Polo Lifestyles March 2025: NZ Polo Open

DUBAI BOAT SHOW SETS SAIL

WHEN DNA LIES HELICOPTERS THAT LOOK LIKE SUPERCARS

ORDERING OFF THE MENU IS THE NEW DINNER FLEX

AIRPLANES ARE FALLING OUT OF THE SKY WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

NZ POLO OPEN

A

SHOWCASE

OF SKILL, PASSION HISTORY AND FASHION

BUILDING BETTER HABITS NONPROFITS

SUPPORTING EQUITY IN WINE ARE YOU READY FOR A PILGRIMAGE OF THE SOUL?

Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher

Joshua Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief

William Smith Copy Editor & Wine Contributor

Claire Barrett Head of Photography

Dana Romita Luxury Real Estate Contributor

Amritlal अमृत Ascension Contributor

Tom Landry Design Contributor

Polo Photographers

Katerina Morgan

Justine Jacquemot

Irina Kazaridi

Helen Cruden

Pascal Renauldon

Kathrin Gralla

Dr. Michael J. Snell Lifestyles & Luxury Automobile Contributor

Joey Velez Wellness Contributor

Christina Albina Style Contributor

Raphael K. Dapaah Art Contributor

Brand Representatives

Dr. Michael J. Snell - NYC

Miriam P. Owens - NYC

Contributing Photographers

Xavier Merchet-Thau

Aubrey Chandler

Eric Carré

Eva Espresso

Rob Miskowitch

Margarita Crotto

Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518

Cover photo by Simon Watts from NZ Polo Open 2025 of Nick Keyte, Glenn Sherriff, Henry Batchelor and Indi Bennetto Players Styled by U.S. Polo Assn.

Content Copyright © Polo Lifestyles 2025 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact marketing@pololifestyles.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com On Instagram & Facebook @pololifestyles

A proud partner of Issuu, NZ Polo Open, House On Third U.S. Polo Assn., The Impression and Mixam

PLETTENBURG POLO CLUB

Plett Polo Festival

SA Open

Ladies Polo

THE GAUNTLET OF POLO

The U.S.P.A. Gold Cup

The U.S. Open Polo Championships

The U.S. Open Women's Polo Championships

Women Of Wellington Polo Classic

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

Bronze Cup

North American Cup

National 20-Goal

EL DORADO POLO CLUB

Rossmore Cup

FORMULA 1

Australian Grand Prix

Chinese Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix

SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS

DUBAI OPEN GOLD CUP

POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS

The Dubai Boat Show sets sail, drives demand, page 52

Ordering "off the menu" is the new dinner flex, page 60

New York's elevated WaldorfAstoria opens, page 96

Airplanes falling out of the sky... what to know page 86

KIA ORA AND GREETINGS FROM NEW ZEALAND WHERE THE 48TH NZ POLO OPEN JUST WRAPPED UP UNDER PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH SWIFT ROOFING FACING OFF AGAINST DEFENDING CHAMPION, BRINKS. INDIE BENNETTO, ONE OF ONLY TWO WOMEN TO EVER PLAY ON THE WINNING NZ POLO OPEN TEAM, SCORED CRUCIAL POINTS FOR TEAM SWIFT ROOFING AND HOISTED THE TROPHY ABOVE HER HEAD DURING THE TROPHY PRESENTATION. ACROSS THE WORLD, WOMEN IN POLO ARE CLAIMING THEIR RIGHTFUL (AND HEAVILY FOUGHT-FOR) PLACES IN THE WORLD’S MOST ELITE EQUESTRIAN SPORT.

In Wellington, women’s polo tournaments expanded again this year, following the success of the Women Of Wellington (W.O.W.) series last year. So many of the women who paved the way for these tournaments today aren’t here to relish in their accomplishments, so we honor them and their memories with increasing inclusion and growing equity in polo.

One of the women behind the NZ Polo Open is a friend of Polo Lifestyles – Lucy Ainsley, who works tirelessly 11.5 months of the year to bring the summer’s hottest event to Auckland Polo Club. It is no small job to plan for 4,000 guests, hundreds of horses and volunteers, polo players and their families along with media gurus (like me) who bombard her with requests all year round (you’re a doll, L!). She signs every email with “X” no matter what message the email contains and somehow it makes every interaction with her a pleasure.

So, congratulations to team Swift Roofing and to Indie personally. Check out the full story with photos in this issue of Polo Lifestyles.

Josh Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief josh@pololifestyles.com

Looking back on Valentine's like, Yep, that said everything I wanted it to

Where history meets modern elegance,

Neutrals for spring from U.S. Polo Assn. the official clothier of the top polo tournaments in the world

Racing on the ice in classic cars, drinking champagne and shopping... what could go wrong?

Snaps from the C.V. Whitney Cup, the first tournament in the Gauntlet of Polo

Team Swift Roofing defeated Brinks in the NZ Polo Open in Auckland

Riva Classiche at ‘The I.C.E. St. Moritz 2025’, the prestigious Concours of Elegance

The Peninsula Paris

La Martina brings style and fashion to every outfit, no matter the occasion

Leopards love napping in trees, where they can stay safe, keeping an eye on their surroundings

Click and comment on our choices... Tag @pololifestyles . We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.

Fancing a match of tennis on the edge of a cliff?

Celebratory champagne for the trophy presentation... just save a little to drink

Welcome guests with open arms, pour the sangria, and let the laughter spill over like confetti

Demand for high-end boats is at an all-time high, with the Dubai Boat

happening now

robbreport

aceandclay

deborahlambie

Summer looks abound at Auckland Polo Club for the NZ Polo Open in February

1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa, is set to headline Broad Arrow’s Villa d’Este auction in May in Lake Como

Show

U.S. Polo Assn. is an Official Partner of the PDKF Ladies’ Polo Match

bbjlatavola

poloralphlauren

Ready for Easter or at least spring, decked out in Polo Ralph Lauren

The runway is ready to unveil the muchanticipated Capsule Collection.

2025 DUBAI OPEN GOLD CUP

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID LOMINSKA FOR U.S. POLO ASSOCIATION

The C.V. Whitney Cup final results

La Dolfina/Tamera (Alejandro Poma, Matt Coppola, Diego Cavanagh, Adolfo Cambiaso) defeated Coca-Cola

MVP: Adolfo Cambiaso

BPP: Dolfina Carola, played by Adolfo Cambiaso and owned by La Dolfina

Photos by David Lominska

THE GAUNTLET OF POLO C.V. WHITNEY CUP 2025

PHOTOGRAPHS

LOMINSKA

THE

PHOTOGRAPHS

PHOTOGRAPHS

BRIG HH MAHARAJA SAWAI BHAWANI SINGH MNC CUP

JAIPUR OPEN

The stage was set, the teams were ready! The finals of the Jaipur Open’s Brig HH Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh MNC Cup (12 Goals) saw Aravali Polo face off against Vimal Arion Achievers. In the end, Aravali Polo emerged victorious, claiming the title with an 8-7 win!

BRIG HH MAHARAJA SAWAI BHAWANI SINGH MNC CUP

JAIPUR OPEN

BRIG HH MAHARAJA SAWAI BHAWANI SINGH MNC CUP

JAIPUR OPEN

SUPER-YACHT DEMAND SOARS

AS THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW SETS SAIL

SUPERYACHT DEMAND SOARS

AS THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW SETS SAIL

– The 31st edition of the Dubai International Boat Show kicked off at Dubai Harbor, with industry leaders optimistic about strong business growth driven by rising tourism, movement of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UNHWIs) into the United Arab Emirates, and increasing demand.

Industry leaders, both manufacturers and brokerages, expect yacht sales figures to be in the double-digits this year.

Host venue Dubai Harbor had to increase the number of berths at the harbor to accommodate the growing number of superyachts participating in the show.

Abdulla Bin Habtoor, CEO of Shamal Holding and owner of Dubai Harbor, told Gulf News, “We continue to see growth in the Dubai International Boat Show. We currently have more than 800 vessels in this area, including those that are part of the show and our marina. In our marina, we currently have 67 su-

peryachts. We have also seen an increase in the number of flag vessels visited. Last year, our occupancy for visiting vessels was 91 percent, and we recorded a 30 percent increase in stay nights.”

While Bin Habtoor did not provide his expectations on visitation numbers this year, he said, “We have consistently seen a year-on-year increase in visitor attendance.”

This year’s series has welcomed more than 1,000 brands and 200-plus yachts and watercraft.

Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman of the UAQ-based Gulf Craft Group, also expected a robust 2025 following the stupendous successes the home-grown yachting company experienced last year. “Gulf Craft Group sold 129 vessels, including Majesty 160 #001. Additionally, we delivered nine superyachts over 100ft, ten yachts under 100ft, and 101 leisure boats, resulting in 120 successful deliveries across all brands,” explained Alshaali.

The company also plans to open a new service and re-fit facility in Ajman by year-end, featuring a 600-ton travel lift and workshops, said AlShaali. The facility will create 120 new jobs, he said. “And this is over and above the 150 employees we recruited last year,” he told Gulf News.

The company also expanded in the Maldives with the Gulf Craft Lagoon project and secured an order for 40 vessels for Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and the Seychelles.

Brett Noble, the Co-Founder of Bush and Noble, said the company typically sells three boats per month. He provided his insight on next year’s demand forecast, and he said, “I have been here for 17 years, and our business has consistently been on an upward trajectory. Sales have always been growing year over year, with each year bringing slight variations, but the trend remains positive.”

DUBAI

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

WHAT’S THE BEST DISH AT THE HOTTEST RESTAURANT?

( IT ISN’T ON THE MENU)

IN AN AGE WHERE EVERYONE’S A SELF-PROCLAIMED FOOD CRITIC AND RESERVATION BOTS SNAG THE HOTTEST TABLES BEFORE MERE MORTALS CAN BOOK THEM, THERE’S STILL ONE FRONTIER OF DINING EXCLUSIVITY THAT CAN’T BE BOUGHT OR AUTOMATED: THE OFF-MENU ORDER.

It’s the ultimate insider flex, that knowing exchange between a regular and a server, the subtle nod that signals membership in a culinary secret society. While the rest of the dining room faithfully follows the menu, true insiders are savoring dishes that, officially speaking, don’t exist. Just ask Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently revealed her standing off-menu order at Upper East Side landmark Elio’s: paper-thin chicken parm and a radicchio salad that aren’t available to the average diner. It’s not just about what you eat, it’s about having something that the next table simply doesn’t know to ask for.

Take East Village hotspot Claud, where savvy diners whisper requests for grilled kampachi collars and tails. These coveted off-cuts emerge from Chef Joshua Pinsky’s waste-conscious kitchen, where whole kampachi is broken down daily for the menu’s crudo. “Instead of letting pieces like the collar and tail go to waste, we treat them like great snacks, and they get some love over the binchotan grill,” explains Pinsky. The preparation is ever-evolving; currently, the pieces are rubbed with a complex paste of confit shallot, garlic,

and house blackening spice before meeting the grill, then served with seasoned buttermilk sauce. With only four to six portions available on select days, it’s the kind of dish that makes nearby diners crane their necks and wonder why it’s not on their menu—and that’s precisely the point.

At Ballato’s, OGs know to request specialties like their legendary off-menu veal chop, a masterpiece of Italian excess that combines a golden-fried cutlet with vodka sauce, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella. Those truly in the know order their secret take on mozzarella en carrozza, an indulgent spin on grilled cheese that transforms the humble sandwich into a crispy, panko-crusted revelation.

On the Upper East Side, insiders have their pick of hidden delicacies. At Hoexters, an off-menu Philly cheesesteak made with overnight-braised prime rib has become a coveted secret; the mere dozen that emerge from the kitchen each evening have turned this sandwich into the area’s most sought-after trophy. Just blocks away at the recently opened Café Commerce, chef Harold Moore delivers two coveted off-menu specialties: his hash brown caviar bites, where crispy potatoes meet crème fraîche, delicate shallots, and chives, all crowned with a generous helping of ossetra caviar, and a signature meatloaf that has quickly become a favorite among regulars.

