VIE Magazine August 2023

AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE

VINTAGE IS ALWAYS IN STYLE

THE FIRST “IT GIRL”

Fashion Pop Icon

VICKY TIEL TELLS ALL

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

THAT’S SHOWBIZ!

PHOTO BY ED GUTENTAG

A BOHEME DESIGN

Architecture designed around You and the things You love...

lazy beach days. summer sunsets. vacation vibes.

The Reimagined Lovelace Interiors

As a lover of all things beautiful, it is my honor and privilege to have created and founded Lovelace Interiors with my late husband, Dewitt “Sparky” Marshall Lovelace, over 28 years ago. Many of my clients have become lifelong friends, and I am so grateful for them. We’ve traveled the world together, and I’m still designing alongside my team in and around Scenic Highway 30-A, Destin, and Inlet Beach, Florida, as well as Aspen and Napa Valley, to name a few areas. The world is changing, and so is our industry. Like so many others, we are pivoting with the times. Our beautiful Inlet Beach showroom is gearing up to have the sale of the century, with 50% off select items (excluding

original artwork), as we are reimagining our business model for the coming year. We will open a new studio in Miramar Beach in place of our Inlet Beach showroom, which will close in February 2024. Stay tuned for more details on our exciting new adventure as we introduce you to The Lovelace Design Studio. The ethos of our newly imagined lifestyle boutique is to continue making your homes lovely and curated from the ground up. Our licensed team of interior designers is ready to create and serve you with our A-game of experience, taste, class, and business acumen; in short, our goal is to move forward with grace, elegance, and a fresh outlook on bringing beautiful things to life.

With Love,

Keep an eye on our social marketing channels and the pages of VIE magazine as we announce our big showroom sale running from early fall through midFeburary. I can’t wait to share more about this journey with you!

PROJECT: VIE Magazine Headquarters, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

ARCHITECT: Gerald Burwell

From the GULF to the BAY to the DUNE LAKES of 30A, We Are Your WATERFRONT SPECIALISTS.

“Our approach to real estate is different. We strive for excellence. We take the responsibility our clients give us with abundant gratitude. We’re knowledgeable. We’re enthusiastic. We love what we get to do every day. We work hard. We work smart. Whether you are selling property or buying property here on 30A or all across the Emerald Coast – we provide you with the experience, community knowledge, and commitment that fulfill your needs. Our “clients first” business philosophy provides you with the reassurance that every action we put in motion is with your best interest in mind.”

BRIAN BEASLEY, Broker Associate brian.beasley@compass.com | 828-337-3492

The original “it girls,” Vicky Tiel and her best friend-turned-business partner, Mia Fonssagrives, stand in front of their Parisian boutique at 21 Rue Bonaparte. The pair met at Parsons School of Design in New York City, which Tiel dropped out of, and just a year later made their debut as designers in the Louis Feraud runway show in the City of Light. Tiel’s fashion and beauty career spans sixty-seven years, starting when she designed styles for her middle-school classmates. She shares many stories with us in our Fashion & Entertainment Issue feature story on page 24!

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SARTORIAL 23

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Vie is a French word meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE magazine sets itself apart as a high-gloss publication that focuses on human-interest stories with heart and soul. From Seattle to NYC with a concentration in the Southeast, VIE is known for its unique editorial approach—a broad spectrum of deep content with rich photography. The award-winning magazine was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Gerald Burwell, owners of the specialty publishing and branding house known as The Idea Boutique®. From the finest artistically bound books to paperless digital publication and distribution, The Idea Boutique provides comprehensive publishing services to authors and organizations. Its team of creative professionals delivers a complete publishing experience—all that’s needed is your vision.

PUBLISHED BY

LE MONDE 75

76 Jamming on the Gulf Coast

80 An Unsung Hero of Aviation

86 Petite pause: Take a Sip at Slava NYC

90 The Era of Swift

94 Preserving the Panhandle: The Paper Bear

104 Movie Night! What to Watch This Summer

110 Petite pause: Ashley Longshore Art x Porsche

VIE BOOK CLUB: THE READERS CORNER 113

114 A Rock’n’Roll Tastemaker: Tony King

119 L’intermission: Soulful Storyteller

120 Tiny Libraries: Reading Along 30-A

LA SCÈNE 124

THE LAST WORD 135

AU REVOIR! 137

THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE FUTURE OF FASHION! FROM THE RUNWAYS OF PARIS, MILAN, AND BEYOND, WE ALREADY SEE SOME FRESH, FUTURISTIC STYLES FROM DESIGNERS FOR LATE 2023 AND 2024. STEP INTO THE NEW WAVE.

Photo courtesy of Vicky Tiel’s archive

Photo courtesy of Prada Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 Collection

CREATIVE TEAM

CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com

FOUNDER / PUBLISHER

GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com

EDITORIAL EDITOR

JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com

ASSISTANT EDITORS

KELLY CURRY Kelly@VIEmagazine.com

EMME MARTIN Emme@VIEmagazine.com

COPY EDITOR

WENDY ANDERSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SARAH FREEMAN, ANTHEA GERRIE, MYLES MELLOR, CAROLYN O’NEIL, TINSLEY PAUL, SUZANNE POLLAK, COLLEEN SACHS, MICHELLE HAYES UHLFELDER

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY

ART DIRECTOR

SALLY NEAL Sally@VIEmagazine.com

DESIGN STUDIO AMBASSADORS

JACK KIRKENDALL

HANNAH VERMILLION

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

ALON AMIR, E. BACKLUND, MOHAMMED BADRA, HUNTER BURGTORF, PHILIPPE BOSSÉ, S. BUKLEY, KEVIN W CONDON, TYLER CONRAD, DAVID CORIO, ERIKA DOSS, SAM EMERSON, FORD FAIRCHILD, DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, JACK GARDNER, ED GUTENTAG, DARLENE HAMMOND, ARANKA ISRANI, DOMINE JEROME, ELLEN KENWOOD, JEFF LANDRETH, DENNIS LEUPOLD, MARIAN MATTIS, JOE MCNALLY, CARLO PIERONI, DAN POWER, ROMONA ROBBINS, GUSTAV SCHMIEGE, MATT SEYMOUR, MARK SULLIVAN, GAI TERRELL, CHRIS TUITE, JAVIER VICENCIO, CHANDLER WILLIAMS, SARAH YENESEL, ARIX ZALACE, CHLOE BEE PHOTOGRAPHY, DEVOTE STUDIO, EZELL H. PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY IMAGES, JOE FRANK PHOTOGRAPHY, MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY, PIXELFORMULA, SHUTTERSTOCK

ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING KELLY CURRY Kelly@VIEmagazine.com

MARKETING COORDINATORS

HAILEY BETHKE

ABBY RYAN

BRAND AMBASSADORS

LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com

MARTA RATA

Marta@VIEmagazine.com

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!

SUMMERTIME Is HEATING UP

The next time I hear phrases or idioms like “paint the town red” or “think pink,” I will forever think of the summer of 2023 when the world was awash with pink courtesy of the movie Barbie. Watching the hype and momentum leading up to the film’s debut, from a marketing perspective, was impressive. I can’t recall moviegoers dressed in costumes or donned in so much purposeful pink to attend a movie before. My twenty-year-old self would never have believed I would be going to see this film and actually be excited about it. At the time, I was trying to assert my “women are equal to men” mantra upon entering the workforce; playing with my Barbies didn’t seem to fit into that narrative in the eighties or since then, really.

Our office took a field trip to the movies last week, and we talked about what we were wearing weeks before going. There is a commonality and connection with Mattel’s most iconic toy doll for so many of us—maybe it is part of the tidal wave that is Barbiemania this summer. The movie’s campiness and brilliant acting and direction were only outdone by what I would call a genius-level marketing coup. Multiple messages weaved throughout the film have been swirling through my mind, although I will admit that I would need to see the movie again to realize how I am filing this fully. What I know is it was a fun outing with lots of smiles and “giddiness,” so for that, all I have to say is, “Hi, Barbie!”

This issue is rich with storytelling about fashion icons, legends, and entertainers from bygone eras and contemporaries taking center stage today. This past week, we paid homage after learning about the passing of legendary crooner Tony Bennett at 96. He was a joy to watch and listen to, and some of my

favorite performances in the past few years have been the dynamic pairing of Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. Seeing their love and admiration for one another and how tender Lady Gaga was with him during their last performance at Radio City Music Hall in 2021, One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga , was heartwarming. He will always be remembered for his song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” which he first recorded in 1961 in NYC. If you have yet to see the 60 Minutes interview about his life and what Lady Gaga has to say about their endearing relationship, please check it out.

We lost another fashionista last week with Jane Birkin’s passing. She is credited for inspiring the design of an iconic Hermès handbag bearing her name and told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in a 2020 interview that after meeting Hermès executive Jean-Louis Dumas while on an airplane, she sketched out the design on a sick bag for a handbag suitable for young mothers so that they could carry

all that they needed, which is now widely known the world over as the Hermès Birkin Bag.

It’s serendipitous that our vintage cover girl, famed fashion designer Vicky Tiel, graces this issue as she was good friends with Jane Birkin— this aligned so divinely. It’s like it was so meant to be where we can recognize and honor those who have gone before us while sharing all that is happening in the fashion industry today. Vicky writes in her book, “Jane and I were two princesses of the ’60s hanging out all night at Chez Castel on 15 Rue Princesse wearing the first hot pants, bras, and jumpsuits.” Get ready to learn all about the diva who penned It’s All About the Dress as Vicky candidly opens up about what life was like as she tells her fascinating story in our cover feature, “An All-American Dream: From Paris with Love.”

We have something for everyone inside the magazine and hope that your eyes and minds are opened to new horizons as we pay tribute to those who paved the way. Creating and achieving goals no matter what industry you’re in is a constant battle to put one foot in front of the other to achieve your dreams while staying true to yourself.

Keep smiling and keep creating!

To Life!

Lisa Marie Burwell CEO/Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director

Photo by Aranka Israni

Photo by Modernmade Photography

We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.

IN THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES AND OUR STAFF: WHAT FASHION TRENDS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE COME BACK INTO STYLE?

VICKY TIEL

Fashion Icon, “The All-American Dream: From Paris with Love”

VickyTiel.com

My fashion career has lasted sixty-seven years. I started sewing and selling at age twelve. I sold full skirts with personal appliqués for $25 to my wealthy Chevy Chase, Maryland, classmates at Kensington Junior High. I was a cheerleader and an influencer in the ’50s, and my love of dressing women began as a child. The money I earned paid for my name in the phone book and a telephone line in my bedroom for orders. I wore miniskirts and lace bras at Parsons fashion college in NYC in 1962. My favorite look would still be miniskirts, hot pants (shorts), and thigh-high boots, best worn with diamond-studded lace bras. It’s the ’60s look French star Jane Birkin is known for, and I dressed her. The bare midriff for daywear is hot, and women only have a few years to wear it (except for the perfect body of fifty-year-old Jennifer Lopez). My granddaughter, who is sixteen, just came to visit me from Paris with a bare midriff and long culottes.

JESSICA PLOWDEN ANDERSON

Producer, The Flight of Jackie Cochran @_thatgirlmedia

Out with the cowboy boots and in with the go-go boots—I said what I said! Bring back the faux leather high-top platform boots of my dreams. I have vivid memories of clunking around my room as a little girl wearing my moms authentic 1960s go-go boots and being instantly transported to a scene right out of Austin Powers. Something about go-go boots makes you want to be a secret agent spy kicking bad guys’ butts. I’d usually pair the boots with a minidress and matching headband, a truly iconic look I wish would make a comeback.

MY FAVORITE LOOK WOULD STILL BE MINISKIRTS, HOT PANTS (SHORTS), AND THIGH-HIGH BOOTS, BEST WORN WITH DIAMONDSTUDDED LACE BRAS. IT’S THE ’60S LOOK FRENCH STAR JANE BIRKIN IS KNOWN FOR, AND I DRESSED HER.

I HAVE VIVID MEMORIES OF CLUNKING AROUND MY ROOM AS A LITTLE GIRL WEARING MY MOMS AUTHENTIC 1960S GO-GO BOOTS AND BEING INSTANTLY TRANSPORTED TO A SCENE RIGHT OUT OF AUSTIN POWERS. SOMETHING ABOUT GO-GO BOOTS MAKES YOU WANT TO BE A SECRET AGENT SPY KICKING BAD GUYS’ BUTTS. I’D USUALLY PAIR THE BOOTS WITH A MINIDRESS AND MATCHING HEADBAND, A TRULY ICONIC LOOK I WISH WOULD MAKE A COMEBACK.

HANNAH VERMILLION Graphic Designer @hannahcvermillion

While I can think of many trends from the past that I’d love to see come back, like evening gowns, tailored dresses, and a lack of athleisure in formal settings, I can think of many more that I hope never come back. Frankly, there are a few I would like to see go out of style permanently. I hope we never have to see low-rise jeans and skinny scarves en masse or statement necklaces paired with UGG boots. I’m sorry, but I’m scarred for life from experiencing these the first time around. Cargo pants and denim maxi skirts have returned, but I hope these trends won’t last long. Last but not least, tube socks—no explanation needed!

Hello again!

Sharing stories, memories, and laughs is at the heart of everything we do! If you have a fun summer adventure soon, be sure to tag VIE; we would love to see where the summer takes our readers. Let’s take a look at some recent adventures our readers went on. Until next month, read responsibly!

@jordanlstaggs Fun outing today with Team @viemagazine // @theideaboutique! #Barbie was a blast. If you’ve seen it, let us know your thoughts!

@theideaboutique How dreamy is this photo from @ivskaya’s series, Dreamer Pool/New Colors? Absolutely captivating!

@susangunnphotography Just want to say thank you here today to all of you out there who have continued to support my work, either just supporting socials or collecting my images on metal and heavy acrylic to hang in your homes. I don’t think I’ve said lately how much all of you are appreciated. Thanks so very much. @canonusa

@rose_and_co_flowers Congratulations to @q_tile.lemontree’s Suzy Accola on the launch of her novel, Janie Blue, published by @theideaboutique! And we’re still drooling over the beautiful Maîson de Bleu and all of the beautiful blue flowers. Thank you for including us, @viemagazine!

