Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Spring/Summer Accent Magazine 2022

ACCENT • THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS • SPRING/ SUMMER 2022

ACCENT: THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

LMFJ.COM

building

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LEE MICHAELS •

SPRING/SUMMER 2022 LEE MICHAELS 1

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ISSUE 1. 2022 FOUNDER AND C H A I R M A N O F T H E B OA R D Lee Michael Berg PRESIDENTS Chad Berg Ryan Berg Scott Berg

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EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Johnny Tate

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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Greg Johnson VICE PRESIDENT Victoria Beavers C H I E F A D M I N I S T R AT I V E O F F I C E R Jane Harrington A S S I S TA N T V I C E P R E S I D E N T O F MARKETING Amy Graham Hughes M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I N AT O R Lizzie Callegari C R E AT I V E D E PA R T M E N T Andrea Barbier Mariella Brochard

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Welcome Letter Social Scene She’s All of ’22 Eager to Build Hot for Summer: Lee’s Picks Building Blocks Store Locations Oh, Happy Day! From This Day Forward...

Follow Us How Charming Partners in Progress Let the Good Times Roll!

Inspired by Audacity Not Bad, Brad About Time Timely Trio Hot for Summer: I Heart You Is These Walls Could Talk Moroccan Ramble Cabot St. Lucia: Made for the Game First in Line Do As The Druids Did Vive La France!

Message in a Bottle Going Fast Corporate Gifts Green With Envy

EDITOR IN CHIEF Rita Guarna C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Stephen Vitarbo S E N I O R A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R Darius Amos LIFESTYLE EDITOR Haley Longman CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Christen Fisher, Leslie Garisto Pfaff,

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Everett Potter, Donna Rolando

P U B L I S H I N G S TA F F PUBLISHER Lizette Chin

LO C AT I O NS BATON ROUGE

7560 CORPORATE BOULEVARD 225.926.4644 MALL OF LOUISIANA 225.766.6000

N EW OR LEAN S

LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER 504.832.0000

SHR EV EPORT

6605 YOUREE DRIVE 318.222.2929

LAFAYETTE

4235 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PARKWAY 337.981.8071

JACKSON, MS

RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK 601.957.6100

SAN ANTON IO, TX

NORTHSTAR MALL 210.541.9575 THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA 210.699.9494

ALBUQUERQUE, N M

ABQ UPTOWN 505.208.4500

Jewelry has been enlarged to show detail. Due to the fluctuating prices of diamonds, gold and platinum, prices are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on size, quality and availability. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, we are not responsible for errors or omissions. ACCENT is published by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, in association with Lee Michaels. Copyright © 2022 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Editorial Contributions: Write to Editor, Lee Michaels, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. The magazine is not responsible for the return or loss of unsolicited submissions. Subscription Services: To change an address or request a subscription, write to Subscriptions, ACCENT, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge NJ 07656, or by telephone at 201.571.2244. Advertising Inquiries: Contact Lizette Chin at 201.571.2227 or lizette.chin@wainscotmedia.com. Printed In The U.S.A. Volume 20, Issue 1. ©2022

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A DV E R T I S I N G / P R O D U C T I O N SERVICES Penny Boag, Christopher Ferrante, Jacquelynn Fischer ACCO U N T I N G Kasie Carleton, Urszula Janeczko, Steven Resnick PUBLISHED BY Wainscot Media CHAIRMAN Carroll V. Dowden PRESIDENT & CEO Mark Dowden SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS Rita Guarna, Carl Olsen VICE PRESIDENTS Lizette Chin, Nigel Edelshain, Thomas Flannery, Maria Regan, Steven Resnick, Diane Vojcanin

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dear friends, Did you ever wonder why there are orchids in every Lee Michaels store?

Here’s the story.

“When Brenda and I made early business trips to the Far East—Hong Kong, Bangkok and Japan—we saw orchids everywhere we went,” says Lee Michael Berg, founder of Lee Michaels. “We fell in love with the delicate flower and decided to recreate in our home the elegant atmosphere we felt in the Far East.” Orchids—white cymbidiums—have been a mainstay in the Berg household ever since.

We want you, our valued customers, to feel that same elegance when you’re in our stores so we make sure there are orchids and fresh flowers in every Lee Michaels location. Not only do they provide beauty, they also create the perfect ambiance for browsing our fine jewelry displays.

In fact, right now is the perfect time to visit your favorite Lee Michaels.

“We’ve just returned from Europe with the latest in jewelry and timepieces,” says Ryan Berg, Lee Michaels co-president. “We take pride in selecting items of the best quality and value for you.”

“We searched diligently for the finest jewelry values in Italy and the most elegant timepieces in Switzerland,” says Scott Berg, Lee Michaels copresident. “We aim to be a trendsetter in the industry.”

“One of those trends is that people are enjoying their jewelry more and

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wearing tons of it,” says Chad Berg, Lee Michaels co-president. “In response to this incredible demand, we are doubling the size of our flagship store at Lakeside in New Orleans.” Scheduled to open in the fall, the new store will be an impressive 10,000 square feet.

While the expansion of the New Orleans store is noteworthy, we are elevating the elegant ambiance in every Lee Michaels store. Now that we can all get out again, come by and see for yourself.

It’s time to celebrate life and the occasions that make it special! It’s time to celebrate those that we treasure with gifts that they’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Let our knowledgeable, well-trained associates help you find that perfect gift. We offer a wide array of fine jewelry—much of which is handcrafted by expert jewelers, luxury timepieces and our own team of highly skilled watchmakers for local service and repair. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and make Lee Michaels your first choice when celebrating life’s special moments.

Looking back, perhaps orchids are the perfect flower for our stores. They are uniquely beautiful just like our jewelry and always treasured just like you, our customers.

Best wishes and blessings to you all, T H E L E E M I C H A E L B E R G F A M I LY

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EVENTS 1.

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1. Dr. Keith and Robin Sehon at our Baton Rouge holiday party 2. Marybeth Hubbard at our holiday party in Albuquerque 3. Tom and Wendy Cury at holiday party in San Antonio 4. Scott Berg, Diane Tate, Dr. David Hanson, and Dr. Jolene Johnson at our Baton Rouge holiday party 5. Lisa Babke, Raven LaBatt, Amy Martin 6. Tracee, Andi and JJ Feik Jr. at the Hill Country Luxury Experience in San Antonio 7. Ryan and Jessica Berg with Troy Aikman at the launch party for his beer, Eight 8. Patrons enjoying the Jackson holiday party

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1. Phaedra Sioulas and Kim at the Konstantino trunk show in Baton Rouge 2. Customer trying on jewelry at the Albuquerque holiday party 3. Fred and Raven LaBatt at our holiday party in San Antonio 4. Jim & Nina Hasbrugh with Lee Michaels associates Larry Chenoweth, Tonya McClish and Antonette Garcia 5. XPel, DermSA, SA Food Bank, Betty Dury, Laura Lee, Lisa and Scott Snow, Ryan and Jessica Berg, Johnny Dury, Don Faerber at the Hill Country Luxury Experience in San Antonio 6. Tamara Delao trying on jewelry at the holiday party in Albuquerque 7. Kyle Wilkinson and Ruben Bonales 8. Marianne White with Chad Berg and Kim Henry at the Lafayette holiday party

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1. Chad Berg, Herbert and Renee Schilling and Gretchen Varnell at the holiday party in Lafayette 2. Sharon Creque and Cynthia Reed at the Baton Rouge holiday party 3. Emily Morants, Landon Grover and Hannah McCarthy 4. Jay & Lisa Baudot, Lynne Armato, Amy & R.D. Allen at the Lakeside holiday party 5. The Leto family at the Bocage holiday party 6. Burgess Jackson, Jennifer Davis and Harriet Carter 7. Benjamin Beaufils (president of North America TAG Heuer), Ryan Berg and Nicolas Pic (VP of sales North America TAG Heuer) 8. Keith and Karynn O’Connell with Konstantino’s daughter Phaedra Sioulas

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GIFT GUIDE

she’s all of ’22

WHATEVER HER AGE, MAKE THIS HER YEAR. GIVE HER A PIECE OF JEWELRY THAT’S TIMELESS. Doesn’t that woman in your life—wife, fiancée, girlfriend, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece or friend—deserve the best? Three luxury jewelry brands think so, and they don’t even know her. They have, however, some ideas:

Clockwise from top left: Akoya cultured pearl circle pendant and earrings featuring diamonds in 18k white and yellow gold: earrings $1,950; pendant, $1,800; Akoya cultured pearl strand lariat with movable diamond clasp in 18K white gold, $7,490; Akoya cultured pearl double row bracelet with diamond clasp in 18K white gold, $7,800.

MIKIMOTO

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Since 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto cultured the firstever pearl in Japan, his namesake company has been the world’s most notable luxury pearl brand. This year’s newest Mikimoto collections pay homage to his legacy, but with a contemporary twist. The Classic Collection lets the simplicity of the pearl (and sometimes diamonds) speak for itself.

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NAVARRA COLLECTION

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GIFT GUIDE

MARCO BICEGO Spring is the time to experiment with color, her jewelry vault included. The brand-new Jaipur Color Collection from Marco Bicego features stunning gemstones in both bright and pastel hues inspired by the colors of India. Choose your birthstone or whatever color is your favorite—or perhaps all of the above? If you prefer to stick with metals, Jaipur Gold features Bicego’s signature engraving techniques in yellow gold links, pendants, hoops and charms.

