). It’s a fun community with before and after photos, top recommendations, reviews, and so much more. HL: What are popular, non-surgical procedures at the moment? KH: It seems like everyone is getting “tweakments” such as “baby Botox” in young women and men, strategically placed fillers that rejuvenate the face but don’t cause distortion or puffiness, and truly “lunchtime” IPL photofacials to correct pigmentation changes. Non-surgical fat reduction continues to be popular, especially in the winter as patients are looking to prep for spring travel. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to any aspect of plastic surgery. Each patient has their own unique aesthetic, and their goals become my goals. I get to know patients head to toe, inside and out, to ensure I understand in detail their aesthetic goals for their procedures and so that I can plan the strategies to help them best achieve their ideal outcomes.

HL: Your medical credentials and achievements are impressive. Share your pathway to plastic surgery. KH: Originally from Toronto, I trained in both the United States and Canada, and completed a Bachelor of Science with honors and Master of Science in molecular biology/cancer research in Kingston, Ontario before embarking on my medical career. After graduating medical school at the University of Toronto, I trained in plastic surgery for five years, becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC). I moved to the Bay Area in 2005 to complete my final fellowship year in reconstructive microsurgery in San Francisco. I’m a designated fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), also serving as a ABPS examination question writer and reviewer for aesthetic surgery.

“Bigger isn’t always better. I’m excited that people want to look NATURAL, even though they’re “having work done.” Natural is my personal aesthetic. ” —

DR. KAREN HORTON

HL: You have a passion for sharing the latest tips and recommendations. Has education always been a part of your mission as a plastic surgeon? KH: Education is key in all aspects of life, especially plastic surgery! Medicine and surgery truly encompass life-long learning. I learn something new every single day—from my patients’ journeys, at professional conferences where I also contribute to education via lectures on having a responsible social media presence, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, and from challenging surgeries where I use my creativity, skills, and experience to create the best possible results. I help to educate medical students and plastic surgery residents and fellows in training, and I participate in STEM events (science, technology, engineering, and math) for girls in Marin County. Giving back throughout your career is so important. You never know whom YOU might be influencing or acting as a mentor for. HL: Do you enjoy living in the Bay Area? KH: I love it! After living here for just two months for my fellowship year in 2005, I knew I had found home. I can exercise outdoors year-round, drive three hours to ski on the weekends, visit wine country or the ocean, and enjoy the endless cultural experiences all around me. I really feel like I’m living the American Dream. 91

HAUTE WELLNESS

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle

SLEEP SOLUTIONS Y

OU KNOW THE DRILL. EXHAUSTED, YOU FALL INTO bed, but then you can’t fall asleep. Some nights you may fall asleep instantly, then wake a few hours later, your heart racing, your mind going over every conversation you’ve had, and everything that has shamed you since kindergarten. Some nights you don’t even try to sleep—what’s the point? As it turns out, sleep deprivation is serious. According to many studies, it ranks up there with poor diet and lack of exercise. When the situation becomes chronic, it can lead to profound health issues, from diabetes to obesity. Further, some research has shown that when you experience a 24-hour period without sleep, your body responds as if you’ve got a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10. That makes you illegal to drive in most states—let alone work, get the kids to school, or live your life. The ongoing pandemic has brought sleep issues to the forefront. Various studies report that nearly 40 percent of the world’s population has fretted their way through the agony of wakeful nights during the disease’s tenure. We all have our remedies to fight sleeplessness: hot milk, chamomile tea, aromatherapy, a boring book, melatonin, or magnesium. For me, it’s this: When I studied yoga in India, a teacher taught me

BY BECCA HENSLEY

a cure. He told me to stop worrying about when I might fall asleep by putting myself into shavasana, that corpse-like pose that ends every yoga practice. Ideally, it’s an hypnotic place between wakefulness and sleepiness. “Do this, and you won’t need to sleep,” he said. “Do this and you will get 80 percent of the benefits of the best sleep you’ve ever had.” I don’t know if his method has been scientifically proven, but for me, the shavasana trick works like a charm. When I find myself restless, I lie still and engage in corpse pose, letting images of waves on the sand wash over my brain and clear any intruding thoughts. When I do that, I either fall asleep after a short spell or I lie semi-awake all night, but without the agony that comes from obsessing over my lifelong list of misdeeds or plans for a better tomorrow. Miraculously, as my teacher promised, after a night of shavasana, I do feel well rested when I leave bed and start the day. While that yogic trick amounts to just one suggestion, a slew of spas and hotels have begun to address the world’s ubiquitous sleep problem and woven sleep aids into their repertoire, from bona fide spa treatments to in-room amenities. We’ve rounded up a few for your reference. Here comes the sandman!

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANANTARA PEACE HAVEN TANGALLE

These Hotels Know a Good Night’s Snooze Makes a Difference

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BARDESSONO RESORT & SPA; ROYAL SCOTSMAN

When London’s The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel reopens this spring, they’ll launch their partnership with Harley Street hypnotherapist and sleep expert Malminder Gill to offer a new service for guests called Sleep Concierge. It includes a meditative recording by Malminder available via the Belmond app, a pillow menu ensuring the perfect fit for every type of sleeper, the option of a weighted blanket, a scented pillow mist, and a new bedtime tea service. For a more personalized experience, guests can book a private, one-on-one session with Malminder. belmond.com Though Park Hyatt Tokyo’s spa, Club On The Park, prides itself on its sweeping city views, it also knows how to guide guests to look inward. Take part in its Good Evening Night Stretch, a complimentary, 30-minute program designed to prepare the body for restful sleep. Slow stretches and breathing exercises loosen muscles to bring balance, while oils (designed to promote circulation, help digestion, and relieve stress) scent the air. An herbal cuppa concludes the experience. hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/japan/park-hyatt-tokyo You might think wine tasting might lead to a peaceful sleep, but too many tipples may have the opposite effect. To whit, Napa Valley’s Bardessono Resort & Spa lulls you to snooze with an inroom Peaceful Sleep treatment. Soak in a staff-prepared, essential oil bath, followed by a calming body butter application. The spa bath menu includes options such as Me Thyme Bath, with the immune supporting aromas of thyme, juniper, and rosemary, or the Clarifying Sage Bath with sage, citrus, and geranium for focus. Afterward, snuggle into bed with a warmed herbal pillow beneath your head. bardessono.com In a land of Buddhist temples, coconut groves, and pristine beaches, take five days for yourself to study the art of soulful sleep. On Sri Lanka’s far southern side edging the Indian Ocean, stylish Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort draws wellness seekers with a number of programs from detox to weight loss. One of its most popular packages, Balance Wellness Deep Sleep Ayurveda Programme, utilizes Ayurvedic principles, spa treatments, and contemplative activities to support stressagitated nap-seekers in their quest for taking control at snooze time. anantara.com/en/peace-haven-tangalle

