HudsonMOD Fall 2012 by MOD Media, LLC

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Hello, Rocco! You think you know Italian celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

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INSIDE

HAPPY MEAL “In Italy, the perfect meal is a meal without any outside distractions.”

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FROM RPF THE MAIL THE WOW THE FEED THE QUOTE THE .COM THE FACT THE NUMBERS THE 10 THE ’HOOD THE LIFE

32 ROCCO GROWS UP

Italian celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito is the opposite of what you think of him. Seriously. BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

42 ITALIAN FASHION: COUTURE LUST Lady Gaga as fashion icon. Believe it. BY TARA SOLOMON

46 THOM FILICIA, MASTER AT WORK Queer Eye’s talented interior designer on fame, style and finding balance in his life. BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

54 TUSCANY BY DAY, MILAN BY NIGHT A castle in Tuscany, Armani in Milan. BY ERIN DOSTAL

56 THE PRINCE NEXT DOOR

Prince Lorenzo Borghese has the looks, the fame and the pedigree, but did you know he’s still just a Jersey boy from Short Hills? BY MARCO MEDRANO

THIS PAGE Rocco DiSpirito photographed in Sorrento, Italy by Jonathan Pushnik from the book Now Eat This! Italian: Favorite Dishes From The Real Mamas Of Italy All Under 350 Calories (Grand Central Publishing) ON THE COVER Rocco DiSpirito was photographed by Jonathan Pushnik exclusively for HudsonMOD at New York by Gehry. Set management: Amanda Thorogood. Fashion styling: Tanya Tamburin. Grooming: Leonora Conley/ Global Artists, New York. Digital tech: Jessica Lawinski. Photography assistants: Lou Caltabiano, Sammy Collinge. Styling assistants: Lisa Braun, Claire Easton, Gabriela Riccardi. Tuxedo: Dolce & Gabbana, Saks Fifth Avenue, New York. Shirt: Eton, Saks Fifth Avenue, New York. Shoes: Bruno Magli, Lord & Taylor, New York. Tie: Saks Fifth Avenue, New York. Cufflinks: David Donohue, Lord & Taylor, New York. Watch: Panerai. Shot on location in New York City.

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LEILA NAVIdI

Rome was getting under my skin, in a delicious, intoxicating manner.

Mea Culpa I never felt so

From rPF

un-American.

So there I was on the roof deck of an impossibly chic nightclub to celebrate the launch of an impossibly chic fashion line surrounded by, well, you get the idea. Everyone there was beautiful and everyone there knew it. Then, I said “it” and the room just stopped. Literally—everyone stopped and stared at me as if I had just uttered something so unimaginable, so horrific that painful self-mutilation would be the only remedy. Here’s the exact quote I had the temerity, the audacity to say out loud: “I don’t get the national obsession everyone in this country has with Italy. Yes, they make great clothes and cars, but the food? Really? Not for me.” I said this in Manhattan, Italy’s second capital. Hell hath no fury. Before you, too, turn on me as a gastronomical heretic (I know you’re thinking it), a little perspective is in order. I was raised in a Cuban household in the suburbs of Miami where Italian food was considered “American.” Unlike so many of my friends who had mythic tales of their Italian-born relatives making red sauce on the stove for days on end with the smells of garlic and fresh herbs filling their kitchens, my Italian related food memories involved nothing short of a horror movie. My sisters—Annabel and Yamilé—lovely ladies those two, would take turns making what my brother Willy and I dubbed “spaghetti

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surprise” whenever our mother had to work late. This draconian dish was invariably overcooked (dry and stuck together) and paired with the most God-awful proteins known to man— hot dogs, canned tuna and, worst of all, Vienna sausages. Can you imagine? Is it any wonder I grew up loving the food of Cuba, China, Japan, Mexico and, best of all, Thailand? Want to make me happy? Suggest dinner at a Thai restaurant—any Thai restaurant. But Italian food was everywhere I looked, and it was my friends’ favorite by far. The question always baffled me: How could a cuisine that puts flavorless pasta front and center be so darn popular with everyone I know? But not being a complete dummy, I kept my controversial culinary views to myself. Until I didn’t. The first time I went to Italy—as part of a month-long European vacation in my early twenties—I was, let’s say, underwhelmed by Milan (industrial town) and Venice (strong omnipresent smell) but a little happier with Naples, Pisa and, best of all, Florence. But, for some reason, I had avoided Rome on that trip and I, again, got grief from everyone for skipping “one of the world’s greatest cities.” I’ve been fortunate in my life to be able to travel extensively to the far reaches of the globe—most of it to great, fantastical effect—and when I was given the opportunity to check Rome off my bucket list, I was as excited as I had ever been before a trip. Studying for my journey as if I were to be tested on it, I read numerous articles about Rome in Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure, went to a much buzzed-about opening night at one of celebrity chef Mario Batali’s Italian eateries (sublime) and re-watched Federico Fellini’s film classic, La Dolce Vita. Oh yes, I was ready for Rome.

I scheduled my time in Rome wisely by bookending the city at the beginning and at the end of a ten-day Mediterranean cruise. After a total of five days in the Italian capital, I couldn’t wait to escape. So much concrete. Everywhere. I was so relentlessly vocal about longing to see grass and trees that my travel companions—longtime friends who know me very well— reminded me I lived in Manhattan, global epicenter of cement. Then, on my second to last day in Rome, I woke up with an epiphany (a better attitude) and decided to fall in love with Rome. And so I did. Strolling the Via Condotti, Rome’s most iconic luxury shopping street, felt so decadent, so civilized my head nearly burst. Lunch at the gorgeous St. Regis Grand Rome (perfection), throwing coins at Trevi Fountain (cliché, but thrilling), walking up the Spanish Steps (beautiful), attempting to cross the street to get a better look at the Colosseum (impossible)— Rome was getting under my skin, in a delicious, intoxicating manner. And did I mention the people of Rome? Loud, passionate, gorgeous—I felt very much at home given the similarities with my Cuban heritage. Yes, Rome was for me after all and by the time I realized it, our trip was over. So I stand before you, my cultured friends, to offer my sincere mea culpa. I was wrong about Italy. So very wrong. There, I said it. I hope Mario Batali is  reading this. I’m a little hungry.

RicHaRD PéRez-FeRia Executive Vice President, Editor in Chief

@RPerezFeria

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The Mail

Life weLL Lived

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Richard Pérez-Feria

To Our Readers: We’re very happy to say that we’ve been blown away by the overwhelmingly positive reaction you, our readers, have had to HudsonMOD. The enthusiastic emails, tweets, Facebook messages and telephone calls have made us work even harder to give you the magazine you deserve. What separates HudsonMOD from other publications is our parallel commitment to excellence and inclusion. So, yes, we cover the latest goings on in Manhattan—how could we not?— but we’re also right there as northern New Jersey’s luxury magazine of choice. Keep the letters, calls, tweets and comments coming. We just can’t get enough. —THe eDiTOrS

VAnessA cAsAs @VanessaCasas

@rPerezFeria @HudsonMOD Congratulations on the premiere issue!

dAisy Fuentes @DaisyFuentes

@HudsonMOD @rPerezFeria Honored to be featured in your premiere issue. A freakin’ goddess indeed! #imFromJersey

c h r i s W r Ag g e @ChrisWragge

@HudsonMOD Congrats on the magazine. it looks great! #lifewelllived

A r m A n d o A z A r loz A @culturemovement

Connecting #fashion #culture and #luxury #HudsonMOD is from the former award-winning editor of #Peopleenespanol @rPerezFeria @HudsonMOD

louis Aguirre @LOUISAGUIRRE

Silence is luxury #truth Loved your editor’s column @rPerezFeria “Shhh…” Bravo amigo!

r i c c i J. l ó p e z

Editor in Chief

Kathleen Gates Erin Dostal online eDitoR Amanda Thorogood Beauty/gRooming eDitoR Marco Medrano Fashion eDitoR Tara Solomon Retail eDitoR Maryam Afshari Fashion stylist Tanya Tamburin CoPy ChieF Ellen Wager Design DiReCtoR

senioR eDitoR

eDitoRial assistants

Joshua Alicea, Claire Easton Jamie Hall, Gabriela Riccardi ContRiButing eDitoRs

Kenny Forder, Sven González Mario Quirce, Mitch Rustad ContRiButing aRtists/PhotogRaPheRs

Chris Morris, Michael Murphree Jonathan Pushnik, Myrna Suárez

shannon steitz FACEBOOK Kerry mitrusKA What a beautiful publication, richard! Congratulations and best wishes for many years of success!

couture inK

TWITTER

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Coming over from Couture ink to say congratulations and best of luck to you all at HudsonMOD!

Publisher senioR aCCount manageR

Christopher Burns aCCount manageRs

Renee Berry, Christine Wood Amanda Thorogood CiRCulation DiReCtoR Lauren Mena Digital seRViCes manageR Michael LaRosa maRketing manageR

gRaPhiC DesigneR, aDVeRtising seRViCes

Aaron Gill maRketing assistants

Michelle Bodnar, Lisa Braun Samantha Hart, Amanda McElroy

HUDSONMOD.COM pAris WolFe Not just information, but useful tips. What great beauty coverage in HudsonMOD! You rock, Marco Medrano.

Audel Call me wind because i’m absolutely blown away by the stunning premiere issue of HudsonMOD.

@riccilopez

John ribbler

@rPerezFeria i am so happy to hear of the successful @HudsonMOD magazine launch party!! Kudos for all of your #success

richard, a heartfelt congratulations on the launch of HudsonMOD. i’m guessing this is my new go-to source for all that is the good life. 

PRoDuCtion assistant

For advertising inquiries call 973.249.6157 or email advertising@hudsonmod.com For all editorial inquiries contact editorial@hudsonmod.com For subscription information and customer service contact circulation@hudsonmod.com HudsonMOD is published by MOD Media, LLC

JASOn LEMBO Chief executive Officer SHAnnOn STEiTz President RiCHARD PéREz-FERiA executive Vice President

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it’s with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of sergio sanzari, a dear friend and HudsonMOD’s biggest fan. We dedicate this issue of the magazine he loved to him. May he rest in peace.

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HudsonMOD is available for the iPad, Kindle Fire and Nook tablet.

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The Party. Circa 1957.

PARTY TOGETHER RESPONSIBLY. THE PRODUCTS SHOWN IN THIS PHOTO ARE HISTORICAL AND ARE NOT FOR SALE. www.bacardi.com ©2012 BACARDI AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDI U.S.A., INC., CORAL GABLES, FL. RUM - 40% ALC. BY VOL.

HISTORY’S SUPPOSED TO BE BORING. NOBODY TOLD US. This year, we celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary. When your story begins with the creation of the world’s smoothest rum, it’s not long before you’re rubbing elbows with rebels and royalty, introducing rum to cola, and partying through Prohibition. It’s not your average story, because we’re not your average rum. Let’s raise a glass to the next 150 and keep the party going.

The WOW you know you want it

ULTIMATE CRIB The property has 19 luxurious suites, three salt-water pools and two kitchens.

have We GOT an Island FOr YOu

his amazing Italian archipelago, lying off Italy’s Amalfi Coast, is available for a cool $263 million. The lucky buyer who will call the Li Galli islands home will be surrounded by what were once believed to be mystical waters. According to Greek mythology, this is the sea where the sirens tempted Ulysses. The islands have also hosted some of the most glamorous women in history including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Sophia Loren. For nearly a century, these islands have remained in private hands, but now they can be yours. The property includes 19 luxurious suites, four salons, 1,500 square meters of terraces, nearly 3,000 square meters of living area, three salt-water pools and two kitchens. What’s not to love? Close your eyes. Can’t you imagine hosting your first island dinner party?  —ASHley AlmAriO

FALL 2012 HUDSONMOD

THE QUOTE

“I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I love the attitudes of Italians.” –SIR ELTON JOHN

Roxanne Evans Evening News Anchor, News 12 New Jersey @roxanneevans12

Lady Gaga Pop Star @ladygaga

Who else sees me channeling @RuPaul on the COVER of VOGUE. If only I was as fierce as you bitch. I did try to come for you with that weave.

Giada De Laurentiis TV Personality, Cook @GDeLaurentiis

Going on a Sunday adventure in the English countryside... ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS MORRIS EXCLUSIVELY FOR HudsonMOD

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Congratulations @rgk224 to you and your wife!!! Can’t wait to meet the little #bambino!

Emilio Pucci Fashion Designer @EmilioPucci

Nerea Garmendia wears a black mesh beaded bustier with a black highwaisted organza skirt from the s/s 12 collection…

Kimora Lee Simmons Entrepreneur, Model @OfficialKimora

Don’t make Excuses—Make Improvements! #Fabulosity

THE FEED

Discover the exceptional taste of Grey Goose Cherry Noir.

G R E YG O O S E . C O M

S I P R E S P O N S I B LY

©2012 GREY GOOSE, THE GREY GOOSE BOTTLE DESIGNS AND THE GEESE DEVICES ARE TRADEMARKS AND/OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. IMPORTED BY GREY GOOSE IMPORTING COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL. VODKA 40% ALC. BY VOL.: FLAVORED VODKAS EACH 40% ALC. BY VOL. -DISTILLED FROM GRAIN.

The .Com

THE DAILY SHOW With hudsonmod.com’s daily updates, you’ll get every detail straight from the stylish runways.

Fashion Week Report, NYC

HudsonMOD’s coverage of the best things that life has to offer doesn’t end with the last page of this issue. In fact, it’s waiting for you at hudsonmod.com.