Forsythia, on the Lower East Side, guards its secret with particular zeal: Just five orders per night of an off-menu polpetta, a short rib meatball that pays homage to Santo Palato, the Roman trattoria where chef Jake Siwak

trained. “The dish is inspired by a meatball from Santo Palato, a neo-trattoria in Rome I spent time working at while I lived and trained abroad in Italy,” Siwak explains. Rather than using traditional ground meat, these labor-intensive meatballs are crafted from braised short rib, then fried to order and nestled in a cloud of potato-leek puree, finished with premium balsamic vinegar and olive oil. “It is our way of keeping around a favorite without dedicating a menu slot to it,” says Siwak, noting that the complex preparation process makes limited quantities ideal.

Even legends have their limited treasures. At Lilia, pasta queen Missy Robbins keeps a precious few dry-aged ribeyes

in reserve each night, serving them with rosemary garlic butter and roasted potatoes. While not technically a secret, the dish is enjoyed almost exclusively by early birds and regulars who plan ahead can secure one of the special steaks. Over at Forgione, the sought-after “in-house burger” is available only at the intimate 12-seat bar, crafted from the prized trimmings of the restaurant’s tomahawk and hanger steaks—a brilliant display of resourceful luxury that regulars know to call ahead for. The tradition of coveted bar-only burgers continues at Angie Mar’s Le B. and Soho stalwart Raoul’s, where these prized patties are available exclusively to those who snag a bar seat. Meanwhile at the iconic Barney

Greengrass, the century-old “Sturgeon King,” not-so-secret latkes emerge from the kitchen in precious rounds, available only when your waiter gives you the knowing tip about a fresh batch.

For New Yorkers, who’ve elevated one-upmanship into an art form, there’s no sweeter victory than casually ordering something your fellow diners didn’t even know existed – these hidden dishes remain deliciously exclusive, passed along through whispered recommendations and knowing glances. Because that’s the thing about secret menus: if you know, you know. And if you don’t? You’re probably wondering why the next table over was served a dinner that looks a lot better than yours.

EN PLEIN AIR

THE I.C.E. ST-MORITZ

AN EXQUISITE CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOTIVE ARTISTRY

THE I.C.E. ST-MORITZ

MICHAEL J. SNELL / LUXURY & AUTOMOBILE CONTRIBUTOR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX BELOTTI, NICOLA FORNACIARI, ANDREA KLAINGUTI, DAVIDE BIANCHET, MATTIA TAGLIAVINI, ANDREA FURGER

EN PLEIN AIR THE I.C.E. ST-MORITZ AN EXQUISITE CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOTIVE ARTISTRY

THE CRISP ALPINE AIR OF ST. MORITZ ONCE AGAIN BORE WITNESS TO ONE OF THE MOST REFINED GATHERINGS IN THE WORLD OF CLASSIC AUTOMOBILES.

The I.C.E. St. Moritz—The International Concours of Elegance—returned in 2025 with an unrivaled display of engineering prowess and timeless beauty, transforming the renowned frozen lake into an ethereal open-air museum. Over 50 iconic classic and sports cars graced the ice, captivating connoisseurs and collectors who traveled from across the globe to revel in this extraordinary spectacle.

From the moment the I.C.E. Village came to life on Friday morning, an air of sophistication and enthusiasm permeated the event. Enthusiasts, collectors, and media personalities converged around the parc fermé, admiring a selection of historic automobiles that narrate the very essence of motoring heritage. The level of

competition was exceptional, with each vehicle carrying a legacy that made the jury’s deliberation an arduous task.

The winners of the five prestigious concours categories embodied the pinnacle of automotive history:

• Barchettas on the Lake: 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Scaglietti

• Open Wheels: 1934 Bugatti 59

• Concept Cars & One-Offs: 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Aprile

• Icons on Wheels: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4

• Racing Legends: 1971 Porsche 908/03

As the sun cast crystalline reflections across the ice, Saturday brought an eagerly anticipated highlight: the free laps on the lake. The sight of these exquisite machines gliding effortlessly across the frozen expanse delighted attendees, transforming the landscape into a living

canvas of speed and elegance. The event culminated in a moment of prestige and celebration with the presentation of the Best in Show award, designed exclusively for The I.C.E. by the esteemed architect Lord Norman Foster. This year, the accolade was bestowed upon the 1934 Bugatti 59, with the honor presented alongside Tilly Harrison, Managing Director of Richard Mille Middle East and Turkey.

Further enriching the weekend’s legacy, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB “Sefac” (1961) claimed the Spirit of St. Moritz award, personally handed over by artist Rolf Sachs in a ceremony introduced by Marijana Jakic, CEO of St. Moritz Tourismus. Meanwhile, the Lamborghini Miura SV (1972) captured the public’s heart, earning the coveted Hero Below Zero award.

Beyond the concours itself, The I.C.E. St. Moritz 2025 evolved into a broader cultural affair, with a carefully curated program of artistic and lifestyle events

THE I.C.E. ST-MORITZ

seamlessly woven into the fabric of the city. Over 20,000 guests immersed themselves in a refined atmosphere of unparalleled glamor, reaffirming the event’s status as a quintessential celebration of automotive artistry and elite social gathering. Curations throughout the event were seen by participating brand like Loro Piana, Vista Jet, UBS and Badrutt’s Palace.

This unparalleled success would not have been possible without the participation of esteemed car owners, the support of local institutions, and the invaluable contributions of official partners, most notably Title Sponsor Richard Mille. Their collective dedication has cemented The I.C.E. as an unmissable rendezvous for aficionados of motoring excellence and timeless elegance.

As the final echoes of roaring engines faded into the crisp mountain air, one sentiment remained clear: The I.C.E. St. Moritz is not merely an event; it is an experience—one that beckons us to return. Until 2026, when the lake once again becomes a stage for the sublime.

THE I.C.E. ST-MORITZ

DRESSED TO KILL

The White Lotus' Wardrobe Slays

HBO’S THE WHITE LOTUS IS BACK, AND THIS TIME, THE WEALTHY GUESTS OF THE LUXURY RESORT ARE TAKING ON THAILAND FOR A WEEK OF WARMTH, RELAXATION, AND... MURDER? PER USUAL, NOT EVERYTHING IS AS IT SEEMS WHEN IT COMES TO THE WHITE LOTUS’S CURRENT CLIENTELE, AND AS THE SEASON UNRAVELS ON MAX, THERE IS NO DOUBT THE CHARACTERS WILL BE JUST AS MYSTERIOUS.

But mental, interpersonal, and financial deterioration aren’t the only guarantees—we’re also in store for a lot of great fashion, specifically covetable resort wear, all courtesy of the show’s costume designer, Alex Bovaird.

From custom Jacquemus to off-therunway Chanel, the White Lotus guests did not pack light. So, whether you’re shopping for an upcoming warm-weather getaway, or you just can’t stop drooling over Leslie Bibb’s bathing suit and sarong, you’ll be happy to know we’re breaking down all the fashion from The White Lotus season three.

EPISODE ONE

Hopefully Belinda will get some much-needed rest during her week in

Thailand (though, to be honest, that seems unlikely). The spa manager arrives to Ko Samui in a no-longer-available purple floral dress from Anthropologie and a pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses.

The first episode wastes no time in introducing us to the season’s guests, starting with the Ratliffs, who hail from North Carolina. But I didn’t need to tell you that—their clothes make it very obvious. Despite likely just getting off a multihour flight, all members of the Ratliff gang look fresh and exceptionally preppy. First, there’s the matriarch, Victoria, clinging to her Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag like her life depends on it. A master of high-low dressing, Victoria pairs her purse with an olive-green Banana Republic tunic dress, blue Swaine

London silk scarf, and a gold Rolex President watch.

Her husband, Timothy, meanwhile, is wearing a pretty nondescript finance bro uniform, though his Zegna sunglasses are worth noting (and were likely picked out by his wife), as is his matching Rolex.

Trailing behind the parents are the three Ratliff siblings: Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan. Tragic names and weird incestuous chemistry aside, their looks are similarly as cookie-cutter Southern as their parents’. The eldest, Saxon, arrives in a Southern Tide floral polo shirt worn with Brooks Brothers chino shorts. He accessorizes with some Gucci loafers and Oliver Peoples x Roger Federer sunglasses, worn

on a Smathers & Branson strap. Considering Saxon’s clearly off-putting nature, we don’t blame Piper for tuning him out and listening to music in her cotton voile Ralph Lauren dress. Nor do we blame Lochlan for his early morning drink, which he enjoys in a blue Brooks Brothers short-sleeve button-down.

Next up is the odd couple, Rick and Chelsea, who likely have the most question marks around them following the first episode. Rick may look vacation-ready in his printed short-sleeve button down, but his attitude says otherwise. Chelsea, though—wearing a My Beachy Side cutout crocheted mini dress and LunaFlo London necklace—has enough energy and excite-

ment for the both of them.

And finally, there are the Real Housewives of Thailand, who will likely provide some of the most covetable looks this season. The trio is off to a good start, arriving to the island in some colorful outfits that complement each other nicely. Bobbed Kate wears a striped Paul Smith dress, while actress Jaclyn opts for an Alémais floral mini-halter dress, accessorized with a white Valentino Moon bag, Hermès Nantucket watch, and Chanel heels. And despite being quickly painted as the unfortunate of the group, Laurie

seems to be doing well enough to afford a Zimmerman sun dress and Loewe Squeeze bag.

Sritala, the resort’s owner, meanwhile, makes an immediate impression upon her introduction when she asks the boat to cruise the bay since she’s not ready. The effect is only heightened by her $43,500 earrings, which sparkle in the Thai sun.

It’s time to hit the pool, and the girl gang uses the day of sun as another opportunity to pull out their best resortwear. Laurie, clearly a Zimmerman fan, pairs a

golden one-piece from the brand with a Tara Matthews palm tree-printed kimono. Kate proves her fashion chops with a hot pink Valentino swimsuit and printed, fringe wrap skirt from the brand’s 2023 Escape collection. But the biggest fashion flex of the afternoon undoubtedly comes from Jaclyn, who throws on a Chanel 2006 printed dress as a pool coverup—casual. She wears the impressive pull with a rust-colored Eres swimsuit and some pearl-adorned Pacharee hoop earrings.

The women are joined (and harassed) at the pool by Saxon, who wears a white Che swimsuit. Also forced to ward off Saxon’s advances is Chelsea, who still manages to relax a little while wearing a red, ruffled Tara Matthews bikini, a printed sarong, Jacquemus cheetah-print sunglasses, and J.W. Anderson orange popcorn tote.

Finally, nighttime falls upon The White Lotus, and Kate takes the opportunity to show off to her friends in a red, tiered Lanvin dress. The star of her outfit, though, is undoubtedly the David Webb Repoussé elephant cuff on her wrist. Jaclyn, unsurprisingly, places herself at the center of the table so as to better show off her ’70s vintage dress. Laurie, mean-

while, solidifies her role as the outcast in a Sue Wong jumpsuit she pairs with a floral Giambattista Valli bag, which catches her tears at the end of the night.

Sritala takes the opportunity to visit her favorite guest’s table, chatting with Jaclyn in a printed kaftan from Verandah.

The Ratliffs’s dinner ensembles once again prove you can take them out of North Carolina, but you absolutely cannot get them to wear anything other than Brooks Brothers. For her part, Victoria looks more ready for a cocktail party at her country club than a tropical dinner, in a floral dress with ruffled sleeves from Jim Thompson.

After smartly giving up on her boyfriend, Chelsea heads to the bar for a drink in her now-sold out printed, cowl-neck dress by Mes Demoiselles Paris. She accessorizes the look with Jacquemus Les Creoles Chiquito earrings. There, she meets Chloe, who looks exceptionally chic in a custom black-and-white Jacquemus ensemble.

Episode Two

It’s a new day at The White Lotus, and all the guests are getting ready to begin their

wellness journeys. The “rich bohemians from Malibu in their Lululemon yoga pants,” as Piper so aptly puts it, are ready to take on the morning. But they aren’t all wearing Lululemon, just Laurie and Jaclyn, with the former in a black sports bra from the brand with matching leggings. Jaclyn, meanwhile, is in a blue Lulu set, though Kate mixes it up by wearing a graphic sports bra and leggings from Italian athleisure brand Aditi.

