HudsonMOD Oct/Nov Italian Issue

october/november 2014

+

the itaLian issue

Benetti Super Yachts Emilio Pucci Fendi Casa Pagani Huayra Roberto Coin

Giada de Laurentiis From Le Cordon Bleu, Paris to the Las Vegas Strip

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2015 S-Class Coupe

THREE ALL-NEW 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ STARS Introducing 3 additions to the 2015 Mercedes-Benz lineup: the S-Class Coupe, C-Class Sedan and GLA-Class SUV coming soon to Benzel-Busch.

The all-new 2015 S-Class Coupe is a breathtaking version of our new flagship S-Class.

This sporty two-door commands not only a striking, self-assured presence you’ve come to expect from the S-Class.

It also delivers exhilarating driving dynamics and is packed with some of the world’s most innovative driving assistance systems.

The all-new 2015 C-Class has been redesigned from the road up – and from the inside out – the next generation of the world’s bestselling Mercedes-Benz family emerges as more sophisticated,more powerful and more luxurious than ever before.

The all-new 2015 GLA-Class is nimble on the road, a true premium compact SUV with responsive handling and dramatic styling to match.

The GLA-Class also offers a thoughtful and innovative interior immersed in signature Mercedes-Benz quality with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and a new-generation 4MATIC® all-wheel drive.

At Benzel-Busch we provide a range of service offerings that deliver an unparalleled ownership experience centered on transparency, honesty, integrity, and trust.

Enjoy our dealership’s luxurious amenities during your visit.

Arrange to meet with your own Personal Account Representative today to take an up-close look at the All-New 2015 vehicles or start your journey at benzelbusch.com.

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INSIDE O CT OBE R / NOV E M BE R 2 014

46 FEATURES 48 Cover The role Giada De Laurentiis has been slowly preparing for her whole life is finally hers.

36

54 Shelter Italian artisans from Giorgetti to Missoni are at the forefront of stunning and lasting designs.

60 Fashion Our fashion stylist Dawn Del Russo on this fall’s top Italian designer pieces and boutiques.

64 Travel Escape to the illustrious Grand Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy, the land of love.

54

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HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

Departments 12

THE PUBLISHER

14

CONTRIBUTORS

16

EXPERIENCE

22

WATER

26

WHEELS

28

WINGS

30

SHELTER

36

SAVOR

38

TOAST

40

DWELLINGS

44

GORGEOUS

46

COVET

73

EVENTS

86

THE SCENE

88

ENCORE

48

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The Life the publisher

La DoLce Vita, The Good Life

It Often Takes a Village I would like to take this time to give a very special thanks to our sponsors, guests, HudsonMOD staff and volunteers as well as the The Eric Trump Foundation for helping make Trump National Golf Club’s ‘Concourse for the Kids’ event a tremendous success.

Held on September 28 at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, we raised $80,000 in net proceeds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I can’t speak more highly of Eric Trump’s constant dedication to helping these children and am even more honored that he reached out to HudsonMOD to be part of a what was truly an incredible and life-changing day. Due to the enormous success and overwhelming response, I am pleased to announce that the next ‘Concourse for the Kids’ event has been set for Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. If you were unable to attend the event this year, I highly encourage you to attend next year and help contribute to saving the lives of these brave children. Allow me to share with you my personal meaning to a ‘Life Well Lived.’ shannon steitz, President & Publisher

The Best Kept secrets for Your Fall adventures PrOPerly exPlOre ITaly ic Bellagio has been named one of the top travel agents by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. owners of the corte del lago villas in lake como, italy and other villas along the shoreline, ic Bellagio will help you plan the italian getaway you will never forget.

FOrT lauderdale InTernaTIOnal BOaT ShOw head down to the “Yachting capital of the World” to experience the 55th Fort lauderdale international Boat show between october 30 and november 3. covering over three million square feet of space, the show will include a wide variety of boating vessels including luxury superyachts. alFa rOmeO 4C after 14 long years, alfa romeo is returning to the U.s. to launch their newest luxury vehicle, the 2015 alfa romeo 4c. manufactured by maserati, the sport car’s engine breathtaking design and turbo speed will certainly not disappoint. aFTerlIghT love sharing pictures with friends on instagram but tired of the same old filters? The newest photo-editing phone application afterlight, available at the app store, Google play and Windows phone store, holds over 50 filters and textures and 100 frames to choose from. Taking pictures has never been so creative.

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HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

charles palmisano

I

t’s hard to believe another summer has passed as we begin to welcome autumn once again. The transition from summer to fall undoubtedly prompts other changes in our lifestyles, especially here in the Northeast.

Yachts start to head south, the rooftops in Manhattan close, exotic cars take shelter and stronger spices and heavier ingredients are incorporated into the menus of the finest restaurants. Before you know it, it’s time to switch our closets (and dare I say begin to prepare for holiday galas) to the latest styles that recently dominated the runways at Lincoln Center, many of which by leading Italian designers.

At HudsonMOD, we often find that Italian culture stands at the forefront of design from home interiors, exotic cars, and superyachts to wine productions and couture designers such as Versace, Valentino and Gucci ruling Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Given our strong appreciation for the quality and intricacies that have produced some of the world’s most highly regarded brands, it only seems fitting to dedicate an entire issue to this influential culture.

TH E M A L L AT S H O RT H I L L S

T H E K W I AT DIA MO N D TA G CO LLECT IO N

masthead

By Someo Someone lIFE WEll lIVED

oc toB er /novem B er 2014 VO l u M E 3 , N u M b E R 5

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@hudsonMOD

Shannon Steitz Publisher DESIGN DIRECTOR Wilbert

Gutierrez

GRaphIC DESIGNER Leah SENIOR EDITOR Mara

aSSOCIaTE EDITOR Nicole DESIGN EDITOR Vanessa

Valdez

Model Fonzino

Deleon Bournias

bEauTy EDITOR Leonora

Conley

FaShION ExpERT & STylIST Dawn COpy ChIEF Mike

Del Russo

Banka

CONTRIbuTING EDITORS

Eric Dahler, Jamie Ritchie, Monique Valeris Jonathan Burns, Terry Ward, Simon Murray lIFESTylE phOTOGRaphER

Charles Palmisano

CONTRIbuTING phOTOGRaphER

Teresa Pyskaty Lamicella INTERNS

Jacqueline Klecak, Taylor Bevilacqua

T

he newest edition to

the HudsonMOD team is award-winning interior designer, lifestyle expert and television personality Vanessa Deleon. Vanessa loves the finer things in life, and by taking on the role as Design Editor, her highly-qualified expertise in this field will provide readers with the most high-end shelter and design trends.

Vanessa’s career began while attending Berkeley College after branching out from her family’s furniture business to start her own interior design company, Vanessa Deleon Associates.

Vanessa’s innovative sensibility and keen eye for details are seen through her signature design style “Glamilistic,” where she combines streamlined minimalism with glamorous details.

aSSOCIaTE publIShER

Christopher Burns SalES/MaRKETING MaNaGER

Vanessa DeNotaris aCCOuNT MaNaGERS

Chris Pellegrino, Christine Wood CIRCulaTION DIRECTOR

Lauren Mena WEb DEVElOpER

Larry Volmer ©2014 by moD media, llc All rights reserved iSSn# 2167-6151

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HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

PhotograPhs by someo someone

Anth ony BiAnciellA

MEET VaNESSa DELEoN

Vanessa is known for her modern and stylized interiors that incorporate classic décor. She brings this look to high-end luxury apartments in New York City, homes in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, commercial venues and hospitality facilities. She also pulls inspiration from hands-on experience, such as traveling to destinations like Amsterdam and St. Maarten, to gather new perspectives on what other cultures have to offer designwise.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Vanessa continues to work even when she’s not on the clock. She designed her own Hudson River apartment in Edgewater and her Roman numeral-themed wedding that took place last June. Driven by her three D’s motto (“drive, dedication and discipline”), Vanessa won’t let anything stop her from doing what she loves.

In addition to being our Design Editor, Vanessa was recently featured on NBC’s American Dream Builders as well as Restaurant Impossible and HGTV’s Design Star.

Vanessa is a perfect addition to the HudsonMOD team. Check out each issue to see what incredible ideas she has.

Getty Suite Living Room

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2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065 www.tajhotels.com/thepierre

The Life

experience

by terry Ward

no sojourn in italy is complete without spending a few decadent days at the country’s most pampering wellness locales. From a soak in the healing thermal waters and antiaging muds of Veneto to luxurious treatments inside an erstwhile wine cellar in tuscany, experience the spa world’s “dolce vita” at two of italy’s most celebrated five-star hotels.

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HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

mud,” Chiara Borile explains as we sip an aperitivo of local white wine. We sit at the property her parents built in Abano Terme surrounding the Euganean Hills, a top European wellness destination in northern Italy that has attracted hedonists since ancient Roman times.

I’ve come to the five-star Abano Grand Hotel, a garden-fringed oasis some 30 miles west of Venice’s famed canals, for two days of intense beauty and thermal therapy. Chiara is giving me an education on the healing appeal of this place, steeped in mineral-rich muds and

courtesy of abano grand h otel

AbAno GrAnd Hotel & CAstello di CAsole

“I have always belonged to the

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The Life experience

the healing effects, says Chiara. The thermal waters are cooled to thermal waters. It’s a spot she’s always called home. a suitable swimming temperature before being pumped into the It was her father Aldo Borile who pioneered a new generation Abano Grand’s outdoor swimming pool and used in the various of spa culture in Italy in the 1970s. He brought special pumps healing treatments offered on site, the most popular involving engineered in Germany to Abano Terme to harness the thermal application of algae-rich mud infused with anti-inflammatory spring waters and healing muds lauded for their beneficial health and anti-aging properties. effects.

I tell Chiara I’m game to try this fango (Italian for mud) In the years since Borile established a modern way to tap into treatment, and the next morning I’m brought to a thick bed of the area’s natural resources, hundreds of spa hotels have opened mud spread across a treatment table in a tiled room on the hotel’s in Abano Terme. Abano Grand Hotel is the finest of them all, ground floor. with its 26,000-square-foot world-class Anti-Aging Thermal Spa Enriched with algae grown in the hotel’s special maturation featuring thermal pools, a steam grotto, Finnish sauna and an tanks, the fango has various healing benefits, from antiaqua gym, in addition to the renowned medically sanctioned spa inflammatory effects on tired joints to cell-renewal stimulation. mud farm.

My spa therapist wraps me in towels once I’m on my back in Abano Terme owes its place on the world’s wellness map the warm mud. There, I rest mummy-like for the 15-minute to mineral-rich pluvial waters that flow here from far away, treatment. He checks back repeatedly to make sure I’m handling Chiara explains. Rainfall in the foothills of the Alps makes a the warmth okay and to place cooling towels on my neck and subterranean journey across hundreds of miles and at extreme forehead to ensure comfort. Then, I’m ushered into a tiled depths before emerging in the Euganean Hills at a scorching 188 bathtub full of thermal water for the final infusing effect. When degrees Fahrenheit. Along the way, the waters are enriched with I emerge, my skin is baby soft. The natural silica and other minerals such as iodine and minerals are already starting to work their bromide.

Soak for a spell in an oversized tub soothing magic, and I feel like I’m glowing The force with which the water rises to in the Suite Magnifica at Castello di from the inside. the earth’s surface heats it and enhances Casole.

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HUDSONMOD.com october october/november 2014 2014

courtesy of abano grand h otel

The only five-star deluxe hotel in Padua, Abano Grand Hotel is a true European wellness oasis with anti-aging thermal mud that’s aged in special tanks onsite.

Although taking the mud and thermal waters is the main lure at Abano Grand Hotel, the spa’s extensive menu offers other luxurious treatments, including week-long anti-aging regimens and programs to target arthritis pain.

