©2014-2015 Harry Winston, Inc. #HWSECRETS
THE SHOPS AT CRYSTALS 3720 LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD 702 262 0001 VIA BELLAGIO 3600 LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD SOUTH 702 479 2479 HARRYWINSTON.COM
Haute Joaillerie, place Vend么me since 1906
THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS - 702-696-7139 THE SHOPS AT CRYSTALS - 702-560-6556 vancleefarpels.com
Lucky Charms Mini Watch, pink gold and diamonds, guillochĂŠ dial.
44 BRANDS. 24 UNIQUE TO MARKET | THESHOPSATCRYSTALS.COM
OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER II
rolex
oyster perpetual and yacht-master are trademarks.
FRONT RUNNER The world’s image of glamorous, dangerous Las Vegas was cemented by the hit 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever, with Sean Connery and Lana Wood (as Plenty O’Toole).
DiamonDs are Forever It’s one of the most iconic images in the 50-year screen history of James Bond: Sean Connery as 007, gruff yet suave, leaning impassively over a craps table beside a buxom brunette whose daring décolleté is rivaled only by her voluminous coif. The scene is from 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever—set in the high-stakes world of diamond thieves and the sixth Bond film to star Connery—in which a shimmering Las Vegas plays nearly as big a role as the leading man or Jill St. John (as glamorous smuggler Tiffany Case). Many pivotal moments in this classic spy film were shot at the Las Vegas Hilton (called the Whyte House in the movie), which was then the largest hotel in the world, with 1,512 rooms and a whopping 30,000-square-foot casino floor. Global superstars like Barbra Streisand and Elvis Presley sang there, the latter selling out an astounding 58 consecutive performances in 1969 and surpassing $2 million in ticket sales, a record at the time.
14 vegasmagazine.com
But just like Bond, the hotel has been reinvented many times over the years. Called The International when it opened in 1969, it was the passion project of owner Kirk Kerkorian, who correctly predicted that the demand for hotel rooms on the Strip would only continue to grow. Unfortunately, massive debts soon forced him to sell the property to Hilton Hotels, which christened it the Las Vegas Hilton in 1971. The 279-foot fan-shaped Hilton sign, the largest in the world when it was built in 1997, became a familiar sight to tourists and locals. And this year the hotel was reinvented again, under its new owner, Westgate Resorts, which renamed it Westgate Las Vegas. But whatever it’s called, the property endures as a Strip landmark—and a surprisingly nimble one in accommodating nearly five decades of reinvention. Just like 007, who remains beloved whether Sean Connery or Roger Moore or Daniel Craig is ordering Bond’s martini shaken, not stirred. V
photography courtesy of the everett collection
Two icons, James Bond and The Vegas hoTel ThaT played The whyTe house, liVe on—despiTe mulTiple characTer changes. by juliet izon
RICHARD MILLE BOUTIQUES
RODEO DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS
THE SHOPS AT CRYSTALS, LAS VEGAS
310-285-9898
702-588-7272
contents
December 2014/January 2015
41
La Perla thinks of its lingerie as a gateway for exploring its other categories—as in this sexy ensemble.
14 // front runner 32 // letter from the editor-in-Chief
34 // letter from the publisher
36 // ... Without Whom
this issue Would not have been possible
38 // the list 75 // invited
style 41 // up Close and personal
La Perla’s Suzy Biszantz leads the storied lingerie brand into its next phase.
44 // shine on Light up the Strip with this season’s must-have embellished accessories.
48 // style spotlight Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram reimagined, David Yurman’s all-rose-gold Venetian Quatrefoil Collection, fne furniture from Fendi Casa, and new fne-jewelry options at SLS’s Fred Segal Jewels. Plus: Box clutches worth fghting for.
50 // luxe et veritas As high-end fashion houses target a luxury sector increasingly concerned with sustainability, Loro Piana is decidedly—and beautifully—on course.
54 // santa’s seCret garden
The element of surprise makes Las Vegas tick, and few gifts are as intriguing as an exceptional piece of jewelry that holds an intricate—and practical—treasure inside.
18 vegasmagazine.com
Shop the perfect gift www.cartier.us ©2014 Cartier
The Shops at Crystals (702) 487-3160 The Forum Shops at Caesars (702) 418-3904 Wynn Las Vegas (702) 696-0146
Panthère de Cartier Collection
contents
December 2014/January 2015
62
Ira Glass steps up at the Smith Center.
culture 57 // let the
countdown begin
Vegas will never disappoint when it’s time to ring in the new year, but this year’s options are weirder and more wonderful than ever, from Brit to Zedd. Tip: Start your planning now.
60 // Fabergé Faux real
62 // culture Spotlight Ira Glass dances into the Smith Center, Trifecta Gallery makes its curtain call, and Wynn Las Vegas gets a serious, showstopping performance upgrade.
people 65 // hyper linked Julie Murray and Moonridge Group continue to fnd ways to connect Las Vegas foundations and those in need.
68 // Suite liFe Justin Blau—aka 3LAU, the headlining DJ at Drai’s—has created the ultimate live/work situation.
72 // water workS Two key partnerships help Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté’s One Drop Foundation become a massive force in the movement to provide clean water to those who need it.
20 vegasmagazine.com
photography by david bazemore (glass); christopher polk/getty images for clear channel (levine)
57
Adam Levine and Maroon 5 play Mandalay Bay Events Center this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve Eve.
In Las Vegas, we don’t mind a little artifce—particularly when it comes with a good story and the real beauties that inspired it.
contents 90
Learn the secrets of Guy Savoy’s trade.
December 2014/January 2015
86
Cioccolato Bianco at Hyde.
TasTe 83 // Like This
86 // merry mix-mas! The holidays mean a special round of new cocktails for everyone.
88 // TasTe spoTLighT Holiday dinner and post-holiday brunch, and an off-Strip Puck pass. Plus, top-name chefs help Venetian help the Lou Ruvo Center.
83
Celebrate the season at Comme Ça.
22 vegasmagazine.com
90 // Try This aT home Dining at Guy Savoy is an indulgent pleasure. Learning how the magic happens makes it doubly so.
photography by heather gill ( guy savoy); sabin orr (comme Ça)
Comme Ça at Cosmopolitan celebrates the season like few other restaurants on the Strip.
HEALING ENERGY a daily transformation
Capture the legendary healing energies of our Miracle Broth.™ The Essentials, a targeted moisturizer, serum and eye treatment, visibly transform with the promise of new radiance, the look of youth. LaMer.com
N E I M A N M A R C U S - S A K S F I F T H AV E N U E
contents 94
Cover star Beth Behrs just can’t wait to get back to Vegas.
Features 94 // One DOwnHOme Girl Beth Behrs of TV’s 2 Broke Girls lives it up in Vegas, from full-on cowgirl at the Country Music Awards to full-on glam on our pages. By Jennifer Block Photography by Miranda Penn Turin Styling by Maeve Reilly
December 2014/January 2015 Dress, Donna Karan New York ($3,595). The Shops at Crystals, 702-207-2420; donnakaran.com. Raffia cage neck cuff (price on request) and double bar bendable cuff (price on request), Alexis Bittar. Decorazzi, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3588; alexis bittar.com. White-gold link ring with diamonds ($7,810), Chimento. Tiny Baubles, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3559; chimento.it. Brass XL chain-link ring, Jennifer Fisher ($170). Barneys New York, Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-629-4200; barneys.com. Pumps, Jimmy Choo ($595). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-691-2097; jimmychoo.com
100 // DecO tHe Halls This holiday season, diamonds, platinum, and eye-catching geometric shapes fnd us looking back to the 1920s while looking forward to shopping the Strip. Photography by Bill Diodato
106 // sHOp veGas!
photography by miranda penn turin
Luxury retail in Las Vegas has ballooned into an economic powerhouse, luring good customers with private VIP lounges, free-fowing Champagne, only-in-Vegas items, multilingual private shoppers, and after-hours showings. Ready, set, shop: Your frst purchase might be an extra suitcase. By Tess Eyrich
24 vegasmagazine.com
Las Vegas aT Fashion show, 3200 Las Vegas BLVd souTh. 702.733.8300
JIMMY
CHOO
saks.com
Fashion Show Las Vegas, on the Strip
contents 115
The Ogden is helping to turn Downtown into a real neighborhood.
December 2014/January 2015
haute property 115 // What’s Up DoWn there?
New housing options and even a market are turning Downtown Las Vegas into a real neighborhood.
118 // FooD anD shelter, Vegas-style
A decadent new development pops the Champagne, and a rare penthouse comes on the market.
the guide Enjoy the fruits of painstaking barbecue investigation at Pot Liquor.
124 // acqUire: specialty giFt stores
126 // DeVoUr: DecaDent seasonal Desserts 127 // BeaUty: neW year’s BeaUty spots
parting shot 132 // We’ll Do it oUr Way
Keep your picturesquely conventional holiday traditions. Las Vegas is the best Christmas town on earth.
on the coVer: Beth Behrs
Photography by Miranda Penn Turin Styling by Maeve Reilly
Dress, Salvatore Ferragamo ($2,790). Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-369-0251; ferragamo.com. Earrings, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza ($1,425). Mirage, 702-791-7111; mcldesign.net
26 vegasmagazine.com
photography by bryan hainer (ogden); cover: hair by aviva perea/StarworkS uSing phyto; Makeup by adaM breuchaud/tMg uSing Make up For ever duo Mat powder Foundation; photography aSSiStance by Suzanne kindt and Sarah renard; digital tech: eric Macklin; video: nardeep khurMi
123 // right on ’cUe
1954
60 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS INSPIRATION IN THE PURSUIT OF TECHNICAL PERFECTION
Heritage Black Bay is the direct descendant of TUDOR’s technical success in Greenland on the wrists of Royal Navy sailors. 60 years later, the Black Bay is ready to stand as its own legend. TUDOR HERITAGE BLACK BAY® Self-winding mechanical movement, waterproof to 200 m, 41 mm steel case. Visit tudorwatch.com and explore more.
®
JOIN US ONLINE at vegasmagazine.com
We have the inside scoop on Las Vegas’s best parties, holiday pursuits, and more. holiday
WHAT TO GIFT YOURSELF Because there’s nothing wrong with picking up something for yourself while you’re out holiday shopping.
photos
SEE THE LATEST FROM LAST NIGHT’S EVENTS
pursuits
EXPERIENCES TO GIVE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Stuck on gift ideas? Impress those tricky people on your list with a luxury experience they’ll never forget.
COME FOLLOW US
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAPPYDANCING (GIFTS); RAY ALAMO & ERIK KABIK (UNION); VISIONSI (POOL)
Couldn’t attend? Browse the newest photos from Las Vegas’s most exclusive parties.
T HE N EW SHOW AT WYNN BEGINS DECEMBER 16
A TALENTED CAST OF 34 SINGERS AND DANCERS, BACKED BY A FULL ORCHESTRA
BROADWAY AT ITS MOST BREATHTAKING
wynnlasvegas.com
ANDREA BENNETT Editor-in-Chief Senior Managing Editor KAREN ROSE Art Director ALLISON FLEMING Photo Editor SETH OLENICK Associate Editor TESS EYRICH Fashion Editor FAYE POWER Copy Editor DAVID FAIRHURST Research Editor LESLIE ALEXANDER
JOSEF VANN Publisher and Vice President of Sales Account Executives VINCE DUROCHER, IRENA HALL, JESSICA ZIVKOVITCH Director of Event Marketing HALEE HARCZYNSKI Assistant Distribution Relations Manager JENNIFER PALMER Sales Assistant RUE MCBRIDE
NICHE MEDIA HOLDINGS, LLC Senior Vice President and Editorial Director MANDI NORWOOD Vice President of Creative and Fashion ANN SONG Creative Director NICOLE A. WOLFSON NADBOY Executive Fashion Director SAMANTHA YANKS ART AND PHOTO
Senior Art Director FRYDA LIDOR Associate Art Directors ANASTASIA TSIOUTAS CASALIGGI, ADRIANA GARCIA, JUAN PARRA, JESSICA SARRO Senior Designer NATALI SUASNAVAS Designers AARON BELANDRES, SARAH LITZ Photo Director LISA ROSENTHAL BADER Photo Editors KATHERINE HAUSENBAUER-KOSTER, JODIE LOVE, JENNIFER PAGAN, REBECCA SAHN Senior Staff Photographer JEFFREY CRAWFORD Senior Digital Imaging Specialist JEFFREY SPITERY Digital Imaging Specialist JEREMY DEVERATURDA Digital Imaging Assistant HTET SAN FASHION
Senior Fashion Editor LAUREN FINNEY Fashion Assistants CONNOR CHILDERS, LISA FERRANDINO Entertainment and Bookings Editor JULIET IZON COPY AND RESEARCH
Copy and Research Manager WENDIE PECHARSKY Copy Editor JULIA STEINER Research Editors JAMES BUSS, JUDY DEYOUNG, AVA WILLIAMS EDITORIAL OPERATIONS
Director of Editorial Operations DEBORAH L. MARTIN Director of Editorial Relations MATTHEW STEWART Editorial Assistant CHRISTINA CLEMENTE Online Executive Editor CAITLIN ROHAN Online Editors ANNA BEN YEHUDA, TRICIA CARR Senior Managing Editors DANINE ALATI, JILL SIERACKI Managing Editors JENNIFER DEMERITT, MURAT OZTASKIN, OUSSAMA ZAHR Shelter and Design Editor SUE HOSTETLER Timepiece Editor ROBERTA NAAS ADVERTISING SALES
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing NORMAN M. MILLER Account Directors SUSAN ABRAMS, MICHELE ADDISON, GUY BROWN, CLAIRE CARLIN, KATHLEEN FLEMING, VICTORIA HENRY, KAREN LEVINE, MEREDITH MERRILL, NORMA MONTALVO, ELIZABETH MOORE, JEFFREY NICHOLSON, DEBORAH O’BRIEN, SHANNON PASTUSZAK, MIA PIERRE-JACQUES, VALERIE ROBLES, JIM SMITH Account Executives SUSANA ARAGON, MICHELLE CHALA, MORGAN CLIFFORD, JANELLE DRISCOLL, ALICIA DRY, SARAH HECKLER, CATHERINE KUCHAR, JULIA MAZUR, FENDY MESY, MARY RUEGG, ERIN SALINS, LAUREN SHAPIRO, CAROLINE SNECKENBERG, JACKIE VAN METER Advertising Business Manager RICHARD YONG Sales Support and Development EMMA BEHRINGER, ANA BLAGOJEVIC, EMILY BURDETT, BRITTANY CORBETT, DARA HIRSH, KARA KEARNS, KELSEY MARRUJO, MICHELLE MASS, NICHOLE MAURER, STEPHEN OSTROWSKI, ELENA SENDOLO, ALEXANDRA WINTER MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations LANA BERNSTEIN Director of Integrated Marketing ROBIN KEARSE Integrated Marketing Manager JIMMY KONTOMANOLIS Director of Creative Services SCOTT ROBSON Promotions Art Designers KAITLYN RICHERT, CARLY RUSSELL Event Marketing Directors AMY FISCHER, MELINDA JAGGER, LAURA MULLEN, JOANNA TUCKER, KIMMY WILSON Event Marketing Managers ANTHONY ANGELICO, JUDSON BARDWELL, CHRISTIAMILDA CORREA, CRISTINA PARRA Event Marketing Coordinator BROOKE BIDDLE Event Marketing Assistant SHANA KAUFMAN ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Vice President of Manufacturing MARIA BLONDEAUX Director of Positioning and Planning SALLY LYON Positioning and Planning Manager TARA MCCRILLIS Assistant Production Director PAUL HUNTSBERRY Production Manager BLUE UYEDA Production Artists ALISHA DAVIS, MARISSA MAHERAS, DARA RICCI Distribution Manager MATT HEMMERLING Fulfillment Manager DORIS HOLLIFIELD Traffic Supervisor ESTEE WRIGHT Traffic Coordinators JEANNE GLEESON, MALLORIE SOMMERS Circulation Research Specialist CHAD HARWOOD FINANCE
Controller DANIELLE BIXLER Finance Directors AUDREY CADY, LISA VASSEUR-MODICA Director of Credit and Collections CHRISTOPHER BEST Senior Credit and Collections Analyst MYRNA ROSADO Senior Billing Coordinator CHARLES CAGLE Senior Accountant LILY WU Junior Accountants KATHY SABAROVA, NEIL SHAH, NATASHA WARREN Accounts Payable Coordinator NADINE DEODATT ADMINISTRATION, DIGITAL, AND OPERATIONS
Director of Operations MICHAEL CAPACE Director of Human Resources STEPHANIE MITCHELL Executive Assistant ARLENE GONZALEZ Digital Producer ANTHONY PEARSON Facilities Coordinator JOUBERT GUILLAUME Chief Technology Officer JESSE TAYLOR Desktop Administrators ZACHARY CUMMO, EDGAR ROCHE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
J.P. ANDERSON (Michigan Avenue), SPENCER BECK (Aspen Peak [Acting], Los Angeles Confidential), KATHY BLACKWELL (Austin Way), KRISTIN DETTERLINE (Philadelphia Style), LISA PIERPONT (Boston Common), CATHERINE SABINO (Gotham), JARED SHAPIRO (Ocean Drive), ELIZABETH E. THORP (Capitol File), SAMANTHA YANKS (Hamptons) PUBLISHERS
JOHN M. COLABELLI (Philadelphia Style), LOUIS F. DELONE (Austin Way), DAWN DUBOIS (Gotham), ALEXANDRA HALPERIN (Aspen Peak), DEBRA HALPERT (Hamptons), SUZY JACOBS (Capitol File), GLEN KELLEY (Boston Common), COURTLAND LANTAFF (Ocean Drive), ALISON MILLER (Los Angeles Confidential), DAN USLAN (Michigan Avenue)
Managing Partner JANE GALE Chairman and Director of Photography JEFF GALE Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer JOHN P. KUSHNIR Chief Executive Officer KATHERINE NICHOLLS Copyright 2014 by Niche Media Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. Vegas magazine is published eight 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 unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Vegas magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs, and drawings. To order a subscription, please call 866-891-3144. For customer service, please inquire at vegas@pubservice.com. To distribute Vegas at your business, please e-mail magazinerequest@nichemedia.net. Vegas magazine is published by Niche Media Holdings, LLC., a division of Greengale Publishing, LLC. vegas: 608 South 7th Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 T: 702-990-2500 F: 702-990-2530 niche media holdings: 100 Church Street, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10007 T: 646-835-5200 F: 212-780-0003
30 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS | THE SHOPS AT CRYSTALS 1.855.44.ZEGNA | ZEGNA.COM
Letter from the editor-in-Chief
// this issue //
on my radar
1
Nearly a decade ago, i was sittiNg at luNch with a frieNd on the patio at Mon Ami
Gabi in the Paris casino, which, despite its view of the Lake Como – themed Bellagio (brief ly obscured by a mobile ad for ladies-on-demand) and convenient walking distance to our pigeon-free Campanile di San Marco, could, as the restaurant hopefully suggests, evoke dining in a chic Parisian bistro. “I love this place,” she sighed. “It reminds me of Epcot.” And there, sunnily free of irony, she had summed up the sentiments of both Vegas’s biggest proponents and its harshest detractors. (Try the same phrase with withering sarcasm. It works both ways!) The Las Vegas Strip is either a cluster of derivatives—now with extra retail and amusement park rides—or a true American original, the unlikeliest of all cities in the most unforgiving landscape, now gleefully stacking Kiss, Givenchy, and “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto onto a toppling pile of unapologetic excess. A friend of mine,
writer Mark Ellwood, described our conf licted relationship with Vegas better than anyone I know in a 2008 article he wrote for GQ Style: “Las Vegas embodies the American clichés the world hopes are true, and the USA prays are not.” There is no better time to suspend your disapproval— or, if you’re already one of the enthusiastic, rejoice—than over the holidays this year, when Vegas doubles down on the weird and the wonderful. You have only to look at a New Year’s Eve lineup that includes Tony Bennett crooning with Lady Gaga and Snoop Dogg transforming Tao into a 1920s-themed cabaret to understand just what you could be missing. However you decide to usher out the old and ring in the new, I wish you peace, prosperity, and an extra little something in your stocking (look inside for some brilliant ideas). Finally, I welcome our new associate editor, Tess Eyrich, who is already hard at work uncovering our city’s best treasures. Welcome, Tess!
andrea bennett
Follow me on Twitter at @andreabennett1 and on vegasmagazine.com.
