Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Fall/Winter Accent Magazine 2022

color

of a wine

LOCATIONS

BATON ROUGE

NEW ORLEANS

SHREVEPORT

JACKSON, MS

Michael Berg

Berg Ryan Berg Scott Berg

Tate

Greg Johnson

Beavers

Harrington

Graham Hughes

Callegari

Barbier Mariella Brochard

Guarna

Stephen Vitarbo

Darius Amos

Longman

Potter,

PUBLISHING STAFF

Chin ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION SERVICES

Boag, Griff Dowden, Chris Ferrante, Jacquelynn Fischer, Catherine Rosario

ACCOUNTING

Kasie Carleton, Urszula Janeczko, Steven Resnick

BY Wainscot Media

Carroll V. Dowden

Mark Dowden

VICE PRESIDENTS

Rita Guarna, Carl Olsen

PRESIDENTS

Lizette Chin, Nigel Edelshain, Thomas Flannery, Coleman McCartan, Belinda Pina, Maria Regan, Steven Resnick, Diane Vojcanin

happy holidays, dear friends!

While most people wait until Christmas morning to unwrap gifts, we feel as if we’ve been opening presents throughout 2022.

One of the biggest gifts of all is that the restrictions of the pandemic are largely behind us. It’s wonderful to be able to hug each other, sit close and share good times with family and friends again.

For the Berg family, another gift has been the third generation of Bergs’ interest in joining the family business. Zach and Emily, the eldest grandchildren of Lee and Brenda Berg, worked as sales associates during their summer break from college.

“I felt so proud to see my son, Zach, in our San Antonio store,” says Ryan, Lee Michaels co-president. “Seeing my son work in the store reminds me when I had my first exposure to the company. I love his enthusiasm and excitement for the business.”

“It’s hard to describe how amazing I felt when my daughter, Emily, asked if she could work in the Baton Rouge store this summer,” says Scott, Lee Michaels co-president. “Now I know how Dad must have felt when we helped him at the Cortana Mall store. Déjà vu!”

Another gift is the extraordinary growth Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry has experienced in 2022. “This has enabled us to focus on updating and reinvesting in our business,” says Chad Berg, Lee Michaels co-president.

“We’ve renovated the Baton Rouge store, built a brand new store in New Orleans that’s double the size of the previous one (it even has a separate entrance for Rolex customers), have just completed renovating our Shreveport store and have exciting plans for our San Antonio stores in the coming years,” says Chad. These upgrades take luxury to a new level. “For example, in our New Orleans store, we’re adding dedicated boutiques (stores within a store) for providers like Rolex, David Yurman, Roberto Coin and Mikimoto,” says Scott. “We’ve also expanded our inventory to the greatest level in our history.”

“We plan to elevate every store over the next few years so our customers can enjoy the most luxurious shopping experience ever,” says Ryan.” We are on a quest to be the best in each of our markets.”

Another gift that Lee Michaels is grateful for is its extraordinary team of sales associates. “As much as we value elegant merchandise, extravagant selection and exquisitely appointed stores, our greatest gift to customers is our team of highly trained associates,” says Lee, Lee Michaels founder. “We can build beautiful stores but, with retail changing so quickly, we have to make sure our associates are the best trained in the industry.”

“For example, this year we are bringing the Gemological Institute of America’s school to Louisiana so that 15 of our associates can take its advanced training course in diamonds,” says Scott.

As 2022 draws to a close, we look back with gratitude on all the gifts we’ve received and with pride on all the dreams we’ve realized. Thank you for making it possible.

Wishing you blessings beyond measure in 2023, Lee Berg, Ryan Berg, Scott Berg, Chad Berg

store locations

RENAISSANCE AT COLONY

AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PARKWAY

YOUREE

ABQ

18K white gold emerald and diamond drop earrings, 9.09CTW of emeralds and 5.19 CTW diamonds, $65,000.

Three stone 2.5 CTW emerald ring featuring oval shape emeralds with diamond halos set in 18K white and yellow gold, $19,500. Emerald and diamond bracelet featuring 24 10.56 CTW oval shape emeralds and 5.30 CTW round diamond halos, set in 18K white gold, $48,850.

FORGET TO FINISH YOUR LOOK WITH JEWELS THAT PROVIDE A TOUCH OF ELEGANCE.

Left wrist: White gold satin finish bracelet with yellow gold snowflakes and diamonds, $14,750. Yellow gold satin finish bracelet with white gold snowflakes accented with diamonds totaling 2.28cts, $15,500. Right arm: 4.12ct cushion cut fancy yellow diamond ring with white diamond halo, $84,400.

Yellow gold satin finish bracelet with white gold snowflakes and diamonds, $14,750. All in 18K gold.

18K white gold 8.27ct oval sapphire and 2.97 CTW diamond drop earrings, $46,500. 18K white gold threestone 9.33ct oval sapphire and diamond ring, $72,500. 18K white gold oval diamond bracelet with round diamond halos surrounding each diamond, 7” length, 7.70 CTW, $19,500. 18K white gold oval sapphire and diamond bracelet with round diamond halos surrounding each sapphire, $27,750.

A New Gemis Coming

By Karen B. Gibbs

THE BERG FAMILY’S GEM OF A WINE

The Berg family is known for providing extraordinary attention to Lee Michaels’ customers. But did you know that they’ve also channeled that same energy to create their own blend of fine wine? In the lush Napa Valley region of California, they sipped and swished numerous varieties of wine to create their signature blend of Crown & Stem. In the process, they learned a valuable lesson.

“I blended the first bottle of Crown & Stem with friends but this year I wanted to involve my sons,” says Lee Berg, founder of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. The trip to Napa Valley for sons Ryan and Scott and their wives was an easy sell.

“One of the many things that Dad, as our patriarch, tries to instill in us is that we are a family and we should get together often,” says Ryan, Lee Michaels co-president. “Working together can be challenging at times. This trip was an opportunity to continue bonding on more of a personal level.”

“For me, the best part was being able to spend time with family, relaxing and sharing that great experience,” says Scott, Lee Michaels co-president. “Building the flavors to find the best blend is similar to how we run our family business. You take all the strengths and blend them together.”

“That’s so true,” adds Ryan. “In our business there’s a lot of compromise, a lot of trust and a lot of communication. The same is true when blending wine. No one’s palate is better than the other, it’s just different. Because each of us gave our opinion on the taste, it resulted in a better wine.”

While at the Wine Foundry for the blending process, the family not only discerned the subtle nuances of various wines, they also noted the Foundry’s impressive attention to detail. “All we needed for the tasting session—various wines, glasses, water, crackers, spittoon—was set out in preparation for us. That reminded me of what we do at Lee Michaels,” says Lee. “When showing a fine timepiece to a customer, our associates wear gloves, place the watch on an elegant tray and have a mirror so customers can see how the watch looks on them.”

The family continued to notice this attention to detail that evening when sharing an exquisite meal at the world-famous dining establishment, The French Laundry. “From the minute we entered the door until the minute we left, the staff of the restaurant was attentive to our every need,” says Lee. “Our dining room was decorated with beautiful flowers. The table was perfectly set. The staff asked if we were celebrating a personal occasion. During our dining experience—it was much more than a meal—the staff made sure we were enjoying every course. They catered to us and truly wanted to develop a relationship with us. We felt valued and welcome. I realized that’s no different than the relationship we work hard to develop with our customers. We take pride in helping them find the perfect gift to celebrate the special moments of their lives. There’s a story in every Lee Michaels box, and we love being part of it.”

“Our clients are really our friends,” says Ryan. “In many ways, they translate into family. Because we don’t live in the same city with our family any more, we’ve got to find ways to make other connections. As a family, that’s what we like to do.”