Rick pulls out yet another Hawaiian shirt for his second day in paradise, though he ups the ante a bit with this one. While his previous iterations looked to be leftover tops he acquired from various hostels in the late ’90s, this one is a $300 shortsleeve button-down from Eleventy.

But his elevated style doesn’t make up for his continuously grumpy attitude—and Chelsea still ditches him for an afternoon with her new friend, Chloe. To be fair, we’d also prefer to hang out with Chloe too, if only to get close enough to start snagging pieces from her closet. On this occasion, the “model” wears a netted My Beachy Side cover-up over her bathing suit, accessorizing the look with a Jacquemus zebra-print tote bag.

On the beach, Laurie, Kate, and Jaclyn debrief their mornings with Valentin. And, of course, they do so in style. Laurie shares her health data while fanning herself in a red printed midi dress from Johanna Ortiz. Jaclyn goes more casual, pairing her white one-piece with a logo-covered Valentino shirt. Kate, meanwhile, ditches a cover-up altogether to better show off her patterned Ulla Johnson swimsuit. And don’t miss the green mesh Valentino tote she places haphazardly in the sand.

Over on the above-ocean hammocks, the Ratliff family continues to astound as Lochlan questions Piper about her sex life. The budding Buddhist smartly removes herself from the conversation, showing off her orange Monday Swimwear one-piece as she dismounts from the hammock.

Chelsea admires a David Webb gold, diamond, emerald, and ruby bracelet right before it gets stolen by the hotel burglar. It’s a good get for the heist, to be fair, as the bracelet recently fetched $35,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.

After an eventful day, the guests at the White Lotus throw on their evening

ensembles and head to the resort’s restaurant for dinner and a show. Apparently, the blonde trio had a sparkle theme for the night, though Jaclyn and Kate characteristically don’t seem to clue Laurie in on the memo. Her blue slipdress is subtle compared to the other two’s glittering

looks. Jaclyn wears a sequin-covered Valentino mini dress while Kate opts for a striped caftan from Hong Kong-based brand Marie France Van Damme.

Poor Belinda. All she wants to do is relax on her vacation and maybe flirt a little with Pornchai. But just as she sits

down for another solo dinner, she spots someone who looks oddly familiar to her—Greg. For the moment, though, Belinda shakes it off, because nothing can ruin her beautiful evening spent in a Jim Thompson silk caftan dress.

When DNA Lies

IT SEEMED LIKE AN IMPOSSIBILITY. AFTER ALL, DNA DOESN’T LIE.

THE SETTING IS ALASKA. A SERIOUS SEXUAL ASSAULT HAS BEEN COMMITTED, AND INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO THE PERPETRATOR IS. THE EVIDENCE THEY HAVE IS SPERM, WHICH FAMOUSLY CONTAINS DNA.

When the extracted DNA is compared to the criminal justice DNA database, a match is found to a blood sample that was taken from a known criminal. Case closed, right?

Except that when the sexual assault took place, this known criminal was behind bars.

How had he escaped, committed the crime, and returned to jail undetected?

DNA may not lie, but we have to understand its rare eccentricities. To solve this puzzling case, we need to appreciate mythical beasts.

HER OWN TWIN

“She was […] in the fore part a lion, in the hinder a serpent, and in the midst a goat, breathing forth in terrible wise the might of blazing fire.” This is how Homer, in his famous tale The Iliad, describes the Chimera. She was a monstrous creature, a hybrid of many animals, ultimately slayed by the hero Bellerophon.

But chimeras do exist outside of Greek myths. We assume that we have a single genetic code in all of our cells, one born of the combination of one half of our father’s DNA and one half of our moth-

er’s DNA. Sperm meets egg, and we get a zygote with a full set of chromosomes. It divides into two, making copies of these chromosomes, and we think that every cell down the line ends up with the same genetic bundle. But there are interesting cases where the developing embryo becomes a sort of chimera.

When twins are growing in the womb, the blood vessels feeding them can connect. In medical terms, this cross-connection is known as an anastomosis. DNA from each twin can thus be exchanged, and these siblings end up with parts of each other.

Another natural way that genetic chimeras can emerge is when two eggs get fertilized by two sperms at the same time, which would normally result in fraternal twins. Sometimes, though, these twins fuse in the womb and become one. Because eggs and semen are known as gametes, and since four of them end up creating a single person, scientists have called this phenomenon “tetragametic chimerism.” More poetically, it has been referred to as “the vanishing twin.”

A tetragametic chimera thus has two main types of cells making up their body. Some cells come from sperm 1 and egg 1, while the rest come from sperm 2 and egg 2. That means these families of cells are genetically different, and because DNA is a blueprint, it can result in interesting physical manifestations. Some will have two-toned skin or differently coloured eyes. Tetragametic chimeras can have what doctors refer to as “atypical genital appearance,” although not all intersex people are chimeras, and not all chimeras are intersex. In fact, when tetragametic chimeras have no idea that they are “creatures of

myth,” to put it theatrically, it can make for puzzling discoveries and leave some in legal trouble.

In the late 1990s, a fifty-two-year-old woman named Karen Keegan needed a new kidney due to renal failure, so she and her family—including her children, crucially—were tested to see if a biologically compatible kidney was available. That’s when Keegan was told that she was not the mother of two of her three children.

This was clearly impossible to her, but this uncanny result was not due to a sample mix-up in the lab. Scientists ended up testing all manners of biological specimens from her—her hair, her skin, cells from inside her mouth, even tissue that had been removed from her in the past and preserved—and they found in some of these two different DNA profiles. Her blood had come from one sperm and one egg, but some of her other tissues had a touch of the chimera. With no other tell-tale manifestation of chimerism, Keegan had spent most of her life not knowing that she was probably the result of twins that had fused in early development.

A similar case a few years later was much more unpleasant. Lydia Fairchild was applying for public assistance to help support her family, and testing was required to prove that her children were indeed related to her. Except they were not. DNA testing established that the children were indeed siblings but concluded that she was not their mother. She was accused of attempting to defraud the government through an elaborate surrogacy scheme, and prosecutors even asked that her children be taken away from her and sent to foster care. Fairchild was told to lawyer up,

but the attorneys she approached did not want to dispute DNA evidence. After all, DNA doesn’t lie, right?

Finally, a lawyer did take her on as a client and stumbled upon the Keegan case as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. If Keegan had been a chimera, might Fairchild not be one too? A sample taken from Fairchild’s cervical smear did indeed match her children’s DNA. As ABC News put it, she was “her own twin,” carrying within her two different sets of genes, with one being consistent with her children and creating her eggs, and the other one being inconsistent.

Tetragametic chimerism appears to be rare. At first, the technical difficulties involved in finding these chimeras might have contributed to an underestimation, but given the large number of paternity tests and direct-to-consumer genetic tests regularly done, and the slow trickle of case reports in the scientific literature, it’s unlikely that vanishing twins are commonplace.

There is more than one way of creating a chimera, however. Outside of the quirks of the womb, chimerism can be artificially induced in a medical setting. Have you ever had a blood transfusion? If it contained white blood cells (as red blood cells in mammals lose their DNA as they mature), you temporarily had someone else’s DNA flowing through your veins. You were a momentary chimera. No need to lose sleep over it: your body removed most of these white blood cells from circulation when they got too old.

If you receive a solid organ transplantation—a liver, or heart, or lungs, for example—, you are technically a chimera, as the DNA in the cells of this organ is different from your own, and this chimerism can spread when white blood cells that carried over from the donor during the organ transplant start to circulate. If they attack the recipient’s cells, doctors call this “graft-versus-host disease.”

A bone marrow transplant which

comes from an outside donor (often used in cases of blood cancer) will also create chimerism, as the bone marrow is the birthing and nurturing ground for blood cells. Someone else’s bone marrow in you means someone else’s DNA in you, which is carried inside the blood cells that emerge from it. In fact, chimerism can be measured in the lab in order to track the progress of the engraftment and make sure that the cancerous blood cells are no longer detectable and have been replaced by healthy ones made by the graft.

As fascinating as these situations are, there is an even more peculiar, and much more common, form of chimerism. It’s the one that happens during pregnancy.

YOUR CHILDREN’S CELLS INSIDE OF YOU

In 1969, three researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, collected white blood cells from women pregnant with boys and found that some had what appeared to be a Y chro-

When DNA Lies

mosome. This controversial finding was confirmed by subsequent studies. Cells from the male fetuses were ending up circulating in the mother’s blood supply and, as we would later learn, vice versa.

This phenomenon is common and can begin as early as the first trimester. It affects less than 5% of cells, and as such is not considered complete chimerism. It is known as microchimerism: fetal microchimerism refers to the presence of fetal cells in the mother and maternal microchimerism, to the presence of the mother’s cells in the fetus.

What these cells do, if anything, remains unclear, but some findings point in the direction of non-negligible health effects for fetal microchimerism. The often-touted view is that the presence of fetal cells in the mother, over time, decreases the risk of cancer and increases the risk of autoimmune conditions, like lupus. In keeping with scientists’ obsession with affixing the root “-ome” to the complete collection of certain molecules, like “genome” to refer to all of our genes, the word “microchiome” was birthed. It is possible that this pregnancy-related microchiome interacts with the immune system in such ways as to flag cancerous cells but also to trigger undesired immune reactions, but the truth is, with studies differing so much in their methodology and outcomes, we can call the microchiome beneficial, neutral, or detrimental, depending on our mood. It

is quite possible, as the study of biology keeps teaching us, that it can be all three depending on the context.

Given all these different ways of creating human chimeras, what is the overall definition of chimerism? This is an interesting question to contemplate, because it allows us to distinguish chimerism from another, very similar genetic anomaly. Putting aside the mythological lens and replacing it with a genetic one, a chimera is a single organism that is made up of cells from at least two genetically distinct zygotes. The twins who become chimeras in the womb because of their interconnected blood supply, they are distinct zygotes. The vanishing twins, like Karen Keegan and Lydia Fairchild, came about from the fusion of distinct zygotes. And when we look at chimerism induced through medical interventions or pregnancy, there are always clearly two people involved, and thus originally two zygotes: the donor and the recipient, the mother and the child.

When an organism has cells with different genetic codes but they all come from a single zygote, that is called mosaicism. It arises due to mistakes that are made when DNA is copied early on in embryogenesis.

All this talk of genetic anomalies and quirks brings us right back to Alaska. How did a criminal escape from jail to commit sexual assault, only to quickly return behind bars? The answer is simple:

he did not.

Medical records are confidential, so the investigators had no easy way of knowing, but after speaking to friends and family members, they found out that the man in jail had received a bone marrow transplant from his brother, who was not in jail. The brother was the sexual assailant. When he had donated his marrow, it was blood cells bearing his DNA that started to spread in his sibling’s bloodstream. From the blood alone, these two brothers were now identical twins. When the marrow recipient was arrested, his blood was collected and its DNA was entered into the database, where it proved a match during the sexual assault case.

It was a swab of his cheeks—and the fact that he physically could not have committed the crime—that exonerated him.

I was sitting in the room when Abirami Chidambaram, then of the Alaska State Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, presented this fascinating case at a genetics conference in Salt Lake City in 2005. It helped renew my interest in genetics and in its real-world applications.

We often think of inheritance in simple terms: my parents had it, therefore so do I. But the eccentricities of DNA are many. They sometimes create mythical creatures and they make the world a more interesting place.

Amid an Uptick in Crashes, What Elite Travelers

Need to Know Now about Airplane

Safety

ASPATE OF AIRPLANE CRASHES HAS RAISED TRAVELERS’ ANXIETIES ABOUT FLYING. EXPERTS SAY AVIATION REMAINS COMPARATIVELY LESS RISKY THAN OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT AND OFFER TIPS FOR STAYING SAFER.

A deadly midair collision involving a commercial airplane and an army helicopter. Multiple crashes in various countries. Planes catching on fire and even flipping upside down.