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Clockwise from top left, all 18K from the Jaipur Collection: yellow gold hand-engraved and polished drop earrings, $1,640; yellow gold flat link collar, $7,520; yellow gold hand-engraved and polished charm bracelet, $1,830; yellow gold medium pendant with pavé diamonds, $3,380; gold and aquamarine small stackable pendant, $1,550; yellow gold and mother-ofpearl medium stackable pendant, $1,930; yellow gold handengraved and polished charm short necklace, $3,500; yellow gold hand-engraved and polished double ring, $2,300; yellow gold blue topaz medium stackable ring, $1,300.

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GIFT GUIDE

ROBERTO COIN Based in Vicenza, Italy and inspired by the art, love and architecture of the City of Gold, Roberto Coin makes pieces that are timeless, innovative and unmistakably unique. Some of its signature collections include: Navarra, featuring cross-cultural references inspired by this region in Spain; Love in Verona, the collection that is representative of the great love story of Romeo and Juliet and is a symbol of perfect love; and Obelisco, echoing the obelisk and intended for an elegant, confident woman. Each handmade piece in every Roberto Coin collection is casted with a tiny red ruby, the designer’s signature that sends a message of peace, prosperity and happiness to his wearer.

Clockwise from left, 18K yellow gold and diamond flower ring, $2,100; 18K yellow gold and diamond lariat, $3,540; 18K yellow gold triple strand paperclip diamond necklace, $2,750; 18K yellow gold Navarra bangle with diamonds, $7,950; 18K yellow gold Obelisco flexible bangle with diamond center, $11,300.

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GIFT GUIDE

DAVID YURMAN Iconic. Timeless. Classic. Such adjectives perfectly describe Cable, the pinnacle of David Yurman designs. The brand’s new collection, Cable Edge, brings a contemporary essence to this artistic technique in which one piece of metal is forged and torqued into the most perfect twist.

These new pieces modernize Cable, but are reminiscent of some of Evan Yurman’s early forged metal works, crafted during his apprenticeship with a blacksmith. The unisex pieces in Cable Edge are crafted from recycled sterling silver or yellow gold and hand-set with diamonds. They can be worn individually—or all at once for a dramatic statement.

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Clockwise from top left, Cable Edge 20mm saddle ring in 18K recycled yellow gold, $3,900; Cable Edge 5.5mm collar necklace in 18K recycled yellow gold, $9,500; Cable Edge 41mm cuff bracelet in recycled sterling silver, $1,200; Cable Edge 4mm full pavé bracelet in 18K recycled yellow gold with diamonds, $7,800; Cable Edge 4mm band ring in 18K recycled yellow gold with diamonds, $2,700; Cable Edge 3.5mm hoop earrings in 18K recycled yellow gold with diamonds, $2,400.

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INTERVIEW

eager to build Last November, Evan Yurman was promoted to president of David Yurman Enterprises LLC, the jewelry design brand founded by his parents, David and Sybil, more than half a century ago.

The new president, now 40, has two decades of experience with the company, having served as chief creative officer and led its men’s, wedding, high and fine jewelry businesses. Evan also supervised the redesign of the flagship store on New York City’s 57th Street. In a brief recent chat, ACCENT inquired about his thoughts, on- and off-duty.

You’ve said that your vision for the business is “to build and sustain.” Tell us how you see the company evolving as you embrace your new role as president.

In 2022 and beyond, we are looking to continue

to evolve our brand by honoring our heritage— craftsmanship, product, design and innovation— while also seeking to deepen our company’s roots in the visual arts and creative communities. Also, as with any business that hopes to sustain itself in growth, we must continue to focus on the employee experience and journey.

What are you proudest of, professionally and personally?

Growing up within the company has given me an appreciation for the incredible work that has gone into building it. My parents started this brand more than 50 years ago, and in many ways they were trailblazers in the industry. I’m excited to build on their legacy, and to continue to evolve and shape the future of the brand and what it stands for. I am most proud of our men’s business,

which I created in 2005. A creative outlet for me, it has also been a driving force in our growth.

Tell us something that people would be surprised to learn about you.

I love to cook! It brings me great joy to be able to share this with friends and family. I love to build on my menu when I travel, taking great inspiration from the Far East and different regions of Europe, both coastal and inland. I also enjoy meeting the people who grow and care for ingredients with the same care as I do for my designs and products.

You’re paving your own way in the family business. What are your thoughts about one or more of your children following in your footsteps?

I love the idea of my children joining the business.

My oldest daughter, Cody, has already designed a few collections, and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

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A TOP JEWELRY BRAND’S NEW LEADER REVEALS HIS APPRECIATION OF ITS HERITAGE—AND ZEAL FOR ITS FUTURE. By Rita Guarna

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hot for summer

lee’s picks Top to Bottom: Syna Blue topaz drop mini necklace with diamonds, $2,450. Small all pavé drop with champagne diamonds, 4 cts, $9,850 (pendant only). 30" oval link chain, $2,100.

Moon quartz drop mini necklace with diamonds, $2,250. All in 18K yellow gold. 14K yellow gold moonstone and diamond butterfly ring, $1,200. 18K rose gold fancy colored sapphire and diamond butterfly ring, $10,750. 18K white and rose gold diamond flower and butterfly ring, $2,250. 14K yellow gold hoop earrings, featuring 5 round diamonds flush set down the front, 37mm, $1,940. 18K yellow gold diamond hoop earrings featuring east/west set baguette diamonds down the center with a row of pavé diamonds on each side, 37mm, $13,250. 14K yellow gold diamond bezel set hoop earrings, 27mm, $2,270. 14K yellow gold blue topaz stud earrings, $575. 14K yellow gold citrine stud earrings, $525. 14K yellow gold garnet stud earrings, $535.

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building blocks

DISCOVER PIECES THAT ARE AT THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY JEWELRY BOX. NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND OUT.

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Opposite Page: Diamond solitaire earrings 8.06 ctw, $111,600. 15.01 ctw diamond all around necklace, graduating in size, $40,000.

7.48 ctw baguette and round diamond eternity band, $8,500. 10 ctw diamond line bracelet, $25,000. 17.25 ctw diamond cuff bracelet with 5 rows of diamonds set in 18K white gold, $47,500. 7 ctw diamond line bracelet, $10,500.

All set in 14K white gold unless otherwise stated.

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31mm in and out 6.18 ctw diamond hoops, $24,250. 2.52 ctw emerald cut and round diamond band, $7,250. 3.21 ctw oval and round diamond band, $7,950. 3.80 ctw emerald cut diamond eternity band, $7,750. 3.28 ctw oval diamond eternity band, $8,500. 5.28 ctw emerald cut diamond eternity band, $14,500. 5.64 ctw oval diamond eternity band, $21,500. 8.65 ctw emerald cut diamond eternity band, $39,000. 8.03 ctw oval diamond eternity band, $39,750. 13.53 ctw oval diamond line bracelet, $49,500. 16.13 ctw emerald cut diamond line bracelet, $45,000.

All set in 18K white gold.

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Opposite Page: In and out diamond hoop earrings, 9.07 cts in 18K white gold, $42,500. Oval diamond ring with tapered baguettes, 5.05 cts. Emerald-cut loose diamond, 21.60 cts. Pear-shaped diamond ring, 5.63 cts. Round brilliant diamond ring, 11.79 cts.

Emerald-cut diamond ring, 5.09 cts. Pricing for diamond rings available upon request.

5.01 ct oval-cut diamond engagement ring, set in platinum $159,000.

4.03 ct cushion-cut diamond engagement ring with tapered bagette diamonds on each side, set in platinum, $122,500.

4.01 ct round diamond engagement ring with tapered baguette diamonds on each side, set in platinum, $68,900.

4.01 ct oval-cut diamond halo engagement ring with half moon diamonds on each side, set in platinum, $84,500.

3.01 ct cushion-cut diamond engagement ring with 2 cushioncut diamonds at sides, set in 18K white gold, $50,300.

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Pavé diamond links alternating with polished 18K yellow gold links with diamond toggle clasp.

Bracelet, $5,950.

Necklace, 18” length, $12,500.

Opposite Page: Roberto Coin Princess flower hoop earrings, $2,810. Classic chunky paperclip necklace, 18", $10,400. Classic chunky paperclip bracelet, $4,800. Classic oval and round link bracelet, $3,650. All in 18K yellow gold.

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Sapphire and diamond necklace featuring 21 sapphires totaling 43.43 cts and round, marquise and pear shaped diamonds totaling 25.72 cts, 16” in length, $235,500.

Oval sapphire and diamond stud earrings, $14,750.

5.53 ct oval three-stone sapphire and diamond ring, $37,500.

7.34 ct cushion-cut sapphire and diamond halo ring with baguette diamonds on each side, $84,000.

9.33 ct oval sapphire and diamond ring, $72,500.

All set in 18K white gold.

Opposite Page: Diamond solitaire earrings 8.06 ctw in 14K white gold, $111,600. Sapphire and diamond necklace in 18K gold. 9.04 ct oval sapphire ring with trillion diamonds on the side in platinum. Pricing for these pieces available upon request.

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store locations CORPORATE AT BOCAGE

MALL OF LOUISIANA

AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PARKWAY

Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge, LA

Lafayette, LA

LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER

YOUREE DRIVE AT EAST 70TH

RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK

New Orleans, LA

Shreveport, LA

Jackson, MS

THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA

NORTH STAR MALL

ABQ UPTOWN

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, TX

Albuquerque, NM

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Floating Diamonds

collection

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LOVE STORIES

(Amelia Rennhoff) December 3, 2021 | Baton Rouge, LA

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MR. & MRS. JACK GONSOULIN

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oh happy day!

