801 NORTH PERRYVILLE ROAD | ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61107 815.399.1525 | Toll Free: 877-9GRUNOS | grunos.com |
from the publisher
Welcome. It is our honor once again to bring you LX Rockford, 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 “Forevermark: A Promise,” A story about the amazing journey Forevermark diamonds take from being mined to being set in jewelry. 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 under water. “Reflecting on 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 Gruno’s Diamonds. We love hearing your stories and feel honored to be a part of your special moments. We promise to make your experience at Gruno’s 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. All the best, Brent, Kathleen, Nic and Channing Meade
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available at
Features
inside
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Lifestyle 11 Time To Watch: Your Professional Etiquette 19 I Still Choose You 54 Awesome 8:
A Golfing Adventure
Wealth 23 Longevity and the
Value of College
Photography 28 Honey Moon and Stars 50 Mermaiden: Photos by
Zena Holloway
Arts & Culture 26 My Mother’s Wedding Dress 46 pARTners Spotlight: Forevermark: A Promise
Women’s Runway Report: Bridal
Christo and Jeanne Claude
Jewelry & Fashion 14 Forevermark: A Promise 39 Runway Report: Bridal 43 Runway Report: Men’s
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pARTners Spotlight: Christo and Jeanne Claude
on the cover
Publishers BRENT MEADE KATHLEEN MEADE Co-Publishers NIC MEADE CHANNING MEADE Editor JOHN ROBERTS 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.”
Public Relations JON SUNDERLAND Art Director CHELSIE ROBERTS Graphic Designers ANGIE HALTER 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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WATCH & JEWELRY review Volume 78 Number 5
can we get Toy Watch
ECLIPSE COLLECTION
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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 Riverhawks 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.
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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. 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 Bulova. If you like rare items, consider the special, limited edition Accutron Spaceview, a unique watch with exhibition front and back, which reveals both sides of its specialized Swiss mechanical movement. If you’re “always in motion,” inspired by architecture or you enjoy extremely modern styling, a Movado timepiece with its iconic museum dial is just right for you. Are you looking for something scratch resistant and made of industrial strength materials with a luxurious feel? Try a Rado; They’ve earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “world’s hardest watch”.
Where to Get Your Watch Gruno’s Diamonds is Rockford’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. With Longines, Tissot and beyond, they can help you select the perfect model to complement your professional presentation. And, Gruno’s Diamonds in addition to effecting complex repairs, is more than happy to do something as simple as change a battery or adjust a steel bracelet— while you wait. Above all, remember; your wristwatch should give you a reason to smile, be confident, stay focused, and leave that smartphone in your pocket.
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G R U N O S .CO M
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are Registered Trade Marks of the De Beers group of companies.
8 0 1 N O R T H P E R R Y V I L L E R OA D | R O C K F O R D , I L L I N O I S 6 1 1 0 7 | 8 1 5 . 3 9 9 .1 5 2 5
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13 Forevermark is part of the De Beers group of companies.
© Forevermark 2012. Forevermark ® and
®
L e s s t h a n o n e p e r c e n t o f t h e w o r l d ’ s d i a m o n d s c a n b e F o r e v e r m a r k ®. Our promise that this diamond is as unique as the one for whom it is intended.
A Promise.