@thepaperbearfilm Fun Fact: We filmed with the same cameras that were used in the cockpits of the planes from Top Gun: Maverick

LET’S TALK!

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!

@burwell_associates Summer is in full swing here on the Emerald Coast, a perfect reason to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. The second-story outdoor living space of The Heritage – A @viemagazine Legacy Show Home is situated thoughtfully for families to spend fun times together.

VIEmagazine.com

@johnnyoceanphotography “What Was I Made For” | Underwater photos by @johnnyoceanphotography | DM for info or to book, or go to JohnnyOceanPhotography.com.

Sartorial

Quiet luxury, a beacon in the 2023 fashion landscape, is far from a novel concept. It’s an ethos always permeated through the fabric of certain brands, like the Italian fashion house Loro Piana. This trend emphasizes elegance, quality, and unobtrusive style over ostentatious displays of wealth. Loro Piana, a brand firmly rooted in this philosophy, consistently creates understated yet luxurious pieces. Their Spring/Summer 2023 collection is a testament to their unwavering commitment to this approach. Each item speaks of a quiet luxury that doesn’t demand attention but is inevitably recognized. Loro Piana’s offerings extend beyond clothing—it’s a lifestyle proposition, an affirmation of a deep-seated understanding of luxury.

Photo courtesy of Loro Piana

STRIKE A POSE

DREAM ALL-AMERICAN The From Paris with Love

BY LISA MARIE BURWELL

Her life spans eighty years of seizing the day to the absolute fullest, from traversing to NYC to attend Parsons School of Design in the 1960s to being lauded by Parisian ateliers a year later when she debuted the “minidress” (her co-creation with Mia Fonssagrives, a classmate she befriended at Parsons who is now an acclaimed sculptor). Tiel flunked out of fashion school, and she and Fonssagrives became business partners and moved to Paris to make their mark on the world. And that they did. Once in the City of Light, the dynamic duo got busy doing what they knew it would take to be successful in the fashion biz: making connections. Their tenacity, vision, beauty, and style paid off, and the best friends-turned-entrepreneurs were invited to model their vibrant minidresses in famed Parisian designer Louis Féraud’s runway show in 1964.

Tiel and Fonssagrives instantaneously became a sensation as “it girls” after the debut of their miniskirts and hot pants on the Paris runways. LIFE magazine penned a five-page article on them after the show. Eugenia Sheppard wrote a headline in the International Herald Tribune that “Anyone in Fashion Over 25 Might as Well Be Dead.” The pair also appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson to show their fashions, with Tiel even bringing her beloved terrier along on set. What an amazing comeback story after being kicked out of one of the best fashion design schools in NYC. Tiel would later teach at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she preached to her students to always believe in themselves and create in a way that would help others. She says her fashion designs were always intended to help women feel good about themselves and to attract the attention of suitors (and everybody else, as well).

Meet a renaissance woman who created and defined her own destiny, reaching pinnacles of success and glamour usually only found in movies. High fashion and beauty icon Vicky Tiel knows all about how to live a “real” life, and she has the stories, victories, and photos to prove it.

Left: Beauty, fragrance, and fashion designer Vicky Tiel, photographed by her then-husband and “makeup man,” Ron Berkeley

Photo courtesy of Vicky Tiel

Below: A fashion sketch of Princess Stephanie of Monaco by Vicky Tiel

Below: Designers Vicky Tiel and Mia Fonssagrives with their friend and client Elizabeth Taylor (center)

An opportunity to make costumes for Woody Allen’s What’s New Pussycat? came next, and Fonssagrives and Tiel created styles for Ursula Andress, the lead actress in the film. Many movies thereafter included Saturday Night Fever and Pretty Woman, in which Tiel’s design inspired the unforgettable strapless red dress worn by Julia Roberts—an all-time movie showstopper. Now known as “The Pretty Woman Dress,” it was initially designed in 1977 as a strapless dress for French actress Anne Parillaud to wear to the Cannes Film Festival. The red silk jersey version with draped sleeves, featured in the 1989 film’s Rodeo Drive shop windows, was copied for Julia Roberts to wear in perhaps the most iconic Pretty Woman scenes as Edward takes Vivian out to the opera. Who could forget her walking into the room wearing that dress? Tiel’s inspired designs have graced the silver screen countless times before and since then. The list of actors and musicians who have worn her designs also boasts names like Brigitte Bardot, Goldie Hawn, Whitney Houston, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Oprah, to name just a few.

This success was only the beginning of a life filled with all-night glamorous parties, yachts, private islands, fabulous trendsetting clothes, and hobnobbing with celebrities as she danced the night away. Tiel and Elizabeth Taylor became fast friends, and they remained so for twenty-five years until Taylor’s death. Tiel and her thenhusband, Hollywood makeup artist Ron Berkeley, were part of Taylor and Richard Burton’s entourage. Taylor also financially backed Mia-Vicky, the duo’s boutique on the Left Bank of Paris. Tiel then ventured into creating fragrances after a fateful day when she had the rare chance to attend a luncheon at Coco Chanel’s home as Taylor’s guest. Chanel told Taylor she needed to create her own perfume line, which Tiel collaborated on, et voilà—White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor was born and proved widely successful.

Tiel also intently listened and heeded the advice for her own brand. Chanel insisted clothes and fashion styles come and go, but perfumes would last forever. Tiel knew she had heard a good thing and created her line of twelve perfume fragrances with names like Tickled Pink, 21 Bonaparte, and Sirène. It’s obvious she has an innate understanding of women and is a marketing connoisseur herself.

Today, Vicky Tiel fragrances are sold via Perfumania, Home Shopping Network, and retail stores nationwide. “I think of myself as a beauty expert,” she says. “Fashion doesn’t come first, you know. The whole point of my clothes is to make a woman’s body look beautiful.”

Right: A sketch of movie star Ursula Andress by Vicky Tiel, who worked on the costumes for the 1965 film What’s New Pussycat?

Photo courtesy of Vicky Tiel

The list of actors and musicians who have worn her designs boasts names like Brigitte Bardot, Goldie Hawn, Whitney Houston, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Oprah, to name just a few.

Vicky Tiel at her Baker, Florida, farmhouse

Photo by Jack Gardner

In 1971, Mia Fonssagrives left the business, and Vicky Tiel became the brand. She evolved from the “youthquake” Sixties designer to a glamorous Parisian couturier. A People magazine article about Tiel’s business in 1986 catapulted her solo career even further. Her sexy, fitted dresses were so in demand that Bergdorf Goodman opened a custom Vicky Tiel couture salon, the first at the luxury retailer since the 1950s.

Tiel reminisces about how she dressed the recently departed Jane Birkin in hot pants, thigh-high boots, and diamond-studded bras, and they, too, become

friends. “Jane was an English girl who lived near me in Paris and danced with me in her youth at Chez Castel. She was more French than any French girl, and Jane led the way to inspire the worldwide fashions of the Sixties.” Tiel continues, “So many people I knew and loved have passed away, and it’s hard to believe. When you live to be eighty years of age, you see that a lot, but I’m still happy and creating,” she says with a beaming smile.

The designer’s life took a surprising turn after her marriage to Berkeley ended in 1986. The couple had two sons together. She met her current husband, a merchant marine officer, Captain Mike Hamilton, in Key West and married him about a decade later. They moved to a farm in the Florida Panhandle between Pensacola and Alabama. Tiel splits her time between farming there and designing gowns in the same studio she’s maintained at 21 Rue Bonaparte in Paris since it was Mia-Vicky.

I read Tiel’s 2011 autobiography, It’s All About The Dress: What I Learned in Forty Years About Men, Women, Sex, and Fashion, when it came out, and was intrigued by her story—a well-written page-turner that I could not put down. How she went from Parsons to Paris within a year’s time blew my mind. When photographer Jack Gardner, with whom I’ve worked on projects over the past two decades, reached out to us about publishing a story about Vicky Tiel living in a nearby tiny, rural town in the heart of the South in Baker, Florida, I could not believe it.

Left: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Vicky Tiel, Louis Feraud, and Mia Fonssagrives at Maxim’s in Paris for a Mia-Vicky fashion show in 1968.

Photo courtesy of Vicky Tiel

Below: A beautiful gown designed by Tiel and modeled by Eve Emelianova

Bottom: Since 1989, Tiel has launched twelve fragrances under the Vicky Tiel brand name.

Photos by Jack Gardner

Her sexy, fitted dresses were so in demand that Bergdorf Goodman opened a custom Vicky Tiel couture salon, the first at the luxury retailer since the 1950s.

We met Tiel in our office a week later, and this force of nature bubbling over with smiles, stories, and sheer exuberance made me smile. She truly empowers you to believe in the American dream and, more importantly, in humanity. A colorful, glamorous, bold, and brave life deserves to be recognized, but what I admired most about her when meeting with her in the conference room of our offices was how much she cared about people. She is still curious about each person she meets, and if she can help them, she will. I asked her to sign my copy of her book, and while signing it, she asked me to look at her a few times as she quickly sketched my face. My heart melted. Merci, Vicky!

She is still creating today, with plans to air a twenty-sixepisode HBO series about her life. With the writer’s strike underway, we can only hope this sees the light of day, as it would be fascinating to watch.

I leave you with a quote from Tiel herself: “The most important thing is to be happy,” she says. “Don’t let anybody put you down or make you feel bad. Just spend your whole day working on doing what you want to accomplish and being happy.”

Visit VickyTiel.com to learn more, read Tiel’s blog, and locate perfume retailers.

Don’t let anybody put you down or make you feel bad. Just spend your whole day working on doing what you want to accomplish and being happy.

Left and opposite: At eighty years old, Vicky Tiel splits her time between her farmhouse in Northwest Florida and her Parisian studio, still located at 21 Rue Bonaparte.

Photos by Jack Gardner

A POSH POOLSIDE PARTY Like NO OTHER!

DIOR brings a touch of French elegance to the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel with its Dioriviera summer pop-up. Immerse yourself in the pink-and-gray toile de Jouy capsule collection, enjoy exclusive spa treatments, and savor the sweet treats from the DIOR ice cream cart. Explore more at DIOR.com.

Photo courtesy of the Beverly Hills Hotel

Future fashion IS

THE

EDIT BY EMME MARTIN AND JORDAN STAGGS

F F

This page and opposite: DIOR Men’s Summer 2024 collection debuted in Paris

Photos by Pixelformula/Sipa/ SIPA/Shutterstock

BEAM ME UP

“How does the past influence the future?”

F Future fashion

This was the ethos of creative director Kim Jones’s exceptional Dior Men’s Summer 2024 collection. The house looked back at tweed, an integral fabric for Dior since the 1950s, but wanted to present it with new, ultra-tailored silhouettes, colors, and jeweled embellishments. “Dotted throughout the collection, we see these really intense, sparkling cabochon embroideries,” Jones also shares. “Something about Mr. Dior’s process, he was often inspired by the jewelry pieces.” Bespoke headwear, neon hues, and mirrored sunglasses added more futuristic touches, as did the presentation itself, during which the models appeared from beneath the silver grid-like floor by way of fiftyone motorized elevators. “I wanted it to be a clean box and almost like an art installation,” Jones says. “Art was an important part of Christian Dior’s life; he was a gallerist before he was a couturier.”

With the runways of Paris, Milan, and more beginning to show trends for spring 2024 and beyond, it seems the future is here with a nostalgic twist. Metallic fabrics and accents, bold accessories, solid primary colors, and space-age presentations are very in, according to some of the world’s biggest fashion houses. Let’s levitate into next season!

Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons went similarly architectural with their Prada Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 presentation. According to the fashion

house, the robust collection proposes “an absolute freedom of the body, expressed through the foundations of the garments that clothe it.” Suits, raincoats, active sportswear, reporter jackets, and accessories paraded through an all-chrome set in Deposito of the Fondazione Prada art center in Milan. It evoked part spaceship, part retro-wave film locale. In addition to the futuristic notions of structure, function, and fluidity, evolution was a central theme. “These clothes are ultimately reflective of our natural state—the dynamic movement and constant transformation inherent to humanity.”

ONCE AND FUTURE QUEENS

F

The ladies wearing haute couture are also looking at what’s ahead—and aiming to rule it all. Valentino recently presented “Un Château” at the breathtaking Château de Chantilly just north of Paris. Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s haute couture collection explored “a place as an idea—a representation, a metaphor. Not the château, but “Un Château”—a locale unanchored to geographies or eras, but expressive of an idea of life, a symbol to be analyzed, questioned, then redefined.”

Meanwhile, the royalty in visions of the future by Schiaparelli is a little more dystopian but no less jaw-dropping. Mirrored mosaics on a skirt and jacket, a cowl that could be made of scales, petals, or feathers, and painted-on textures sauntered down the runway alongside dramatic earrings and accessories. The looks, which creative director Daniel Roseberry says are an homage to artists, including Yves Klein,

Giacometti, Matisse, Lucian Freud, and others, also look like they could be right at home in the Capitol from The Hunger Games or a Star Wars throne room.

Jacquemus took to the Palace of Versailles for its fall/winter haute couture presentation, and the star power was present on the runway with fashion royals Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Deva Cassel on the catwalk for “Le Chouchou” collection by Simon Porte Jacquemus. Guests watched from boats on the reflection pool as the models traipsed along the lawn in ballet-inspired lace, tulle, veils, and puffed silhouettes.

Prada

Thom Browne

Valentino (Photo by Pixelformula/Sipa/SIPA/ Shutterstock)

Brandon Maxwell

Valentino (Photo by Pixelformula/Sipa/SIPA/ Shutterstock)

Schiaparelli (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

SYNTH WAVE

Brandon Maxwell Resort 2024 celebrates another futuristic trend: minimalism. This ready-to-wear collection is ruled by simplicity, clean lines, black and white, and solid primary hues. A few glazed leather accent pieces round out a curation of looks that could fit on the streets of any Blade Runner cityscape or a casino in a galaxy far, far away.

