Linda Miller is the Broker of Rosemary Beach Realty on Scenic Highway 30A. With 20 years of experience and wisdom as well as extensive knowledge of the local market, she has been the number one agent since 2015. Miller brokered the largest sale on 30A of $12.5 million in Rosemary Beach and has generated over $517 million in career sales with an average sale of $2,660,000. When you own property on 30A, you’ll be smiling too!
LUXURYREALESTATE.COM | REGENTS.COM ROSEMARY BEACHÂŽ is a registered trademark owned by Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC and is used with permission pursuant to a license from Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC.
Why aren’t you here ? BEACHES AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE CARIBBEAN, JUST A 45-MINUTE FLIGHT FROM ATLANTA & NASHVILLE!
LindaMillerLuxury.com | (850) 974-8885 | Linda@TheSmileOf30A.com
Unique Treasures in Paradise C O A S TA L G E M S F O R S A L E A L O N G H I G H W AY 3 0 - A
ROSEMARY BEACH SOUTH
ROSEMARY BEACH SOUTH
32 Rosemary Avenue | $4,950,000
188 Round Road | $3,499,000
• Total renovation inside and out! Interiors by Jade of New Orleans
• “On the Boardwalk” has a new price and great rental bookings for summer!
• In the heart of Rosemary’s synergistic Town Center on a corner lot
• Huge first-floor living/dining area adjacent to pool and private courtyard
• Like-new carriage house over two-car garage
• Fabulous 1 BR / 1.5 BA carriage house over two-car garage
WATERSOUND CROSSINGS
BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH
100 S. Bridge Lane, Unit 319C | $1,830,000
1567 W. Scenic Hwy. 30-A | $6,500,000
• Breathtaking beach views from living/dining area, master suite, and guest suite
• The Davie Estate has panoramic views overlooking Redfish Lake and the Gulf.
• Carefree condo lifestyle has garage for convenience
• One of the largest parcels available—over four acres with 504 feet of lakefront
• Beautifully decorated and best-priced one-level condo in Crossings
• Over 500 feet of frontage on Scenic Highway 30-A
LindaMillerLuxury.com | (850) 974-8885 | Linda@TheSmileOf30A.com
ALYS BEACH 53 Sea Venture Alley | $6,500,000 • Close to the beach, beautifully furnished, and ready to move in and enjoy! • Courtyard with private pool, elevator, summer kitchen off living area, and outdoor fireplace with Gulf views • Master suite on main living level, guest suite with den on first floor, and elevator near two-car garage
PAR ADISE BY THE SEA 145 Paradise by the Sea Boulevard | $12,750,000 • Only gulf-front home for purchase in this exclusive gated subdivision between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach—new price! • 7 BR / 9 BA with two wings for two families to enjoy, each with its own den and kitchen • Entire third-floor master suite with his-and-hers offices, exercise room, morning kitchen, and wonderful bath
A Family Legacy
Fulfilling Dreams Since 1976
The Pride of a Master Craftsman When old-world craft meets new-world technology, an unprecedented level of quality is birthed. At E. F. San Juan, the quality and long-term function of our woodwork are the keys to creating elements that will transform a house into a dream home. An enchanting test of our woodworking skills, this beachside residence in the New Urban town of Seaside, Florida, is one of our favorite projects. The team at E. F. San Juan crafted unique molding and paneling profiles for each room of the home and its many elements. The result is a spectacular example of Swedish classicism designed by Robert A. M. Stern and built by O. B. Laurent Construction.
efs a nj u a n.c o m Photo by Steve Mangum
HOW DO YOU FOOW? NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER Ha p p y Ho u r 3 –7 P M Seasonal Hours Apply
FOOW30A.COM
•
(850) 534-5050
•
34 Gol de nrod Ci rcl e , Santa Rosa Be ach, F L 3 2459
C E L E B R AT I N G
24 YEARS IN BUSINESS ON THE EMERALD COAST!
12870 U.S. Highway 98 West Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 837-5563
Shoppes @ Inlet, 13625 Emerald Coast Pkwy East Inlet Beach, FL 32461 (850) 909-0435
Licensed and Published Design Firm
LOVELACEINTERIORS.COM
Destin Bayfront Estate 4 1 3 C A L H O U N AV E N U E , D E S T I N , F L O R I D A This stately bayfront residence is situated on over an acre and a half of land and offers a rare combination of expansive views of both the Choctawhatchee Bay and Marler Bayou. The brick-paved driveway meanders around century-old oak trees draped with Spanish moss. As you approach this Mediterranean-style three-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home with its three-and-a-half-car garage and six-space outdoor parking, you’ll also notice oversized lanais, balconies, and courtyard porches. It comes complete with an infinity-edge pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and protected boat dock with easy deepwater access to East Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. Floor-to-ceiling hurricane-proof doors and windows offer bay sunset views from the living room and upstairs billiard room. This fully furnished home is ideal for boat lovers, water-sport enthusiasts, and those who love to entertain!
LOCAL EXPERT. GLOBAL REACH. 3557 E COUNT Y HWY 30A SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL 32459 (850) 259-8960 RENEE.RYAN @ EVUSA.COM 30AGULFCOASTHOMES.COM © 2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Engel & Völkers and its independent franchisees are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act. Each property shop is independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing.
L U X U R Y B A S I C S F O R E V E R Y D AY L I F E MEN + WOMEN + CHILDREN
Located in Watersound & Rosemar y Beach, Florida | 850.225.8200 | okolifestyle.com |
@okolifestyle
In this issue On the Cover
There isn’t one way to dress to be “in style” anymore—it’s all about finding what you like and going for it! Our cover girl, Brittney Cole Kelley, thoroughly embodies that philosophy. She began creating and altering clothing and accessories in high school and college, and she ran an Etsy shop online as her first business. After she met Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line and the two got hitched, they realized their shared desire to support sustainable fashion made in the US was the perfect basis for a new business. Tribe Kelley, their lifestyle and clothing brand, now has store locations in Nashville and Grayton Beach, Florida, with the potential to spread across the country—or the globe—and build a tribe of like-minded fans and friends through fashion! Read more in our feature story on page 30. Photo by Brenna Kneiss
68
KARL LAGERFELD AND VIRGINIE VIARD TRANSPORTED THE AUDIENCE FOR CHANEL’S SPRING/SUMMER 2019 RUNWAY PRESENTATION TO A SANDY INDOOR BEACH DURING PARIS FASHION WEEK. IT WAS ONE OF LAGERFELD’S LAST SHOWS AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR BEFORE HIS DEATH IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR.
Photo by FashionStock.com / Shutterstock
FEATURE 30
L’AMOUR 85
Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe: Dynamic Duo Brittney and Brian Kelley Create a Movement
86 The More the Merrier: A Nautical
SARTORIAL 29
99 L’intermission: A Fashion Rendezvous
40 Sketch Plays Backdrop to Ryan Lo Collection
46 A Thread of Hope: Saving Textile Traditions and the Women behind Them
52 Coffee Break: A Return to Glamour at Ralph Lauren
57 L’intermission: You’re a Gem! 58 The World of Whimsical Art: Handbags Are Fun Again
62 The Life of a Pearl 68 Rise of the Runway 76 Beauty and the Beach PUBLISHED BY
C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION: SPARKLE & SHINE 82
30-A Wedding Extravaganza
94 Shine: Your Day, Your Way 100 Have a Ball Gown!
VOYAGER 104 Style Blooms Eternal at the Chelsea Flower Show
110 Costa Rica Goes Hollywood
INTROSPECTIONS 116 Trending Now
LA SCÈNE 120 THE LAST WORD: FASHION & STYLE 125 AU REVOIR! 129
TheIdeaBoutique.com info@theideaboutique.com V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 13
CREATIVE TEAM FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com
CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SALLIE W. BOYLES, MYLES MELLOR, TORI PHELPS, SUZANNE POLL AK, NICHOL AS S. RACHEOTES
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTOR TRACEY THOMAS Tracey@VIEmagazine.com
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS OLIVIA PIERCE HANNAH VERMILLION
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JONAH ALLEN, ALEX ANDRA ARNOLD, JIM CL ARK, OVIDIU HRUBARU, BRENNA KNEISS, LUKE MACGREGOR, TIM SANDALL, SHANNON SIRIANO, FASHIONSTOCK.COM, MILLIE HOLLOMAN PHOTOGRAPHY, SHUTTERSTOCK
ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR MEGHN HILL ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ABIGAIL RYAN BRAND AMBASSADOR LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com MARTA RATA Marta@VIEmagazine.com
AD MANAGER OLIVIA PIERCE Olivia@VIEmagazine.com
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER TIM DUTROW DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR SHANNON QUINL AN
VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2019 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published twelve times annually on a monthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $54.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com.
14 | JUNE 2019
Editor’s Note
GUILTY AS CHARGED I Love Fashion!
M
y first recollection of knowing that I understood fashion and which fabrics and colors worked well together was when I was five years old, watching my mother get ready to go out with my father. My mother filled in the details of the story for me when I was growing up—so my vivid memory might actually be her telling me what happened, but it’s still very special to me. She had tried on a few outfits that were strewn upon her bed, and she didn’t seem to like what she was seeing in the mirror. She looked distressed over the situation. So, I walked over to the bed, picked up a top and a skirt she hadn’t tried on together, added a scarf, and asked her to try it on. The rest is history. She chuckled at the absurdity of the situation, but when I saw her smile because she was pleased with her new look, it made me so happy. I understood the power of a good outfit at that moment, realizing it can empower you and lift you up to become the best you can be.
Most young girls play dress up, but I took it to a whole new level and never outgrew it. Fast-forward to present day and, as most will attest, my love and admiration of fashion have not waned one bit. I like to dress other people almost more than myself, so they can feel their best while presenting themselves to the world. I have always believed that looking your best can help with confidence and a sense of accomplishment. I know that, for many, this idea is no longer in style, but it still works for me.
Above: VIE publisher and editor-in-chief Gerald and Lisa Burwell attend Christian Siriano's Fall/ Winter 2019 runway show at the Top of the Rock in New York City. Photo by Shannon Siriano
we believe we hit the mark when we met Brian (of Florida Georgia Line fame) and Brittney Kelley. As the founders and owners of Tribe Kelley clothing and lifestyle stores in Nashville and Grayton Beach, Florida, with much of their manufacturing done in Los Angeles, they are a breath of fresh air with a lot of heart and personality. Read all about them in “Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe: Dynamic Duo Brittney and Brian Kelley Create a Movement” by Abigail Ryan. Our cover girl Brittney epitomizes the all-American dream, and we’re obsessed with this fresh-faced beauty who knows that doing what you love with passion and integrity makes all the difference in the world. We hope you’re inspired by new style ideas in this issue and that you’re always looking and feeling your best!
Our annual fashion issue is one of my favorites, and this one is even more special because of the diversity of styles covered within it, from high-end runways in New York and Paris to emerging local designers and a whole lot of inspiration everywhere in between.
To Life!
It’s hard to find a true original in our homogenous culture where everybody wants to look the same, but
—Lisa Marie Founder/Editor-In-Chief V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 19
La conversation
Picture This!
WE LOVE TO COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH OUR READERS! AND WE LOVE IT EVEN MORE WHEN THEY PROUDLY SHARE THEIR STORIES AND POSE WITH VIE FOR A CLOSE-UP! THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT: SHARING, LOVING, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. WE THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND WE APPRECIATE YOU!
@dgalysbeach Last year, @viemagazine held an annual preparty to announce the winning artists of #dgalysbeach. The theme was Age of Aquarius, and everyone got their groove on as we celebrated the union of art and architecture. This year’s theme will be completely different, and we cannot wait to show you! Photo: @brennakneiss.co
@vintijfoodandwine Check out the Culinary Issue of VIE magazine! There is a featured article about the new Vin’tij Food & Wine in Grand Boulevard! Thank you, @viemagazine!
@Judith Leiber Only one more day to Fry-Yay! @ashleylongshoreart | Photo credit: VIE magazine / Carlo Pieroni #JudithLeiberCouture
@Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill “The top-floor restaurant that evokes a retro country-club feel and serves up a memorable Bees Knees.” Not only is Fairlane Hotel featured in VIE magazine’s latest article, but we are too! Thank you, VIE!
@iamandrewtroyer So thankful!! Check out page 45, “The ARÔME of Success,” in the May issue of @viemagazine.
LET’S TALK!
@budandalleys “I knew the south beachside of the town center would be developed over time, and I truly felt that it was important that the very first changes be at Bud & Alley’s. That way, no matter what new projects built up around us, Bud & Alley’s would be the constant—always there as we always have been.” —Owner Dave Rauschkolb. Read the full @viemagazine article on our enhancement project in the May 2019 issue!
Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation!
@45centralseaside Thank you @viemagazine for featuring our Paella Queen, Joyce Russell. Join us every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for her famous paella.
VIEmagazine.com
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 21
NASHVILLE SEAGROVE BEACH LOVESALONS.US @ LOVESALONS
“ ”
FASHION IS A LANGUAGE THAT CREATES ITSELF IN CLOTHES TO INTERPRET REALITY.