I opt for the spa’s Bacchus Therapy, an indulgent two-hour treatment consisting of an exfoliating body scrub made from red grape-seed fruit and a layer of foamy mud blended with grape gel rich in polyphenols that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. The scrub is followed by a vitamin-regenerating massage with resveratrol, an antioxidant derived from red wine. For an equally indulgent facial, I choose the GB Luxury Hematite Facial, a treatment infused with iridescent black hematite crystals and oxygen-rich soy sprout extracts. Paired with Abano’s thermal waters, it leaves a magical effect on my skin that’s both radiant and firm.

As if the pure indulgence of the spa treatments weren’t enough to make you feel in top form, the Abano Grand Hotel naturally spoils guests with the finest Italian gastronomy. At lunchtime, I find myself with other guests taking lunch at the poolside Restaurant Etoile in a most decadent manner. Clad in my bathrobe, I dine on a healthy spread of antipasti and Italian specialties, including succulent salt marsh lamb.

Extracting myself from the Abano Grand Hotel’s perfect blend

of full-body pampering proves to be the most trying task of my stay, but it’s for the good cause of discovering another Italian spa.

I leave my robe behind and board a west-bound train from nearby Padua for a two-hour ride to Florence through small villages and fields of sunflowers. Upon my arrival, a driver from Castello di Casole takes me into the rolling hills outside the hilltop town of Casole d’Elsa in Tuscany.

C

astello di Casole consists of an exquisite

boutique hotel with 41 suites and a collection of grand villas spreading across 1,200 acres of vineyards and olive groves. The property was once home to a noble family from Siena. Now a Timbers Resort, the all-suite hotel is one of Tuscany’s finest properties and has been lauded as one of the top luxury hotels in the world by such publications as Conde Nast Traveler.

As I sip a welcome glass of Prosecco in the hotel’s Bar Visconti and gaze at the undulating hills rising just beyond the sprawling outdoor infinity pool, it’s easy to understand how the hotel has earned its prestigious accolades.

Hand-hewn wood-beamed ceilings and rich Carrara marble decorate the main building, but I’m staying just down the hill in the more private Oliveto suites. My enormous accommodation feels like a penthouse apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows

HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

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20 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

The private terrace of the Presidential Suite at Castello di Casole commands verdant views of the rolling hills of the surrounding Val d’Elsa.

minutes of soaking it all in, I lazily lift myself out and settle onto a dedicated table to await the massage and facial.

The treatment starts with the mildly exfoliating application of a body polish made with micronized mother of pearl and champagne extract lauded for its anti-aging properties. My spa therapist works into my muscles a rich honey-like product made of grape-seed extract and caviar. She spritzes my skin with marine water, rendering the mixture into a kind of body milk that creates a moisturizing layer with benefits I swear I’ll feel for days to come. The treatment tapers to a finish with a facial and vitamin C mask with a cooling effect that strikes a perfect balance between stimulating and soothing.

When I finally emerge from the former wine cellar, it’s into the golden light of another Italian sunset. The beauty around me feels comfortingly familiar, and yet I feel exotic—renewed, revitalized and utterly relaxed.

courtesy of c astello d i casole

affording spectacular views from indoors.

The first thing I do is slide open the doors to let Tuscany’s golden sunlight stream in and, along with it, the scent of wild mint, lavender and sage. The cool travertine floors and seamless transition from interior space to private porch shaded with a pergola are pure bliss.

There’s a wellness factor in simply being here, and the detoxing effects come from soaking up the wide spaces and inhaling the freshest air. Castello di Casole also happens to be home to what is possibly Italy’s most atmospheric spa. Before the following day’s treatment, I indulge in a savory seafood feast at the property’s Ristorante Tosca, where line-caught fish from the Mediterranean and organic produce from the onsite gardens are on the menu.

The sommelier surprises me with a wine from nearby Chianti made from 100 percent Viognier grapes at La Petraia, a vineyard property owned by an English couple who decamped to Italy.

“They’ve only released their white wine so far,” explains the sommelier. “They’re waiting till their red is perfected for debut.”

The Essere Spa (essere means “to be” in Italian) has made the most of just “being.” The Essere Spa is situated within the vaulted-ceiling surrounds of the estate’s former wine cellar. As I descend into the cool, candle-lit lower level from the welcome area, I admire a museum-like display of ancient jars and artifacts recovered during excavations in the surrounding hillsides.

The spa has separate relaxation spaces for men and women, each with a steam room, hot soaking pool and lounge area. Local ingredients such as rosemary, citrus, grape seeds and olive oil are incorporated into many of the treatments.

I’m bound for the most luxurious treatment space, the couples’ therapy room, a high-ceiling chamber with a deep-soaking tub, twin treatment tables and an open shower with a rainhead.

My two-and-a-half-hour Lusso treatment starts on a high note, with a flute of Prosecco proffered alongside a tub overflowing with rose petals and infused with hydrating jojoba oil. After 15

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The Life water

By Eric Dahler, Vintage Elite

Luxury BOaT vEssELs

W

Hen it comes to high-pedigree boats and superyachts, italian naval architects, designers and shipyards have been producing the world’s most iconic and sought-after brands for decades. benetti yachts, one of the oldest builders of luxury yachts in the world, stands out today as a global leader with its production of custom steel and aluminum superyachts ranging from 30 to 100-plus meters. ranging from 18 to 33 meters.

In 1985, Benetti was purchased by Azimut, and the combined company today is by far the most prolific builder of luxury yachts. As of July 2014, it has 79 projects under construction by five

courtesy of benetti

Dating back to 1873, Benetti’s decorated history includes manufacturing commercial fishing vessels made of wood and later steel. In the early 1960s, Benetti launched its first luxury superyachts, including steel and aluminum models

shipyard facilities in Viareggio, Livorno and Fano, Italy. Benetti’s legacy has continued to thrive because they pride themselves in carrying on the tradition of innovation, style and quality that has shaped the company’s approach and culture. This, in turn has driven the growth and confidence of its clientele in what has become a leading Italian luxury brand.

As the market for mega-yachts continues to strengthen, the demand for larger and more complex custom-built vessels has increased with the growth of ultra-high net worth individuals globally. These buyers’ expectations drive the designs, innovation, technology and amenities, as each custom yacht reflects their personal tastes and desire for the most elite yachting-lifestyle experience available. Benetti currently is building a 90-meter (295-foot) motor yacht scheduled for delivery in 2015 (its largest to date) and recently announced two orders

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HUDsonMOD.com october/november 2014

PhotograPhs by someo someone

OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST II

rolex

oyster perpetual and datejust are trademarks.

The Life water

for 100-meter-plus custom builds.

Although much of the attention in the yachting industry is focused on the largest new mega-yachts, there are also opportunities for those interested in all that the luxury yachting lifestyle has to offer, without committing to an eightfigure budget to build a custom yacht.

recent launches is the stunning 58-meter (190-foot) motor yacht, the ILLUSION I. Launched in 2014, it is expected to be available for charter in the Caribbean during the winter season through Camper & Nicholsons International, with rates starting at $350,000 per week. She made her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in late September. ILLUSION I’s contemporary interior incorporates exotic materials, including walnut, onyx, Lalique glass, parchment and silks. Boasting four decks, a massive master suite with study, full-width VIP stateroom and four large additional staterooms, she comfortably accommodates up to 12 guests and includes a 13-member crew, a gym, scuba equipment, numerous tenders, water toys and inflatables, a sun deck and a Jacuzzi.

12 guests get to experience a cruising speed of 12 knots as the iLLUSion i’s range is 5,000 nautical miles.

24 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

Comitti

A

t the other end of the yAChting spectrum is comitti, a builder of modern-classic fiberglass and mahogany motorboats ranging from 22 to 34 feet. founded in 1956 by mario comitti on lake como in northern italy, comitti has continued the family tradition with son elia comitti designing and the local reiner family overseeing production of four lines comprising 10 models, including the stunning VeneZia elegance 34. as superyachts grow in size, “luxury tenders” carried aboard these enormous vessels provide both recreation and transport for owners and charter guests into ports as the “mother ship” is often too large to access smaller harbors and marinas. comitti recently delivered a custom VeneZia elegance 28 tender for a 66-meter (215-foot) american-owned and -built superyacht launched in 2013. luxury motorboats, such as those produced by comitti, complement and enhance the superyacht experience by providing an extension of the yachting lifestyle and the enjoyment of timeless designs, exhilarating performance and the freedom to explore a secluded cove or an exclusive seaside bistro—the true essence of boating.

Comitti North America, 802-598-3669, www.comittigroup.com

SeAnet

i

n Addition to ChArter, an excellent option for enjoying the luxury yachting lifestyle is through seanet, an innovative yachting service that offers partial ownership of a selection of Benetti class range models including the 93-foot Delfino, 108-foot traditional supreme and 132-foot classic supreme superyachts. seanet’s program eliminates the capital and operating costs associated with unused time on the yachts. it also enhances the ownership experience by providing concierge services and complete yacht and crew management, enabling owners to spend what time they have available just enjoying these beautiful yachts. the Delfino model within seanet’s program offers mega-yacht luxury, space and amenities, with corresponding program benefits including significantly reduced acquisition and operating cost, concierge services and complete yacht and crew management. Quarter shares of the seanet Delfino 93’ offer 50-plus days per year of yacht usage in the mediterranean, caribbean and the Bahamas, and on the u.s. east or West coast at a cost of $2,465,000 plus pro-rated share of operating costs.

SeaNet Company, 800-638-7715, www.seanetco.com

courtesy of Benetti, c amper & nich olsons, the comitti group

One Of the highlights of Benetti’s

Where LUXURY meets THE ROAD.

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The Life WHEELS

By Jonathan Burns

FEEL THE WIND PAGANI AUTOMOBILI is a brand that’s been laden with mystique ever since its inception in the early 1990s.

Pagani vehicles have inspired awe and envy around the world, even in their home country of Italy where the cacophonous rumbling of ultra-high performance cars is commonplace. More recently, Pagani has extended its reach across the Atlantic, unveiling one of its newest models to potential U.S. buyers: the Pagani C9 Huayra.

This new model is aptly named after Huayra Tata, the god of wind among Aymara, the ancient peoples of the South American Andean highlands. The Huayra boasts gorgeous stylistic features along with immense power. The body is

composed of sleek, sophisticated curves, calling to mind a work of opulent Italian art. The interior practically sparkles with a shimmering, chrome-plated dashboard and gearbox along with sleek and elegant leather-trimmed seats and paneling. It’s almost too beautiful to drive. Almost.

The Huayra pairs aesthetic beauty with an absurd amount of power. It comes packed with an AMG-source 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine that pushes out a smooth 700 horsepower along with 738 pound-feet of torque. This monstrous engine propels the Huayra’s feather-light body from zero-to-60 mph in a mere 3.2 seconds. That said, stopping at 60 mph might seem like an injustice since the Huayra can accelerate to more

than 200 mph, fulfilling even the most extreme need for speed.

Pagani has a natural ability for balancing precision and elegance with unbridled power. The Huayra epitomizes this balance, surrounding the driver with lavish luxury on the inside while pushing the limits of automotive technology on the outside. Even at blazing speeds, the Huayra carries itself with grace. As with all Pagani models, the Huayra comes at a high price: roughly $1.25 million. Some may argue this is a small price to pay for a car assembled by hand fewer than 50 times a year. Should you be lucky enough to find yourself behind the wheel, you’ll experience how it feels to ride like the wind.

SPECS

MSRP

ENGINE

HP

TORQUE

0-60mph

TOP SPEED

$1.25m

AMG-source 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine

700 hp

738 lb

3.2 sec

200 mph+

26 HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SOMEO SOMEONE

CROSSING THE GLOBE IN TWO SECONDS.

Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duo. Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854/1.