Over the last two months, global commercial air travel has been rocked by more than a half dozen unusual accidents that have raised concerns about the state of aviation safety. And in the United States, this comes amid an alarming number of near-misses and continued concerns about adequate air traffic control staffing.

With each incident, video footage circulates near instantaneously and widely online, traumatizing more travelers, who say that the recent spate of airplane incidents has amplified their flight anxieties. Jaimee Rindy, a 28-year-old who lives in Atlanta, said she developed a fear of flying a few years ago. This feeling has grown more intense in recent months, she said.

“It’s difficult to feel safe when you’re completely out of control and when you really have no sense of what’s happening while you’re in the aircraft,” Ms. Rindy said. “Ultimately, that’s the scariest part of being a passenger. It’s that loss of trust in the industry.”

Is flying getting more dangerous? And what, if anything, can passengers actually do to stay safer during an emergency? We consulted several experts to learn more.

The recent incidents, which are still being investigated, span different countries

and types of airplanes.

Over the last two months, deadly crashes have occurred in South Korea, the United States, and Azerbaijan. In the United States, some incidents involved commercial airplanes, while others were on smaller private planes subject to less stringent safety requirements. Of all aircraft, large commercial airplanes are required to meet the strictest safety regulations.

Not all incidents were fatal. All 80 people aboard a Delta Air Lines flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17 survived, even after the plane flipped upside down on the tarmac, with its right wing and tail shorn off.

Jeff Guzzetti, a former accident investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, said it was too early to determine the common factors connecting the recent accidents

involving U.S. carriers, which included the midair collision at Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29 and the crash of a 10-person commuter plane in Alaska on Feb. 6. “Myriad issues,” including weather and F.A.A. policies, were involved, he said.

Flying remains the safest mode of transportation

Experts stressed that flying is by far the safest form of travel. Arnold Barnett, a professor of statistics at the MIT Sloan School of Management, said the risk of dying on a flight is close to zero. The high-profile accidents of late are a coincidence, he said.

“Twelve million people board planes every day, on average, each year,” Mr. Barnett added. “The overwhelming majority of days not a single passenger is injured let alone killed.”

The lifetime odds of dying in a car crash are about 1 in 95, according to the National Safety Council.

But the recent accidents should prompt careful analysis and vigilance about “potential deficiencies in the system,” Mr. Guzzetti said. The D.C. collision was the deadliest accident involving a U.S. airline

to occur in more than a decade.

Whether safety in commercial aviation is degrading is a possibility that needs to be considered, said Kyra Dempsey, who writes about aviation accidents in a blog, Admiral Cloudberg. She added that F.A.A. cuts are a factor to monitor.

The most important safety tip? Wear your seatbelt at all times

Experts recommend wearing your safety belt throughout the entire flight. Listening to the safety briefings delivered by flight attendants is another critical precaution, said Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants-C.W. A., which represents nearly 55,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines.

Flight attendants train annually in emergency response procedures, Ms. Nelson added. This includes everything from handling unruly passengers to in-cabin fires to water evacuations.

There really may not be a safest part of the plane to sit in

John Cox, a former airline pilot who runs a safety consulting firm, said the research has been inconclusive on whether

there is a safest section of a plane. Some travelers believe it’s the back, because of the way it absorbs energy during a crash, minimizing injury to passengers, but both Mr. Cox and Mr. Guzzetti dismissed this notion.

“It just depends on the crash dynamics,” Mr. Cox said. “Don’t worry about where you sit.”

Travelers can’t predict what kind of accidents they might be in. But to avoid turbulence, Mr. Cox recommends sitting “over the middle of the wing.”

Consider purchasing a seat for your child

Many airlines generally allow parents to hold children under 2 on their laps instead of purchasing a seat for the child. However, both the F.A.A. and N.T.S.B. recommend against this practice, instead encouraging parents to use an approved child restraint system. Unrestrained lap children can go flying out of a parent’s arms during an emergency, such as severe turbulence, and are more prone to getting injured than children that aren’t in laps, according to a 2019 study by the National Institutes of Health.

THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED COUTURE

IT TOOK OVER 400 HOURS TO MAKE DANIELLE DEADWYLER’S SCULPTURAL LOUIS VUITTON DRESS FOR THE 2025 SAG AWARDS

ACTRESS DANIELLE DEADWYLER CELEBRATED HER BEST ACTRESS NOMINATION AT THE 2025 SAG AWARDS IN STYLE.

The Piano Lesson actor, styled by Wayman + Micah, stepped outside the box in a custom red Louis Vuitton dress by Nicolas Ghesquière. “We wanted something structural and architectural to really make Danielle pop on the red carpet,” Wayman + Micah tell Vogue. “We all knew she’d be able to pull something like this special custom Louis Vuitton gown off with her daring spirit.”

The strapless cherry red dress earned its rightful place on the best dressed list with its three-dimensional tiered structure. “The gown took more than 400 hours to complete,” the stylists say. To complement the modernist hand-gathered tulle gown, Deadwyler accessorized with red satin pointy-toe heels with an ankle strap and jewelry from Lagos—including a pair of statement chandelier earrings.

While many nominees often play it safe on the red carpet, Deadwyler is a consistent standout. “Danielle is a breath of fresh air—she trusts us and our visions and is always happy to have fun and play with silhouettes and prints,” Wayman + Micah said. “Her nature is to be adaptable whether on screen or off and she is always able to take on a look.”

THE

TTransformed & Elevated (and only $18.75 Million)

BUILDING’S ART DECO CHARM HAS BEEN ADAPTED FOR THE 372 RESIDENCES AND OVER 50,000 SQUARE FEET OF NEW AMENITIES.

HE

WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK, WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 2017, IS SELLING NEW RESIDENCES, WITH SOME ALREADY OCCUPIED BEFORE THE REVAMPED HOTEL REOPENS THIS SPRING.

The hotel — an Art Deco masterpiece by Schultze and Weaver on Park Avenue in Manhattan — always had a residential component: It was home to everyone from Cole Porter, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to Presidents Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The building’s exterior was designated a landmark by the Landmarks Preservation

Commission in 1993 and parts of its interior were designated by the same body in 2017.

The residences in the original building were hotel rooms or suites for which occupants paid long-term room rates.

The building has been renamed Waldorf Astoria New York, with residents of Waldorf Astoria Residences New York having their own entrance at 303 Park Avenue, slightly north of the hotel’s main entrance. Floors one to five will be occupied by the hotel’s lobby and function spaces, and floors six to 12 will contain hotel guest rooms.

The 372 residences, ranging in size from 564 square feet to over 6,500 square feet, with 125 layouts, will occupy floors 19 to 52. The amenities for the residences will occupy floors 19 and 25 to 27. Prices

start from $1.875 million for studios to $18.75 million for four bedrooms. Sales of the residences — managed by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing — began in 2021, and owners began occupying them last December.

Residents of the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York can buy furnished residences, according to Loretta Shanahan, senior director of sales. “For individuals who spend weekdays here and weekends elsewhere, purchasing a furnished residence ensures a seamless, effortless lifestyle,” she said.

B & B Italia is providing warm and cool color palettes for furnishings and accessories in the residences. Kitchen appliances are by Gaggenau. Bang & Olufsen is offering optional audiovisual packages.

Bathrooms contain heated floors, rain showers and custom-designed vanities.

The hotel was sold for $1.95 billion in 2014 by Hilton, its previous owner, to Anbang Insurance Group, a Chinese company that closed the building in 2017 to restore and renew it, aiming to reopen it in four years.

But the Chinese government seized control of Anbang in 2018, sending its chairman to prison for fraud, and created the Daija Insurance Group in 2019 to assume control over Anbang’s assets. Daija now owns the hotel and residences.

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s restoration and renewal process has dragged on far longer than originally anticipated, because of its change in ownership, global supply chain issues and increased costs resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, or S.O.M.,

was hired by Daija to develop and present a plan to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the Waldorf that blends adaptive reuse, preservation and restoration.

“This is a historic building and, as such, has columns, beams and punched windows, instead of flat slabs and glass curtain walls like a new building might,” said Frank Mahan, a principal and adaptive reuse practice leader at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. “We used those features to give the residential units character.”

S.O.M., which has collaborated with Building Conservation Associates on the project, discovered in its research that the original Waldorf building contained close to 5,600 windows with steel frames painted warm gray. The firm also discovered that only one of the original windows still existed, and used it as a model for the building’s new windows, which have

an aluminum frame and energy-efficient double glazing.

The very top of the building contains two copper pinnacles that originally housed the Waldorf Astoria’s mechanical systems. The copper has been fully restored, and the two pinnacles have been converted into penthouse duplexes, whose specifics have yet to be released.

Residents will have access to over 50,000 square feet of new amenities, including a private porte-cochere, with 24-hour valet service, on East 50th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues; and a private club on the 19th floor described as “a first-class business facility.”

The interior design of the residences is by the designer Jean-Louis Deniot, and Simon de Pury, an art collector and auctioneer, is curating artwork on display in the residences’ private lobby and elsewhere.

JA Light Chopper THAT LOOKS & FEELS

LIKE A Supercar

ASON HILL HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER ATTEMPTING TO REDEFINE THE ROTORCRAFT, AND HIS FUTURISTIC HX50 CHOPPER NOW LOOKS LIKE IT MAY INDEED ESTABLISH ANOTHER HELICOPTER CATEGORY.

With its all-new design, from turbine to touchscreen the sleek flying machine incorporates a high-inertia three-bladed rotor system that should deliver a cruising speed of 160 mph with an 800-mile range. And while it’s purported to fly well above its light-helicopter competitors in terms of avionics, styling, and interior

With a level of luxury and performance on par with far costlier rotorcraft, the futuristic release steps outside the box

space, what’s perhaps most impressive about the five-occupant whirlybird is its intended starting price of approximately $798,000—about a third less than what a comparable rotorcraft might cost.

“The machine is designed to feel like a supercar,” says Hill. “It’s also geared to make everything about helicopter flying simpler than ever before.” The HX50’s carbon-fiber monocoque frame is a novel feature for a light-category helicopter, and the touchscreen display is proprietary to Hill. As for the roll cage, impact-absorbing seats, and crash-resistant fuel tanks and windows, those are all typically found on larger, more expensive copters.

Inspired as a child by the supersonic helo on the television series Airwolf, Hill spent 25 years planning the HX50 before unveiling a rendering in 2020. During that time, he worked for industry giant AgustaWestland, received his doctorate in computational aerodynamics for helicopters, and founded Dynamiq Engineering, which provided the design and technical input for the HX50, as well as much of the financial backing.

The concept came from Hill’s own experience as a pilot tracking the shortcomings of what’s currently on the market, such as limited range, lack of luxury, and,

with engine configurations typically 50 years old, high decibel levels. Yet despite its forward-thinking design, which allows for a measure of customization, the HX50 has its share of industry skeptics.

“Aviation has a tendency to eat its young,” says veteran analyst Brian Foley, who observes that it’s common “to throw rocks at start-ups because it’s such a capital-intensive industry, with millions involved in design, tooling, and facilities.”

He likes the idea of the HX50, though, noting there hasn’t been a clean-sheet helicopter in the light category for years. He points to Epic Aircraft, which launched its single-engine turboprop, the E-1000, as an experimental airplane, but it was eventually certified for manufacturing. Kopter, a Swiss start-up, also successfully created its SH09 and was subsequently acquired by Leonardo in 2020. “If they found ways to do it, why can’t Hill?” asks Foley.

Yet at least one observer thinks the GT250 engine could be the HX50’s weak link. “Helicopter companies typically get engines from aircraft-engine manufacturers,” explains Jean-Marc Youkhana, founder of Uplifting Aviation, a Londonbased consulting firm. “This is an engine from a non-aviation company that you haven’t certified. That is risky.”

Flight-testing on the HX50 was pushed back from what was originally scheduled for 2024, not due to anything regarding the power plant but rather by delays associated with the construction of a facility for more in-house production of components, according to Hill. “This means you can develop what your customers want, not an approximation of it, at a price the aviation supply chain will never be able to compete with,” he asserts.

Also contributing to the lower overall cost is the business model’s 10-day “build school,” during which time owners help construct nontechnical parts, a process that will qualify the HX50 for the “amateur build” category, further reducing prices and possibly speeding up certification. After all, Hill’s goal is for this copter “to be so compelling it would make people want to learn to fly again.”

To that end, of the 1,300 examples that have been presold, 30 percent were purchased by customers who have never owned an aircraft. As for the HX50’s trajectory to fruition, testing has been rescheduled for later this year, with production in 2026.

New Zealand Polo Open Champions, Swift Roofing!

Photo by Simon Watts (BW Media)

Photo by Selena Wright

NZ POLO

OPEN 2025

SELENA WRIGHT & SIMON WATTS FOR NZ POLO OPEN

A NEW CHAMPION REIGNS IN NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND — HISTORY WAS MADE AT THE 48TH NZ POLO OPEN HELD AT AUCKLAND POLO CLUB ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, AS SWIFT ROOFING EMERGED VICTORIOUS IN A THRILLING FINALE AGAINST BRINKS, WITH A SCORE OF 11-8.

Acrowd of over 4,000 spectators filled the sidelines, eagerly following the intense battle on the field as both teams delivered an electrifying performance. The rain held off, ensuring a perfect day for polo and a spectacular showcase of both skill and style.

The New Zealand Polo Open is Australasia’s most prestigious polo championship, and this year’s match did not disappoint. The action kicked off with Thomas Hunt of Swift Roofing scoring the first goal of the match, setting the tone for an exciting day of sport. The game progressed through the chukkas, each lasting seven minutes, a test of both strategy and stamina, as the horses are constantly swapped out for fresh mounts. Players continuously adapted their tactics while managing both the physical demands of the game and the endurance of their horses.

In a remarkable display of skill and composure, Indi Bennetto of Swift Roofing (one of only two women to have ever played on a winning NZ Polo

Open team) scored crucial points for her team, proving that women’s polo is breaking new ground. “Women in polo is the largest growing sector, which is seriously exciting” muses Indi. This year also marked a unique dynamic as Indi faced off against her partner, Nick Keyte, playing for Brinks. The match added a personal element to the tournament, with both teams giving their all for the win.

The inaugural Standing Rock Fair Play Award was presented to the Brinks Team for their sportsmanship and positive attitude throughout the tournament, emphasizing the NZ Polo Open’s commitment to fair play and integrity.

The Most Valuable Player title went to Glenn Sherriff of Swift Roofing for his exceptional performance throughout the match, while the Best Playing

Pony award was given to ‘Paige,’ a prized mount owned and played by Thomas Hunt. ‘Moo,’ ridden by Thomas Hunt and owned by James Worker, earned the Best Thoroughbred award.

For Swift Roofing, this victory was more than just a win on the scoreboard. Patron Harry Jr Semenoff had been striving for the NZ Polo Open championship for eight years, driven by the memory of his late father. Their victory was a testament to the strength and strategy required to win and to the perseverance of a team that never gave up.

“This win is a tribute to the legacy of my family, and to everyone who believed in us through the years,” said Swift Roofing’s

patron, Harry Jr Semenoff. “We’re incredibly proud to bring the trophy home after such a hard-fought battle.”

In addition to the incredible polo action, the day was also a celebration of style. The punters came out in full force, dressed in their finest polo chic, as the rain held off for an enjoyable and stylish day at the polo. The Fashion Quarterly ‘Fashion at the Polo’ competition saw the most entrants to date, with three fabulously dressed attendees taking home the coveted prizes for best dressed lady, best dressed gentleman, and best accessory. Judges for the competition included Sarah Murray (FQ), Robert Niwa (Crane Brothers), Laura Hadlow (Caitlin Crisp),

Layla Kaisi (Layla Kaisi Collection), and Holly Estelle (Auckland Polo Club Ambassador), with the fashion event MC’d by Carena West.

The 48th NZ Polo Open was a showcase of skill, passion, history, and fashion, with moments that will be remembered for years to come. The event continues to be a highlight of New Zealand’s sporting calendar, celebrating the rich traditions of polo and the global community of players and fans who make the game so captivating.

FASHION & STYLE

LONDON FASHION WEEK

London is famously eclectic, and, thrillingly, this season proved to be no exception. While a few of the city’s foremost brands followed what is shaping up to be a new industry pattern of taking the season off, there was still plenty of creativity and craft to be seen across the runways.

The city has long been a hotbed for emerging talent, and this season Toga, Paolo Carzana, and Mithridate kept that tradition alive with collections that

seized our attention and excitement. Meanwhile, next-generation anchors of the London scene S.S. Daley and Dilara Findikoglu continued to do what they do best.

The fur trend that appeared at men’s week and in New York has made its way to London, with Simone Rocha impressively balancing that animalistic energy with her own practice of exaggerated femininity.

Daniel Lee’s Burberry continues to come further into focus, and this season he drew strength from the quaint opulence of British country living. And while classic check and trench coats played an important supporting role, Lee invited us to imagine a Burberry that can be something much more.

Always a favorite, Erdem takes home the top spot with its ethereal vision of art and artisanality.

LFW25

LFW25

GUCCI FW25

GUCCI

Lights, cameras, action— that’s how Gucci felt as a live orchestra set the Fall/ Winter 2025 collection in motion. Staged in a massive room with shining interlocking Gs mirrored on the floor and ceilings, the catwalk resembled a hightech rendering of the inside of a retro perfume bottle. The clothes were representative of a similar mod-meets-modern and everything in between.

Like many designers this season, fur and lace reigned supreme. In other looks,

Twiggy-esque A-line mini dresses were paired with silk scarves tied over baseball caps, and the signature horse-bit motif was re-imagined as a drop-chain necktie. Pastel patent leather skirt suits were also updated with boxier shapes, and glittery 1980s logo catsuits were paired with revamped shaggy Jackies.

The collection, the first since Sabato De Sarno’s departure just a few weeks ago, was designed by the brand’s internal team. De Sarno’s collections often played

with the idea of “his and hers” matching sets. A look presented during the womenswear show would often have a complementary menswear counterpart.

This season, the team went one step further presenting an entirely co-ed collection split down the middle. For the men, outerwear and striped duffles stood out as the hero pieces, many of which were presented on top of well-tailored monotone suits that served as the base.

GUCCI

SAINT LAURENT OPENS IN LAS VEGAS

Saint Laurent  unveiled its newest and largest U.S. store at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, designed by the house’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello.

The space embodies a blend of raw and refined elements, featuring floors of concrete and Cipolino marble complemented by custom carpets. Walls mix rough cast render, corduroy concrete, marble, black intumescent paint, mirrors, and wood, creating a varied yet unified look.

The interior is further enhanced by distinctively designed furniture pieces, including niches in blue ceramic, Blue

Lumen and Brown Spider marble, aged black metal tables, and transparent smoked glass counters.

The store also houses an array of unique vintage furniture pieces from renowned designers such as Mario Bellini, François Monnet, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, René Prou, Mats Theselius, and Joy de Rohan Chabot, adding to its exclusive atmosphere.

Saint Laurent’s full range of products, including men’s and women’s ready-towear, handbags, shoes, accessories, and fine jewelry, is available at the location.

TO REDEFINE MASCULINITY

FW25 TAKES THE MEASURE OF A THE MAN

THE FALL 2025 MENSWEAR SEASON ARRIVED AMIDST AN ONGOING UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK FOR THE LUXURY FASHION INDUSTRY, YET THERE WERE SIGNS OF MOVES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS THE LONG-AWAITED STABILIZATION – FOLLOWING MONTHS OF SPECULATION OVER MAJOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS –TOOK SHAPE.

EMBRACING REALITY AND NURTURING THE NECESSITY OF CREATIVITY

In the midst of this current round of designer musical chairs luxury fashion has been in a holding pattern over the last 12 months, yet with appointments from Chanel (Matthieu Blazy) to Maison Margiela (Glenn Martens) finally confirmed in the last month and

providing some much needed clarity –from a design direction perspective – the industry at large is still reckoning with the post-pandemic economic slowdown, shifting consumer priorities, and a market that demands more than just brand name appeal. So, in a Brave New World it was little wonder that the fall 2025 men’s season reflected a sharpened focus on purpose and authenticity.

Milan’s slimmed down schedule gave lesser-known and young fashion talent room to shine, whether that was via a presentation format (Altea and Qasimi) or show, the collections of Pronounce, Mordecai, Saul Nash, Pierre Louis-Mascia, and PDF injected a dose of much-needed creativity into a landscape where commercial pragmatism has often taken precedence. Magliano and Simon Cracker (whose shows were positively over-subscribed) are proving that Milan is still a city where new talent can be nurtured. While in Paris the focus was on the practical and the poetic as outdoor pursuits allowed men to revert to their basic instincts at Emporio Armani and Sacai, and an un-

knowing swansong collection from Kim Jones at Dior Men brought refined beauty back to the mens runways.

The collections also grappled with a central reoccurring question: ‘What will masculinity look like in 2025?’ Some designers leaned into survivalist-meets-early man tropes, as we saw with Prada and LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi’s primal fur vests, or Emporio Armani’s hyper-functional outdoor gear. Both looked to man’s fractured relationship with nature, in stark contrast to more conservative sartorial visions that have been gathering pace due to the adoption of Quiet Luxury as a desirable aesthetic. Seen at the presentations of Brunello Cucinelli, Berluti and Ralph Lauren, a return to conservative values tends to favor a traditional version of the ‘Working Man’ in an expertly tailored suit. Others, such as Egonlab and Dries Van Noten, adopted a distinctly poetic-style of romance marked by silky blouses and couture tailoring. The anti-thesis of ‘Outdoor Man’ and ‘Business Bro’, this was also a call-back to the gender-fluid conversations that

were diversifying the menswear market and gaining momentum only a few short seasons ago. In light of a shift away from more overtly provocative silhouettes it was the statement silky blouse, as seen at Dior Men and Peter Copping’s debut at Lanvin, which brought the modern-day Casanova out to play.

Fall 2025 was undoubtedly a season of designers who were trying to balance their creative output with collections that need to sell, but going forward there has to be an intentionality in order to engage, as consumers face real-world pressures fashion has to either be functional, evoke emotion, or provide inherent value, now more than ever.

EXPLORING EXISTENTIALISM

Beyond the runway, existential themes of purpose, freedom, and humanity permeated the season. While some designers have been reluctant to voice their political stances, this year will be pivotal for expressing clarity on brand values.

One such designer was Willy Chavarria who was showing for the first time as part of the Paris schedule (and was one of the few to champion representation and size inclusivity), openly called on fashion to stand for something more than just aesthetics, urging brands to move beyond fear and embrace meaningful narratives, speaking backstage he said, “It’s a compassion and it’s a willingness to take risks, but really to be on the right side of history. I feel as if many brands are too afraid to have guts behind their statements and I think we’re tired of just seeing pretty clothes, there’s so much of that and we’re all like okay. This is an opportunity to really make ourselves and each other think and feel differently. That is what fashion is for, this is the platform to do it, and I hope to have that influence in fashion.”

As the industry recalibrates, Fall 2025’s menswear season underscored that designers must not only sell clothes but also engage with the world at large.

THE OVER-ARCHING THEMES THAT MATTERED

Man and Nature

Survival Instincts

The ‘Super’ Basics

Poetic Romance

Bottom Feeders

Time for Twee

One-to-Watch: Menswear Gets a Retro-fit

MAN AND NATURE

According to the Co-creative Directors of Prada – Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons –there was a need to go back to something more savage this season, to tap into our basic instincts. Considering the evolution of Early Man, this manifested itself in a proliferation of fur skins featuring on the runway. As Simons noted, the aim is for this redux of the distant past to feel “warm, human” and in the wearing of an-

imal skins (thankfully many designers, having earlier made pledges to transition away from real fur, opted for shearling and Mongolian fur from sheep) man is being encouraged to get back to his primal nature.

