LX Mankato Spring 2012

from the publisher

Welcome.

It is our honor once again to bring you LX Mankato, an artistic, oneof-a-kind, coffee table magazine. This is such an exciting issue as we feature exquisite jewelry, artistic photography and stories that captivate you and also pull at your heart strings.

In this issue, we are excited to share “Tacori, The Story,” on the family history and exquisite craftsmanship that produces once of the most popular bridal lines in America. Sharon Naylor shares a story, “I Still Choose You” about renewing your wedding vows. Leading UK fashion photographer, Zena Holloway, graces this issue’s pages with a beauty story entitled “Mermaiden.” Holloway sets her work apart from other fashion photographers by shooting exclusively underwater. “My Mother’s Wedding Dress” is a beautifully written story about memory, reflection, loss and looking to the future. On a community level, we are thrilled to feature Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery, opening soon in Greater Mankato. Take a look inside this state-of-the-art winery, picturesque setting and meet the wine maker. We are also please to highlight our local YMCA with a story, “No Two Whys are the Same.”

Be sure to visit us at Exclusively Diamonds. We love hearing your stories and feel honored to be a part of your special moments. We promise to make your experience at Exclusively Diamonds memorable and rewarding. We will continue to strive for cutting edge fashion in our jewelry while maintaining the high quality you have been accustomed to receiving. Above all, you are very important to us and we treasure your friendship and loyalty.

Blessings, Sarah B. Person

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inside

Features

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Fashion 10 Tacori, The Story 39 Runway Report 57 Time To Watch: Your

Professional Etiquette

Lifestyle 19 I Still Choose You 13 Awesome 8:

A Golfing Adventure

Wealth

23 Longevity and the

Value of College

Photography 28 Honey Moon and Stars 50 Mermaiden: Photos by

Fruitful Destination Women’s Runway Report: Bridal

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Zena Holloway

Arts & Culture 26 My Mother’s

Wedding Dress 46 pARTners Spotlight:

Christo and Jeanne Claude

Community 58 No Two Whys are the same Libation 61 Fruitful Destination

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on the cover

Publisher SARAH PERSON Associate Publisher BRIANA WORKE Editor JON ROBERTS Public Relations JOHN SUNDERLAND Featured on the cover is the talented photographer Monica Eng. She says, “Growing up in Singapore was a gateway for me to experience the multitudes of cultures and utilize those who surround me to layer my photography. I do not claim to inspire those who stand before my lens, for they are my greatest inspiration. I see her biting her lips and I see someone who has the years ahead running amok in her head. I see him shy away from her gaze and I see the beginning of a new life that is as delicate as it is dedicated.”

Art Director CHELSIE ROBERTS Graphic Designer ANGIE HALTER Graphic Designer MIGUEL SALGADO

LX: a coffeetable magazine LX® Magazine is published by Luxury Avenue, LLC, 500 N. Michigan Avenue, Ste. 300, Chicago, Illinois 60611. 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 lxmagazine.com, as well as other mediums for any and all purposes.

Copyright © 2012 Luxury Avenue, LLC. All rights reserved. The entire contents of LX® are protected by copyright© and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. 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 Luxury Avenue, LLC. 8

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The Story.

The Family.

Blending the finest traditions of old world sensibilities with exquisite contemporary designs, Tacori’s highly regarded works of the jewelry maker’s art are coveted by glitterati appreciative of its unique and distinctive European flair all over the world; familyowned, the Tacori company’s philosophies and traditions have made it legendary within the ranks of the crafters of fine jewelry.

Tacori’s designs are so intricate they defy duplication. Further, its strict marketing standards ensure its products are always presented in the most favorable manner possible. For these reasons and many more, the name Tacori has come to symbolize the absolute finest in presentation, quality, attention to detail, and personal customer care.

Capably guided by the strong, yet gentle hand of the company’s founder and family patriarch, Haig Tacorian, Tacori’s fine jewelry brilliantly mirrors the passion guiding the family whose name it bears. Tacorian left Europe with his wife Gilda in 1969 to start a new life in the United States. The principles upon which he founded and guides the company have made it one of the world’s premier brands.

Paul Tacorian, the company’s president of sales & marketing, set the jewelry world on its ear with his innovative, full-page ads featuring achingly beautiful images of the masterworks his family creates. Tacorian’s advertisements were groundbreaking in that they were the first dynamically photographed,full-page, art quality advertisements run by a jewelry concern. So beautiful they could hang in an art gallery, it’s almost laughable today to think this wasn’t being done before he did it.

Nadine Tacorian, the company’s president of operations, fiercely adheres to the standards set for the company, yet simultaneously engenders ever more creative takes on the traditional cues established by Haig Tacorian for the brand. Remarkably, even while inspiring outstanding creativity from the design staff, she has also introduced a myriad of efficiencies to the processes employed in crafting their creations.

Together, in addition to creating and marketing intricately crafted artisan jewelry, the Tacorian family upholds an uncompromising legacy of passionately fusing classic elegance with modern inspiration.

“The Tacorian family upholds an uncompromising legacy of passionately fusing classic elegance with modern inspiration.”

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The Pieces.

It’s been said jewelry tells stories of timeless qualities — stories that transcend time.

In the case of Tacori, this radiates from the aura of heirloom elegance illuminating its progressive styles. Modern, yet traditional, at the core of every Tacori design is the company’s signature crescent halfmoon pattern. The pattern is so distinctive Tacori was granted both a copyright and a trademark for it. The crescent half-moon is so difficult to duplicate, when one sees it they can be unmistakably assured they are in the presence of an example of Tacori’s artwork.

Design Passion.

From the innovative vision of the designers, to the crafting and polishing of the intricate signature crescent details, the creation of Tacori jewelry takes place under the Tacorian family’s guidance at their design studios in California. Their philosophy of personal care and quality guides every aspect of the process. Each piece is precisely matched to hand-selected gems. If it bears the Tacori name, you can be absolutely assured it has met the rigorous standards of quality and beauty unique to Tacori as established by Haig Tacorian, back in 1969.

