Sophisticated Living Louisville March/April 2023

BITTNERS

bittners.com

Photography: Kate StarkeL + Jill Nissen

pools for your lifestyle

Using experienced architectural techniques combined with the latest lighting enhancements within a professional pool design, will have you entertaining for family and friends in a resort style living right in your own backyard. Define your lifestyle by allowing us to design and build your very own personal oasis.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale

Years

At Germany's Oberhofer winery, Marlene Oberhofer and her family work with some of the oldest vines in the world using the newest know-how.

Medium Huggable Hooves bracelet by Karina Brez in rose gold ($4,800; karinabrez.com).

Photo by Kate Benson

Couvertures et Tenues du Jour Red Vintage Silk Scarf Wristlet Grand Bag from Vintage Luxe UP ($228; vintageluxeup.com)

Handbag from Radley London’s Kentucky Derby mini collection (radleylondon.com).

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF

Bridget Williams

ASSOCIATE EDITOR EMERITUS

Kay Matton

ART DIRECTOR

Jason Yann

CONTRIBUTORS

Writers

Patti Bailey

Victoria Chase

Matthew Cottrell

Colin Dennis

Chloe Gellar

Elliott Greene

Andre James

Photographers

Tony Bailey

Robert Burge

Chad Henle

Andrew Kung

Rachel Lutz

Ashley Stinson

Bill Wine

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Claire Williams

ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE

502.582.6563

CEO/PUBLISHER

Eric Williams

Sophisticated Living is published by Sophisticated Living, LLC, P.O. BOX 1229, Prospect, Kentucky 40059 USA. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living, PO Box 1229, Prospect, KY 40059. To order back issues or reprints of 100 or more, call 502.582.6563.

SLMAG.NET

In the twenty years we've been publishing Sophisticated Living, I've been fortunate to travel extensively with other journalists on assignments for magazines endowed with the kind of prestige allowing them to be referred to simply by their initials. As a green 29-year-old journalist, when I'd mention I was from Louisville, the most popular frames of reference were the Derby and, more often, Kentucky Fried Chicken. I could nearly hear the wheels turning in people's heads when they contrasted their preconceived stereotypes of Kentuckians with the fact that I was the editor and owner of a luxury magazine based in the Bluegrass.

Fast-forward to today and my how times have changed. While the Derby still ranks high, bourbon is now a very close second, with people asking about and sharing their preferred pours when I say I'm a Kentucky native. Back when Sophisticated Living was still getting started, there were around seven distilleries open to the public for tours; today, that number is creeping up to 100 and powering a multi-billion-dollar industry.

Kentucky's famous progeny arguably begins with Abraham Lincoln, born just outside Elizabethtown 17 years after Kentucky was granted statehood. While we've had plenty of homegrown standouts in the ensuing years: George Clooney, Jennifer Lawrence, Johnny Depp, Diane Sawyer, Jack Harlow, Wendell Berry, Hunter S. Thompson, Ned Beatty, Bob Edwards, Louis Brandeis, and Muhammad Ali, to name just a few, the list's makeup is pretty homogenous. Cat Runner, who recently added his name to Kentucky's famous folks' list by beating out ten contestants to win a $200k grand prize on the inaugural season of HBO's The Climb, aims to shake up the list as a transgender male athlete. You can read about his ascent starting on page 78.

Finally, it's that time of year when I ask for your support of the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb on Sunday, March 26th, at Lynn Family Stadium (climblouisville.org). Offering options for people of all fitness levels, you can learn more about the event and how to register on page 30.

Several months ago, I boldly proclaimed that I would mark my 50th trip around the sun and the 10th anniversary of The Climb by tackling 50 laps of the stadium stairs. Doing so would allow me to give back to one of my favorite charities while serving as a stand-in for what I'd long wanted to do on this big birthday—summit Mt. Everest—something that's all but impossible given my propensity for extreme altitude sickness and the desire not to lose bits of my extremities to frostbite. Tackling the 1,228-stair lap 50 times is roughly equal to 16 vertical miles, three-and-a-half miles further than the distance from South Everest's Base Camp in Nepal to the summit.

While I've long been able to push my physical limits to the brink, one of the benefits of age is that you slowly learn to heed the smoke signals your body sends out before they become a fouralarm fire. As a result, my weekly practices at the Lynn Family Stadium for the past six months have been both humbling and empowering. While the solitary slogs have upped my stamina to tolerate three hours of non-stop climbing, it's a chasm from my current fitness to the 14 hours I estimate it would take to complete the challenge. I am many things, but a quitter is not one of them, so I will save face (and my joints!) by completing 50 laps as pledged over five days leading up to and on the day of the March 26th event. At the root of this stunt is a genuine desire to raise funds and awareness for the vital work of the American Lung Association. I want to thank Donna Ramsey, Deena Adams, Patti Bailey, Dr. Sean Muldoon, and Kyle Hoylman for generously donating to my cause. If you or your company would like to support my 50-lap quest with a tax-deductible contribution, send me an email, and I'll forward the details.

I hope to see you on the stairs on March 26th!

Bridget Williams, Editor-In-Chief bridget@slmag.net

BEAUTY AND THE BIBLIOPHILE

Written by Bridget Williams / Photos by Robert Burge

The beautiful backdrop for countless wedding photos, the opulent library at Oxmoor Farm stands in contrast to the original 1700s part of the house, constructed in a humbler one-and-a-half-story colonial style compared by historians to the Barraud house in Williamsburg, apropos for an area that was still considered a part of the Virginia frontier when the farm was founded. Added in 1928 and housing 10,000 tomes, the 60’ by 28’ library wing represents the largest residential library in the Commonwealth. A portion of William Marshall Bullitt’s collection, including works by Einstein and Archimedes and reflective of his study of mathematics at Princeton, was donated by his widow to the University of Louisville in 1958.

