VOLUME V / ISSUE III / MARCH 2021
T H E G A U N T L E T O F P O L O : C .V. W H I T N E Y C U P · H E R I TA G E C U P THE $20 MILLION SAUDI CUP
DUBAI POLO MASTERS
WEALTH
EARN IT
THE $1 MILLION POLO CUP
SPEND IT
BEACH-FRONT LUXURY HOMES HAUTE COUTURE, TRAVEL TOYS AND ART
GIVE IT AWAY
JOIN THE RACE TO SAVE OUR PLANET
BUILD WITH IT
INSIDE THE BIJAN EMPIRE
INVEST IN YOURSELF
CONQUER NEGATIVITY ONCE AND FOR ALL
MUST LOVE DOGS
PET ADOPTIONS SOAR AS COVID LINGERS
THE RULES OF HIGHSOCIETY ROMANCE
WHAT TO DO (OR NOT DO) WHEN DATING A CELEBRITY
COUTURE'S GOLDEN SPRING
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Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Joshua Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief
Claire Barrett
Head of Photography
Eva Espresso
Contributing Photographer
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor
Raphael K. Dapaah Art Contributor
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Contributor
Stanley Pierre-Etienne Style Contributor
Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre Style Contributor
Philippe Lucas
Luxury Contributor Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai Michael J. Snell - The Hamptons Stanley Pierre-Etienne Caribbean Sara Ali - London Jessica Foret Wax - Santa Fe Charles Ward - Montecito K & Co. Media - Los Angeles Contributing Photographers Khalil Ali, Shaun Rajah Tony Belot, Jenna Peffley Global Polo Media
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Gregory Bertrand Copy Editor
Katerina Morgan
Contributing Photographer
Michael J. Snell
Lifestyles Contributor
Charles Ward
Mansions of the Month Curator
Joey Velez
Wellness Columnist
Brett Chody
Trends Contributor
William Smith
Philanthropy Contributor
Elle Chrysler
Polo Contributor Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518 Content Copyright © Polo Lifestyles 2020 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@htpolo.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover Photo of Gringo Colombres and Matt Coppola from Global Polo Media
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INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB THE GAUNTLET OF POLO U.S. Polo Women's Open Championship GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB The Grand Champions Cup The Palm Beach Open GHANTOOT RACING & POLO CLUB Al Amal Polo Day for Charity HH President of UAE Polo Cup MARRAKECH POLO CLUB International Women's Day Polo Cup AL HABTOOR POLO CLUB UAE National Day Cup Sir Winston Churchill Cup
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SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G P O L O
DUBAI POLO MASTERS EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS page 36 POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Elle Chrysler
Polo Contributor U.S. Polo Connection @ellechrysler
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Josh Jakobitz
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Charles Ward
Mansions of the Month IdeaWorks Global @ideaworksglobal
Claire Barrett
Head of Photography
Claire Barrett Photography
@clairebarrettphoto
Eva Espresso Photographer
Eva Espresso Photography
@eva.espresso
Raphael K. Dapaah
Jyoti Paintel
Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles @jyotipaintel
Michael J. Snell
Gregory Bertrand
Lifestyles Contributor MJS Groupe @agnello_1
Copy Editor Polo Lifestyles @bertrand7367
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezartastesearth
Joey Velez
Brett Chody
Trends Contributor Polo Lifestyles @brettchody
William Smith
Wellness Columnist
Philanthropy Contributor
@velezmentalhealth
@willismith_2000
Velez Mental Performance May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
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Nicolas Bijan's budding Los Angeles life, page 68
The Miramar, the epitome of beach-front luxe, page 145
Couture houses show inspir- Overcome negativity to ing gold looks, page 94 enjoy your life, page 160
WEALTH
CREATE IT. SPEND IT. DONATE IT. PASS IT ON. WIN IT. LIVE WELL. FROM HOMES AND COUTURE TO TOYS AND TOP 50 PHILANTHROPISTS LISTS, DIVE INTO THE STORIES AROUND WEALTH IN THIS ISSUE.
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DUBAI
L
AST AUGUST, THE HEADLINE ON THE COVER OF POLO LIFESTYLES READ, POLO IS BACK, AND IT REALLY WAS. THE UK SEASON WAS IN FULL SWING, ALBEIT WITHOUT SPECTATORS, HOSPITALITY OR THE USUAL FANFARE BEFITTING OF IT’S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND PROXIMITY TO THE CROWN. IT FELT DISCONNECTED. IT FELT FORCED. IT FELT LACKLUSTER. BUT, PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WENT ON – IT HAPPENED. When the Argentine season kicked off and we saw the photos and videos of empty stands in Palermo, it still felt weird. Our photographers were under strict Covid-19 restricted access, but they prevailed with still-stunning imagery from that hallowed polo ground. Then came the December-January lull. Maybe no one knew what was going to happen. Maybe the polo world was just being extra cautious, but it was quiet. Eerily quiet. Just days before the New Zealand BMW Polo Open, the national government shocked the nation when it announced that, despite best efforts and nearly 100 percent national lockdown, cases of Covid-19 had surfaced in the population. Lucy Ainsley, executive director of The Polo in New Zealand, was forced to cancel tickets and hospitality tents last minute. So it should have been no surprise to me when the Florida season started, quietly and without fanfare at first. But in Florida, polo is gaining ground and making up for lost time. At the International Polo Club, teams completed the unfinished 2020 Gold Cup. For The Gauntlet of Polo, the U.S. Polo Association is selling their fabulous brunch tickets once again. As photos and results started rolling in, our team crowded around my laptop to look at the photos. “Those must be from last year,” someone commented. “I can see spectators in the background.” We’ve become to accustomed to spectator-less polo that seeing fans on-site felt jarring. It also felt like polo – because polo is a lifestyle, as we often are heard saying at our office, on the phone or over Zoom calls. Without the lifestyle, you don’t experience polo as it’s intended; never has been that been made clearer than in the last 12 months. It’s the cars, the fashion, the food and drinks, the people-watching and the divot-stomping. If Florida is a preview to the 2021 polo season, then we’re moving in the right direction. In the meantime, we’re going to continue bringing all of the Polo Lifestyles aspects you know and love to you, each and every month. We hope you enjoy this issue about wealth: its power, its lure, its benevolence – and that you might be inspired to do something good with yours. Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com
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VOLUME V / ISSUE III / MARCH 2021
adamsbroequestrian Exclusive Swedish equestrian interiors brand with pillows, cushions and throws
naomi Naomi is radiant in "The Utopia in Dystopia" Issue No. 362 of i-D
christopherkorey Looking very winter-cum-spring, Christopher Korey is perfectly tailored to the last detail page 22
africapoloopen Live like royal everyday or at least for polo on Sundays at the Royal Salute bar, part of Africa Polo Open
prada Couture and luxury paved runways in golden looks this season, including this ensemble by Prada
madonnaunderground Love her or hate her, Madonna: Living for Love issue was the most-read, mostdownloaded and most-sold issue yet
superglamourous Walk on the wild side with a pair of python skin loafers from SuperGlamourous
rimowa Intergalactic travel is on our minds since we watched the videos from Mars @nasa
oscardelarenta Looking splendid and happy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their pregnancy
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Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
experiencethefrenchriviera There is no destination like the French Riviera and the view from above is stunning of this estate
ritzcarltonyachtcollection Get away from it all. Literally. Aboard the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, your troubles are miles away
portmayacapolo The Florida Palm Beach season has a chance at success in 2021 as Covid-19 restrictions ease slightly
cambridgecountypolo It's a class act on the sidelines of Cambridge County Polo Club with spectacular vintage cars lined up
roland_mouret Throwback black-and-white images play homage to a time when everyone dressed up to travel
haiti_polo_team As vaccinations roll out around the world, 2021 may be the year we return to some-kind-of normal
philippedodard Moody subjects and strong lines define artist Philippe Dodard, who displays a recent work
kingdejia
Lagos Polo Club flashback to the President's Cup last played in 2020 prior to global restrictions
agnello_1 What does your work-from-home setup look like? Michael J. Snell of the MJS Groupe showed us his station page 23
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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USPA HE R I TAG E CUP 14 GOA L
PORT MAYACA POLO CLU B
E URE K A · SA RAS OTA P O LO BTA · MO UN T BRI LLI A N T HE AD E D TO T HE S E M I - F I N ALS page 27
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T H E U S PA H E R I TA G E C U P P O R T M AYAC A P O LO C LU B
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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T H E U S PA H E R I TA G E C U P
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y T H E U . S . P O LO A S S O C I AT I O N
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T H E U S PA H E R I TA G E C U P
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The advanced electric fastback
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DU B A I P OLO M AST E R S
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S page P H O36 TOGRAPHED BY KHALIL ALI/SHINE TV
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WOMEN'S OPEN DE
DU B AI P O LO A R G E NM T IAST N A 2 0E2RS 0
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y K AT E R I N A M O R G A N F O R P O LO L I F E S T Y L E S
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WOMEN'S OPEN DE ARGENTINA 2020
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DU B AI P O LO M AST E RS
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S PHOTOGRAPHED BY KHALIL ALI/SHINE TV AND TONY BELOT
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D UB A I P O LO MAST ERS
U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
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C .V. WH I T N E Y CUP
I N T E R N AT I O N A L P O LO C L U B page 46
W E S T PA L M B E A C H , F L O R I D A
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SA R AS OTA POLO CLU B'S WAYN E B R OWN MEMORIA L
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20 21 C .V. WH I TN EY CU P THE GAUNTLET OF POLO
R
ETURNING TO THE C.V. WHITNEY CUP® AND THE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH (IPC) FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018, ADOLFO CAMBIASO, ALONG WITH SON POROTO, LED SCONE TO A STATEMENT 12-5 VICTORY IN THE FEATURE GAME OF THE WEEK ON THE HOME OF THE U.S. POLO ASSN – FIELD 1.
