9 minute read

The Man Behind LVMH – Bernard Arnault

Second Richest Man In The World – $220 Billion

Louis Vuitton, the iconic luxury brand, set the American fashion scene ablaze with a highly anticipated runway show, masterfully curated by their visionary Creative Director for menswear. The venue of choice was the mythical Pont Neuf, an ancient and storied bridge, which added an extra layer of grandeur to the already extravagant affair. The show, eagerly awaited by fashion enthusiasts across the nation, did not disappoint.

The mesmerizing melodies of virtuoso pianist Lang Lang cascaded through the air, intertwining with the collective breaths of the awe-struck audience. The soul-stirring Voices of Fire gospel choir, known for their powerful and emotive performances, further elevated the atmosphere, creating an undeniable energy that reverberated within every fiber of the show.

The collection itself was a tour de force, a testament to the boundless creativity of the Louis Vuitton universe. The brand’s iconic checkerboard motif, a symbol synonymous with opulence and style, underwent a captivating metamorphosis, revealing fresh variations that pushed the boundaries of imagination. Camouflage patterns, captivating prints, and intricate jacquards adorned an array of meticulously crafted garments, including coats, jackets, pajamas, shirts, and even laser-cut bags. Each piece transported the beholder to a truly distinctive and fantastical realm, where pixelated designs coexisted harmoniously with the brand’s unmistakable aesthetic.

In a heartfelt homage to his native Virginia, the designer wove personal sentiment into the fabric of the collection. The “LVERS” emblem, cleverly derived from the state’s cherished slogan, “Virginia is for lovers,” served as a powerful testament to the designer’s roots and added an intimate touch to the show. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s rich archives, the Marque L. Vuitton Déposée logo made frequent appearances throughout the collection, a symbol of the brand’s enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to excellence.

The accessories showcased during the event were nothing short of extraordinary. Crafted from the finest lambskin leather and adorned with vibrant hues, they exemplified the brand’s mastery of craftsmanship. Among the standout pieces was the iconic Speedy bag, which effortlessly blended elegance and versatility. Its berets, emblazoned with the stylized letters “L” and “V,” served as an unmistakable hallmark of Louis Vuitton’s impeccable attention to detail and their unyielding dedication to the art of fashion. www. LouisVuitton .com www.LVMH.com

This momentous occasion not only marked a significant milestone for Louis Vuitton but also provided a dazzling platform for the renowned musician Pharrell Williams. His collaboration with the brand solidified Louis Vuitton’s reputation as a cultural tastemaker, showcasing their commitment to embracing diverse creative forces. The remarkable launch served as a triumphant celebration of Pharrell Williams’ extraordinary talents and further solidified the position of the fashion capital of the world, Paris, as an unrivaled epicenter of style and innovation.

Bernard Arnault, the esteemed business magnate and ambassador of French heritage and culture, has established himself as a true titan in the world of luxury. As the overseer of the LVMH empire, which encompasses 75 prestigious fashion and cosmetics brands, including Louis Vuitton and Sephora, Arnault has shaped the industry landscape with his unwavering commitment to excellence.

One of Arnault’s notable achievements was the landmark acquisition of American jeweler Tiffany & Co in 2021 for a staggering $15.8 billion, marking it as one of the largest luxury brand acquisitions ever. This strategic move further solidified LVMH’s global presence and its position as a leader in the luxury market.

Beyond his involvement in the fashion and luxury realm, Arnault’s influence extends to the world of venture capital. Through his holding company Agache, he backs Aglaé Ventures, a venture capital firm with investments in prominent businesses such as Netflix and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. Arnault’s keen eye for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit has allowed him to diversify his portfolio and remain at the forefront of industry trends.

Arnault’s journey to success traces back to his father’s fortune in construction, which provided him with the initial capital to make his mark. In 1984, he made a bold move by investing $15 million from his father’s business to acquire Christian Dior, a decision that would set the stage for his ascent to prominence in the fashion world.