$46,000,000

The NUmBeRS

Cost of the most expensive pink diamond in the world, unearthed in an Australian mine

$1,000,000 Price of Manhattan’s most expensive parking space, located at 66 East 11th Street

$350

Hourly rate for the world’s most luxurious ambulance in New York City, provided by Bronx-based Citywide Mobile Response Corporation

294

$2,000,000

43 million

Of the richest ten counties in the US, three are in New Jersey: Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris Estimated worth of an 18-karat gold Monopoly game displayed at the Museum of American Finance in New York City

20 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

$1,000

Cost of super size Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata at Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien in New York City. The super size version includes ten ounces of caviar instead of the regular single ounce

The number of steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa Number of visitors to Italy each year, making it the fifth mostvisited country on the planet

$35,000

Nightly rate for the nine-room “Ty Warner Penthouse” at the plush Four Seasons Hotel in NYC

3,000 NuMBER OF MuSEuMS IN ITALY

And like any respectable fashionobsessed media lover, we’re all about the latest and trendiest styles—so be the first to soak up ideas that fit the future with our updated MercedesBenz Fashion Week news, right at your fingertips. From September 6 through 13, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will take over Manhattan, showcasing Spring 2013 collections from budding newcomers and coveted favorites including Badgley Mischka, Elie Saab and Christian Dior. With exclusive hudsonmod.com daily updates, you’ll know every intimate detail about the shows, the fashionable attendees, projected trends and must-attend after parties. We’ll keep you informed about the latest fashions so you can catch the hottest styles far in advance of mere civilians. Remember, the only thing worse than wearing the same dress as the person next to you in the front row is not knowing anything about the show. —Ashley AlmArio

The FACT

HOLY CANNOLI The world’s largest cannoli, made at the 2011 New England Showcase in Boston, measures in at ten sweet Italian feet. The pastry chefs at Golden Cannoli Shells Co. worked several weeks to create the record-breaking treat. Still, we bet there’s a bakery in our vicinity—Little Italy, perhaps—that can whip up enough decadent cannoli cream for a 15-foot rival in no time.

Love your kitchen.

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The 10 let’s count the ways

Cruise The Silver Whisper $1.6 million for two If you have 124 days—just one-third of a year— free on your calendar, this package offers everything you could want from a cruise. The Silver Whisper includes luxe pre- and post-cruise lodging, vacations to 28 countries and the finest living and dining accommodations to distract you from the fact that you’ve been living on the high seas for more than four months.

Television

Watch

PrestigeHD Supreme Rose $2.26 million This 55-inch television glows with 28 kilograms of 18-carat rose gold and is framed with hand-stitched alligator skin. Designed by Stuart Hughes, there are only three of its kind in the world. The TV is also coated in 72 hand-cut diamonds with sunstone and amethyst. For the first time, what’s around the screen is more interesting than what’s on it.

Big Bang, Hublot $5 million Singapore A great watch is both the pinnacle of style and craftsmanship. This $5 million “Big Bang” by Hublot will be showcased in the Hublot boutique at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and contains more than 140 carats of shimmering diamonds. Because what watch doesn’t need 1,282 diamonds?

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0 A safe and secure retirement paycheck for life. A New York Life Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity can provide a guaranteed lifetime income stream that is essentially like a “paycheck” for life, no matter what. Peace of mind and guaranteed income from a company with the highest possible ratings for financial strength currently awarded to any life insurer by all four major ratings agencies.2 Now that’s retirement. Call me.

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The New York Life Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity is issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company. The guarantee is backed by the financial strength of the issuer. 2 Source, Third Party Ratings Reports as of 8/8/11. AM Best A++, Fitch AAA, Moody’s Aaa, Standard & Poor’s AA+. © 2012 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 For most jurisdictions the policy form number for the New York Life Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity is ICC11-P102. State variations may apply. SMRU 462003 (Exp.12/31/12)

THE 10 Pizza Pizza, Louis XIII $12,000 Salerno, Italy Created by Chef Renato Viola in Agropoli, Salerno, Italy, this pie is baked for 72 hours before serving to allow the dough to rest, then topped with mozzarella di bufala, three varieties of caviar and pink Australian salt. Sign us up for a slice or two, pronto!

Art

Roy Lichtenstein “I Can See the Whole Room... and There’s Nobody In It!” $43 million New York City After a battle among three bidders, Roy Lichtenstein’s “I Can See the Whole Room... and There’s Nobody In It!” sold for $43 million at Christie’s auction house, a record for the artist’s work. The 1961 painting, which depicts a man peering through a peephole, represents Lichtenstein’s first foray into pop art.

Dog Tibetan Mastiff $1.5 million Hong Dong—or “Big Splash”—is a red Tibetan Mastiff recently purchased in China for $1.5 million, making him the world’s most expensive dog. Tibetan Mastiffs are a symbol of elite wealth in China, and according to breeders, this pup is a remarkable specimen, for a truly remarkable price. This is one pooch that will most certainly get more than scraps from the dinner table.

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Caviar Almas Beluga $25,000 This caviar’s name is the Persian word for diamond, a reference to its precious rarity. Taken from an Iranian female centennial sturgeon, the caviar is white and exquisite. Be sure to savor every tiny bite.

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THE 10 Space

Virgin Galactic $200,000 The vacation of the future has finally arrived. Sir Richard Branson’s company (don’t look so surprised) Virgin Galactic is in the final stages of developing a space tour for non-astronauts. Virgin Galactic is in the midst of test flights, with the goal to complete a two-and-a-half hour commercial trip. The intergalactic experience is ultra-costly and sure to be ultra-cool.

Home

Maison de L’Amitie $95 million Palm Beach This is so not the typical beach house along the Jersey Shore. Currently owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, who bought the Maison de L’Amitie in 2008 from Donald Trump, the 80,000-square-foot estate reportedly includes 475 feet of oceanfront views, 18 bedrooms, a ballroom, a 4,100-square-foot conservatory with Venetian-style moldings and eight skylights, and a 50-car garage. That’s right: A 50-car garage. Not in the mood to swim in the sandy, salty ocean? Not a problem. You can take a dip in the property’s 100-foot-long swimming pool instead.

26 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

Concert

Rolling Stones $5.4 million Barcelona The Rolling Stones were paid $5.4 million to perform a private show in Barcelona to 500 very lucky guests. The party, organized by Deutsche Bank, was held in the Catalan National Art Museum. Mick Jagger joked to the crowd: “Thank you for having us…this is coming out of your bonuses.” 

Imagine unimaginable luxury.

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the ’hood FashiOn’s night Out

nYC Ballet DOes ValentinO

As the ultimate kick-off to the anticipated Fashion Week, Neiman Marcus at Garden State Plaza Mall joins in on the Fashion’s Night Out antics on September 6. With exclusive shopping opportunities, fashion tips and impressive giveaways, Neiman Marcus has gathered all of the excitement of Fashion’s Night Out in one centralized location. Bring your best bag, hottest shoes and credit card with the biggest balance.

This is one date to save for sure. By collaborating with sartorial icon Valentino, New York City Ballet’s Fall Gala will tie together fashion and dance as one on September 20 at Lincoln Center in New York City. This one-time-only, black-tie soiree will feature a world premiere ballet. It’s sure to be an unforgettable evening.

DANDY ANDY Metropolitan Museum of Art’s fall exhibit lineup includes Regarding Warhol

the arlingtOn CluB: sWanKY This fall, French Chef Laurent Tourondel of the BLT brand will work with restaurant and nightlife group Tao to open the Arlington Club on Manhattan’s luxe Upper East Side. Reports have it that this prime steakhouse will seat 200 guests and will include a full sushi menu and 20 wine refrigerators. Sounds like the Upper East Side is getting a sure-fire hot spot.

CiViliZeD DrinKing hOBOKen Culture Every third Sunday of the month, the Hoboken Monthly Gallery Walk will exhibit local, regional and international artists from ten art galleries in the city. No matter what your taste is in fine art, we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll love to display in your home.

Mangiare! From September 13-23, the 86th annual Feast of San Gennaro will be celebrated, appropriately, in Manhattan’s Little Italy. The event will feature colorful parades, free musical entertainment and the delicious food that Italy is known for. And, if you dare, there’s always the festival’s legendary cannoli-eating competition.

28 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

Treat yourself to an exquisite gala glorifying fine food and wine that helps support Grounds For Sculpture. On September 30, The Epicurean Palette will allow you to roam the grounds with friends to sample extraordinary cuisine from 25 of the most talented chefs in the tri-state region. You’ll also be welcomed into a festive beer garden with an astounding array of handcrafted brews.

neW YOrK FilM Fest turns 50 The historic 50th anniversary of the New York Film Festival is almost here. From September 28 to October 14, the Film Society will proudly present highlights from the festival’s unbelievable first half century.

leaVe YOur MarK On October 14, the Footprints in the Sand Foundation will host a walk-athon that’s followed by a barbeque at the Ridgewood Duck Pond in Ridgewood, NJ. All money raised will benefit local families and children struck by tragedy.

help eliMinate the stigMa The Care Plus Foundation’s mission is to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and help patients receive better care. On October 15, the Care Plus Foundation Inaugural Golf Outing will be held at the exclusive White Beeches Golf and Country Club in Haworth, NJ, allowing you to help others achieve a level of success.

FOr laDies OnlY Gather your girlfriends and treat yourselves to local shopping, fashion, entertainment, food, travel and cosmetics at New Jersey’s Women’s Expo. On October 27 and 28, enjoy the best of the best as this expo will showcase top-of-the-line products, services, seminars and attractions created specifically for women.

lOl in nYC Produced by New York City’s comedy club institution, Caroline’s on Broadway, and co-sponsored by Comedy Central, the New York Comedy Festival will take place November 7-11. The festival will feature 60 comedians—newcomers and favorites alike.

a thOusanD WOrDs The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s fall exhibit lineup includes Regarding Warhol, a display of Andy Warhol’s works and other major pieces influenced by the artist, presented from September to December, and Faking It, an exploration of manipulated photography (prePhotoshop), from October to January. 

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The LIFe Bobbi Brown Tell me about Montclair. Montclair is a great place to live. It has so much culture and is such a big community with great restaurants, shopping, gyms and concert venues. There are people of all ages, races, backgrounds and walks of life who live there, creating even more of an eclectic vibe. It’s like a mini New York City.

How often are you confused with the other Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston’s ex-husband? Mini-opolis “Montclair is like a mini New York City.”

All the time—especially by men! I’m used to it now, but in the beginning of my career, I used to have to say, “Hi. I’m Bobbi Brown, the makeup artist not the rapper.”

Tell us one thing American women are doing wrong about skin care?

obbi Brown’s educational background is in theatrical makeup, but you wouldn’t guess that from the natural-looking, ready-to-wear eponymous makeup brand that made her famous—Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Brown started the makeup company in 1991, when ten natural-shade lipsticks under the brand “Bobbi Brown Essentials” first appeared at luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. Since then, Brown has taken her brand to the highest levels, and she remains CEO of her company. Brown, whose book Pretty Powerful: Beauty Stories To Inspire Confidence (Chronicle Books) comes out in October and who is a proud resident of Montclair, NJ, opened up to HudsonMOD about her beauty must-haves—who doesn’t love a Birkin bag?—and her expert advice about keeping — Erin Dostal skin youthful.

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Define luxury. To me, the hallmarks of true luxury are things that are well made, classic and timeless, like a Louis Vuitton trunk.

What’s the one makeup item no woman should ever be without? Concealer. It’s the secret of the universe instantly making you look less tired and more refreshed. I like to apply it first because I find that once I’ve put on my concealer, I oftentimes don’t need to apply as much makeup as I originally thought. When it comes to spending money on makeup, I always think it’s best to invest in products like concealer and foundation, as they set the base for the rest of your makeup.

What’s your must-have accessory? My new cross-body Birkin bag. It was a gift from the president of my company (also a dear friend) for my birthday. It’s brown, which is one of my favorite colors, and I love that it’s a cross-body. When you’re constantly on the go, it’s nice having your arms free.

I think the one thing that American women are doing wrong to keep their skin looking youthful is getting too much plastic surgery. It looks unnatural and actually makes women look older when they’ve done too much. One thing all women should be doing, and surprisingly are not doing, is moisturizing. It’s so important for women to wear a moisturizer with SPF in it each and every day to protect their skin from the sun, but also to provide your face with the essential nutrients it needs. A trick? To plump up the skin on your face and create a dewy, youthful glow, layer your moisturizers. Start with a lightweight, hydrating lotion and then layer on top of it a heavier balm to lock the moisture into the skin.