The no-expense-spared build, initiated by William Marshall Bullitt, a Solicitor General in the William Howard Taft administration, was designed by New York architect F. Burrall Hoffman. Among the library’s defining attributes is ornate plaster carving on the ceiling crafted in Italy and shipped to Kentucky in sections. Floor-to-ceiling radius windows at the back of the room look out to the gardens, designed in 1911 by Marian Cruger Coffin, one of the country's first professional female landscape architects. Bibliophilia is a long-established Bullitt family trait, as an 1878 letter from Thomas W. Bullitt to his brother John C. Bullitt as part of the Bullitt Family Papers on deposit at the Filson Historical Society indicates. In it, Thomas writes that Gustave Bittner, a German immigrant who he refers to as a “first-rate workman,” built large walnut bookcases to house their mother’s book collection. Bittners is also credited with the library’s handsome rolling ladder. Today, Bittners, the venerable design firm Gustav founded in 1854 as a cabinet shop, continues its affiliation with the estate via periodic refreshes of the library’s accouterments. sl

GARLIC SCAPE GREMOLATA

Garlic scape season is just around the corner, so chef Seth Kinder of Barn8 Restaurant + Bourbon Bar suggests the garlic scape gremolata, made fresh daily at Barn8, as an excellent use for this spring and summer vegetable that's becoming a staple in spring gardens and sourced from farmer's markets and a few grocery stores.

The gluten-free and vegetarian dish is a restaurant favorite. "I would sprinkle this mix on anything, roasted fish, pasta agile e olio, grilled vegetables … It brightens everything up," explained Kinder. At Barn8, the gremolata appears in a mushroom risotto. "We sear off local Frondosa Farms mushrooms until caramelized, then turn off the heat and mix in the gremolata," says Kinder. "This way, it sweats from the residual heat to tease out the gremolata's fragrance and flavor and lift the mushrooms' flavor."

Chef Kinder offers a final tip: "Don't overthink it. You chop up and zest a couple of things, and people think you're a wicked cook out of nowhere. Add extra herbs or substitute others depending on how you feel or what's in your fridge & or garden."

Ingredients

• A handful of garlic scapes —6-8, depending on size

• One bunch of parsley, chopped. Separate the leaves and stems of the parsley and chop them separately, then toss them back together. This allows for a finer mince on the stems to reduce woodiness and eliminates discarding the stems.

• Two lemons, zested — "This is double what most recipes call for; I like it zesty, though."

Instructions

Prepare the scapes by cutting out the bulge and discarding them — this part is edible, if you wish, though. Next, thinly slice the scapes into discs by holding the scape perpendicular to your knife. Carefully stir all ingredients together and use within a couple of days.

Recipe courtesy of Seth Kinder, executive chef, Barn8 Restaurant + Bourbon Bar, Goshen, Ky. Photography Ryan Mahony / Hermitage Farm

Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar, in Goshen, KY, offers a seasonal menu crafted by executive chef Seth Kinder that highlights sustainable ingredients from the restaurant’s on-site gardens, three-tier climate-controlled greenhouse and neighboring farms. The restaurant’s Bourbon Bar & Lounge offers an extensive list of rare whiskeys and aged bourbons from its small batch program. The Bourbon Library also features whiskies available for purchase. Barn8 is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call (502) 889-1835, visit HermitageFarm.com

FRENCH DRESSING

Written by Bridget Williams

St. Barths…St. Bart…St. Barts... However you choose to spell it, the tiny volcanic island, encircled by shallow reefs, is endowed with an embarrassment of riches, from its abundant natural beauty to the bounty of billionaire's bodacious yachts docked in and around Gustavia's harbor during the winter months. With no shortage of sprawling villas and upscale resorts catering to the glitterati, luxury is a given. Seeking to differentiate itself, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa and its sister brand, Le Barth Villa Rentals, sets a high bar for an island idyll that pairs sumptuousness with sustainability. Going green, they say, is the new gold standard. "The hospitality industry is normalizing 'green' so that it's no longer a trend but necessary and logical," remarked Michael Martinez, Le Barthélemy's Director of Food and Beverage, during a sustainable cooking class conducted around the island of the kitchen at Le Barthélemy's oceanfront Villa Aqua.

The dramatic air arrival is part of the St. Barths' experience, highly recommended over the ferry from nearby St. Maarten, a voyage known to make even a seasoned seafarer queasy. Traveling aboard Tradewind Aviation's Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for the 45-minute flight from San Juan to one of the smallest airports in the world includes a steep descent between hills before stopping on a 2,100-foot

runway with a 2-degree downslope that terminates in the Caribbean. As many as 100 private jets a day arrive during peak season. From there, it's a short chauffeured ride to Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, opened in 2016 and nestled in the arc of St. Barths' Grand Cul-de-Sac beach, a pretty lagoon with white sand beaches and calm, shallow water courtesy of an offshore coral reef that keeps roiling waves at bay. It's a setting that Sebastian Maingourd, Regional General Manager of Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, says "creates a secluded privacy that encapsulates our ethos of using nature as our muse to cultivate the deepest sense of relaxation. The island's buzz in Gustavia and St. Jean is set apart, yet easily accessible so guests can enjoy the best of both worlds."

Apropos for an island full of beautiful people, an army of impeccably attired attendants were waiting as our car arrived, making the check-in process seamless and quick and immediately exemplifying what the property calls their "human-centered, couture hospitality." Not wanting to miss our first sunset, we sent our bags to our rooms and headed for the Amis St. Barth bar, where we had difficulty selecting a celebratory cocktail from an innovative lineup that included ingredients such as bergamot, gingerbread syrup, and lemon foam.

Sipping and surveying the alfresco environment of the common areas, I noted that the familiar motifs of island décor are both understated and deliberate and accentuated by whimsical touches, such as birdcage chairs in the reception area. Vibrant pops of color that call to mind the sea, sun, and blue skies contrast with natural textures of rattan, terracotta, wood, and stone.

