IS LUXURY Magazine - Fall 2022 special issue

PHOTO BY ROBERT JOHN KLEY

IS LUXURY EMERGES

We are thrilled to announce the evolution of the Ivan Sher Group into IS Luxury, Las Vegas’s premier luxury real estate brokerage. While our familiar “IS” has accompanied all our marketing over the years, it will now also be the official name of our brokerage and brand. IS Luxury will continue to represent the finest and most iconic luxury properties throughout Las Vegas and Henderson.

With our redesigned brand and best-in-class marketing, IS Luxury has attracted the attention of many brands and brokerages that were looking to partner with us. I’m proud to announce that we have selected an exclusive international marketing partnership with Forbes Global Properties. Our local footprint and accomplishments have always set the standard and set us apart. Now with our new affiliation, our clients will be ensured not just a strong local and national presence, but a global reach that is intelligently targeted to the right audience.

In celebration of this growth, our one-of-a-kind brokerage now occupies an ideal location in Downtown Summerlin, where we are

the only office on the first floor. We are in the heart of where you, our clients, will be. You’ll find us amid the shopping, restaurants, boutiques, and places we create family memories.

During the pandemic we learned that we can do business anywhere and that we almost never need to meet face to face. While technology is critical for our growth, there must be balance.

My vision for our office was to create a place where we can socialize and foster relationships. Our new office isn’t just an office, it’s a place to meet others. From its inception, and by design, IS Luxury was created as a community gathering space to connect with those that we have known, loved and grown with over the years. It is a place people can laugh together over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine—not just a real estate office, but a part of the community.

Our rebirth hasn’t just solely affected the brokerage. The “IS” logo has also gone through a change. The Special Issue cover of this magazine showcases the reimagined “IS” which, by design, is an enigma. Many won’t be able to see the “IS” featured on the cover, others will. But I can promise you that once seen it can’t be unseen. Enjoy the challenge and let us know your thoughts!

The Ivan Sher Group is now formally IS Luxury so come by and visit! We are thrilled to show you how we can help and that the future of your next real estate transaction may be different than you expect. Sometimes it means getting back to basics. —IS

“Our local footprint and accomplishments have always set the standard and set us apart. Now with our new affiliation, our clients will be ensured not just a strong local and national presence, but a global reach that is intelligently targeted to the right audience.”

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

Owner Ivan Sher Marketing Director John Romfo

Luxury Real Estate Representatives

Rhonda Allen, Kara Bergner, Madison Blau Benshimon, Julian Crider, Ida Doman, Evangelina Duke-Petroni, Noreen Lane, Ashley Lazarus, Chip Madsen, Darren Melton, Brian Nugent, Daniel Pederson, Denise Reichartz, Austin Sherwood, Anthony Spiegel, Nicole Tomlinson, Gavin Williams, Gretchen Will s

For Advertising Inquires Please Contact: Courtney Furhman, Group Publisher: 702.510.5591 Kimberly Armenta, Publisher: 702.496.2475

IS LUXURY, LLC

2130 Park Centre Drive. Ste. 120 Las Vegas, NV 89135

President/Group Publisher Custom Content

Editor-in-Chief

Executive Vice President of Editorial

Editorial Operations Director

Managing Editor

Senior Copy Editor

Creative Director Art Director

Contributing Editors

Production Director

Alan Klein Andrea Bennett

Phebe Wahl

Ela Sathern

Rachel Feinblatt

Anna Dunn

Natasha Broomhall

Allan Nacapuy

Nate Chapnick, Laura Eckstein Jones, Michael McCarthy, Allison Mitchell, David Morris, Jasmin Rosenberg Alexandra Knerly

Published by:

MODERN LUXURY CUSTOM PUBLISHING 424.253.3202 modernluxury.com

Fulfillment inquiries: Maria Blondeaux, mblondeaux@modernluxury.com

Every effort has been made to produce this magazine without error. Should any occur, we reserve the right to correct.

2

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

10

Setting the Scene

New arrivals to Las Vegas will transport you all over the world.

20

La Dolce Vita

From the star-studded opening of RPM to the unveiling of LV Luxury Jewelrs’ new Bellusso Jewelers boutique, the Vegas social season is on.

48 Tech Speaking

Are virtual design sessions the wave of the future? New platform Intro is here to find out.

50

Cleaning House Diptyque elevates dish duty to the most sublime of home chores.

52

Rock ‘n’ Roll Roots

A former music video producer, interior designer Tiffany Howell of Night Palm draws design inspiration from fashion, music, poetry and art.

54

Dressing the Table Aquazzura Casa launches, fashionably transforming the tablescape with a supremely sophisticated touch.

1457

56

Counter Culture

Intimate Las Vegas restaurant counters—some providing hands-on experience—are the ultimate showcase for a chef’s skills

58

Well-Traveled Rooms

Serena Dugan unveils a wallpaper collection inspired by the Silk Road, Mexico City and French art deco.

72

All’s Fare in Cabo

New agave and culinary experiences showcase Mexico’s leading-edge distillers and chefs.

76

Setting the Course

A Ola Källenius, the chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz, charts a greener and more luxurious course for the three-pointed star.

78 Vegas Virtue Insiders have known to treat Las Vegas as their own personal destination spa for years. Here, top treatments for even the most niche requests.

COVER BY RENE BOHMER/UNSPLASH; BELLAGIO GALLERY OF FINE ARTS PHOTO COURTESY OF MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL; OYSTER BAR COURTESY OF PALACE STATION; INTERIOR COURTESY OF IS LUXURY

SETTING THE SCENE

New arrivals to Las Vegas will transport you all over the world.