I N M EMO RY
Karl Otto Lagerfeld 1933–2019 Director, Designer, Author, Artist, Visionary V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 25
DISCOVER THE TRIBE VIBE Husband-and-wife duo Brian and Brittney Kelley founded their clothing and lifestyle brand, Tribe Kelley, with a mission to create a movement for camaraderie through ethically made fashion. Their shops in Nashville and Florida include clothing goods and accessories made in the USA, all-natural skin care and beauty products, beach supplies, and more. With green spaces designed for families and friends to enjoy music, yoga, and other events, both locations are great places to shop, hang out, and find your tribe!
TRIBE KELLEY TRADING POST 1912 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
TRIBE KELLEY SURF POST 99 Hotz Avenue, Grayton Beach, Florida 32459
T R I B E K E L L E Y. C O M
Sartorial
Backstage at Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2019 runway event Visit Gucci.com to see more or shop now. Photo courtesy of Gucci
Sartorial STRIKE A POSE
Known for fearlessness when it comes to design and presentation, Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele stayed the course for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection. It debuted on the runway in Paris last fall, continuing the 1970s-inspired trends—fringe, oversized collars, and wide-brimmed hats, to name a few. A dash of pop culture rings through the collection in pieces such as a Mickey Mouse–head handbag and a sweater and denim jacket bearing Dolly Parton’s likeness. The runway show was held at Théâtre Le Palace, whose seventeenth-century building has always been a hub for theatrics, cinema, art, and even a nightclub experience said to rival Studio 54.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 29
VibeTribe
Your
A t trac ts Yo u r
Dynamic Duo
B r i ttney and Brian Kelley Create a Movement
B y A B I G A I L R YA N | P h o t o g ra phy by BRE N N A KN E ISS | H a i r a nd M a keup b y KAITL YN BROWN
YOU MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH BRIAN KELLEY OF THE AMERICAN COUNTRY MUSIC DUO FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, BUT HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HIS WIFE, FASHION DESIGNER BRITTNEY KELLEY, AND THEIR LIFESTYLE BRAND, TRIBE KELLEY? Born and raised in the Empire State of the South, this Georgia peach is no stranger to the retail industry. Brittney’s love for customer service began at a young age when she used to dream of having her own store. The desire stemmed from growing up with her grandmother, who owned and operated a flea market near Indian Springs, Georgia. Brittney later made her way to the Classic City of Athens, where she attended the University of Georgia and majored in psychology. Throughout college, she created and sold custom T-shirts and repurposed vintage jewelry on Etsy and would advertise her shop via her Instagram account. As she gained fans, the shop took off, and Brittney had a feeling she was onto something spectacular. Fast-forward a couple of years to when Brittney met the love of her life, Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line. The two became inseparable, were married during Brittney’s last semester of college, and started 30 | JUNE 2019
their life together on a bus traveling from city to city for FGL’s tours. Brittney often found herself creating custom pieces for her husband and other members of the band. She knew then and there that her zest for fashion design was real—and the rest is history. Meet Tribe Kelley. The name was born on the tour bus while Brittney and Brian were writing the first chapter of the brand. “We knew we wanted the name to represent family and our ‘tribe,’” Brittney explains. “Having Native American ancestry in my maternal lineage, it was also a nod to that part of my heritage. The tepee logo is a symbolism of protection and, to me, my marriage. Brian and I had a special moment at our personal tepee the night before our wedding that we will never forget and connects us to each other for life. We wanted to make sure we carry this symbolism throughout our marriage.”
Tribe Kelley founders Brittney and Brian Kelley hang in their vintage Volkswagen outside the Surf Post in Grayton Beach, Florida.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 31
T
he mission behind Tribe Kelley is to create a lifestyle brand that brings people around the world together through fashion and community while raising awareness to the sustainable, ethical side of the fashion industry. The Kelleys want more consumers to start asking, “Where were my clothes made?”
The Tribe Kelley Surf Post opened in 2018 with an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories made in the USA, jewelry, vintage items, all-natural skin care products, sunscreen, beach supplies, and more. Opposite left: Brittney Kelley models the Tribe Kelley Malibu Mesh Jacket and Edgy Jogger on Grayton Beach. Opposite right: Tribe Kelley menswear includes a range of unique and customizable clothing that fans often see on Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, and their band during Florida Georgia Line concerts.
32 | JUNE 2019
When intentionally researching what it takes to produce a full-scale clothing brand, the Kelleys began to wrestle with the problem that all designers face— manufacturing. “We knew we wanted to make sure the work environment was fair and safe and had healthy working conditions, no matter if it was in the United States or elsewhere,” says Brittney. “We had to make a moral call on who would be sewing the mass of our production and how. We knew we had a social responsibility as humans to ensure that the people we were working with were getting paid fairly according to legal codes put in place by the United States. In thinking our production process through, we were met with the harsh reality of labor laws, or lack thereof, outside the country. The labor laws are typically not the same ones we believe in here, and so we ultimately strive to source and sew as many goods as possible from inside the States.”
“
We knew we wanted to make sure the work environment was fair and safe.
T
ribe Kelley Trading Post, the brand’s flagship store located in Hillsboro Village in Nashville, was the evolutionary next step for the brand, and it opened in December of 2017. It seemed fitting to open the first brick-and-mortar store in Music City, where the couple said “I do” and began their life together. “I was a small-town girl from Georgia, new to the big city of Nashville, and I wanted to share our brand with the city after three years of e-commerce,” says Brittney. “Britt is my dream girl, my love,” adds Brian. “It’s the best of both worlds to be married to Britt and grow Tribe Kelley together. It’s a next-level bond to share that connection and vision when it comes to creativity and how to run a business. We balance each other out and really bring out the best in each other!” Upon realizing they shared a love for historic homes and preserving the history within the walls while also
bringing them new life, the Kelleys decided there was no better way to showcase the Tribe Kelley brand than on the canvas of a beautiful historic building among the magnolia trees in Hillsboro Village. They soon expanded the compound to include Meet + Greet, a private event and meeting space. Less than a year later, the brand’s second storefront opened—Tribe Kelley Surf Post. Brittney and Brian both grew up visiting the beautiful beaches of the Emerald Coast in the Florida Panhandle, so the area has long held a special place in their hearts. They even said “I love you” to each other for the first time while paddleboarding on Western Lake in Grayton Beach, not knowing that a couple of years later they would be locals. They bought a home there in 2016, and shortly after their move, the couple discovered that the original home of 30-A area veteran Van Butler was for sale; it sits across from the Red Bar, a landmark in Grayton Beach. “We felt like the house chose us,” says Brittney.
“We feel as if it’s our responsibility to showcase the history of this corner of Hotz Avenue. The building had been on our radar since 2013. We heard it was originally the first general store in Grayton Beach and dreamed of it being back open to the public somehow. We had no idea that years later we would be able to open a boutique and restore such a historic piece of Grayton. We now have a collection of vintage photographs given to us by numerous locals showing historic Grayton Beach moments, and they’re framed on the walls around the shop.” The Kelleys initially thought the whole building would be retail space, but when walking through the local landmark and approaching the second floor overlooking Western Lake and the Gulf of Mexico, they were inspired by the view in front of them and decided to use the upstairs as a his-and-hers studio. Brian’s music studio is on one side and Brittney’s design studio on the other, with the Surf Post retail shop below.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 33
W
ith Brian being a Florida native and Brittney becoming a local over the years, the pair have truly embedded themselves in the community. When Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle last year, the Kelleys were quick to help those in need, partnering with The Sonder Project to kick off its $5,000 Sonder Challenge program and donating $75,000 to Kingdom Impact Center of Panama City. They also worked hand in hand with locals to help clear trees and debris from homes and businesses damaged by the storm, and the Surf Post carries a line of stickers, T-shirts, and sweatshirts whose profits are donated to hurricane victims—it has raised $50,000 so far. Tribe Kelley partners with several other area charities including Alaqua Animal Refuge, Friends of Grayton Beach State Park, and the Bands of 30A. “We have seen such a positive light on the community during these times of crisis, and it has been amazing to watch everyone come together to aid those in need in the surrounding counties,” says Brittney. “This local community truly embraces each other in difficult times, such as the unfortunate fire that occurred at the Red Bar.” The iconic Grayton Beach restaurant and bar directly across from the Surf Post was leveled by a fire earlier this year. “We saw people from near and far come together and ensure the employees were paid their wages and the site was cleaned up. This is what community is about for Brian and me and one of the many reasons we love living here and having the Surf Post be part of it. “The community of Tribe Kelley is a big differentiator for the brand,” she continues. From team members to customers, everyone that is a part of Tribe Kelley is a part of their family. “We want our patrons to feel embraced by our tribe from the moment they walk through our doors. Our morals live in every fiber of the brand. We like to live by the motto, as Brian says, ‘Work hard, do good, give back, and repeat.’” When creating unique pieces of the Tribe Kelley collection, Brittney and Brian take inspiration from the things surrounding them. “I draw my ideas mostly from my needs during my journey,” says Brittney. “Tribe pieces are born from the moments when I find myself wanting a style that is not in 34 | JUNE 2019
“
We want our patrons to feel embraced by our tribe from the moment they walk through our doors. my closet or that I am not able to purchase. Some common questions we find ourselves asking when designing different silhouettes: How does the fabric feel against your skin? How does the fit allow you to move? Can you travel in this piece? Does the color feel timeless? Will this piece last through the years? The fabrics, the quality, and the intention behind every detail from the inspiration, the design, the name, and the way it’s merchandised in the stores are obvious differentiators between us and other brands.” The couple and their team continuously strive to create a unique experience for guests who visit their stores. Brittney explains, “Our all-natural candles will fill
your nose with sweet aromas. You can taste our local honey and hear the sounds of music and clothing being made upstairs. You can touch unique fabrics that Brian and I handpicked, and you can see the new blended with the old. We think about all of your senses while you’re in the Post.” In addition to their brand, Tribe Kelley collaborates with other designers they believe in and who have a similar mission, which adds to that authentic experience. “One of the brands we partner with is Hampui Medicine Hats,” Brittney says. “The collaboration was born from an organic hangout with the designer, Willee, in his garage in Berkeley, California. Brian and I work with him to hand pick each detail for every hat. Willee then blesses each hat, and together we pray over all the hats, instilling them with the message that each one will find the right head to call home.” The Surf Post and the Trading Post, as well as TribeKelley.com, have a collection of vintage pieces that Brittney and Brian have curated over their journey. At Tribe Kelley, custom pieces are a specialty. When customers visit the Trading Post or the Surf Post and realize a piece might be too long or fit unusually, the Tribe team can custom alter it right then and there. “Most of our items are made with a raw edge and are able to be customized to your preferred length,” explains Brittney. When visiting the Surf Post, you
might even see their designers custom dyeing and cutting pieces in the green space in the backyard. At both locations, all members of the Tribe family are stylists! If you don’t live near the Grayton Beach or Nashville areas, the team can send you a curated box of outfits to try on in the comfort of your home before purchasing any items! “One of my favorite parts about the job is customer service. I love serving our customers,” says Brittney. “Styling people is so fun for me, especially customizing items to the customer’s needs.”
Above: Tribe Kelley swimwear is right at home on the beach or by the pool, no matter which coast you’re on! Left: A new selection of vintage T-shirts specially chosen by Brittney and Brian is added to TribeKelley.com weekly.
A favorite custom design of Brittney’s was the outfit she wore to the fifty-fourth annual Academy of Country Music Awards in April. “I collaborated with Florida Georgia Line’s stylist and created a threepiece suit out of Tribe Kelley’s Orbit material. We made a tailored sports coat with custom biker shorts paired with our Orbit Traveler Bra. It was definitely a girl-boss kind of suit,” says Brittney. “An all-time favorite moment for me was when rapper Lil Wayne performed at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in all Tribe Kelley for his performance with Nicki Minaj. We knew a couple days prior to the awards show that his stylist had pulled some of our pieces, but we weren’t sure if they had made the final cut. We were sitting in the audience at the Billboards when this happened, and we didn’t know if he was 100 percent going to wear it until he stepped on stage, and we lost it! It was a surreal moment for us!” V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 35
B
eing so intimately tied with a worldrenowned country music band has influenced the Tribe Kelley brand in ways Brittney might not have expected, but it has also taken on a life of its own. “Florida Georgia Line has been a great platform to get our clothing in front of real people and get real opinions,” Brittney says. Brian’s fellow front man, Tyler Hubbard, often wears Tribe Kelley on stage and off these days, as well. “This platform initially gave me the support and the confidence to be a designer. What is even more of an ‘aha’ moment for me is when someone is wearing Tribe Kelley in public, or when I am chatting in the store with a customer who is not a country music fan and just happened to stumble upon the brand. It’s moments like these that really give me the confidence that I must be doing something right!” It seems that her husband couldn’t agree more. “She’s a natural-born leader and amazes me every single day with her ability to multitask and truly be a trendsetter,” Brian says. “I couldn’t be prouder of her, and we couldn’t be more thankful and humbled to create together for a living.”
Right: The tribe at both the Trading Post and the Surf Post love helping customers alter pieces to perfectly fit their style or size. Bottom right: When you visit a Tribe Kelley shop or the online store, you immediately become part of the tribe! Join the community by following the brand on social media and learn about sales, events, and other news.
What started as a small business that helped Brittney pay rent during her college years has flourished, and it’s poised to become something beyond her wildest hopes. “It was a dream that I wanted to pursue, and we are trying to soak up each season of growth,” she says. “We have our online shop and two storefronts near the East Coast and are sold wholesale in California. We are also in the process of setting up a pop-up shop in New York City that will open in the beginning of May and stay until the end of September. We feel extremely fortunate and are comfortable with where we are with the brand now—but who knows where the future could lead us!” No matter where that might be, there’s no doubt the Kelleys’ tribe of fans, vendors, and team members will be there every step of the way.
To learn more about Tribe Kelley, visit TribeKelley.com. Be sure to visit the Surf Post, located at 99 Hotz Avenue in Grayton Beach, Florida, and the Trading Post, located at 1912 Twenty-First Avenue South in Nashville, Tennessee. 36 | JUNE 2019
Local Experts. Global Reach. Residential · Commercial Properties · Private Jets · Luxury Yachts 30ABEACHES.EVUSA.COM | 850-213-2800
PROJECT: VIE Magazine Headquarters, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida ARCHITECT: Gerald Burwell FURNISHINGS: Modern Interiors, Miramar Beach, Florida
A MODERN WORK SPACE
114 Logan Lane, Suite 4, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 BurwellAssociates.com | (850) 231-6377 Florida LIC AA0003613
S KE T C H PLAY S BACKD R OP T O
Ryan Lo Collection Mannequins Sip Tea in the 18th-Centur y Townhome
40 | JUNE 2019
Sartorial
T
alk about pretty in pink! With its quirky tea room and colorful café—and even some of the most bizarre loos you’ve probably ever seen—Sketch has become a notso-secret hideaway in London’s Mayfair neighborhood. It’s a unique destination for food, drink, art, and fashion housed in an eighteenthcentury townhome. Behind its unassuming facade (if you can’t find it, look for the upside-down watchdog sculpture) lies a mecca of Instagrammable venues that any blogger would swoon over. Sketch houses a Michelin-starred French restaurant and a seemingly endless number of rooms on multiple floors with perfectly appointed pink and purple and crushed velvet everywhere you go. Explore the Lecture Room and Library, the Parlour, the East Bar and Pods, the Glade, and the Gallery for a different experience every time you go. Visiting Sketch during London Fashion Week a few years ago became one of the VIE team’s most memorable experiences of the trip! Now, we’re mesmerized by this ethereal fashion event, which was held there in 2018 by designer Ryan Lo. A native of Hong Kong, Lo is known for his ultrafeminine collections that are often offset in his runway presentations by bold hair, makeup, accessories, or other wow factors that add a modern sartorial edge and theatricality to his looks. We’ll say “cheers” to that! V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 41
42 | JUNE 2019
Sartorial
Sketch, known as a chic yet quirky dining and lounge destination in London’s Mayfair neighborhood, made a perfect venue for designer Ryan Lo’s breezy, ultrafeminine fashions. Photographycourtesy of Ryan Lo and Sketch London
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 43
Visit Sketch.London to learn more about the venue and RyanLo.co.uk to see Lo’s latest collections.
Special Thanks Streeters London, CLM Agency, Premier Hair and Make-up, Purple PR
Styling: Victoria Young Hair: Sam McKnight Makeup: Isamaya Ffrench, MAC Cosmetics Nails: Marian Newman, CND Casting: AAMO Casting, Madeleine Ă˜stlie Millinery: Stephen Jones Millinery Set: Miguel Bento Footwear: Repetto Paris Creative Consultant: Agatha Connolly Production: Jacob Kamara Show Notes: Susie Lau
BESTIN DESTIN VIP DESTIN MAGAZINE READER CHOICE AWARD
2019
Sartorial
Fashion icon Iris Apfel helped promote Ibu’s World Dress Collection at the brand’s trunk show in Palm Beach, Florida, in March. 46 | JUNE 2019
A Thread of
S A V I N G Textile Traditions A N D T H E Women B E H I N D T H E M BY TORI PHELPS
|
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF IBU
On a March night in Charleston, South Carolina, hundreds of people flooded into the city’s Gibbes Museum of Art—not to view Civil War–era landscapes or neoclassical sculptures, but for a runway show. Part fashion fete and part coming-out party, Fashioning Change introduced Ibu’s World Dress Collection, interpretations of the same dress pattern created by dozens of traditional textile artisans around the globe. Much more than just an evening’s entertainment, it marked a new chapter for a brand known for its commitment to people over profits. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 47
Sartorial
T
he woman behind both the event and Ibu itself is Susan Hull Walker, a Harvard Divinity School–educated minister who has spent much of her life studying sacred texts. She was well aware that history is, very often, his story—mainly recorded by men, for men, and solely from a man’s perspective. She often wondered, What would a woman have said about this?
And then one day it hit her: women have been speaking all along. But instead of clay tablets or papyri, they’ve used textile work to record their stories. Walker knew textiles were still a common language for women, though a rapidly changing world was silencing that language. If she didn’t help preserve it, she feared, millennia-old artistry would disappear within a generation.
Opposite: Ibu showed off its latest collection earlier this year with an elegant runway event at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina. Right: Susan Hull Walker, owner and founder of Ibu Below: The Ibu Movement flagship store on Charleston’s King Street
48 | JUNE 2019
The globe-trotting Louisville native had always been drawn to service, but it wasn’t until she settled in Charleston in 1991 that she found her ultimate calling. While still working as a minister, she felt a desire to express herself in the same creative ways as women in the traditional cultures she had visited. So she enrolled at the illustrious Savannah College of Art and Design and began a formal study of textiles, eventually becoming an accomplished weaver. “Weaving stayed with me because women have been in front of looms for most of human history,” she says. “It felt universal.” Armed with a real understanding of the remarkable skills that went into the textile work she encountered, her travels took on new meaning. Most tourists, she found, preferred to buy mass-produced trinkets rather than artisanal masterpieces, forcing women to abandon their looms and needles and move into overcrowded cities to
support their children. Walker bemoaned the all-too-common situation, knowing not only that buyers were missing out on meaningful purchases, but also that these women’s skills were dying. It finally came to a head during a trip to a tiny Indonesian village five years ago. As she watched women spinning, dyeing, and weaving cotton into vibrant treasures, she realized she couldn’t let them—or their sisters all over the world—down. She would find a market for customers who were willing to pay a little more for beautiful artisanal products. And that’s exactly what Walker has done. For her company name, she borrowed the term ibu (pronounced “ee-boo”)—an honorific of respect for a woman in the Malay language—and started offering luxury clothing, accessories, and home goods online and in a storefront on Charleston’s King Street. The inventory is produced entirely by groups of women artisans from one hundred and one cooperatives in thirty-eight countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
As she watched women spinning, dyeing, and weaving cotton into vibrant treasures, she realized she couldn’t let them—or their sisters all over the world—down. Walker estimates that the artisans design 30 percent of the items; the rest of the designs originate from the Ibu team and are brought to life by the artisans. The reason, she explains, is that many women in the Western world wear clothing that’s relatively neutral in color and pattern, while very few global cultures do. “The artisans have exquisite skills but no idea what women here want,” Walker says. “We become a bridge for them.” That balance allows the textile professionals to translate their traditions into items that will appeal to a mostly Western audience while still preserving those traditions. Just as important, it’s a business model that puts real money into their hands. Most women in the cultures Ibu works with survive either by becoming laborers or by marrying at an early age, or both. But when the handiwork that’s been passed down to them from mothers and grandmothers is channeled into a livable wage, they get much more than money. They get choices—for themselves and their children. Progress is already happening for Ibu artisans. Walker describes a recent photo she received showing women sitting in the front rows of a gathering in India. Once reserved for men, those seats now go to women because they’re the ones earning money. “This isn’t about making women better than men; I love men,” says Walker, who’s been married to her husband, Trenholm, since 2003. “It’s about giving women a voice in the world, one village at a time.” It’s not something Walker can accomplish alone. In addition to a small, dedicated team in Charleston, Ibu has been buoyed by some famous fans who’ve garnered V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 49
Apfel calls Ibu’s mission to preserve traditional techniques while enhancing women’s lives “noble work” and a winwin for everyone. In the course of working with Ibu artisans, Walker has become privy to the hurdles they face—hurdles that are largely unimaginable in the first world. She names Afghanistan, where oppression is a way of life, as one of the toughest places on earth to be a woman. Only 13 percent are literate, and failing to be covered from head to toe can be a death sentence. And yet these same women produce stunning khamak embroidery, a culturally specific skill finally getting the attention it deserves, thanks to Kandahar Treasure, the Afghan cooperative that has partnered with Ibu. Then there’s the Roots Project—a collective made up of women from different, often-warring, tribes in South Sudan who have united to turn their beading skills into a better life for their children. The area is still so dangerous that Ibu-affiliated workers can’t safely travel to them; instead, workers meet with Roots Project artisans in Nairobi, Kenya.
Above: More than just creating beautiful clothing, Ibu aims to spread awareness and preservation of the textile traditions in various cultures worldwide and to support the women who create them. Opposite: Ibu Movement also carries accessories and home goods, all created by female artisans around the world.
invaluable exposure. Among the staunchest Ibu supporters are actress-activist Ali MacGraw and Elle Decor grand master of design Charlotte Moss, both of whom have designed collections for Ibu. That list also includes legendary style icon Iris Apfel. The ninety-seven-year-old “it girl” is perhaps best known for a bold sense of style that netted her a modeling contract in her late nineties and a Metropolitan Museum of Art–curated exhibition of her wardrobe. But clothes are more than her passion: they were also her profession. With her late husband, she founded Old World Textiles and spent her life traveling the globe, sourcing and preserving artisanal garments and jewelry. The overlap with Ibu is obvious, as was the decision to collaborate. Just a couple of weeks after Fashioning Change, Apfel hosted a trunk show in Palm Beach that featured the new World Dress Collection styled with her jewelry. Apfel calls Ibu’s mission to preserve traditional techniques while enhancing women’s lives “noble work” and a win-win for everyone. “Textile traditions have to continue,” she insists, “and this is a very good way of doing that.”
50 | JUNE 2019
Walker may not be able to bring peace to South Sudan or eliminate oppression in Afghanistan, but she saw plenty she could do for women in the collectives. And as part of Fashioning Change, which took place on International Women’s Day, she unveiled the Ibu Foundation, a nonprofit sister organization whose funds will aid Ibu artisans and their communities. Money is already being funneled into everything from repairs to earthquake-damaged workspaces in Oaxaca, Mexico, to training that turns destitute widows into self-supporting embroiderers in western Turkey. While the Ibu Foundation is a charity, Ibu is not—one of the things Walker loves most about the business model. “This is not a pity project in any way,” Walker stresses. “These women are giving us things we don’t have in our lives; in exchange, we’re helping to lift them up.”
Sartorial Along with the dignity that comes from being self-supporting, it provides the kind of stability that handouts never could. That’s why Ibu’s next effort is working with ten artisan collectives each year to foster long-term strength. If they succeed, all 101 groups will become self-sustaining in about a decade. Saying that Walker faces a considerable challenge would be an understatement, but that’s nothing new. She considers Ibu more of a movement than a brand, however, which may explain her palpable joy amid nearly nonstop work. Ironically, she draws courage from the artisans she’s trying to help, calling women “the greatest untapped resource in the world.” She also has faith in Ibu’s power to turn customers into allies. “I’ve found that once people have contact with Ibu, they tend to get excited about it,” she smiles.
For more information about Ibu, visit IbuMovement.com. For more information about the Ibu Foundation, visit WeAreIbu.org. Tori Phelps has been a writer and editor for nearly twenty years. A publishing industry veteran and longtime VIE collaborator, Phelps lives with three kids, two cats, and one husband in Charleston, South Carolina.
A passion for perfection. Consistently delicious since 1995.
3899 E. County Highway 30A, Seagrove ∙ 850.231.2166 ∙ Open Daily At 5 ∙ cafethirtya.com
Sartorial
Black chintz suiting evening dress and gold starlight lamé embellished cape with gold specchio pumps at Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2019 runway show, held at Ralph’s Coffee inside his Madison Avenue flagship store 52 | JUNE 2019
Coffee Break A Return to Glamour at
RALPH LAUREN Breakfast, anyone? Continuing a welcome trend of big-name designers taking their runways to unconventional venues, RALPH LAUREN served up his SPRING 2019 COLLECTION at his eponymous couture-friendly coffee shop for NEW YORK FASHION WEEK in February. The champion of high-end prep and glamour transformed his Madison Avenue flagship store into a runway and RALPH’S COFFEE pop-up café, complete with the brand’s signature coffee, green tufted velvet booths, and baristas making the rounds as attendees waited for the show to begin.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 53
Sartorial
Lauren showed a glamorous collection of off-white, gold, and black pieces ranging from daytime separates to high-end resort wear and glittering evening wear.
“I wanted to create an intimate experience to share my vision in a more personal way,” says Ralph Lauren. Although the Madison Avenue location was temporary, the Ralph’s Coffee mobile truck occasionally sets up around NYC, permanent locations can be found at the brand’s stores in Tokyo and Hong Kong, and Ralph’s Coffee & Bar has a stand-alone location in London. According to the brand, these establishments mark “a natural extension of the world of Ralph Lauren as expressed through the culinary arts.”