Forty-four rooms and suites populate two-story buildings whose steeply pitched rooflines mirror the contours of the surrounding landscape. Guests can opt for ocean, garden, or lake views, with many first-floor ocean-view rooms boasting heated private plunge pools. Those needing more elbow room can book a three-bedroom suite or one of two on-site oceanfront six-bedroom villas, each with a 55-foot swimming pool.

Le Barthélemy's villa rental company has access to 250 of the most luxurious properties on the island combined with 24/7 concierge services, and all the amenities of being a guest at a hotel voted the #1 Resort in St Barths, the #1 Best Resort in the Caribbean and among the Best Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Reader's Choice Awards 2022. Your budget is the only limit on their a la carte menu of experiences.

"Our portfolio of villas spans every nook and cranny across the island so guests can choose the qualities that matter most to

them – whether it's beachfront access or a panoramic birds-eye view, the layouts and amenities are virtually infinite," said Guillaume Bichot, General Manager of Le Barth Villa Rentals. "Beyond having their own private space, Le Barth Villa Rentals go above and beyond to allow guests the same exclusive access to Le Barthélemy's luxury resort amenities— including a guaranteed lounge chair on the resort's spectacular beach – at no additional cost."

My second-floor Le Barth Ocean room boasted a soaring vaulted ceiling and a large terrace with a retractable screen that invited the sound of the waves in and kept pesky bugs out. As part of the brand's commitment to sustainability, supreme cotton sheets in guest rooms are made of traceable organically grown cotton, and sixty percent of all in-room amenities come from ethical and environmentally friendly labels.

Familiarizing myself with the graciously proportioned room and admiring the bulbous blown glass pendant lighting on one side of the bed, I was thrilled to find a box of truffles and a bottle of the house champagne - Leclerc Briant – a pioneer in biodynamic bubbly, on ice in a custom branded box. There's also a "champagne please" button on the in-room phone should you find your well has run dry. Le Barthélemy's owners purchased Leclerc Briant, founded in 1872 on a single plot in Epernay, France, in 2012.

Living room in the Jocapana villa

Primary bedroom in Blanc Bleu Living room in the Ixfalia villa

At evening view at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, looking across the extended pyramid skylight of the subterranean La Spa to the oceanfront inifinity pool.

Reflective of UNESCO's 2010 declaration of the "The Gastronomic Meal of the French" as a World Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the hotel's recently revamped Amis St. Barth restaurant is now a dining destination in its own right. Here, executive chef Vincent Gomis' dishes, such as black truffle lobster piemontaise, stuffed squid, and chicken breast with a flavorful olive crust, are infused with the flavors of the South of France and the Mediterranean basin. In addition, Le Barthélemy's affable advanced sommelier, hailing from a two Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, offers expert pairing advice and is available to lead guests through an hour-long immersion covering a trio of different wines. Impress your friends by polishing your bartending skills during cocktail master class led Amis St Barths' mixology bartender Thursday through Monday.

Chef Gomis, who grew up among a family of chefs in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, followed his passions to the hilltop French culinary town of Carcassonne at the young age of 15. He went on to work at one of Paris' most revered restaurants, Epicure at Le Bristol, alongside triple Michelin-starred French Chef Eric Fréchon. The kitchen at Amis is a family affair, as Gomis' wife Marie Cécile, whom he met at Le Bristol, is the sous-chef.

Gomis is committed to getting the kitchen close to zero waste and sourcing seasonal ingredients, citing sustainably harvested local mahi-mahi and spices from neighboring Guadeloupe as examples. "As a chef, I want to be able to make every product special," he said during our intimate cooking class, where he shared that overlooked vegetable peels are part of his unique sauces and dressings and that the kitchen composts non-edible food waste.

As if one was remiss in noticing the scores of pretty people partaking of the toes-in-the-sand lunch at Amis St. Barth, the owner of the on-site boutique regularly uses the boardwalk lining the al fresco dining area as a runway for long-legged models to showcase her collection of unique clothing, swimsuits, and accessories.

Innovative and upscale dining isn't limited to the confines of the restaurant. As part of their bespoke guest experiences, we booked a day aboard Le Barthélemy's 35-foot Boston Whaler. Departing directly from the hotel, we explored quiet coves, admired dramatic cliffside villas, and indulged in a picnic lunch of grilled octopus and Niçoise salad (and bubbly, of course), among other delicacies. The sky is the limit regarding Amis St. Barths' range of customized dining experiences; we enjoyed a multi-course bohemian beachfront feast illuminated with candlelight and laughter.

Interior of Amis St. Barth restaurant

A picnic lunch on board the hotel's 35-foot Boston Whaler. Chef Vincent Gomis

Alfresco lunch at Amis St. Barth restaurant

One of Le Barthélemy's most unique aspects is the comprehensive offerings at its subterranean Le Spa, whose common area sits beneath a skylight reminiscent of the Louvre's famous pyramid. Notably, Le Spa has the distinction of being the only Caribbean hotel utilizing La Mer products. A nod to Sweden's control of St. Barths from 1784-1878, the spa's Nordic baths comprise a trio of Red Cedar plunge pools ranging from horribly cold to hot. The self-guided journey is invigorating and endorphin-boosting. Treatment rooms feature ceilings animated with a cosmography of fiber optic lighting that induces a dreamlike state even before the treatment commences. An indulgent facial incorporating La Mer's Miracle Broth, derived from highly regenerating Giant Sea Kelp, left my skin noticeably glowy for days.