GARDEN VARIETY Sometimes the best table in the house isn’t in a restaurant. Bellagio’s singular new dining experience sits right in its magical conservatory and mirrors each season’s theme. Up to six guets can partake in an assortment of the best brunch items from Sadelle’s (think avocado toast, house cured salmon, and incomparable pastries). Come nightfall, the menu takes a spin to the tropics for the room’s “Jungle of Dreams” theme, which pays homage to the exotic jungle in 10,000 plants and flowers. Spot blue parrots, monkeys, herons, giraffes and an awe-inspiring lion while dining on ahi tartare, curried spot prawns, Hamachi collar in a ginger-scallion sudachi, and red miso brushed broiled shellfish. bellagio, 702.693.7317

Th is tropics-inspired palapa will change with the seasons, as will its menu—always taking notes from its surroundings in Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Photo: Killer Imaging. Hair/Makeup: Make Overs by Brandy Model: Sydnie Kinderman

GRANDMA NELLIE TAKES

ON LAS VEGAS

The Jonas Brothers love their fans so much they’re inviting them into their grandmother’s North Carolina. Th e family’s new restaurant, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen at MGM Grand, pays tribute with recipes she passed down, reimagined by chef Mario Nichols (also a NC boy).

Th ink essentials like pecan-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, grilled shrimp, fried catfi sh, chicken and dumplins, and, of course, banana pudding. Th ere may be no more comforting place onthe Strip than this weatherd barnwood room, with artwork inspired by the Smoky Mountains. mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com

Toca Madera, the new Las Vegas location of the celeb favorite restaurant whose other locations are in Downtown LA and Toronto, opened in August in the space between Aria and The Shops at Crystals. The Vegas flagship for the Mexican steakhouse transports guests to Mexico City through sustainable, modern dishes such as ahi tuna sashimi Mexicano, A5 Wagyu tacos, and diver scallops with aji amarillo salsa and chimichurri. Th ink dining high drama: In the sculptural dining room, Toca Madera classics are served, such as a massive tomahawk and bone marrow served flaming over salsa verde and A5 presented on a sizzling stone. Th is being Vegas, diners are ushered through a VIP corridor to a speakeasy; dine to a live DJ spinning Afro-Latin house; and may be surrounded by fi re dancers at some point during their meal. tocamadera.com

EN FUEGO

THE ROYAL TREATMENT

The People’s Princess lives on with Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition. The new 10,000-square-foot exhibit, planned as a long-term installation at The Shops at Crystals, features 12 themed rooms dedicated to the late royal’s fascinating life. Must-see rooms include the “Wedding of the Century,” for which Diana’s dress was re-created by Belgian artist and sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave, and “Fashion Icon,” where the largest showcase of Diana’s personal wardrobe has been revealed. “Th is new exhibit provides a rare opportunity to admire the artifacts of a true princess,” says SBX Group CEO Danny Fitz. “Like never before, it gives a visitor the sense of what it is like to be the world’s most famous royal.” dianalasvegas.com - Allison Mitchell

From top: Toca Madera’s dining room recalls dining from the vantage point of a bird’s nest; shrimp and grits from Nellie’s Southern Kitchen; Princess Diana, whose collection has opened at The Shops at Crystals.

PRINCESS DIANA

PHOTO BY ANWAR HUSSEIN; ALL OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDS

STATE OF THE ART

The early- to mid-20th century posters advertising the performances of such artists as Otis Redding, Thelonius Monk, and Aretha Franklin were works of art on their own. But they also tell the story of the careers of African American performers that persevered through segregation to change American music. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s new exhibit, Caldonia: Concert and Film Posters from The Ralph DeLuca Collection, showcases this important time in 44 vintage posters. View the collection, curated by Serubiri Moses daily from 10AM to 6PM. bellagio.com/bgfa - AM

MATCH PLAY Tom Brady may be known as the NFL’s G.O.A.T. quarterback, but his golf game isn’t too shabby either, as evidence by his win with partner Aaron Rodgers of The Match against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen at the Wynn Golf Club (Brady and Rodgers won). Now his own brand of performance apparel can be found at Wynn’s pro shop and resort gift shop. His line features zero weight fabrics, quick-dry and rip-stop technology, and UPF 40 sun protection. wynnlasvegas.com

THE ITALIAN AFFAIR Always a showstopper, the Gucci store in The Shops at Crystals has undergone a reinvention. The centerpiece of the reborn store is an allegorical mural of Vegas vices downstairs and virtues upstairs. Artist Ignasi Monreal, who previously worked on Gucci’s spring/summer 2018 ads, looked to Naples’ Sansevero Chapel, whose murals depict a secret path to enlightenment (at Crytsals, it can be found just up the escalator). Th e witty mural even features Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele as Sisyphus, carrying the weight of Gucci with each new collection. For many, fi nding the vast collection of handbags, shoes, ready-to-wear, jewelry, eyewear, fragrances, Gucci Beauty and more is a religious experience all on its own. gucci.com

FROM TOP: PHOTOS

PROVIDED BY MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL; WYNN LAS VEGAS; GUCCI

Clockwise from top: A 1934 poster advertising the American musical short fi lm Hi-De-Ho starring Cab Calloway; Tom Brady at The Match at Wynn; the maximalist new Gucci boutique at The Shops at Crystals,

INDUSTRY LEADERS. RECORD-BREAKERS. GAME-CHANGERS.

