LX Columbus Fall/Winter 2013 by LX Publications

A Meyers Jewelers Publication

from the publisher

Welcome.

Meyers Jewelers is thrilled to once again bring you LX Columbus, an artistic fashion and lifestyle magazine. Within its pages, you will find unique and captivating stories, artistic photography, lifestyle features and more. This issue showcases photographer Berry Behrendt, as he has gloriously captured the essence of Audrey Hepburn for our “Behind the Lens” feature. And that’s just the beginning. Read about the globe’s leading hoteliers across the world in the “Best New Luxury Hotels.” Celebrate an iconic automobile, the Porsche 911, that was introduced 50 years ago. Also meet Pedro E. Guerrero, the personal photographer of possibly the most famous architect the world has ever known in “Documenting Genius.” Locally, we feature “Meyers Jewelers: There's more in Store,” a closer look at the alliances Meyers Jewelers has with jewelry brands like Le Vian, Breitling and Hearts On Fire. We enjoy seeing you each time you visit us and we look forward to hearing your stories and being part of your life’s special moments. As we walk through the days of this season, know that you can count on us at Meyers Jewelers to help you choose the perfect gift. We have been serving the local jewelry needs of the community for nearly fifty years and we’re proud to offer the most diversified selection of brands in Columbus. Enjoy this issue of LX Columbus, with our compliments. Our best to you, Meyer, Jeff and Scott

www.meyersjewelers.com www.lxmagazines.com

KERRY WASHINGTON, ACCLAIMED ACTOR. CERENA™ MODERN WHITE CERAMIC AND STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN WITH NEW DIAMOND BEZEL. MOVADO.COM

1494 Stringtown Road • Grove City, OH • 614-594-0230 • www.meyersjewelers.com

Features

inside

Community 10 Meyers Jewelers:

There's More in Store

Jewelry 15 Internet Diamonds Are A Risky Business

36 Gift Guide 60 Alex and Ani:

There is Power in Positivity

64 Le Vian Chocolate Diamonds

Photography 19 Behind the Lens of

Berry Behrendt: A Tribute to Audrey Hepburn

Best New Luxury Hotels

Meyers Jewelers Gift Guide

54 Documenting Genius: Pedro

E. Guerrero

Lifestyle 28 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911

43 New York Serenade Piano Travel 46 Best New Luxury Hotels Holiday 32 Signature Holiday Recipes

Behind the Lens of Berry Behrendt: A Tribute to Audrey Hepburn

28 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911 7

cover on on thethe cover

Publishers MEYER, JEFF AND SCOTT Editor JON ROBERTS Senior Designer ANGIE HALTER

Featured on the cover is the work of international fashion, beauty and portrait photographer, Berry Behrendt. Read more about Behrendt in our exclusive "Behind the Lens" feature on pages 19-27.

Project Coordinators NICOLE HIGGINS COURTNEY DRENTH

LX: a coffeetable magazine LX® Magazine is published by LX Publications, LLC, 524 North Main Avenue, Suite 110, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. LX® accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. LX® reserves the right to edit, rewrite, refuse or reuse material, is not responsible for errors or omissions and may feature the same content on lxmagazines.com, as well as other mediums for any and all purposes. Copyright © 2013 LX Publications LLC. All rights reserved. The entire contents of LX® are protected by copyright© and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of LX Publications, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part or storage in any data retrieval system or any transmission by any means therefrom without prior written permission is prohibited. LX® and LX® Magazine are trademarks™ of LX Publications, LLC. 8

www.lxmagazines.com

Meyers Jewelers There’s More In Store

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

Seduced by the visuals, people often overlook the fact the story behind the story is usually where the greatest intrigue lies— particularly when it comes to jewelry. In every jewelry store, you’ll see glittering diamond jewelry and fine timepieces—often completely unaware of the stories behind what you’re seeing. This is ironic, because the story always informs the value. Take Le Vian’s couture collection of chocolate diamonds. The recorded history of the Le Vian family in jewelry goes all the way back to the 16th century. In fact, the Le Vian family’s credibility was such that Nadir Shah, then ruler of Persia commissioned the Le Vian family to guard the Persian imperial treasury. Known initially for hand carving, hand painting, gold and silversmithing, because of its association with Nadir Shah, a part of the history of the most famous diamond in the world—the Koh-I-Noor diamond—is inextricably interwoven within the Le Vian legacy. When Nadir Shah captured the Koh-I-Noor, it was included among many treasures entrusted to the Le Vian family for safekeeping.

www.lxmagazines.com

“...Meyers Jewelers is aligned with some of the most notable names in the jewelry business.”

So-called “chocolate” diamonds are a relatively recent development in the world of fine jewelry. Found in the same mines as yellow and pink diamonds, brown diamonds have always been around, but were previously relegated to industrial use. The thought was they would not be appreciated as much as white and fancy colored diamonds. Eventually however, their unique beauty came to be acknowledged. Today, while brown diamonds still don’t quite enjoy the popularity of their white counterparts, it is predicted they are poised to experience dramatic increases in both price and popularity. Le Vian, with its extensive history, is currently the foremost jewelry designer working with the brown stones. Their limited edition couture collection of chocolate diamond jewelry is exceptionally prized. And, while you can find Le Vian jewelry in a number of stores all over the country, their couture collection is represented by only a handful of jewelers who have exhibited exceptional competence. One of these is Meyers Jewelers. With a reputation for excellence going back to the opening of the first Meyers Jewelers store in 1966, Meyers Jewelers is aligned with some of the most notable names in the jewelry business. In addition to Le Vian, others include Breitling watches and Hearts On Fire, purveyors of the world’s most perfectly cut diamond. Remarkably, in the case of Breitling and Hearts On Fire, these renowned organizations sought Meyers out for exclusive relationships. The Breitling watch company was founded in Switzerland by Leon Breitling to manufacture fine precision chronographs specifically for scientific and industrial purposes in 1884. Later, his company developed the wristwatch chronograph and supplied the instrument to pilots during the First World War. The company went on to develop onboard chronographs for airplane cockpits. In the Second World War, England’s Royal Air Force flew fighters equipped exclusively with Breitling chronographs. The 1952 Breitling Navitimer wrist chronograph’s circular slide rule enabled aeronautical navigators to perform every calculation needed to guide an airplane safely to its destination. Built continuously since its launch, the Breitling Navitimer is the world’s longest running mechanical chronograph. And, yes, Breitling manufactures its own movements. The official supplier to world aviation, Breitling timepieces are much more than just expensive status symbols. Breitling watches are proven, hardworking, long serving chronological instruments—which also just happen to be exceptionally handsome. Meyers Jewelers is one of but 24 companies selected by Breitling USA and Breitling Switzerland to house a Breitling store in store boutique. This makes Meyers one of the largest Breitling dealers in the Midwest, and the largest Breitling dealer in all of Ohio. While the custom designed Breitling boutique is a highly sought after honor by jewelers, Breitling came to Meyers with the idea.