Two dials driven by a single movement: for the very first time, the iconic Reverso reveals a second face within its ultra-thin case. It combines two back-to-back dials to offer its owner a fascinating journey through time. A refined blend of style and watchmaking performance stemming from 180 years of expertise cultivated by the Inventors of the VallĂŠe de Joux.

YO U D E S E RV E A R E A L WATC H.

wings

By Jonathan Burns

W

hat epitomizes

comfort and luxury more than lounging on soft Italian leather?

Perhaps doing so while cruising at 35,000 feet. Italian aerospace company Piaggio Aero provides exactly that with their newly showcased aircraft, the P180 Avanti II. Boasting minimalist elegance, efficiency and rich utilities, it’s absolutely irresistible.

Piaggio America President and CEO John Bingham is no stranger to luxury.

A former executive for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars, Bingham has brought along with him a touch of class and the emphasis on comfort associated with these treasured brands. The Avanti II speaks loudly to these ideals, starting

28 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

with the roominess of the cabin. Seating up to nine, the cabin is touted as one of the largest in the industry, at 6 feet 1 inch across and 5 feet 9 inches tall. The customembroidered leather seats, flanked by wood paneling and pullout tables, decorate the interior in an elegant Italian style.

Seats can be swiveled and repositioned to accommodate guests or turned into beds if you’d like to catch up on some sleep while your pilot flies you to your destination.

Consider having your next business meeting while gliding amongst the clouds.

The Avanti II’s turboprops face the rear of the plane to provide an extraordinarily silent ride. The multiple screens and built-in Internet capabilities keep you connected and grounded, enabling you to view presentations and emails.

You shouldn’t feel guilty about flying around in an Avanti II, either. Piaggio’s engineers have dubbed the Avanti II a “green aircraft” as it uses 40 percent less fuel than equivalently sized jets. The Avanti II produces the lowest amount of carbon emissions among its peers.

It’s no surprise that Piero Ferrari, Vice Chairman of Ferrari S.p.A., is a Piaggio shareholder. The Avanti II is the only aircraft deemed worthy by Ferrari to carry the world-famous Prancing Horse logo on its tail. One could go on about the quality, reliability, luxury and efficiency, but it’s unnecessary: the endorsement by one of the world’s leading ambassadors of Italian technology speaks for itself. Priced at $7.2 million, the Avanti II means experiencing a personal paradise in the sky.

DaviD Spu rDenS anD G len DaviS

paradise in the sky

UpholDing traDitional roots

By Vanessa Deleon Bournias

Italy’s flaIr for furnIture design can be traced to

Milan, all the way back to the second half of the Middle Ages. I am often inspired to incorporate the country’s aesthetics for the shelter world into my own designs. Italy’s reputation for superior craftsmanship remains undiminished, as the following outstanding home-furnishing brands and pieces—all works of art in their own right—amply demonstrate.

| Scavolini, founded by the Scavolini brothers Valter and Elvino, has led Italian home furnishings into the 21st century by creating environmentally friendly collections of fluid elegance: minimalistic functional kitchens and bathrooms with a variety of cabinets in veneers and lacquer designs.

Vuesse Design, who teamed up with Scavolini in their research and development department, and designer Karim Rashid continue Scavolini’s ahead-of-its-time concepts with the Crystal collection.

With aluminum and temper glass panel and graphic motifs, the innovations of these kitchen and bath designs embody Italian quality mixed with a fresh, updated finish that Americans favor. Price on request, available at Kasanova, 151 Route 17 South, Rochelle Park, NJ, kasanovanj.com

30 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

CouRtESy of KASAnoVA nj

The Life shelter

The Life shelter

| Nemo Tiles Company’s earthy tones inspire by making a room flow naturally with earth and water motifs. These dual elements in the Marne collection create a warm, magnetic effect of ocean meeting earth. The collection offers more than 80 outstanding graphics in two shades: Base Chiaro (light) and Base Scuro (dark). In addition, the Terra (earth) collection combines the intense shading and authenticity of Italian terra cotta with the practicality and strength of porcelain. Available at Nemo|Tile Company Inc., nemotile.com

| Featuring premium Italian leather, the Chester Moon-Tufted Sofa (in Baxter’s collection designed by Paola Navone) emulates the craters of the moon, providing a light-flowing look of comfort. It’s just one of many inspired designs in Baxter’s collection of sofas, tables and chairs. Chester Moon, from $12,650, available in an array of colors at www.baxter.it

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HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

COUrTESy OF STONE SOUr CE, NEMO TIlE ANd BAxTEr

| The latest from Italian manufacturer 14OraItaliana is the Ton Sur Ton, a mixture of UonUon (a glazed porcelain tile) and works from Andy Warhol and Pop Art. The collection features bold hues, subtle neutrals and black and white in a variety of wood patterns. Suitable for both interior and exterior walls and floors, including heavy-traffic commercial flooring applications, the addition creates a dynamic statement for art and shelter enthusiasts alike. UonUon Ton Sur Ton is part of Eco-Vision, the use of natural resources to improve the quality of life. Uon Ton Sur Ton, available at stonesource.com

The Life shelter

| we can never forget italy’s fashion powerhouse fendi, especially as it extends its vision from clothing and accessories to furniture pieces. the fendi casa’s crystal armchair is a timeless, geometrical gem with a glossy sheen finish destined to make the boldest statement in any space. with so many options (it’s available in black, platinum, ivory and silver, and your choice of leather or fabric upholstery in a variety of colors), it’s impossible for it to clash with any established space. From $3,000, available at Fendi Casa, 153 Madison Avenue, NYC or luxurylivinggroup.com

| even though the techniques of italian artisans haven’t changed much, italy’s aesthetics are always evolving. the luxurious unique lighting from ricca Design by or illuminazione is an example of handcrafted quality with a modern look. these chandeliers from the picasso collection excel at ambiance: combining light and shade, the meeting points create sharp lines, clear-cut contours and an illusion of three-dimensional forms. From $1,100, available at www.orilluminazione.it

34 HUDSONMOD.com

Dan Mu ro of fast forwarD u nliMiteD, luxu ry living gro up, r icca Design-or illuM inazione

| sicis Mosaic tile is italy’s newest visionary, featuring murals artfully hand-shaped and cut by master mosaic artisans to create unique panels. this composition uses Murano glass accented with platinum and silver leaf mosaic. Dramatic floorto-ceiling pattern installations further remind us of sicis the art Mosaic factory’s genius. $600, available at SICIS The Art Mosaic Factory Showroom & Office, 470 Broome Street, NYC, sicis.com

The Life savor

When Chefs BeCome Guests

B

ecoming an an upper-echelon chef doesn’t happen overnight. First you have to ace culinary school. Then you have to pay your dues as you build your reputation. Gradually you work your way up to the elite restaurants, all the while experimenting with the finest ingredients to create remarkable dishes that satisfy again and again.

But what happens when the chef becomes the guest?

There’s something intriguing about a chef tasting a colleague’s entree. The opportunity for criticism—constructive or otherwise—couldn’t be greater. Where do chefs wine and dine when they’re not the ones in charge? We asked four highly regarded culinary masters in Manhattan and New Jersey who temporarily put their own restaurants on the back burner and chose their absolute favorite local Italian restaurants.

When the best share their top picks, we’re all winners.

Mario LaPosta,

Executive Chef, Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group

for food can be traced to his family’s rich Italian culture. As a young adult, LaPosta moved to Rome and northern Naples to study Italian cuisine.

After months of honing his talents, he joined the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, responsible for many of NYC’s most wellknown dining venues, including marketplace Eataly NYC. Soon, Chef LaPosta will be sharing his love for food with Bostonians at Babbo Enoteca and Pizzeria.

Top Pick: LUPA oSTeRiA RomAnA “Lupa [Osteria Romana in Greenwich Village, NYC] has some of the best pastas I’ve ever had. I remember the first time I ate there. I felt like I was in Rome, a very rustic, homey atmosphere— like nonna’s house—where you can just relax and enjoy everything. If you go there, you have to get the Bucatini All’Amatricana. The combination of crispy guanciale, tomato and salty Pecorino is unique and inspirational. I’ve made several trips to Italy searching for the perfect Amatricana and Lupa’s may be the best I’ve ever had.”

36 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

courTesy oF Kelly caMpBell, e vaN su NG, elleN sIlverMaN, roB yas KovIc, JaMes Worrell

Chef Mario LaPosta’s passion

By Nicole Fonzino

PJ Calapa, Executive Chef, Ai Fiori, NYC Chef PJ CalaPa grew up with Italian and Spanish grandparents. If he learned anything from them, it’s that meals are not something that should pass by quickly. Calapa, who attended the Culinary Institute of America, worked at prestigious jobs in New York before helping Michael White open Ai Fiori in 2010, which styles its cuisine after the northern Italian Riviera’s as well as southern France’s.

Top Pick: MAIALINO “My favorite Italian restaurant in New York City is Maialino. What Chef Nick Anderer has done there to bring a Roman-style trattoria to New York is simply delicious.

My favorite go-to dish is the Amatricana and the Cacio e Pepe, two dishes I run to when in Rome.”

David Felton, Executive Chef, Ninety Acres at Natirar,

Peapack and Gladstone, N.J.

Chef DaviD felton has his mother’s divine cooking to thank for inspiring him to become a chef. As the executive chef at Ninety Acres at Natirar—an epicurean oasis styled as a farm-to-table yet also a sophisticated restaurant—Chef Felton gets to cook with fresh local produce, meats and fish every day. Along with more than 1,200 wines to choose from, Ninety Acres offers three styles of dining: the Main Dining Room holds a more traditional a la carte menu, BMF (Bring Me Food) takes you near the open kitchen with a linen covered bistro-style table, or the Cognac Room for tapas-style plates, featuring a spectacular live-edge communal dining table. Guests will be prompted to return again and again.

Top Pick: ARTURO’S OSTERIA & PIZZERIA “Arturo’s [Osteria & Pizzeria] in Maplewood, N.J. is my favorite Italian restaurant. [I] love it ‘cause it feels comfortable, [the] food is great, and I love their pizza.”

Corey Heyer, Executive Chef, The Bernards Inn, Bernardsville, N.J.

for Chef Corey heyer, the food business means more than just being in the kitchen. It also means Saturday nights spent with family and drives into Manhattan to pick up prime food to cook with. Heyer loves to share with restaurant guests the importance of a meal spent with good company in a welcoming atmosphere. After receiving a degree from the Culinary Institute of America and earning an extensive list of top restaurant positions under his belt, Chef Heyer joined the team at the Bernards Inn in 2004, where he excelled. Now, as the executive chef, he gets the chance to show his guests there’s much more to appreciate at a restaurant than just great taste.

Top Pick: FASCINO “My favorite restaurant is Fascino in Montclair, N.J. The food is incredibly consistent and Ryan DePersio and his family really care about your experience.” As for his favorite dish there, Heyer recommends, “All the pastas!”

HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

37

The Life toast

Digestivos: Bringing PeoPle together

By Mara Model

A

ny renowned ItalIan restaurant has a carefully selected list of digestifs, or what the Italians call digestivo—after-dinner liqueurs.

Each of these liqueurs, from sambuca and amaro to limoncello and grappa, are meant to be served ice cold as a refreshing, palate cleanser paired with dessert. The makers of digestifs in Italy saw the values in these elixirs beyond their being a smooth, indulgent way to help digest food. They saw it as a way to bring families together, by either making it or drinking it, as each sip livens and extends the conversation. While you could go the extra mile in making these liqueurs at home, here are two quick Italian after-drink cocktail recipes to ensure the good times continue all night.

Limoncello

Grappa

LimonceLLo is a Lemon Liqueur that originated in Southern Italy on the Amalfi Coast and Naples. With a sweet, tart taste, it’s the number two most sold liqueur in Italy, and is quickly making a comeback in U.S. restaurants and homes.