THE #1 TEAM IN REAL ESTATE

IVAN SHER

IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0046822 IVAN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-400-2400

ANTHONY SPIEGEL IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0145405 ANTHONY@ISLUXURY.COM 702-445-4555

AUSTIN SHERWOOD IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0178551 AUSTIN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-686-6638

DARREN MELTON IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0143894 DARREN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-521-1008

ASHLEY LAZARUS IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0176675 ASHLEY@ISLUXURY.COM 949-275-4333

BRIAN NUGENT IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0145939 BRIAN@ISLUXURY.COM 623-302-3090

DANIEL PEDERSON IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0184178 DANIEL@ISLUXURY.COM 702-802-8669

MEET THE TEAM

DENISE REICHARTZ IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0173060 DENISER@ISLUXURY.COM 702-596-8988

GAVIN WILLIAMS IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0174380 GAVIN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-521-8045

IDA DOMAN IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0050038 IDA@ISLUXURY.COM 702-491-6344

KARA BERGNER IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0197680 KARA@ISLUXURY.COM 702-530-9598

MADISON BLAU BENSHIMON IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0145133 MADISON@ISLUXURY.COM 702-862-0154

NOREEN LANE IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0069192 NOREEN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-423-9449

EVANGELINA DUKE-PETRONI IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0143813 EVANGELINA@ISLUXURY.COM 702-278-3222

GRETCHEN WILLS IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0172689 GRETCHEN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-533-1654

JULIAN CRIDER IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0177760 JULIAN@ISLUXURY.COM 702-875-1382

LESTER “CHIP” MADSEN IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0073912 CHIP@ISLUXURY.COM 702-420-3332

NICOLE TOMLINSON IS LUXURY

BROKER-SALESPERSON | REALTOR LIC: BS.0067095 NICOLE@ISLUXURY.COM 702-528-4360

RHONDA ALLEN IS LUXURY

FINE HOMES SPECIALIST | REALTOR LIC: S.0075566 RHONDA@ISLUXURY.COM 702-485-9021

Pictured from top to bottom; R.J. Melman, Bill and Giuliana Rancic, and Molly and Jerrod Melman; Taylor Lautner and Sheldon Surrey

LA DOLCE VITA

THE PARTY It was a star-studded night at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace as celebrity power couple Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant partners R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman, celebrated the grand opening of RPM Italian Las Vegas. The new outpost marks the sixth restaurant for the beloved RPM brand, along with the sixth restaurant in Las Vegas for Lettuce Entertain You. THE PEOPLE The celeb-laden guest list included professional ice hockey players Deryk Engelland and Sheldon Souray, actor Taylor Lautner, former E! News host Jason Kennedy, Diamond Resorts founder Stephen Cloobeck , Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, comedian Eddie Griffin and professional BMX rider Ricardo Laguna . Bill and Giuliana’s darling 9-year-old son Duke was also invited to the soiree and mingled with the high-profi le partygoers. THE PINNACLE Guests toasted the anticipated opening with signature cocktails including the Portofi no Spritz, Crystal Paloma and classic Negronis. But it was the opportunity to fi nally enjoy RPM Italian’s decadent cuisine in Las Vegas—ranging from 600-day-aged prosciutto and prime beef meatballs to Mama DePandi’s Pomodoro and cacio e pepe—that had everyone indulging late into the evening. —Allison Mitchell

Bill and Giuliana Rancic, along with Jerrod Molly

IN PERFECT TIME

THE PARTY To toast the return of JCK Las Vegas, the jewelry industry’s largest annual tradeshow, LV Luxury Jewelers threw its annual JCK Cocktail Mixer at its newly reopened Bellusso Jewelers boutique. Located at The Palazzo inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the renovated space highlights six luxury brands—A. Lange and Söhne, IWC Schaffhausen, Cartier, JaegerLeCoultre, Panerai and Vacheron Constantin—that are now housed together for the first time on the Strip. THE PEOPLE LV Luxury Jewelers founder and CEO Ezra Bekhor, along with his son and cofounder Alan Bekhor, the company’s president and chief operating officer, mingled with the well-heeled attendees. The elite partygoers included Rudy Chavez of A. Lange & Söhne; Peter Regout of Richemont; Karl Poulson of Panerai; Sara Rossi and Joel Gaul of Jaeger-LeCoultre; Hanibal Barsoum of Cartier; Eddie Eliakim of IWC Schaffhausen; and Monica Savini of Vacheron Constantin, among others. THE PINNACLE Cocktails featuring The Botanist Gin, along with pours of Rémy Martin Telmont Réserve Brut Champagne, kept guests in high spirits as they enjoyed passed appetizers. But it was the chance to explore the stunning new boutique—and its unparalleled luxury timepieces—that made the night one to remember. Right on time, indeed. –AM

LA DOLCE VITA PHOTOS BY BY DENISE TRUSCELLO/GETTY IMAGES; ALL IN PERFECT TIME PHOTOS BY RAY ALAMO

Pictured clockwise from top left ; Marya Petrova and Peter Joachim; Panerai is among six brands housed at the boutique; Michael Benavente, Joy Tarbox and Rob Kolcon