Royal Scotsman

HAUTE WELLNESS

Bardessono Resort & Spa

The surrounding terrain drives the vibe at Spa Aiyana at California’s Carmel Vally Ranch where indigenous botanicals, herbs, and flowers play a role in rituals and cures. But the retreat’s Hypno-Health: Wellness for Mind & Spirit, led by in-house hypnotherapist Dr. Bee Epstein Shepherd, goes beyond the landscape’s bounty to focus on revolutionary, sleep-focused sessions that target the within. Using hypnosis to reduce stress and anxiety, she teaches guests to bring calm and lucidity to thoughts and provides helpful selfhypnosis techniques to keep the treatment going at home. carmelvalleyranch.com Named for poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson Resort & Spa in New York’s emerald Catskills passionately embraces its mission to bring thoughtfulness and consciousness to its guests. Supporting exhausted visitors in their pursuit for 40 well-slept winks, the haven’s Emerson Reset treatment uses a synergy of graceful textures, essential oils, and the power of human hands to nudge dreamland. Modeled around Comfort Zone’s ProSleep™ products and rituals, Reset brings harmony to circadian rhythms with Eastern modalities, music, and soft brushes. emersonresort.com Some people find the rhythmic sound of a train to be soporific enough. But, just in case the choo choo’s song won’t suffice, the Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, which does luxury treks through the Scottish countryside, has a solution. Just the ticket for soothing relief, British spa brand Bamford Haybarn Spa brings calming spa treatments on board. Try ‘b-Silent’, which begins with a foot bath and finishes with a full body massage targeted to release chronic stress, one of the main causes of depleted serotonin. belmond.com 93

HAUTE WELLNESS

NAMAS-TEA The Healing Ritual of Good Pharma

FTER JILL PORTMAN AND HER PARTNER, GARY Shinner, sold Mighty Leaf Tea Company to Peet’s in 2014, Portman took a much needed and much deserved break before considering her next move. That move ended up being a re-entry into the beverage market, inspired by her personal journey in dealing with a medical illness that responded not to Western medicine, but to ancient herbal remedies featuring plant-based ingredients. Good Pharma launched mid-2021 and is the result of Portman’s deep dive into the worlds of functional mushrooms,

traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda. During her 20year journey in building Mighty Leaf, she traveled frequently to remote corners of the world where she was offered a window into these alternative healing practices and where, time and again, she witnessed and participated in tea ceremonies alongside these centuries-old medicinal rituals. Over the last four years, Portman has conferred with keepers of ancient medicinal knowledge about creating and optimizing formulas while foraging the world for the best and highest quality mushrooms and plant-based botanical extracts.

BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

HAUTE WELLNESS

“Good Pharma is an indulgent, sensorial ritual that can be enjoyed joyfully while optimizing our personal well-being.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOD PHARMA

—

JILL PORTMAN

“Our unique process converts these key botanical extracts into proprietary granules that deliver a far superior experience through concentrated bioavailability. We call these Rxtracts,” said Portman. These natural ingredients are the heart of Good Pharma’s four distinctive teas and coffee blends packaged in colorful individual packets with yoga pose-inspired graphics and manufactured in Morocco by Portman’s business partner whom she and Shinner met during their years of travel. Each blend is intended to provide alternative wellness within a daily practice. Brain Gain is an Arabica coffee blend enhanced with lion’s mane mushroom and rhodiola extracts to support cognitive health and focus. No Worries is an Ayurvedic herbal tea boosted with jujube seed and other complementary botanicals to enhance a state of relaxation and calm. Rest Assured is proposed as a tasty herbal blend to enhance deep, restorative sleep; lemon balm, lemon myrtle, and other Western herbs offer a refreshing, lemony infusion. Resilience supports the immune system with its fresh brew of chaga mushroom extract and Japanese green tea.

The clever and soothing prep is as relaxing as the beverages are tasty. Each is presented within a specially crafted, pourover infuser that attaches to a coffee mug/cup. “It’s super convenient, as you just add hot water and stir to activate our potent Rxtract granules,” said Portman, whose selection of the word “pharma” in her product name might seem surprising for one who found relief outside big pharma. “We call this ‘nature’s pharma.’ Good Pharma is an indulgent, sensorial ritual that can be enjoyed joyfully while optimizing our personal well-being.” Such good intentions do not overlook flavor, and Good Pharma more than delivers on taste. “The smell and taste are what made me aware this was a special product,” said Good Pharma fan Tom Ferguson, a San Anselmo-based advertising executive. “The taste was incredible; it was subtle, yet amazing. The process by which to prepare and brew the tea invited a sense of awe and enjoyment. It felt like I was in control of the process, which made it feel very organic.” And the effect? Added Ferguson of Resilience, “I had alertness and energy that no other brew has provided.” The Good Pharma product roll-out has been targeted to establishments that share like-minded wellness principles, such as the Healing Arts Center and Spa at Sausalito’s Cavallo Point Lodge and The Spa at Napa’s Silverado Resort. A few specialty markets in Marin County (Portman’s home) also carry the product, and customers can order online, saving 10 percent via subscription.

Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. 95

HAUTE RESIDENCE

Contemporary RESIDENCE WITH PANORAMIC

VIEWS of

the SAN FRANCISCO BAY BY OLIVIA DECKER

HAUTE RESIDENCE

SPECTACULAR, HIGH QUALITY, CONTEMPORARY residence with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay from every room, this majestic, 7,693-square-foot mansion has six bedrooms, five full baths, and two half-baths. It was built in 2006 on a 0.94-acre lot adjacent to Tiburon, with open spaces and ample privacy. The interior features huge windows that flood rooms with natural light. The formal living room boasts two floor-toceiling windows that frame the panoramic views of the bay, a stunning chandelier, and a fireplace. The formal dining room, with matching chandelier, connects to a spacious kitchen with center island, dining counter accommodating six seats, and plenty of cabinets. The open floor plan includes a butler's pantry and spacious family room with fireplace, a wet bar, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar, all leading to the expansive entertainment terrace with an outdoor kitchen. The private and opulent master suite features a fireplace, a separate sitting room, a deluxe bath, and walk-in closet. Five other bedrooms all have beautiful bay views. There is also a deluxe library/media room and a billiard room with a bar. 97

HAUTE RESIDENCE

The spacious grounds—nearly an acre—feature a huge stone terrace with an outdoor kitchen, a bocce ball court, a golf putting green, terraced gardens, a pool site, a marble gazebo with firepit, a 3-car garage, and a gated motor court with a marble fountain and space to park 10-plus cars. Downtown Tiburon is just a few minutes away with two world class yacht clubs, bayside bicycle path, ferry services to San Francisco and Angel Island, and great restaurants such as Michael Mina's Bungalow Kitchen, Malibu Farm, Caprice, and Sam's Anchor Cafe. Offered at $7,888,000. Details and photos on 189GilmartinDrive.com. 99

INTRODUCING A BREATHTAKING MODERNIZED, MONTECITO CHATEAU PRICE UPON REQUEST

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MONTECITOCHATEAU.COM

This one-of-a-kind estate is perfectly located in Montecito, California, within the esteemed Birnam Wood Golf Club. Montecito is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the world, with its natural beauty, seclusion, and proximity to Los Angeles.