So timeless are the company’s creations, they just as readily grace the youthful beauty of a woman in her twenties as they do her grandmother. This quality sets Tacori’s heirloom pieces of timeless elegance apart from trendy “here today, gone tomorrow” designs endemic to mainstream fashion jewelry. Imbued with value transcending both time and currency, Tacori’s jewelry is nothing less than a work of fine art a woman can wear.

Always innovating, one of Tacori’s most popular lines is its 18k925 creations rendered in 18-karat gold and the purest sterling silver. The Tacori 18k925 Collection represents a new collection of Tacori design; specifically referring to the 18-karat gold and 925 silver metal combination, which makes these pieces bold, fun and wearable. The new 18k925 Collection is full of colorful gemstones, stylishly taking iconic glamour and adding a modern Tacori twist.

Tacori’s Dantela Collection beautifully juxtaposes the modern with the traditional and the classic with the unconventional.

A veritable symphony of dazzling design and eye-catching allure, the collection’s name “Dantela” means “lace” in Romanian; a nod to the Tacorian family’s heritage.

Also a singular work unto itself, the Tacori diamond is certified by no less than two external authorities (the GIA and GemEX), in addition to Tacori’s own diamond experts. Fewer than five percent of the diamonds considered by Tacori’s diamond experts make the grade. Because of this, Tacori’s exceptional gemstones carry a titanium-clad guarantee of quality and are certified to be conflict-free. Chosen specifically to mesh in perfect harmony with the company’s designs, few diamonds match the fire and brilliance displayed by a Tacori stone.

Whether it’s engagement or wedding rings, fine jewelry or diamonds, the Tacori name is engraved only after several degrees of rigorous inspection, certification and approvals have been conducted. Only the finest gold, platinum, and diamonds with at least G color and VS clarity will do. Setting aside the overarching beauty of the pieces themselves, these guidelines and processes ensure the transcending desirability of Tacori’s jewelry eternally endures. www.lxmagazine.com

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The

Awesome 8

A Golfing Adventure

By Martin Sayers

olf is not a game that is usually associated with high adventure—it is supposed to be a sedate and relaxing pastime. Things are changing in the world of golf, however, and there is an incredible quest out there for anyone prepared to take it on. It is a journey that takes the intrepid golfer to eight of the most extreme golf courses in the world: the highest, the lowest, the hottest, the coldest, the most southerly, the most northerly, the hardest and the greatest.

This crazy task is the brainchild of two golfobsessed British friends, Robin Sieger and Neil Laughton, who decided over seven years ago that it was time to make their golf a bit more exciting.

T hey hit upon the idea of a competition that involved completing eight of the most diverse and extreme golf courses in the world within a year. All of the courses were recognized golf clubs with an established membership list, and with sponsorship from Callaway, Robin and Neil set out to play all eight of them within 12 months. They started in January and had completed the challenge by Christmas.

Eight of the most diverse and extreme golf courses in the world.

According to Robin, it was one of the greatest experiences of his life: “It was an incredible trip,” he says. “Not only did we get to play some amazing golf courses but we met some fantastic people along the way. We were treated with incredible generosity and kindness at the clubs we visited; it showed the true spirit of golf.”

Robin and Neil are now the founding members of the most exclusive golf society in the world, a society whose membership is only open to those who have completed all eight courses on the Awesome 8 list.

The challenge no longer requires the intrepid golfer, as it did Robin and Neil, to drag a bag of clubs around the world on a series of economy class flights. The Awesome 8 has evolved into the ultimate golfing experience­­—a package that includes travel by executive jet, accommodation in luxury hotels and incredible excursions to places of interest. The trip takes place in two month-long stages, one in summer and one in winter, and the cost is around a cool $157,000.

If you have the money and the time, you can take your place on the Awesome 8. You and around 25 fellow golfers will jet off in a luxury Boeing 757-200 and be whisked around the golfing world for two weeks.

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The Most Northerly

North Cape, Norway Jet out to the edge of the Arctic Circle, where a round at North Cape golf club awaits, the most northerly course in the world.

After the golf, a take a cruise to the North Cape itself—the very tip of Europe, where it is possible to see the incredible spectacle of the Northern Lights.

The Coldest

North Star, Alaska

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From Norway, a hop across the Arctic to Alaska to play at North Star golf club. It is the coldest golf course in the world, so much so that it has to close for six months of the year. Thankfully, playing it in May means that snow is unlikely to be a problem. North Star may also be the only club that provides an animal checklist on the scorecard—hawks, owls and eagles are all common sights and even the elusive lynx has been spotted. A course rule states that: “When a raven or fox steals a ball, a replacement may be dropped without penalty at the scene of the crime.”

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There is an incredible quest out there for anyone prepared to take it on.

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The Highest

La Paz, Bolivia After the climatic extremes of the Arctic, the head back southward to the city of La Paz in Bolivia.

Not only is La Paz the highest capital city in the world, it is also home to the highest golf course, a club situated a heady 10,350-feet above sea level.

Set against the majestic beauty of the Andes, this is one of the most scenic golf courses in the world.

Golfers must be careful, however, because the altitude means that the average 4-iron shot will shoot past 200 yards. The activities associated with this location could include a visit to the world famous Lake Titicaca and a look around Tiwanako, ancient capital of the Incas.

The Greatest

St. Andrews, Scotland

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After Bolivia, head back to Europe to play the only one of the eight courses that needs no introduction: St. Andrews is possibly the greatest and certainly one of the oldest golf courses in the world. This magnificent links is a Mecca for any golfer, and its many features and subtleties make for an amazing eighteen holes. Teeing off on the Old Course in the footsteps of the greats, from Bobby Jones to Tiger Woods, makes for an unforgettable experience.

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The Lowest

Furnace Creek, California Whisked across the desert to play Furnace Creek in California, at 214 feet below sea level the world’s lowest elevation golf course. This unfeasibly lush course stands in glorious contrast to the desolate desert landscape of its Death Valley location. Not only is it low; it is also hard and has been featured in Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.”