ON A ROLL

THE PARTY

The latest culinary hot spot to launch at Palazzo at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas threw an over-the-top bash that put the grand in grand opening to celebrate its debut. Welcome to Wakuda , the first stateside restaurant from two-Michelin-starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda , in partnership with award-winning restaurateur John Kunkel, CEO and founder of 50 Eggs Hospitality Group. Crafted by the Rockwell Group, the stunning space impressed with its myriad rooms and electric ambiance inspired by the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. THE PEOPLE Kunkel, chef Wakuda and George Markantonis kicked the night off with a traditional sake barrel ceremony, complete with Japanese taiko drummers and an appearance by two-time world sumo champion Yama . After the ceremony, guests were ushered through the restaurant’s neon-lit entrance to enjoy flowing cocktails and plenty of passed appetizers. Reality TV star Dorothy Wang, Grammynominated DJ Steve Aoki, model Lori Harvey and celebrity chef Lorena Garcia were among the VIPs in attendance. THE PINNACLE A traditional geisha performance by Geisha Charmmy, break dancing by B-boys and bassthumping tunes from DJ Five kicked the night into high gear. Chef Wakuda himself even stepped behind the sushi bar to serve his innovative rolls, nigiri and more, while guests were treated to an exclusive look at the restaurant’s hidden omakase room. On a roll, indeed. – AM

Pictured clockwise from top right; Steve Sisolak and lady Kathy Sisolak; Small bites of sashimi were served; Francis Lola, Emily Men and Joyce Men; Lori Harvey; John Kunkel, George Markantonis and Tetsuya Wakuda

PHOTOS

DENISE

TRAN/GETTY

THE RIDGES

MOUNTAIN

TECH SPEAKING

By Phebe Wahl

I

n the middle of a hectic workday, Nathan Turner pops up on my iPhone. The interiors icon rips through my rapid-fire burning design questions in a flash. Instead of agonizing over wallpapers, Turner has me ordering the perfect shade of grass cloth and empowers me to go for bold. It is liberating and insanely easy. As he says, it is like having an interior designer bestie on speed dial.

Boasting interiors industry superstars like Cara Woodhouse, Shawn Henderson, Barrie Benson

Interior designer Nathan Turner is one of the esteemed experts available for sessions through Intro.

Are virtual design sessions the wave of the future? New platform Intro is here to find out.

and Turner on the roster, Intro (intro.co) is literally a game changer. Built to democratize expert advice across a range of fields, Intro offers one-onone video chat sessions with everyone from Alexis Ohanian to Rachel Zoe. The FaceTimemeets-MasterClass concept is the brainchild of Intro CEO and founder Raad Mobrem. “Meeting the top experts in any field has always been a luxury reserved for the few. At Intro, we’re democratizing access so that everyone can get access to anyone,” says Mobrem. We polled the maverick for an inside look.

What inspired you to launch the platform? Early in my life, I was lucky to have a chance encounter with Paul Orfalea, the legendary founder of Kinko’s. We started talking, and in 15 minutes, I learned more about entrepreneurship than I ever had before. I was inspired by his story, and was encouraged by Paul to start a company. That conversation changed my life forever and I decided at that moment that I was going to become an entrepreneur. Years later at the age of 27, Intuit would acquire the company I founded and transform it into the new QuickBooks Online.

Intro wants to democratize this type of access so that everyone can get the same opportunity I was given. It should be easy to get time with renowned entrepreneurs and ask them business questions. It should also be easy to get access to any kind of expert, such as interior designers, nutritionists and more, so that people all around the world can have the opportunity to learn from the best in a more personalized way and improve their lives. I believe that by doing this, and, in turn, empowering

people to make progress, we can truly make the world a better place.

How do you think it lls a void in the market?

It’s very difficult to get access to in-demand experts and ask for their time. It’s also difficult to facilitate a short consultation when they say yes. With Intro, we make it easy to book the most in-demand experts and get personalized advice over a one-on-one video call.

–RAAD MOBREM

For the fi rst time ever, you can jump on a video consultation with a celebrity interior designer like Nate Berkus and get design advice personalized to you. Need business advice? Book the founders of Zillow, ThirdLove, Reddit, and get one-on-one time. Eager to live a healthier life? Book a renowned nutritionist or fitness coach and learn what plan works for you. Intro’s marketplace makes it simple to discover the right expert, get access and receive personalized advice from the comforts of your home, with sessions starting as low as $39.

How do you hope this will democratize so many industries? By providing people with an opportunity to tap into experts that were once inaccessible, Intro unlocks an incredible exchange of ideas and limitless potential for individuals. It is clear that when we collaborate and help one another, great things can happen, and we are already seeing that in the outcomes of the conversations people are having on the platform.

Intro CEO and founder Raad Mobrem

“Meeting the top experts in any eld has always been a luxury reserved for the few. At Intro, we’re democratizing access so that everyone can get access to anyone.”

CLEANING HOUSE

Diptyque’s newly launched La Droguerie collection offers a dishwashing liquid, multisurface cleaner, leather and wood care lotion, dish brush and candle.

Leave it to the posh perfumers at Diptyque (diptyqueparis.com) to elevate dish duty to something sublime. The Paris-based brand behind the cult candles recently unveiled La Droguerie, a collection of dishwashing liquid, multisurface cleaner, leather and wood care lotion, dish brush—and, bien sûr, an odor-removing candle. Refillable glass packaging and Ecocert certification emphasize an eco-conscious approach. Subtle fragrances conceived by renowned perfumer Olivier Pescheux pair perfectly with their purpose. The dish soap offers subtle notes of orange blossom, mandarin and basil. A vinegar multipurpose spray mixes with notes of lavender, cedar and fig tree. The leather and wood care lotion boasts beeswax and a woody blend of cedar and patchouli. And the consummate candle “cleans” any unpleasant aromas with basil, mint and tomato leaf. Because a chore need not be a bore.