Le Spa's newest offerings— Janzu and Aquatic Tibetan Sound Healing—are unique-to-the-island offerings aimed at holistic well-being. During Janzu, a trained expert utilizes the weightlessness of water and the deep state of relaxation it encourages to guide guests through a series of rhythmic movements inspired by ancient Shamanic regression techniques. Paired with Janzu or a stand-alone experience, singing bowls are

placed on top of the water during Aquatic Tibetan Sound Healing, allowing the sound to transmit deep vibrational frequencies 4x faster than through air, creating a profound vibrational effect on the internal organs and energy system. Guests can experience these treatments in the Nature's Reserve in front of the hotel when the ocean is calm, in private plunge pools, the hotel's oceanfront infinity pool, or villa pools.

An all-encompassing destination, the on-site watersports program means that days are amply occupied by snorkeling or paddling in the lagoon, where you're nearly guaranteed to spot a sea turtle. In addition, the surrounding reefs are undergoing active restoration partly due to the hotel's partnership with Coral Restoration St. Barth.

After dinner, Le Barthélemy's rooftop bar, Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot, cheekily named after the manager's reaction following the 2017 hurricane when he surveyed the space and found it nearly unscathed among the wreckage, is the place for inventive cocktails, live music, and buzzy DJ sets. "We've created a vacation experience that nurtures and reinvigorates the mind, body, and soul," said Maingourd. sl

For more information, visit www.lebarthelemyhotel.com or connect with them on social media @lebarthelemy, @amis_stbarth, and @lebarth_villas.

Entryway at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa Couple's treament room at Le Spa

Nordic baths at Le Spa

F1 RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS

Written by Bridget Williams

If you’ve ever been in the back seat of an Uber as it inched its way through the seemingly ceaseless traffic on the Las Vegas strip, it would seem hard to believe that in November of this year, a select few drivers will have the privilege of racing down the garishly grand boulevard in excess of 200 MPH as part of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix and related events on November 16-19. The event marks the first time the unmistakable shrill whine of an F1 engine operating at max capacity will quicken pulses in Sin City in nearly four decades.

In 1981 and 1982, the F1 world championship was decided by the Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix and staged on a temporary anticlockwise street circuit curiously squeezed between concrete barriers in a coiled snake configuration within the Caesar’s Palace parking lot. Australian driver Alan Jones, driving for Williams-Ford won the 75-lap race in 1981, with Michele Alboreto taking the checkered flag the following year in a Terrell-Ford. The 1982 race marked the end of famed driver Mario Andretti’s F1 career. However, he would return to the site to race after F1 dropped Vegas from

its calendar and the circuit was reconfigured into a modified oval for Indy Car. In 1984, the last year of parking lot racing in Vegas, Andretti was crowned the Indy Car series champion.

The 2023 track design is 3.8 miles long from start to finish, with top speeds estimated to be over 212mph. Held on the evening of November 19 under lights in the heart of Las Vegas, the typical strip energy will be amplified with additional off-track entertainment before the drivers take on 50 race laps designed with three main straights and 17 corners. Drivers will zoom past iconic locations including Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio, and the Venetian.

If attendance at kickoff events this past November is any indication, demand for tickets will far exceed the 100,000+ official spectator capacity. “Taking over the sports and entertainment capital of the world for almost an entire week is going to be a game changer for Formula 1 and has the potential to set the benchmark for all global sports and entertainment events in the future,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

The Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix will take over the strip with racing and scores of off-track entertainment from November 16-18

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes driving on track during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 launch party on November 05, 2022 on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Ticket prices will start at $500. Premium seating experiences include:

• Paddock Club

Enjoy the epitome of Las Vegas hospitality from the best seats in the house. The Paddock Club sits on a newly- purchased 39-acre parcel of land adjacent to Las Vegas Boulevard, serving as the central point of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

• Wynn Grid Club

Located inside the Paddock Club with a theme heartening back to the 1920s, the Gatsby-esque setting will offer the most indulgent and glamorous vantage point to watch the race.

• Skyboxes

Situated above the premium start/finish grandstand featuring excellent views of the start/finish and the pre- and post-race festivities.

• Suites

These private suites feature elevated views of the race action as the cars head into the Koval straightaway.

Through an initiative with the Las Vegas Grand Prix Foundation, in just 24 hours this past August, F1 fans interested in securing a spot in line for tickets donated enough funds to provide one million free meals to the local Las Vegas community. “While we are confident in the positive economic impact the Grand Prix will bring to the greater Las Vegas area, we are focused on making a difference for those most in need,” said Grand Prix’s CEO Renee Wilm." We are in Las Vegas for the long term and look forward to contributing to the community in many ways over the coming years. One million free meals is just the beginning.”

Charitable contributions will also benefit Green Our Planet, which assists “farmpreneur” and school garden programs at Clark County Schools and the Just One project to grow its no-cost Community Markets.

“A ticket to the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be the hottest ticket in global sport,” said Domenicali. For more information, visit formula1.com/en/racing/2023/Las_Vegas.html. sl

Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, Steven Sisolak, Governor of Nevada, Jim Gibson, Clark County Commission Chair and pose for a photograph after painting the start line during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 launch party on November 05, 2022 on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