SINA OMIDI 805.689.7700 | Sina@SinaOmidi.com RealEstateInSantaBarbara.com

Broker, DRE 01944430 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

©2022 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of the property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

Offering a modern approach to real estate in a community filled with a rich history.

PYNEWOODS ESTATE

WHERE PALM DESERT MEETS THE NORTHWEST

PRESTIGIOUS BLACK ROCK — COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO

Located in the premier Estates portion of the Black Rock Development, this contemporary masterpiece is perfectly positioned to maximize the incredible setting and mesmerizing Coeur d’Alene Lake views. A mountain-modern marvel with ultra-high-end designer furnishings and beautifully balanced interior/exterior finishes. Boasting 10,000+ sq ft of single-level living space, with separate master and guest wings plus a semi-detached guest house ideally suited for extended-stay family & friends. Park-like grounds with reflecting pools, native plants, fruit trees and garden beds plus a pickleball court. Use of The Estates private Waterfront Beach Club & Cabana and Boat Slip Included. This idyllic estate is ONE of ONE. Asking $30,000,000.

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GREG ROWLEY

208.659.6527 growley@cbidaho.com

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

2021 FERRARI PORTOFINO M

TIM LAPPEN

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A race car for the street

BY TIM LAPPEN

KAY, I WILL ADMIT MY BIAS: ANY VEHICLE with a name that includes the word “Ferrari” already has my rapt attention. Add “Portofino” to the name and now we’re on the coast, cruising south La Dolce Vita-style with my lady enjoying the soft breeze while her silk Hermès scarf drifts behind her, pirouetting in the daytime sun ... Oh, sorry, where was I? I got lost in the image for a minute. While the Portofino may be Ferrari’s “entry level” vehicle in terms of price, it’s like saying a mansion is someone’s starter castle: it’s already in a world of its own, one of luxury, performance, quality, and more.

Nevertheless, I have to add that, when compared to the fire breathers of Ferrari’s V-12 stable, I was not expecting that much of the Portofino M. Boy, was I mistaken. First off, the “M” designation. Like “AMG” for Mercedes, “RS” for Audi, and “M” for BMW, the Ferrari “M” moniker means that this version has more beans than the non-M variant. Technically, this “M” stands for a model that is “Modificata” (modified)—and that it is. Compared to the “standard” Portofino (meaning an already terrific car), the M has about 20 more horsepower, an improved transmission, and slightly faster acceleration, plus a few interior accoutrements that the former model lacked. (The “M” now is the only Portofino offered by Ferrari).

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF FERRARI NORTH AMERICA, INC.

A lifelong petrol-holic, mechanic (cars, motorcycles, boats), and automotive journalist since penning a column for his high school newspaper, internationally recognized attorney Tim Lappen is a partner at a major Los Angeles-based law firm, where he chairs the firm’s Family Office Group and its Luxury Home Group and is, of course, a member of its Motor Vehicle Group. He can be reached at tlappen@gmail.com or visit LifeInTheFastLane.org

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto The Portofino M earned its stripes, especially under the hood. The turbo V8 is just under four liters (about 235 cubic inches for you Yanks), producing over 600 horsepower and about 560 pound-feet of torque. As the car weighs around 3,600 pounds, that kind of power can be intoxicating. The power-toweight ratio is good enough for 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) in 3.45 seconds and a top speed of just under 200 mph. Shall we discuss the looks next? There’s probably no need, since, if it’s from Ferrari— and frankly if it’s a vehicle from Italy—it’s likely to be svelt, sinewy, slippery, and [insert a clever “S” word here]. And besides, when it comes to looks, they’re in the eye of the

beholder anyway. Suffice to say, though, that I love this car, as its looks match its performance, meaning that you will have a thrilling ride down the straights and in the corners, as the appearance is beautiful yet muscular. With a simple control, it also becomes a topdown machine in mere seconds. The pricing is as you would expect, especially if you know the fit, finish, quality, and performance of the marque. The base price is $222,050, but when you tick the boxes for the options, as Ferrari did on "mine," you can plan on spending an additional $141,356 for those extras, raising the Price Is Right calculation to $363,406. Do you really need your Portofino M to be painted one of the best reds I’ve seen, “Rosso Portofino?” I mean, Ferrari must offer at least 20 reds, and, surely, you could find another that was almost as nice, right? However, mine had only a hint of orange in it (I’m not a big

fan of tomato soup red), which literally glowed and sparkled in the sunlight. Now that I’ve piqued your interest, I need to note that the color option was $12,487. Some of the other must-haves which were on my ride were a carbon fiber rear diffuser ($11,812), 20-inch forged wheels ($8,606), a passenger display (information displayed on the dash in front of the passenger—$5,906), and lots and lots of carbon fiber options (“carbon fiber” may mean “looks like plastic but is more durable” and the cool factor adds five times what you expected). But seriously, I enjoyed all of the bits and pieces that Ferrari saw fit to add to my machine, so there is nothing that I would have omitted. What’s it like to drive? Be ready for lots of thumbs-ups on the road and interested passers-by when stopped. The prancing horse in the grill may be the first visual cue that there’s a Ferrari in your presence, but the aural symphony that accompanies all of the Maranello machines really announces your arrival—and I mean that in a good way. It’s not the rattle-your-tooth-fillings “ka-boom” sound that you’ve likely heard emanating from lesser machines. No, this is a refined brass section of classical performance. If ever a car manufacturer could eliminate offering a radio, it would be Ferrari, since the mechanical sounds trump anything that a musician might offer. (At least that’s true for the Tifosi, the Ferrari fanatics of the world—and did you know that tifosi literally means people who are infected by typhus, one who is a rabid fan?) Whether on the streets of LA, on the freeways during a time of little traffic (Sunday from 2:00 to 2:55 a.m., probably), on the Pacific Coast Highway or the Malibu hills, the Portofino M was a joy to drive. Quick, symphonic, gorgeous, fun, exhilarating … words alone cannot express the balanced joy of driving this car under all conditions, but I hope that this has given you an idea of what this car has to offer. 103

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

2021 ASTON MARTIN DBX A very stylish crossover with terrific performance

ORSCHE SEEMINGLY PAVED THE WAY TO THE exotic/performance SUV arena with their 2003 Cayenne, accompanied by much hand wringing and prognostication among the brand’s faithful that to have a Porsche nameplate on an SUV—a family car!—was tantamount to blasphemy. However, early naysayers were terribly wrong, as Porsche has made a big success of its SUVs, and virtually every other exotic/performance car company has joined the caravan. Aston Martin apparently didn’t see the light until more recently, though they still beat Ferrari, whose Purosange SUV is due out in another year or so. But while Aston is somewhat late to the party for this automotive segment, they took the time to be sure that they got it right. Based on the opinions of many auto writers and even more customers, right it is. First off, they were able to preserve and even highlight some important styling cues that identify the DBX as an Aston Martin, both when viewed from the front and from the rear. The grill has the long-term Aston look, which the company’s

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chief creative officer once called “a box pushing out of an organic oval shape, with smoothed corners.” Okay, then, so be it. The tail also has an Aston signature, though a more recent one: it’s wavy, with the high part in the center, mirroring the tail of the Aston Vantage, and unlike the rear lights of the other SUVs now on the road. The interior is as supple and lush as the finest English cars can be: beautiful woods, terrific leathers, the whole nine yards. To drive the DBX is to command a ship wrought from the finest materials brought together to offer the typical Aston finery. It wasn’t that many years ago that words like “leather” and “utility vehicle” were not used on the same car, but Aston has brought them together in a terrific way: luxurious without being too frou-frou, especially when coupled to a twin-turbo V8 with an athletic exhaust note. Pumping out over 540 horsepower and an equally impressive torque twist of over 515 foot-pounds, you can pull a tree stump from your yard early in the day, spend some time at the track, then go out for a night on the town and have the perfect vehicle for each part of that day.