–Phebe Wahl

From left: The entryway of this Talmadge apartment project in L.A. features warm neutral tones, vintage pieces and a mix of textures; interior designer Tiffany Howell.

ROCK ’N’ ROLL ROOTS

A former music video producer, interior designer Tiffany Howell of Night Palm (nightpalm.com) draws design inspiration from fashion, music, poetry and art.

By Jasmin Rosemberg

“I was born in California but grew up with a gypsy lifestyle,” says Tiffany Howell, whose family moved around a lot in her youth due to her father’s job as a disc jockey. “I eventually found my home in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.”

Starting her career as a music video producer and director for famous photographer Herb Ritts, Howell produced videos for Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez—where she loved being surrounded by creatives and immersed in several areas of design. “That was how I found my true passion, interior design, and opened Night Palm in 2016,” says Howell, who counts Faithfull The Brand, actress Laura Harrier, basketball star Klay Thompson and journalist Elaine Welteroth as clients.

The designer’s music video producing background is evident

FROM LEFT, PHOTOS BY: PABLO ENRIQUEZ; HEATHER GILDROY

in her cinematic approach to lighting and color palettes. “I want to create an environment that not only looks beautiful, but also makes you feel a certain way,” says Howell, who uses sensory studies and creates a curated playlist for each client based on how they want to feel in a space. She recently helped Agent Nateur founder Jena Covello transform her home into what Covello coined “the ’80s Miami sex den” of her dreams. “Jena’s soundtrack had a lot of Madonna, Lana Del Rey and Sade,” Howell notes. Another favorite is an office she designed for television writer-producer Mara Brock Akil, which nodded to the playfulness and nostalgia of the ’70s. “The whole office is like a Phyllis Hyman ’70s love song,” Howell says. “I consider what I do to be visual poetry, a love letter to the emotional landscape of my clients’ lives.”

Howell is currently working on a handful of residential and commercial projects, as well as brand partnerships that will be unveiled in the next few months. Consistent across all is her signature style, which she describes as “a moody juxtaposition of romance and rock ’n’ roll brought to life with vintage European furnishings and unexpected colors and textures.” Here, she shares the design fi nds that rock her own world.

“It smells luscious, and the packaging is chic and beautiful.”

Sangre de Fruta Botanical hand and body lotion, sangredefruta.com

“I’ve used these glasses in a few of our design projects. They’re always a fun talking point.”  Ichendorf Milano Tutu red wine glass, panoplie.com

iroparis.com

piece is while still being functional and comfortable.”

chaise, cuffstudio.com

PHOTO BY DANIEL HENNESSY;

PHOTOS

OF BRANDS

“Sarah Ellison is a friend of mine and an amazing furniture designer. I’m always excited to see what she comes up with next!” Sarah Ellison Pierré chair, sarahellison.com.au

“This jacket is elevated and sexy while also having a vintage feel to it, which is always my vibe.”

“I love using fabrics that are reminiscent of vintage fashion prints. This one feels very Biva.”

Pierre Frey Byblos velvet fabric, pierrefrey.com

DRESSING THE TABLE

Aquazzura Casa launches, fashionably transforming the tablescape with a supremely sophisticated touch.

By Phebe Wahl

Aquazzura Casa Secret Garden collection. Opposite page: An elegant table set with the Secret Garden collection.

Edgardo Osorio’s fantastic touch has earned Aquazzura (aquazzura.com) a fevered following among the wellheeled fashion flock. Now, the creative director is lending his Midas touch to a new homeware collection, recently debuted during Milan Design Week. The collection celebrates the art of tablescaping, reimagining the signature styles of Aquazzura’s footwear for the home. For the launch, Osorio joined forces with interiors icon Fiona Leahy of Fiona Leahy Design. “Fiona has always brought my vision to life effortlessly and, through her imaginative force, brings

a beautiful narrative to the Aquazzura Casa Collection,” says Osorio. Jaipur evokes exotic travels to India with white ceramics vibrantly decorated with cobalt blue, rose and burgundy—and the house’s signature pineapple motif. The delicate Cherry Blossom line offers soft pastels of celadon green, lemon yellow, pearl pink and off-white. Tutti Frutti is ripe with red cherries, lemons and peaches, while Secret Garden charms with verdant greens. The showstopper is a one-of-a-kind capsule collection of cooking ranges crafted in collaboration with Officine Gullo, handpainted with secret garden motifs. Delicious, indeed!

Aquazzura Casa Tutti Frutti collection place setting

Aquazzura Casa Jaipur collection

COUNTER CULTURE

We love a big splashy dining room as much as the next Las Vegan, but these intimate counters—some providing a bit of hands-on experience—are the ultimate showcase for a chef’s skills.

By David Morris

Request a seat at L-shaped counter for the best view of L’atelier’s chefs at work. Below: Eataly’s private experiences make for an original dte night.

