Metropolitan Magazine February 2019 by Metropolitan Magazine

METROPOLITAN FEBRUARY 2019

LUXURY MAGAZINE

MILLION DOLLAR LISTING

SHERA & MAXIE KAAN-LILLY

$20.00 USD

CONTENTS FEBURUARY 2019 FASHION 2 HAUTE COUTURE PARIS FASHION WEEK SS19 113 JORDACHE F/W 2019

TASTE 26 MAMO Revisited 30 Tamarind Tribeca 42 Ryan Rondeno

COVER

40 Shera & Maxie Kaan-Lilly

JETSET

44 Avani Hotels & Resorts 50 Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica 52 Silversea Silver Muse 54 The Best Fests 58 Bastien Gonzalez Studio 60 Corinthia Hotel London 62 No. 850 Brings Luxury Residential Styling to West Hollywood

23 Hot Summer Cool Suits

CONTENTS 77

FEBRUARY 2019 34 MarieBelle

PROFILE

24 Lynn Radice 64 Breslin and Hamill Courtesy of HBO 66 Anthony A. Capetola 70 Richard James 72 Davidoff 74 The Agency 76 Kathrina Miccio 78 DGavin B. Keilly

ARTFORM

80 The Big Break 82 Artist Hyung-Dae Kim 90 A Close look at Sant Ambroeus 93 Kelly Styne 94 MvVO ART 98 Daniel Bottero

ENTERTAINMENT

102 Rockstar Puppy Boutique 106 Maureen Footer 110 Best Is Yet to Come in 2019

SOCIETY

114 Spotlight 116 New York Society Scene 118 New York Social Scene 120 LA Social Scene

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Publisher Chase Backer Editor-in-Chief Adam Kluger Assistant Editor Willy Nichter Copy Editor Sean Buttimer Director of Marketing-NYC Jaime Backer Lifestyle Editor Elizabeth Langevin Cover Editor Adam Kluger, Lynn Radice Features Editor Melissa Clark Luxury Editor Stephanie L. Howitt Fashion Photographer Matt Licari Profiles Editor Alexandra Appino-Tabone METROPOLITAN magazine

METROPOLITAN OCTOBER 2018 $20.00

Social Editor Clara Morgan Food Editor Andrea Correale Nutrition Editor Lindsay Brustein Rosen, M.S., R.D., CDN. Gold Coast Writer Monica Randall

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Digital Media Director Nancy Molina

TYRA FALL FASHION ISSUE

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Contributors Rachel Vancelette, D.D. Rice, Norah Bradford, Paul Prince, Peter Elston, Johnny Angel, Harry White, Victoria Crosby Contributing Photographers Matt Licari, Rene Bernal, tama66, pixel2013, MichaelGaida, Benno Klandt, Michael Paniccia, Jay Mathews, Filip Shobot, Chris Carroll, Lenny Stucker, Patrick McMullan, MA , Tom Fitzgerald and Pam Deutchman, Sandy Ramirez, Jan Klier, Mitchel Gray, Paul Prince, Kristiina Wilson

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ÂŠ Copyright 2018 by Metropolitan Magazine, All rights reserved. Metropolitan is published eleven times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as such and unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Metropolitan magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right to edit.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

“Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Boca Raton is a city that has it all. From great restaurants and luxury resorts to world class beaches, yachts and entertainment. Metropolitan Magazine is excited to shine the light on all that Boca has to offer. The Boca lifestyle is a state of mind for those who like to think big and pursue excellence. We are so honored to have the opportunity to provide Boca residents with a magazine experience that will inform, entertain, inspire and delight you. Even though I was born in New York and fell in love with the mansions of the Gold Coast that inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald to pen, The Great Gatsby, Florida has always held a special place in my heart. The sun, the water, the beautiful people and architecture. Excitement, adventure. Paradise. Our Metropolitan editors know that our readers demand the very best and that is what we offer every month, the latest reviews and insights on fashion, luxury, travel, art, design, food and health. We also provide profiles and features on the newsmakers and thought leaders who are changing our world. Last month we featured Miami Art Basel, Miami Power Couple Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez and our cover story was about Miami Real Estate powerhouse Katrina Campins. This month we continue to celebrate the women who are changing the landscape of Florida Real Estate with our gorgeous new cover girls, Shera and Maxi Kaan-Lilly. These two sisters are changing the game in Boca Raton by turning the art of real estate into a party. Metropolitan Magazine knows a little something about parties too. Our comprehensive coverage of charity events, famous faces and the top movers and shakers speaks for itself. From the elegance of Dior to the NYC grit of Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill, Metropolitan Magazine has something for everybody. Boca power broker Lynn Radice shares her wealth of knowledge on what’s cool and hot around town and Becky in Boca offers her unique insights in this issue as well. At Metropolitan Magazine we know that anything less than extraordinary is just plain boring. We aspire to provide the stuff that dreams are made of and the type of feature stories and profiles that resonate. Your life and business is our life and business too. From Boca Raton to Miami to Palm Beach and beyond, Metropolitan Magazine is your ticket to an exclusive look at the inexhaustible reasons why Florida is the place where dreams come true and where dreamers go to find themselves and express their true greatness. Let’s take this journey together.

Chase Backer Publisher, Metropolitan/25A

• SEPTEMBER 2018 • BCL

Photograph by Jill Lotenberg

EDITOR’S NOTE

“I don’t ask for the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty morning. There they are, and they are beautiful.” -Pete Hamill Where is a writer born? A real writer. A writer who can connect with the masses? Legendary New York Newsmen like Pete Hamill & Denis Hamill came from the streets of Brooklyn and rubbed elbows with real New Yorkers with blue collars and dirty hands yearning for a better shake but happy just to read the truth in a newspaper. Pete Hamill was always happy to oblige. Hamill, a former editor of the New York Post, hung out, drank and smoked and wrote about the people and stories of New York with a pugnacious Queens native and fellow literary legend, Jimmy Breslin. It was Breslin who wrote about JFK’s funeral and the Son of Sam killings with the same chilling, unforgettable impact that Pete Hamill did while reporting on Robert Kennedy who lay bleeding on a kitchen floor in front of him from an assassin’s bullet. Where is a writer born? In a classroom or the streets in the heart or in the head. Where does the music come from. The sound of a typewriter keys clicking while smoke swirls and ice cubes clink. Metropolitan Magazine’s Melissa Clark leads with her heart and it’s as big as all of New York. Melissa recently paid a visit to a non-descript house in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. A native son had returned to write a final chapter, perhaps, in the storied life of a New Yorker who just happens to be one of our greatest journalists.

Cheers! Adam Kluger Editor in Chief, Metropolitan/25A

profile

Lynn Radice POWERHOUSE GLOBAL CONNECTOR, #1 NEW RELEASE AUTHOR, SPEAKER, AND ENTREPRENEUR BY W.A. M ULLER

Phtographed By Juan Vergara | Hair and make-up By Ivy Leez

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smile and compliment a stranger today. Make every day special, and do something for someone elseâ&#x20AC;? - LYNN R ADICE

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WA: Why did you move to Boca? LR: Boca Raton is a growing luxury community with an elite lifestyle. I am proud to call it my new home. I have only been here for a year. When moving to Florida, my global executive recruiting firm, Radice Consulting , had to look for an upscale growing community. I am lucky to be off to Estonia and Guatemala in next few months with the Kinnernet program and will share the trips and new friends with you. Boca Raton is a perfect because it bubbles with charming people, elegance, events, galas, charity events, shops, amazing schools, yachts, sun, Ferraris, couture, fine dining and luxury homes. Every day I wake up with sun and palm trees, and a smile. I laugh because I have no idea how I ended up here. Boca Raton is perfect combination of a tropical paradise, metropolitan culture and couture, but it is friendly and warm. Centrally located between Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Boca Raton is a fast growing community of luxury. The downtown is changing every day, and if you are looking to move down, please move quickly as it seems prices are rising and everyone is busy building. You can reach out to Shera Kaan-Lilly and Maxie who are shown on the cover. Two of my great friends. Every day is different. I did look at many communities, when I moved to Florida. WA: What are the best neighborhoods to check out? LR: There are so many fun neighborhoods to choose from. The elite communities of Highland Beach, Boca, Palm Beach, and Wellington each have their own personalities. Each community is booming with socialites, philanthropists, families, polo lovers, restaurants, companies, boutiques, beaches, bars, and charity functions, and specialty cocktails. The beaches are clean and the waters are blue and turquoise. Companies are finding that these areas in Florida are great to move to because of the taxes but their employees also love the quality of life and

Congraturation are happy to move and stay. Why stay in NYC? The weather is perfect, the sea breezes and restaurants are to die for. The beaches are filled with adorable couples, big smiles, tropical cocktails, attractive yoga instructors, hot bikinis and fun convertibles, romantic lovers, cute lifeguards, and athletic surfers. There are luxury clubs, VIP bars, exclusive country clubs and posh shops. Multi- million dollar yachts line up in front of elite waterfront neighborhood communities, and the wellknown Boca Resort. WA: Real Estate? Upcoming luxury condos like Tower 155 constructed by my friends at Compson and Associates, and the New Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences are almost always sold out before the buildings are completed. Investments Limited owns many of the business rentals in the area, and my daughter, Maeghan Radice was lucky enough to be given an internship, then earned a paid position. She has learned a lot about the real estate market, Marketing, Finance and Philanthropy from their office. Investments Limited works a lot with HOME, a charity helping the homeless in the community. Each Saturday, Jim and Marta Batmasian are involved with helping the homeless in the community at their church. It is inspiring to see so many in the community giving up their time to help the homeless. Many of the highly successful in Boca also give back. Jim Batmasian also was instrumental in Propel. Propel provides mentorship, education , and leadership for at-risk youth in the community. Propel Hub is an after school program. This is what makes Boca special. The people who call Boca home, want their own hometown to thrive. WA: Fashion? Vicky Soble Couture has been a staple in community for years. Vicky’s store is across from Chops Lobster Bar, home to the handsome Monroe Furst and team. Vicky custom designed a leather jacket and my dress for my book launch which you can see if you are on my insta or Facebook. She is sweet and still loves working , and will never retire.

She can be found at Chops or Domus or Boca Resort when not in her boutique. WA: Favorite Restaurants? My favorite restaurants: You can find me at Trattoria, New York Prime, Boca Resort,Ouzo Bay, The Breakers, The Sea, or New York Prime, and many charity events.

Brenna Radice Class 2019 Forman School

WA: Philanthropy? This town is home to companies like Sun Capital Partners Inc which is based in Boca, which is also a major philanthropist in the town. I think this town has the most caring people with the biggest hearts. The people, like the owners of Sun Capital Partners are beautiful inside and out. Sun Capital Partners gives back to the police, art foundations and many others in this community. There are great shows, events, and entertainment here in Boca. There are many radio programs, podcasts and web shows to be a part of: Becky in Boca, The Faith Washington Show and @thebrooklyncafetv.com. WA: How do you stay in such amazing shape? There are plenty of people to help you get in shape: Becca Tebon F.I.T, and she swears by Raw Juice. We all get hair and makeup by Ivy Leez or Robert at Nikita Hair Salon. She does all movie stars who come to town, Becky in Boca, and now me. If you prefer Palm Beach, you can attend the opera and symphony there. Black tie galas can be found weekly. Wellington hosts all the polo events, and the outfits are worth it. The elite bars and restaurants of The Breakers HMF, and Mar-a-Lago Club are in Palm Beach but so is the well -known Colony and the Leopard Lounge. Everyone knows to go to The French Wine Merchant for wine tastings with Maurice. Palm Beach Grill and the Meat Market are fun places to meet new faces. Ta-boo has a piano bar, and romantic ambiance and feel free to do a must do walk down Worth Avenue to find the latest fashions. WA: Final words of advice? Boca is my home. Thought of the day “smile and compliment a stranger today. It may be the only one they get. Change a life through compliments and a smile and a glass of Rose from Bella Rosa! “

Mama is so proud of you February 2019 | 25

taste

MAMO Revisited SOHO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT RETURNS BY PETER ELSTON

AMO Restaurant, one of New York City’s leading Italian restaurants, is making a comeback. The renowned SoHo restaurant celebrates the flavors and sensibilities of Italian cuisine and brings those to New York City. It is reopening after a fire closed its doors this past Summer 2018. While the unfortunate event could signal the end of many dining establishments or a departure to a new location, the team at MAMO, headed by Italian restaurateur Mike “Mamo” Mammoliti and Executive Chef Salvatore Marcello, remained firm in the belief that the 323 W. Broadway location, its ambience, and the style of cuisine were a winning combination unrivaled by many. A renewed energy enlivens the fine dining destination as loyal patrons and supporters celebrate the miracle at MAMO Restaurant. Restaurant owner Mike Mammoliti humbly shares, “It was our clientele and VIP guests that really gave us the strength, after suffering from the fire, to rebuild and keep the formula the same - great ambience, excellent service, outstanding cuisine from Italy, and to resist changing the vibe that our customers love which brought us this far in our journey.”

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After the brief hiatus, flavorful Mediterranean preparations are underway as Executive Chef Salvatore Marcello excitedly awaits new guests and loyal patrons, alike, to experience the renewed MAMO restaurant. Making a comeback are the MAMO classics, a host of prix fixe offerings and the signature cuisine that have guests clamoring for reservations to the heavily frequented SoHo restaurant. Authentic and delicious, a host of menu items include the Romanesco Arrosto, Salsa Caesar, e Parmigiano is roasted half Romanesco cauliflower, served with a creamy homemade Caesar. The carefully prepared Insalata Di Polpo E Ceci is a fresh blend of octopus, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, lemon and pickled cherry peppers. Famous for their delicious pasta, MAMO restaurant’s hearty dishes include the Maccheroncini al ferretto (fresh calabrian maccheroni, butter, sage, lemon and parmigiano), Maltagliati Verdi Alla Boscaiola (housemade green maltagliati, mushrooms, peas, creamy tomato, parmigiano) or the diner’s choice of Risotto or Ravioli with Al Tartufo (Fresh Truffle). Toast to MAMO Restaurant’s new chapter, enjoying an impressive cocktail menu, in addition to, an extensive wine list of carefully selected French and Italian wines to complement the cuisine. Bringing back the affectionate Italian fare and charming hospitability, MAMO offers diners traditional cuisine in an intimate yet elegant setting. The bi-level restaurant includes a casual dining room on the ground floor and a formal dining space upstairs. With damage completely undetectable, both spaces continue to capture the Riviera’s “sense of home” with original family photos and oversized vintage movie posters hung upon the restaurant walls. Since opening in May of 2015, VIP patrons who have dined MAMO for the delicious fare but stayed for the intimate dining experience include Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Jay-Z. mamonyc.com

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taste

Tamarind Tribeca CLASSIC INDIAN CUISINE WITH MODERN ELEGANCE BY H A RRY BRA D S

amarind Tribeca is a high-end restaurant serving classic Indian dishes with upscale taste. Owner, Avtar Walia, brought together a skilled team of chefs able to add new spins to classic fare in an exquisite fashion. Synonymous with exceptionally well crafted Indian fine dining, the restaurant aims to amalgamate the mysteries and joys of the flavors from the India sub-continent with the elan and panache of Tribeca, New York. Choose a Treasure from the Tandoor like Punjabi Tikhe Kabab which is boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, roasted whole spices, jalapenos, ginger, and garlic. The Hasira Samudra is a Chilean sea bass flavored with green chili, mint, coriander, tomato kokum sauce. Vegetarian specialties include Saag Paneer which is ground spices over spinach and cheese, and Lachedar Bhindi made from okra, dried mango and caramelized onions. Specialty cocktails like the Tamarind Margarita mixes Tamarind with Jose Cuervo Tequila, Grand Marnier, plus orange and cranberry juice. The Ginger & Pepper Martini blends Absolut Peppar with ginger and lime in a powerful cocktail mix. With a vested interest in establishing Indian culinary traditions and the complexity of flavors that it brings, Tamarind Tribeca hopes that it will be able to catapult Indian cuisine as a serious contender. tamarindtribeca.com

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SHERA & MAXIE KAAN-LILLY Two Sisters, Many Homes, Sold… BY LYNN RADICE

Phtographed By Juan Vergara Hair and make-up | The Salon Project | Joel Warren Stylist | Zoe Berman @zbremanz Clothing By Saks Fifth Avenue Boca Raton

hy did you decide to get into real estate? S: We actually were born into real estate. I guess some would say it runs through our veins. While on the weekends our childhood peers would be off to gymnastics practice, we were on the way to “life” practice. Our mother would bring us to site visits, showings, and even closings! Teaching us the art of the trade from literally ground up. She is our hero and our ultimate inspiration.

M: Our family has been in the business for over 50 years. Our father, a self made man, discovered his passion, in 1965. Within a little over a decade, this Boston boy turned himself into “The Condo King.” He transformed his majestic dreams into a bona fide reality— converting building and building over 10,000 condos within his lifetime and creating a real estate empire. Although Shera and I were always encouraged to explore all of our interests and opportunities, we both couldn’t help but feeling enticed to what we had always called our home…the Real Estate Industry—this is where we belong.

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What is the KL team? Can you explain what you do? S: The KL Team is Real Estate reinvented… We are a South Florida based real estate team consisting of both Maxie and I. Both of us are licensed real estate professionals in Florida and I am also a licensed real estate sales person in NYC. We are lifestyle specialist, digital media marketing experts, and just about everything in between. M: We not only specialize in residential sales, but we also have started a real estate investment fund specializing in flipping homes. Our extensive knowledge in the South Florida area, allows us to find the best deals and hence generate the best returns on investments for our investors. Where did you go to college? S: Since both of us were born and lived in Boston until 1999, I have always had a deep-rooted love for the Northeast. Hence I now hold a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a speciality in Advertising from Boston University and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from NYU. I am a true believer in the power of education. As my mother always says, “The one thing that no one is able to take away from you is your education.” M: Well, my heart has forever had a special place for the Sunshine State. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Rollins College! Go Tars! How is it working together both as business partners and sisters? What are the challenges and upsides of working together? M: We get this question a lot! Both Shera and I love working together…we are not just business partners but we are best friends. Being in business together allows us to explore our creative sides. Who doesn’t love a sister duo!?! Often times we get to collaborate

with designers, restaurants, businesses, and events not just in Florida but, all around the world. S: Maxie and I believe that the power of two makes us unstoppable. Where Maxie has weakness, I have strength, and vice-versa. Although we have had some pretty crazy “sister” fights (any of you sisters out there know what I am referring to), we always are able reconcile our differences. Especially when you work so closely together, there are times where you just have to drop it and get back to business. Something we are really good at. I have heard that the KL Team is sending shockwaves through the South Florida industry… can you tell me what this is all about? Feel free to reveal some secrets… S: Buckle up world, we are coming for you! The KL TEAM always goes the extra mile. Whether we get our clients into the exclusive country club, or even get down and dirty to clean out a home we are about to list, We truly do it all. Moreover, we know how to #shattertheinternet. When we have a listing, we conduct extensive market research in order to find out the best way to speak to our target audience. With that knowledge we utilize social and digital media platforms to market our latest offerings to find the perfect buyer. A lot of agents out there may point to the amount of followers they have on their social media. Although those numbers are powerful tools, we don’t see it as a means to an end. We are selling a product and each product has a unique road to finding its’ consumer. Hence, we market our properties with educated intention, using Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites to generate sales. M: At the end of the day we are socialites who have turned a party into a business. Hence why we also heavily rely on guerrilla marketing. Everyone

loves a good soiree, and why not sell a house while we are at it. That is why we have reinvented the “open house”. We always work closely with the communities in which our listings are located. We have pledged to always tie our events with local charities or causes. People not only are exposed to our listings but they are also enticed to give back. The events include live entertainment, local food, vendors, speciality cocktails, auctions, car and yacht showcases and always a great time with the @theklgirls What are some of the hottest LUXURY neighborhoods in South Florida? Is there a particular community or market that is your niche? S: Although we work throughout all of South Florida, the hottest market is Palm Beach County, and in particular Boca Raton, Boca isn’t just your Bubbie’s paradise anymore. With the recent revitalization of Downtown Boca, the city has been turned into a more urban and pedestrian friendly community. There is a plethora of the latest exercise studios, trendy restaurants, bars and “insta” worthy boutiques. I also believe that people in higher taxed states have been flocking to Florida for not only the great weather but for the financial benefits. Not to mention the cost of living in some of the top cities is so astronomical, that people are flocking to the area to enjoy a better quality of life. M: One of our favorite communities in South Florida is the Sanctuary. Forbes has rated the community as one of the most exclusive gated waterfront communities in the United States. Hidden behind an inconspicuous armed guard entryway, the exclusive community is home to various celebrities, top CEOs, and high-profile individuals. The Sanctuary offers 24/7 armed security both on land and waterways. The luxury residential community offers a brand new

February 2019 | 35

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playground paradise for children, a park overlooking the intracoastal waterway, Har-Tru tennis courts, and a fully equipped marina. Not to mention, the community’s waterway is bordered by a awe-inspiring bird sanctuary. The deep water and wide canals are attract yachtsmen from all over the world. We are so excited to have had the opportunity to photograph you both in one of your exclusive listings in Boca Raton… Can you tell us a little about this particular property for sale? This property is absolutely one of our all time favorites. 700 Sanctuary Drive is more than a home it is a living artistic masterpiece. This spectacular estate was built by the distinguished builder/designer Dan Swanson in 2001. Inspired by the villas of Lake Como, the home is situated on over one-and-one-quarter deepwater lots in the Forbes rated community The Sanctuary in Boca Raton. Ornate details and exquisite finishes encompass the entire home, leaving those who visit simply enchanted. The Mediterranean style is beautifully transfused with a modern floor plan that gracefully flows from room to room. Deemed one of the tallest estates in the community, 700 Sanctuary Drive provides captivating views of the waterway and surrounding community. The home uniquely features over 128+ feet of yacht dockage. In a southeast facing setting, the grounds are lavishly landscaped with tropical accents indicative of the home’s Floridian location. This majestic five 36 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

bedroom residence expands over 13,400 SQFT of open bright living space. You both work with a lot of celebrity and high profile clients such as athletes, actors/directors, CEOs, and top business professionals. Where do you find these type of clients? Success in the real estate industry is heavily relied on referrals from happy customers. With high profile clients they are always looking for the highest level of VIP service. This is a trait that many in the industry overlook, however the KL Girls value VIP Service as our number one asset for every individual who walk through our door. We believe in always going the extra mile no matter what it is from picking up a client at the airport to making sure they have there favorite cocktail when they arrive back in town for season. Whatever it may be - if you work with us your not just a customer you are always treated as one of the family. Even though I cant disclose names, we do represent various celebrities, pro athletes, and top professionals. Shera and I plan on growing until we have the biggest family in the world ! I love how you both are #bossladies! Do you ever face any prejudice within the industry? How do you face such adversities? S: I think in any industry there are always hurdles to overcome. Being successful young businesswomen we do find ourselves faced with prejudice everyday. As I have always stood by the moto, “the loudest person in the room isn’t the smartest”, if

cover

someone has something not nice to say check our stats. The proof is always in the pudding! M: Shera definitely had to teach me this lesson before I learned it for myself! However I do 100% understand the importance of it. I think that the most valuable thing someone can do to overcome any adversity in business is to stay educated. If you show up to a meeting, whether its with a client or colleague, if you have the facts you can’t ever loose. Where can people find you , contact you and follow you ? Follow us on instagram @theklgirls, @themodelrealtor, @bigbirdgirl. And contact us via our website www.theklteam.com I understand you both throw amazing parties and are hugely connected to a highly selective vip crowd. I understand you are hosting an amazing invite only vip cover party at an undisclosed location on water with yacht out back and dj. What are the must haves in order to have a great party ? You seem to have the magic factors mastered. S: Our whole life has been a party, thats why we know how to throw them! We believe that there are THREE keys to throwing a perfect soiree: FOOD, DRINKS, and ENTERTAINMENT. M:If you have those three categories covered, all the other stuff doesn’t quite matter. People will always remember a good meal, a great cocktail, and of course that they had a great time with awesome people! Are you involved in any local clubs, charities, or societies that we should look to join? M: Yes! We have been brought up to believe that charity starts right in your own backyard. We live in such a globalized world that often times we forget that there are people locally that we can have a major impact on. Both my sister and I are very involved in many charitable organizations, some

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of which include: Boys and Girls Club, Alzheimer’s Association, Red Cross, and Les Couleurs Charity . We also are proud supporters of our military as those are the men and women who defend our entire country everyday… S:Those are amazing shoes! Do you have a stylist or brand you prefer? Who is your favorite stylist? Thank you! I am an avid accessory collector. I believe that having the right accessories can make any outfit. These shoes are Gianvito Rossi—one of my favorite “at the moment” shoe designers. His designs are not only sexy but they are timeless. Most importantly these shoes are so comfortable…I can go all day in them. I actually do not have a personal stylist. I enjoy creating my own outfits and doing my own makeup. I see fashion as a vital form of expression in which I am able to showcase my creative side on a daily basis. However, I do have to say… our stylist from the Metropolitan Photoshoot is unbelievable! Her name is Zoe Berman check her out on insta @zbremanz!

You have amazing jewelry on ? Who is the must go to jeweler? My favorite jeweler is Carter Malouf in Dallas. I can always count on him to have the most exquisite and unique pieces. He takes the time to really get to know his clients, and therefore always knows exactly what I am looking for. What is your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment is marrying my HUSBAND, Keith. I feel so lucky to be blessed to have such an incredible person in my life and to have to opportunity to experience one of life’s greatest treasures…true love. The life we have built

together and continue to create, will always be my most exceptional achievements in life. Plus he is great to look at too! I have heard rumors of potential reality show? Can you say any more yet or is that confidential? I guess you will have to wait and see…. What do you see as the next exciting opportunity ? Where do you go from here? Anything that Metropolitan can announce in advance of all others? I see our next opportunity in continuing to build our business. In the past year and a half, my sister and I have gained this unstoppable momentum. We have to continue to run with any and every opportunity that comes across our desk. As Samuel Becktt said in his 1983 story “Westward Ho”, “Ever tried. Ever Failed. No matter, Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” M:What is your work out routine to stay in the shape you both are? Any fitness and health tips? The best investment you can make in life is in yourself. We find that leading a healthy lifestyle assists us in obtaining success. The most important part of any health regimen is diversifying. So I always mix it up! We go to [solidcore], training with my personal trainer Emilio Soto, and there is nothing like taking a run in sunny South Florida along the beach! What is your favorite bar and nightclub ? Are there any late night vip clubs that someone may not know ? Any clubs that have something truly unique? M: South Florida is the perfect place for nightlife as there is something to do for everyone. One of my favorite go to spots is Bar Bevy Lounge in Miami Design District. I love having their cocktails on the rooftop! After a long open house, Sunday

Funday is always a must. The best place to dine and dance among Mega Yachts is Kikiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the River. I have heard about the famous KL cocktail what is that how did this come about? What is in it ? How is it best served? M: I have always been told my bartending skills were up there with some of the best. Since Shera and I are very health conscious and we always have issues finding cocktails that are not loaded with sugar. So we 40 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

have created this light refreshing cocktail that is not only refreshing but, easy to drink! The KL cocktail is made of Vodka, splash of soda water, cucumber, lime juice, mint, shaken and served over ice! You are beautiful and tall, and choose to rock amazing high heels. What advice do you have for teens and tall women? How can you inspire them to have confidence and elegance as you do walking into a room? My daughter is tall, and a teen. I love when she puts on heels.

started calling me big bird as I was standing in yellow dress. I ran to the bathroom crying and felt embarrassed about who I was. Another tall girl in the bathroom saw me upset and told me how she was also made fun of growing up when she would wear heels often being called big bird. She told me on account of this she would never dare put on heels again. Hearing this story of how someone’s hurtful words changed this girls life made me disgusted and it was at that moment I decided I was going to make a negative a positive.

M: From a young age I was often bullied for my height. I will never forget in middle school kids pointing and yelling “look at big bird” as I walked through the halls in a terry cloth yellow Juicy Couture track suit. My mother always taught me that different was beautiful and encouraged me to embrace my height. I never let the mean words and laughter affect me until one evening in the middle of a party in college where a peer

Later that day I made an account on Instagram known as @bigbirdgirl - and would post photographs of myself and motivational quotes. Sharing my story, and making “big bird” a positive figure of strength, allowed me to overcome my insecurities. Today I have nearly 10,000 followers and receive hundreds of messages weekly from women and men across the world who face adversities. These beautiful individuals look up to me for being comfortable in my own skin and thank me for giving them confidence and encouragement to embrace being who they are. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to help people through my social media platform and will continue encouraging others to “stand

tall no matter how big or small”. At 6 feet 2 inches you will rarely catch me without my high heels on everyday - if you see me in the street just shout big bird and you will be sure to see a big smile upon my face! Wow! Your car is gorgeous ! Can you suggest a luxury car company in the area if I want to find a similar one ? M: Come on, I will take you for ride! It doesn’t get much better than owning a Rolls Royce Dawn especially when I put the top down for a cruise along the ocean after work. From a young age, I have always have had an infatuation with cars and told myself that I would work hard to get a rolls royce one day… never did i envision that it would happen by 26! Thanks to my family at Braman Rolls Royce Miami I was able to make my dreams a reality. Not only do they have the largest selection of luxury vehicles but they have gone above and beyond the transaction. In 2017 I was introduced to the President of Rolls Royce North America and was honored to become a brand ambassador. If you want to find a similar one it may not be easy to find but I can defiantly put you in touch with only the best to assist you with that!

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Ryan Rondeno PRIVATE CHEF TO THE STARS

yan Rondeno, is a true master of his trade and is ready to shake up the restaurant industry by bringing elegant dishes, bold flavor, and simple technique to the home front. Tired of the same old dinners?

Looking to revamp your weekly menu at home?

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Spice up those bland dinners with Chef Ryan as the solution. Step out of 2018 with overdone recipes and into 2019 with a simple yet bold twist! Chef Ryan has beat the odds, having trained with globallyrenowned chefs Emeril Lagasse, Anton Schulte, Mathais Wolf, Sue Zemenick, and Gerard Maras to take multisensory gastronomy to a whole new level! His masterful cuisine has been relished at large-scale culinary events, gala dinners, and as a personal chef to some of the most notable names in the industry. * Diddy * Will Smith * Common * Tyrese Gibson * Robert Smith * * Xhibit * Mercedes-Benz * Lamborghini * Will McGinest * LA Philharmonic * Chef Ryan is making his lavish recipes available to people across the U.S. as he offers some trade secrets, training through simple technique, tips and tricks, and revealing signature recipes for all

ages. With a passion for French, Italian and Regional American Cuisine, his focus remains on local, sustainable cuisine with a strong emphasis on bold flavorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not to mention the love of New Orleans cuisine and fresh California flavors. Most notably, Chef Ryan has also appeared on the following segments and placed in food competition for the following: * World Food Championships (top 10 finish) * The Jam TV show * Atl & Co * Good Day Charlotte * Good Day San Diego * NY food & Wine Fest * Culinary Fight Club- LA, San Diego, Chicago (won 3 times and finished 3rd in national championship) * Chef Rondeno is the founder and owner of Rondeno Culinary Designs and the Rondeno Spice Collection (Nola Creole Rub, Citrus Herb Rub, and Ancho-Chili BBQ Rub) designed to help cooks of all skill levels enhance the flavor of the dishes. His culinary focus is on the use of grass-fed organic meats and locally-grown organic produce. February 2019 | 43

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Avani Hotels & Resorts Opens on Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Koh Samui

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Avani Hotels & Resorts has expanded its portfolio in Thailand with the launch of Avani+ Samui, an upscale resort situated on Phang Ka Bay near Taling Ngam on Koh Samuiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southwest shore. Avani+ Samui is designed as a seaside hideaway, ideal for couples or families. Steps away from an untouched, secluded bay guests can choose from 25 guest rooms, 27 private 46 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

pool villas, or six beachfront pool villas. Each is spacious, with nature-inspired interiors and ample natural lighting. Even more privacy can be found within the villas, which boast modern amenities, verdant gardens and private pools for the ultimate indulgence. Koh Samui has long been a major island destination for local and international holidaymakers with a wide-range of activities from the

relaxing to the adventurous. With its untouched beaches and easy access to the rest of the island, Taling Ngam Bay makes a perfect location from which to take it all in. Visitors can take a trip to smaller islands close by, lounge on the sand or wonder at the sea life while snorkeling or island hopping. Crisp waterfalls close to the resort provide a lush background for exploring nature or enjoying a refreshing dip.

Avani Hotels & Resorts is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest alliance of independent hotel brands.

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Avani+ Samui guests will be able to take advantage of any of the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delights, or they can enjoy the activities and amenities offered by the resort. The choices are many, including beach yoga, stand-up paddle-boarding, mountain biking, or just lounging by the pool with a cool drink. For further indulgence, AvaniSPA will offer guests treatments to relax and reinvigorate with the option to be pampered in the privacy of their own room or villa.

specialties that maintain the Avani Honest Food concept, while diners are enchanted by the panoramic views.

The choices continue for food and drink at Avani+ Samui. The cool Kombi Van bar will provide refreshing cocktails and beverages, while PANTRY at Avani will feature grab-and-go snacks and light meals inspired by local island ingredients. Essence â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the beachfront restaurant will serve delicious Thai and international

Avani currently operates 24 hotels and resorts in 15 countries. The brand recently debuted in Australia, New Zealand, and Laos. Avani currently has 15 new hotels in the pipeline, including a recent signing in Dubai, Bangkok, and Busan.

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Avani+ Samui can also transform any of its incredible locations for personalized events. From a fun family outing by the pool to a romantic beach wedding, the team at Avani+ Samui can ensure memorable island moments.

aunched in response to a growing global group of discerning world travelers whose priorities are service, style and value, Avani Hotels & Resorts is a contemporary, upbeat brand that delivers the perfect balance. With a focus on good sleep, effective social spaces, locally sourced sustenance and genuine service. Avani welcomes guests to over 20 properties in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and Laos, with a pipeline of further openings in Australia, Asia, Indian Ocean and the Middle East. February 2019 | 49

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica BY J A I M E B ACK E R

conic lifestyle brand Planet Hollywood is officially back on the hospitality map, and in a big way, with the opening of its firstever all-inclusive resort — Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica. Located at the base of the Papagayo Peninsula in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort is set amidst one of the most extraordinary coastal landscapes on

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the planet and allows guests to experience what it’s like to Vacation Like A Star™. The all-inclusive resort features 294 luxury suites, each complete with 24-hour room service, a private balcony or terrace, PHTV® satellite television, ceiling-mounted rain showers and Phabulous Beds™, a hand-crafted custom mattress with bedding developed exclusively

for Planet Hollywood guests. Guests are able to enjoy an upgraded experience with Planet Hollywood’s STAR Class™, providing the ultimate Star treatment with A-List exclusives such as a pillow menu for the perfect night’s sleep, a personal agent to handle all arrangements and reservations, a STAR Class™ members only pool and bar and much more. The seven globally infused restaurants and six bars on

property are sure to provide a highlight-reel worthy experience that is tailored to each guests taste, offering everything from specialty coffees and vegan-friendly choices, to exquisite sushi and even a Guy Fieri Burger Joint. For those looking to relax while on vacation, the tranquil haven of the PH Spa is just the place. Inspired by natural elements and Hollywood’s golden age, the PH Spa promises each guest their own calm renovation so they can look and feel red carpet ready. Located in the same are as the PH Spa is the pool area where guests will find the PH Main Pool, two pool bars, both of which provide swim up access, a splash pad and access to the black sand beach. Lining the outer edges of the pool area are luxurious private cabanas. Complete with butler service, a fully stocked minifridge, flat screen TV, plush lounging chairs and a personal plunge pool, the cabanas are perfect for guests looking for a more secluded space to soak up some Vitamin D. The party starts around 3:00 p.m. and kicks off with a pool party for the fun-atheart. Bubble gum scented foam, beach balls and unicorn floats will have guests #LivingTheirBestLife! Surrounded by natural wonders, cultural richness and only-here experiences to explore, Planet Hollywood Costa Rica boasts an all-star line-up of activities and adventures for travelers of all ages. A curated list of excursions, PH Experiences allow guests to discover the wonders of the famed Papagayo Gulf, from exploring volcanoes to sailing and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean’s clear blue waters. One not-to-be missed excursion is Diamante Eco Adventure Park, provided by Nexus Tours, it allows adventurers the chance to see another side of Costa Rica. From flying over the tree tops on Costa Rica’s longest zip line to falling in love with the local wildlife, it’s impossible not to develop a newfound love and appreciation for one of the most peaceful and bio-diverse countries in the world. With world-class amenities and an overall property layout that feels luxe and expansive, plus a friendly and gracious staff, it’s easy to see why guests are so in love with Planet Hollywood Costa Rica and the upscale, exciting and playful experience that it brings to the region. Pura Vida, Costa Rica! February 2019 | 51

Silversea Silver Muse THE NEXT LEVEL IN LUXURY CRUISING BY HA RRY BRA DS

nce a year is probably a good time to try something different. Why not experience five-star luxury at sea with Silversea on a cruise. Some particularly exciting cruise experiences are to Alaska and the Mediterranean, the latter on board the latest addition to the Fleet, the Silver Muse.

Delivered in spring of 2017, the new ultra-luxury ship was built by Fincantieri and at 40,700 grt accommodates 596 guests. Representing an exciting evolution of Silver Spirit, Silver Muse redefines ultra-luxury ocean travel enhancing the small-ship intimacy and spacious all-suite accommodations that are the hallmarks of the Silversea experience. The addition of Silver Muse expands Silverseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet to nine ships, and once again significantly raises the bar in the ultra-luxury cruise market with a wealth of enhancements to the onboard experience, while satisfying the uncompromising requirements for comfort, service, and quality of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most discerning travelers. The Silver Muse, has eight restaurants of which the pinnacle dining experience is La Dame. La Dame features a bespoke menu by top chefs, and is the highest expression of excellence of French dining on the fivestar Silversea cruise line. The ambience is that of chic contemporary style combining a bespoke French dining menu with white glove service and a voluminous wine cellar. The gourmet restaurant is unsurpassed in their belief in standards of hospitality, personalized service and outstanding cuisine. silversea.com

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The Best Fests 2019 WORLD’S PREMIER FILM FESTIVALS BY N O R A H BR A D FORD

ew York lovers of film and Industry watchers set your calendars – While there are over 2,000 annual film festivals in the world, only a handful remain truly renowned. Attendees have the opportunity to critique each film and gain insight on the latest developments in the industry. These elite festivals also provide access to financing, professional advice, and access to some of the world’s most famed celebrities and celebrations as well. Here are some of the best to consider as destinations in the year ahead. Sundance Film Festival, Utah, United States (January 24 – February 3, 2019) A winter time classic, the annual Sundance Film Festival stands as an ideal

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way for attendees to catch up on the independent film scene – and for a break to ski on the empty slopes. The recent Sundance Film Festival saw 121 feature-length films selected from a record 12,218 feature-length film submissions, representing nearly every language known to man. Many different genres are put on display, from animation to indigenous works and cult films. sundance.org South by Southwest Festival (SXSW Film), Austin, Texas (March 8 –17, 2019) Every March, creatives of all stripes gather in Austin to witness, inspire, and share the visions that will galvanize the filmmakers and ideas of tomorrow. Nearly 30,000 industry and media delegates, as well as thousands of fans attend the SXSW Film Festival to see big-budget film premieres like Neighbours and Veronica Mars. sxsw.com 72nd Cannes Film Festival, the Côte d’Azur (May 14 – 25, 2019) The Grand Dame of Film Festivals - chic, international and very popular with celebrities and power players, The Cannes Film Festival stands as one of the most exclusive festivals in the world and recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. Founded in 1946, this non-public festival is the most

prestigious and publicised film festival in the world. Movie stars flock to Cannes each year, along with producers who hope to sell their films to global distributors. festival-cannes.com 76th Venice Film Festival, “La Biennale di Venezia“ (August, 2019) The Venice Film Festival was originally created to raise awareness and promote all aspects of the film industry – offering retrospectives and reverence to major players throughout the history of cinema. This year’s event indicates the beginning of the festival season and awards calendar. It will include screenings, ceremonies and celebrations and on the final day a jury will award the Golden Lion for best film along with seven other prizes. labiennale.org 46th Telluride Film Festival (August, 2019) A short but prestigious film festival set in a tiny

village in America’s Rocky Mountains, Telluride showcases some of the best in the industry. The bulk of the program is made up of new films, which has led to Telluride being associated with the discovery of a number of important new films and directors. The festival typically attracts some 4,000 film enthusiasts who enjoyed a 100 film program, representing 25 countries. Organizers do not reveal the program until everyone lands onsite – yet regular attendees trust that a unique experience will unfold. For more information visit telluridefilmfestival.org The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (September 5 – 15, 2019) The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada is among the most successful public film festivals in the world. World premieres, galas and parties comprise this illustrious event where stars, directors and industry supremos make the rounds. If you are a cinephile or simply just love to experience new and innovative films, TIFF is the

event to attend. For more information visit tiff.net Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong (September, 2019) The famed Sundance Film Festival first expanded its global reach to Hong Kong in 2014, offering the premieres of eight new films from the sister Festival in Park City, Utah. The program will be announced in mid-August, followed by the commencement of ticket sales near the end of the month. The eight films, accompanied by a delegation of filmmakers and festival organizers, will be screened at The Metroplex, a recently opened cineplex in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Bay. hk.sundance.org Hamptons International Film Festival (October, 2019) The Hamptons International Film Festival has become a fall weekend fixture, attracting roughly 18,000 visitors annually at the end of Long Island,

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some two hours from New York City, in theater venues from Montauk to Southampton. It was founded to celebrate independent film – long, short, fiction and documentary – and introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to audiences. It draws international filmmakers with global perspectives while still maintaining a local, small-town feel. Local resident, Alec Baldwin, has become a high profile fixture at the event. hamptonsfilmfest.org 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), Japan (October, 2019)

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The only Japanese film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), TIFF has played an integral role in Japan’s film industry and cultural scene. Established in 1985, TIFF aspires to be recognized as one of the four major film festivals in the world and in the same league as Cannes, Venice and Berlin, which now stand at the summit of the more than 2,600 international film celebrations. Events include open-air screenings, voice-over screenings, and special appearances by filmkaers in focus Mamoru Hosoda and Shunji Iwai. tiff-jp.net

16th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) (December, 2019) Dubai International Film Festival stands as the leading film festival in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. DIFF’s pioneering initiatives such as the Muhr Awards, Dubai Film Connection and Dubai Film Market have enriched professional experiences in the region, while also raising the profile of regional works on the world stage. dubaifilmfest.com

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Adventure to some of the world’s most remote destinations aboard Silversea’s fleet of all-inclusive luxury expedition ships. Explore far and wide, guided by an expert team of historians, naturalists, biologists and more to provide a deeply immersive experience. Explore Antarctica in comfort and style aboard Silver Explorer or the newly refurbished Silver Cloud

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Bastien Gonzalez Studio The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London BY LI LLI A N LA N GTRY

he Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London has reopened after an incredible restoration project designed to significantly enhance its facilities and promote an aura of relaxation, mindfulness and life balance, while providing guests with specialist results-driven treatments and fitness advice. Set in the heart of Knightsbridge, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London now offers everything from traditional Chinese medicine to Bastien Gonzalez famed Pedi:Mani:Cures. Bastien Gonzalez is internationally renowned for his unique approach to foot treatments. Drawing on extensive professional expertise and experience as a French Podiatrist, he has designed and developed a selection of exclusive treatments for feet, nails and hands, the uniqueness of which lies in their fusion of well-being and beauty.

The naturally lit sanctuary is decorated in a warm, earthy palette and features an Italiandesigned adjustable chair. The treatment is based on Bastien Gonzalez’ legendary three fundamental pillars of foot care, which are skin treatment, nail care, and re-foundation, leaving feet smooth, soft and free from calluses. Guests who book Bastien Gonzalez services have the option to enjoy the added benefit of using the extensive heat and water facilities prior to their treatment. Some of the Bastien Studio services include the 58 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

Bastien Duo; This award-winning treatment combines the expert talents of a Podiatrist and the soothing touch of a professional Manicurist. It is a unique treatment method for feet, hands and nails and includes an indulgent synchronized massage. For a special touch, try the Paraffin Touch; Intensify your Bastien’s manicure and/ or pedicure with this supplementary treatment addition. The warmth of this silky wax will aid the penetration of applied moisturizers into the skin for deep hydration while also helping to ease tension in the joints and muscles. The extensive spa menu combines Mandarin Oriental’s own signature therapies with

treatments using Aromatherapy Associates, Sodashi and Linda Meredith products, as well as anti-aging Nescens facials. Included as part of The Spa’s 13 beautiful treatment rooms is a new spacious Oriental Suite with two massage beds and a Rasul water temple that combines the health enhancing properties of heat, steam and mud for a relaxing and skin conditioning treatment. mandarinoriental.com/london/hyde-park/ luxury-spa

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Corinthia Hotel London Luxury Redefined

erfectly located only steps from Trafalgar Square, Westminster, the River Thames and Covent Garden, Corinthia Hotel London combines grandeur and heritage with exquisite, intelligent design. Featuring 283 rooms, 51 suites, seven penthouses, two worldclass restaurants and a truly unrivalled spa, the hotel is a destination in itself. Corinthia London’s history has an interesting historical pedigree. The establishment opened in the late 19th century with its brochure advertising its virtues which would not be lost on the modern visitor. “That the hotel’s location is particularly recommend it to ladies and families visiting the West End during the Season; to travelers from Paris and the Continent, arriving from Dover and Folkestone at the Charing Cross Terminus; to Officers and others attending the levees at St James; to Ladies going to the Drawing Rooms, State Balls, and Concerts at Buckingham Palace; and to colonial and American visitors unused to the great world of London.” During the First and Second World War the hotel’s location led it to be requisitioned by the Government in order to provide extra space for administrating the conflicts. Room 474 was the first headquarters for SOE, what today is part of the British Secret Intelligence Service or MI6 of James Bond fame.

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BY HA R RYS B R A DS After the building was sold in the mid 2000s an extensive refurbishment took its history full circle - back to its roots as a luxury destination at the heart of London. The hotel today boasts a number of rooms, suites and penthouses all with Hypnos beds, Nespresso machines and a Loewe television. In 2018, Corinthia Hotel London launched eleven new ‘Garden’ and ‘London’ suites, offering guests a wider range of luxurious suites to choose from. The London Suite is inspired by a day in the capital; the light, fresh interior pays homage to modern living, with contemporary amenities and state-of-the-art facilities. Art is a key focus and featured artwork and sculptures from the Cubism era grace the 105m²dual aspect suite. The space has been designed with privacy in mind, and for guests wishing to entertain there are doorways to each functional space and the option of two further adjoining bedrooms. The Garden Suite is designed with a nod to the quintessential British garden and overlooks a beautifully landscaped courtyard. Accents of verdant green, in soft furnishings and live planting, create a tranquil setting. The botanical colour scheme and texture runs throughout the 67m² suite encouraging guests to relax as the doors open directly into a living area with a feature fireplace and the main seating area which sweeps around it. One of the true highlights of Corinthia Hotel London is the extensive multi-floor spa - ESPA Life. Wake-up tired limbs with a warming and lifting treatment from ESPA to relax and revive

the body and mind. The treatment begins with a relaxing back massage using hot stones to bring warmth and comfort to the body. This helps to soothe aching muscles and relieve muscle tension, especially during colder months when the body holds tension in this part of the body. Expect refined British comfort food and reborn classics at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, renowned Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge’s first London restaurant. Tom and Head Chef, Nick Beardshaw, have created a menu which harks back to classic British dishes and traditional techniques. Guests can expect a culinary experience to rival Tom’s Michelin-starred establishments. Tom has a reputation for serving his take on the UK’s most celebrated dishes. As such, the fish and chips use the finest British fish, encased in a crisp batter to maintain moisture and flavour. The menu reflects refined British comfort food and re-born classics, including: Fresh Cornish crab vol-au-vent with avocado, green apple, and crab bisque; as well as Claude’s mushroom ‘risotto’ with Daniel’s crispy egg and aged parmesan. Bassoon Bar is where cocktail connoisseurs will be at home. Designed by David Collins Studio, Bassoon is a London destination bar with attitude. Combining a relaxed and intimate ambience with a stimulating dash of theatre, Bassoon Bar pays homage to the arts of the finest bartenders in the capital. corinthia.com/en/hotels/london

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No. 850 Brings Luxury Residential Styling to West Hollywood BY NORA H BRA DFORD

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he newest addition to hotelier and restaurateur Jeff Kleinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JK Hotel Group, No. 850 is a new hotel concept inspired by European residential-style properties where the comforts and accoutrements of home blend seamlessly with the luxury and service of a contemporary hotel. Nestled on a beautiful street in West Hollywood, the historic buildings circa 1918 bungalow faĂ§ade leads to a newly designed property developed by architect Marc Appleton and designer Rita Konig in partnership with Klein. The result is a decidedly different urban getaway. An under the radar gem for the curious and discerning, and a hotel unlike any other in Los Angeles.

No. 850 is located along a residential stretch of West Hollywood’s San Vicente Boulevard, tucked away behind an unassuming, Californiastyle bungalow façade, yet mere steps from the city’s top culinary, entertainment, and cultural destinations. Together with the acclaimed team of architect Marc Appleton (San Ysidro Ranch restoration) and renowned London-based interior designer Rita Konig, Klein restored the property and its interiors with a unique sensibility typically found in private homes, where depth and detail are the focus. The intimate space features 23 beautifully appointed guestrooms, a welcoming lobby lounge, a communal living space, large rooftop terrace and modern kitchen, all within this 10,000+ square foot property. Konig, one of Elle Décor’s “A-List” designers, brings her bold yet charming aesthetic to No. 850 with interiors featuring distinct layers of effortless pastel colors and varied textures juxtaposed against captivating artwork and eclectic décor accents. Guestrooms are carefully curated to feel livable and comfortable, with sleek oak floors, cozy fireplaces, bespoke furnishings, and marble sinks. Large, steel sash windows open the rooms to natural light and offer panoramic views of the city.

a space to relax, socialize or conduct meetings, boasting a large and inviting fireplace, antique leather armchairs and vibrant fabrics. The residential-style communal kitchen, complete with a marble subzero refrigerator, provides complimentary breakfast to guests and will be home to several of Los Angeles’ highly acclaimed chefs who will be invited to showcase their cuisine in a rotating series of appearances. Guests can take in sweeping views of the West Hollywood Hills on the tranquil rooftop terrace while enjoying a selection of wines carefully curated by Klein and his team, and small bites during the daily wine & mezze hour.

No. 850’s lobby lounge sits at the heart of the hotel. The intimate living area, situated on a floor above the lobby lounge, affords guests

850.com Insatagram | @850hotel

No. 850 is the newest addition to JK Hotel Group’s prestigious hospitality collection. Its big sister, Sunset Tower, is one of Los Angeles’ most iconic hotels, which recently completed a major, multi-million dollar transformation. Under Klein’s ownership, the hotel has seen international fame as host of the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party from 2009 to 2013, as a multiple Condé Nast Traveler Gold List recipient, and a Condé Nast Traveler Hot List winner, among other accolades.

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Breslin and Hamill Courtesy of HBO A CONVERSATION WITH PETE HAMILL & DENIS HAMILL BY MELISSA CLARK

MC: Pete, you and Jimmy Breslin defined a gritty, honest style of new journalism that is the subject of an upcoming documentary entitled, BRESLIN AND HAMILL: DEADLINE ARTISTS. What was your friend Jimmy Breslin really like? PH: Jimmy could be a hard friend to have. I always saw him as knowing at the age of 5, his father went out for a loaf of wonder bread and never came back. He was raised by his mother and two sisters. The character that he presented to the world was massive. However, I knew another side to him. For example, we shared an office and no one was around to answer the phone so I answered and he abruptly asked for me to look in his desk for something. I found a collection of poems by W.H Auden. I hope when the public watches this program, they will see many sides to Breslin. MC: What advice would you give to a young person breaking into Journalism? PH: Start with the basics, who, what, where, when, why. Use the five senses or more of the atmosphere. Above all get out of the house and take notes. French Poet Charles Baudelaire once said “Flaneur” which means “to wander with no purpose.” Go out and watch human beings go to work to deal with each other. Pay attention to how people treat others. Be sure to have an open heart and open eyes. Also, add well to the world so when you are 75 you can proudly tilt your hat at the world. MC: Denis, I know you teach Journalism at 64 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

Brooklyn College, what advice do you give aspiring writers? DH: I always tell my students it’s a very tough career to break into. I inform my students, the ones who learn how to write well that they will excel because that is what will make you pop out of the pack. I have my students read “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr and E.B White. Another book is by Novelist Stephen King “On Writing; A Memoir of the Craft.” He teaches the powers of words, sentence structure and how to build a new paragraph. MC: Denis, how did you get started as a Journalist? DH: I learned a lot from my brother Pete. Pete would call me and have me dictate what he wanted me to type out. Pete is exact when it comes to details. I learned a lot on how to set a mood when writing a story. When I was studying in college, I found my voice and poetry was one of my passions. My influences were Bob Dylan and various rock musicians. My first job was at the Flatbush Life Newspaper, here in Brooklyn. I covered everything from PTA meetings, to crime, political campaigns and I ended up with my column called “Under the Boardwalk” based on the popular song from the Drifters. I was able to write everything and anything about Brooklyn. Learning from Pete, I was able to cover stories, learn the structure, and how to write a great column. In the beginning, you tend to imitate people styles of writing, however, after a while, you get your own voice.

MC: Pete, what are you most proud of regarding your writing throughout the years? PH: One of the first columns I did at the N.Y Post was about a man with three kids who was being evicted for not paying his rent. He was sitting on top of the bureau with tons of clothes surrounding him, and the rain was so heavy that day. I added those fine details into my story, by noon the next day when the paper came out – he had five job offers and three offers of flats to live. I understood then, the power of the press and how it can alter the lives of ordinary people. That day stayed me even until now. It’s the kind of journalism that helps people. DH: I have a similar instance that happened in my career. I had a call from a Brooklyn College professor telling me that there was a Pearl Harbor survivor who was living in a junkyard on Buffalo Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn N.Y. I checked it out, and sure enough, there was a 92 year-old-man by the name of James Blakley. He was living in this junkyard with no running water, and he was reading “Don’t look back. Something Might Be Gaining On You” by Satchel Paige. Here was a guy who won awards and medals for his service living like this – I couldn’t believe it. I added this in my article, two days later, he had a home. MC: Denis, Can you tell us about your relationship with your brother Pete? DH: Growing up, there was seven of us. Pete is the oldest, and we have a 16 year age gap. He was not only my older brother growing up; he was my

mentor. When we were kids, Pete worked at the N.Y Post and he would tell us that he would get us tickets to the circus. The catch was that we had to write an essay about the circus. He wanted us to start thinking about what we were going to say. It’s funny, every holiday that came whether it be birthdays, Christmas, etc. He always gave us a book as a gift. He wanted us always to be thinking and reading helped with expanding our knowledge. MC: Denis, what is Pete Hamill’s legacy as a journalist? DH: His generosity, you can ask any young reporter that my brother came in contact with and they would tell you the same - generosity. Ask Bill O’Reilly, he’d say the same! From politics to celebrities, the first thing they ask me is “How is Pete?” Pete always took the time, sending memos, following –up with people, because he cares. MC: Pete, what do you want people to know about you as a writer? PH: That I tried hard to be the best version of myself that I can be. Whether it be Journalism, non-fiction, or whatever I was writing. I put my heart and soul into everything then went on to the next.

Breslin and Hamill Courtesy of HBO Photographed By Jason Linetsky

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Anthony A. Capetola A LEADER AMONG NEW YORK ATTORNEYS

xperienced attorney Anthony A. Capetola founded his Williston Park law firm, The Law Offices of Anthony A. Capetola, in 1976 with the goal of providing the residents of Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk counties with high-quality legal services in the areas of matrimonial and family law and criminal defense. In the nearly 40 years that have passed since Capetola’s firm’s doors first opened, he has earned a reputation as a leader among New York attorneys. The secret to his success?

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“We are committed to insuring that the level of service received by our clients is unparalleled by any other firm.” -Anthony Capetola

Mr. Capetola began his legal career in 1971 after earning his Juris Doctor from New York Law School and his approval to practice law in the state of New York. In addition to this, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York also approved him to practice in their courtrooms. Clients know they can rely on Capetola and his firm for excellent results. The reason Capetola has a sterling reputation as a litigator? “Instinct and experience,” Capetola replies with confidence. The confidence of a veteran litigator who has worked successfully for a “who’s who” of highprofile clients and front-page cases over the past four decades. “In my early career, I was trained as a criminal attorney and as such, that was my focus. During my time as a criminal defense attorney, I represented Henry Hill, a criminal turned FBI informant and one of the central figures in the

movie Goodfellas; that was an adaptation based on his life chronicled in the non-fiction book Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family, by Nicholas Pileggi. Interestingly, when he became an informant for the United States government, he did not disclose this to me, and for two years, I represented him without the knowledge of his governmental role. To be sure, the government did not want me to be privy to this information for fear that I would slip and potentially alert one of the co-defendants. My career has led me to represent a broad variety of fascinating people. Despite no involvement with the art world, I was fortunate to represent various artists and their protective artistic rights. I have worked with multiple clients purporting fraud, especially in works of art by the renowned Salvador Dali. This involvement took me to Paris on several occasions where I met with Mr. Dali’s personal business manager, Enrique Sabater, as well as some of Dali’s classmates from art school. Additionally, I represented or had involvement with the famous wildlife photographer Peter Beard and am currently handling matters involving the

Estate of Peter Max, a known psychedelic and pop artist.” Attorney Capetola’s legal experience is not limited to private practice. He spent two years at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office where he served as assistant district attorney, and he also taught at Widener Law as an adjunct professor. His experience and extensive knowledge has made him a regularly requested guest speaker on legal topics and led to his appointment as a Special Referee for matrimonial cases by Nassau County’s Matrimonial Center, which is a branch of the New York Supreme Court. Capetola’s philosophy when it comes to matrimonial matters is to always protect his client’s best interests. “What gives me the most satisfaction as an attorney,” reveals Capetola, “is to solve my clients’ problems for them with the least amount of grief.” With more than 44 years of trial experience, Mr. Capetola has focused his practice on matrimonial law since 1985. Along with his associates, he has February 2019 | 67

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been recognized as being among the finest family law practitioners in Nassau, Suffolk, and New York Counties, and is often sought out to handle complex custody and visitation matters. More than just a litigator, Capetola is highly sought after to share his knowledge with others, having lectured extensively at various law schools and bar associations. He is a member of the Nassau County, New York State, and American Bar Associations. He has been included in Super Lawyers since 2010, and recognized as one of the area’s top matrimonial attorneys. “Matrimonial law is hard work,” admits Capetola, “but it is very rewarding.” In addition to running a successful law practice, Mr. Capetola has also achieved recognition as a real estate developer, restaurateur and community activist. When not engaged in the practice of law, he can often be found at The Carltun, a high-end Long Island restaurant and event facility that he opened in 1995. Capetola says that his guests enjoy” the best atmosphere 68 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

conceivable for an extraordinary dining experience.” The Palm Court is the main restaurant at The Carltun and it has been acclaimed by Zagat’s Restaurant Guide to be, “the most beautiful and romantic restaurant on Long Island.” In turn, The Palm Court Patio, offers a stunning golf course vista. Guests dine among the flowers and enjoy special musical events including “Dining & Dancing under the Stars” every Friday night, with a special price fix menu, in addition to a regular a la carte menu. Lunch is served “al fresco”. Capetola, an avid wine connoisseur, is particularly proud of The Carltun’s impressive wine cellar. Wine Spectator magazine has recognized The Carltun’s wine list as one of the “most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world,” “I’ve studied wine for years, says Capetola, “We are definitely one of the foremost wine investors with almost 15 thousand bottles in our wine cellar.” The Wine Cellar is available for fine dining

and private functions. Capetola’s guests dine in a beautifully appointed room surrounded on 3 sides by a glass enclosed, world renowned wine collection…a uniquely regal yet intimate room for entertaining pleasure. The Carltun also features a Cigar Bar called Havanas, open to the general public for private or corporate memberships. This club boasts private dining in “The Cuba Room,” a large lounge area with big screen televisions, a beautiful alabaster bar, billiards room and the exotic “A” Frame. The Oyster Bar is a popular spot and there is, of course, walk-in humidors. The private boxes were milled on-site from two large Spanish cedar trees. This is a great location to network or just relax. And what does Capetola do to relax? “My hobbies include reading and spending time at my summer home on the North Fork of Long Island. My time there involves activities such as boating and fishing, which are major forms of relaxation for me as well as having my wife, children and grandchildren together with me. I am passionate about traveling, and do so frequently. This keeps me refreshed and enables me to come back stronger and more sound as a lawyer and restaurateur. I try to take at least one European vacation per year. I have taken cruises on the Rhine and Danube rivers. I frequent Paris, England, Holland, Italy and Spain. My alltime favorite vacation is when I visit my father’s hometown of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy, where I am surrounded by my first cousins who reside there.

More locally, I have a condominium in Key West, Florida, which I enjoy at least 3 - 4 times a year, as well as my home in the North Fork.” And when he is cruising around Long Island, what kind of car does he drive? “I am passionate about cars and have driven a Mercedes-Benz over the last 20 years. I currently own the Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G63, which I enjoy tremendously for its comfort, luxury and drivability, especially during New York winters. I also drive a BMW 750i Sedan.” One thing is for certain, no matter where he goes, Capetola is most “at home” on the Island. “I am originally from Jersey City, New Jersey. I moved to Long Island in 1970 right after law school and established a home, family and career here and never looked back. Long Island has always been, and will always be, home and the perfect place for me since I enjoy the water, sport fishing, and all the wonderful attributes from east to west. “ Beyond being a trusted source of wisdom and experience in local, legal and business matters, Capetola always finds time to help others in his community by raising money for charities and good causes. Over the years, Capetola has been honored time and again for his many good works as the Columbian Lawyers Association Man of the Year, The Nassau County American Red Cross Man of the Year, The Long Island Man of the Year, National Kidney Foundation, The March of Dimes Distinguished Citizens Award, The Nassau County Bar Association “We Care” Man of the Year and the

Man of the Year for the Court Officers Benevolent Association. “I like to help people,” says Capetola. “I’ve been practicing law for 48 years. Not a day goes by that I think of retiring. I have worked very hard all these years and my lifestyle now affords me the time off to refresh, regroup and come back stronger. I know I can work at least another 10 years. I am thankful everyday and know I am blessed for the opportunities I have had in my life. However, I do not only use my success for myself and my loved ones. It is equally important that I give back to my community, and I get such satisfaction out of helping numerous charities, e.g. Boy Scouts of America and March of Dimes. Although I am a Catholic, I am proud of my close friendships with spiritual leaders from different faiths. I am very good friends with Rabbi Perl of Chabad Mineola and assist him with matters that involve his synagogue. I am also close to Monsignor James Lisante, who I regard as my spiritual leader and friend.” That passion and life-long commitment to helping others definitely finds its greatest expression, for Capetola, in the courtroom.

“Our law firm helps our clients efficiently and we have great experience,” states Capetola. “And I’m never afraid to take on the most difficult cases.” February 2019 | 69

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Richard James FAMED SAVILE ROW COMES TO NEW YORK CITY BY ANN GRENIER

ichard James is pleased to announce the opening of its first American store in New York, located in a landmark building at the corner of Park Avenue and 57th street. This opening marks Richard James’ first step towards its international expansion following the sale of a majority stake to Charles S. Cohen in March 2017. The 2,260 sq. ft. interior has been designed by Andy Martin Architecture, which also designed the house’s original flagship London store on famed Savile Row. Martin identified four main brand characteristics in Richard James’ recent collections, from which visual and performative references were drawn: Reflection, Transience, Chroma and Illusion.

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The store is delicately divided into two main areas, Ready-to-Wear and Bespoke. The areas are separated by a translucent screen treated with a dichroic film that varies in color, luminosity and reflectiveness. This free-standing screen becomes the central feature of the new space, operating both as a vibrant backdrop to the displays in ready-towear, and a circulation distributor, concealing the private Bespoke area. The element that blends the two together is a stretched ceiling, which conceals an adjustable ambient light system, providing a changeable personality. This becomes a canvas for future art driven installations.

This is a natural progression for us as well as a very exciting one. Richard James has always appealed to men of a certain attitude more than any defined demographic and we’ve had a very strong following in New York ever since we opened our first store on Savile Row. We just feel that we’re at home here - Sean Dixon, Richard James Founder & Managing Director Richard James’ seasonal ready-to-wear collections and bespoke services will be available at the New York Flagship. Richard James USA Flagship 461 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022 richard-james.com

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Davidoff A LIFETIME BEAUTIFULLY FILLED

avidoff has officially announced the opening of a store in Brooklyn, New York.The new Davidoff Since 1911 Brooklyn store is one that is a partnership with Boris Grossman, owner of Matador Cigars. The store is located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn next to the world famous Peter Luger’s Steakhouse.. Officially the store had a soft opening back in the spring of 2018.

The store is 2,000 square feet that includes retail space, a large walk-in humidor, and a smoking lounge. The humidor space includes a signature hanging tobacco leave arrangement hanging from the ceiling. The smoking lounge includes 90 private lockers, multiple TVs, and seating for up to 30 people. In a press release, Richard Krutick, Vice President of Marketing & Retail commented “We are delighted to announce this special partnership between Davidoff and Boris Grossman of Matador Cigars. He has been an outstanding supporter of Davidoff for many years and has expertise in providing a premium environment and consumer experience. We are also excited about expanding into Brooklyn, with the new store next to the famous Peter Luger’s Steakhouse, further cementing Davidoff’s & Boris Grossman’s commitment to New York City. The Brooklyn location will be an excellent addition to the Davidoff of Geneva since 1911 US portfolio of five company owned properties, including three in Manhattan, and one in Atlanta and Houston respectively, as well as licensed boutiques in Las Vegas and Tampa.”

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The Agency JARED RINGEL AND CHRIS FRANCIOSA OF THE AGENCY COLLECTIVE

everly Hills-based, billion-dollar real estate brokerage and lifestyle company, The Agency has announced the opening of its South Florida offices under its ancillary business, The Agency Collective, with locations in Boca Raton, Aventura and Coral Gables. The South Florida outposts are led by real estate veterans Chris Franciosa and Jared Ringel who have together sold more than $100 million of new development and resale product. “The Agency is the most exciting real estate brokerage firm in the country and we are looking forward to applying this exciting approach to the industry in South Florida,” Franciosa said. “Jared and

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I have long admired founders Mauricio Umansky, Billy Rose and The Agency and we are honored to be further growing the brand on the East Coast.”

here in South Florida,” Ringel said. “South Florida is certainly ready for The Agency and we are excited to be bringing this great brand to our market.”

Franciosa and Ringel have a long history in the real estate sales and development industry in South Florida. They will continue to work with buyers, sellers and new development clientele as they grow and lead The Agency Collective in South Florida, with Howard Elfman serving as Managing Broker and Oliver Ruiz serving as Strategic Growth Manager at all office locations.

Since launching The Agency in 2011, the firm has grown from a small group of agents to now 25 offices in major cities across the U.S., Mexico, Canada and The Caribbean with close to 500, top-producing agents. The Agency continuously ranks among the top luxury firms and its agents are among the highest producers in the country., with Umansky named as the number 3 broker in U.S. by The Wall Street Journal Real Trends.

“We always knew we wanted to work with The Agency and we are thrilled to be leading operations

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Kathrina Miccio

athrina Miccio is a native New Yorker, with family roots on the Sorrento coast of Italy. She is an actress, writer, director and renowned portrait artist. Kathrina is a member of The Brazen Giant Ensemble theater group, N.Y., and Screen Actors Guild, since 2000. She was recently cast in films, Dead To Right, Mojave Red and Blue, You Call Me Ugly, and I AM. She was recently named 2018 1st Woman of Action on Film Festival, Las Vegas, and won Best Screen play for a Comedy. What is most impressive is that in its 1st year, and with Ms. Miccio as Festival Director, The Cutting Room International Short Film Festival, NYC. was proclaimed an IMDB Event, due to the outstanding feedback and reviews. Ordinarily it requires 5 successful years as a running festival. crisff.com “I hold a BFA, in Fine Arts, Theater, and Education. When I transferred to Wagner College Theatrical School, from F.I.T. NYC, I took tons of acting classes as well as art and education. I was encouraged to pursue acting from my teachers, so I continued to study. I landed a role with actor Richard Lynch in a feature. It was then when I got my SAG card, and now I’ve been acting for over 20 years. I had a recurring part on The Sopranos, where I met the late great actor, James Gandolfini. In the time we were together, and even after, he was very supportive of my art and acting career. He had suggested I try theater,

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which I shied away from, and now I am forever grateful. I then starred in an Off Broadway play, Imagine, by Claude Solnick, The Theater for the New City, NY. My greatest motivation was going through 1.5 years of Breast Cancer treatments from 20152016. During that horrific time, I promised myself when I felt good, the sorrow that had surrounded me from my cancer, would be turned to laughter, so…. I wrote a comedy. In 2017 , she wrote, starred in, and directed, now 15 x Festival Winner ST. JOSEPH a short comedy. 1 Best Actress,10 Best Comedy, 1 Best Screenplay, 1 Best Director, 1 Best Ensemble Cast and 1 Audience choice. Some of her co-stars include, Vincent Pastore from The Sopranos, Angela Pietropinto from Goodfellas, and Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling from the Howard Stern Show. “In 5 months time, I attended many film festivals from all over the world, and observed the way they ran. March of 2018, I had a private screening of St. Joseph at The Cutting Room, an iconic venue of almost 20 years. It has comfortable seating, perfect audio, because it’s primarily a music venue and and there’s a 16 foot screen with great projection quality. It also has a restaurant and bar, so you really don’t have to leave. It all fit, so when I got the green light from Steve Walter the owner, I created a website, put it up of Film Freeway, and the film submissions started flying in from all over there world. Not many people thought it would be successful, but I knew if I put my artistic mind

to it, and with my film family of friends, and the huge amount of independent filmmakers from all over the world, I truly believed it would work.” “I believe the essence of being an artist is to feel joy from within, because if not, it will show in the finished product. First, you must have an idea that you believe in. It has to be well thought out, and has to be created from the heart. So, for the film festival I hand picked films from hundreds of submissions, and had the event at The Cutting Room NYC. The festival was Oct 20, 21, 2018, and in those two days, 62 short films were screened, from 11:30Am - 8:30PM. The theater room held 175 people, and was filled for every block of 1.5 hrs of short films, then Q&A followed. There was two formal galas after full day of films. Punzone organic Vodka from Italy was one of the sponsors, and artists Don Oriolo, and Ed Heck donated original artwork for the silent auction. Sam Berland received many accolades for his work as projectionist and technical director. It all around was a huge success and brought in over 530 people. Kathrina states,“There’s a full menu, and a bar where you can eat and drink between blocks of films. Most people brought their formal clothes, and changed for the galas, and awards in the green room. I call it a one stop Film Festival. Sunday for Awards night, we opened the partition that connects to the front bar area because there were over 340 people that attended. It was magical to be able to hand out awards to so many incredibly talented local film makers, actors, and others that came all the way from Mumbai India, England, Toronto, and California.”

Special Awards were given to actor, director, and writer Timothy Busfield who received an Award for Great Contribution in TV and Film. New York Icon Independent Film Director John Gallagher was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Anna Just and Gianni McLaughlin, received New Upcoming Filmmaker Awards. Some of the winners were, Figs For Italo Director Bob Celli, I Killed Vincent Director Jean Luc Blanchet (France), Vacanze Ja Sutta Director Rocco Alvaro, (Italy), A Lift Story Director Viplav Shinde,(India). Releevo Director Yasmin Afifi (England) Kap Director Davis Weiss, D.J. Higgins for Santino and Breaking Points Brad Forenza. Documentary’s were The Last Doll Lady, by Taryn Hough, LGBTQ, Happy Trans Girl Like Me, Fran Sisco and The Empty Handed Painter, Laura Fay Lewis. Winners for Sci Fi - Compliance, Comedy - Enter, and Horror - Bookworm. Actors such as Thaddeus Daniels, Michelle Felice Hartley, Lukas Hassel, Amanda Brook Lerner, James Pravasilis, Artie Pasquale, Christina Fontanelli, Brooke Hoover, and Kaye Tuckerman walked away with wins. “I apply an artists mind to everything I do. I capture the essence of music and personality in my portrait paintings of famous musicians. At The Cutting Room I have over 20 paintings on permanent display since 2001, including many which have been signed by the musicians when they perform there, such as, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Billy Joel, and David Crosby. miccioart. com In my acting, I create and mold a character, and even in my C.R.I.S.F.F. film festival, I hand

selected well acted, well produced films, which brought filmmakers from all around the world, to socialize, show their diverse talents, and win awards for their hard work and accomplishments. My paintings, my acting, and even organizing a film festival, I consider all of these, creations of inspiration.” “Now a cancer survivor, my mind has been opened to believe that anything is possible. There will always be the disbelievers, but thats O.K., because if you accomplish your goal even slightly, the gratification of the accomplishment, and even the slightest joy it brings others, makes it all worth while. In all my ventures, my intention is to pay it forward, and to inspire people to become more independent, stronger and always create, through all obstacles that life might bring. One of the obstacles was paying my rent and bills while not working for 1.5 years. I wasn’t eligible for financial assistance, so it pretty much wiped me out. I realized funds are desperately needed, while going through this horrific time, so I created a fundraising program that will help women and men in the arts financially while going through treatments.” paintuspink.com Kathrina states since C.R.I.S.F.F. was such a huge success, she’s in discussion to possibly organize another festival. When asked how she can handle all her creative activities, She stated, “The motivation from overcoming prior challenges, and being inspired by others talents, enables me to face the future with vigor and confidence.”

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Gavin B. Keilly FOUNDER AND CEO OF GBK THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE GIFTING & SPECIAL EVENTS COMPANY

he start of a new year meant it’s also time for another exciting awards season. One of the stand out events every year is the GBK Productions Luxury Lounge. Founded in 2000 by Gavin Keilly, the company’s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting, GBK Special Events, GBK Weddings, GBK Charitable Consulting, and GBK Marketing & Public Relations. Widely known in the entertainment industry for bringing that little extra something into the Luxury Lounge environment, GBK offers its clients a full range of marketing services. GBK is a company dedicated to giving each client customized marketing options with high quality and tailor-made services. With a proven track record for attracting a celebrity clientele such as Eva Longoria, Jennifer Aniston, Helen Mirren, Forrest Whitaker, Leonardo DiCaprio, Fergie, Rhianna, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ryan Seacrest, (just to name a few). GBK has taken part in such high-profile events as Gifting Lounges for the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, backstage at the CNN Hero Awards, BETs 10th Annual GLAAD Awards, Sundance, Cannes and the list goes on.

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BY NO R AH BR AD FO R D Gavin has also been seen on CNN, CBS NEWS, NBC Morning Show, MSNBC, FOX, EXTRA, and various other shows. Gavin was one of the first people to actually come up with the gift suite concept. Today, GBK produces gift suites for all the big award shows like the Emmys, Oscars, Grammys, and numerous others with gift bags valued in upwards of $100,000 per bag. This business is truly about creating the “Win-Win-Win”. The celebrity wins because they get a phenomenal amount of fantastic gifts, including vacations, jewels, the latest fashion, and plenty of the coolest gadgets on the market, the Vendor (GBK’s client) also wins, as they get a photo with each celebrity and their product that they can use in their internal marketing material, social media, and most importantly the ability to submit it to press outlets, and the charities win because they have the opportunity to garner additional exposure and revenue. GBK recently hosted 2019 Golden Globe Nominees and other Top Celebrities to come out and celebrate with each other during the Golden Globes Awards weekend. Many familiar faces were in attendance such as Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Danny Huston, Anthony Anderson, director Joe Russo and Nominee Spike Lee.

Attendees were welcomed at the event with beverages by JCB Spirits with signature cocktails made from their Vodka and Gin crafted in Burgundy from the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and guests were gifted with a JCB tasting party for 12 and a bottle of their choice. The talent attending were excited to be gifted a stay with Fit Farm which is the nation’s premiere fitness retreat in Nashville which provides a full adult playground on 12 acres with the only permanent obstacle course with lodging. Guests got to ‘test drive’ the Kahuna Chair which offers the best 4D massage chair on the market – where they unveiled the new Kahuna LED anti-aging mask as well as received a pair of PROSPEK Glasses which are computer glasses, from a Canadian start-up, who provides eye care in the digital age with glasses that alleviate eye strain and protect eyes from long term screen use. Another hot item at the lounge was The Artisan Group jewelry and accessories. Additionally, everyone received gifts from Comfitude blankets, weighted large comforters and blankets; Seraph Design clothing and accessories; Warthers Cutlery, hand-crafted, high-quality knives and wood products; Heitz Cellars wines from Napa Valley; and Sailrock Resort trips to Turks & Caicos. gbkproductions.com

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The Big Break PREMIERES ON VICE BY EL IZ AB ETH EL STON

he Big Break, a new movie satirizing the entertainment industry starring David Arquette (Scream) and directed by Gil Freston (Paladar), recently premiered on vice.com. The over-the-top yet delightful parody was shown at private screenings in both New York City and Los Angeles before the online global release.

The 20 minute “mini-movie” applies a blockbuster films production quality to an intense storyline paying homage to 1990s classic films which inspired the production including The Player, Heat and True Romance – in its look/ cinematography (Derek McKane), special effects (Lucien Harriet, Josh Hackasian), wardrobe (Annie & Hannah) and stunt teams from Lethal Weapon (Ryan Gray) and Blade Runner 2049 (Adam Hart) contributing to the production of the film, working in tandem with Action Director, Loren Herbert. The film screened as an official selection at the 22nd Annual LA Shorts International Film Festival 2018. The cast joining David Arquette (who plays Lieutenant Ramirez in the film) includes David Shabtai (The Amazing Spider-Man 2) as Jon Lieberman, Gil Freston as Will Kavanaugh, Michael Vlamis (CW’s Roswell) as Michael Glazer, Isabelle McNally (A&E’s Bates Motel, Frances Ha) as Grace Barnett, Thomas Cocquerel (Billionaire Boys Club, Table 19, In Like Flynn) as Officer Eckhart, Brittany Furlan (social media star appearing in Netflix’s American

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Meme) as Fable Rae, Ammar Kandil & Thomas Brag aka YES Theory (Social Media Stars) Jude B. Lanston (Magic Funhouse) as Sergeant Bates, Elizabeth Turner (Social Media Star) as Kate Davenport, stunt performer Eddie Davenport (Logan) as Matty, Alexis Beckley (Room for Improvement) as Chloe Perkins, Richard Kohnke (The Billionaire Boys Club) as Brooks Weaver the Waiter, Aaron Jay-Smith (You) as Writer, Frank Mercuri as LAPD Officer, Deina Torres as LAPD Officer, Angelique Yalda as LAPD Officer and Al Burke as LAPD Sergeant. The film is Produced by Gil Freston, Jack Heston, Matthew Brag, and Loren Herbert alongside Executive Producers Will Meldman, Taylor Vandegrift and David Shabtai. Gil Freston has written and directed numerous commercials and branded short-form. After graduating from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Freston directed his first independent feature film, PALADAR, a documentary about his friends’ underground restaurant run out of their college apartment which premiered at the TriBeCa Film Festival in 2013. Freston is currently developing a show with FX Networks and is entering pre-production on his next feature film EDGE OF FEAR, a psycho/thriller horror feature film to be shot in international locations commencing in May 2019. vice.com

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Artist Hyung-Dae Kim FOCUSING ON A COLORFUL WORLD BY R ACH E L VA N CE L E T T E

hen meeting Korean artist Hyung-Dae Kim one immediately finds a person full of enthusiasm and energy when discussing his vibrant colorful artwork. Kim’s personality and passion for creating is contagious. I had the pleasure to sit down with him to discuss his long career, studio practice and life philosophy in a small hip coffee shop called THE ELK in the West Village during his most recent visit to New York. Since the mid-1960’s, Kim has been working in his studio in Seoul, Korea on a well-known series titled Halo. He states he is inspired by the Korean tradition focused on ancient fabrics and for-mations of waves, exploring like a captain at sea his visual depictions of longitude and latitudinal lines. Using bold colors and tactile surfaces on his canvas work, he states he wants “to provide a depth of transforming a canvas into a meditative space.” The

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HALO 89-18, 114×227, 1989, Acrylic on Canvas

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color hues read as a “transparent monotone reflective light” demonstrating a “aura-like symbol of spirit.”

attention as the artist continues to shake up Korea riding a new wave to international stardom.

Celebrated at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea, Kim has made his way to United States and has recently appeared in a noted group exhibition titled, Chaos Theory “ Flashpoint” curated by Joyce Varvatos. She states “the work is as elegant as the artist himself.” Kim is currently on the artist watch list, and top art advisors and galleries are paying close

Q. What is your philosophy in your artistic practice? I always focus on the repetitive action of mark making while working on my paintings. I demon-strate the technique using the unconscious mind that is deeply connected to the Buddhist Monks’ tradition and lifetime practices.

HALO 05-410, 72Ã&#x2014;61, 2005, Acrylic on Canvas

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HALO 09-505, 130.5Ã&#x2014;162.2, 2009, Acrylic on Canvas

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Q. How does color play a part in viewing your works?

layers demonstrates a transparent aura like the symbol of spirit.

In my painting, the color is the central core of my work. The color balances with the light in my painting. I have great childhood memories from my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s linen shop. I admired the harmony, grace and beauty of naturally-dyed silk from the Dancheng of Soeseo in Jogyesa Temple. It re-mains still an enormous influence on my color choices today. The various combination of colors made with multiple

Q. What other artists who you admire influenced you? I admire Vincent van Gogh for his work and very intense passion for the art. I also admire Joan Miro for infinite concepts and compositions in the artwork.

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Q. Can you speak about the Halo series? I have been working on Halo series both in the medium of paintings and prints for over thirty years. I started each artwork by extending the horizontal and vertical lines on each canvas, while focusing on adding multiple layers of thick material and colors to the surface. I am continually in-spired by Korean traditional fabric and waves, and in recent years began exploring marking the importance of longitude and latitude lines. This helps create a visual and tactile depth to the canvas which is key. This process helps to transform the canvas into transparent and ambient light which is one of the foundations of abstract painting in Korean contemporary art.

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than a half century, I hope to see more break-throughs and mysterious art forms throughout the rest of my lifetime. Written by: Rachel Vancelette Rapid Fire Travel Tips: Focus on South Korea to New York Take your afternoon coffee with latte artist Lee Kang-bin owner of Seoul’s C.THROUGH cafe who will recreate world-renowned painting including Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” instagram.com/leekangbin91/ Nestled in the West Village, THE ELK is a great coffee spot with fabulous food and some of your favorite coffee specials. Avocado toast is a fan favorite!

Q. What is your view of contemporary art of today?

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The contemporary art today is much more complicated than ever before. As an artist who has pursued contemporary art for more

Rapid Fire Interview Series is written by Rachel Vancelette, Contributing Editor at Large covering Art + Fashion + Travel worldwide.

HALO 08-608, 100×100, 2008, Acrylic on Canvas

HALO 11-506, 41×80, 2011, Acrylic on Canvas

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Dishwall Photo

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A Close look at Sant Ambroeus FOOD + ART + FASHION = CLASSY REFINEMENT BY R ACH E L VA N CE L E T T E

On your way to the Sotheby’s Auction on the Upper East Side of New York City, one may find themselves bidding on the latest hot contemporary auction lot, and will pass a food lover’s treasure. A fabulous Italian coffee bar situated within the Sotheby’s World Headquarters, which welcomes you with the buzzing of art collectors, aficionados and auction experts discussing the latest artworks on display while drinking incredible expressos being poured “With Love from Italy! The feel and allure reminiscent of the old regal settings in European cafes come to life with owners Gherado Guarducci and Dimitri Pauli of Sant Ambroeus at the helm of one the fastest growing empires in Italian elegance one can find stateside. The buzz of their go-to establishments in New York, Palm Beach and South Hampton has always been on the jet-set crowd’s radar, including celebrities Naomi Campbell, Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, Calvin Klein, Zac Posen and Martin Short, popping in for the latest dish! Sant Ambroeus’ series of restaurants have been a huge boost for each chosen neighborhood from the West Village, Madison Avenue and Soho locations in NYC to South Hampton and Palm Beach, seasonal designations for most New Yorkers. Each restaurant provides an ambiance and warmth that will make any visitor feel at home with royal welcomes and warm smiles from the sophisticated managers, who continue to keep the paparazzi out while serving the most fantastic food. Whether it is beautiful art on the walls, the company, the food or the wine, we all want to know a little bit more about the heart of the operation at Sant Ambroeus and why the magic keeps us coming back for more! I had the pleasure of going a bit deeper into this expanding Italian cuisine empire and why it continues to dominate as the most fashionable in town! THE STORY: The different locations are notorious

for daily celebrity sightings, so privacy is key so that all patrons can relax and blend quietly in the fantastic interiors, chandeliers and welcoming coffee bars. Guests are surrounded by the elite worlds of finance, art, fashion and design but it’s also a place many people simply call their local Italian restaurant! Glitteratis find the West Village location has a quiet feel of privacy and is a great place for the local intelligentsia to meet and enjoy a perfectly crafted cappuccino, which doesn’t hurt to start your day! The Soho location boasts stools rather than the traditional standing bar welcoming gentlemen to come and linger a bit for their morning espresso. The rich history of Milan and Milanese cooking is woven into the Madison Avenue location, which is always filled with the buzz of travelers and locals. Looking out the uptown front window on Madison Avenue to Angela Missoni’s flagship store across the street, you may glimpse the design mogul warmly welcoming customers to her fabulous pop-up art openings supporting her favorite artists, fashion minds and fans in the storefront. Missoni’s private gatherings for a meeting of the minds in art + fashion is by invite only with her dear friend Raphael Castoriano which always brings along some inspiring artists to mingle amongst artistic performances. OWNERS: To understand the heart of the operation at Sant Ambroeus, patrons quickly see that elegance and care permeate throughout the staff at this gastronomic heaven. Occasionally you will get a glimpse of Dimitro Pauli dining in the South Hampton location, or Gherado Guarducci checking in on the latest happenings and details of the bustling Madison Avenue location filled with the gelateria, confetteria, pasticceria and wonderful coffee bar. The locals relish and covet it as serving the best espressos in town. FOOD DELIGHTS: Coffee aside, the Sant Ambroueus serves up the most remarkable February 2019 | 91

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sumptuous culinary fare including savory Paninetti, a signature chocolate mousse cake, and Millesfoglie, a traditional layered puff pastry with vanilla Chantilly cream which is beyond heavenly and will make any sweet-tooth come back for more. There is even a gluten-free option on the menu with a chocolate cookie that will make any chocolate lover an instant fan! Gherardo, who grew up in the Tuscany, brought his business acumen and combined it lovingly with a passion for great food. Whether it’s the gourmet menu served daily or the warmth of the staff, people quickly become addicted to it all. CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS: The charismatic and charming Creative Director Alireza Niroomand brings brand collaboration to the SA group and is noted for bringing A-list artists and notable pop-up collaborations to the forefront of this ever-expanding business empire. Alireza actively recruits local artists to design one-ofkind illustrations from handbags to dishes, and always is first onto the new, most innovative pop-up experience, fashion items, and designs to inspire the masses. For instance, this summer you can have your own swimwear designed by the SA group! Who knew you could be very fashionably dressed while eating a bowl of the owner’s favorite gelato! The Soho location’s creative ‘Dish Wall’ section of the bar area creates the mood of an art community as it has historically been a stomping ground for famous artists such as Donald Judd, Frank Stella, Rosemarie Castoro and more! The artist’s dishes are all handmade with most created by local artisans, and you might find you know a few of the power names! A few other celebs with dishes include Aurelie Bindermann (jewelry designer), Gabriela Perezutti Hearst, (fashion designer), Charlotte Le Bon (actress), KAWS (artist), Kenny Scharf (artist) and more! INTERIORS: Designer Robert McKinley is behind the magic for some of the most spectacular interiors and designs for the Sant Ambroeus group. One noted pop-up at the Frieze Art Fair Cafe 2017, graced the contemporary fair for the first time and was all the rage with many art lovers. The likes of power gallerist Jay Joplin, Barbara Gladstone and Gavin Brown all took their important power-meetings at the SA tables that year! McKinley Studio is noted for executing the interior designs of Palm Beach, Soho and Sant Ambroeus Sotheby’s locations, and their designs 92 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

are well-known for other great restaurants and clubs such as Blue Fin, Tijuana Picnic, Goldbar, PM and the trendy Surf Lodge. Palm Beach during high season is the stomping grounds for the SA loving elite who fly in to see the latest polo match, art exhibition or head to the Breakers. This location seems to be one of the largest sites to date, boasting a dramatic sumptuous room

galleries. Both are dedicated regulars and fans of the SA establishment which boasts some of the finest wine offerings in the area. The Lever House Collection, housing many of the latest purchases by these two top collectors, include their most recent exhibition by artist Adam Pendleton. Beyond their extraordinary collection, previous exhibition presentations have included Stephan

with chandeliers and beautiful finishes. At SA in Palm Beach, one can find guests in the restaurant draped in their favorite jewels and of course their best haute couture, while waiters with top-notch white-glove service flurry through the room. It is an experience worth remembering and experiencing at least once in life!

Bakenhol, Alexander Calder, Saint Clair Cemin, John Chamberlain, R. M. Fischer, Felix GonzalezTorres and Iamu Noguchi.

ARTWORK: Some of the fabulous faces Warhol portrayed hanging in the Casa Lever location include Dennis Hopper, Giorgio Armani, Jerry Hall, Dennis Hopper, the Shah of Iran among many more from the society portrait series. The Warhol prints are owned by the notorious real estate mogul and art collector Aby Rosen who also coowns the building. Part of the artwork belongs to his friend, collector Alberto Mugrabi who might be spotted around the corner visiting auctions and

Art, food, fashion and panache all collide and explode into one amazingly polished dining experience. The Sant Ambroueus’ inexorable juggernaut continues to grow, and with rumors of the opening of its next location in the trendy Battery Park, it seems the elegance and charm of Italy is taking over! SA’s most intimate location, called Felice, is nestled in the Financial District, serving Italian delicacies and a great wine bar. It is where a gracious “Italian smile” meets you from their fabulously dressed manager, warmheartedly greeting every visitor with a welcoming smile and sometimes even a glass of bubbly! Italy with love continues! La Dolce Vita!

Kelly Styne AN ABSTRACT AND POP ARTIST

elly Styne is an emerging Los Angeles based abstract and pop artist. Her career in creative industries, including film, editorial, and fashion, has coincided with her passion for art. Her work is inspired by the colors of her California surroundings and artists such as Ed Ruscha and Gerhard Richter. “Painting is both a challenge and an outlet, a discipline and a passion,” she says. In 2016 she began painting a series of layered artworks which contain words associated with the pop culture and her life in Los Angeles. She uses text

as a central communication vehicle in her artistic expression, pushing forth words as her primary way to get out her message. A persistent theme in Kelly Styne’s work is the attempt to evoke an emotion in viewers. Styne primes her canvases with carefully selected colors and then adds several layers of acrylic paint until the final image appears, leaving her thought-provoking messages exposed.

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MvVO ART takes AD ART SHOW to the Streets of NYC BY E LIZABE TH E LSTO N

vVO ART, creator of AD ART SHOW, is turning the streets of New York’s most artcentric neighborhoods into a revolutionary Art Show, digitally exhibiting the work of artists from advertising on the LinkNYC network on select streets during Frieze New York—May 1 to 4, 2019.

around the world. AD ART SHOW 2019 transforms the LinkNYC network into an outdoor art show during the biggest week of the City’s art calendar— Frieze New York.

AD ART SHOW celebrates the ART created by artists currently working in advertising, or with roots in the advertising/design/commercial arts industries, as they follow in the footsteps of Warhol, Magritte, Haring, Dali and the many other world-renowned artists who worked in advertising.

“The sky is the limit in this celebration of creativity!! We’re looking for new ways to bring Art to people and bringing AD ART SHOW to LinkNYC will change the way people see—and buy—art, catching people on the move, where they live and work. If they like what they see they can check out the MvVO ART e-gallery on Artsy where the works will be viewed by millions of collectors across the globe. This is the next step in the ever-changing contemporary art scene,” said Maria van Vlodrop, Founder and CEO of MvVO ART.

The inaugural AD ART SHOW 2018 was a phenomenal success, bringing the Art, Media and Advertising world together for a 4 day show at Sotheby’s with 92 artists from advertising from

The Call for Artists submissions is currently going on. For more information or to submit work to the show, visit the MvVO ART site www. mvvoart.com. The selection committee is made

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up of contemporary art experts and influential collectors. MvVO ART is a New York based innovative art venture comprised of a team of advertising, art & technology professionals, dedicated to creating new opportunities for artists, art lovers & brands to discover each other and form powerful partnerships. MvVO ART Founder & CEO, Maria van Vlodrop, is a global business development executive with an impressive track record establishing new ventures. MvVO ART is poised to reimagine & redefine the relationship between Art & Commerce. MvVO ART is an innovative art venture bringing ART and Commerce together, by creating new opportunities for artists and businesses. mvvoart.com

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Daniel Bottero Daniel Bottero graduated from the National School of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires. He earned his Master’s Degree at the Academia Italiana di Belle Arti, Lucca, Italy. From 1989 to 1990 Bottero resided and worked in Paris. Since 1990 he has lived and worked in New York, Miami Art District and Buenos Aires. Bottero’s work has been shown throughout the world. His paintings are featured in the corporate collections of Citibank, Xerox, Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Chase Bank, MontBlanc, BRG Real Estate. His artwork is featured in many private collections including those of Senator Hillary Clinton, Dan Marino, Gloria and Emilio

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Estefan, Al Pacino, Steven Segal and Oscar de la Hoya. The artist has exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Museum of Latin American Art, Laguna Beach, CA, Museo de Arte de Ponce, Ponce, Puerto Rico, Argentinian Embassy, New York, and Cultural Center Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bottero’s paintings are also featured at both Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses, New York, NY.

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See You on the Other Side 70x84

ABOUT HIS ARTWORK AND INSPIRATION Is a divine privilege to slip into the moments of unpremeditated creation that bring me face to face with the unknown. When I am painting, my brush strokes against the canvas are searching for an answer between unconscious and rhythmical movements. I step back for air and space. The essence of creation runs for my arms, my entire body and soul. In 100 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

the background, there is music, dancing light, darkness, sensations that run through my flesh, spaces, scents; all them instruments of my passion. These blend in an enchanting symphony. When it is over, I am left with no recollections of how it happened. And yet, I find myself confronted with a finished creation, waiting to be shared so that it might become the source of new and deeper inspiration. My restless longing for all that is creative, intuitive, sincere and

Learning to Love Again 56 x 50

harmonious leads me to a place that transcends conventional reality. Mastering of my medium grants me an eternal freedom. It is a genesis, sowing within me a desire to give birth to just one universal creation: a work of art that might awaken sensations that lie dormant in all of our hearts. With my painting I want to inspire all humanity, and to invite it, joining its own evolution. Our past, our present and our future all influence my paintings. Yesterday, today, my life, Paris, Italy, New York, Miami, Buenos Aires, China, Turkeyâ&#x20AC;Ś new encounters, loves, dreams, loneliness, strange noises and sorrows. Each painting I create is an essential part of my inner being. My work speaks many languages, communicates on several levels at the same time. A unique psychological interaction between reality and fantasy, submerging the observer into an encounter with the sublime; on these journeys, I am with him always!

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Rockstar Puppy Boutique

Owner designer | Jessica Clark

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ockstar Puppy was born in 2009 as a home based dog clothing and accessories business and quickly expanded into custom dog houses when Jersey Shore’s “Jwoww” noticed their brand and asked if they could build a custom dog house for her. Rockstar Puppy is always up for a creative challenge! Ultimately, this dog house was featured in People Pets magazine and promoted via “Jwoww”’s social media. The phone started to ring and the celebrity orders for dog houses started to flood in. The celebrity client list for custom dog houses,

furniture and accessories includes, but is not limited to, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Fallon, Petra Ecclestone (the Formula 1 Racing heiress), Rapper 2 Chainz, Demi Lovato and Harry Connick Jr. Jessica’s team of professional interior designers, architectural draftsman, 3d artist and builders create and ensure that each custom dog house and piece of dog furniture are made with meticulous attention to detail resulting in heirloom quality pieces that are designed to capture the personality of the pet and the owner. Parts and pieces

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are individually painted. Lasers are used to precision cut small parts and pieces. Exteriors are made with the most aesthetically pleasing yet weather appropriate materials. The client is involved through the entire design and build process as if they were building their own home. This is truly a â&#x20AC;&#x153;customâ&#x20AC;? built house for a member of their family. Rockstar Puppy Dog Houses demand fees upward of $50,000+ targeting the affluent market.

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For example, Petra Ecclestone requested two custom-built doghouse replicas of her residence, the Spelling Manor. A piece of limestone from the mansion was used to find a near exact match for constructing the doghouses. The design features a synthetic slate roof, bulletproof windows, and a heating/air conditioning unit with specialty wiring that allows the lights and temperature to be controlled with an iPad.

have been featured in the New York Times, People, and Unique Homes Magazine to name a few, and their products have made appearances in movies and television, their best publicity is word of mouth among celebrities and their exclusive client base. Jessica Clark is the founder and owner of Rockstar Puppy and is currently in talks to develop a reality TV show based on her wild and wacky experiences with over-the-top clients.

Although these Rockstar Puppy dog homes

rockstarpuppyboutique.com

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Maureen Footer AUTHOR OF DIOR AND HIS DECORATORS BY JOAN ROSASCO

JR: I first want to ask how you came to this subject, looking simultaneously at fashion and at interior design. That is an unusual approach, it seems to me, but one for which you were superbly prepared. MF: My interests, I suppose, have been rather serpentine. I have long been fascinated by fashion, design, and Parisian social history. All these themes coalesced in this book on Dior and the New Look aesthetic. My first job out of school was at Vogue magazine. I was interested in dance criticism, and Vogue, with Leo Lerman running it, had a very good features department. Of course, I couldn’t help but learn about fashion while at Vogue. Later, I pursued graduate work in decorative arts at the École du Louvre in Paris, where I learned to consider an object well beyond its aesthetic properties. Key to understanding a chair, a dress, or a room, is understanding its antecedents, the tradition that led up to it. How did this object evolve from one tradition and transform it into something relevant to its time? What was the environment it responded to? How did it lead to future trends? Most fascinating of all is that a chair, or a dress provides a window into an era, especially its values and its aspirations. They 106 | MetMagNY.com | 25AMagazine.com

show us how a society wanted to be perceived. I had seen photographs in old issues of Vogue of Dior’s townhouse interiors. They were dazzlingly luxurious and sophisticated and French, but newly sensuous and contemporary, not coldly and historically correct like, say, the 18th century Wrightsman rooms at the Met. I wondered about the decorators who designed them -- Georges Geffroy and Victor Grandpierre. Why was there nothing written on them? As I researched Geffroy and Grandpierre, the name of Dior inevitably came up. There was no way to write about these decorators without writing about their landmark work for Christian Dior. The couturier was not only friends with both decorators, even more relevantly, he had collaborated with them on interiors. For Dior’s couture house, Grandpierre transposed Dior’s fashion vision into an interior design statement— neoclassic gray and white, Louis XVI chairs, toile de Jouy, houndstooth, cane--- which became so identified with Dior, that it provided the basis for the brand of the couture house. And, like blue jeans, these elements proved timeless, continuously adaptable to modern tastes, modern needs. Thanks to Victor Grandpierre’s vision, any Dior store, airport boutique, ad, or

box of perfume can be immediately identified to this day as Dior, even without glancing at a sign or label. With Georges Geffroy we see the ultimate Café Society decorator of the post-war period. Coming from the same background in contemporary arts in the 1920s and 1930s, Geffroy was inspired exactly as Dior had been when creating the New Look---reworking history and tradition to reflect a modern time. Geffroy’s “New Look” interiors are comfortable, pared down, and inviting—radical concepts for the time. His work is worldly in that it’s not just based on French culture; it’s broadened to include international influences then arriving in Paris after the war---new ideas about luxury, sensuousness, comfort, and function brought by chic Americans like Gloria Guinness. Practically avant-garde at its time, Geffroy’s ideas are now a given for how we decorate today. So, I was fascinated---by this intimate connection between fashion and design, so romantic and so modern. Little—maybe even nothing--- has been published on the parallels of fashion and interior design. Dior’s collaboration with these two major decorators was the perfect opportunity to study how fashion and interior design work together, so I jumped in.

JR: When you wrote about Dior, you described how he consciously sought to revive the old techniques of the couture, calling upon the specialized artisans who still knew those handicrafts. He used yards and yards of the best fabrics for voluminous skirts. I wondered about the two interior designers. Didn’t they do something similar? Hanging lavish curtains and portières, tenting rooms, covering walls with fabric. I was thinking particularly of the rooms where they used the technique of “gainage”, basically upholstering the walls and cornices and architectural features with velvet. MF: Having craftspeople who know how to do those exacting techniques that have been perfected over generations! It’s something I admire deeply in French culture. The interesting thing about “gainage” is where it was used. When Geffroy had a client with beautiful 17th or 18th-century architecture, boiseries, etc., he didn’t resort to “gainage”. He saved it for his clients who lived on the avenue Foch or in Neuilly in more contemporary buildings without particularly distinguished architecture. Gainage gave these rooms supreme style, it created “presence.” The most outstanding example of his use of gainage--and much admired by Hubert de Givenchy—is in the green velvet upholstered living room on the avenue Foch of the California-born Vicomtesse de Bonchamps. JR: In the book you mention that a velvetcovered jewel cabinet Grandpierre designed for Lopez-Willshaw is the only surviving example of his work. In fact, most of the rooms you illustrate and describe don’t exist anymore. So, how did you do your research? Are there archives? Were there articles and photographs in old periodicals? MF: There really weren’t any archives for Geffroy and Grandpierre. Neither had large offices that continued to operate after their death, and neither had descendants. Nobody collected or saved their plans and papers. Fortunately, there were still some fascinating people who had been close to them – the charming duchesses d’Harcourt, Pierre Bergé, Pierre Cardin, Marie-Christine Sayn-Wittgenstein, suppliers, co-workers, a few clients, children of clients, design specialists who were very young and just starting their careers when Geffroy and Grandpierre were in their reign, who could bring

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them alive for me with vivid stories and memories. Dior’s archives were open to me, of course and I am forever grateful to them for all their assistance in helping me get to see Dior’s former houses and historical parts of the couture house on the avenue Montaigne. Other sources were the archives at Condé Nast and library stacks--mostly in Paris-where I spent hours among the old photographs and back issues. I ended up turning page after page after page of Vogue, Plaisir de France, House and Garden and immersed myself in the era. This sort of research was fascinating and critical—I wanted to tell a story, to show why this work resonated with its time. The social milieu, the cast of characters, the way of life – a way of life that disappeared essentially in 1968. I wanted to draw the reader into all that, to give the details that seduce people, that make it come alive, so the stories of nightclubs and fittings, parties and perfume were actually of vital interest to me. There is also some very good work on Dior, Marie-France Pochna’s biography, for example. Recently, Pierre Arizzoli-Clementel published a chronological account of Geffroy’s work. JR: How did this post-war fashion and

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interior design break with pre-war models, with the Art Deco and Modernist styles that prevailed in the 1930s? MF: Since the 1920s there had been a love affair with modernism, with aviation, technology, industrial design but little reference to French tradition. Christian Dior and his New Look—as well as the designers who translated this into rooms---were now audaciously mixing the past and the future as had never been done before. It was a radical idea. Flipping through the pages of Plaisir de France and other publications, you realize there had been this whole ‘set design’ view of interiors in the ‘30s. Everything was elegant but idealized. The past had been largely erased. Plus, there was no place to put down your handbag, no place to live comfortably. Grandpierre and Geffroy stood these notions on their head, when they created rooms synonymous with the New Look interior---18th century furniture, deep sofas and chairs, tiger and leopard velvet, objects from all corners of the earth, and intimate, elegant, luxurious, and chic. JR: And it was monochrome. Art Deco was chilly, neo-classical, like those sleek, bias-cut

satin or lamé goddess dresses. Now suddenly you have color, glowing jewel-tones. MF: It’s the post-war spirit. After dreariness, deprivation, and rationing, everyone sought gaiety, romance, a return to civilization-- literally and figuratively, they craved for color! It all came back, and on every level. 1947 is not only the year of the New Look, it’s the year Balanchine choreographed Symphony in C for the Paris Opera Ballet. In London, Ashton was choreographing glorious work for the Royal Ballet. 1947 was also the inaugural year of the Tour de France. There was an exuberant use of color, with accents of leopard or tiger velvet – a detail we think of as pure 1950s chic. But leopard had been used already at Versailles, in the 18th century. Then it had been as little touches – now, taking an old tradition and making it modern, it covered sofas! Like Dior himself, Geffroy and Grandpierre would always take from the past, but not repeat it; they would reshape it, modify it, make it appropriate for the modern world. It also makes life richer, connecting past and present, offering perspective and posing questions. We can learn a lot from them today.

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Best Is Yet to Come in 2019 at International Polo Club Palm Beach

he International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) welcomes back another elite season of worldclass polo, beginning December 30, and continuing for 17-straight weeks until Sunday, April 21, hosting teams and spectators from around the world to the iconic venue. Sprawling over nearly 250 acres of pristine turf and South Florida landscape, IPC has captivated the attention of sport enthusiasts for decades. Nestled in the heart of Wellington, IPC offers something for everyone, whether it be viewing and enjoying the atmosphere of a prestigious high goal match on Sunday, or experiencing and relaxing within the renovated amenities or restaurants, the club becomes the heartbeat for the winter equestrian season. IPC, acquired by Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP) in 2016, has seen a number of additions and improvements throughout the facility in the past three years, attracting more players, patrons, and enthusiasts to contest polo’s most competitive North American season. Significant investment into the turf and field maintenance has revolutionized the playing surface, with the club now supporting more games than ever from December through April. The season began with the Herbie Pennell Cup, the annual first tournament of the calendar year and will parlay into a slew of matches for the ensuing four months. The introduction of the GAUNLET OF POLO™ made waves in the polo community, uniting polo’s major forces, the United States Polo Association (USPA), United States Polo Association Global Licensing (USPAGL) and the International Polo Club. The series will highlight the three major tournaments of the season, the coveted C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup®, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, totaling in over $1,000,000 of prize money if a competing team captures victory in all three tournaments,

making it the most valuable tournament series in polo history. Along with the game of polo, comes the glitz and glam of the impressive social scene during the winter at IPC. The Veuve Clicquot Pavilion and Celebrity Cruises Polo Lounge will return again for another season of social entertainment, featuring an immense and delicious Sunday brunch prior to the start of the iconic 3:00 p.m. game each week at the venue. The enjoyable atmosphere coupled with a perfect field-side view, makes the Pavilion and the Polo Lounge two of the most enviable tickets during the winter season. Premier stadium boxes and grandstand seating are also available for purchase throughout the season, as well as field-side tailgating spaces. Weddings, corporate events, and sporting tournaments can also be booked and reserved at IPC, making it an ideal location for any special outing or occasion. The picturesque venue offers an extensive list of event spaces and offerings and is open year-round. In addition to the extensive high goal season, The Polo School at IPC will be offering daily lessons and amateur-friendly low goal leagues for individuals interested in learning more about playing the game of polo. Gladiator Polo™ is scheduled to return to the venue in 2019, debuting a new state-of-the-art arena and creating a new buzz in Wellington on Friday evenings. A spectator-friendly and intense version of arena polo, Gladiator Polo™ will pit eight of the top arena teams against each other over the course of eight weeks, culminating in an exciting final match in April. A traditional Argentine-asado style buffet will be offered for premium ticket holders, as well as free general admission seating during the matches. internationalpoloclub.com

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JORDACHE F/W 2019 PHOTOGRAPHER: SLOAN LAURITS

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nspired by 80’s Aspen with hints of classic ski references inset with neon accents in vibrant styles. Drawing from Jordache’s rich archives, the collection, like the girl who wears it, travels to new heights seeking new adventures. Authentic silhouettes have been updated to current fits and details like mixing denims with bright tech fabrics or leather as well as using classic acid wash denim with vibrant accents and introducing corduroy. Notable pieces include a denim mixed ski inspired jacket, leather fringe jacket and a re-introduction of the famous Jordache “Coming and Going” jean which has made a splash with its’ two toned silhouette and contrast back.

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George Spiliadis, NYSPCC Children’s Council Member Vicky Cornell, NYSPCC Executive Director Mary Pulido, PhD, Deborah Norville, Karl Wellner | Photo by Megan Kernan

NYSPCC Board Member Dr. Penny Grant, Philanthropist Dawne Marie Grannum, writer Lori Snyder, philanthropist Jean Shafiroff | Photo by Megan Kernan

Spotlight THE NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN W I T H J U L I A N N E M I CH E L L E

T H E N EW Y O RK S OCIE T Y F OR T HE P R E VEN T I O N OF CR U ELT Y T O C H IL D REN Since 1875, the NYSPCC has been working to address the needs of children, developing and implementing innovative mental health, legal and educational programs for trauma recovery and the prevention of child abuse.

Connect via: Twitter: @NYSPCC

SIXTH ANNUAL FOOD & WINE GALA TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2018 The NYSPCC’s sixth annual Food & Wine Gala was hosted at the beautiful Metropolitan Club in Manhattan to raise crucial funding for the organization’s Trauma Recovery Program. Chef Costas Spiliadis of world-renowned Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Estiatorio Milos, 2017 winner of The Concierge Choice Awards’ International Cuisine category, designed a one-of-a-kind menu for guests and donated all food. The exquisite cuisine was paired with worldclass wines provided by George Spiliadis, Founder of Cava Spiliadis, as well as Peterson Winery. The evening was hosted by Inside Edition anchor and member of The NYSPCC’s Children’s Council, Deborah Norville, and the live auction was directed by renowned auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla. Executive Director of The NYSPCC, Mary Pulido Ph.D, gave an inspirational speech about the NYSPCC’s groundbreaking work. “We are the first line of defense for vulnerable children and their families in New York City,” said Dr. Pulido. “Our Trauma Recovery Program provides lifesaving counseling to children who have suffered unthinkable abuse, and we’re so grateful to everyone who attended this crucial event and contributed to their rescue and recovery.” Additional VIP attendees included Vicky Cornell, the widow of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and a member of The NYSPCC’s Children’s Council, President of The NYSPCC’s Board Karl Wellner, Gilligan’s Island star Tina Louise, Delicatessen’s Executive Chef Michael Ferraro, who provided The NYSPCC’s exclusive Food & Wine Gala menu in 2017, Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services David Hansell, business executive and former Reuters CEO Tom Glocer and his wife, NYSPCC Board Member Maarit Glocer, New York Jets offensive tackle Brent Qvale, NYSPCC Board Member Dr. Penny Grant, Philanthropist Dawne Marie Grannum, writer Lori Snyder, and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff. nyspcc.org

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Helen and David Jaffe, Rebecca and Sacha Lainovic, Nicole and Marc Lenner, Roxanne and Dean Palin, and Stacey and Marc Saiontz were the Vice Dinner Chairs. foodallergy.org

C U LTU R E FO R O N E Culture for One is dedicated to bringing the power of the arts to children in foster care through cultural excursions, creative workshops, art scholarships, and one-to-one mentoring in an effort to nurture big dreams and encourage higher education and career planning. Julianne Michelle, Lianne Mandelbaum, James R. Baker, Jr., MD, and Karen Mandelbaum Photo By Julie Skarratt Photography

F OOD A L L ERG Y R ESEA RC H & E DU C AT ION ( FA RE) FARE’s mission is to improve the quality of life and health of individuals with food allergies (which affects 15 million people), including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments. Connect @FoodAllergy

THE 21ST ANNUAL FOOD ALLERGY BALL, DECEMBER 3. 2018 The evening hosted at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, attracted 370 supporters and raised over $2.1 million for the notable cause. Broadway and recording star Jessica Vosk, who is personally affected by food allergies, gave a special performance. Kimberley Yates Grosso was honored for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of families seeing life-changing therapies for food allergy. James R. Baker, Jr., MD, former CEO of FARE, received the Food Allergy Changemaker Award for his leadership at FARE, including the creation of the FARE Clinical Network, a bold collaborative that is changing the face of clinical care and accelerating food allergy research. Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Iron Chef and Food Network Celebrity Chef, was honored for her commitment to keeping diners with food allergies safe and setting an example for chefs across the country.

Lisa Gable, FARE CEO, announced the kickoff of a $200 million fundraising and awareness campaign, Contains: Courage™. The campaign is a five-year effort to highlight the “ingredients” that make children living with food allergies extraordinary, raise historic funding in support of families managing food allergies, and educate Americans about the disease. Karen and Lianne Mandelbaum and Diana Riklis and Talia Day were the Gala Dinner Chairs. Joseph Ianniello, President and Acting CEO of CBS Corporation, was the Corporate Dinner Chair. Liana Silverstein Backal and Arthur Backal, Nina Rennert Davidson and Mitchell Davidson, Kathy Franklin, Abby and Robert Goldstein, Kim and Alan Hartman,

Connect @CultureforOne

THE SECOND ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE, DECEMBER 17, 2018 Lifestyle coach and author Lori Synder and I hosted the Second Annual Toy Holiday Drive to support Culture for One at the beautiful Mark Murray Gallery. Light bites and refreshments were served as guests marveled at the artwork adorning the gallery walls and listened to the captivating sounds of classical singer, Tobias Greenhalgh. Other attendees included: Florence Anthony, Dr. Penny Grant, Joycelyn Engle, Joseph Di Palma, Jane Pontarelli, author Doug Dechert, Whitney Wetherill Stroh, Grammy nominee Dale Ashley, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Elena Turina, Eleanore and Nick Vale, Chanel Korby, China Tian, Kristy Rao, Culture for One’s Linn Tanzman, Kathleen Clarke, Susan Kasarsky, Robin Abbott, and Demetrius Shields, Mark Murray, Todd Morici, and Dan Ladner. cultureforone.org

Julianne Michelle is an award-winning actress whose career began at the age of 5. She is currently playing Max in the new Amazon series, New Dogs, Old Tricks. Kathleen Clarke, Dr. Penny Grant, Chanel Korby, and Julianne Michelle | Photo By Guillermo Mogollan

Instagram: @realjuliannemichelle Twitter: @julmichellejulmichelle

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NEW YORK CHARITY SCENE

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PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION’S 2018 NEW YORK DINNER AT RESTAURANT DANIEL By Clara Morgan

Prostate Cancer Foundation hosted the 2018 New York Dinner at Restaurant Daniel featuring a special musical performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo: Michael Milken ©Patrick McMullan

Charles Evans Trustee Bonnie Pfeifer Evans at the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2018 New York Dinner at Restaurant Daniel ©Lenny Stucker

Dr. Jonathan Simons, Plum Simons at the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2018 New York Dinner at Restaurant Daniel ©Lenny Stucker

Christine Jones, Adriana Milana and Tom Milana at the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2018 New York Dinner at Restaurant Daniel ©Patrick McMullan

Rob Citrone and Cindy Citrone at the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2018 New York Dinner at Restaurant Daniel ©Patrick McMullan

Seth Bernstein, Marie Bernstein and Joe Barratta at the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s 2018 New York Dinner at Restaurant Daniel ©Lenny Stucker

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NEW YORK SOCIAL SCENE A MOVIE PREMIERE, AN INTELLIGENT LAUNCH, AND CHARITABLE AWARDS By Clara Morgan

Metrograph hosted the world premiere of Filmmaker/actor Gil Freston at the world THE BIG BREAK, a 15-minute high octane premiere of THE BIG BREAK mini-movie satire on the Hollywood industry ©David Willems/Getty presented by VICE Media, NYC: Producer/action director Loren Herbert ©David Willems/Getty

Futurist & interior designer Warren Kay officially launched Intelligent Living, The New Standard in Tech & Home Design, at the MDRN showroom in New York City: Warren Kay, Billboard-charting singer-songwriter Genesis Jones ©David Warren

Actor David Shabtai at the world premiere of THE Steve Fredericks of the Decoration & Design BIG BREAK ©David Willems/Getty Buliding at the official launch for Intelligent Living at the MDRN showroom ©David Warren

Actress and Producer Rita Wilson and Jean Astrop honored at 2018 American Friends of Blerancourt Annual Gala, NYC: Tom Hanks, Sonja Tremont-Morgan ©Annie Watt

The Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism honored philanthropist Jean Shafiroff with the 2018 Women of the Year Award: Jean Shafiroff, Patricia Klug ©Patrick McMullan

President and CEO John Mahdessian of Madame Paulette at the official launch for Intelligent Living at the MDRN showroom ©David Warren February 2019 | 117

LA SOCIAL SCENE

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2019 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS, GBK’S LUXURY GIFTING LOUNGE By Clara Morgan

In honor of the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, GBK’s Luxury Gifting Lounge presented the hottest items & trips to Hollywood’s biggest names and rising stars, Beverly Hills, CA: Spike Lee ©Gavin Keilly

Anthony Anderson at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, GBK’s Luxury Gifting Lounge

Joe Russo at the Seraph Design Clothing booth, David S. Lee at the Seraph Design Clothing 2019 Golden Globe Awards, GBK’s Luxury booth, 2019 Golden Globe Awards, GBK’s Gifting Lounge ©seraphdesign Luxury Gifting Lounge ©seraphdesign

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LA GOLDEN GLOBES SCENE

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THE 2019 GOLDEN GLOBES, HBO & NETFLIX AFTER PARTIES By Clara Morgan

Laura Dern attends HBO’s Golden Globe Awards Patricia Arquette attends HBO’s Golden Globe After Party at Circa 55 Restaurant, Los Angeles Awards After Party at Circa 55 Restaurant, Los ©Getty Images Angeles ©Getty Images

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