Talk a little about your new book. For 21 years, I’ve listened to the stories of women I’ve met in my makeup chair. I’ve listened to their conflicts, their successes, their tragedies and what they’ve had to overcome. I was inspired to write the book because I wanted to join these women together and start conversations that would inspire other women to feel better about themselves. 

exclusive

Life weLL Lived

Rocco Grows

A decade after the Italian celebrity chef made a hard-to-forget first impression, we find a very different Rocco DiSpirito today. Very different. By RichaRD PĂŠRez-FeRia

PhOtOgRaPhy By JOnathan Pushnik exclusively FOR HudsonMOD

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Cautionary tale “I’ve become less reckless, more fearful as I get a little older.” BLACK ShIrt: Eton Saks Fifth Avenue, New York JeAnS: Levi’s WAtCh: Panerai

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Know thyself “I’m at a place in my life where I actually understand myself much better now than I ever did.” Tuxedo: Dolce & Gabbana Saks Fifth Avenue, New York WHITe SHIrT: Eton Saks Fifth Avenue, New York TIe: Saks Fifth Avenue, New York CufflInkS: David Donohue Lord & Taylor, New York WaTCH: Panerai

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ocky. That’s the word that came to mind the first time I laid eyes on Rocco DiSpirito. Handsome and self-assured, the New York City native was the culinary world’s most buzzed-about chef a little more than a decade ago, winning an armload of impressive industry accolades, James Beard Award citations and, perhaps most significantly, he was dubbed People’s “Sexiest Chef Alive.” If that wasn’t enough, DiSpirito had just been announced as the star of NBC’s muchhyped primetime reality program, The Restaurant. Created and produced

to be precise) and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 1986 and from Boston University with a degree in business in 1990. Not many world-class chefs have a college degree in business. His culinary bar mitzvah came when he opened Union Pacific, the legendary restaurant in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park, and the glowing reviews came fast and furious. I remember reading The New York Times’ restaurant critic, the amazing wordsmith Ruth Reichl, and thinking how breathless and excited her prose seemed when she wrote about this new chef, Rocco DiSpirito, in her three-star review of

prolific auteur, penning eight bestselling cookbooks in nine years, including his latest, Now Eat This! Italian: Favorite Dishes From The Real Mamas Of Italy All Under 350 Calories (Grand Central Publishing), in stores later this month. The book transcends traditional low-calorie cookbooks and is nothing short of a visual love letter to the country of his ancestors. Simply put, the book’s a stunner and if it’s anywhere near as popular as his other Now Eat This! offerings, this, too, will be a well-deserved smash. When I meet DiSpirito, a palpable, kinetic energy fills the luxe New York by Gehry sky-high apartment

He’s simultaneously playful and serious about the task at hand and it’s easy to see why he’s such an attractive “get” for a multitude of television shows. by kingmaker Mark Burnett, who had been riding a huge ratings winning streak with both Survivor and The Apprentice, The Restaurant was a nobrainer in the making—a sure thing— meant to serve as the third leg of Burnett’s juggernaut ratings stool. And Rocco DiSpirito was going to be its can’t-miss superstar. It’s interesting to think back to that time with the air so heavy with inevitability for DiSpirito. After all, how could he fail? He was young, extraordinarily talented, a ladies’ man, endearing mama’s boy and spot-on camera ready—Rocco DiSpirito was destined to become nothing less than the most famous chef in the world. And he almost got there. Almost. Rocco DiSpirito was born 46 years ago in New York City (Jamaica, Queens

the eatery in 1998: “I have yet to taste anything on Mr. DiSpirito’s menu that is not wonderful,” Reichl wrote. “Rocco DiSpirito has invented an exciting menu. Mr. DiSpirito has an interesting mind; he seems to think about flavor in ways that ordinary people don’t.” For those among you not entirely familiar with restaurant reviews in The New York Times, that was an unabashed rave, a gastronomic home run, and DiSpirito’s career was thusly launched. As his name suggests, DiSpirito is a master Italian chef, but one who emphasizes fusion cooking, French stylings and mind-blowing flavor to his most memorable dishes. No small feat. Ruth Reichl is not one for frothy adjectives if it’s not warranted. DiSpirito, above all else, is one hell of a cook who also happens to be a

doubling as a photo studio for the daylong cover shoot. In person, DiSpirito has a practiced ease and a confident gait, he is no stranger to a room full of people waiting for him, in this case, more than a dozen mostly female, mostly young magazine and photography assistants—right in his comfort zone. He’s simultaneously playful and serious about the task at hand and it’s easy to see why he’s such an attractive “get” for a multitude of television shows: Rocco DiSpirito is a charmer, no question. So, of course he was a contestant on Dancing With The Stars (he finished ninth), hosted several shows Rocco Gets Real (A&E) and Rocco’s Dinner Party (Bravo), has been a guest judge on many incarnations of Bravo’s Top Chef and NBC’s The Biggest Loser

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and, just a few months ago, even appeared on celebrity bachelor dating show The Choice on Fox alongside the likes of Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, retired NFL superstar Warren Sapp and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. No one’s accusing Rocco DiSpirito of being a recluse. As the afternoon unfolded, I started to realize that my own views of DiSpirito were shifting. Significantly. I never had a negative take on the guy—I’m such a creature of pop culture, DiSpirito was a sort of zeitgeist hero to me—but I thought I’d encounter the bombastic, dramatic, litigious DiSpirito so evident in The Restaurant. Not so much. On this day, DiSpirito was soft spoken, incredibly self aware and measured—a long way from the “my way or the highway” wunderkind brat NBC promoted week in, week out. Such a public takedown as that is bound to humble anybody and, of course, he’s a decade older, but, still, I suspected something deeper going on with DiSpirito, something percolating inside him. I wanted to discover a bit of this newer, wiser, built to last DiSpirito model. Indeed, I wanted to get to know Rocco 2.0. Though he’s still a well-known, successful bachelor in Manhattan and he clearly enjoys all of what that implies, DiSpirito has moved on from caring much about what the gossip columnists and tabloids say about him and instead has dramatically changed his priority to helping

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Americans eat healthier, flavorful meals. This is no idle jumping on the “kick obesity” bandwagon for DiSpirito; he’s dead serious about his commitment to literally help save the world a single person at a time. And for a chef who has been widely recognized for his facility with flavor—so much so that his first book was called Flavor (Hyperion)— championing delicious healthier food was a food fight worth having. Incidentally, it’s not lost on me that I’ve never seen a chef of his caliber in better shape in my life, something I later discover DiSpirito attributes to his newish love of the physically grueling Ironman competitions. Not exactly Mario Batali territory, yet a very 21st century approach to celebrity chefdom. So on with it. Let’s get to know this new Rocco DiSpirito, cocky no more.

Define luxury. Luxury is a life free of obstacles to your goals. Not having access to your car keys, air conditioning, telephones—spending quality time with loved ones, that’s true luxury.

Where are you today? Are you happy? Yes, I think I consider myself very happy. There are some aspects of my life I’d like to improve—my mom’s illness, for example—but a parent getting older is a natural part of life. But the truth is, I’ve never been happier in my life as I am right now.

HANDSOME REWARD “When people comment on my looks, it does feel nice to be thought of in that way.” Shirt: Thom Browne Barney’s New York JeanS: Levi’s Watch: Panerai Guitar: 12-Thread Blues 1918 Martin

“My personal life is what it needs to be right now. I’ve always worked a lot—and I still do—but my social life is actually kind of great just the way it is right now.” FALL 2012 HUDSONMOD

If you had to cook the perfect meal… I don’t think there’s a blueprint for the perfect meal. All the elements have to come together to create the perfect setting for the perfect meal—reciprocity of energy between the people I’m cooking for and me. Food is a delivery system, not a goal in and of itself. Food without people to enjoy it can’t be perfect. As chefs we’re very fortunate that our jobs are to make people happy via food. That’s all we do. Italians live this way every single day of their lives. The energy they put into the moment makes for many magical moments. In Italy, the perfect meal is a meal without outside distractions to interrupt the magical moments.

What’s the best thing you ever ate? As a small child, I would sit at my grandmother’s kitchen table in her home in West Hempstead, NY—a home, incidentally, where she completely recreated her Italian life—and she’d make me a simple but delicious egg dish with farm fresh eggs, garlic, onions, peppers and olive oil. That dish turned me on to cooking and it literally changed my life. I’ve been lucky in my life to have eaten some of the best food imaginable by the top chefs on the planet in France, Italy, Thailand— but for an Italian, there’s nothing more generous a meal you can make than an egg dish, because that single egg represents a chicken that can sustain your family eating well longer. So when an Italian offers you an egg dish, that is very generous indeed.

If you weren’t a chef, you’d be what? Oh, 40 different things. I’d love to be a professional athlete in Ironman competitions; a fiction writer—how much fun is that?—or since I’m fascinated by the sea, maybe a diving

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instructor. The cool thing is that as a chef, you can actually do a lot of things these days besides cook. Though it can never be lost on us that being a chef is a profound profession, because we’re a big part of people’s most important nights of their lives—be it a birthday, graduation or wedding.

If you could change anything about the past, what would it be? Several things come to mind: I’d love a bigger kitchen—yes, size matters when it comes to kitchens. I’d make sure years ago that my mother took her medicine before she got sick. I wish my family in Italy and my family in the US would live closer together. And I’d like to produce healthier food for everyone to enjoy and live a little bit healthier.

So you’re good looking. Discuss. When people comment on my looks, it does feel nice to be thought of in that way, but the strange thing is,

nowadays, in this era of chefs as rock stars, looks do matter for chefs now.

Have your looks ever gotten in the way of you receiving credibility in the kitchen? My looks haven’t taken away from my culinary cred, but others tend to focus on that aspect of my life. Let me put it another way: While handsome chefs currently fascinate America, I’m not sure we’re teaching America how to cook better, healthier meals. Julia Child taught all of us how to cook and more recently so did Mario Batali, Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck. I think now we’ve traded in teachers for entertainers in the kitchen.

Tell me about being a good looking, successful bachelor in Manhattan. What’s that like? You know, I’m at a place in my life where I actually understand myself much better now than I ever did. That took many years of therapy [Laughs]. My personal life is what it needs to be right now. I’ve always worked a lot—and I still do—but my social life is actually kind of great just the way it is right now.

Do you think you ever want kids? I’m not sure. The truth is, I don’t know.

What’s the one culinary dish everyone should be able to make for the one they love?

TASTY DELIGHT “I guarantee you that this book will change your mind about what healthy food can taste like—this is the roadmap to delicious food.”

An omelet—when someone wakes up next to you and you cook for that person, it tells them so much: It tells them that they matter to you; it tells them they matter in this world; it tells them you want to nourish them when their bodies are needing that nourishment the most. Yes, everyone should definitely know how to make an omelet.

YOU TALKIN’ TO ME? “Early in my career, my attitude definitely got in the way of learning.” Shirt: Dolce & Gabbana Barney’s New York JEanS: Levi’s Watch: Panerai

Cast Rocco, The Movie. Hands down—Eric Bana plays me.

Who’s the best chef in the world? I break this down in three distinct but important categories. For culinary acumen and commercial success it definitely is Jean-Georges [Vongerichten], what a legend; for the entertainment world, chef Tom Colicchio does it better than anyone by striking the perfect balance, and as a TV cook I have to go with Rachael Ray, she changes people’s lives for the better—she’s very effective.

Are we ever going to see you competing against the best chefs in the world on Top Chef Masters? I don’t think so. My ego is too feeble, too fragile to go up against those chefs. I’m way too self-indulgent. I’m very competitive, but it’s different when you’re competing at something you love and do well; that’s why I could go on Dancing With The Stars and not really care how well I did because I’m not a dancer, obviously [Laughs]. But I’ll always be happy to go on Top Chef Masters as often as they want me, but only as a judge.

Tell me about your new book, Now Eat This! Italian. It comes out September 17 and I guarantee you that this book will change your mind about what healthy food can taste like. I’ve given you the roadmap to delicious food so you have no more excuses. I’m very proud of the book.

What are you doing if I see you five years from now? I hope I can tell you, “How are you doing? You look great, like you’re in the best shape of your life.” You

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know, I’m so proud that I’ve helped hundreds of people lose thousands of pounds. But I hope you see me in five years and realize that I’m still hungry about my career—but maybe if we’re on a boat in Capri it might be a little nicer [Laughs].

Tell me something that’s on your bucket list. I used to have a lot of daredevil things on my bucket list—skydiving used to be on the very top of it, now I’m way too afraid. I’ve become less reckless, more fearful as I get a little older.

Being a New York City native, does the natural-born swagger give you an edge in the kitchen? I think I have a New York attitude that almost all New Yorkers have, and believe me it doesn’t help in the kitchen. Early in my career, my attitude definitely got in the way of learning. I’ve realized later in the game that every day you must be curious in the kitchen, like Jean-Georges.

What would you say about fellow New York City native Bobby Flay? Bobby Flay is an extraordinary success story and he has a similar New York swagger. I think it’s his New Yorkness that women find so attractive in him and what men identify with. He’s a very evolved chef and he obviously manages his New York swagger to great effect. It’s funny how many of us grew up in this business together.

What’s the secret ingredient for perfect red sauce? I know there are many different theories floating around. Ask any Italian, fresh tomatoes—that’s it. But I’ll also tell you something that goes against conventional wisdom: Cook the basil and garlic with olive oil in the beginning of the process. The flavor is amazing.

What’s the single biggest misconception about you? I think there’s a large misconception about me that still lingers that I somehow skipped ahead in my career; that I cut in line, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The problem, of course, that most people met me while I was doing The Restaurant—not the best first impression for sure. You know, Richard, I do have regrets about that entire period of my life but it’s what I had to go through to get to where I am now.

When was the last time you cried? January 2011—when my father died.

What would your absolute last meal on Earth be? I would definitely have my grandmother’s eggs again. That was the period in my life that I felt the most loved, the safest.

Tell me a secret. As an altar boy in the seventh grade, I was suspended for drinking the

sacramental wine. I thought it tasted great [Laughs].

When was the last time you felt genuinely loved? Every single day—from my dogs and from my mom. My mom taught me what love is, what it should be and what it can be. My mom’s an extraordinary woman who taught me everything about everything.

Time to fess up: President Obama or Mitt Romney? The choice is obvious—take that however you want to take it.

When your thoughts turn to New Jersey, what images come up? Some of the greatest culinary masters hail from New Jersey. I’m not a typical Manhattan snob about New Jersey. I’ve only had positive experiences in New Jersey. I love going down to the Jersey shore, Bruce Springsteen is one of my musical heroes—I’m all good with New Jersey.

What’s the very best advice anyone ever gave you? You have to taste your food, all the time. It may seem obvious but it’s vital. I’m proud to be known as the “flavor chef” because taste is everything in cooking.