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN OF THE AMERICAS

BY TIM LAPPEN

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ NORTH AMERICA

“My” DBX was liveried in “Lunar White” with an “Obsidian Black" leather interior, so it was rather understated, especially when compared with some of the neon colors favored by other marques. I call it “quiet elegance” as, being an Aston, it immediately had a great presence but didn’t scream about it. When called on, it can rip off 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and continue up to a top speed of over 180 mph. When the selector is set to the performance mode, it can do that with a great soundtrack, to boot. With all-wheel drive, air-ride suspension at all four corners, and active roll control, you’re guaranteed to go those places where no sedan would dare, all the while coddling the driver and occupants in a smooth and comfortable ride and cornering with alacrity.

The DBX is so well-appointed that the option list was fairly modest. The top-cost choices were the three collections which Aston calls “Packs”—the “Black Pack” at $6,100, the “DB Elegance Pack” at $4,600, and the “Indulgence Pack” at $3,100. Those three add special appearance items to the car, like more carbon fiber as well as other blacked-out trim and additional visual upgrades. The various options added to the $176,900 base price and brought the sticker to $206,286. Like other Astons, the DBX seems destined to remain a special car not often seen on the road. Their limited production numbers help to create that rarity which some people appreciate, as they don’t want to see “their” car drive by several times a day or (horrors!) in their neighbor’s driveway. I’ve driven many Astons and even owned a handful, so I am very familiar with the brand. I immediately felt comfortable with the DBX and was actually very much “at home” with the car. I did not think that any aspect of the DBX was passé or otherwise short of the Aston standard. Now appearing at dealers, check it out. Note: At press time, Aston announced a new, highperformance variant of the DBX, the 707 edition. It differs in a few ways from the standard DBX. Its twinturbo V-8 motor generates about 700 horsepower, making it the world’s most powerful luxury SUV. Other stats: 665 pound-feet of torque, 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and a top speed 193 mph. Pricing is expected to start at about $230,000. Please watch for a future article on this variant that Aston calls “The Seat of Power.” 105

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Events About Town

Willie L. Brown, Jr., dapper in red

Aubrey Brewster, a bon vivant and man-abouttown, is a. product of his environment. His affinity for cooking, fashion, and entertaining was inherited from summer vacations shared in Charleston, West Virginia with his southern belle model-turned-hostess grandmother. It should come with no surprise that Brewster followed in his grandmother’s footsteps, with an inherent talent for hosting legendary parties. He is often listed among San Francisco’s best dressed. Aubrey is a San Francisco native, traveler, and food and lifestyle blogger (aubreyabouttown. com). He resides in San Francisco with his husband, Edward. Aubrey can be found enjoying afternoons lunching with friends at Neiman Marcus and some of San Francisco’s favorite haunts when not hosting or attending events.

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AUBREY ABOUT TOWN

MY MOST FASHIONABLE FRIENDS BY AUBREY BREWSTER

Y AFFINITY FOR FASHION GOES BACK TO MY childhood in San Francisco. I remember saving up the money earned from a summer job when I was 15 years old for a white Claude Montana jacket. If you ask me, I was a sensation when school resumed in September; or that’s how I like to remember it. And thinking I was all the rave in my “new wave” Esprit fashions, I’d buy by the bagsful at the Esprit outlet way out on 16th and Illinois Streets in San Francisco. Do you remember those cute drawstring shopping bags that were just as important to “the look” as the clothes? I loved those! My taste in designers may have refined and increased in coin since those days, but the passion remains the same: the need to express oneself and be confident in oneself, all the while stepping to the rhythm of one’s own spirit.

With that said, a good rule of thumb for one’s personal fashion is to have a few helpful guidelines. Curate some basic pieces for your wardrobe. Whether it’s the perfect black dress or a tailored suit, simple beige pumps or a neutral designer sneaker, having wardrobe basics that one can build on is a must. Always have one bold statement piece to set your look: a conversational coat, a bold print trouser, or a pair of unusual shoes. This strong focus piece will make you a standout. And posture, posture, posture! Sit up straight. Nothing ruins a confident appearance more than a slouch. Keep tidy. With spring here and summer just around the corner (and with some of us that sport them year around), the issue of those unsightly black scuff marks on the white soles of our designer shoes are prevalent. But help is here! I could not recommend these little miracles enough: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. These little miracle workers are small, white, single-use (I get a couple uses out of one) foam sponges. Dampen with water and scrub gently. The scuff marks just disappear. They are available wherever cleaning supplies are sold. Lastly, dress for the occasion! To quote Emmy awardwinner RuPaul, “We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag.” Some of the city’s most iconic style influencers whom I’m delighted to call friends represent this passion and flair for fashion.

Aubrey Brewster and former San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Events About Town

“As long as I can remember, Mayor Brown has turned up the fashion game with his iconic fedora hats and colorful Italian Brioni suits, down to his socks where he’d often pay homage to the occasion with tongue-incheek playfulness. ”

The late Wilkes Bashford and Willie L. Brown, Jr.

Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr., The Homme du Monde One can’t write about San Francisco’s most stylish and best-dressed without mentioning the City by the Bay’s quintessential style icon, former Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. He always puts his best Italian leatheradorned foot forward and represents San Francisco at her best. As long as I can remember, Mayor Brown has turned up the fashion game with his iconic fedora hats and colorful Italian Brioni suits, down to his socks where he’d often pay homage to the occasion with tongue-in-cheek playfulness. Since a very young age, Willie’s affinity for fashion has been prevalent in all things he’s done to both convey a message or to honor others and express his bright individuality. Willie can trace his fashion sense to his very own personal style icon, his late maternal uncle, Itsie Collins. During World War II, Collins transplanted from the small, segregated town of Mineola, Texas to San Francisco where he worked in a shipyard by day and changed into a colorful, dapper “fashionisto” by night. Mr. Collins was an exuberant character who always wore hats (sound familiar?). He was an exceptional dancer and beloved by family and the “ladies” alike. In 1951, Uncle Itsie brought 17-year-old Willie Brown to Howard’s men’s store (formerly located on 5th and Market Streets in San Francisco) to buy Willie his first suit, a vivid blue serge suit worn with a crisp, light blue shirt and a bright yellow tie. That was the moment a San Francisco fashion icon emerged.