PAVÉ THE WAY

Meaning “pavement” in French, stones in a pavé setting create an unbroken line of continuous sparkle.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Louis Vuitton LV Volt One Pendant necklace ($6,000; uslouisvuitton.com) | Loree Rodkin Love pendant with black and gray pavé-set diamonds ($15,000; loreerodkin.com) | Ritique Orchid pendant necklace ($3,290; ritique.com) | Halo bangle from Georg Jensen x Sophie Bille Brahe ($11,000; georgjensen.com) | Misahara Icy chain bracelet ($12,100; misahara.com) | Walters Faith Lytton rose gold and pavé diamond bombe bracelet ($49,500; waltersfaith.com) | Rush Jewelry Design signature cleaved diamond ring ($4,600; rushjewelrydesign.com) | Lydia Courteille Paris bespoke diamond ring (lydiacourteille.com/en) | ITA Jewelry Acu pavé pinky ring ($3,200; itajewelry.com) | Pavé diamond ring with fancy pink diamonds set in rose gold from Albarre Jewelry in St. Louis (price upon request; albarre.com) | Rainbow K Handcuff ring ($4,000; rainbowkjewelry.com) | Brent Neale initial diamond pavé signet ring ($14,500; brentneale.com) | Ali Weiss square pavé diamond signet ring ($1,450; aliweissjewelry.com) | Ginette NY black diamond disc ring ($3,360; ginette-ny.com) Harvey Owen Hex necklace ($44,265; harveyowen.com) | Rae locket with pavé diamonds on 30" chain from Monica Rich Kosann ($5,230). Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, and monicarichkosann.com. | Medium Infinity necklace from Phillips House ($1,999). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, phillipshouse.com. | Kwiat Swirl drop earrings ($7,300). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, King Jewelers in Nashville, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and kwiat.com. | Vhernier Aladino full pavé earclips (vhernier.com) | Azlee pavé and baguette diamond hoops ($7,290; azleejewelry.com) | Pomellato 18K rose gold Fantina earrings with pavé diamond accents ($13,500). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Diamond

WILD AND WONDERFUL

at Mahali Mzuri.

"Hello lady...Are you awake?"

Written by Bridget Williams

Under any other circumstances, hearing an unfamiliar man's voice call out in the pre-dawn darkness to rouse me from sleep would have sounded an immediate alarm. But here, following my first night at Mahali Mzuri, during which I listened intently to an intermittent cacophony of animal noises so close I was certain that the Great Migration was taking place outside my tent, the endearingly low-tech wake-up call put a smile on my face as my brain navigated the fuzzy boundary delineating dreamland and reality.

Opened in 2013 and part of Sir Richard Branson's portfolio of luxury properties operating under the Virgin Limited Edition umbrella, Mahali Mzuri is one of just five safari camps in Kenya's Olare Motorogi Conservancy, part of the larger Maasai Mara ecosystem. The result of a comprehensive and collaborative effort to provide a mutually beneficial arrangement for wildlife and the Maasai pastoralist community, there are only 94 beds allowed within its 33,000 protected acres, meaning that visitors get incomparable and uncrowded wildlife viewing experiences.

The five camps located in the conservancy make monthly rental payments to local tribes and donate $5 per night per guest to The Maa Trust (themaatrust.org), a research-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment of Maasai women,

youth, and children for the long-term sustainable conservation of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Mahali Mzuri takes its philanthropy a step further by supporting a local primary school. A visit here is a humbling experience, particularly when considering what conditions were like before the recent renovations. Resort guests can have a donation to the school added to their folio at checkout or request the school's wish list before their stay as part of their "Pack for a Purpose" program. Visits can also be arranged to the Maa Trust's beading shop and a local village, where 100% of the tour costs are donated back to the community.

At Mahali Mzuri, which means 'beautiful place' in Swahili, accommodations encompass 12 tented suites that cantilever over a valley bisected by something more precious than gold in this parched region: the Olkuroto River. Technically glamping, the spacious tented suites are far from roughing it. Outside, the colors of the canvas blend with the local stone and indigenous red oat grass. Inside, interior designer Yvonne Golds of Real Studio worked closely with Kenyan designers and artisans to source local fabrics, furniture, and artwork. A generous overhanging roof creates an oasis of shade on the tent's large terrace and makes an ideal spot for afternoon yoga during the time in-between game drives. It was surreal to come up from a downward dog to see a giraffe nibbling the treetops below my tent.

Culture, philanthropy, and camaraderie enhance the safari experience

Dinner under the starts at Mahali Mzuri

Mahali Mzuri's inifinity pool is nestled beneath the camp into a natural alcove of boulders.

Interior of a guest tent.

With only 94 beds in the 33,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, vistors get incomporable and uncrowded wildlife viewing experiences.

A lionness en route to chasing down her breakfast

When it's dark, guests must have a Maasai tribe member escort them from their tent to and from the common areas. One evening I asked my guide if he ever spots animals close to the walkway; a quick flick of his flashlight to the right illuminated a massive water buffalo chomping on grass. Smiling from ear to ear after seeing my surprise, he said, "No fences here."

Splitting the camp in two is a common area comprised of tents for dining and lounging and a large deck with ample seating for savoring the view. This centralized setup brings guests together at various points throughout the day to swap stories of what they'd seen and experienced, creating charming camp camaraderie. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that the food is outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the soup of the day – cold at lunch and hot at dinner. In-camp meals are complemented by experiences like campfire cocktails and a lavish buffet BBQ dinner in the bush. At the lounge tent, bartender Raymond serves up craft cocktails with Swahili names inspired by the animals and the landscape. My favorite was the "Dawa," an easily replicable chilled version of the hot toddy made with vodka, lime, and honey.

There are two game drives each day. The first departs just as the colors of the sky turn from bruised to blush. When asked what was on the itinerary, Jackson, our guide, responded, "a game drive

is like fishing…let us see what nature will provide us." Nature felt particularly peacocky on our inaugural morning drive, with the opening hours unfolding like the acts of a dramatic stage play. Fifteen minutes after leaving camp, we spotted a trio of impossibly cute lion cubs from the Iseketa pride languidly sunbathing atop a rock when the lionesses suddenly sprang into action. Jackson told us to hold on and gave chase in our 4x4 vehicle. Soon we were witnessing the lionesses taking down a trio of wildebeests a few hundred feet from our vehicle—close enough to hear flesh tearing and the lionesses' guttural grumbles of satisfaction.

