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Sabina Gonzalez wears Maureen Disini

EDITOR'S NOTE

LIVING WELL

Thought I was over collecting stickers.

My current obsession. #anyahindmarch

Tour pants of choice by Patrice Ramos Diaz @paradi #TrimarkInBarcelona #OOTD

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Fashion is part of a whole lifestyle. When I had to look for Instagram photos on my account @riaprieto, I realized that like Instagram, our magazine features all aspects of life that help us live well. It really doesn’t always mean spending big to get the best; most of the time, it means choosing what we want to expose ourselves to and to spend on.

Our profile on designer Maureen Disini can attest to this. As the featured designer in last month’s RED gala event, Disini shows how much she has grown as a designer. From luxurious drapery, she has now mastered beautifully structured silhouettes without neglecting the easy glamour of evening wear. Her skill as a designer is matched with a global perspective, as Disini travels frequently both to find new fabrics and get inspired by different sights, cultures, and cuisines.

The rest of this issue also celebrates experiencing the world through different eyes and palates, whether it’s getting lost on purpose in a new place (exploRED, p. 27) or stepping back in time with a good drink and a sumptuous dish (devouRED, p. 8). We hope that by reading our stories this month, RED can help you pick out your next outfit, vacay, even your next meal.

Inquirer RED Magazine-OFFICIAL

inquirerRED

Grace!! Note to self: buy a selfie stick. #NYFW2015 #GraceCoddington

inquirerred

Want to see the other issues of Inquirer RED Magazine? Check out inquirer.net/red

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This page: Black leather and suede heeled loafer, J.W. Anderson

Group Publisher Bea Ledesma Editor in Chief Ria Prieto Creative Director Nimu Muallam Associate Editor Meg Manzano Copy Editor September Grace Mahino Editorial Assistant Denise Fernandez Staff Photographer Patrick Segovia External Relations Officer Liza Jison Contributing Writers Lex Celera, Chryssa Celestino, Olivia Estrada, Pristine de Leon, Angela Natividad Contributing Photographers Carl Celera, Tammy David, Artu Nepomuceno

Board Chairperson Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez SVP and Group Sales Head, Inquirer Group of Companies Pepito Olarte Sales Director Ma. Katrina Mae Garcia-Dalusong Business and Distribution Manager Rina Lareza Sales Inquiries Email: sales@hip.ph Telephone No: +63 (2) 403 8825 local 239

ON THE RADAR

NEWS LUXE

WORDS MEG MANZANO, CHRYS SA CELESTINO, AND DENISE FERNANDEZ

CREW CUT

While Madewell’s former design head Somsack Sikhounmuong settles into his new spot as the head of women’s design at J. Crew, industry insiders have been awaiting the Madewell alum’s next move for the reportedly struggling brand. Before any more constructive sites pop up (one largely dissatisfied patron created a “How to Fix J. Crew” site), the fashion crew announced its move to basics, focusing on creating wellloved cardigans, cashmere numbers, and the popular Regent blazer. In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, CEO Mickey Drexler assures “more emphasis on the key product categories that our customers love J. Crew for.”

PATTERN PLAY

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Brooklyn-based fashion brand Dusen Dusen continues to surprise after they teased the public last March with their home line featuring a couple of colorful characters. Drawing inspiration from Google maps, Scandinavian textiles, and handwriting, the pattern authority’s home goods have finally dropped this month in stores.

TAKE A BOW

In a rather playful take on menswear, Hermès introduced four varieties of the bow tie for the ladies. From the “Collections Impériales” by Catherine Baschet that draws inspiration from the Ming and Qing dynasties, “Flots, Fleurs et Frontaux” by Virginie Jamin that attempts to illustrate equestrienne elegance, and from “Paddock” by Jean-louis Clerc—arguably an homage to jockeys—to Christine Henry’s “Fleurs et Papillons de Tissus” set that zooms in on the art of weaving dating back to the Byzantine era, dapper little darlings may have just found their weapon of choice for fall.

NEW HOMME

Alongside the arrival of numerous luxury establishments at 8 Rockwell comes demicouture boutique Homme et Femme, set to open with fellow fashion brands Lanvin and Balenciaga as neighbors.

BOOK IT Matthew Quick of The Silver Linings Playbook fame opened the 2nd Philippine Literary Festival with Meg Wolitzer last August. Before formally talking about writing and the literary landscape, Quick spent five minutes listing a few titles worth reading.