32 vegasmagazine.com
2
3
1. I know what’s concealed inside the gilded breasts of this mermaid sculpture in Venetian, but you’ll have to wait until the Ultimo event, December 5–7, to get a look for yourself. 2. I expected Juice Standard’s black Bee Positive juice with activated charcoal to taste like a spent freplace. I was wrong and I’m obsessed. 3. I’m catching the tail end of white truffe season, notably in B&B and Carnevino, Bartolotta, Sinatra (shown), and Guy Savoy. When they’re gone, they’re gone!
photography courtesy of caesars entertainment (flay); by al powers (spade); Jeff green (truffles); flash curd (Venetian)
It’s rare to get photobombed by your own cover photo. David Spade and I celebrated our Men’s Issue cover at Stack in Mirage, where he performed later that night. Bobby Flay’s mouthwatering Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace celebrated its 10th anniversary, and Bobby graciously cooked for us himself. Delicious!
LAPERLA.COM
THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS
LETTER from the Publisher 1
LEFT: Roland Mouret presented his
Spring Summer 2015 collection at the home of Audra Baldwin at an incredible luncheon to benefit the Nevada Ballet Theatre. BELOW: Harrison Gale, Andrea Bennett, and I celebrated David Spade’s terrific cover with him at Stack in Mirage, before he took the stage.
2
I RECENTLY ATTENDED AN EVENT THAT WAS BOTH SPECTACULAR—even by Las Vegas
standards—and overdue. It wasn’t the collection of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys parked next to the valet, or the delicious food from Wolfgang Puck, or the seemingly endless bottles of wine that took my breath away. What I found so unbelievable about celebrating Ascaya, a brand-new luxury real estate development in Henderson, was the sense of déjà vu I had. It was the opulence of the housing-market peak of 2006, smartly informed by hard-earned lessons of the recession. Just a few short years ago, an event like this would’ve been inconceivable in Vegas for obvious economic reasons. But there we were, previewing a collection of custom homes whose designs considered every detail, from the crystal chandeliers and polished wood floors to the
surrounding mountaintop views of untouched desert terrain. What a difference a handful of years can make. I’m not an economist, nor am I a luxury real estate expert, but even as a layperson, I can feel the optimism that’s infusing our city with fresh energy. Vegas is poised for continued progress, and our staff looks forward to sharing all of the excitement with you in the year to come. As you enjoy our last issue of 2014, I hope that you feel the same sense of enthusiasm reflected in its pages, and from all of us at Vegas magazine, we wish you a tremendously happy holiday season and a fruitful 2015.
JOSEF VANN Follow me on Twitter at @josefvann and on vegasmagazine.com.
34 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
// this issue //
ON MY RADAR In the last month, I’ve learned a few insider secrets about men’s services—and I’m not too stingy to share: 1. Our office recently moved within a few blocks of the unbelievable O Face Doughnuts. Wonderful for us, tragic for our waistlines. 2. Hi-Rollers Barber Shop on Maryland Parkway is an old-school gentlemen’s barbershop that offers just the kind of unique throwback experience you’re looking for. 3. I’m finding it hard to resist anything from the Italian menswear label Canali, which has a gorgeous boutique at Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY RAPUANO (HI-ROLLERS); AL POWERS (SPADE); ALTF PHOTOGRAPHY (MOURET)
3
IMPERIALE Wy nn L as Vega s • 702.862.4522 E x p l o r e t h e c o l l e c t i o n a t U S . C H O PA R D . C O M
...witHout wHom this issue would not have been possible
Bryn Kenny fashion writer Our “Tastemaker” story on Suzy Biszantz, La Perla’s creative director, was written by Bryn Kenny, a former editor and writer at WWD and W magazine and most recently the public relations director for Dior Beauty. She lives in the West Village of Manhattan with her French bulldog, Binx. Were you already a fan of the brand before this La Perla piece? The legacy and tradition of La Perla are unparalleled. There’s nothing more decadent than wearing a gorgeous piece of lingerie that’s made with beautiful materials, because it’s all about how it makes you feel, not necessarily so much how it looks to the outside world. What other brands do you favor? I love simple, somewhat edgy brands, like Alexander Wang and Vince, that I accessorize with statement pieces from jewelry designers like Assad Mounser and Vita Fede. Lately I’ve become addicted to delicate gold jewelry from shops like Catbird and Phoenix Roze. What are your biggest fashion splurges? My biggest splurge is definitely anything leather. I have a little 1970s rock star hidden in me somewhere. My must-haves are black leather or suede booties, skinny jeans, a soft T-shirt, and a motorcycle jacket. And an Alexander Wang handbag!
36 vegasmagazine.com
Photographer Jim Decker, who shot our “Desert Patrol” piece on DJ Justin Blau, aka 3LAU, moved from Virginia to Las Vegas in 1978 and worked as a staff photographer for the Las Vegas Review-Journal for 25 years. He’s now a freelancer for some of the finer advertising agencies and publications in Las Vegas, and his portfolio can be viewed at jimdecker.com. How was your shoot with Justin Blau? He really is very comfortable in front of the camera. I really enjoyed photographing him against the red acoustic wall with hard light. It made a very cool portrait setting. And his condo was really amazing: full of natural light, with a fantastic view of the Strip. You’ve probably shot lots of interesting characters during your long career here. I’ve been creating art in one medium or another since childhood, and I have been fortunate to make my living doing what I love for more than 30 years.
VirGinia VitztHum writer Virginia Vitzthum is a New York –based writer and editor who has authored two books, a play, and a screenplay, as well as numerous articles for Elle, Ms., and The Village Voice and as a columnist for salon.com and washington post.com. For this issue, she interviewed our “Power Strip” subject, Julie A. Murray of Moonridge Group, a philanthropic investment firm. What did you learn in your talk with Julie Murray? I was impressed with her focus and dedication and skill at raising and using money to help people. I was surprised at how many working people are poor and hungry. What are your own charitable endeavors? My own volunteering has included working with Amnesty International and helping 9- to 11-year-olds write plays with the 52nd St. Project. Now I edit Represent (representmag.org), a national magazine written by and for youth in foster care.
HeatHer Gill photographer Photographer Heather Gill, who captured our “On the Town” story, set at a cooking class in Guy Savoy’s kitchen at Caesars Palace, specializes in food photography, which makes a lot of sense, since she’s also a classically trained chef. How was your day in the French kitchen? This was a perfect shoot for me! I love to see people getting excited about something that I love as well. I think the couple enjoyed seeing a small part of how a pro kitchen is run. The chef keeps it very clean, and this class was no exception. I loved the energy of photographing the chef teaching something that he and his staff are quite passionate about. Nothing was wasted in the chef’s kitchen. I could have continued to photograph the kitchen and equipment for several more hours. I think it was fun for everybody.
photography by bailey grace gill (gill)
Jim K. DecKer photographer
the list December 2014/January 2015
Abel Tesfaye
Brian Krzanich
Joel McHale
William Foley
Lawrence Epstein
Chris Eagle
Emeril Lagasse
Suzanne Rugh
Ricci Lopez
Heidi Speer
John Prine
Elizabeth Smart
George Lipson
Richard Varga
James Canfield
André Benjamin
J.B. Bernstein
Alessandro Stratta
Tyler Okonma
Wolfgang Puck
Jamie Fritz
Benjy Garfinkle
Chris D’Elia
Raquel Van de Venter
Jaime Pollack
John Tippins
Linda Smith
Brian Massie
Tony Bennett
Lim Kok Thay
Rick Gray
Todd Margoluis
Jeff Bridges
James Packer
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Scott Kreeger
Lisa Lampanelli
Jean-Pierre St. Claire
Katt Williams
Westbrook Kaplan
Tiffany Matthews
Christi Nelson
Pussy Riot
Olga Martin
Eric Church
Colin Comer
David Sosa
Lionel Richie
Andrea Bocelli
Jerry Seinfeld
Courtney Fitzgerald
Neda Ulaby
38 vegasmagazine.com
Wittnauer is a registered trademark. Š 2014 Bulova Corporation. Left to Right: WN3049, WN4028
Available at Dillard’s and Dillards.com
K E N S I N GTO N B AG N O W O P E N AT T h E F O r u m S h O P S AT C A E S A r S 702-382-0496 m u l B E r ry. CO m
Style tastemaker CEO Suzy Biszantz sees La Perla’s best-selling lingerie as the perfect way to entice women to try the brand’s new, expanded offerings.
Up Close and personal
photography by Carolyn Fong
La PerLa’s Suzy BiSzantz Leads the storied Lingerie brand into its next Phase. by bryn kenny
The name La Perla has become synonymous with luxurious fabrics and impeccable craftsmanship. Now the 60-year-old Italian brand is building on its loyal customer base and embarking on a new era, including an expanded range of offerings and a bevy of reimagined retail boutiques. “What all of our products have in common, whether it’s lingerie, hosiery, ready-to-wear, or menswear, is that they feel and wear beautifully,” says Suzy Biszantz, CEO of La Perla North America. “They’re all linked to the heritage of the brand, which is about making people feel beautiful.” Since joining the company in 2008, Biszantz has continued on page 42
vegasmagazine.com 41
Style
A look from La Perla’s Spring/Summer ready-to-wear show.
A bodysuit from La Perla’s Freesia collection ($668), made with Leavers lace.
guided La Perla through the introduction of new categories, and she has spent much of the last year traveling the country scouting locations for a collection of new La Perla boutiques. In 2015, the brand plans on renovating its Las Vegas store, at The Forum Shops at Caesars, with a new design by Roberto Baciocchi, an architect known for his work with labels such as Prada and Miu Miu. Baciocchi created a look and feel “reminiscent of a fine jewelry store,” according to Biszantz, with luxe materials such as onyx and marble, arched entrances, and a palette of soft blush tones and gold accents. “There’s nothing on earth like Vegas; it’s so globally well-known,” says Biszantz, who began visiting here as a student at the University of Arizona and has returned regularly since. “I’ve traveled to Vegas so many
42 vegasmagazine.com
times in the last 20 years, I feel like I’ve stayed in every hotel on the Strip!” Headquartered in Bologna, Italy, La Perla is perhaps currently best known stateside for its luxurious undergarments, particularly the best-selling pieces made with Leavers lace, but it’s clear that the brand has its sights set far beyond the realm of bras, negligees, and camisoles. The current advertising campaign, which features social media– savvy model Cara Delevingne in a sleek La Perla blazer and pants paired with a classic black lace bustier, is prime evidence. “European women are historically more in tune with the fabric quality and craftsmanship behind a piece of lingerie, but our client is becoming more global, and American women in general are starting to really understand how important lingerie
can be in terms of enhancing your outerwear and ready-to-wear,” says Biszantz, who adds that investing in a piece of La Perla lingerie is often the perfect gateway for exploring the label’s other categories. “I think once you become comfortable with the fit and quality of a brand, you start looking for different offerings from that brand—that’s the way I shop.” In January, La Perla will join the world of Paris haute couture for the first time in its history. According to Biszantz, the show will feature an “innerwear as outerwear” theme and showcase all of La Perla’s categories. “If you look at the brands that show at couture, like Dior and Chanel, it’s a very select group,” she says. “It’s really a way to make a statement with the brand.” The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-732-9820; laperla.com V
La Perla’s Tearose Chantilly lace bodysuit, with built-in bra ($1,414).
photography courtesy of la perla
“all oF our produCTS are linked To The heriTage oF The brand, whiCh iS abouT making people Feel beauTiFul.”—suzy biszantz
THE VISA® BLACK CARD MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL
SM
Black Card Members Enjoy: An Industry-Leading Rewards Program § Exclusive 24-Hour Concierge Service VIP Treatment at over 3,000 Properties § VIP Airport Lounge Access Members-Only Luxury Magazine § Luxury Gifts from the World’s Top Brands
APPLY NOW AT BLACKCARD.COM OR CALL 866-BLACK CARD. BLACKCARD is a registered trademark used under license. © 2007-2014 Black Card LLC. U.S. Patent Numbers D677,330 and 8,640,948. Visa Black Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware. Offer subject to credit approval. See Terms and Conditions for details.
STYLE Accessories HEAVY DUTY Bold metals and feminine crystals create the perfect contrast. Lanvin Dahomar snake link and crystal necklace, Lanvin ($3,990). The Shops at Crystals, 702-9820245; lanvin.com. Embellished sleeve with detachable leather glove, Rochas (price on request). rochas.com
Shine On
Light up the Strip with thiS SeaSon’S muSt-have embeLLiShed acceSSorieS.
ProP styling by brenda barr for Mark edward inc. Manicurist: kiyo okada at garren new york for chanel le Vernis Model: christina aMbers
photography by bill diodato styling by faye power
44  vegasmagazine.com
www.carmensteffens.com
Exclusive Handcrafted Shoes, Handbags and Accessories Buenos Aires Cannes Hollywood Nice Orlando 300 Stores - 18 Countries
Punta del Este
Rio de Janeiro
Fashion Show Mall - 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S. | Las Vegas, Nevada 89109-2692 | (702) 462-5408
S達o Paulo
STYLE Accessories 2
1 GOLDEN RULE
CAGED GEMS
Gilt details are a timeless classic.
Glittering crystals adorn this season’s must-haves.
4
THE ROYAL YOU
METRIC SYSTEM
Make a statement with pops of purple.
Geometrics give winter accessories a real edge.
1. Faceted floral and pearl embroidered box clutch, Marchesa ($2,495). Neiman Marcus, Fashion Show, 702-731-3636; neimanmarcus.com. Crystal feather necklace, Oscar de la Renta ($1,195). Wynn Las Vegas, 702770-3487; oscardelarenta.com. 2. Green crystal open Horsebit bracelets ($1,650 each) and green crystal Horsebit bracelets ($1,350 each), Gucci. The Shops at Crystals, 702-730-1946; gucci.com. Metal and crystal floral minaudière, Ralph Lauren Collection ($4,500). Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-650-5656; ralphlauren.com. 3. Small plexi bejeweled colored clutch, Elie Saab ($2,500). Neiman Marcus, see above. Alaleone pump, Manolo Blahnik ($1,135). Barneys New York, Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-629-4200; barneys.com. 4. Crystal embellished necklace, Giuseppe Zanotti Design ($1,695). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-866-0055; giuseppezanottidesign.com. Be Square silver and jet crystal minaudière, Judith Leiber Couture ($4,995). Bags Belts & Baubles, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3555; judithleiber.com
46 vegasmagazine.com
ProP styling by brenda barr for Mark edward inc. Manicurist: kiyo okada at garren new york for chanel le Vernis Model: christina aMbers
3
F O R U M S H O P S AT C A E S A R S , 3 5 0 0 L A S V E G A S B O U L E VA R D G R A N D C A N A L S H O P P E S – T H E PA L A Z Z O , 3 3 2 7 L A S V E G A S B O U L E VA R D S O U T H
STYLE Spotlight be jeweled
GOLD STAR
profile
LEGENDARY DESIGNERS PAY HOMAGE TO LOUIS VUITTON’S ICONIC MONOGRAM. Christian Louboutin, Karl Lagerfeld, Cindy Sherman, Frank Gehry, Marc Newson, and Rei Kawakubo are honoring Louis Vuitton’s 160th anniversary with reinterpretations of the brand’s famed monogram. Pieces in the Celebrating Monogram collection include Kawakubo’s Bag With Holes and Strip favorite Christian Louboutin’s Classic Caddy, accented with the same red that adorns the soles of his shoes. “For me, the bag had to be a combination of two DNAs: my own and Louis Vuitton’s,” says Louboutin. The entire collection lives interactively through a custom website (celebrating. monogram.lv) and is available for purchase at two of Louis Vuitton’s stores in Las Vegas. The Shops at Crystals, 702-2626262, and Bellagio, 702-691-2777; louisvuitton.com
//hold it! //
BOXING MATCH
Alexander McQueen ($1,995). Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3490; alexandermcqueen.com
48 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
Diane von Furstenberg ($398). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-818-2294; dvf.com
1
GLITTER GALORE
The new Fred Segal Collective at SLS—10,000 square feet split among seven stores—is bringing even more sparkle to Las Vegas with the unveiling of five fine-jewelry collections. The international collections Gajner, Madstone, Parulina, Mrs. T. Jewels, and Nicholas Liu Fine Jewels are housed in a boutique appropriately called Fred Segal Jewels. 702-761-7177; fredsegal.com; slslasvegas.com
2
HIS CASA IS YOUR CASA Venetian Quatrefoil single-row cuff bracelet with diamonds, David Yurman ($4,400). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-794-4545; davidyurman.com
French designer François-Joseph Graf brings his interiors expertise to a special collaboration with Fendi Casa. Playing on light and texture, Graf adds life to Eastern-influenced furniture through his use of materials like wood and leather. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-3690587; fendi.com
YOUR NIGHT IN VEGAS starts with these clutches.
Judith Leiber ($2,195). Neiman Marcus, Fashion Show, 702-731-3636; neimanmarcus.com
Kotur ($395). Neiman Marcus, Fashion Show, 702-731-3636; neimanmarcus.com
Chanel (price on request). Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3532; chanel.com
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON (LOUBOUTIN)
Co-Celebrate
Rose gold is having more than a mere moment this fall, and legendary jeweler David Yurman is upping the ante with his first complete collection crafted in rose gold. Yurman’s new Venetian Quatrefoil collection is composed of striking, intricate pieces fashioned in interlocking diamond patterns (quatrefoil means “four leaves” in Italian) inspired by the elaborate architecture and stonework of Venice. “This is an exalted form we’ve been playing with for over 12 years,” says the designer. “There’s something very delicate and classic about it.” Accented by white diamonds and precious stones such as amethyst, they’re the perfect pieces to celebrate the holiday season on the Strip.
// NEW ADDITIONS //
L I F E
I S
A B O U T
M O M E N T S
C E L E B R AT I N G E L E G A N C E S I N C E 1 8 3 0
PROMESSE STEEL, 34 MM, QUARTZ 69 DIAMONDS www.baume-et-mercier.com
Style Fashion Conscience
Luxe et Veritas
We’ve just set sail off the British Virgin Islands with the official Loro Piana race crew during the 2014 Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous. Pier Luigi Loro Piana, vice chairman of the Italian textile and luxury goods brand, and Matthieu Brisset, Loro Piana’s new CEO from LVMH, huddle near the massive helm, strategizing with top sailors from around the globe. Dressed as one of the crew, Pier Luigi, 63, grins. “Jazz and sailing are my passions,” he says, “besides wool and cashmere.” Discussing his decision to sell a majority of his family business to LVMH—the European luxury conglomerate acquired an 80 percent stake in Loro Piana in July 2013 for 2 billion euros (about $2.6 billion)— Pier Luigi, who remains hands-on, is quick to smile. He feels his company is tacking in the right direction. And although he may sail the largest yachts in the ocean, he can also be found in a dinghy scouring the far reaches of the earth for the kinds of exquisite textiles his customers associate with his brand. His latest gem, the fiber of the lotus flower, is a front-runner in the company’s evolving commitment to sustainable luxury—a buzzword among top-tier brands vying for the attention of a discerning clientele, one that increasingly prioritizes a social conscience. According to a recent study published by the World Jewellery Confederation, luxury brands may lose business if they fail to emphasize corporate and social responsibility (CSR). Jonathan Kendall, the confederation’s president of marketing and education, notes, “Corporate responsibility will be directly linked to a luxury company’s profitability in the future.” The 2013 Cone Communications/ Echo Global Study on CSR found that nine out of 10 global consumers want companies to exceed the minimal standards required by law for operating responsibly. “We are looking for quality—that strategy will never change,” Pier Luigi explains, “but with the mentality to respect the environment in how we produce and manufacture. This is very important—to do less damage to this world.” THE CALL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP Established in 1924 by Pietro Loro Piana—yet with origins dating back to 1812 with the vision of Pier Luigi’s greatgrandfather Giacomo Loro Piana—the company was the first to brand and label a textile, during the late 1800s. “We were known for making good, thick woolen coats—and high-quality fabric, particularly for men,” says Pier Luigi. “After World War II, [my father] made a strategic change, with products for both men and women.” Pier Luigi and his brother, Siergo, took over in the 1970s and began exporting fabrics—with the mantra of continuing a multigenerational commitment to high-quality craftsmanship—and today the Italian house is the world’s largest cashmere manufacturer and the biggest single purchaser of the globe’s finest wools, with 150 retail outlets, 16 of them in the United States, including Las Vegas.
