LX Panama City Spring 2012 by LX Publications

Albion Collection

PANAMA CITY’S PREMIER JEWELER

SINCE 1977

Coronado Village 105 W. 23rd Street • Panama City, FL 32405 850.763.4224

from the publisher

Welcome. Welcome to the premiere issue of LX Panama City. It is indeed our honor, as well as a tremendous pleasure to bring you this beautifully crafted, unique and distinctive coffee table publication. You’ll find it overflowing with local, national and international luxury lifestyle pictorials and features tailored specifically to your interests. In this issue, we are excited to share Maharaja’s progression over the past 35 years. Sharon Naylor shares a story, “I Still Choose You,” about renewing your wedding vows. Leading UK fashion photographer, Zena Holloway, graces this issue 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. Also in this issue, “pARTners a love story” about artists Christo and Jeanne Claude and how their love and collaboration literally changed the “landscape” of art. Be sure to visit us at Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry. We love hearing your stories and feel honored to be a part of your special moments. We promise to make your experience at Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry 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. Thank you for joining us on our newest venture. Enjoy your premiere issue of LX Panama City, with our compliments. Our best to you, Manu Samtani

105 west 23rd street panama city, florida 32405 850.763.4224 â&#x20AC;˘ myfloridajeweler.com

Features

inside

Lifestyle 11 Time To Watch: Your Professional Etiquette 19 I Still Choose You Wealth 23 Longevity and the

Value of College

Photography 28 Honey Moon and Stars 50 Mermaiden: Photos by

Zena Holloway

Arts & Culture 14 Maharaja’s: Jewelry &

Maharaja’s: Jewelry & Gifts for a King Yet Attainable to His Court Women’s Runway Report: Bridal

Gifts for a King —Yet Attainable to His Court.

26 My Mother’s Wedding Dress 46 pARTners Spotlight:

Christo and Jeanne Claude

Jewelry & Fashion 39 Runway Report: Bridal 43 Runway Report: Men’s 61 The Mark Henry Alexandrite Collection Libation 57 Luke Donald & His

Hole-In-One Claret

pARTners Spotlight: Christo and Jeanne Claude

on the cover

Publisher MANU SAMTANI Marketing Director MICHELLE PEREZ 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

Every day our customers share their experiences of better sleep, less stress and more focus thanks to the Natural Frequency Technology inside every Philip Stein watch.

Signature Collection 23TG-NWG-CWBR

Time toWatch 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 Seminoles or Gators 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-clientanymore 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 sophisticated pass code when you do find it, 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. 11

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 nonverbal way of telling clients you mean business. That said, the difference between a Timex and a Tag Heuer is considerably greater than just the name. 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. Plus, in casual conversation, you can demonstrate by explaining to them how magnificent, rare, or meaningful your wristwatch is.

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. Reflect your respect of—and devotion to—your family’s heritage by refinishing your grandfather’s Raymond Weil. Do you want elegant, sophisticated styling by a brand that is influenced by the arts and music? Raymond Weil watches are perfect for you. If you travel between two locations frequently and need a watch that keeps time in both time zones try a Philip Stein timepiece. And if you play golf, try Tag Heuer’s Links model.

Where to Get Your Watch Maharaja’s Jewelers is Panama City’s premier watch and jewelry destination. The staff is exceptionally knowledgeable in the area of fine timepieces and always open to helping you enjoy exploring their fabulous, unparalleled collection. From Tag Heuer, Bulova and beyond, they can help you select the perfect model to complement your professional presentation. In addition to effecting complex repairs, the staff at Maharaja’s are more than happy to do something as simple as change a battery or adjust a steel or gold bracelet. Above all, remember; your wristwatch should give you a reason to smile, be confident, stay focused, and leave that smartphone in your pocket.

Christopher Designs

PHOTOGRAPHY: BARTOSZ POTOCKI

Crisscut

RAYMOND WEIL AD?

If dreams came in shapes… Crisscut Diamond ®

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Jewelry & Gifts Fit for a King

Yet Attainable to His Court.

Webster’s defines “Maharaja” as a Hindi word meaning “great king”. Thus, in naming his enterprise Maharaja’s, Manu Samtani intended to convey to his customers that shopping there would be a royal experience.

host these collections, the May event is one of the things for which Samtani’s Maharaja’s is renowned.

His crisp demeanor, making even his trademark linen button down shirts and khakis look somehow formal, Samtani is the very epitome of professionalism. However, within that professionalism is a comfortably casual personality that often finds his clientele relaxing in his office over a hot cup of tea enjoying a warm conversation.

Just looking at Maharaja’s luxurious environs is enough to convince some younger shoppers its treasures are far beyond their reach financially. And while it’s true Maharaja’s offers a generous selection of the best-cut diamonds on earth, it’s also true Maharaja’s offers a gracious selection of affordable diamond engagement rings.