Another similarity between their business and The French Laundry became apparent when they met chef and owner Thomas Keller. “We noticed that he was wearing a Rolex with an Oysterflex bracelet—the same bracelet watch from Rolex that Dad, Mom, Ryan and I were wearing,” says Scott. “It was kind of neat to learn that Tom is an avid Rolex enthusiast like us. Naturally, we took a picture with all of us showing our Rolex watches.”

Tom Keller’s leadership style also struck a familiar chord with the Bergs. “He leads the process from the front which is the way Dad taught us to lead the company,” says Ryan. “He’s in the kitchen dressed in his full chef’s outfit, paying attention to every detail, seeing things and helping. We, too, lead by example and are involved on the front lines of every aspect of the business—serving customers, setting up displays, merchandising. We don’t just sit in an office and pull levers— and neither does Thomas Keller.”

World-class businesses such as these cater to their guests on a very elevated level. That’s what made the Napa Valley experience very memorable and extraordinary for the Berg family. And that’s what they want to continue to do for their own family of customers. “There are many things we took away that we can ultimately implement in our business,” says Ryan. “At Lee Michaels, catering to our customers is a continual learning process, an evolution.”

Here’s to that evolution—and here’s to toasting your next Rolex with a glass of Crown & Stem.

AT LEE MICHAELS, CATERING TO OUR CUSTOMERS IS A CONTINUAL LEARNING PROCESS, AN EVOLUTION.

RYAN BERG

CHRIST HARMET PARKOUR ATHLETE

the

18K yellow gold Roberto Coin diamond toggle paperclip necklace with round diamonds and pink tourmalines on each end, 17” length, $2,550. 18K yellow gold Penny Preville diamond toggle cable link necklace with pavé diamond bar with floral carvings on each end and a 14mm diamond ring, 18” length, $8,900. 14K yellow gold pavé diamond heart paperclip toggle necklace, 18” length, $2,500. 14K yellow gold paperclip link necklace with pavé diamond toggle bar, 18” length, $1,400.

store happenings

Ellis

Howard

Brooks

Sherrod,

Ricard,

Dickerson

Pitt and Jessica Berg at The Quail Motorsports

Carmel,

1. Thompson Smith, John Feik and Jack Farris in San Antonio 2. Ryan Berg and Jessica Lewis Worth with Terry Prissert, President of Breitling USA 3. Grace Smith, Rhonda Loy and Nicole Fawley at the Echo Alliance event in Baton Rouge

Kayla McCollum, Alice Kronenberger, Becky Harris, Diane Tate, First Lady Donna Edwards and Marianne Freeman attending the Mad Hatters Luncheon

Lee Berg, Chad Berg and Steve Rennhoff in Italy with Italian Trade Commission officials 6. Calvin and Sarah Allen at the Breitling event in San Antonio 7. Beverly Brooks Thompson, Karen Breaux, Devin Bonner, and Amy Prejean at the Echo Alliance event in Baton Rouge

Donna Saurage, Katie Castle, MD, Scott Berg, Danielle Mack and Beverly Brooks Thompson at the Echo Alliance event in Baton Rouge

and Ryan Berg with attendees

the Breitling Boutique

Finney and Ryan and

Berg

event

Stevenson

Slater

the Shreveport re-grand opening

a new look

This past spring our Shreveport, LA, store went under renovations to elevate and enhance your shopping experience! The store remodel includes a David Yurman shop-in-shop featuring beautiful white oak cases and more jewelry to shop and love from one of our favorite designers. TAG Heuer is another area you won’t want to miss, as it has its own environment and a more robust selection.

The store also brings the Shreveport area a beautiful expanded bridal area with a greater selection of diamonds than ever before. Have a seat and enjoy a beverage from our hospitality center when you visit!

a brighter gem is here

NEW ORLEANS STORE HAS MOVED

In early October, our New Orleans store moved into a 10,000 SF freestanding store located on Causeway Boulevard at Lakeside Shopping Center. It more than doubled the size of our old in-mall location. With this expansion, the store has two entrances, one entrance offers a selection of fine jewelry and the other entrance focuses on timepieces, offering our customers twice the amount of merchandise than before.

Our design aesthetic has been taken to an exciting new level. Featuring gorgeous walnut cases trimmed in marble, hand painted wallpaper, and gold and gray tones throughout, this new modern aesthetic is definitely something to see! The new store features a luxurious Rolex Corner, as well as a David Yurman, Roberto Coin, and Mikimoto shop-in-shop, and an even greater selection from favorite designers including Marco Bicego, John Hardy and Ippolita. An expanded bridal counter

framed by beautiful geodes hand selected by the Berg family is a unique element of the store you won’t want to miss. The store boasts a state of the art watchmaker shop which is viewable from the sales floor, and a modern seating area where customers can enjoy a beverage from one of our many beverage stations.

“Our philosophy of providing each Lee Michaels’ customer with extraordinary jewelry and service will continue. Personal service has been the cornerstone of our growth and the foundation we build upon. This store expansion is another opportunity to introduce more people in the New Orleans region to that level of quality and service for which Lee Michaels is known. We are constantly looking to innovate and grow, as well as enhance our customer experience and the environment in which they shop,” Chad Berg, Co- President and Owner says. “We invite you to stop in today and see our beautiful new store.”

say it with color

BRIGHTEN ANY DAY—AND ANY LOOK—WITH LIVELY HUES FOR HER NECK, WRISTS, FINGERS AND EARLOBES. SHE’LL SURELY GLOW WITH GRATITUDE.

ROBERTO COIN

Roberto Coin, the best-known Italian luxury jewelry brand, is epitomized by its perfect combination of timeless craftsmanship and modern innovation. The brand originated in Vicenza, Italy, and being born in the “City of Gold” is no coincidence. Each of these designer pieces is handcrafted in white, yellow and rose 18K gold with and without diamonds and other precious stones. The Venetian Princess Collection is one of the Maison’s most iconic; the feminine pieces are representations of ancient Venetian architecture. The stunning blue of the lapis lazuli gemstone is accented by rose gold and pavé diamonds. As with all of Roberto Coin’s collections, each piece features his signature, hand-placed ruby on the inside, a gift-within-a-gift for the lucky wearer.

DAVID YURMAN

Craftsmanship and creativity combine at David Yurman, a New York Cityborn luxury jewelry brand founded by artists David and his wife, Sybil. Every season, the couple introduces fresh interpretations of iconic pieces such as the twisted Cable bracelet, evolving and reimagining designs. DY Elements® pendants are circular symbols of unity and strength, allowing the wearer to create a personal story. DY Elements are the ultimate amulets, allowing you to create your own personal story about who you are and how you connect with the world. Each design is inspired by the circle, a timeless symbol of unity.

Clockwise from top left:

DY Elements® enamel and diamond charm necklaces, in 18K yellow gold, turquoise enamel, white enamel, blush pink enamel and black enamel, $795 each. Pavé diamond drop earrings accented with cable design edge in 18K yellow gold, $8,900. Pavé diamond disc ring with cable design along outer edge in 18K yellow gold, $4,800. Turquoise disc bracelet with gold bezel attached to a cable bangle with pavé diamond bar on each side, $3,500. Black onyx disc bracelet with gold bezel attached to a cable bangle with pavé diamond bar on each side, $3,200.

KONSTANTINO

The K-designs are curated piece by piece in their artisanal atelier in Athens, Greece. The process of creating such unique designs consists of different procedures with experienced goldsmiths and craftsmen taking care of a different part of the design according to their specialization. Methods like the ajoure technique of cutting patterns into metal and stone cutting exude the artisanal craftsmanship that makes Konstantino one of a kind. The delicate yet complicated structure of the jewelry, with the detailed engravings and the sculptural effects, is the evidence of the hard-work and love put into the creation of the collections.