“Limoncello is for people who appreciate the good life— la dolce vita,” says James Carling, co-founder of Ventura Limoncello. Carling and his wife Manuella Zaretti-Carling (who is from Rome) started their handcrafted limoncello business to give Americans a taste of their authentic limoncello recipe. They get lemons directly from a local grower in Ventura County, California, and then cut, peel and mix the contents with a high proof neutral spirit themselves.

Ventura Limoncello is now avaliable in New Jersey and NYC restaurants, such as Lupa Osteria Romana and Nobu.

Grappa is traditionaLLy made from pomace, the discarded grape seeds, stalks and stems. Though the process seems unheard of, Italians and wine enthusiasts enjoy it as a digestif or add a little to their morning espresso to “correct” it, or as Italians call caffè corretto. Not a fan of bitter? More grappa distilleries are starting to use organic grapes, which have lower acidity, resulting in a much softer taste.

Francine Stephens, co-owner of the restaurant Franny’s Brooklyn, has focused her career on creating simple drinks with house-made ingredients. Her quince grappa and gin cocktail is a fragrant, elegant drink, perfect for the colder months ahead. She notes in her cookbook Franny’s: Simple Seasonal Italian that readers should “sip slowly” as the quince grappa and gin is powerfully strong.

Limoncello espresso martini Ingredients 1 part Ventura Limoncello Crema 1 part Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka 1 1/2 part espresso 3 espresso beans

quince and Gin from Franny’s: Simple Seasonal Italian Ingredients 1 and 3/4 oz. Quince grappa 1 and 3/4 oz. Junipero gin Stir and serve up, no garnish

Recipe type: martini Serves: 1

Instructions Fill a cocktail a shaker with ice and add Ventura Limoncello Crema, vodka and espresso. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Drop 3 espresso beans into glass.

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HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

Recipe type: cocktail Serves: 1

Instructions Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds with ice cubes. Add the grappa and gin and stir gently with a bar spoon. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Life dwellings

By Jamie ritchie

ultimate wine cellars Our Sotheby’s expert Jamie Ritchie shares his expertise on how to achieve the ultimate wine cellar in your home and examines the genuine, vintage red wines of Tuscany and Piedmont.

T

here are two major

considerations for every home wine cellar: the functional side of storing wines (so they are easily retrievable) and the aesthetic side wherein you create a visual statement, an example of which could be including space to entertain guests.

The critical issues of the functional side involve being able to store the wines (individual bottles and cases as well as larger sizes) on their sides so you can easily find and serve them. You need a well-designed space that accommodates the correct number of bottles and allows you to store them by region, type and size.

You can find inexpensive basic racking systems in various places such as the Wine Enthusiastic or employ a great architect or cellar designer such as David Spon. A good

40 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

tracking system is also useful, anything from Excel to Cellar Tracker.

The second issue is to have ideal storage conditions. A darker room is better because light can speed the oxidation of wines, particularly whites. It should be free of vibration and have a constant temperature (52 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal; wines rebel against sudden changes in temperature) and humidity between 60 to 80 percent to prevent the corks from drying out and keep the labels in good condition.

For the cooling system, be sure to use a powerful unit that keeps an even temperature throughout the cellar and doesn’t blow cold air into one specific area.

For those with limited space, it’s best to use library-type racks that move forward and backwards. These allow you to fit nearly twice the quantity into the space.

As they say, location is everything.

The basement works best. Traditionally, cellars were in basements because they were naturally cool, particularly in England where older houses were built without foundations.

In my view, the notion of entertaining in cellars is misplaced. Why stay in a dark place that is too cold to enjoy wines, when you can walk upstairs and enjoy breathtaking views? Too many times I have been well chilled in the cellar when I could have been enjoying the wines from the main living areas of a great house.

If people really want to drink and eat surrounded by their wines, it is best to have a wrap-around glass-walled wine cellar. This will protect the wines while allowing you and your guests to view them from a warm and inviting area.

I T A L Y ’ S

O N L Y

81 Hamburg Turnpike I-287, Exit 53 Riverdale, NJ 07457 888 - 428 - 7953 ¡ Bograds.com Monday-Saturday 11-5 and by Appointment

F I N E S T

@ B O G R A D S

The Life dwellings

the strongest market for Italian wines is right here in New York City, where a great demand exists at both retail and auctions. For the best results, we divide the market into two regions: Tuscany and Piedmont.

Tuscany produces wines from the indigenous Sangiovese as well as the Bordeaux varieties led by Cabernet

Sauvignon and Merlot. The wines tend to be ripe, rich and robust, with healthy acidity that keeps them fresh. They can be enjoyed relatively early in their lives and remain good drinking throughout.

The greatest wines from Piedmont come from the Nebbiolo, which is related to the Pinot Noir. The more northern climate, with steep hillside vineyards, is less reliable than farther south in Tuscany. The wines, being slightly more

tannic and having higher acidity, tend to take longer to reach their “drinking phase” (normally 5 to 10 years after the vintage). These wines rival the world’s greatest in their depth, concentration and complexity.

One of the great things about wine is the variety at all price points.

Consequently, I drink a lot of different Italian wines. Here are four favorites from our retail business at Sotheby’s Wine.

TuScANy

Ornellaia 2011

Le Serre Nuove 2011

this first ornellaia includes 51 percent cabernet sauvignon, 32 percent Merlot, 11 percent cabernet franc and 6 percent Petit Verdot. Available at sothebyswine.com, $240

A true “second vin” of ornellaia, and similar to the first, it was produced primarily from the younger vineyards. Available at sothebyswine.com, $67

At our upcoming Auction, “A Magnificent Selection From the Exceptional Cellar of James H. Clark,” scheduled for November 15, we have the greatest collection of Italian wines ever offered at Sotheby’s. The wines all come from the cellar of Californian technology entrepreneur and philanthropist James H. Clark (think Netscape, WebMD and Shutterfly) and include full cases of the rarest wines from Gaja, Giacosa and Conterno in the

42 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

PIEDMONT

Barolo, Paolo Scavino 2009

Dolcetto d’Alba, Priavino, Roberto Voerzio 2011

this vintage 2009 is laced with dried berry, cassis, anise seed, chopped mint and garden herb. Available at sothebyswine.com, $52

Made from top-class winemaker roberto Voerzio, this food-friendly wine has aromas of cherry. Available at sothebyswine.com, $25

very best vintages from 1978 to 1997. This is a unique sale which every lover of great Italian wine shouldn’t miss.

Two highlights from the auction: 12 bottles of Barolo Riserva, Falletto di Serralunga d’Alba 1990 Bruno Giacosa are estimated at $7,500 to $12,000. Additionally, 12 bottles of Sperss 1997 Gaja go from $3,250 to $4,500.

courtesy of sotheby’s

O

utside of itAly,

ADVERTORIAL

FABULOUS FOODS H

e’s catered events such as the NFL Super Bowl, Governor Christie’s victory parties, and an event at an Alpine mansion hosted by New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. His team has made their way backstage at Bruce Springsteen concerts, on a train with former U.S. presidents and alongside E! host Giuliana Rancic to raise money for the Pink Event charity. These are a Fred Luberto, president and few of the many memorable occasions CEO of Fabulous Foods that Fred Luberto, president and CEO of catering company, Fabulous Foods, has brought his services to.

After successfully turning his passion for creating parties

By Nicole Fonzino

into a full-service catering and event company that shares his vision with the best, Luberto’s “one call, take care of it all” business never disappoints its New Jersey, New York and Connecticut clients. Fabulous Foods provides a large variety of catering services—from weddings and holiday celebrations to retail and corporate events. Fabulous Foods’ caterers, event designers, producers, planners and consultants guide you through each step of the planning. Additionally, they offer you creative culinary options, multiple venue options that fit your vision, detailed floor plans, menu tastings, floral, décor, entertainment and even event rentals! The result?

You leave your guests with nothing but incredible memories.

Fred Luberto himself will tell you, you deserve nothing less than fabulous.

makes you stand out from Q. What other catering services?

A. We live, eat and breathe an event until we produce it successfully. This means more to us than the money. Our reputation, relationships and abilities are what make us tick. Our clients have a strong team behind their events. On certain days Fabulous Foods handles multiple events for thousands of people. Having that kind of experience allows Fabulous Foods’ clients an advantage. goes into planning and Q. What catering an event?

A. We are involved in so many aspects of the entertaining world, so it all depends on the event, type, size, elements and logistics.

If we have a hundred people working an event, there is a lot of planning and staff involved weekly in order to be successful that night. If we have a wedding or grandopening event for a few hundred, we have a handful of staff involved in the planning from inception to completion.

is the coolest event you ever Q. What catered?

A. We have been very fortunate to be involved in so many wonderful occasions, from sporting to celebrity events. We have catered for Sean Parker [co-founder of Napster and former president of Facebook], Nordstrom (NY &NJ), Madison Square Garden in a redesigned plush Teterboro airport hangar where guests were flown in by helicopter, the filming of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, and many fortune 500 companies and social clients. One large client event included over 50,000 hors d’oeuvres and sweets! Each and every one of them offered their very own cool factor. Cool is also having our everyday clients tell us, “Thank you. You guys do a great job.”

For more info, visit www.fab-foods.com, or call 1-800-365-4747

HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER 2014

BEYOND BOLD

W

HEN IT COMES to beauty regimens, even the strongest Italian personalities prefer a soft, sensual look. For the upcoming winter season, try this powerhouse of Italian-inspired options for hair, lips, eyes and skin for a vivacious appearance—without having to travel all the way to the Boot.

Dolce & Gabbana, Italian Monica Lipstick Evoke the dynamic charisma of Italian actress and model Monica Bellucci, who inspired Dolce & Gabbana’s Monica Voluptuous Lipstick collection. With nine shades, from carnal reds to sensual nudes, go for the Italian Monica 160: This sultry, smooth red with a creamy, glossy finish will demand attention from any passerby. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC, $34

Dolce & Gabbana, The Khol Pencil in True Black Pair the Italian Monica with the Khol Pencil in True Black: Dolce & Gabbana’s answer for bold, smoky eyes. To create that dramatic shade, place the Khol Pencil in the inner lash line and move to make wings outside the corners of the eye.

This pencil is easy to smudge, glides without force and has a soft tip to create an intense yet effortless look. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC, $31

44 HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

By Leonora Conley

[ Comfort Zone ] Renight Recovery Cream The Renight Recovery Cream protects by acting on stressed and depleted skin. The key is all in the ingredients.

The goji berry (a Tibetan fruit high in antioxidants) and hyaluronic acid fight skin from aging, while lycopene guarantees that these ingredients are working despite other factors that get in the way, such as what you eat, cold weather or additional face products. Available at The Fountain Spa, Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, NJ, $87

Everyday Cleansing Milk Cream For your night or morning beauty routine, this revitalizing cleansing milk cream by [ Comfort Zone ] is made with a vegetal squalane, sweet almond oil and karité butter. Used to remove all traces of makeup and pollution residues, each cleansing session leaves skin feeling soft without that tight sensation. Available at The Fountain Spa, Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, NJ, $42

Davines OI/Absolute Beautifying Potion Thin or thick. Wet or dry. This serum is the perfect add-on for all types of hair and styling needs. Why? It contains breathing silicones that make it versatile with other hair treatments and Amazonia Roucou oil, which has anti-aging properties and is rich in beta-carotene. Together, they make hair stronger and help it to grow faster. All together now: bellisimo! Available at DePasquale the Spa, Morris Plains, NJ, $41

Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo + LOVE Smoothing Conditioner Davines’ founders, the Bolluti family from Parma, ensure that their award-winning hair products adhere to their respect, or rather amore, for the environment by adding natural ingredients into each product. The shampoo contains Indian fig extract and olive amphoacetate to help sustain moisture, while the conditioner has borage seed oil and rice wax to nourish and protect hair from dehydration. Available at DePasquale the Spa, Morris Plains, NJ, $24, $25

COURTESY OF DEPASQUALE THE SPA AND TH E FOUNTAIN SPA

The Life GORGEOUS

You’re InvIted

P L E AS E J o i n C o- F oU nD E R S M i T C HE LL G o LD An D B o B W i LLi AM S F o R A SPEC TA C UL A R Ev Eni nG AT oU R PAR AM U S S i G nAT U R E S T o RE T o C EL EB R AT E o U R F i R S T 2 5 y E AR S .