Also embracing the synth-wave aesthetic is Interior, a New York-based fashion collection boasting “a unique mix of hard-to-find wardrobe staples and pieces that feel more like heirlooms than they do the fleeting styles of the moment.” Interior’s mission is “to be worn wherever and forever.” This Resort 2024 includes a mix of oversized suits, blouses, and sweaters alongside chrome leather and strategically distressed cotton pieces.

BRAndon Maxwell ResoRt 2024 celebRates anotheR futuRistic tRend: minimalism.

Simplicity, clean lines, black and white, and solid pRimaRy hues Rule this Readyto-weaR collection.

Brandon Maxwell Resort 2024

Jay-Z and Beyonce attend Louis Vuitton

Men’s Summer 2024

Photo by Domine Jerome/ ABACA/Shutterstock

Louis Vuitton Men’s Summer 2024 Mohammed Badra/ EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Interior Resort 2024

Interior Resort 2024

Thom Browne Couture 2023

Prada Men’s Spring/Summer 2024

THE SIMULATION

Call it the matrix or whatever you like, but Thom Browne might be living in it—or are we all? The designer’s haute couture show was packed, but most of the 2,300 guests were cardboard cutouts seated in Paris’s grand Palais Garnier opera house. The three hundred human audience members sat on stage, the runway before them, up close and personal. Browne says he wanted to “turn the tables” and ensure the audience felt like part of the spectacle. The collection itself was inspired by travel, with train station sounds and luggage being rolled and carted by while models wore utilitarian looks with some otherworldly touches.

Pharrell’s first menswear collection for Louis Vuitton also brought uniform vibes, along with pixelated fabrics, checkerboards, and—a small utility vehicle delivering suitcases? The iconic fashion house has always been held in high esteem, but critics believe this event may have launched it into the stratosphere as the music star gilded the Pont Neuf in Paris and shut it down for the evening’s celebrity-studded presentation. Something about it all seems a little like audiences were living in a metaverse where Pharrell is the king.

Louis Vuitton Men’s Summer 2024

by Pixelformula/ Sipa/SIPA/Shutterstock

Browne says he wanted to “turn the tables” and ensure the audience felt like part of the spectacle.

Photo

Up Some Dust

By Jordan Staggs

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUSTAV SCHMIEGE, COURTESY OF LUCCHESE

Country music and cowboy boots go together like biscuits and molasses. Still, this summer, it was an extra special moment when Lucchese, a renowned Texas-based bootmaker, teamed up with eight-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton to create a capsule collection of six handcrafted designs. The collaboration comes at a perfect time to celebrate the craftsmanship and artistry of Lucchese, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this fall.

The collection, which includes three unique styles in two colorways each, dropped in June of this year and could be described as a classic suite of boots, evoking the true spirit of the American West.

“Lucchese boots are what cowboy boots are supposed to be,” says Stapleton, who has long been a fan of the brand and has worked with the team on ideas for these designs for about five years. “I can’t wait for people to try them on and find out what I already know: when you put a pair of these on, you don’t need anything else.” Indeed, the musician boasts a collection of vintage Lucchese boots and often wears the brand’s shirts onstage. His love for the company began over a decade ago, when he made a stop at the Lucchese factory in El Paso after one of his Texas concerts.

“Since then, Chris has been back to the factory several times over the years, which led to the collaboration,” says Doug Hogue, vice president of product at Lucchese, who is excited about this collection with Stapleton and the way it furthers the brand’s heritage as an American classic. “The collaboration officially kicked off in 2018 with us remaking vintage boots he had bought through eBay. During the five-year design process, which was interrupted by the pandemic, Chris was very involved in the creation of each of the boots, from design to naming.”

The final products include the Original, the San Antonio, and the Old Friend. “The Original is a direct pull from the archives and is a replica of the first pair of boots Chris Stapleton ever designed during his first visit to the Lucchese factory,” says Lucchese. “These AllAmerican Buffalo boots boast a hand-corded moccasin toe that is a testament to the craftsmanship and attention to detail that Stapleton and Lucchese celebrate. The San Antonio is an echo of Lucchese’s vintage designs, featuring a colorway in the brand’s coveted black cherry finish. The boots are made with a brush-off Santini goat with a high-shine finish and historic Seville hand-cording detail inspired by the San Antonio factory. Finally, the Old Friend bridges the gap between grit and traditionalism thanks to its Western silhouette and supple suede leather, acting as the ‘songwriters’ uniform,’ and paying homage to Stapleton’s heroes who, in fact, feel like old friends.”

Hogue shares that Stapleton was an ideal partner for Lucchese not only because he was already a fan but also thanks to the similar values he shares with the brand, such as a commitment to craft, creativity, and traditionalism. “When you think about the craftsmanship of both a song and a pair of boots, there are a lot of parallels, and it means so much to us at Lucchese to create a line of boots that honors Chris and those shared values,” the VP says.

LUCCHESE BOOTS

ARE WHAT COWBOY BOOTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

The inspiration from the vintage styles that Stapleton loved includes clean, classic styles with outstanding workmanship that are easy to wear daily. Choosing three different types of leather offered the chance to get more creative with the look and feel of each style.

“Suede for a more rugged look, hand-burnished calf to showcase the details of great craftsmanship, and finally, our signature brush-off for a dressier feel,” Hogue shares. Stapleton also selected the X1 toe, a classic toe with a chiseled nose.

“I’m of the mind that everything can be refined to an art,” says Stapleton, “and that’s what I love about Lucchese boots—they’ve taken bootmaking and refined it to an art.”

This collection is just the latest of many prestigious partnerships for Lucchese. Being around for 140 years, the brand has been the chosen cowboy boot of various celebrities and style icons. “In recent years, we’ve launched partnerships across several facets, from bespoke collaborations with model and designer Erin Wasson to hatmaker and milliner Nick Fouquet and other musical artists, like singer-songwriter Stephanie Quayle,” Hogue says.

“Each collection Lucchese launches differs from the rest, but they all are created with the same timehonored craftsmanship techniques that result in handmade boots of unrivaled quality, fit, comfort, and style.”

The Lucchese x Chris Stapleton collection also aims to do some good with each pair of the Old Friend, the San Antonio, and the Original sold. A portion of the profits benefits Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s charitable fund, Outlaw State of Kind. The nonprofit supports various causes, including natural disaster relief, fighting hunger, supporting veterans, and more. “We are thrilled to be part of this mission with a portion of each boot purchase going back to making an impact,” says Hogue.

Heading into its momentous anniversary, Lucchese aims to hold its stewardship as a maker of the best Western footwear in the marketplace with high-quality raw materials and old-world construction techniques. Stay tuned to Lucchese’s website and social media to learn how they will celebrate with exclusive products, events, and new store announcements.

Centuries of

by SUZANNE POLLAK

tiny-waisted, voluminous-skirted silhouette used yards and yards of fabric—such opulence after the fabric rationing of World War II. The House of Dior has continued to define fashion for the last seven decades, even after the designer himself passed away in 1957, first under the brilliant Yves Saint Laurent, who was only twenty-one at the time he took over for Dior, and then under the creative direction of other well-known designers.

But whenever I hear that clichéd question, I wish the answer would be, “I am wearing the artistry and craftsmanship of hundreds of people, created with centuries of tradition.” If you want to see what I mean— if you want to understand how the exquisitely skilled work of so many people behind the scenes ends up on the red carpet—the best place to start is by watching Dior and I, the 2014 fashion documentary that gives us a behind-thescenes view of the fabled couture house.

Christian Dior, one of the most important twentieth-century couturiers, changed how women dressed when his “New Look” first appeared in 1947. The

During all those design decades, Dior dresses played a role in the entertainment world as a favorite of stars. Elizabeth Taylor received her 1961 Oscar for BUtterfield 8 wearing a Dior Haute Couture gown with a lemon-yellow chiffon bodice and ivory silk-faille bubble skirt, tied together by a moss-green taffeta belt and embroidered with silk flowers and bees. Marilyn Monroe posed in a daring black backless Christian Dior Haute Couture dress for photographer Bert Stern’s iconic 1962 image, “Looking Over Shoulder.”

Opposite: Jennifer Lawrence at the 85th Annual Academy Awards after receiving Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook (and falling on her way to the stage) dressed in a gorgeous Christian Dior gown

Photo by s_bukley/ Shutterstock

Now that every entertainment event has a red carpet, fashion has become a “Who are you wearing?” moment.

ut for me, the most memorable Dior moment during which fashion and entertainment collided was in 2013, when the young film star Jennifer Lawrence tripped over the hem of the billowing skirt of her strapless cream-colored ball gown (at the time the most expensive dress ever worn to the Oscars) on her way up the staircase to accept her best actress Oscar. As she stood up and playfully shrugged off her fall, taking her place at the podium with a smile, she ushered in another new fashion era: Instead of a stiff and carefully curated fashion moment, as we see with so many others, what we got was a truly modern star wearing a truly gorgeous dress in a truly modern style—her own. And the designer behind that dress seen ’round the world was Raf Simons, the Belgian creative director of Dior from 2012 to 2015 and the fascinating subject of Dior and I

The film title refers to the connection that Simons feels with the originator of the couture house through the journals and design work Dior left behind, revealing the parallels in their views and practices. But it also references the dedication that

the veteran seamstresses and craftspeople, some of whom have worked for Dior for forty years, have in perpetuating his couture legacy and the bond created with the individual designs that only their skills bring to life.

Directed by French filmmaker Frédéric Tcheng, who also directed the fashion documentary about Diana Vreeland, The Eye Has to Travel, the film follows Simons as he conceives and creates his firstever haute couture show in just eight weeks—a huge, complicated undertaking that usually requires five or six months. Although the resultant fashion itself is gorgeous and captivating, the best thing about this film is the chance to watch creativity at work.

And it isn’t just the creativity of Raf Simons and his longtime collaborator, Pieter Mulier. Through the documented footage in the ateliers and workrooms, we are privy to every step through the eyes and hands of those who cut and shape and stitch and bead and embroider—exquisite skills that make Simons’s ideas come to life off the paper and onto the models, whose physical form adds yet another dimension to design. And in the bigger picture, we see the challenge they all face in respecting traditions—haute couture is French, after all—while implementing Simons’s own ideas and influences, the pressure and tension created by his desire to add a modern edge to the classic couture world that the workers know so well.

Another bridge between the entertainment world and Dior is the 2022 period comedy-drama

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, an enchanting film about the connection between a woman’s dreams and how a coveted designer dress brings about their fulfillment. Set in postWWII London, the film features Mrs. Harris, played by British actress Lesley Manville, who has a dream that she must own a Christian Dior gown. She is a widowed cleaning woman who saves her pennies, increases her workload, and lives in some discomfort to decrease her utility bills for light and gas—in short, she does everything possible within her world to raise the then princely sum of five hundred pounds. When Mrs. Harris takes her hard-won savings to Paris and the House of Dior, she encounters obstacles, including snobbery from the couture director, Claudine (French actress Isabelle Huppert). I don’t want to reveal too much of the plot because it is a lovely film for you to see, but as a woman who works with her hands (cleaning) as well as her head (making her clients’ homes run more smoothly), Mrs. Harris has a deep understanding of those she encounters in the ateliers, and the many seamstresses who work there end up as her champions, wanting her to realize her dream.

What I will say is that I loved watching how an individual’s wild dream can be actualized in ways that the dreamer never imagined, changing not only the course

Instead of a stiff and carefully curated fashion moment, as we see with so many others, what we got was a truly modern star wearing a truly gorgeous dress in a truly modern style—her own.

Elizabeth Taylor wearing Christian Dior and holding the Oscar she won for Best Actress in BUtterfield 8, with her husband, Eddie Fisher, in 1961

Photo by Darlene Hammond/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

of her own life but the lives of the people around her. This so-called “nobody”—as the haughty Claudine called Mrs. Harris—could move a mountain because of the unique combination of her working woman’s common sense combined with her feminine desire for a seemingly unattainable dress. Watching the movie made me run to my closet and look at my most beautiful clothes, especially the dress I wore to my wedding in the summer of 2023.

Although mine is not a couture Christian Dior gown, the long sequined slip dress (from the designer Catherine Holstein at her fashion house, Khaite) represents and celebrates my dream come true—finding true love in my mid-sixties. It also helps me impart an important message to my five granddaughters: Women of any age have dreams to fulfill while wearing clothes that make us feel like the stars of our own lives—even if we may trip along the way.

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. Visit CharlestonAcademy.com or contact her at Suzanne@CharlestonAcademy.com to learn more.

CONSISTENTLY DELICIOUS

SINCE 1995

A Studio of Stars

An aesthetic sanctuary for creativity, Blackbird Studio in Nashville marries vintage chic with cutting-edge design. Warm hues, exposed wood, and the grand piano bring nostalgia, while state-of-the-art recording equipment underscores its dedication to innovation. This famed studio has been the cradle of inspiration for many music industry stars, including Adele, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, and countless others. Beyond being a birthplace for hit songs, Blackbird encompasses a thriving educational system through the Blackbird Academy and Inside Blackbird, nurturing a new generation of audio engineers. In the heart of the Berry Hill Neighborhood, Blackbird Studio stands as a testament to the enduring power of music and the innovative spirit of Nashville.

Love,VIE

Visit BlackbirdStudio.com to learn more.

Photo by Marian Mattis, courtesy of Blackbird Studio, 2023

Voyager

SEE THE WORLD

Step into the enchanting world of DIOR’s pop-up in Beverly Hills, celebrating the Dioriviera capsule collection. Pink-and-gray DIOR surf cabins adorn the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel pool deck, while inside, a sandcastle-inspired oasis captivates with life-size sand sculptures and Lady Dior-shaped artworks. The Fall 2023 collection features timeless motifs like toile de Jouy and bayadere stripes, adding a touch of Mediterranean elegance to skirts, dresses, and swimsuits. Dior Maison essentials, including surfboards and beach games, enhance the summery vibe. An exclusive Le Jardin des Rêves Dior Spa Cabana offers luxurious treatments for hotel guests. Don’t miss the chance to experience this enchanting world of Dioriviera at the Beverly Hills Hotel, open until September 4.