A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara “It’s what I’m reading right now.

(Laughs).” But Quick’s humor aside, this Man Booker Prize longlister is a reference to the novel’s subversive genius. A novel on four male grads settling in New York City for the first time, A Little Life unapologetically dabbles in abuse and suffering.

Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets

by Evan Roskos “He’s a friend, and he writes about anxiety and depression here,” describes Quick. The joy in reading Roskos, however, is more than just in his poignant storytelling. His optimistic perspective introduces us to a protagonist that finds beauty even in the saddest places.

On Writing

by Charles Bukowski A series of the author’s letters and personal reflections on art and his solitary craft, On Writing is a must-read for any Bukowski fan.

“If you’re not a Charles Bukowski fan, you might not like it,” warns Quick. But hey, you have to read to know.

Norwegian Wood

by Haruki Murakami Distanced from Murakami’s current magic realist signature, Norwegian Wood remains a classic, almost toonormal novel for any Murakami beginner. But don’t be fooled by the lack of magic here: its remarkable feat lies in the succinct expression of deep loss and burgeoning sexuality.

All titles are available at all leading National Bookstore branches nationwide

PH O TO GRAPHY PAT RICK SEGOVIA

ACQUIRED

INTO THE BLUE A timeless icon of luxury and culture WORDS DE N IS E F E RN AN DE Z

While we’re all familiar with the famous scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (who could forget Audrey Hepburn’s Yellow Diamond cameo?), famed New York jewelry house Tiffany & Co. has been spotted at only the most prominent events, be it society lunches or A-list celebrity gatherings. Throughout the century in which it was established, the brand has built its name as a classic and much coveted luxury icon. Priding itself on the quality and rarity of its diamonds, Tiffany & Co. has garnered a wide prominent following, including members of high society and royalty such as Duchess Kate Middleton and Countess of Wessex, Sophie Helen. From becoming the first luxury brand to produce an engagement ad featuring a dashing same-sex couple to launching their very own interactive mobile shopping app, Tiffany continues to craft quality jewelry while making waves in culture today.

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When Tiffany & Co. first opened, which explains their collection named “1837”

The make of the Tiffany Yellow Diamond that is usually shown on display in their New York City flagship store

At the corner of this and 5th Avenue is where Tiffany & Co.’s NYC flagship store sits

The cost of the most expensive piece of jewelry Tiffany has ever made: the Tiffany Anniversary Diamond ring

The make of the Tiffany Anniversary Diamond ring, bordered with white diamonds in platinum

The global reach of the prominent jewelry house operate worldwide as of January 2015

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It’s time to play around and be creative. The Spring/Summer 2016 menswear collection is a grown-up guy’s sartorial playground. Toy around with the idea of activewear, tinker with various Eastern influences, and up your game in mixand-matching florals. This season is for your amusement. You make the rules.

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SQUARED

EASY DOES IT TC Alvarez-Sibal on certain luxuries WORDS ME G MA NZA NO PHOTOGRAPHY PATRI CK S E G OVI A

TC Alvarez-Sibal is the kind of woman that doesn’t adhere to the common code of binaries.

While perfectly adept at living a life of a seeming double agent, the Natori design consultant doesn’t prescribe to usual forms of introduction. “Mom first and career woman second”? There’s none of those Instagram bios to be had here. “I’m the kind of person that really tries to excel in both being a mother and a fashion designer,” she says while studying racks and racks of her own pieces, as if to contemplate her choice—or current lack thereof.

“They’re both a huge part of who I am and I’ve always tried to put them together.”

A quick tour of the Two Chic boutique (which Alvarez-Sibal co-owns along with her sister Ana Alvarez-Laygo) yields further proof of the luxury designer’s lovely refusal to compartmentalize motherhood. Take, for example, a mood board populated with various cutouts of inspiration posted side by side a little sketch gifted by a promising young artist: her eight-year-old son. “It’s really hard,” muses the designer. “You need a lot of staff and a lot of people you trust both in the business and at home.”