www.lxmagazines.com

“To its customers, Meyers Jewelers is more than just a jewelry store. Meyers is their jeweler.” Similarly, Hearts On Fire Diamonds approached Meyers Jewelers about hosting the first store-in-store Hearts On Fire Boutique to open in the United States. If you’ve seen a Hearts On Fire print ad, or one of the television commercials, you probably have the tag line committed to memory: “Hearts On Fire, The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond”. And indeed, a Hearts On Fire stone possesses brilliance unlike any other. While some may decry the Hearts On Fire diamond as marketing hype elevated to its highest level, the truth of the matter is, with a Hearts On Fire stone, the buyer knows exactly what they’re getting—even if they know nothing at all about diamonds. From the very beginning, this was the ultimate goal of Glenn Rothman, Hearts On Fire’s founder. Rothman wanted to offer the most perfect stone possible so the consumer could be absolutely assured of the quality of their purchase—even without a significant understanding of the allimportant four C’s (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight). By choosing only the finest stones, then applying the patented Hearts On Fire cut, Rothman successfully freed customers of the concerns of purchasing a stone, thus permitting the gemstone to do what the gift of a diamond is meant to do, convey the expression of one of the most intense emotions known to humankind. Passion. Small wonder then, Hearts On Fire sought to align itself more closely with Meyers Jewelers. At its heart a family business, the sons of the founder run Meyers Jewelers in close adherence to the philosophies their father established the company upon. One of those key philosophies is a deep and unbending passion to ensure customers are always well served.

To its customers, Meyers Jewelers is more than just a jewelry store. Meyers is their jeweler. There’s always more to a situation than meets the eye. Merely glancing at a diamond will tell you very little about its true value. Similarly, just admiring a Breitling watch on someone’s wrist will do very little to help you gain an understanding of the true value of the instrument. For Meyers Jewelers, alliances with organizations like Le Vian, Breitling and Hearts On Fire enable the company to provide its patrons a personalized level of product and service few other jewelry concerns can match.

www.lxmagazines.com

Dear Santa, Anything from

Meyers Jewelers

will do...

www.lxmagazines.com

When It Looks Too Good To Be True… Internet Diamonds Are A Risky Business In this increasingly mobile age, today’s information technology places the Internet and all of the vast opportunities it represents at our fingertips on a daily basis. Getting connected is easier than it’s ever been. As we’ve become more and more comfortable with the technology, we’ve seen it creeping into every aspect of our lives. Remarkably, every segment of the population—from the “Baby Boomers” to the so-called “Always On” generation (named because they are literally always connected)—has embraced the ‘Net and relies upon it assiduously. One of the most rapidly emerging aspects of this digital reliance is in the area of online shopping. These days, it really is possible to touch a few buttons, input a credit card number and buy virtually anything we want from virtually anywhere in the world. With Internet shopping, we visit a few sites, decide what we like, transfer it to a shopping cart and make the buy. Then, a day or two later, we get to tear open our package like Christmas morning. Now I’ll be the first to admit I do love the convenience of online shopping for certain product categories. But, when it comes to buying diamonds—well, that’s a different situation altogether. A diamond purchase is simply not one you should make sight unseen. Even professionals in the industry, when doing business with trusted associates and colleagues do not purchase anything they haven’t held in their hands and seen with their own eyes. You’d think it’d be different. After all, there are a very limited number of diamond cutting centers in the world. With travel expenses being what they are, one would think the jewelry industry would have readily embraced the opportunity to save the time, money and expense associated with traveling to these centers and use the technology instead to buy and sell diamonds around the globe. Not so. At the wholesale level, diamonds are still purchased by professional diamond buyers looking at each stone with their eyes and touching them with their fingers. There’s a reason for this. It’s the only way to truly know what you’re getting.

www.lxmagazines.com

Meanwhile, every day, on the retail side of this equation, you’ll find wide-eyed and hopeful diamond shoppers eagerly spending their hard earned money—before they’ve even seen, let alone, touched the beauty (or, heaven forbid, the non-beauty) that came from the earth. Imagine if you would for a moment your response to the following line of conversation if it happened to you. Let’s say you walk into a jewelry store and say to the person behind the counter; “Hi, I‘d like very much to see a 1.00 carat round diamond”. The person behind the counter smiles warmly and says, ”Oh, of course, that’s absolutely no problem. Please give me your credit card, I’ll just charge $6,000 against your account and when you come back in three to five days I’ll show you your diamond.” Sounds crazy right? Well, that’s exactly what happens every day on the Internet. The common wisdom most online diamond merchants would have their customers subscribe to is that diamonds are nothing more than a commodity. They’ll assert diamonds are, at their essence, nothing more than a common element that can be easily graded and evaluated using the “4C’s” method of carat weight, cut, color and clarity. Thus, all an online shopper has to do is look at the merchant’s Website, select the best-specifications they can find on a diamond at the price point they want to pay and click buy it now. Then, three to five days later, they get to see what they bought. Here’s the rub though—it doesn’t work like that—no two diamonds are the same. Two descriptions on paper can be absolutely identical. Yet the stones they describe can look as different to the eye as night and day. This is why you can do a Web search on a 1.00 carat round brilliant cut diamond with H color and SI1 clarity, with an excellent cut and you’ll find a plethora of stones with prices ranging from $4900 to $6900. Okay, you say, that one’s easy. You just buy the most expensive one—it will be the best. No, it doesn’t work that way either. Each and every diamond you’ll ever see is as unique as two snowflakes. When you buy online like that, what you’re really buying is a piece of paper certifying your diamond purchase falls within a certain set of parameters. But that certification has very little bearing on how the diamond will actually look on your loved ones’ finger. It is our job at Meyers Jewelers to educate you while we help you find the perfect diamond. We take the time to completely explain the 4 C’s and why each one of these categories affects the price per carat. With this personal approach, we find out what is important to you so we can then help you select your ideal stone from among 10 one-carat diamonds, rather than just one that looks right on the screen. You’ll hold it, feel it and personally examine it with all of the proper aids professionals use to supplement your natural eyes. Further, it’s entirely risk free. The prices here in our store (for something you’ve actually held in your hand) are very competitive to those you’ll find for the largely unquantified stones you’ll find on the Internet. Before you get roped into the questionable idea of shopping for a diamond online, visit Meyers Jewelers. We guarantee you both an education and a highly pleasurable shopping experience you will never forget. Apples to apples, diamond for diamond, no one will sell you a comparable diamond for less.

www.lxmagazines.com

”WELCOME TO OUR WORLD”

At the heart of the most extreme missions are the exceptional pilots who experience daring feats on a daily basis and are prepared to entrust their security only to the most high-performing instruments. At the heart of the most extreme missions is the Breitling Avenger. A concentrated blend of power, precision and functionality, Avenger models boast an ultra-sturdy construction and water resistance ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 feet. These authentic instruments for professionals are equipped with selfwinding movements chronometer-certified by the COSC – the highest official benchmark in terms of reliability and precision. Welcome to the sphere of extremes. Welcome to the Breitling world.