Notably, family plays a central role in Arnault’s life and business. All five of his children are actively involved in the operations of LVMH, highlighting the family’s commitment to the company’s continued success. In July 2022, Arnault proposed a reorganization of his holding company Agache, intending to give his children equal stakes, further cementing their collective legacy within the LVMH empire.

Bernard Arnault’s unwavering dedication to preserving French heritage and culture, coupled with his strategic business acumen, has propelled him to the forefront of the luxury industry. His visionary leadership and astute decision-making have ensured LVMH’s continued dominance and secured his place as a symbol of excellence and elegance.

Every year in July, we dedicate National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to shed light on the unique challenges faced by racial and ethnic minority communities regarding mental health in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health encourages leaders at the state, tribal, and local levels, as well as community-based organizations, faith leaders, healthcare providers, and individuals, to educate their communities about mental health stigma.

The statistics reveal alarming trends. According to data from the CDC, suicide ranked as the third leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 10 and 24 in 2020.

The suicide rate for African American men is four times higher than that of African American women. Additionally, African American females in grades 9-12 were 60% more likely to attempt suicide than their white counterparts.

Native Americans also face significant challenges. In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Native Americans between the ages of 10 and 24. The overall suicide rate for Native American adults is approximately 20% higher than that of white adults. In fact, Native Americans had the highest suicide rate among all eth- nic groups in 2021. In 2019, adolescent Native American females aged 15-24 had a death rate from suicide five times higher than that of white females in the same age group. During the same period, Native American males aged 15-24 had a suicide death rate twice as high as that of white males in the same age group.

Hispanic communities also face significant challenges in this regard.

In 2020, suicide ranked as the second leading cause of death for Hispanics aged 10-24. Suicide attempts among Hispanic girls in grades 9-12 were 30% higher than those among white girls of the same age.

Disturbingly, from 2018 to 2021, suicide rates among youth aged 10-24 increased by 36% among African Americans, 16% among Native Americans, and 8.2% among Hispanics. In contrast, the suicide rate for white Americans decreased by 3.9%.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that despite the need, only one in three African American adults with mental illness receives treatment. Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in this disparity. In 2020, 10.4% of African American adults lacked health insurance. Among Native

Americans, suicide remains highly stigmatized, perpetuated by myths and misunderstandings, such as the belief that discussing suicide will make it happen, that suicidal ideation is merely a cry for attention, and the mistaken notion that a person from a strong family would never consider ending their life. All of these beliefs are false. Furthermore, over half of all Hispanic adults aged 18-25 do not receive treatment for mental illness, possibly due to language barriers, limited health insurance coverage, legal status concerns, the stigma surrounding mental illness, and challenges related to acculturation.

To learn more about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, please visit the Health Disparities page on the official website (National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month — Health Disparities) or explore the resources offered by The Jason Foundation. The Jason Foundation is committed to preventing suicide through education and awareness programs.

For information on how you can support a loved one or friend struggling with mental illness or suicidal thoughts, please visit www. jasonfoundation.com.

The sun was barely up, yet the aroma of sizzling chicken and waffles filled the air in Houston. In the latest rendition of Good Morning America's culinary face-off, the spotlight fell on the enticing "United States of Breakfast" competition, celebrating America's best morning offerings.

On this lively Monday morning, June 26, the backdrop for the gastronomic showdown was the iconic Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Among the contenders were two beloved local establishments: the ever-popular Midtown's The Breakfast Klub and the charming Dandelion Cafe, a Bellaire-based hotspot that has been serving up delightful treats since 2016. At the heart of the contest was the classic yet varied dish of chicken and waffles.