After years of gamely shuffling between Two Chic’s design headquarters in Poblacion and her house in New Manila, Alvarez-Sibal’s garmented obsession is unsurprisingly that of easy luxury. There are day dresses in the most comfortable chambrays, quirky tunics, preppy shirtdresses with a little twist, and a set of denim numbers generously decorated with fringe. The Two Chic woman? “Maybe a young mom or a woman with her own business who loves to travel and dress up,” intimates Alvarez-

Sibal. Interestingly enough, the designs she had previously studied on her racks seem to be pretty telling references to the sartorialist’s identity— pieces are rarely constricting, with a definite air of nonchalance, aesthetically and luxuriously en pointe yet still incredibly wearable from day to day, fit for what we imagine to be a schedule filled with play dates and tea parties with little girls to brunch meetings with fashion folk. Beyond all this, the boutique owner’s grandest luxury still remains her ability to afford being a mother to both her children and her design brainchild, a binary she seems violently intent on immersing herself in. •

Two Chic Manila is located at 6239 Mañalac St., Poblacion, Makati For appointments, call 899-2435.

“THERE WAS THIS RED EMBROIDERED SILK SHOE FROM MAX MARA IN ITALY THAT MY MOM COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WANTED SO BAD. MY DAD WAS AN ACCOUNTANT AND MY MOM A HOUSEWIFE SO IT WAS BEYOND THEM HOW MUCH I OBSESSED OVER IT...I WAS STILL ABLE TO GET IT IN THE END.”

Below: a Bulgari Serpenti-braceleted Alvarez-Sibal introduces her dress twin.

BARED

POLAR OPPOSITES This season, killer lips play contrast to the au naturel effect W ORDS OLI VI A E S TRA DA P H OTOGRA P HY PATRI CK S E GOVIA

Nude: Moisture Surge CC Cream, Cheek Pop in 01 Ginger Pop, both from Clinique; lip liner in Plum, MAC Cosmetics; Skin Foundation stick in Honey, Bobbi Brown; nail polish in Teetotal, Butter London; Velvet Shadow Stick in Hollywoodland, NARS Dark: Lipstick in Rebel, MAC Cosmetics; Bronzing Powder in Medium 2, Bobbi Brown; nail polish in Bramble, Butter London; Velvet Shadow Stick in Sukhothai, highlighter in Tribulation, both from NARS

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Strand necklace with golden South Sea pearls, Jewelmer Joaillerie, Greenbelt 5

Gold-plated silver balimbing beads with granulated coral necklace, gold-plated silver tamburin beads, coral, and black crystal necklace, both from Natalya Lagdameo, Firma, Greenbelt 3

BARED

Opposite page: Blue sapphire necklace set with moonstone and white diamonds, Jul B. Dizon, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel This page: Chainmail necklace with turquoise and crystals, Emily Kate Symes, Firma, Greenbelt 3

DEVOURED

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OLD-WORLD INDULGENCE Elevated dining, within the context of a different time W ORD S P RI S TI N E DE L E ON P HOTOG RA P HY A R T U N E P OM UCE N O

We’re not exactly in the ’20s, when speakeasies stood as America’s clandestine rebellion spots against a statewide liquor ban. We’re even far removed from the period when existentialists gathered at Café de Flore, exchanging rhetoric until late into the night. At this particular local bar, however, where jazz, blues, and booze are permanently in attendance, you’d think you’ve been granted entry into an era that was.

Desiderata Lounge was initially intended as a secret. “Don’t tell anyone” was the connotation behind its acronym DTA. “It’s hidden. It’s like we wanted it for ourselves,” explains general manager Anton Zamora. Touches of Art Deco are evident in the design, yet with its playful palette of teals, golds, and browns, he deems it a feminine incarnation of the old-century cigar bar.

At five in the afternoon, the growing crowd who’s gotten wind of DTA starts sipping their Negronis and Martinis to pass the time— retreating from the rush hour, or “the noise and haste,” as Max Ehrmann’s poem puts it.

“Some writers here would get sauced and get ideas,” says Zamora, what with the drinks and the dishes assuming an equally artful presentation. For instance, the braised Wagyu Lengua is reminiscent of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s geometrical figures. Take into account, however, that when it comes to food at Desiderata, even the finest looking artworks are duly slated for consumption.

A slice of the slow-cooked Wagyu tongue lets us indulge in its play of contrasts: the crisp outer layer surprising with its impossibly tender meat— textural overtures, punctuated by the slight tang of mustard and beetroot cream. From the aesthetics down to the taste, head chef Borja Duran Cid culls inspiration from the masters.

Another dish of note is the Tuna Tataki.

The fish is brought fresh from General Santos, the city lauded as the country’s tuna capital.