Initially unsure of how we'd feel about a front-row seat to such a "circle of life" moment, in short order, our group acted like Romans watching a battle in the Coliseum and calling for more. Jackson soothed our sad feelings for the doomed quadrupeds after telling us that the Swahili term for the wildebeest is sifuri ubongo, translated as "zero brains." However, our bloodthirst was tested on a subsequent outing when a tiny leopard cub came dangerously close to being a hyena's lunch. Moments like this, and seeing a doe-eyed Jackal, who could have been ripped from the pages of a Disney storybook, carrying the head of a baby gazelle in its mouth, gave me a whole new perspective on life and the fact that my worries seem trivial when compared with constantly worrying about being eaten!

Maasai guide Jackson provding a warm welcome before a sunrise game drive.

Adumu, the Maasai jumping dance

A mother elephant and her offspring, the littlest just weeks old.

Picnic lunch in the bush.

A tense moment as a young lion eyes a water buffalo grazing beneath the pride in close proximity to our 4x4.

Raymond serves craft cocktails with Swahili names inspired by the landscape.

It was candy that drew Jackson, who grew up on the main road leading into the conservancy, to become a guide. Noticing that "little white jeeps" always had an ample supply of candy, he and his friends would run alongside, yelling, "give me sweets" (something we also heard at the primary school). "I told my friends I wanted to be a driver because I was sure I'd get lots of candy," he laughed. With fifteen years of experience, Jackson explained that becoming a guide is more than just learning to drive; he holds a specialty certification from the Koiyaki Guiding School. Book smarts and natural curiosity combine to make Jackson a wealth of knowledge about wildlife and the region's 43 distinct tribes. I quickly filled a notebook with his anecdotes, from Maasai burial practices to how fences and elephants have accelerated deforestation.

During our conversations with Jackson, it was interesting to learn how the culture of the Maasai continues to evolve as tourism improves their quality of life. Programs like Lighting Up Africa, which brings renewable, off-grid energy to remote communities, allow for access to the internet and the outside world, but traditions persist. For example, while the iPhone in his pocket signals success, Jackson said the measure of his personal wealth remains based on the number of cows in his herd.

Constantly scanning the horizon, eagle-eyed Jackson always spotted the next frame of our highlight reel from far away and jokingly referred to our many erroneous sightings as "ATLs," or

"animal-looking things." Unlike the Maasai Mara, where vehicles are limited to designated roadways, guides in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy are free to go off-road in a respectful pursuit of wildlife, who generally seemed unbothered by our presence, as long as we kept all of our extremities in the vehicle. Jackson said that while it would be common to have 20 vehicles crowded around a sighting in the Maasai Mara, in Olare, only five can congregate.

Like the wildlife who seek shade to sleep away the heat of the day, the afternoons at Mahali Mzuri are all about relaxation. Some guests retreat to the infinity pool, nestled into a natural alcove of grey boulders, or to the spa, located in a secluded spot close to the valley floor.

Making an appointment at the latter was a no-brainer following a blissful neck and shoulder massage offered during check-in, an amenity I'd choose over a welcome cocktail any day.

After dinner each evening, I'd settle into bed, grateful for the thoughtful addition of a hot water bottle under the sheets to avert the evening chill (along with one waiting in my seat in the 4x4 each morning). I was excited to drift off to sleep, not only because I was physically spent following the fullness of the day's itinerary but also because I knew my dreams would be splendidly saturated with the colors and culture of Kenya. sl

Rates at Mahali Mzuri start from $1,700 per person/night. For more information and reservations, visit virginlimitededition.com/en/mahali-mzuri.

Picnic lunch in the bush.

ARM CANDY

Daniel Craig wearing the 42MM Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition during a November 2022 black tie gala in London marking sixty years of James Bond ($9,200). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati and omegawatches.com. | Bell & Ross Cyber Skull Bronze with BR-CAL.210 calibre, By turning the crown, the jaw of the skull comes alive. Limited edition of 500 pieces ($11,400). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Kings Jewelers in Nashville and bellross.com. | Longines Dolcevita L5.512.4.92.2 with orange lacquered dial ($1,350). Available through Davis Jewelers in in Louisville, Kings Jewelers in Nashville and longines.com. | Anya Taylor-Joy wearing Jaeger-LeCouture’s Rendez-Vous Dazzling Shooting Star. The blue aventurine dial is surrounded by a ring of claw-set diamonds ($84,500). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Kings Jewelers in Nashville and jaeger-lecoultre.com/us-en. | Nouvel Heritage Sunday in Miami limited edition mood bangle ($2,000). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in This page, clockwise from top left: Picchiotti reversible Xpandable diamond, coral and white ceramic bracelet ($36,700). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and picchiotti.it. | John Hardy Classic Chain pull through bracelet in a variety of birthstones (from $895). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, and johnhardy.com. | Nouvel Heritage Sunday in Miami limited edition mood bangle ($2,000). Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis and nouvelheritage.com. | Arnold & Son drew on the year of the Water Rabbit to inspire the latest version of its Perpetual Moon ($61,800; arnoldandson.com) | Extensible 5ct rainbow sapphire stretch bracelet in 18k yellow gold ($9,400). Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Elleard B. Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and extendluxury.com. | L’Atelier Nawbar Pillar diamond bangle ($4,500; lateliernawbar.com) | Sloane Street turquoise and diamond bracelet ($4,215). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus and Nashville; Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, and sloanest.com. | Gemstone bangles from Albarré Jewelry in St. Louis (from $1,600; albarre.com) | Marco Bicego 18K yellow gold Paradise mixed gemstone three strand bracelet ($3,630). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus and Nashville, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, King Jewelers in Nashville, Simons Jewelers in St Louis and at us.marcobicego.com. | Bea

Bongiasca x ANANYA Fine Jewelry Rainbow Chakra bracelet ($6,380; ananyaxbea.com) | Valery Brenda Shea heart charm bracelet ($5,950; valerybrinda.com)

OLD WORLD, NEW TRICKS

Germany's Oberhofer winery works with some of the oldest vines in the world using the newest know-how.