W ED n ES D Ay, o C T oB E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 4 6 - 9 P M R S VP R Sv PPA R AM U S @ M G B W H o M E . Co M

Featuring: Directoire chair in royale-onyx leather ($2580) $1895

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The Life COVET

RETURN OF THE ROMAN ONE OF THE MORE REMARKABLE trends this season is

the incorporation of natural jewels into lush gold. The prominent Italian designers we chose to spotlight here may have drawn on the admiration for bold gold in Ancient Rome and Venice when they created these contemporary pieces. Gold has been a staple in the fashion industry for centuries, and with the addition of semiprecious stones, these shimmering wearable works of art will make you feel like a sophisticated Roman of the 21st century.

Lunaria, Marco Bicego A major addition to Marco Bicego’s newest Lunaria collection, featuring rounded golden plates, is a celebration of nature. The shimmering organic shapes of 18-karat yellow gold, meant to symbolize leaves, are smoothed and sculpted by hand using the Bulino technique. This technique continues to uniquely characterize Marco Bicego’s jewelry, bestowing a fine-brushed texture and a smoothness and lightness to each piece of gold. Available at Neiman Marcus at The Mall at Short Hills, $7,410.

46 HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

By Jacqueline Klecak

Martellato Amethyst Snake Bangle, Roberto Coin Jewelry is the “supreme expression of femininity, beauty and glamour,” according to Roberto Coin. This concept is evident in the sleek body of his bangle, which adds a delicate beauty to any ensemble. Coin, known for his flair for animal-inspired designs, created the 18-karat rose gold bangle to mimic the feel of a smooth snakeskin with detailed indentations around the band leading to the main attraction: the oval serpent head, a striking amethyst gemstone. Available at robertocoin.com or Bloomingdale’s, from $7,000.

Roberto Cavalli Not many designers can pull off designing a bijoux composed solely of their initials, but not all designers are Roberto Cavalli either. The majestic gold lettering on this bracelet creates the emblem of this highly established Italian company without being too overt. Cavalli, often idolized as the king of Italian fashion, has made any wearer of this piece of jewelry feel like, dare we say, a queen. In this case—long live Cavalli. Available at robertocavalli.com, $455.

Rock Candy, Gold Rainbow Band, IPPOLITA Originating in the craft-centric region of Italy, Florence artist Ippolita Rostagno has continued to create stand-out pieces, including her latest fall 2014 Rock Candy Collection. The 18-karat Gold Rainbow Band features eight hand-cut gemstones, including London Blue Topaz and Orange Citrine. This array of spectacular hues makes the ring suitable for any occasion. Welcoming back fall has never been sweeter. Available at IPPOLITA, 796 Madison Avenue, NYC, $3,295.

HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

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photo credit

48 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

Giada de Laurentiis

Has FinaLLy Made it Everything the Food Network star has done in her life has prepared her for the role of owning her own restaurant, and now she’s finally ready.

The Cromwell las Vegas

I

t’s a typical week for Giada De Laurentiis.

Though a resident of Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband Todd and daughter Jade and films her Food Network series Giada at Home, the gorgeous celebrity chef jet sets to her next destination. Rome? Paris? Capri? This time it’s New York City for talk-show appearances. One morning she’s whipping up a creamy dreamy casserole on TODAY. At night she’s on Watch What Happens Live answering questions about the most foul-tasting dish she’s ever had. Then, seemingly in a blink of an eye, she returns to her haven, The Cromwell Hotel in Las Vegas, to her first-ever restaurant, Giada.

By mara model

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Before her crazy week in Manhattan, De Laurentiis had to finalize Giada’s breakfast menu, which launched on October 12. The tastings went well, she tells me, but she’s mostly excited for people to finally try her sunrise polenta waffles, prepared savory or sweet. She explains, “It’s going to be different from what you find anywhere else. [The waffles] are made with a polenta-based batter that makes them extra crispy. So I think they’re going to be a hit!”

De Laurentiis has reason to be optimistic. Since the grand opening of Giada—which offers De Laurentiis’ true authentic Italian cuisine prepared with her California flair—reservations have been hard if not impossible to get. Giada is the first restaurant to open in The Cromwell Las Vegas, a relatively new establishment and the Strip’s first standalone boutique hotel. It’s also the first solo female chef-owned restaurant on the Strip. Last week, the

Given the importance she attaches to her aunt’s opinion, it should come as no surprise that what spurred De Laurentiis’ deep passion for food and the subsequent birth of her brand was growing up and cooking with her big Italian family.

R

emembering Italian Culture

Born in Rome, De Laurentiis moved to America as a child with her successful Hollywood family. At first there were setbacks. “Since my mom and everyone else would only speak Italian to us, I had to repeat the first grade,” she explains. However, being the product of American culture and Italian traditions has helped her take classic Italian dishes and reinvent them.

When De Laurentiis was 12, she would visit her grandfather’s gourmet shop, DDL Foodshow.

Her grandfather, the famous Hollywood film producer Dino De Laurentiis, played a crucial role in her development. An article in Food + Wine about the two family members encouraged the Food Network channel to create a television show revolving around De Laurentiis’ food, style and personality (it later became Everyday Italian).

Nonetheless, it wasn’t the glamour of TV that inspired De Laurentiis to become a chef so much as her grandfather’s gourmet shop.

She was enamored by its colors, textures and aromas as well as her grandfather’s ability to woo customers with his food.

The first one in her family to go to college, she graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles with a degree in anthropology, and wanted to go to culinary school to become a pastry chef.

She eventually became classically trained with Le Cordon Bleu Paris, the highest honor for culinary artists. Following her return to Los Angeles, she worked for the prestigious Ritz Carlton Fine Dining Room and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Beverly Hills, and later became a founder of GDL Foods, a catering company in L.A. When it came to choosing Giada’s menu, De

“ My menu is kind of like

restaurant and De Laurentiis’ team won a prestigious Silver State Culinary Award for Best New Fine Dining.

If the accolades alone don’t tempt you to book tickets to Vegas so you can savor De Laurentiis’ famous recipes, there is the added allure of the restaurant’s luxurious European feel, which is meant to evoke De Laurentiis’ home. Along with the welcoming warm color scheme, huge retractable walls expose breathtaking views of the Bellagio fountains and Caesars Palace.

By far De Laurentiis’ proudest moment since opening Giada (which she calls “her baby”) involved her aunt. “When she tasted my arancini [fried risotto balls], she said I nailed it. Since that’s a family recipe, it’s a pretty big deal,” says De Laurentiis.

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photo credit

a scrapbook, as most of my fondest memories revolve around food. ”

photo credit

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Laurentiis again was inspired by her roots. “My family and culture not only contributed to the process of the menu but, I’m pretty sure, in true Italian form, they drove the bus. Everything I do and most everything I know comes from family,” she says. “My menu is kind of like a scrapbook, as most of my fondest memories revolve around food.

It’s important to hold onto your culture and who you are.”

Many classic dishes appear on Giada’s menu, from chicken cacciatore and veal chop saltimbocca Milanese style to her favorite on the lunch menu, a carbonara pizza. She also includes key indicators in her menu for gluten-free and vegan options.

Ultimately, De Laurentiis aspires to go beyond the Italian stereotypes. “I think the preconceived notion is that American-Italian food is the same as authentic Italian, but they’re actually quite different,” notes De Laurentiis. “I hope I can show that Italian cuisine can actually be quite light and simple, with clean, fresh ingredients.”

T

he Giada Touch

There’s something infectious about De Laurentiis, the 44-year-old Emmy award winner, from her bubbly, winning personality to the way she pronounces words in her Italian accent (“spa-ghetti!”). Online bloggers and tabloid writers rarely dedicate negative press on De Laurentiis, despite her becoming a mogul within the food and pop culture world.

Her greatest quality is how each element of her illustrious brand becomes an approachable guide to the wonderful yet complicated world of Italian cuisine, while keeping in mind the health factors that might affect each person who tries her recipes (most notably in her latest best-selling book “Giada’s Feel Good Food.”) By opening her home to viewers of her shows Everyday Italian and Giada at Home, and keeping those recipes alive within her six books, we not only witness these intricate, affectionate, and positive details of De Laurentiis, but we’re inspired to embody them.

De Laurentiis is inspired by chef and mentor, Mario Batali and renowned French chef, Alain Ducasse, who taught her while she studied in Paris.

When she speaks of them, it’s as if she’s speaking of

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royalty. It hard not to get lost in those thin, brown eyes as she explains her parisian adventures, back to a time of unknown possibilities.

De Laurentiis’ vision is quite clear when admiring Giada’s décor. When guests arrive to the restaurant, De Laurentiis wants them to feel as if they’ve been invited to her home. The most notable touches include five chandeliers in the dining room bearing the quote, “I eat a little bit of Everything, and not a lot of Anything,” a tie-in-a-bow answer to those who wonder how she stays so fit, even though she eats for a living. Posters culled from her home of her grandfather’s produced films and artwork cover the walls.

On Giada’s menu, this Salmon pan roasted with summer succotash and whole grain mustard (see picture above) is an example of the way texture and colors in food have inspired De Laurentiis to become a chef.

G

iada in Charge

While De Laurentiis is one of a few women to own a restaurant on the Strip, it doesn’t stop her from being fully involved in each decision made within her brand and experiencing the challenges of having that responsibility. “When you have 300 employees, you have to inspire and teach them your philosophy on food because it’s different than everyone else’s.” She adds, “It’s taught me to really focus on what I need and want.”

The closest we get to watching De Laurentiis in this type of role isn’t on one of her programs, but when she cooks with the hosts of other TV shows. It’s intriguing to watch her go from one step of the recipe to another with such ease, as her counterparts struggle to keep up, awaiting her next direction. She laughs it off though. Because that’s what the De Laurentiis brand is all about. It shows what a powerful woman can do with a few ingredients and a smile.

“At this moment I would never [open a restaurant] again,” De Laurentiis mentions in our conversation in a tone that’s more serious than joking. Nonetheless, De Laurentiis never stops.

One minute she’s making pumpkin muffins with a drizzled, chocolate top for friends on the East Coast, and the next she’s back in Las Vegas in Giada’s kitchen preparing lemon ricotta cookies in her black chef’s coat. “My life moves in many different directions but I think this is a great thing. I am never ever bored.”

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Italy Is for

Design

By Monique Valeris

Enthusiasts

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Italy

Antonio Pio Saracino, whose modern pieces draw from nature, is passionate about infusing sustainable elements into his work.

has long been revered for its connection to the interior design world. From ancient buildings in Rome like the Colosseum and Pantheon to furniture shops in Milan showcasing contemporary styles, Italy brims with stunning examples of design.

Furniture businesses began to flourish in Italy in the early 1900s when there was a deep respect for woodwork. Today, Italian companies continue to uphold this tradition. However, contemporary designers now are mixing wood with other elements ranging from steel to aluminum. Italian furniture companies always have been keen on designing with people’s lifestyles in mind, creating pieces that contain ample storage and allow for easy cleaning and rearranging in the home.

Many architectural styles originated in Italy. Italian classical architecture, derived from the Greeks, was rooted in mathematics. Sculptures such as gargoyles were a highlight of the Gothic period. The Italian Renaissance, which grew out of Florence in the 15th and 16th centuries, influenced architecture immensely. Beautiful structures like arches and domes found on churches and other buildings throughout Italy came out of this era. Architects including Filippo Brunelleschi and Andrea Palladio were the leading innovators during the Renaissance movement and impacted regions throughout Europe. The Baroque Era featured grand buildings with complex plans and bright colors. That’s the power of Italian design: although it’s evolved over the years, it always has been defined by beauty.