Clockwise from top left:

From the Dome Collection: Crystal mother of pearl doublet pendant, $760. Blue spinel mother of pearl doublet pendant, $760, chains sold separately. Dangle cross earrings with aquamarine center, $660. Engraved hoop earrings, 45mm, $220. Crystal mother of pearl doublet cuff, $1,390. Crystal mother of pearl doublet dome ring, $850. Blue spinel mother of pearl doublet dome ring, $850. Blue spinel mother of pearl doublet chain bracelet, $1,300. All set in sterling silver and 18K yellow gold.

MARCO BICEGO

Combining old-world Italian craftsmanship aesthetic, Marco Bicego is defined by be worn every day or on special occasions. Each piece can be enjoyed on its own or layered for a personalized look, and each is inspired by multifaceted gemstones and/or various locations around the globe. For example, its notable Jaipur Collection and Jaipur Color Collection both pay homage to the vibrant Indian city. Marrakech Onde Alta features vibrant gemstones inspired by Morocco enhanced by diamond flowers, while Paradise boasts multicolored gemstones featured in varying shapes and sizes and unique arrangements.

Clockwise from top left:

Paradise Collection 18K yellow gold mixed gemstone and pearl lariat necklace, $4,510. Africa Collection 18K yellow gold graduated pearl drop earrings, $1,430. Jaipur Color Collection 18K yellow amethyst stackable ring, $1,200. Jaipur Collection 18K yellow gold flat link collar, $7,520. Paradise Collection 18K yellow gold iolite and topaz earrings, $1,090. Paradise Collection yellow gold iolite and blue topaz three-strand bracelet, $2,660.

PREFERRED FINANCING PROGRAM

The Lee Michaels card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The LM Preferred Financing Program provides the flexibility to help your dreams come true. Our convenient and fast approval process makes it easy and safe to apply online at LMFJ.com or in store. Let our extraordinary selections, service, quality and values earn your trust for a lasting relationship with us.

*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payment required. Initial account activation in store only.

LAGOS MY WAY

STEVEN LAGOS

PROFESSION Founder and Designer of LAGOS, Master Jeweler, Creative Director.

PROFESSION LOCATION New York, Philadelphia, Bangkok.

MANTRA

“Jewelry is one of the most personal forms of art. ”

LAGOS: 45 YEARS OF FINE JEWELRY

It’s an exciting time for LAGOS, as the brand celebrates 45 years of fine jewelry innovation. When I started LAGOS in 1977, I envisioned a collection of diverse styles, sizes, and proportions - where everything works together. A woman could create her own look to suit her personal style. That was important to me 45 years ago and still is today.

This fall season, our Caviar collections play with size and scale, mixing timeless LAGOS designs with modern Caviar textures. Warm gold with diamonds and cool silver with gemstones are among the options offered, so that every woman can express her personal style. It begs the question: Are you fire? Or are you ice?

SIGNATURE CAVIAR LINKS return with an updated look and feel. This modern silhouette with toggle closure is available in sterling silver, two-tone, and 18K gold, an excellent addition to any collection. The smooth, polished links are a distinct contrast to Caviar beading.

ICE

The iced opulence of diamonds and gemstones make an impact this fall, with the expansion of our best-selling Caviar Spark collection and the vibrant Signature Caviar Sapphire & Diamond. Diamonds also shine in new luxe versions of the popular Smart Caviar bracelet for the Apple Watch ®.

CAVIAR SPARK expands to include circular and linear styles that highlight brilliant diamonds nestled in sterling silver Caviar beading. From everyday looks to statement pieces, these silhouettes deliver a fresh, modern collection. There is truly something for every woman and every occasion.

FIRE

The warm luxury of gold is at the forefront for fall, with the new Signature Caviar styles delivering expert craftsmanship and design in 18K gold.

SIGNATURE CAVIAR SUPERFINE has a youthful, luxe aesthetic that stays true to classic LAGOS designs. Ideal for layering, these pieces can be worn alone for an understated look or stacked for a bold statement. It’s delicate and light in scale, with superfine Caviar beads that offer a lot of movement. Certain styles feature brilliant diamonds that further elevate the look.

In honor of the brand’s 45th anniversary, LAGOS introduces the celebratory SIGNATURE CAVIAR SAPPHIRE & DIAMOND bracelets with colorful sapphires and classic diamonds. From velvety blue and warm pink to sunny yellow and brilliant white, these styles make a statement.

SMART CAVIAR, the fine jewelry bracelet for the Apple Watch®, continues its evolution with new styles just in time for the holidays. Diamonds set in 18K gold and sterling silver elevate the sporty look of the watch to a piece of fine jewelry, offering women options to stay connected in style. Wearable tech is the future and LAGOS is leading the way.

Creative Director and Master Jeweler

“Are you fire? Or are you ice?”

Treasures in Gold

Temple St. Clair’s designs pay homage to classic techniques and feature distinctive gold work.

FROM MIXED-CUT DIAMONDS TO LAYERING NECKLACES, WE HAVE SELECTED ON-TREND PIECES THAT ARE INSTAGRAM WORTHY.

for the social butterfly

Top to bottom: 14K yellow gold pavé diamond butterfly necklace with polished antennas, 18” length, $950. 14K yellow gold round and baguette diamond butterfly necklace, 18” length, $750. 18K white and rose gold diamond butterfly and flower earrings, $4,750. 18K white gold 13mm diamond butterfly necklace, 16-18” length, $1,500. 18K white gold 31mm diamond butterfly necklace, 16-18” length, 2.95 CTW, $7,950. 18K tri-gold 1.85 CTW diamond butterfly necklace with round diamonds down the front of bail, 18” length, $4,950. 18K tri-gold diamond butterfly drop earrings, 1.73 CTW, $5,500. 14K brushed yellow gold butterfly diamond 14mm hoop earrings with butterfly charms, $950. 14K brushed yellow gold round diamond butterfly bypass ring, $1,250. 14K yellow gold and diamond butterfly necklace with textured wings and pavé diamond body, 18” length, $600.

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MR. AND MRS. CHRIS DYKES

MR. & MRS. ANTONIO THOMAS

MR. & MRS. CLAYTON BEADLE

MR. & MRS. STEPHEN SOLIS

MR. & MRS. JORDAN CANTRELL

MR. & MRS. NEIL C. TUTHILL III

ThirdTTime’s he Charm

An old adage comes to mind when New Jersey natives Kate and Kevin Cox look back on their wedding, an adage about the third try bringing success.

Their plans changed first when they switched the ceremony from New Jersey to Florida. “It was fun to see people we hadn’t seen in over a year because of the pandemic,” Kate says. And that would never have happened if the pandemic hadn’t shut the door on their planned Sept. 26, 2020, ceremony, initially set for Jasna Polana, a country club in Princeton. COVID seemed to steer them toward Naples, Florida, where Kate’s parents have a second home—and where pandemic protocol didn’t frown so much on gatherings. And southwest Florida had always been a happy place not only for Kate, but also for Kevin, whose family too vacations there.

But when The Club at Mediterra (her parents’ country club) banned indoor gatherings itself, even the Sunshine State seemed to be raining on their parade.

By Donna Rolando Photography by Amy Rizzuto Photography

“That one hurt because we thought we were finally in the clear,” says Kate, who had already booked most of her wedding vendors.

The couple understood, of course, that for many families, COVID had caused dislocations far more serious than a shift in wedding venues. But they hoped to stick with their second wedding date, April 24, 2021, keep the vendors and go ahead with the ceremony— safely—if they could. They happened to be in Florida when they got the bad news about Mediterra, and immediately began hunting for an alternate venue. The third venue was 10 minutes away at The Club at Olde Cypress, also in Naples.

“One of the reasons we’d wanted to get married at Mediterra was because the grounds are really spectacular,” Kate says. She

gained “a little bit of both worlds” when Mediterra allowed access for a few photos.

Once the wedding day arrived, the jitters were gone (the ones associated with planning the ceremony, anyway), and warm sunshine welcomed an outdoor ceremony with a string quartet and an open-air reception under the full moon. “All of their dancing was under twinkle lights,” says photographer Amy Rizzuto, and the bride notes that the dance floor was “packed the entire night.”