Complete this sentence, please: Rocco DiSpirito is… Kind. It’s important to be kind.



“I do have regrets about that entire period of my life but it’s what I had to go through to get to where I am now.”

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now hear this “I think there’s a large misconception about me that still lingers that I somehow skipped ahead in my career; that I cut in line, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.” ShIrt: Dolce & Gabbana Barney’s New York JeanS: Levi’s Watch: Panerai

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ItalIan FashIon:

Couture lust HudsonMOD’s Fashion Editor’s take on Italy’s sexy sartorial ways By TArA SoLomon

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MuseuM quality “This Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit pairs designs by Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian-born women who, although born half a century apart, would each leave an indelible mark on the world of couture.”

f I could magically possess three iconic fashion items, past or present—this being the grownup variation of my favorite childhood parlor game, “If you could only eat three nationalities of food for the rest of your life”—they would be: 1) Elsa Schiaparelli’s lamb chop hat, circa 1930s; 2) Emilio Pucci’s kaleidoscopic terrycloth beach bag, shaped like a beach ball, circa 1960s and 3) Gianni Versace’s Kelly green strapless gown—part of the Elizabeth Taylor online Christie’s auction—with twin circles of rhinestones outlining the bust, circa 1990s.

That I had the chance to own items two and three, but didn’t (for reasons primarily related to using the money for such unglamorous things such as rent or major appliances), can still cause me considerable anxiety. They were that magnificent. Such is the power of Italian fashion. Of course, I love a classic Chanel bag or vintage Saint Laurent gypsy blouse or safari look as much as the next fashion girl—perhaps more— but there’s something about Italian designers that feeds my soul, that speaks to my inner Fellini starlet. This, no doubt, has everything to do with

the bravado that lies at the heart of Italian design, the heady combination of craftsmanship and showmanship. How fabulous was Schiaparelli’s lobster dress, a perfect white chiffon gown emblazoned with a Salvador Dali-painted red lobster splashed down the front of the full skirt? Worn by Wallis Simpson in the famous Cecil Beaton photograph, just prior to her engagement to the Prince of Wales, it makes me weak—not to mention hungry—just looking at it. (Fun fact: Dali suggested that Simpson smear the “lobster” with mayo, according to The Metropolitan

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Lady Gaga, our century’s ultimate courtesan, fascinates the entire world. Museum of Art’s companion book to its exhibit “Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations.” She did not.) La dolce vita, indeed. But, however glam the package, it’s the ideology that truly packs heat. “I’m interested in archetypes, especially archetypes with historical resonance such as the nun, the maid and the prostitute,” said Miuccia Prada in Impossible Conversations. Incidentally, my wardrobe definitely leans heavier on the latter archetype. Schiaparelli, many decades earlier, espoused on courtesans, who she believed “used to know more about the soul of men than any philosopher. The art is lost in the fog of snobbism and false respectability.” Few women have the chutzpah to be full-fledged modern-day courtesans, which is why the filterfree Lady Gaga, an Italiana and our century’s ultimate courtesan, fascinates me, along with the rest of the world. Who doesn’t secretly desire to cook pasta in a transparent black Fendi frock on national TV, sing duets with Tony Bennett and wear custom Giorgio Armani galactic evening gowns to award shows? And, yet, all it takes is me slithering into a Dolce & Gabbana leopardprint cocktail dress and a vertiginous stiletto to become that courtesan. Such is the beauty of Italian fashion– at once classic and avant-garde, unapologetically bold yet refined in its execution, and dripping with the spirited sensuality that, as Schiaparelli, Pucci and Versace would come to prove, can transform a simple garment  into a legend worthy of lust.

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Lady Gaga “Few designers would turn down the opportunity to style one of fashion’s most fearless darlings, and Giorgio Armani was no exception, customdesigning this galactic-inspired dress for Lady Gaga to wear at the 2010 Grammys. Gaga would later emerge from a colossal egg and wear Giorgio Armani designs for her smash ‘Born This Way’ world tour.”

Rihanna “With a plunging neckline, saucy slit up the leg and fit so snug it looks lacquered on, this Giorgio Armani gown, worn at the 2012 Grammys, saw Rihanna dripping with bold glamour that perfectly complemented her ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ signature style.”

Giorgio Armani “Few things are as timeless, not to mention sexy, as a suave Italiano in a classic tux, as the iconic Giorgio Armani proves time and again.”

Jennifer López “Whose jaw didn’t hit the floor when J.Lo—then Jennifer López—showed up to the 2000 Grammys in this plunging jungle-print Versace silk chiffon dress? A dozen years after its debut, this dress remains one of the most recognizable gowns of all time. I took this photo of stylish siblings Gianni and Donatella Versace in South Beach circa 1990s.”

Elizabeth Hurley “There’s no red as glamorous as Valentino red, as Elizabeth Hurley effortlessly proves on the arm of iconic Italian designer, Valentino Garavani.”

Tom Ford “Texas-born isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when one thinks Italian designer, but Tom Ford is perhaps more responsible than anyone else for breathing new life into Gucci in the 1990s. First tapped by Gucci’s Creative Director, Dawn Mello, to design ready-to-wear at the label, he would go on to become Creative Director of Yves Saint Laurent in 1999 (after Gucci Group acquired the label) and emerge as a design superstar in his own right.”

Miuccia Prada “The iconoclastic Miuccia Prada. Who else could create a minimalist look that would come to be termed ‘ugly chic’ and still have the power to propel a brand from a single shop on the Via Fogazzaro into a multibillion-dollar global luxury business?”

Eva Longoria “Eva Longoria was all sun-kissed glamour in the South of France as she wore this ruffled, one-shouldered Emilio Pucci confection to the Cannes Film Festival in 2010.”

Dolce & Gabbana “What would the fashion world be without the brazen sex appeal of Italian duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the men who popularized underwear-as-outerwear, launched a thousand animal prints and clad such unapologetically bold vixens as Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Beyoncé?”

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THOM FILICIA MASTER AT WORK The talented interior designer of Queer Eye fame creates beautiful spaces for his clients and a beautiful life for himself. BY RICHARD PĂ&#x2030;REZ-FERIA

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ave you ever really seen a true master at work? Someone

who’s so incredibly superior at what they do that witnessing them in the act of greatness is nothing short of revelatory? Think Bruce Springsteen in concert or Bill Clinton working a campaign rope line or Roger Federer hitting a forehand. Think genius. Think Wow! That’s the level of otherworldliness and adjectivebusting talent we’re dealing with when talk turns to celebrated interior designer Thom Filicia. Yes, I’m saying what you think I’m saying: Thom Filicia is the Springsteen/Clinton/Federer of interior design. And it’s about time you got to know why.

THOM THOM CLUB “With this new book, American Beauty, I was trying to show how you could make something fabulous and cool from an existing structure,” Thom Filicia says, here with Foxy on his boat behind his lakehouse in Skaneateles, NY.

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sight, ripping out floors and curtains, buying and refurbishing furniture, overhauling backyards, knocking down walls—I mean, it was C-R-AZ-Y the amount of work Filicia had to do. Every single week. The fact that Filicia could keep his sense of humor intact and his comedic timing so sharp under those conditions is a testament to my earlier point: Thom Filicia is a master at what he does. And not coincidentally, Filicia was also a very high profile Manhattanbased interior designer with A-list clients long before his life changing TV debut. He didn’t need Queer Eye to be a big hit for him to succeed, but it surely didn’t hurt. Then, just a few months after Queer Eye premiered, I got a call from my oldest and closest friend, Greg Calejo, who informed me that he and Filicia had started dating. And in a way, the news seemed to make perfect sense. Greg and Thom are similar in many significant ways— perpetually the center of attention, leaders of the pack, social monsters with few peers, family centric, animal lovers—yes, this union was built to last. Greg brought Thom to my then new Manhattan apartment (a small penthouse, thank you very much) late one night. I remember thinking how much fun Thom was. He was gracious and funny for several minutes before moving in front of my “great wall” in the living room where the flat screen was meant to hang. In less than 45 seconds, Thom sketched out where the TV should go and which other paintings and framed photographs should be arranged around the screen so when the TV was on, it essentially JOnnY VALIAnT

I first saw Thom Filicia the same night so many of us did when a quirky, groundbreaking television show, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, made its explosive American debut on Bravo in 2003 in the middle of summer. Filicia, along with wardrobe specialist Carson Kressley, foodie Ted Allen, grooming guru Kyan Douglas and lifestyle coach Jai Rodríguez, made up what was dubbed “The Fab 5” and took the pop cultural zeitgeist by storm. Overnight— literally—these funny, chatty men became not only the five most publicly “out” people in the US, but also the most endearing. Queer Eye was transformative television and it went on to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program and, just like that, the guys were everywhere at once: Oprah, Jay, Ellen, Conan, GMA, Today, Regis & Kelly, The View—everywhere. For a hot minute, we were all living under Queer Eye’s spell. What I noticed most about this show were two things: How smart and ridiculously funny both Filicia and Kressley came across (and no surprise to me, they became the show’s breakout stars) and how much physical work Filicia had to accomplish week after week. While the other nice guys could essentially run around and make amusing situations even more so, Filicia had almost no time to completely overhaul some clueless dude’s entire house. It was absolutely insane, while one of the Fab 5 was buying picture frames or picking out the right wine to help the hapless straight guy out, Filicia was busy painting every wall in

HOMELAND “When I walk into a home, I want to know where the people who live there have been, where they’re from and where they’re going.”

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became another objet d’art hanging on a graphic wall. Somewhat obvious to me now, at the time I very much believed I was in the presence of greatness. Incidentally, Filicia went on to wave the same design magic wand and instantly spruce up my place in West Hollywood, (with difficult 40foot ceilings) as well as a home we all shared one recent summer in the Hamptons. Thom Filicia knows his way around a room. For the decade I’ve considered Thom Filicia my friend—he and Greg and their beloved rescue dogs, Paco and Foxy, have made quite a life for themselves in New York City—I’ve been drawn to him for his intelligence (he’s keenly curious about myriad topics), his kindness (always makes the new person in a group feel included) but, mostly, his sense of humor. My goodness is that man funny. I remember a long night I spent at the Chateau Marmont in

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Los Angeles with Filicia and the equally hilarious Carson Kressley (both were filming different television shows the next day) that I literally gasped for air. I simply couldn’t laugh any more without causing internal injuries. The three of us were on fire, lighting up everything and everyone in our path. There are few funnier human beings than Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia. But Filicia has something different up his sleeve: Whip-smart observations delivered as sarcastic bombs all with expert comic timing framed around an innocent’s “Who me?” face. Oh, yes, this guy belongs on television. And, yes, this guy’s a star. Thom Filicia was born 43 years ago in Syracuse in upstate New York, a part of the world he still considers home. Not only would he go on to graduate from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, he recently reimagined his dream lakefront home in beautiful

HOWARD WISe

NICK JOHNSON

SU CASA “Each home should have its own experience that always connects with its owner. The home must tell a story.”

Skaneateles, the “Hamptons of Syracuse,” and the home is the star of his latest book, American Beauty: Renovating And Decorating A Beloved Retreat (Clarkson Potter), available November 13. His first two best-selling books were Queer Eye For The Straight Guy: The Fab 5 Guide To Living Better and, more personally, his signature effort, Thom Filicia Style (Atria/Simon & Schuster) published in 2008. Right after graduation, Filicia got serious about his chosen profession and landed at a succession of renowned New York City-based interior design firms including ParishHadley, Robert Metzger Interiors and Bilhuber & Associates. Striking out on his own in 1998 by launching Thom Filicia, Inc., the affable designer garnered so many accolades and awards from the design world that the results have been nothing short of staggering: Elle Décor’s “Top 25 A-List Designers,” House Beautiful’s “Top 100 American Designers,” House & Garden’s “Top 50 Tastemakers” and on and on and on. With apologies to Sally Field, they like him; they really like him. Though he doesn’t promote himself in this manner, Filicia has designed amazing homes for titans of industry and for the planet’s biggest celebrities including Jennifer López and Tina Fey, who wrote a fantastic foreword for his new book. Filicia has also designed many jaw-dropping, large-scale projects such as the VIP Suite for the USA Pavilion at the most recent World’s Fair at Aichi, Japan, the holiday decoration installation with American Christmas for Radio City Music Hall, the newly glamorous pool deck at the W Westwood in Los Angeles and countless others. After the mind-blowing success of Queer Eye, Filicia went on to star in two other television shows, Dress My

“Every single day, I feel inspired and have deep gratitude for being able to create beautiful things.” Nest for the Style Network and Tacky House for HGTV. The indefatigable creator behind the Thom Filicia Home Collection (furniture, rugs, textiles and more), Filicia doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. At all. When I see Thom Filicia just prior to conducting this interview, I find him— as always—charming, funny and kind

but also a tad more reflective, a little less childlike. This small adjustment suits him well, as if he has found his sweet spot. Thom Filicia is firing on all cylinders and it’s pretty cool to watch. I love seeing Filicia get excited—not frustrated because that can be quite the memorable dressing down for whomever has deservedly earned his

wrath—when Filicia gets happy, the world seems to spin just a little bit faster, blissfully. It’s intoxicating to witness a master at work. Bruce Springsteen in concert. Bill Clinton campaigning. Roger Federer on Center Court. Thom Filicia designing a room. Masters at work, one and all.

retro Active “I think some people out there associate me with a very modern design aesthetic and that’s simply not the case. I love classic, fresh, timeless design.”

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WHERE THE BOYS ARE “All of it was so crazy so fast,” says Filicia, here with his Queer Eye co-stars.

Define luxury. Having time, simple as that.