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Earlier in the day, Park Place bounced back from an overtime loss to overwhelm Aspen/Dutta Corp 9-3 on the Isla Carroll West field. The defense of Park Place was the story in the opening game of the day as they limited Aspen/Dutta Corp to just three goals in their Gauntlet of Polo® debut. Park Place impressed with a disciplined team performance that conceded zero penalty attempts and held Aspen/Dutta Corp to just 1 for 9 shooting over the first four chukkers, leaving little doubt
in the six-goal victory. After scoring eight goals in his first game, Hilario Ulloa displayed an increased focus on distributing the ball, finishing with three assists as all four Park Place players found the score sheet in the victory. Aspen/Dutta Corp showed some energy in the opening chukker with opportunities around goal but were unable to convert any of their three attempts, allowing Park Place to take the early 1-0 lead on a field goal from Juan Britos. The defensive-minded game carried
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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2 0 2 1 C .V. W H I T N EY CU P THE GAUNTLET OF POLO
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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into the second chukker with goals hard to come by for both teams. Stewart Armstrong came forward from the back of the game to put Aspen/Dutta Corp on the scoreboard, but Park Place’s Jack Whitman, playing in place of Andrey Borodin for the second consecutive game, responded with his first goal. In the lowest-scoring half of the season, Park Place’s Britos converted a Penalty 3 in the only goal of the third chukker to finish the half holding the slim 3-1 lead. The game changed in a decisive fourth chukker as Ulloa began to assert his 10-goal status on the game. Scoring two goals while assisting on a goal from Britos, Ulloa led a 3-0 chukker in favor of Park Place while Matt Coppola continued to be effective defensively in preventing Aspen/Dutta Corp from getting any open runs to goal. Held without a goal for the third time in four chukkers, Aspen/Dutta Corp faced a 6-1 deficit with two chukkers remaining. Ulloa’s third goal of the game to open the fifth chukker completed a run of six consecutive goals for Park Place. A Penalty 1 awarded to Gringo Colombres provided a brief reprieve for Aspen/Dutta Corp, but they were unable to match the pace of Park Place, who managed their lead over the final chukker to complete the resounding 9-3 victory. The much-anticipated debut of Scone lived up to the hype with teenager Poroto leading all players with five goals on accurate 4 for 6 shooting. With the proficient attack led by Poroto and Peke Gonzalez, Adolfo effectively managed the game from the back, keeping possession with Scone and holding Santa Clara to just 2 for 10 shooting and zero field goals in the second half. Santa Clara struggled to find the success they had in their opening game with the duo of Miguel Novillo Astrada and Luis Escobar limited to just one combined goal as Santa Clara trailed throughout the game in the 12-5 defeat. Scone wasted little time in the first chukker, dominating possession and keeping Santa Clara in their own half to build a 3-0 lead. Poroto scored two goals while father Adolfo added the third, leaving Santa Clara searching for a response after the first seven minutes of play. Displaying an impressive attacking presence, Poroto scored his third goal to open the second chukker and extend Scone’s lead to four. Finding their footing, Santa Clara fought back in the remainder of the chukker, producing three goals on solid teamwork, with one goal each from Felipe Vercellino, Novillo Astrada, and Will Johnston. Refocusing defensively, Scone kept Santa Clara off the scoreboard to finish the first half and received goals from Gonzalez and Adolfo to hold a commanding 7-3 advantage. The momentum of the rest of the game was in the fourth chukker as Santa Clara desperately needed to close the gap, but inaccurate shooting kept them from doing so, missing their three shot attempts at goal. The young duo of Poroto and Gonzalez continued to ignite Scone offensively as they added one goal and an assist each, leaving Santa Clara facing a difficult task, trailing by six with two chukkers remaining. Despite three missed penalty attempts in the final two chukkers, Scone effectively managed their lead behind their exceptional defense, preventing Santa Clara from scoring any field goals throughout the second half and cruising to the 12-5 victory. For his five-goal performance, Poroto was awarded Most Valuable Player while Adolfo’s GT Frapera won Best Playing Pony. page 51
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GLOBAL POLO MEDIA
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T H E $ 20 M I LLI ON SAU D I CU P KING ABDULAZIZ EQUESTRIAN FIELD
S H A R I N G T H E $ 2 0 M P OT: GOLD - MISHRIFF - $10M
S I LV E R - C H A R L ATA N - $ 3 . 5 M B R O N Z E - G R E AT S C O T - $ 2 M 4TH KNICKS GO - $1.5M 5TH SLEEPY EYES TODD - $1M 6 T H M I L I TA R Y L AW - $ 6 0 0 K 7 T H TAC I T U S - $ 5 0 0 K 8T H B A N G KO K - $ 4 0 0 K 9 T H C H U WA W I Z A R D - $ 3 0 0 K 10TH DEREVO - $200K
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE SAUDI CUP
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T H E $ 2 0 MI LLI ON SAU D I CUP MISHRIFF - 2021 CHAMPION
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T H E $ 2 0 MI LLI ON SAU D I C UP MISHRIFF - 2021 CHAMPION
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INS P IR ED BY A BON D V ILL A IN ' S G E TAWAY SH IP
IS THIS LIGHTNING-FAST
CATAMARAN THE F UT UR E O F WAT ER T R AV EL?
A
S THE A2V ACCELERATES, AIR IS FORCED BETWEEN THE TWIN HULLS, SO THE BOAT RUNS HIGHER IN THE WATER. TWO BONUSES: SPEED AND FUEL EFFICIENCY. Is it a boat? Is it a plane? What we have here is a boat that “flies.” At its 70-mph top speed, the new French-built A2V fast catamaran rises on its hulls to increase speed, which also offers the benefit of dramatically boosting fuel economy. Designed and built by La Rochellebased Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels, the secret of the 35-foot A2V’s performance and efficiency is the wing-like page 62
shape of its “cross-deck” center section. “Imagine the boat as a flying wing. As the air goes through the tunnel between the hulls, the underside creates lift. The faster you go, the lighter the boat becomes on the water,” CEO Lionel Huetz told Robb Report. When we caught up with Huetz, he was in Monte Carlo delivering a $1.2 million A2V—it’s only the second built—to the Ports of Monaco, the government agency that operates the tiny principality’s busy harbors. The plan is for it to go into service this spring, ferrying superyacht owners from Monaco’s just-opened Cala del Forte “overflow” marina eight miles away in Ventimiglia, Italy. “It’ll shuttle up to 12 passengers in business-class comfort between the two
harbors in around 15 minutes and use considerably less fuel than a traditional fast ferry,” says Huetz. Looking like a scaled-down version of media tycoon Elliot Carver’s “stealth” boat in the 1997 James Bond romp “Tomorrow Never Dies”, the A2V’s slippery shape was perfected in an automotive-style wind tunnel. Powered by twin 350-hp Yanmar turbo-diesels connected to draft-reducing surface-drive propellers, the A2V sees benefits from its aerofoil underbody at around 40 mph, with the full effect at its 57-mph cruising speed. It will flat out run at about 70 mph. According to Huetz, the boat’s impressive speed doesn’t come at the expense of a smooth ride. With its expansive
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25-foot beam, coupled with slender, wave-slicing hulls, the boat has been tested in gnarly 8-foot seas with 35 mph winds. The A2V’s cabin features big, comfy forward-facing leather seats with leather and teak trim ensure the superyacht owners feel right at home. A full-width windshield ensures everyone gets a panoramic view while lounging in air-conditioned comfort. The Ports of Monaco’s A2V is actually the second model to find a buyer. The first recently went to ritzy Évian-les-Bains on Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, where it shuttles guests between Geneva and the city’s five-star hotels. Huetz said plans for a recreational version of the A2V—he calls it the A2V page 63
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Tender—are underway. It could either be used as a high-speed day boat or a comfy weekender. A huge rear roof section rises to reveal 500 square feet of deck space for sunning and entertaining to retain the page 64
tender’s aerodynamic shape. Instead of the interior seating of the ferry version, there is a cabin with bed, galley and shower. Huetz plans for the A2V Tender to feature twin 300 hp outboards that would
increase space and lighten the boat. The outboards could still push the boat to a 60-mph top speed. This more lavish boat would mean a price tag of around $1.5 million. By Howard Walker/Special to Polo Lifestyles
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HIGH SOCIETY
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HIGH SOCIETY
THE HOUSE
OF BIJAN
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HIGH SOCIETY P HOTO GR A P H Y BY J E N N A P E F F LE Y
LIVING LIKE THE BIJANS MICHAEL J. SNELL Lifestyles Contributor @agnello_1
I
N WHAT IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST OPULENT CITIES (CURRENTLY HOME TO THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE PRIVATE RESIDENCE FOR SALE) RESIDES A HUMBLE, ENTREPRENEURIAL COUPLE. They've graced TV screens and editorial pages, and that is praised widely on social media – and you’d never think anything less by their carriage. Roxy page 70
Sowalty and Nicolas Bijan Pakzad were first introduced by mutual friends in their teens, and from that meeting, a lifetime together would be planned and spent. Growing up simultaneously in upscale Los Angeles, the pair formed a quick and tight bond as they matured together. In late 2018, Nicolas made the move to propose to Roxy in an impromptu surprise, cornering her on the Pont des Arts in Paris and proclaiming his love. Roxy, without hesitation, accepted.