Look up the word rare in a thesaurus and you will find the following synonyms: extraordinary, few and far between, limited, out of the ordinary, scarce, uncommon, unimaginable, unique and more. Combine those with all of the synonyms for the word beauty and the word responsible and you’ll come up with a whole treasury of words that when all put together define a Forevermark Diamond. In 2009 Forevermark launched internationally establishing a brand that not only is committed to bringing some of the worlds most beautiful and rare diamonds to the consumer, but is also committed to doing it in a way that is responsible to the world and its inhabitants. In 2011 led by Charles Stanley (the brands US President) Forevermark was officially launched in the United States bringing some of the world’s most beautiful diamonds to the consumer. The brand is part of the De Beers group of companies, which for over 120 years has been the worlds foremost diamond authority. For a diamond to be chosen as a Forevermark diamond it goes through what can almost be described as a “diamond odyssey.” Ultimately the splendor of the jewelry and the story that goes with it is what makes Forevermark so very exceptional. 14
Celebrities are often spotted wearing Forevermark jewelry. Pictured below: Katrin Bowden wearing Forevermark earrings at the Screen Actors Guild Awards
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Forevermark diamonds are responsibly sourced. In other words, Forevermark has a very high set of standards that have to be met to insure the way the diamonds are mined, how they benefit the people involved and how the process affects the environment etc. is taken into account. From the time the diamonds are raised up from the earth to the time they are placed on someone’s finger or into a velvet box the process has been socially and financially responsible. Adelaide Polk-Bauman, Public Relations Manager of Forevermark puts it into her own words, “Every Forevermark diamond comes with a promise: the promise that is beautiful, rare and that it has been responsibly sourced.” The standard set is what is referred to by Forevermark as their “Proprietary Pipeline Integrity Standard.” The practices down the “pipeline” meet international and local financial regulations, fair and good employment practices, conflict and oppression free source standards and more. All of this is done making sure that nothing along the way adversely effects our environment. In fact more than 200,000 hectares—the equivalent of about 494,210 acres of land has been designated by Jwaneng mine
in Botswana (a Forevermark diamond source) to become conservation areas and nature reserves. Each partner of Forevermark is audited by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), which inspects, monitors and makes sure that they are running in accordance to the strict standards that Forevermark upholds. Forevermark refers to this responsible sourcing as “a powerful source of development.” And the world powerful is probably the best way to describe it. These standards don’t just help you (the consumer) get a beautiful, sparkling diamond that looks just perfect slipping onto your finger on your wedding day or embellishing your lobes on your anniversary. It also means that the countries, communities and employees that mine, sort and cut the diamonds etc. have good jobs and quality of life that they may not have otherwise. In addition the consumer can footmark the journey of his or her own personal diamond. Adelaide Polk-Bauman explains, “The Forevermark inscription is something completely unique about the brand. The inscription is on 1/20th of a micron deep and can only be seen using a special Forevermark viewer. The inscription includes a unique identification number, which allows the consumer to track their diamond from the mine to their fingertip, giving complete assurance that each diamond has been responsibly sourced.” Now that is powerful. Mining is just the beginning of the venture that the diamonds take. Not all diamonds are the same. After they are unearthed from terra firma they must be sorted. They vary in quality and color and many have dark spots, cracks and other imperfections that just won’t do for a brand that holds its products to such high standards. A Forevermark diamond, even in the rough, needs to be beyond compare in clarity, shape and color. Only the rarest and most brilliant of these gems literally make the cut. In effect, less that 1% of the diamonds in the world actually qualify to be a Forevermark diamond.
Michelle Williams in Forevermark at the Golden Globes
After sorting the diamond from the cast asides it is then set to be polished. Polishing a diamond isn’t as easy as polishing a car. It takes talent that takes years for master craftsmen to perfect. The diamond needs to be perfectly symmetrical and have intense sparkle. Mastering the craft takes incredible talent, a good eye and expertise. The skill of Forevermark Diamantaires has been passed down through generations. According to Forevermark, “Not only are Forevermark diamonds shaped by the finest craftsmen, they are selected from the rest and managed separately” This special treatment, perfection and attention to detail in the cutting and polishing phase is essential to the quality of the finished/refined stone. Diamond polisher Pini Sharon says “taking a diamond that was found in the depths of the sea or the earth and turning it into something that is the most sparking in the world. That is the art.” Pini is one of the few master craftsmen in the world that has the ability to polish a Forevermark stone to the exemplary standards that they require.
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jewelry? to start with—location. Italy is a Fashion mecca and Milan is the fashion capital of the world. And creatively speaking, Italy—the birthplace of the renaissance—has been the base for some of the worlds most beautiful and fascinating jewelry design. It is also the location where Forevermark diamonds become Forevermark jewelry. Here the diamonds (always the hero of the design) are designed different jewelry collections that are exclusive to Forevermark. Everything that goes into the jewelry from beginning to end is meaningful, but at the end of the “odyssey of the diamond,” what’s momentous is how it makes its possessor feel. The reasons to acquire the gems are numerous, ranging for a token of love to a future family heirloom, but what might you expect to feel when you adorn yourself with a beautiful Forevermark piece? According to Adelaide, “Forevermark diamonds are something you can be proud to wear forever. A diamond will last a lifetime and with Forevermark diamonds, you know you are getting the best of the best. You can confidently wear your diamond knowing that it is beautiful, rare and only comes from sources that are committed to the highest business, social and environmental standards.” This is something to wear with pride and adoration knowing that for every sparkle that you see from your diamond’s gleam, there is someone else, out there, somewhere across the world who is just as grateful for Forevermark’s brilliance as you are.