With all due respect to Uncle Itsie, the figure in Willie’s life who had “unlimited influence in fashion” on him (as Willie would state it), was our dear friend, the late Wilkes Bashford. (If Wilkes were alive today, he would be at the top of this list.) While traveling the world searching out chic fashions and buying them for his store, Mr. Bashford always had Willie Brown in mind, often bringing back one-of-a-kind pieces for him. Wilkes once had famed shoe designer John Lobb create a custom pair of burgundy suede shoes for Willie, which were delivered to Le Central French bistro where the two “WBs” (along with other occasional, special guests) lunched every Friday afternoon at their usual table by the window. Willie loves color, always wearing vibrantly hued kicks—if they sparkle, even better! Though he states that he doesn’t have a favorite color, per se, he is especially fond of red, electric blue, and purple. Willie sported a pair of purple suede Kiton sneakers and jeans with matching socks and a periwinkle (Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year) cashmere quarter-zip sweater when I saw him last. Willie Brown says that brown is his least favorite color. He thinks that brown is too drab, proclaiming that “men should be in more vivid colors,” though ironically, Wilkes loved brown on Willie. Wilkes and Willie were like brothers. I don’t believe in all my life have I ever witnessed two closer best friends. They were bookends, salt to the other’s pepper, both similar in stature, a tad light on the follicles, bearing the same initials, and always dressed in Brioni. For the most part, Willie stopped wearing Brioni after Wilkes’ passing. The brand was too much of a painful reminder, I suppose. Their friendship was inspiring; they almost opened a fashionable restaurant together on Grove and Franklin Streets and had planned on calling the eatery “WB2.” Can you imagine how marvelous it would’ve been? Turning 88 years young on March 20, Willie can often be seen in luxurious, Italian-tailored Kiton suits. His favorite designer du jour is Isaia, from a boutique located on Maiden Lane and available at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco. Willie’s golden rule in keeping room in his closet is to annually purge any items that he hasn’t worn in 12 months, donating them every November to Goodwill for their much-anticipated “Willie’s Boutique” which often sells out. 107

Sonya Molodetskaya in Balmain

Sonya Molodetskaya and Willie L. Brown, Jr. at Aubrey’s Mystique Savannah luncheon in Neiman Marcus

“Sonchick,” as she is lovingly referred to by her close friends, has been a dear friend of mine for nearly two decades. We’ve shared our fair share of fashionable escapades, including trips to Paris for Fashion Week, numerous events, and chic fêtes. A self-styled woman whose very name conjures thoughts of chic glamour, Sonya is always en vogue in her style by keeping up with fashion trends, taking a lead from the latest Paris fashion de jour, inspiration from social media, photographers, and street style mixed with classic elegance, and teaming them together with her innate instinct that makes her look her own: color, lots of color! She shares that love of color with her beau of 20 years, the aforementioned, Mayor Willie Brown, Jr. Born during tumultuous times in Moscow, Russia, where (at the time) the availability of Western and European luxury fashions was nil, 14-year-old Sonya had to be creative with what she had and looked to her elegant and fashionable mother’s closet for inspiration. She often borrowed her mother’s clothes and pinned them to fit her small frame. Sonya’s beloved mother, Alla Molodetskaya, was a fiery red head, a kind and soft-spoken lady whose style was unabashed. By the time Sonya was in her early 20s and getting her degree in civil engineering at university, Russia had begun opening up trade, allowing easier access to imported goods—especially luxury Italian fashions—making it easier for Sonya to explore the newly available European fashion trends. Sonya arrived in San Francisco with her parents to join the rest of her father’s family who had immigrated to the city in order to enjoy new possibilities. With her eye-catching style and approachable warmth, Sonya quickly became a local media darling, rising to be one of San Francisco’s most notable society fashion icons. It was fitting that she followed her passion in design and shared her flare for clothing. Collaborating with Altana Danzhalova, Sonya Molodetskaya launched her inaugural clothing line, Major Obsessions, in the winter of 2016 in the posh penthouse at the Harrison to much acclaim and backorders for their show-stopping, sequined tops that were available in a vibrant variety of jewel-tone colors. Sonya and Altana quickly followed the winter collection with the much-anticipated spring 2017 collection shown to the backdrop within the beaux-arts architectural landmark of the vacant Hibernia Bank made available just for her. Major Obsessions later collaborated with two more collections with famed couture designer and friend, Vasily Vein. Sonya and Vasily are currently working on their next collection, and the release date will be announced soon. Though Sonya could always be spotted sporting the world’s top luxury designers, accessorized with a signature Hermès Birkin, Kelly, or messenger handbag (she has too many to count and in every color of the rainbow), she is often found wearing her favorite designer, Oliver Rousteing for Balmain (Paris). And if you ask moi, Balmain was made for Sonya—always chic.

Sonya Molodetskaya, The Trend-Setter

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Events About Town

Clara Shayevich, The Glamour Goddess As a young girl growing up in Riga, Latvia’s capitol, inspiration for elegance came easily. With the stunning majesty of the Gulf of Latvia at the mouth of the glistening Daugavan River meeting the Baltic Sea and the exquisitely elaborate, city-wide Art Nouveau architecture by the famed, turn-of-the-century architect and civil engineer of Riga, Mikail Eisenstein, there’s no question how the instinct for beauty was fostered in young Clara. But, it was her aristocratic mother, Tauba Rozenblit, who instilled in Clara and her sister, Bella, the life lesson that true elegance surpasses the surface and is a mindset of kindness, grace, confidence, and class. When Clara was a child, her family’s tailor made all her and her sister’s clothes with beautiful details. Clara’s mother made sure she and Bella were always impeccably garbed in dresses, coats, hats and gloves, and that sense of self-stylization carried Shayevich into adulthood. Clara emigrated from Latvia to San Francisco in 1989 and naturally got into a line of work where she could be on the frontline in helping others. She became a clinician for the SF Department of Public Health where she has continued working for nearly three decades. Clara is also a doctor of human sexuality and runs her own gynecology practice. For her chic and elegant style, Clara looks back to the Golden Age of Hollywood for inspiration, collecting vintage haute couture, prêt-à-porter pieces, and accessories from such fashion houses as Christian Dior, Givenchy, and French designer and fashion icon, Jacqueline, Comtesse de Ribes, as well as the legendary costume designer, Walter Plunkett, whose best known works include films such as Gone with the Wind (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939) and Singing in the Rain (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1952), Yves Saint Laurent, and former Lanvin creative director, Alber Elbaz, whose quote “Style is the only thing you can't buy. It is not a shopping bag, a label, or a price tag. It is something reflected from our soul to the outside world—an emotion” stands as a mantra for Clara. For the last several years, Clara has worked with our friend, critically acclaimed couture gown and fashion designer Vasily Vein, who affectionately refers to her as his muse to create some of her most famous and unique red carpet looks. Vasily has dressed some of San Francisco’s most notable socialites for the city’s most illustrious red carpet events, often featured in the local events Clara Shayevich wearing a French pages in San Francisco.