Another highlight of the occasion—not one for dry eyes—was when Kate, the oldest of three daughters, arrived by trolley and saw her dad. “It was a very emotional moment,” Rizzuto recalls.

For her special look, Kate wore a Caroline Castigliano bead-andlace gown with Jimmy Choo pumps and J. Vincent jewelry. She had met Castigliano at a Connecticut trunk show and they collaborated on the perfect dress.

The ceremony drew 120 guests, who had their choice of two cocktail hours, the indoor with a raw bar and a “fun twist”— the Vanderbilt Strings performing modern hits.

Of course, COVID shutdowns were unheard of when Kevin popped the question in May 2019 while the pair were in Maine hiking—one of many favorite activities these former bank-tech workmates discovered they have in common. Now the couple, in their 30s, live in South Jersey, where Kate is starting to love football almost as much as Kevin does.

Kate and Kevin pose for photos on the lush grounds of The Club at Mediterra in Naples, Florida. Blending well with the setting, Kate’s bouquet combines white and green florals such as orchids and rose lilies.

Clockwise, from left: Bridesmaids in sage-colored silk from Bec & Bridge; the newlyweds take their first walk down the aisle; time to relax with champagne on the trolley; The Vanderbilt Strings; an official wedding welcome; the couple’s wedding invitation.

Clockwise, from left: Festivities at The Club at Olde Cypress, coordinated by Jonathan Amiel, the food and beverage director; the couple’s first dance as the Finesse Band played “Joy of My Life”; strawberry-and-cream cake; elegant place settings with green-and-white florals.

David Yurman and his wife and business partner, Sybil, visit the SCAD campus in Savannah, Georgia, to meet with the Jewelry Design program’s class of 2022. Bottom right: An exceptional student shows off a creation that used precious stones donated to the college from the Yurmans’ personal collection.

Throughout its four decades in the jewelry business, David Yurman, one of the world’s most iconic luxury jewelry brands, has partnered with many charitable organizations to raise funds for a wide variety of causes. Its latest collaboration is a personal one that helps the next generation of jewelry designers as it pays homage to founder David and his wife Sybil’s humble creative beginnings as a sculptor and a painter, respectively.

David Yurman has announced the David Yurman Endowed Scholarship for Jewelry Design, which will be awarded to one “rising star” each year in

the jewelry design program at The Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) School of Fashion in Savannah, Georgia. Additionally, the brand donated $1 million worth of gemstones from its personal collection to the university. Students in the jewelry design program, the largest in the United States, have been using them as inspiration in designing their own pieces.

These talented students got some real-life inspiration from the famous design duo too. Toward the end of the spring quarter, the New York-based couple visited Savannah to meet in person with the jewelry

design students in SCAD’s class of 2022. Several students got to present their creations to David and Sybil and receive feedback on their work. Then, the entire group sat in on a lecture and Q&A session with the pair. “You need to be comfortable with the unknown to bring your own dreams into reality— and never take ‘no’ for an answer,” David told the graduates.

Surely the Yurmans’ gemstones, their scholarship fund and the inspiration of their example suggest a bright future for jewelry design and craftsmanship.

DAVID YURMAN AND HIS WIFE, SYBIL, HAVE TEAMED UP WITH THE SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN TO OFFER A SCHOLARSHIP TO A “RISING STAR” JEWELRY DESIGN STUDENT.

ear essentials

Top to bottom: 14K yellow and white gold drop diamond earrings, $625. 14K yellow gold "x" huggie hoop earrings, $795. 14K yellow gold flush round diamond hoop earrings, $545. 14K yellow gold and diamond leaf hoop earrings, $1,100. 14K white gold 15mm diamond hoop earrings, $1,495. 14K yellow gold satin huggie hoop earrings, $795. 14K yellow gold 14mm quilted huggie hoops, $300. 14K yellow gold 18mm polished hoop earrings, $475. 14K yellow gold diamond heart earrings, $795. 14K yellow gold ridge pavé diamond hoop earrings, $725.

THESE HUGGIE EARRINGS ARE MINIMAL AND DAINTY, BUT STILL MAKE A STATEMENT. THEY ARE THE PERFECT ACCENT FOR EVERYDAY!

THE CALAME COLLECTION

In 1815 “Asile des Billodes” was founded in Europe by Marie-Anne Calame, a Swiss Vitreous enamel miniaturist and philanthropist educator, to help educate destitute girls. It was here where these girls learned to paint, in a sublime way, these magnificent miniatures, witnesses of a bygone era but rather present in beauty and splendor in the magnificence of colors and shapes. These magnificent pendants were the adornment of the ladies and children of the European 19th century nobility. Today, these replicas are designed and produced in Italy as modern versions inspired by the enamel “miniatures” from the past.

Necklaces feature a printed image with enamel encircled by round diamonds, set in 18K gold on a 16” chain with image identification engraved on the back, $2,950 each. Bracelet features eight enamel printed images. Each disc is encircled by round diamonds, set in 18K white gold, 7” in length, engraved with image identification on the back. Diamonds total 2.98 carats, $17,500.

A VOYAGE INTO THE WORLD OF ROLEX

Hans Wilsdorf was firmly convinced of a person’s ability to innovate and strive for excellence. More than 100 years after the creation of the brand, the founder’s philosophy is more present than ever, from the manufacturing of the company’s watches to its commitments worldwide.

HANS WILSDORF, 1945 Rolex founder and visionary entrepreneur.

“T

he opposition I encountered seemed insuperable.” At the turn of the 20th century, a visionary entrepreneur based in London was on the verge of success. His aim? To introduce the watchmaking world of the day to an as-yet-unknown dial signature: Rolex. A new name, invented in 1908, it would become one of the world’s most respected brands in the space of a few decades. As Hans Wilsdorf recounted in his memoirs of the early days of his company, the opposition he faced seemed insurmountable at first.

The entrepreneur started out with very little, but he did possess invaluable qualities: vision, hope for the future, perseverance and an extraordinary ability to work. An orphan at the age of 12, with nothing other than his determination to help him overcome challenges, Hans Wilsdorf went on to invent the world’s first waterproof self-winding wristwatch with a Perpetual rotor – a watch that has become a benchmark in terms of quality and prestige.

“Too complicated, too fragile, ill-adapted” – the wristwatch was met with scepticism in Edwardian England, then the sporting country par excellence. Yet, relying on his intuition, firmly-held beliefs and determination to push boundaries, Hans Wilsdorf managed to achieve his bold objective of establishing the Rolex watch – the Oyster Perpetual – as the archetype of the waterproof timepiece: precise, robust and able to withstand all conditions.

But Hans Wilsdorf was not simply a visionary who, through his watchmaking knowledge, spirit of enterprise and ability to think differently, endowed Rolex watches with their fundamental technical and aesthetic characteristics and set the way for his company’s long-lasting success. His constant quest for perfection was accompanied by a profound generosity and unshakeable faith in human potential – in our capacity to both innovate and overcome difficulties. Hans Wilsdorf was a compassionate man always prepared to challenge himself and who encouraged others to give their all.

Draw from traditions to drive innovation. Push back the limits to inspire. These convictions enabled Rolex to create an exceptional product – a watch that brings together considerable expertise and has accompanied a great many human adventures in widely diverse fields.

Uniting expertise

An integrated and independent company, Rolex has manufacturing resources that encompass a wide range of skills and knowledge. Watchmakers, engineers, designers and other specialists work closely together from the design to the manufacturing of the watches. Rolex’s company culture is based above all on human values, which place both expertise and soft skills at the heart of the brand’s different activities.

Rolex is host to a variety of professions, brought to life by employees who are experts in their fields. This diversity comes from the company’s complete control over its essential components, from the casting of gold alloys to machining, finishing and assembly of the movement, case, dial and bracelet elements, as well as gem-setting.