é by José Andrés

Snagg ing a $290 “golden ticket” for one of the nine seats inside this hidden jewel box within Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is no small feat. Those successful will fi nd an avantgarde culinary performance where chefs produce tasty art.  Guests must log onto ebyjoseandres.com promptly at 10 a.m. PST on the fi rst of the month three months in advance of their desired date. Or send a note to reserve@ebyjoseandres. com to discuss a private buyout. Ebyjseandres.com

Eataly

Few know that in the heart of this Italian culinary emporium at Park MGM you will find a chef’s counter where a variety of cooking classes, wine tastings and special dinners are hosted. Guests can also book private experiences. Priced from $65 for a pastry class to $150 for a wine producer dinner, there’s something for everyone. Eataly.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF EATALY; MGM ENTERTAINMENT (L’ATELIER DE JOEL ROBUCHON)

Guy Savoy reserves a single table in the kitchen for guests who join chefs in the kitchen. Below: Try the pro hack “dirty chowder” at the classic Oyster Bar.

Guy Savoy

Ever wonder how one of the world’s greatest bastions of fine dining creates its culinary magic?

For $300 per person, executive chef Nicolas Costagliola invites guests to join him at his “kitchen counter” to create an appetizer and a main before sampling their work while sitting at the coveted Krug Chef’s Table. Dessert is provided.  The experience is offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Reserve by calling 702-731-7286.

Kame Omakase

With uber fresh seafood flown in from Japan three times a week, Kame is in a league of its own. While $350 gets you a seat in their main dining room, those in the know ask

The Oyster Bar at Palace Station

While the wait can be several hours for a piping hot bowl of their Creole pan roasts, the addictively delicious fare is satisfying right down to your soul. Pros hack the menu by ordering a bowl of dirty chowder to start (half New England and half Manhattan chowder) and substitute their rice for noodles. Open 24/7 and first come, first serve.

Palacestation.com

Rosa Ristorante

After 15 years helming JeanGeorges Steakhouse at ARIA and Prime at Bellagio, the entire city took note when Chef Rob Moore decamped 12 miles off strip to open this Italian trattoria in Henderson. While it’s worth the drive just for the meatballs, those in the know book the six-seat chef’s counter where Moore personally curates multicourse tastings.

Menus may include salami-topped Caesars, amberjack crudo, rigatoni alla vodka and one of the city’s best steaks. Rosaristorante.com

to sit at Chef Eric Kim’s $500 per person premium counter. Depending on the season, you can expect chawanmushi, hairy crab, needlefish, tako, Spanish blue fi n, A5 kobe, and coveted muskmelon. If the stars align, you may try their scallop topped with uni, truffles and roe: the best bite in all of Vegas.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Chef Jonathan Doukhan and team meticulously construct elegant bites and diners can get prime views of the action (pro tip: request a seat at the base of the L-shaped counter). Everything is beyond perfection, but you’d be remiss to forgo the langoustines and mini foie-topped Kobe burgers.

Mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com

Mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com

OYSTER

(GUY SAVOY)

WELLTRAVELED ROOMS

Serena Dugan unveils a new wallpaper collection with themes inspired by the Silk Road, Mexico City and French art deco.

By Michael McCarthy

Artist and designer

Serena Dugan (serenadugan.com) never stops conjuring gorgeous looks for our homes. Case in point: Dugan recently launched a new collection of wallpaper, including vibrant prints and refreshed hero designs; the new looks join her core wallpaper and printed grasscloth collection with refreshed colorways and a new handwoven paper weave material.

Dugan, who is the co-founder of interiors brand Serena & Lily (serenaandlily.com), says she thinks of the new Khiva print as a modern-day Silk Road. “Khiva melds damask, Ottoman and Moorish motifs and modernizes them with a lighter hand and crisper palette,” she says. “Block printing each shape lends a

“BLOCK PRINTING EACH SHAPE LENDS A WATERCOLOR EFFECT THAT BRINGS EVEN MORE MODERNITY TO THIS EXOTIC PRINT.”

–SERENA DUGAN

watercolor effect that brings even more modernity to this exotic print.” The Nara print, which is architectural, light and airy, is inspired by Japanese wood-block prints with its central chrysanthemum motif (signifying life and rebirth).

“Olga is my animated polka dot,” Dugan says about another print from the new collection. “Color placement and print variation are the key elements that bring Olga to

life and make each colorway and each section take on a spirit of its own.” And the Tigre pattern was designed as a statement more than a mere stripe. “The irregularity of each line and mark creates movement and brings an otherwise predictable stripe into more vibrant and interesting territory,” says Dugan, making sure that our rooms look as well traveled and exotic as the passport stamps of our dreams.

Clockwise from top: New wallpaper patterns from Serena Dugan include Sumba Mulberry; Tigre Ink Petal; Nara Melon; Olga Persimmon; Khiva Bisque.

ONE QUEENSRIDGE PLACE

9103 ALTA DRIVE, UNIT 1602

$4,500,000

5,635 square feet

4 bedrooms

Anthony Spiegel, IS LUXURY

702.445.4555 | anthony@isluxury.com

ONE QUEENSRIDGE PLACE

9101 ALTA DRIVE, UNIT 102

$3,450,000

3,751 square feet

3 bedrooms

Anthony Spiegel, IS LUXURY

702.445.4555 | anthony@isluxury.com

MESA RIDGE

MESA RIDGE

TEN

ALL’S FARE IN CABO

New agave and culinary experiences at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal showcase Mexico’s leading-edge distillers and chefs. By Michael McCarthy

PHOTO BY STUDIO CARIBE; BACKGROUND PHOTO BY MICHAEL OLSEN/UNSPLASH

Clockwise from left : David Hernandez leads the Agave Study at Peacock Alley; a selection of cocktail pairing during TRAVESÍA at Su Cocina; the property’s cliff side restaurant, El Fallaron. Opposite page: The nine-course taco-tasting menu, TRAVESÍA.