LEE MICHAELS HAS BEEN HELPING COUPLES SAY “I DO” SINCE 1978.

MR. & MRS. RYAN GOSSERAND

MR. & MRS. JERROD FRASER

MR. & MRS. LANDON STRINGER

(Jennifer Wood) September 26, 2020 | Pipe Creek, TX

(Molly Corbett) July28, 2021 | Baton Rouge, LA

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(Natalya Lozano) November 20, 2021 | Huntington, NY

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MR. & MRS. JACOB KNIGHT

MR. & MRS. CHRISTIAN BONDS

(Tiffani Griffin) November 19, 2021 | Baton Rouge, LA

(Katherine Taylor) October 1, 2021 | Denham Springs, LA

Bayou Rose Photography

MR. & MRS. STEVEN MARTIN

(Morgan Dooley) December 10, 2021 | San Antonio, TX

(Kristy Allen) September 23, 2021 | Prairieville, LA

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MR. & MRS. CHRISTIAN HOUSE

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TAKE A VOW

From this day forward…

A LOVING COUPLE WILL LOVE RECALLING THEIR NEW YORK NUPTIALS, WHEN RAIN DIDN’T DARE INTERFERE.

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By Donna Rolando Wedding Planning by Katie Berger, Sara Kate Events Photography by Amy Rizzuto Photography

With family in Ireland, a Connecticut couple considered getting married “across the pond”—the big one, that is—but their thoughts kept returning to Central Park, a tranquil setting they had already immortalized with their engagement.

“It’s always had a good place in our heart,” says Natasha (Treacy) Walton. “It’s quintessential New York.”

When planning their wedding, she and husband John chose to build on those good vibes and the city that sparked their love with a reception at The Loeb Boathouse Central Park.

Natasha recalls that there were flash-flood warnings on their May 5 wedding date, but when they arrived at the iconic Church of St. Ignatius Loyola and Natasha stepped out of the trolley, the skies cleared.

“It didn’t start raining again until later that night,” she says. “We got very lucky—or blessed.” The landmark church with its 5,000-pipe organ proved a “spectacular” setting in which to tie the knot after five-plus years of dating. (The couple both worked in finance, lived in the same New York City apartment building and met through friends.)

The rainfall earlier in the day made their photo shoot in Central Park almost magical. “We had the park entirely to ourselves,” Natasha recalls.

Where rain might have brought gloom, the pink-and-gray palette she chose for the bridal party hinted happily of spring, and the couple made their grand entrance by gondola as guests gazed from the balcony.

As the night progressed, guests were introduced to the couple’s signature cocktails: his, the bourbon-based Woozy Walton; hers, the Muddled McGee, a sparkling strawberry concoction. The couple’s first dance took courage for the groom, as their song “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice suggests. But John was rewarded, in a way, with butter-cream cookie-dough filling—he loves cookie dough—for the three-tier cake by LuLu’s Bakery.

A prompt “mini-moon” in Miami was followed one year later with a trip to South Africa and Mozambique. Now the couple has settled in Connecticut with fond memories of the city that kindled their flame.

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For a couple who nurtured their love in the tranquil setting of Central Park— and even got engaged on the park’s Bow Bridge— there could be no more perfect wedding venue.

Here Natasha and John Walton enjoy a peaceful moment on a gondola ride to their reception at the park’s Loeb Boathouse.

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This page, clockwise from top right: A break in the rain welcomes bridal party photos at Bethesda Terrace with Natasha in a Vera Wang strapless gown and lace coverlet; reflecting a pink-and-gray palette are bridesmaids’ gowns by Jenny Yoo with bouquets by Lenox Hill; the groom gets ready; Natasha’s bouquet includes pink and white roses. Opposite page: The newlyweds kiss leaving the church.

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This page, clockwise from top left: Bagpipers continue a hundreds-of-years-old tradition; the bridal party joins in a toast; centerpieces herald spring with cherry blossoms, roses and hydrangeas; the three-tier cake by LuLu’s offers a treat— cookie dough. Opposite page: Guests applaud the newlyweds’ first dance—Around Town Entertainment learned the song “I Don’t Dance” for the occasion.

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INSTAGRAM FOR THE LATEST JEWELRY TRENDS AND WATCH RELEASES

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TRENDING

how charming

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Top to Bottom: David Yurman North Star pendant, $750. Penny Preville diamond moon and star oval locket medallion, $2,785. Marco Bicego Jaipur charm necklace, $2,830. Marco Bicego mother of pearl Jaipur pendant, $1,930. Penny Preville diamond border star enhancer, $5,160. Marco Bicego blue topaz Jaipur pendant, $975. Roberto Coin zodiac pendant, $4,610. Temple St. Clair rainbow sapphire moon face charm, $2,400. Roberto Coin diamond butterfly pendant, $1,770. Diamond octagon pendant with polished center, $580. David Yurman evil eye circles enhancer, $2,600. Temple St. Clair crystal diamond heart pendant, $1,700. Oval link paperclip chain necklace, $525. 16mm pavé diamond dog tag pendant, $670.

Elizabeth Locke diamond cross pendant, $2,350. Malachite and diamond compass pendant, $950. David Yurman evil eye charm, $725. Round pendant with 12 bezel set diamonds, $1,355. David Yurman reversible mother of pearl and onyx pendant, $2,500. David Yurman North Star pendant, $1,350.

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partners for progress Nobody does BIG like Texas! And no place tells the story of Texas better than the Witte Museum in San Antonio. Located along the picturesque banks of the San Antonio River, this state-of-the-art museum is where the nature, science and culture of Texas come together.

When Lee Michaels co-president Ryan Berg moved to San Antonio 11 years ago, it was the Witte Museum (pronounced Weety, if you want to say it like a Texan) that immediately caught his attention. “Part of Lee Michaels’ core values are to give back to the community,” says Ryan. “I saw what the Witte Museum was doing— impacting the community and educating so many people. I wanted to be part of it.”

“When Ryan came to see us, he talked about his experience, leadership roles and accomplishments in Louisiana and asked what he could do for us,” says Marise McDermott, president and CEO of the Witte Museum since 2004. Marise accepted his offer to sponsor one of their events but countered with an offer of her own—become a nominee for the museum’s board of trustees. “I told Ryan we could really use him as we transform the Witte. He was a visionary. He had more ideas in five minutes that I’d heard in two years.”

Ryan became a trustee in 2012. Two years later he was chair of the development committee and a member of the executive committee. “He’s such an innovator. Nonprofits need that kind of energy, vision, excitement and brilliance,” says Marise. “He completely restructured the way we did corporate requests. He’s now beginning his first year as chair of the board of trustees, which he will serve for two years.”

Ryan, likewise, respects Marise’s leadership style.

“Marise is very progressive and has dynamic vision,” says Ryan. “She gets things done. Through her collaborative approach as a leader, she can execute—and have her team execute—on her visions.”

At that time, Marise’s vision for the Witte—adding 174,000 square feet to its campus buildings at a cost of $100 million—was the most ambitious expansion program to be undertaken since its founding in 1926.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these improvements.

DINOS TO PECOS TO VAQUEROS When the Witte tells the story of Texas, it goes back— way back—to the dinosaurs. “In the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery we feature only dinosaurs that were native to Texas, like the Acrocanthosaurus,” says Marise, “Witte Curator of Paleontology Dr. Thomas Adams uncovered 300 footprints of this dinosaur right here in San Antonio. From those footprints, we were able to build a skeletal representation of a dinosaur that lived 105 million years ago.” In the museum display, the Acrocanthosaurus is shown walking on the actual molded footprints that the paleontologist found.

The Naylor Gallery also has the largest flying creature ever, the Quetzalcoatlus. It is a pterosaur, or a flying reptile. “Its skeleton was found in Big Bend,” says Marise. “We have three versions of the Quetzalcoatlus in the gallery—a fleshed out version at the entrance, a standing one and a full flying skeleton.”

This exhibit is a Berg family favorite. “The dinosaurs are life-size and enormous!” says Ryan. “Our kids love them!”

The next part of the story of Texas takes place in the Kittie West Nelson Ferguson People of the Pecos Gallery.

“It features the first people who lived here thousands of years ago and is a powerful exhibit,” says Marise. “People of the Pecos depicts amazing evidence from small bands of families that lived in semi-arid areas throughout West Texas, near the Rio Grande. That’s dramatic and important because it shows how people lived very well on this rugged land. They were quite ingenious and 47

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used the land to hunt, fish and make clothes.”

Living under six flags—Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America—Texas became a confluence of cultures. Among the groups are the vaqueros or cowboys. The Witte has an extensive collection of artifacts from them, which it loaned to the Smithsonian for its vaqueros exhibit. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Witte partners with the Smithsonian on exhibits and sends museum professionals to the worldfamous museum to work on prestigious programs there.

THE H-E-B BODY ADVENTURE By far, one of the most popular exhibits at the Witte is the H-E-B Body Adventure powered by University Health. This interactive and entertaining exhibit was developed in response to the desire of the community— especially mega-grocer H-E-B—and health systems in San Antonio to help Texans switch from a sedentary lifestyle of processed foods to one of healthy eating and physical activity.