Together, the couple has made waves through a myriad of smart dealings. Roxy, an extremely successful interior designer, has been profiled with the elite of her generation for her refined and luxuriously simplistic taste that has the
biggest personalities clambering after her consultation. All while Nicolas, who is co-CEO of the Bijan retail empire, manages the business and its duty to provide the ultimate in bespoke apparel. Both hover around that 30-year-old mark (we’ll let you guess who is older) and are enjoying their newlywed lifestyle at a home just minutes from Rodeo Drive. Joined by their pup, Red, who is a sprightful and sassy Vizsla, the trio lives in a 1941 estate found in classic Beverly Hills. Recently, the couple reminisced on first finding their fabulous abode while house shopping. “When we got to see it, finally, it was even more beautiful and charming and [to]us than we had imagined,” mentioned Roxy. “The gates open to this magical bridge, and you
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ascend into the middle of nowhere, with oak trees and deer.” The home itself is in a traditional bungalow style but on a sprawling acre-anda-half property. First built by the Pillsbury family and then later acquired by vocalist Taylor Swift, the Bijans are the third property owners. Consisting of four bedrooms and five baths, this estate has been tastefully modified to reflect both of their personal styles. “We’re definitely a very fun couple, and we wanted the house to reflect that and our travels,” said Roxy of her approach to blending tradition with contemporary touches. You’ll find a Botero sculpture inherited from Bijan resting on the coffee table, a Slim Aarons photograph hanging over the fireplace, and one
of Roxy’s favorite pieces: a wood-carved, banana leaf chair that belonged to her friend Josh Flagg’s late grandmother, Edith. The tasteful combination of classic and modern cues would have any style aficionado and designer alike drooling. Leave it to Roxy to incorporate thoughtful elements such as designing with notable Bijan color palettes or utilizing a posh fabric that was originally envisioned to be used as a tablecloth in the couple’s Villa d’Este nuptial décor, has since been re-imagined into the space. The power couple tied the knot in December 2020 in their backyard, which was still magically intimate, given that a wedding abroad page 71
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was hindered by current pandemic restrictions. Planned in just a month’s time, the couple decided that it was time to seal the deal and still were able to give one heck of a presentation. Including personal touches like a Bijan Silk Face Mask for each guest (who had also partaken in a drive-through Covid test provided for safety), guests also were delighted to sip cocktails featuring Bijan-branded ‘B’ ice cubes. Roxy placed her touch on the ceremony with tasteful florals, custom fabrics that were mirrored in lace on her wedding dresses (that’s correct, two – one for the reception) designed by Reem Arca and even snuck in some late-night catering that consisted of McDonald’s Happy Meals. Nicholas, naturally sporting Bijan on the big day, also chose to have a second
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outfit, changing into an off-white, silk dinner jacket with a shawl collar and satin cuffs. Unusual, but not impossible for a fashion icon heir to pull off, it turned into a buzzy, requested look following the event. “Since the night of the wedding, a few customers have ordered the same jacket after seeing our photos,” said Nicolas, who was photographed in it on the dance floor of the estate’s transformed motor court. The aforementioned motor court, a novelty to have in a dense city, is usually home to an established collection of vehicles, including a Bugatti Veyron, a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead and an Aston Martin Superleggera, all clad in signature Bijan styling of vibrant yellow and tasteful accents. When not parked at their gorgeous home, the motorcars
can be found right out front of the Bijan store on Rodeo Drive. The store, which had recently moved to its new home and flagship location, is now larger and can serve clients with an updated view from Nicolas. He’s introducing slimmer styling, a versatile accessories line and expansion that brings on additional boutiques at The Wynn in Las Vegas and the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. This appointment-only store provides a dedicated level of service that is required of its elite frequenters. Inspired by his father’s drive of success, Bijan is noted for garnering the world’s finest international brands to put alongside the Rodeo location. Keeping the business for 45 years is no small task, Nicolas noted, “The most important thing that he (my father) instilled was
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quality over quantity. He always said, ‘We’re not a rich-enough brand to make things cheap.’ Our prices are very high, but if you can afford it, we’re not expensive.” And rightly so, the Bijan family is in the business of the best of the best. Together, this couple is a modern-day representation of the American dream – both utilizing their talents and skillset to build upon the goals that they hope to achieve. It’s apparent given they both have a designer’s eye for tasteful elegance, we will see great things to come from the Bijan’s – possibly a Bijan Home Collection… who knows, but wouldn’t it be fabulous? MICHAEL J. SNELL LIFESTYLES CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
IM AGE C O U RT E SY B IJA N
PHOTO G RA P H Y BY J E N N A P E F F LE Y
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SHAUN RAJAH
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MUST LOVE DOGS PET ADOPTIONS SOAR AS ISOLATION TAKES ITS TOLL IF YOU'VE THOUGHT ABOUT PET ADOPTION IN THE LAST YEAR, YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY AND YOU HAVE THE PANDEMIC TO THANK. BRETT CHODY
D
Trends Contributor
@brettchody
OGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BUT OWNING A FURRY COMPANION HAS TAKEN ON AN ENTIRELY NEW MEANING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. DOGS PROVIDE LOVE AND COMFORT TO HUMANS, AND WE’VE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THEY HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH. A study done in 2012 found that dogs reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, encourage exercise, and ease loneliness. With 2020 being one of the most lonely and unprecedented years to date, it’s no surprise that dog adoption rates are skyrocketing. In the first few months of the pandemic, shelters across the country saw a boom in fostering animals. Kelly Dicicco, who works for the ASPCA Adoption Center, told Newsweek that they saw a 70 percent increase in pets going into
foster homes in the first few weeks of stay-at-home orders in both Los Angeles and New York City. She also told the publication that there was “an increase of around 400 percent when compared with 2019 in the amount of people who completed the online foster application during the first two months of the pandemic.” On April 5, Chicago Animal Care and Control shared on their Facebook page that for the first time ever, they were out of adoptable animals. “We’ve never typed those words before,” they wrote. “We are amazed at the outpouring of people wanting to help during this time.” A few days later, Wired reported that the Riverside County Animal Shelter in California had the same wonderful problem: the shelter was completely empty. As we all went into isolation, rescue animals went into loving homes.
one spend some extra time with their pet as stay-at-home orders began. “A lot of us are connecting remotely with other people right now, and that’s great,” she told TuftsNow. “But pets are physically present in a way that other forms of social and emotional support aren’t these days for many people, and there’s really something to having that tactile component of petting or touching a pet.” Chicago resident Shaun Rajah couldn’t agree with Mueller more. He adopted a dog– a Corgi and Jack Russell mix– during quarantine and has loved every minute of it. “He has been the best companion a man can ask for,” Rajah said.
According to Megan Mueller, an assistant professor at Tufts University, the instinct to turn to pets during COVID-19 is backed by science. She told the magazine TuftsNow in March that research has shown that animals help older adults cope better with social isolation, and recommended that everypage 79
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“Living alone, I made the best decision and it’s been incredible thus far.” Unlike Rajah, many people who weren’t ready to take the plunge and adopt a dog during quarantine elected to foster one instead. The Labelle Foundation is a foster-based nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that rescues, rehabilitates, and advocates for dogs. According to their website, the Labelle Foundation team has more than quadrupled in size from 2019 to 2020, and their foster and adoption networks have “grown leaps and bounds.” Their Instagram account (@thelabellefoundation) has amassed 260,000 followers and counting and is filled with pictures of every dog that is available to foster or adopt. The Labelle Foundation is known for its foster program, which puts rescue dogs in temporary homes to acclimate page 80
to people before finding a forever family through adoption. According to their website, in order to foster a dog you must live in Los Angeles, be willing to drive the dog to vet appointments, have a safe and loving home, and not leave the dog unattended for more than four hours. The foundation has said they have received a high volume of foster applications due to COVID-19, so it takes them some time to sort through all the applications. Kate Salerno, a junior at the University of Southern California, is one of the many Angelenos who has gotten involved with The Labelle Foundation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Salerno began to foster dogs for The Labelle Foundation in September 2020 and says it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. As a New York native living in Los Angeles, Salerno says fostering dogs has
helped her adjust to pandemic life away from home. “Fostering dogs during this pandemic has made me a lot less lonely and brought me a great deal of joy,” Salerno explained. “Being able to spend time with and nurture these amazing puppies has been rewarding and filled my days with happiness… it is a truly uplifting experience for which I am so grateful.” While no one can be sure how long this trend will continue, what’s important is how much progress has been made thus far. As Kitty Block, the president and CEO of the Human Society of the United States, puts it, “as long as foster numbers stay high and overall population in the shelters stay low, we’re on the right track.” BRETT CHODY TRENDS CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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P U T T I N G TO DAY ' S TO P LU X U R Y L I S T I N G S AT T H E F I N G E R T I P S O F H N W B U Y E R S
Polo Lifestyles proudly announces its strategic alliance with Idea Works Global’s luxury guru and famous polo sponsorship marketing powerhouse, Charles Ward. Change your listing from For Sale to Sold by telling the story of your uniquely valuable estate within each Mansions Of The Month feature, be it situated in the greater Miami, Malibu, Montecito, Monaco, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Wellington or Palm Beach - or any other magnificent destination. Reserve your space in forthcoming issues of Polo Lifestyles with Mansions of the Month Curator Charles Ward. Contact Charles: charles@pololifestyles.com Click here to read the Rancho San Carlos case study - After languishing on the real estate market for years, it was a featured property in Polo Lifestyles - and closed less than 60 days later for $63 million dollars. page 84
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THE RULES OF HIGH SOCIETY RELATIONSHIPS
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LOVE TRIANGLES & POSTDIVORCE CO-HABITATING THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE SOCIETAL NORMS OF ELITE CIRCLES
CRESSIDA BONAS
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UST AS WE WERE RUNNING LOW ON STEAMY NETFLIX ORIGINALS FOR OUR REGULAR DOSE OF ON-SCREEN DRAMA, ALONG CAME A LOCKDOWN, LOVE-TRIANGLE DRAMA WORTHY OF AUTHOR NANCY MITFORD – IN FACT, THE PRINCIPAL LEADING MAN COULD HAVE WRITTEN THE SCRIPT HIMSELF.