As the world’s first waterproof wrist watch, the original 1926 Oyster played a pioneering role in the development of the modern timepiece.

Rolex is host to a variety of professions, brought to life by employees who are experts in their fields.

The brand is able to constantly reinforce its quality requirements thanks to its exclusive equipment. Its know-how is also made available right across the world thanks to an exceptional after-sales service network.

To ensure the brand’s expertise exists into the future, Rolex has its own unique Training Centre. Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and the development of its employees, the centre, located in Geneva, provides training to employees and instructs apprentices. The company aims to pass on to younger generations its pride in its skills and mastery of its knowledge.

Hans Wilsdorf wanted to ensure both the commercial success of Rolex and the well-being of its employees. The Training Centre perpetuates this philosophy by passing on the company’s heritage through the training and development of each individual. It therefore affirms the brand’s position as a role model and source of inspiration for the present generation and for generations to come.

A watch unlike the rest

Nearly a century ago, Hans Wilsdorf created the most precise and reliable wristwatch in the world. Thanks to uncompromising requirements, today the brand still produces watches at the forefront of technology and continues to improve them over time.

The Oyster Perpetual collection was built on the success of the original Oyster model, patented by Rolex and launched in 1926. As the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, it played a pioneering role in the development of the modern timepiece. Over the years, the Oyster became the proud bearer of many other innovations – such as self-winding by means of the Perpetual rotor (1931) – that defined the identity of the models in the collection and forged Rolex’s reputation for excellence, of which chronometric precision and reliability are among the cornerstones.

After acquiring its definitive form in the early 1940s, the Oyster gradually evolved into a collection of watches that integrated new functions and innovative technologies. All of the collection’s models share fundamental features and a strong visual identity that makes them instantly recognizable. Today the collection consists of 12 ranges, split into two categories: Classic watches such as the Datejust, the Day-Date and the Sky-Dweller, and Professional watches, including the Explorer, the Submariner and the GMT-Master II, designed for specific activities. Rolex watches have proven their reliability in the most extreme conditions, from the deepest reaches of the ocean to the top of the highest mountains, in the air and on the racing circuit.

To ensure the quality of its products, Rolex designs and produces in-house the essential components of its watches (casting of gold alloys, assembly of the movement, case, dial and bracelet, machining and finishing). As the pioneer of the wristwatch, the company is at the origin of numerous major innovations in the watchmaking industry and has filed over 500 patents in the course of its history.

Commitment to making the world a better place

Throughout its history, Rolex has partnered with events, institutions and individuals whose commitment and actions are a source of inspiration. Guided by the vision of its founder, the brand was quick to support and accompany initiatives that aligned with its own values – the quest for excellence, pushing the boundaries and the passion for elegance.

This is how Rolex created the Testimonee concept in 1927 with British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, who demonstrated the waterproofness of the brand’s watches. Since then, Rolex has teamed up with a large number of exceptional partners, supporting the initiatives of major organizations as well as personal projects of its Testimonees.

Sylvia Earle, legendary marine biologist and Rolex Testimonee since 1982. Sir David Adjaye (right) and his protégée Mariam Kamara, 2018-2019 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative – Architecture.

For Hans Wilsdorf, the world was also a living laboratory. In the 1930s, Rolex tested its watches in real-life conditions. Explorers subjected them to some of the most extreme conditions in the least hospitable corners of the globe. But, over time, these expeditions also highlighted the fragility of the planet’s ecosystems and the need to preserve them. Rolex therefore gave its full support to the adventurers who went on to become pioneers in protecting the environment.

Today, Rolex is linked to more than 100 major international events ranging from The Championships, Wimbledon, to La Biennale di Venezia and the Oscars ® ceremony, while also enjoying close ties with more than 80 renowned institutions, such as The R&A, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The brand also has more than 140 Testimonees, including tennis legend Roger Federer, marine biologist Sylvia Earle and filmmaker Martin Scorsese. In addition, two programmes were created: the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. The former supports individuals with innovative projects in response to major challenges, while the latter champions excellence in the arts and culture to ensure the world’s artistic heritage is passed on to the next generation.

Since the beginning, the story of Rolex has been characterized by the quest for perfection and the ambition to push back the boundaries. To strive to do better, to never give up, to think differently. Thanks to its founder Hans Wilsdorf, who believed in human potential above all, the brand has continued to innovate and grow, thereby guaranteeing its long-lasting success.

Since the beginning, the story of Rolex has been characterized by the quest for perfection and the ambition to push back the boundaries.

ROGER FEDERER Winner of 20 Men’s Singles Grand Slam ® titles.

ROLEX

PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA

39mm

white

charcoal

dial, shiny black alligator

president and general manager

Johnny Tate, executive

Rouge market

ROLEX YACHT-MASTER

TUDOR ROYAL

28mm steel and yellow gold with champagne diamond dial, bracelet features a satin brushed finish, $3,925. Paula Shaver, San Antonio - North Star Mall manager

TUDOR PELAGOS

42mm titanium and steel case with satin finish, blue dial on titanium bracelet, $4,725. Tony Sanders, Jackson - Renaissance at Colony Park manager

ROLEX SEA-DWELLER

43mm Oystersteel and yellow gold with a cerachrom bezel insert in black ceramic and an Oyster bracelet, $17,000. Larry Chenoweth, Albuquerque – ABQ Uptown Manager

CARTIER PASHA

35mm, automatic movement, stainless steel and rose gold with interchangeable metal and leather straps, $10,100. Jessica Martinez, San Antonio - Shops at La Cantera manager

ROLEX SKY-DWELLER

42mm, Oystersteel and yellow gold, $18,200. Jack Coote, Baton Rouge - Bocage manager

TAG HEUER CARRERA DATE

39mm stainless steel case with

Johnson, senior vice president

BREITLING NAVITIMER

35mm stainless steel case with mother of pearl diamond dial on a burgundy alligator leather strap, $5,700. Rachel Guidroz, Baton Rouge - Mall of Louisiana manager

ROLEX DATEJUST 31

31mm in 18K white gold

bezel, $44,250.

white mother of pearl and diamond

Beavers, vice president,

with

Antonio Market

GIFTS & AW ARDS

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British actor Tom Holland, aka SpiderMan, wore his trusty Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in Oystersteel for his 2021 pool cover shoot with Backstage magazine. Good thing it’s waterproof up to a depth of 330 feet.

PLAYING SPIDER-MAN IS A STANDOUT ACHIEVEMENT BRITISH ACTOR TOM HOLLAND MAY YET TOP. AT 26 HE’S GOT TIME—AND LUXE WATCHES TO TRACK IT. By Haley Longman

As Spider-Man, Tom Holland flicks his wrist to unleash his all-powerful spiderwebs. And off-screen, his wrist tricks are just as impressive, as this young star has a luxury watch collection that would do credit to a much more seasoned connoisseur.

British actor Thomas Stanley Holland is certainly best known—so far—for his role as the webbed superhero in Marvel’s newest trio of Spider-Man films: Homecoming, Far From Home and No Way Home, in that order. Rumor has it that it was his physical skills that differentiated Holland from the thousands of other young thespians vying to play a teenage Peter Parker—he somersaulted in and out of the frame during his audition to show off his stamina. In fact, Holland is a trained dancer and gymnast who began his career playing boy ballerina Billy Elliot on stage in London. Two years after that gig wrapped, in 2012, he starred in his first film, The Impossible, alongside Naomi Watts, which solidified for him that movies were his passion.