A family enterprise with another store in Jamaica run by Samtani’s two brothers, Maharaja’s is the culmination of more than forty-three years in the jewelry business by the Samtani family. In 1977, Samtani, born in Sri Lanka, established Maharaja’s in Panama City. Initially purveying ethnic garments, goods and gifts reflecting his Indian heritage, Samtani gradually evolved Maharaja’s into fine jewelry and gifts.

Samtani feels young people just starting out shouldn’t be relegated to a lesser shopping experience because of where they are in life. In fact, that’s one of the primary reasons he chose to establish Maharaja’s in Panama City. Before he brought the idea of a locally owned fine jewelry purveyor to the area, there were only large, impersonal corporate chain stores, touting financing over selection and offering a blandly standard range of items—the type of cookie-cutter jewelry one could find anywhere.

Maharaja’s today anchors the Coronado Village, and even a cursory glance around its palatial interior tells you the place is extraordinary. It is also a place where extraordinary things happen. Take the upcoming estate jewelry exhibition and sale on May 4th and 5th for example; offering his customers the opportunity to own unique one of a kind pieces from the collections of Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Cher, John Wayne, Mia Farrow and Tony Curtis, Samtani consistently elevates his customer’s expectations. One of only two Florida jewelers to www.MyFloridaJeweler.com

Another is extraordinary customer service.

A huge part of the luxury of shopping at Maharaja’s is the vast selection. Of the forty-nine brands Maharaja’s hosts, a full eleven are engagement rings. There is also the personal attention to detail and the willingness of Samtani to work with people to create their ideal moment within their budgets. Maharaja’s customers get the full benefit of Samtani’s forty-plus years of hands-on experience in the jewelry sphere. By taking advantage of his long established relationships in the diamond 15

business, Samtani’s Maharaja’s customers can practically write their own script when it comes to the tone, tenor and indeed, the very nature of their purchases. Maharaja’s Private Collection is a direct reflection of this philosophy. Launching in early May, the concept came about because Samtani knows in today’s market place, first-time buyers are looking for quality engagement rings at very affordable prices. The introduction of Maharaja’s Private Collection accomplishes both—while also providing distinctive pieces of jewelry found nowhere else. To accomplish this, Samtani is working one-on-one with a raft of gifted designers to build the collection with the goals of offering exceptionally beautiful pieces for Maharaja’s signature engagement ring brand, while keeping the prices reasonable. Voted Best of Bay County in the jewelry store category many times over, Maharaja’s also offers jewelry repairs and jewelry appraisals from a Gemological Institute of America graduate—right in the store. In Samtani’s mind, the customer’s needs come first; satisfy those and success naturally follows. The fruit of this philosophy is reflected in the marketing campaign “Maharaja’s Moments”. One of Samtani’s customers at Maharaja’s, Robert Hill, created the ultimate romantic moment when he showed up unannounced in Paris, where his girlfriend Emily Lane was touring with friends. There, Hill proposed to Lane in front of the Eiffel Tower with an engagement ring from Maharaja’s. A videographer, Hill had set up a camera nearby to record the moment. When he shared the footage with Samtani, the idea for the Maharaja’s Moments campaign was born. Part of Maharaja’s 35th Anniversary Celebration, the campaign includes real customers like Hill and Lane in the video and print advertisements explaining how Maharaja’s helped make their monumental moments more memorable. In addition to sharing touching stories, the advertisements solidify Maharaja’s position as the premier jeweler in Panama City since 1977. 16

The attention and the education Hill received while shopping for Lane’s ring at Maharaja’s is what inspired him to return to the store and share the moment with Samtani and Maharaja’s staff. Because of their efforts, by the time Hill made his purchase decision, he was well acquainted with the all-important four C’s of diamonds (color, cut, clarity & carat weight), understood how they contributed to the value of his gift to the woman he loved, and felt confident he’d made the right choice. Happily, Lane agreed. After that first spot, more of Maharaja’s customers were all too happy to tell their real stories and tell why they continue to choose Maharaja’s as their fine jewelry source. One of those happy accidents that comes about by chance, the Maharaja’s Moment campaign makes the store more approachable by demonstrating it serves customers at any age, with a wide range of budgets. And while they are all different, they do have one common thread—they all want quality, and Maharaja’s delivers. Still though, there is another side to Samtani, and while it isn’t trumpeted loudly, it is nonetheless a key component of the success his company enjoys. Remarkably benevolent, Samtani is a man who believes in supporting the community from which his sustenance flows. Over the years, he has supported various charities such as the Bay Medical Gala, the Junior Service League of Panama City, the George Butchikas Foundation For Autism, the Ladies Club of Bay Point, the Covenant Hospice of the Emerald Coast, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and local school fundraisers as well. Routinely (and quietly) providing premier jewelry pieces for live auctions and event raffles, Samtani makes every effort to support charitable organizations to give back to the local community where he does business. When viewed from this perspective, the URL for Maharaja’s Website, MyFloridaJeweler.com, takes on additional significance, for people all over the country.