blue couture Vasily Vein floral gown

Clara Shayevich in a floral, embellished pink Vasily Vein gown

Clara Shayevich wearing a polka dot Vasily Vein party dress at Aubrey’s Mystique Savannah luncheon in Neiman Marcus

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Health & Wellness

SPRING CLEANING? TRY THIS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY. BY LYDIA GRAHAM

Lydia is a passionate advocate of healthy living. She has launched and positioned many health and wellnessrelated companies, products, technologies and organizations receiving more than 100 awards nationally and internationally. Her focus in the health sector is specifically on life sciences, aging and longevity. She is a partner and investor in several recognized national brands. She sits on the board of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging whose mission is to eliminate the threat of agerelated disease for today’s and future generations. It is the only independent research organization globally dedicated to extending the healthy years of life. Like the scientists at the Buck, Graham envisions it will be possible for people to enjoy life at 95 as much as at 25. To support Buck’s mission, please visit www.buckinstitute.org.

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S WE BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT SPRING teacher of the ancient practice of Vedic meditation and cleaning—we might consider all that rift-raft the founder of the FLOW Meditation online program floating around in our brains each day—maybe which he developed to make the Vedic approach to we should think about cleaning that up a bit? But how meditation more widely accessible. He teaches groups, do we do that? individuals, and even programs for companies such One of the things I enjoy is sharing tips and resources as LinkedIn. His mission “is to allow a lot of people to I have found that you might find interesting and believe that mediation is something they can do.” helpful. While over the past two years, I have missed The course I did was a 4-week hybrid program the in-person events or gatherings that now seem to consisting of four live online sessions and twelve online be coming back, I must confess to have enjoyed online lessons encouraging me to meditate twice a day for up opportunities I might not to 20 minutes. The meditation have had otherwise. Two of technique is simple. It consists them came through Battery of a meaningless two syllable “My mission is to allow a lot SF. The first, a deep dive into mantra (selected from a pool of people to believe that mediation is mobility training—important of Vedic bija, meaning “seed” ” something they can do. for anyone hunched over a mantras) as a tool to help — JAMES BROWN computer—and not just for the mind settle without us older folks or performance having to try to focus and athletes, but that is another conversation. The second concentrate or trying to have fewer or nicer thoughts. was learning FLOW meditation from meditation teacher As one repeats the mantra silently in the mind, it comes James Brown. I have written before about extensive and goes, gets faster and slower, fainter and brighter, resources on meditation and the benefits of it, but I with thoughts often coming in between. In some sittings, thought this particular technique was worth calling out one can have many thoughts; in others, only a few. The due to its simplicity (and effectiveness). Anyone can do key is no effort (except repeating the mantra, but with it anywhere. Called a “householder’s” technique, it suits no effort to hold on to it). It’s no judgment meditation. busy people like us living lives in the real world versus Rather, it is simply an allowing around the mantra and in a monastic atmosphere of contemplation. the thoughts that come and go with no judgment on Who is James Brown? He is the Bay Area’s preeminent whether the thoughts or the sitting is “good” or “bad.”

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Health & Wellness Meditating using this technique triggers the body’s “relaxation or adaptation response” (versus the stress response) and ushers in a whole cascade of benefits like stress reduction, lower inflammation due to lower stress, better sleep and digestion, and fewer imagined conversations during the day (since 90 percent of what we worry about never happens). With practice, the mind effortlessly begins to turn inward through layers and layers of consciousness until we can access that deeper layer of quiet calm that exists within all of us. I found it especially interesting to learn that when we meditate using this technique and approach, according to James, “when we do have thoughts, the emotion associated with these thoughts becomes released and we are not as triggered emotionally as we are in our normal state.” So, over time, he suggests, “a lot of emotional stress in the body releases. And during the day, previous situations that may have triggered us before begin to fade.” Overall, the ultimate benefit is just being more present for yourself and those around you—to show up as the best version of you—which is a much more enjoyable way to go through life. Since beginning the course, I have noticed stellar “readiness” readings on my Oura Ring—an indication of a good balance between stress load and rest—an indicator of resilience, and lower heart rate

readings at night and through the day. I am also hoping to realize some of the longevity benefits of this meditation Brown mentions, like slowing and even reversing biological age and the aging process— perhaps I can eventually ditch those expensive creams. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But easier said than done. I hear Nike’s slogan of “Just Do It” ringing in my head—boy, they really nailed that one. Meditation, just like workouts, requires that you do it—not just read or think about doing it. That annoying “to do” list is always calling (even in meditation). James’ lessons are both inspiring and instructive. What I enjoy most about him and his FLOW approach to meditation is that both are straightforward and have no dogma, jargon, or ritual. This meditation is ideal for veteran meditators and newbies alike and particularly for anyone who has previously had trouble meditating or has been intimidated by other approaches. Check out James and the FLOW program at www. vedicpathmeditation.com. Happy meditating! James Brown, founder of FLOW Meditation

FLOW group meditation at Sweet Green in Palo Alto

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Dr. Toni Brayer

HEALTHY HORIZONS

HAUTE SEAT

DR. TONI BRAYER TALKS HOLISTIC HEALING BY BECCA HENSLEY

ave you ever considered integrative medicine? Dr. Toni Brayer, one of the lead physicians of Sutter’s Institute for Health & Healing, thinks you should. “Integrative medicine is absolutely critical to global health. It’s up to us now how to steer our healthcare system in new directions,” she says. At IHH, Dr. Brayer, as inspiring as the medicine she practices, joins colleagues to guide patients to wellness by looking at the entire person—mind, body, and spirit—knowing that “illness (disease) reflects an imbalance within the whole.” To find the deepest meaning of health and healing, IHH uses ancient medicine for modern times. They practice team-based care which relies on physician and patient collaboration. We sat down with Dr. Brayer to find out why integrative medicine may be the key to transforming healthcare. HL: What are some types of holistic healing which readers may have heard about, as well as some that may be new to them? TB: We are in a period when there is a striking public interest in integrative medical care. Finally, studies are showing the benefits with improved outcomes. At IHH, we are true scientists who are open to incorporating well-documented, new knowledge into our medical practices. We are talking about Chinese medicine, acupuncture, psychotherapy (including trauma work), qi gong, breath work, meditation, massage and other forms of body work, chiropractic, guided imagery, nutrition, and, of course, primary care. Many people may have heard about all these forms of holistic healing, but it is most powerful to have them under one roof, working together. In fact, that is the key. We practice integrative medicine by bringing the patient back to the center and working deeply with them to empower their healing process. Because we are part of Sutter Health, we can coordinate so our patients have the benefit of the best specialists, surgeons, and cutting-edge medicine, if needed. Integrative medicine generally has been thought of as alternative, but that viewpoint is changing. IHH is specifically part of a very large, sophisticated medical system. We refer patients to specialists, surgeons, and cutting-edge Western medicine within that system when needed for the best course of treatment. Originating in ancient China, acupuncture has wide acceptance around the world today.