Zamora brings in other sumptuous curiosities: the Fried Ox Clouds and the Octopus Mojo Verde.

Notwithstanding DTA’s culture of refinement, we’ve likely never taken a more primal pleasure in eating brains and tentacles on a plate.

If we follow Zamora’s logic that the modernday Ehrmanns and Hemmingways would dine here at Desiderata, their contemporary twist to food is obviously fuel for conversation. The spirits, however, sustain the diners throughout the night.

With the Midwinter Margarita—the rim of the glass laced with salt and cayenne pepper—we almost believe that its spicy kick can counter the impending intoxication.

“People tend to stay here the whole night,” says Zamora. When the conversation dwindles, some folks play vinyl records in the upstairs music library. Some revel in the songs of the ’30s and the ’40s, Brandy Alexander or gin and tonic in hand.

Appetites full and gazes unsteady, we almost succumb to the thought that we’ve chanced upon another period. “We didn’t exactly want to transport you to a different time,” Zamora clarifies, as if in jest. “But we wanted you to have a feel of it.”

• Desiderata Lounge is located at Unit 106, the Infinity Tower, 25th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

For reservations and inquires, call 893-4212.

AT FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON, THE GROWING CROWD WHO’S GOTTEN WIND OF DTA STARTS SIPPING THEIR NEGRONIS AND MARTINIS TO PASS THE TIME— RETREATING FROM THE RUSH HOUR, OR “THE NOISE AND HASTE,” AS MAX EHRMANN’S POEM PUTS IT.

Previous page: Braised Wagyu Lengua with beetroot cream and mustard emulsion From top: Poached Pears with Walnuts and Blue Cheese; DTA’s interiors; New York Sour

Days after her first solo show, d e s i g n e r Maureen Disini is still swamped. On the ADMIRED day I meet her—an early Saturday, the start of a long Tracing the labor in weekend—Disini is walking Maureen Disini’s fabrics and lace around barefoot in her whiteW O R D S C H R Y S S A C EL ES T I N O walled apartment in Makati. She roams aimlessly with her phone in one P H OT O G R A PH Y A R T U N EPO M U C EN O hand, possibly texting a client while running her fingers through a few dresses hanging on the clothes rack next to her. I immediately recognize what they are: looks from her 41-piece collection, a black and white series she recently debuted.

Today, the 18 people who will be visiting her are looking forward to their commissioned Disini pieces. Different day, different gown, but all the same grind.

This is Disini’s daily ritual since the day she quit pitching fashion editorials—she’s a former Tatler editor—for an eternity of fashioning fabric. It’s pretty obvious she hasn’t looked back since. And why would she when everything’s just going so well?

Feedback on her full-length collection, for example, has been positive. “I’m over the moon. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and how people reacted,” admits Disini, referring to the critical acclaim of local journalists. “People have said it was a great show.” And it was—that Tuesday night of Aug. 25 was a landmark showcase of what Disini is and could be.

Formerly a woman of drapery, the designer outdid herself by materializing other styles and achieving diverse silhouettes. But she remains grounded on the little, comfortable corner of eveningwear, and maintains a classic take on feminine clothing.

Seeing her layered, meticulously-designed dresses on the runway makes it difficult to imagine their three-month production. That, however, makes it a lot easier to respect what Disini tries to do—which isn’t to say we didn’t in the first place.

“We were tired [when making] this collection. We had to rush to meet the ultimate deadline,” she recalls. On the collection’s anthem, Disini says, “I was inspired by nature, and had always wanted to use flowers as the main theme.

I’ve been drawn to the colors black and white, and I thought they were apt to use.”

I knew for a fact that Disini has an eye for detail. Before we started talking, all eyes were on model Sabina Gonzalez (who unsurprisingly takes after her mom Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez) and her long striped gown. She looked immaculate with her hair up, her hazel skin in contrast to her white gown, and her almond eyes holding the lensman captive. As we watched, Disini hurried to her aid. She bent down and undid a stubborn fold at the end of the garment that missed our eyes. She was calmer and sat in a corner after that.

Disini’s other ordinary days are spent elsewhere. If you’ve stumbled upon her Instagram and eagerly hit follow, you’d know that she travels around the world to source the best fabrics and post the best food snaps.

Touring is leisurely, laborious, and educational. For Disini, foreign places help widen her perspective and lead her to unlikely inspirations.