Describe the perfect room. The room has to be as comfortable as it is chic. As personalized as it is aspirational. As unexpected as it is familiar. Well balanced is the key.

The thing I notice is that you design specifically for the owners instead of creating a “Thom Filicia” space. That’s how I see my role as a designer. I look at my client—who is always the most important consideration—but the location, the climate, everything has to make sense. Each home should have its own experience that always connects with its owner. The home must tell a story that makes sense. I’ll put it a different way, Richard. When

I walk into a home, I want to know where the people who live there have been, where they’re from and where they’re going.

resonating with America. Queer Eye, unbelievably, became a lot more than I ever expected it to be.

What does overnight fame feel like? What were those first initial weeks like after Queer Eye For The Straight Guy catapulted the five of you civilians into stardom?

It was a lot—a lot—of work. And it took a lot of time. For me, in particular, because my segment of the show required a complete transformation of the guy’s home. It was so crazy so much of the time. On top of all of my own work, I was expected to cook with Ted [Allen] or shop with Carson [Kressley] and, by the way, completely overhaul the guy’s living space. Looking back, it’s pretty amazing how I did it all but the truth is, I loved it and I do have a lot of energy and I am very social, so that definitely helped.

To be honest, I really didn’t believe it. None of it. What do you mean The Tonight Show wants us? And we’re having dinner with Ellen [DeGeneres]? And Oprah called? All of it was so crazy so fast that I just assumed that in a matter of weeks, life would go back to normal. But it never did.

Are you glad you weren’t a kid when the celebrity thing came around? Oh yes, definitely. When Queer Eye exploded, I was at a time in my life that I had already suffered the death of a parent, I had my own successful business and I had enough life experience to help me navigate all of the noise that comes with celebrity.

When did you realize that Queer Eye was going to be a great thing? When my peers, fellow interior designers, kept telling me how much they were enjoying the show. When my father and so many of his friends told me how much they laughed and learned with every episode. Whenever I went to the airport and dozens of people came up to me to thank me or to share their own straight man horror stories, I realized fairly quickly that this television program was deeply

Tell me about Queer Eye.

Your best design moment has been... One of my favorite design moments was the recent assignment to design part of the USA Pavilion at the World’s Fair in Japan. It was, simply, a very cool experience. Another one would be my just completed design of Tina Fey and her husband Jeff’s New York City home. They were dream clients.

Let’s talk about American Beauty. My first book was a collaboration with the other guys on Queer Eye that quickly became a best seller. My next one, Thom Filicia Style, was hugely important to me for many reasons not the least of which it laid bare who I am as a designer. With this new book, American Beauty, I was trying to show how you could make something fabulous and cool from an existing structure. It’s a bit of the

“I realized fairly quickly that this televsion show was resonating with America.” 52

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PAS DE DEUX “Greg and I share an aesthetic and I think he likes what I like,” Filicia says of life partner Greg Calejo, at an American Ballet Theater fundraiser.

classic ugly duckling story—with a little bit of love, anything can start to take on a different, more appealing sensibility. I’m really proud of American Beauty and I hope it helps and inspires people to see the beauty that exists all around them, even in the most unexpected of places.

It boasts the single most beautiful skyline on the planet [looking at Manhattan]. New Jersey, to me, is the state most like America—most geographically and demographically diverse. Think about it, New Jersey has mountains, lakes, oceans, industrial cities, lush suburbs, and the state is chock full of what makes this nation so interesting, every race in the world can be found there. The Jersey shore, incidentally, is gorgeous; easily the best kept open secret in the country.

Are you a TV star? I’ll put it to you this way, Richard. Television is the medium, and interior design is the dialogue. I’m an interior designer who happens to be on TV. Though when I went to Australia to promote another one of my television shows, I quickly realized that Queer Eye was massive there. I never felt like such a rock star in my life. I love Australia—who doesn’t?

What’s the biggest design mistake everyone makes? Not trusting their instincts as well as the notion that everything in the room has to be beige. No one should be afraid of color, it’s just how you manage it is the key. Look, I get it. If the big pieces in the house have to be safe—the sofa, master bed, dining table—there are so many ways of sprucing them up with colorful rugs or throws or pillows. It’s like buying a

ALLISON SAROfIM

New Jersey. Discuss.

conservative Brooks Brothers suit and pairing it with an expensive colorful tie. Again, everything needs balance.

What has been your most challenging design job? I’ve had several challenging jobs, but I’ll answer this way. The wealthier the client, sometimes—only sometimes— the more difficult it is for them to see why a $200,000 marble bird bath may not be the best idea in the foyer of their home. I’m pretty charming, but even I sometimes have to be quick on my feet.

Describe bliss. On a boat behind my home in Skaneateles surrounded by close friends, my dogs and a glass—or two—of wine. That, to me, is bliss.

Where’s Thom Filicia in five years?

If your life partner, Greg, were to design your home without your input, what would you hate?

I think doing more of what I’m doing now. Here’s the thing that I want to make sure I convey. I’m acutely aware of how fortunate I am in my life. I’ve exceeded my wildest dreams for myself. I could have never imagined this life for me as a kid growing up in Syracuse. Every single day, I feel inspired and have deep gratitude for being able to create beautiful things. Self-awareness is important, and I am exceedingly so.

Not really sure. Greg and I share an aesthetic and I think he likes what I like so, on that front, we’re good.

What’s the single biggest misconception about you?

Describe to me your dream job. I’m dying to design a yacht. I’ve always loved boats and the idea of designing a yacht gets me excited.

I think some people out there associate me with a very modern design aesthetic and that’s simply not the case. I love classic, fresh, timeless design. I really, really do. 

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Tuscany By Day, Milan By Night

Dream dilemma: A castle in the forest or Armani in the city B y E r i n D o s ta l

Model hoMe italy encompasses all vacation desires as evidenced by Castiglion del Bosco in tuscany (above) and the Armani Hotel Milano. italian luxury at its finest. 54 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

Discover two exquisite—but vastly different—destinations you won’t ever want to leave. Ever.

ne of the great things about the word “vacation” is that it can have different meanings for different people. For some, a vacation is an escape from reality—time away from the bustle and work of everyday life. For others, it’s about an escape from themselves, where they put away the day-to-day worries in favor of convenience, luxury and pampering. italy, however, encompasses all vacation desires. From the gorgeous tuscan countryside to urban centers such as rome, Florence and the high-fashion capital milan, the country has something for everyone. lucky for you, HudsonmoD has cleared the clutter and given you two perfect getaways—one in the city, one in the country. Whether you’re heading to milan for Fashion Week or just looking to get away from the go-go-go, work-work-work culture in this country, we’ve found two exquisite but vastly different destinations you won’t ever want to leave.

CAstiglion Del BosCo

here’s truly no place on earth quite like the Tuscan countryside, and there’s no place that showcases its unique beauty and calmness quite like Castiglion del Bosco, or “Castle of the Forest.” The 4,000-acre, privately owned estate is located within Val d’Orcia, an Italian natural park protected by UNESCO. Imagine that for days on end your only views could be the Italian wait staff, bowls of delicious, fresh Italian pasta, rolling, lush green hills and your companions. “In my opinion, the word luxury is overused, though only a few have managed to create and transmit the essence of the word, it can only be recognized when you finally discover or experience it,” says Emanuela Setterberg, club manager at the resort. Although the owners of the resort are urbanites—Massimo Ferragamo, chairman of Ferragamo USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Salvatore Ferragamo, and his wife, Chiara Miari Ferragamo— the resort features only the finest in refined, country living. The couple, Setterberg says, “has put their hearts, impeccable taste and sensibility into every little detail, from the door knobs to the floor tiles.”

The attention to detail extends throughout the location and is especially evident in the estate’s wine, made from grapes on the property’s vineyard. Castiglion del Bosco is beautiful in its “ruralness,” from the food—the deliciously simple spaghetti al pomodoro is one of Setterberg’s favorites—to the relaxed, back-to-basics lifestyle guests enjoy. Luxury may be an overused term, but it’s really no surprise why. At Castiglion del Bosco, luxury isn’t just an adjective–it’s a way of life.

ArmAni Hotel milAno

iorgio Armani started his storied fashion company in a gorgeous, spacious building in Milan. Today, that building is the Armani Hotel Milano, appropriately adorned with the icon’s signature designs. And, not surprisingly, the building is the anchor of the Quadrilatero della Moda, the fashion district of the Italian city. A sanctuary in Milan, one of the world’s greatest fashion capitals, the hotel boasts an urban, yet relaxed feel. The perfect escape while remaining in the action, the Armani hotel is where you will find urban elegance. With celebrity guests including Sting and Rihanna, the Armani hotel

is a place to see and be seen. But otherwise, what is it that makes the location so special? “Well, for starters, the hotel bears the name ‘Armani’,” says general manager, Aaron Kaupp. “The bottom floors are devoted to all things Giorgio Armani, and above, you get Armani’s lifestyle.” And, Kaupp confirmed, the location is absolutely buzzing during the city’s 24/7 non-stop social marathon otherwise known as Fashion Week. But that doesn’t mean it’s always a party resort. With only 95 rooms, the hotel is guaranteed to be intimate. “The atmosphere here is very refined,” Kaupp says. “It’s a ‘design’ property, while maintaining its very residential attributes.” But the hotel is more than that; it’s comfortable and sophisticated. With clean lines and hushed tones, it’s Italian urban home style, pushed to near perfection. The hotel’s most luxurious location is the Armani Presidential Suite, which would perfectly suit the most fastidious of heads of state. The spa, also not surprisingly, is the perfect escape from everyday life. It’s a stunner, no doubt about it. For the urban luxury traveler, the Armani Hotel Milano provides escape while maintaining the conveniences of sophisticated city living. While Milan is certainly a mustsee city, once guests step inside the Armani hotel, they may never want to depart. And who could blame them? Everything they could ever want in Milan can be found within the hotel’s beautiful walls. Go ahead and schedule that extra-long spa day. That cocktail–and that new Armani Privé outfit–will be waiting for you in your luxurious suite. “We believe that every client is a red carpet-worthy client,” Kaupp says.  He speaks truth.

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WHEN IN ROME “Eventually I’d like to spend more time in Rome or Tuscany.” New Jersey, 2011

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THE PRINCE NEXT DOOR

From one of Italy’s most noble families to breaking hearts on The Bachelor, PRINCE LORENZO BORGHESE is still a Jersey boy from Short Hills. BY MARCO MEDRANO

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLGA TURREY

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ith the looks, charm and poise one would expect from genuine nobility—and make no mistake, this is the real deal—Prince Lorenzo Borghese first came into our collective consciousness six years ago as the love-seeking man in ABC’s hit television show, The Bachelor. The dashing Lorenzo was not only the grandson of famed glam-beautorian Princess Marcella Borghese, a formidable and impressive woman known mostly for the iconic beauty line bearing her name, Borghese, before selling to Revlon, but this prince was born á Italia with all the royal trimmings, papal titles and is a direct descendant of Napoleon. Here’s the rub: Prince Lorenzo Borghese is a Jersey boy raised in Short Hills, the prince next door.

fought to rebuild lost fortunes more than once, particularly after World War II. The family has backbone. But this prince is still made of flesh and bone as evidenced on The Bachelor as he elegantly broke young women’s hearts in front of a national television audience week in, week out. But for me, I can’t get past that incredible head of hair. When I connected with Prince Lorenzo Borghese for this HudsonMOD exclusive, I found the Manhattan resident relaxed and confident and, lucky us, in the mood to chat. So, yes, this prince raised in New Jersey, opens up as never before. Royally.

Define luxury. Although it could be materialistic, I see luxury as more a state of mind as when one feels overwhelmed in a positive way.

sold pre-war, historical landmark buildings that could be recovered were internally destroyed.

Was the Borghese family opposed to Princess Marcella’s ItalianSwiss citizenship and final move to Montreux, Switzerland? We were always close and family came first. My grandmother was always present—every family event, birthday and holiday. She often made public appearances and highend store presentations, nationally promoting the Borghese brand throughout the US, so we saw my grandmother pretty frequently.

As HudsonMOD’s beauty editor, I have to tell you that your grandmother was way ahead of her time manufacturing her

“As the famous quip from my grandmother goes, ‘I want my lips to match my clothing!’—and a skincare line was born.” Borghese isn’t what one expects— whatever that is, exactly—when speaking to a prince. He speaks eloquently, intelligently, but without a shred of pretense. The word that comes to mind is refreshing. With obvious global awareness and a distinct point of view, this Borghese isn’t a complacent, waffling, ascotwearing country-clubber. Not by a long shot. I found Borghese to be polite, professional to a fault, wellspoken and not without street smarts. He’s a Harley-riding, animal rights activist, an entrepreneur—he’s a real person. I’m not sure why this surprised me, but the prince also descended from a hard-working family that has

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How did your grandmother, Princess Marcella Borghese, decide on New Jersey? She actually didn’t—my parents did. After Milan, Paris and Connecticut, our family settled in New Jersey. My grandmother moved directly from Italy to Switzerland. After World War II, German troops had taken possession of many of our notable Borghese properties using them as military outposts, including artwork, valuables and items of historical value.

signature skincare products from healing waters. Yes. People would often frequent the Montecatini Spas (Terme), drinking the underground mineral waters used to cleanse their bodies, digestion and liver. It was found when soaking in the specialized sulphuric mineral waters, people could also heal their skin and muscle ailments.

Were they eventually forced to give anything back?

Many might have considered Princess Marcella the independent woman of her time. Did she create Borghese Skincare out of post-war financial necessity?