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The Most Southerly

Ushuaia, Argentina

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Set out to play the most southerly golf course in the world at Ushuaia, Argentina. Sitting at the very tip of South America, Ushuaia claims to be the world’s most southerly city and isn’t much more than a super-charged drive away from Antarctica. The club itself is set in the Tierra del Fuego national park and provides a challenge. Strong winds from the polar region whip across the fairways, and the course is criss-crossed by a fast-flowing river.

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The Toughest

Ko’olau, Hawaii From Argentina, head across the Pacific to the paradise islands of Hawaii to take on what is widely regarded as the most difficult course in the world of golf. Carved out of a forest on the windward side of the 2000-foot Ko’olau Ridge mountain range, Ko’olau golf course is officially recognized as the hardest course in America by the USGA. The course is almost unfeasibly steep and wind speed can often reach 40 mph. These factors, combined with the sheer difficulty of the course, means that most rounds take over 5 hours to complete.

The Hottest

Alice Springs, Australia

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From Hawaii, continue westward to Australia and Alice Springs golf club. Given its location in the middle of the Australian desert, it is not surprising that Alice Springs is officially the hottest golf course in the world, with temperatures regularly topping 120 degrees Fahrenheit. But the welcome is as warm as the weather, and Awesome 8 founder Robin Sieger rates Alice Springs as one of the friendliest clubs he has ever visited.

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I Still Cho o se yo u.

} or Writte n by Sharon Nayl os Images by MC Studi

Recapture the magic of your wedding day and tell your beloved “I still choose you” with a romantic wedding vow renewal celebration. Standing before one another, whether in a stylish designer gown and suit, or in bathing suits on a tropical beach, and speaking from the heart—telling your mate just how much more in love you are, how much you appreciate every moment, every gesture, every morning kiss and kindness—adds a depth to your marriage.

More wedding couples are choosing to renew their vows their way, whether in a grand wedding re-do at the country club with 150 guests and a masterpiece of a wedding cake, in their own backyard with their closest family and friends, or just the two of them at the ocean’s edge or in the church, synagogue or garden where they originally said their vows. They’re re-living the excitement of the wedding-planning (perhaps more enjoyably this time, without the input of ‘helpful’ parents,) touring ceremony sites together, tasting delectable cake sample bites, designing lovely bouquets and florals, selecting elegant invitations and of course, choosing their wedding vow renewal dresses and suits.

A big trend now is to incorporate some element of the original wedding day into this celebration. Cher Floyd, who with her husband John has renewed their vows several times over the past twenty years, says of one celebration, “I used my original wedding veil, and had our original florist send similar flowers for us.”

No matter the grandiosity of their plans, or the intimacy of a small affair, vow renewal couples experience that heart-flutter of excitement as they write new vows reflecting the bright points of the life they’ve lived together. They might repeat the same vows they spoke years ago, add new thoughts to that vow script, add their signature style and sense of

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“Most wedding couples say they haven’t felt as connected to one another in years as they do on this day.” humor this time around, and speak so sentimentally that tears come to their eyes. This is a moment dedicated to expressing appreciation and admiration for everything their partner does to enrich their life together, and to enrich their children.

Most wedding couples say they haven’t felt as connected to one another in years as they do on this day.

As an added bonus, wedding vow renewal couples say they love setting an inspiring example for their children and grandchildren, showing them that this is what a solid, loving and supportive marriage looks like, not the turbulent relationships they see on television reality shows and in celebrity gossip magazines.

Why Renew Now? It doesn’t have to be a 5th, 10th, or 25th milestone anniversary for you to renew your vows.

Some couples do so on their very first anniversary, their 7th, their 12th—whenever the time feels right. A couple may wish to re-cement their bond after an extremely challenging year, such as one partner’s illness or job search struggles, or a military deployment. Or, they might re-new their vows in a joyful year, such as after their first child is born, and again when each additional child arrives. Some couples return to their original destination wedding resort each time, bringing their children with them to participate in their vow renewal celebration.

It’s also become a trend to surprise a spouse with the “wedding re-do” she’s always wanted.

If parents controlled the wedding plans, or if finances didn’t allow for that masterpiece wedding cake, the garden wedding, the sea of roses, if it rained on her dream garden wedding, she now gets the surprise of a lifetime: “Will you plan our wedding vow renewal celebration with me?” Tears will certainly flow with that romantic offer. She gets the do-over she’s always wanted, made all the sweeter by the fact that her partner suggested it.

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“Surprise ring upgrades are rising in popularity.”

The Wedding Ring Gets a Do-Over As Well

replaced by a new ring.

She’s lived for years with, and cherished, the wedding ring placed on her finger at her wedding, and she would be disheartened to ‘trade it in’ for a newer model. A solution: take the stones from the original band and include them in the new band’s design, perhaps as stones embedded in the anniversary band. Or, the stones from the original band can be re-set as a new diamond pendant she can wear every day now and forever.

Open Editorial

, When Dr. Chris Kammer

planned a surprise vow renewal for his wife Jean Marie on their twentieth wedding anniversary, he also added a dazzling gift: “I had her wedding ring upgraded to a new platinum setting, and I also surprised her with a new anniversary band with twenty diamonds around the circle to wear with it.” Dr. Kammer’s present stunned not only his bride, but all of their family and friends in attendance.

Renewing your vows

Surprise ring upgrades are rising in popularity, and many husbands are giving an added thrill: they’re bringing their wives to the jewelry store to let them pick out their new, upgraded style elements. The shopping experience in itself adds wow factor to the gift, with the wife treated as a VIP by the jewelry shop staff. Some jewelry experts say they bring out a bottle of sparkling cider or Prosecco for these special couples, just as they do for their about-to-be-engaged couples shopping for the engagement ring. “Love should be celebrated,” says one jewelry store manager. “And we like to make their moment extra-special.”

