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COVER PICTURE PICTURE COVER Walter Iooss Iooss Jr./Sports Jr./Sports Illustrated/Contour Illustrated/Contour by by Getty Getty Images Images ©© Walter
USA
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LEBRON JAMES Hero or Villain?
Le CITY deluxe FZE Magazine produced by: www.le-citydeluxe.com Print · Bellak Color
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TAg HEuER Generations of innovation
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STuART WEiTzMAN The atelier of the american shoe designer
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LuxuRy SHOES high heel SPECIAL
SpEciAL JEWELS A luxury selection
LAucALA iSLANd The earthy paradise
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MOTOR Koenigsegg & MERCEDES
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cHOpARd Creators of Fantasy
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SpEciAL WATcHES The joy of telling time
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JETS The best selection
LETTER
Welcome to international ultra luxury living
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uxury today challenges the traditional concepts of craftsmanship, exclusivity and provenance and exemplifies status by passion and joie de vivre. It is fuelled by the desire to push the comfort experience to its very limits but doing this with flair and finesse. As a result, today's brands have to find and offer new relevance, value and soul. Luxury today is about creating a mutually beneficial relationship that opens up to new audiences and injects fresh exemplary talent. We now live in a world where there is a delineation between the rich and the super rich, the super rich and the Wealthy. It is our aim to be the oracle for those who 'have it' and need to best know how to utilize it. Moreover, we strive to enable those who are nouveau-riche to acquire the discerning taste and habits that come with the blessing of affluence. So this is me, your new neighbour, inviting you to come and play in your city. A city with fantastical delights beyond your wildest dreams. We will enjoy with elegance and wonder, after all this is Le CITY deluxe…
MARY MARR
Ceo/Publisher Le CITY deluxe USA marymarr@le-citydeluxe.com
Bienvenidos a la lujosa vida internacional
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ctualmente el lujo compite con los valores de artesanía, exclusividad y procedencia y encuentra su sentido en la pasión y en la alegría de vivir. Se impulsa por el deseo de llevar la experiencia de la comodidad hasta el límite pero lo hace con estilo y delicadeza. Como resultado de ello, hoy las marcas tienen que encontrar y ofrecer un nuevo significado, un nuevo valor y alma. El concepto de lujo encuentra su armonía en la posibilidad de crear una relación de beneficio mutuo, capaz de abrirse a nuevos públicos y de permitir introducir nuevos talentos y aire fresco. Vivimos en un mundo donde existe una delimitación entre los ricos y los súper ricos; entre los súper ricos y los acomodados. Nuestro objetivo es ser el oráculo para aquellos que "lo tienen" y necesitan saber cuál es la mejor manera de utilizarlo. Por otra parte, nos esforzamos para que los “nuevos ricos” puedan adquirir el gusto exigente y los hábitos que envuelven la bendición de la riqueza. Así que esta soy yo, vuestra nueva vecina, que os invita a venir y a disfrutar de su ciudad, la cual posee placeres fantásticos más allá de sus sueños salvajes. Vamos a disfrutar de la elegancia y la sorpresa, después de todo esto es Le CITY deluxe...
CLAUDIA TRIMDE
Founder Le CITY deluxe & Editor in Chief claudia.trimde@le-citydeluxe.com
JAN · FEB 2013
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elcome to our very first edition of Le CITY deluxe USA/Florida, your magazine with PANACHE, and a colorful depiction of Florida´s flamboyant lifestyle. The literal translation of our motto, “an ornamental plume with reference to the extravagant kings of France,” points directly towards our contemporary love of luxury: the DASH of SWAGGER as portrayed by our COVER hero LEBRON JAMES or the refined palate of Michelin Star chef Michael Mina. I invite you to share in Florida´s “Best of the Best” mixed with an international SAVOIR FAIRE that impacts today’s stylistic choices. Welcome to “Le CITY deluxe” and become part of our refined circle of “panache lifestyle” friends.