“Travel has always been a big influence on my design,” she says. “[If my recent collection were a place,] it would be Rome. It’s clean, simple, but still romantic.” In fact, Disini is soon off to Paris to gather more fabrics.

Everything that Disini does references back to her craft. Like any passionate artist, each minute revolves around the plot of her art so when her attention is divided between posing stately and dressing clients, as evidenced this Saturday morning, she does everything to attend to both. But that’s exactly the kind of attention we need from a persevering talent. We’re glad that she’s this busy.

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PERFECTING FORM

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Makeup Mayesa Delos Santos of MAC Cosmetics Hair Mong Amado Photographer’s Assistant Ignacio Gador

#RED xMaureenDisini

Celebrating Disini’s talent for drawing the most romantic designs, not to mention, a pretty huge crowd W ORDS RIA PRIETO PHOTOG RA P HY TA MMY DAVI D, PATRI CK S E GOV IA , AN D ART U N E P OM UCE N O

For our second solo show, Inquirer RED featured Maureen Disini, an artist who embodies the RED lifestyle: well-traveled, always open to learning new things, driven, and hasn’t stopped pursuing her dream. Disini goes beyond design; her clients get quality craftsmanship, including fabric that she herself has sourced from all over the world. In fact, going to her atelier is an experience in its own.

Disini’s brand of timeless designs and meticulous details was apparent in the 41-piece presentation, which was well-attended by guests who not only came to celebrate the designer but also embody the RED lifestyle. These are people who appreciate the finer things yet also live a balanced life: Tracie Dizon of A2A Safari, who translated her passion for travel and adventure into a business that materializes the journey of her clients’; fashion and lifestyle insiders such as retailer Xandra Ramos-Padilla, photographer Sara Black, business tycoon Leo Po with wife Marielle SantosPo, restaurateur Tara Santos, artist Jay Yao, SSI’s Malu Francisco, PR experts Edd Fuentes, Susan Joven, and Annie Ringor; and designer friends Joey Samson, Ivar Aseron, Dennis Lustico, JC Buendia,

Ito Curato, Jojie Lloren, Patrice Diaz, James Reyes, TC Alvarez-Sibal, and Pepito Albert who all came to witness Disini’s first solo show.

Part of RED’s appeal is its global approach, reflected by the guest list that included Ambassador Igor Khovaev of Russia; Gracita Tolentino, the wife of the Swiss Ambassador; Monthip Upatising, wife of the Thai Ambassador; and Consul Agnes Huibonhua.

Of course, also in attendance were the designer’s close family friends Tessie Luz, Sandie Poblador, Frannie Jacinto, and her parents Atty. Jess Disini and Princess Disini. Even her high school compatriots Mel Cuevas, Anne Arcenas Gonzales, Tanya Escaler Riviere, and Abba Napa showed support.

Aside from great design and a theatrical presentation, the gala event was a gathering of industry and personal friends who understand that everyone has the choice to

live better. That evening, they decided living better meant celebrating with RED. The RED x Maureen Disini Fashion Show is presented

by Inquirer RED Magazine, Hinge Inquirer Publications, and HIP Events. Special thanks to the following partners: Makati Diamond Residences, Charles & Keith, Salon Privat, MAC Cosmetics, and Iphor Trading.

• Top: A quick runway recap of the designer’s first solo show Below: The RED team with the designer of the moment

@valgabutan: Miss Maureen Disini’s pieces are sewn to perfection.

@calcarriesph: #WCW On Duty

@bonnehandmade: @inquirerred x @maureendisini #REDxMaureenDisini @joycemakitalo: Details from last night’s #REDxMaureenDisini show. Congratulations, dearest @maureendisini!

Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Tara Santos, and Abba Napa

Top: Tracie Dizon, Pia Chua, and Laju Shulani; Right: Xandra Ramos-Padilla and Joanna Ong-Go

Charles & Keith heels underneath all of Disini’s tulle and lace

@instagee: Thank you and HUGE congratulations to @maureendisini @riaprieto @bealedesma and @ari15anover. Thank you for making her a part of something so special #MyUnica

@maureendisini: Celebrating with publisher @bealedesma, designer @gian_romano, director @ari15anover

Hye-Won Fitze, Madame Gracita Tolentino, Madame Monthip Upatising, and Consul Agnes Huibonhua

Michael and Anjana Hasper

@inquirerred: Marking the end of a successful showcase with Group Publisher @bealedesma and EIC @riaprieto

DESIRED

MACARON RUN Sweet tooths, take note

WORDS DE N IS E F E RN AN DE Z IL LUS T RAT ION S AIN T E JAM E S TAN

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You can now remove Ladurée from your Hong Kong weekend shopping lists as the Parisian macaron boutique finally lands in Manila. While macaron cravings may have arguably died down over the past couple of months, leave it to the French to make a perfectly sweet entrance.