Dr. Kammer represents the high-end ring upgrade client who shops for finer metals, and a diamond-encircled anniversary band, perhaps an upgrade to larger wedding band stones with greater fire. Which brings up an important issue: the wife might not wish to have her wedding band 22

Great solutions if the original ring will remain untouched: get her a dazzling right-hand diamond or gemstone ring, or simply surround the original band with two new, stackable diamond-encircled bands. Perhaps each band can symbolize five years of marital bliss, perfect for a tenth wedding anniversary, or symbolizing each of the couple’s two children.

When you add an element from the marriage to the ring upgrade, even a subtler design becomes priceless.

Other choices include adding gemstones to the new design, embedding larger diamonds, and adding personalized engravings (sometimes as a surprise.) And don’t forget that the husband’s wedding band can be upgraded as well; he may prefer a different style (such as hammered metals or diamond chips) than he chose in his younger years.

Many couples with children love to include their kids in their vow renewals, expressing their love and admiration for the wonderful people their sons and daughters have grown to be, and promising to always support their dreams. As part of the renewal, it’s lovely to present diamond pendants, gemstone earrings or other precious gifts to the girls, as well as meaningful gifts to the boys. Grandchildren may be included in this gift presentation as well, for all to share in the joy of the day.

HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR DEGREE BE WORTH?

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

In 1934, when Norman Rockwell painted this image, the cost of an undergraduate degree was $400.00 per year.

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With college tuitions steadily rising, an economy rebounding from the great recession, and the life expectancy of the average American steadily increasing, a question on the minds of many people—simply put—is it worth it?

Conventional wisdom says absolutely, unequivocally, without a doubt, yes it is. After all, hundreds, if not thousands of studies have found the lifetime earnings potential of a college graduate is almost always significantly greater than that of an individual with no secondary education. Add to that, the fact that today’s college preps will potentially be in the workforce twenty more years than today’s retirees which only increases the value of a college education.

In 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey started asking people with a bachelor’s degree to list their undergraduate major course of study. This enabled, for the first time, the ability to place a specific value on a particular major. For workers whose highest degree was a bachelor’s, incomes ranged from $29,000 for counseling-psychology majors to $120,000 for petroleum-engineering majors. However, the study also showed the median income for people with just a high-school diploma was about $32,000 vs. $55,000 for those whose highest degree was a bachelor’s.

In other words, an individual with no college at all could potentially make more money over the course of their lifetime than an individual with a college degree—in some fields.

There is another set of aspects of this discussion to consider though; the social attributes demonstrated by academically-oriented people, the value of the lifelong learning traits instilled in college graduates, and the broader perspectives afforded those with a college degree.

A 2007 study by the College Board, New York found college graduates, regardless of major, are involved in the community and engage in charitable giving at more than twice the rate of high-school only graduates. Further, they live healthier lives and are more likely to experience increased longevity.

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“college graduates, regardless of major, are involved in the community and engage in charitable giving at more than twice the rate of high-school only graduates.” painting: Judy Palermo www.judypalermo.com

When this is considered along with the fact people are living longer in general, with all this added longevity will come significant earning potential. Further, as we move forward as a society, the best jobs will either be more technologically dependent or technologically oriented.

With this in mind, choosing a major should be about finding something you love to do. One should try to find something they love that will either (a) still be in demand many years from now, or (b) give them a foundation from which they can continue to evolve their skills and expertise as times change.

Maura Kastberg, executive director of Student Services at RSC: Your College Prep Expert in Schenectady, New York says; “In the high-tech world we live in, which is steadily becoming increasingly so, technology has replaced many jobs that are repetitive in nature. Plus, businesses are always looking for ways to do things more efficiently, more cheaply, and more safely. Companies are also looking to make their products and services easier for their customers to use. More and more, technology is the answer to those concerns.”

Which brings us to another hidden asset of a college education—the flexibility it gives people to evolve with the progression of their careers. Says Kastberg; “Most people today will have three to five different jobs over the course of their working lives. College lets people change their career focus more easily and is a foundation to build upon as technology advances. Taking additional courses to keep up with changes is much easier than having to start from scratch in a quickly changing world.”

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My MOTHER’S

Wedding

dress

By Elizabeth Fergus-Jean Photos submitted

I found my mother’s wedding dress, sealed in a plastic bag, stuffed into an old tattered leather suitcase just a few months after my mother had passed away. At first I had no idea what it was, for it appeared to be a crumpled mass of old tulle and lace.

Clearly it had not been thoughtfully stored away for safekeeping; it had been jammed into a bag and sealed away where it did not hold the power to stir up old memories. Yet when I unzipped the bag, wisps of the past seeped into the air. This wrinkled, slightly torn dress had once been beautiful; I knew this because I also found my mother’s wedding photos. She was stunning with her lace gloves and soft hopeful gaze.

I wish my mother was with me so I could ask about her dress, her wedding and honeymoon; all stories I never heard yet longed to hear. I slipped on her dress, careful to not tear the aging lace. It fit; my body now as my mother’s, and I felt her presence around me. At first I felt a deep longing, and then curiosity washed over me as I began to slowly move this way and that, feeling the scratchy material brush against my skin. I lifted her veil to inhale her memory, dreaming of her, when she wore the dress on her wedding day.

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I peered through the veil, seeking answers of her story, and finding those of my own imaginings-My daughter is getting married next year. Unlike my mother, I carefully sealed my wedding dress in the hopes that one day my daughter would want to wear it. But, she is indeed her mother’s daughter, for she too,

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showed no interest in wearing her mother’s wedding dress. And that is fine with me. A mother’s gift is sharing her love and supporting the choices her daughter makes. Dresses and fashion may come and go, but the memories that cling to their fabric transport us to rekindle our love of our past and our hope for the future.,

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Photographed By Monica Eng Interview By Chelsie Roberts

Photography & Styling Monica Eng www.vividshots.com Third Eye Brian Fisher make-up & Hair Jyue Huey from The Make-Up Room Wedding gowns from The Wedding Present model Daria Popova

C. When you are photographing a subject, what kind of transformation happens in you? How do you become part of the artistry that you are creating, and how is it different or the same as who you are in regular day to day life?

M. I am curious by nature. Whenever I meet someone interesting, get caught in a unique situation or watch a really nice movie.