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Whether it’s modern furniture or luxurious textiles, the eclecticism of Italian design has significantly raised expectations in recent years due to the growing number of diverse architects and the familiarity of iconic Italian brands. “Italians have a really unique sensibility for design,” says Christopher Phillips, vice president of sales for Missoni Home. “They have the ability to make things look really beautiful.”

But what is it about Italian design that conveys beauty?

Italian architect and designer Antonio Pio Saracino says that Italian design is not solely about functionality. It holds a deeper meaning linked to a commitment to quality products and an appreciation for Italy’s venerable manufacturing tradition. “We have a long tradition of design that goes back so many years,” says Pio Saracino, based in New York City. “We have a complex system of values that are imparted in all of our designs.” Saracino, whose modern pieces draw from nature, is passionate about infusing sustainable elements into his work. He takes pride in “revealing the honesty of materials” and keeping them as close to their natural state as possible, whether designing a piece of furniture or sculpture. Upholding values like these goes a long way in pushing Italian design forward.

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Today, those values can be found in the vast number of Italian home brands that cater to an array of aesthetics. Italian furniture company Giorgetti, for example, has a rich history that began in 1898. The company is known for well-crafted wood furniture, especially its mastery of cabinetmaking, a business cornerstone for years. Giorgetti customers appreciate luxurious materials, but they also seek beauty in the furniture they choose. The brand’s furniture is both modern and elegant. Over the years, it has experimented with an array of materials from glass to steel.

One example of this current yet classic theme is the company’s openness to using design trends from unorthodox sources. “We have architects who design for us, and some of them have never designed furniture before,” says Patrizio Chiarparini, Giorgetti’s managing director. Architects who have partnered with Giorgetti include Massimo Scolari and Antonello Mosca. Giorgetti’s practice of utilizing architects’ expertise in furniture design helps ensure that the company’s product lines embody innovation,

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adding a different perspective to the marketplace. “We have a broad range of products that are more eclectic,” says Chiarparini.

Technology also plays a major part in their design process.

Giorgetti focuses on “using different techniques that are more advanced but incorporate artisanal craftsmanship,” Chiarparini says. The company introduces about 20 new collections every year and offers interior-design services. Giorgetti works closely with design firm Tony Chi & Associates to furnish properties all around the world, including the Mandarin Oriental in Taipei and the Rosewood Hotel in London and Hong Kong.

In addition to furniture design, textiles are a strong component of the Italian home market. The country is one of the leading exporters of fabrics in the world. Fabrics produced in Italy, from cashmere to linen, are highly regarded in the home as well as the fashion world.

Italian fashion house Missoni, a family-run business celebrating its 60th anniversary and known for its use of vibrant

zig-zag and stripe patterns, branched into interior design with the introduction of Missoni Home in the mid-‘90s. The brand offers an extensive collection of richly woven accessories, including lighting, rugs, pillows, throws, bedding and bath essentials. “It was an organic and natural process for us to branch into home,” says Christopher Phillips. “Every year, we create something new that is very iconic and fresh.”

One example of staying fresh is its 2011 partnership with Target. The collection was a massive success, with products selling out online and in most stores, introducing a wider audience to the luxury Italian brand.

Like Missoni, many other renowned Italian fashion houses The Giorgetti Atelier showroom embodies the elegant, contemporary interpretation of interiors. Giorgetti often partners with art galleries to furnish its showroom. The sculpture featured below is from artist Francesco Di Luca.

have successfully extended their brand to the home category.

In 1989, Fendi Casa launched furniture, lighting and home accessories that embody the same glamorous feel the fashion house is known for. Beyond furniture and accessories, Fendi Casa designs residential spaces as well as jets and yachts for clients who enjoy the luxurious life.

Armani/Casa provided high-end design lovers with sophisticated, minimalist furniture and home accessories, beginning in 2000. The Armani brand includes a hotel chain, Armani Hotels & Resorts, with properties in Dubai and Milan.

For those who love beauty and fantasy, there’s Roberto Cavalli Home, which offers everything from tableware to bedding. Since 2012, the brand has given customers a sense of exclusivity, with products boasting bold colors and striking animal prints that have become a signature.

From architecture to textiles, there’s a lot to learn from Italian design. One thing’s for sure: it will only get better from here.

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THE ITALIAN IMPRESSION

BY DAWN DEL RUSSO, FASHION STYLIST

W

HETHER WEARING MOSCHINO dresses while

zipping by on Vespas or walking elegantly down steep cobblestone streets in Ferragamo stilettos, one can’t help but stare in awe at how fearless Italian women are when it comes to fashion. La bella figura, a phrase which means “a good impression,” is highly regarded in Italian culture and the main reason women are always dressed to the nines, wherever they go. When they’re at work, roaming the streets or even going grocery shopping, you can always find Italian women radiating glamour with their crisp attire tailored to perfection.

Although audacious Italian fashion has been around for centuries, it flourished in the United States when starlets Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and other Hollywood elite adopted the style in the ‘50s.

Photographed wearing Bulgari and vacationing in Cinque Terre (otherwise known as the Italian Riviera) in well-designed swimsuits and caftans, they helped make Italy the fashion mecca for women all around the world.

Today, Italian designers like Dolce & Gabbana feed off of this indomitable admiration women have for fashion by creating timeless looks that suit their womanly curves as well as their impeccable tastes.

Detail has been essential this fall season. Italian designers have added striking embellishments and vibrant patterns in each of their Fall/Winter 2014 collections. From bags with hand-stitched trimmings that glam up an outfit for a nighttime soirée to chic paisley trousers that can be worn on a Sunday brunch date, these bold looks are definite must-haves for your autumn closet.

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MISSONI CASHMERE SWEATER

EMILIO PUCCI APPALOOSA PRINTED DRESS

GUCCI LEATHER RUFFLE FRONT DRESS

VERSACE NAPPA STUDDED FRINGE JACKET IN PEACOCK

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VALENTINO SMALL ALICE TOTE

Emilio Pucci’s black and orange Appaloosa dress, made from extravagant silk cady material, is a stand-out with a Navajo pattern and hand-sewn metal studs. The length of the dress is also perfect for knee-high boots. For a more subtle embellishment, Gucci’s lightblue revamped leather dress features a ruffled detail that extends all the way down the plunging neckline, forever changing the way you view leather dresses. For nighttime attire on the simpler side, accessorize it with strong pieces. Valentino’s Rockstud Reversible Tote and Patent Leather Rockstud Pumps have been a closet staples for the past few seasons, and the company recently debuted new accessories to the collection: the Small Alice Tote in red, featuring braided handles on pebbled leather, and the Rockeem Leather booties in grey, with their fringe detail.

Versace dominated the runway this year with extravagant accessories.

Exchange last season’s leather jacket for Versace’s take on a classic with their peacock-colored Nappa studded fringe jacket. Match this spectacular range of blues with Versace’s “D” signature shoulder bag in peacock to pull off that simple yet daring style.

Roberto Cavalli chose rich colors, lively animal prints and intrepid patterns to catch the eyes of consumers, but without all the added hand-sewn details. More suitable for daytime wear, these prints will turn a lackluster workday into a brighter one.

Try pairing Cavalli’s stretch printed trousers with a solid colored top, a blazer and heel for work. The elasticity and the silk mixed with the paisley print will have you feeling comfortable and confident throughout the day. If you’re not one for paisley prints, opt for Cavalli’s wild patterns, like the leopard printed dress. The dark colors, long sleeves and deep v-neck are perfect for fall weather, especially when accompanied by a light jacket.

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MAX MARA PELAGO CAMELHAIR BELTED COAT

VALENTINO ROCKEEM FRINGED BOOTS

VERSACE: “D” SIGNATURE SHOULDER BAG Even though autumn calls for bold prints and decorative detail, you can never go wrong with timeless neutral staples. Max Mara delivers more toneddown seasonal pieces. Try pairing the Lecco short jacket, made from cashmere and wool from the Angora rabbit, with a simple pencil skirt or dark denim for a sophisticated look. For colder weather, try Max Mara’s Pelago belted outerwear coat with a straight-legged

trouser to achieve a more elongated leg. Made from camelhair, this jacket will keep you warm and outlast many other pieces in your wardrobe. Missoni, another fashion house with a collection perfect for daytime attire, carries neutral-toned sweaters with pops of colors incorporated. Add their cashmere sweater to your closet and pair it with a straight-legged pant and heel for a refined fall appearance.

BOUTIQUES T

HESE DAYS IT’S easier to shop high-end luxury designer brands with online shopping sites, boutiques popping up on Madison and 5th Avenue, and The Mall at Short Hills bringing high-end designers closer to home. Still, nothing comes close to perusing the streets of Italy and finding hidden boutiques tucked away in Milan, Florence and Rome. Besides discovering pieces from well-known brands that are not yet available in U.S. stores, you can find new designers mingling among the greats.

THERE IS ALWAYS A NEW place to uncover in Milan, the Italian fashion capital of the world. Biffi opened its doors in the ‘60s courtesy of sisters Rosy and Adele Biffi. With bold and vibrantly decorated stores, Biffi boutiques have captured the eyes of many Milanese. Biffi later opened another location in Bergamo having a total of five different locations in Italy. Featuring an eclectic range of designers from Charlotte Olympia to Alerto Biani, Biffi sells a more avant-garde style of clothing.

ANOTHER MILANESE FAVORITE is 10 Corso Como. First established in a revamped garage, the boutique sold top-line designers like Alaia and Margiela. After gaining popularity, the store expanded and is now considered a mini world of its own since opening shops in Seoul, Shanghai and soon Beijing. The boutique now offers a restaurant, hotel, art gallery and bookshop as well as their upscale brands selections. The latter have expanded to include more luxe designers such as Comme Des Garcons, Benedetta Bruzziches and Vivetta.

TRAVELING DOWN to the Tuscany region of Italy, Florence is another city offering first-class shopping destinations for fashionistas. Luisa via Roma opened during the ‘30s, offering Florentines top-tier luxury brands such as Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Lanvin, Bottega Veneta and many more. Luisa via Roma has launched a virtual boutique, which is now considered a worldwide fashion destination; it gets approximately four million views per year.

Luisa via Roma offers free shipping and returns to all U.S. customers as well as an extensive list of designer clothing, jewelry and accessories for both men and women.

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Come BaCk to Sorrento,

the Land

of Love

Photo credit

By S i m o n m u r r ay

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PhotograPhs by someo someone

Photo credit

PhotograPhs by someo someone

oyalty used to dine

on the terrace where we’re sitting. The kings and queens of various principalities are still here, in fact, albeit only in a collection of photographs behind a window in the glass foyer. The monarch of Siam surrounded by his retainers. The Empress Elizabeth “Sisi” of Austria taking a tea. Even American “royalty” like Marilyn Monroe. They peer out with a similar expression on their faces: a mixture of enchantment and relaxation, wonderment and introspection—from this very same On this cloudy and cool evening, perhaps someone has sent a retainer to fetch a coat for a brooding ruler or celebrity. All the same, following dinner we opt to enjoy the nighttime view from the Excelsior Vittoria and instead of fetching a jacket find another way to stay warm. One suggested by Nicolino Grigio, the property’s resident manager.

The glasses that arrive—two ornate miniature cups—are filled with a digestif that I haven’t decided to taste yet.

Noticing my hesitation, Grigio, sitting across the table from me, chuckles. Gingerly, he reaches for his glass with the practiced art of one who has spent his whole life entertaining guests and takes a sip. He balances the taste on his palate and puts the cup back on a porcelain saucer.