50 vegasmagazine.com
from top:
The stalk of the lotus flower produces a strong and lightweight fiber that is harvested and extracted by hand; the Lotus Flower jacket; workers at Loro Piana’s Sillavengo factory, in Piedmont, Italy, testing fabric elasticity.
Unlike brands that outsource steps in production, Loro Piana’s sheep-to-shop process allows for tight quality control. At its group headquarters in Corso Rolandi, Italy, one will find artists with tweezers working over swaths of cashmere, while huge, high-tech machines support a large-scale modern operation, as the six-generation brand remains rooted in its dedication to high-quality craftsmanship. “In the ’80s we invested in a lot of new technology,” Pier Luigi says, “but the machinery can do nothing without people who can manage it, and sometimes perfection is still guaranteed by the fine mending made by hand.” continued on page 52
photography by andy barnham (factory); brUna rotUnnIo/coUrtESy of Loro pIana
as high-end fashion houses target a luxury sector increasingly concerned with sustainability, Loro Piana is decidedly —and beautifully—on course. by erin lentz
style, taste and Venice on a grand scale
160 signature stores. 36 world class restaurants. 1 uniquely Venetian experience. armani collezioni diane Von tory urch christian l kate spade new york Jimmy choo michael kors auman rare ooks tao asian istro & n s canali cut wolFgang puck emeril lagasse’s delmonico steakhouse
24-hour shopping line: 702.414.4500 • thegrandcanalshoppes.com
Style Fashion Conscience “Machinery can do nothing without people who can Manage it.” — pier luigi loro piana
Managers and office staff of Loro Piana predecessor F.lli Lora and Company Woollen Mill, in Valsesia, in northern Italy, in the late 1800s.
Loro Piana’s sheepto-shop production process allows for tight quality control.
52 vegasmagazine.com
The stems of the aquatic plant produce an extremely fine raw material akin to linen and raw silk. But it has to be hand-worked on wooden looms; from the moment the flowers are destemmed, the filaments must be extracted within 24 hours or the material is no longer usable. It takes 6,500 stems to obtain a little over four yards of the breathable, light-as-air yarn needed for a single cut length of a blazer. The production supports an ancient art and economy in jeopardy. “We will not lose this tradition, which was ready to die,” Pier Luigi says. Given this hands-on approach, a limited number of blazers are produced each year. Packaged in a beautiful, handcrafted lacquer box, the Lotus Flower Jacket—available only in its natural ecru color—is custom priced, and limited-cut lengths are available for made-to-order blazers. A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY To some, the merger of Loro Piana with LVMH, which also owns prestigious brands such as Veuve Clicquot, TAG Heuer, Dom Pérignon, Céline, Loewe, and Givenchy, was a surprising move. For Pier Luigi, however, it made perfect sense. “The group has the know-how, the system, management, and the potential to continue and develop the strategy Loro Piana already put in place,” he says. “That’s why we selected LVMH for the future of the company.” LVMH is also a committed advocate of environmental protection and a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which requires its signatories to apply and promote 10 principles in the fields of human rights, labor, and the environment.
“Quality is the prime character of everything we do,” Pier Luigi says. “We’ve built a consciousness that high quality is related to natural fibers.” By “quality,” he refers to unparalleled texture, color, refinement—and the avoidance of a detrimental impact on the environment. “If you put a jacket of wool under the dirt, it will die. The nylon jacket never dies.” Encore Las Vegas, 702-770-5463; The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-369-0497; The Shops at Crystals, 702-696-0033; loropiana.com V
photography by andy barnham (factory)
GLOBAL GOODS, ANCIENT GOODS Traveling with a small circle of two to three trusted researchers, Pier Luigi frequently leads international trips to uncover new materials. “It’s important that somebody who wants to judge new products has a deep knowledge of the raw material,” he explains. Much of the fabric used in the brand’s most coveted pieces comes from the vicuña, a South American relative of the llama. Due to poaching, at one point only 5,000 vicuña remained. In the 1980s, Loro Piana began working with local governments to safeguard the animal, and in 2008 it established the nature reserve Dr. Franco Loro Piana Reserva (named after the founder’s nephew). Today, the vicuña head count is approximately 180,000. Loro Piana is the top producer of vicuña, considered the finest fiber that can be legally culled from an adult animal. Only 12.5 to 13 microns thick, the resulting wool is incomparable in softness and quality. But it is an ancient natural fiber once utilized for handcrafted monks’ garments and sacred to the Buddha that is Pier Luigi’s latest preoccupation—and with good reason. “An old friend of mine, Choichiro Motoyama, gave me a piece of fabric made in Myanmar. He said, ‘This is from the lotus flower.’ I touched it, and it was different than anything else; it looks like raw silk, has the shine of a linen, but it’s soft.” Immediately smitten, Pier Luigi decided to fast-track production, and in 2010 he contracted with the local community to produce the lotus-flower fiber. “This fabric is the greenest textile fabric of the world,” he notes. “There is no electricity involved, no engine that works on the machinery, nothing.”
STYLE Time Honored
Santa’S Secret Garden
The elemenT of surprise makes las Vegas Tick, and few gifTs are as inTriguing as an excepTional piece of jewelry ThaT holds an inTricaTe—and pracTical— Treasure inside.
Often referred to as “hidden” watches, so-called secret watches are an artful blend of ingenious design, meticulous gem-setting, exquisite precious-metal sculpting, and sensual appeal that offers the wearer endless amusement and awe. Handcrafted by some of the finest watchmakers in the world, these jeweled masterpieces are meant to look like bracelets, but the decorative cover can be flipped open or moved aside to reveal the time. Secret watches have roots going back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when women’s timepieces were designed to double as ornamental brooches or pendants. In the first half of the 20th century, secret watches surged in popularity when they were reimagined for the wrist in Art Deco designs. Today’s secret watches offer breathtaking beauty in a myriad of styles; particularly popular are those camouflaged by ornate floral and animal designs. For more watch features and expanded coverage, go to vegasmagazine.com/watches. V
54 vegasmagazine.com
clockwise from top: From Breguet, this Secret De La Reine watch ($92,200) features a floral cover created in hand-carved shell cameo. The bow motif, flange, and dial are set with more than four carats of diamonds. It houses a self-winding numbered and signed movement. Bellagio, 702-733-7435; breguet.com
From Cartier, this 18k white-gold Tortue Secret watch ($97,000) is designed in the likeness of a turtle, with diamonds and green sapphires as the turtle’s eyes. A large faceted morganite gemstone serves as the dial cover and the turtle’s shell. By appointment only. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-696-0146; cartier.us
This Louis Vuitton Tambour Bijou Secret watch ($6,150) is crafted in steel for an affordable secret. It features a Monogram flower cover set with diamonds. The Shops at Crystals, 702-262-6189; louisvuitton.com
From Chanel, this Camélia Gansé watch ($252,000) is rendered in 18k white gold and set with roughly 16 carats of diamonds (marquise- and brilliant-cut) and black spinels. Encore Las Vegas, 702-770-5468; chanel.com
styling by terry lewis
by roberta naas photography by jeff crawford
“A Carnivorous Culinary Sensation” -Vegas Seven
Reservations: 702.761.7610 | slsvegas.com
CULTURE Hottest Ticket
Let the Countdown Begin
Vegas will neVer disappoint when it’s time to ring in the new Year, but this Year’s options are weirder and more wonderful than eVer. tip: start Your planning now. by john katsilometes It’s said that time is suspended for anyone who stays and plays in Las Vegas. But we do respect the clock and calendar to some extent—especially when a new year is nigh. The ever-rollicking citywide festival that is New Year’s Eve in Vegas is expected to attract more than 300,000 tourists this year, most of whom will mass on the Strip, with tens of thousands partying on Fremont Street. Both of those famous thoroughfares will be closed to traffic starting at 6 pm to let the night unfold, culminating in a vast fireworks show from atop
seven Strip resorts: MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, Venetian, and the Stratosphere. The Downtown party under the Fremont Street Experience will feature bands on multiple stages and a themed light show on the FSE canopy. Moving around the Strip on New Year’s Eve is easiest by cab, via the Las Vegas Monorail (available at hotels on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard), or simply on foot. Of course, where and how to celebrate is up to you, and it’s a particularly difficult choice this year. Here’s where we’re placing our bets....
photography by brian Killian/Wireimage
continued on page 58
Kick off 2015 with Justin Timberlake at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
vegasmagazine.com 57
Adam Levine of Maroon 5. below left: Tony Bennett performing with Lady Gaga. below right: Zedd
Britney Spears rings in the new year and celebrates the first anniversary of her show at the 4,500-seat Planet Hollywood venue redesigned just for her. Ticket prices range from $65 to $525 (which includes a VIP meet-and-greet with the pop superstar). The Axis at Planet Hollywood, 702-7772782; ticketmaster.com Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience World Tour starts the year at MGM Grand, with performances January 1–2 at the Grand Garden Arena. Timberlake’s most recent album, The 20/20 Experience—The Complete Experience, was the biggest-selling album of 2013, with more than 5 million sold and 15 million tracks downloaded, and earned him three Grammy Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards. Timberlake’s shows are being
58 vegasmagazine.com
directed and recorded by Jonathan Demme (Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the great Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense) for a concert film. Tickets for Timberlake’s shows are $89.50, $119.50, $149.50, and $279.50 (plus fees). 800-745-3000; ticketmaster.com, mgmgrand.com One of the hottest DJs in the world and one of the best-known headliners of any kind on the Strip, Calvin Harris, a resident DJ at Hakkasan, performs on the top level of the 80,000-square-foot nightlife fortress at MGM Grand. Admission prices start at $100 and tickets are available at the door. MGM Grand, 702-891-3838; hakkasanlv.com A dozen top tribute bands will perform on Fremont Street for a five-day stretch, from December 30 through January 3, for the Downtown Countdown
TributePalooza. Six bands play the preparty on December 30, all 12 take up two stages on Fremont Street for New Year’s Eve, and seven will play each night from January 1 to 3. The ape-tastic acts include Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin), Queen Nation (Queen), Fan Halen (Van Halen), and Jumpin’ Jack Flash (the Rolling Stones). A fireworks show under the Fremont Street Experience video canopy is also planned. Free every day except New Year’s Eve, when tickets are $30 in advance and $40 from December 27 (you must be 21 or older). vegasexperience.com Returning to the Strip on December 30 and 31, the Adam Levine – fronted band Maroon 5 has been performing for 20 years but has vaulted to superstar status over the past seven, after the release of It Won’t Be Soon Before Long and since Levine began coaching on NBC’s singing contest The Voice. Tickets range from $115 to $225. Mandalay Bay Events Center, 702-632-7777; ticketmaster.com One of the Strip’s most popular headliners, Olivia Newton-John started her run at the Donny & Marie Showroom at the Flamingo in April and is extending her “Summer Nights” show through all four seasons. She plays two shows on New Year’s Eve, at 7 pm and 10 pm . Tickets are $89 – $135. Flamingo Las Vegas, 702-731-7111; ticketmaster.com Vegas is the ideal city for a show by two legendary—but hardly similar—performers: Tony Bennett, who has been filling Vegas venues since the 1950s, and Lady Gaga, who has been selling out arenas since breaking through with her album The Fame in 2008. In September, Bennett and Gaga teamed on the jazz-standards album Cheek to Cheek, singing classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and others. Their show at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas begins at 10 pm (doors open at 9 pm) and features a countdown to midnight. Tickets start at $125 (plus fees). 800-745-3000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com For more adventurous Vegas visitors, Snoop Dogg invites guests to hark back to the Roaring ’20s as he turns the downstairs dining area of Tao into the Boss Lady Lounge for his Snoopadelic Cabaret with Snoop Dogg. The entire 40,000-square-foot club will be transformed into a 1920s-themed nightspot, with strolling entertainers performing throughout the evening. Snoop himself will perform a “Snoopadelic” DJ set atop the venue’s LED stage, overlooking the entire venue. Passed hors d’oeuvres will be served beginning at 9 pm, with an open bar from 9 pm to midnight. Tickets are $125 for men, $75 for ladies. Tao at Venetian; taoevents.com Grammy Award – winning DJ and producer Zedd closes 2014 with what promises to be an over-the-top bash at Encore’s indoor-outdoor nightspot XS. All-access tickets are $150 for men, $75 for women. Indoor-only tickets are $30 for men, $20 for women. xs.wantickets.com V
photography by Christopher polk/getty images for Clear Channel (maroon 5); C flanigan/getty images (Zedd); patriCk beaudry via getty images (gaga and bennett)
CULTURE Hottest Ticket
Custom luxury homesites. Designed by nature. Envisioned by you. Carved along the McCullough Range’s natural rock formations, tucked 1,000 feet above the Las Vegas valley oor, this astonishing, 313 homesite luxury community perfectly complements its authentic, limitless surroundings. Only twenty minutes from the Las Vegas strip, yet lifted from the everyday, you are invited to a private enclave wrapped in panoramic beauty. Experience the expanse. Experience Ascaya. Contact a Personal Sales Concierge 702 978 5800 I ASCAYA.COM One Ascaya Boulevard, Henderson, NV 89012
culture Art Full
Fabergé Faux Real
In Las Vegas, we don’t mInd a LIttLe artIfIce—partIcuLarLy when It comes wIth a good story and the reaL beautIes that InspIred It. by kristen peterson When you have the largest Fabergé collection outside of Russia—a stunning display of history, wealth, and decadence—you might want to create a place to show it off. Such was the thinking of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts when it launched the exhibit “Fabergé Revealed,” designed to tour the country while the museum expands and enhances its permanent exhibition space. Featuring a portion of that collection—238 opulent objects handcrafted by the House of Fabergé prior to the fall of Russia’s imperial family—the show recently opened at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Among the jewelry, silverware, parasol handles, and religious objects are four Fabergé eggs, commissioned by the patriarchs of the Romanov dynasty as Easter gifts. What’s particularly interesting about this Fabergé exhibit, however, is its inclusion of so-called “Fauxbergé”—elaborate Fabergé knockoffs that once fooled collectors. “Displaying these forged objects in the same exhibition as the genuine Fabergé objects gives way to an investigation of the extraordinary craftsmanship that was put into creating these intricate objects,” says Tarissa Tiberti, director of the Bellagio Gallery. “Guests will notice these differences when comparing them.” This isn’t the first time a gallery has exhibited works by master counterfeiters, whose skills have thrown off
60 vegasmagazine.com
some of the world’s most astute connoisseurs. Entire shows have been devoted to art-world fakes. In April of last year, Reno’s Nevada Museum of Art built an exhibit around the shaky provenance of Study by Candlelight, a painting once attributed to Vincent van Gogh, purchased by Hollywood producer William Goetz in 1948 for $50,000, and still a compelling mystery. And with Fabergé, a
“The history involved is pretty incredible,” Tiberti says, citing the dramatic reign of the Romanovs and the interest spurred by recent headlines coming out of Russia. “Fabergé Revealed” consists of works acquired by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from the late Lillian Thomas Pratt and items on loan from other collectors. The Easter eggs, each one an intricate and functional object with a
“Displaying forgeD objects with genuine objects gives way to an investigation of their extraorDinary craftsmanship.”
—tarissa tiberti
skilled counterfeiter has a rich opportunity—a testament to the artistry of Karl Fabergé, whom Czar Alexander III commissioned in 1885 to make an Easter egg as a gift for his wife. The gift became an annual tradition that was continued by his successor, Nicholas II, who commissioned Easter eggs to give to his mother and his wife. The custom persisted until 1917, when the autocrat and his family were executed, ending their rule as well as the House of Fabergé.
surprise inside, include the Imperial Pelican Easter Egg, the Imperial Tsesarevich Easter Egg, and the Imperial Peter the Great Easter Egg. “These pieces are exceptional,” Tiberti says. “You can’t make them today. That’s the beauty of it. They’re one of a kind.” Through May 25, 2015. 702-693-7871; bellagio.com/bgfa V from top:
The Imperial Peter the Great Easter Egg, circa 1903; Imperial Tsesarevich Easter Egg, 1912; Miniature Easter Egg Pendant, 1899–1908.
CULTURE Spotlight TRI OUT
Host with the Most
on stage
IRA GLASS STAGES “THIS AMERICAN LIFE” STORIES WITH THE HELP OF SOME FINE-FOOTED FRIENDS. BY CHRIS ERIKSON The concept of Ira Glass’s new stage show, Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host, is to marry storytelling and dance, and the horn-rimmed host of the esteemed radio program “This American Life” has pointed words for anyone who finds that idea aberrant: He agrees. “The most important thing to say is that we know this is ridiculous,” he quipped to an interviewer before the 2014 premiere of the show, a collaboration among Glass, dancer/choreographer Monica Bill Barnes, and dancer Anna Bass. Be that as it may, the production has scored with audiences ever since it debuted in a miniature version at Carnegie Hall in 2013, spawning a national tour that visits Las Vegas this month. The unlikely collaboration came about after Glass saw Barnes’s dance company perform and was
// inside theater //
struck by a strong connection between the dancers’ work and his own, even if his medium has no visual elements and theirs has no words. As on “This American Life,” he says, “They were documenting small, very relatable human moments” while at the same time trying hard to entertain. That encounter led to a 2012 film project and now this 90-minute theatrical production, which stages “This American Life” interviews with dancing, props, and costume changes. It also incorporates personal stories from the three performers—and yes, Glass even busts a few moves himself, although he’s the first to admit he’s unlikely to swap the microphone for the merengue anytime soon. January 17. Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 702-749-2000; thesmithcenter.com
ON WITH THE SHOWS
WYNN’S AQUATIC ACROBATIC SPECTACULAR Le Rêve—The Dream, with its thrilling high dives and synchronized swimmers doing the tango in red high heels, is nearing its 10th anniversary. To celebrate, the show has been given a new $3 million installation— choreographed by Maksim Chmerkovskiy, winner of Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars—featuring performers dancing through fire. Pyrotechnics not your thing? Steve Wynn has put together a splashy new production called Showstoppers, with 34 singers and dancers and a 30-piece orchestra re-envisioning Broadway’s biggest numbers. 702-770-7000; wynnlasvegas.com
62
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
After a decade of advancing the Vegas art scene, Trifecta Gallery will close in January and owner Marty Walsh will relocate to Ireland. But there’s still time to appreciate the contemporary works that have made the gallery so prominent, locally and globally, with an exhibit of Abigail Goldman dioramas and pieces by Wendy Kveck. And what of Trifecta’s legacy? Walsh, who will be leading an artists council for a new museum currently in development, has a singular wish: “That people will recognize that hope, faith, passion, and the love of art is individually soul-sustaining and necessary for building strong community.” 107 E. Charleston Blvd., 702-366-7001; trifectagallery.com —KATY OLSON
Deep Fried Twinkie by Wendy Steck.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BAZEMORE (GLASS); TOMASZ ROSSA (LE RÉVE)
Ira Glass onstage with Monica Bill Barnes and Anna Bass.
shop t he plan et
shop t he plan et
H&M Aldo M a rc i a
Steve
Urban
no
Madde O u tf i t
n
te rs ca n A p p a re l Th e A r t of S h av i n g PBR R ock Ba r & Gr ill Tr u e R eligion B ra n d LU S H Jeans Fre s h Handm a d e Co House smetic of H o o s p s by Fo o t L Chipot o l e M ex c ke r i ca n G rill Ca b o W a b o Ca ntina V EG A S ! Th e S h ow Wy l a n d Gall eries To m m y Baha ma Q u i ks i l ve r Sepho ra LO F T Ameri
bebe
and m a ny m o re
Open Sun – Thu 10am–11pm Fri & Sat 10am–12midnight MiracleMileShopsLV.com 888.800.8284
170 STORES 1 5 R E S TA U R A N T S L I V E E N T E R TA I N M E N T
LIVE TRULY LOCAL One- to Three-Bedrooms + Den Priced from the $200,000’s No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. No statement should be relied upon except as expressly set forth in the Nevada Public Offering Statement. This is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of offers to buy, any condominium units in those states where such offers or solicitations cannot be made. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. Pricing and locations of units are subject to change without notice. Views and locations of units within the project are not guaranteed and the buyer is responsible forinspecting the unit and its location before signing any agreement with respect thereto. Any square footage numbers are approximate. Š DK Ogden LLC Unauthorized use of the images, artist renderings, plans or other depictions of the project or units is strictly prohibited.
Discover The Ogden, your sanctuary at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and everywhere you want to be. At The Ogden, striking design and leading edge technology like Nest Thermostats comes standard, as do breathtaking views of the city and mountains, and an inspiring array of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and nightlife, all just steps from your front door. This is your home, your personal retreat towering above an emerging city. The Ogden Downtown Las Vegas.
Schedule a presentation with a condominium specialist today. Call 702.478.4700
150 N. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas Nevada 89101
ogdenlv.com
PEOPLE Power Strip
hyper Linked
julie Murray and Moonridge group keep finding new ways to connect philanthropicMinded nevadans with deserving investMents— and boards of directors. by virginia vitzthum PhotograPhy by brad Swonetz
From the offices of Moonridge Group, Julie Murray is bringing strategic thinking to institutional giving.
Julie Murray’s outlook is so sunny, she can even find things to like about the recent recession. “I’ve never seen our community struggle as badly as it did in 2007 to 2009,” she says, “but Las Vegas showed resiliency that surprised me. Now we’re more connected than we were.” Such optimism befits someone who has spent her life working to help disadvantaged Nevadans. From the time she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNLV, all of Murray’s work has focused on aiding people in her home state. In 2006 she launched Three Square, Southern Nevada’s food bank and distribution hub, from her house, “after I met Eric Hilton, the 82-year-old ‘baby’ of Conrad Hilton, at a community gathering,” she says, “and we got excited talking about the prospect of ending hunger in the valley.” By the time Murray left the organization in 2011, Three Square had an annual budget of $55 million, and today it distributes 16 million meals every year. continued on page 66
vegasmagazine.com 65
PEOPLE Power Strip Murray’s desk displays evidence of her good works: awards and honors and a photo of Murray with community organizer Punam Mathur and Senator Harry Reid. below: Murray (far right) with Cindy Santana (fourth from right) and friends offering free drum lessons at the church Casa de Luz. The church received $500,000 from a collective-impact philanthropy project led by Murray.
66 vegasmagazine.com
graduated from high school, a rate three times higher than that of their peer group. The foundation then raised more than $225,000 annually to help those graduates go to college. Before that, Murray spent seven years running the philanthropy division of Harrah’s Entertainment. She also worked closely with Barbara Buckley, thenspeaker of the Nevada Assembly, on building the country’s first senior citizens assisted-living/affordable-housing site on Bureau of Land Management land. The project added politicians to her already bulging Rolodex of Vegas-area change-makers. “If you can bring elected officials and funders and volunteers together,” she enthuses, “the power is so strong.” Clearly, Murray is uniquely qualified for the position of power broker. Not only does she adroitly bring together those who want to help and those who need it; she also helps people discover their own generosity. “Philanthropy is a win-win,” she says. “You lift your spirit and you help your community.” moonridgegroup.com V
VIEW FROM THE TOP Julie Murray’s inclinations and inspirations. What are some of your favorite spots in vegas?
“Red Rock. We live in this beautiful desert, and only 20 minutes outside of town you can go hiking and be on top of a beautiful mountain overlooking the valley. My favorite peak is called Turtlehead; it’s an hour-and-ahalf climb to the top. Growing up here, I used to love waterskiing on Lake Mead, back before the water dropped.”
What are you reading noW?
“Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life by Dacher Keltner. I’ve been doing some public speaking, and so I’m reading Talk Like TED: The 9 PublicSpeaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo, and The Hiltons: The True Story of an American Dynasty by J. Randy Taraborrelli, about Eric Hilton and his family.”
photography courtesy of Julie Murray (casa de luz)
Murray believes that people genuinely enjoy giving, but she knows they want to be smart about it. Her current venture, Moonridge Group, helps individuals, foundations, and corporations set philanthropic goals, then finds the best investments for them. “Three Square let me see the impact funders make when they do it strategically,” she says. “I wanted funders to get a good return on their philanthropic investments.” Murray is now leveraging her considerable connections in Moonridge’s newest venture, Board Matchmaker. As its name suggests, Board Matchmaker brings together individuals, who answer questions about their interests and their financial and time availability, with organizations looking to grow their boards of directors. In the database are educational, arts, cultural, environmental, and health and human services organizations. Moonridge clients include the mining company Barrick Gold, the new art museum The Modern at Luminous Park, and the Nevada Regional Medical Center. Murray is particularly proud of her company’s work on water conservation and education with the One Drop Foundation, which includes a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Moonridge also brings like-minded advocacy groups and companies together to work on solving problems. The Greater Good Council, the Nevada Corporate Giving Council, and the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition Committee on Homelessness are all examples of such consortiums. Meanwhile, Moonridge continues to build on Murray’s other successes, including her stint as national campaign director for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. She raised $36 million to build the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a K-12 charter school for Vegas’s most atrisk students, which grew out of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation Las Vegas, cofounded by Murray. As part of that venture, she oversaw the education of 55 young children from a Las Vegas public housing project. Most of them—83 percent—
PEOPLE Desert Patrol INSIGHT Musical inspiration:
“Ryn Weaver’s four-track EP was maybe the best piece of music I’ve heard in years. It’s emotionally wrenching, produced by some of the best—Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat, Passion Pit— and achieves a hybrid of so many styles successfully. She’s someone I’d love to work with in the future.”
retail therapy:
“Storewise, I really love Feature—best off-Strip sneaker place in town, always carries amazing stuff.” after-work indulgence:
“Sushi Koma on Flamingo is also a favorite spot ’cause it’s all-you-can-eat quality sushi that’s open till 3 am. That’s where I go for a late-night midmusic snack.”
Suite Life
Justin Blau—aka 3LaU, the headLining dj at drai’s—has created the ULtimate Live/work sitUation for his new residency. by andy wang With rousing songs like his smash “How You Love Me,” Justin “3LAU” Blau is a globe-trotting DJ superstar. But he’s also very much a grounded Vegas local, close to his family and as comfortable hanging out in neighborhood restaurants as he is in glamorous hotels. And he lives off-Strip, in a sprawling, stylish two-bedroom Queensridge Place condo he recently purchased. “Since I’m home only half of every month, realistically, it’s really great to come home to what feels like a full-service resort,” says 3LAU, who is still decorating the 2,000-plus-square-foot apartment. He also digs the views, with the Strip on one side and Red Rock on the other. But it’s the apartment’s fully equipped sound studio, which he soundproofed with Sheetrock and an inch of fiberglass wrapped in red cloth, that’s the true centerpiece, even though there’s no view of the outside world. “With the exception of a glass window pane built into the studio door,” he says. Which is fine, because he doesn’t need distractions when he’s recording with pals like Gordon Huntley of Botnek.
68 vegasmagazine.com
When 3LAU is in town and not making music or headlining shows at Drai’s (where he has unveiled his elaborately produced “3LAU HAUS Party” residency) or SLS Las Vegas, he eats at destinations like SLS’s Cleo and Cosmopolitan’s Blue Ribbon Sushi. He’s also a fan of Honey Salt and Made LV, two off-Strip spots from restaurant mogul Elizabeth Blau (no relation). It wasn’t so long ago, on the night before his 21st birthday, that Blau celebrated by deejaying at Cosmopolitan’s sleek but low-key lounge Bond. Six months later, he began headlining gigs at the Cosmopolitan megavenue Marquee. Now 23, he’s an ace of clubs. This local kid-turned-legend’s ascent seems even more remarkable when you realize he didn’t discover electronic dance music until he vacationed in Sweden in 2011. He quickly started creating his own tracks and was so good that his professors at St. Louis’s Washington University urged him to leave school and deejay full-time. Doing so was a calculated move by a shrewd numbers wizard who had been on a clear path to a successful business career. During high school at Summerlin’s highly regarded Meadows School, he started a microfinance project that loaned money to entrepreneurs in developing countries. “I was really focused on my schoolwork,” 3LAU says. “My goal in high school was to work really hard until I was 30 and married.” For 3LAU, who geeked out on bands like Radiohead and Sigur Rós in high school and who grew up playing piano and guitar, music had long been a solitary pursuit. But by the time he was creating dance music, Vegas was becoming the world’s top destination for DJs. So he turned down his “dream internship” at the asset-management giant BlackRock to focus on music. “Probably the biggest motivation for my career was living in Vegas, being so close to what was going on, understanding the potential, and seeing the scene before it hit the rest of the world,” 3LAU says. “My goal is taking the epicness of my favorite indie bands and using that emotion in dance music.” His parents were leery of his career choice when he left college. Now, after seeing him slay crowds at Drai’s and Electric Daisy Carnival Vegas, they get it. 3lau.com V
PhotograPhy by Jim Decker
Justin Blau veered off the path to a high-powered business career to create the music that powers Vegas’s most successful nightclubs.
FABERGÉ Revealed Jeweler to the Czars
Imperial Tsesarevich Easter Egg, 1912. Lapis lazuli, gold, diamonds. 4 7/8” H x 3 9/16” dia. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel ©Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
November 14, 2014 – May 25, 2015
Tickets and information 702.693.7871 • bellagio.com/bgfa
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: THE VEGAS GIFT GUIDE
LUXE GIVING Vegas’ Annual Gift Guide is a collection of items that are perennially in season, finely curated by Las Vegas’ most esteemed experts.
SWAROVSKI AT MIRACLE MILE SHOPS With over 170 popular international retail brands, 15 incredible dining experiences and live entertainment venues, Miracle Mile Shops is your one-stop shopping destination for the holidays. Tis season, the shopping center offers a variety of gift ideas and holiday fashions, including this gorgeous Bonus Necklace from Swarovski’s Sparkle and Shine Collection ($310). MIRACLE MILE SHOPS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino 3663 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (888) 800-8284 www.miraclemileshopslv.com
ALOR For more than 30 years, California-based ALOR has been merging casual simplicity with high-fashion elegance. ALOR’s distinctive 18 karat gold and stainless-steel cable designs have revolutionized effortless luxury for both the contemporary woman and man. Visit ALOR.com or Nordstrom
“O™” BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL® AT THE BELLAGIO Enjoy “O” by Cirque du Soleil in pure luxury when you reserve seats in Bellagio’s “O” VIP Suites. Te private opera house-style suites include champagne, chocolates, and other perks. Suites are available for early and late shows and make perfect gifts this holiday season. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (888) 488-7111 www.CirqueduSoleil.com/O
A Weekend of Excellence December 5-7, 2014
Previously available only through one of our Ultimo Packages, now you can customize your Weekend of Excellence with an à la carte selection of incomparable dining experiences. Join us for any or all of these unforgettable Ultimo events.
THE GRAND BANQUET Friday, December 5 An exquisite wine-paired feast prepared by Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse and Buddy Valastro, set around a stunning banquet table in the Grand Colonnade.
BRUNCH WITH DANIEL BOULUD Saturday, December 6 James Beard Award-winning and Michelin three-star chef Daniel Boulud hosts a sumptuous French bistro brunch at his new restaurant, db Brasserie.
BAKING WITH THE BOSS Saturday, December 6 “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro divulges his secrets for crafting perfect desserts at this exclusive baking lesson.
DINE-AROUND Saturday, December 6 A wine-paired sampling of cuisine from restaurants by Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Tomas Keller, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck and Buddy Valastro.
TRUFFLE FAREWELL BRUNCH Sunday, December 7 Champagne brunch at Emeril Lagasse’s famous Delmonico Steakhouse, starring in-season trufes, farm-fresh eggs and premium beef. The Grand Banquet
To learn more:
VENETIAN.COM/ULTIMO 866.255.8967
people Spirit of Generosity
Water Works
two important new partnerships help Cirque du soleil founder Guy LaLibertÉ’s one drop foundation provide Clean water—and a better life—to those in need. by andrea bennett
Few attendees of the first One Night for One Drop performance, in 2013, knew quite what to expect. What they’d been told: All seven Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas would go dark, with 230 performers coming together for a one-time-only blockbuster show whose proceeds would support Cirque founder Guy Laliberté’s foundation, One Drop, in its quest to provide clean water to crisis zones around the world. Now, Las Vegas loves a spectacle, but could a one-night circus really have a major impact on a foundation’s bottom line? The short answer is yes: In its first two years, the event raked in $11.3 million and generated 6.4 billion media impressions. When Laliberté launched One Drop in 2007, he says, “One statistic hit me straight in the heart: One person dies every 20 seconds for not having access to safe water. That was enough for me to imagine One Drop.” This year, One Drop is greatly expanding its reach, announcing a partnership
Guy Laliberté and Catherine Bachand celebrate the second One Night for One Drop performance this past March.
72 vegasmagazine.com
with Rotary International’s Water and Sanitation Action Group. The first program financed by the new fund is expected to reach 75,000 people in Mali. The two organizations, whose joint effort is called the 2020 Water Partnership, will work to raise $5 million each and $10 million jointly, delivering benefits in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Another partnership is under way with Water for People, and by 2018 it’s anticipated to aid more than 650,000 people in India’s Sheohar district. Between the two partnerships, that’s $36 million in One Drop’s bucket. What distinguishes the foundation’s methodology from those of other nongovernmental agencies, says One Drop CEO Catherine Bachand, “is our ABC approach. We focus on A: access to safe water for consumption and agriculture, and then bring in B: behavior change through education initiatives, and C: capital. How do you give people a little bit of money”—usually through microfinance loans—“to create sustainability? It’s a little bit of magical thinking to believe that now that they have the well, they will have the wealth to sustain it.” The strategy has yielded solid results. “Probably
photography by DaviD becker (flyer); tom Donohue (Dancer); yanick Dery (lalibertÉ anD bachanD)
The 2020 WaTer ParTnershiP is Working To raise $20 million for WaTer ProjecTs in crisis zones.
Charity register
One Drop’s Project India aims to improve access to safe water.
Opportunities to give.
Las Vegas great santa run Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Las Vegas Great Santa Run, staged by Opportunity Village, is one of the city’s most beloved traditions and a can’t-miss holiday spectacle. Witness more than 10,000 runners dressed in Santa suits descend upon downtown Las Vegas for a fve-kilometer run, a one-mile walk, and festivities. Don’t have your own Santa suit? Each standard registration includes a fve-piece kit. The event’s proceeds beneft Opportunity Village’s 60-year mission to serve individuals with intellectual disabilities. When: Saturday, December 6, at 8 am Where: Downtown Las Vegas Contact: 702-259-3700; opportunityvillage.com
photography by terry hughes
IMagIne a WOrLD WItHOut Hate gaLa the most rewarding time for me was seeing that seven years after we began our very first pilot project in Nicaragua, 85 percent of the infrastructure was still in operation,” says Laliberté. Bachand’s first field visit, to El Salvador, drove home the realworld impact. “A woman named Maria applied for a loan that her husband hadn’t gotten,” Bachand recalls. “She was able to take her loan and grow her garden by 10 times. She now employs seven people, including her husband. I realized how you can transform water into thriving lives.” Establishing One Drop, Laliberté says, was a natural step for the now 30-year-old Cirque du Soleil. “We decided back then that we should never forget where we come from,” he says, “and if we ever had the chance to start giving back, we would.” But it takes a bit of magical thinking to grow a foundation the way Laliberté has, notes Bachand. “He’s probably the most brilliant mind I have ever encountered, in his way of connecting the dots and bringing the unseen to the seen.” And giving back is deeply personal for the once-homeless street performer turned massively successful entrepreneur. “When he goes to London, he always stays in the hotel from which he can see the bench where he used to sleep,” Bachand says. It was Cirque performers, she adds, who came up with the idea to volunteer their time: “They said, ‘What we have to contribute is to inspire people and show them how much power they have.’” It made perfect sense for the extravagant fundraising night to happen here. “Cirque du Soleil has been in Las Vegas for over 20 years,” says Laliberté. “We buy houses, we raise our families, we volunteer at local organizations”—which includes creating a partnership with Springs Preserve to develop educational programming about water in Nevada. “I
This year’s Imagine a World Without Hate Gala pays tribute to three parties responsible for helping to advance the Anti-Defamation League of Las Vegas’s campaigns against anti-Semitism and prejudice: Barrick Gold Corporation, Cari Marshall, and Todd Marshall. The national organization will honor them with its Americanism Award, a distinction bestowed upon individuals and groups that show extraordinary humanitarian leadership. When: Saturday, December 6, at 6:15 pm Contact: 702-862-8600; adl.org
JIngLe beLL run/WaLk You’ll want to arrive with bells on for Las Vegas’s inaugural Jingle Bell Run/Walk, a nationwide themed event designed to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation and its search for a cure for the country’s leading cause of disability. Run or walk either a fve- or 10-kilometer race dressed in your most colorful holiday clothing, and enjoy a variety of on-site amenities and activities, including breakfast vendors, musical performances, and the Reindeer Dash to Kidville children’s race. When: Saturday, December 13, at 8 am Where: Tivoli Village Contact: 702-367-1626; arthritis.org A boy in India’s poverty-stricken Odisha state, where water projects are ongoing.
am still amazed and humbled by the dedication and practice that all these talented artists put into this night, and the employees and the volunteers as well,” Laliberté says. And for all his own hard work, he takes One Night as a small reward. “Normally I get very involved in all aspects of a new Cirque du Soleil show, but with One Night for One Drop, I just show up, sit back, and enjoy the show.” One Night for One Drop takes place March 20 at the Beatles LOVE Theatre in Mirage. Tickets are on sale now at onenight.onedrop.org. V
aLL In fOr cp All In for CP heads to Bally’s Las Vegas for its eighth year, bringing together celebrity players and poker professionals for a memorable tournament held to increase awareness of cerebral palsy and raise funds for those living with the disorder, which can have debilitating effects on physical coordination and muscle control. Settle in for a round of traditional Texas Hold’em, or play it (relatively) safe with a silent auction and raffes of rare and collectible memorabilia. When: Saturday, December 13, at 5 pm Where: Bally’s Las Vegas Contact: allinforcp.com
vegasmagazine.com 73
InvIted Dave Grohl
photography by FILMMagIC
VEGAS MADE BEAUTIFUL As the sun set on the second installment of Rehan Choudhry’s Life Is Beautiful festival, Sunday-night headliners the Foo Fighters took the stage for an explosive two-hour set. Leading with a variety of hits (“My Hero,” “Everlong”) and classic-rock covers (“Breakdown” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones), the Dave Grohl– fronted band closed the marathon Downtown event with a resounding bang, but only after a string of top-notch performances from more than 70 fellow acts, including Kanye West, Lionel Richie, and Outkast, who recently reunited after a seven-year hiatus. Much like the game-changing rap duo, don’t expect this to be the last you hear of the annual celebration of all things music, food, and art. Choudhry says he’s already gearing up for 2015.
vegasmagazine.com 75
INVITED
Richard Varga, David Spade, and JP St. Claire Cocktails at Stack
John Ortiz and Wendy Albert
Cigars from Paiute Tribal Smoke Shop
David Spade
DAVID SPADE COVER EVENT
J.B. and Brenda Bernstein
VEGAS MAGAZINE FÊTED October cover
star David Spade with an intimate dinner at Mirage’s Stack restaurant. Guests of the exclusive event enjoyed Chivas Regal cocktails, a meal
from Executive Chef Jordan Hoffman, and sidesplitting conversation courtesy of funnyman Spade, then headed to the comedian’s show with Ray Romano at the resort’s Terry Fator Theatre. H.L. Greenberg and Marianne Tanada
Lindsey McKane, LeeAnn Hunt, and Henrietta Coleman
Dawn Hume, Tiffany Tiberti, and Jackie DelRossi
ROLAND MOURET PRESENTATION AND LUNCHEON NEVADA BALLET THEATRE executive board member Audra Baldwin welcomed guests to enjoy a preview of designer Roland Mouret’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection at her Southern Highlands home. Presented in partnership with Mouret and Neiman Marcus, the event featured cocktails from Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, a luncheon catered by DW Bistro, and an exclusive look at the designer’s ready-to-wear pieces, all in support of Nevada Ballet Theatre.