SURVIVAL INSTINCTS

Never too far from the men’s runways the ‘Mountain Man’, ‘Lumberjack’, ‘Woodsman’ or ‘Intrepid Explorer’ taps into conversations around what it means to be a man through the conquering of the great blue yonder, and the physical exertion of becoming that most revered of historical male tropes ‘The Adventurer’. Fall 2025 saw Junya Watanabe collaborate with Filson for a hipster-light version, while the utilitarian was reworked at Louis Vuitton and Kenzo.

Ludovico Bruno’s Mordecai gave us multi-layered comfort in butter-yellow tones and inviting neutrals, at Emporio Armani, Mr Armani took to the slopes

with down-filled technical outerwear in patchworked muddy darks, and Emeric Tchatchoua’s 3.Paradis created his very own snow-storm on set to showcase duvet style padded coats and puffer jackets which had a Michelin man blow-up style construction. Pop at your peril.

THE ‘SUPER’ BASICS

As consumers look to how they should dress for the wholesale return to the office – as companies renege on promises to embrace hybrid-working – hybrid-dressing is making way for ‘Super-basics’.

Led this season by Tokyo-based designer Ryota Iwai’s Auralee, his brand communicates a souped-up simplicity – a number of their cashmere knits are sold-out on their e-commerce site – that makes modern materials work their hardest and is part of the brands M.O. A concept sure to resonate as men seek out the highest quality materials to update their everyday essentials. Even at Rick Owens

we saw pants and shirts in (responsibly sourced) Alligator.

Comfort will always be key as brands such as Umit Benan, Hermès and Fear of God provide fluid blanket-like cover-ups and relaxed pants reminiscent of loungewear but rendered in fresh cottons and cozy wools, to make them work-ready at a moment’s notice.

POETIC ROMANCE

Poetry was in motion as a softer side came out for fall, influenced by Shakespearian Romeo’s and the escapades of Casanova. Soft blouses have emerged as a key silhouette just waiting to be displayed on the red-carpet at the upcoming awards season.

A look back in time to the eighteenth century when mens blouses were a decorative template for flounces and frills, at Dior Men, Dries Van Noten and Lanvin we saw them once again taking center stage, with the latters Art Deco and

paillette embellished style likely to be embraced by male stars fully in-touch with their feminine side. For all others the collar got a re-brand, as at Ami and Egonlab the high-collar and draped handkerchief neckline offer more wearable iterations.

BOTTOM FEEDERS

Attention was specifically paid to the trouser this season as waists were doubled or folded over and the tactility of velvet took over. There were many a boxer peeking over the waistband at Wooyoungmi, Jordanluca and Acne

Studios but the belt became the star as it was piled on 2-at-a-time or constructed into a dropped waist. While at Anthony Vacarello’s Saint Laurent thigh-high boots morphed into leather pants as his models wore the over-the-knee style first made popular for men in the 15th century as riding boots, but here they were given a twist of kink with the buckle detail and the leather-on-leather styling.

TIME FOR TWEE

Call it a sartorial regression to the safety of ‘Boyhood’, the (Alessandro) Michele-

effect which may cause another spike in sales for vintage-style looks, or the Boomer generation of models taking over marketing campaigns, a grandpa-esque trend is emerging for fall.

The look is mainly centered around retro-knits, from Fair-isle and conversational vests on the streets of Milan and at MSGM, boxy 4-pocket cardigans with classic domed gold buttons (reminiscent of Chanel-clad ladies who lunch) at Willy Chavarria and Simon Cracker, and pastel-colored cardigans at Louis Vuitton, Dior Men, and BED j.w. FORD,

there was a precious naivety around how men could dress in 2025, going against the grain and positively reflecting a softer side of masculinity.

ONE-TO-WATCH: MENSWEAR GETS A RETRO-FIT

As speculation builds as to what fashion house Hedi Slimane will helm next, the ‘super skinny’ fit that saw him single-handedly usher in a new era of body consciousness for men (during his tenure

as creative director of Dior Homme between 2000 and 2007) is on the rise. And as fate would have it some of the most infamous rock bands and musicians of the time – who were dressed by Slimane – have released new music i.e. Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight and Jack White. Yet even though their style may have moved on the nostalgia for the slimmed down fits they wore at the height of their fame are set for a renaissance. Think fitted shirts with skinny ties and even

skinner jeans, fitted blazers and cropped pants all layered with a retro roll neck. The look is not strictly formal facing either, as sm/asual gets a revamp with jeans worn with button-down shirts at Acne Studios and a seventies lounge vibe adding in both print and leather details at Amiri. While at Louis Vuitton, Pharrell and Nigo’s collaborative efforts produced a shrunken blazer, with slightly flared denim jeans and a knitted vest, paired back effortlessly with a shirt and tie.

MANSION OF THE MONTH

SAGAMORE FARM

3366 BELMON AVENUE

REISTERSTOWN, MD

$22,000,000 USD

A Legendary Equestrian Estate in Glyndon, Maryland Set on over 400+ acres of rolling countryside, Sagamore Farm stands as premier breeding and training ground for the thoroughbred racing industry.

Steeped in history, this estate offers a rare opportunity to own a horse racing facility designed for excellence and ver-

satility, with room to expand into other equestrian disciplines (lay-ups, show jumping, dressage and more) as desired. At the heart of the estate lies a stately 16,000-square-foot residence, commanding breathtaking views of the grounds.

With seven oversized en-suite bedrooms, this grand home is designed for both elegant entertaining and luxurious

everyday living. From expansive living spaces to its serene connection with the surrounding equestrian landscape. Three fully renovated barns provide easy access to numerous turnout paddocks, ensuring optimal care for every horse. Additional stalls are available across the property to accommodate growing operations. The state-of-the-art Tapeta synthetic track

offers superior footing for training, while the newly constructed Clocker’s Tower provides a commanding vantage point for overseeing training or hosting meetings in a refined conference room. The estate’s long-serving General Manager and his team of expert groundskeepers have ensured Sagamore Farm remains a benchmark of equestrian excellence

for over 17 years. For staff and jockeys, the recently built Bunk House offers well-appointed accommodations with multiple apartments, ensuring comfort and convenience. Perfectly situated with easy access to I-83, I-695, BWI Airport, Washington, D.C., and New York, Sagamore Farm offers unparalleled connectivity to the world’s most prestigious

racing venues, including the iconic Triple Crown venues.

Whether seeking a legacy property for breeding and training or a visionary expansion into new disciplines, Sagamore Farm is a rare offering of exceptional grandeur, equestrian heritage, and truly limitless potential.

MANSION OF THE MONTH

MANSION OF THE MONTH

VILLA MARBELLA

WHERE ARCHITECTURE MEETS LUXURY IN SPAIN

I$9,327,775 USD | | 6 BEDROOMS | 6

BATHROOMS

7,545 SQ FT. | 0.41 ACRE(S)

NTRODUCING A SIGNATURE VILLA DESIGNED BY THE RENOWNED ISMAEL MERIDA, WHERE FASCINATING ARCHITECTURE MEETS UNPARALLELED LUXURY.

Standing out as a masterpiece in The Avenue community, this residence represents the epitome of grandeur and exclusivity. Experience the largest and most prestigious residence in The Avenue, boasting a private garage accessible via

a bespoke connecting tunnel that lends inspiration to its name. Inside, be mesmerized by the fascinating interior design by the legendary Pedro Peña, where every detail exudes opulence and refinement. Entertain guests effortlessly in the villa’s entertainment level, complete with a home gym and expansive living spaces. Step outside to discover a manicured private garden on an ample plot, featuring a private infinity pool and a remarkable solarium offering panoramic views of La Concha and the Mediterranean Sea. Residents also have access to the exceptional commu-

nity amenities, including the state of the art gym with top of the line equipment and a lavish SPA equipped with a hammam, sauna, ice bath and indoor pool The Avenue’s location in the heart of Nueva Andalucia also allows for convenient access to a plethora of amenities, international schools and facilitates road connections to Puerto Banus, the Golden Mile and Malaga City. Embrace a lifestyle of unparalleled luxury in this estate, where every aspect has been meticulously crafted to offer the utmost in comfort and sophistication.

A ST-BARTH ESCAPE

A $59 million hillside compound on the billionaire’s retreat of St. Barts is set to hit the market as the most expensive property for sale on the Caribbean island.

The nine-bungalow property sits on a remote corner on the island’s northwesternmost tip in the Colombier district. “It’s up in the hills with west-facing sunset views, in a private domain,” said the listing agent Zarek Honneysett at Sibarth Real Estate, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate.

The most expensive home ever sold on St. Barts also happens to be on Colombier beach. That property being a 130-acre estate once owned by David Rockefeller that sold for about $136 million last year, according to The Wall Street Journal. The property made a mark on its area, which is now also known as “Rockefeller Beach.”

At two acres, the sprawling Domaine de Vignette is one of four estates that make up the Les Étoiles gated community. It is the biggest, built across five lots, according to Honneysett. “There are few properties on the island that are this size,” said Honneysett about the island, where space is limited.

The individual bungalows and outdoor areas of the estate spread out over staggered levels, arranged to face the pool at the base of the property. These pockets are connected by teak walkways and blue rock steps, which were sourced locally and “manually carved one by one to fit perfectly together,” according to Remi Tessier, who designed the newly renovated property, in a press release.

Doussié wood from Central Africa and brushed spruce handcrafted in France

cover certain deck areas. Woven carpets and Caribbean decorative art ground the interiors. The outdoor space is filled out by over 70 varieties of tropical plants, including striking Bismark palms and draping bougainvillea.

The entrance opens to a deck with a shaded bar and lounge, and the family room bungalow. Several stone steps lead up to a bungalow containing the primary suite, with buildings containing a restaurant-grade kitchen and dining room.

Down from the entrance level is a secondary bedroom bungalow, with another bedroom bungalow a level below that. Next is the pool, with a separate guest cottage with its own bedroom, kitchen and living space on the other side. The last building in the set of nine is a caretaker’s house.

In Search of Solace Making a Difference

HWine-Focused Nonprofits make a Difference

WILLIAM SMITH @willismith_2000 COPY EDITOR & CONTRIBUTOR

EADS UP… THIS ISN’T MY USUAL WINE COLUMN. BUT THEN AGAIN, THESE DON’T FEEL LIKE USUAL TIMES.

I have spent the vast majority of my professional career supporting the inexhaustible network of nonprofits that enrich our lives, help create thriving communities and deliver more just outcomes for all of us. Whether it was actually running nonprofits or funding them through my current role in philanthropy, my Catholic ethic of social justice has guided my professional life and that extends now, to how I think about wine and the wine industry.

Yes, I write about and recommend superior wines for the discriminating palates of Polo Lifestyle’s readers and followers. But in that pursuit, I endeavor to champion the underdog vintner whose product is exceptional, but whose marketing budget may be nil because they cannot access sufficient capital.

I write extensively about women winemakers whose artistry earns them a seat at tables that have been historically and widely dominated by men. Growers and winemakers pursuing ethical stewardship of their land and their vines uniquely piqué my interest. And I seek to lift up those in the industry who happen to be people of color or LGBTQ+ and that have been historically underrepresented. In so doing and in these pages each month, we recognize meritocracy and excellence in the fabulous wines we profile and we celebrate the great diversi-

ty of people who make them. These pursuits are not incompatible and, in fact, create a stronger and more resilient industry from the growers to the consumers.

There are many nonprofits in the wine and hospitality industry whose purpose is to lift up the historically unrepresented and create pathways that allow people to excel. And now more than ever, these nonprofits, existing in the background of what paved the path to that sumptuous glass of wine in your hand, need the support of wine lovers.

Here are a few favorites to recommend. THE VERAISON PROJECT theveraisonproject.com

The Veraison Project describes itself as, “A vibrant and dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, passionately

WILLIAM SMITH / POLO LIFESTYLES

committed to reshaping the beverage industry… A collective of devoted professionals, united by a shared vision of creating an industry that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.”

The Veraison Project says, In viticulture, ‘veraison’ marks the pivotal moment when grapes begin to ripen, changing color from their initial green hue to deep shades of purple or gold. It is a period of transformation, of maturation, and of potential realized. This is the change we aim to inspire within the beverage industry – a transition from mere growth to true equity, from blossoming to ripening.

Among the initiatives of The Veraison Project are their Future Leaders Program that supports grantees in achieving education and certifications necessary for a career in the beverage industry. Their Apprenticeships of either six months or one year provide hands-on experience in various sectors of the beverage industry, including those related to wine. The Silver Oak Apprenticeship is one such opportunity and allows an apprentice to cycle through and learn from each stage of the wine making process from pro-

duction to sales. And finally, The Bridge Program provides vital financial resources to support those just beginning their careers in the wine industry to cover things like relocation expenses, rent, and temporary housing.

You can support The Veraison Project by going to donorbox.org/ the-veraison-project

THE ROOTS FUND therootsfund.org

Founded in 2020, The Roots Fund’s mission is to empower, “Underrepresented communities within the wine and spirits industry, to build successful careers through financial support, education, mentorship, and career development, fostering their long-term success in all aspects of the beverage industry. “

A half dozen incredible initiatives are supported by The Roots Fund including the program, Fermenting the Future, which supports high-school students from marginalized communities with opportunities toward educational pursuits in wine. They also offer sever-

al scholarships that provide financial resources to those from underrepresented communities seeking to deepen their knowledge about wine. One such scholarship, the Rooted in France scholarship, is an incredible opportunity to earn a master’s degree and live and learn all-things wine in Dijon (applications for this scholarship are currently open on the organization’s website).

Donations to The Roots Fund can be made online at givebutter.com/rootsfunddonate and keep an eye out for information on their must-attend annual Roots Fund Auction Gala, where all proceeds benefit their work.

WINE UNIFY wineunify.org

I was introduced to the organization Wine Unify by Somm Extraordinaire, Tonya Pitts, who was featured in last year’s Women+Power issue and who also serves on Wine Unify’s Advisory Board and as a mentor for the organization’s program participants. If Tonya is dedicating time and resources to something, I need to know more.

In Search of Solace Vine Finds

Wine Unify’s mission focuses on the education needed to make progress in creating a more ethnically and racially diverse wine industry, as well as amplifying the voices of those from underrepresented communities currently working in the industry. Their “Welcome” initiative provides support for those new and interested in wine to take the

Level 1 WSET course, which provides the best intro to the world of wine. Their “Elevate” initiative provides similar support for those interested in taking Level 2, 3 and 4 courses.

“Education is the cornerstone of progress in any field because it allows people to see the many different paths down

which a subject can lead,” says Wine Unify. “Obstacles to education include funding, mentorship, and/or a general feeling of exclusion.” Wine Unify seeks to eliminate those obstacles.

Financial donations to Wine Unify can be made at wineunify.org/donate

As Always, Salud!

In Search of Solace POLO LIFESTYLES VINE FINDS

In Vine Finds, we bring to Polo Lifestyle’s readers select wines that have recently struck a harmonious cord and imminently impressed us. In a world of innumerable wine producers, we seek to cut through the cacophony and curate wines suitable for both everyday enjoyment and for those special occasions.

2020 GIACOMO

FENOCCHIO BAROLO

READERS OF THIS COLUMN WILL KNOW THAT I CONSTANTLY URGE FELLOW WINE LOVERS TO EXPLORE THEIR LOCAL WINE SELLERS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN. ONE SUCH OCCASION FOR ME, A SEMINAR ON BAROLO HELD AT ONE OF MY LOCAL WINE SHOPS, INTRODUCED ME TO THE WONDERFULLY TRADITIONAL BAROLO FROM GIACOMO FENECCHIO.

I say traditional because this wine is made in the older style of wine from the region with long maceration and fermentation time and three years of aging, most of which occurs in large Slavonian oak casks, before it is bottled. If what is old is new again, tasting this Barolo felt absolutely contemporary and sexy.

The grapes for this wine – 100 percent Nebbiolo, of course –come from a roughly one-hectare area of vineyards planted in the Monforte d’Alba commune of Piedmont and from which they produce less than 600 cases per year. The Fenocchio family has been producing wine from these vineyards since 1894 and the results are magnificent, even in this entry level “normale” wine of the family’s line up. Moreover, the price point for this wine is a tremendous value for the quality it delivers.

Strikingly hued a deep ruby in the glass, aromas of rose petal-laced potpourri, earth, and anise lead to an elegant and lush experience on the palate with ripe black berries and hints of spice. Eminently drinkable now, seven to eight years of additional cellaring will most assuredly make this wine the star of any dinner party. While tasting this wine, I imagined a sumptuous feast of rich osso buco with garlicky mashed potatoes.

ASCENSION

HEAL YOURSELF AND HEAL THE WORLD

SPIRITUALITY FAITH

QUESTIONS GROWTH · FOCUS

THE PILGRIMAGE OF THE SOUL THE YEAR OF THE YIN WOOD SNAKE

“The secret to the renewal of life, the development of civilizations and the progress of humanity is, in one word, innovation.” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

AMRITLAL अमृत ASCENSION CONTRIBUTOR

@monarch_visionary

THERE IS NO DOUBT OF ANY CLEARER INDICATION OF OUR EVOLUTIONARY PROGRESS THAN OUR COLLECTIVE ABILITY TO HARNESS CONSCIOUSNESS. THE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS IS APPARENT WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF PEOPLE OVER TIME AND THE BEAUTY, AWE AND WONDER OF OUR ANCESTORS’ MAJESTIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

In 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Convention concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. The World Heritage List includes properties forming part of the

cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having “Outstanding Universal Value.” Since then, 1,199 sites in 168 States Parties have been inscribed onto the list, 933 of which are cultural, 227 natural and 39 mixed properties.

This means they represent unique and significant aspects of the world’s heritage, transcending national boundaries and serving as a vital link between the past, present, and future for all humanity. These sites are protected and preserved for future generations to appreciate and learn from and attract tourism and boost local economies while promoting cultural understanding and environmental conservation.

In this month’s Ascension contribution, we explore the astrological and spiritual implications for the Year of the Yin Wood Snake. Guest expert, Aelita Leto – Master of Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology, and Doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine – supports us with insights into the soul’s development and evolution this year as we focus on the soul’s pilgrimage home as the path

of maximum impact, innovation and self-realization.

THE SOUL’S PILGRIMAGE HOME

Around the year 400 AD, Maewyn Succat was born in Wales, and at the age of 16 was captured from his village by an Irish chieftain called Niall of the Nine Hostages. Maewyn was sold as a slave to herd sheep and swine across the sea in northeast Ireland. In his solitude and suffering, he discovered God. After receiving a supernatural message in a dream, promising him freedom and a journey back to his homeland, Maewyn escaped and walked 200 miles to the coast where he boarded a ship, eventually reaching Britain.

After being reunited with his family, following years of adventure, Maewyn received another vision of Saint Victirious, Bishop of Rome, with a letter in his hand, “The Voice of The Irish,” which he interpreted as a message to return to Ireland as a missionary – his pilgrimage to heal the pain in his heart. Following years of study to become a priest, Pope Celestine fulfilled his wish and commissioned him as bishop to preach the

gospel to the Celtic people. Maewyn adopted the name “Patricius” meaning “Father of his People,” as he left behind a legacy as the patron saint of Ireland, credited with delivering Christianity to parts of Ireland.

Saint Patrick is a spiritual icon for perseverance, service and forgiveness – absolute pillars of compassion. There are many myths and legends regarding the mystical powers delivered upon him through faith. The most notable legend is that Saint Patrick miraculously drove snakes and all venomous beasts from the island through the beating of a drum, so well that to touch Irish soil is instant death for any such creatures.

THE YEAR OF THE YIN WOOD SNAKE

In Chinese astrology, 2025 represents the year of the Yin Wood Snake, a year to be grounded in the heat of illumined sense. With your belly to the Earth, and fully alert, as a snake without eyelids, this is a year to be fully embodied in the depth of one’s spiritual self, aware of one’s conscious evolution in the present moment and in attunement with the guiding power of the natural forces. 2025 represents a year of deep alignment with one’s spiritual roots by embodying cultural appreciation for the lessons of our ancestors and adherence to the teachings that guide our senses

inward, detached from the transient nature of the external world.

The wood quality represents initiation, birth, newness and renewal, as well as ambition and the ability to surrender to the intuitive flow of our inner essence.

As a transition from the more explosive Yang Wood Dragon, the Yin Wood Snake represents an evolution of inner perception, or the sprouting of new senses for the welcoming of an evolved consciousness. Similar to the germination of a seed, which evolves through its selfless service to realize the higher celestial forces that have nourished and directed its growth, this year is a time for profound and deep reflection, from which level of consciousness emerges

ASCENSION HEAL

YOURSELF AND HEAL THE

WORLD

SPIRITUALITY FAITH QUESTIONS GROWTH · FOCUS

Dharma, our life purpose, our divine birthright, the path to realizing our true and ancient self.

Fire is the snake’s inner element, which is a yang within yang energy. This is an explosive and transformative energy; however, as it is cultivated inward with the snake’s patience and cunning adaptability, the energy is experienced as rising upward and blazing internally, not wasted haphazardly. 2025 is a year for true spiritual cultivation and calls for an examination of one’s long-term purpose, spiritual journey and soul evolution. This is a year to discover your unique blueprint, identify your capacitance, shed distractions and to harmonize your dharma as opportunities are created from within.

Yin is complementary to yang and is often associated with the divine feminine. This energy is deep, nourishing, intuitive, imaginative, patient and yielding, though highly magnetized. This year also represents opportunities for diplomatic partnerships, and breakthroughs in spiritual service and collective realizations across contrasting polarities. As such, 2025 will herald a year when opposing forces can meet in peace as higher pathways for emotional expression are forged by a driving force of purified intentions, whereby agreements can be matched for power, wisdom and resources to be mutually shared bountifully.

REALIZATION OF THE HIGHER SENSES

As the warmth of our self-awareness expands in the year of the Yin Wood Snake, we will be required to truly slow down and fully dissolve our emotional weights, the drains upon our beingness,

the heaviness of our hearts, and the constant distraction of our senses. A year to fully charge our inner Chi by mastering our relationships with nature and the elemental forces throughout every aspect of our lives, 2025 represents a profound evolution in self-perspective, a clearing of the subconscious pain body by restoring the divine flow of awareness within. A year to truly pierce into our deepest gifts with self-love and to harvest our spiritual abundance as we reunite with our spiritual lineages.

Mastering the more subtle, and yet powerful, aspects of our spiritual self, our senses can be liberated from the mundane distractions and fear-bearing tactics of society, as we are now immune to attacks upon our auric field. By continuing to push through our inner evolution, neurologically, emotionally, and physically, we can shed all layers of our multi-dimensional self that resonates with the toxic ego, the limited mind. Wrestling out of our self-constricting behaviors and tendences, we can naturally expand into realms of existence that were previously hidden from our senses – a return to the world of the living and beating heart of universal life.

2025 represents a year of finding strength in one’s spiritual presence, confidence in the invincible subtle force that harmonizes upon contact – the ability to transform from within and to constructively co-create one’s external reality to empower the unseen benevolent forces that guide our lives. As the soul realizes its higher purpose, the body and mind gradually evolve through both function and acceptance of its own spiritual light. True growth and expansion require ultimate surrender in order for the inner self to fully express its uninhibited bril-

liance. This radiance is fueled in the year of the Yin Wood Snake as the sacred fire of the heart is amplified by planetary shifts and astrological alignments that are driving humanity’s realization of unity consciousness.

In 2025, time and energy will be cultivated for the realization of one’s highest blueprint, as the naturally expansion of the soul enhances the deep emotional need for truth, balance and purpose –one’s Dharma. It is through this will, this inner fire that is delicately churned that new senses are born, and the body’s natural healing abilities are restored. A deep surrender is required to behold one’s inner light, and it is such mastery of control and release, that supports the soul’s rapture.