“That’s good grappa,” he says, smacking his lips in approval. He smiles like the Cheshire Cat. Our terrace—or should I say, his terrace—overlooks the Bay of Naples, which in the darkness is a shapeless void below us. Only the salty air and lapping of waves heard on our promontory above the harbor tell us it is there. The bay is the ancient thoroughfare traveled by some of the first civilizations in all their glory. First for the Greeks and then for the Romans, the mythic god of this body of water—the Mediterranean—was Poseidon.

I take another sip of grappa, a traditional Italian brandy made from the pressed skins and seeds of grapes. For a winemaker’s leftovers, it has a rich, earthy taste. Its reputation for being a harsh peasant’s drink is not inaccurate. I can’t tell if I am enjoying it or trying to be macho. Either way, it warms my bones.

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photo credit

terrace at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.

photo credit

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very love story worth its abstract weight

in gold should be set in southern Italy. The dreamy landscape—waves breaking against impossibly high cliffs, charming cobblestone roads that dead-end without warning, the invigorating smell of savory foods—only adds to this impression in countless and fantastic ways.

If it were a particularly good love story, it would begin and end at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento’s crown jewel.

The hotel is perched on the cliff’s edge like some regal edifice

courtesy of grand excelsior vittoria

Trading stories, I tell Grigio—whose sanguine nature and hairless head make him a modern-day incarnation of Buddha—that the last time I enjoyed grappa was in a Swiss village pub. The bartender there claimed grappa was made each night simply by taking the excess liquor spilled onto the bar and filling a glass with it.

My drinking partner laughs, acknowledging a good rib. Then again, he could be laughing at the almost farcical comparison.

There is nothing quite like Italian grappa on a terrace in Sorrento, and there is certainly nothing like drinking it at the top of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.

On a sunny day by the pool, the ruins are so close you can feel the pull of the old world. The Orangerie’s servers come from all sides, offering bread and olive oil and a sampling of carpaccio and cheeses. I feel like a Roman emperor on holiday.

For lunch, I once again defer to the cordial staff’s judgment.

My waiter tells me the restaurant is best known for its classic Neapolitan wood-oven pizzas. What he brings is as unexpected as it is familiar: a margherita pizza with soppressata and artichoke hearts sprinkled with a balsamic glaze. Instantly, you realize you’re not in Kansas—or New York City—anymore.

The trouble is, work has me neglecting this scrumptious creation. I look up from my phone and notice my waiter wearing a pained expression. “What is wrong, sir? You no like?” he hesitantly asks. I apologize for offending him. My explanation is that even in Italy, work is never more than a few emails away. He asks if he can bring me another pizza—a warmer replacement— and I politely refuse his considerate request. After promising to put the phone down in favor of the appealing entrée, he looks pleased. “First pizza, then work,” he says smiling. I smile too. First pizza, then work. It’s my new mantra.

he 16th-century poet Torquato Tasso,

hewn from rock. Its guest list has included everyone from the German composer Richard Wagner to Oscar Wilde. The ruins of Roman Emperor Augustus’ summer villa are said to lie beneath the property.

Of course, no trip to Italy is complete without a mouthwatering culinary experience, and the Excelsior Vittoria and its Michelin-starred chef Luigi Tramontano are adamant about using only the best locally sourced produce. Included are a variety of citrus fruits from the hotel’s own orange grove, the Orangerie, after which the poolside bar and restaurant also are named.

born in Sorrento, may not have spent much time in the town of his birth. Yet his poem, “Now the Waves Murmur,” could describe the joy of having breakfast or tea on one of the Excelsior Vittoria’s private balconies in the morning: “Now dawn already appears/And mirrors herself in the sea/And makes the sky serene.”

Above the instep of the boot on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is one of the world’s most photogenic places. Every nook and cranny, villa and vista deserves inspection. It’s easy to enjoy an espresso or a limoncello (an Italian lemon liqueur known for its zest and refreshing qualities) while sitting at one of the open-air cafes and marveling at the beauty of the bustling village.

Travelers love the town for its quaint, picturesque sights and centralized location. From the Naples International Airport to the heart of Sorrento (known as Piazza Tasso square, named in honor of the poet) and the Grand Excelsior Vittoria, it is only a 30-minute car ride along winding roads that take travelers around cliffs and through the seaside communities that give southern Italy its unique, old-world charm.

The sights continue at the hotel, which has one of the most spectacular views of its looming neighbor to the north, Mount

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Vesuvius. Take a quick elevator ride down to the port below the hotel and you’ll find boats and hydrofoils waiting to sweep guests away in pampered style to the nearby islands of Capri and lesserknown Ischia.

History is ever-present when you stay in one of the 71 rooms on the property. The newest is the Lucio Dalla Suite. Located above the hotel’s famous Enrico Caruso suite, named after the tenor who stayed there in 1921, the Lucio Dalla Suite includes a sweeping terrace that faces the sea and lofty Vesuvius.

It was on a similar terrace that Dalla was inspired to write his dedication to Caruso in 1986 while staying at the hotel. In it, Dalla romanticizes the legendary Italian opera singer’s last days in Sorrento and Naples.

The suite is composed of a large lounge, a master bedroom and annexed bathroom, a guest bathroom near the sitting room and a walk-in closet. It can be opened up to the adjoining junior suite, affording the guest with another bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet and balcony.

Just as it was for those Italian songwriters who stayed for weeks or months at a time, I realize the hotel is starting to feel more and more like home.

joined by Guido Fiorentino, president, CEO and owner of the Excelsior Vittoria. Fiorentino remembers playing on the property as a child.

Owned and operated by the Fiorentino family since 1834, this year marks the hotel’s 180th anniversary. Five generations later, Fiorentino is tasked with making sure the three buildings that make up the illustrious property, built between 1834 and 1880 in fin de siècle style, stay true to the fascinating history while providing the expected modern service and amenities. At the Excelsior Vittoria, you get the best of both worlds.

The sumptuous interiors of even the newest suites contain a great number of the original pieces of antique furniture and artwork used to decorate the hotel. Fiorentino’s mother was most worried about this time-honored element becoming ignored as the hotel evolved.

“Half our job is to use these antiques, because otherwise you lose it; you lose the allure of this place,” says Fiorentino as we wait for our food to arrive in the newest restaurant, the Terrazza Bosquet, located below the terrace. A bay window fully shows us Vesuvius draped in the pinks, oranges and reds of sunset, looking every bit like a painting.

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We’re drinking a Japanese whiskey that could wipe paint from a car. Like the grappa, its potent mixture is handsomely, almost diabolically, unique.

I’ve just come from a course on preparing the Michelin-starred fare with Chef Luigi Tramontano. In his top-of-the-line kitchen, he takes what are otherwise simple ingredients and turns them into abstract pieces of art that make one hesitate to eat, so beautiful are they to look at. I’m impressed by what I see when the main course arrives: crusted lamb chops and homemade ditalini with a creamy pea sauce. My waiter from the pool, whom I learn later is the maître d’, walks by smiling and gives me a wink.

Crusted lamb chops first, then work.

courtesy of grand excelsior vittoria

t dinner on the final night of my stay, I’m

“All I gave him was white paper and asked that he use only the best local cuisine,” says Fiorentino of his superstar chef. “I chose him without ever trying his food [either]. But I trusted him. He’s young and very enthusiastic. It’s passion.” What the Italians call passione e dedizione.

Fiorentino continues, “What I saw in him was that he was very focused and intent on change. I was strongly convinced we have to change the direction [for this restaurant].”

Not even a year later, Chef Tramontano was awarded a coveted Michelin star, and Fiorentino’s decades of experience, evolving into insightful prescience, paid off. That’s because a family operates the hotel, both literally and figuratively. Much of the

staff has been with the property for as long as (or in some cases longer than) Fiorentino has been alive. It’s in the details: the service and good nature of the men and women who work here exceed all expectations.

As limoncello and decorative cabinetry are to Sorrento, hospitality and service are to the Excelsior Vittoria. That’s why the Neapolitan song, “Torna a Surriento” (Come Back to Sorrento), rings true after leaving the hotel.

In English, the translation amounts to: “You go away from this heart of mine, away from this land of love, and you have the heart not to come back. But do not go away; do not give me this pain.

Come back to Sorrento.” It stays with you long after you’ve gone.

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the elite

Thank you To all of Those who conTribuTed To The success of ‘concourse for The kids’ 2014.

5th Avenue Weddings

Domingo Zapata

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

A/Coe Communications

Ecru New York

Piazza Sempione

Angelo’s of Mulberry Street

Elevee

Pour and Pedal

Asalt & Buttery

Furla

Robert Graham

Aston Martin Summit | Short Hills

Gamin’ Ride

SeaNet

Ghurka

TapSnap Teavana

Audi of Bernardsville

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

Bai

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Bang & Oulfsen

Grey Goose

Belgard

Guerlain Spa

Ben & Jerry’s

HeliFlite

C&R Interior Design

Hip NJ

California Closets

IC Bellagio

Calypso St. Barth

Kitchens By Design

Camper & Nicholson International

La Maison Du Chocolat

Atlantic City Bottle Company

Carlo’s Bakery Christopher Whyte City Winery Cliffhanger Productions Clive Christian Del Friscos Dieci Uomo

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HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

Laurita Inn Lindt Lisa’s Candy Buffet Love, Alex LuxuryDayCharters.com Manifesto Cigars Maserati of Morris County Michelangelo Designs

The Anda Mani The Art Of Shaving The Eric Trump Foundation The Fountain Spa NYC The Infernos The Pierre Thomas Pink Tiffany & Co. Tory Burch Trimeno Trump National Bedminister Trump National Golf Club Trump Winery Vineyard Vines Yellow Korner

EVENTS

Jason Lembo, Joumana Kidd

Brielle

Vanessa Deleon Bournias, Bobby Bournias

Aston Martin Short Hills | Summit

TRUMP BEDMINSTER

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N SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, HudsonMOD teamed up with the Eric Trump Foundation to host ‘Concourse for the Kids,’ which took place at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Created to resemble the Concours d’Elegance of Pebble Beach, the event entertained guests with an exotic car display, a premier menu, live auctions, performances by The Infernos and ultimately raised $80,000 in net proceeds to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Lara Yunaska

Jonathan Cheban

Joumana Kidd, Steve Bergamo

Eric Trump, Christian Waldman

PHOTO CREDIT

Jason Cleffi & Children

Eric Trump, Lara Yunaska

HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

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EVENTS

Shannon Steitz, Eric Dahler, Dhardra Blake

David Schutzenhofer, Shannon Steitz, Eric Trump

Matthew Steitz

Joumana Kidd, The Infernos

Trump Winery

Atlantic City Bottle Company

Meena Depasquale

Jason Galtieri, Jason Galtieri Jr, Nic Lembo, Jason Lembo

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Aston Martin Summit | Short Hills

HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

Grey Goose VX

Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster

PHOTO CREDIT

Scott LeFebvre & Family

Melanie Statlander, Elizabeth Fry-Davis, Melody Rosen

Guests

Vanessa Deleon Bournias, Shannon

The Infernos

Irene Vacante, Nicole Fonzino, Tiffany & Co. Assoc.

Concourse Registrant

PHOTO CREDIT

Steve and Laura Landau, Joumana Kidd

Aston Martin Shootout Participants

Christopher Farra, Joumana Kidd

Kristin Balduino & Guests

Larry Caplin

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EVENTS

Tiffany & Co. Models

James Totten, Joumana Kidd

Guests

Maserati of Morris County

Guests

Meena Depasquale & Concourse Winner

HeliFlite

Eric Trump, Lara Yunaska & Guests

Audi of Bridgewater

View more pictures online at hudsonmod.com/concourse-kids-benefits-eric-trump-foundation

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HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

PH OTOS BY CHARLES PALMISANO

The Perillo’s, Gaglioti’s & Macaluso’s

EVENTS

Guests

German Arango DePasquale

Justin DePasquale And Emily Shah Miss New Jersey

Ralph Lauren Team

NEIMANS: ART OF THE RACE

H

UDSONMOD served as the exclusive media sponsor for Art of the Race, which took place on September 6 at Neiman Marcus at The Mall at Short Hills. Hosted by DePasquale the Spa and Neiman Marcus, guests enjoyed an Art of Fashion Runway Show, food tastings, cocktails and beauty bars and virtual horseracing. Proceeds went to support the Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey.