/ShopMaharajas

@ShopMaharajas

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

“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.

“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. 24

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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. 26

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.,

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.

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OSCAR DE LA RENTA

The Long and Short of It

Bridal

Spring 2012

Oscar de la Rentaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

sJLM COUTURE Womens Runway Report Bridal

Pnina Tornai

Womens Runway Report Bridal

Alexander McQueen Mens Runway Report

The Long and Short of It Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 the sartorial

Alexander McQueen

Designer Spotlight

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 you quite so well. 44

Armani

Gucci

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.

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.

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

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

oo o

Mermaiden

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.”

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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.

Cream Grecian style dress Amanda Wakeley Harness Sergio Rossi Head piece Basia Zarzycka 54

I m ag I n e t h e m o m e n t s

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Professional Golfer Luke Donald & His Hole-in-One Claret By Norman Mark

Apparently, there is a lot more going on with golf than whacking a tiny ball a couple of hundred yards into a small cup. For one thing, there’s a growing association of golf with wine. Many professional golfers have lent their names to wine labels, possibly figuring that amateur duffers might need a glass of wine after exploring the rough and missing par on most holes. Pro golfers with their own wine labels include Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Mike Weir and at least three South Africans-David Frost, Ernie Els and Gary Player. Now a top-ranked young British golfer, Luke Donald, is joining their ranks. His first attempt at wine creation, the Luke Donald 2005 Napa Valley Collection, a claret, is so good that it’s like beating Tiger Woods during your rookie professional tournament. This delicious wine offers a perfect, slightly musky aroma. Its amazing taste combines an initial smooth blend with a later, larger, more muscular smokiness. It’s a fine sipping wine and an even better wine with food.

Years passed, the conversations and the golf games continued. Meanwhile, Donald turned professional in 2001 and earned more than $1 million that first year. Fresh off his 2011 World Golf Championship, his lifetime earnings are now over $17 million. Then Bill Terlato took over most management duties from his father, the legendary Tony Terlato, who introduced Pinot Grigio to American consumers. The Terlato Wine Group’s income has been doubling every five years. In America, the company sells one in eight wines costing more than $14. Although it’s a family corporation and exact figures are not revealed, one estimate put annual sales at over $250,000,000 a year. Although Terlato makes wine with golfer Ernie Els, it was not searching for celebrity wine endorsements. Quality, rather than mere name value, is the company’s most important consideration.

“It was just something away from the golf course that I have an enjoyment in…” Donald prefers to call it a “claret” because that’s the British word for Bordeaux blends. Also, from a golfer’s point of view, the Claret Jug is awarded to the winner of the British Open, something Donald hopes to acquire. Perhaps a jug of his claret could lead to the Claret Jug. Luke Donald’s association with wine began with golf, specifically when he was attending Northwestern University on a golf scholarship. Bill Terlato, now president and CEO of Terlato Wines International, was taking golf lessons from Luke Donald’s coach. Luke and Bill became golf buddies: Luke helped Bill’s game; Bill conducted impromptu wine seminars for Luke.

Terlato also wanted to create wines that would appeal to younger sippers. A recent survey indicated that the so-called millennial generation (age 21-30) buys the more expensive wines (over $16 a bottle) at a rate of two and a half times the national average. These are the people who grew up wanting $125 sneakers and now some have disposable income. Luke Donald’s high-end endorsements included Royal Bank of Scotland, Rolex and Polo Ralph Lauren. But he had no relationship with a wine company until he and his agent asked Bill Terlato for advice. Terlato told me, “We wanted Luke involved in its development. After two days of tasting, we came up with what finally reflected his personal style and taste.”

“It’s gratifying to hear that you opened a bottle and enjoyed it.” Luke Donald said, “The tasting was an overwhelming experience. We were blending six different wines. It’s like playing chemistry with 100 glasses in front of you. I remember thinking this could take a while. Then we got it down to two possibilities and we broke for lunch. The wines tasted differently with the risotto and that determined the final choice.” In an interview with John Bush back in 2008, right after his wine was introduced, Donald was asked what it was about golf and wine that went together. Donald answered, “It was just something away from the golf course that I have an enjoyment in…It just seemed like a good thing for me to get involved with.” Donald popped a tendon in his left wrist, suffering a “subluxation of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU) tendon.” This forced him to withdraw from the PGA tour and from the British Ryder Cup team, which he led to victories. The same New York doctor who cured the wrist problems of baseball player Jason Giambi and professional golfer Jim Furyk, successfully operated on Donald, who returned to golf after rehabilitation and is currently ranked #1 in the world. Donald told me, “It’s gratifying to hear that you opened a bottle and enjoyed it.” I did. The Luke Donald Collection, with only 1100 cases produced this year, is a fine $40 red wine available at www.worldsgreatestwines.com. Next year, Luke Donald wines will offer more claret and a Chardonnay, while he works on keeping his golf game in championship form.