I often wonder how it feels to be in someone else’s situation—imagining the multitudes of emotions surrounding that situation.

I later translate them into little stories through my lens.

C. Other than the art of photography, what other art forms do you incorporate into your work, or what meaning do you derive from other art forms?

M. I love music and dance. Whenever possible I try to incorporate them into my works. Almost all the time, I will have a certain song

in my mind that I would almost play on a loop during my shoot to get everyone into that mood during the shoot; sometimes we all get so sick of that song after the shoot, we never want to hear it again. I have done shoots based on the ballet, Giselle and the Moonlight Sonata, all with my own interpretation from a different view point. Next, I would love to do a shoot based on Tango; it’s the one dance I find absolutely enchanting. I would love to be able to master Tango one day and translate it into my photography.

“colour and light is basically like a life partner to a visual artist.

You have to understand every intricate aspect to make the relationship work” 30

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C. Describe how you feel about color and light?

M. Colours and light are inseparable. To see a full spectrum of colours you’ll need an adequate amount of light. To set the right

mood and message in an image, you’ll need to understand them well. Metaphorically speaking, colour and light is basically like a life partner to a visual artist. You have to understand every intricate aspect to make the relationship work as you would understand your life partner—what makes them tick, what makes them happy or sad.

C. How do you feel about love, life and one’s mark that they make on the world through imagination and imagery?

M. I think life is short and we should love and live to the fullest; always fight for your dreams and do what you love most. You don’t need a lot to live fully because the simplest things are the most wonderful. I think imagination and fantasy are the necessities of life; it’s a way of looking at life through the eccentric side and laughing at life’s realities.

Joséphine by Belle Étoile © 2012 belleetoilejewelry.com

1660 Tullamore Street Mankato. MN 56001 ExclusivelyDiamonds.com

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

The Long and Short of It

Bridal

Spring 2012

Oscar de la Renta’s Garden Tea Party

By Simone Goller

There was something enchanting in the air at the Oscar de la Renta showroom where he presented his Spring 2012 bridal collection on Monday, April 11, in New York.

Always one to put on a show and create something awe-inspiring, de la Renta this season set the scene to something you would expect little girls to conjure up if they let their young and vivid imaginations run free.

Always refined of course, these little women could be found hosting a tea party in the garden out back

Womens Runway Report Bridal

Designer Spotlight

surrounded by freesia and lavender scents as they sip tea, or at least gesture as such, in little white gloves and paint pictures for each other envisioning their fantastical wedding dreams.

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

With the youthfulness to the collection came an understated elegance that only de la Renta could pervade. Long silhouettes with bodacious skirts composed of ruffles and organza florets gave the illusion of a woman running through a patch of petals as they joined together to adorn her body. Rabbit hair on a white feathered bolero and scarf meshed perfectly with the springtime garden fauna.

Offering something novel to the bridal repertoire, de la Renta utilized the neckline in square shapes and more angular cuts. All 37 designs were white except for a couple of degrade silk organza gowns in pink and a tea length version in pale blue.

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sJLM COUTURE Womens Runway Report Bridal

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Pnina Tornai

Womens Runway Report Bridal

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Alexander McQueen Mens Runway Report

The Long and Short of It Men’s

Spring 2012

McQueen’s Brit Rock Hall of Fame

By Godfrey Deeny

Though rock ‘n’ roll is an American term, when it comes to its iconography, it’s our British rock star cousins who occupy far more of the music’s visual history. The accepted wisdom is that the Cleveland, Ohio DJ Alan Freed first popularized “rock and roll,” on radio and that the first true record in the genre is “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, an alias for Ike Turner. However, the first true rock gods, when it comes to fashion, are legends like the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who. And that remained true through many decades, when UK stars as diverse as Joe Strummer, Bryan Ferry or Pete Doherty set

Alexander McQueen

Designer Spotlight

the sartorial agenda more than their colleagues across The Pond. Which brings us to the latest menswear collection from the house of Alexander McQueen. Sarah Burton put it, “a history of a baby band, from their early shows, to more self-indulgence and on to huge mega stadium concerts.”

Burton’s spring 2012 collection for McQueen was a tour de force of tailoring, a witty understanding of sartorial rock imagery and a counter blast to the self-indulgent whimsy.

The true cool of these clothes was the way she could riff through all sorts of rock legend moments-spiffy mod hounds’ tooth suits, Chelsea spiv rocker, eighties synthesizer pop star, poetic new romantic and aristocratic country house amateur rocker to legend entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in, but of course, Cleveland, Ohio. Whether flame printed jackets, Edwardian tails, revolutionary dandy striped pants or sleek gangster singer double-breasted jackets it was all pretty brilliant. So, Brit rockers, raise your hands in applause for Burton, few designers will ever dress 44

you quite so well.

Armani

Gucci

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pARTners The Love Story

Christo & Jeanne Claude

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

Imagine having the following conversation with your spouse/significant other; “Hon, I have a great idea. I want to take 150 oil barrels and use them to block off a street downtown. When the police show up to clear them, I’m going to need you to hold them off so the press can document it while I attend a gallery opening in another part of the city. Do you think you can do that my love?”

How well do you think that a question like that would be received? In the case of Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and JeanneClaude Marie Denat, her answer was, “Yes darling, of course I can.” That positive response enabled a seminal event in the life of their career, which ultimately attracted the pair enough notoriety to sustain a forty-eight year creative collaboration—which continues to birth some of the most monumental works of art the world has ever known.

Seemingly pre-destined to meet and fall in love, Jeanne-Claude and Christo were both born on June 13, 1935—Jeanne-Claude in Morocco, Christo in Bulgaria. The two met in Paris in 1958, when, as a young artist, Christo was commissioned to produce a portrait of Jeanne-Claude’s mother, Précilda de Guillebon. Jeanne-Claude once said her life began the day Christo walked into her family’s home. And while Cyril, their son, born May 11, 1960, was the couple’s first collaboration, the pair went on to literally redefine the work of art.