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HOLISTIC HEALING IS WHAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES. BY AND LARGE, WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE WISDOM OF THE INDIGENOUS. OUR VERY OWN GLOBAL CULTURAL TRADITIONS AND MEMORY ARE ENDANGERED. IT’S NOT ONLY HUMAN LIVES THAT ARE SUFFERING AS A RESULT. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS, RACISM AND INEQUITY, PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY, THE THREAT TO MOTHER EARTH’S ANIMALS AND PLANT LIFE: THESE ALL STEM FROM SAME ROOT CAUSE, THE DELUSION OF SEPARATENESS. WHAT I JUST ENUMERATED ARE NOT SEPARATE ISSUES. THEY ARE INTERCONNECTED AND INSEPARABLE. —

D R . T O N I B R AY E R Dr. Toni Brayer

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HL: How can integrative medicine help us reclaim health and well-being? TB: A core principle of integrative medicine is that every person has their own natural capacity to heal. As clinicians, it is our job to listen deeply to every person and work alongside them on their own unique journey. In this way, patient and healer are equal collaborators. The patient has enormous power, autonomy, and agency. As they say, we’re all in this together, right? We truly are! The more we consider ourselves, all living beings, and our planet as separate from each other, the more deluded we are. The more we wake up to our fundamental interconnectedness, the better chance we have at individual and collective healing. HL: If someone wanted to embrace just one aspect of holistic healing, what would you suggest? TB: When in doubt, start with the basics: nutrition, sleep, exercise, time in nature, some kind of contemplative practice, and quality time with those you love—most importantly, yourself! I know it sounds too simple and good to be true, but consistently reorienting towards these essential aspects will give you vital information about your baseline health. If all these factors are well established and you find yourself in pain or out of balance, that’s great information for what to do next and what kind of support you might need.

HL: Is holistic healing new or has it been around for centuries? Please explain. TB: Holistic healing is what has been around for centuries. By and large, we have forgotten the wisdom of the indigenous. Our very own global cultural traditions and memory are endangered. It’s not only human lives that are suffering as a result. The environmental crisis, racism and inequity, patriarchal society, the threat to Mother Earth’s animals and plant life: these all stem from same root cause, the delusion of separateness. What I just enumerated are not separate issues. They are interconnected and inseparable. In the same way integrative medicine teaches us to look at the suffering of an individual, we must look at the suffering of our planet. Both ask us to approach the healing process as a complex and intricate web. This is the lens through which integrative medicine gazes. I passionately believe that if we do not start looking through this lens more deeply, and soon, there will be unfathomable consequences. Last summer I had the great privilege of going on a medical mission to Rwanda. While I was there, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing, up close, the gorillas native to the land. Thinking about them still brings me chills and warms my heart. The way I practice medicine, the way integrative medicine guides me as a healer and person, is to honor every single living being. I keep the memory of those majestic animals very close to me these days.

HAUTE SEAT HL: What are some of your favorite success stories? TB: A young mother was diagnosed with liver cancer by her gastroenterologist, a devastating diagnosis that completely upended her life. The cancer specialist recommended surgery and chemotherapy, both lifesaving treatments. Her head was spinning with shock, grief. Having no idea what to do, she read everything she could online and was considering no treatment—using only mushrooms and herbs that she read about for healing. There is a great deal of confusing, misinformation on the internet, and stressed-out patients cannot sort out the fluff from the science. This can be deadly and dangerous.

"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONFUSING, MISINFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, AND STRESSED-OUT PATIENTS CANNOT SORT OUT THE FLUFF FROM THE SCIENCE. THIS CAN BE DEADLY AND DANGEROUS."

I had a long consultation with her, her friend, and her husband. I listened closely and actively to her fears. I explained how IHH could support her natural healing with nutrition, strengthening the immune-system, herbs, acupuncture, and qi gong, while she received the most up-to-date surgery and chemo from the best doctors in San Francisco. Her relief was profound, and she is now receiving the integrative services that we provide, along with her traditional oncology. Helping people through the “worst day of their life” and supporting them to live their best life is the highest reward for the work that I do. HL: What else would you like to tell us? TB: I’d like every reader of this article to consider, if even you feel a tiny spark of inspiration, to get curious and get involved by reaching out to us. In order for our healthcare system to change, we need as many allies as possible in all sectors. IHH’s most pressing and current need is financial support for our cancer programming, which provides free integrative services to cancer patients at all stages of the cancer journey. We are living our mission. We are healing people and transforming healthcare. I invite you to join us. A 30-year-old institution, Sutter’s Institute for Health & Healing (IHH) is a collection of integrative medicine clinics throughout the Bay Area, fulfilling its mission: “healing people, transforming healthcare”. They offer five locations to serve you: Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Carlos, and Santa Rosa. https:// www.sutterhealth.org/services/holistic-integrative-medicine/ institute-health-healing. The ancient art of Tai Chi is a gentle way to fight stress

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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA

LUXURY LAKEFRONT LODGE

Lakefront living at its best with this beautifully built mountain log style home perched on the waters edge. This expertly crafted four bedroom, four bath home offers an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings and hand scraped logs accented throughout. The lake views are outstanding and allow the natural surroundings to fill the space. Full cedar wrapped siding with stone accents give the house a rustic feel with modern touches. The Lake Tahoe access is excellent with a private shared pier and boat lift, along with two moorings and access to a nearly private beach below the spacious deck overlooking Lake Tahoe. Schedule a tour of this beautiful estate and be mesmerized by the Lake Tahoe views. $6,500,000

FAWNE HAYES NV & CA REALTOR® CA 01491811 NV S.0176418

530 416 2272 fhayes@chaseinternational.com BuyLakeTahoeHomes.com

THE LEADER IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE

VISIT: CHASEINTERNATIONAL.COM

DOWNTON ABBEY IN RENO

ON THE BLUFFS - TRUCKEE RIVER

Built in 1907, this elegant mansion has been brought into the 21st Century. Eight bedroom suites, including master with two dressing rooms and baths, 5 half baths, numerous public rooms, glorious kitchen complex, elevator, terraces and lawn for entertaining, downtown Reno and mountain views….all on and above the Truckee River. Professional office zoning too! Nixonmansion.com $15,900,000

TRINKIE WATSON

DONNA SPEAR

NV BS.1022

NV S.42018 | CA 01226918

800 783 0722

775 691 7947

twatson@chaseinternational.com

dspear@chaseinternational.com

Tahoe City office: 531 North Lake Boulevard

Reno office: 985 Damonte Ranch Parkway

THE LEADER IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE

VISIT: CHASEINTERNATIONAL.COM

California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent Belvedere Island Italianate Villa