More than the variety of cookie flavors that the shop has to offer, Ladurée maintains a selection of sorbet, gourmet chocolates, tea blends, and a wide assortment of honeys, tea jellies, and other delectable delicacies. Fans, take note: the label even carries a range of candles and scents.

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Ladurée is located at 8 Rockwell.

EXPLORED

GOING FOR LOST

Finding providence in Vienna and Prague sans an itinerary WORDS L E X CE L E RA P H OT OGRAP H Y CARL CE L E RA

From the standpoint of a tourist, many cities can easily be dissected into known quantities: distances from landmark to landmark, conversion rates, and commute times, to name a few. In Europe, familiar knowledge translates to historical figures and picturesque landscapes, all of which have the capacity to overwhelm and awe but sadly end up as another location to tick off on a checklist. Many fall into the trap of diluting the experience of

travel to mere sightseeing. The eyes of the tourist get dazed by the empirical and the structured, and the city is seen as as if time has stood still, unaware of what the city can offer beyond what the travel brochures dictate.

There’s a certain beauty found when traveling into the unfamiliar, walking around aimlessly, fueled with a keen sense of wonder rather than a state of ignorance. The idea seems easy enough in

a time of low-budget travel and the aid of AirBnb, TripAdvisor, and Uber, but the core of it is to experience another place untrammeled—at least, it was for me. Armed with no information apart from what I’ve learned in history class, I visited Vienna and then Prague in this manner for a few days.

Vienna is one of the few places where this kind of sojourn comes easy, mostly because the city is one of the few where tourist attractions are

At the end of the Catamaran cruise, travelers find their boats docked at the Red Beach.

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also visited by the locals. Before Sunset notwithstanding, the image of Vienna as an idyllic fairytale land is both subverted and reinforced upon entrance. Schönbrunn Palace, though a bit far from the central district, encapsulates the fairytale charm of Western Europe well. The gentle gradients and Baroque architecture are marvels enough, but walking through the garden behind the palace is awe-inspiring in itself: sculptures lineate the trees, leading up a hill where on top sits the Gloriette, which provides a panoramic view of the city. In the heart of the city are structures with art noveau and Art Deco influences. Austrian history is well preserved in Vienna, with various museums and landmarks kept intact; most of the buildings are relatively low-rising to reflect the city’s heritage.

Yet new winds are also blowing through Vienna. One night, walking through the streets on the way home, I hear the distant sound of electronic dance music. I discover the source: a spectacle right beside the Rathaus, or City Hall. The space is filled with dancing men and women waving rainbow flags—a demonstration of change, if anything. The traffic lights have been changed to two women or two men holding hands. I later find out that it is one of the many events for Vienna Pride.

Prague is just a few hours away—quicker by train than by bus. The Czech capital is an introduction to bohemia, the home of many artists. Museums, galleries, and cafés adorn many of the streets, especially in the once-decrepit Old Town.

Above: The Petřín Lookout Tower, a loose copy of the Eiffel tower, offers a panoramic view of Prague in its idyllic state.

It’s easy to get lost in the narrow and winding walkways, but the city’s attractions are close enough to each other that there’s no need to worry about getting caught in an unfamiliar place past sunset. All the more that the city lends itself to a better experience on foot: walking to both ends of the city can easily be accomplished in one day.

And that’s what we did, leaving our hotel early in the morning and returning just before midnight. From the famous landmarks, like the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, to the nooks and crannies of the inner city, the idyllic Prague charm stands even when numerous tourists and locals abound. Each corner restaurant is alive with chatter, each café welcoming you to enter, even if for just a few minutes.

It feels counter-intuitive, planning to travel to an unknown place just to get lost, but travel is supposed to be a transformative experience. Inner city neighborhoods hiding between the cracks of these cities’ historical landmarks hold the energy that keeps the streets vibrant. It’s not a matter of the contemporary clashing with the classic, but a matter of changing with the times, emanating from young blood pulsing through modern Europe.