The exhibit invites visitors to take a virtual bicycle ride along the San Antonio River; test their energy by walking or running across a motion-capture screen; and calculate how long it takes to walk to the San Antonio River based on their stride and height. They can also tour gardens of medicinal and culinary plants; learn hands-on, simple ways to make healthy snacks and meals; consult with medical students as they interact with a life-size, touch-screen anatomy table; and learn about the heart and see how the body processes food.

While taking part in these activities, visitors are invited to use a power pass which captures, anonymously, their weight, height, neighborhood, when they last ate fresh veggies and fruits, and if there are areas for exercise and play where they live. So far, over one million visitors have participated.

The Witte uses this data to effect changes that promote the common good. For example, if numbers indicate areas where there are no safe parks for children, the park district knows to build or improve a neighborhood park there. If some areas are food deserts, meaning they have no nearby stores that sell fresh fruits, veggies, meats and seafood, data collected can encourage tax breaks for grocers to set up business there.

Thanks to the information collected by the Witte Museum at the H-E-B exhibit, the city of San Antonio applied for and was awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health award in 2017—only four years after the Witte began the project.

“I am most proud that we are part of shaping the future of Texas health and wellness, environmental awareness and land stewardship,” says Marise. “When we make Texans—particularly children—aware of the land, sky and water of this state, they will be enlightened

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citizens that will vote—and be involved—and serve Texas in the future.”

TEXAS WILD Another very popular area is the McLean Family Texas Wild Exhibit, which features the critters of Texas—in both a gallery setting and live too. “From tarantulas to scorpions, snakes to bobcats, and armadillos, this is what visitors from here and also outside Texas truly love,” says Marise. “They hear about armadillos but may never see one in the wild. But there’s one at the Witte!”

THE ANNUAL GAME DINNER Patrons of the museum can also see wild critters not in cages but on a dinner plate at the Witte’s annual game dinner. This fundraiser, which brings in the majority of the funding for the museum, originated when local hunters emptied their freezers of all the game they had in preparation for the new hunting season. While venison was standard fare, word has it that rattlesnake occasionally appeared on the menu too. “We still have venison and game,” says Ryan, “but we also cater it.”

“It’s my kind of party,” says Ryan who enjoys the casual vibe of the dinner—blue jeans and cowboy hats and dancing. When Ryan and wife Jessica agreed to serve

as committee chairs for the event, they worked hard to break the record high of $700,000 in proceeds.

Before the event total was announced that evening, Ryan looked at Marise and asked, “If I get it to a million dollars, can I dunk you in the water?”

Marise replied emphatically, “No sir! I will not. But you can get it to a million anyway.”

And he did!

Yes, indeed! Nobody does BIG like Texas—and with the help of a Louisiana-transplant like Ryan Berg, the Witte Museum more than lives up to that boast.

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An experience elevated in the San Antonio Hill Country for those seeking soulful reflection, joyful celebration, mindful movement and vibrant living. It’s an escape that’s yours and it’s all within reach. lomadevidaspa.com | 210.558.2252

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let the good times roll!

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If doormen, lobbyists and taxi drivers are wearing beads, it’s time for the Washington Mardi Gras. The tradition began over 70 years ago when in 1943, C.J. Bourg, Louisiana State Society president, announced that a “surprise demonstration of the spirit of Mardi Gras” would be introduced at the Society’s social on George Washington’s birthday.

This year’s Washington Mardi Gras was a whirl of receptions and parties kicked off Thursday, with a king’s dinner on Capitol Hill, hosted by this year’s royalty, King Richard Lipsey and Queen Madison Smith. Lee Michaels was honored to be the king and queen’s first choice for all the gifts given to Princesses, Festival Queens and special members of the Krewe. Every princess received a pair of Mikimoto pearl studs wrapped in our signature red and black. Members of our Lee Michaels staff attended the week’s events: Lee Michael Berg, chairman of the board, Chad Berg, co-president, and Johnny Tate, executive vice president of Lee Michaels. Featuring music by Michael Bublé, the king’s dinner was just one of dozens of Mardi Gras events that culminated with a parade and ball in the cavernous Washington Hilton ballroom on Saturday night. The featured entertainment for Saturday night included LSU, Southern and Grambling marching bands along with the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps band.

What began as a “demonstration of the spirit of Mardi Gras” has grown into a celebration of Louisiana, its politics and its people. It is a true showcase of the great culture of Louisiana.

Top to Bottom: Dennis and Tricia Tolivar with Diane and Johnny Tate; Mike the Tiger; Ryan and Stephanie Burks with Vanessa Berg and Michael Bublé

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TIMEPIECES

inspired by audacity

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FOR THE WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT, ROLEX’S LADY-DATEJUST COMBINES ELEGANCE WITH UNCOMPROMISING TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE. By Christen Fisher Since long before “women’s liberation” there have been women of stunning accomplishment in many fields beyond the home, and Rolex has recognized them for almost a century. Beginning in 1927 with Mercedes Gleitze, the first Englishwoman to swim the English Channel and Rolex’s first Testimonee, the brand has long championed women with the audacity to strive for and achieve excellence.

Society’s perception of women’s role continued to evolve and broaden in the years after World War II. Inspired by icons like actress Audrey Hepburn, writer Francoise Sagan and equestrian Pat Smythe, more women began to follow their own priorities and chase their own successes. Rolex took note, and in 1957 the company unveiled a watch inspired by and created for assertive, independent women forging their own paths to success, the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust. At just 28 millimeters, the Lady-Datejust was a technical and cultural achievement that put the reliability and precision of a men’s watch into a case sized for a woman.

Today, the Lady-Datejust continues to set the standard for uncompromising technical performance and timeless elegance, gracing the wrists of such accomplished women as marine biologist Sylvia Earle, golf champion Annika Sörenstam and pianist Yuja Wang. These women are at the top of their fields, breaking barriers and records as they strive for ever-higher levels of excellence, paving the way for the next generation.

Made for a woman on the move, the Lady-Datejust is equipped with caliber 2236, a self-winding mechanical movement exclusively developed and manufactured by Rolex. Its Perpetual rotor ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. And when the road gets bumpy, the watch is notably resistant to shocks, thanks to a unique balance wheel with variable inertia regulated via gold Microstella nuts and held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge and high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers. Its Syloxi hairspring in silicon renders it 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring. It also boasts a power reserve of 55 hours.

Because you never know where the road to success might lead, the Lady-Datejust’s Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 meters. Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel or 18K

gold. The finely fluted caseback is hermetically screwed down, and its Twinlock winding crown is fitted with a double waterproofness system and screws down securely against the case. Its sapphire crystal with cyclops date lens at 3 o’clock is virtually scratchproof.

Though classic and timeless in style, the Lady-Datejust honors each woman’s individuality through its myriad dial, bezel and bracelet offerings. Multiple dial variations are available in a wealth of materials, colors, motifs and markers—indices, Roman or Arab numerals—with numerous gem-setting options for the hour markers or the dial itself.

Domed, fluted or gem-set, the bezel of the Lady-Datejust is available in three different designs, each conferring its own distinctive aesthetic.

The Lady-Datejust is available in several metal alloys: Oystersteel, 18K yellow, white or Everose gold and in a Rolesor version (a combination of Oystersteel and yellow, white or Everose gold).

Depending on the version, the Lady-Datejust is available on a threepiece link Oyster bracelet with a folding Oysterclasp; on a five-piece link Jubilee bracelet with a Crownclasp; or on a three-piece link President bracelet with a Crownclasp. The Lady-Datejust’s Oyster bracelet also features the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length easily by approximately 5 millimeters, for additional comfort in any circumstance. The President bracelet, fitted on some 18K gold versions, includes ceramic inserts inside the links to enhance its flexibility and longevity.

And for the woman whose success sparkles just a little brighter, Rolex recently introduced an entirely gem-set version in 18K yellow gold. The case is set with 158 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case sides and lugs, with the bezel featuring another 44 brilliant-cut diamonds. This new Lady-Datejust is fitted on a President bracelet additionally set with 596 brilliant-cut diamonds, and features a spectacular dial paved with an additional 291 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Inspired by the audacity of postwar women to achieve their own successes and sustained by the incredible women who carry on that legacy today, the Rolex Lady-Datejust is the face of modern femininity and a celebration of those who dared to lead the way.

The Rolex Lady-Datejust was a technical and cultural achievement that put the reliability and precision of a men’s watch into a case sized for a woman. Its modern iterations remain the face of femininity. Clockwise from top left: Lady-Datejust in an Everose Rolesor version, bezel set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds, chocolate dial set with 10 diamonds; Lady-Datejust in 18 ct yellow gold, bezel set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds, white mother-of-pearl dial set with 10 diamonds; The first Lady-Datejust, launched in 1957; Lady-Datejust in a white Rolesor version with a fluted bezel and a dark gray dial with Roman numerals.

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Seemingly age-defying actor Brad Pitt hasn’t conquered time, but he sure knows how to track it. His luxury watch collection includes a bevy of Patek Philippe, Rolex and Breitling pieces, like this Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Norton.

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FACE TIME The Big Short of it—Brad Pitt’s collection of luxury timepieces is as illustrious as his career. Here are a few worth ogling:

not bad, brad

Since 2018, Pitt has been a member of the “Breitling Cinema Squad,” an ad campaign in which he shows off pieces such as this Breitling Super Chronomat B01.

By Haley Longman

HOLLYWOOD’S HANDSOME WILLIAM BRADLEY PITT HAS A WATCH COLLECTION ALMOST AS IMPOSING AS HIS RÉSUMÉ.