Many possessions were pilfered. Although many landholdings were

Well, everyone thought that because my grandparents were born rich that

there was no need to work. They worked hard. My grandfather Paolo Borghese went to work in the finest tailored suits, each stitched with the family crest. My grandmother was grande, always stylish and always hard-working. A famous quip from my grandmother goes, “I want my lips to match my clothing!”—and a skincare line was born.

Where did you go to high school? I attended Pomfret Boarding School in Connecticut.

Was there any reaction from fellow students regarding your ancestry? A lot of kids came from high profile, privileged families at Pomfret. They might ask if I was Italian or a prince. I’d reply “yes” and that was the end of it.

What was the best advice Princess Marcella ever gave you? She taught me the importance of being social, even when you don’t want to be. Her goal was to be as social as possible. To her, happiness was about surrounding oneself with close friends and people who make you feel good, often entertaining loved ones and business associates beyond 2:30 in the morning. My grandmother was an incredible entertainer. Entertaining was a gift, an art form for her.

What’s your most vivid memory of your grandmother? I have so many! My grandmother was always so vibrant and dressed so incredibly well her entire life, right through to the end of her life. In her final years she was living in a very elegant Swiss residential hotel that was also a hospital. After learning that her time had become suddenly limited, I quickly made the trip to see her. When I arrived—she

LA DOLCE VITA (FROM TOP) “As the star of The Bachelor, in Rome, 2006; My mother and father in Bomarzo, Italy in July 2011. My father is the Duke of this town; Outside Palazzo Borghese in Rome, which was once owned by my relative, Prince Camillo Borghese. It was the largest family-owned palace in Rome; Outside the Colosseum in Rome.”

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there were a huge amount of phone calls and emails—tons of questions [Laughs]. They wanted headshots immediately, as I explained I was not an actor or a model and that I had little experience being in front of cameras professionally. By this time, so much was going through my mind.

On a balance, was The Bachelor experience a positive one? Yes, absolutely. I made a lot of great friends and good contacts. Ultimately, I decided I would’ve rather had a bad experience than regretting later in life not having done The Bachelor. If I was fortunate enough to find new love and possibly a wife, I was very open to it. It also gave me the opportunity to promote what I also love—animals.

ROYAL BFF “To Princess Marcella Borghese, my grandmother, happiness was about surrounding oneself with close friends.” Princess Marcella inside Galleria Borghese, 1990

wasn’t in her apartment. When I began to inquire, a staff member told me, “Your grandmother is waiting for you in the lower dining room” downstairs—which is reserved for a more formal occasion. I walked in to find my grandmother in full regalia— her finest clothing, hair done and her signature matching lipstick. That’s a moment I’ll never forget. Although we didn’t discuss it, I knew then that my grandmother had dressed for her passing, an example that had been passed down through Princess Paulina Bonaparte Borghese (sister to Napoleon). I remember my grandmother telling me the same story—rules—she was told, on how

Paulina was dressed to the nines, knowing it was the last day of her life.

Was there ever pressure for you to go into the family business of Borghese Cosmetics? Well, no. By the time I’d graduated from college, Borghese Cosmetics had sold to Revlon, who later sold to a division of Halston and so on.

Tell me about The Bachelor. My uncle, Winthrop Lewis, was good friends with Warner Bros. executives and asked if it was something I might be interested in. After a lot of thought, I gave the OK to throw my name in the hat. Within 24 hours

Were you ever asked to be part of the sexier spinoff, Bachelor Pad? No, they didn’t ask [Laughs]. Well, they know I would have never agreed to go on that show. And I know we’re always supposed to refrain from saying never, but I would never— ever—do it [Laughs].

Are you currently seeing someone? Yes, I’m currently involved in a special relationship. Unlike The Bachelor, I decided to keep this part of my life a little more private, in hopes of having greater success for us both.

When you were growing up, was there a staple Princess Marcella

“The more I found out, the more I realized how harsh pet products could be. The FDA was much less strict on pet products than on people products.” 60 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

Borghese product that was part of the household? Yes, of course. But my favorite was my grandmothers’ scent of Il Bacio parfum—I loved it so much that I gave a special bottle of it to my girlfriend I had dated for nine years for her 21st birthday. To this day, when I smell it, it induces a very special memory for me.

Do you return to Italy often? A couple of times a year. My company, RoyalPetClub.com, manufactures its Royal Treatment Italian Pet Spa products on the outskirts of Tuscany. We also plan one large family trip a year to Italy, which you can imagine is always a lot of fun.

Ever thought about staying in Italy? You know, my father took me on an Italy-wide tour of all the homes he or the Borghese family lived in. Their magnificence is tremendous. There are some regrets to not retaining or salvaging some of these homes. So, yes, eventually I’d like to spend more time in Rome or Tuscany.

What sparked the idea for the Royal Treatment Italian Pet Spa line? Originally, I set out to cure my dog, Belle, from seriously dry skin and constant discomfort—a condition she started to develop after she turned five. Through my own endless research and some family contacts in manufacturing, I decided I was going to come out with my own product that could help Belle’s skin and hopefully help other pets with similar conditions. But it wasn’t an idea I originally planned on. The more I found out, the more I realized how harsh pet products could be. The FDA was much less strict than on people products. I was one of the first to include extremely moisturizing lipids such as 100 percent organic

ROYAL DIGS “My father took me on an Italy-wide tour of all the homes he or the Borghese family lived in. Their magnificence is tremendous.” Inside Santa Maria Maggiore

Italian honey, olive oil and almond oil before it was a trend.

What’s the one “must-have” product from your Royal Treatment line? Just one? Perhaps the Organic Italian Virgin Olive Oil Shampoo—that’s a great one.

This is the 10th anniversary of your company. Where do you see your company next decade? Currently, the product line is doing well in the US. I’d like to provide what I believe is the best pet product available and we’re working at being more international. So I’d say the company will be more global in the next ten years. We’re in talks with

QVC United Kingdom and, possibly, Italy, and I’m hoping for the Shopping Channel in Canada as well.

You’re an animal rights activist? I’m the president and co-founder of AnimalAidUSA.org. One of our primary goals is to put an end to the animal gas chamber, a form of euthanasia via carbon monoxide poisoning. We’re also big supporters of animals being spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted, homeless animals and offer several programs for those in need. If 30 percent of the population adopted a pet versus buying one, we could statistically adopt ourselves out of killing animals. The US would  become a no-kill nation.

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

estled at the edge of Newport’s marina pier along Washington Boulevard in Jersey City sits Michael Anthony’s, a picturesque waterfront restaurant that is the ideal location for gathering with friends, celebrating life’s momentous occasions or hosting memorable corporate events. Since welcoming celebrated chef Br ya n Greg g in ea rly 2012 , Michael Anthony’s has cemented its p o sit ion a s one of the area’s best restaurants with the unsurpassed qualit y of the dishes being served to guests. Michael Anthony’s—led by Gregg’s culinar y passion—has become a crusader for local New Jersey food producers by offering only the freshest seafood, meat and produce from local providers and bringing them directly to your plate. As Gregg explains, “Jersey City is in the midst of a movement” and Michael Anthony’s is at the forefront, celebrating the advantages that Jersey City and the farm to fork concept provide. “ You c a n’t go w ron g w it h t he products that come out of this area so why not take advantage of it,” Gregg say. “This is something that has always

been very dear to me, and it gives us the ability to pass along food that is of a higher quality to our customer.” With a revolv ing menu that is updated every six to eight weeks— capturing each ingredient at its peak of freshness—you’re destined to discover a new favorite dish with each returning visit. This fall, Gregg encourages patrons to taste the flavorful notes of squash, pumpkin and mushrooms, paired perfectly with handmade pastas and the area’s freshest fish. The only thing competing with the kitchen’s creations is the panoramic views that rival that of any luxury loft or off ice building positioned along the Hudson. With a heated, enclosed patio for the fall and winter, you can continue to enjoy the views of Manhattan’s awe-inspiring skyline paired with your favorite cocktail long into the colder months.

Newport MariNa pier 502 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, nJ 07310

201.798.1798 www.MichaelaNthoNyNj.coM

COVET pretty please

When Pearls Fly By GaBriela riccardi

his high-gloss pearl necklace is a tribute to the proudest and most brilliant of birds. With cultured pearls, gold and a variety of stones, Mikimoto’s “Peacock” necklace is a precious display of the fanned feathers of a peacock. Akoya 9x8 cultured pearls wrap the neck and swing in elegant, tail-like strands from the collar. The lustrous pearls are bound by overlapping clusters of 18-carat white gold, arranged to look like peacock feathers. Diamonds and green and blued-hued stones—a glittering variety of sapphires, green garnet, aquamarine and tanzanite stones—pay vibrant homage to the bird’s signature coloring and are a dazzling complement to the pearls, which take center stage in true Mikimoto style. The piece is the latest achievement in Mikimoto’s long history of celebrating the pearl. Founded by Kokichi Mikimoto, the first to develop a technique for culturing pearls, Mikimoto has pioneered a number of dazzling, classic pieces with highquality pearls. Models such as Mikimoto’s pearl-encrusted fan displayed at the 1910 Anglo-Japanese Fair in London, the pearl and platinum Mikimoto Pagoda at the 1926 World’s Fair and a Mikimoto pearl duplicate of the Liberty Bell at the 1939 New York World’s Fair all solidified Mikimoto’s reputation for fusing jewelry and art—always riveted upon the pearl. And, with this piece, Mikimoto has done that once more. That’s not to say that the Peacock necklace isn’t the perfect companion to your evening wardrobe; just be aware that this necklace comes with a show akin to a peacock’s ostentatious promenade. With this impressive piece, you can transform a simple gown and heels into a dangling display that will attract any eye. Its design and components are as unique as the bird it’s named for. And, we’re sure it will ruffle your friends’ feathers with envy.

PeacOck Pride Mikimoto’s “Peacock” necklace are lustrous pearls bound by overlapping clusters of 18-carat white gold.

FALL 2012 HUdSONMOD

covet ROYAL BLUE

diamond ring is classic, but a sapphire ring is fresh and bold. Walter Bauman Jewelers has designed a brilliant sapphire ring that leaves us speechless. This timeless piece of jewelry embodies daring modern glamour with a hint of Victorian romanticism. A luscious 8.62-carat, cushion-cut sapphire sits nestled between four marquis-cut diamonds. For an extra touch of luxury, the platinum band is embedded with 14— yes, 14—more gorgeous diamonds. Worth nearly $40,000, this ring is an elegant statement piece that adds a bit of class to any wardrobe. Made particularly hot by the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which was made all the more glamorous by Princess Diana’s (now Middleton’s) over-the-top sapphire and diamond engagement ring, this blue stone has never been more en vogue. Although much has changed in fashion since Walter Bauman first opened its doors in 1868, a fabulous ring never goes out of style.

PUt THIS riNG ON it The 8.62-carat sapphire sits between four marquis-cut diamonds.

BURiED TREAsURE By MiCHelle BODNar

t’s in our nature to want what we can’t have. If something is locked away, out of reach, we desire it even more. Our current obsession: Hamilton Jewelers’ 100th Anniversary collection. We’re serious. One item that has been locked away in the family archives for more than four decades is a bracelet made in 1968 that embodies everything we love about a vintage piece. Its look is timeless—gorgeous—and we can tell just from admiring it that it must tell a compelling story. So we investigated. Founder Irving Siegel designed the magnificent platinum and diamond bracelet, which boasts an incredible 429 flawless diamonds and could outshine any piece anywhere. The handcrafted platinum-wired basket holds top-of-the-line VVS clarity diamonds, and a single blue sapphire adds a pop of color that’s also utilitarian—it identifies the location of the bracelet’s hidden clasp. Bottom line: This 44.12-carat bracelet is a one-

— Claire eaStON

BraCe yOUrSelf The platinum and diamond bracelet has 429 flawless diamonds.

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of-its-kind work of art. Though, for now, we will have to accept that this bracelet won’t be ours any time soon (the company has elected to keep it in the archives much to my dismay), Hamilton Jewelers has a bevy of other desirable bracelets ready for purchase. Much like our vintage favorite, the Heritage Collection features an elegant 18-carat knockout the Fancy Diamond Bracelet. It’s appropriately named, as it’s over-the-top enough for royalty. This “fancy” piece exemplifies the quality of Hamilton Jewelers’ handcrafted works with a unique design of white gold casing covered in 32 beautiful diamonds. The design is made to bring focus to the eight ornamental yellow gold diamonds that add a modern touch to an otherwise classic look. If history has taught us anything, it’s that we’ll need to get our hands on this bracelet fast before it, too, is tucked away. 

Saturday, October 20

Moorland Farm â&#x20AC;˘ Far Hills, New Jersey Post-time for the first race is 1 p.m.

General admission tickets are $60 in advance. Limited reserved hillside parking spots available, including our new Family Area. Visit farhillsrace.org, www.Facebook.com/FarHillsracemeeting or call 908-685-2929 for more information. DUI laws will be strictly enforced.

The Far Hills Race Meeting is sponsored by

and benefits SomerSet medical center.

GORGEOUS forever beauty

7 STEPS, 7 MINUTES BY MARCO MEDRANO

nough! With the endless barrage of conflicting information out there on how to stay forever young—or more accurately, how to look forever young—HudsonMOD has done the heavy lifting for you: Presenting the ultimate seven step beauty program that takes less than seven minutes a day. You’re welcome. As we all know firsthand, anti-aging has become the most sophisticated (and exhausting) sport of all. Liposomes. Stem cells. Enzymes. Peptides. Science and technology have afforded true skin breakthroughs, literally— allowing our lower epidermal layers to not only accept targeted, reformative nutrients and regenerative boosters, but to some extent, also reorganizing how our skin thinks and reacts with accelerated sloughing, collagen reproduction and continuous plumping hydration. Sure, there are hundreds of topical brands in shiny, branded packages that make our hearts sing when we’re near them. Due to research, some of the most effective skin care miracles are also the most expensive, while others simply do their job remarkably well for less than the price of a spa manicure. Our anti-aging tune-up is about products that actually work—period. Incidentally, each manufacturer listed here has their own synergistic skincare lineups that are respectively terrific in their own ways. You can consume their lines wholly or add trophy products as you go. Below are HudsonMOD’s picks for top anti-aging products you should use as part of your daily anti-aging routine. By the way, any beauty editor worth their salt (myself very much included) practices the art of arsenal product layering via multiple silver bullets of skincare—simultaneously. Here we go: HudsonMOD’s seven steps in seven minutes anti-aging regimen. Learn how your life (and your face) will change in three, two, one…

CLEANSE/EXFOLIATE Since rejuvenation and exfoliation are such hot buttons of youthlore, we decided to elaborate here. New to the luxury market and the US is the award-winning AquaFolia skincare line (water and plant based), giving us one of the most unique products to date—Enzymatic Exfoliant. A fizzy ‘slougher’ that becomes active when you pump parts one and two together, giving you a full-throttle, sanitary micro-exfoliator each and every time (think Rodeo

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Drive Alka-Seltzer for the face). More affordable pieces of the Philosophy skincare line may seem entry-level to some hard-core aficionados, but their cleansing trio excels in this department. Purity is for deep, gentle daily cleansing; Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash is a mild resurfacing cleanser effective enough for makeup debris and fine lines, followed by their thrice-weekly Microdelivery Purifying Peel a few minutes a week. For once, the adage of “one step forward; two steps back” is a good thing. No, a great thing.

TONE Skin toners vary in their intentions and results. Clinique’s Clarifying Toners are still considered by many as the go-to for clearing the skin palette. Generally used to remove cleansing residues, balance the skin’s pH, close pores and gently remove dead skin via a cotton ball, toners have also become state-of-the-art, containing skin-soluble herbs, enzymes and brighteners. If you, too, require even more from your toner, consider Sulwhasoo. Their Balancing Water is actually a gel-textured balancer that’s applied over serum (quite unusual) as an activating skin supplement to your skin’s natural barrier, while enzymatically assisting your moisturizer of choice. A simply astounding luxury staple is SAIAN’s Pure Collagen Elastin Spray (under your serum), with an amazing skincare line built around it.

SERUM Short of a doctor’s prescription, Dr. Louise Peck’s HydroPeptide line cleverly supplies us with both short and long-term serum transforming solutions for a serious one-two punch, using 21 of the most advanced peptides available. AntiWrinkle Transformation Serum is your perfect daytime solution at the cellular level, with immediate DNA protection and luminosity, line smoothing and plumping. HydroStem+6 is an antiwrinkle stem cell regeneration serum

gorgeous Marco’s Tips 



For a quick save (when you barely have time for powder), use per-fékt skin perfection gel (perfektbeauty.com). an effective, unexpected alternative to makeup in clear or color (or what they call smart color technology). Get a personal microcurrent device immediately. you can build facial muscles just like biceps. initially, always press products into skin well, prior to lightly spreading with fingertips. it takes a little while to get used to it. Facial serum is oK around the eyes, otherwise stick to eye products for the eyes. using intermittent spot pressure with fingertips can diminish the fatty tissue between eyes and cheekbones. or consider an eye roller. too tired to wash thoroughly before bed? Heavily splash warm/hot water and follow that with a cotton ball toner, then treatments. Hey, better than nothing. a Dr.’s Retin-A Micro rx helps everything— discoloration, wrinkles, exfoliation and firmness. used wisely and sparingly (usually one to three nights a week), nasal labial fold lines, crows feet and forehead lines diminish noticeably fast, but return quickly when not keeping up with the routine. a great quarterly enforcer to any quality skincare line. not used properly (use daytime sPF), it can invite dark spots from uV exposure.

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that maximizes skin’s self-renewal process (keeping mature skin revved up) with six patented botanical stem cells, making this product ideal as your nighttime serum. For Beverly Hills A-list fave Kate Somerville diehards comes Restor8 Replenishing Serum, the all-inclusive serum dynamo clinically developed to reverse eight visible signs of aging or the überunique DermalQuench Liquid Lift advanced wrinkle treatment. This is a one-of-a-kind multi-tasker that’s actually a spray and contains wrinklerelaxing PFC-oxygen carriers, fast-penetrating hyaluronic acid and rare botanical extracts for immediate radiance and extreme circulatory lift. I’d consider both skincare lines red carpet-worthy— they’re that good.

eye treatMent Eye serums and eye creams are not the same, gentle readers. Perricone MD’s Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum is terrific for treating hydration and circulation while firming and lifting creases and droops—paving the way for better eye makeup applications (too much hydration around the eyes can cause puffiness)—in other words,

skin moisturizer should never, ever be used as an eye cream. Another amazing product for eye-hydration and crows feet is NaturaBisse’s Glyco Eye, a top-tier hydro-exfoliating eye cream known as a water based glycolic method of sloughing dead skin cells and lines around the eye area. Also, AMOREPACIFIC’s Rejuvenating Eye Treatment Gel is real gel-crème luxury.

Moisturize Once considered our skin’s best friend, so many big-gun options (our previous steps) have tamed some thunder from moisturizers. Fret not. The following products will relentlessly pound micronutrients, age-defying peptides and hydrators into that important canvas of yours. With their exclusive Vita Cura line, REPÊCHAGE is serious about not aging, using proprietary seaweed as their solution for skinquenching marine-peptide moisture. Vita Cura Triple Firming Cream can be toggled over Opti Lift Serum (day) and Cell Renewal Serum (night) for 24/7 superior results.

Experience shopping like never before at the legendary Bal Harbour Shops, just a stroll away from our beachfront hotels. Nourish the mind, body and soul with exclusive beach side workouts, and kids club programs designed by the Miami Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum. Stir the senses at a Bal Harbour Art Night, where Fashion loves Art or at one of several taste-tempting Bal Harbour restaurants.

Located at the Northern tip of Miami Beach. Bal Harbour, where life meets style.

www.BalHarbourFlorida.com

gorgeous Their Hydra Medic Mattifying Moisturizer (in my personal repertoire) over their Pore Perfecting Serum, is an absolute essential for high humidity, a no-shine day, photography or when not wearing makeup. Micro algae and tea based, the miracle moisturizer includes a micronized mineral sunscreen.

SunScreen The goal is to apply a rich feeling sunscreen (not heavy) that also looks great on our skin—working quietly and barely there. For that reason, we prefer SPF sprays, with the exception of HydroPeptide’s lightas-air heavyweight that self-adjusts to your skin tone’s color with their award-winning (pearlized spheres) Anti-Wrinkle Skin Enhancing UV Protection. It’s state-of-the-art enhancement with vital protection. As for SPF sprays, Hampton Sun’s SPF 35 Continuous Mist Sunscreen provides light, effective coverage as does SAIAN’s Sunscreen Mist SPF 29 and Shiseido’s Refreshing Sun Protection Spray SPF 16.

SprayS Like afternoon tea for your skin, there’s no better pick-me-up than a facial mist blast of firming, hydrative antioxidants. I almost missed my flight because I refused to surrender my Moisture Bound Skin Energy by AMOREPACIFIC. Dermalogica’s Antioxidant Hydramist is another great mobile partner from their Age Smart series.

70 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

es, we packed a lot of information in a limited space so go ahead and take it slow. So you miss an occasional step. It’s not the end of the world. Having the right information and products on hand beats merely thinking about anti-aging. You’re taking control. On your terms. Remember, HudsonMOD’s seven steps in seven minutes. Again, you’re welcome. 

Extra CrEDit For maintenance—and to smooth, exfoliate, detoxify, strengthen, lift and brighten—HydroPeptide’s Polish & Plump Peel’s two-step home spa really provides visible results. Followed by their serum under Instant Peptide Miracle Mask, you’ll soon see why five-star spas dub it the “date night peel” with no recovery time necessary and enough product for handfuls of treatments. Another celebrity-endorsed powerhouse is REPÊCHAGE‘s Brightening Miracle Mask from their Biolight line that’s a terrific stand alone, quick treatment. Dermalogica’s travel trio set of boosters (customized targeting for different days) is a must-have and includes Skin Renewal Booster (my favorite for lines), Hydrating Booster and Extra Firming Booster. See why so many people have pledged allegiance to this line for more than a decade. P.S. As for the latest must-have service using the most technologically advanced device, run, don’t walk, to HydraFacial.com. They’ll supply the nearest licensed provider for an unforgettable—and celebrity-skin worthy treatment. You can thank me later.

therapy rETaiL HEavEN Portofino strikes that unheard of balance between an elegant hideout and a mecca for serious shoppers.

NOw This IS ShOppINg By MaryaM afSHari

have come to learn that Italy is always a good idea—always. This is particularly true if you’re ready to escape the late summer/early fall elbow-to-elbow hustle and bustle of the South of France (to say nothing of East Hampton). The Italian port city of Portofino will be your savior as it has been for me numerous times. The moment you arrive in Portofino there are palpable differences in your surroundings and in your mood. You’ll immediately feel peacefully sequestered from the rest of the world while embraced by tree-lined cliffs, colorful homes and the impossibly sparking sea at your feet. It’s a definite must-do on any European jaunt. Whether you’re staying at the beautiful Hotel Splendido or aboard your own mega-yacht for the month (very civilized, incidentally), your

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dramatic views will not be diminished and Portofino will leave you feeling cozy, calm and carefree. But it takes more than stunning vistas to keep me coming back so often to Portofino, it’s the casual opulence that makes me feel exactly how I want to feel on vacation—rich and relaxed. And I’m hardly alone in this luxe desire, as throughout the years Portofino has attracted the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and scores more Hollywood royalty. Coming clean, the real reason I think Portofino is one of Europe’s overlooked wonders is that it has so much of the luxury shopping I need on my best vacations. Portofino strikes that unheard of balance between a chill, laid back elegant hideout and a mecca for serious shoppers. I’m in heaven, people. Portofino Shopping Tip: The best time to shop in this seaside town is after a wine-fueled lunch in the worldfamous La Piazzetta when there are very few people on the street and the numerous notable designer

boutiques are open for business. You literally stroll from shop to shop, and it isn’t for a long time that you notice that you’ve had the faintest smile on your face the entire afternoon. It is, unabashedly, retail therapy. So what does one find to actually buy in Portofino? Well, the city does have locations for the greatest hits of couture retail: Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Christian Dior and many others in the oeuvre. But after a cursory round through those well-known retailers, I actually spend most of my time in the smaller local boutiques tucked in the narrow alleys throughout the village. It’s in these hard-to-find shops where I have found the many treasures that keep Portofino in my thoughts long after I’ve left. So where to go? Since my first purchase at Spinnaker—a Gucci snakeskin “Jackie Bag” with a metal chain—turned out to be one of my favorite handbags of all time, Spinnaker has been lucky for me. Whether you’re craving a purse, shoes or clothes, Spinnaker will satisfy the most demanding of tastes with its creative eye and vision for elegance. The store carries the best pieces for the best tastes. I can feel my heart race a little faster whenever I step into Spinnaker. Yours will, too. You must also check out Calzoleria Mingo Portofino and Orizzonti for Portofinocentric wardrobe enhancements such as sandals and summer dresses; and definitely don’t miss Gentry Portofino and Malo where I stock up on cashmere and light knitwear pieces for the rest of the year. I’m a believer in big things, big ideas like true love and eternal bliss. Whenever my thoughts turn to Portofino, I believe that there are such things as retail gods, and I’m only too happy to bow my head in reverence and gratitude. Do yourself a favor, and find your way to Portofino. Retail therapy is calling. 

BEHOLD

THE

POWER

The power of Belgard® is undeniable. With the widest selection of styles, shapes, colors and textures in the industry, it’s easy to see why so many are drawn to our paver and wall collections. For a free Idea Book or more information on America’s best-selling brand of durable pavers, scan the QR code or visit Belgard.biz.

THE

PAV E R .

HOME new jersey proud

SON WORSHIP “I’m a true son of Hoboken and I’m damn proud of what Hoboken is,” says Buddy Valastro, star of Cake Boss.

THERE’S A NEW ‘BOSS’ IN TOWN BY AMANDA THOROGOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLES ANTHONY

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enture to Hoboken during the day—any day—and you’ll encounter a line of hungry people dozens, if not hundreds, deep on Washington Street all clamoring for a sweet treat from New Jersey’s resident “boss.” This time we’re not referring to Bruce, but a boss of an entirely different kind. The scene of this daily sugary obsession for so many is Carlo’s Bakery. Yes, the cannolis are way above the rest and the lobster tails

cause a frenzy, but beyond the pastries is the main attraction, the man himself, Buddy Valastro, and his loving, chaotic family who have all turned TLC’s Cake Boss into one of the network’s most watched and beloved hit shows. “Not to pick on any other New Jersey television shows, but I feel like Cake Boss is probably the most flattering to New Jersey,” Valastro tells me without a hint of braggadocio. And perhaps that could be attributed to the fact that Valastro and his family are true blue New Jersey born and raised. Valastro and his family—who’ve owned Carlo’s Bakery since 1964— are thrilled with the resurgence in all things New Jersey. “New Jersey is a very special place to me,” he says. “I’m a true son of Hoboken and I’m damn proud of what Hoboken is. I want people to know that New Jersey is a great place. I love being close to Manhattan and I love the area that we live in. I also love that you can still go to a deli like Fiore’s and get fresh mozzarella—that’s what I really enjoy about where I live.” In addition to getting a glimpse into Valastro’s home life, what keeps people tuning in every week are the over-the-top confections that the talented team at the bakery creates. From life-size replicas of a loved one

E Liberty House Restaurant was designed to exemplify our "view with a room" concept and focus on the magnificent Manhattan skyline views while tantalizing your senses with our award winning cuisine, handcrafted decor details, live music, inviting seating areas, and lavish grounds. Our main dining room offers spectacular first floor views and opens up to our patios and gardens while our Grand Ballroom offers second floor views with a wrap-around terrace. We offer unlimited possibilities for your dining, wedding, social, or corporate events. The perfect New Jersey or New York wedding venue is right here at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. Have your wedding event indoor, outdoor, or under a tent. Whatever you decide....choose Liberty House to get married NY!