Written by Claire Williams / Images courtesy of Oberhofer Winery

Looking out over the 62 acres of vines on the Oberhofer winery, you can see the terracotta-tiled roofs of the village of Edesheim and the local church's steeple. Piercing the horizon are the Haardt mountains, which protect the town from the frigid and wet weather blowing in from the Atlantic, giving this region the aptly named title "The Tuscany of Germany." Edesheim sits in the Pfalz region of Germany, also known as "the Palatinate," in southwest Germany just north of France's Alsace region and only an hour south of Frankfurt.

The Haardt mountains make it one of the warmer and drier areas in Germany, allowing almonds, figs, and lemons to grow here alongside wine grapes in villages whose home call to mind the structure of a cuckoo clock. With a favorable microclimate and extra sunny days compared to the rest of the country, the only thing brighter than the sun is the contagious smiles of the Oberhofer family.

The Oberhofer family first started making wine in 1754 in Alto Adige, Italy. Some 250 years later, after emigrating to Germany, Stefan and Heidi Oberhofer built the foundation for their own winery by merging their parents' vineyards on the Southern Wine Route to establish the Oberhofer winery in Edesheim. One could say the Oberhofers are one of the original "nepo babies" of the wine world. Now their children have a hand in the business (literally),

with their son Pascal as the resident winemaker at just 29 years old and their two other children helping out as well.

Contrary to most well-established and revered family wineries in the Old World, the Oberhofers don't believe in old practices and outdated traditions but instead evolving their winery for the modern age. Stefan and Heidi give their son creative freedom to try new techniques and styles of wine. Just 15 years ago, the Oberhofers switched to strictly organic winegrowing, way before "organic" became the buzzword it is today, and were leading the charge on organic viticulture in Germany.

One of the easiest ways to understand their approach is through one of the winemakers' favorite quotes from an unknown source: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." At its roots, organic winegrowing is about preserving biodiversity in vineyards and maintaining soil life so that the terroir of winegrowing areas doesn't deteriorate to a point where the cultivation of vines will no longer be possible.

The youngest of the Oberhofer children, Marlene, explains her family’s philosophy by saying, "The more you take care of your soil, you have more healthy vines and powerful grapes, and the less you have to 'add' anything during the winemaking process to compensate mistakes and illness from the grapes." Therefore, they don't use chemicals or pesticides and co-cultivate

Winemaker Pascal Oberhofer

various other plants within the vineyard's rows, which naturally adds nutrients to the soil and strengthens the vines.

The Oberhofer's production is primarily white grapes: Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer Just under forty percent of their grapes are red: Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The climate, reminiscent of Northern Italy, makes their wines fresh and balanced, perfect for those who enjoy nice acidity and fruit components in their wine. Their Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of exotic fruits balanced with vegetal aromas. Their Riesling, susceptible to the soil and climate, thrives in this region with cool nights and warm days, resulting in notes of crisp apple, citrus fruit, honey, and minerality, all balanced by fresh acidity.

While the Oberhofers fully embrace modern methods, they're also proud to have the oldest vine in the world, known as "The Eldest ."Church documents record an unknown winegrower planted vines during the Thirty Years' War in the early-to mid17th century in "Rhodter Rosengarten ."Despite being one the most destructive and protracted conflicts in European history, four hundred of those ancient vines still exist today, growing in the rich limestone marl soil and producing a small yield of Gewürztraminer grapes. The grapes are hand-harvested, and after fermentation, wine from "The Eldest" is aged in oak barrels,

followed by a gentle filtration and another three months of aging in complete darkness. Due to the fragility and small yield of the vine, the only way to taste this vieille vigne is to get your hands on one of the 300 bottles produced in those years when yields allow cultivation.

The Oberhofer's have taken place in national and international competitions, such as AWC Vienna and the Meininger's International Spirits Award, where they have won both silver and gold, along with three different design awards for the packaging of their Eldest wine. Looking to the future, the Oberhofers want to continue their objective of growing their vines harmoniously with nature rather than fighting against it. Reminiscent of looking out across the Oberhofer vineyards, their bottles have a design that is a kaleidoscope of colors, different for each vintage. Marlene says, "The design of the labels reminds us of the many elements that make this genuine natural product possible: The family farm. The ecological care of soil and vines. The care of the harvest. The artisanal winemaking in the cellar. The patience during storage. The joy of the product. The harmony between the generations and how every single point works together,". The Oberhofers have found a balance between their vines and nature, work and family, the past and the future, to create a truly exceptional wine domain. sl

Marlene Oberhofer with her father Stefan

BOTTLED IN BOND

Written by Bridget Williams

January 15th marked 110 years since Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford officially formed a partnership leading to the creation of the first Aston Martin car, rising from humble beginnings in a small workshop in Henniker Mews, London, and becoming one of the world's most renowned automotive marques. To commemorate the milestone, Aston Martin commissioned a series of photographs bringing together two of its iconic models—the record-breaking 1923 racer Razor Blade alongside the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar—highlighting the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and applying engineering from Grand Prix racing to the road.

One of the earliest cars to be designed explicitly with aerodynamics in mind and propelled by an Aston Martin Grand Prix specification engine, the trailblazing Razor Blade took numerous class records at Brooklands in 1923, a year on from Aston Martin's Grand Prix debut with TT1 – the car nicknamed 'Green Pea'. A century later, the era-defining Valkyrie embodies Aston Martin's role as an innovator with its high-performance models that modern Formula One engineering to the road.

2023 is already turning out to be a monumental year for the brand, which recently sent out a sweet swan song for its DBS with the unleashing of the DBS 770 Ultimate. Long associated with cars of exquisite style and intoxicating performance, since 2018, the DBS nameplate has stood at the pinnacle of Aston Martin's series production range: a Twin-Turbo V12 powerhouse endowed with ferocious power and unmatched style.