Brad Pitt is everyone’s type. He’s classically handsome, confusingly age-defying (at 58) and instantly recognizable both by name and by face.

And just in case his three decades of achievement in glamorous Hollywood don’t make us jealous enough, this multi-talented dude has a diverse collection of luxury timepieces that just won’t quit.

Early in his career, Pitt was spotted wearing classic luxury watches both in everyday life and at swanky events—the handsome and versatile Rolex Explorer and Breitling Emergency were his go-tos.

Breitling launched the Emergency in 1995 as a backup transmitter for downed pilots or lost adventurers, fitting for a globetrotting actor-turned-producerdirector who travels more than he sits still.

Perhaps his choice in watches then was foreshadowing, because in 2019, Pitt’s Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood year, he became the handsome face of the Swiss brand Breitling. He’s also one of three actors in the “Breitling Cinema Squad,” an ad campaign and social initiative established in 2018 featuring the best-of-the-best in their field (the other two are Charlize Theron and Adam Driver). The Super Chronomat B01 and Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Norton are among Pitt’s faves from Breitling, the latter a collaboration with the British motorcycle manufacturer. (Pitt is a keen motorcyclist, a hobby he shares with son Pax.) But first, in 2005 (coincidentally the year in which he met his future wife Angelina Jolie on the set of their film, Mr. and Mrs. Smith) the Oklahoma native was tapped as TAG Heuer’s spokesmodel. He owns a TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Automatic Chronograph, and his character in 2011’s Moneyball famously sported the TAG Heuer Kirium, which the film’s prop master presented to the actor as an option after finding it on a crew member’s wrist. This

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particular watch has a midnight blue dial, Mercedesstyle hands, a unidirectional rotating dive bezel and a classic case build.

One of Pitt’s most famous wristwatches is the iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Rumored to be an engagement gift from Jolie, Pitt’s Nautilus has a dark dial and a stainless-steel case and bracelet and is water-resistant to 120 meters. And don’t quote us on this, but surely Pitt was given a Rolex or two by his other ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston, who herself has an impressive watch collection. Pitt owns a Rolex GMT Master II, a Rolex Daytona in stainless steel with a white dial, a Day-Date, a Submariner and a yellow gold Yacht-Master, among others.

Arguably the pinnacle of Pitt’s vault is the minimalistic Cartier Tank à Guichet in 18K gold, an unusual selection that proves that this guy is no novice collector. Instead of a dial, the Tank à Guichet has a “jump-hour” mechanism, in which the hour and minutes are revealed behind tiny little windows on the metal face. It’s a limited-edition piece that debuted to celebrate Cartier’s 150th anniversary, and it is in fact a reiteration of the original Tank à Guichet from 1928. Only 100 of these have been produced globally.

Clearly then, this dad-of-six picks his wristwatches as he picks his projects—thoughtfully, informedly and with concern for how each will affect his legacy.

His 2022 ventures thus far include an as-yet-untitled Formula One film, along with an unexpected foray into the music industry, where he is reopening Miraval Studios, the legendary recording facility located at Château de Miraval in France.

As for the long-term future? It’s hard to picture Pitt ever getting old, but of course he hasn’t defeated time; he only tracks it magnificently. In any case, it’s a sure bet he’ll always be watchable.

Pitt reportedly purchased this rare Patek Philippe Ref. 5016A with a Calatravastyle case at an auction in Geneva in 2015.

The price? $6.7 million.

In addition to his Rolex President, Day-Date, Submariner and Yacht-Master, Pitt also owns this stainless-steel Rolex Explorer with a black dial.

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TIMEPIECES

prime time AN ELEGANT TIMEPIECE IS A MUST-WEAR FOR THE SEASON’S GALAS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. NOTE THE HOUR— AND SHOW OFF YOUR TASTE—WITH A SUBTLE FLICK OF THE WRIST.

Breitling Superocean Automatic, 44mm, $4,300.

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Photography by Daniel Springston

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TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic, 44mm, $5,350; Deakin & Francis royal blue and denim oval cufflinks, $425.

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TIMEPIECES

timely trio

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Though the chronograph’s origin story has changed, its name and its status as one of the most popular and useful watch complications live on. Patek’s long history of innovation in complicated watches has included the chronograph since 1902, the year of its patent for the first double chronograph pocket watch. In 1923 the company sold the first split-seconds chronograph, and since 2005 it has offered a complete range of chronograph movements, with and without additional functions, designed and crafted entirely within its workshops. Recently, the manufacturer expanded its collection by unveiling three new chronograph variations: (1) a split-seconds chronograph with a perpetual calendar (Reference 5204R-011); (2) a self-winding World Time flyback chronograph (Reference 5930P-001); and (3) a self-winding flyback chronograph with an annual calendar (Reference 5905/1A-001).

The newest version of the split-seconds

chronograph with perpetual calendar Reference 5204 is designed to evoke a contemporary spirit with its hand-polished rose gold case and matching slate gray dial and strap. Besides the chronograph function, the 5204 features Patek’s most advanced calendar function, the perpetual calendar. Considered a grand complication, the perpetual calendar accounts for all monthly variations including leap year and will not need to be manually adjusted until the year 2100 (the first century year not divisible by 400).

On the slate-gray sunburst dial, the day and month are displayed in two in-line apertures at 12 o’clock. The date hand at 6 o’clock incorporates the moon-phase aperture. Small seconds and the instantaneous 30-minute counter appear on two subdials at 9 and 3 o’clock. Two small round apertures display the leap-year cycle between 4 and 5 o’clock and the day/night indication between 7 and 8 o’clock. The new 5204 is available with

PATEK PHILIPPE

Until nine years ago it was believed that the chronograph—derived from the Greek words “chronos” meaning time and “graphein” meaning to write—was invented by a man named Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec in 1821. Designed to time horse races and accurate to the second, Rieussec’s mechanism dropped a spot of ink on the dial to mark the interval, literally writing time as the name suggests.

However, in 2013 it was discovered by watch historians—including Arnaud Tellier, former head of the Patek Philippe Museum—that a watchmaker named Louis Moinet had, in fact, created a stopwatch mechanism five years earlier, in 1816. Intended to be used for astronomy, Moinet’s invention was accurate to 1/60th of a second.

Much like modern chronographs, Moinet’s invention did not use ink. (Nor did it get much ink, as for a long time all the fame went to Rieussec’s as the first marketed chronograph.)

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THREE NEW PRODUCTS FROM PATEK PHILIPPE ADD LUSTER TO THE TWO-CENTURY

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TRA

URY

TRADITION OF THE CHRONOGRAPH. By Christen Fisher

tan, combining the brilliance of platinum with a green dial and strap. The 39.5-millimeter, hand-polished platinum case is set with a diamond at 6 o’clock and features “wing-type” lugs reminiscent of World Time watches of the 1940s and ’50s. The names of the cities are printed in green on the corresponding disk. The green dial center is hand-guilloched in a circular pattern. The new 5930 is presented on a bottlegreen shiny alligator strap with a foldover clasp.

The maison’s third new release is a self-winding flyback

Opposite page, from left to right; Patek Philippe 5204 Grand Complications features a split-second chronograph and a perpetual calendar, as well as a slate gray sunburst dial, gold applied hour markers with luminescent coating and an 18K gold dial plate; The Ref. 5930 self-winding World Time flyback chronograph is available in a new version which combines a platinum case with a green dial and strap. This page, Ref. 5905 self-winding flyback chronograph has a sunburst olive green dial and a handsome steel bracelet; Complication Ladies’ Ref. 7150 in 18K rose gold has a diamond bezel, sapphire crystal case back and a brown alligator leather strap.

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interchangeable sapphire crystal and solid casebacks.

Patek’s second new release, Reference 5930P001, combines two functions: a self-winding flyback chronograph and the iconic World Time.

The 5930’s movement, caliber CH 28-520 HU, is equipped with a column wheel and the modern disk-type vertical clutch allowing the central hand to be used as a running seconds display. The 4 o’clock pusher enables instant restarting of the timing operation when the central hand is already performing an operation (“flyback” function) or is being used as a seconds display. The World Time function simultaneously displays the time in 24 time zones. When changing time zones, an exclusive patented mechanism enables correction of all displays by pressing the 10 o’clock pusher, without affecting the accuracy of the movement.

Originally launched in 2016 in a white gold version with a blue dial and matching strap, Patek’s newest iteration of the 5930 is sporty yet cosmopoli-

chronograph with Annual Calendar, Reference 5905/1A-001, in the rarely used but highly desirable steel. First launched as a platinum model in 2015, then in rose gold in 2019, Reference 5905 combines two practical and easy-to-use complications: a self-winding flyback chronograph and a patented annual calendar. The annual calendar accounts for monthly variations and only requires adjustment once per year on March 1.

With a distinctively sporty feel, the new 5905 features a sunburst olive green dial with a central chronograph hand, a large 60-minute subdial at 6 o’clock and three day/date/month apertures arranged in an arc for instant reading of the Annual Calendar indications. The self-winding mechanical movement Caliber CH 28-520 QA 24H also has a vertical disktype clutch instead of toothed-wheel horizontal clutch, which allows the central chronograph seconds hand to be used as a running seconds display with virtually no wear and tear. The 42-millimeter polished steel case is equipped with a sapphire-crystal caseback and set on an integrated bracelet with contrasting polished and satin finishes.

Whether it is one of these three latest versions or another of the more than 20 variations in the current collection— including a chronograph made exclusively for women (Reference 7150/250R-001)—the people at Patek Philippe believe you’re sure to find one of their chronographs that suits your needs and style.