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Alexandrite C llecti n The Mark Henry

Its centerpiece one of the planet’s rarest treasures, the allure of Mark Henry’s Alexandrite Collection is singularly informed by the illuminating nature of light and the way its subtle shifts are capable of transforming everything around it. The gemstone Alexandrite is marked by a rather astonishing ability to change its color. Alexandrite can appear green or bluish-green in daylight, but turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red, or raspberry red in incandescent light or early evening light. This unique optical characteristic is what makes Alexandrite one of the most valuable gemstones of all—particularly when presented in fine qualities. Named for Tsar Alexander II of Imperial Russia, Alexandrite was discovered in an emerald mine in Russia’s Ural Mountains near the Tokovaya River. Initially mistaken for an emerald, when the stone displayed its ability to color shift, it became a sensation and was immediately deemed

extraordinary enough to name for the future ruler. Further, the fact its coloration shifted from green to red—which happened to be the principal colors of Imperial Russia—permanently solidified its preeminence in the gemstone universe. The Mark Henry Alexandrite Collection is the world’s only designer collection to specialize in natural Alexandrite. By utilizing only the finest quality materials to comprise its breathtaking designs, the Mark Henry Alexandrite Collection has secured its position as the apogee of Alexandrite jewelry. Once reserved exclusively for royalty, Alexandrite is considered today an important heirloom and investment gem. Combining only the best Alexandrite with premium diamonds and eighteen karat gold, Mark Henry’s Alexandrite Collection is comprised of extremely desirable and endlessly timeless treasures. Marked both by its decadent designs as well as its superior quality, the Mark Henry Alexandrite Collection is also very highly prized by knowledgeable connoisseurs of fine jewelry and prominent social figures—in addition to noted celebrities.

One of the world’s rarest and most exotic gemstones, Alexandrite is routinely seen on red carpets at the Academy Awards, Emmys and Grammys. Gracing some of the most beautiful people in the world, the Mark Henry Alexandrite Collection has become an indispensable staple of the good life. Mois Medine the founder of Mark Henry puts his fascination for the stone and his thoughts about it into his own words. “After working in the industry for over 20 years, I was introduced to the Alexandrite and sourced a few stones at the request of a dear friend of mine in 2002. The Alexandrite immediately caught my attention. Its ability to transform colors based solely on the source of light it is exposed to was something that completely blew me away. What made it even more mesmerizing was the fact that the stone is not chemically treated; these color transformations are completely natural. I remember studying the stone carefully and admirably when the idea came to mind to start my own jewelry collection whose focus would ultimately be to highlight the Alexandrite and make it the focal point of every piece of jewelry that we would go on to craft. I felt an instant bond to the Alexandrite when I was introduced to it. Its unique contrasting colors reminded me of my two sons; Mark who has a fiery zest to his personality and Henry, the older of the two, who has more of a gentle soul. Much like the Alexandrite, whose red color signifies passion and green color signifies prosperity and hope, the two differing personas of my sons meshed together perfectly to create an unconditionally loving relationship.

Never would I think that two vibrant colors could come together so perfectly to create such beauty. It would inevitably become my mission to create a line of jewelry that featured this gemstone which struck a chord in my heart. The craftsmanship & professionalism displayed within the Mark Henry Offices coupled with my undeniable love for the collection has been the key component in what has facilitated the Mark Henry Jewelry Collection to set itself apart from the rest by offering something that is truly unlike any other jewelry. Since founding this collection in 2004, my passion lies in my mission to reintroduce this mysterious gemstone and make something that was once reserved exclusively for royalty available to all jewelry connoisseurs alike. I hope that you all have the opportunity to experience the beauty behind the Mark Henry Alexandrite Jewelry Collection.” Manu Samtani of Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry was also taking notice. Manu’s choice to associate his business with the collection came out of a long-standing admiration of the creativity and care reflected in the works of Mark Henry. When making decisions about the products Maharaja’s will feature, Samtani carefully considers how each collection will both compliment the store’s existing portfolio and enhance its charisma. With Alexandrite being one of the most rare stones in the world and the Mark Henry Collection being the singularly most beautiful jewelry based on it, Samtani felt the Mark Henry Collection would further distinguish Maharaja’s while simultaneously serving as a nice complement to the other distinctive brands he represents such as Hearts On Fire and Firemark’s Princess Cut Diamonds. Featuring a collection of jewelry crowned with a gemstone named for Russian royalty, offered in a place named for the great kings of one of the oldest civilizations known to humankind, Maharaja’s is a one of a kind experience.

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