AVENGER II SEAWOLF

Update & Upgrade Trade in and Save

Trade in any brand watch and receive a rebate of up to $500 toward the purchase of a new Bulova Accutron.*

*Rebate value: $500 on Bulova Accutron styles priced at $1,200 or above (msrp); $300 on styles priced below $1,200 (msrp). Valid while supplies last. Bulova Corporation reserves the right to amend or cancel the program at any time. Program valid April 19 through December 31, 2013.

behind the lens of berry behrendt By Lyndon Conrad Bell

a tribute to

audrey hepburn

www.lxmagazines.com

Photographer Berry Behrendt Styling Wouri Vice Market Editor Ade Samuel Makeup Sonja Yaso Hair Andreas Schoenagel, Artist Management (using EZ Keratin) Photographers Assitant Anna Dilthey Model Rachele Schank, Women Direct, NY

www.lxmagazines.com

Berry Behrendt, born in Hamburg, Germany, started his career as a photographer after touring and recording as a musician in Europe for several years. His distinctive style won him considerable demand quite quickly. In short order, Behrendt received assignments to shoot fashion and beauty spreads for a number of well-known European and American magazines, including German Vogue, Soma, Vibe, Essence and Sunday Telegraph Magazine. Behrendt has also produced images of musical artists such as Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Moby, Busta Rhymes and Bootsy Collins. While he maintains a Hamburg office, Behrendt has also lived and worked in New York City since 2001. To learn more about the man, his work and what happens behind the lens of Berry Behrendt, we commissioned him to shoot this series of photographs so we could discuss them with him in detail.

Fashion inspires me, sure, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really more about the personality of the model, which I choose based on the assignment. - Berry Behrendt

Top Enekyo Pants Gucci Shoes Edmundo

Dress Blumarine Necklace Fenton Fallon Bracelet Larucci

LX Magazine: Clearly you were going after an Audrey Hepburn theme with this shoot; please describe the process you went through to create these images. Berry Behrendt: As soon as I learned what we were trying to accomplish, the film Breakfast At Tiffany’s popped into my head and became our theme. With the Hepburn theme, we had a terrific head start because explaining to the stylist, makeup artist and hair stylist what we were going after was very easy. Everybody in fashion knows Audrey Hepburn, so we were off and running in pretty short order. LX: What did you see in this particular model that made her right for the shoot? BB: I met Rachele on another shoot I was doing and thought of her right away when this project came up. She has an outgoing personality that works particularly well for what we were going after. She’s very friendly and very lively. Even before this assignment, I had already seen an Audrey Hepburn-esque quality in her. Rachele really made the shoot. In fact I conceived the project with her in mind, so the shoot just sort of evolved around her. LX: What is the foundation of your photographic approach? BB: Fashion inspires me, sure, but it’s really more about the personality of the model, which I choose based on the assignment. My approach is also driven by the theme. You have to make sense of the clothing first, or the jewelry or whatever it is you’re featuring. Beyond that, you just have to impart a particular feel to the images. My overriding goal is to always try to do something interesting with the person I’m shooting. Ultimately, my work is driven more by the person in the image. LX: These photographs have a very definite look and feel to them, even if I didn’t know you shot them all, I would know they were all shot by the same photographer. In other words, you have a clearly identifiable style. How did you develop it? 22

www.lxmagazines.com

Dress Novis

www.lxmagazine.com www.lxmagazines.com

BB: Thanks for saying that. Honestly, I’m actually always debating with myself if I truly have a style. These days, there are so many photographers out there; it’s difficult to stand out. One of the things that concerns me these days is for so many photographers out there now, their work all looks the same. It’s almost as if photographers are becoming somewhat interchangeable to a degree. I’m not saying I’m any better than anyone else, but I really try to make my work look different somehow. Having been doing this for more than 20 years now, I have learned in most cases the style is dictated by the client. Of course, I like to think the nature of the look I achieve is why my clients come to me. That said, you must have a variety of ways to get there. The main thing is I do what I do, and I make sure I like what I do. Typically, if I like it, others do too, and this seems to work consistently for me. Most of all though, I try to have a believable relationship with the model—and see that relationship conveyed in the finished photographs.

Turtleneck & Pants Moschino Hat Patricia Underwood Necklace Fenton Fallon Earrings W29

www.lxmagazine.com

Dress Furne One Gloves Sermoneta Earrings Circa 66

www.lxmagazines.com

Fur & Feather Boas Adrianne Landau Gloves Caroline Amato Earrings Fenton Fallon

Hat Patricia Underwood Top Enekyo

LX: What’s your background? Did you study photography formally? How did you decide to become a professional photographer? BB: Actually, no, I didn’t study photography formally. I was a working musician for a while and started in photography as an assistant for an established photographer to supplement my income. In doing so, I learned enough to take on small assignments on my own. After a couple of years of doing this, people started seeing my work and asking me if I could shoot things for them. Truthfully, photography just sort of evolved into my career. LX: Coming up, who were some of the photographers you admired? How did their work influence yours? BB: Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Irving Penn and many of the other classic photographers have informed my approach. This particular shoot was definitely inspired by Avedon’s work with Audrey Hepburn. There are a number of young contemporary photographers I enjoy as well. And while their work is completely different from mine, I still find inspiration in what they are doing. LX: What was your first professional assignment? BB: My first assignment was for the photographer for whom I was assisting. It actually came about by happenstance. He was off skiing in the Swiss Alps when this big catalog shoot came in. He couldn’t get back in time, so I had to shoot it for him. Doing that shoot forced me to take responsibility for producing images for the first time. From doing this, I learned I could take the responsibility—I could actually execute a shoot. When you’re the photographer, it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone on the set is instilled with the confidence the work will turn out well. That shoot was my baptism by fire so to speak. LX: Describe your dream assignment. BB: Honestly, every assignment I get is a dream assignment these days. I really love to work. A client who respects what you do and is happy with the pictures you make is the absolute best. This, for me, is a dream assignment. I also like photographing interesting people from a variety of fields; musicians, politicians, actors—fascinating people I’d like to get to know. I suppose that qualifies too. More than anything else though, I really like what I do, so any chance I get to do it is a dream come true.

www.lxmagazines.com

A Tradition of Brilliance

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

In September of 1963, the world got its first glimpse of what would become the most successful sports car the planet has ever known. Over seven generations of steady development, the Porsche 911 has continually evolved in a manner in which there can be a straight line drawn between the first Porsche Type 901 show car and todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Model grand touring/sports car.

www.lxmagazines.com

When the 911 was initially shown at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show, it was called the Porsche Type 901. The people running the French car company Peugeot objected, declaring their company had established the rights to use three-number model designations with a zero in the middle. Rather than get caught up in a prolonged legal battle, Porsche replaced the zero with a one. When the car went on sale in 1964, it was billed as the Porsche 911. Porsche has applied the principle of continuous evolution to the 911. In other words, rather than remaking the car from scratch every five to seven years, Porsche works to improve some aspect of the car every year, altering its aspects only to improve the performance of the model. As a result, the overall mechanical layout of the Porsche 911 is essentially the same as it was on that first Type 901 introduced in 1963. Further, the profile of today’s car mimics the original car’s almost perfectly. In fact, the shape has become so iconic, it is immediately recognizable as a Porsche 911—whether you’re looking at the 1963 car, the 1983 car, the 2003 car or today’s 2013 car. Interestingly though, the 911 is actually an evolution of an even older model, the Porsche 356, which was introduced in 1948. Although truthfully, if you want to go all the way back, both of those cars owe their powertrain layout and overall shape to the Volkswagen Type 1 originated by Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche—the namesake of the company and one of the most prolific automotive engineers of all time. www.lxmagazines.com www.lxmagazine.com

For the record, it is POR-sha—not “PORSH”.