Vanessa Houssels and Ardi Najmabadi
76
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
Audra Baldwin, Josef Vann, and Judy Stone
Kim Laub, Sandee Tiberti, Madeleine Andress, and Vicki Fertitta
Lauri Thompson, Myra Greenspun, Marlee Palermo, and Diana Bennett
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL POWERS (DAVID SPADE); BY ALTF PHOTOGRAPHY (MOURET)
Roland Mouret and Andrea Bennett
INVITED Ryan Elisabeth Reid and Barbara Molasky
Sheila Bock and Diana Morgan Justine Davis and Hilarion Banks
Damien Dawahare and Olive Padilla
Shari and Tim Wong
Bonnie and Richard Bryan
Landra Reid and Senator Harry Reid Carolyn McIner
VEGAS MAGAZINE TOASTED playwright Ryan Elisabeth Reid with a cocktail reception prior to the premiere of her newest play with Sprat Artistic Ensemble, Henri, at the Smith Center. Guests enjoyed light bites and cocktails courtesy of Stoli Vodka as the sun set over the center’s courtyard.
Peter and Vicky Palivos
78
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
Beverly and Richard Dix Derek Peterson and Amy Oppedisano
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ALAMO
COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOR RYAN ELISABETH REID
Jessica Marshall and Kristy Black
Kelly Silva, Mark Axelowitz, and Nicole Sullivan
Bob and Jill Barnhart
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN GRAND OPENING THE HOWARD HUGHES Corporation celebrated the
long-awaited grand opening of Downtown Summerlin, a 1.6 million-square-foot outdoor lifestyle center, complete with upscale retail, fine dining, and entertainment venues. The evening extravaganza included cocktails and appetizers, an acrobatic performance, and a dazzling fireworks finale.
Matt Velder and Josh Koelewyn Theresa and Bill Gregory
Josh Murray and Clint Upchurch Michael Severino and Tania Sanchez
The grand finale
Ashley and Mike Flanagan
Ana Laspetrovski
Adriana and Ronnie Quince
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 79
BOW TO
At Yusho, exploring your appetite is the journey.
YOUR CRAVINGS VOTED
“BEST NEW
STRIP RESTAURANT” – LAS VEGAS WEEKLY BEST OF VEGAS 2014
LOGAN POSER RAMEN
“BEST OF THE CITY 2014” – VEGAS SEVEN
Located on The Strip at
For menu or reservations, visit yusholv.com
PRIME CHOICE. TIMES TWO.
TBONES
HANK’S
JOSEPH PHELPS WINE MAKER SERIES DINNER
CAKEBREAD WINE MAKER SERIES DINNER
JA N UA R Y 2 2 • 6 P M
JA N UA R Y 2 9 • 6 P M
TBONES
HANK’S
R E S E R VAT I O N S 7 0 2 . 7 9 7. 7 5 7 6
R E S E R VAT I O N S 7 0 2 . 6 1 7. 7 0 7 5
All rights reserved. © 2014 Station Casinos, LLC, Las Vegas, NV
taste this Issue: ’tis the season
Like This
Comm a celebrates the season like few other restaurants on the strip.
by catherine de orio photography by sabin orr
“A restaurant should evolve—obviously, stay in touch with who we are, but constantly be bringing new things to guests,” says Brian Howard, corporate executive chef of Comme Ça at Cosmopolitan. This is a notion continuously at play on Comme Ça’s ever-changing menu. Long before the restaurant settled onto the Strip (its original location is in LA), boundary-breaking chef-owner David Myers turned the concept of the brasserie on its head. Maintaining the principal tenets of fresh, seasonal, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients, he challenges what constitutes a classic with his creatively modern dishes, and the Vegas outpost is taking it one step further. The holidays are the best time to see it happen, when wildly indulgent menus come out to play. continued on page 84
Santa Barbara sea urchin, crispy potato, and quail egg confit.
vegasmagazine.com 83
tAStE COMME ÇA CLASSICS
clockwise from far left:
Chef Brian Howard; Comme Ça’s chalkboards; a seasonal cranberry cocktail.
Like so many who hail from places with identifiable seasons (in his case, Detroit), Howard cites fall and winter as his favorite seasons for creating menus. “It brings back a lot of emotional connection to the season,” he says. “I think cold, and with that lots of rich flavors, lots of spices, squash, pumpkins, and apples.” Inspired by meals he would serve at home, Howard begins this year’s Christmas menu with roasted pheasant soup with root vegetables and bordelaise sauce, garnished with white truffles and smoked oak leaf—singing of the season, even if the weather doesn’t. “To me it’s winter,” he says, “and it brings me home.” Crowd-pleasing prime rib is served tableside with the traditional accompaniments of horseradish and crème fraîche alongside duck-fat potatoes. Since no holiday
84 vegasmagazine.com
meal is complete without something sweet, apple pie terrine-filled mason jars with brown butter ice cream and gingerbread streusel provide a comforting close to dinner. And for those who prefer to drink their dessert, splurge on a glass of Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac. It may be served from a black-ascoal Baccarat crystal bottle, but ringing in at $600 a pour, it’s reserved for those who’ve been extra nice this year. As the year comes to a close, Comme Ça moves from hominess to hedonism in its over-the-top New Year’s Eve menu. “We go big on New Year’s Eve,” says Howard. Diners can watch the fireworks from the balcony while dining on a luxurious five-course tasting menu of Russian osetra caviar with Santa Barbara sea urchin, crispy potato, and quail egg confit, followed by musquee
As the yeAr comes to A close, comme çA moves from hominess to hedonism in its over-the-top new yeAr’s eve menu. de Provence pumpkin soup with white Alba truffles and Pinot gris gelée. A foie gras terrine with bergamot quince jam and crispy sunchokes serves as the prelude to grilled Wagyu beef short rib and langoustine ravioli with beef fat – whipped potatoes and earthy black truffle sauce. The final course displays the kitchen’s artistic prowess in its white truffle and pumpkin charlotte with pumpkin ganache, cinnamon, pumpkin mousse, and
rum baba ice cream served inside an edible blown-sugar pumpkin. You could, of course, view this menu as a dangerously soporific preface to the night ahead, or you could just go with it—and rationalize, as everyone else does, that you can start the asceticism tomorrow. After all, Howard quite reasonably concludes, “New Year’s in Las Vegas is all about being fabulous.” Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7910; commecarestaurant.com V
“We take classics and reinvent them,” explains Brian Howard, corporate executive chef of Comme a. The classic Lyonnaise salad gets a modern twist with a creamy soft-boiled ramen egg instead of the traditional poached egg, and lardons are replaced by crispy pig’s ears and a warm bacon vinaigrette. Meanwhile, the perennial favorite bone marrow and oxtail jam is quickly being surpassed by escargot pie—a heady blend of red wine–braised snails, mixed with garlicky crimini mushrooms and fnished with a bit of herb butter and a splash of vinegar, before being tucked under a rosemary–sea salt lattice pie crust and drizzled tableside with a silky Madeira sauce. “It’s not just about staying true to what they’re doing in Paris and Lyon,” Howard says, “but also showcasing the infuences of who came through France.” So don’t be surprised to fnd harissa-spiked sausages as part of Comme a’s extensive in-house charcuterie program or a green curry–accented blanquette de veau. “These are the things that we believe are our classics,” he adds, “and they won’t change.”
taste Cheers “don’t expect to bar-hop on december 31. imagine times square, only 19 times larger and 40 degrees warmer.” —tobin ellis
Merry Mix-Mas!
The holidays mean a special round of new cockTails for everyone. by robert haynes-peterson The weather is generally pretty nice in Vegas during the holidays, which is why you’re here and not in, say, Minnesota. Still, this isn’t poolside margarita season. The holidays—from Christmas and Hanukkah through New Year’s Eve and all the way to the Chinese Lunar New Year, come February—are a perfect excuse to warm up, indulge your sweet tooth, and savor the smells and tastes of the season. Gondoliers aren’t traditionally gift givers in Italy (they leave that job to Befana, a magical old woman with a broomstick). But at the 11 bars and lounges at Venetian (venetian.com), adults can get in the holiday spirit with the Gondolier Bianco, an indulgent blend of white chocolate liqueur, white crème de menthe, white crème de cocoa, white chocolate syrup, and cream, all shaken into a candy cane– rimmed martini glass decorated with chocolate syrup for contrast. Buon Natale! At Franklin in the new Delano Las Vegas (delanolasvegas.com), cooler weather and the desire for something rich, dark, and sweet collude elegantly as a
86 vegasmagazine.com
nightcap in the SNM cocktail. A custom, hand-selected Mount Gay Black Barrel rum (a blend of aged column and double pot distillates finished in heavy-char bourbon barrels) spices up Marie Brizard white crème de cacao, fresh lime juice, and brown sugar cinnamon syrup. Served in vintage glassware in a sedate, stylish enclave off the lobby, it’s the perfect drink to wrap up a holiday dinner or show. Even if there isn’t snow on the ground, the scents of the season abound at the bar. At the newly opened Chocolate Bar inside New York-New York (nynyhotelcasino.com), you’ll happen upon the Peppermint Pattie martini, featuring Absolut Vanilla vodka, white crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and fresh mint. Or try the Winter Bliss at Monte Carlo’s Double Barrel Roadhouse (montecarlo.com), a picture-perfect combination of Zaya rum, Bulleit bourbon, ginger syrup, lemon juice, and frothy milk, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and cloves. Bellagio (bellagio.com) is an ideal spot to take a break from navigating the crowds and savor some timeless drinks that every holiday reveler should sample. Swing by Petrossian for a Cable Car (spiced rum, orange curaçao, and lime juice, with a cinnamon sugar rim), a modern classic created in 1996 by celebrated Vegas mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Then warm your toes with the hotel’s own Bellagio Nog, which wintertime guests of the hotel and casino have loved for years. This is the real deal, turning egg yolks, milk, cream, spiced rum, Cognac, sugar, and nutmeg into spicy, creamy bliss. And if you’re glittering and dancing at Hyde Bellagio, consider the Cioccolato Bianco (Godiva White Chocolate liqueur, Tuaca orange liqueur, chocolate bitters, and cocoa powder) instead of visions of sugarplums. When it comes to New Year’s Eve, remember it’s a chaotic night and many of the hot spots are full to bursting with partiers, according to local drink-slinger Tobin Ellis of the consulting firm BarMagic. “Don’t expect to bar-hop on December 31,” he says. “Imagine Times Square, only 19 times larger and 40 degrees warmer.” V
photography by tony tran
Double Barrel Roadhouse’s Winter Bliss is a picture-perfect holiday cocktail, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon and cloves.
TASTE Spotlight // OPENINGS // 1
indulge
DETOX RETOX
VENETIAN’S BIG-NAME CHEFS PITCH IN FOR A SPECTACULAR FUNDRAISING WEEKEND. BY ROBERT HAYNES-PETERSON
Venetian kicks off the season early with Ultimo, a Weekend of Excellence, December 5–7 (866-255-8967; venetian.com/ ultimo), to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Hosted by chefs Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse, and Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro, the weekend includes three major events: a French brunch at db Brasserie; Baking with the Boss, a hands-on private class; and The Grand Banquet, a family-style feast at one long table along the Venetian Grand Colonnade, with dishes prepared by all three chefs. Venetian is offering multiple tiers for hotel guests who want to give—and receive—big, with enticements including a Champagne and caviar welcome reception at Bellusso Jewelers and dessert by Valastro in the exclusive Richard Hennessy Lounge.
// celebrate //
FESTIVE FARE
Chef Wesley Holton is going all out at Rose.Rabbit.Lie this season. In December, you’ll find hors d’oeuvres like grilled pear and black truffle flatbread or fontina arancini, a roasted turbot with artichoke purée and beurre rouge or herbed prime rib, and a bûche
88 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
SOUTHERN COMFORT
Bringing his Southern charm westward, restaurateur John Kunkel and the culinary team 50 Eggs will open a Vegas outpost of their popular Miami restaurant YardBird Southern Table & Bar in early 2015. The 8,000-square-foot space on Restaurant Row will offer a menu of stylish interpretations of classics like chicken and waffles, pickled okra, panfried trout, and chicken and biscuits. The unique cocktails get their chills from an on-site ice room. Venetian; runchickenrun.com —RHP
2
LUCKY PUCK
The wait is over. Wolfgang Puck has expanded to the west side with Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at Downtown Summerlin. Chef Puck’s first off-Strip venture emphasizes family dining with healthful options for kids and parents, along with curbside pickup for customers in a rush. If you have time to relax, enjoy the patio seating with park views. downtown summerlin.com —RHP
’TIS THE SEASON FOR extravagant dining.
de Noël decorated with meringue “mushrooms.” The New Year’s menu emphasizes foods with rich, complex flavors, including (of course) caviar and buttered oysters, a tangerine salad with candied kumquat, black tie scallops (“a nod to where I came from,”
Holton says), Espoisses a la Creme with aged balsamic and spiced walnut toast, beef Wellington, and a chef’s selection of petits fours. Extras include king crab fondue and caviar flights. Now that’s a Vegas holiday. Cosmopolitan, 877-6670585; roserabbitlie.com —RHP
COURTESY OF THE VENETIAN LAS VEGAS (GRAND BANQUET); BY GREG GORMAN (PUCK)
Living Luxury
benefit
You may not be waking up next to Zach Galifianakis, a baby, and Mike Tyson’s tiger, but there are some evenings that are harder to recover from than others. When you and your entourage can’t reach a bleary-eyed consensus, head to the Bistro Buffet at the Palms Casino Resort (palms.com), where Sunday Champagne brunch runs till 3 PM and your crew can choose from more than 250 items, including Mexican, Thai, Southern, Mongolian, and pizza. Also at the Palms is its famous (infamous?) Pajama Brunch, Sundays at Simon Restaurant & Lounge (702-953-7679; palms.com), with a makeyour-own-Bloody-Mary bar packed with pickled vegetables, stuffed olives, hot sauces, and even beef jerky. —RHP
A taste of French traditional brasserie fare from award-winning Chef Michael Mina.
COMING THIS WINTER Aria.com
taste On the town
Try This aT home
For gourmands Ian staller and tracI grossman, dInIng at Guy Savoy Is an Indulgent pleasure. learnIng how the magIc happens makes It even more so. by andrea bennett photography by heather gill
clockwise from top:
Executive Chef Mathieu Chartron helps Traci Grossman put on her apron as Ian Staller looks on; mallard duck breast with glazed vegetables; Staller and Grossman plating their dishes like pros.
The two Michelin– starred Restaurant Guy Savoy doesn’t so much attract diners as it draws pilgrims, lured by legendary tales or memories of extravagant meals at Guy Savoy in Paris. The staff here perhaps approaches the experience with a bit less gravitas; arguably, this can’t be avoided in a French restaurant with a view of a facsimile of the Eiffel Tower (not visible at the Rue Troyon location). Here, Savoy has managed to merge the religiosity of haute cuisine with the wit of a true modernist. He added an “Innovation Menu” (think langoustine tartare with carrot “petals,” quail with smoked sabayon) to his repertoire of classics last year. And this year the Champagne room was transformed into a less precious Cognac Lounge to showcase the collection of rare high-end spirits. Despite the infusion of light and fun, guests won’t forget that some dishes, such as his artichoke and black truffle soup, belong to the pantheon of culinary masterpieces. Considering the wonder with which diners approach a meal at Restaurant Guy Savoy, actually invading the kitchen was unthinkable (unless you were dining at the kitchen’s six-person Krug table). That is, until Executive Chef Mathieu Chartron began offering cooking classes this year, Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm. A maximum of six people can tie on their aprons and take two courses with the chef, with a break at the Krug table to try their creation, paired with a wine from the sommelier. We invited a couple that knows a thing or two about fine dining—Ian Staller, executive vice president and general manager of Southern Wine and Spirits, and wife Traci Grossman, a physician in private practice, who dine out nearly every night of the week—to roll up their sleeves and see how the magic gets made. On the menu: chestnut and celery soup and duck breast, carrot and button mushrooms with carrot purée. The chef guides Grossman and Staller through preparing the soup, thinly slicing and sautéing the reserved chestnuts to make a crispy garnish, and creating a vibrant green chive oil. Which of you is the cook in the family? Ian Staller: I love to cook. I used to cook all the time, but I just don’t have the time now. Traci Grossman: When we were first dating, I wanted to make him something special, and osso buco is his favorite dish. So I made this osso buco for him. Two weeks later, we were at a restaurant and he ordered osso buco because he “hadn’t had it in ages.” Never again. IS: It’s true that I had no idea what I’d been eating. TG: But Ian is funny. He’ll eat whatever’s in the refrigerator, right from the Tupperware. IS: Right, but with a nice bottle of Contessa. Chef, what kinds of dishes do you teach cOnTinued On paGe 92
90 vegasmagazine.com
RASCAL FLATTS VEGAS RIOT!
FEB 25, 27, 28 & MAR 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14 FOR VIP PACKAGES & RESERVATIONS CONTACT JOINTVIP@HRHVEGAS.COM OR 702.693.5220 AXS.COM
|
888-9-AXS-TIX
|
HARDROCKHOTEL.COM/THEJOINT
TasTe On the Town
clockwise from left:
Chartron shows Staller how to plate the duck; Grossman celebrates a successful purée; chestnut and celery soup.
“if i were to have dinner here, i’d think, oh, this is delicious soup, but making it happen yourself makes eating it so much more extraordinary.” —traci grossman people to prepare in these classes? Mathieu Chartron: Our classes are driven by what’s in season, so we might make a beautiful white asparagus salad, or langoustines, carrots, and baby mushrooms. Would we ever be able to learn some of the icons, like, for instance, the artichoke and truffle soup? MC: That one is off-limits, and probably our really classic Colors of Caviar, too [a dramatically layered appetizer with caviar,
92 vegasmagazine.com
caviar cream, and sabayon]. If we did that, Guy Savoy would kill us! while the mushrooms are sautéing for the soup, the chef gets to work on a carrot purée, reduces duck bones to a concentrated stock, and shows grossman and staller how to peel mushrooms. TG: I never thought I’d be peeling a mushroom. Ever. [Struggles with the mushroom] IS: She’s mushroomchallenged. But you think about the painstaking detail that goes into this preparation and it’s so clear that it’s so far
elevated above sustenance. they score the duck breast, with varying degrees of success, and sear it on a cold pan to melt and brown the fat. TG: I’d ask for a 10 blade for this kind of work. IS: Preparing this same meal is going to be our next date. I’m not saying we’re going to be married when we’re done. the chef shows them how to plate the wild mushrooms, pour the soup around it, and garnish with the tenderest celery leaves, chestnut chips, and chive oil, and they break in the krug room.