In the fading light, with the Pacific at his back and pinks and purples smearing the horizon, David Hernandez talks about the almighty perfection of tequila. It’s all pretty poetic, really. As the director of bars at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (waldorfastorialoscabospedregal.com),

Hernandez leads the team that recently introduced the resort’s Agave Study at Peacock Alley, an experience and beachfront setting like few others in the world.

Already a culinary destination with the renowned cliffside restaurant El Farallon, the 115-room resort recently introduced the agave program, along with a nine-course tasting menu called TRAVESÍA at Su Cocina, that pay homage to Mexico’s regional spirits and cuisine. What makes the programming so extraordinary is the beverage and culinary team’s ability to straddle the country’s rich agricultural history while revealing its current status as one of the world’s most progressive destinations for dining.

In short, this is one wild ride.

Hernandez hasn’t craft ed a pedantic evening of name-dropping and sipping pricey tequilas. Instead, the evening is akin to hanging out with a kind, funny and engaging soul who’s just returned from a journey and can’t wait to share what he’s discovered. Hernandez already knew

his way around the world of top-shelf tequilas, but he has continued to push himself to build an unmatched well of knowledge. Late last year, for example, he and several colleagues from the property traveled to Oaxaca—touring small towns and production facilities—to work with the maestros of distillation when selecting spirits, pottery and glassware for the new Agave Study.

“It was important to keep the authenticity of the agave tasting experience, which is why we only serve our selections in handcrafted vessels and pair each spirit with notable culinary ingredients from the regions and traditions where the agave spirits are distilled,” says Hernandez. During the tasting, he discusses how the spirits are aged (and the impact on taste and color) and the local entrepreneurs behind each brand who

continued…

CLOCKWISE

FROM TOP LEFT, PHOTOS:

BY MICHAEL MCCARTHY; COURTESY OF WALDORF

ASTORIA

...continued have exceptional stories of their own.

Hernandez presents five tastings—all sipped neat—including Tres Cuatro Y Cinco, paired with chocolate and Parmesan cheese; and an award-winning Cuervo 250, which retails for $3,500 per bottle. Over the course of the hour, guests try spirits from Jalisco, Oaxaca, Sonora and Chihuahua, with tasting notes that range from caramel and hazelnut to

butter and spicy pear. “We want guests to learn, but, more than anything, have fun,” says Hernandez. “Tequila-making is an art, and, once you learn how special these bottles are, their charm is hard to resist.”

The other charmer, among many here, is the debut of TRAVESÍA at Su Cocina, a nine-course taco-tasting menu (with cocktail pairings) led by executive chef Gustavo Pinet. The setting features a mammoth communal table crafted from

From top: The adult pool at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal; the presidential suite; a prawn taco is one of the many local and regional tastes during TRAVESÍA.

parota wood and illuminated with an iron chandelier. Colorful mosaic tiles line the walls, and an open kitchen invites guests to watch the show. “I want to focus on regional traditions, tastes and ingredients and reveal the best of what’s available seasonally,” says Mexico City native Pinet, who notes his kitchen staff hail from nearly every region of the country. It’s perfect synchronicity, as Mexico’s nine regions are explored over two exhilarating hours.

Standout dishes include Baja California scallop tostadas from La Paz with uni pate and crumbled chorizo paired with sangria tapatia, as well as the crispy tlayuda with cured kampachi, a nod to the unlikely Japanese influences in Tijuana. Pinet also thrills with street tacos from Mexico City and Guadalajara, including one with seared bluefin tuna, chile güero and black garlic sauce—paired with the Mayaheul cocktail, a heavenly mix of añejo tequila, mango, orange, mole salt and cilantro.

A note to the adventurous: Don’t leave this property without dining at Fallaron, a restaurant grounded in both Mexican tradition and whimsy. As the Pacific roils below, patrons enjoy fare like Baja oysters and kimchi, black abalone with sea scallops, and baked chocolate clams with sweet potato crust. Notice a theme? Nothing here, except peerless service, culinary integrity and views that launch a thousand Instagram posts, is predictable. If adventure is the goal of travel, this magical place has become one of its touchstones.

PROPERTY PHOTOS COURTESY OF WALDORF ASTORIA; FOOD PHOTO BY STUDIO CARIBE; BACKGROUND PHOTO BY MICHAEL OLSEN/UNSPLASH

mammoth communal table crafted from

SETTING the COURSE

BY NATE CHAPNICK

The new all-electric EQS with a 350-mile range represents the direction Ola Källenius is taking Mercedes-Benz as he transforms the company.

Charting his own course is nothing new for Ola Källenius, the charismatic chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz. As the first non-German chairman of Daimler AG, Källenius is transforming MercedesBenz into a green, electric luxury car company. In the future, “Mercedes-Benz will concentrate on three product categories: top-end luxury, core luxury and entry luxury,” explains Källenius in an exclusive interview he granted to Modern Luxury. These

segments include all vehicles from the Mercedes-AMG and MercedesMaybach brands, along with top-end models from Mercedes’ electric lineup, Mercedes-EQ; new limited-edition models; and exclusive collaboration vehicles like the Virgil Abloh Maybach.

“In the future, you will see a Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, which will arrive to market next year,” says Källenius, noting other exciting products to come, which might even include a MercedesMaybach SL. The first all-electric G-Class SUV will also debut

Ola Källenius, the chairman of the board of management at MercedesBenz, charts a new greener and more luxurious course for the three-pointed star.