For many years, the fruitions of their efforts were credited only to Christo. And while it is true the overtly creative aspects of their projects sprang from Christo’s imagination, the real work of transforming the work from the firing of synapses in Christo’s brain to a tangible artifact capable of triggering responses in the brains of others fell largely to Jeanne-Claude.

In 1994, the couple announced they would henceforth be known as a single entity, and further, all projects they’d created since 1964 would be retroactively labeled as the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The announcement drew considerable criticism, as her role was perceived by many in the art world to be “merely” administrative. In response, Christo said, “The drawings are but the scheme for the project, after that, we do everything together. Everybody knows we’ve worked together for over 30 years.

There’s no point in arguing about who does what. The work is all that matters.” In fact, the couple never flew together so in the event of a tragedy, their work could continue unabated.

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The phrase “Work Of Art” typically applies only to a finished piece. In the case of Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s installations, the “work of art” involves so much more than just the piece itself. A good example of this is the ground work laid for their seminal installation, Running Fence.

Flowing gracefully across 24.5 miles of northern California’s Sonoma and Marin counties, Running Fence began near the town of Petaluma, before crossing U.S. Highway 101 as well as 14 roads in both counties. At its terminus, the fence slipped fluidly into the Pacific Ocean at Bodega Bay. The project required a 400-page Environmental Impact Study, hearings with both county’s commissioners, numerous city council meetings and individual permission from each of the 59 ranchers whose lands the fence would cross. The “work” of this art piece began in 1972. The actual physical installation process began four years later in April of 1976. Running Fence was completed on September 10, 1976 and stood for just under two weeks, before being removed on September 21, 1976.

The scale of the work is almost unimaginable. The eighteen foot high fence was composed of 2,050 panels of white nylon fabric measuring eighteen feet wide by sixty-eight feet long.

The fabric was suspended between a pair of steel cables by means of 350,000 hooks. The cables were in turn supported by 2,050 steel poles placed sixty-two feet apart and anchored three feet into the ground. Steel guy wires braced each of the steel poles. And while Running Fence is rightfully considered one of history’s most extraordinary works of art, getting the clearance to build it in the first place was the “work” of art too. Her husband’s most ardent supporter, Jeanne-Claude’s machinations behind the scenes—doing the “work” of art— are what ultimately saw their projects realized.

An oft-overlooked aspect of Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s work is the fact it has always been entirely self-funded. All the related expenses, including the engineers, lawyers, installers, environmental analysis, traffic control, trash removal and sanitation at the sites have been borne by the artists without viewing fees, sponsorships or outside investments of any kind.

Jeanne-Claude once quoted the cost of producing Running Fence at some 21 million (1970’s) dollars. That would be well over 60 million dollars today. The funding of their projects comes from the sales of smaller pieces of art created by the couple, as well as selling the preliminary sketches, renderings and models of the ultimate work. Eschewing the traditional artist/agency relationship, Jeanne-Claude fulfilled that role as well. Arguably, Christo would not be Christo without the efforts of Jeanne-Claude. And while she had no significant interest in art before Christo, she often said she would do whatever it took to ensure their success. If Christo had been a plumber, Jeanne-Claude is quoted as having said she’d have learned everything she needed to know about becoming a successful plumber. www.lxmagazine.com

Images top to bottom: Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, Germany, 1971-95 Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, 1972-76

photos: Wolfgang Volz

Their next work, called Over The River is a plan to build a semi-translucent canopy some 5.9 miles long over a stretch of the Arkansas River between the towns of Salida and Ca単on City in south-central Colorado. The idea for Over The River was planted as Jeanne-Claude and Christo watched the fabric of their Pont Neuf bridge-wrapping project being hoisted into place above the River Seine in Paris together. Although Jeanne-Claude has passed away, before she departed, she set into motion the realization of this work. Christo is continuing their artistic legacy and love story by continuing the plans for Over The River, with the spirit of Jeanne-Claude at his side.

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The Umbrellas, Japan-USA, 1984-91 photos: Wolfgang Volz

Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980-83 photo: Wolfgang Volz

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oo o

o

o

Mermaiden

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Photographer Zena Holloway Story by Chelsie Roberts Fashion Thea Lewis Hair Michael Jones using Bumble and Bumble Make up, Phyllis Cohen at DWM using Shu Uemura Model Lydia Beesley at Storm.

Photographers Assistants Angela Neil and Greg Hardes Diving Assistant Phil Richards.

Fashion Assistant Ashley-Gianna Hallett.

Photographer Zena Holloway, born in Bahrain, now working and living in London is rumored to be able to hold her breath for three full minutes; which is a good thing, because her art is not only awe inspiring—it is literally breathtaking.

Why literally? because, her scenes are shot exclusively underwater.

In fact, whether it is in an ocean, a swimming pool or a water tank, Zena doesn’t photograph outside of the water at all.

When she expresses how she felt the first time she went into the sea, she says “I loved the sense of being deep underwater, on borrowed time, experiencing a new world and having access to an environment that was so divine.” And her passion for the deep blue shows in her work. She has photographed images across all genres, ranging from the images for Charles Kingsley’s children’s book “Waterbabies” where she not only worked with children, but also animals to images for Nike and Olay campaigns. However she says, “I’m still waiting for the phone to ring for an underwater car commercial.”

previous page: White halter-neck dress Hugo Boss Headpiece Basia Zarzycka this page: Cream net and silk slip dress Calvin Klein 52

It all began when Zena was traveling the world as a scuba dive instructor.

She was in Egypt, working as a guide when her mother purchased an underwater motor marine camera for her 18th birthday present. She says it, “looked far more like a children’s toy than a camera.”

She started to experiment with techniques that she learned in underwater photography books and through trial and error she taught herself. And, her first subject was not a mermaid, but a blue spotted ray, who Zena says, “Kindly sat for me for about twenty minutes as I fumbled with the settings.”

When asked why she shoots underwater and how she came up with the idea, it’s a no brainer for her. “It was the water that came first rather than the photography and now that I’m a photographer it’s hard to extract the water… I like the magic that I find underwater which is very hard to achieve on land.”