Guests

Guests

Emily Shah Miss New Jersey and guests

PH OTOS BY CHARLES PALMISANO

Guests

Karen Prosniewski, Savannah Seikunas, Joanne Simone-Cook, Mel Pado

NJPAC Arts Education performers

Lee Saltz, Ed Bilinkas, Ed Bilinkas JR. and Matt Tal

View more pictures online at hudsonmod.com/Neimans-Art-of-the-Race

HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

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EVENTS

Teresa Woods in Halston

Sandra Palmeri in Gerry Weber

Devon Stephen in Hobbs

Fashion stylist, Dawn Del Russo hosts the runway show

INTERNATIONAL DESIGNER FASHION SHOW AT BLOOMINGDALE’S

O

Carina Goldbach, Marlena Splendore, Sandra Palmeri, Teresa Woods

Sandra Palmeri in Ted Baker London

Carina Goldbach in Karen Millen

View more pictures online at hudsonmod.com/bloomingdales-fashion-week

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HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

PHOTOS BY CH ARLES PALMISANO

Sandra Palmeri in Gerard Darel

N SEPTEMBER 10, HudsonMOD’s fashion expert and stylist Dawn Del Russo hosted the Bloomingdale’s International Designer Fashion Show at their Shops at Riverside location. The event, which was held during Fashion Week, featured models walking down the runway in Bloomingdale’s newest collections from designers Ted Baker, Reiss, Basler, Karen Millen, BCBGMAXAZRIA and more.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY

Illustration by Scott McKowen

by William Shakespeare | directed by Scott Wentworth Begins December 3rd Celebrate the winter holiday season in a “White Christmas” kind of way with the brilliant war of words between the feisty Beatrice and the staunch bachelor Benedick.

Tickets on sale now!

973-408-5600 | ShakespeareNJ.org

t @ShakespeareNJ ` Shakespeare Theatre of NJ

EVENTS

Paul Miller Bentley- Rolls Royce

Shea Gallante

Carleigh Len, Stephen Len, Michele Schnellbacher

Guests

EUROTECH’S GRAND OPENING

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UDSONMOD attended the grand opening of Eurotech Motorsport’s newest, top-of-the-line facility on October 5. The celebration, which took place at Eurotech’s new location in Mahwah, New Jersey showcased the space and the company’s renowned services as Audi specialists. Mahwah’s own Mayor William C. Laforet did the honors at the cutting ribbon ceremony. The event also featured a car show, pig roast, vendors and gourmet food by executive chef Shea Gallante.

Danek Laskowski, EuroTech, Shannon Steitz

The EuroTech Team

EuroTech Owners Ryan Wendt, Danek Laskowski, Mahwah Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sharon Rounds, Mahwah’s Mayor William C. Laforet does the honors at the

Benzel Busch, Audi Meadowlands Edwin Mercedes & Associate

George Pillajo, Christopher Miele, Brian Kelly of Paul Miller

View more pictures online at hudsonmod.com/Eurotechs-Grand-Opening

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PH OTOS BY TERESA PYSKATY LAMICELLA

Andrew Dourgarian and Alissa Treible

Client first.

Client focused. ∂ Premarital Agreements ∂ Appeals ∂ Divorce ∂ Custody and Parenting Time ∂ Parental Alienation Issues ∂ Business Valuation and Related Issues ∂ Families involving high net worth estates/high-level executives/Closely held businesses ∂ Alimony/Child-support/College Expenses ∂ Postdivorce Matters ∂ Relocation Matters ∂ Separation Agreements ∂ Pre-Divorce Legal Counseling ∂ Co-Counsel and Case Review

Steven M. Resnick, Esq. FA M I LY L AW AT T O R N E Y www.buddlarner.com

Laura Clare floral design & event decor weddings & events weekly accounts floral classes holiday decorating Bernardsville * Hoboken 866-866-8004

www.lauraclaredesign.com

sresnick@buddlarner.com • 973-315-4475

ONLINE YOUR ACCESS TO A LIFE WELL LIVED

Event

Travel

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WHAT’S TRENDING NOW AT

HUDSONMOD.COM

Shelter

Concourse For The Kids Living ‘La Dolce Vita’ Wish you could indulge more in Italy’s luxurious spas—Castello di Casole and the Abano Grand Hotel? Well, you’re in luck. Visit HudsonMod online to view more photos of Terry Ward’s pampered experiences at the two five-star hotels.

See more online at hudsonmod.com/Italy-Luxurious-Spas

The Avanti EVO Loved reading about the elegant and efficient Piaggio P180 Avanti II in “Wings”? Get excited for their latest innovation, the Avanti EVO—one of the fastest aircrafts ever to debut—and HudsonMod has the inside scoop. Visit online to read more about this high-speed luxury plane.

HudsonMod hosted “Concourse For The Kids” at the prestigious Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey on September 28. Substantial proceeds went to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through The Eric Trump Foundation. Follow the link to see which elite brands and celebrity guests attended.

Read more online at hudsonmod.com/ConcourseKids-Benefits-Eric-Trump-Foundation

Friend us, follow us, hashtag us and stay informed on a LIFE WELL LIVED

Read more online at hudsonmod.com/Avanti-Evo

The Tiffany T Collection You can’t spell Tiffany without the T—and that’s exactly what the new Tiffany & Co. design director, Francesa Amfitheatrof was thinking when creating their newest line of jewelry. HudsonMOD explores the new designs of these elegant, modern pieces.

Read more at hudsonmod.com/Tiffany-T-Collection

Hot Hits in the Newsletter

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Check your email for our newsletters and get all the luxury lifestyle highlights, local treasures, fashion finds, rare jewels, social calendars, exclusive rides and everything you need for a Life Well Lived.

HUDSONMOD.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014

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WE’LL MAKE THIS THE BEST ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE. L A N D S C A P I N G | H A R D S C A P I N G | W AT E R F E AT U R E S | O U T D O O R K I T C H E N S L A N D S C A P E L I G H T I N G | S P O R T S C O U R T S | P O O L D E S I G N & I N S TA L L AT I O N

The Fredco Group has been providing custom outdoor landscape, hardscape & professional golf course design for more than 30 years.

973 777 3044 fredcolandscaping.com

New York & Destination Wedding Planning

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scene

| 60th Anniversary, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Nov. 28 - Jan. 3 The Lincoln Center, $40-$260 Join the New York Ballet during the “most wonderful time of the year” to see the 60th annual production of The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s lulling tunes mixed with Balanchine’s choreography will have your inner child wishing the Land of Sweets was a viable destination.

The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey - Henry VIII Somerset Healthcare Foundation Gala

Oct. 15 - Nov. 9, $25-$50 Follow one of the most famous kings of England during the first two of his six marriages on his quest to find a male heir. Performed for the first time in 30 years at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, director Paul Mullins focuses on the power plays between husband and wife and church and state in one of the Bard’s final plays.

Nov. 8 The Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. Somerset Healthcare Foundation celebrates their merger with the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital of Somerset in an evening that includes live entertainment from band Oh What A Night!, a cocktail reception, dinner and a wine pull raffle.

“Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe” Sept. 10, 2014-Feb. 15, 2015 Brooklyn Museum The heel is celebrated in this provocative, fun fashion exhibit. The display features more than 160 pairs of historical and contemporary heels on loan from designers and museums all over the world. Brands include Manolo Blahnik, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Vivienne Westwood and many more.

| Wall Street Rocks For Our Heroes

|

Lizzie Fortunato Trunk Show

Oct. 28 Neiman Marcus of Short Hills Join the Neiman Marcus designer jewelry team as they host the Lizzie Fortunato Trunk Show. Held at Neiman Marcus at The Mall at Short Hills, guests will have the chance to view the New York City designer’s latest collection of luxury jewelry.

Holiday Wine Trail Weekend Nov. 28-30 Garden State Wine Growers Association Participating Wineries Instead of your traditional postholiday plans, enjoy live entertainment and food while sampling the finest harvested wine. The wine trail is located at different participating wineries all over New Jersey.

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Nov. 10 431 West 16th Street, New York, N.Y. Wall Street rockers rejoice at the Highline Ballroom for a one night event featuring Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers, John Popper from Blues Traveler, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top and Will Lee and Anton Fig from the Late Show with David Letterman.

Proceeds go to ReserveAid to support our brave American heroes.

Encore PhilanthroPy

By Mara Model

Q: Why is it important to incorporate your career as a broadcast journalist to giving back to the community?

A: Anything we do professionally has to make a contribution to others. I am confident that together with our great partners at WNET and NJTV, work as a broadcaster, author and motivational speaker makes a difference in the lives of others. I am so fortunate in this way to be able to do what I love and hopefully help others in the process.

Q: What was your goal when starting Stand & Deliver?

A: The overall goal is to teach our young adults, particularly those from our inner cities, how to communicate and lead with passion, preparing them for their future and giving them the tools necessary to succeed. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants in Stand & Deliver on the impact the program has had on their ability to communicate more effectively. Many Stand & Deliver graduates have returned to serve as workshop leaders.

Emmy Award-winning Thirteen / WNET (PBS) anchor Steve Adubato on set with Governor Chris Christie for a live call-in program.

StEvE AduBAto

S

‘‘

teve AdubAto has dedicated his entire career in front of the camera to showing the issues that affect the people of New Jersey. With each turn in his career— Emmy Award-winning anchor of public broadcasting, CEO of the nonprofit television production company, Caucus Educational Corporation, author of four success-building books, or adjunct professor teaching the bright minds at New York University—his multifaceted business in the limelight has contributed to the ultimate goal of giving back.

And he doesn’t stop there. As he begins writing his fifth book, Adubato continues to expand his nonprofit leadership program Stand & Deliver: Communication Tools for Tomorrow’s Leaders, which he and his team developed 15 years ago to apply many of Adubato’s own motivational philosophies to young adults.

We spoke with the Jersey native to discuss the impact of Stand & Deliver, what it means to be Italian-American and how his whirlwind of success helps bring those same opportunities to others.

’’

Anything we do professionally has to make a contribution to others.

88 HUDSONMOD.com october/november 2014

Q: In 2012 you wrote in your NJ Monthly column, “Growing up Italian-American in New Jersey helped toughen me for the times ahead.” Can you give us some examples?

A: Growing up in a largely Italian-American neighborhood in Newark taught me how to deal with difficult and challenging situations. We were forced to grow up quickly because we were exposed to many situations with people who might not have had the best intentions. It was a great neighborhood, but it was rough, and some of the characters in it didn’t always play by the same rules that my parents taught me.

Q: What do you do in your spare time to relax?

Working out is a major part of my life. I start every morning in the gym and have recently gotten into stretching and yoga. I also love to play golf with friends.

Q: Define luxury.

A: Luxury to me is the fact that my family is building a house on the beach at the Jersey Shore. In the near future, I will be able to wake up and walk on the boardwalk or have a cup of coffee while listening to the ocean or reading a book.

Growing up, I never thought this would be possible.

Q: What’s been the most rewarding experience in your career?

A: It’s being a part of a team that has helped young adults gain the tools to become confident public communicators.

The work Stand & Deliver does has the potential to change lives of these young people, which in turn can make a huge difference in the urban communities in which they live. There is no greater gift than being a part of such an effort.

CELEBRATING OUR GRAND OPENING OF THE ALL NEW

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26 East Main Street Mendham, NJ 07945

One Mile North of Bridgewater Commons

(888)375-7831

(866) 751-7398

www.AudiBridgewater.com

www.AudiMendham.com

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