The Crown’s Peter Morgan suddenly ditched society beauty, Jemima Goldsmith, to rebound back to his former girlfriend, actress and Morgan’s colleague on the set of The Crown Gillian Anderson, with whom he spent four years prior to leaving her. page 88
THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF SUSSEX
Goldsmith has now been similarly blindsided – she is said to be “shocked and confused” – about Morgan’s boomerang back to Anderson. Which is all the more confusing, as Peter is said to have taken to referring to Goldsmith as “The One;” before seemingly performing a handbrake turn to get back with Anderson. While onlookers gap slack-jawed at it all, in the new society – where aristocracy and celebrity seamlessly blend (and membership qualities are: gorgeous, glossy, rich and unbelievably well-connected) – relationships spin on different axes. Furious fallings-out are infra dig; everything is always tempered, because this social set is so intertwined, an awkward froideur would be terribly non-U. When Morgan originally left Anderson
C H E L S Y DAV Y
and to get together with Goldsmith, there were no acid public comments or explosions of wrath – such is the emotional containment of this tribe. Their relationship and dating practices differ because they worship at the altar of appearance and they always consider the optics. While we may feel intense sexual jealousy at the thought of our exes dating other people, let alone our friends, bred into this posse is a well-practiced gungho jollity. To admit to as pedestrian and visceral an emotion as jealousy would be to acknowledge insecurity, which is considered reprehensible. Instead, we see them steadfastly remaining friends with exes, having amicable divorces, being godparents to each other’s children and holidaying en masse. As evidence, journalists spotted Prince Harry’s ex-girl-
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DUCHESS OF RUTLAND
JEMIMA GOLDSMITH
friends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas at his wedding to Meghan Markle. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “The rich are different from you and me,” so, too, are their relationship mores. In the small, elite pool of the new society, it behooves members to always remain friendly and never to resort to anything as unbecoming as acrimony. By sweeping anything remotely negative under the giant Persian carpets, relations remain buoyant on the surface. The Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, is a supreme example of how to manage an aristocratic break-up with aplomb. She may be separated from the Duke, but continues to live in Belvoir Castle, the Leicestershire landmark, which they run together. Both the Duke and Duchess have new partners. Manners is in a long-term relationship
LO R D I VA R M O U N T B AT T E N A N D J A M E S C OY L E
with the estate manager and lives in a separate wing from her ex-husband. Their five children happily drift between their parents’ individual apartments. Even more progressively, when the Queen’s cousin, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, fell in love with a man, it was his ex-wife of 17 years, Penny, who gave him away at his same-sex marriage to new husband, James Coyle. Now Penny, James and Ivar, along with the Mountbatten’s three children, “Get on incredibly well,” according to Mountbatten. “When they first went to yoga together, the class assumed that he was Penny’s new man. She loved saying, ‘No, this is my ex-husband’s boyfriend…’ It’s fun to subvert expectations.” Among the upper classes, with their bohemian attitudes, eyebrows are rarely raised at any unorthodox relationship
dynamics. Hugely powerful and wealthy families have long interbred. Take Alice Goldsmith, Jemima’s brother Zac Goldsmith’s second wife. Alice is originally a Rothschild, which made it briefly awkward when she fell for Zac, because he happens to be the brother of her older sister Kate’s ex-husband, Ben. Two Rothschild sisters fell for two Goldsmith brothers – it’s like something out of an Edith Wharton novel about upper-class banking dynasties. They married in 2013 and now have three children together, making Zac a father of six. True to their tribe, they are all on good terms. While it remains to be seen if Morgan and Anderson will get their happy ending, or if Goldsmith will find long-lasting love, what is certain in the elite world of new society dating, you never bleat about anything as banal as heartbreak or betrayal. From The Telegraph
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FASHION & STYLE
A GOLDEN SPRING LOUIS VUITTON LAUNCHES AEROGRAM TIFFANY & CO. AND THE NFL
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COUTURE'S GOLD RUSH N A K A Z AT O H A U T E C O U T U R E
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OUTURE SPRING 2021 RUNWAY SHOWS AND FASHION PRESENTATIONS STRUCK GOLD. THIS COUSIN OF SILVER AND BRONZE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MYSTICAL AND REPRESENTS ILLUMINATION, LOVE, COMPASSION, COURAGE, MAGIC AND WISDOM. THE PRECIOUS METAL IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH WEALTH, POWER AND GRANDEUR. page 94
Gold is, in any definition of the word, malleable. It’s fitting, then, that it manifested in different forms on the Couture runways this season. It is symbolic in pagan and Christian stories – from golden apples to golden fleeces – both shaping its meaning and connotations today. This season’s designers tapped into their inner mystic as they draped, dressed and masked models in gold. Dior, in particular, explored the connection between gold and fortune. The collection’s romantic Medieval undertones lent themselves to gold’s symbolism and themes of prosperity.
Valentino’s gold-masked models conjured the story of King Midas’ tragic touch and the accident that turned his daughter into solid gold. The collection acted like modern armor; as Valentino knows, there’s no better defense than a sky-high platform pump. Schiaparelli explored the artisanal side of gold, forging work that’s unique and full of character. More than a dozen other couture houses played with golden themes – from Chanel to Iris Van Herpen. And once spectators are allowed en masse back at polo matches, we expect to see a lot of gold on the sidelines. From The Impression
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ARMANI PRIVE
N A K A Z AT O
ARMANI PRIVE
RAHUAL MISHRA page 95
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CHANEL
VA L E N T I N O
S C H I A PA R E L L I
DIOR page 96
I R I S VA N H E R P E N
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VIKTOR & ROLF page 97
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LOUIS VUITTON LAUNCHES AEROGRAM
L
OUIS VUITTON HAS RELEASED A NEW MEN’S LEATHER GOODS COLLECTION CALLED AEROGRAM.
An aerogram is a lightweight sheet of writing paper that folds to form an envelope with a printed stamp, ready to be sent by airmail. Louis Vuitton has taken the name and turned it into a symbol for the Art of Travel that brings along with it the heritage of the house’s globally recognized fashion and the beautiful, magical experience of aviation. This new collection of men’s leather goods draws inspiration from typical luggage designs and conveys a more-contemporary-than-ever vision of travel. The Aerogram collection is now available to purchase both online and in-store.
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CHANEL
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ROYAL OAK CONCEPT FROSTED GOLD FLYING TOURBILLON CASE Hammered 18-carat pink gold case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, crown set with a translucent sapphire cabochon. DIAL Multi-layers graded blue dial with sunray pattern, pink gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. BRACELET Hand-stitched “large square scale” blue alligator strap with hammered 18-carat pink gold AP folding clasp. Additional shiny blue rubber strap.
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SPARKLING & SILVER THE NFL'S MOST-COVETED PRIZE COMES FROM LUXURY'S TIFFANY TH E V IN C E LO M B A R D I T R O PH Y DOE S N ' T C OM E I N A B LU E B OX, BUT TO P LAY ER S I N T H E A M ERI CAN NF L, THIS IS T H E C R OW N J EW EL .
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HILE JEWELRY ENTHUSIASTS EVERYWHERE DREAM OF UNWRAPPING TIFFANY & CO.’S FAMOUS BLUE BOXES, NFL PLAYERS HOPE TO ONE DAY GET THEIR HANDS ON ANOTHER ICONIC TIFFANY CREATION: THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY.
The luxury jeweler has been in the business of creating this emblem of athletic achievement—as well as nearly all of the major sporting championship trophies—for more than a century and a half. Awarded annually to the winning Super Bowl team, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is arguably one of the most recognizable symbols of sports excellence in the U.S. Named after legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowl games, the iconic trophy measures 22 inches high and weighs seven pounds. At Tiffany’s Cumberland, R.I., hollowware workshop, skilled silversmiths and metal spinners meticulously mold, shape and carve the sterling silver trophy into an exquisite, life-size football that sits atop an expanded three-sided kicking tee sculpture. Delicate designs and intricate details are also carefully hammered into the precious metal, creating an elegant touch that beautifully replicates the regulation-sized ball. The gridiron never looked so glamorous.
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AMERICA'S
TOP 50 PHILANTHROPISTS: A TALE OF NEARLY $25 BILLION WILLIAM SMITH Philanthropy Contributor @willismith_2000
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NCE AGAIN, IT IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN POLO LIFESTYLES’ MARCH ISSUE COINCIDES WITH THE RELEASE OF THE CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY’S PHILANTHROPY 50, AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE 50 TOP AMERICAN PHILANTHROPISTS AND HOW THEY SPENT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. And spend they did. Almost $9 billion more than The Chronicle reported among this elite group compared to 2019. According to the report, a total of $24.7 billion was given to nonprofits in 2020 and there were some notable shifts in giving, not the least of these having been precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the eruption of focus on racial justice issues after the murder of George Floyd. Topping the list for 2020 is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who early in 2020, made a $10 billion dollar gift to create the Bezos Earth Fund, a grant-making initiative to combat climate change. page 110
In November, $791 million in an initial round of grants were made from the Earth Fund to 16 organizations, something Bezos characterized in media reports as just the beginning of the Earth Fund’s work. In addition, Bezos also made gifts in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, giving $100 million to Feeding America and another $50 million to pandemic relief efforts in the state of Washington. His total giving for 2020 was reported at $10.2 billion.
number seven spot on the list, with reported gifts approaching $470 million, including supporting pandemic relief efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and ongoing support for the sustainable seafood program of the Monterrey Bay Aquarium (an institution founded in 1984 with a $55 million gift from philanthropists David and Lucile Packard). The Schmidts fell from the number three spot in 2019.
Philanthropic largess has always been a hallmark of those titans of industry for any given generation. Bezos’ wealth, for example, as well as 16 others on the 2020 list, made their wealth in technology – the industry of the early 21st century.
Right behind the Schmidts at number eight is eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam, with reported 2020 gifts of $441 million. The Omidyars have been on the list every year except two since 2002 and are standouts for their investments in fighting extremism in politics and threats to democracy and its pillars, such as free and fair elections and a free and independent press.
Joining Bezos is Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter and on-line payment platform Square, who was number five on the list, gifting nearly $1.1 billion through donor-advised funds with much of it focused on various pandemic relief efforts. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, and his wife, Wendy, turned up at the
As an example, check out the Democracy Fund (democracyfund.org), an independent foundation established by Omidyar that has now committed more than $150 million to support healthy democracy.
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Other well-known names in the tech sector also make the 2020 list. Bill and Melinda Gates continue to utilize the power and uber gravitas of their foundation with $157 million in gifts, supporting vaccine research and advanced testing efforts for COVID-19. Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg found herself on the list for a fifth year in a row – in 2020 at spot fifteen – with nearly $123 in giving for long-held passions for gender equality issues and in providing significant support for COVID-19 relief efforts, including for food security in California’s Bay Area where economic inequality in the face of the pandemic was – and remains – particularly stark. No review of philanthropy from the tech front would be complete without Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan, who continue to put their own foundation to work, as well as a donor advised fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in evenly distributing
$120 million in gifts for 2020 and landing them in the 16th spot. Finally, new to the list this year is Airbnb’s co-founder, Joseph Gebbia Jr., who, after the initial public stock offering of the company’s shares saw his own personal wealth reach into the stratosphere, donate $27 million to efforts to combat homelessness in San Francisco and address the coronavirus pandemic. Gebbia clinched the number 47th spot in 2020. While technology wealth fueled extraordinary philanthropy in 2020, underlying trends of giving were also observed in the report. For example, landing in second place on the list is MacKenzie Scott, whose ex-husband Jeff Bezos topped the list. We have previously reported in this column on Scott’s giving which has been both expedient and purposeful – a rarity in philanthropy and especially so when we are speaking about nearly $6 billion. With a purported net worth in the neighborhood of $55 billion, Scott’s giving, more than any other philanthropist in 2020, represents a humble “leaning in”, to borrow Sheryl Sandberg’s
phrase, to the racial justice imperative of our time. Working with a team to make strategic decisions, Scott funded 512 nonprofits whose expertise, lived experiences, and on-the-ground know how would guide the eventual deployment of resources. This trend of devolution of authority to funding what works best has been a long-time coming in philanthropy and the issues of racial justice and income inequality have set the stage for a new era of philanthropy whose power, I believe, we have only just begun to see. Critical to this turn has been the COVID-19 pandemic, where America’s wealthiest have seen their own incomes boom at the same time that the nation as a whole has seen the largest economic decline since the Great Depression, almost a century ago. The pandemic created a rallying cry for neighbor to support neighbor, in gifts and acts of goodness, both large and small, for even the most basic of human needs. Food and housing insecurity became real issues for Americans in numbers that again, are reminiscent of the Great Depression and have not been witnessed in modern times. Indeed, the chasm that has emerged in the realities of the pandemic creates opportunities for not just reflection, but also for action and toward creating a stronger nation. And for you, the reader, may you find time to reflect. And act. And give. page 111
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COVID-19 VIRUS SURVIVES ON FABRIC FOR UP TO THREE DAYS S
CIENTISTS HAVE FOUND VIRUSES LIKE THE STRAIN THAT CAUSES COVID-19 CAN SURVIVE ON COMMONLY WORN FABRICS FOR UP TO THREE DAYS.