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hot for summer

i heart you Top to Bottom: 14K yellow gold blue sapphire and diamond heart ombré necklace, $495. 14K yellow gold graduated heart pavé diamond necklace, $750. 14K yellow gold diamond heart paperclip necklace, $1,590. 14K yellow gold pavé diamond open heart necklace, $630. 14K white gold pavé diamond heart necklace, $720. 18K yellow gold and sterling silver Konstantino angel heart drop earrings, $880. David Yurman Cable Heart Y necklace, $750. 14K yellow gold open diamond heart earrings, $275. David Yurman morganite heart stud earrings, $1,290. 14K yellow gold pavé diamond heart earrings, $395. 14K white gold pavé diamond “XO” earrings, $250. 14K yellow gold pavé diamond heart ring, $860. 14K white gold pavé diamond heart ring, $1,490.

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M Y L A G O S M Y W AY

C AV I A R C O L L E C T I O N S

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HOME

if these walls could talk

A DESIGNER HELPS HOMEOWNERS ACHIEVE SPACES THAT SPEAK ELOQUENTLY OF THEIR TASTE AND JOIE DE VIVRE.

Designer Philip Mitchell combined vintage elements with contemporary design when he teamed up with a couple who were restoring their historic Georgian-inspired Cape along the Atlantic Coast. The den features comforting elements such as Art Deco-inspired chaises, mid-century European art and Jonathan Adler’s Jagged rug from Kravet, but the space also doubles as a home office. When duty calls, the teak desk, a 1958 design by Svend Age Madsen, is the perfect place to work.

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The eclectic interiors fashioned by world-renowned designer Philip Mitchell reflect his genius as a collaborator. In his book, Collected Interiors: Rooms That Tell a Story, Mitchell explains how he helps a homeowner’s aesthetic intent become reality, combining pattern and plain space, antique and modern, simplicity and richness—plus touches of the unexpected.

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This page: The kitchen inside the Cape exudes simple elegance. Rose copper counter stools by Yabu Pushelberg complement the dark soapstone surfaces on the counters. Rather than installing a central fixture over the island, Mitchell opted for an intricate constellation of glass pendants by Thomas O’Brien. The conical pendants hang precisely one inch apart from one another. Opposite page: Because there is no breakfast room in the home, the dining room had to be casual enough for every day meals but formal enough for festive occasions.

Mitchell installed a crosshatch chandelier from Ironies, a piece resembling a lobster trap dipped in white resin—perfect for the waterside home. Vintage Danish woven chairs were reupholstered in leather and surround a walnut extension table. The homeowners’ artwork, including Brendan George Ko’s “We Have A History” and Vlad Grospic’s “A Perfect Storm” make statements on their respective walls.

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This page: Mitchell kept existing woodwork, which created a neutral background in the living room and allowed the homeowner’s extensive artwork as well as lighting and furnishing to take center stage. For instance, Yabu Pushelberg’s boomerang-angled sofa creates corner space for Liaigre’s Dinka columnar floor lamp. Opposite page: The other side of the living room takes a straight-line approach, as seen in the sofa’s stitch detail and the slats of the coffee table. A Mies van der Rohe-designed chrome and leather daybed and painting by Drew Harris give the space a modern vibe.

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This page: Mitchell created a historic look in the guest bath of a Nova Scotia cottage by combining old elements with new ones. He brought the dusky green color palette to life by introducing the complementary hues and contemporary notes of Adriana Molea’s “Colourful Wishes III” as well as linens from D. Porthault.

Opposite page: When designing the bedroom of a New York City apartment, Mitchell made certain the space was a refuge after an intense work day. Bedding and Andrew Plum’s “Crowds at Longchamp” give the room quiet energy, while a wall-mounted, swing-arm bedl amp from The Electric Company provides a contemporary touch—and is practical in the tight space.

© Collected Interiors by Philip Mitchell with Judith Nasatir, Rizzoli New York, 2021. Photography © Annie Schlechter.

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ON A BICYCLE, ON CAMELBACK OR WITH BARE FEET GOING DEEP IN THE SAND, THIS INTOXICATING NORTH AFRICAN NATION IS A FEAST FOR THE SENSES. By Everett Potter

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Dating back to at least the 5th century B.C., Essaouira is one of the oldest and most picturesque cities in Morocco. Director Orson Welles shot here in the 1950s, and musicians Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens and others spent time in the town.

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Morocco is where the Middle Ages and the 21st century meet, from the exotic smells and sounds of the medina, or marketplace, of Marrakech to the undulating and seemingly endless sand dunes of the Sahara.

What’s the best way to get a taste of it? I chose to bike through the country, riding a hybrid with a group of compatriots, two guides and a couple of drivers in SUVs, who helped us reach further into the country than our two-wheeled vehicles could.

We rendezvoused in Casablanca, a city that justifies its indelible romantic reputation. There was no riding here, but there was time for sightseeing at the Hassan II, one of the world’s largest mosques, and wandering through the old Art Deco quarters, redolent of the classic Bogart-and-Bergman movie that has made the city’s name a synonym for passion doomed by an endangered world.

The trip began in earnest with a flight to Ouarzazate in the High Atlas Mountains, the jumping-off point for our exploration of the Draa Valley. The striking architectural centerpiece of the city is Taourirt Kasbah, a 19th-century, earthenwalled terracotta palace. You may have never set foot in Ouarzazate but you’ve seen it many times, because it’s a favorite of Hollywood location scouts. Its mountainous desert landscape is the home of Atlas Studios and has appeared in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Kundun, among many other films.

This first day of riding set the stage for much of the rest of the trip. We pedaled through a landscape of palm trees and villages, donkeys and goat herds. The simple houses were made of stone with ornately carved wooden doors, with veiled women and men in djellabas, the traditional hooded robes, watching our progress. Dusty plains gave way to a backdrop of arid, snow-capped mountains. Our route was punctuated by towns that were as vibrant and lively and exotic as any Hollywood screenwriter could have dreamed up, as if the rug merchants and the spice sellers and the street magicians came out of central casting. The riding could be hot and was very often dusty, but the distances were manageable.

When we arrived in Zagora, I saw a mural that announced “Tombouctou 52 days,” telling you that it would take 52 days to make the journey by camel to Timbuktu, Mali. We ate delicious tagine with chicken and lamb, and I awoke just before dawn with the call to prayer reverberating from loudspeakers in towering minarets.

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This page: Cyclists who endure the ups and downs of Morocco’s dusty and varied terrain are rewarded with breathtaking vistas—and delicious chicken, lamb and other food when they reach their destinations. Opposite page: After a long day of bike riding, unwinding with mint tea at Cafe Arabe in Marrakech is a treat. Once riders have dined, they can prop up their feet and enjoy luxurious accommodations offered at many first-rate resorts.

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The next day, we rode to the eastern edge of the country, where the Sahara begins, and swapped our hybrid bikes for camels. It was a good thing that we weren’t planning to spend the next 52 days heading to Timbuktu, because I was perched precariously atop the temperamental beast on a rough saddle made of wood and carpets.

But as we set off, the promised magic and mystery of the desert revealed themselves quite quickly. We were invited to wrap our heads in the traditional Tuareg tagelmust, the headscarves that made us all resemble the supporting cast of Lawrence of Arabia.

They did offer remarkable protection from the blazing desert sun as we rode through a landscape of rolling dunes and blue skies. There was a small oasis on the horizon, with a healthy stand of date palms, and we arrived at our desert camp for the night, with tents furnished with raised beds and Berber carpets. After a dinner, a million stars emerged, and I walked barefoot through the cold sand back to the tent.

In the morning, we drove back into the High Atlas and stopped in a high pass for an impromptu snowball fight, just for the bragging rights. Later on, we mounted our bikes and spent the night in the High Atlas at Kasbah Tamadot, settling into the lap of Moroccan luxury in this 28-room property owned by Sir Richard Branson.

We carried on the next morning on the road to Essaouira, riding our bikes past argan trees with thick, thorny branches on which goats perched. The sight is surreal, but the nimble goats climb up to eat the fruit of the trees, now aided and abetted by farmers eagerly seeking tips from passing tourists.

As the very hot day began to wane, we saw buildings on the horizon and got a scent of the ocean and realized that we had arrived in Essaouira. This was easily my favorite city on the trip, a place that dates to at least the 5th century B.C., with massive stone ramparts overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, narrow streets and alleyways, as well as a broad beach, that stretch far south of the city. In the 1950s, famed director Orson Welles shot his version of Othello here. By the late 1960s, the place had

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become a hippie haven, and musicians such as Cat Stevens and Jimi Hendrix spent time there. As I walked the beach south of the city, I met a few wetsuit-clad surfers from France who had been coming for years to what they had nicknamed “Wind City Afrika,” as the Atlantic winds blow nonstop on this corner of the continent.

Yet it was the city itself, with its densely packed stone buildings, crumbling palaces and a slightly ramshackle charm that was so evocative. Buildings are mostly white, the doors mostly blue, and the medina is jammed with spice sellers and wood-carving shops, diminutive cafes and fruit sellers. Little wonder that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our final destination was Marrakech, which is the soul of all things Moroccan.

With the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains in the distance, it’s a hot, densely packed oasis, a paradise of lush gardens and a maze-like medina. It’s also a chic getaway for the Euro-fashion crowd, many of whom stay in converted riads, walled houses that have become stylish hotels in the heart of the city. We stayed in the most famous hotel in the country, La Mamounia, a near century-old indulgence of luxury, boasting an Olympic-size pool surrounded by the most glamorous crowd this side of the French Riviera.