IS: This chestnut flavor is awesome. How often do you get to experience something like this? TG: If I were to have dinner here, I’d think, Oh, this is delicious soup. But making it happen yourself in the kitchen, and understanding what goes into it, makes eating it so much more extraordinary. the chef brings the carrot mixture from the stove and blends it into a purée; they plate the seared duck and the glazed vegetables, topping the dish with the duck juice. TG: This really is such an
indulgent way to spend an afternoon—incredible food, beautiful wine. If you wanted to learn how to make something very specific, could you request a recipe for your lesson? MC: Sure, maybe you want to make a coq au vin. We could always talk about taking requests. IS: That sounds great. Maybe we’ll do this again and ask for osso buco. the restaurant guy savoy cooking experience at caesars palace, 702-731-7286; caesarspalace.com V
Dress, Monique Lhuillier ($6,495). Outfit, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3465; moniquelhuillier.com. Forrest ring with green nephrite, jade, and black diamonds, Carla Amorim ($8,360). carlaamorim.com opposite:
Dress, Salvatore Ferragamo ($2,790). Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-369-0251; ferragamo.com. Paired pavé drop earrings, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza ($1,425). Mirage, 702-791-7111; mcldesign.net
One DOwn-HOme Girl Beth Behrs, star oF tV’s 2 BROKE GiRls, liVes it up in Vegas, FroM Full-on cowgirl at the country Music awards to Full-on glaM on our pages. by jennifer block photography by miranda penn turin styling by maeve reilly
94 vegasmagazine.com
F
or Beth Behrs, the best part about shooting her next film at a karaoke bar in Brooklyn was belting out “Summer Nights” with costar Max Greenfield. “I do a great Olivia Newton-John impression,” she admits. Behrs is best known for playing the sweet, somewhat clunky, riches-torags Caroline Channing on the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls, but the actress isn’t shy about her pipes. “The Sound of Music is the reason I started acting,” she says. At last year’s People’s Choice Awards, she showed off her vocal and stylistic range, trilling “The hills are alive!” then crooning Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball,” then rapping Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ’90s anthem “Baby Got Back.” But it was her twangy two bars of Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” (“I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seats...”) that offered evidence of where her heart lies. While her broke-girl character doesn’t leave the apartment without her Louboutins and pearl choker, Behrs is a cowboy boot – wearing, horseback riding, down-home country music fan. It’s country music that has brought her to Vegas several years in a row, for the Country Music Awards. “I’ve always loved going to Vegas, ever since we went there on a family trip when I was a kid. It’s so exciting,” she gushes. Exploring the city as an adult has its advantages. After the awards last year, she stumbled upon The Chandelier at Cosmopolitan, then the charcuterie at Jaleo, and somehow ended up at Joël Robuchon at the Mansion at MGM without a reservation—or even the slightest notion about the exquisite meal that awaited. “I didn’t know that it was Michelin-rated. My friend and I were
just hungry. We had no idea what we were in for with the delicious food—the bread selection was so beautiful and elaborate, it was like nothing I’ve ever seen, and I’m obsessed with carbs!—and incredible service, but I guess that’s how you do Vegas!” Behrs moved around as a kid, from Pennsylvania to Virginia to the Bay Area, and then finally to her current home of Los Angeles, where she attended film school at UCLA. She seems to stumble into greatness wherever she goes. In high school, when the local community theater announced auditions for her favorite musical, she went out for a bit part and got the lead. That would be Maria in The Sound of Music. “The guy playing Von Trapp was 40,” she says. “I was 16. My father was freaking out.” At 25, she landed the role of Caroline after producers put her through seven rounds of auditions. “It was a crazy process,” Behrs says. “They had to make sure I could handle it, since I hadn’t ever headlined my own show before.” She has more than handled it. Set in hipster-central Brooklyn, 2 Broke Girls is now in its fourth season, and Behrs has won accolades for creating a millennial Shirley to costar Kat Dennings’s Laverne. The show’s premise is that Caroline has to start over after her father is caught running a Ponzi scheme and all her assets are frozen. She gets a waitressing job in a diner (where she won’t run into anyone from her uptown life) and quickly bonds with her scrappy, snarky coworker Max, who saves her from sleeping on the subway (and even boards Caroline’s poor horse Chestnut in their tiny backyard).
Dress, Escada ($6,150). Neiman Marcus, Fashion Show, 702-731-3636; neimanmarcus.com. Large pavé link dangling earrings, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza ($1,220). Mirage, 702-791-7111; mcldesign.net. Czarina ring with rubies and black diamonds, Carla Amorim ($5,280). carlaamorim.com opposite: Metallic trench, Dsquared2 ($3,380). dsquared2.com. Brass XL triangular stud earrings ($335) and brass XL perforated rings ($310 each), Jennifer Fisher. Barneys, Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-629-4200; barneys.com
“What We get to do [on 2 broke girls] hasn’t really been done in front of a live audience since laverne and shirley or lucy and ethel.”
vegasmagazine.com  97
Dress, Prada ($6,790). The Shops at Crystals, 702-740-3000; prada.com beauté: Make Up For Ever
Duo Mat Foundation ($34), Smoky Lash Mascara in Extra Black ($23), Rouge Artist Natural N3 Iridescent Pink Beige ($20). Sephora, Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702735-3896; sephora.com. Dolce & Gabbana Luminous Cheek Color in Rose 30 ($45). see above. Nars Hardwired Lipstick in Deadly Catch Crimson ($26). see above. Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick ($80). Tom Ford, The Shops at Crystals, 702-7402940. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Tissé Vénitien ($61) and Illusion D’Ombre in Epatant ($36). Chanel, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3498; chanel.com. Phyto Phytovolume Actif ($29). Nordstrom, Fashion Show, 702-862-2525; nordstrom.com. Leonor Greyl Volumizing Mousse ($46). see above
98 vegasmagazine.com
Hair by aviva Perea/StarworkS uSing PHyto; MakeuP by adaM breucHaud/tMg uSing Make uP For ever duo Mat Powder Foundation PHotograPHy aSSiStance by SuSanne kindt and SaraH renard; digital tecH: eric Macklin; video: nardeeP kHurMi
“I have a lot to learn and want to make sure I do It rIght. It’s super excItIng.”
T
he kooky, slapsticky, often-raunchy humor of the show plays well with its live studio audiences, while bearing a resemblance to the antics of I Love Lucy. Caroline and Max get into a face-slapping contest, they escape out their apartment window to hide from the landlord, and they corner Martha Stewart in a public restroom with their business plan (cupcakes) and even a sample. “Some of the physical stuff we do is really hard,” says Behrs. For instance, this season the girls get into what Behrs describes as a “dye war” at a factory with a pair of workers. “They think we’re macking on their boyfriends, and then Caroline accidentally hits them with dye. I get thrown in a dryer. It took us almost 14 hours to shoot.... What we get to do hasn’t really been done in front of a live audience since Laverne and Shirley or Lucy and Ethel.” The show takes place in the present, but its laugh track and Alice-like uniforms give it a retro feel. Computers and iThings rarely figure in the plot lines. But in real life, Behrs is the quintessential millennial celeb, keeping her fans apprised of her slapstick battle bruises at WhoSay.com, regularly updating her Pinterest and Instagram accounts, and tweeting day and night. She even answers fan questions while, say, at an airport waiting for her flight. In addition to shooting 2 Broke Girls, Behrs is working on her latest film project, the one that brought her to that Brooklyn karaoke bar: Hello, My Name Is Doris, directed by Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer), costarring Sally Field, and due in theaters this spring. Field plays a woman in a May-September romance with a younger coworker (played by Greenfield). “My character is the girlfriend,” says Behrs. “She’s grungy and super-sweet, and the older woman can’t help but like her.” Indeed, you can’t help but like Behrs, even in the viral campy horror short The Argument, which Behrs shot with boyfriend Michael Gladis (of Mad Men), in which the two play-fight and, with the help of makeup and special effects, practically rip each other’s faces off. “We had a great fight choreographer,” says Behrs, adding that the two do nothing of the sort in their offline relationship. Behrs also has some history in common with her 2 Broke Girls character. When she was cast, she was juggling a job at the Geffen Playhouse, working as a nanny, bartending on the weekends, sharing a one-bedroom apartment, and barely paying the bills. “I was basically living the Max and Caroline life when I got cast,” she says, “so that was the easy part.” The challenge was figuring out her character’s have-to-have-not perspective. “It was the time of the Bernie Madoff scandal, so I watched a lot of 60 Minutes – type shows on the family.” Once she put on the pearls and heels, the character came together. On 2 Broke Girls, Caroline has run-ins with many celebrities—Lindsay Lohan, Andy Dick, Martha Stewart, and, this season, Kim Kardashian. This mirrors her experience at the Geffen, although then it was on another level altogether: Behrs got to be Joan Rivers’s assistant (and have Rivers make her eggs) and worked with her idol Julie Andrews. “She told me I had perfect pitch and was so kind to me,” Behrs says. “It was and still is one of the best days of my life!” So maybe she’s been a little typecast. Behrs told an audience of students at her character’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, “Know who you are, because that’s how you will be cast at first. Then you can be Meryl Streep further down the road.” Further down her own road, Behrs may get to stretch her talents into more dramatic roles or, who knows, maybe she’ll go from attending the Country Music Awards to being one of its stars. Lately, Behrs has been traveling back and forth between LA and Nashville, where she’s studying guitar and dabbling in songwriting (and of course shopping for cowboy boots—so far she has six pairs). “I’ve just begun the journey of songwriting, and still have a lot to learn. But what I love about writing country music is that you’re able to tell a story, which is what you do as an actor as well,” she says. “It’s super exciting. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can.” For now, Behrs is so busy with the series and film work that she just hopes to make it back to Vegas for the next awards. “If I can be there, I’m looking forward to seeing Shania and Britney and eating my face off!” V
deco the halls
This holiday season, diamonds, platinum, and eye-catching geometric shapes find us looking back to the 1920s while looking forward to shopping the Strip. photography by bill diodato
100  vegasmagazine.com
18k white-gold Abanico Collection 18.9 carat diamond earrings, Jacob & Co. (price on request) Wynn & Co. Watches, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3520; jacobandco.com opposite page: White gold, black diamond, Akoya cultured pearl, and black lacquer Lueur d’un Soir earrings, Chanel ($90,000). Encore Las Vegas, 702-770-5468; chanel.com. White gold, onyx, and diamond Intarsio necklace, Bulgari ($18,800). The Shops at Crystals, 702-583-4747; bulgari.com
vegasmagazine.com  101
18k white-gold Une Journée à Paris collection diamond Etincelles necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels (price on request). The Shops at Crystals, 702-5606556; vancleefandarpels.com opposite page: 18k gold Vintage
collection diamond and blue sapphire earrings ($86,500) and 18k gold Vintage collection diamond and blue sapphire bracelet ($33,200), Kwiat. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-650-2680; kwiat.com. Platinum and gold French Art Deco sapphire and diamond link bracelet, Macklowe Gallery (price on request). 1stdibs.com
102 vegasmagazine.com
vegasmagazine.com  103
104  vegasmagazine.com
Platinum, tsavorite, sapphire, and 2.12 carat Lucida diamond ring, Tiffany & Co. ($74,000). Fashion Show, 702-734-2461; tiffany.com. 18k white gold, onyx, and pavé diamond Diva ring, Bulgari ($13,300). The Shops at Crystals, 702-583-4747; bulgari.com. 18k white gold, onyx, diamond, and chrysoprase Panthère de Cartier ring, Cartier ($67,000). Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3498; cartier.us. Emerald-cut diamond ring, Macklowe Gallery ($32,000). 1stdibs.com opposite page: Les Plumes brooch, Breguet ($66,600). Bellagio, 702-733-7435; breguet.com
Prop styling by Betim Balaman
vegasmagazine.com 105
photography by w4nd3rl0st (InspIredIndesMoInes)
The Shops at Crystals’ gleaming exterior hints at the glittering offerings found inside.
106  vegasmagazine.com
Luxury retaiL in Las Vegas has baLLooned into an economic powerhouse, Luring good customers with priVate Vip Lounges, freefLowing champagne, onLy-in-Vegas items, muLtiLinguaL priVate shoppers, and afterhours showings. ready, set, shop: your first purchase might be an extra suitcase. by tess eyrich
vegasmagazine.com  107
// exclusive //
ONLY IN VEGAS Some of fashion’s top design houses are creating one-of-a-kind pieces and capsule collections specifically with the Vegas market in mind. This summer’s much-anticipated opening of a boutique from the British lifestyle label Mulberry at The Forum Shops at Caesars (702-382-0496; mulberry.com) coincided with the launch of an all-new eveningwear capsule collection, available only at the brand’s Vegas location and decorated in a variety of flashy embellishments, like gunmetal rivets, complicated beading, and glass crystals. A few months earlier, the luxury footwear and accessories brand Jimmy Choo debuted a collection of four destination-themed iterations of its popular Candy clutch. The printed Vegas bag, which CONTINUED ON PAGE 110
This Mulberry sleeveless shift and Clemmie clutch are available exclusively in Las Vegas.
108
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
S
everal years ago, officials at McCarran Airport observed a puzzling development: Planes leaving Las Vegas for Brazil weighed substantially more than planes arriving. The disparity was later revealed to be retail-related, as shopping-obsessed Brazilians had begun flying into McCarran armed with empty suitcases for all the luxury goods they would buy. The mystery was solved—its answer just happened to be buried beneath a few boxes of Louboutins. In fact, the retail obsession has reached a fever pitch. Statistics compiled by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority show that in 2013, just shy of 40 million travelers touched down in Vegas. Fifty-nine percent of those visitors (and an astounding 91 percent of all international visitors) went shopping while they were staying in town. Accordingly, the city has worked overtime to meet the demand for highend goods. Some of Vegas’s most heavily trafficked lifestyle centers became even more exclusive, as Givenchy bypassed New York City for its first US boutique, on the Wynn Esplanade, and Mulberry opened in The
Forum Shops at Caesars. Giorgio Armani, Céline, and Sisley boutiques all entered the Strip’s tangle of luxury stores. Maureen Crampton, director of marketing for The Forum Shops, pinpoints its 1992 opening as the catalyst for the retail explosion. She recalls worrying that the doorway would be empty when the partitions were removed on opening day, only to find the opposite to be true. “The people came in droves,” she says, “but there were a lot of skeptics. Caesars wasn’t really sure how it was going to inf luence casino spending habits, but it really played an important role in bringing that first luxury customer to Las Vegas.” The Forum Shops paved the way for a succession of other shopping centers over the next two decades, including The Shops at Crystals in 2009. Under the guidance of Farid Matraki, Crystals’ senior vice president and general manager, the massive trove of upscale goods has grown into a luxury phenomenon, with 50 high-fashion boutiques clustered around a bilevel ode to Louis Vuitton (the largest of the brand’s North American stores). “The retail trend is going more and more toward
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TORY KOOYMAN (DIOR); OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA VALLADARES
The Shops at Crystals hosts one of Vegas’s six Dior boutiques.
THE RETAIL MAVEN Heather Marianna
You might know Heather Marianna from a 2012 appearance on Oxygen’s My Shopping Addiction; finding herself alone in a new city, Marianna developed an unchecked retail habit (even by Vegas standards), dropping roughly $30,000 a month at The Shops at Crystals. After a whirlwind year, she overhauled both her physical and mental health, donated a major chunk of her loot to the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (save for the Tom Ford dresses and the Louis Vuitton pumps), and created an all-natural bath products line, Beauty Kitchen. Still, she’s more than happy to share her expert retail tips and tricks. MOST UNFORGETTABLE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE: “My first weekend here in
Vegas, my friend from LA came to visit me, and we walked over to The Shops at Crystals. Between the two of us, we went to nearly every store. I’ll always remember that weekend because my favorite pair of sunglasses from Louis Vuitton—white aviators with python on the sides—came from that shopping trip.” ALL-TIME FAVORITE BUY: “My Tom Ford Poppy dress (and shoes to match). I love it; it’s very girly.” MUST-STOP SHOPS: “I like to shop at Prada for flip-flops, Hermès and Chanel for purses, Christian Louboutin and Louis Vuitton for heels, and BCBG for accessories—believe it or not, I die over their giant necklaces.” BEST-KEPT SECRET: “Tom Ford has a back room! Ask for Vinnie; he’s the best.” PRO TIP: “Leave the credit card at home and just bring cash for what you want to spend. I definitely do that now, because I can get myself into major trouble.”
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 109
Vegas exclusives: Jimmy Choo’s Candy clutch; Salvatore Ferragamo’s Nevada backpack; Nicholas Kirkwood’s ruby pump.
110 vegasmagazine.com
Barneys New York at the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo treats shoppers to private fitting rooms with exclusive collections.
exclusivity,” Matraki says. “Especially over the last couple of years, we’re talking about cars, products, Hermès bags—things that the upperechelon, higher-net-worth people are paying more and more money for.” In Matraki’s eyes, it’s this desire for extreme exclusivity that has propelled Vegas’s multiyear retail boom. “People don’t want to buy what they can find in their own neighborhood or town,” he says. “If you’re buying in Las Vegas, you want to buy the exceptional pieces so that you can go back and show the whole world that this is what you have and nobody else can have it. There is no price resistance when we’re talking about product that nobody else can get.” “What we’re seeing is people now coming to Las Vegas specifically as a shopping destination,” says Hedy Woodrow, senior vice president of retail at Wynn and Encore. “We’ve seen a significant growth rate in Wynn’s retail overall— around 225 percent over the past few years.” Much of that growth, Woodrow says, can be attributed to an influx of savvy international shoppers, most from Asia and South America.
Shoppers from China and Japan in particular purchase higher-priced items in larger volumes than other visitors, says Art Jimenez, senior director of leisure sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Our Chinese visitors are spending just under $1,200 per person per trip,” he says, followed closely by visitors from Brazil, who spend roughly $1,000 per person per trip. The LVCVA’s Shop Las Vegas initiative, designed to stimulate retail tourism, has partnered with Shop America, a national travel organization that stages shopping tours at topperforming retail centers across North America, including eight Vegas malls. “One thing we never realized when we started the tours eight years ago was how appealing they would be to international visitors,” says Rosemary McCormick, president of the Shop America Alliance. “I would say about 60 to 70 percent of our clients are international tourists.” The demand for luxury products is so high among Chinese shoppers, McCormick adds, that one popular handbag retailer recently resorted to imposing a limit on the number of products available to them, “oth-
photography by Eric Jamison/studio J inc (barnEys); richard ValEncia photography (clutch); oppositE pagE: photography by mElissa ValladarEs
pays tribute to the iconic welcome to fabulous las vegas sign, is available at the brand’s three Vegas boutiques, at The Forum Shops at Caesars (702-691-2097), The Shops at Crystals (702-366-0503), and Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo (702-733-1802). Just in time for the holidays, the Nichola irkwood boutique on the Esplanade at Encore—only the label’s second US location—will roll out a handful of exclusive styles as part of its Eden line, including metallic takes on Kirkwood’s traditional pointed-toe Bottalato loafers and pairs of jewel-toned satin pumps and skimmer flats adorned with Swarovskiembellished hexagons (702-770-3543; nicholaskirkwood.com). Likewise, the Vegas outposts of the luxury goods maker Salvatore Ferragamo (salvatore ferragamo.com) at The Forum Shops at Caesars (702-933-9333) and Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo (702-369-0251) will soon stock a black leather men’s carryall with gold zippers called the Nevada backpack.
THE STYLE PSYCHIC Ardi Najmabadi Call up Ardi Najmabadi at his Tivoli Village boutique, Vasari, and he’ll answer by accurately guessing everything from your body type to your shoe size. “I’ve always had it,” Najmabadi says of the uncanny ability, a talent he’s used to climb the competitive ranks of the local styling scene. Nowadays, he’s the go-to resource on every Vegas socialite’s speed dial—and particularly well-known for getting them to try something new. THE CLIENT LIST: Najmabadi’s styling
roster reads like a who’s who of the Vegas social set: Cari Marshall, Lynn Weidner, Leora Blau, Jodi Fonfa, and Andrea Wynn are all clients and friends, and he’s also dressed stars including Pia Zadora, Bobbi Kristina Brown, and Britney Spears. “She came to the store once,” he says of the pop princess. MOST MEMORABLE STYLING MOMENT: “Pia Zadora first came in around three years ago, and I tried to help her. She was a little resistant, but then she finally gave in. I put an outfit on her, and she just flipped out; after that I became her stylist.” ADVICE FOR VEGAS SHOPPERS: “Always keep an open mind. Try stuff on before saying no. The comfort level you’re at is already reflected in your closet—that’s not what you’re looking for, so step outside of your box. Maybe then you’ll see a variety of changes in your wardrobe.” LINES HE LOVES: “Bailey 44, Diane von Furstenberg, Young Fabulous & Broke, Hudson Jeans, and J Brand.” PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: “I love Barneys New York. It’s very quiet and unique in there, and they always have the most up-to-date fashions. For menswear, Stitched at Cosmopolitan.”
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 111
Chanel has boutiques at both Wynn Las Vegas and its adjoining property, Encore, with a focus on fine jewelry.
Guests of The Forum Shops at Caesars are invited to enjoy personal shopping services through the center’s concierge (702-8934800; forumshops.com), and more than 25 languages are spoken here to accommodate visitors from around the world. Exclusive product presentation can be arranged at retailers including Burberry and Van Cleef & Arpels, while tailoring and private fittings are also available at more than 15 of the center’s top luxury boutiques. Stop by the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo’s concierge desk (702-414-4500; grandcanalshoppes.com) on the ground level for more information on private shopping appointments, in-suite and after-hours showings, and courier services like package pickup and delivery. A large number of the retail center’s luxury boutiques offer custom amenities of their own, including multilingual sales associates and personal shoppers for guests of Venetian and Palazzo. At the concierge desk at The Shops at Crystals (702-590-9230; theshopsat crystals.com), guests can arrange translators, personal shoppers, and in-store showings, and the 500,000-square-foot center is considering adding an all-new VIP lounge. Almost every store at Crystals features multilingual sales associates, and larger retailers, like the center’s two-level Louis Vuitton boutique, offer dedicated concierges of their own and private fitting areas, with refreshments and even nonshopping entertainment. Private shopping may as well be the standard on the Esplanades at Wynn and Encore (702-770-7000; wynnlas vegas.com); in fact, it’s relatively common for some of the most in-the-know fashionistas to schedule their consultations here. In between jetting off to New York, Paris, London, and Milan twice a year to see the latest designer collections, many of the Esplanades’ luxury buyers are based on-site and are available to share their expertise with guests who arrange their services through the resort’s concierge.