He was also developing an off-screen passion: watch collecting. Before he began earning that Marvel money, the now 26-year-old was spotted at his first-ever ComicCon with a $350 Nixon Sentry in stainless steel. After his Marvel Universe debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, his timepieces reflected his heightened net worth: In 2017, during the Homecoming era, he was first seen wearing a Drive de Cartier with moonphase. By 2019’s Far From Home, he also had a Cartier Santos with a square dial and black leather strap to his name, likely inspired by his then co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, who is the face of the brand. Holland has referred to this particular piece as a “chameleon,” having worn it at both awards shows and casual jaunts around the neighborhood. He rounds out his Cartier vault with a Santos-Dumont Skeleton with blue hands and a white-gold case, as well as a yellow gold Cartier Tank Américaine.

At age 7, Holland was diagnosed with dyslexia, a big part of his life that he’s been open about in interviews.

“It’s just about taking your time,” he explains. “The better prepared you are for anything, the more you will be able

to do and accomplish things that are fantastic,” he told Entertainment Weekly. But this disability hasn’t stopped him from reading the time in style. The BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Rising Star Award winner has at least four Patek Philippe pieces: three Aquanauts and a Perpetual Calendar in rose gold with a silver dial. The last was his watch of choice for the SpiderMan: No Way Home premiere; it has a 240 Q movement that’s self-wound and displays day, date, month, leap year and 24-hour indication. The actor’s self-proclaimed “daily beater” watch is the 40mm Aquanaut in 18K rose gold with a brown dial, Ref. 5167R.

As with that famous red-and-blue Spidey suit, Holland isn’t afraid to accessorize with some color. His collection also includes the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5168G with a blue dial; the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126711, nicknamed the “Root Beer” for its black and brown bezel; the Rolex Submariner Date in Oystersteel with a Cerachrom bezel insert in green ceramic and a black dial; and the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO (“Pepsi” for its blue-and-red, Spider-Manesque dial). Holland even owns the Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” with blue and black—ironic, because Batman is part of the rival DC Comics universe. Holland’s taste for luxury watches is sophisticated and smart—he gravitates toward pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down, choosing ones that can be worn to the Oscars (like the ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano with an 18K rose gold case and exposed movement, which he wore to the 2018 ceremony) or on the greens, as Holland is an avid golfer in his spare time. Rounding out his collection are the Baume & Mercier Classima, the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500 with a white dial and a handsome Tag Heuer Monaco.

And perhaps his affinity for expensive timepieces has rubbed off on his other Spider-Man co-star and on-andoff girlfriend, Zendaya, too, just as Gyllenhaal’s did on him. When doing press for 2021’s No Way Home, she was seen wearing a woman’s Patek Philippe Nautilus. Hey, it helps to have friends with good taste.

FACE TIME

Like the Avengers, Tom Holland has assembled an impressive lineup of luxury timepieces, each a superhero in its own right:

This classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in Oystersteel features a white dial and an Oyster bracelet.

Holland owns three Patek Philippe Aquanauts: this one with a black strap, a second in rose gold and a third with an in-demand blue dial.

The Rolex Submariner, like this one in Oystersteel with a Cerachrom bezel insert in green ceramic and a black dial, was originally intended for divers, so it’s fitting for Spider-Man too.

TWO NEW WATCHES FROM PATEK PHILIPPE MAKE FUNCTION ITSELF AN AESTHETIC DELIGHT. By Christen Fisher

Do we sufficiently value a master photographer in our quick-snap smartphone culture? Even as the more thoughtful among us admire professional photography, we aren’t necessarily conscious of the technical skill and knowledge of light, space, time, geometry, physics, aesthetics and art history that inform a photographer’s virtuosity. Such is the case with many of the world’s art forms—we appreciate the beauty of a piece, but rarely the technical and functional skills painstakingly deployed in its creation. Yet there’s one great exception: fine Swiss watchmaking.

It’s one art form that wears its technical prowess on its sleeve—and yours. It marries the beauty of a wearable piece of art with beauty of another kind: the technical perfection of a highly functional tool. And no one does this better than Patek Philippe, as evidenced this year by the brand’s launch of Reference 5226G-001 Calatrava and Reference 5326G-001 Annual Calendar Travel Time.

An epic lesson in form, the Reference 5226G is housed in a 40-millimeter, white-gold pure round Calatrava case, a hallmark of the collection since 1932, with a slightly chamfered bezel and polished inclined lugs. Its middle is adorned with a Clous de Paris hobnail guillochéd pattern. To allow the guillochéd motif to continue around the entire caseband, Patek designers devised a distinctive case construction in which the lugs are an integral part of the case back.

The watch’s vintage-style dial was crafted by Cadrans Flückiger in Saint-Imier, a dial specialist belonging to Patek since 2004. The textured, charcoal-gray dial is reminiscent of the housing of old photo cameras and features a black gradient rim and gold applied numerals with a beige luminescent coating, the first time the brand has used this particular color.

The self-winding caliber 26-330 S C movement powers the hours, minutes, central seconds, aperture-type date and stopseconds mechanism and has a reserve of 35 to 45 hours. Waterproof to 30 meters, this piece is presented with two interchangeable straps: beige calfskin with a nubuck finish and black calfskin with an embossed fabric motif and beige topstitching, both with a prong buckle. Elegant in every respect, the Reference 5226 Calatrava is truly a work of art.

The extraordinary beauty of the 5226 is echoed in the design of its 41-millimeter sister watch, the Reference 5326 Annual Calendar Travel Time. Boasting the same elegant case design, vintage-style anthracite dial and calfskin strap choices, the 5326 also brings together for the first time two complications: the Annual Calendar and the Travel Time dual-zone display system. This feat of engineering required an entirely new movement, caliber 31-260 PS QA LU FUS 24H, and the filing of eight patent applications.

Besides being able to accommodate both mechanisms in the same case, the functions also had to interact, so that the displayed date corresponded to local time, and adjust whenever the time zone was corrected. To address this, Patek engineers redesigned the Travel Time function to control the Annual Calendar function with the local-time hour-wheel driving the calendar, though its basic principles remain. It features two hour hands from the center—a solid hand for local time and a pierced hand for home time—but the two common time zone pushers, which are usually located in the left-hand case flank, have now been replaced with a winding-stem setting mechanism that has three positions. The user pulls the crown to the middle position and turns it clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the local time hour hand in one-hour increments in either direction without affecting the rate of the movement. Setting the time in the home time-zone and utilizing the stop-seconds mechanism are accomplished with the crown in the outermost position.

The Annual Calendar function also had to be modified to ensure that the date matched the respective local time. In a conventional Annual Calendar, the display advance happens around midnight and takes 90 minutes to complete. If a user were to adjust the time zone during that 90-minute window, a date misalignment could occur. To address this, Patek engineers shortened the display advance of the Annual Calendar discs from 90 to 18 minutes. Additionally, the 5326 has apertures for day, date, month and home and local time as well as day/night indicators and moon phase and small seconds dials. With a power reserve of 38–48 hours, the 5326 proves to be a technical achievement rivaled only by the aesthetic virtuosity of the 5226.

This season, Patek Philippe introduces the latest addition to the Calatrava Collection Ref. 5226G. Housed in a 40-millimeter, white-gold pure round Calatrava case with a slightly chamfered bezel and polished inclined lugs, this new model is driven by self-winding Caliber 26-330 S C powering the hours, minutes, central seconds, aperture-type date and stop-seconds mechanism. Boasting the same elegant case design, vintage-style anthracite dial and calfskin strap choices (in beige or black), the Ref. 5326G Annual Calendar Travel Time also brings together for the first time two complications: the Annual Calendar and the Travel Time dual-zone display system.

Who better to showcase a creative duo’s masterpiece of a home than another creative duo? That notion animates designers Susanna Salk and Stacey Bewkes as they visit the 200-year-old, Federal-style farmhouse of Karen and Martin Cooper, tucked away in New York’s tranquil Hudson Valley, and let readers tag along. It’s a selection from the designers’ new book, At Home With Designers and Tastemakers (Rizzoli New York), for which Salk provides the prose and Bewkes the images.