Jade, white and black print chiffon dress with solid gold collar Just Cavalli Headpiece Basia Zarzycka 53

“Mermaiden” definitely captures this magic. Not only do the images capture the beauty and color of the water, but also this is paired with the intricacy and on-point aspect of the styling. “The inspiration from the shoot came from seeing the magnificent clothes hanging on the rail that Thea Lewis had gathered …The long flowing dresses, shells and long hair of the model all had a very mermaid feel…which was reflected in the style of the photography,” says Zena.

Now, looking forward, admiring her art and drinking it all in, I wonder what will swim next in front of her lens? I am no longer wondering what is in Davy Jones’ Locker, but rather in Zena Holloway’s.

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Time to Watch

Your Professional Etiquette By Kyle Gough

Late Friday afternoon you’re in one last meeting with a potential new client before heading off to enjoy the Tincaps game with your family and some friends. Anxiously anticipating the start of the weekend, you’re wondering about the time. There’s only one way to find out—while maintaining your professionalism—check your wristwatch.

Sure, your smart phone has a clock, but checking it has drawbacks bound to annoy your prospect because smart phones tend to be, well, too “smart”. Referring to it for the time, you’ll also notice you have a text, or an e-mail, or a huge sale is going on at the local grocery store or you’ve been outbid on your eBay auction.

Now your mind is wandering. You’re distracted from the situation at hand. Disappointed with your apparently short attention span, your not-so-potential-client-anymore ends the meeting and takes her business elsewhere. The good news is the weekend just started for you. The bad news is next week won’t start at all. Meanwhile, had you simply inconspicuously checked your wristwatch, you’d have gotten the time, remained focused and got the sale too.

The Fumble!

Another strike against using your phone as a timepiece? The fumble.

With all the effort it takes to dig around for it in your pocket, then unlock it with your password , all in an effort to finally see the time, there’s too much opportunity for a mishap. Say you drop the phone, or your “Angry Birds” app has drained the battery and your phone fails to activate. Now you’re really in trouble. Your prospect is witnessing the inept scene you’re making and you’re rather blatantly demonstrating you care less about their business than you do your Friday evening.

All of which could have been avoided with a subtle twist of your wrist while they sipped their coffee. You’d have the time and they wouldn’t have noticed at all. And yes, each time this happens, your wristwatch either saves you money or makes you money. And done often enough, the timepiece eventually pays for itself.

Watches Measure More Than Time So, now you’re convinced of the value of your wristwatch in professional situations, but how do you determine what watch to get—or why the type of watch you wear would matter?

While wearing a watch is a step in the right direction, it’s important to recognize timepieces measure more than time. The timepiece you choose also measures you— in the eyes of others. Your watch is a subliminal avenue by which you can readily display your degree of self-confidence as well as the level of your success. It’s a non-verbal way of telling clients you mean business. That said, the difference between a Timex and a Rolex is considerably greater than the first three letters of each word.

When you check the time with your shoddy-looking $10 made-in-China watch you’re saying in essence; “I do not consider myself worthy of wearing a mechanical masterpiece on my wrist. I’m not successful enough, nor is my business stable enough.”

And yes, whether they indicate it perceptibly or not, seeds of doubt are sown into the minds of your clients by its appearance. A cheap watch could well leave them with a nagging sensation of risk about doing business with you. Simply put, it sets a bad impression. On the other hand, when you’re wearing a watch you can be proud of, your clients will respond positively before you even say a word.

Wear Your Heart on Your Wrist Choosing your watch deserves some consideration. While there are literally thousands of watch brands, and tens of thousands of models to choose from, your watch should reflect your values and your personality. You can wear a piece of history; display your family heritage or your love for a particular sport, all while demonstrating your appreciation for fine machinery and sophistication.

Above all, remember; your wristwatch should give you a reason to smile, be confident, stay focused and leave that smartphone in your pocket. www.lxmagazine.com

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NO TWO

WHYS ARE THE SAME

By Joe Tougas

What will you see once the Mankato Family YMCA raises $3 million for its capital campaign?

You’ll see physical changes. Most of that money will go toward remodeling the place, replacing Kennedy-era heating, cooling, and plumbing with upgrades to keep the Y operating more efficiently.

Which, granted, is boring. But tucked into that price tag are a number of additions and improvements that will make members more comfortable and their time at the Y more enjoyable.

More parking, a revamped lobby (complete with a merchandise shop and light meals), new locker room equipment and more program space are among the improvements in store. The Y is also using funds to make its programming more accessible to residents on the east side of Mankato.

“It’s about making sure that children have an opportunity to grow up the way they deserve.”

Those are the basics of the Y’s “Growing Up” campaign. It’s what people are being asked to contribute to, but it’s the why of the Y that resulted in nearly one-third of that goal being met before the campaign formally began on January 20.

The why is something you can’t see, but is as solid and stable as I-beams and concrete. Kids who kick soccer balls

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and learn sportsmanship. Early teens who go to horse camp in summer and end up with lessons in caring and responsibility. Families who swim together and find that dad actually does know how to laugh. Single, divorced, widowed and other solo acts who come for the exercise and stay for the friendships. Low-income families whose finances don’t matter–they’re welcome at the Y. High school students who check out Youth In Government and become passionate about democracy.

They are all part of the why of the Y. It’s the organization’s true infrastructure.

Contributing to the campaign helps ensure that the Y remains what it has been for more than a century: a source of strength for the Mankato area. A place that produces good people.

Sarah Person, who with Jay Weir cochairs the “Growing Up” fundraising campaign, acknowledges in the Y’s campaign video, “Immeasurable,” that contributing to the Y goes toward much more than tending to a swim and gym.

“It’s bigger than that,” Person says. “It’s about healthy living and social responsibility. It’s about making sure that children have an opportunity to grow up the way they deserve.”

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Fruitful

photo: Alphaspirit

DESTINATION

By Briana Worke

A former historic farm site near Kasota on the bluffs of the Minnesota River has a new look. What was once farmland and The Country Pub has been transformed. Grapes are maturing and growing in a vineyard that is striving to be the top destination winery in Minnesota.

Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery is a premier winery, producing some of the highest quality wines in the state. The name comes from the Chankaska creek that flows through the vineyard. The Dakota word means “forest edge.” This location provides just that along with rolling meadows and woodlands surrounded by a fruitful crop of grapes.

Inside the winery you’ll find two of the finest wine experts in the nation. Winemaker, Drew Horton, and General Manager, Janna Schatz, are artists and exude a passion and love for wine. Together they send Chankaska into a place many thought only existed in sunny California. The fact is that Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery is a leader in the advancement of this maturing industry in our region.

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“It is projected that by 2015, Americans will drink more wine on a per capita basis than the French.”

The Site

photo: Alexander Ishchenko

Visions of a winery have been with businessman and wine collector, Kent Schwickert, for years. His passion was the driving force behind research and development for this winery.

“Given the ability, the people with the right skill sets, and the capital, the product will be successful,” Schwickert said.

The vision for this business is not only the creation of a destination but also to enhance agriculture, promote tourism, feature the local arts and provide an experience for all guests. Its unique and advanced wine cellar, partnered with a national search for a winemaker and general manager proves that Chankaska is an asset to the region.

Rich materials and architectural design by Paulsen Architects gives Chankaska Creek a beautiful two-story, 11,000 square foot winery building. Inside you will find a state-of-the-art wine press, fermentation tanks and the Cooperage (barrel storage area) and lab facilities.

The building houses all the wine production including superior technology to keep the wine sanitary and cool. The property also includes a retail store and six unique event spaces, some of which are outdoors with breathtaking views.

“Its unique and advanced wine cellar, partnered with a national search for a winemaker and general manager proves that Chankaska is an asset to the region.”

The Wine Chankaska grows Minnesota red cold climate grapes including Marquette, Frontenac and Saint Croix and white cold climate grapes including Le Crescent, Prairie Star, Edelweiss, Brianna, Saint Pepin and Frontenac Gris.

Over the next growing year guests can expect to see unique whites such as Petite Colline (French for “Little Hill”), Creekside White, Kasota Rose and a Minnesota Frontenac Port style wine. Also included will be a regular and reserve Marquette, regular and reserve Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and various dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Merlot.

The Economics Wine consumption in the United States has been increasing steadily for the past 15 years. This growth has led the U.S. to be one of the largest wine markets in the world. It is projected that by 2015, Americans will drink more wine on a per capita basis than the French.

With millions of dollars being spent each year in this industry, the growth isn’t in California like you might expect, but rather in other states, like Minnesota. Developmental research for more cold climate grapes has expanded this industry by leaps and bounds. More jobs have been created and tourism has skyrocketed with wineries popping up and offering guests a destination for an experience.

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www.lxmagazine.com

The Places Southern Minnesota’s newest event venue offers six unique spaces, both indoors and outdoors, that are available throughout the year for wine, business and social events. Guests have the opportunity to not only experience wine but also enjoy themselves while being surrounded by an active vineyard. The rolling hills and rich views of nature give guests an amazing retreat.

The Winemaker, Drew Horton Drew Horton was born in Annapolis, Maryland and grew up in California. His first job in the wine industry started when he pounded the pavement and sold wine in Santa Barbara County. After 4 years he made a shift into managing tasting rooms. During harvest in the fall, he was quickly asked to fill in and monitor a pump. This sparked a fire inside and Drew developed his wine making passion and the ability to invoke all of his senses. Drew went on to study and absorb anything he could from master winemakers. It was in 2005 that he sold his first commercial wine. Since then Drew has won countless awards in different regional wine competitions in California.

When the national search for a winemaker for Chankaska Creek was released, Drew applied. After extensive interviews he landed in Minnesota to be greeted in January with over 20 inches of snow! Aside from the extreme climate changes, which are unlike anything Drew has seen in his experiences all over the world, he has embraced his new position.

Drew’s favorite wine is a Zinfandel. He enjoys cooking and pairing wine with food.

photo: Suteracher

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photo: Lionandblue

Southern Minnesota’s newest event venue offers six unique spaces, both indoors and outdoors, that are available throughout the year for wine, business and social events.

The General Manager, Janna Schatz Janna Schatz was born in Breckenridge, Minnesota. She spent her childhood in Minnesota and Washington with her parents who had a love for wine and pairing it with food. She began to study Information Technology and in her third year discovered it wasn’t what she wanted to be doing. She moved to Oregon and it was there at the age of 21 that Janna had her first “real” glass of wine. Janna attributes a lot of her love for wine to her parents. They encouraged her to try wines and pair it with food to experience the full potential of the wine. Janna studied and received degrees in Enology and Viticulture along with a certificate in Fermentation Science. She later traveled to New Zealand and worked at a winery as a lab technician. Janna appreciates and understands the science behind the art of wine making but it wasn’t the direction she wanted to take. Janna wanted to be a part of the experience and entertainment side of wine and watch how it brings people happiness. Her vision was to be the face of a winery, either as an owner or general manager.

When the national search for a general manager for Chankaska Creek was released, Janna knew she wanted to move home and run the winery. After accepting the position Janna immediately became excited about the creation of this team. Drew and Janna both have the ability to communicate on a technical level and both are artistic. “We have the same vision and love for wine,” Schatz said.

Janna’s favorite kind of wine is one that is demanding. She looks for wine that keeps her attention or distracts her from conversation.

For more information on Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery or hosting an upcoming event visit www.chankaskawines.com or call Janna at 507-931-0089.

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EVERY ROLEX IS MADE FOR GREATNESS. THE SUBMARINER, INTRODUCED I N 19 53 , WA S T H E F I R S T WATC H TO B E WAT E R R E S I S TA N T UP TO 10 0 ME TER S . IT WA S L ATER STRENG THENED BY ITS PATENTED TR IPLE-SE AL TRIPLOCK WINDING CROWN, MAKING IT CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING DEPTHS OF UP TO 300 ME TER S.

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1660 Tullamore Street, Mankato, MN 56001 507.345.1658