I wandered the labyrinth lanes of Marrakech, where Berber carpets, silver teapots, pottery and acres of rugs were for sale. I wandered through the dreamy Jardin Majorelle, a garden designed in the 1920s that was later bought and restored by the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

For the final last meal, we went to an elevated open-air restaurant that had been reserved for us. It overlooked the Jma el-Fna, the center of Marrakech, a vast open square that’s a remnant of the Middle Ages. It’s where snake charmers serenade cobras, touts carry monkeys on their shoulders and dancers do cartwheels. There are fortune tellers with henna-patterned hands, and the oft-photographed water sellers, dressed as court jesters. As one companion had her hand decorated in a henna tattoo, a fortune teller took my hand and offered to read my palm, telling me that I would have 13 children. As fortunes go, this one was wildly inaccurate, but it did nothing to diminish the magic of this remarkable country.

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This page: Moroccan design is a trend spotted around the world, and there’s no shortage of it in the country’s architecture. Examples shown here include the Tin Mal Mosque in the High Atlas Mountains, a palace in Fes and Ait-Ben-Haddou in Ouarzazate. Opposite page: Marrakech is the soul of all things Moroccan. It’s filled with history, including the Koutoubia Mosque, as well as lively markets that feature carpets, teapots, pottery and more for sale.

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HITTING THE LINKS

Cabot St. Lucia:

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In January 2016, the Canadian businessman Ben Cowan-Dewar traveled from his home in wintry Toronto to the balmy shores of the Caribbean, but sunbathing was the last thing on his mind.

The co-founder and operator of Cabot Cape Breton, a marquee golf resort in Nova Scotia, Cowan-Dewar was looking for a new property to develop, a seasonal offset to the gem he’d built in the Great White North. Aside from good weather, he had two key criteria in mind.

“There had to be plenty of flights, so it was easy to access from major population centers,” Cowan-Dewar says. “And it had to be a spectacular site for golf.”

Easy to say.

Tough to find.

For all its natural beauty—the sugary beaches, the turquoise waters—much of the Caribbean has flat terrain, not exactly catnip for architecture nerds, while most of the world’s top courses lie on land with compelling wrinkles and rumples.

Cowan-Dewar searched for days, puddle-jumping from one island to the next, hoping to discover a spot that met his standards.

Then he found it.

It was, he says, “one of the greatest golf sites I’d ever seen, anywhere in the world.”

Perched at the northern tip of the island of St. Lucia (part of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles), where the eastern Caribbean meets the Atlantic, on a peninsula known as Point Hardy, the property commanded nearly two miles of oceanfront. And the coastline, Cowan-Dewar says, “did everything you wanted it to do. It jutted in and out. It moved up and down. You played across coves. It was incredibly dramatic.”

So clearly did the site cry out for golf that someone had already tried to build a course on it. But that project, a design-in-themaking by Jack Nicklaus, had foundered in the wake of the 2008

financial crash. Now it was available, as naturally suited to the game as ever.

“I knew immediately that I wanted to do it,” Cowan-Dewar says.

“Which, of course, is when the hard work begins.”

A little more than six years later, that effort is about to bear fruit.

One of the most anticipated courses of 2022, Cabot St. Lucia is set to open late this year, greeting golfers with a rare marriage of place and pedigree: the first Caribbean design by the vaunted architecture duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who started from scratch on the property, creating an entirely new routing.

St. Lucia is a volcanic island, craggy and dramatic, with vegetation that ranges from rainforest to enchanted stands of cacti, looming like sentinels along the coast. Coore and Crenshaw’s work seizes on the varied splendor of its setting, moving through changes in environment and elevation, with ocean views on all 18 holes.

You don’t just see the water; you navigate it. Nine greens sit on the bluffs; several require Evel Knievel-worthy carries over inlets.

Holes 6 through 9 rush up along the coast, as do holes 14 through 18, stirring stretches to close each side.

Some people like to talk about “signature” holes; Coore and Crenshaw don’t. Neither does Cowan-Dewar. He can’t pick a favorite. But he is fond of the 14th, a par-5 that rushes from a lush point inland toward the water; and the par-4 15th, a risk-reward hole that big hitters can try reaching from the tee, tempted by a target cut along the cliffs. And the short par-3 16th, which plays out toward a point on the beach. And—Cowan-Dewar could go on.

Better that you see it for yourself.

The course will be the anchor of a real estate development, with a high-end residential community and a boutique resort, among other amenities. Premium lots are currently on sale, ranging from $2 million to $11 million. For more information, check out cabotsaintlucia.com.

Opposite page, clockwise from top: While much of the Caribbean boasts flat terrain, Cabot St. Lucia has many elevation changes and nine holes along the cliffs; the property occupies roughly two miles of oceanfront along the island’s Point Hardy peninsula; the golf course is the anchor of a high-end residential development, which features luxurious villas and amenities; a world-class culinary experience awaits all who visit the resort’s dining establishments.

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A WORLD-CLASS COURSE HAS ARISEN ON DRAMATIC CARIBBEAN ISLAND TERRAIN THAT CRIED OUT FOR GREAT GOLF. By Robert Beringela

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FIRST IN LINE

rising high

If the world is too much for you, try glimpsing it from afar. The Florida-based company Space Perspective will soon be ready to help, lifting you to the stratosphere in a balloon-floated capsule it calls Spaceship Neptune. You’ll relax in a spacious, pressurized, restroom-equipped cabin while you ascend to 100,000 feet and float there. Technically that’s not outer space, but it’s above 99 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere, and this craft’s panoramic wraparound windows show off the curvature of our blue planet against the black cosmos. (Carry extra socks, as the ones you’re wearing are liable to be knocked off by the view.)

The Neptune provides six luxurious hours of abovethe-sky contemplation in which you and your seven fellow passengers (plus one pilot) can lean back in your reclining seats, enjoy the fine Wi-Fi, munch refreshments, sip cocktails and stock up visual memories so vivid and intense

Test your limits while soaring to the edge of the planet in Spaceship Neptune by Space Perspective. The luxury-filled balloon-floated capsule takes adventure seekers as high as 100,000 feet in the sky—that’s above 99 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere!

that even your grandchildren won’t ever forget them.

No knocks on the 11-minute trips today’s space tourists are taking with those other vendors you’ve read about. But in the realm of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, sometimes more is more.

Spaceship Neptune will go “up, up and away” from Kennedy Space Center at a stately 12 miles per hour, with no worries about the disorienting G-forces that affect the body in a rocket launch. Lighterthan-air hydrogen gas will be used for the balloon, with technology NASA has employed for decades, and on your return your splashdown cone will gently plop into the sea and be retrieved by a ship. Commercial flights at $125,000 a pop are set to begin in 2024, but reportedly that year’s seats are already booked, so shoot for ’25 or after.

When it comes to great escapes, even the Wizard of Oz didn’t have it this good.

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SPACE PERSPECTIVE

THE SKY’S NO LONGER THE LIMIT FOR TOURISM, AND NOW A BALLOON HAS MADE LEAVING EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE RELAXED AND FUN.

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The Spotlight Squad Charlize Theron Misty Copeland Yao Chen

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FITNESS

do as the druids did

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LOVE THE OUTDOORS? WANT TO GET MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT IN TUNE? WYDA, A YOGA-LIKE PRACTICE OF THE ANCIENT CELTS, IS MAKING A BIG COMEBACK.

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Don’t let your workout regimen be a “woulda, shoulda, coulda.” Instead, try Wyda! Pronounced wih-duh, it’s been around for thousands of years, having originated in Europe among the Celtic Druids. They developed it as a physical and spiritual practice, little suspecting that people in far-off India were creating the similar art we know as yoga.

Like yoga, Wyda helps improve breathing and flexibility and relaxes the mind through a series of stretches and poses.

But Wyda has elements that differentiate it from its Indian counterpart. One is that for the full effect, it’s done outdoors, where the practitioner can “sync” his or her energies with nature. (A bonus for today: effective social distance!) Its physical, spiritual and emotional benefits are threefold, based on a trio of “energy fields” that aren’t discussed in traditional yoga teaching: the vital field in the navel area (the hormonal system), the emotional field in the chest (feelings and moods) and the mental field in the head (brain function and senses). The goal is to harmonize these three fields, creating internal and external balance through physical exercises and meditation. A blockage in any of these fields, it is believed, can cause stress and lead to health complications.

What do you need to get started? Well-fitting yoga clothes, a workout mat or blanket and a quiet outdoor spot, such a park or even your yard. A great beginner move is to spread your arms out to the sides and stretch your fingers, then move your arms in front of your chest

and close your hands into fists that touch your chest. You can Google “Wyda yoga” for instructional videos (just hook up your tablet to the Wi-Fi outside!), or enroll in a course such as the one offered virtually on wydadruidsyoga.com, which is based in Europe and taught by a certified meditation coach who specializes in health and well-being.

And because Wyda is easy on the joints, it isn’t ageist—older men and women can enjoy this holistic practice as readily as millennials.

If you want the full, immersive Wyda experience, book a trip to the Forestis in the Dolomites, a new luxury spa hotel in the South Tyrolean mountainscape of Italy, which made Conde Nast Traveler’s 2021 Hot List. The goal at this resort is for guests to envelop themselves in the power of nature, with a slew of outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. Among the amenities there is a modern Wyda room (just in case inclement weather doesn’t let you do your workout outside), which boasts the most stunning of settings. Ah, self-care at its finest.