EMERGENCE OF THE ASTRAL SPIRIT BODY

2025 will also present the critical test and challenges that rattle our emotional and nervous systems. Circumstances shall be presented that require that we truly face ourselves, examining with heightened awareness every decision and habit to deter us from our path, as we release all that is necessary to come into our own sense of sovereignty.

The year of the Year of the Yin Wood Snake will require us to be the like the mountain, a ballast in the emotional chaos of our environment. The Kundalini Shakti Energy is a natural purifier, and electrical fire that can raise the spiritual dust, and spark unhealed emotions in those around us to rise. As one’s inner potential rises, so does the need to master the inner forces for the healing of the environment, and guardianship over those awakening. The mountain

RENEWAL

EXPLORATION · ENERGY

is a powerful resonant spiritual force that simultaneously works to cool down stress upon the planetary heart, calming the tensions of the planetary ecosystem into stillness.

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva represents the duality of creation and destruction. As the Adi-Yogi, Sanskrit for original yoga, Lord Shiva teaches us to tame and transform our demons as we master our consciousness as a perfected balance between light and dark, divine masculine and divine feminine.

Mount Kailash, in Nepal, is Lord Shiva’s sacred abode. This sacred site represents the Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra of the Earth, and is believed to be a divine axis between Heaven and Earth. A sacred site in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon religion, the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash is considered one of the world’s holiest pilgrimages and most challenging treks.

Within human anatomy, the crown chakra correlates with the pituitary, pineal and hypothalamus glands, which work together to regulate the entire endocrine system – glands that control many of the biological processes. As such, Mount Kailash may be seen to regulate the balance between the planet’s other primary chakras sites: Muladhara - Root Chakra, Mount Shasta; Swadisthana - Sacral Chakra, Lake Titicaca; Manipura – Solar Plexus, Ayer’s Rock and the Olgas; Anahata – Heart Chakra, Glastonbury Tor & Stonehenge; Visuddha – Throat Chakra, Pyramids of Giza and Mount of Olives; Ajna – Third Eye Chakra.

The planetary kundalini shakti serpent energy is a piezoelectric current that travels through each of the planetary chakras, and finally comes to rest in Mount Kailash. Through the ascension of this fire through the human chakra system, Dharma expands through the awakened consciousness that emerges

from the cosmic energy centers that are in resonance with the Earth. Through the realization of Dharma, the body naturally comes into homeostasis with the cosmic order, delivering health, spiritual wealth, purpose and an endless outpouring of joy.

Through the expansion of our Dharma, 2025 represents a year for a complete shed of association with the human self, and a mastered focus on the birthing of the radiant, spiritual self. Each chakra within the human body corresponds to each of the Earth’s cosmic energy centers. These two resonant centers are also in harmony with one another, only our identification with the mortal self, the conditioned belief system, creates resistance from this natural homeostasis between nature and man. Many ancient healing arts including both Yoga and Qigong, work to align and restore the cosmic balance and radiance within our bodies for the soul’s emergence may be birthed into our awareness.

ASCENSION

HEAL YOURSELF AND HEAL THE

WORLD

SPIRITUALITY FAITH QUESTIONS GROWTH · FOCUS

A YEAR OF SELF-REVELATION

The only way to learn, grow, heal and evolve is through experience, and the Earth is calling us to remember our ancient cultural heritage to deepen our capacitance for processing our own spiritual light, wisdom and soul memories. As we focus our attention on our soul’s evolution, the path is provided for our spiritual development.

Planetary grid-line energy and medita-

tion work allow us to psychically access the wisdom embedded within the Kundalini Shakti energies of the Earth where the healing power is heightened to enhance our abilities in service of our Universal Dharma. This can be done directly at ancient chakra sites, or at the many temples and megalithic structures that cultivate and continue to radiate this powerful divine energy.

2025 will provide ample opportunities for those who have patiently trained in

the inner realms to further pierce into the great mysteries of the Earth and to deliver that potential for innovation across less consciousness industries and economies. This will be a profoundly transformative growth year for mystics that are stepping into the light of fullest service.

For a full recording of the Year of the Yin Wood Snake, or to schedule a consultation with Aelita Leto. Please visit AelitaLeto.com

BREAK THE CHAINS

YOGA AS LIBERATION FROM SPIRITUAL BONDAGE

AMRITLAL अमृत

ASCENSION CONTRIBUTOR

@monarch_visionary

CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF MODERN YOGA, PATANJALI WAS AN INDIAN MYSTIC FROM THE VEDIC PERIOD, COMMONLY DEPICTED AS HALF-MAN, HALF-SNAKE, AND SAID TO BE AN INCARNATION OF THE THOUSAND-HEADED SERPENT-KING NAMED ANANTA, MEANING “INFINITE.” PATANJALI’S SERPENTINE REPRESENTATION DEPICTS THE KUNDALINI SHAKTI SERPENT ENERGY. THIS SYMBOLISM REPRESENTS THE IDEA THAT HE HAS TRANSCENDED DUALITY AND ATTAINED ONENESS.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali classifies Ashtanga Yoga, meaning the “eight limbs of yoga,” as an outer-to-inner process of spiritual liberation. The eight limbs of yoga are: Yama: Abstinences, Niyama: Observances, Asana: Postures, Pranayama: Breathing, Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, Dharana: Concentration of the mind, Dhyana: Meditation, Samadhi: Absorption or stillness.

Through the ancient art of Ashtanga Yoga, practitioners gradually uncoil their neurological system from the spiritual entanglements of the collective psyche by dissolving the physiological attachments to the conditioned self, burning away the pain body to alchemize trauma into enlightened consciousness. Through pranic energizing exercises that clear trauma through the nervous system, thus restoring higher sense faculties, initiates practice this ancient art to clear the pathways for their soul’s conscious birth. By channeling inward, the heart’s fire element to feed the electrical currents of purification, initiates gradually restore the inner light of the chakra system for a spiritually transformative process that gradually restructures the body’s genome, organ and hormonal function. Through the clearing of the nervous system, the Kundalini Shakti Serpent fire can ascend the spinal column and charge the senses with intention to align our lives with our true purpose.

As the Kundalini Shakti energy purifies the nervous system, the light of the soul’s awareness can penetrate into depths of one’s beingness, for a natural unfolding of cosmic radiance to restore the soul by upregulating the DNA’s genetic expression. As such, the Cosmic Sun, the rainbow fire, is unleased as the kundalini serpent energy unfolds the radiance of the heart chakra, for a full illumination of sense and a spiritual and physiological rebirth from one spiritual plane to the next. Yoga is a lifelong inner pilgrimage.

The goal of yoga is liberation from spiritual bondage, to be free from the karmic wheel of death and rebirth and thus realize an immortal sense of existence. This is achieved by accepting and fulfilling one’s Dharma. One’s Dharma, or eternal nature, unravels itself from within to realize Cosmic Consciousness. It is this radiant cosmic will that has directed our soul throughout its evolution.

As the Yin Wood Snake deepens the cosmic heart’s purification process, 2025 presents a profound opportunity for creative and imaginative expansion as resonant forces collapse into harmonies that are consciousness-guided for the healing of the Earth and society. Furthermore, as the Yin Wood Snake inflames the heart, the soul’s voice and guiding presence will become an overpowering force in overcoming whatever darkness remains in our lives. This is a year of true soul exploration, discovery and surrender, whereby the infinite creative force can truly be realized as the director of your life.

Known as one who is perfect in Dharma, a Siddha masters his numerous spiritual abilities, known as Siddhis in Sanskrit. A Siddha uses these abilities to righteously protect, uphold and spread the teachings of the Dharma throughout incarnations and across the Universe for the liberation of souls and the harmony of natural forces required for the Universal Will to function. A Siddha serves the beating heart of the Universe, the Kundalini Shakti energy, and as a result becomes a living vessel, a conduit for cosmic consciousness whereby Divinity serves at the highest level of resonance through one’s evolved senses. 2025 is an opportunity to accept your inner mastery and attune to your life to your own heartbeat.

MOLD YOUR MIND

"THE MENTAL BREAK-DOWN" PODCAST IS NOW ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS

PART 1: BUILDING BETTER HABITS

COACH JOEY VELEZ MENTAL WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR @velezmentalperformance

IHEARD THIS QUOTE RECENTLY, “IF SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL PEOPLE SHARE THE SAME GOALS, THEN THE GOAL CANNOT BE WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THE WINNERS FROM THE LOSERS.” NO ONE HEADS INTO A COMPETITION OR A PRESENTATION WITH THE HOPE OF FAILING, SO WHAT SEPARATES THESE INDIVIDUALS?

Successful individuals work every day to achieve their goals, and they do not let one hiccup stand in the way of longterm success. For example, if your goal is to get healthier and you go to the gym three days in a row, you may still be out of shape, but you are on the right track to being healthier. Successful people keep going, unsuccessful people give up because they are not seeing the immediate results. In order to achieve mastery, you must practice patience. If you want

to achieve your goals, you have to develop stronger, better habits.

HABITS > OUTCOME-BASED APPROACH

When it comes to achieving our goals, focusing too much on the outcome provides several challenges, one of those being that achieving a goal only provides a momentary change. For example, lets say your faucet sprung a leak and your goal is to stop the leak, which you complete by placing heavy-duty tape over the leak. Problem solved? Not quite, because the pipe is still broken. Solving a problem at the results level only provides a temporary solution, you have to work on the systems in place to create long-term change.

Another challenge is that goals restrict happiness. This happens two ways: 1) you continuously cut off happiness until the next milestone. For example, let's say I have a goal of getting my weight down to 200 pounds. While this is exciting, I immediately set a new goal of getting my weight down to 190 pounds without allowing myself the time to celebrate the goal I just achieved. The second 2) way goals can restrict happiness is they create an “either-or” mentality, either you achieve your goal

and are successful or you do not and are a disappointment. While this is true, when you set a goal you will either achieve it or you will not, but just because you do not achieve your goal does not mean that you have to overlook all the progress you made along the way. For example, if your goal was to lose 20 pounds, but you only lose 15 pounds, that is still something to be proud of.

Lastly, goals can may not necessarily lead to long-term change. What that means is that individuals create more effective habits in order to achieve their goals. However, once people achieve their goals, they often revert back to their old habits. The focus must change to place more of an emphasis on the daily habits I exercise versus asking, did I achieve the result I set out for?

Changing your focus can help create long-term change.

BUILDING BETTER HABITS

The first step in eliciting change is to build self-awareness so you have an idea of what needs to change, and that's with writing down your current habits.

This could be anything you do throughout your day: wake up, make your bed, brush your teeth, etc. Once you create your list, the next step is to identify

THOUGHTS MATTER

which ones are helpful, harmful, or have no impact on the type of person you want to be. The point of this exercise is not to change something in the moment, but to simply notice what is going on in your day to day.

Next, you want to pinpoint the identity that makes you do what you do as opposed to the outcome. For example, saying, “I go the gym because I am committed to fitness,” instead of, “I go to the gym to lose weight." We are an outcome-based society, where I know I achieved my goals if I see the result in front of me.

However, the result may never come, or it may show up in a different way than you expected, which usually comes in the form of “feeling different”. So, in-

stead of looking at the outcome of your habits, look at the identity behind you completing that habit.

Finally, to help elicit the desired updated habits, it can be helpful to establish a plan of action to help get the new habits started.

One of those plans is “I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION]”. What this does is create a very specific time and place you are going to execute this new behavior.

For example, “I will meditate at 8 a.m. in my car before work”. Another example of a plan is where you stack a habit you currently do, with a habit you wish to begin, which looks like “after I [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]”. For example, “After I brush

my teeth, I will sit down and read for 10 minutes”. Creating new habits or new ways of doing things are not always going to be easy, but having a plan of action can help begin and make that process stick.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Success is not a goal to reach, but a system to improve. Placing too much of an emphasis on changing the outcome might be setting you up for failure in multiple ways. A way to be more effective in achieving your goals is by changing your habits, the things you do each and every day. Not only will you increase the likelihood of achieving your goals, but you may find that you enjoy life just a little bit more.

BUGATTI TOURBILLON

Perfection in every detail. Pour l'éternité.