The study by De Montfort University in Leicester tested a model coronavirus on polyester, polycotton and 100 percent cotton. The results suggested polyester posed the highest risk. Microbiologist Katie Laird, who led the study, said the materials, commonly used in healthcare uniforms, posed a transmission risk. The study saw droplets of the virus added to the fabrics. The scientists then monitored the stability of the virus on each material for 72 hours. The results showed polyester posed the highest transmission risk, with the virus still present after three days and with the ability to transfer to other surfaces. On page 114
100 percent cotton, the virus lasted for 24 hours, while on polycotton, the virus only survived for six hours. “When the pandemic first started, there was very little understanding of how long coronavirus could survive on textiles,” said Laird, who is head of the university’s infectious disease research group at DMU. “Our findings show three of the most commonly-used textiles in healthcare pose a risk for transmission of the virus. If nurses and healthcare workers take their uniforms home, they could be leaving traces of the virus on other surfaces.” The study also looked at the most reliable wash method for removing the virus from 100% cotton fabric. Water was enough to remove the virus in all the washing machines tested when it was added in droplets but not when scientists soiled the fabric with an artificial saliva containing the virus. In these cases, only when detergent was used
and a temperature of 40°C or above was the virus eliminated. Using temperature alone, 67°C was required to eliminate the virus. The study found there was no risk of cross-contamination when clean items were washed with those that had traces of the virus on. However, Laird said guidance published at the start of the pandemic by Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS regarding uniform washing was based on «outdated literature.” PHE’s guidance said where it was not possible for uniforms to be industrially laundered, staff should wash them at home, but Laird advised against this. She said, “This research has reinforced my recommendation that all healthcare uniforms should be washed on site at hospitals or at an industrial laundry. These wash methods are regulated, and nurses and healthcare workers do not have to worry about potentially taking the virus home.”
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HEALTH page 115
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STAY-AT-HOME CONNECTING TO 'TIMS COUNTY' AND ALL ITS CHARACTERS GREGORY BERTRAND Copy Editor @bertrand7367
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ORLDBUILDING IS A TECHNIQUE WITH WHICH AUTHORS AND EVEN MOST READERS ARE FAMILIAR. WORLDBUILDING IS THE WAY J. R. R. TOLKIEN INVENTED HIS OWN LANGUAGES AND EVEN WROTE A HISTORY BOOK FOR HIS “LORD OF THE RINGS” TRILOGY THAT MAKES THE READER FEEL GROUNDED IN MIDDLE EARTH. STEPHEN KING’S DESCRIPTIONS AND FAMILIAR CHARACTERS IN HIS WORKS ACHIEVE A SIMILAR EFFECT. Pick up any novel, whether it’s a standalone work or part of an ongoing series, and you’ll find building blocks that make up a world, although you
might not recognize them as such. Worldbuilding can be in the backstories of the characters, a history for a madeup land, an established set of rules for how that world works or even the writing style of the author.
not needed, but when a writer does it and does it well, it can come out feeling quite special.
However, when we talk about worldbuilding, we mainly think of novels; not short-story collections. After all, the 60,000- to 100,000-word count of a novel necessitates that the writer works harder in building an established world. Short fiction and the collection, by their nature, are made up of many different narratives and operate more from a larger theme and sense of cohesion than that of any interlaced worldbuilding.
In “If I Had Two Wings,” Randall Kenan gives a masterclass in worldbuilding throughout the 10 stories in his collection. All of them either take place in the fictionalized county of Tims Creek, N. C., or are about characters who have their origins in Tims Creek. Kenan’s made-up county is almost like a fantasy version of the American South, that is to say: it elevates it on steroids, making the place stranger and more steeped in superstition than it already is.
It’s not fair to say that worldbuilding doesn’t take place at all in the individual stories of short-story collections. After all, we need to be immersed in those worlds as well. But it is rare to focus on worldbuilding on a macro level in short fiction, for example, making the whole collection feel as if all the characters either know each other, know of each other or live in the same town. And in fairness, most of the time, that’s
The residents of Tims Creek are all connected in some way, just like many other small southern communities. And just like in real life, the events that occur in the community, whether past or present, affect the citizens. Whether it’s a woman who is seemingly able to perform real-life miracles like in “The Acts of Velmanjean Swearington Hoyt and the New City of God,” or the rumors that float around town about the events that page 119
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RANDALL KENAN
"KENAN’S MADE-UP 'TIMS COUNTY' IS ALMOST LIKE A FANTASY VERSION OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH, THAT IS TO SAY: IT ELEVATES IT ON STEROIDS, MAKING THE PLACE STRANGER AND MORE STEEPED IN SUPERSTITION THAN IT ALREADY IS." - GREGORY BERTRAND
occur in “Ain’t No Sunshine” between a pastor, his wife and his wife’s lover. For a style of writing that feels so large and full of life, Kenan gives his narratives such a small and intimate feeling. Just like many communities exist at a literal crossroads, the characters in “If I Had Two Wings” are at crossroads in their lives as well. These are characters who are coming to terms with their
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sexuality, like in, “I thought I heard the Shuffle of Angel’s Feet.” And characters learning about their family history, like in, “The Eternal Glory That is Ham Hocks.” Stories like these are what put Tims Creek on the map of Randall Kenan’s career. Randal Kenan passed on last August at the age of 57. His fictionalized Tims Creek County was probably influenced
by the real North Carolina community he grew up in, Duplin County. Although “If I Had Two Wings” was his last published book, he was a prolific writer and a large figure in both Black and Southern Literature. GREGORY BERTRAND COPY EDITOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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{PRIVATE VIEWING}
DANIEL ARSHAM page 123
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VERNISSAGE
C R E AT E D B Y R A P H A E L K . D A PA A H I N T R O D U C I N G T H E - N E X T- B I G A R T I S T S T O T H E W O R L D O F A R T C O L L E C T O R S A N D C U R AT O R S
THE TIME DILATION AN EXHIBIT BY DANIEL ARSHAM IN NYC
R EPORTI N G BY M I C H A EL J. S N EL L W ITH PHOTO S BY C LAIR E D O R N/ C O URTE SY O F THE PE RR OT I N page 124
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T
IME DILATION, A SHOW THAT MARKS A DEPARTURE FROM DANIEL ARSHAM’S NORMAL REPERTOIRE, COMBINES THE FULL RANGE OF HIS ARTISTIC TALENTS. IT’S BEEN ALMOST A DECADE SINCE WE HAVE SEEN ONE OF ARSHAM’S PAINTED WORKS PUBLICLY, AND SADLY FOR US (UNTIL NOW), HE HAD CHOSEN TO KEEP THEM PRIVATE. In a combination of what feels like a neoclassic revamp on time-defiant archaeology, Arsham presented this collection alongside his signature crystallized sculptures, including characters from the Pokémon Universe as well as classical objects from antiquity. The object channeled his ability of sculpting as well as the origin of his talents, which stem from painting and drawing. These two trajectories allow for an artistic arrival - the center of an artist’s innate fascination of what happens when the foreseen difference of elapsed time occurs between two objects placed at different page 125
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distances from a gravitating mass. This has been translated into a 21st-century dialogue known as Time Dilation, or the blending of time. Showcased at the famed Perrotin gallery in New York, the exhibition is one of the first to encompass the entirety of the three-floor gallery. Limited to individual appointment times, small groups reserved viewing slots weeks in advance for the two-week-long public show. The collection, which featured a striking combination of mixed mediums, highlighted Arsham’s ability to combine classical fundamentals with his signature crystalline eroded aesthetic and time preservation in resin.
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When entering, viewers were greeted by a bronze bust of Jupiter, whose original work is owned and housed at the Louvre in Paris. Ornate unto itself, Arsham has further detailed the piece with hand-polished bronze and steel crystal fragments. As you walk through the exhibit, a recurring theme can be found with many of his pieces, even with the bust of Jupiter as countless other sculpted works resurface in the paintings also included in this collection. This style of capriccio painting unearths the playful combination of architectural fantasy by intertwining classic sculpture within a painted form, something Arsham has done with his modern interoperations of each classically reincarnated piece.
“When we look at sculpture from antiquity or the Renaissance or really any period, those were the popular culture of that era,” he says. “I’m trying to think about how would these things be looked at in the future, especially if you’re not able to understand the context in which we understand them?” he asked. Arsham partnered with the RMNGrand Palais in Paris, who granted him access to their archive of rarities and molds, all instrumental in the curation of this show. As you explore further into the collection, you shouldn’t be surprised to see a life-size Charmander cast in hydrostone with selenite and quartz or even a blue
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calcite eroded E.T. Video with beautiful crystal fragments – available for purchase at $22,000.
times’ evolution, creating a layered story taken back through the iconography that shapes our memories.