Porsche is credited with creating the first gasoline electric hybrid automobile; one of the earliest purely electric automobiles; the Volkswagen Beetle; and the Mercedes-Benz SS/SSK range of automobiles—in addition to some of the most formidable racing cars of his time. As remarkable as all of that is, his crowning achievement—the one towering over all of the others— is the creation of the Porsche sports cars. Except…Ferdinand Porsche didn’t do the 356, nor did he do the 911. Porsche’s son, Ferry, did the 356 based on the rear-engine/rear-drive Volkswagen Type 1 (also known as the Volkswagen Beetle) his father created to fulfill Adolf Hitler’s desire for an affordable automobile for the German people. So, while we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911 this year, the truth

of the matter is the car’s lineage goes all the way back to 1931. Development of the actual 911 started in 1956, under the direction of Ferry Porsche. The other people key to the development of the car were Porsche’s automotive stylist son, Butzi Porsche, body engineer, Edwin Komenda and powertrain engineers, Hans Tomala and Ferry’s nephew, Ferdinand Piech—who joined the project in its latter stages to do some finishing work on the engine. Where the 356 used a swing arm rear suspension and a horizontally opposed air-cooled four-cylinder engine mounted behind the passenger compartment, it was decided the 911 would use an independent rear suspension setup to improve handling. For more power, the new car would employ a horizontally opposed air-cooled sixcylinder engine.

From its original displacement of 2.0-liters and 130 horsepower, the 911’s engine has grown to as much as 3.8-liters. Further, it now employs liquid cooling and has produced over 400 horsepower in production applications. Turbocharged racing versions have produced in excess of 1000 horsepower. As much a trademark of the car as the Porsche badge on its nose, the aural signature of the 911’s flat-six engine is uniquely distinctive. It can be argued quite successfully the Porsche 911 is more than a grand touring/sports car. It is an icon around which a cult-like following has developed. The people who love the 911 are so fanatic about the model they will literally spend hours arguing with other people about the correct pronunciation of the company’s name. For the record, it is POR-sha—not “PORSH”.

www.lxmagazines.com

Much has been written and discussed about the secret of the success of the Porsche 911. To date, in excess of 300 books have been produced about the car. Further, new tomes are published each and every year. The car has been examined from every conceivable angle. However, the answer to the question of the success of the 911 is actually very simple. The Porsche 911 is unique in the automotive world. Like no other automobile, it seamlessly combines opposites. With a 911 you get sportiness and everyday usability, tradition and innovation, exclusivity and social acceptability, design and functionality. Since 1963, some 820,000 copies of the model have been built over seven generations. More than just the most successful sports car in the world, the Porsche 911 is also the most successful sports racing car human beings have ever known. In addition to competing on racetracks, the 911 has also been modified for rallying purposes and proven quite successful in that area of motorsport as well. Ferry Porsche described the exceptional versatility of his masterpiece quite succinctly when he said; “The 911 is the only car you can drive from an African safari to Le Mans, then to the theatre, and onto the streets of New York.” Thanks to its continuous evolution, the Porsche 911 comes just about as close to perfection as any car will ever get. With that said, the next one will be even better, and the one following it will be even better still. What we have in the 2013 Porsche 911 is the culmination of everything the world’s most successful sports car company has ever learned about building cars—all contained in one model.

www.lxmagazines.com

SIGNATURE

By Nichole Odijk DeMario

There is nothing like holiday recipes, those that stay nestled in recipe boxes or in cookbooks reserved for that special time of the year. When bar professional, Tony Abou-Ganim was selected to create the cocktail program at the Bellagio Las Vegas in 1998, he made sure to include something unique to commemorate the holidays—Hot Buttered Rum. “I wanted to create a signature holiday drink that would be served every year at every bar and with luck it would become a Bellagio holiday tradition," said Abou-Ganim. “I feel creating special traditions are a huge part of properly celebrating the holidays.” Abou-Ganim, whose accomplishments include, but not limited to: author of The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails among other titles, three time winner of Iron Chef America and one of two Americans to win the Bacardi Martini World Grand Prix.

Hot Buttered Rum Serves 10 to 12

Batter ingredients: 1 pound light brown sugar 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 to 2 teaspoons allspice Freshly grated nutmeg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Each drink: 1 – ½ ounce rum, preferably Mount Gay Eclipse Boiling water, as needed

Beat together the brown sugar, butter, spices and vanilla extract until well combined. Refrigerate in an airtight, resealable container until ready to use. When ready to prepare drinks, combine two heaping tablespoons of the batter and rum in a warmed coffee mug. Add boiling water, fill to the top and mix well. Serve with a spoon. Notes: Must be served steaming hot, not lukewarm. For a non-alcoholic option, omit rum. It is best to make the batter in advance so the spices have an opportunity to mingle. Be sure to remove the batter from the refrigerator at least six hours before serving to allow it to soften. Batter may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month or frozen for up to 2 months.

www.lxmagazines.com

photo: Tony Abou-Ganim www.lxmagazines.com

Photo: Hedy Goldsmith

Maple Flan Serves 8

Ingredients: 3 cups heavy cream, at room temperature ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1 vanilla bean, split 2/3 cup sugar 1 cup maple syrup, preferably Grade B earl amber 7 extra large egg yolks, room temperature

Hedy Goldsmith, who among her many accolades, is a 2012 and 2013 James Beard Award Finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef, author of Baking Out Loud: Fun Desserts with Big Flavors and guest on Iron Chef America. She loves adding an element of surprise to her holiday desserts.

In a large saucepan, bring the maple syrup to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the syrup is reduced to ¾ cup. Keep an eye on the pot; reduce the heat if the syrup threatens to boil over.

“I love creating non-traditional, unexpected holiday desserts. Maple Flan is a great one that can be made well in advance. It’s flavor-forward and plays beautifully in the sandbox with figs, apples, pears, grapes, chestnuts and chocolate,” Goldsmith says.

Slide the pan of cream off the heat, fish out the vanilla beans and slowly add the cream to the caramel whisking until blended.

Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and salt. Scrape all the seeds from the vanilla bean and add to the saucepan along with the bean. Cook over medium heat until just simmering, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, cover and set aside for at least 30 minutes. Arrange eight, 6-ounce ramekins in a baking dish that has 2-inch high sides. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 3 tablespoons of water and cook over low height, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is clear. Increase the heat to medium high and boil without stirring, 3 - 5 minutes, or until the sugar begins to turn golden brown. Gently swirl the pan over the heat to even out the color and cook for 2 - 3 minutes longer or until the sugar turns deep amber. Carefully and quickly pour the liquid evenly into the ramekins, swirling each one to cover the bottom completely.