112 vegasmagazine.com
erwise they’d clean out the whole store.” And because Vegas attracts such a cosmopolitan (not to mention deep-pocketed) clientele, its shops are usually built larger to accommodate broader selections of “seasonless” apparel, footwear, and accessories. The result? Designer boutiques that look more like high-end department stores with multiple floors, ramped-up ready-to-wear collections, and even luxury services divisions to deal with VIP guests. “It can be a very difficult market to buy for because you have people coming in from all over the world—all different sizes, all different seasonal timing,” Matraki says, “and everybody is always leaving in an hour.” It’s that same sense of urgency that impels Vegas retailers to create fullfledged luxury shopping experiences for their clients. Free-flowing Champagne, private fitting lounges, after-hours showings—they’re all de rigueur for luxury retailers who understand the importance of forging exclusive relationships. “As much as people think everybody’s transient, they’re always back in town,” says
Matraki. “And some of my stores here do almost 25 percent of their business over the phone. When you build that kind of relationship with a customer, they trust you so much that the moment the new collection comes in, you can just put it in a box and ship it.” For retailers, there’s at least one happy consequence of their focus on the experience: Vegas has been unscathed by online shopping, which has in some cases devastated traditional malls. In a world where consumers now value convenience just as much as quality, we’ve somehow mastered the complicated art of making a visit to a brick-andmortar boutique more appealing than a five-minute Web transaction—and dramatically revamped our city’s identity, turning it into a luxury shopper’s paradise, to boot. “You know, we have the best restaurants, shopping centers, entertainment, concerts,” Matraki says. “If you want to gamble, go ahead and gamble, but you don’t have to. Retail completes the experience because now we have something for everybody.” V
photography by barbara kraft (chanel); opposite page: photography by Melissa Valladares
For You? AnYthing Here are just a few of the personalized services that Vegas’s best lifestyle centers offer to uncomplicate the retail experience.
THE PERSONAL SHOPPER Marsha Miller
When Saks Fifth Avenue made the decision to recruit Marsha Miller in 2003, the Fashion Show retailer did so with a keen understanding of the personal shopper’s razor-sharp knowledge of the Vegas market. Today, Miller’s clientele counts on her to fulfill a variety of wardrobe-related requests, which run the gamut from pulling pieces and arranging fitting sessions to choosing holiday gifts for friends and family. Despite her myriad responsibilities, Miller is still happy to dispense a bit of advice from her behind-the-scenes vantage point. MOST EXTRAVAGANT REQUEST: “We’ve had husbands who have given their significant others carte blanche to shop the whole store, letting them buy whatever they wanted, no matter what it was or what the cost was. In those cases, we work one-on-one with the wives and husbands. Usually we work with families—husbands, wives, and children as they get older. We don’t discriminate.” WORDS OF WISDOM: “Bring comfortable shoes; Las Vegas has become one of the places to shop in America. Every major retailer now has a presence here.” TOP THREE WINTER MUST-HAVES: “Every woman in Vegas should have a great coat in a jewel tone, a beautiful scarf that can be worn in different ways, and a great pair of boots—also something in leather.” THE BOTTOM LINE: “Shopping is a really personal experience, and if a customer isn’t comfortable, we realize they’re not going to shop here.”
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 113
™
AN OCEAN OF EMOTION WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY FRANCO DRAGONE
EXPERIENCE THE NEW VIP SUITES Upgrade your experience and enjoy “O” by Cirque du Soleil in pure luxury with Bellagio’s new “O” Theater VIP Suites. These new additions offer a unique, opera house-style, VIP experience, complete with champagne, chocolates, and other perks.
TICKETS AT CIRQUEDUSOLEIL.COM/O OR AT 888.488.7111 FOR GROUPS OF 12 OR MORE CALL 877-826-0255
PERFORMING EXCLUSIVELY AT
Haute ProPerty News and trends in real estate The newly renovated condos at The Ogden are helping to transform Downtown into a functional neighborhood.
What’s Up DoWn there?
photography by bryan hainer
new housing options—and finally a market!—are turning downtown las Vegas into a real neighborhood. you know, where people liVe. by andy wang There are plenty of misconceptions about downtown Las Vegas, some of which pioneer investor Tony Hsieh addressed in a long statement after recent employee layoffs at his Downtown Project. One he didn’t bring up, however, is that many people think the Zappos CEO owns pretty much everything in the neighborhood. Consider The Ogden (ogdenlv.com), where Hsieh resides and puts up visitors in crash pads and where some employees of Zappos and the Downtown Project have apartments. “Some people think it’s a Zappos building,” says Uri Vaknin, a partner at KRE Capital, which, along with co-owners Dune Real Estate Partners and Northcap, has placed apartments at The Ogden back on the market as stylish luxury condos. In fact, in a building that went rental after the financial crisis nixed its original condo plans, these units offer something the area has been lacking, despite all the restaurants, bars, boutiques, and start-ups that Hsieh has helped attract—namely, apartments that people can buy. “There is a dearth of housing in downtown Vegas,” says Vaknin, “especially for-sale housing.” The newly renovated Ogden condos are part of Downtown’s makeover into a functional neighborhood—a transformation that also includes a fancy new grocery store, complete with Stumptown coffee and artisanal sodas, which opened in October with an investment from Downtown Project. The project’s portfolio also includes chef Kerry Simon’s red-hot restaurant Carson Kitchen, which debuted in June. continued on page 116
vegasmagazine.com 115
haute property
“KErry [SiMON] aND i wErE BOTh rEaLLy aTTraCTED TO whaT’S gOiNg ON DOwNTOwN FrOM a COMMuNiTy PErSPECTiVE.”—cory harwell “Kerry and I were both really attracted to what’s going on downtown from a community perspective,” says Carson Kitchen partner Cory Harwell. “The community was built even before the infrastructure was there.” Hsieh notes that the grocery, known as The Market, will employ close to 30 people, about the same number of jobs as Downtown Project eliminated. But layoffs are what layoffs always are: a business decision. “We remain focused on the longterm plan and the evolution of the Downtown area,” Hsieh said in his statement. Or, as Vaknin puts it, “Utopian ideals are fantastic, but at some point you have to be smart businesswise. Otherwise the utopia would all fall apart.” Back to reality: The goal of downtown Vegas, like any emerging big-city neighborhood, is to become a desirable, attainable alternative to the best communities in the world. The new apart-
from left:
The rooftop of The Ogden; Carson Kitchen.
ments at The Ogden are a good start, and Vaknin and his partners are also adding a high-profile restaurant and retail tenants to their Downtown rental building Juhl (juhllv.com). “Tony’s created an energy and excitement that you couldn’t replicate,” Vaknin says of Hsieh’s impact on The Ogden, where KRE, Dune, and Northcap own 248 of the 275 units and have upgraded the public spaces, including the main lobby, elevator lobbies, club room, fitness center, and 25th-floor rooftop pool deck. The apartments, which have been updated with hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and recessed lighting, range from 815-square-foot one-bedrooms to 2,000-plussquare-foot three-bedrooms with dens. Prices start in the low $200,000s and increase to upward of $600,000, in line with the market for off-Strip condos. The building’s ground f loor includes two
New ReasoNs to Visit DowNtowN Carson KitChen Kerry Simon’s restaurant was
envisioned as a place where the chef serves the kind of food he would offer at a dinner party in his loft. Beloved dishes like fried chicken skins are part of an evolving menu that swaps out about 40 percent of its items every couple of months. 124 S. Sixth St., 702-473-9523; carsonkitchen.com sCullery Located at the base of The Ogden, Michael
Cornthwaite’s latest venue (for those 25 and older only) offers light bites, strong cocktails, and live music. 150 N. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-910-2396; scullerylv.com the MarKet Downtown gets its much-needed grocer—one with prepared foods for the lunch set and Veuve Clicquot to boot. Sunday through Thursday, 7 am to 10 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 7 am to midnight. 611 E. Fremont St., 702-586-3401; themarketdtlv.com the PerCh The Downtown Container Park has seen fts and starts, but this second-foor restaurant, with its fatbreads, salads, and steak frites, has the makings of a popular neighborhood hangout. Seventh and Fremont Streets, 702-854-1418; theperchlv.com
116 vegasmagazine.com
photography by bryan hainer (the ogden); peter harasty (Carson KitChen)
A living room at The Ogden.
restaurants—Rachel’s Kitchen and Wild—and the new bar Scullery. Another impressive amenity is in the parking garage, where there’s a station for Shift, a vehicle-sharing start-up that offers smart cars like Teslas, Chevy Volts, and even Renault’s new Twizy electric car. Over at Juhl, where units rent for about $2 per square foot and one-bedrooms can cost up to $1,710 a month ($3,250 for a penthouse), forthcoming amenities include a three-meals-a-day health-food restaurant, an Asian eatery from a proven operator, a store that sells home theater equipment, and even a high-end waxing boutique offering “manscaping” services. Other potential tenants include a mixology lounge and a shop selling modern furniture packages. None of these by themselves are neighborhood game-changers, but collectively they represent a Vegas version of Brooklynization, in which a neighborhood is flooded with hipster-friendly businesses in a walkable area. “This is [our] Williamsburg,” says Vaknin, referring to the ultratrendy Brooklyn neighborhood once known for its surplus of restaurants, bars, and music venues in lieu of boring but vital staples like grocery stores and pharmacies. But now Williamsburg has plenty of gourmet food shopping (including the world-famous Smorgasburg outdoor market) and neighboring condo buildings with drugstores, not to mention gyms and pools. There are a lot of families with babies, too. You’ll know downtown Vegas has really changed when the strollers outnumber the Teslas. V
IMAGINE VA N TA G E E X T R A O R D I N A R Y L I V I N G
Professional management by:
I
ndulge in infused posh and elegance with sleek lines, high-end finishes. These luxury homes include single story flats and multidimensional, dual–level penthouses for the extraordinary of mind. Vantage combines modern style, condo living with all the conveniences you expect - parks and open spaces, neighborhood shopping and dining, great schools, arts and theater. Embrace an unparalleled level of sophistication.
NOW LEASING Call to schedule your tour today.
(855) 7 44-6930 | VantageLasVegas.com | 201 South Gibson Road
THE BEST MARGARITA, BRUNCH, & MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN LAS VEGAS ARE NOW AT THE FORUM SHOPS BORDER GRILL MANDALAY BAY 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.632.7403
BORDER GRILL FORUM SHOPS 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.854.6700
@BORDERGRILL • BORDERGRILL.COM
haute property tall Stories
Food and Shelter, Vegas-Style
A decAdent new development pops the chAmpAgne (And signs up new owners) And A rAre penthouse comes on the mArket. plus, the west side mAkes A plAy for meAty dominAnce. by andy wang
let the party begin (selling). After a sky-high grand-opening party reminiscent of blowout bashes during the last real estate boom, Henderson’s Ascaya development (ascaya.com) is officially on the market. “We had almost 400 people,” says listing agent Ivan Sher (702-978-5800; lasvegasfinehomes.com) of the October event, where guests visited a multimillion-dollar sales center before taking limos to an upper lot to see the sunset and enjoy a live jazz band on an enclosed gazebo created just for the bash, a celebration that featured Saks Fifth Avenue models in the latest fashions and a red carpet lined with cars from Towbin Bentley. Also making an appearance (in the background) were some friendly rams who wandered over to check out the action. The animals were a reminder that Ascaya’s 313 estate plots, nearly 1,000 feet above the valley, are all about being close to nature. Soirées like this work in high-end real estate, where transactions are often powered by fantasies of a lifestyle to come. Spend $1 million on a custom home site and you can have Strip views and “the energy of the towering hills and mountains” around you as part of your daily pick-me-up. “We had buyers commit that night,” says Sher, who adds that representatives of both American and foreign customers were at the event. meet the new meatery.
Restaurant moguls Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla, the husband-and-wife team behind Honey Salt and Made LV, have their knives out as they’re getting ready to solidify their west side dominance with Andiron Steak & Sea. The
fine-dining restaurant will open in the spring at the new Downtown Summerlin complex (downtownsummerlin.com). As at José Andrés’s Bazaar Meat in the new SLS Las Vegas, the idea is to greatly expand on the concept of a steakhouse. Andiron, designed by Thomas Schlesser’s Design Bureaux (responsible for New York City restaurants like Daniel Boulud’s DBGB and David Chang’s Má Pêche), will feature a dramatic wood-fired grill but also more feminine touches like light woods and floral patterns. The 106-acre, 1.6 millionsquare-foot Downtown Summerlin welcomed its first visitors in October. When complete, it will feature more than 125 retail and restaurant tenants in a pedestrian-friendly setting. s y-high supremacy. Having strollable access to the center of the Strip without actually being on Las Vegas Boulevard is luxury in and of itself. Add a sprawling 43rd-floor residence with panoramic views and the most extravagant finishes and you’ve got the newly listed Sky-Estate Penthouse at the Martin, a $3.988 million gem with 3,616 square feet indoors plus 687 square feet of terrace space. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom condo, listed by Kristen Routh-Silberman of Synergy Sotheby’s International (702-4677100; sothebysrealty.com), comes with three parking spaces, spalike baths, backlit walls, and a kitchen with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Asko appliances to fulfill every Iron Chef fantasy. But Vegas decadence—and this apartment is billed as a place that “plays host to your most decadent desires”—means options, so you can walk over to CityCenter for dinner, too. V
A model of Ascaya; Downtown Summerlin, where Andiron will be located; the dining room of the Sky-Estate Penthouse at the Martin.
photography by Ethan MillEr/gEtty iMagEs (ascaya)
clockwise from top:
118 vegasmagazine.com
LIFE FLIES BY IN AN INSTANT, LET’S
PROTECT quin-wow THE MEN WE LOVE.
your taste buds
One in six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes. Every 16 minutes, a man dies of prostate cancer in the U.S. But prostate cancer is often treatable. Encourage the men in your life to speak to their health care providers about prostate cancer screening. Visit PCF.ORG to create a plan for better prostate health.*
TO LEARN MORE GO TO SU2C.ORG.
Quincy Jones and daughter Rashida Jones, Stand Up To Cancer Ambassadors
RED QUINOA SALAD WILD ARUGULA, GOLDEN BEETS CITRUS CHILI VINAIGRETTE
Bite into gluten-free satisfaction This guilt-free grain will satiate your appetite for something comforting and delicious. With our patrons’ health in mind, we have adapted our menu to reflect their preferences.
Stand Up To Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-proft organization. *Based on Nov 2012 SEER data.
Photo by Andrew MacPherson.
R
R
FIND A SAMMY’S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
sammyspizza.com
ALOR
EXOTICS RACING
For more than 30 years, Californiabased ALOR has been merging casual simplicity with high-fashion elegance, revolutionizing efortless luxury. ALOR’s distinctive 18 karat gold and stainless-steel cable designs are an expression of California’s efortless beauty and innovative spirit.
Drive the Lamborghini Huracán! It’s like a time machine. Only faster. Visit Exotics Racing to drive the all new Lamborgini Huracán on a racetrack! Driving packages start at $399 for 5 laps. Visit exoticsracing.com or call 702.802.5670 to book your experience today!
Visit ALOR.com or Nordstrom
NOT TO BE MISSED EVENTS • HAPPENINGS • PROMOTIONS
GREAT TASTES AT MONTE CARLO Monte Carlo’s new BLVD Plaza features Yusho Japanese Grill & Noodle House, 800° Degrees Pizza, Double Barrel Roadhouse, BLVD Creamery and Sambalatte. Add in favorites BRAND Steakhouse and Te Pub, and nightly Blue Man Group performances, and Monte Carlo has just the right ingredients for a great evening out. MonteCarlo.com 702.730.7777 3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109
HEARTHSTONE KITCHEN AND CELLAR
MERCADITO
Hearthstone Kitchen and Cellar inside Red Rock Resort is now open. Experience the warmth and comfortable décor accompanied by acclaimed Chef Brian Massie’s rustic American cuisine. Complete with an interactive open kitchen, a private wine and dining room, and a charcuterie and oyster bar. Hearthstone is sure to please.
Spice up your weekend with Brunch at Summerlin’s newest Mexican hot spot, Mercadito, at Red Rock Resort. Choose the “Perfect Cure” to indulge in unlimited cocktails and three savory menu items to share, such as Huevos Ahogados, Carnitas Hash, and Chilaquiles.
11011 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89135 702.588.5656
Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11AM – 2:45PM. Patio dining available. Call 702.979.3609 for reservations or more information.
DIRECTOR DOMINIC CHAMPAGNE MUSIC DIRECTORS SIR GEORGE MARTIN & GILES MARTIN
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC AND IMAGINATION OF THE BEATLES FOR A LIVE 360-DEGREE SPECTACLE FOR EXCLUSIVE OFFERS Call: 800-963-9634
VISIT: mirage.com - thebeatles.com cirquedusoleil.com/love
The trademark Cirque du Soleil is owned by Cirque du Soleil and used under license. The trademark LOVE is owned by The Cirque Apple Creation Partnership and used under license. The trademark The Beatles is owned by Apple Corps Ltd. and used under license. *Prices do not include tax and fees. Valid on select seating areas, categories and show times. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Management reserves all rights. Some restrictions apply.
The Guide Las Vegas’s Finest The dining room at Pot Liquor, the new mecca for meat lovers.
Right on ’Cue
photography by amelinda
enjoy the fruits of Painstaking barbecue investigation at Pot Liquor, vegas’s most serious new tribute to the smoked, grilled, and saucy meat arts. by brock radke Barbecue is a serious cuisine. One slip—not enough smoke, the wrong type of wood, too much or not enough sauce, not enough zip in your dry rub—and any ’cue joint can slide from a meat lovers’ paradise to a punch line. Great barbecue requires skill, experience, and dedication. Lucky for Las Vegas, the crew at the new Pot Liquor Contemporary American Smokehouse has all three. Partners Flip Arbelaez and Doug Bell have been friends and culinary collaborators for more than a decade, stretching back to the first time they worked together, at Gallagher’s Steakhouse at the Strip’s New York-New York casino resort. When the time came for this dynamic duo to create their own concept, they settled on barbecue, knowing that Vegas needed it most. In search of influence and inspiration, Chef Bell—who also helmed the acclaimed Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay for several years—patiently toured the barbecue-loving South, hitting capitals like Kansas City and
Memphis and sampling smoked meats from roadside shacks in Texas and Alabama. The result of this delicious road trip is Pot Liquor, Town Square’s most drool-inducing new restaurant, named for the luxuriously rich broth used to braise collard greens, with pork bits and a plethora of herbs and spices. Those greens are already the most popular side dish on Pot Liquor’s menu, nearly mandatory alongside slow-smoked, sauce-mopped baby back ribs or juicy, tender, naturally sweet Carolina pulled pork. All the familiar favorites are here, cooked with affectionate authenticity but not without a few creative twists. Burnt brisket ends are served with maple bark. Fried catfish comes Benedict-style with a hollandaise-rémoulade hybrid. A classic chicken potpie fits on the same menu as a burger topped with Texas brisket, cheddar cheese, and house-made pickles. Pot Liquor is serious food, engineered to avoid your typical barbecue disappointment. Come hungry. Town Square, 702-816-4600 V
vegasmagazine.com 123
the guide acquire
Paper & Home
Fred Segal Goods is the newest place in town for high-end novelty items.