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ienvenidos a nuestra primera edición de Le CITY deluxe EE.UU. / Florida, su revista con estilo, una colorida representación de la forma de vida extravagante de Florida. La traducción literal de nuestro lema,”un estilo ornamental “ en referencia a los extravagantes reyes de Francia “, apunta directamente a nuestro amor por el lujo contemporáneo: Una pizca de contoneo retratado por nuestro héroe de portada LeBron James o el paladar refinado del chef estrella Michelin, Michael Mina. Los invito a participar de “Best of the Best” de Florida mezclado con un internacional “Savoir Faire” que muestra opciones de los estilos de vida de hoy.
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EVENTS & SOCIETY
mIAmI STEFANIE NAzOYAN & OkSANA ShVArTSAmAN
DESIrEE DuBON & SCOTT kAT
LAurEN DEuTCh, XImENA ChO, ANN OwEN & TONY ChO
JAN 路 FEB 2013
CArOLYN BOrLENghI, ErIN ChAINANI & gINgEr hArrIS
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E MEME FErrE, MAy GhrAoui, lEilA FArAh, riMA oTrAKJi & ClAudiA suCCAr FErrE
FAshioNABly CoNsCious
luxury clothes for a good cause
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rom Valentino to Chanel dresses, Fashionably Conscious brings the best of the best to the donated space every year. All proceeds benefit Coconut Grove Cares, The Barnyard, a locally cherished community center. Miami’s most elite crowd donated designer goods and hundreds of shoppers raised a staggering amount of money. The event attracted a lot of notable guests like, Darlene Perez, Laura Buccellati, Carole Seikaly, Anne Owen, Ginger Harris, Camille Thiry Russler, Elysze Held, Ali Codina
“Moda con consciencia” Prendas de lujo para una buena causa
ANNETTE loPEz, lizA WAlToN & dArlENE PErEz
ElyszE hEld & MAirA TETTAMANTi
AidiTA Vizoso, isABEllA Vizoso & riMA oTrAKJi
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e Valentino a los vestidos Chanel, cada edición de “Moda con consciencia” reúne en un espacio solidario, lo más destacado de este sector. Todas las ganancias recaudadas en este Charity se destinará a "Coconut Grove Cares", "The Barnyard", un preciado centro comunitario local. En este evento, la gente de élite se encargó de donar prendas de reconocidos diseñadores que después se venderían; con dichas ventas se permitió recaudar una importante suma de dinero. La cita convocó a una gran cantidad de invitados de lujo como, Darlene Pérez, Buccellati Laura, Seikaly Carole Anne Owen, Harris Ginger, Camille Thiry Russler, Elysze Held, Codina Ali, Tettamanti Maria, Cho Tony Walker Timoteo y muchos más JAN · FEB 2013
TExT TANyA GulliCK PhoTo World rEd EyE
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NEw ShOwrOOm room Service restaurant opened it’s doors
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oom Service Restaurant Lounge is Miami’s fascinating new experiential dining venue. The grand opening festivities were unlike anything ever witnessed before, including Black Carpet arrivals, hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails. Room service is a spectacular 5-star Luxury Hotel environment and is perfect for dining and lounging
Nueva apertura room Service restaurant abre sus puertas
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oom Service Restaurant es una nueva experiencia dentro de la oferta de locales para comer. Así lo ha demostrado con su gran fiesta de inauguración, totalmente diferente a todo lo visto con anterioridad, con una alfombra negra, aperitivos y cócteles de autor. Room Service es un espectacular hotel cinco estrellas, un sitio ideal para comer y descansar
www.roomservicemia.com TEXT CECILE CrEmEr / PhOTOS OrLANDO gArCIA
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COVER
TEXT NATALIE KOHO // PHOTO NBA PHOTOS
THE KING
LEBRON
JAMES
HERO OR VILLAIN? LeBron James was labeled The Villain of basketball, but Le CITY deluxe reveals him as a Hero of Miami and a King of Philanthropy
JAN · FEB 2013
“The LeBron James Effect” for The Heat & Miami’s economy: $1.4 billion produced annually. 21,000 local jobs. $171 million in tax revenues. $918 million for the GPD.
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Charitable Works to date: $2.5 million donated to the Boys and Girls Club of America. Founded the LeBron James Family Foundation to aid families in Ohio area. Created “Wheels for Education” to target and prevent school dropouts.