Photo courtesy of the Beverly Hills Hotel

BY ANTHEA GERRIE

“AND THAT’S SHOW BIZ” A HOLLYWOOD ICON TURNS 100

hen we jumped at the chance to marry overlooking the Hollywood sign back in the day, our Angeleno guests thought we were eccentric. Had we really chosen our inconvenient venue—a friend’s tiny cottage on a narrow lane buried within the neighborhood’s most convoluted hills and canyons—just because of the view from the rickety deck?

Yes, we had. We starstruck British expats were now proud Angelenos ourselves, at least for the next decade, and to us, the sign was a symbol of the promised land to which we had made our personal gold rush. Though back then, it was a neglected, almost unloved relic of cinema’s golden age. It had only recently escaped the wrecking ball thanks to a massive fundraising effort by Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and other celebs who felt it deserved to be preserved for posterity.

Fast-forward forty years, and what started as nothing more ambitious than a temporary property billboard is finally getting the attention it deserves. The Hollywood landmark, now an icon for LA itself, is celebrating its centenary and moving from its hidden status as the province of serious hikers and climbers to a new era of accessibility soon to be endowed with a purpose-built visitors’ center to tell its incredible story.

The centenary marks a sea change, not just in the move from dilapidation to restoration with 250 gallons of white paint every decade, but in attitude. In 1932, the sign became a symbol of industry shame as well as fame when actress Peg Entwhistle, propelled by professional disappointment, leaped forty feet to her death from atop the H.

From that time, the danger of the precarious location led to a move to deter visitors, but now they are actively welcomed to get up close and personal with the sign: tour leaders shepherd walkers around the base and supervise the tougher hikes up to the pinnacle behind the giant letters. Meanwhile, the history of the sign will be writ large in a new exhibit at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which boasts a view of the sign from its panoramic rooftop terrace. “It’s such a symbol of how the city developed along with the movie industry itself,” says curator Dara Jaffe.

Indeed, when it went up unannounced one hundred years ago, the illuminated billboard was a rare spectacle in an era that predated the neon signs of Las Vegas by twenty years. The string of 43-foot-tall, 30-foot-wide letters was programmed to switch on in progression, spelling out “HOLLY…WOOD…LAND” in electric lights as dusk fell over La-La Land.

The final syllable was still standing when the city took over responsibility for the sign, which fell into dereliction after the property company that put it up to promote their suburban homes went under in the Depression. But the “LAND” was removed five years later by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce when they saw an opportunity for neighborhood branding in the sign that had lost its fateful H by then. They restored the H in a deal that reduced maintenance by killing the lightbulbs and shortening the letter count. It was far from a permanent solution. By the time my other half and I arrived in LA—attracted by the superficial glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle

BY THE SUPERFICIAL

GLAMOUR OF THE HOLLYWOOD LIFESTYLE”

we had read about as children in the pages of Photoplay—the sign was becoming derelict again, with part of the D and one of the O’s falling down a mountain and a deliberately set fire burning one of the L’s.

Luckily for our future wedding ambitions, several celebrities agreed to stump up nearly $28,000 apiece to replace the half-century-old ruin, whose surviving letters were auctioned off for $35,000 each, at a total cost of $250,000. They included Alice Cooper, who dedicated one of the O’s to his old pal Groucho Marx; Andy Williams, who sponsored the new W; and performing cowboy Gene Autry, who pledged allegiance to one of the L’s. It’s not recorded whether locals were traumatized by the sight of hills devoid of their neighborhood landmark for three months before a bigger, better, much more stable sign was installed in 1978.

The Hollywood Sign, circa 1924

Right: Carl Laemmle, co-founder/owner of Universal Pictures until 1934, part of the upcoming Hollywoodland permanent exhibit at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Photos courtesy of the Margaret Herrick Library

“ATTRACTED

Between then and now, celebrity stunts rather than criminal acts and natural disasters (happily, no more recorded suicides) have made headlines around the sign. Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh was famously photographed flying over it in 1998, and a mountain lion prowling beneath the giant letters was captured by a photographer for National Geographic in 2013. It seems hardly surprising in a city that has led the boom in marijuana sales that it has twice been vandalized to read “Hollyweed,” marking the two phases of changes in legislation, while its brief iteration as “Holywood” was intended as an homage to Pope John Paul II making a rare visit to the City of Angels, with the second L restored to its proper prominence after he left town.

Now an institution regularly inspected, shored up, and repainted, the Hollywood sign has its own trust planning a visitors’ center, though no date has yet been announced for breaking ground. But you don’t need a ticket—only a decent GPS—to find Innsdale Drive, from where an easy trail leads around the Lake Hollywood reservoir into the old Hollywoodland estate, offering excellent close-up views of the sign from beneath the base. While tour guides are unnecessary, they are a great source of Hollywood lore and will take you into the estate and past some of the fine homes the sign was put up to promote, ensuring you don’t miss the unmarked entry back onto the trail.

In November, a new exhibit bearing the name of the original billboard— Hollywoodland—will open at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Yet although the sign will be documented along with other landmarks from LA’s golden age, the show’s title is a misnomer. The focus of the exhibit is actually the Jewish refugee founders of the movie industry who were marginalized by society one hundred years ago, despite the prosperity they brought to their adopted home, and then overlooked again by the museum, which failed to pay them tribute when it opened in 2021. How fitting—they were the stars of the show who never got invited to the premiere, like the sign that symbolized their success was left to languish unloved for half a century. Now both the men and the giant letters that have come to represent all they achieved will get their full due in what has been declared the first and only permanent exhibition in the museum, as an apology for the original unjust exclusion.

Hollywoodland is finally a show that will run and run.

Visit AcademyMuseum.org to learn more or plan a visit to the Hollywoodland exhibit beginning in November 2023.

Actress Michelle Yeoh in midair over the Hollywood sign, 1998

Photo by Joe McNally/ Getty Images

LIMEIn the

Installation of DIVA at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Opposite: A costume designed by Christian Dior and worn by Vivien Leigh as Paola in Jean Giraudoux’s play Duel of Angels at the Apollo Theatre, 1958

By Hailey Bethke Photography

courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum

DIVAS, unite!

London’s esteemed Victoria & Albert Museum, aka the V&A, has revealed a oneof-a-kind collection to celebrate the power and creativity of iconic performers from the nineteenth century to today. The exhibit, DIVA, which opened in June 2023 and will be on display through 2024, is pulling back the curtain to share the stories behind the most eminent performers on stage and screen. Of course, all divas will be included, from opera goddesses and silent film stars to the sirens of the big screen alongside today’s global megastars.

Diva, meaning “goddess” in Italian, has been a term that has ebbed and flowed between criticism and compliment for centuries. DIVA exhibit curator, Kate Bailey, says, “At the heart of this exhibition is a story of iconic performers. With creativity, courage, and ambition, they have challenged the status quo and used their voices and art to redefine and reclaim the diva.”

The exhibition has acquired more than 250 objects from around the globe, spanning fashion, photography, design, costumes, music, and live performance footage. Storytelling is at the heart of the mission, as made clear by the intentional flow of the walk-through. With state-of-the-art theatrical staging and a sonic headset experience, the V&A fully immerses visitors in the lives of these performers, particularly emphasizing how they have influenced all aspects of society, from creating an emotional connection with their audiences to impacting civil rights and feminist movements.

V&A’s New DIVA Exhibit Turns Heads

“Act One” of the exhibit celebrates how the first opera divas, Adelina Patti and Jenny Lind, created and performed extraordinary roles, bringing them wealth and recognition at a time when most women could not pursue an education or career. Also, visitors will learn how actors such as Ellen Terry, Sarah Bernhardt, and Marie Lloyd drove the first wave of feminism and how the powerful women of the twentieth century built on this struggle for equality, including silent-screen stars Clara Bow and Mary Pickford and Golden Age of Hollywood stars Vivien Leigh, Mae West, and Marilyn Monroe. Key pieces from this section include: early Parisian couture worn by Adelina Patti, on display for the first time; a couture gown and other personal items from Josephine Baker’s former home in France, depicting her groundbreaking career from performer to activist; a corseted crimson dress designed by Christian Dior and worn by Vivien Leigh as Paola in Duel of Angels at the Apollo Theater (1958); and the sleek black fringed dress worn by Marilyn Monroe as the character Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk in Some Like It Hot (1959).

Below:

Far

Over sixty looks will be shown, many rare or on display for the first time, also including a stage ensemble worn by Maria Callas as Norma in the Covent Garden Opera Company production of Norma (1952) and the only known surviving dress worn by Clara Bow, rarely seen outside of the US. Iconic costumes designed for the stars by Bob Mackie will be displayed, with looks worn by Tina Turner, P!nk, and Cher. Don’t miss the Louis XIV-inspired look with a towering powdered wig and train worn by Elton John for his fiftieth birthday celebration, designed by Sandy Powell. And guests will get a kick out of Janelle Monáe’s “vulva pants” designed by Duran Lantink for the music video for “Pynk” (2018). In addition to these major fashion statements will be posters, song sheets, lyrics, and personal objects owned by divas ranging from Prince to Whitney Houston and many, many more.

Top: Whitney Houston performing at Wembley Arena, London, May 5, 1988

Photograph © David Corio

Middle left: Rihanna wearing Maison Margiela at the Met Gala, 2018

Photo by Dennis Leupold

Cher, Elton John, and Diana Ross at the Rock Awards Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1975

Photo Mark Sullivan/ Contour by Getty Images

opposite: Tina Turner wearing the flame dress designed by Bob Mackie (1980)

Photo by Gai Terrell, Redferns/Getty Images

OVER SIXTY LOOKS WILL BE SHOWN, MANY RARE OR ON DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Dame Shirley Bassey’s couture pink gown designed by Julien MacDonald, including her iconic diamanté-studded Wellington boots, worn on stage at Glastonbury (2007), will also join the lineup. Bassey is excited to see the diva celebrated in the exhibition. “It’s wonderful to see the V&A reclaiming the title,” she says. “To me, diva is all about the power of the voice and the ability to entertain, to succeed against the odds, to fight, and to break through barrier after barrier to have your voice heard.”

“Act Two” of the exhibit celebrates the modern diva after paying homage to the performers who blazed a path in entertainment for creativity and boldness. Here, expect to see names like Billie Eilish and Rihanna alongside conversations about the cult of the celebrity and the battle between public and private life.

A delight for the senses, DIVA has embraced multimedia and storytelling through many lenses. Much like the divas it celebrates, this tribute to entertainers through the ages will leave you breathless.

Visit VAM.ac.uk to learn more or get tickets. DIVA is on display at the V&A through April 7, 2024.

DIVA will run until April 7, 2024, at the V&A Museum in London.

“ACT TWO” CELEBRATES THE MODERN DIVA AFTER PAYING HOMAGE TO THE PERFORMERS WHO BLAZED A PATH IN ENTERTAINMENT FOR CREATIVITY AND BOLDNESS.

Petite pause

Experience the crown jewel of Boston’s dining scene at Contessa. Designed by Ken Fulk and led by the culinary masters at Major Food Group, Contessa offers an unforgettable taste of Northern Italy with an exquisite view. Visit ContessaRistorante.com/ Boston/ for more information on this top-tier destination.

Photo by Douglas Friedman

ITALIAN ELEGANCE with a WICKED VIEW of BOSTON

Pink Lapels

Alexander McQueen Slashed SingleBreasted Jacket in Psychedelic Pink $3,990 – AlexanderMcQueen.com

With the long-awaited release of Barbie finally here on July 21, we could not help but make this month’s collection pop out of the pages with some of the most fantastic Barbie-inspired items. Stand out wherever you go, whether to the beach or the office, and you’ll definitely want to travel in style as well! Pack up your bright wardrobe in the most stylish luggage and hop on the cutest Vespa, because it’s time to say hello to color (especially if that color is pink).

SUMMER OF POP

Button Up! 9

Gucci Button-Embellished Cropped Cotton-Blend Tweed Top $1,100 – NET-A-PORTER.com

Color Run 10

Alexander McQueen Sprint Colorblock Modern Runner Sneakers $990 – NeimanMarcus.com

Jonathan Adler Vice Gummies Canister in Purple $110 – JonathanAdler.com

HAY Pao Indoor/Outdoor Portable Table Lamp $195 – Store.MoMA.org

Vespa 125 Super by Piaggo, 1965 $8,782 – 1stDibs.com

Hydrated 13

La Mer Lip Volumizer 7mL $85 – CremedeLaMer.com

Classy 15

Traveler

Steamline Luggage The Diplomat in Hunter Green $310 – SteamlineLuggage.com

A TOWN OF IDEAS

—robert davis Seaside Founder/Visionary

Photo by Dave Warren

Blending Musical Eras

Joe Nichols, a mainstay in country music for over two decades, seamlessly blends the cherished traditions of the genre’s old-school roots with contemporary sensibilities. With a string of hits like “The Impossible” and “Home Run,” Nichols embodies a timeless quality that has earned him platinum success, Grammy nominations, and the respect of his idols. Inspired by country music legends like George Strait, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Buck Owens, Nichols remains committed to keeping the flame of traditional country music alive while breaking new ground. With his latest hit single, “Brokenhearted,” and his partnership with Quartz Hill Records, Nichols continues to honor his roots and carve his path in the ever-evolving landscape of country music.

Love,VIE

JoeNichols.com.

Photo by Ford Fairchild

YOUR VIEW, OUR PASSION.

E. F. San Juan’s renowned wood millwork creations are complemented by the highest quality windows and doors. Our craftsmen work seamlessly with the most trusted providers of impact-rated doors and windows, such as Loewen®, to create custom homes that masterfully combine security, beauty, and function.

Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects

Builder: Hufham Farris Construction

Photo: Layne Lillie | Courtesy of Khoury & Vogt

Le monde

GOES ROUND AND ROUND

Director Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which debuted July 21, created a box office storm, securing an impressive $155 million on its opening weekend. This unique reimagination of the iconic Mattel doll by Warner Bros. Pictures has given rise to a new cinematic sensation. The plot weaves an existential narrative as Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) challenges the “perfect” reality of Barbieland and dares to explore the human world—a concept that has audiences buzzing. With a neon-soaked visual palette, a stellar cast, and a storyline that is not afraid to take on today’s hot-button issues, the movie merges nostalgia with innovative storytelling. These elements have catapulted Barbie to soaring box office success, reaffirming the Barbie brand’s timeless cultural impact and charm.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Country Music’s Hottest Festival Breaks Records

Jamming on the Gulf Coast

By ADDIE STRICKLAND

Photos Courtesy of GULF COAST JAM

Gulf Coast Jam is a country music fan’s dream. The fourday event exudes the ethos of “a damn good time.” For those in the Florida Panhandle, it’s a world-class music fest right in your backyard, while others view it as an opportunity for a much-needed beach vacation. From the crowd of thousands enjoying all the top country hits to the vendors who offer beloved food and drinks from local restaurants and more, Gulf Coast Jam is right up there with the best festivals in the US. Camaraderie and American pride also take center stage here, with the festival’s organizers extending a deep appreciation for members of the military and first responders. There’s nothing more uniting than a crowd cheering as “The Star-Spangled Banner” is being played and a team of fighter jets flies overhead. It’s a weekend full of the best country music artists, with the audience singing along at the top of their lungs and spending time with family and friends.

The 2023 Gulf Coast Coast Jam, presented by Jim Beam, had a record-setting attendance of thirtythousand country music fans showing up to hear headliners Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, HARDY, and over twenty other artists perform. The originally scheduled superstar, Morgan Wallen, was forced to cancel after a vocal cord injury, but the show went on with Kenny Chesney taking his place. The executive producer of Gulf Coast Jam, Rendy Lovelady, says, “Everything came together for the record attendance, four absolutely wonderful days of music. Our Jammers came from all fifty states and fourteen foreign countries!”

Left: Breland performs on opening night of Gulf Coast Jam 2023

Opposite: Miranda Lambert headlining Friday night

Photo by Tyler Conrad

Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach opened up Thursday night and was rocked by HARDY, Breland, Dylan Marlowe, Them Dirty Roses, and Jonboy Storey. That night, Lovelady and Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon took the stage and shared with the sold-out audience the exciting news that ACM Male Artist of the Year Morgan Wallen had been confirmed as the headliner for the 2024 festival. This news comes with much excitement and anticipation, as Wallen is the only artist in Billboard 200 history to have two albums spend their first ten weeks at number one. This excitement set the tone for the rest of that great weekend.

Friday night rolled out with a roar from the crowd as audio from Chris Stapleton’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played, and a team of fighter jets from Eglin Air Force Base flew over and wowed the crowd. There’s nothing like good ol’ American pride to kick off a night of country music! Miranda Lambert was the headliner for that night, and she delighted fans with ninety minutes of hits, preceded by performances from Justin Moore, Warren Zeiders, Shane Profitt, and DOZZI.

Carrying the immense energy into Saturday night, Lily Rose debuted at the festival, followed by a strong set from Bailey Zimmerman. But the night was just getting started—Chase Rice and Ernest opened for headliner Kenny Chesney and his I Go Back 2023 Tour. The crowd was in overdrive throughout Chesney’s performance as he rocked hit after hit. Rice and Ernest joined Chesney onstage to perform a trio of his six-week number-one Uncle Kracker duet, “When the Sun Goes Down.”

Clockwise from top left: Warren Zeiders, Them Dirty Roses, HARDY, Gabby Barrett and Cade Foehner, Chase Rice, and Kane Brown

Opposite: The crowd at sold-out Frank Brown Park”

The final night of the 2023 Gulf Coast Jam was met with much excitement. Stellar performances by Dylan Scott, Seaforth, and the third of three Jim Beam Welcome Sessions winners encouraged the crowd after an unexpected torrential rain canceled MacKenzie Porter’s set. Gabby Barrett took the stage with her singer-songwriter husband, Cade Foehner, to sing some of her top hits and favorite hymns. Kane Brown, who performed an opening act at Gulf Coast Jam in 2017, returned as the final in-demand headliner of the 2023 weekend. With his beautiful wife, Katelyn Brown, the duo rocked the crowd as they sang their number-one single, “Thank God.”

The Gulf Coast Jam, presented by Jim Beam, is listed by Billboard as one of The 10 Best Country Music Festivals. Everyone involved, from the artists and the organizers to the honored military and first responders, made the event memorable and enjoyable for every attendee. We can’t wait for next year!

Passes for the 2024 Gulf Coast Jam presented by Jim Beam are on sale at GulfCoastJam.com. Super VIP, Side Stage, and Platinum Parking are already sold out! Jammers are encouraged to follow Gulf Coast Jam on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for special announcements.

There ’ s nothing like good ol ’ American pride to kick off a night of country music!

Interview by KELLY CURRY

UNSUNG An of

N

orthwest Florida filmmakers Dave King and Jessica Plowden Anderson have set out to sift fact from fiction in sharing the story of the most welldocumented American hero you’ve probably never heard of. Their upcoming documentary, The Flight of Jackie Cochran, sets out to unfold the fascinating story of Jackie Cochran, an intrepid Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) of World War II, who set more records in altitude, speed, and distance than any other pilot in the twentieth century. The story is inspired by Nancy Hasty’s riveting play, based on the book Superwoman Jacqueline Cochran by Billie Pittman Ayers and Beth Dees.

VIE caught up with King and Anderson to learn more about their plans for the documentary, upcoming events they have planned for the film, and how we all can support their vision.

Buckle up and get ready to take flight!

VIE: What inspired this project, and how is it connected to the previously published book and play?

The Flight of Jackie Cochran is a documentary film under production that embarks on a captivating exploration of the extraordinary life and legacy of Jackie Cochran, an aviation pioneer who shattered barriers in a male-dominated industry.

We were inspired by Nancy Hasty, the author and performer of the play The Flight of Jackie Cochran, which tours nationally. After reviewing the script, we knew Jackie’s story had to be told as a documentary.

HERO AVIATION

Photography courtesy of the AIR FORCE FLIGHT TEST CENTER HISTORY OFFICE

Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran’s military portrait as part of the Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during World War II

ackie is a hidden icon. Her dynamic personality and extraordinary life story go beyond the typical small-town girl narrative. Her accomplishments as an entrepreneur, involvement in the US military, and contributions to women in aviation are remarkable. She holds the most speed, altitude, and distance records of her time—among both men and women—however, in many ways, she has been overshadowed by others. Of the people who know about her and her accomplishments, few are aware she did all of it under a fake identity.

We’re collaborating with Nancy and Beth, the author of Jackie’s book, to provide an accurate historical portrayal of Jackie’s life and career.

VIE: Who is Jackie Cochran and how did she impact the future of aviation?

Jackie Cochran, originally Bessie Lee Pittman, defied conventions and transformed the aviation industry in the early twentieth century. After growing up in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, she adopted a new name to break free from societal constraints and pave her own path in life.

After moving to New York City and founding her own cosmetics company, she began her aviation career in the 1930s and quickly gained recognition for her flying skills and determination. In 1938, she became the first woman to win the Bendix Trophy, a prestigious air race from California to Cleveland. She played a vital role in World War II by flying bombers, training hundreds of female pilots in Britain and the US, and becoming director of the WASPs. She began flying jets after the war and became the first woman to break the sound barrier. She continued to set records into the 1960s.

VIE: Why don’t more people know about her?

Despite her significant contributions to aviation and pioneering achievements, Jackie Cochran remains relatively lesser-known compared to some other aviation pioneers. There are likely several explanations for this. One possible reason is that her achievements were overshadowed by the fame of her contemporaries, such as Amelia Earhart.

Earhart’s disappearance and the mystery surrounding it captured the public’s imagination, making her a household name. Her tragic story became synonymous with adventure and courage, solidifying her status as an iconic figure in aviation history. However, Jackie’s accomplishments were equally groundbreaking and deserving of widespread recognition.

Right: In addition to being a prolific pilot, Jackie also worked in the beauty industry, started her own cosmetics line, and later sponsored the Mercury 13 program, an early effort to test the ability of women to be astronauts.

Moreover, Jackie’s accomplishments were not limited to one specific area, making it more challenging for her legacy to be tied to a single defining event. Additionally, the prevailing narratives that have shaped the historical portrayal of women in aviation might have contributed to her relative lack of recognition. This

Jackie Cochran and her Seversky Aircraft fighter plane

Cochran’s impact on aviation, her advocacy for women pilots , and her numerous achievements can continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of aviators.

Top right: A photo from Jackie’s husband, Floyd, of their farmhouse with a note to come home safely from her deployment

documentary aims to address and rectify this disparity so that Jackie’s impact on aviation, her advocacy for women pilots, and her numerous achievements can continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of aviators. It will also promote DeFuniak Springs, Jackie’s hometown.

VIE: Tell us about your backgrounds and how you each got involved in this documentary project. Are you working with a local team or sources across the country?

Dave King: I’m an art and technology enthusiast who began a new journey as a film and podcast

producer after a successful career in finance. Following my retirement in 2018, a profound near-death experience inspired me to pursue a more purposeful life. In 2022, my vision materialized as SOWAL House, a private social club and production company that combines technology and various art forms. I have come to believe in innovation, resilience, and a deep-rooted understanding of the transformative power of storytelling.

Jessica Plowden Anderson: I was raised in the lively city of Los Angeles, where I cultivated a profound love for storytelling and film. This passion propelled me toward a career in video production and advertising. Having collaborated with renowned brands, I established That Girl Media in 2022, dedicated to developing captivating narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, leaving a lasting impression.

We are co-producing and directing the documentary, along with Nancy Hasty as an associate producer and an all-local team of filmmakers who are helping to bring this project to life.

VIE: When will the film be complete, and where will you show it?

We eagerly anticipate the film’s premiere in 2024 when we aim to unveil Jackie Cochran’s extraordinary story to the world. Our comprehensive plan involves strategically distributing the documentary through various film festivals to capture the attention of a national audience.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that private screenings will be held throughout this year and into 2024 at the esteemed SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, Florida. These exclusive screenings will provide an intimate and immersive experience for a select audience, allowing us to gather valuable feedback and refine the documentary.

As we work diligently to bring Jackie’s captivating narrative to the screen, we recognize the importance of keeping our supporters and followers informed and engaged. To that end, we will actively share updates on our production progress across multiple social media platforms. You can stay connected with

us and follow our journey on Instagram and Twitter, where we can be found at @flightofjackiecochran. We believe in the power of community and appreciate the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, aviation enthusiasts, and history buffs who share our passion for Jackie’s story.

By strategically combining our distribution efforts through film festivals, hosting private screenings, and sharing updates via social media, we are confident that Jackie Cochran’s story will receive the attention it deserves. Our ultimate goal is to bring this remarkable woman’s life and achievements to the forefront of a national conversation, inspiring and enlightening viewers all over the globe.

VIE: How can the public support you?

Contributions are crucial for preserving Jackie Cochran’s legacy. We collaborate with local non-profits and have an ongoing fundraising campaign for The Flight of Jackie Cochran production. Donations cover production expenses like research, filming, editing, and distribution to bring this inspiring story to a broad audience.

There will be ongoing events at SOWAL House and various local venues throughout 2023 and 2024. Sign up for notifications for upcoming events via the SOWAL House app, available to download in the apps store.

Visit SOWALHouse.com/flight-of-jackie and follow on Instagram @flightofjackiecochran to learn more! You can also donate at www.gofund.me/c53103a4.

Above: Jackie Cochran with her protégé, Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager

Left: Scan the QR code to learn more or see how you can support The Flight of Jackie Cochran documentary.

A LANDMARK BUILDING, TRADITIONAL UKRAINIAN CUISINE, and MODERN

GASTRONOMIC TECHNIQUES in the HEART of NYC—TAKE a SIP at SLAVA.

Experience the best of Ukrainian cuisine with a modern twist at Slava, a New York culinary gem that opened last fall in SoHo. Its exquisite wines and high-end cocktail bar reflecting the legendary Pegu Club make it an unforgettable dining experience. Discover more at SlavaNYC.com.

Photo courtesy of Slava

The Seaside story that hasn’t been told . . . from the perspective of cofounder/visionary Daryl Rose Davis.

A brand-new luxury coffee-table book celebrating the rich history of the Town of SEASIDE ® and the evolution of The Seaside Style ® through 40 years of photos and stories.

“IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING,”

an audio recording of Taylor Swift loudly whispers to a crowd of eighty thousand excited fans to start the show. It floats over the crowd and passes over the walls of the stadium, hanging above thousands more fans waiting outside without tickets. Over the loud buzz of energy radiating off of every person in the stadium, you can feel the emotion coming through. This is the Eras Tour. It’s been over five years and seven albums since the pop star took the stage to perform for the public before this sold-out tour—a tribute to Swift’s “eras” marked by her ten studio albums—began in March. The arena itself seems to drone as chants, screams, and a tangible feeling of awe take hold of everyone nearby. Taylor emerges from the massive stage as the show begins.

My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of attending the Eras Tour on July 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio, near his hometown. Although I wasn’t a huge “Swiftie” before the show, my boyfriend was and asked me to tag along. The concert did not start until 8:00 p.m., but it was already packed when we arrived in the area at 2:00. There were tailgates in the roads surrounding the massive stadium and fans overcrowding the four-lane highways that had been shut off prior to the weekend, the city already knowledgeable to the turnout Taylor garners.

Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour at MetLife Stadium on May 26, 2023

Photo by Sarah Yenesel/ EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Opposite left: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour promotional poster

Opposite top right: Soldier Field Main Entrance with Taylor Swift Eras Tour posters

Photo by e.backlund/ Shutterstock

Opposite bottom right: Photo by ezellhphotography/ Shutterstock

he show began with her performing Lover, an album released right before COVID struck, after which she plowed through the rest of her entire discography for three and a half hours with few to no breaks. Just the opening set of Lover featured six songs and two outfit changes, including custom costumes from Versace and Christian Louboutin. She moved on to more massive hits such as “You Belong With Me” and the catapult of her career, “Love Story,” from her Grammy-winning Fearless era—during which she rocked a new designer outfit and a crystallized guitar. Before I knew it, she was somehow already in a new costume, this one more simple and elegant, for deeper cuts from her second album released during COVID, evermore.

To pick up the pace after this slower portion, Taylor moved on to a fan-favorite album, reputation. Loud, synth-heavy, rap-inspired tracks like “Look What You Made Me Do” had the entire crowd singing every lyric while she danced in a new sparkling bodysuit. Keeping the momentum moving, she jumped into her 2014 album, Red, injected with catchy pop tracks and a ten-minute song. To give the crowd a rest after Red, she moved into her Grammy Album of the Yearwinning record, folklore. Here, her stage presence took a backseat, and the songwriting and storytelling drove the performance. With a beautiful transition back into more lively music, she retook the stage in a new outfit for her other Grammy-winning album, 1989. Full of mega-smash hits like “Shake It Off,” this portion of the show was electric—not to mention hot—as her stage shot flames the entire time she performed the track “Bad Blood.”

Moving on to a more personable moment during the performance, Taylor included an acoustic portion of the show, which she and her fans have called the “surprise songs” section. Each night, Taylor picks

two songs not on the setlist at random—one for piano and one for guitar—never to be performed at another Eras Tour show once they are done. For instance, the show we attended received the surprise songs “ivy” and “Call It What You Want.” This set has also been popularized as a segment for surprise guests to join Tay on stage. Special guests during the tour have included Bronx drill rapper Ice Spice, longtime producers of Taylor’s music Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, Taylor Lautner and his wife Taylor Dome Lautner, and Joey King. Speaking of famous guests, this list doesn’t even include those who have just attended for fun! Some celebs spotted in the crowds over the past shows include Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Shania Twain, Emma Roberts, Cara Delevingne, Emma Watson, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lawrence, Blake Lively, Paul Rudd, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and Julia Roberts, among others.

Taylor Swift opens her Eras Tour performance in a custom Versace bodysuit.

Right: Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello attend the Eras Tour at MetLife Stadium.

Photos by Sarah Yenesel/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock

Above: Photo by Jack Kirkendall

or the last set, Taylor ended the show with songs from her most recent album, Midnights, which broke Spotify streaming records. After the show, I can confidently say I am a bigger fan. Catchy pop songs I remember from high school have come back to the forefront of my mind, and slow, less popular songs I thought I’d take a bathroom break during suddenly have become my most played on Spotify. Clearly, I’m not alone—the Eras Tour is the most talked about tour in America right now. Currently traveling the States and soon to be touring Latin America and Europe, Taylor Swift is taking the world by storm (and raking in about $13 million for each show). Not only is she performing to an average of two hundred thousand people every weekend (three hundred thousand if you include the massive crowds of people without tickets who are flocking to cities just to stand outside of the stadium), but she is also actively releasing her re-recorded albums so she can own the master recordings. Some people who attended the concert said they experienced such high levels of dopamine during the performance that they forgot everything about the show and what they just saw. To say the Eras Tour is a cultural phenomenon is an understatement, and we can’t wait to see how the journey will continue during the international portion.

Learn more or look for Eras Tour international concert tickets at TaylorSwift.com.

TO SAY THE ERAS TOUR IS A CULTURAL PHENOMENON IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT

The Eras Tour at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Photo by Javier Vicencio/ Eyepix Group

Photo by Sarah Yenesel/ EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Preserving A

rix Zalace, a renowned filmmaker and longtime Panhandle resident, and Sean Couch, a social entrepreneur and philanthropist who serves as the president and cotrustee of the J.W. Couch Foundation, came together with a shared vision to protect and preserve the Panhandle’s natural wonders. Arix owns AZA Productions, a distinguished production company known for its exceptional cinematography and storytelling.

Their shared passion for the Panhandle and its biodiversity led them to embark on a groundbreaking project called The Paper Bear. Beyond a mere film, The Paper Bear represents a preservation movement aiming to raise awareness about the region’s immense biodiversity. Through this upcoming feature film, viewers will be taken on a captivating coming-of-age adventure (for both boy and bear) and learn to view the world through the eyes of majestic black bears. The film is a powerful tool that aims to illuminate the Panhandle’s extraordinary natural heritage and foster a deep connection with its ecosystems. During the filming process, Arix had the remarkable opportunity to live alongside a family of black bears, gaining invaluable insights into their vital role within the ecosystem and the urgency of their conservation. ThePaperBear entertains and aims to inspire a profound appreciation for the Panhandle’s biodiversity and instill a commitment to its preservation.

The Florida Panhandle hides a world of vast biodiversity beyond its stunning beaches and emerald waters. Diverse species and unique ecosystems thrive here. However, encroaching development poses a looming threat.

Above: Max the Florida black bear

Photo by Arix Zalace

In our interview with Arix, we delve into the conception of The PaperBear and the intricate journey of bringing it to life. We explore the power of storytelling in empowering audiences and discuss how films can effectively convey important messages. Arix imparts valuable advice on how individuals can contribute to the preservation of our natural environment and actively participate in positive change.

VIE: Arix, how does The Paper Bear compare to the other documentaries and films you’ve worked on in the past? What makes this project unique or special for you?

AZ: Much of AZA Productions’ work over the past decade has been creating world-class “short features” for companies that educate and inspire while telling a story. We’ve also helped other studios complete feature-length documentaries. Our goal has always been to shift into the feature film arena, and timing was the key factor. Feature films require larger budgets and years of effort compared to short features.

The Paper Bear stands out as the first feature-length film that AZA Productions has produced and directed. Cowriter and coproducer Sean Couch and I even turned it into a nonprofit with the long-term goal of creating more adventure films for diverse audiences. We hope it will be the IndianaJones of the Panhandle. This project is particularly close to my heart, as it’s a story I’ve wanted to tell for

over a decade. The Panhandle’s immense biodiversity has always drawn me back, and its significant story has never been showcased on the big screen.

AZ: Diving wholeheartedly into this project rekindled my love for the Panhandle. I’ve seen a lot of change, and while I’m not anti-development, I believe we should consider the full breadth of a community’s natural resources. Focusing on a single aspect of community life, like economic drivers, can cause us to miss the bigger picture. Just like many in modern medicine have shifted towards a more holistic approach, I’d like to see development embrace a greater appreciation for the broader natural world.

Our area is unmatched for its biodiversity and bio-density. Many don’t realize this due to the Panhandle’s history, and protecting what isn’t visible is often challenging. Many local ecosystems and species are just now recovering from near extinction in the late 1800s, with some lost forever. As a community, we must educate newcomers and visitors about our world-class biodiversity—it’s vital for our survival and sound economics. Sean and I have taken the mantle to inspire and educate local governments, community leaders, and the public.

VIE: How has your firsthand experience witnessing the Panhandle’s development since 1978 shaped your passion for conservation and motivated you to educate the community?

This page and opposite: The production team working on The Paper Bear feature film in the diverse ecosystems of Northwest Florida, led by coproducers Arix Zalace and Sean Couch Photos courtesy of ThePaperBear.org

AZ: In our screenplay, Sean and I decided to tell the story of the Panhandle through the eyes of the Florida black bear. For two and a half years, I lived alongside black bears in Walton County, immersing myself in their environment and filming them for up to fourteen hours daily. This intense commitment was crucial to authentically capture their existence, unimpeded by humans or development. The first year and a half was spent with a young female, Tala, whose name in Choctaw means “palmetto.” After disappearing for three months, Tala returned with a newborn cub, Max. My following year was spent filming and living alongside Tala and Max. This transformative experience, witnessing the life of a mother raising her child, underlines that they, like us, are part of our community, striving to make it in this world. As members of our community, these animals deserve our recognition and respect.

VIE: How did you and Sean approach the process of writing the screenplay?

AZ: Sean and I took a unique and innovative approach to writing the screenplay. We embarked on independent research journeys and had extensive discussions where I shared stories about the Panhandle and its shaping. After one morning meeting, we decided to write separate screenplays. The common thread was the idea of a human father character sharing his heritage with his son through storytelling around a campfire, with the boy’s imagination coming to life through animation. Sean, being a father of four, focused on crafting the animated component to captivate younger audiences while I delved into the “real-world” storyline to engage older viewers.

We merged our screenplays, fine-tuning and refining the entire script until it was a compelling story. As my experiences living alongside wild black bears unfolded, we continued to shape the storyline, especially after Tala had her cub, Max. The Paper Bear balances entertainment and education, inspiring viewers without preaching. That was the balance that I believe we successfully achieved.

VIE:

AZ: We drew from personal experiences to shape the characters in The Paper Bear. Sean’s role as a father of four influenced the father-and-son storyline, while my encounters with living among, tracking, and filming bears informed the narrative. We worked seamlessly together to create a believable relationship between the father and his son, drawing inspiration from Sean’s experiences as a father and my role as an uncle figure to children.

As for the animation, four main black bear characters, including two females, were conceptualized as inhabitants of a parallel universe intertwined with the father and son’s daily wilderness exploration. Through these animated characters, we convey not only the Panhandle’s story but also the boy’s heritage and lineage. The intricate weaving of these parallel universes and their characters forms the film’s core message.

VIE: Living alongside a family of black bears for six months must have been an extraordinary experience. Can you tell us more about it and what you learned from this close interaction?

Can you share how the characters of the father, the son, and the black bear, Tala, were conceptualized?

“ Le monde

AZ: It allowed us to tell the history of the Panhandle in a way that didn’t feel too heavy, dark, and foreboding. Second, it allowed us to show the world through the eyes of the Florida black bear. This perspective helps us create a strong empathy for and connection to the bears, an umbrella species. If you protect them and their habitats, you protect all the other species in those habitats by default.

VIE:

storyline?

AZ: Rather than focusing on human actions and past mistakes, we crafted a fictional story that allows viewers to observe the narrative from an outside perspective. We aimed to evoke empathy and create strong personal connections with the characters, leaving the audience with an understanding of the past without guilt or shame. We wanted viewers to develop a deep love for the characters, as this love becomes a powerful vehicle for delivering their message.

Our goal was to create a lasting impact, drawing inspiration from the films that influenced us in our childhood. By recreating the nostalgic look and feel of classic 1980s cinema, we sought to provide a respite from confrontational narratives and ignite a sense of connection and love for the characters. In a world tired of darkness, we intended to inspire viewers and foster connections with others and the natural world.

VIE: What’s next for you and AZA Productions after The Paper Bear? Are there other environmental issues or locations you want to explore through film?

AZ: The Paper Bear has become a nonprofit, with me serving as its president. This film is just the beginning of our journey. One exciting aspect of our partnership is the combination of Sean’s nonprofit expertise and my background in business. We aim to establish a self-funding organization, generating revenue by selling our feature films to major streaming platforms. This revenue will be utilized to create more educational films about the Panhandle’s biodiversity. The characters we create will continue to live on, and we will also develop educational content for schools, local governments, and tourists. AZA Productions will likely handle the production and direction of this content. It has always been my vision to bring AZA Productions into the feature film arena, and now we have achieved it. Additionally, AZA Productions has other film projects in the pipeline, which I intend to pursue once we complete The Paper Bear’s post-production and release.

Support the 2021 Florida Wildlife Corridor Act to connect green spaces in the Panhandle. Contact your representatives and voice your support. Limited funds require state legislators to determine where investments will be made over the next decade. The wildlife corridor needs enhanced protection and accessibility for animals. Seven central populations of Florida black bears are isolated, resulting in genetic islands. Connecting these populations through wildlife corridors is essential. A detailed article on the act can be found here: FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/blog/the-florida-wildlifecorridor-act-what-is-it-and-what-changes-will-it-bring.

Learn how to coexist with wildlife on your property. Educate yourself and appreciate the unique plants and animals around you.

Highlight the diverse wonders of our home beyond its beaches. The Panhandle offers exceptional biodiversity extending to the Alabama and Georgia borders. Educate visitors and newcomers about the region’s natural treasures and foster harmonious coexistence.

Embrace our wildlife as integral parts of our community. Instead of considering them nuisances, recognize the value of our remaining wild spaces. Let’s protect and respect the plants and animals that share our environment.

Promote collaboration between developers and property owners to coexist with biodiversity. Encourage dialogue and the creation of wildlife corridors connecting developments, neighborhoods, and individual land parcels. Shift our conservation mindset towards enabling free movement for all species and safeguarding genetic diversity.

Provide financial support to Nokuse Plantation. Help expand this 55,000-acre nature preserve, establishing a vital wildlife corridor between the Eglin reservation and Pine Log State Park. Join in securing a legacy for future generations.

Express gratitude to the dedicated individuals managing our state parks and forests. Recognize their tireless efforts in safeguarding our precious natural resources. Work together and offer support to protect and preserve these invaluable assets.

To learn more about the film and for detailed information about how you can take action and help bring awareness to the natural wonders found in the Florida Panhandle, visit ThePaperBear.org.

VIE: How can the local community become more involved in preserving the region’s biodiversity?

IE: Tell us about your decision to incorporate animation and how it contributes to the storytelling.

How did you approach the challenge of inspiring empowerment in The Paper Bear, and what impact did you envision the film having on its viewers as you developed the

Our Goal was to create a lasting impact, drawing inspiration from the films that influenced us in our childhood.