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until blended. While whisking constantly, slowly pour the warm maple mixture into the egg yolks until blended. Pour the custard through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Pour the custard into the prepared ramekins in their baking pan. Put the baking pan into the oven, and carefully fill it with very hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Tightly cover the pan with foil and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the center of the custard jiggles slightly when the ramekin is shaken. Carefully transfer the baking pan to a wire rack, uncover the pan and let the flans cool completely at room temperature. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and cover them with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days. To serve, run a thin knife around the edge of the custards and invert them onto small serving plates.

www.lxmagazines.com

A Weisman Once Said… If you’re selling yourself as a family store, have a family member in the store from open to close.

Article reprinted with permission, from the September 2013 issue of JCK.

www.lxmagazines.com

At Meyers Jewelers in Grove City, Ohio, family ownership isn’t simply a quaint fact designed to warm up a sales pitch— it dictates store protocol. Founder Meyer Weisman has a pact with his two sons, co-owners Jeff and Scott Weisman, stipulating that at least one family member be in the store during business hours. “Customers always say they chose us because they want to buy from a family business,” says Scott. “So we promote ourselves heavily that way. When you come in, there will always be an owner to talk to.” The gemologist brothers began working at the store—which Meyer opened in 1966 with their mother, Anna—while they were in grade school. “I remember cleaning watchbands, engraving, and cleaning up when I was 10,” says Scott. Both sons went on to earn degrees at Ohio State University, but always knew they would take over the shop. “I really never did consider another profession,” says Jeff. “It’s literally the only thing I’ve ever done.” GOOD VIBRATIONS Meyer: The best part of working with my sons is that I can say whatever is on my mind. I can tell them exactly what my sentiments are and what’s right or wrong. You can also learn from youth and I’ve learned a lot from my boys.  Jeff: The trust factor is big. I trust my brother and my father with everything in the business. The craziest thing is, I can’t even think of an argument my brother and I have had since we started working on things. And we work in the same store 11 hours a day.

FATHER FIGURE Jeff: I learned not to slack off from my dad. I saw what he had to do. My mom would bring us out to dinner near the store once a week so we could have at least that one dinner with him. Scott: I learned respect from my dad. You treat people not as customers but as friends, and honesty and integrity are important. All the vendors we meet with ask the same thing: “How’s your dad? We miss him at the shows.” He’s the most honorable man in the industry. GENERATION NEXT Meyer: Scott’s personality added a lot to the store. He’s the type of person who can wait on anybody. Jeffrey is very strong in terms of advertising. He does all our TV commercials and marketing. WISE WORDS Scott: You have to learn from the first generation and then figure out ways to move it forward. Meyer: Get the [next generation] wellversed in what they’re doing. And every opportunity you have to get them in the store and working, take it. Jeff: My dad [let] me make a real investment in marketing. Fortunately, it has worked out well. I’ve heard from people in our situation that their fathers don’t want to change a thing. On the other hand, you have to listen to advice and know when to keep your mouth shut. You don’t always have to be right. That’s not going to work in a family business.

Gift Guide

HEARTS ON FIRE Lorelei Bow Stud Earrings $1,250

HEARTS ON FIRE Lorelei Bow Necklace $890

HEARTS ON FIRE Lorelei Right Hand Ring 1.00-1.10cttw 18K $5,500

HEARTS ON FIRE Lorelei Bracelet $1,490 36

www.lxmagazines.com

HEARTS ON FIRE Lorelei Diamond Floral Earrings $9,900

HEARTS ON FIRE Beloved Pendant starting at $1,850

HEARTS ON FIRE Lorelei Diamond Floral Pendant starting at $4,875

HEARTS ON FIRE Illa Cluster Pendant starting at $5,750

HEARTS ON FIRE Illa Comet Pendant starting at $4,750

HEARTS ON FIRE Beloved Open Gallery Solitaire Simi-Mount starting at $2,890

HEARTS ON FIRE Illa Constellation Right Hand Ring $16,500

HEARTS ON FIRE Illa Bracelet $58,000 www.lxmagazines.com

GABRIEL 14K White Gold Divine Drop Earrings $805

TACORI RoyalT Ring* $10,990

TACORI Ribbon Ring* $5,020

GABRIEL 18K White Gold Mediterranean Loose Pendant Necklace $4,435

TACORI Dantela Ring* $2,660

TACORI Sculpted Crescent Ring $2,900

TACORI Ribbon Ring $4,230

GABRIEL 14K White Gold Lusso Diamond Fashion Band $1,330

*center diamond not included

TACORI City Lights Ring $510

TACORI City Lights Necklace $580

TACORI Color Medley Bracelet $1,150

TACORI TACORI Classic Rock Ring $300

www.lxmagazines.com

Red Carpet Bracelet $2,180

LE VIAN LE VIAN Chocolate and White Diamonds Set in 14K Honey Gold Earrings $2,699 Pendant $1,899

Sea Blue Aquamarine with Chocolate and White Diamonds Set in Vanilla Gold Pendant $1,999

LE VIAN Chocolate and White Diamonds Set in Strawberry Gold Pendant $3,299 Ring $3,499

LE VIAN Sea Blue Aquamarine with Chocolate and White Diamonds Set in Vanilla Gold Ring $2,299

LE VIAN Chocolate and White Diamonds Set in 14K Honey Gold Ring $1,899

www.lxmagazines.com

BREITLING Two-tone Chronomat 41 18K Yellow Gold and Steel $12,800

BREITLING Super Avenger II All Steel $5,560

BREITLING Navitimer 01 $9,020

BULOVA ACCUTRON BULOVA ACCUTRON

Mirador $1,795

Kirkwood $1,995

BULOVA ACCUTRON Calibrator $1,650 www.lxmagazines.com

Moments in Time on Luxury Piano All photos courtesty of Piano Solutions XXI

When Guennadi “Gene” Korolev established Piano Solutions XXI, he had a new vision for piano restoration. He wanted to build a “one-man shop” and be able to restore a piano from start to finish. Gene dedicated his whole life to perfecting the restoration process and now has the most innovative and technologically advanced shop in the industry. In February of 2012, Gene, along with his daughter Katherine Banyasz, began working together on a custom piano project — dubbed “New York Serenade” — featuring the most advanced technology and use of new materials on a piano. While Gene used his scientific background and great knowledge in piano technology, Katherine provided her creative input and knowledge in arts and design. www.lxmagazines.com

The New York Serenade is adorned with 164,000 cubic zirconia stones; with every stone inserted by hand into the piano case.