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Miami Heat." Critics raged that by making his decision into a highly publicized event, he revealed a narcissistic need for attention or that he was tactless and alienated fans. Regardless of whether his handling of this decision was proper, James' move to Miami gave way to "The LeBron James effect" in which NBA television ratings increased along with dramatically more traffic flow to NBA and ESPN web pages, mobile downloads and video streams. Professional basketball interest reached highs it had not experienced since Michael Jordan's popularity and eventual retirement in 1998.
“I wON’T PLAY THIS GAME FOREVER. BuT THE THINGS wE’RE dOING IN THE COMMuNITIES… THEY wILL LAST.” The King James effect continues to ripple through the South Florida area. Last year, the Heat Group commissioned an economic analysis of its impact upon Miami, concluding that it is responsible for producing around $1.4 billion yearly, in addition to creating 21,000 jobs for local residents. The positive effects of this include more than $589 million annually in labor, $171 million in federal, state and local tax revenues and $918 million the for GDP. In addition to these economic fruits for the area, LeBron James is dedicated to philanthropy, which casts him decidedly more as a hero than a villain considering his charitable record. Proceeds from the ill-received Decision special went entirely to charity, resulting in over $2.5 million for the Boys and Girls Club of America, and they presented him with the “Champion of
Youth Award”in 2011. James was the only NBA player to be included in Parade Magazine's "Most Charitable Athletes," and he remains one of the league's biggest supporters of charitable work. He founded the LeBron James Family Foundation that provides aid to single parent households in the Ohio area, stemming from the memory of his own childhood struggles. He also created the “Wheels for Education” program to combat school dropouts and encourage American youths to value learning. James possesses a forward thinking and concern for the community, all too rare in the world of professional athletes. He has admitted, "Kids are a huge passion of mine. I always said growing up, 'If I ever have an opportunity … I will always try to give back as much as possible.'" As to his future after basketball, James admirably admits, "I won't play this game forever. But the things we're doing in the communities, the things we're doing in the gymnasiums, in the computer labs, they will last. When I'm done playing basketball, I can still go back ... and see what we were able to accomplish ... That's important to me." Those closest to James claim he is nothing like his villainous typecast, citing the fact that he has never been arrested despite being raised by a single mother with addiction problems and never knowing his father. They also defend his behavior by stating that obviously anyone in their twenties will be inclined to immaturity. In this light and considering his charitable works, shouldn't James be heralded as a hero and true champion of the American dream? As a three time NBA MVP, nine time NBA All-Star and as of January 13, 2012, the youngest player to reach 20,000 career points, Le City Deluxe hails LeBron as Miami's king and proof that talent, ambition and hard work can always trump mistakes, criticism and adversity
JAN · FEB 2013
ow did LeBron James earn the title of villain? It's hard to pinpoint the precise moment or provide a reasonable explanation. Perhaps it was his immaturity and occasional lack of social graces that soured his image. Perhaps it was his moodiness and frequent sullen expressions on the court that turned the public against him. For a time, James accepted this characterization as part of his public persona, stating in interviews, "You start to hear 'the villain,' now you have to be the villain, you know, and I started to buy into it. I started to play the game of basketball at a level, or at a mind state that I've never played at before ... meaning, angry." While James felt this characterization was undeserved, explaining, "It basically turned me into somebody I wasn't," it did serve to mold his image into something more fascinating and more complex than mere positive popularity could have brought him. As early as 2008, LeBron James' Vogue cover with supermodel Gisele Bundchen sparked controversy after being blamed for contributing to the negative racial stereotype that African American men are dangerous and criminal.The shot seemed to reflect a King Kong motif with James posed as the angry, oversized gorilla, clutching a delicate white female, played by Gisele. While Vogue spokespersons denied any racial undertones, claiming it was meant to celebrate two professionals at the top of their game, critics could not help but relate the King Kong-esque image to James' self-endorsed "King James" title. The image was widely panned as being racially insensitive, and many chastised James for not being more careful with his image. Meanwhile, James explained simply that he was, “just trying to show a little emotion.” James' most controversial moment came in 2010 with his interview special, "The Decision" in which he revealed, "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the
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