“

A still from the beautifully animated portion of The Paper Bear film

Below: Tala the mother bear

Photo by Arix Zalace

Ethereal Songstress

Maggie Rogers, a gifted singer-songwriter, draws from her diverse musical background and upbringing in rural Maryland to craft a distinct sound that seamlessly blends folk, pop, and electronic elements. While studying at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, Rogers became famous after Pharrell Williams’s keen reaction to her song “Alaska” went viral on TikTok. Her introspective ballads and vibrant anthems explore self-discovery, empowerment, and the human experience, showcasing her evocative storytelling and soulful voice. With her authentic approach and undeniable talent, Maggie Rogers continues to make a lasting impact in the music industry.

Maggie Rogers performs in San Francisco on her Feral Joy tour. Visit MaggieRogers.com for tickets and more information.

Photo by CHRIS TUITE/imageSPACE/ Shutterstock

A BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

Celebrating 20 years in business on Scenic Highway 30A in Grayton Beach, La Florida Coastal Properties is a private, family-owned real estate boutique specializing in Gracious Living. Our female- and veteran-owned firm offers clients white-glove, individualized care. Experienced brokers and a team of dedicated associates offer stability, longevity, and consistency in our service.

ach year in VIE’s Entertainment Issue, I look forward to sharing some of my favorite flicks and series of the moment. I’ve always been a cinephile, finding escape and inspiration in stories told through the screen, big or small. With so many streaming options today, there’s never a shortage of things to watch—and no way anyone could see it all—but here are some of my top picks this year. Be sure to let us know what you’ve been binge-watching, and if this list inspires you, I’d love to know what you think! Hit us up on Instagram @viemagazine with your favorites.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

© Disney 2023

Trending Now

Some of the summer’s hottest releases include a little something for everyone, whether you can’t wait to hear “Yes, chef!” or you’re headed for a “Barbenheimer” double feature at your favorite theater.

Barbie

Welcome to the summer of pink. The movie everyone’s been waiting for, Barbie, finally hit theaters July 21 after a few years of heavy teasers—and it’s just as good as we hoped it would be. If you haven’t watched yet, get ready for some unexpected twists, a killer soundtrack, and, of course, an array of perfect outfits as Barbie and Ken navigate their way through the “real world.”

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season Two

Enjoying a sweet and sassy young adult romance is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon, whether reading by the pool or chilling with popcorn on the couch. Fans of Jenny Han’s Summer series of novels and Prime Video’s hit first season of The Summer I Turned Pretty will be glad to know Season Two is here! Check out episodes weekly, or wait until August 18, when you can binge the whole thing.

Oppenheimer

It was only right that I bookend the Trending Now section with “Barbenheimer,” as the internet coined the yin-and-yang July 21 releases. Oppenheimer takes us back to a darker part of history as Cillian Murphy stars in this biopic about the inventor of the atomic bomb. Christopher Nolan directs a truly star-studded cast, which also includes Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Gary Oldman, Robert Downey Jr., and many more.

Silo

Where are my sci-fi fans? Are you watching Silo yet? Apple TV+ is here to confuse us all with this intriguing drama about a colony of people living in an underground city-like silo due to apocalyptic conditions on the surface. But how did they get there? Who built the silo? Is the world outside really what they’ve been led to believe? This series is quintessential dystopian sci-fi, and has been generating a lot of buzz!

The Bear Season Two

Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and the rest of the Chicago crew are back in the kitchen in the highly anticipated second season of The Bear on Hulu. As they approach the deadline to open the new restaurant, the frenetic tension is high, but so are the moments of character growth and emotional flashbacks— not to mention some incredible cameos you won’t want to miss. Someone give Jamie Lee Curtis an award for this, STAT!

Oppenheimer

© Universal 2023

Silo

Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Barbie ©Warner Bros. 2023

Photo by Alon Amir

The Bear

Photo courtesy of FX

The Summer I Turned Pretty © Amazon Studios 2023

Photo by Erika Doss/Prime Video

The Super Scene

I love my superheroes, and this year’s Marvel character-inspired features have not disappointed me so far.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Sony Pictures Animation is back and better than ever with this sequel. SpiderMan:IntotheSpider-Verse wowed audiences when it was released in 2018 with a fresh take on the web-slinging superhero and the comic-book multiverse concept before it was seen in the beloved MCU. Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and a lot more Spideys are back in this second installment. I still can’t get over how amazing the artwork is throughout every universe they explore. Part three is expected to be released in March 2024!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Speaking of the MCU, its latest installment is a rollercoaster of emotions set, as always, to an unforgettable mixtape. Director James Gunn’s third (and likely final) film in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise explores the ties that bind families together and the origin story of Rocket Raccoon. Before the first Guardians release in 2014, I never would have thought fans worldwide would cry over a talking tree and a trash panda with a machine gun, but here we are. And I love every minute of it. (PS—if you haven’t watched the GuardiansoftheGalaxy Holiday Special on Disney+, I recommend seeing it before Vol. 3, but it’s not necessary. Christmas in August, anyone?)

IndianaJonesandtheDialofDestiny

The one and only Dr. Indiana Jones is off on his latest and greatest adventure in this action-packed fifth installment of the series. In addition to an incredibly impressive AI-enhanced young Harrison Ford, the plot includes appearances by old favorites, unexpected cameos, and all the nostalgia one could hope for in an “Indy flick.” (See what I did there?)

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse © Sony Pictures 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

© Disney 2023

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

© Disney 2023

I Spy…

My fictional dream job is superspy, and it seems like the genre is having a moment on Netflix and Prime Video with these three action-packed series.

Citadel

Memory loss, secret identities, and Bourne-level organizational betrayal converge in this Prime Video thriller series starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. Season Two is coming, so catch up on the scintillating first season and get ready for more action, romance, and twists coming in a second season, as well as some rumored spin-offs.

The Night Agent

When FBI agent Peter Sutherland is involved in a mess of an incident on the DC Metro, he’s pulled from the field and relegated to working as a “Night Action” agent, manning a secretive phone in the basement of the White House that never seems to ring. Until one night, of course, it does. Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is caught up in a much bigger ordeal when he answers, and the action that follows rocks the White House and beyond. Season Two is coming, and I need it now!

The Recruit

Much less intense than the previous thrillers, The Recruit stars Noah Centineo as an affable CIA accountant who gets much more involved in the agency’s affairs than he ever desired. This series is more of a comedy, though it has plenty of action, and has been confirmed for a second season by Netflix, probably coming in 2024.

Citadel

© Amazon Studios 2023

The Recruit

Photo by Philippe Bossé/Netflix © 2022

The Night Agent

Photo by Dan Power/ Netflix © 2023

Sports Moments

The drama, the feel-good moments, the victories and losses—there’s nothing like a good sports-related show or film to tug at your heartstrings.

Ted Lasso Season 3

I was late to the game with this series, but I can attest that The Lasso Effect is real. After a long-weekend binge of all three seasons, I’m sad this heartfelt Apple TV+ series is over and almost ready for a rewatch already. I’m a Richmond fan for life!

Formula 1: Drive to Survive

Speaking of being late to the game (or, in this case, the race), why has it taken America so long to embrace Formula 1? With the addition of the Miami Grand Prix to the F1 season in 2022, I think it’s safe to say the sport is here to stay, and Netflix’s docuseries on the talent, drama, heartbreak, and triumph behind the scenes is an excellent watch for new and returning fans alike.

Air

This may be more of a marketing movie than a sports movie, but the Damonand-Affleck-led biopic chronicles the deal that changed it all. Viola Davis stars as Deloris Jordan, whose tenacity in pursuing the Nike endorsement would change her son’s life, the success of the sportswear brand, and the athletic industry as a whole. Check it out on Prime Video!

Ted Lasso

Photo courtesy of Apple TV+

AIR

Photo courtesy © Amazon Studio 2023

Formula 1: Drive to Survive

Photo by Matt Seymour

Porsche my

Pop artist Ashley Longshore has collaborated with Porsche on a new collection of paintings blending her whimsical, vibrant style with the sleek elegance of the iconic cars. Visit AshleyLongshore.com or her Instagram @AshleyLongshoreArt for more details about this fabulous fusion of art and automobile.

I have loved

entire life. My father had a 928 S when I was in high school and would not let me drive it. Smart man. I could not have handled it.

— ASHLEY LONGSHORE

BOOK CLUB

THE READERS CORNER

A gem in the heart of the East Village, Book Club is not merely an independent bookstore but a testament to the power of community. Opened in November 2019, the bar and retail shop was started by owners Erin Neary and Nat Esten, who curated a space where literature meets connection. Their store is a sanctuary that fuses the allure of freshly brewed coffee, locally sourced craft beers, wines, and cocktails with a well-curated selection of books. But the true magic lies in Book Club’s commitment to fostering community interaction through engaging events and its thoughtful monthly book subscription program. These programs spark thought-provoking discussions, promote artistic expression, and create a lively, participatory environment that encapsulates the spirit of the East Village.

Photo by Ellen Kenwood, courtesy of Book Club Bar

A ROCK’N’ROLL TASTEMAKER

By Anthea Gerrie

Photography courtesy of Tony King

e was just a starstruck teenager with no qualifications when he inveigled his way into a record company. Yet within a few years, Tony King was hanging out with the Beatles, Roy Orbison, and Elton John and would make six world tours with the Rolling Stones. The backroom boy with star quality of his own also found himself at the heart of some high-profile personal dramas, witnessing the pain of a separated John Lennon and Yoko Ono and holding Freddie Mercury’s stone-cold hand as the singer lay dying.

King, who has waited until now to spill the beans of a lifetime of close encounters in his book The Tastemaker:MyLifewiththeLegendsandGeniuses of Rock Music , is the product of an age when stars rubbed shoulders with and confided in the unknowns who existed to serve them. At eighty-one, he is old enough to have known Keith Richards before he got into drugs—the guitarist reprimanded him for smoking a spliff with his girlfriend—and to have inspired the unknown, inconspicuous wannabe who became Elton John with his flamboyant style—”I could tell Reg was quite taken by my appearance,” King remembers.

King’s glittering career as a record promoter, minder, and creative director precedes Swinging London, when it was routine for cocky youngsters with a good eye and a good ear to ditch a formal education to leap feetfirst into a fashion or music career. But back in 1958, students who had made it into one of England’s elite academic secondary schools did not often quit without graduating. The Elvis-obsessed King did, however, when he turned sixteen and took a train to London. And his bravery paid off: he got promoted from a junior job at Decca Records by impressing an executive’s wife with knowledge of the Picasso on her wall—and having the wits to deny he was gay in the years before homosexuality was decriminalized.

Good-looking, sharp as a tack, and undeterred by what his flamboyant wardrobe might signal—“as well as my love beads, I had a thing for antique silk scarves,” he recalls—King’s style, confidence, and fearlessness aided his sprint up the ladder from record sleeve production to looking after artists in ways that would defy a job description today. He once leaped out of a taxi to flag down a car Roy Orbison had spotted and decided he wanted to buy. “He had a thing about classic wartime German Mercedes cars,” King explains of the famous fellow passenger who had just spotted his dream car pulling into London traffic. Having successfully persuaded the driver to stop, the deal was done—no wonder Orbison tried to lure King to Nashville to work for him. But the young fixer balked at his prospects as a gay man in the hetero home of country music. “I failed to sort out my visa, and the opportunity came and went,” he relates.

Opposite: Tony King at age fifteen

Top: Mick Jagger and Tony King, 1987

hen he did leave Decca—to join the Stones, still on the rise—it’s a coincidence he helped their manager get his own coveted automobile. “What with that and the Roy Orbison story, it sounds like I was some kind of car dealer, but the two events weren’t connected,” he says of helping Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones’ manager, jump up a long waiting list for a Rolls-Royce.

Despite his famously good ear, King did not really understand the Stones when he first saw them playing at a tiny, half-empty London club. “Compared to some of the gigs I’d seen with the Beatles with packed auditoriums going crazy, it all felt a bit flat.… The Stones had something, but I still didn’t understand what it was,”

he recalls. Yet King and Oldham, much younger than other music business execs at twenty-three, hit it off to the extent that when the manager played him a few bars of “Satisfaction,” he decided it was time to jump on board.

Keith Richards, still in his pre-marijuana days, was sweet and friendly to Oldham’s new sidekick, who was less impressed with falling angel Brian Jones. “Just before he died … I remember thinking he didn’t look so good anymore. He seemed a bit sad, a little run down,” says King. Charlie Watts and his wife became two of King’s dearest friends after the fixer saved their cat’s life by finding a miracle-working vet to save her shattered leg after another recommended putting her down. Louise the rebuilt moggy never forgot, coming to sleep on her savior’s bed whenever the Wattses invited King to stay at their farmhouses in Sussex and France.

Elton remains his closest friend, the one to whom he still speaks nearly every day “ ”

Elton John, Tony King, and John Lennon, 1974

Photo courtesy of Sam Emerson

ing also gave a leg up to an unknown Elton John when he moved on to work for George Martin’s production company. “Because I worked at AIR, I was able to get Reg, as he was known then, some session work,” he remembers of the artist whose piano-playing wowed producers in the studio. The youngster admired King to the extent that when he became Elton John, he hired his inspiration as VP at his record label and later as creative director. It was Elton who coaxed King, who left AIR to recover from a broken heart, into returning from exile in the countryside. “‘Come back, Tone,’ he wrote. ‘Come back to London. We miss you.’ I cried when I read that,” King says of what he calls “the most beautiful letter” from the man who has now been his friend for sixty years.

As head of A&R at Apple after the Beatles split, King worked his magic on George Harrison’s first solo album. “It was lovely to see (and help) George step out of the shadows,” he states. King finally realized his lifelong dream of getting to America in 1972 with George and Ringo, close friends from the early days. When their manager, Allen Klein, asked why he wanted to go, King replied simply, “Because it is the soundtrack of my life. Everything I have ever loved is American.” Soon after arriving, he finally got to see Elvis play at Madison Square Garden. “Sixteen years after I first heard ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ I got to see my idol,” he recalls.