They selected Steinway and Sons unique model A-III for this challenging custom piano project. As a tribute to the Swing years in America, the artistic inspiration for New York Serenade, according to Katherine, came from the periods of the 1920's to the 1940's, when the Art Deco movement and the Swing era of jazz and big bands flourished in New York City. This custom piano is adorned with 164,000 cubic zirconia stones that sparkle with various intensity, showcasing nostalgic imagery of New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s familiar places like Grand Central Station, The Cotton Club, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and of course Steinway Hall. The lid shows the New York Skyline and a magical moon shining over the Hudson River. The designs continue thoughout the piano with overlapping images. The mystical floral-like patterns bring together images to one magnifying effect.

The soundtrack also transmits wireless on a home theatre system or highresolution sound system that enables this piano to produce the effect of a full symphony orchestra or a live jazz band entertaining. One of the most important innovations in this piano design is a trapwork made from aircraft aluminum with ballbearings in rotating points of the moving mechanism. The friction and durability of this trapwork surpasses any existing trapwork on the market today. New York Serenade is a piano made for someone with great taste for luxury, art and design. A piano that will serenade you and take you to a new world of music and elegance.

Every stone was inserted by hand into the piano case, and took the fatherdaughter duo 16 months to put into place. In addition, this piano also comes with seamless installation for Live-Performance Model LX, a high resolution sound reproducing system, with sustain and shift proportional operating pedals. A completely wireless operation with using an iPad.

www.lxmagazines.com

BEST NEW

HOTELS By Martin Sayers

The world may still be in the grip of recession but the globe’s leading hoteliers don’t seem to have noticed. A range of high-end resorts across the world have recently opened and offer no compromise in terms of location or facilities.

Palais Namaskar - Morocco Palais Namaskar in Marrakech is one of the newest pretenders to the title of Morocco's most luxurious hotel. This spectacular Moorish building is nestled between the Atlas Mountains and Djebilet Hills, and offers immaculately kept grounds studded with lakes, ponds and scented gardens, as well as a variety of outdoor baths, heated swimming pools and Jacuzzis. Rooms, suites and villas are available for booking, as well as two multibedroomed ‘palaces’ that include private kitchens, swimming pools and 24hour butler service. The hotel even has its own liveried private jet that is on hand to collect guests from any airport around the world and fly them directly to Marrakech.

Palais Namaskar

Palais Namaskar www.lxmagazines.com

Hotel Burj Al Arab

Hotel Burj Al Arab - Dubai

This new hotel in the billionaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground of Dubai has been designed to resemble a billowing sail and at around 700 feet tall, dominates the skyline. The 28 double-story floors of the hotel accommodate 202 luxury suites, with prices ranging from $1,000 to over $28,000 per night. Chauffeur driven RollsRoyces are on offer to all guests and each floor of the towering structure boasts its own reception desk, while a team of butlers provides 24-hour service. Private shoppers are on hand to ensure that guests can benefit from Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary shopping scene without leaving the resort and the hotel, which features six signature restaurants and its own private beach. 48

www.lxmagazines.com

The Shangri-La at The Shard - London

London’s most anticipated luxury hotel opening for many years has been legendary Hong Kong hotelier Shangri-La’s contribution to the incredible skyscraper known as ‘The Shard’. This new building, designed by architect Renzo Piano, is the tallest in Europe standing 70 stories tall and is scheduled to open this fall. The hotel is the first new-build, five-star hotel in the Central London area in over a decade. With 202 deluxe guest rooms, averaging more than 452 sq. ft., The Shard will be amongst the largest in the city — introducing a new standard of ‘suite-style’ accommodation to the British capital. Facilities include a Champagne bar situated on level 52, which boasts spectacular views over the River Thames and the city of London.

The Shard

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti - Tanzania

Set in the heart of Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park, this property has a collection of rooms, suites and private villas that enjoy views over unspoiled wilderness. The setting offers guests the opportunity to get close to wildlife in a safe and ecologically responsible environment while still enjoying the height of luxury.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge

Featuring contemporary African architecture sympathetic to the natural landscape, the centerpiece is a two-story great house that offers several dining options with indoor and outdoor seating, which is connected to guest accommodations and a spa by elevated wooden walkways. The hotel’s large infinity pool overlooks an active watering hole that is regularly visited by a herd of elephants. St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort

St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort - USA

Heralded as the ‘most anticipated luxury hotel opening of 2012,’ the new St. Regis resort in Miami is certainly an attractive option for anyone who wants to vacation in Florida. Each of the hotel’s 243 rooms and suites features glassenclosed balconies that offer floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the beach and ocean beyond. The location doesn’t get any better as far as Miami is concerned as the hotel is perched oceanside in the exclusive Bal Harbour district, directly adjacent to the world renowned Bal Harbour Shops and just minutes from the buzz and vibrancy of South Beach.

www.lxmagazines.com

Ballyfin - Ireland

Nestled at the foot of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Slieve Bloom Mountains, Ballyfin is a Regency-era mansion that was once the family-seat of the Cootes family before being run as a school. After falling into disrepair, the site was bought by developers and the house underwent eight years of meticulous restoration before opening as one of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most luxurious hotels in 2011. Just fifteen guest rooms are contained within this huge house, which boast 600-acres of parkland containing a lake, ancient woodland, garden buildings, follies and grottoes.

www.lxmagazines.com

The Alpina Gstaad The Alpina Gstaad

The Alpina Gstaad – Switzerland

This luxury hideaway in the heart of the Swiss Alps represents the first luxury hotel to be built in the exclusive ski resort of Gstaad for over 100 years. Although new, the hotel has been built in traditional Swiss style, with all the stonework handcrafted by local stonemasons. Alpine herbs and flowers have been planted in the lush gardens that surround the property. The Alpina boasts attractions such as a wine tasting room, a cigar room, a private cinema and a 25-meter indoor lap pool, while its spectacular location ensures incredible views of the surrounding mountains from every room. The hotel will also host the first Western European location of the renowned Japanese restaurant MEGU.

Palace Hotel Tokyo – Japan

This contemporary Japanese hotel occupies the most enviable position in Tokyo – right next to the moat that guards the Imperial Palace, home of the Japanese royal family. The 23-story property cost $900 million to build and the 290 guest rooms are all built on the palace side of the building to offer uninterrupted views across the Imperial gardens.

Palace Hotel Tokyo

Guests can also avail themselves of seven restaurants, the first Evian spa in Japan and an in-house shopping mall that features seventeen high-end retail outlets.

Palace Hotel Tokyo

www.lxmagazines.com

Amanzoe - Greece

The Amanzoe is perched on Greeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peloponnese peninsula and boasts 38 guest pavilions that are all built on different levels to ensure privacy and allow for uninterrupted views across the sparkling Aegean. Each pavilion has its own courtyard featuring marble walls and a private terrace, while guests also have access to the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private beach, as well as restaurants, a library and an art gallery.