Arsham’s curiosity spans further as you reach the second floor, where he created vignette groupings of works all sub-illuminated through their resin castings. Iconic pieces of now-obsolete technology, which include generation one cellphones, VHS cassettes, computer keyboards and even classic film cameras, are paired with iconic items like the Etch-a-Sketch or a Captain Crunch boxes to create a colorful, multi-layer representation of time, blended and visible through each other. Each grouping of items gives the viewer a look through
On the third floor, you’ll experience Arsham’s curiosity with Pokémon, which have been influenced by Japanese mythology, now morphed and translated into their own 21st-century version. Having partnered with the Pokémon company, Arsham was granted access to the original founding pieces of work, allowing him to then translate the two-dimensional figures into the life-size sculpted and eroded works. This was one of the busier sections of the show and had a younger demographic scampering to see each piece. Some
stopped and studied while others pulled out matching Pokémon cards from their pockets to take photos alongside the piece. This exhibition contains some of the most iconic works he has ever created. Sculpting, painting and challenging perceptions while creating confusion are why Arsham feels art is worth making. “That’s where, as an artist, the viewer should be placed,” he said. “In a location where they’re forced to question something. It’s like magic, right? You’re forced to question your own relationship with objects and the universe.” MICHAEL J. SNELL LIFESTYLES CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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ALIGN WITH YO SPIRITUALITY · FAITH · QUESTIONS · GROWTH · FOCUS
BE WILLING TO ACCEPT CHANGE ON THE PATH OF SELF-DISOVERY “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood and I— I took the one less traveled by And that has made all the difference.” - ROBERT FROST JYOTI PAINTEL Spirituality contributor @jyotipaintel
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HIS IS PERHAPS ONE OF MY FAVORITE POETIC EXCERPTS OF ALL TIME, AND IT WOULD BE AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF MY LIFE. INDEED, THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHEN I WISH I LIVED A MORE CONVENTIONAL LIFE- STAYING IN ONE PLACE AND GROWING ROOTS INSTEAD OF MOVING AND EXpage 130
PLORING THE ROADS OF THE WORLD. Now that we have been living and also surviving in a pandemic for the last year, I have discovered many new things about myself, and even though it wasn’t entirely a thing of my own volition, I have changed quite a bit from the person I was pre-pandemic because I have adjusted my priorities in life through the process of self-discovery. All of us have had our lives disrupted, affected or altered by the new norms of social-distancing and the ever-present threat of illness. Basic things we took for granted, such as going to the movies, getting a haircut or enjoying a brunch with friends, are now difficult, if not impossible to navigate safely. The extensive and oppressive rules of safely quarantin-
ing take us away from most of society at large and thus have presented us plenty of opportunities to think, evaluate and assess our lives alone. So, stumbling upon some surprising feelings during self-discovery is also inevitable.
REAPING THE BENEFITS OF SELF DISCOVERY: BE WILLING TO ACCEPT CHANGE! THE ENNEAGRAM An interesting way to assess if there has been any significant personal change in us recently is to do a new personality test. Even if you’ve done many kinds before, during this particular time and space in the year 2021- so much has changed around us that the new energy, thoughts and emotions swirling inside us might reveal something surprising, pleasing and even inspiring. I have given a very brief description courtesy of the Enneagram Institute of the nine types to pique your interest here sufficiently. The real study takes quite a bit of time and dedica-
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OUR PURPOSE IN SY N C W IT H YO UR V IB E
R E N E WA L · C O M M U N I T Y · S U P P O RT · E X P LO R AT I O N · E N E R G Y tion, so be prepared to take on a little project that could have big results! This sort of thing could have a positive impact on your life, and it could change your life dramatically if you find out your passions lie elsewhere now than where they once were, even a few months ago! Yes, change is good! You can even find a professional who has a degree and experience in guiding people through the Enneagram analysis process in depth and can provide personalized input to give to you. Do any or many of these strike a chord with you? Could you have been one before and see yourself wanting to transition into a new role? A self-discovery journey via an Enneagram study might be a good start. Take your time with it and delve into some research online.
1 THE REFORMER The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled and Perfectionistic These personality types are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders and advocates for change: always striving to improve things but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards but are critical and perfectionistic. They have problems with resentment and impatience.
2 THE HELPER The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, PeoplePleasing and Possessive Helpers, as the name implies, are empathetic, sincere and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous and self-sacrificing. They are also sentimental, flattering and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others but can slip into doing things for others in order to feel needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs. At their best: unselfish and
altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.
3 THE ACHIEVER The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven and ImageConscious The achiever is self-assured, attractive and charming. Ambitious, competent and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think page 131
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SPIRITUALITY · FAITH · QUESTIONS · GROWTH · FOCUS
ALIGN WITH YOUR PURPOSE IN SY N C W IT H YO UR V IB E
R E N E WA L · C O M M U N I T Y · S U P P O RT · E X P LO R AT I O N · E N E R G Y of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be— role models who inspire others.
4 THE INDIVIDUALIST The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed and Temperamental As original thinkers they are self-aware, sensitive and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence and self-pity. At their best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.
5 THE INVESTIGATOR The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive and Isolated This persona is alert, insightful and curious. They can concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached yet highstrung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism and isolation. At their best: visionary piopage 132
neers, often ahead of their time and able to see the world in an entirely new way.
6 THE LOYALIST The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious and Suspicious The committed, security-oriented type, they are reliable, hard-working, responsible and trustworthy. Excellent troubleshooters, they foresee problems and foster cooperation but also become defensive, evasive and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They are cautious and indecisive, but reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.
7 THE ENTHUSIAST The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractable and Scattered These people are extroverted, optimistic, versatile and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness. At their best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous and satisfied.
8 THE CHALLENGER The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful and Confrontational They are self-confident, strong and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straighttalking and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their best: self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous and inspiring.
9 THE PEACEMAKER The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable and Complacent Nines are accepting, trusting and stable. They are creative, optimistic and supportive, but also too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness. At their best: indomitable and all-embracing, they bring people together and heal conflicts. JYOTI PAINTEL SPIRITUALITY CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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Austrian Wines
The understated elegance and charm of the alps
BY CEZAR KUSIK
SOMMELIER & WINE WRITER
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In SearchWines Austrian of Solace T H E U N D E R S TAT E D
ELEGANCE AND CHARM OF AUSTRIAN WINES
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CEZAR KUSIK Wine Contributor @cezartastesearth
ESPITE ITS GEOGRAPHIC HANDICAP OF BEING LANDLOCKED, AUSTRIA IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. MOST OF IT IS MOUNTAINOUS, WITH THE ALPS DOMINATING THE LANDSCAPE AND DICTATING THE CLIMATE WITH COLD WINTERS AND RELATIVELY WARM SUMMERS. What can be considered lowlands amounts to about a quarter of its territory. The second biggest river in Europe, the Danube, runs through it, adding to its allure. Aside from its natpage 138
ural beauty, Austria’s man-made appeal centers around historic and culture-rich cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Innsbruck, where music, art, wining and dining intermingle harmoniously. Seven years ago, I was invited by one of my favorite wine importers, Gregory Condes Wines, to Austria. The culmination of the visit was the celebration of the 222nd anniversary of one of the historic wineries of Austria’s Kremstal wine region, Salomon Undhof. Vienna was our base. Vienna! With its cultural and artistic legacy of such genius minds like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gustav Klimt and Sigmund Freud, the city sets certain expectations and delivers them. “Gallantly civilized” is what comes to mind when experiencing Vienna. With its royal architecture,
perfectly manicured parks, centuries-old theater and symphony houses, cafes steaming with freshly brewed coffee and decadent sachertortes, schnitzel houses and the omnipresent tunes of Mozart and Strauss floating through the air, Vienna is it for me. Austria hadn’t been a country of note on the international wine stage until the mid-80s. Its wines were mainly designated for local consumption or bulk export, mostly to Germany. Ironically it was a disastrous incident that drew the world’s attention to Austrian wines. The year was 1985. Out of sheer greed (as my grandma used to say, “Greed is the source of all the evil in the world”), a handful of dishonest winemakers decided to add diethylene glycol to their wines and ship it to Germany. Yes, you read it correctly. DG, the same poison-
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ous ingredient that goes into antifreeze and gets rid of unwanted spouses in True Crime documentaries. What it does to wine in smaller quantities is it adds artificial sweetness and a full-bodied mouth-feel. The Germans uncovered the scam during the quality tests, the proverbial s**t hit the fan and the news spread around the world. Heavy prison sentences were issued, 37 million bottles of wine were poured out, and one of the culprits committed suicide. Despite the initial severe consequences of the scandal, the Austrian wine industry persevered and turned things around. With the help of the country’s government, some of the strictest, most quality-oriented wine laws in the world were implemented. It took over a decade for the efforts to pay off. And they did pay off. Not only that, the industry recovered, but its strict, draconian regulations elevated the quality of Austrian wines to the highest class in its history, making them an envy of many world wine regions of higher pedigree. It wasn’t until 2002 that Austrian wines, especially the whites, gained huge international recognition. During a highly publicized blind tasting organized by the fine wine dealer Jan-Erik Paulson and hosted by the one and only Jancis
Robinson OBE, ComMA, MW, Austrian wines, led by its indigenous grape Grüner Veltliner, astonished the expert tasters. Seven of the 10 first places were taken by Austrian whites. The secret was out.
AUSTRIA’S WINE REGIONS In 2003, the first-ever Austrian Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) was introduced. It is a legal delamination system that connects specific regions with a particular grape variety. The system imitates the French appellation model. The country is divided into three major wine regions: Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, and Steiermark (Styria). And then there is Vienna. Niederösterreich encompasses eight sub-regions: Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal,Traisental, Wagram, Weinviertel, Thermenregion and Carnuntum. These are mainly white wines appellations with Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal being the stand-outs. Burgenland lies in the warmer east. Specializes in red wines and sweet wines, most notably famous Ausbruch, a dessert wine made from botry-
tized grapes grown around the lakeside town of Rust. Its sub-regions include Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, Mittelburgenland and the newest appellation of Rosalia. Steiermark. This picturesque, bucolic region is known as The Green Heart of Austria. It comprises three DACs: Weststeiermar, Vulkanland Steiermar and Südsteiermark. Here again, the white grapes dominate; Pinot Blanc, Marillon, Traminer, Muscat and most notably world-class Sauvignon Blancs from Südsteiermark. Vienna, the capital, has its own DAC. It stands alone, mainly because of its size (with its minuscule 1,574 acres of vineyards). It is the only capital city in the world with its own wine appellation. It is best known for its Wiener Gemischter Satz, or in layman’s terms, Viennese field blend. White grape varieties like Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Traminer are grown, harvested and vinified together to result in an easy-drinking, alluringly aromatic and affordable style of wine.