“I wanted to create an intimate experience to share my vision in a more personal way.” Models descended a grand staircase to start the presentation. The collection highlights the classic designs the fashion house is known for with the bold contrast of black, gold, and white. Shimmering sequin pieces and metallic accents elevated the show from classic to rock-star chic. It just might be the most stylish coffee date we’ve ever seen!
Visit RalphLauren.com to learn more about the brand and its many outlets and to shop the latest collections.
On attendee Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (center): Ralph Lauren Collection Pre-Fall 2019 tan suede jumpsuit On showgoer Karlie Kloss (bottom right): Ralph Lauren Collection Resort 2019 powderblue suit, turtleneck, and leather pumps
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 55
You’re a Gem! L’intermission
Through our publisher, marketing firm, and design studio, The Idea Boutique, VIE has held a longstanding friendship with Lisa Peters, the owner of fine jewelry retailers in Northwest Florida who most recently opened The Jewel, located in Grand Boulevard Town Center in Sandestin. It has been a joy watching her brand evolve. The Jewel, much like VIE, celebrates life and aims to inspire its audience to be authentic and gracious in all things. In other words: Be Bold, Be Beautiful, and Be You!
As a #Throwback in this issue, we’re reminiscing over some of our favorite photo shoot moments working with incredible gems from Lisa Peters’s brands! We glittered our way through Ballynahinch Castle as we shot fashions by Christian Siriano in the west of Ireland (it was so sunny that day, the locals even asked if we had performed some sort of ritual sacrifice). We’re still ogling over the impressive Mazza Company gemstones on cover girl Darby Kilpatrick in our farm-to-table shoot at Arnett’s Gulfside Farm and Stables. And let’s not forget how we channeled the glamour of the 1920s in our Great Gatsby–inspired shoot inside the inaugural VIE idea house in 2013. Now those sparkles truly were the bee’s knees! Visit ShopTheJewel.com to see all the designers in their charming store, and don’t forget to stop by if you’re around Grand Boulevard!
Love, VIE xo
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 57
THE WORLD OF
WHIMSICAL
ART
HANDBAGS ARE FUN AGAIN I N T E R V I E W B Y J O R DA N S TA G G S 58 | JUNE 2019
|
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ANNA CORTINA
Sartorial
A
lthough she isn’t an artist herself, Spanish designer Anna Cortina is certain that the worlds of fashion and fine art are inextricably linked.
She began her journey in the industry in 2002 when she opened her first boutique in Barcelona, where she worked with luxury brands including Balenciaga, Givenchy, Chloé, and Lanvin. “My favorite fashion accessories have always been bags and shoes,” Cortina shares. “They can always rock your style and make a basic outfit special.”
Above: Designer Anna Cortina’s eponymous brand partners with world-renowned artists to create fun handbags and other accessories that celebrate the joy of life.
It wasn’t until about five years ago that Cortina took that love and launched her eponymous line of accessories. Melding her interests, she collaborates with artists each season to create new collections of handbags, scarves, and other chic, statement-making pieces. “I really think that art and fashion are two complementary disciplines,” she says. This is evident when shoppers view the playful bag designs featuring work by international artists such as Philippe Boonen, Garbi KW, Ghadah Al Ajmi, and more. And although much of the art depicts cute, or even cartoonish, animals wearing clothes or performing activities such as roller-skating or riding a bike, Cortina’s quality products and the artists’ beautiful work ensure that each item still evokes a high-fashion feeling. VIE was introduced to this gem of a designer when our editor-in-chief, Lisa Burwell, met Google director of agency platforms Marta Martinez at a women’s
retreat, where Martinez gifted attendees with foulard scarves printed with Garbi KW’s manga-inspired unicorn art. “I fell in love with the whimsy and confidence of the designer,” says Burwell. When speaking with Cortina about her boutique brand, we learned how her enlightened concept of creating quality accessories by collaborating with artists around the globe birthed what so many designers strive for—a new idea. When you wear her playful foulards and carry her handbags, they tend to be conversation starters as well. So much fun!
VIE: What is the inspiration or vision behind your collections?
ANNA CORTINA: I love to say that I always see things before they happen. In the same way, these visions guide me through my project. For example, I suddenly remember a detail of an object or a picture I saw many years ago while traveling, and I start creating a totally new model bag. In a fun way and with a point of humor, our collections always carry a message. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 59
Sartorial
OUR COLLECTIONS ARE OFTEN BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF ANIMALIZING THE HUMAN BEING, FINDING THAT ANIMAL THAT EVERYONE HAS INSIDE.
VIE: How do you select artists to work with for your pieces?
AC: We are demanding when it comes to choosing our collaborators: international creators with great talent, capable of transmitting the essence of our brand through art. VIE: What is your favorite part about collaborating with artists?
AC: My favorite part is the most creative one when I explain my vision to the artist. I offer a concept and a path to follow during the creation of the new collection, but I always leave the artist free to express himself/herself without clipping his/her wings. I love to see how this idea takes shape thanks to different personal contributions. I always support the artist’s artistic expression, especially in terms of composition and colors. VIE:
Your collections often feature whimsical animals or other scenes that are a lot of fun. How do you decide what image will go on each bag, scarf, or piece of apparel?
60 | JUNE 2019
Cortina with tote bag featuring art by Philippe Boonen Left: The All Night Long tote bag with art by Philippe Boonen
AC: Our collections are often based on the concept of animalizing the human being, finding that animal that everyone has inside. For example, through the Spring/Summer 2019 collection, which is inspired by the light of the Mediterranean Sea and the summer environment, we wish to show a new way of living and how our animal characters face daily life.
The Break tote with art by Philippe Boonen
VIE: Do you have any new collaborations coming up? AC: We work with a spectrum of five artists who propose their ideas every season, but we also invite new artists to join our project for special collaborations. We are developing a new and exciting project that will come to light soon. I hope you will like it! VIE:
If you could work with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?
AC: I love everything about Pablo Picasso’s style: his way of expression, his inner world, the Mediterranean colors, and his powerful paintings. I feel identified 100 percent. I also like Salvador Dalí and his surrealist avant-garde art. I have to say that I get inspired by many artists and works of art, but especially by someone capable of making me feel something. My main inspirations are Andy Warhol’s pop art, Jeff Koons, who gives new life to everyday objects, Yayoi Kusama and her conceptual art, Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami, and Kaws. VIE: Tell us a little about your custom pieces and the process of creating those unique bags for people.
AC:
The first thing we do is to have an interview with the client who wishes to have a unique creation. He or she tells us a little about themselves, and, above all, what they would like to communicate with their bag. We are committed to respecting the client’s view, and we always try to capture his or her essence. We pay attention to the details and always ask for the client’s feedback—our goal is to make the person happy to have a unique bag!
Anna Cortina also teams up with artists for one-of-a-kind custom creations such as this one.
VIE: Is there any news coming up for the Anna Cortina brand in 2019 that you would like to share with our readers?
AC: Our work follows a line of evolution, and I am really happy to introduce a new model bag, which is one of my most personal creations. I have been working on it for more than six months, and finally, during 2019, it will be ready to be launched. The artistic part is the latch on the bag, designed and created personally by me. I got inspired by some industrial objects, which are parts of our daily life. I wanted to give new life and purpose to something that we are used to seeing. I am sure that this new latch on the bag will be our trademark, something that really identifies Anna Cortina.
VIE: Finally, where can our readers buy your accessories? AC: They can savor our universe and buy our unique pieces at AnnaCortina.com. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 61
Sartorial
62 | JUNE 2019
The of
A
BY JORDA N S TAGGS | PHOTOGR A PH Y COUR TE S Y OF M AGNOLI A PE A RL
ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT ALL LIFE FORMS IS HOW THEY CONTINUALLY ADAPT AND EVOLVE. TO QUOTE THE FICTIONAL DR. IAN MALCOLM, “LIFE FINDS A WAY.” TAKE, FOR EX AMPLE, THE PEARL. WHAT BEGINS AS A MICROSCOPIC DEPOSIT OF CALCIUM CARBONATE—INSIDE WHAT MOST WOULD CONSIDER AN UNATTRACTIVE HOST, A MOLLUSK—EVOLVES, LAYER BY LAYER, INTO WHAT IS THOUGHT TO BE ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL MATERIALS ON EARTH. NO TWO NATURAL PEARLS ARE ALIKE.
hile pearls are not living beings, they still find a way to grow, and the word pearl has been adopted to mean anything rare, unique, and valuable. This meaning certainly holds for the fashions crafted by Robin Brown of Magnolia Pearl in Fredericksburg, Texas. Almost two decades ago, Robin began making one-of-a-kind handbags out of antique and repurposed materials. Many of them including vintage pieces that were left to her by her grandmother, which added a heartfelt component to her wearable art. As her fan base grew, Magnolia Pearl morphed into a lifestyle brand that includes apparel, accessories, shoes, and more. The denim pieces are particularly popular, though collections include everything from soft cotton and linen to lace and patchwork. “It is always evolving,” says brand ambassador Marisa Scott. “New designs are created almost daily with small collections released each week.” V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 63
Sartorial
The comfortable, funky style is part bohemian, part edge, but wholly undefinable, which seems to be something that Robin loves most about it. “It’s a combination of Fried Green Tomatoes meets The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, then throw in a little Oliver Twist with a splash of the Texas Old West,” she says. One thing that is constant throughout every collection and evolution of the brand, Marisa assures, is the love that goes into each design.
The denim pieces are particularly popular, though collections include everything from soft cotton and linen to lace and patchwork.
64 | JUNE 2019
“Magnolia Pearl appeals to the nonconformist who’s free-spirited,” Robin shares when trying to pin down her audience—which is impossible. “Her approach to style doesn’t fit in a box. She’s the woman who wants her outsides to reflect her insides. She’s happy, confident, and very in tune with her inner child and has a fearless craving of style. She embodies the energy of art, which is more of an energy than a thing.”
lthough there is no ideal Magnolia Pearl buyer because the brand encompasses many personas, one Northwest Florida local comes incredibly close to defining the brand: Roxie Wilson of The Zoo Gallery, an art-meets-beach-lifestyle retailer on the Emerald Coast since 1979. A couple of years ago, Roxie spotted the clothing brand on a friend who designs jewelry carried at The Zoo Gallery, and she immediately called Magnolia Pearl headquarters to inquire about adding it to her Grayton Beach and Sandestin store locations. The Zoo Gallery is now the exclusive Northwest Florida retailer for the brand. When styled by Roxie, Magnolia Pearl takes on a distinct artsy, rock-and-roll vibe, and its synergy with all that The Zoo Gallery stands for has been perfect, says Marisa. “The fact that they are an art destination and stationed in a beautiful area means they’re going to do excellent things,” she says. “Roxie and her team are the icing on the cake, thanks to their love and enthusiasm for the clothing designs released each week. Her curiosity turned into a wonderful and prosperous adventure and a great relationship that’s only grown over the last year.” Thanks to social media, storytelling, and word of mouth, Magnolia Pearl’s reach continues to grow daily. The brand is found in 140 retailers worldwide, and Robin doesn’t plan to stop with clothing. Her Fredericksburg HQ is located in a converted barn that she redesigned into a haven for all things beautiful and, of course, Texan.
Origin
al G ra
yton G
irl
Kitty Taylor, Broker, GRI, CRS, CIPS Catherine Ryland, Broker Associate “Grayton Girl Team” Selling Grayton and Beach Properties along 30A. Realtor of the Year 2017 for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors Grayto
n 1968
850.231.2886 | 850.585.5334 133 Defuniak Street, Grayton Beach, FL 32459 GraytonCoastProperties.com
Sartorial
When styled by Roxie, Magnolia Pearl takes on a distinct artsy, rock-and-roll vibe, and its synergy with all that The Zoo Gallery stands for has been perfect.
Above left: Zoo Gallery owner Roxie Wilson (and Walter!) wearing Magnolia Pearl designs Above right: Magnolia Pearl lifestyle headquarters located in Fredericksburg, Texas
It’s not only the flagship store but also a design studio, a backdrop for photo shoots, a venue for intimate gatherings, and an embodiment of the brand’s way of life. “We’re working on a live music venue and possibly more!” Marisa reveals. The story of Magnolia Pearl is far from over, but its beginning and middle are already fascinating; Robin has a book in the works to chronicle her journey, along with a separate design book that will no doubt be a welcome addition to coffee tables far and wide. In the meantime, we’ll be following the story through Magnolia Pearl’s fashions at The Zoo Gallery and other locations across the globe, on social media, and deep in the heart of Texas.
VISIT MAGNOLIAPE ARL.COM OR FOLLOW THE BR AND ON INSTAGR AM (@MAGNOLIAPE ARL) TO LE ARN MORE. NORTHWEST FLORIDA RE ADERS CAN FIND MAGNOLIA PE ARL E XCLUSIVELY AT THE ZOO GALLERY—89 HOTZ AVENUE IN GR AY TON BE ACH OR 500 GR AND BOULE VARD, SUITE 104 IN SANDESTIN. 66 | JUNE 2019
R uN W aY Sartorial
Rise of the
68 | JUNE 2019
B y A b i g a i l Rya n Photography by Fa s h i o n S t o c k . c o m / S h u t t e r s t o c k
Hello again, fashion week! We sure missed you. Twice a year, the art of fashion electrifies the great cities of New York, Milan, and Paris for three weeks, as the most prominent designers in the game share their most creative—and, may we add, sometimes unusual—runway shows. In honor of the summer season, we remember one of the absolute best times of year—fashion week. Take a peek at some of our favorite Spring/Summer 2019 runway shows from around the world and what made them so special.
Chanel V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 69
Sartorial Balmain It’s time to salute fashion designer and creative director Olivier Rousteing and his “Balmain Army” of models! Rousteing’s SS19 collection was a mixture of metallics, denim, knitwear, and asymmetrical cuts as he paid tribute to the city where magic happens: Paris. “It’s Paris meets Egypt,” said Rousteing before the show. And while Rousteing’s collection was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture, among his collection you could always find the key factors of the brand—especially the assertive Balmain broad shoulders. Get ready to put on your Balmain armor and join the army!
Celine The winds of change blew chills through the room as Céline’s SS19 collection marked creative director Hedi Slimane’s first presentation for the brand. New to the Céline team but no stranger to the fashion industry, photographer and designer Slimane paid respects to the Parisian nightlife of the 1980s in his runway show. The designer included many of his signature pieces—which might remind audiences of his stints designing for Dior Homme and Yves Saint Laurent—including sequined mini dresses paired with ankle boots for the ladies and slim-fit tailoring for the fellas.
Céline
Photo courtesy of Céline
70 | JUNE 2019
Rousteing’s SS19 collection was a mixture of metallics, denim, knitwear, and asymmetrical cuts as he paid tribute to the city where magic happens: Paris.
Balmain
Chanel Kick off your shoes, literally, and relax as the late Karl Lagerfeld welcomes us to the beach in one of his last collections for the brand. If you’re planning a luxurious trip to a tropical locale soon, head over to Chanel and stock up on everything from casual daytime attire to swimwear to evening cocktail-wear paired with loads of accessories positively perfect for island life. Don’t worry—there’s a lifeguard on duty if this collection takes your breath away!
Gucci
Photo courtesy of Gucci
Gucci
Chanel
Since joining Gucci as creative director in 2015, Alessandro Michele has elevated the Italian household name among a younger demographic, bringing the past to the present. For its SS19 fashion show, Gucci took a break from Milan Fashion Week and hosted the first runway show at Paris’s famous Théâtre Le Palace nightclub. This show was the last of a three-part tribute to Paris, after Gucci’s Pre-Fall 2018 and Cruise 2019 collections. The show opened up with a short film followed by a sea of models covered in glitter and fringe (not to mention quirky pieces featuring Mickey Mouse and Dolly Parton). Midway through the show, the models came to a halt as musical legend Jane Birkin rose from the front row to serenade attendees with her song “Baby alone in Babylone.” Quelle surprise! V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 71
Sartorial
Nicolas Ghesquière’s collection catapulted audiences into the nebulous future.
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Ah, the Louvre! One of Paris’s most iconic destinations played host to Louis Vuitton’s SS19 runway presentation last fall, and we’re willing to bet even the Mona Lisa was eyeing some of those delicious looks for her wardrobe. Despite the history of the venue, designer Nicolas Ghesquière’s collection catapulted audiences into the nebulous future. Prints that suggested faraway planets and yet-to-be-realized technology mixed with 1980s silhouettes to create an excellent blend of nostalgia and excitement for what’s to come.
M a r c J ac o b s
Marc Jacobs 72 | JUNE 2019
Okay, it’s time to spill the tea. Rumor has it the reason Marc Jacobs’s SS19 show started ninety minutes late was due to a trunk of clothes being stuck in traffic. But what was the real story? We’ll never know. The drama certainly built suspense while also causing some restlessness among the show’s attendees. Eventually, though, that drama transferred from the delay to the astonishing collection when the models finally hit the runway covered in bold color, ruffles, and lots of feathers. Needless to say, it was well worth the wait!
O s ca r d e l a R e n ta Spring was in the air at Oscar de la Renta’s SS19 presentation, and we are here for it! Since joining Oscar de la Renta in 2016, creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia have transformed the traditional, modest brand into a sexy, contemporary household name. Their celebrity clientele even includes Nicki Minaj and Sofia Richie. Full of readyto-wear red-carpet looks, this collection had sex appeal with high slits, low V-necks, fringe, feathers, flowers, and much more.
Off-White
Off-White Following his recent collaboration with Serena Williams and Nike for the tennis pro’s matches at the U.S. Open, Off-White’s Virgil Abloh showed sportsinspired looks for his SS19 collection, which was appropriately titled Track and Field. I might add that if trophies were given out in the game of fashion, Abloh’s collection would earn one. With this collection, the designer seemed to hit the target dead center, debuting pieces that maintained the brand’s signature streetwear vibes but also were cohesive to the high-end couture quality you’d expect to see at fashion week.
To learn more about our favorite looks for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2019 season, check out our La Muse blog at VIEmagazine.com!
Oscar de la Renta Photo by Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 73
Ashley@purebarre.com | purebarre.com
PURE BARRE 30A
PURE BARRE DESTIN
174 Watercolor Way #101
34940 Emerald Coast Pkwy #186
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 231-0147
(850) 837-1090
Sartorial
Y T U A B E
and the
By SALLIE W. BOYLES
|
Photography by J O N A H A L L E N
ary Ellen DiMauro was only ten years old when the instrument of her life’s calling, a gift from her grandmother, appeared in a box beneath the Christmas tree: it was a sewing machine. “It lit a creative fire for me,” she says. She recalls how working with squares of fabric and their varied textures presented endless possibilities to her. “The feeling of making something with my own two hands and giving it to someone was pure joy for me.” She made “little purses” and eagerly gifted them to her family and friends. The lucky recipients responded with gratitude and praise, and from the encouragement of those around her, she boldly entered the world of commerce. “I would go door-to-door in the neighborhood and sell the purses I made,” she says. By the time she was fifteen, DiMauro, with her mother’s help, had a booth at the local market and craft fairs. “I just put myself out there,” she reveals. “I started 76 | JUNE 2019
thriving off the customer interactions, talking with people, hearing their stories, and seeing them get excited over what I created.” Her next step—majoring in fashion merchandising at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia—allowed DiMauro to “learn through doing the process.” While taking classes in studio art and retail entrepreneurship, she found a home for her designs in shops around Athens, a college town that has embraced local artists. Although she was selling accessories like tote bags and headbands, DiMauro had long been making clothing. “I grew up shopping at thrift stores,” she says. “I’d take down a garment to see how it was made—reverse engineering—and add ruffles or lace.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 77
. s e n u D l a t s a o C n o i t c e l l o c e h "I named t , e t i h w l l a s a w Everything d e r i p s n i , s s e l e is mple, and tim ” . s e n u d d n a s by the whiteI would start by doing simple things like that.” Her alterations, sometimes based on a designer tee or other item she liked, provided practice for DiMauro to develop her patterns from scratch.
Still a college student at the time, DiMauro applied and was selected to show her work as an emerging designer at South Walton Fashion Week in the fall of 2016. Her preparation for Northwest Florida’s celebration of high fashion entailed sketching and making ten different outfits. “The experience grew me and challenged me outside my comfort zone,” she says. “It was inspiring and motivational. That collection made me realize I can do this.” She’d first visited the Florida Panhandle with her boyfriend on a spring break trip. After driving about six hours from Athens and finding scenery that resembled the Caribbean, DiMauro couldn’t believe she hadn’t previously traveled to the region. Captivated by the snow-white coastal dunes of Deer Lake (a rare ecosystem of coastal lakes), she says, “I named the collection Coastal Dunes. Everything was all white, simple, and timeless, inspired by the white-sand dunes.” Her resort wear incorporates a mix of fabrics and features soft and fluid silhouettes. With a sense of purpose, DiMauro graduated in December of 2016 and moved to Northwest Florida the next spring. “I would just love to live in an endless summer,” she says. Without question, the coastal environment feeds her mind and soul, but so does travel. She particularly loves Italy, where the nuances in fashion grant pleasant surprises yet honor the elegance and beauty of timeless style. 78 | JUNE 2019
Similarly, DiMauro’s aesthetic is fresh but straightforward and enduring. Such qualities speak to the versatility and wearability of her garments, and her styles flatter a vast range of women. “Flowy silhouettes are flattering to all sizes, especially with layering,” she says, insisting, “I want to help women feel beautiful and comfortable at any age.” When asked to name her go-to pick from the collection, she immediately responds, “The jumpsuit—it’s so comfortable, it feels like you’re wearing pajamas. And it ties on the shoulder, so it’s adjustable. It’s easy and looks cute!” If she needs to cover up for any reason, DiMauro adds layers. “I’ll typically throw on one of my cropped shirts,” she says. Currently, DiMauro runs a one-woman operation as the sole designer and fabricator of her fashions. Intentional in her methodology, she speaks about “the lost art of slow, creative processes,” and chooses, for now, to limit how many pieces she’ll reproduce of a collection. “I make small batches,” she affirms, ensuring each garment is exceptional.
Sartorial
hen procuring her fabrics, DiMauro tends to purchase only enough of any particular material to make four to six articles of clothing. She equates her production to an artist’s release of a limited edition of prints. “Every two to three months,” she shares, “fabrics and styles change, but there are similarities—a common thread of soft and comfortable, like you’re wearing a hug. The clothing is consciously crafted and made with love.” Drawn to linen and other sustainable materials, she insists on keeping everything soft and breathable. Considering DiMauro’s artisanal approach, many would be surprised to learn how quickly one of her new designs—perfectly ready to wear—might materialize. “If it’s from concept to completed style, I would say it takes a whole day,” she reveals. “It always takes the longest the first time around, from the sketch to choosing the fabric to the completed garment. When I feel the inspiration, I have to carry it out and make the whole thing!” At times, DiMauro will begin with a sketch, but the garment will nudge her to detour from the plan. “That happened in a dress I was making for a special occasion,” she informs. “Once the fabric was draped on the mannequin, it directed me, so I let the flow of the process take over.”
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 79
Sartorial She welcomes custom orders. “I just finished a custom goddess dress for a party in beautiful chiffon fabric, and I have a mother-of-the-bride dress coming up.” Looking back and ahead, DiMauro says, “I always knew that I wanted to create with my hands, sell my work, and run my own business.” It won’t be long before she assembles a team to assist her. A brick-and-mortar store of her own is also part of her long-term plan. Part of that space would be used “to host different classes—like painting, drawing, and weaving workshops—to get the community together, creating.” Valuing all the support she receives from fellow artists and designers, DiMauro says she would invite them to gather there to work, encourage one another, and collaborate.
Reach Mary Ellen DiMauro directly, see her designs, order online, or check her schedule for upcoming arts and craft shows through her website, MaryEllenDiMauro.com, and on Instagram @maryellendimauro. Sallie W. Boyles works as a freelance journalist, ghostwriter, copywriter, and editor through Write Lady Inc., her Atlanta-based company. With an MBA in marketing, she marvels at the power of words, particularly in business and politics, but loves nothing more than relaying extraordinary personal stories that are believable only because they are true.
THE ZOO GALLERY since 1979
EX TR AORDINARY HAND-LOOMED T R A D I T I O N A L I N D I A N FA B R I C S
Grayton Beach Grand Boulevard T h e Z o o G a l l e r y. c o m standoutfromtheherd
2019 DIGITAL GRAFFITI AWARDS PART Y
GUL F GR E E N • A LY S B E AC H, F LO R I DA S AT UR DAY, M AY 18 • 6–8 PM
HOSTED BY
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
C’est la vie
SPARKLE & SHINE
Summer is coming! (Sorry, Game of Thrones fans.) The return of the sun and the promise of vacations to tropical locales, parties by the pool, and rooftop cocktails with the squad has us swooning over this bold and bright C’est la VIE collection. From poppin’ prints to crystals galore, it’s all about standing out this season. The key to going big without feeling like you want to go home? Be yourself! Mix a standout accessory with a laid-back OOTD or pair those Gucci sneakers with your favorite flirty dress—whatever you do, remember your style is all about you!
1
Pink It Over
Bina Goenka 18-Karat Gold Multistone Earrings $34,760 – net-a-porter.com 82 | JUNE 2019
2
Movie Night
Later, Gator
Judith Leiber Popcorn Matinee Minaudière Clutch $5,695 – judithleiber.com
3
Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier Automatic 36mm 18-Karat Pink Gold, Alligator, and Diamond Watch $31,500 – net-a-porter.com
4
Bow Down
Sophia Webster Royalty Wedding Sandal with Crown Detail $695 – sophiawebster.com
6
Eyes on Me
Fendi Round-Frame Crystal-Embellished Gold-Tone Sunglasses $540 – net-a-porter.com
Statement Piece
Bucket List
5
Danse Lente Mini Johnny Leather Bucket Bag $365 – harrods.com
7
Roxanne Assoulin Just Say It Bracelets $150 each – roxanneassoulin.com
8
Take the Bronze
Shelby Herron Glow Girl Self-Tanning Mousse $40 – shelbyherronbeauty.com
Berry Nice
9
Gucci Ace Leather Sneaker with Gucci Strawberry Print $730 – gucci.com
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 83
L’amour
Visit NaildIt.com to learn more or follow along on Instagram @wenaildit. Photo courtesy of Nail’d It London
L’amour IT’S ALL YOU NEED.
“Entering our salon is the equivalent of wearing an Instagram filter,” claims London-based spa chain Nail’d It. Its five trendy locations beckon patrons with blush-pink interiors, rose gold accents, funky quotes in bright neon on the walls, and impressive floral displays in a myriad of complementing colors. Step inside the salon in London’s Belgravia neighborhood and you might spot this funky phone booth, while other locales include a bathtub full of flowers and other installations. And good news—Nail’d It is opening a Los Angeles location in 2019!
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 85
L’amour
Evan and David Holland were married in April of 2018 in picturesque Seaside, Florida. 86 | JUNE 2019
A NAUTICAL
E X T R AVA G A N Z A THE MORE THE MERRIER
BY TO RI PH ELPS
|
P H O T O S B Y M I L LI E H O L LO M A N P H O T O G R A P H Y
Everything is bigger in Texas. And when Houston natives Evan Harrell and David Holland decided to tie the knot near the Harrell family’s vacation home in Seaside, Florida, they brought that bigger-is-better mind-set to the festivities. Welcoming nearly four hundred guests to one of the largest weddings ever hosted in Seaside, the days-long celebration managed to retain an unmistakable intimacy, thanks to the integration of important family traditions and heirlooms. The road to what became the Nauti Wedding: Anchors Aweigh on 30-A on April 21, 2018, started in Houston. Mutual friends arranged a date between Evan, a graduate of the University of Texas, and David, a Texas A&M alum. Within a month of meeting, Evan suggested a trip to the family vacation home, In Surf We Trust, to share the town of Seaside with David. As she’d hoped, he fell under the town’s spell immediately. And when he decided to propose on Christmas Eve, continuing a tradition started by Evan’s dad when he proposed to her mom, David knew it had to take place in Seaside. Having sneaked into town the night before—and asking her father’s permission months ago—David surprised Evan in front of the Seaside Chapel while Evan and her family took an “impromptu” stroll. Freezing for just a
moment at seeing him so unexpectedly, Evan was soon running full speed into his arms. No discussion was needed about where the two would marry. Seaside had adopted David as easily as it had adopted the Harrell family years before, with signs posted in store windows, on daily specials boards, and even at local airports congratulating the couple on their upcoming nuptials. With help from the bride’s mother, Willie, and North Carolina–based wedding planning firm Salt Harbor Designs, the remarkable details started coming into focus. With attendees gathering from as far away as Scotland, the couple wanted to express their gratitude to friends and family members by making the trip a memorable
one. To start, Seaside mainstay Modica Market assembled welcome baskets for each guest, with items like Casamigos tequila, shot glasses, and even dog treats for four-legged pals. The Market also poured Smooth Sailin’ mimosas all weekend, the signature cup making it easy to spot wedding guests around town. Soon, locals were asking if they, too, could get a Smooth Sailin’. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 87
L’amour
edding events officially kicked off two days before the ceremony, with a Welcome to Our Casamigos tacos and tequila party on Thursday night. Under a tent directly behind the Harrell family home, guests were greeted by a beer-packing burro wearing a custom floral crown. They were then invited to indulge in signature tequila cocktails from the You Had Me at Tequila mule bar, build-your-own tacos, and churros with caramel dipping sauce. A steel drum player provided background music amid scene-setting touches like a market cart piled high with Mexican street corn and miniature lime piñatas filled with Mexican candies. The following day, guests met up on the beach for another Harrell family tradition: a cup toss tournament. What had started years ago as a way to clean up the beach at the end of a fun-filled day had morphed into a competition between Evan’s dad and his friends, the Cabana Boys. The wedding edition of cup toss found bridesmaids and groomsmen competing for a grand prize (maid of honor Page Matthews nabbed the goodie basket), while a leader board kept track of scores and three hundred-plus family and friends cheered on the contestants. Fully recuperated from their sand-and-sun afternoon, 120 guests arrived at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant for a rehearsal dinner showcasing a coastal-inspired menu. Among the highlights were heartfelt toasts against a gorgeous beachfront sunset and Holland family friend Gregory Cokinos leading the wedding party in a serenade to the happy couple with Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.” The night ended with an All Hands On Deck cocktail party on the restaurant’s rooftop. Not surprisingly, the thoughtful duo’s wedding day comprised a collection of moments and experiences rather than just one main event. The bridal brunch, catered by Raw & Juicy, featured parfaits, a toast bar, and other healthy favorites, along with prosecco served in coconuts. Raw & Juicy also supplied his-and-her snack boxes to fuel the bride and groom at midday.
88 | JUNE 2019
The most anticipated moment of the day arrived when Evan walked down the aisle to Chris Alvarado’s acoustic version of “Here Comes the Bride” wearing a one-of-akind custom couture bridal gown by Nardos Design. Crafted from duchess silk satin, the off-the-shoulder ball gown ended in a dramatic train and was topped by a cathedral-length veil monogrammed at the bottom edge with an H, Evan’s nickname for David.
T H EY WER E T H EN I NVI T ED TO I N DU LG E I N SI GNAT U R E T EQ U I LA COCK TAI LS FRO M T H E YO U HAD M E AT T EQ U I LA M U LE BAR , B U I LD -YO U R - OWN TACOS , AN D CH U R ROS WI T H CAR AM EL DI P PI NG SAU CE.
Meaningful elements were woven into every aspect of the ceremony. The bride’s uncle was chosen to officiate, and Evan’s gown and veil were embellished with flowers from her mother’s wedding dress. The ring bearer, David’s nephew, wore a nautical romper that once belonged to Evan’s brother and carried Evan’s greatgrandmother’s wedding band on a ship-shaped pillow.
As the ceremony drew closer, Evan and David slipped into the chapel for a private moment, wherein they exchanged gifts—and happy tears—to mark the longawaited occasion. Evan presented her groom with a prayer book that included 365 prayers she had written for him. David gave Evan a pair of pearl earrings from La Vie Est Belle destined to become a family heirloom.
Once the couple was pronounced husband and wife, the wedding party gathered behind the chapel for the Southern tradition of unburying the bourbon. A full bottle of bourbon had been buried upside down exactly one month before the ceremony to ensure good weather on the day of the wedding—which, indeed, paid off with picture-perfect conditions. Evan and David had received an engraved ceremonial shovel at the rehearsal dinner, which they used to dig up the Woodford Reserve bottle they then shared with the wedding party.
When the Chapel at Seaside and its adjacent courtyard were filled with all 367 guests (plus twelve favorite locals wearing custom “Wedding Crasher” T-shirts), the fourteen bridesmaids, wearing all white, and fourteen groomsmen decked out in navy, entered the chapel to Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes.” In keeping with #TheNautiWedding theme, groomsmen wore a twist of nautical rope on their lapels in lieu of floral boutonnieres.
Meanwhile, guests were transported by trolley and motor coaches provided by Sunshine Shuttle to WaterColor Marina Park for cocktails and dinner. During the short ride, a video showed the couple celebrating to Leon Bridges’s “Smooth Sailin’,” which also served as the couple’s first dance song.
Above and opposite left: The wedding extravaganza was aptly named the Nauti Wedding: Anchors Aweigh in homage to the beachside location and the Harrells’ home in Seaside, which is called In Surf We Trust. Every detail was meticulously planned, including custom logos and swag for various events over the weekend. Left and opposite right: The Welcome to our Casamigos reception opened Evan and David’s wedding festivities as their family and friends arrived in Seaside. They even had a beer burro!
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 89
S T RO LLI NG WAT ERCO LO R R ESO R T S TAFF O FFER ED WI N E CR AT ES FI LLED WI T H S T R AWB ER RY-S PI NACH SALADS AN D O N E O F T H E CO U P LE’ S P R EFER R ED T R EAT S , SWEE T P OTATO FR I ES , ALO NGSI D E M I N IAT U R E K E TCH U P BOT T LES .
Guests arrived to find the reception tent marked by two bikes overflowing with flowers, a nod to the area’s famed biking community. Inside, custom-crested pillows adorned chaise lounges, and canvas sailboats swayed from the tent’s ceiling as Chris Alvarado’s trio played the couple’s favorite tunes. Libations included local beers, signature Seaside Mules and Texas Mules at the central bar, and the groom’s favorite top-shelf margaritas at the Captain’s Margarita Bar. Strolling WaterColor resort staff offered wine crates filled with strawberry-spinach salads and one of the couple’s preferred treats, sweet potato fries, alongside miniature ketchup bottles. Local veggies, filets with chimichurri sauce, mini pork sliders, and many other options rounded out the fare. As the sun was setting, the festivities ratcheted up another notch. The bride changed into a shorter version of her wedding gown—again adorned with flowers from her mother’s wedding dress—and guests moved to the WaterColor LakeHouse, which was festooned with buoys, ropes, and sails. The Yacht Bar and a second station featuring “I Do Brew” kept attendees from going thirsty, while honey-butter chicken biscuits, hash browns, and more sweet potato fries topped off appetites. No Limits, a Utah band, kept the party vibe going between events such as the cake cutting and the bride and groom’s first dance. After a blast of confetti cannons came a midnight snack of miniature waffles and individual bottles of syrup, as well as doughnuts and coffee. A cacophony of hundreds of light-up musical instruments accompanied the couple as they set off to begin their life together in their beachfront honeymoon cottage while guests who wanted to continue the fun were invited to an after-party at the 90 | JUNE 2019
L’amour Harrell home. There, the morning was ushered in with gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from Modica Market, Corey Jernigan–crafted cocktails, and songs by DJ 30A. The new Mr. and Mrs. Holland stayed at the cottage for a couple of days, mingling with guests who couldn’t bear to leave the area just yet. Afterward, the Hollands jetted off to Las Ventanas al Paraíso in Cabo San Lucas for their honeymoon. First on their to-do list? A tequila tasting reminiscent of the event that kicked off their wedding weekend. In the end, there was no place better suited than Seaside for Evan and David’s dream wedding. Evan, who learned to ride a bike on the Seaside lawn and still spends as such time in the area as possible, found a soul mate who is just as passionate about the place. And now it serves as a permanent part of their story. Evan’s favorite Bible verse, from Ecclesiastes 4:12, reads “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” For the Hollands, those three strands include Evan, David, and Seaside.
Opposite and next page: After the ceremony at the Chapel at Seaside, the newlyweds and nearly four hundred guests celebrated with dinner and drinks at WaterColor Marina Park and a nauticalthemed reception at the WaterColor LakeHouse.
L’amour
Event planner: Jennifer Rose, Salt Harbor Designs Event planner: Joseph Lanzy, WaterColor Weddings Photographer: Millie Holloman Photography Videographer: Alan LeBlanc Transportation: Donovan Lindo, Sunshine Shuttle Furnishings: Collection Event Furnishings, Atlanta;
SOHO Events and Rentals, Alabama; Beachview Event Rentals & Design; EventWorks, South Carolina Bride’s makeup: Natalie Malchev, Los Angeles Bride’s hair: Elia Graves, Houston Bridal party hair: Rolland’s Beauty Bar, Seaside Bridal party makeup: 30A Makeup Artist and Makeup by KBP Sperry Tents Miami Photo booth: Epic Photo Co. Emerald Coast Wine and Spirits Modica Market
WELCOME TO OU R CASAMIGOS RECEP TION
WEDDING DAY B REAKFAST AND HIS AND H ER SNACKS
Location: In Surf We Trust, Seaside, Florida
Raw & Juicy
Flowers: Myrtie Blue Caterer: Townsend Catering
CEREMONY
Artisan throws and pillows: Sarah Sharp, Houston
Location: The Chapel at Seaside and chapel courtyard
Beer burro: Red Oak Farms
Wedding gown and veil: Nardos
Beer burro valet: Donovan Lindo, Sunshine Shuttle
Design, Dallas, Texas The Wedding Steamer, Monica Nagel Hand-painted cookies: Elisabeth and Butter Big Daddy’s Bike Shop Flowers: Myrtie Blue Minister: Keith Harrell Music: Chris Alvarado
Sperry Tents Miami Steel drums: Rudy Applewhite Emerald Coast Wine & Spirits Casamigos Tequila Owen’s Craft Mixers
WEDDING CU P TOSS TOU RNAMENT Grayton Beach Catering Custom tables: Grayt Life Wedding swag (ball caps and koozies):
Salt Harbor Design
REHEARSAL DINNER
TENT RECEP TION Sperry Tents Miami Beachview Event Rentals & Design Furnishings: Collection Event Furnishings, Atlanta
LAKEHOUSE RECEP TION Sails: Swag Decor
Location: Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar
Band: No Limits, Greenlight Booking
Flowers: Myrtie Blue
Flowers: Myrtie Blue
Cookies: Chanticleer Eatery
Catering: WaterColor Weddings
92 | JUNE 2019
P H O T O G R A P H Y
C O U R T E S Y
O F
Elie Youssef Couture
Any blushing bride could tell you that the aisle is the most important runway you will ever walk, and designer Elie Youssef knows the importance of helping every woman feel like a supermodel on her big day. For those brides who wish to go glam, look no further than these glittering gowns!
YOUR DAY. YOUR WAY. 94 | JUNE 2019
L’amour
Lebanese designer Elie Youssef has become known for his intricately beaded bridal gowns and other high-quality couture styles. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 95
L’amour
Elie Youssef’s elegant hand-beaded designs are available through private appointment at the brand’s retailers in Miami and Beirut. Learn more and schedule a visit at ElieYoussef.com. 96 | JUNE 2019
ince 2001, Youssef ’s design house, Elie Youssef Couture, has created stunning red carpet–worthy looks that embrace quality in all aspects. Intricate fabrics, finishes, and embroidery have become synonymous with the brand, which began in the Lebanese capital of Beirut and later expanded into the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait before hopping the pond to become a global sensation. His designs are available at the ultraluxe Chernaya Bridal House in Miami and include evening wear in addition to bridal gowns. Celebrities Kelly Rowland, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Lindsey Stirling, and Jillian Mercado count themselves among Youssef ’s fan base, and the numbers are growing—but you don’t have to have a Hollywood event in mind to find the perfect dress (or jumpsuit!). The fashion house has a lot in store, with new readyto-wear and couture collections coming soon.
Visit ElieYoussef.com and follow the fashion house on Instagram (@elieyoussef_couture) for the latest news and collections. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 97
L’intermission
A Fashion Rendezvous We had long been fans of stylist Ty Hunter through his inspirational Instagram account @tytryone when members of our team had the chance to meet him at Ashley Longshore’s pop-up gallery opening at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC last year. Celebs and fans alike buzzed about hoping to meet the Queen of Pop Art, and we spotted Ty from across the room as he stood in line waiting to say hello to Ashley. What a beautiful man! (We tried not to stare, but it was difficult to take our eyes off of him.) After spending nearly twenty years as Beyoncé’s stylist, Ty has spread his wings and grown his brand as a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur, and a designer in his own right. He also represents exceptional brands as he styles celebrities for various red carpets and events. Enter Elie Youssef, to whom we were introduced by Ty and his business partner Sean Frazier. We’re in awe of the classic elegance and sheer star power of Elie’s designs. As you’ve seen from his beautiful bridal collection, he isn’t afraid to make a statement. (Who wouldn’t want to wear a chic, sparkling jumpsuit to her next big event—or even walk down the aisle in one to say “I do”?) Love. Love. Love! However, if you’d rather be a princess on your big day, don’t fret. The classic ball gown is back in a big way. Just turn the page to see more!
Love, VIE xo
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 99
L’amour
HAVE A
GOWN Carroll Beaded bridal gown 100 | JUNE 2019
Vervain bridal gown
odern brides are lucky—with the countless options for attire available today, they will no doubt be able to find the wedding-day look of their dreams. From high-end designs that meet every style choice to brands that take affordable fashion to the next level, there is something for all. Unconventional pieces such as jumpsuits and pantsuits are welcome additions to women’s down-the-aisle choices, but the classic ball gown is also having a major moment.
Amaya organza and tulle gown
Kodi pearl-embellished gown V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 101
L’amour
Unconventional pieces such as jumpsuits and pantsuits are welcome additions to women’s down-the-aisle choices, but the classic ball gown is also having a major moment. Calliope Corset top and pearl-embellished veil
Tessa custom beaded gown
The twist is that the bridal ball gown of today is not all about princess sleeves and a full ballerina skirt; colorful tulle, intricate beading and lace, and shimmering fabrics bring timeless silhouettes into the twenty-first century. Who’s ready for a waltz?
Looks by Watters Bridal—visit Watters.com to see more or shop now. 102 | JUNE 2019
Sirena floral lace gown
Voyager
Models wear bridal designs by Alan Hannah for Primrose Hall Nursery’s Love & Romance exhibition during press day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 in London. Photo by Luke MacGregor / RHS
104 | JUNE 2019
Style Eternal at the CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW By SUZANNE POLLAK Photography courtesy of the
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
I
first visited the Chelsea Flower Show with the so-called Wiggles Club, Winterthur Museum’s Garden Club. I was struck by the commitment, the diversity, and the staggering beauty of the most famous flower show in the world, and my brain buzzed with the inspiration for changes I would make to my garden in Beaufort, South Carolina. Reality didn’t seem to apply until I put pen to paper. Create a sunken garden in the Low Country? Not likely! And my growing zone didn’t match those of the flower show. I realized that some experiences are meant to showcase mystery, magic, and dreams—not necessarily to be acted upon. The Chelsea Flower Show is not only a requisite for any serious landscaper—it is also glamorous and British to its very core. It can fire imaginations with more active visual inspiration per square inch than most museums, zoos, or sporting events anywhere. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 105
Voyager
“
It is like a natural museum come to life—a living exhibit and a contemporary art installation all at once.
Above: Chelsea Pensioner Paul Whittick enjoys the display at the Marks & Spencer Floral Market exhibition during press day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. Opposite left: Model Columbine Leathart at the Cayeux Iris exhibition Photos by Luke MacGregor / RHS Opposite right: RHS floral letter display, designed by Lucy Hunter for the Chelsea Flower Show Artisan Garden area 2018 Photo by Tim Sandall / RHS Next page: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth views the Peter Beales Roses exhibition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. Photo by Luke MacGregor / RHS 106 | JUNE 2019
T
he Chelsea Flower Show, or Royal Horticulture Society’s Great Spring Show, has been held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital since 1912 and patronized by royal women ever since. Queen Alexandra, the mother of King George V, brought two of her children. Queen Elizabeth II has been a patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, which organizes the event, since 1952. This year, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, will be the first royal to design her own garden. What is it that makes this flower show so special? It’s more than queens and duchesses. Designs, such as one suspended in air in 2011 and one made of three hundred thousand individually crocheted poppies in 2016, are not simply a passive art experience. The attendees of the flower show become active participants. Our visual sense takes in the exhibits like we do the portraits at the Tate or the National Portrait Gallery; beyond our eyes, our imaginations might leap into action and plot changes to our gardens. Some people take it a step further and become part of the show by wearing fashions with a theme. How many times can adults wear their inner passions without looking loony? How many opportunities do we have to be fierce, fabulous, and maybe a tiny bit frivolous? The show is the venue to see the intermingling of artistic visions: the flowers, the garden
”
designs, the crowd, and the fashion choices. It is like a natural museum come to life—a living exhibit and a contemporary art installation all at once. The show has no official dress code, but like other British traditions such as Ascot, Wimbledon, and the Henley Regatta, the ladies in the UK know the unwritten rules. As an American, I was confused. When I flew to Henley to watch two of my sons’ row crew, I found myself denied entry to my ticketed seat. My section enforced a strict hem length, which I knew about but embarrassingly failed to follow to the letter. My expensive dress—bought specially for the occasion—reached the lower part of my kneecap but not the exact bottom of my knee. In full view of a crowd, I was forced to rip out my hem because of a quarter-inch difference. England is a country that takes code seriously. I didn’t think about nature-themed fashion before going to the Chelsea Flower Show a few years later, but I saw botanical dresses everywhere. The garden designers explored new ways to present flowers and landscapes in settings one may never have thought of, and the attendees, out of respect to the show, brought nature into what they wore. It was often less literal than just floral dresses, although botany and biology were themes. Flowers and form, function, and beauty joined.
The fashion on display is tongue-in-cheek, spirited, and alive—but frankly, what in nature is not? Marissa Hartington, the owner of Marissa Collections in Naples, Florida, says, “Flowers have a fantastic influence on fashion. They are reflected in embellishments, patterns, and shapes—think about the tulip skirt. That said, I find the most brilliant colors on the runways, either in isolation or combination, are found in the garden and not in the human mind. Of course, the most sublime fashion occurs when appreciation of nature is combined with the human creative spirit and brought to the fashion world.” The botanical themes in dress and jewels worn by people at the show add layers of moving art to the surroundings. Gothic details like combat boots juxtapose dark florals. Spunky fashionistas are adorned with tough horticulture vibes, such as twisted blooms on a blazer, thorned roses on a jacket, or night gardens planted on a dress. The best inspiration comes from nature. Peter Pilotto creates clothes in fabrics the colors of sunsets and seemingly made of liquid. Wisteria vines wrap around his organza gowns. At Erdem, it’s all about flowers, floral embroidery, ladybug drop earrings, and other nature-based prints. Dolce & Gabbana is king of sexy flowers and roses, leopard print, and trompe l’oeil. Fashion-forward men wanting to go with the nature theme need look no further than Gucci. Heterocera (insects related to moths), Chiroptera (winged mammals like bats), and Scarabaeidae (insect family consisting of over thirty thousand types of beetles)
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 107
Voyager are fantastical elements embroidered and sewn on the brand’s sweaters and jackets.
F
or those who prefer to wear solid colors, there are still pairs of feet and ears to address, adorn, and play up. Not wanting to empty the bank account? Anthropologie has plenty of trendy rose headbands and even leaf-patterned cork shoes that look so comfortable, a day on one’s feet could be a walk in the park. A step up in accessories might be a phantasmagorical scarf designed by Hermès, and a crossbody bag of intricately woven raffia is an understated way to incorporate texture. Meanwhile, Irene Neuwirth creates botanical earrings in a kaleidoscope of colors. The Queen walks through the show in perfection, wearing her signature dignified pale pastel-colored suits and matching hats. The Queen doesn’t need embellishments; she is perfect as is. Kate wears pretty flowy and fitted floral dresses to the Chelsea Garden Show. The royals cannot go crazy, but we can. We
can be freer and looser and wilder for at least one day in our lives. Have fun looking, learning, and letting the inner you out through your look. The Chelsea Flower Show is the place to see and be seen, with floral inspiration in every direction.
Visit RHS.org.uk to learn more about the Chelsea Flower Show and other Royal Horticultural Society events. Suzanne Pollak, a mentor and lecturer in the fields of home, hearth, and hospitality, is the founder and dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. She is the coauthor of Entertaining for Dummies, The Pat Conroy Cookbook, and The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. Born into a diplomatic family, Pollak was raised in Africa, where her parents hosted multiple parties every week. Her South Carolina homes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal “Mansion” section and Town & Country magazine.
Voyager
CO S TA
Planet Hollywood has come to Costa Rica with its new star-worthy, allinclusive beach resort located on Culebra Bay.
110 | JUNE 2019
RICA
Goes Hollywood By TORI PHEL PS Photography courtesy of PLANET H OLLYWOOD
In Costa Rica, the idea of pura vida permeates every aspect of the culture. Translated as “pure life,” it’s a mind-set that life is better when lived joyfully and stress-free. Pura vida is even used as a greeting that means something akin to “Is life good for you right now?” At Planet Hollywood Beach Resort on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, it’s hard to imagine any other answer than an echoed “Pura vida!” (“It is!”) Yes, the resort is part of that Planet Hollywood, best known for ’90s-era, movie-themed restaurants. The brand, which had whittled its holdings to a flagship Las Vegas resort and half a dozen restaurants around the globe, is embarking on a new chapter that combines luxe tropical all-inclusives with its trademark Tinseltown flair. Based on the recently completed Costa Rican property (Cancun and Sint Maarten are next), the move is a good one.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 111
Voyager
nd that’s coming from someone who isn’t a movie buff. My biggest fear prior to takeoff was that the film motif wouldn’t resonate with me. If movies weren’t my thing in “real life,” I couldn’t imagine I would want to be surrounded by them while on vacation. I was wrong. It took all of three minutes to fall hard for both the resort and its concept. Upon arrival, cool towel and welcome martini in hand, I passed a display showcasing Sean Connery’s tux from his time as James Bond in Goldfinger. “Wow,” I conceded. “That’s pretty cool.” When I spied Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones costume, complete with fedora and bullwhip, I was officially hooked. But it takes more than fascinating film paraphernalia to woo discerning travelers, especially when you throw the all-inclusive aspect into the mix. While an easy way to vacation, inclusive travel isn’t generally considered the apex of luxury tourism. Planet Hollywood seems to have embraced that challenge and is well on its way to delivering an experience that rivals the more traditional high-end resorts. Its best advantage is its location. During the half-hour drive from the local airport, guests wind through Costa Rica’s famously unspoiled ecosystem—not a
112 | JUNE 2019
“hotel zone,” as is the case with some other tropical destinations. Arrival brings you to the shores of the pristine Papagayo Gulf, with the resort itself seamlessly integrated into the environment. Tree-covered mountains constitute a significant part of the region’s aesthetics, and rather than completely razing a construction site for the new property, the resort is built into and atop these slopes. After a speedy check-in—within a private lounge if you opt for Star Class™—you’re free to marvel at the vistas competing for your attention from every angle. Then you face the happy dilemma of what to do next, a decision that hinges mainly on who got off the plane with you. Boldly marketing itself as both romantic and family friendly, I discovered that Planet Hollywood has plenty to offer everyone.
If you’re with your honey . . . This is the easiest to pull off because, frankly, when you’re in gorgeous Costa Rica with people waiting on you hand and foot, romance is pretty effortless. Your first stop will probably be your room, which is lovely but not massive at the standard level, so upgrade if you want a little more space—the producer’s suites are huge! A couple of things do stand out, though, no matter what kind of suite you choose. One is that your personally selected soundtrack will be cued up by the time you arrive at your room. I learned quickly that seemingly random questions from the staff are never random. When they ask about your favorite music at check-in, for example, this is why. Secondly, you can
Above: With guest rooms designated as junior suites, director’s suites, and producer’s suites, everyone receives the star treatment at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort. Left: Gusto Italian Trattoria is one of several stellar dining options on the resort. Opposite left: Set within beautiful coastal landscapes, the resort is never in short supply of gorgeous views. Opposite right: Colorful cocktails from the Overtime sports bar and lounge
For cocktail lovers, the nearconstant thrum of a shaker is a siren song daring you to order a mixed drink before it’s five o’clock anywhere. It’s a sound that means you’re on vacation, so go ahead. choose the fragrance of your room from diffusers that the staff will bring right to your door. And the smart design that might prevent a few squabbles: the RFID bracelets you wear double as room keys, so there’s no “Hon, did you remember the card?”
If you were up late the night before, which is pretty much a given, head to Fuel. There’s no menu posted in this coffee-and-gelato hot spot; instead, the talented barista is the menu. In answer to my inquiry about the coffee selections, he merely asked, “What do you want?” and added, “Whatever it is, I’ll make it for you.” His response, I realized, was characteristic of the universally exceptional service. The staff ’s usual reply, if it varied at all from “It’s a pleasure,” was “Whatever you want.” Even when a translation gone awry caused the barista to think I wanted oatmeal in my coffee, rather than with my coffee, he still responded, “Whatever you want.” Much of the day will likely be spent poolside, but seriously consider excursions that highlight the many reasons tourists flock to this largely untouched country. From trips through waterfall-studded jungles to zip lining over the treetops, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure smorgasbord.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 113
Voyager
Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica marks the brand’s third hotel location, with a fourth coming to Cancún, Mexico, in late 2019. Left: Guy Fieri’s burger bar is a hot spot for quick dining with flair. Right: The spa’s special hydrotherapy circuit is designed to help guests achieve balance of the body, mind, and spirit.
If you’re with the girls (or the guys) . . .
hydrotherapy circuit to which spa guests have access. Everything here is carefully considered—even the violet lighting, which helps balance body and mind. You can dash between three different experience showers, wet and dry saunas, or a jacuzzi that’s more like a giant, roiling bubble bath, and then float in the heated pool until they kick you out (nicely).
What’s a friend-cation without a drink or three? For cocktail lovers, the near-constant thrum of a shaker is a siren song daring you to order a mixed drink before it’s five o’clock anywhere. It’s a sound that means you’re on vacation, so go ahead. Bars do offer a menu, but “whatever you want” is always an option. Take a peek at the menu—even if you don’t end up ordering from it—just to browse names like the Marilyn, a sweet, gin-based concoction, or Sparrow’s Treasure, a drink with lots of rum (duh).
The adjoining gym, again, is upscale standard, so switch things up by checking out the numerous daily classes offered throughout the resort. Hit the pool for Aqua Zumba, the hillsides for a legs-and-glutes boot camp, and the beach for everything from a Spartan obstacle course to sunrise yoga.
If you’re in the mood for some pampering at a spa, Planet Hollywood has a nice one. The services are pretty typical of resort spas, though they do use locally sourced ingredients like volcanic mud during treatments. What’s more interesting is the
Feel free to bring the kids; this is the clean side of Hollywood. (Who knew one existed?) Even the clingiest of kids will beg to be dropped off at the Stars Kids Club because the lucky tots there spend the day shooting their own films. And taking cooking classes. And getting carpal tunnel syndrome in the dedicated video game room. And diving into the glitziest game of dress-up ever in the fashion room. Good luck to the parents who have to lure them away for dinner.
But because everything is indeed first class, there’s no kitsch factor. Instead, it feels like the A-list, exclusive experience it’s designed to be, right in the natural splendor and biodiversity that defines Costa Rica. 114 | JUNE 2019
If you’re with the family . . .
Food, of course, can make or break a vacation for everyone in the family. And while allinclusive resorts are usually more “meh” than “oh yeah!” when it comes to cuisine, the
quality at Planet Hollywood is a step above most. The à la carte restaurants range from casual eats like burgers at celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s joint to truly swanky meals at the Sunset Strip Steakhouse and Grill. Even that resort mainstay, the buffet, was surprisingly good. My made-to-order specialties could have come from the kitchen of my favorite brunch place, and the vegan station was a pleasant surprise. Picky kids, those with dietary or allergy restrictions—everyone will be able to (over)fill their plates.
It’s clear that “good for an all-inclusive” doesn’t seem to be the yardstick for Planet Hollywood; they’re pushing the envelope in terms of what a resort vacation looks like—any resort vacation. According to Christine Jamieson, director of marketing for Planet Hollywood Hotels and Resorts, “Planet Hollywood aims to be the most evolved brand in terms of technology, experiences, environment, lifestyle, veganism, and more.” Costa Rica and Hollywood is a mash-up that shouldn’t work but somehow does. Embodied by the tagline Vacation like a Star™, there’s no getting away from the theme, right down to the concierges who are called “personal assistants.” But because everything is indeed first class, there’s no kitsch factor. Instead, it feels like the A-list, exclusive experience it’s designed to be, right in the natural splendor and biodiversity that defines Costa Rica. Pura vida, indeed.
PlanetHollywoodHotels.com/Property/Costa-Rica Tori Phelps has been a writer and editor for nearly twenty years. A publishing industry veteran and longtime VIE collaborator, Phelps lives with three kids, two cats, and one husband in Charleston, South Carolina.
Introspections
B y
I’m a no-account gunslinger, riding into a peaceful town on a black horse with a black hat. (That’s me, not the horse, with the hat.) 116 | JUNE 2019
N i c h o l a s
S .
R a c h e o t e s
o, wait—I’m a terrifying alien in a neverbefore-seen craft from another galaxy, ready to stir up trouble for the home folks who have troubles of their own. Later, I’m sitting in front of the television, talking on the phone, and putting the finishing touches on a letter to my friend in the army. It seems like what’s “in” fashion one day is “out” the next. Fiddle-faddle, we’re in a fashion battle. Do you ever catch yourself wondering whether there is any such thing as “the latest?” Join me in trying on a few of the following: The latest barbaric sport in which fit young men brutalize one another for the amusement of beerswilling yahoos and should probably be banned? Football in the twenty-first century is what boxing was in the 1930s. The latest collection craze? You were nobody unless you collected stamps, records, baseball cards, Pokémon cards, Transformers, Legos, and now apps on your phone. The latest thing in style? We could fill an app or two with all the things that make us “sexy.” Choose the right hat, coat, pair of truly uncomfortable shoes, designer handbag, overpriced watch, or necktie (necktie, really?). Drink wine, chug energy drinks, smoke cigarettes, get tattooed, eat bacon, and drive the right car. The latest health trend? Early to bed, early to rise, make accounts receivable healthy, sleep on the “best mattress,” chew gum.
everything for decades: comic books, radio, television, YouTube, the movies, romance novels, teachers, the clergy, politicians, sugar in cereal, time spent watching sports, their friends, rock ’n’ roll, rap, hip-hop, folk music, gangs, not belonging, idleness, overscheduling. How have we lasted so long? While we’re on the subject, what trends do we hear from anguished parents? “I can’t talk to my kids.” They’re always shooting cap guns, spinning hula hoops, listening to loud music, playing with their computers, texting their friends. This lament is usually followed by all the things that have supposedly been lost: the art of letter writing, exercising, respect, fruitful conversation, patriotism, the sacred truths that made us great. So, where do we end up after all is unsaid and undone?
Our survival lies in how we answer this question: Do we own trends or are we owned by them? If the French are correct when they say that the more things change, the more they remain the same, then the truth or half-truth that accounts for our survival lies in how we answer this question: Do we own trends or are we owned by them? Please, be warned, here comes a little philosophizing. What is it that never changes? It’s that we—those of us who become legendary and those of us who simply live fully—are greater than the era in which we were spawned. Put more simply, the best are those who are bigger than the “now” in “trending now.” How might one break from the “trends” of the twenty-first century? 1. Reclaim your time from social media. 2. Ignore the cynicism surrounding you. 3. As everyone’s mom used to say once upon a time, “Remember, what comes out of your mouth is as important as what goes into it.” 4. Keep in mind that a good mattress is hard to find. 5. It’s not what doesn’t kill you, but love that makes you stronger.
Ah, Ben Franklin, you had it right. Did I fail to mention the high dudgeon of the eternal curmudgeon? Maybe I should have, because nobody uses those once fashionable terms dudgeon and curmudgeon. Young minds have been “poisoned” by
Nick Racheotes is a product of Boston public schools, Brandeis University, and Boston College, from which he holds a PhD in history. Since he retired from teaching at Framingham State University, Nick and his wife, Pat, divide their time between Boston, Cape Cod, and the rest of the Western world. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 117
Ashley Longshore and Diane von Furstenberg
DVF X ASHLEY LONGSHORE In an art-meets-fashion-meets-feminism team-up for the ages, the legendary Diane von Furstenberg and pop artist Ashley Longshore unveiled a gallery of paintings at the DVF flagship store in New York City on March 8, International Women’s Day. The exhibit is on display through the end of May 2019 and features paintings of thirty-seven women, including von Furstenberg herself, Michelle Obama, Jane Goodall, Amelia Earhart, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Oprah, and so many more iconic figures of female power and influence. Photography by Alexandra Arnold
Bella Hadid
120 | JUNE 2019
Adam Glassman and Ashley Longshore
The Blonds – David and Phillipe
Martha Hunt
Ty Hunter and Ashley Longshore
Christian Siriano, Ashley Longshore, and Brandon Maxwell
Dee Ocleppo
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 121
La scène
LOVELACE LIFESTYLE GRAND OPENING
Susan and Sparky Lovelace
Amy Fogg
Bradley Cooper and Julia Roberts
Members of the Northwest Florida community gathered in Inlet Beach on March 28, 2019, to celebrate the grand opening of Lovelace Lifestyle at the Shoppes @ Inlet. The store marks the second location curated by award-winning interior design firm Lovelace Interiors, founded by Susan Lovelace in 1995. With windows across much of the space letting in the sunshine, the showroom is full of high-quality furnishings, art, accessories, and apparel inspired by the Florida Gulf Coast lifestyle. Photography by Jim Clark Allison Wickey
The Lovelace Interiors team 122 | JUNE 2019
The Sinfonia Gulf Coast string duo
Gayle Schoettle, Jeff Margaretten, and Lisa Miller
Susan, Thad, and Hope Lovelace
Pam Wellborn with Zsa Zsa
Lesslee Fitzmorris with Andy and Jen McAlexander
Gayle Schoettle, Cara McBroom, Katie Bonjean, Susan Lovelace, Cassidy Pickens, Stephanie Schefano, and Karen Kerns
Susan Lovelace and Clayton Bonjean
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 123
The Last Word
Solution on next page
FASHION & STYLE BY MYLES MELLOR
ACROSS
DOWN
1 4 8 9 11 12 14 16 18 20 25 26 28 30 32 33 36 38 39 40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 13 15 17 19 21 22 23 24 27 29 31 34 35 37
A Model of the Year winner (first name) Glitter quality Milan fashion house famous for suits Graceful and sinuous Type of top J’adore fragrance maker __ and be seen Harbor structure Lustrous fabric If they’re split, it’s time for a salon visit Dad’s retreat Posh __ __ mode, fashionable Deerstalker, e.g. Boat for couples Sudanese beauty who models for Saint Laurent (2 words) With 40 Across, hand-colored fabric making a comeback ___ hurry (2 words) Bright red See 36 Across
It’s in the eye of the beholder Yellow shade ___ Wintour, Vogue’s longtime editor-in-chief Older than Jr. Charm Mila of Black Swan Paris’s Champs __ Tuned in Spa essential Fine blouse fabric Little __ dress Middle of Nowhere director DuVernay Haberdashery item Ancestry.com uses it now Awards night where fashion is big Special skill Obstacle for Serena Oohed and ____ Skirt fold She played Mia in Pulp Fiction Pledge of Allegiance ender Fashionable V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 125
The Last Word Puzzle on previous page
“
Life is a party; dress like it. —Audrey Hepburn
”
THE ART OF FASHION IS YOURS ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FOR $29.95 V IE M A G A ZINE .C OM / S UB S CR IBE
Au revoir!
Au revoir! BEFORE YOU GO . . .
Cocktail Dress Barbie Doll Visit SaksFifthAvenue.com to shop now. Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
Designer clothing isn’t just for runway models. Remember hosting your own fashion shows starring Barbie and her friends? The famous Mattel doll is back with the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, which pays homage to classic couture in a series of limited-edition dolls such as this one, available at Saks Fifth Avenue. From this rhinestone-and-sequin cocktail dress to a chiffon ball gown or a chic city suit, Barbie and her friends continue to inspire girls and women of all ages that they can be—and wear—anything! V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 129