Dusit Thani - Maldives

New hotel openings tend to go unnoticed in the tourist Mecca of the Maldives but the Dusit Thani Maldives is something special. Encircled by a reef that supports an abundance of marine life this exclusive resort is housed on its own private island and is also close to Hanifaru Huraa â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve renowned as a feeding ground for manta rays and whale sharks. The complex also boasts the largest swimming pool in the Maldives, while guests are able to enjoy a unique spa experience thanks to the Devarana Spa, which features six treetop treatment pods nestled amongst the leaves high above the island. Amanzoe

Dusit Thani Maldives

www.lxmagazines.com

Documenting Genius Architectural Photographer Pedro E. Guerrero By Lyndon Conrad Bell

Faced with the prospects of a future career as a bilingual clerk at a department store or a carryout boy at a supermarket, 20-year old Pedro Guerrero left his childhood home in Mesa, Arizona to learn a craft at which he would be accepted for who he was, rather than what he looked like. His quest took him to Los Angeles, where he enrolled in the Art Center College of Design. Fate has a way of leading us to our destinies, and for young Pedro, fate chose the path of photographer. Without a hint the field would become a passion for him, Guerrero enrolled in photography classes there, largely because he had no experience in any of the disciplines offered. Well, that and all the other classes were full. Guerrero says after exposing his first roll of film, developing it and printing his first image, he knew photography was what he’d be doing for the rest of his life.

Thanks to that realization, we have some of the most beautifully crafted and carefully detailed photographic images of some of the 20th century’s most gifted American architects— including Frank Lloyd Wright—but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

In 1939, Frank Lloyd Wright hired 22-year-old Pedro Guerrero as his resident photographer, the start of a collaborative bond that would last until Wright’s death in 1959.

www.lxmagazines.com

Guerrero studied photography at the Art Center; however by his own admission, he was in all probability, the worst student the school ever had. The Art Center College of Design was geared for commercial artists, and while Guerrero ultimately became quite celebrated for his commercial work, he was more intrigued by art photography. In fact, an administrator at the school once told him that even though Guerrero had come there to learn, he was defying the school to teach him. Whether Guerrero was already aware of his own path, a rebellious individual, or a combination of the two is difficult to say. But ultimately, he became disillusioned with the school. After studying there for only two years, Guerrero returned to his home in Arizona. Still working with his cameras, but moping around the family home, Guerrero’s father—who had been following the career of Frank Lloyd Wright—suggested young Pedro go to see Wright and inquire as to his needs for photographic services. Guerrero knew very little about Wright, other than the fact he was an architect. Further, Guerrero knew very little about architecture. He had seen a photograph of Wright, and he had also seen a photograph of Wright’s Pennsylvania house, “Fallingwater”. But other than that, he really didn’t know much about the man. This, as it turned out, was quite fortunate.

Guerrero said if he’d had an inkling of how accomplished Wright really was, he would have been embarrassed to go see him. So it was a highly inexperienced and wholly unaccomplished 22-year old Pedro Guerrero introduced himself to Frank Lloyd Wright—one of America’s most revered architects—as a photographer. Which, by the way was the first time he’d ever introduced himself that way in his life. However, it wouldn’t be the last. With an extremely thin portfolio—but excellent timing— Guerrero was invited to come in and show Wright what he could do. By his own admission, Guerrero had the world’s worst portfolio. The school had tried to train Guerrero to be a commercial artist, but he had focused on fine art instead. Because of this, his portfolio contained such jewels as an image of a girl and a dog, as well as a dead pelican on the beach with a beer can. Fortunately though, Guerrero had also done quite a bit of artistic female nude work, which intrigued Wright. The two developed a rapport and within 15 minutes Wright had invited Guerrero to start work—that very day. What Guerrero didn’t know at the time was Wright’s previous photographer had just eloped with one of the apprentices, leaving Wright without photographic services.

www.lxmagazines.com

With a charge to photograph everything he saw on the site, because everything there was important to Wright, Guerrero was hired as Frank Lloyd Wright’s photographer. An almost unbelievable situation, Guerrero’s good fortune really demonstrates the extreme value of timeliness—as well as being willing to work for very little money. 55

Guerrero said Wright told him the pay wasn’t much, but he could live at Taliesin West and use Wright’s camera. Guerrero later found out the pay wasn’t anything, but he said it didn’t matter—after all, look where he was. Working for Wright was the equivalent of getting a postgraduate degree in commercial photography. Interestingly though, the direction Wright gave Guerrero was very minimal. All he told Guerrero was he wanted to recognize the work as his own. Wright eschewed bird’s eye views, worm’s eye views, and abstract views. He wanted to see the work the way he drew it. Given Wright drew from a sitting position, this meant Guerrero shot from eye level more often than not. Further, as much as possible, he shot Wright’s designs in their entirety because Wright wanted to see as much of the architecture as possible in one shot.

© Pedro E. Guerrero Archive Taliesin West: This was one of Guerrero most dramatic photographs of Taliesin West. This 1940 view of the drafting studio shows the extravagance of the reflecting pool, designed to add both beauty and utility.

After Mr. Wright’s death, Architectural Forum assigned Guerrero to photograph the house in Bethesda, Maryland, he had designed for his son, Robert, in 1953. © Pedro E. Guerrero Archive

Fortunately, this nicely dovetailed with Guerrero’s vision, so he found Wright quite easy to please. For Guerrero, the buildings were essentially large sculptures and he photographed them on that basis.

www.lxmagazines.com

When World War II started, Guerrero served as a photographer for the Army Air Corps. Upon returning, he resumed his work with Wright. However, his photography had by then also attracted the attention of a number of other architects—as well as fine artists. Sculptors Louise Nevelson and Alexander Calder commissioned Guerrero to document their works, as did architects Philip Johnson and Marcel Breuer. Still, out of loyalty to the man who gave him his first break, Guerrero avoided working for a lot of different architects until after Wright died in 1959. A number of prominent magazines also gave Guerrero assignments based on his work with Wright. These included Architectural Forum and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as House and Garden. He also authored a number of books—among them; Picturing Wright: An Album from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Photographer and Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey.

In 1962, Guerrero traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to photograph the functional kitchen of the fabled Julia Child.

Swathed in her plaid shirt, Indian vest and trademark scarf, sculptor, Louise Nevelson gazes at her artwork.

Alexander Calder posed with a stabile named Sabot (French for shoe) in 1976 in front of his huge Saché studio.

www.lxmagazines.com

Meyers Jewelers est. 1966

Experience the family difference!

The Columbus Blue Jackets thank Meyers Jewelers for their support. As the Exclusive Jeweler of the Blue Jackets since 2010, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to partner with such a strong, family-owned Central Ohio business.