AUSTRIAN GRAPE VARIETIES It is the case among all European wine countries that a wide gamut of both indigenous and international grape varieties are grown in the vineyards. Austria page 139
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Austrian Wines
is no exception. There are 26 white grapes registered for the production of wine and 14 red. The proportion of white to red is two-thirds to one-third, respectively. We’ll focus on four signature, native grapes that Austria is most known for: Grüner Veltliner (white), Zweigelt (red), Blaufränkisch (red), and Sankt Laurent (red). Grüner Veltliner is undoubtedly Austria’s pride grape. It is the grape that initiated the country’s international stardom. Its genetic parents are uncertain. Traminer grape is possibly one of the contributors. Grüner Veltliner wines offer a wide range of flavors depending on the micro-climate of the vineyards, wine making techniques and the style of wine. One thing is certain; at its best, it can be astonishing: complex, highly concentrated, texturally sublime, with the impressive aging potential. Its flavors span across a wide range: from citrus aromas like lime and grapefruit to tropical fruits of papaya, ripe banana and passion fruit. Savory notes of white pepper, edamame, garden herbs and green pepper with a touch of salinity. Its food pairing versatility is brilliant, specifically its ability to match seamlessly with two difficult vegetables: artichoke and asparagus. Blaufränkisch. This is the most complex of all three reds in question. It is
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a late-ripening grape that elegantly combines juiciness and freshness. The wine is characterized by black pepper, strong woody aromatics recalling tree bark, black cherry and wild blueberry flavors. Its firm tannins can be a bit aggressive when young but become lush and velvety with age. The grape is mainly grown in Burgenland and Niederösterreich. Sankt Laurent. Named after St. Lawrence’s Day - August 10th – around the date the grapes begin to change color. This is a bit of a finicky of a grape. It is difficult in the vineyard, ripening unevenly, low-yielding and sensitive to even moderate weather changes. It has a bit of a brutish personality, rough around the edges with barn-yardy characteristics and gritty tannins. But there is fruit to compensate for its savageness: sour cherry and blackberry notes. Zweigelt. This third member of the Austrian red trinity is actually the genetic offspring of the two grapes described above. Its offspring characteristics manifest themselves in an easy-going joyfulness and charm. The fruit here is freshly picked raspberries, cherries, plums with a touch of floral aromatics of lavender and violets. Its body is the lightest of the three, with softer tannins. Its versatility in food and wine pairing is impressive. These are just the grapes that represent Austria’s wine making from its most
unique perspective. As I said earlier, there is a plethora of other grapes, both local and transplants. You can’t talk about the Austrian wine industry without mentioning its magnificent Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs, Traminers, Muscats, Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrahs, just to mention a few. Austria’s newly acquired reputation for high-quality wines stands disproportionally to the volume of its production. It accounts for only one percent of all total world production with around 114,000 acres under vine. The industry comprises mainly of small, boutique wineries making it an antithesis of mass production. That translates to a very hands-on approach to the craft; attention to detail that leads to a heightened awareness of the quality. That combined with the general affordability of the wines, makes Austria one of the best choices on the current wine market. Finally, if one should talk about a dynamic connection between a country and its wines, Austria is a good example. There is a certain similarity between Austrian culture and the style of its wines, a certain affinity of sensibilities between the two. Both the wines and the broadly understood culture of the country exhibit a certain understated elegance and grace. CEZAR KUSIK WINE CONTRIBUTOR POLO LIFESTYLES 2021
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MANSION OF THE MONTH
MIRAMAR HOUSE · MALIBU
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21528 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
HE EPITOME OF LUXURY, THIS CUSTOM-BUILT OCEANFRONT HOME RESIDES IN ONE OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE ENCLAVES IN MALIBU. CAPTIVATING WITH AN UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE AND ADORNED FOR A LIFESTYLE OF LEISURE AND BEAUTY, MIRAMAR HOUSE IS THE BEST BEACH HOUSE AVAILABLE IN MALIBU. It is a gracefully designed estate with over 7,264 square feet of beach-front
living at its finest. Situated on Malibu’s highly coveted La Costa Beach, the home offers direct beach access. Bursting with natural light and masterfully curated, each bespoke detail of this outstanding five-bedroom, eight-bathroom estate tells a timeless and unique story. Visitors enter through a columned doorway, surrounded by a handset stone driveway and pristine landscaping. Inside, the entrance is elegantly appointed with a black and white marble tiled foyer and a trickling fountain that leads guests into the striking courtyard, featuring a deck, pool, spa, outdoor bar, and greenery a perfect environment for
indoor/outdoor entertaining. Through the living area, which includes a large painted brick fireplace and chandeliers, a wall of sliding doors allow for breathtaking views of the Pacific. Walk out onto the expansive hardwood deck, which overlooks the ocean—a perfect setting for lounging, outdoor dining, and entertaining. A retractable black and white striped overhang offers shade when needed. A bright sunroom attaches to the beach-front deck, enclosed in wall-to-wall windows. Every detail within the home is thoughtful and refined: a crystal chandelier is centered in the formal dining page 145
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MANSION OF THE MONTH
THE BEST BEACH HOUSE IN MALIBU
room; the kitchen echoes the black and white theme throughout the home, with a large black island floating in the middle of the room amidst the bright white surrounding cabinetry, marble countertops, and stainless steel Viking appliances; a circular stairwell features an artistic, geometric black railing. Upstairs, each bedroom offers its own spectacular glory; the primary bedroom page 146
has three sets of French doors that open to a private balcony patio with full ocean views on the horizon. The attached all-white bathroom is striking in its monochrome, featuring marble countertops, a claw-foot soaking tub, and separate oversized shower. An upstairs theater has dual balconies opening to both the ocean as well as the interior courtyard. Two walls of French
doors open to create a grand, open space, with a fireplace adding ambiance. With dual two-car garages and additional parking in the driveway, the logistics of beach-side living are made easy. Moments away from the worldclass shops and restaurants of Malibu, residents will find Miramar House to be a unique beach-side haven—glamorous yet cozy, grand yet charming.
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SANTIAGO ARANA
Principal +1424.231.2399 santiago@theagencyre.com
Ranked the #8 real estate agent in the country, Santiago Arana has closed billions of dollars worth of real estate across Los Angeles, taking his place among the most distinguished professionals in the industry.
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MOLD YOUR MIND NAME IT TO TAME IT:
ACTING IN SPITE OF NEGATIVITY JOEY VELEZ MA, MBA @velezmentalperformance Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
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ACK IN CALIFORNIA DURING THE WARM SUMMER DAYS, MY FAMILY OFTEN HEADED OUT TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY, WHERE MY STEPFATHER WOULD SAIL US AROUND ON HIS CATAMARAN.
Sometimes these days would be calm and relaxing, but there were plenty of times when it was quite the opposite. If you are reading this and have experienced these less than peaceful times sailing, you probably know what I mean: rough waters, other boats impeding your path, high wind gusts, and maybe even a mutinous shipmate. These perfect storms come out of nowhere to try and stray us off course, but the ship must sail on. The same is true of everyday life. Negativity is all around us, which can be viewed as distractions that take your attention away from where it needs to be to perform your best. These attention page 160
thieves come into your mind to steer you off path and to make your life more difficult. Regardless of what is going on around us, we must press forward. You must learn to continue toward your destination and act despite the negativity. Doing so will increase your chances of accomplishing your goals and performing at an optimal level.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? Negativity comes in many forms: undesirable results, nothing going your way, internal self-talk, harmful words from others, poor personal habits and even your surrounding environment. One thing these forms have in common is they make it more difficult for you to act your true, authentic self. It becomes more challenging to achieve the results you want to achieve because your attention and actions are diverted elsewhere. One thing is for certain: these moments are not only unpredictable, but almost guaranteed to happen. When negativity comes around, you must act to maintain progress. There are two types of actions you can take: random action or purposeful, deliberate action. For example, let’s say you are running late for work and you realize you have no idea where your car keys are. Random action could look one of two ways. First, you place immediate blame on your spouse or your children. You start pointing fingers, yelling obscenities and bringing up other
misfortunes about that other person, but you eventually realize they were in your pocket. You now walk out the door, disgruntled and annoyed that you wasted 10 minutes of your day looking for something that was not lost. Second, you might begin catastrophizing. You might call yourself an idiot, saying you will never get to work, which means you will be fired, which means your family will disown you, which means you will lose your house, which means you will end up homeless. On the other hand, purposeful and deliberate action looks a little different. Once you notice your keys are missing, you set down your briefcase and start investigating. You ask yourself, “Where did I leave them last?” “What was I doing?” Then you start patting yourself down and realize, “Hey, they were in my pocket the whole time!” You head out the door with a smile and laugh as you get ready to start your day. Now, which action would you choose in this situation? Do not act for the sake of acting; take deliberate and purposeful action to stay the path because random action will lead you down a rabbit hole you do not want to go down.
ME, MYSELF, AND I Growing up, I gravitated toward negativity. If I made a mistake and someone criticized me for it, it must’ve meant that I was not good enough. If I failed at something, then I would give up. A pes-
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simistic mindset was a constant figure in my life. Negativity swirled around me, and I could not do anything about it. My path was forged for me. It was not until college that I realized I was letting negativity dictate my actions. I learned that I had a choice in my thinking, I learned that I had a choice in how I acted and responded, and I learned that it was up to me to make those changes. Around this time, I came across a video on YouTube from an ex-Navy SEAL named Jocko Willink. The video is called “Good”, and if you have not seen it, then I suggest you take three minutes of your day and give it a watch. In this video, he talks about how he says the word “good” when he experiences failures and adversities. Saying this short, simple word allows him to acknowledge what happened but then redirect his attention toward what he can do instead. This video helped change the way I viewed negativity. Mishaps, failures and adversities are not in my control, but what I can control is how I respond to those situations. It was at this point I began to forge my path.
NAME IT TO TAME IT To take action despite any negativity, you first must acknowledge its source. It is difficult to change what you do not know; therefore, you must name it to tame it. The truth can hurt, so this step may be more challenging than it sounds, but it is vital. For example, if you are a pessimistic person, neutral situations are more likely to turn negative based on your perspective. Therefore, you must first accept and acknowledge that you are pessimistic, which is not easy, and I
speak from experience. This acknowledgment can be out loud, to another person, or written down on paper, but to learn what is impacting your actions, you have to know what it is. Next, you want to create an anchor. Something you can utilize that will stop you from veering too far off course. Your anchor can come in the form of a power statement, which is a form of selftalk to increase confidence and redirect your attention. Power statements must meet certain criteria to be most effective: they must be purposeful, productive and reflect possibility. Purposeful refers to being deliberate with reason, as opposed to being more spontaneous and random. For example, remind yourself, “Just breathe,” instead of, “I hope this works out,” which has less intent behind it and is leaving things up to chance. Productive refers to being more task and present-focused, as opposed to letting the situation dictate your self-talk. For example, saying, “Focus on the next sales call,” instead of, “I have to sell this next person,” which can create irrational beliefs and unnecessary stress. Finally, possibility refers to not setting any limitations on your actions. If you tell yourself, “I can’t,” or “There is no way to come back from this,” then you have already lost. Power statements increase your confidence and put you on the offensive by controlling the thoughts that you want to have to perform your best. Power statements can be motivational, such as, “You can do this,” or they can focus
more on mechanics, “Strong base, steady balance.” The key here is to have a meaningful statement that passes the gut-check feeling. Now that you have laid anchor, you must readjust the ship’s wheel to get you back on track. You can do this through focal cues, which can be short phrases, words or images to guide your attention back to the present moment. An important factor with focal cues is choosing cues that are based on what is most important. For example, let’s say you are sailing along in open water and are hit with a high gust of wind. Having the cue, “Reef the sail,” lets you know that you need to reduce the sail’s size so you can move effectively through the windy terrain. Focal cues can also be motivational. For example, repeating the statement, “You are the captain,” might remind you that you are in charge of this ship; not Mother Nature. Once you have your anchor and you have redirected your attention to the path that lies ahead, you can sail more smoothly and reach your destination more efficiently.