Each of these culinary establishments brought their distinct flavor profile and presentation to the table. Representing The Breakfast Klub was owner Marcus Davis, presenting

CULINARY: BELLAIRE'S DANDELION CAFE EARNS BREAKFAST

CROWN IN GOOD MORNING AMERICA'S EPIC UNITED STATES OF BREAKFASTSHOWDOWN, TRAILING TRILL BURGER'S LAST

By Francis Page, Jr. and Photos For www.StyleMagazine.com

a two-to-one vote, awarded the coveted prize to Dandelion Cafe. With this win, Dandelion Cafe is now set to advance to the grand finals in New York City on Friday, where they'll match their culinary skills against winners from Cleveland, Boston, and Philadelphia, vying for the grand prize of $10,000.

a time-tested favorite - Creole-spiced chicken and waffle, an endearing dish that has warmed the hearts and bellies of Houston residents for over two decades.

Dandelion Cafe owners, Sarah Lieberman and Chef J.C. Ricks, presented a stunning and daring variant of the classic. A cornbread waffle served as the bed for chorizo-spiced fried chicken, topped with a fiery maple compound butter, and dusted lightly with powdered sugar. The Dandelion

Cafe’s innovative dish offered a bold flavor balance, harmonizing sweet and spicy notes. As Food Network star Eddie Jackson put it, "Two totally different chicken and waffles, [Dandelion] has more of a sweet and heat combination, and this compound butter with a little chili kick is everything."

The esteemed panel of judges, which also included ABC13 reporter Erica Simon and former Houston Texans star Owen Daniels, deliberated and, with

Houston Rockets Take Next Step in Rebuilding Process After Successful 2023 Draft

By: Brian Barefield, Sports Editor For www.StyleMagazine.com

A mention of this competition would be incomplete without recognizing last year's illustrious victor, Trill Burgers. Good Morning America had previously crowned Bun B’s Trill Burgers as the winner of its "Ultimate Burger Spot," a victory that propelled the smash burger concept toward its recent successful brick-and-mortar debut. Their triumph in a similar culinary competition, involving a four-city battle, underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of the food scene that this exciting annual contest highlights. The Dandelion Cafe is located at 5405 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401, More information, visit dandelionhouston.com.

great potential, and I think [we] have a scary future," Thompson said. Adding those pieces to a roster that consists of Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, and Tari Eason makes Houston one of the most exciting teams in the NBA.

"We are athletic," said Stone with a smile during his post-draft press conference. "I think we can jump. So, I think we already were [athletic], and we doubled down. It is never a bad thing to be a hyper-athletic team, and I think we will be just that."

It has been three years since the Houston Rockets have been labeled as "winners" regarding things on and off the court. In order to bring some relevance back to the team, the organization has a three-phase plan in place, and after Thursday night's 2023 NBA Draft, they are already winning the second phase.

Phase one of their rebuild started with the departure of veteran superstars such as James Harden and Russell Westbrook, along with general manager Daryl Morey, who was the architect of the extended play- off runs. It ended with the non-renewal of head coach Stephen Silas's contract at the end of the 2022 regular season, following three consecutive years of the team finishing as one of the worst in the league.

Phase two started with a bang as Houston hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, who led the team to an NBA Finals appearance in his only season. His presence will be felt on the sidelines and in the locker room. The former NBA player and coach under San Antonio Spurs legend Gregg Popovich was heavily pur- sued by many teams for their head coaching vacancy during the postseason. The shift in dynamics when it came to hiring a coach who could help the young Rockets' roster take the next step can be considered a victory for the organization. If that is the case, general manager Rafael Stone should be preparing to take another victory lap.

Houston was a big winner in the draft on Thursday with the additions of Amen Thompson at No. 4 from Overtime Elite and Cam Whitmore at No. 20 from Villanova. "I think Houston has a lot of players that have

Now the responsibility of making everything come together on the court to translate into wins will be left up to Ime Udoka and his staff. Stone has provided most of the necessary pieces to make the Rockets competitive next season but still needs to find more veteran presence in the free-agent market to produce victories and complete phase two.

For owner Tilman Fertitta, phase three consists of playoff runs that will lead to NBA championships. It is too early for the Rockets to consider hanging another banner in the Toyota Center. Still, they could begin thinking about a parade route throughout the city in about five years if the team develops as projected. www. Rockets .com

This article is from: