Fashion, Music and the Culture that Moves You
Teyste &Grandeur
Magazine
No Mind Nate Maxwell and His Original Bunny Gang
Marlaesk Designs’ Bradi MacSleyne
The Man, The Myth The Legend Cliff Young and His Pioneering Culinary Spirit
Fall 2011
ScarletV www.scarlet-v.com
Jimmy Choo Jimmy Choo
Paisley Velvet Slipon
Kemp holographic pump
$795
$1,495
Editor’s Picks
Jimmy Choo Black Vulcanized rubber boot
Fall Footwear
$425
Christian Louboutin Super Woman Pythons $1,119
Mark Nason Rock Lives brown boot $532
Azzedine Alaia Cutout Laceup Booties $1,181
Fresh new looks for fall “You want to fall in love with a shoe, go ahead. A shoe can't love you back, but, on the other hand, a shoe can't hurt you too deeply either. And there are so many nicelooking shoes.” Allan Sherman
Gianmarco Lorenzi Black Midcut Boot $1,335
Gucci Orange suede driver $395
Teyste
&Grandeur
Contents
9
The man, the myth, the legend Cliff Young Written by:Tate Allyson Fischer Photography by: David Backus
15
No Mind Nathen Maxwell of Flogging Molly And the Original Bunny Gang Written by: Josh MacSleyne
18 Industry Tips Keys to Successful Fashion Shows By Michael Beckerman
20 An Outlaws Road Regulator Records By Tate Alyson Fischer
28 Marlaesk Designs Bradi MacSleyne and her theories on Green Design Written by: Sandra Von Weisenheimr Photography by: Enrique Parilla
Summer Fashion Wrap Up Written by: Cameron Cowan
MAKE YOUR BRIDAL PARTY FEEL AS SPECIAL AS YOU DO Bridesmaids Flower Girls Moms Accessories Shoes
Letter from the Publisher
“The difference between style and fashion is quality.” Giorgio Armani
Over the last several months, while we have been developing the concepts and goals for Teyste and Grandeur Magazine, I have met with many people who have said the same thing, “Denver is not a fashion town.” “We aren’t New York or Paris.” Though many of these people and you know who you are, were being discouraging, I do have to agree. Denver is not a fashion town. We don’t have the big fashion shows, manufacturers, or designers that are in New York, LA, or Paris. I say this, so that I can respond by asking, why aren’t we? Over the last few years I have met a myriad of extremely talented and well known designers who live here in Denver and Colorado. I have met world famous musicians who drink at the local pubs and bars. It is true Denver is not New York or Paris, Denver is Denver simply put. Most of the people that I meet are not natives. They are people who have migrated to Denver because of what we have to offer. This is what Teyste and Grandeur Magazine is. Our Goal is to show the country and the world what we, as a community have to offer. Let us as a city and state bring ourselves up to a higher standard. Let’s shed the “cow town” image that we have been held to and truly show the world what we already know; Denver is and can be the greatest city in the world. Welcome to our world, a world of couture fashion, good music and great culture. The world of Teyste and Grandeur.
Wing Chun Kung Fu And Traditional Japanese Jiu JitsuClasses starting August First Call
720-536-8689 Self Defense
CliffYoung His Steakhouse and his legend
Written By: Tate Allyson Fischer Photography: David Bachus
It’s 6pm, and the night is still young at 1222 Glenarm Place in downtown Denver. The Maître D’ leads me through the sultry dining room to a table where I nervously greet a true Denver Restaurant Icon. Within seconds, I feel as though I have known Cliff Young for years. His success has not diluted his genuine humility and kindness, and he is quick to share his incredible life experience with me. According to Cliff, his life can be reflected in three major “periods”, in which his soul journeyed through being a philosophy scholar, a hard-working restaurant mastermind and a man on his “2nd Honeymoon” in Burgundy, France. To say that these periods are not intimately intertwined would be sheer ignorance. While working in the 1970’s for restaurants such as the Broadmoor, Cliff’s intellect was expanding and bearing fruit, including the publishing of a poetry book in 1980. After running Le Profil for eleven years, the early 1980’s brought about the signature restaurant, Cliff Young’s, which was soon proclaimed “The Perfect Restaurant” by Michael Carlton, The Denver Post Food Critic. This perfect restaurant was born from a delicate combination of the leading man, Mr. Young, as well as stellar chefs such as David Query, Mike Wiest and Tyler Waird.
So where does one go next after such an incredible restaurateur journey? Burgundy, France of course! With a curious glimmer in his eye, Cliff speaks of his “second honeymoon” with his beautiful wife, Sharon, to the captivating renowned region of France where he found his inspiration to elevate the meaning behind “allowing perfection to emerge in the lives of clients and guests.” While living on their medieval estate in the center of wine country in Beaune, France, Cliff soon discovered that there were as many three star Michelin restaurants near Beaune as there were in all of Paris. The brilliant fare found in this region is due in large part to the flawless integrity of the ingredients. From wild game to French truffles, everything is 100% biodynamic, with no fertilizers or pesticides…each ingredient “just is.”
An interesting insight from Mr. Young is that “Denver hates arrogance, and has a huge sense of independence and authenticity.” He feels that this is an integral part of his drive to share quality and yet With each new palette experience throughout his time in France, the desire intensified to create a platform that would commendably express what he had learned. Five months after his return from France, CY Steakhouse was born, boasting French influences at every turn, complete with charcuterie, Foie Gras, succulent sauces, extraordinary side dishes, 520 Old and New World wine selections, as well as cigars. As if that weren’t enough to meet and exceed the longings of his patrons, Cliff has created, along with his pastry chef, a delectable ice cream line named Baby Bleu, and he is ardently forming an irresistible artisanal product line, including house made butter with sea salt harvested by children in Normandy, house smoked bacon, pickles, jams and much more. The sophistication of each of these artisanal products is a dazzling blend of Cliff’s expertise, the inspiration of the French and the aptitude of his pastry chef, Earl Pettet. No matter what you choose to indulge your senses at CY Steakhouse, you will undoubtedly sense genuine hospitality during your visit. Cliff believes that hospitality equals “sincere giving,” which includes both making memories as well as maintaining a high standard of integrity in his buying. Finding balance in his endeavors along the way has emerged from the fine-tuned combination of creativity and wisdom in partnering with his son Zack. Together they ensure that they do not buy from people who exploit animals or humans, and that they strive to change the menu as frequently as possible because “changing the menu only four times per year is bogus.” Executive Chef and Beef expert, Clement McHale and Chef d’ Cuisine, Chris Jensen will keep you pleasantly surprised with new offerings.
Is it any wonder that Cliff Young has been nationally acclaimed as a legend and icon in the Denver restaurant business?! In the true spirit of sincere giving, Cliff strives to help others realize their dreams and reach their full potential. A main vehicle for this training is his international consulting firm, Cliff
“…teaches private restaurateurs to operate, with a concentration on the four-month period of pre- and post-opening. Focus is placed on attaining and exceeding industry standards, creating a culture of service and sales, including teaching sales techniques and getting the highest possible gains” (www.cliffyoungs.com). As my time with Cliff comes to an end, I am certain I have only gleaned a slice of wealth from this Colorado-born Denver legend, and I am left longing for more…just as you will be when you get one taste of his delectable French cuisine. However, we both agree that “fine dining” isn’t quite the phrase for the preeminence he is creating, so the next restaurant you see from Cliff Young is sure to declare a striking emphasis on relevance and an emergence of perfection. You can read more about Cliff at www.vintenersclub.com and www.CYSteakDenver.com
NO Mind By: Josh MacSleyne
There is something special about seeing seasoned musicians perform. When a band comes together and has the experience to make the stage illuminate an ambiance that takes you away from the rigors of your life, the audience will be treated to what can only be described as amazing. Unfortunately these types of shows do not come around very often. I have seen ones that come close, usually in large venues with a lot of production behind them, ensuring that nothing goes wrong. The real treat is a live performance among the intimacy of a neighborhood bar with very little production. It is where you can see the true band perform. I recently had the pleasure of seeing such a show from Nathen Maxwell and the Original Bunny Gang at the Marquis Theater. Nathen Maxwell is, of course, the bassist for Flogging Molly, one of the largest and hardest working punk bands in history. Over the last ten years they have become an international sensation, playing over 200 shows a year. Nathen Maxwell is no novice when it comes to performance. What I saw that Friday night made me want to know more about the Original Bunny Gang. I wanted to learn more about the history and philosophy behind them. A few weeks later I had the pleasure of sitting down with Nathen during a rehearsal to discuss the questions I had. “Original Bunny Gang” is Nathen paying homage to the last ten years of his life. The majority of the debut album, “White Rabbit,” was written over the course of the past decade. He describes it as being written under his breath. Many of the songs were developed while either on tour with Flogging Molly or as lullabies to his daughters. The album itself has a very soulful sound, especially for being a working-class punk and reggae influenced album. Nathen and the band like to refer to it as “new rock steady.” Nathen wants to create new music, just like when reggae and punk first came out. They were both new styles and sounds that had never been heard before. Though both influence Nathen’s creation, in spite of wanting to create new music, he wears his influences on his sleeve. Nathen pulled heavily on the music that inspired him as a young musician. He grew up in Long Dale, CA during the reggae /punk movement of the early 90’s. Being a young, eager, musician, he sought out and emulated bands such as the Clash, the Cure, and Bob Marley. Nathen described the debut album as romanticizing his early musical career.
He believed that White Rabbit was something that needed to be done. So how did Nathen Maxwell and “The Original Bunny Gang” come about? Up until 2009, the thought of starting another band separate from Flogging Molly, was not foremost on Nathen’s mind. He had been writing for years, both for Flogging Molly and for himself. Many of the songs from White Rabbit had been performed while on the road, either on street corners, or at after-parties. He knew at the time that he wanted to do something with the songs, but realized that they just did not fit with Flogging Molly. While in preproduction for the album “Float,” Nathen played several of his songs for the band. Some were new songs that they had not heard and others were songs that they were familiar with. After he had played about half a dozen songs, Dave King, the lead singer and founder of Flogging Molly, told Nathen that he really had his own sound and inspiration, and that he really should record his own album. This was the motivation that Nathen needed. He said that getting the blessing from Flogging Molly really excited and motivated him to start the work. Within a short time Nathen started arranging the songs and finalizing the details to record the album. Bunny Gang did not develop along the lines of most bands. They went from concept to album to world-touring in a short time. Many of the details have been figured out on stage. It is the trial by fire approach to music. Most bands develop their sound and performance styles over a long period of time, playing small shows or practicing in the garage. Bunny Gang did not have this luxury. Nathen’s philosophy on performing is to put all his energy into the performance. This has given plenty of opportunity for personal development.
For Nathen, the actual performances are both physically and emotionally harder because the songs are so personal to him. They take more energy because he sings and plays guitar for Bunny Gang, as oppose to Flogging Molly, where Nathen plays bass and sings back-up. Since the songs were written “under my breath,” they were written and recorded as quiet songs.
I asked Nathen if he would have wanted to take the time to develop Bunny Gang in the “garage days” style. The simple answer is no. Nathen believes that for the album and Bunny Gang to exist it had to happen this way. If he had taken the time to make sure everything was perfect before recording, playing it might never have happened. He would never have been satisfied or it would never have been perfect. There are things at the beginning that he did not like: videos of the early performances where the band members were playing bum notes or he is singing off key. He sometimes wishes that there was not a record of the mistakes, but everything aligned at the right point in time, and he had to take his chance. What is in the future for the Bunny Gang? When I met with Nathen, he and the band were rehearsing and putting together songs to demo for their second album. I asked Nathen where the album was going to go. White Rabbit was written by Nathen over ten years.
There was not a band or a goal in mind. It was just Nathen playing and writing what he felt. Bunny Gang now has four members who will all bring their influences and styles to the table. They have played together and have developed together. Nathen doesn’t want to lose the root of the music, but the next album can’t be the same as the first. He has already romanticized the past: it is time to look to the future. His philosophy is “no mind,” let the music come and figure it out later. Nathen describes himself as a lifer. There is nothing else that he wants to do than play music. He idolizes musicians who continue to perform and play until they physically can’t any more.
“I have no backup plan, this is it.” What got my attention most, when I saw Bunny Gang perform, was that after playing a full set, the entire band packed up their equipment and walked across the street to another bar to set up and play again. This is a band that truly loves to jam. This is what the heart and soul of The Original Bunny Gang is about.
Industry Tips By Michael Beckerman
18 Key Factors In a Successful Fashion Show Fashion shows matter in the fashion world for one simple reason: they are the focal point where everyone involved in the fashion industry gets to put their best foot forward and tell their story to the world in a live, energetic and exciting setting for all to see. Fashion shows are one of the most important ways for those in the fashion industry, from designers to models to MUA’s (Make Up Artists) and hair stylists, to each present the cumulative result of all the time, energy and effort they have put into their profession. To put on a successful show, it is vital that all aspects of planning and executing such an event be carefully thought out and considered, far in advance of the first model ever setting foot out on the runway. The following list of questions identifies many of the key points to keep in mind when planning to host a fashion show. Thinking carefully about these relevant issues throughout the entire planning process will help you to better structure and execute your event. These questions and recommendations will help provide the guidance needed to assure your success and prevent some of the most common mistakes that are made when planning, setting up and hosting a runway fashion event.
1. Venue Have you chosen the proper venue? The first question you should always ask yourself when thinking about putting on a fashion show is “Do I really have the right venue to hold a fashion show in?” Just because you can hold a fashion show somewhere, doesn’t necessarily mean that you should hold it there. As we will discuss at length in this guide, not every location (even if it is a very popular one) is necessarily well suited for hosting a show. Is the venue the right size for your show? The size of the venue should be a good fit for the type and size of show that you will be hosting. To size the venue properly, it is important to first have a good understanding of how many people you will be expecting to attend your show. Having too big of a space will result in your show feeling smaller than it should and will likely mean that you have needlessly wasted money from your budget on renting out too large of a space. Conversely, having too small of a venue will result in guests and staff feeling uncomfortable by being crammed into an undersized space. Is the venue centrally located? If you have a great facility but it is too hard to find, too far away or too hard to get to, people aren’t going to be interested in attending your show. Ideally, it should be held in a location that is easy to find and easy to get to, without everyone having to drive a great distance to get there. The easier you make it for people to find and get to your venue, the more likely you are to have a good turnout for your show.
Is the venue located in a popular area? Ideally, you want to host your show at a facility that many people already know well and have been to before. Additionally, you will want to host the show in an area or part of town that people will likely already have a reason to be going to anyway (diner, movie, drinks, dancing, etc.) around the time that your show will be held. This is part of the reason why nightclubs are often very popular places to hold smaller, local fashion shows. Since they are in the business of frequently drawing a fashion conscious, well to do, younger demographic, clubs are already bringing in the types of people that you will likely want to be presenting your designer’s products to. Be careful here though, as this does not necessarily mean that every night club out there will always serve as a good location for a smaller fashion event. Only certain clubs with the proper space, staff, security, layout, location and lighting will be a good fit for hosting a show. Just because one club in an area turns out to be a good fit for hosting a show at, does not necessarily mean that the other clubs in that same area will also be good facilities to host a show at as well. Each facility must be carefully investigated and evaluated on its own individual merits before making a decision on which venue to go with. Don’t just jump at the first location you see. Take your time when evaluating a location as having the right venue is absolutely vital to the success of your show. Does the venue have sufficient parking? Parking is always an important issue when selecting a venue to host a show at. No one wants to go to an event if they are going to have a difficult time finding a place to park when they arrive. Additionally, guests will not be pleased when they arrive at the facility if they have to pay inordinately high parking fees or have had to park too far away. This is especially true if the weather turns out to be less than ideal on the night of your show. Does the facility have the proper amount of lighting on the runway? If there isn't already sufficient lighting in place at the facility to properly light the entire length of the runway and you aren’t able to bring in your own runway lighting, then don't host your show at that facility. There is no point in putting on a show if the models and designs they will be wearing in the show can’t be seen by the guests. Additionally, having proper and sufficient runway lighting will also allow the photographers that you have hired to shoot your show to take the best possible photos by shooting in available light. When photographers have to rely exclusively on their flashes to light the models on the runway, they will usually come away with shots that are not as good as they could be if proper, overhead runway lighting had been in place. Can the venue provide VIP guest seating along the runway? Most well executed shows will have reserved, VIP seating along the length of the runway using folding chairs. The best executed shows not only have these seats in place for high profile, VIP guests when they arrive, but also have place cards set out on the seats (or taped to the seat backs) indicating who the seat is specifically reserved for and what organization they are with. If the facility does not have such seating available for you, you will have to rent and bring in these chairs for the event, at an additional cost.
Can the facility provide a long enough runway for a show? Regardless of whether you decide to go with an elevated runway or a ground level runway, you will want to be in a facility that can provide you with a runway that will be long enough for your show. A runway that is too short doesn’t give the models sufficient time to be out in front of the guests. Ideally, the runway should be as long as possible so that the models and the designs they are wearing have the best chance of being seen and for the greatest amount of time. Having a longer runway also allows for as much front row, VIP seating as possible for key guests that you will want to be absolutely sure and have an entirely unobstructed view of the designs that are in the show. Remember that a fashion show is primarily about seeing and being seen. The designers are there to promote and sell their new lines. Their designs have to be both seen and properly photographed on the runway for that to happen. Has this facility successfully hosted other fashion shows before? This is an important thing to note because you don’t necessarily want to be the “guinea pig” that this venue uses to figure out how to properly hold a fashion show with. If the venue has never hosted a show before, they are far more likely to overlook the little things and make mistakes in their execution of your event. It is far better to work with a facility that already has many successful fashion shows to their credit and has long since worked the kinks out of the process of how to present and execute a successful runway show. Copyright © 2011 – MichaelBeckermanPhotography.com
The Outlaws Road The History of Regulator Records By Tate Alyson Fischer
“We’ll Make You Famous”—this is the company slogan of Regulator Records that is continu-
ally upheld by their emergent success. Rarely instantaneous and effortless, the entertainment industry is quite possibly the epitome of a war-beaten path to living the dream. Regulator Records is currently topping Radio charts, but they did not create their label over a couple years of hard work. As I spoke with Pat Rasile, CEO of Regulator Records, he took me to the true beginning of this successful label, and we found ourselves back in 1995.
“BDK” (Pat Rasile), “Osiris” AKA “O” (Michael Imperatore), “Hop” (Gerald Harper), “Ty” (Edward McGriff), and “Red Eye Bandit” (Brian Vacante), were rough and tumble teenagers with a young vision to run their own record label when they began acquiring equipment and setting up their recording studio. Mutual zeal for the industry propelled their journey toward rebuilding the studio and laying tracks in 1997. Their first recording artist was Ruga who, along with these passionate young men, successfully executed potential hits such as “Make the Skies Fall” and “Sincerely Mine.” In 1999, the crew suffered the loss of Gerald “Hop” Harper, and vowed to carry on the dream in honor of his name. Although financial challenges lead these young men to take different paths, they did not let go of their dream.
They spent days and nights in the studio, and soon learned that having the dream and having the studio were important, but crucial elements were lacking. Thankfully, Pat “Bdk” Rasile met Jake Tanner, who taught them the great art of audio engineering, as well as Vinny DeGeorge, who cultivated music theory and expanded their instrument repertoire. Over the next few years, these young hopefuls were laying a strong foundation for creative knowledge. This era also brought on the venture of Young Gunz. With Michael “Osiris” Imperatore leading the way, the next several years yielded the production of “A Dolla 4 Da Dead,” “Out 4 Blood,” “Not Forgotten” (in reverent memory of “Hop”), “Return of the Bad Men,” and finally, the highlight of their collection, “Escape New York” in 2001. Although financial challenges lead these young men to take different paths, they did not let go of their drive. In late 2003, Rasile met Gyasi Parkins who, through divine intervention, became the business manager for Regulator Records.
Gyasi brought the valuable knowledge and business skills of publishing, endorsements, and sponsorships, which complemented Rasile’s strength in the field of promotions and audio production. Combining a vast list of connections and rising stars , the two young men rebuilt Regulator Records. 2003 also brought upon some change for this flourishing business when Roc-a-fella Records, who had expressed interest in Young Gunz, bought the rights to the name (and continues to be a rap group until today). Between 2003 and 2010, Regulator Records experienced a continual evolution toward inevitable triumph. In Rasile’s words, “instead of a little step, it’s taking a more like leaps now!” Presently, Regulator Records boasts their fully capable InHouse Productions Studio as well as Make You Famous Publishing Company. Furthermore, many different media outlets are ready to promote their new music video of “I Don’t Make Believe” by DreadChild of the Knotz featuring Nature (formerly of “The Firm”) off the upcoming album “The Ladder,” which is due to release in 2011.
P1 Radio stations are picking up this song and multiple regions seem to be drawn to the hit from Florida to New York, Europe to Asia, and beyond. “We’ve hit several radio charts with this one,” said Rasile: that includes #4 in the Urban Market, #5 on Rap Attack Live Charts, #2 on Record Breakers Chart, Top 100 for Pop and Top 26 in the World. www.HipHopDX.com premiered the music video for 48 hours before releasing it to more media outlets. In the true spirit of impelling success, Regulator Records will be bringing you Snake-II'z of the First Family, album “The Rapture” coming soon for 2012. Rasile multi-tasked during our entire interview, yet his etiquette remained flawless; as we end our conversation,
he lowers his voice to emphasize the significance of what he is about to say.“I’d like to give thanks to Mr. Rasile [his father] for believing in us, and Thomas Mann "Skilly The Spider” [ VP of Regulator Records] for bringing this all together. Special shout out to Travis Macklin "Spunk" for making big things happen, these men have been key players and our special weapons.” Regulator Records is moving forward and bringing a dynamic, encouraging revolution to the music industry as we know it. You can check out their stellar website at www.regulatorrecords.com
ScarletV A New Line of Comfort, Style and Photography : Dave Wood Hair & Makeup :Chelsea Garcia Model : Marissa Trujillo Special Thanks To : Rob McKenzie
SV
SV
SV
SV
Editor’s
Halston Heritage double sash belt
Choice
$107
Jenson Conroy Multi-strand Necklace $1,518
Paul Smith Swirl scarf $157
Hot Trends for Fall Get’em While You Can
Lucifer Vir Honestus Organic blue sapphire ring $9,650
Alexander McQueen Faithfull Satchel Oscar De La Renta
$1,595
Feathered Shades $289
Chanel Vintage Circles Bracelet $1,240
“Fashions fade, style is eternal” - Yves Saint Laurent
Inverni Grey Double Bowed Fidora $265
www.aspenwestfall.com
Online Wine
Tastings
And How They Work Written by: Ben Simons
“The times, they are a-changin’.” around the country also hosted live parties that coincided with the online Every once in a while I stop to event. Both the in-store attendees and those think about a time when the word “friend” playing from home joined in by posting on meant someone with whom you have a Twitter. This form of online tasting is beclose and personal relationship. In the modcoming increasingly popular with compaern world a friend isn’t necessarily even nies who are looking for new ways to exsomeone you’ve met, but merely someone pose consumers to their products. you felt obligated to accept a friend request Some virtual tastings are focused from. Those were simpler times, times on a single variety of wine. All of the parwhen the word “tweet” was just onomatopoeia for a sound made by a bird and when ticipants simply buy a bottle of wine that having something viral was still considered fits in with the variety that has been selected, and then they get on Twitter or Faceundesirable. There is no doubt that the book to talk about them. These tastings online world has reached out and touched have had large participation numbers, but every aspect of our lives, and the wine they end up feeling like you are in a room world is certainly no exception. with a bunch of people shouting about difAmong wine enthusiasts, a circle ferent wines. The fact that the participants of people I affectionately refer to as are not drinking the same wines makes it “Swirlers,” wine tastings have long been a difficult to really have any meaningful infavorite pastime. Wine tasting is generally teraction, but the continuing popularity distinguishable from wine drinking by the indicates that people enjoy these events. ratio of pretentious sounding nonsense to Another example of online tasting slurred declarations of platonic love. Typievents is a recent Twitter tasting that was cally, the idea behind a wine tasting is to actually evaluate the quality and character- conducted by Whole Foods, involving a selection of their popular summer wines. In istics of the wine, as opposed to just copaddition to the online portion of the tasting, ping a nice buzz. Until recently, wine tastWhole Foods stores around the country also ings have always taken place at a central location, such as a winery or a tasting party. hosted live parties that coincided with the online event. Both the in-store attendees Within the last couple of years a new kind and those playing from home joined in by of tasting has started to become popular, posting on Twitter. This form of online tastand that is the online tasting. Another example of an online tasting is a recent Twit- ing is becoming increasingly popular with companies who are looking for new ways to ter tasting that was conducted by Whole Foods, involving a selection of their popular expose consumers to their products. Bob Dylan
summer wines. In addition to the online portion of the tasting, Whole Foods stores
Regardless of the format, online tastings are a great way to learn more and to connect with other people who are interested in wine. Possibly more than any other beverage, wine is a social drink, and online tastings allow drinkers to share the tasting experience with wine lovers around the world. My participation in online wine tastings has lead to my becoming friends with fellow winos (yes, we actually call ourselves that) around the United States, and I have had the opportunity to talk about the wine making process with some of the top winemakers in the country. Although our definition of the word “friend” may have changed over the years, the experience of tasting wine with those “friends” is roughly the same as it has always been. New technologies effectively extend the walls of the winery tasting room to anywhere with an internet connection, but the essence of wine tasting remains the same. If you spend a lot of time on social media and are interested in wine, you should give one of these tastings a try. One upcoming online tasting is the Pinot Noir Smackdown that will take place on August 17th. For more information about the event, visit http://pinotsmackdown.eventbrite.com/, or follow the Twitter hashtag #PinotSmackdown.
Keepin’ it Gangsta Photography by: Robert A. Rice Wardrobe Provided by: Boss Vintage
Summer Fashion Wrap Up By: Cameron Cowan I’m very exciting to be writing a fashion column for the inaugural issue of Teyste and Grandeur Magazine! Since it’s still summer and still very hot here in Denver I thought I would talk about some of the great fashion we have seen from those great artists that have been touring this summer. Celebrities have the advantage of stylists and a variety of clothes to pick from. Celebrities can teach we mere-mortals a great deal about fashion and what to wear and how to best pull it off. Our first lead fashion musician is Adele.
Although Adele had to postpone part of her American run due to voice strain her fashion this summer after the release of her sophomore album ”21” has been spectacular. Not only does she show that ladies can look classy, fabulous, and even sexy and not be a size 4 but that they can do with ease! This dress in particular shows her effortless style. Rather than going with a strapless stress she is using a nice sheer lace to show some shoulder. Her hair is up in a stylish up-do which elongates the face and body. The cut of this dress is also spectacular because not only does it create waist, it also doesn’t bind or bunch which is important in plus-size fashion. She is also showing some leg simply going with a knee length skirt here and the very popular nude hosiery that came into fashion on the legs of another British fashionista, Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Our next leading fashion lady is Jennifer Hudson. After her 2009 marriage and having her first son in 2010 she decided to lose weight with Weight Watchers and now she is sexy and svelte. J Hud was always a looker since she burst onto the scene on American Idol in 2005, but with the release of her sophomore album “I Remember Me” she looks even better. She is really showing off her new body in this asymmetrical dress with the detailed bodice. The bodice lifts and showcases her chest while slimming and creating shape against the skirt portion of the ensemble.
Katy Perry has been the “it” this summer with her new “California Girls” album and the Smurfs movie coming out. The woman has been everywhere and although Joan Rivers calls the now famous Smurf dress a fashion “don’t,” Katy Perry does it well here. Normally something like this would be hideous and on literally anyone else but she makes it work. This dress is like awkward song that is hard to play and hard to cover but always works when played by the original band. The reason this dress works at all is because it is covered in the same sequins throughout making the Smurfette protion of the dress blend in and stand out at the same time. It also helps that the design is made to conform to the shape and angle of the dress as well so the design really blends and works.
Ready for a trip to Harajuku station? Nicki Minaj, who identifies as a “harajuku Barbie” in the tradition of the eclectic fashion of young people around the famous train station in Tokyo, takes us there on a daily basis with her quirky fashion. I do not often recommend that others take fashion cues from her but I can say that her penchant for body suits, crazy hair colors, and busy patterns shows us that if you have the body and the look you can step out with confidence in almost anything. This is my favorite outfit because even though the leggings have a strange pattern they conform to the shape of the leg and draw the eye right up her to the lacy bodice and gloves. The big hair also puts everything into proportion which is very important. Even though there is plenty of skin showing she looks sexy without being risqué or looking like a street-walker which is hard to do.
The last leading summer lady I want to feature is the ever fashionable Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine. Florence has a very open lithe personality and it comes across in her clothes as well. She is like a delicate doll that you just cannot touch. This red carpet number worn at the Oscar’s made her and the dress famous for fashion. With its many layers it is structured and yet still moves easily. What makes the dress really work is her incredibly slight frame. This really could not work on hardly any other celebrity which makes Florence Welch a very special fashionista. These celebrities show that regardless of your body style you can create a red-carpet ready look if you know how to accentuate the right areas.
Cameron Cowan
www.marlaesk.com
6 Great End of Summer Wines 2009 Dr.L Riesling $9-$12 a bottle This off-dry (slightly sweet) wine is an affordable example of a quality German Riesling, and pairs wonderfully with spicy foods. The nose of the wine offers great mineral aromas, mixed with citrus. The palate is a mixture of apricot stone fruit and some nice citrus acidity to balance out the mild sweetness of
2010 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc $15-$18 a bottle A great example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, this wine features the standard combination of cut grass and vegetal nose, as well as powerful lime, grapefruit, and sour apple on the palate. Some great acidity makes this wine a
Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Sparkling Wine $10-$12 a bottle One of the more consistent value wines, which famously out-performed Dom PĂŠrignon in blind tastings in the book The Wine Trials by Robin Goldstein, this budget bubbly is produced in the traditional French Champagne method, and features an approachable nose of baked apples and a touch of yeast. The palate
Late Summer Wines 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir $20-$25 a bottle Summer doesn’t mean that you have to forsake red wine altogether. One of my favorite summer reds is Pinot Noir. Good Pinot can be hard to find at a reasonable price, but at under $25 a bottle, this is one of the better values that I have 2009 Aime Roquesante Rosé $10-$13 a bottle No summer wine list would be complete without rosé. Despite what you may have heard, real men (and women) drink pink. This Provençal rosé is made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. The color is closer to salmon than pink, and the nose is comprised of floral components, strawberries, and some apricot. The palate is dryer than the nose would have indicated, with strawberries carrying 2008 Laurenz V. Singing Grüner Veltliner $10-$13 a bottle This somewhat less known variety from Austria makes for another great summer wine. This Grüner is on the dryer side, with some lively aromas of wet stone, lemon, lime, and subtle white pepper. The palate is refreshing, with light honey, apples and well balanced citrus. This is a great introduction to an underrated va-
Andrea Li
Living Art
Photography by: Dave Wood Makeup by: David Brawner Styled by: Michael Imperatore
www.andreali.com
Halloween Is Coming! Be Ready for the Next Event! Brought to You by
Teyste & Grandeur Magazine Details Coming Soon! Visit www.tandgdenver.com