Clockwise from top: The EQS’ MBUX Hyperscreen spans 56 inches of high-tech glass, putting everything right at your fingertips; a sneak peek at the Mercedes-Maybach SL concept; under the watch of Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz has transformed into a tech company focused on proprietary software and groundbreaking new electric vehicles; a DC fast charger brings the EQS sedan from 10% to 80% charged in just 35 minutes.

advanced battery cell chemistry from Sila Nanotechnologies, a company whose research into new battery technology was championed by Källenius with an early investment from Daimler AG.

The Swedish-born Källenius has a unique eye for leadership and talent, surrounding himself with a diverse group of executives in what was traditionally a male-dominated industry. “Every study shows that diverse teams perform better, you get better debate and have more ideas that come into the room,” says Källenius, who has been unafraid to make waves since becoming chairman of the board in 2015.

In many ways, Källenius has transformed Mercedes-Benz from a traditional automotive manufacturer into more of a tech company. Mercedes-Benz has invested heavily in developing its own operating systems for its cars, dubbed MB.OS. “The Mercedes-Benz operating system will intelligently connect the vehicle with the cloud and the Internet of Things,” explains Källenius, who steadfastly guards the relationship between Mercedes-Benz and its customers, vowing never to hand over this task to third-party software developers as other luxury automakers have done.

The clearest example today of the direction Källenius is taking Mercedes-Benz can be seen in the new EQS fully electric luxury sedan. This four-door sedan offers an impressive 350 miles of range from its 107.8 kilowatt-hour battery. The EQS learns your face and will set the car to your preferences and puts an almost unimaginable amount of information at your fingertips through the MBUX Hyperscreen, which puts multiple screens under a 56-inch span of high-tech glass. But what’s perhaps most impressive is how the EQS drives; effortlessly powerful and serenely quiet, it feels like it just glides down the road. Look for the 2022 EQS at your Mercedes-Benz dealer now with a starting price of $102,310.

VEGAS VIRTUE

Insiders have known to treat Las Vegas as their own personal destination spa for years. Here, top treatments for even the most niche requests.

By Andrea Bennett

The vitality pool at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALDORF ASTORIA

I want instant, amazing facial results

There are facials that cover you in nicesmelling goo, and then there are the facials that deliver serious results. If you’re looking for the latter, you want to head to Sikara MedSpa in Downtown Summerlin. Only a handful of medspas offer the Danne Montague-King (DMK) treatment, a two-hour facial that resurfaces the skin, diminishing scarring and pores, and plumps your skin. We tried it. No downtime, mind blown. Insider tip: You won’t find it on the website, so call for a consultation. sikaramedspa.com

I want to cool off and have amazing hair

They say it’s a dry heat, but let’s be honest: You’re here in the middle of summer and it’s an oven. The gorgeous spa at

Waldorf Astoria to the rescue. Among its new treatments is a mind-bendingly relaxing scalp and hair treatment. The Hydrating Hair Rescue starts with a scalp exfoliation, adds a hydrating rescue mask to undo that damage you did by the pool, and ends with a soothing scalp massage with a cooling gel to increase blood flow to your scalp. Insider tip: Not so much about hair? The spa has introduced two other summer treatments: a cooling foot treatment and a chilled stone massage. waldorfastorialasvegas.com

This is Vegas. Cover me in gold. Awana Spa at Resorts World is the fi rst newly built spa on the Strip in a decade and has all the features you could imaine—the country’s fi rst Aufguss performance sauna, a salt and crystal laconium, treatments mined from the globe’s best. Th e one to get if you’re feeling extra fabulous is the Gold Hydralift ing Facial, a traditional Hungarian facial created by Omorovicza (the actual gold standard). You’ll get exfoliated, covered in a rose-scented gold mask that packs in hyaluronic acid to plump your skin and repair microdamage. Finally you’ll get rubbed down with a little gold shimmer oil, because Vegas.

I want to spend the day with my S.O.

One of our favorite places to while away a day with a romantic partner is the Spa at Aria, where you can relax in room of illuminated Shio salt bricks and then melt away tension on the Ganbanyoku beds, heated black mineral slabs made of tenshoh seki, or black silica. Book a totally customizable Swedishstyle couple’s massage to truly relax together. Insider tip: The therapy pool, an infi nity pool that joins the men’s and women’s areas, is our favorite co-ed spa space on the Strip. aria.mgmresorts.com

I’d like some CBD and a show, thanks.

Since regulations changed last December and gaming properties could finally get into the CBD game, Caesars has introduced fabulously therapeutic CBD treatments across its properties. You can book the CBD Pain Spot Treatment, which combines 400 mg of CBD with botanicals and spot treats sore muscles, arthritis, and inflammation, and any of its spas. If you want the CBD plus a major Vegas experience, we recommend Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace, with its nouveau-Roman baths, gorgeous laconium room, and arctic room (push a button and it snows!).

From top: The sublime pool at The Spa at Aria; check-in at Sikara Medspa.

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Visit today to browse the finest luxury listings in Las Vegas.

IWC TOP GUN.

Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Edition

Desert”. Ref. 5060: The U.S. Navy pilots’ flying suits and China Lake’s barren desert landscape inspired this Big Pilot’s sand-coloured ceramic case. It is the product of a complex process in which zirconium oxide is mixed and

other metallic oxides before sintering in an oven and houses an IWC-manufactured

calibre with a seven-day power

it all adds up to a pilot’s watch