One-of-a-Kind Wonders WrAP uP your HolIdAy sHoPPIng At tHese oFF-tHe-beAtentrAck gIFt stores. by tess eyrich Alligator Soup It’s nearly impossible to browse the shelves at Alligator Soup without entering some kind of trance state. The emphasis here is on the eclectic, with handmade soaps, body lotions, stationery, candy, graphic jewelry cases, glassware, candles, baby blankets, and plush toys among the items you’ll encounter on a typical visit, and the shop is constantly updating its inventory. Plus, the west-side boutique offers services to simplify the giftgiving process, including custom calligraphy, wrapping, and mailing. 9350 W. Sahara Ave., 702-804-0544; alligatorsoup.com
Bauman Rare Books A bibliophile’s paradise, Bauman Rare Books houses Las Vegas’s largest collection of first editions and signed
124 vegasmagazine.com
texts. The books on offer run the gamut from kids’ classics like The Cat in the Hat and an autographed copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to centuries-old editions of the King James Bible and an illustrated 1770 compilation of Shakespeare’s works. Visit for definitive tomes on history, politics, and philosophy as well as art, travel, and design—many of them marked by unique details like a personalized inscription from the author. Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-948-1617; baumanrarebooks.com
Fred Segal Goods The new Fred Segal at SLS Las Vegas is actually a seven-shop collective, and each of the intimate boutiques presents a trove of must-have merchandise exclusive to the Southern
California retailer’s Vegas outpost. If you’re looking for the kind of visually vibrant gift that turns heads, stop by Goods, the collective’s catchall shop for chic home décor pieces, design books, and out-of-the-ordinary accessories like watches and beaded clutches. SLS Las Vegas, 855-7617757; slslasvegas.com
J. Glenn You’ll be hard-pressed to find most of the items at Summerlin’s J. Glenn anywhere else; the shop’s owner handpicks its merchandise, scouring the marketplace for standouts from only the most spectacular accessory and décor lines. Leather handbags, luxe home furnishings, and fine jewelry from designers such as Dean Davidson and Anne-Marie Chagnon are just a few of the treasures on display this year, and all
The custom design service started in 2010 by local husband-and-wife duo Michael and Brooke Coxen has broadened its focus since then, expanding from a bespoke stationery store to a full-fledged boutique. Today the gorgeous goods at Paper & Home include greeting and note cards, invitations, announcements, journals, and art prints, as well as a collection of chic accessories, like soy candles, design books, and batik linens. Gifts aside, it’s worth stopping by just for a roll of eye-catching wrapping paper from Snow & Graham or Rifle Paper Co. 4555 S. Fort Apache Road, 702-776-8243; paperandhome.com
Silver Post If you’ve popped into one of the souvenir shops on Fremont Street in the past 20 years or so, you’ve probably come across enough scorpions preserved in Lucite and rattlesnakehead key chains to last a lifetime. The merchandise you’ll find at Silver Post is the polar opposite of the usual desert kitsch: Think authentic Native American pottery; jewelry from Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi artisans; and domestically manufactured cowboy boots and moccasins. 7680 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-227-3005; silverpostusa.com V
Wrapped and ready Co-owner Brooke Coxen, the buyer at Paper & Home, gives us a hand with our holiday wish lists. What can we expect to find at Paper & Home this holiday season? It’s all about gold foil stamping this season. We have a wide selection of beautifully designed art prints, calendars, boxed notes, and greeting cards with gold foil accents. What would you recommend as the perfect gift for the person who already has everything? We recommend luxurious custom stationery, personalized with their name or monogram— they’ll be sure to send you a handwritten note of gratitude. What do we absolutely need to make our holiday packages more beautiful? Adorn your packages with letterpress-printed or foil-stamped gift tags to add texture and a bit more detail. For a little extra flair, have Paper & Home write the recipient’s name in beautiful hand-calligraphy.
photography by DaviD becker/getty images for sLs Las vegas (freD segaL); J. anne photography (paper & home)
through the month of December the shop shines with two fully outfitted holiday trees, an overwhelming assortment of Kurt Adler ornaments, and twinkling Mr. Christmas music boxes and snow globes. 750 S. Rampart Blvd., 702425-7636; jglennhome.com
“Afer I was told I had cancer, the best decision I made was to travel to Phoenix, Arizona and treat at Cancer Treatment Centers of America®.” ~Sherry Cancer Patient
Don’t Let 45 Minutes Stand Between You and Quality Cancer Care. Sherry is a working mom, her family counts on her. When Sherry learned that she had breast cancer,
As a working mom, Sherry needed a team of cancer experts who created a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan focused both on results and quality of life. She needed to keep her job and be a mom while also going through treatment. rehabilitation, psychological counseling, spiritual support and pain management all in one location met CTCA and takes care of everything in one visit, under one roof with coordinated care between all her clinical experts. Today we are proud to have Sherry as part of our CTCA family.
Call now to speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists and learn how we fght cancer like no one else.
888-214-9488
or go to cancercenter.com
No case is typical. You should not expect to experience these results.
©2013 Rising Tide
the Guide devour It may be hard to leave your spot among the plush armchairs in Lavo’s recently redesigned upstairs lounge, but the ground-level restaurant’s Italian panettone cake is just enough of a temptation to pull you away. Soaked in hazelnut-flavored Frangelico syrup, this over-the-top dessert’s outer crust gives way to orange cream-cheese frosting and toasted almonds. Top it off with a hearty dose of Nutella gelato. Palazzo, 702-791-1800; lavolv.com
Prime Steakhouse
How Sweet It Is SomE RESoLuTIoNS aRE mEaNT To bE bRokEN: ThIS SEaSoN, INduLgE IN vEgaS’S moST dECadENT dESSERTS. by tess eyrich Culinary Dropout The reimagined pub fare at Culinary Dropout puts quirky spins on classic comfort foods, and the restaurant’s dessert menu is chock-full of nostalgic dishes. The holidays are practically tailor-made for pies, and the Bourbon Black Bottom Pie is a festive finale to a celebratory meal. With two layers of crumbled graham crackers, creamy chocolate ganache, and fresh whipped cream, this is one delectable dessert that’ll have you feeling like a kid again in no time. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-5228100; culinarydropout.com
db Brasserie Fans of the Speculoos Cookie Butter sold at Trader Joe’s won’t be able to keep their hands off the recently debuted Cookie Butter Semifreddo that Daniel Boulud is dishing out at db
126 vegasmagazine.com
Brasserie. The velvety frozen mousse includes a ribbon of the popular Belgian cookie butter for added flavor; also in the mix are candied cranberries, wedged Granny Smith apples, warm caramel and cranberry sauces, whipped crème fraîche, and, of course, a satisfyingly crunchy Speculoos cookie. Venetian, 702-430-1235; dbbrasserie.com
Gimme Some Sugar Bake Shoppe Come nightfall, Gimme Some Sugar Bake Shoppe transforms into a low-lit retreat, complete with a wine bar, plated desserts, and an evolving variety of seasonal treats from the bakery case. Head in this winter for a slice of pumpkinbourbon cheesecake, which comes topped with pecan streusel and cinnamon; a warm apple crisp éclair filled
with airy mascarpone; or a dark chocolate–dipped candy cane macaron. 19 S. Stephanie St. #160, Henderson, 702-882-2537, gimmesomesugarlv.com
Honey Salt Honey Salt’s executive chef, Joe Zanelli, has a way of showcasing simple, bold ingredients in new and interesting dishes that push the boundaries of traditional dining. This season, head to the original Summerlin restaurant from Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla for one of two good oldfashioned after-dinner treats: a slice of flaky pecan pie topped with Vermont maple ice cream, or a deliciously dense chocolate almond cake finished off with a scoop of spiced eggnog ice cream. 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., 702-445-6100; honeysalt.com
The must-order holiday dessert at chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s steakhouse is a theatrical culinary experience. Order the cinnamon bread pudding and you’ll be treated to a tableside performance. The dessert, which also incorporates wedged Fuji apples and scoops of salted ice cream, arrives encased in a chocolate dome that is gradually melted into the pudding beneath by a rivulet of hot caramel sauce. Bellagio, 866-259-7111; bellagio.com
Rose. Rabbit. Lie. Executive pastry chef Ben Spungin has never been one to shy away from experimentation, and this winter he’s rolling out a trio of avantgarde desserts, including bûche de Noël (a yule log) with crispy meringue mushrooms and house-made oak-flavored ice cream. Other statement desserts on the menu are croquembouche towers made from vanilla cream-filled pastry balls and transportively tropical fruit plates. Cosmopolitan, 877-6670585; roserabbitlie.com V
ConfeCtions Gone Creative Ben Spungin, executive pastry chef at Cosmopolitan’s Rose. Rabbit. Lie., spills on the season’s most distinctive dessert trends. How did you develop your new seasonal desserts? The concept of the food at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. is about sharing, and I feel holiday-inspired courses are a reminder that sharing with friends is ideal. We first think of the seasons when creating a menu, and not only of the available produce, but of the sensory values that relate. Classics like the yule log evoke memories of home and childhood; I gave it a twist by creating oak-flavored ice cream to make it interesting. What ingredients are you most excited about using this winter? Every winter we love using truffles. Not chocolate truffles, mind you, but the beautiful, aromatic tuber melanosporum. Its malty flavor makes for amazing ice cream. What should we order the next time we come into Rose. Rabbit. Lie.? I think this is the year of refined exoticfruit desserts. They’re an elegant and refreshing way to end a meal, and a great way to keep it light so the party never stops.
photography Courtesy of Culinary Dropout (pie); tomo musCioniCo (spungin)
Lavo Italian Restaurant & Lounge
Culinary Dropout’s Bourbon Black Bottom Pie.
the guide Beauty
Beauty Before Midnight SpArklE And ShInE on nEW YEAr’S EvE WITh A lITTlE hElp from ThESE vEGAS SAlonS And STYlInG SErvICES. by tess eyrich Color Salon by Michael Boychuck New Year’s Eve is the busiest night of the year at this hot spot, and with a range of extraspecial services on the menu, it’s easy to understand why. Stop in before 7 pm for the New Year’s Eve makeup package, which includes temporary lashes and waterresistant airbrush makeup for a flawless finish, or a nail service featuring ultramoisturizing Chardonnay grape seed extract. After-hours appointments can be accommodated with advance booking and an additional fee, and if you simply cannot leave your room (and why should you have to?), the salon will happily send up a cadre of hair and makeup artisans for the services of your choice. Caesars Palace, 866-7307791; caesarspalace.com
photography Courtesy of Caesars entertainment
For New Year’s Eve, visit the expert stylists at Color Salon by Michael Boychuck, or have them come to you.
iBlowdry Salon Just a few blocks away from the Strip, iBlowdry Salon plans to wave goodbye to 2014 and toast the dawn of a new year by going above and beyond the usual call of duty. The salon’s doors will stay open until midnight, and clients will be treated to a DJ, mimosas, Champagne, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. New Year’s Eve–exclusive packages include blow-outs with either full-face or eyes-only makeup, and all cosmetic applications come with complimentary temporary lashes. 5120 S. Decatur Blvd. #102, 702-256-9379; iblowdry.com
La’Bella Mafia Prefer to prepare in the comfort of your own home? La’Bella Mafia’s mobile agency of award-winning makeup artist and hairstylist
teams will deliver 24-hour beautification services to night owls in all corners of the city. Spray tanning, full manicures and pedicures, and hairstyling will all be offered throughout the night, while makeup will be airbrush-finished for no additional fee, then topped off with extravagant complimentary lashes. 855-526-2342; labellamafiabeauty.com
Platinum Entourage The team at Platinum Entourage is getting into the spirit with an old-school fête accented by flowing Champagne, a live jazz ensemble, and light bites courtesy of nearby BJ’s Cocktail Lounge. The vintage-inspired salon will stay open an hour later—to 9 pm —to handle the influx of clients, who can choose from
a menu of 16 blow-out styles starting at $35 a pop, as well as a range of makeup services (some with Swarovski accents) that’ll be sealed with complimentary layers of topcoat barrier. 6670 S. Tenaya Way, 702-410-5459; blowdrybarlasvegas.com
Vegas Mobile Drybar Beloved as much for its Grecian-style braids as for its blow-outs, Vegas Mobile Drybar is bringing its on-the-go hair, makeup, and spray-tanning services directly to clients, along with a little something special: kits stocked with all of the emergency essentials for a successful New Year’s Eve in Vegas, including roll-up flats (in glittery metallics, of course), breath fresheners, blotting wipes, aspirin, and quirky accessories like strings of colored beads. Plus, all of the traveling service’s makeup artists will arrive equipped with specialty lashes—feathers, neon, and glitter, anyone? 702-910-9937; vegasdrybar.com
Violet Hour Salon An extension of Cosmopolitan’s Sahra Spa & Hammam, Violet Hour Salon will provide styling services to clients until 9:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, making it the perfect place to fortify yourself before heading down to Marquee. Stop by for a blow-out and hot-tool styling, or settle in for a traditional, airbrush, or eyes-only makeup application (all of which include temporary lashes) or an exfoliating manicure or pedicure. The salon will also bring its services to designated hotel rooms by appointment. Cosmopolitan, 877-388-0121; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com V
Styled to Perfection Todd White, owner of Platinum Entourage, talks tips, trends, and the importance of effortlessness. Which New Year’s Eve style would you recommend for a Vegas woman? Well, depending on what you’re wearing, of course, there are many options. As a general rule of thumb, choose a style that looks effortless. If you’re going with your hair up, think Charlize Theron; down, think Gisele waves. You never want to look as if you’ve spent all day at the “beauty parlor.” Any tips for helping a style last throughout the night? If you’re wearing a curl or wave, set your hair in that formation right after curling and let it cool; your hair will memorize the shape better and last twice as long. A bit of dry shampoo or styling texture powder added to your style after it’s complete will create a gritty texture that lasts all night long. Just be sure to top it off with a light shine spray, because it will dull down your natural shine. What are some of the top hair trends we should be on the lookout for in 2015? Effortless will be in for a long time to come. Short, long, it doesn’t matter—just effortless. I can tell you what style will for sure be out, and that’s the strong, dip-dyed ombré color you see everywhere. A softer version with some highlights at the top is already taking over, but ombré may become a punch line in 2015.
vegasmagazine.com 127
INVITED
Carissa Rey, Donna Davidson, Mindi Anderson, and Marisa Guarino
Brittany Williams and Dulcinea Rongavilla
Allison Mayo and Stacey Wedding
Leigh Dunn, Amy Pourciau, Leslie Espy, and Michelle DiTondo
Megan Dode, Rose McKinney-James, and Jennifer Simich-Beristain
Stacey Maione, Sharry Quillin, and Jessica Pianko
Cheryl Cook and Elizabeth Engle
KICK OFF YOUR HEELS LUNCHEON SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR Children’s sixth annual Women’s Day Kick Off Your Heels luncheon was a festive event that invited women to ditch their heels for the day in support of one of the country’s premier children’s charities. Hosted by Mix 94.1’s Mercedes Martinez at TPC Summerlin, the luncheon featured a gourmet meal accented by Robert Mondavi wines, as well as a silent auction and a presentation by licensed psychologist Dr. Cortney S. Warren. Fafie Moore and Mercedes Martinez
128
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
Tanya Murray and Jessica McLish
Dawn Gibbons, Denise LaForest, and Stephanie Hodges
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ‘LOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASHMAN PHOTO ENTERPRISES (OPPOSITE PAGE)
Adrienne Augustus, Kelly Cunningham, and Tanya Tumminia
Sean Weible and Jax Budde
Adrena and Steven Pieri with Vildan Buric, Claudia Soler, and Suzanne and Jason Shkorupa
EPICUREAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION M.E.N.U.S. EVENT
John and Melissa Arias with Rene Warner
EPICUREAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Stephanie, Emily, and Donny Hewett
staged its annual M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students) event at MGM Grand, a poolside affair that brought together more than 30 of Vegas’s finest chefs, restaurants, and lounges for a dine-around and a silent auction, followed by a Zac Brown Band concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The evening’s proceeds benefited the foundation’s efforts in providing education and training for students in hospitality or the culinary arts.
Joe, Tammy, Kayla, and Sean Stafford
Kim and Dana Wagner
Brent and Raquel Cook with Laura and Scott Farber
Nicole Nejezch and Shawn Ritchie
Marissa and Jay Martino
VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 129
INVITED
Randy Char and Matt Finn
Olga and Gabriel Alexander
Scott Devon
TOURNEAU WATCH EVENT THIS FALL, TOURNEAU kicked off its monthlong Watch
Event at the Time Dome at The Forum Shops at Caesars, giving guests an exclusive preview of brand-new timepieces from some of the world’s finest luxury brands. Attendees also enjoyed a Scotch whisky tasting, courtesy of Royal Salute, as well as a variety of gourmet appetizers.
Tawfiq Marar and Eve Storm
Karla Rivera
Nicholas Hofmann
Jen Stewart and Brian Criddle
130 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM
Chivas Brothers Royal Salute
Richard Gellman
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ALAMO
An H. Moser & Cie watch at Tourneau
Parting shot
We’ll Do It our Way
Keep your picturesquely conventional holiday traditions. When you don’t get snoW, you get creative. Which is Why las vegas is the best christmas toWn on earth. By Scott DickenSheetS and set up 400 animatronic displays along a few miles of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It may sound like a redneck Nativity, but do you hear what I hear? That’d be the delighted oohs and aahs of 150,000 people who don’t have to worry about stumbling into a canal as they dig the amazing glow. That’s not to say Vegas can’t deliver its share of cheery Rockwellian touches. Ice-skating? Choose between Venetian’s Holiday Spectacular and the frozen Cosmopolitan pool, the latter complete with a DJ—we’re pretty sure Rockwell would groove to a good bass drop. Holiday-bedazzled horticulture? The plant elves at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will overdress the place in poinsettias, fake polar bears, lights, and a working train. Similarly, Sam’s Town will encrust its Mystic Falls—a waterfall and mini forest of live trees under a 10-story atrium—with lights, more fake polar bears, and traditional holiday bric-a-brac. Also, lasers. Because, really, it wouldn’t be Vegas without the lasers, would it? It wouldn’t be Vegas if
Santa didn’t greet kids at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef surrounded by hundreds of nature’s perfect eating machines. Correction: This wouldn’t be Vegas if it didn’t have two Santas frolicking with sharks, the other one scuba diving with 4,000 fish (including three species of shark) in the 117,000 gallons of the Silverton’s mermaid tank. What’s that? Yes, of course he’ll be wired with a mike so he can talk to the children while underwater—what do you think this is, Florida? Americans adore Christmas not just because we’re gimme-gimme materialists—although that helps—but because it still tugs at something authentic and, yes, soulful within us that has somehow survived creeping cynicism and midterm-election advertising. The thing about Las Vegas is that its imagineers figured out long ago that a city steeped in artifice could use all that vibrant fakeness to stimulate real emotions. It’s the city’s true magic. And I’m quite certain that when you watch the children light up as they blurt their wish lists to a tank-equipped underwater Santa, you’ll feel it, too. Take it away, David and Bing. V
illustration by daniel o’leary
A white Christmas? Keep dreaming. In Vegas, the winter wonderland can often be experienced in a light cardigan, preferably with cocktails on a restaurant patio. But while we may not enjoy a Currier & Ives holiday setting, Sin City—hewing to its evergreen motto “Better living through excess!”—has created its own sui generis traditions. New England is welcome to its lovely trees coated in photo-ready snow; Vegas will have to settle for Santa diving with sharks. With the holidays, as with everything else, the city has retrofitted its shortcomings, turning them into selling points. The lack of holidaygrade scenery, for example. Fine, Vegas says, we’ll deck our cacti instead, three acres of ’em at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory, pimped out in half a million glowing lights. It’s the most delightful mix of the beautiful and the prickly since Bing Crosby went caroling with David Bowie. And no, Vegas can’t match Vienna platz for platz when it comes to Baroque architecture festooned with beautiful lights in a soulful, Olde World Advent tableau. But here in the New World, we can string a million bright LEDs
132 vegasmagazine.com
P R E S E N T S
Randy Char, MBA President and Broker
CHAR LUXURY REAL ESTATE For a private viewing, please call 702-646-6377
$899,000 9103 Alta Drive #707
$699,000 9101 Alta Drive #18
$12,900,000 9101 Alta Drive #1801
2 Beds 2.5 Baths 2277 sq ft
2 Beds 2.5 Baths 1929 sq ft
5 Beds 7.5 Baths 15670 sq ft
One Queensridge Place is the perfect choice for discerning homebuyers seeking the ultimate carefree lifestyle. CHAR LUXURY REAL ESTATE - THE PINNACLE OF LAS VEGAS LUXURY 702-646-6377 | WWW.ONEQRP.COM
Prices, plans, elevations and specifcations are subject to change without notice. Photographs and/or renderings are for illustrative purposes only. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. Square footage shown is approximate. See Sales Counselor for details. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, this is not a solicitation for your business, please disregard this ad. Š 2014 Queensridge Properties, LLC.
Metamorphosis, an Hermès story
“ Faubourg ” watch in rose gold set with diamonds Las Vegas Bellagio Encore The Shops at Crystals 1-800-441-4488 Hermes.com