As with any form of exercise, the more you do it, the more you’ll get out of it. The Druids supposedly did Wyda daily, but of course they had no cellphones. With the busy lifestyles and technological distractions of the 21st century, a few times a week is more plausible. Practicing Wyda regularly could boost your metabolism and clear your mind—besides strengthening your body overall—if you’d give it a try.

So, how about it—wouldya?

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COCKTAIL HOUR

vive la france!

DON’T BE SURPRISED TO HEAR A COLLECTIVE ‘OUI OUI’ WHEN THIS CLASSIC AND CLASSY COCKTAIL APPEARS ON THE DRINK MENU.

French 75 Cocktail INGREDIENTS n 1 oz. gin n 1/2 oz. simple syrup n 1/2 oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

n ice cubes n 3 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine

INSTRUCTIONS

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Combine gin, simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.

Add in a few cubes of ice and shake until the shaker forms a frost. Strain into a Champagne flute or coupe. Top with Champagne and enjoy!

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Apply today for the Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry

PREFERRED FINANCING PROGRAM

BUY NOW AND PAY OVER TIME* SPECIAL FINANCING OPTIONS* CONVENIENT MONTHLY PAYMENTS *Subject to credit approval.

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SPIRITS

message in a bottle NOW HEAR THIS: MEXICO’S BEST-TASTING TEQUILAS AND MEZCALS—THESE SEVEN, FOR EXAMPLE— HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE FRONT RANK OF THE WORLD’S LIQUORS.

Dubbed “zero-zero” as the first iteration was considered flawless, this exclusive spirit (less than 1,000 cases are released each year) is produced with a clean, environmentally friendly process that incorporates reused agave. Thus the multi-award-winning tequila is best sipped and savored. It has notes of agave and black pepper on the nose with balanced flavors of agave, green apple and toast on the palate. The extra-long finish leaves hints of vanilla and tobacco.

An exquisite spirit should be paired with food that’s just as delicate: Try this one with Indian or Japanese cuisine.

TEQUILA ENEMIGO

ENEMIGO “00” EXTRA ANEJO TEQUILA

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By Darius Amos

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DON JULIO REAL TEQUILA

THE LOST EXPLORER MEZCAL

The bottle can be saved as a collector’s item, but what’s inside is too good not to be experienced. One of the original luxury premium tequilas, Don Julio Real is made of Weber agave found in Jalisco, Mexico, and best sipped neat and at room temperature—the way one would savor fine Scotch or Cognac. It has a gentle citrus and honey nose, with flavor highlighted by caramel, chocolate and toffee. The long finish has a slight hint of wood. Don Julio Real pairs well with sauces used in Mexican cuisine such as rich mole.

This company has made an immediate impact since its founding in 2020, and its Tobalá variety is already a leader of the agave-based spirits world. With each sip of the agave, aged 10 years, one detects aromas of dry tobacco and cocoa before the taste of vanilla with hints of leather hits the senses. The spirit’s finish is smooth with a touch of citrus and fresh grass. Handcrafted in Oaxaca as are all Lost Explorer mezcals, Tobalá spent much of 2021 racking up accolades, including silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a silver with 94 points at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Try it while enjoying chocolate with caramel sea salt.

GRAN PATRON BURDEOS TEQUILA

CLASE AZUL MEZCAL GUERRERO

Long considered one of the world’s finest tequilas for sipping (and cocktails), this spirit is made from Weber blue agave and aged in American and French oak barrels in Jalisco. Its color is dark amber, and its aroma recalls fine Bordeaux wine with a taste of oak wood, vanilla and raisins. With a velvety finish and unique smokiness, Gran Patron Burdeos is a fantastic sip for those dining on barbecued meats such as grilled chicken, or a companion to desserts made with rich chocolate.

World-renowned for its luxury tequila, this company last year honored a lesserknown region of Mexico with the release of Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero. Its artisan decanter is surpassed only by the unique flavor of the mezcal, made from 10 percent Papalote agave, which is specific to Guerrero. One takes in grapefruit, rosemary and hints of daisy on the nose while tasting seaweed, lemon juice, pepper and notes of tobacco on the palate.

This spirit pairs well with seafood cooked with lemon and butter and sweet treats such as white chocolate with jam.

SATRYNA LIMITED EDITION TEQUILA

AGUA MÁGICA

LEE MICHAELS

The maker of this exclusive tequila handcrafts its spirits using steamed blue Weber agave from fields near Guadalajara.

Its limited-edition blanco is produced in small batches and bottled in a French decanter that pays tribute to the Day of the Dead.

Its fragrance has notes of fresh herbs and lemon, while its smooth and subtle taste is of sweet honey agave with hints of spice. A smooth vanilla finish offers a clean and dry aftertaste. Try a sip with a sweet chili shrimp appetizer for a wonderful sweet-and-spicy combo.

Founded by a Mexican team based in New York and Oaxaca, this ultra-premium brand launched a small-batch mezcal in 2021, paying tribute to the traditional process of using more than one agave type to make the spirit. Known as Ensamble, Agua Mágica is a blend of Espadín aged seven years and 15-year-old Tobalá. It starts with a light sugar cane juice on the nose and has a pronounced smoky taste like many mezcals—but not overpowering. One detects hints of grapefruit and roasted nuts before enjoying a lavender finish. In addition to making great-tasting mezcal, Agua Mágica supports an “Empowering Mezcaleros” program, which assists family-run palenques (distilleries) with the certification process to sell their mezcal.

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AUTO

going fast THREE LEGENDARY SPEED DEMONS THAT CHANGED THE SUPERCAR LANDSCAPE ARE NOW IN THEIR FINAL YEAR. GET ONE WHILE YOU CAN. It’s hard to say goodbye to a product on the market that stirs our hearts—especially an automobile.

But you know what they say must happen to all good things. These three supercars carried the torch for their brands for years, not only winning drag races and styling competitions, but also gaining loyal fanatics and cult followings along the way. If there’s a little devil in a thought bubble over your shoulder urging you to acquire one, the time is now, as these beloved sportscars approach the end of the road. When did owning a piece of history also produce such velocity?

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR: LAMBORGHINI

When it debuted in 2011, the Aventador not only looked like the prize-winning bull it was named for, but had all the characteristics as well—strong, fast and aggressive.

Lambo, however, is pulling the plug on its now legendary flagship after this year, giving way perhaps to a future plug-in electric car. Before that happens, however, company engineers are celebrating the outgoing model by giving it a special trim for its finale. The Ultimae is truly limited-edition (each of the 600 cars comes with a numbered plaque) and, with a 0–to–62 mph time of 2.8 seconds, it’s the fastest street-legal Aventador ever. That power is generated by the 6.5-liter, 769 horsepower V12 engine (that’s 10 more ponies than the top-of-the-line SVJ). It also comes equipped with four-wheel steering, twin-exit rear exhausts, two-tone treatment on the side skirts and other styling details that distinguish it from all other Aventadors past and present.

Starting at $450,000.

With unique looks and luxuries, the NSX was unlike any other Japanese sportscar during its first North American stint from 1990 to 2005 (it was known as the Honda NSX in all other parts of the world). Fanatics embraced the model when Acura revived it in 2014, and it quickly attracted a cult following. Now, in its final year of production, engineers have finally given the iconic car a Type S trim—for the highest performance level in the Acura line.

This gas-electric hybrid is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 combustion engine and three electric motors, which work together to create 600 horsepower. An all-wheel drive system, updated aerodynamics and a lighter carbon-fiber roof help push this Acura to a 0–to–60 time of 2.5 seconds, easily making the final NSX a bona fide supercar.

Starting at $169,500.

ACURA NSK: ACURA

ACURA NSX

PAGANI HUAYRA: PAGANI

Every Huayra that ever rolled off the assembly line has sold since the Italian hypercar manufacturer debuted the model in 2011. Owners are part of an exclusive club—each car has unique styling, unmatched aerodynamics and, of course, flight cockpit details inside the cabin. But the Huayra is approaching the end of the line—Pagani already discontinued the coupe from its lineup, and special editions are all the motor world has left. The rumored final iteration is the Imola, a Mercedes-AMG V12-powered masterpiece with 827 horsepower. With a 2.2-second 0–60 sprint time and a top speed of 236 mph, it’s the fastest streetlegal variant ever. Buyers (those lucky enough, that is, to get one) can expect the same design details that made the original Huayra a household name: the gargantuan rear wing and gullwing doors, for instance.

Starting at $5.4 million.

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PAGANI HUAYRA

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C O R P O R AT E G I F T S & AWA R D S

SERVICE AWARD PROGRAMS | MILESTONE & RETIREMENT GIFTS | SALES RECOGNITION AWARDS SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS | DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT GIFTS Our competitive service and commitment to excellence guarantees that everyone will enjoy the reward, recognition and representation of your business. For customer service, please contact Lindsay Chustz Guerin at 225-368-3641 or lindsayg@lmfj.com.

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LAST LOOK

green with envy 6.62 ctw emerald and diamond drop earrings, diamonds total 4.84 cts, $76,500.

4.48 ctw emerald and diamond pendant, diamonds total 1.84 cts, $49,500. Chain sold separately, $2,150.

All set in 18K white gold.

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9.17 ct emerald and diamond ring, diamonds total 2.02 cts, $47,500.

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CENTO COLLECTION

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