8 Beds | 6 Baths | 2 Half-Bath This iconic appx. 7,695 sq. ft. mansion featuring eight bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths is one of the most admired homes on Belvedere Island for its styling, magnificent gardens, spectacular pool, and panoramic views overlooking Tiburon Hills, Corinthian Island, Angel Island, East Bay, Bay Bridge, and beautiful Belvedere Cove reminiscent of Portofino, Italy. Located on the desirable, warm side of the island with allday sun and sheltered from the wind, this classic residence was renovated in recent years, featuring a beautiful custom-designed kitchen with Italian marble countertops and a breakfast area with a balcony to enjoy the views and for al fresco dining. The eight bedrooms mostly open onto balconies with expansive bay views. A generously sized master suite with his/her dressing and sitting areas includes a kitchenette/coffee bar, closets, a luxurious bathroom with a steam shower, and a sunroom. The

Belvedere, California

Offered at $11,495,000 lower level includes an exercise room with a full bath and sauna, wine cellar, and two spacious storage rooms. There is a security system and a two-car garage, plus an adjacent one-car carport. Across the street-tostreet lot are extensive brick terraces with elegant balustrades, lush gardens, and water features. Three separate entrances and multiple living spaces create a perfect floor plan setup for an au pair unit and an in-law unit. Easy walking distance to the San Francisco Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, downtown Tiburon restaurants such as Malibu Farm and Michael Mina’s Bungalow Kitchen, and ferry services to San Francisco and Angel Island. Offered as a newly certified historic property,, this magnificent home provides a very substantial property tax reduction to the next owner and comes with an assumable mortgage. Details and photos at www.308GoldenGate.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent Belvedere Island Italianate Villa

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

Belvedere, California

California Lifestyle Collection Rare Belvedere Waterfront Compound of 2 Homes on 4 Lots with Stunning Views

4 Beds | 5 Baths | 1 Half-Bath | ±8,131 sq. ft Featured in Architectural Digest, this world-class residence showcases panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the entire city skyline of San Francisco, and Sausalito. This magnifi cent masterpiece in a dramatic setting on the most prestigious location is comprised of a ±8,131 sq .ft. home on a ±0.67 acre lot, featuring 4 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. This architectural work of art was designed by architect Charles Gwathmey, with spectacular outlooks from every corner of the expansive 4-level fl oor plan. The primarily vertical organization of this house takes advantage of its sloped site on the southern coast of Belvedere Island. The uppermost level contains a 3-car garage with glass doors, an elevator which descends to a courtyard, a detached one bedroom, one bath guesthouse and a spacious wine cellar. The remaining levels of the main house are situated between two large retaining walls, which follow the natural contours of the site and splay outwards towards the Bay. The house’s compact organization within the precinct formed by

Price Upon Request the retaining walls ensures privacy. An interior circular stair winds around an elevator and forms the cylindrical focal point of the house’s massing. A barrel-vaulted ceiling articulates the living and dining room at the entry level of the main house, and a large deck projects towards the Bay to extend the space into the landscape. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a study and a two-story entertainment room occupy the intermediate floors, while a media room, a beautiful wet bar, a full bath with steam shower and sauna on the lowest level open onto a spacious outdoor terrace with a pool, whose “infinity edge” of water establishes a poetic connection to the Bay. The interior floors are limestone and wide plank, Bubinga wood and cabinets are lightly stained maple. The exterior is clad in gray stained cedar, with a curved standing seam zinc roof. All exterior windows, doors and decks are teak, all terraces are beige/gray flamed limestone pavers and the retaining walls are painted warm white stucco. More photos and information can be found at: 445BelvedereAve.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Rare Belvedere Waterfront Compound of 2 Homes on 4 Lots with Stunning Views

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Stunning World-Class Wine Country Retreat

5 Beds | 6 Baths | ±2,500 sq. ft. Interior | ±61 Acres This stunning world-class retreat is the epitome of the indoor-outdoor Napa Valley lifestyle. Designed by award-winning architect Howard Backen with sliding doors and screens that open completely to the surrounding gardens and views beyond, this residence and separate two-bedroom guest house are arranged as three separate zinc-roofed pavilions floating above semi-enclosed porches, a magnificent pool, and the surrounding landscaped gardens. Featuring extraordinary materials and workmanship, brilliant designs and soaring high ceilings, this private compound is designed to capture magnificent views of nature. Sited at the edge of a ravine, this home is oriented to frame and command views across neighboring vineyards and a watershed of the Napa River. Inside the main pavilion, the boundaries between living room, kitchen, dining room and the surrounding terraces are blurred. The combination of openness and grand scale permits the home to feel at once expansive and yet comfortable for intimate entertaining. Radiant heating under the polished concrete floors provides year-round comfort. The flexible

Napa, California

$13,500,000

architectural layers of sliding glass, shutters, and screens serve to effortlessly control light, space, and temperature. Whether the walls of windows are open or closed, the calming architecture frames the natural and designed landscape. Spread across ±61 acres of grounds, amenities include infinity-edge pool, spacious lawn, bocce court, two hot-tubs, olive grove, organic garden, stocked lake, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen with refrigerator, barbecue, and pizza oven. The basement level features a large wine cellar as well as a gym, powder room, and catering kitchen. A separate machine building houses a backup generator and well equipment including reverse-osmosis water filter. This sublime place represents an artistic departure from the conventional and is one that truly must be experienced—it is one that might inspire great thoughts and play gracious host to many extraordinary events to come! More photos and information can be found at: SodaCanyonEstate.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

MARCH-APRIL 2022 THE FASHION ISSUE

Articles inside

Enjoy a better, healthier you through Dr. Toni Brayer’s integrative ap proach to holistic healing.

Sweeping ocean views and proximity to Tiburon put this resort-like property in reach of the best life has to offer.

Nothing improves your style better than calm and serenity. Lydia suggests meditation.

Aubrey reminisces on the fashion inspiration of San Francisco’s best dressed.

After Mighty Leaf, Jill Portman launches a beverage brand focused on traditional wellness.

Stop tossing and turning and get in a pampered 40 winks

Dr. Karen Horton improves upon nature and keeps that natural look

Kobi Halperin adds his own distinct style to Ungaro’s bold colors and butterflies.

Step into footwear that combines fashion, comfort and sustainabilty.

We joined the glitterati celebrating Yuan Yuan Tan’s amazing 25-year milestone as SF Ballet’s principal dancer.

FOG Design + Art returns to raise funds for the SF Museum of Moern Art’s educational programs.

The Sonoma International Film Festival celebrates 25 years of film, food, fun, and fashion.

Rabih Kayrouz debuts his designs at the SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show.

Dior’s collaboration with Technogym makes exercise elegant.

Celebrate spring with sparkle and shine

Haute designers impart style and cachet to those who support the luxury lifestyle.

Discover Lyon, an oft-overlooked gem for luxury fine dining, and rich history.

Take a stylish stroll on Fillmore street

Designers with great taste in clothes show off their great taste in wine.

HAUTE CALENDAR

Chef Mica Talmor fuses the flavors of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe for distinctly tasty food.

EDITOR’S LETTER