In New York, King discovered an unimagined libertarian gay lifestyle. “I took the time to go to the Continental Baths, and it was like stepping into a different world,” he says. But first, LA would draw him with a major career move, managing John Lennon with Yoko’s blessing during the singer’s troubled “lost weekend” period. He discovered the soft side of the Beatle who had intimidated him when they first met—“he could be very cutting,” King remembers—and had coffee with a weeping Yoko, who was clearly missing John. He had a ringside seat for the experimental

separation that led to the couple’s reconciliation. And although it required extreme interventions from King—like muscling his misbehaving charge back to his hotel room after a rampage through Las Vegas and cleaning up the Bel Air mansion he had brokered for Lennon as an LA base after the singer trashed it—his efforts were rewarded. “He gave me a picture of Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol [with] a handwritten note: ‘To Tony with love from one of your problems, John.’ It remains one of my most treasured possessions,” says King of the iconic print that takes pride of place on the wall of his London flat.

He was close enough with Yoko to get high on magic mushrooms with her back in New York, breakfasting with the couple in the Dakota before Lennon cut ties with him during his cocooning period as a househusband. King admits that action hurt him at the time. But there was a surprise name-check in a BBC interview just hours before the shock of the ex-Beatle’s assassination. “We have a mutual friend, Tony King,” Lennon said when asked how he knew Elton John, King recalls. “The fact he described me as a friend the day before his death means everything.”

Elton remains his closest friend, the one to whom he still speaks nearly every day and with whom he’s enjoyed adventures like going for cocktails with Princess Margaret, visiting Mae West in her apartment, and socializing backstage with Frank Sinatra. After receiving his first royalty check, the singer bought his mentor a Cartier ring. Later, King became the executive vice president at Elton’s Rocket Records before moving to New York as head of disco promotion for RCA.

King’s celebrity-packed address book was cited as the secret of Studio 54’s success. However, the cost of his New York period was high, taking him to the epicenter of the emerging AIDS epidemic. He explains, “It was impossible to get away from the effects.… You’d see it out on the streets. The thinness of people … ghostly skeletons. Those with lesions and marks. And the yellow skin, that sallow, jaundiced, haunted look.

Keith Richards, Tony King, and Ronnie Wood

Tony King with Freddie Mercury, 1981

here once my diary was full of drinks and dates and club nights, now I caught up with friends in hospital beds … and later at memorial services.”

King, who only discovered in 2005—by which time it was no longer a death sentence—that he was HIVpositive himself, confesses, “The number of friends I lost over this period and would continue to lose over the years that followed broke my heart then and breaks my heart still.” They included Freddie Mercury, who called for King to come and see him in London as he succumbed to AIDS. They would watch Oprah together, and King insisted on buying furniture for his

old friend’s new home in Paris. But King only realized Mercury was about to die when he rushed across the Channel to see him for what turned out to be the last time in November 1991. “I lay on the bed with him and held his hand. He was just skin and bones. And stone cold. I realized he was going to go.” Of all the gay friends he watched die, King says, “Freddie was the bravest … right at the end, his spirit was still there.”

Robust enough to live with HIV for twenty-five years, King has had creative oversight of Elton’s lengthy farewell tour and his Las Vegas residency. Even a shocking diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2021 might not have stopped King in his tracks had the death of his dear friend Charlie Watts not struck a hammer blow the same year. “We were family—I was godfather to

his daughter and granddaughter.... We’d laughed and messed about together all over the globe.” But at a memorial event in Soho, close to that first club where an unimpressed King had first witnessed the rough and ready Stones, it was Mick Jagger who convinced him that his life would never be over until it was over.

“I told Mick I had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.... ‘Oh well,’ he said, ‘I guess that just means we’ll have to have a slow dance.’”

The Tastemaker: My Life with the Legends and Geniuses of Rock Music by Tony King is published by Faber and is now available as an audiobook. Hardcover is available for preorder from major booksellers.

Tony King with the Ronettes, Phil Spector, George Harrison, and Tony Hall, 1964

Soulful Storyteller

Noah Kahan, a talented singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with his heartfelt and introspective music. Hailing from the small town of Strafford, Vermont, Kahan infuses his songs with raw emotion and relatable storytelling. His thoughtful lyrics and soulful voice connect intimately, drawing listeners into his world. With a fusion of folk, pop, and indie elements, Kahan’s sound is refreshing and timeless. His introspective ballads touch on themes of love, loss, and personal growth, resonating deeply with fans around the globe. With his honest and vulnerable approach to songwriting, Kahan continues to establish himself as a rising star in the music industry.

Visit NoahKahan.com for concert tickets and details.

Photo by Kevin W Condon/ Shutterstock for Artists Den Entertainment

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WALTON COUNTY TOURISM

TINY

LIBRARIES SPREAD THE JOY OF

READING

30A ALONG

What’s better than a book at the beach? Finding and sharing them in the most unexpected places, like a small library box filled with the favorite reads of people passing through, looking for that next good story to dive into.

This is what Victoria Sellers had in mind when she approached the Walton County Tourism Department about establishing her first book exchange at the Visitor Information Center.

“I love literacy, and there are so many benefits to these tiny libraries. They’re great for all ages!” says Sellers.

Indeed, the concept is easy and free: take a book and/or leave a book. Sellers says all books are welcome (though they have to fit in the 15 x 13-inch space), and she especially encourages sharing children’s and family books.

Sellers and her three children moved to Santa Rosa Beach from Niceville two years ago. “I love it here! It’s beautiful. I love the beach and the people.”

She was motivated to create the libraries after a chance conversation last summer with an elderly man. While they chatted about newspapers and other magazines, the man confessed he couldn’t read, which surprised and saddened Sellers. She realized she wanted to share the joy of reading and make it more accessible.

"t put a mission on my heart to put some of these little free libraries out there,” she explains.

Inspired to create the small book exchange, Sellers and her nine-yearold daughter Olivia got to work. She bought some sheets of plywood, searched online for plans, and began construction of her first tiny library box. She needed help with a roof, which Bel-Mac Roofing was happy to provide. The first books were from her home and donations from Butler Elementary School and Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

The next decision was a location—and the Visitor Information Center at the corner of U.S. Highways 331 and 98 was a top choice. “My daughter loves going to the tourism center,” says Sellers.

Christy Gibson, Visitor Information manager, agreed. “Immediately, we thought it would be a fantastic location for a tiny library, where visitors and residents come in and out,” says Gibson, adding, “What a great opportunity for someone traveling by plane or car who wants to grab a book for the journey.”

Sellers added a second tiny library in March at AJ’s Grayton Beach by the bicycle rack. Soon there will be a third tiny library at the Santa Clara Regional Beach Access in Seagrove, with two more beach access locations planned, supported by WCT Beach Operations.

Sellers checks her libraries twice a week and thinks she’s put out around one thousand books so far. She is thankful for support from Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Caring and Sharing of Walton County in “refilling” her libraries.

Sellers’ goal is to have tiny libraries all along the South Walton Scenic Corridor, which she and her family love. The book-sharing movement is not new, and there are other small, free public libraries located around South Walton.

Sellers loves the yellow sugar-covered bunny confections popularized at Easter and thought Peeps would be a fun way to promote the library locations. She drops a card listing the “30A Peep Show” at various 30A hot spots—and challenges cardholders to find the “Peep family traveling 30A” along with their favorite books. The card features a little yellow bunny sporting a glittery gold bikini—“because we’re at the beach,” Sellers emphasizes.

Indeed, inside each tiny library is a yellow bunny cutout.

Soon Sellers’ library books will feature a stamp inside each front cover with a 30A graphic and a bumblebee.“People come from all over the world to vacation here; a book stamp with ‘30A’ will remind them of the interesting times they had,” she says.

JANIE BLUE X MAISON DE BLEU

VIE and Corcoran Reverie real estate held a private book signing reception and show home tour on July 12 featuring Suzy Accola of Q + lemontree design and developer Jim Accola of Coastal Elements Construction. Guests enjoyed an evening celebrating the launch of Suzy’s romantic thriller novel, Janie Blue, music by Sammi Accola and Reese Nobile, hors d’oeuvres, and libations while enjoying an Accoladeveloped and designed show home, Maîson de Bleu in WaterColor, Florida. Food was prepared by chef/sommelier Nathan Davis of The Polished Chef, and floral arrangements were provided by Rose & Co. Suzy signed copies of her book for guests, who also toured the home for sale by Corcoran Reverie.

Sammi, Suzy, Carson, and Jim Accola

Photography by Hunter Burgtorf

The Polished Chef team

The VIE Team & John Niehaus

Connor Morrison and Cindy Cole

Mindy and Mark Bell

Sydney Volkert and Kersten Bowman

Hilary Farnum-Fasth, Lisa Marie Burwell, and Suzy Accola

Sammi Accola performs

Jonah Allen Studio at Greenway Station in Seagrove Beach, Florida

Mary Ellen DiMauro

DJ Dad

JONAH ALLEN STUDIO GRAND OPENING

Congratulations to South Walton, Florida, fine art photographer Jonah Allen on opening his new studio and gallery at Greenway Station in Seagrove Beach on June 22! Guests poured into the newly minted space to browse Allen’s gorgeous aerial, shoreline, and underwater photos, enjoy tunes from DJ Dad, sample small bites from Swiftly Catered and drinks from Palmfolly, and check out Allen’s debut coffee-table book, Where Waters Meet

Jonah Allen and Linda Miller

Photography by Devote Studio

PICKLE’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Pickle’s Burgers & Shakes in Seaside, Florida, started in just forty-eight square feet and has grown in many ways, most recently by adding and opening Pickle’s Sandbar this February. Seaside locals and friends of Pickle’s, owned and operated by The Dawson Group, joined in celebrating the iconic outdoor diner’s thirtieth anniversary on June 1, and it was a party to remember!

Photos by Joe Frank Photography

Dave Rauschkolb, Bill Dawson, Carol Rauschkolb, and Heavenly Dawson

Bill Dawson

Alison Haynes, Sarah Powell, and Maggie Weaver

Matt Dunn, Kevin Martindale, Clark and Ashlee Beecher, Baron Fields, Matthew McMahon, and Courtney Fields of The Dawson Group

Hilary Farnum-Fasth and Jacob Watkins

Devan and Jacob Watkins

Kurt Tobias

OAK GROVE AT EDEN’S LANDING LAUNCH PARTY

Corcoran Reverie real estate hosted a tour of the beautiful new site for Phase Two of Eden’s Landing, Oak Grove, brought to the market by co-brokers Hilary Farnum-Fasth and Jacob Watkins. Thirty-two stunning homesites will break ground in the heart of Point Washington, Florida. Oak Grove offers a variety of floor plans, borders the beautiful Eden Gardens State Park, and is anchored by the large park in the middle of the community. Follow along with @hilaryandjacob on Instagram for more details, or visit OakGroveatEden.com/oak-grove.

Photos by Joe Frank Photography

BLUE ANGELS 2023 SEASON KICKOFF

Since 1946, it has been the honor of the Blue Angels flight team to represent the United States Navy and Marine Corps to audiences locally and abroad as they showcase the excitement, precision, and power of naval aviation. Comprising 138 world-class, activeduty sailors and marines with a home base in Pensacola, Florida, they are honored to serve as the representatives of the more than 800,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian men and women currently serving worldwide.

Photography by Jeff Landreth ??

THE ZOO GALLERY X BUTCH ANTHONY

Locals and visitors enjoyed a fantastic showcase by artist Butch Anthony at The Zoo Gallery in Grayton Beach on June 27. Anthony has been a transformative figure in contemporary art, showcasing work across the United States and abroad. Based in Seale, Alabama, his Museum of Wonder Drive-Thru exhibit has delighted passers-through since the 1970s with oddities and artwork, and guests got a taste of it with a unique installation at The Zoo!

Photos by Chloe Bee Photography

Lyndon Jackson, Baxter Wilson, and Butch Anthony Roxie Wilson, Butch Anthony, and Baxter Wilson

Solution on next page

AT THE MOVIES

BY MYLES MELLOR

ACROSS

1 2022 Best Actor winner in TheWhale , Brendan _____

4 Sequel that was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2022 (2 words)

9 Lee Child’s detective

11 MillionDollarBaby Oscar winner, Hilary ____

12 Nightmare street

13 ____ Paolo

14 ____Act, comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg

16 Bleak, as a movie

17 British special forces, for short

20

Mission:Impossiblefigure

23 She won Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once (last name)

25 Oscar winner Hanks

26 1998 Daytona 500 winner Earnhardt

27 2022 sci-fi sequel and huge box office hit

29 First name of Batman’s butler

30 Negative word

32

Superhero film based on a Marvel Comics actor of the same name, played by Robert Downey Jr. (2 words)

33 Crawdad’s home

35 Arrives from the sea

36 1989 James Cameron film, with “The”

1 GodfatherofHarlemstar, first name

2 Enchanted star, Amy ____

3 Sounds in an empty hall

5 He got into a battle with a media tycoon over Citizen Kane (first name)

starring Russell Crowe

Fictional superhero and film of the same name released in 2004 26 First name of the star who played 007 in No Time to Die 28 She played Marilyn Monroe in Blonde , Ana de _____ 31 The King and I character 34 “Owner of a Lonely Heart” group

The Last Word

Puzzle on previous page

We live in a box of space and time. Movies are windows in its walls.

“ ”

—Roger Ebert

For the full recipe and more, visit the Diora Wines website at DioraWines.com/global.

Au revoir!

BEFORE YOU GO . . .

Gail Simmons, lauded culinary expert and TV personality from BRAVO’s Top Chef and The Good Dish, has teamed up with Diora Wines to cultivate an enticing seasonal culinary experience. Among her creations is the Bucatini with Sunburst Cherry Tomatoes, Corn, and Basil, a dish that epitomizes the vibrant essence of summer. This mouthwatering pasta blends the freshness of cherry tomatoes, corn, and basil, enriched by creamy ricotta and sharp Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The dish, paired impeccably with Diora’s Rosé of Pinot Noir, encapsulates the harmony between high-quality food and fine wine, offering an unforgettable summer dining experience.

Photo courtesy of Diora Wines