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EXPLORED

Karlskirche, or St. Charles's Church, is one of the lost decorated Baroque churches in Vienna that also borrows elements from Greek and Roman architecture.

EMPOWERED

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BUSINESS OF CHANGE Pro-surfer turned charity founder Jon Rose dives right in W ORDS A NGE LA NAT IV IDAD P HOTOG RA P HY A RTU NE P OM UCE N O

“The goal with our program has always been empowerment— both for the people we are helping and the people we enlist to administer that help. And the ultimate outcome is to have someone we’ve enlisted into our program in one country to eventually pay forward all their newfound knowledge and expertise of our program, to another nearby country in need. I’m proud to that this is happening all across the world for us as we speak. Our Haiti country director, Fritz Pierre Louis (pictured left) is now running our Nicaragua + US military programs.

Our Nepal country directors are leading our current projects in Myanmar and India, and our Philippine country director is leading our upcoming project in Thailand.”

Jon Rose, a former professional surfer, had seen the need for clean water in places around the world, and after getting caught in the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia and becoming an accidental first responder, he thought to make that dream a reality. “I went to Indonesia to start the Waves for Water organization, but not as a big initiative. I just bought 10 water filters with my own money.” Waves for Water has since then grown from its humble and accidental beginnings as it continues to strive for change.

You were a professional surfer before Waves for Water. What compelled you to branch out into charity?

My career as a pro-surfer was dwindling. You get to a certain point as a pro athlete when the kids are better than you; you’ve got to start the next chapter of your life. I had the idea to do this not as a job but as a side project to go back to a lot of the places that I love to surf, so I would have an excuse to go back, surf, and genuinely help.

Is there a particular anthem behind the Waves for Water philosophy? Yeah, the tagline is: “Do what you love and help along the way.” The philosophy behind that is to follow your passions first then plug purpose into that, as opposed to “I’m working but I want to help so my only option is to drop my job and join the peace corps.” That was an old model, and it was alienating a large percentage of the world. [This is] more like “I’m not trying to save the world, I’m just doing my part,” and I think we’re engaging people who wanted to help but felt like they didn’t have the tools to do so.

Clockwise from top left: Recipients of the #4x4_4water program in Jalapão who are also officially the new W4W cheerleading squad; surfboard designed by Logan Hicks that’s up for bidding in a benefit auction to raise money and awareness for Waves for Water; “Straight trippin’ on this new 401 Svartpilen concept bike—the only thing wrong with it is it won’t be in the market for a couple more years.”; Rose on top of Mt. Shasta.

To donate or learn more about Waves for Water, visit wavesforwater.org.

Can you tell us a little bit about your most memorable places so far? The disaster stuff ’s burned into my memory; everything happens at a hyper pace.

There’s an urgency that’s intense, and we make such a difference. In longterm projects, we also make a difference but that’s a different setting. You see this tangible impact right away in a disaster so the one recently in Nepal has been a big standout. And definitely Haiti—it’s probably the closest to my heart because I spent all that time there and everything we do in the Philippines constantly references Haiti.

So what’s next for the organization? Are there places you want to try or explore? I’d like to get to the point where we’re working with other organizations like the UN or corporations. Not just, “Let’s do a project for this village in this region in this country,” but like, “Hey, we’re Coca-Cola and we’re going to give the Philippines access to clean water,” because they can. The solutions exist. It’s a matter of how you put those together and implement them.

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ART

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ANDY‚ ARCHIVED

Revisiting a time before self-portraits were #selfies W ORD S ME G MA NZA NO

Easily a highlight reel of artist Andy Warhol’s life, if not a rundown of cast members that the art icon either partied or collaborated with, Taschen’s Andy Warhol: Polaroids offers a rather intimate look into New York’s cult of personalities. Known for his trigger-happy ways, Warhol’s relentless photographing resulted in over 20,000 images shot with his Polaroid camera, and of course, a coffee table book published by Taschen. Expect the most candid of shots with Yves Saint Laurent, Audrey Hepburn, Mick Jagger, and even Pelé as captured subjects in this coffee table book released this month. •

Clockwise from top left: Andy Warhol & Stevie Wonder, Liza Minnelli, John Kennedy Jr., Dennis Hopper, Audrey Hepburn, Loulou De La Falaise, Lee Radziwill, Arnold Schwarzenegger