Michelle Williams in Forevermark at the Academy Awards From polishing, the diamonds are then sent to Antwerp Belgium (the “diamond capital of the world”) to be marked with the Forevermark signature inscription. They are then graded at The Forevermark Diamond Institute. Diamond grading is when experts evaluate and rate the diamonds based on the four C’s: cut clarity, color and carat weight. This is the final stage where any stones that do not meet the criteria for a Forevermark diamonds are weeded out. Only diamonds with the highest color grades and clarity can be named a Forevermark. If any stones at this stage have an inclusion that affects its splendor it will be rejected. The standards are so high for Forevermark that expert diamond assessor Theo Roelans says, “you won’t be able to see any imperfection on a Forevermark diamond with the naked eye,” The diamonds are actually checked by experts up to five times to insure perfection in color and quality. You now know that, yes—Forevermark diamonds are impeccable but what about the style? What takes a diamond from being just a stone to becoming a beautiful piece of fine www.lxmagazine.com
Zoe Saldana in Forevermark at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party 17
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L AZ A RE D I A M O ND The world’s most beautiful diamond ®
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Gruno's Diamonds
801 N. Perryville Rd. Rockford IL, 61107 877-947-8667
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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. 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.,
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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.
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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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 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. 40
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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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.”
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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 49
“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 50
Teal chiffon and embroidered dress Alberta Ferretti Headpiece Culietta
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The
Awesome 8
A Golfing Adventure By Martin Sayers
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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.
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his crazy task is the brainchild of two golf-obsessed 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 h ey 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 2001 and had completed the challenge by Christmas of that year. The Awesome 8 Golf Challenge was born.
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. 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. As soon as there are enough members to justify it, Robin is planning to host a bi-annual Awesome 8 golf day at some of the world’s most remote and extreme courses. 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 a cool $200,000. If you have the money and the time, you can take your place on the very first Awesome 8, which sets off in May 2009. 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; a second leg of the trip takes place in December of the same year.
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The Most Northerly
North Cape, Norway The Awesome 8 jets out from Las Vegas, with firstclass transfers organized from across North America. The first port of call is 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 cruise will take place 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 From Norway, a hop across the Arctic takes the Awesome 8 party to Alaska to play 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.” 56
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The Highest
La Paz, Bolivia
After the climatic extremes of the Arctic, the Awesome 8 heads 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 stop include a visit to the world famous Lake Titicaca and a look around Tiwanako, ancient capital of the Incas.
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The Greatest
St. Andrews, Scotland
After Bolivia, the trip heads 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.   After the golf, the Awesome 8 party is taken on a tour of Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen, followed by a look around the British Golf Museum. Accommodation is provided at the luxury Fairmont hotel, situated beside the famous links itself. Photo courtesy of St Andrews Links Trust.
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Dubai The first stage of the Awesome 8 ends with a visit to Dubai on the Persian Gulf, and a chance for a round of golf at the Emirates Golf Club, home of the “Desert Miracle”— so-called because in 1988 it became the first all-grass championship golf course in the Gulf region. This is not one of the Awesome Eight courses; the stopover at Dubai is all about pure luxury—a chance for weary golfers to relax at the ultra-exclusive Al-Maha Desert Resort and enjoy the beaches and shopping for which Dubai is famous.
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The Lowest
Furnace Creek, California The second part of the trip reconvenes in Las Vegas, with accommodation provided at the exclusive Bellagio hotel on the Strip. Activities include a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon followed by a champagne picnic. After this, the party is 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.” The Most Southerly
Ushuaia, Argentina
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After three days in the US, the Awesome 8 sets 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. 61
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The Toughest
Ko’olau, Hawaii From Argentina, the Awesome 8 heads 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 2000foot 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. After such a tough round of golf, the party has a chance to enjoy a helicopter tour of the islands followed by an exclusive private dinner at the award-winning Ola restaurant at Turtle Bay. The Hottest
Alice Springs, Australia From Hawaii, The Awesome 8 continues 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. The Awesome 8 Golf Challenge concludes with a special gala dinner in the exclusive Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs. Although luxurious, this incredible golfing experience has a serious side: a portion of the price goes to support the Douglas Bader Foundation, a charity that helps disabled people worldwide, and a check is presented to a representative of the charity after the dinner. For more information and booking details, visit www.awesomeeight.com. 62
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