As founders of The Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co., an old-fashioned customized place- and notecard business, the Coopers know something about design. It’s only fitting that their home is styled to inspire and entertain for nearly every occasion, whether it’s a formal event or Sunday dinner with their 11-year-old son.

GOOD TIMES AWAIT GUESTS IN A COUPLE’S LUSHLY DETAILED HUDSON VALLEY FARMHOUSE. AND WHY NOT? THE SOCIAL GRACES ARE THEIR BUSINESS.

For the living room walls in their Hudson Valley farmhouse, Martin and Karen Cooper selected a terracotta color, pulling the rusty hue from the Greek vases lining the mantel. To bring cohesion and add touches of luxury, they splashed gold trim on the crown moldings here and throughout the house, including the carpeting.

This page: The Coopers lined the foyer walls and main staircase with Farrow & Ball Broad Stripe wallpaper in green, a soothing color to welcome visitors and provide a transition from the outdoors to interior space. Already showcasing the green shade, an antique settee and chair did not require reupholstering. Opposite page: This east-facing room is bright all day long, with morning sunlight popping through floor-to-ceiling windows, canary-colored walls and a soaring chandelier from Doyle’s Auction House in New York. Adding to the room’s cheer is the grand piano, acquired from Steinway in Boston.

This page and opposite: When guests congregate in the living room, the homeowners use their pantry as a serving station. It has plenty of counter space for appetizers or desserts, as well as a wet bar and a second dishwasher, the latter coming in handy when the party’s over. A nod to English architect Sir John Soane of the late 1700s, mirrored panels create an optical illusion of a larger space and give the millwork a lighter feel.

AS JET-SETTERS HAVE LONG DISCOVERED, THERE’S MORE TO SARDINIA THAN THE SAND. (BUT, OH, WHAT SAND!)

By Everett Potter

For more than 60 years, Sardinia, the Italian island that lies off the country’s west coast, has been famous as a celebrity haven. It has lured the rich and famous, from Elton John and Steven Spielberg to Bradley Cooper, Lindsay Lohan and the late Princess Diana, who spent her last summer on a private yacht that circled the island.

That struck me as remarkable the first time I glimpsed Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean (the largest being Sicily). What I found was not a lush, tropical paradise of an island. Instead, it was rocky, dry, rugged and sun-baked, perfect for raising sheep and growing olive trees. The interior was mountainous and somewhat forbidding as I drove its length. This was paradise?

However, I learned that there was one significant, overwhelm-

Sardinia’s terrain is mainly dry and rocky, but it is indeed an island paradise.

It’s a land of beautiful cliffside seascapes, white sand beaches, bright hilltop buildings and five-star resorts that cater to your every need and desire.

ing draw: the beaches: Not just any beaches, but what the Italians call spiagge bianche, or white beaches. Dazzling white beaches, in fact, of a fine sand that outlines much of the undulating rocky coastline. Unlike the rest of the Mediterranean, Sardinia possesses so many beaches that you can find yourself on a strand by yourself if you’re lucky, not packed like a sardine (despite the name) as you might be on the Italian mainland.

If you know anything about Sardinia, it’s likely because of the Aga Khan. One of the world’s wealthiest royals and a famed breeder and owner of racehorses, he is credited with “discovering” the island’s northeast coast in 1958.

The area he developed is called Costa Smeralda, or the Emerald Coast. Featuring possibly the most beautiful of all those talcum-powder white beaches, which offset the emerald-green sea, it not only inspired the Aga Khan. He was shrewd enough to buy an entire shore consisting of thousands of acres of undulating coastline. He went on to invite his wealthy and famous friends to come to pay and stay in what rapidly became a yacht-filled, celebrity-friendly environment. Princess Margaret led the charge, hotels were followed by lavish homes, and Costa Smeralda quickly became a byword for the emerging jet set of the 1960s. Think Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It was la dolce vita writ large—exclusive, snobbish, challenging to reach and very, very expensive.

Today the beauty is undeniable, and this glitzy destination in the island’s northeast is a renowned jet-set playground—of course, renown has its complications. Bring on the exquisite small hotels, nightclubs and paparazzi. It’s little surprise that in recent decades, Costa Smeralda has been embraced by Russian oligarchs, who built lavish estates and anchor their mega-yachts here. Porto Cervo is the main town, headquarters for the uber-rich.

Yet Costa Smeralda is only part of Sardinia’s story. That small corner of celebrities aside, the island remains largely undiscovered by Americans, and its rugged charm and the lack of pretense on the rest of the island are worth savoring. The culture alone is a history lesson in ancient civilizations. This island in the Mediterranean lies at the

This page: Experience the full Sardinian billionaire lifestyle at the Hotel Cala di Volpe in the heart of the Emerald Coast. It dates back to the 1960s, when it was built by the Aga Khan, but it’s full of modern amenities and amazing sea premium suites. Nearby is Quattropassi al Pescatore, where you can enjoy chic seafood lunch. Opposite page: From basket weavers on the streets of Barbagia to reflections in La Maddalena harbor at sunset, Sardinia is never short of everyday charm and picturesque moments.

crossroads of many empires that have come and gone. The megalithic towers called “nuraghi,” beehive-shaped tombs that dot the landscape, are a vestige of the Nuragic civilization, which is considered the Mediterranean’s oldest culture. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans presided here in succession. The maritime republics of Genoa and Spain came later. Each one left its footprints and, not surprisingly, the countryside is a trove of archeological sites.

Even today, you can hear the cultural mix when a local speaks Sardinian, or Sardu, which is a Latin language closely related to Catalan. I can steer my way through Italian but I was immediately lost when I tried to puzzle out road and shop signs in Sardu. If nothing else, it added to the magical and somewhat mysterious quality of the place.

The capital city, Cagliari, is a throwback to a simpler time, unprepossessing and still a few steps behind the mainland. When I first visited in the early ’90s, I was shocked to see a much-faded painting of Mussolini, Il Duce himself, high up on the wall of a building, a remnant of 1930s Fascist rule. Change in much of Sardinia still comes very slowly.

Much more charming were the steep and narrow streets filled with restaurants offering local flavors and local wine. A food such as pane carasau, a thin flatbread, is the essence of the basic Sardinian peasant cuisine. There’s fregola, which is akin to couscous, often served with local clams or chickpeas. Roast suckling pig is a staple. The pastas are unique to the island, from malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi) to hand-braided rings of pasta called lorighittas that date back to the 16th century. The latter was served to me in a rich, lamb-based tomato sauce in a tiny restaurant in Cagliari.

Given all of the sheep on the island, it’s little surprise that most of Italy’s pecorino Romano cheese comes from here. That ruby-red wine found every-

ALL IMAGES THIS PAGW COURTESY OF HOTEL CALA DI VOLPE

This page: There are plenty of ways to capture the view of the sea in Sardinia. One way is to soak in the cliffside scenery in Cagliari during sunset—but remember to take in the beauty of the crystal-clear water during the daytime too. Opposite page: The Baglioni Resort on Sardinia’s northeast coast features lush accommodations and plenty of opportunities to relax on the sea. Whether you’re on a boat or taking a dip, the water at Cala Napoletana in Caprera shouldn’t be missed. With colorful buildings, a hilltop castle and calm river, the town of Bosa is a must-see when visiting Sardinia.

where on the island is made with cannonau, a grape suited for hot, dry climates. This is not just wine for the locals. The Sardinians have earned a Cannonau di Sardegna DOC for both their red and rosé wines.

Pay attention to what the locals are eating, and not just for the sake of taste. Sardinia was the word’s first official Blue Zone, a designation that in 2004 began to single out regions of the world where lifestyles led to long lifespans. Sardinia has 10 times the number of centenarians per capita than the U.S.A. Credit a diet composed largely whole grains, vegetables and fruits, with moderate red wine consumption. Walking daily also helps, and having a rugged landscape out the door turns a short stroll into a Stairmaster routine.