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HOME

JERSEY? SURE! “Cake Boss is probably the most flattering show to Jersey.” This $30 million cake (right), was created for socialite Devorah Rose. to jewel-adorned thousand-dollar cakes, Carlo’s Bakery does it all, and the creations that come out of the famed kitchen— including a Jersey City facility that you have to see to believe—seemingly become more extravagant with each passing season. While that’s not to say that you can’t still enjoy a regularly priced cupcake or mouth watering raspberry tart, Valastro points out “we definitely have customers who spend $50,000 to $100,000 on a single cake.” When viewers watched socialite Devorah Rose waltz into the bakery, it was apparent her request would be monumental. Delivering on the promise to ensure that a cake would be created fit for her lavish party,

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(FROM LEFT) Lisa Valastro (sister), Grace Faugno (sister), Joseph Faugno (brother-in-law), Lisa Valastro (wife), Buddy Valastro, Mauro Castano (brother-in-law), Maddalena Castano (sister), Mary Sciarrone (sister)

Valastro and his team constructed a seven-tier cake accented with more bling than an Elizabeth Taylor retrospective. The ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond necklaces, bracelets and earrings that adorned the perfectly iced cake were topped with a sparkling tiara (naturally). Upon its completion, the cake reportedly became the most expensive in the world, worth a staggering $30 million. “The only thing that stops me is gravity,” Valastro says. “And maybe the parameters of a door.” When not meeting the extravagant requests of his beloved clients, Valastro finds the time to spend with his family. Though he admittedly has very little free time to spare, Valastro

says that when he does get away he doesn’t hold back. “I want to eat at the best restaurants and always travel in first class. But I’ve always done that, because if you get one or two weeks off, it’s like ‘you know what, screw it, I’m gonna do it’,” he says. “We vacationed in Puerto Rico last summer and this year we’re going to Aruba.” Back home, Valastro says he has a few favorite items that he surrounds himself with, including great wine. “I have a beautiful wine cellar with about 1,500 to 2,000 bottles of reds and whites from all over the world.” In addition, Valastro is also a self proclaimed “car and watch guy” with his favorite timepieces being Hublot and Rolex. “That’s kind of been a little bit of a gift back to me. I like cars, I like watches and I like eating a great meal.” Looks like New Jersey’s new boss, Buddy Valastro, is having his cake and eating it, too. Sweet. 

DESIGN | CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE

New Jersey’s Premier Landscape & Hardscape Specialist for More Than 15 Years

EAT+Drink

MaMa Mia! This recipe is classic, moist and delicious.

A Girl’s BOOzy Best FrienD By Claire eaStON

hat could possibly make a glass of chilled Grey Goose vodka worth $18,000? Fun clue: Lemon isn’t the only twist in this delectable drink. A one-carat diamond rests at the base of the glass and is, yes, yours to keep. If the vodka isn’t enough to get a good buzz—trust us—the rock will do the job. The so-called “Diamonds Are Forever Martini” isn’t just for engagements; the drink is sure to add that extra splash of fabulousity to any special occasion. Marriage proposals and anniversaries get an upgrade with the bling-worthy concoction at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo’s Lobby Lounge & Bar. The hotel sits atop the soaring midtown Tokyo skyscraper, so, naturally, the hotel’s operators wanted a drink to match its retinue of luxurious surroundings, including the stunning city’s skyline in full display. The Diamonds Are Forever Martini was created by the bar’s staff and borrows its title for the most indulgent drink in the world. The martini has an $18,000 price tag. And, in all the excitement, don’t forget to tip your mixologist.

the PerFect MeAtBAll

or Rocco DiSpirito, there’s nothing like the meatballs Mama makes. Combining equal parts veal, beef and pork, this recipe is classic, moist and delicious. iNgreDieNtS 1⁄3 1⁄4

1 1⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄3

2 1⁄4

1 1 1⁄4

cup chicken stock cup diced yellow onion clove garlic, minced cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped lb ground beef lb ground pork lb ground veal cup plain breadcrumbs eggs cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated teaspoon red pepper flakes teaspoon salt cup extra virgin olive oil to 6 cups of your favorite marinara sauce, depending on your taste

DireCtiONS

Happy HOUr A one-carat diamond rests at the base of the glass and is yours to keep.

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First, puree the chicken stock, onion, parsley and garlic in a food processor. Then, in a separate bowl, mix the meat, breadcrumbs, cheese, red pepper flakes, salt and the puree. After putting a little of the extra virgin olive oil on your hands, form the meaty mixture into golf ball-sized balls, then brown the meatballs in a pan of oil, flipping them once. Once browned, place the meatballs into heated marinara sauce and simmer for one hour. 

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ground KnocK out In Rocky III, a rich Rocky Balboa drives a Maserati not unlike this GranTurismo MC Stradale.

ItalIan rOaDsters GO HOllywOOD By JOSHUa alicea

n films, Italian cars are like Italian actresses—fiery, irresistible and can’t-take-your-eyes-off-them beautiful. And, often, the cars make the film just as exciting to watch as the leading lady. While this certainly isn’t exclusive to Italian vehicles—who could imagine James Bond without his gorgeous Aston Martin?—we think

there are few vehicles sexier than a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati. In National Lampoon’s Vacation, supermodel Christie Brinkley drives up in a Ferrari, distracting Chevy Chase—and all male moviegoers. Brinkley is a stunner, but even she got a boost from the Italian luxury vehicle. The sweet ride only made her sexier.

WHere yOU’ve SeeN tHe lamBOrgHiNi: The Cannonball Run (1980

WHere yOU’ve SeeN tHe maSerati: Scarface (1975 Maserati Merak), The Godfather Pt. III (1980 Maserati Quattroporte) and Ocean’s 13 (Maserati Quattroporte V)

80 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S) and Rain Man (Lamborghini Countach LP 500 S) Get behind the wheel of the Aventador Roadster or Murcielago.

The 2013 Maserati GranTurismo Sport leaves very little to be desired. It’s sleek exterior and smooth handling will have you believing you can outrun foreign spies—even

After Rocky Balboa’s iconic rise from humble beginnings as an aspiring boxer to a heavyweight superstar throughout Rocky and Rocky II, he decides to indulge and, in Rocky III, he emerges as a rich man who knows what he wants, evidenced by his 1980 Maserati Quattroporte III. That car is a true symbol of his success, that both he (and us) know would impress the neighbors. But it’s not just on the big screen that we see our favorite characters hitting top speeds. Say what you will about James Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs’ hairstyles and fashion choices in the 1980s iconic television drama Miami Vice, but there’s no denying that the duo had a fleet of incredible cars, including a now-coveted 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP 500 S. In the 1992 remake of Scent of a Woman starring the king of Italian cool, Al Pacino, his character, a blind man, recognizes the allure of an Italian car. In the film, the character declares that before he dies he wants to drive a beautiful car at top speed through the streets of Manhattan. The character’s wishes come true in a 1989 Ferrari Mondial. Just proof that, as to any person, there’s more to a car than its looks—it’s also what’s inside that counts. Directors are obviously privy to the fact that cars can make or break a scene. There’s one general rule: The more extravagant the better. So why not choose Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Maseratis? They’re crowd pleasers, to say the least.  if you’re just heading straight to the office. WHere yOU’ve SeeN tHe Ferrari: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder) and The Pursuit of

Happyness (1977 Ferrari 308 GTS) With an updated 4.3-liter V-8 engine over the 2012 model, The Ferrari California has already garnered a six-month waiting list.

Opening Doors To A Better Future FIRST RESIDENTIAL

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Launch Spotlight

Joe Mastalia of Ecru New York, Daisy Fuentes, Justin DePasquale of Ecru New York

Makeup artist Leonora Conley and her husband

HudsonMOD celebrated its launch on a beautiful June night at Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen surrounded by celebrities, sponsors and hundreds of well dressed revelers. The theme of the event was “Havana On The Hudson” and the gorgeous Daisy Fuentes—the magazine’s first cover subject— was the evening’s main attraction.

Derek Lloyd Saathoff; A-List New York

Maria Cucciniello and Saks Fifth Avenue colleagues

Chris Vaglio (left) and Mark Serao (right) with Joumana Kidd (center)

The team from Benzel Busch outside of Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen.

Melanie Schuetz (right) of California Closets enjoys the event with another guest

Daisy Fuentes

The team of Kitchens By Design pose with Richard Pérez-Feria

The ladies of Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen

Richard Pérez-Feria, Daisy Fuentes, and Shannon Steitz

Cliff Finn of Citi Habitats

Chris Segarra and Jason Lembo

The stylists from Ecru New York pose with Daisy Fuentes

For the HudsonMOD launch party, Saks Fifth Avenue dressed the magazine’s Executive Vice President/ Editor in Chief Richard Pérez-Feria and President/Publisher Shannon Steitz. Both Benji Meyerson, a personal shopper and shoe guru, and Eric Jennings, Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Fashion Director, made sure Richard and Shannon looked great from head to toe. “I wanted Richard to look classic but modern. I wasn’t going for flashy, but stylish and professional,” Jennings said. Meyerson was particularly proud of Shannon’s choice of shoes, Jimmy Choo “Crown” pumps. The shoes’ unique color—a champagne sheen—was achieved with faux diamonds set in yellow gold, he says. “These shoes are worn as an accessory, like a diamond pin. Shannon was hosting a fabulous event and she needed something that completed her dress. It gave her that ‘wow’ factor.” —HudsonMOD

Michelle Radley of JM Lifestyles, Shannon Steitz, Jeff Kudrick or JM Lifestyles

JR Cigars of Paramus & Whippany

THE EPITOME OF ELEGANCE ON THE HUDSON 7800 B River Road, North Bergen, NJ 07047 www.WatersideRestaurantandCatering.com Contact: 201.861.7767

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MVP Joy Behar ItalIan, wIth a Schmear

s I was pondering who would be the ideal person to close out HudsonMOD’s first-ever Italian issue, I instantly thought of Joy Behar. How could I not? A veritable institution in Manhattan and the Hamptons, Behar isn’t only one of two original yakkers on ABC’s ratings juggernaut The View (creator and television deity Barbara Walters is the other), the progressive darling is also launching a nightly talk show this month on Al Gore’s network, Current TV, just in time for the slugfest otherwise known as the presidential election. I even suggested a name for the show, Left Is Right With Joy Behar—good, no? When I started telling folks about my plans to interview Behar for our Italian themed issue, disbelief was the

Is this the happiest time of your life? This is definitely a happy time for me. I love my work so much, and it seemed like I waited my whole life to get right here.

If you could add one more host to The View, who would it be? You mean besides Mario Cantone? [Laughs] I think a Hispanic woman would be great. Salma Hayek would be amazing, just perfect.

Will you tell us something surprising about Barbara Walters? She loves a dirty joke, my goodness. She’s also exceedingly helpful to so many people. She’s the type of person who will make the calls necessary to help out somebody if she can. It’s a wonderful trait to have.

Why will President Obama win? I have incredible faith in the American people. I hope at the last minute, the voters will realize who the President was who took down Osama Bin Laden, saved the auto industry, passed health care, avoided a second recession, struck down “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—this President has been

88 HUDSONMOD FALL 2012

instant response. What? Joy Behar? Isn’t she Jewish? Behar, who was born Josephina Victoria Occhiuto, has been married twice to Jewish men and has a quick, comic delivery recognizably schticky to many a NYC audience. But, as Behar points out, “I spoke Italian before I learned to speak English.” Cultural confusion notwithstanding, I caught up with Behar in her beloved Hamptons sanctuary surrounded by the silence she craves outside of her daily chatty on-air life. As one would expect, as I asked her ten burning questions I wanted to know the answers to, Behar revealed herself to be candid, funny and intellectually curious. I’m a fan. Oy!

an effective risk taker on behalf of the American people.

Why will President Obama lose? Because the relentless attack machine perpetuates the lies about President Obama. I think Bill Maher—and others like him—is brilliant in pointing out the lies the other side serves up as fact.

— RichaRd PéRez-FeRia

my iPad and phone. I also prescribe to Claudette Colbert’s famous quote: “True happiness is great health and a bad memory.”

Tell me a secret. The best advice I ever received in my career came from Rush Limbaugh who told me to “be bold,” so I am.

If Manhattan is the center of the universe, New Jersey is what?

Why do so many people think you’re Jewish?

The sibling, probably the middle child.

Not sure, but I do owe my career to the Jewish people for it was in their country clubs that I first got paid for my comedy act. Jewish people and the gay community have been there with me since the beginning.

Define luxury. Right where I am now, in my bedroom in East Hampton, hermetically sealed from the outside world with a ceiling fan, television set,

Does being a former public schoolteacher help you as a television host? It helps a lot. I always have that in me, you know, the “I’m here to tell you something” thing. 

BUM RUSH “Rush Limbaugh told me to ‘be bold,’ so I am.”

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