FINAL THOUGHTS There are times when you can use the negativity around you to fuel your actions. However, you must make sure you are taking purposeful and deliberate action that continues you on your journey toward your destination. There are also times when negativity leads you so far off course that it is hard to regain traction. In these moments, you must utilize your anchor to recalibrate, readjust and redirect your efforts and attention so that you can make a more effective decision and perform your best. page 161
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HEALTH IS WEALTH
BEST FITNESS APPS TO GET FIT AT HOME
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OUTUBE FITNESS VIDEOS WERE GREAT AND ALL WHEN WE THOUGHT THIS WHOLE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS THING WOULD STAY, WELL, NOVEL. BUT NEARLY A YEAR INTO THIS, WE’RE STILL DOING MAJORITY OF OUR WORKOUTS AT HOME.
have you excited to throw on a sweatband and get to work. From VR experiences to a workout fit for a firefighter, we’ve got something for everyone. Read on and catch your breath… while you still can.
Like it or not, the uptick in new smart home gym equipment is reshaping how we look at fitness and could decimate the gym industry. If you’ve been stuck in a workout rut, we want you to sweat it— specifically with one of these stellar fitness apps and fitness platforms that will snap you out of your funk and actually
1. FLEXIT
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So your best friend wrote a novel during quarantine? Big deal—you’re getting in the best shape of your life from the comfort of home with this bevy of fitness apps.
Your muscles don’t have to atrophy like your social life, folks. Hook up with virtual personal trainers from 3,000 gyms across the country, including Blink, Gold’s, Physique 57, and more. (You don’t need to be a member of any studio
to use the platform.) You’ll train with a trainer over video in a customized workout tailored to your goals. Take the Trainer Matching Quiz and get on the road to better health, whether you’re looking to improve flexibility, rehab an injury, lose weight, or improve overall fitness.
2. FIGHTCAMP Take classes from pro boxers and NASM-certified trainers with on-demand workouts like Full Body Boxing and Full Body Kicking. There’s even a versus mode so you can challenge yourself or others from prior workouts to beat your personal record. To get set up you’ll need the FightCamp Personal or FightCamp Tribe package,
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which comprises a bag, quick wraps, mat, pair of gloves, and punch trackers that measure your speed, strength, and stamina throughout each cathartic jab and hook. FYI: The free-standing bag is 67 inches tall and 24 inches at its widest once assembled, so make sure you’ve got adequate space.
3. ALO MOVES A diverse group of instructors guide you through a carefully curated collection of on-demand yoga, fitness, and mindfulness classes (try a sound bath if you’re in a slump or yoga nidra for restorative sleep) located in studio or naturals settings (we like Alo in the Wild Hawaii). With thousands of classes to choose from, use the handy filter to search by class duration, intensity, style, and more. Or, heed our sage counsel and treat your weary limbs to Yoga for Hikers with the talented Nicole Tsong or Quick HIIT if your quarantine sweats are getting tight.
4. FUTURE FIT If one-on-one virtual personal training is for you, join the Future Fit program, which pairs you with a fitness coach who creates custom training plans each week based on goals, available equipment, and time constraints, communi-
cating via text message and video. To keep you accountable, Future Fit sends you an Apple Watch so you and your coach can keep tabs on your progress. For a sample of the fun that’s in store, a recent week for one user consisted of Push Focus (three-position isometric hold pushups, lunge knee drives, scissors, T pushups, triceps dips, squat jumps, high plank, etc.) on Monday and Pull Focus (feet elevated pushups, hip lifts, pendulum legs, high side plank, pushups, etc.) on Wednesday.
5. SUPERNATURAL This virtual reality fitness program is otherworldly (okay, not really, but man do Machu Picchu and Iceland boast some serious views) and makes torching calories fun, all the while tailoring your sessions to your ability level and desired intensity. It’s available exclusively on the Oculus Quest and Quest 2 headsets, with a mobile Companion App for iPhone and Android to track your progress. Explore the workouts library, connect with others, and pair with an optional heart-rate monitor. Workouts run the gamut, but our two favorites are Quick Hits, which last two-to-three songs in length and can be completed in under 10 minutes, and the Meditation/
Stretching options for a release at the end of a tough day.
6. NEOU They had us at LIMITLESS, a threeweek program with Andrew Mariani, where all you need are dumbbells and a willingness to break a sweat. These days, after winter gluttony, we’re also fans of The Biggest Loser’s Bob Harper’s Weight Loss Starter Pack and kids’ workouts to keep the little ones entertained. Overall, NEOU lets you choose from live-streaming and on-demand classes from 100+ studios and instructors in categories like bootcamp, yoga, cycling, and nutrition. With something for all levels, this is a great choice if you share your digs with a couch potato or triathlete.
7. ROW HOUSE GO There’s no low-impact workout quite like rowing. Easy on your hips, knees, and low back, while delivering superb cardiovascular benefits, BYO rowing machine and get to work on building your endurance and muscles from wherever you are. Bonus: When lockdowns are behind us and your group books a lake house, you’ll be MVP for lakefront activities.
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8. IFIT Suffering from waning motivation and workout monotony? You’d be amazed what some dog sled action in Alaska or a spin around Bermuda can do for your spirit, even if you’re only staring at them on an HD flat screen in your basement. Explore a sprawling library of instructor-led studio classes and global training videos shot on location in 50+ countries (we’re talking hikes on Mt. Kilimanjaro, cycling the Swiss Alps, or rowing the Zambezi river) with iFit’s immersive, interactive app. It powers NordicTrack, ProForm, and Freemotion bikes, treadmills, and more cardio equipment. Even better, iFit-enabled machines can automatically adjust incline, resistance, and more, allowing you to focus on your burning calves instead of futzing with manual adjustments. When you want to mix things up, don’t miss the collection of off-equipment workout categories like bootcamp, boxing, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness. P.S. If you don’t have IFit-enabled equipment, but seek a globetrotter’s escape, prop your phone or tablet on your own equipment and follow along. Glacier National Park Climb Series we’re coming for ya.
9. LIFE TIME DIGITAL Choose from 1,000+ live-streaming classes a week, running the gamut from cardio to yoga. (Not to be missed: Life Time’s CEO Bahram Akradi, frequently teaches cycle classes). For something more personalized, you can also take virtual 1:1 training. Got an Apple Watch? The app also features Apple Fitness+ programs. Our top class picks: Upper RX and XTREME. We’ll spare you the grueling details, so you don’t chicken out.
10. CENTR The newly launched Centr Fusion program from Chris Hemsworth’s fitness app merges high-octane workouts with mindful components to give your training a more holistic touch. The six-week progressive program has five unique 25to 30-minute workouts that get harder week after week to help you grow stronpage 166
ger. Each week comprises three workout styles: BoxHIIT, Strength, and Power Flow. You don’t need a fancy home gym either—just a mat and dumbbells. This is great if you struggle with meditating, as it encourages you to take a moment post-workout to recalibrate and, yes, center yourself.
11. ZYGO Got a pool? Don’t limit yourself strictly to floating and sipping beer; try this waterproof headset and accompanying app of on-demand water-based workouts. Billed as “The Peloton of the Pool,” there are 100 on-demand workouts paired with music; you can also stream your own tunes, podcasts, and audiobooks Some classes that piqued our interest include the 20-Minute Arm Intervals (a.k.a. “Angry Arms”) and Recovery Swims. For serious swimmers, live coaching is a separate capability that can be utilized by, say, a coach or personal trainer by working as a walkie-talkie. P.S. Yep, the headset works in a lake or ocean, too. Simply rinse off the headset after swimming in salt water.
12. TONAL MOBILE APP Fans of the wall-mounted Tonal home gym can now take that experience when they’re away from home with its Mobile Workouts beta, available for Apple’s iOs (including the Apple Watch) or Android. Tonal members who have completed a digital weight assessment can access all off-Tonal Guided Workouts ranging from Core Strength and Recovery to Mobility and Kickbo xing, and more. For type-As who can’t bear to see their 100-day workout streak ruined, rest assured all workouts get logged to your profile. Got 18 minutes? Six-Pack Attack, here we come.
13. FITFIGHTER Embrace your childhood dream of being a firefighter with this stellar strength-and-conditioning system founded by CEO and Iraq War Veteran Sarah Apgar. It was originally designed for the fire service and centered on the patent pending Steelhose free weights
and an accompanying iOS app for Apple devices. Made in America from real fire hose and steel shot, the accessory works as a dumbbell, kettlebell, sandbag, med ball, and sledgehammer—all in one. Pick either from an on-demand library of workouts or tune in for live-streamed workouts. A portion of FitFighter profits go to the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which honors firefighter Stephen Siller who died saving others on September 11, 2001.
14. UA PERFORMANCE ACADEMY Yes, UA as in that UA. Hone your body’s greatest asset, your brain, with Under Armour’s digital hub. You’ll discover mental strength training knowledge, exercises, and tools used by the world’s top athletes; take audio and/or visual programming across Visualizing Success, Building Optimism, and Calming Your Mind. Rooted in scientific research, this program is inspired by world champions and elite athletes so you, too, can enhance your mental fortitude and wellness on and off the proverbial court.
15. ACADEMY OF SELF DEFENSE We’ve all got pent-up steam to blow off these days. With Academy of Self Defense’s program, hone your skills at Krav Maga, the military self-defense and fighting method developed for the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli security forces virtually. Or, try Muay Thai, bootcamp classes, and combo/all-around fighter fitness options. All classes are taught by professional trainers who will have you feeling like you can star in your own martial arts flick in no time.
16. YOGA MEDICINE ONLINE If you’re looking for something geared toward supporting your well-being, we’re all for these yoga classes coupled with purposefully curated wellness programs. They make use of research-based techniques with a therapeutic focus led by celebrated yogi Tiffany Cruikshank and other talented instructors. Two classes we keep coming back to—Strength & Resilience: WholeBody and Lung Capacity & Longevity. Perri Blumberg/Special to Polo Lifestyles
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