THERE IS POWER IN POSITIVITY The Uplifting Qualities of Alex and Ani Jewelry By Lyndon Conrad Bell

www.lxmagazines.com

As many philosophers and students of human nature have noted, positive things happen to positive people. Those observing the success of Carolyn Rafaelian’s Alex and Ani brand and wondering how she did it would do well to witness her eternally sunny, almost infinite sense of joy. One of the most positive people you’ll ever meet, Rafaelian’s spiritual philosophies are vividly reflected in her jewelry line. Rafaelian sincerely believes every individual has a positive message to share with the world. By incorporating powerful symbolism and designs into each Alex and Ani (+) ENERGY piece, Rafaelian’s jewelry lines provide a vehicle for the wearer to express their individuality in an organic, spiritual way— while being simultaneously enlightened and uplifted by the experience. Remarkably, it all begins before the jewelry is even created. One of Rafaelian’s guiding qualities is her devotion to her local roots. The company’s tagline “Made in America—with Love” is actually short for “Made in Rhode Island, my home state and where my family has always done business, because I believe in doing right by my roots. Which is also why I source all of the materials I use locally, and employ as many Rhode Island vendors as possible to support my endeavors.” But that would take up way too much room on the packages. Seriously though, Rafaelian based her company in Cranston, Rhode Island, where her father also established the Cinerama jewelry manufacturing concern back in 1966. In those days, Rhode Island was known as the “Jewelry Capital Of The World” because so many jewelry manufacturers were located in the state. Over time, with the rise of outsourcing, the vast majority of those companies were driven out of business—along with the ancillary enterprises supporting them. With Alex and Ani, it is Rafaelian’s intention to bring as much jewelry work as possible back home to Rhode Island. What’s more, even when she was designing and manufacturing jewelry for large retailers like Bebe, Express, Victoria’s Secret and Chico’s, Rafaelian always insisted upon having all of the work done in America. And, as much as possible, in her home state of Rhode Island. Because of Alex and Ani’s success, the vendors she currently works with have had to hire additional people, as well as add more shifts to their operations. In essence, Rafaelian is responsible, in a very big way, for bringing positive energy back to the industry her state once owned lock, stock and barrel. Alex and Ani’s signature product is its collection of bangle bracelets. Produced with an innovative expandable design, they adjust to fit every wrist. Adorned with charms promoting consciousness and unity, and built in an environment of love, trust and joy, Alex and Ani bracelets are said to infuse a spirit of positivity into their wearers. Walking through the Alex and

www.lxmagazine.com www.lxmagazines.com

Ani manufacturing facility, you’ll see ladies who have been working there practically forever, happily crafting the pieces and taking immense pride in their work. The atmosphere is one of joyous serenity, and all of that love goes directly into the jewelry. Further, the vast majority of the bracelets are fitted with charms and inspirational words reflecting spiritual undertones, all of which are designed to give the wearer a spiritual lift. In addition to being infused with love and positive energy, Alex and Ani products are also highly eco-conscious. All of the Alex and Ani jewelry is made from sustainable recycled materials from Rhode Island mills. Named for Rafaelian’s two oldest daughters, Alex and Ani the company is enjoying spectacular growth. Under the stewardship of CEO Giovanni Feroce, a former U.S. Army major and a former Rhode Island state senator, Alex and Ani has evolved from a reasonably successful jewelry manufacturer into a lifestyle juggernaut. Feroce’s long-term goal is to see Alex and Ani become a total lifestyle brand like Ralph Lauren. To that end, a number of loosely related companies have been brought into the Alex and Ani fold, all of which serve to promote one another through cross marketing.

Teas and Javas is the coffee bar concept, each of which can typically be found near one of the Alex and Ani boutique locations. By the way, the company plans to have 57 boutiques open from Massachusetts to California by the beginning of 2014. The Seven Swords media company was brought into the Alex and Ani portfolio of companies to produce the organization’s media, as well as do work for other companies—including an innovative Alex and Ani Super Bowl ad for local TV markets. Alex and Ani University, originally founded for Alex and Ani employees, is now taking on individuals from other companies— essentially turning the firm’s training department into a profit center. And then there’s Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards, producing some 13 varietals of wines. In the works are lines of cosmetics, home furnishings, and apparel. If this is the first time you’ve ever heard of Alex and Ani, rest assured, you’ll be hearing a lot more about the company very soon. Offered alongside the standard line of Alex and Ani (+) ENERGY jewelry, Rafaelian also has a jewelry line called Charity by Design, which produces exclusive pieces for specific philanthropic causes in support of their efforts. Charity by Design enables non-profit organizations to reach their goals with innovative, creative designs. Proceeds from the Charity by Design Line are donated directly to each organization, empowering them to contribute to the lives of others, and make the world a better place. Underlying all of this is Carolyn Rafaelian’s deep belief in spirituality, positivity, and responsible business practices. She has made it her life’s work to support communities and organizations, while inspiring her customers to relish what is unique and authentic about themselves—and in turn revealing the beauty residing within themselves. It is said simply wearing a piece of Alex and Ani jewelry makes you feel better. Carolyn Rafaelian is living proof of the power in positivity.

www.lxmagazines.com

ALEX AND ANI MADE IN AMERICA WITH LOVE 速 | WWW.ALEXANDANI.COM

Meyers Jewelers est. 1966

Experience the family difference!

1494 STRINGTOWN RD | GROVE CITY, OH | 614.491.8100

Le Vian® is the internationally renowned jeweler with a storied past of historical jewels and ancient royalty and a trendsetting present bejeweling celebrities for the Red Carpet with uniquely decadent designs featuring Chocolate Diamonds®. Le Vian®, the most recognized name in fine jewelry today has over one million collectors worldwide, each craving an exclusive Le Vian® jeweled work of art. Le Vian attributes its meteoric rise in fine jewelry to its deep passion for finding the world’s most beautiful gemstones and designing the most innovative and unique looks that bring those gems to life. Discover the newest designs from Le Vian Chocolatier®, featuring the hottest design trends for 2014, lusciously flavored with Le Vian®’s exclusive natural color Chocolate Diamonds®. Each Le Vian Chocolatier® design is deliciously flavored with Chocolate Diamonds® by Le Vian®, the originator and exclusive seller of the Chocolate Diamonds® brand of natural color diamonds worldwide. Chocolate Diamonds® are mainly found in one mine in the world, the Argyle mine in Australia, with the color of the diamond determined by the tremendous pressure they receive deep within the earth. However, not all brown diamonds are Chocolate Diamonds®. To be branded Le Vian Chocolate Diamonds®, these rare and natural color diamonds are hand chosen for their chocolate-y hue, must rate between c4-c7 on the color chart, have a clarity of SI1 or better, and be within the top 5% of production. It is this exclusiveness of Le Vian Chocolatier® designs that has earned Le Vian® a following among Hollywood’s hottest stars, who because of the originality and uniqueness of Chocolate Diamonds® have welcomed the looks as a unique way to express themselves.

www.lxmagazines.com

If it's not Le Vian it's not Chocolate Diamonds ®

®™

STRAWBERRY GOLD® OCEAN WAVETM GLADIATOR®

www.lxmagazines.com

614.594.0230 | www.meyersjewelers.com

Forget sugar plums.

DREAM ABOUT PANDORA.

Sterling silver charms from $25

INTRODUCING PANDORA’S WINTER 2013 COLLECTION.

As you drift into a blissful slumber, the wonders of the holidays ﬁll your head. And maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll dream of the twinkling lights, warm colors and the timeless traditions of PANDORA’s enchanting new Winter Collection. Celebrate the season at PANDORA.net.

Experience at: 1494 Stringtown Road Grove City, OH 43123 614.594.0230 â&#x20AC;˘ meyersjewelers.com

est. 1966