While the glitterati congregate on the Costa Smeralda, there are many offthe-beaten path locations that are compelling for us mere mortals. Secretive and alluring, the rugged landscape reveals its pleasures slowly.

Sardinia offers limitless hiking and, for the fittest, road biking. Yet on island with a hot climate and little shade, I’d recommend taking exercise in the morning and then exploring by rental car, targeting an out-of-the-way village for lunch and taking in sights as you go. The island is 170 miles long and about 90 miles wide at its widest point, so there’s a lot of ground to explore.

Its west coast has many places worth exploring, such as Bosa, with its hilltop castle, Castelli Malaspina. There’s also charming Alghero. While hardly undiscovered, this town is filled with historic architecture and is close to Neptune’s Grotto, where sea caves have been carved by centuries of waves crashing against the limestone cliffs. Drive to nearby Caprera Island, a nature reserve with some of the same white sand beaches the island is known for. My favorite is San Pantaleo, a small town that

holds a Thursday market with antiques and traditional woven textiles. When I first went to Sardinia, there were large, charmless resorts springing up in the southern part of the island. Forsake those and consider artful boutique hotels such as Su Gologone, an elegant mountain hotel in Barbagia. Or look at La Bitte, a charming seaside hotel in Arbatax on the east coast that has stunning views and affordable rates and has been around since 1967.

Of course, I can’t blame you if you want a taste of the Costa Smeralda experience. If your pockets are deep, then consider staying at Hotel Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in the heart of the Emerald Coast, a pink palace with roots dating back to the 1960s, when it was built by the Aga Khan. This is a rare chance to experience the full-bore, billionaire Sardinian lifestyle. The new Baglioni Resort Sardinia is the choice for a very manicured taste of five-star luxury. Then plan on one of the chic-est seafood lunches on the planet at the waterfront Quattropassi al Pescatore in Porto Cervo. Put on your shades and gaze out at the superyachts at anchor while waiting for the Aperol spritzes to arrive. Why should celebrities have all the fun?

MONTANA’S PRE-EMINENT SKI RESORT, ALWAYS A WONDER, HAS GONE SOPHISTICATED—AND WEARS IT WELL.

In the two decades or so that I’ve been skiing Big Sky Resort in Montana, I’ve watched it grow and change as much as any mountain in the country. When I first arrived in the ’90s, I was struck by the limitless, jaw-dropping expanse of snowy peaks and the vast, seemingly endless sky that gives the Montana resort its name. It was a drop-dead gorgeous resort.

What also struck me was how sleepy the place was. The vibe was laid-back cowboy cool, with unremarkable lodges, pickup trucks aplenty in the parking lot, Moose Drool brown ale in the bar and gnarly steeps skied by a macho ski crowd, terrain that locals call “Triple Black.” This was not Vail, Park City or Aspen. You skied, ate a bison burger and went to sleep.

Big Sky Resort was conceived and opened in 1973 by the late NBC newsman Chet Huntley, and was later bought by Michigan-based Boyne Resorts, which still owns it. On an early trip, I took the tram to the 11,166foot summit of Lone Mountain and skied the famous Dictator Chutes, named after Castro, Lenin and Marx. These are steep, intimidating runs with unbelievable views that appear to go on for 100 miles. They are legendary among hard-core Big Sky skiers.

I also skied the mountain’s delightful groomed runs, corduroy highways that were the widest trails that I’d ever skied. There were no lift lines, so you could exhaust yourself on the slopes. The base resort was centered on the Huntley Lodge, the original hotel. There were a handful of bars and restaurants. The only one of note was Buck’s T-4 Lodge, a motel outside of the village that had a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list. You could ski like a cowboy and drink like a prince. The mountain was like your own secret stash. Mention Big Sky back East and you’d mostly get blank stares.

Cut to 2022 and you’ll still find evidence of all of the above on a mountain that has nearly doubled in size and has vaulted to the ranks of ultra-sophisticated resorts, with a vibe that is no longer sleepy. It now caters

in part to a new kind of guest who flies private to the airport in Bozeman, just an hour away, before checking into a five-star luxury resort where his or her ski concierge awaits. There are now 39 lifts and more than 300 runs, and you won’t ski half of it in a week here.

The changes were years in the making. Boyne Resorts went on to purchase an adjacent start-up real-estatedevelopment-turned-ski-resort called Moonlight Basin. That suddenly gave the resort a lot of intermediate- and beginner-friendly terrain. Not to mention luxury homes, condos, town homes and cabins, with a handsome Western look of stone and timber.

Boyne also developed nearby Spanish Peaks. All told, Big Sky now weighs in at a staggering 5,800 acres of terrain, well ahead of Vail’s 5,289 acres, and thus is the largest ski resort in the United States.

It wasn’t just the acreage that changed. The money changed as well. Big Sky was one of those resorts that had long harbored a lot of quiet money, much of it from the Midwest. It’s no longer so quiet.

What drove a lot of change was the opening in 1999 of the Yellowstone Club, where the slogan “Private Powder” was coined. I visited the Club during that first year, as the founders began rounding up moneyed members like cattle on the range. The celebrated club is not technically part of Big Sky, but lies adjacent. Sitting on more than 13,000 acres, it includes Pioneer Mountain, which has more than 2,000 skiable acres, and a private 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf. It’s the original billionaire’s ski club, with membership capped at 864. That’s membership as in Bill Gates, Tom Brady, Eric Schmidt, Justin Timberlake and Phil Mickelson. Passing personal and financial muster from the board in order to get accepted is just the beginning. Membership costs are in the millions when you factor in the price of building a home, which is north of $5 million.

Call it the Yellowstone Club boom. The wealthy neighbors brought an infusion of capital and spawned

By Everett Potter

the luxury leap at Big Sky in the ensuing years. The development at Moonlight Basin was surpassed by the luxury homes at the 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks area and, in 2021, the 59,000-square-foot Lake Lodge at Moonlight Basin. It brought such amenities as the Three Forks Tapas Restaurant and Bar, an indoor threepoint basketball court, an indoor climbing wall and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor pool with lap lanes and slide.

This past winter saw the opening of Montage Big Sky, a kind of crowning glory. Located within Spanish Peaks, this is a $400 million resort with ski-in/ski-out access and 139 guestrooms, suites and residences. This is a contemporary take on the classic North American lodge, with six dining venues, including the signature restaurant Cortina, serving rustic northern Italian. The property also includes Spa Montage Big Sky, a 10,000-square-foot space with 12 treatment rooms, an indoor lap pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center surrounded by mountain views.

It’s not over. Next on deck is another ultra-luxury brand, One&Only, which chose Big Sky to open its first American property. One&Only Moonlight Basin will have a lodge and 62 private residences with prices starting at $8.45 million.

The sleepy cowboy ski mountain now deals with lift lines and there are now six- and eight-passenger lifts, and even they can seem inadequate on powder days when demand is high. A bigger tram is in the works, and the area’s first gondola should be running by 2024.

There’s a lot more of everything here, from money and lodges to restaurants and bars, not to mention people. Bozeman Yellowstone Airport has grown, allowing more flights and yes, more skiers.

Yet the place is so large that it’s handling the growth with aplomb. The secret is out, but there are still mountains as far as the eye can see, and Big Sky may well be America’s most distinctive and dramatically beautiful resort.

Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule

INGREDIENTS

n 2 oz. vodka

n 1 oz. cran-apple juice

n ¼ oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed n ginger beer, chilled, to top n apple slice for garnish n cranberries for garnish n sprig of rosemary for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour the vodka, cran-apple juice and lime juice into a mule mug, highball glass or rocks glass filled with ice, and stir briefly to combine.

Top with ginger beer.

Garnish with an apple slice and fresh cranberries.

TWIST

CLASSIC MULE A

the art of luxury

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