The DB moniker, named for English industrialist David Brown, came about after he acquired the company in 1947. While not an official DB model, the 2-Liter Sport, Based on Aston Martin's Atom concept car, is the first model to be produced under Brown's leadership and became known as the DB1. It secured a spot in the annals of racing with a decisive victory in its debut outing, the 1948 Spa 24 Hours.

A highly-collectible variant of Aston Martin's flagship Super GT, extensive design and engineering enhancements combine to make the DBS 770 Ultimate the fastest and most powerful production model in Aston Martin's history. Available in both Coupe and Volante variants, the DBS770 Ultimate is limited to 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes, all of which are spoken for.

Aston Martin, the marque of choice for James Bond, opens up a year-long celebration of its 110th anniversary.

DBS 770 Ultimate features a ferocious iteration of Aston Martin's quad-cam 60-deg 5.2-litre V12 engine. Developing 770PS at 6500rpm and a colossal 900Nm of torque from just 1800rpm to 5000rpm, it propels the hypercar to a top speed of 211mph. The engine benefits from both modified air and ignition pathways that provide a seven-percent increase in maximum turbo boost pressure. Precise tuning of power and torque curves gives the driver a sense of boundless performance, with an intoxicating blend of exceptional response, outstanding in-gear acceleration, and the authentic V12 soundtrack.

Aston Martin Chief Technology Officer, Roberto Fedeli, said of the DSB 770 Ultimate: "When an iconic model generation reaches the end of production, it is important to mark the occasion with something special. In the case of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we have spared nothing in ensuring the final version of our current series production flagship is the best ever in every respect. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, thanks to a comprehensive suite of improvements to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure; it is also the best to drive."

Later this year, Aston Martin will unveil the first of its highly anticipated next generation of sports cars, teased via prototype as a more aggressive successor of the DB11, which will further enhance Aston Martin's focus on ultra-luxury, high-performance, and driving intensity. The milestone will also take center stage of this year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone (July 7-9), Goodwood Festival of Speed (April 15-16), Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (August 20th), and other significant events as part of a global marketing campaign entitled 'Intensity: 110 Years in the Making'. Amedeo Felisa, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: "In 1913, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford came together with a shared vision of racing cars and using learnings from the racetrack to push the boundaries of automotive innovation. One hundred ten years and little over 110,000 cars later, that spirit continues. Our 110th year promises to be just as exciting as our first, as we turn a new chapter in Aston Martin history with the launch of our next generation of sports cars and the reveal of an extraordinary special model later this year that will celebrate this unique milestone." sl

Bibliotaph...

Compiled by Victoria Chase

The story of bestselling food writer Nigel Slater’s life via 150 easy recipes based on his childhood food memories and culinary inspirations, interspersed with reflective personal essays. Nigel Slater—A Cook’s Book—hardcover, 512 pages, Ten Speed Press

In her first book, interior designer Betsy Wentz shares 12 fabulous family homes filled with exciting mixes of color and pattern. Betsy Wentz—Design Happy: Colorful Homes for the Modern Family— hardcover, 224 pages; gibbs-smith.com

Just in time for March madness, David Hollander, JD, an ssistant dean and clinical professor with the Tisch Institute for Global Sport at New York University, provides a thought-provoking exploration of how basketball—and the values rooted in the game— can solve today’s most pressing issues. David Hollander—How Basketball Can Save the World: 13 Guiding Principles for Reimagining What’s Possible—hardcover, 320 pages, Harmony Press

Alex Prud’homme, coauthor of Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France, invites readers into the White House kitchen to reveal the sometimes curious tastes of twenty-six of America’s most influential presidents, how their meals were prepared and by whom, and the ways their choices affected food policy around the world. Alex Prud’homme— Dinner With the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House— Hardcover, 512 pages, Knopf Publishing

From Jeff Benedict, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tiger Woods and The Dynasty, this is the definitive biography of basketball legend LeBron James. Jeff Benedict—LeBron— hardcover, 576 pages, Avid Reader Press

or hoards books

Until recently, the “Big Five” referred to the five big-game animals that were most difficult for colonial hunters to shoot and kill. For this book, wildlife photographer Graeme Green received feedback from 50,000 participants around the world who voted for the five animals they most wanted to photograph: the elephant, polar bear, tiger, lion, and gorilla. The resulting book brings together the world’s greatest wildlife photographers, conservationists, and advocates in a mission to not only celebrate the natural beauty of the animal world, but to raise awareness of the crucial issues facing these magnificent creatures. Available April 4. Graeme Green—The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project for Endangered Species—hardcover, 272 pages, Earth Aware Editions.

Using the science of neuroaesthetics, authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years. Available March 21. Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross—Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us—hardcover, 304 pages, Random House Publishing

John Whelan and Oskar Proctor traveled throughout Europe visiting ateliers, some established during the Renaissance, where European artists work and teach their crafts. The profiles of these decorative arts workshops detail how artisans continue to maintain the highest centuries-old standards of workmanship and creativity. John Whelan (writer), Oskar Proctor (photographer)—Ateliers of Europe— hardcover, 288 pages, Prestel

'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf]: a person who caches

Aerial photography of quintessentially Californian homes by renowned architects that emphasize the indoor-outdoor relationship and an intensive attention of landscaping. Available in May. Eva Hagberg—A View from the Top: The Viewpoint Collection—hardcover, ORO Editions; oroeditions.com.

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL

What’s new and notable for the home inside and out.

Tradeshows and markets have come roaring back across the globe in 2023, with companies using events such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), and Maison & Objet/Paris Design Week to launch products aimed at both the trade and consumers. We’ve run the gamut of exhibitors, sorting through offerings ranging from wacky to wonderful, to share a few of our new favorite things.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Opposite page: Recently launched products from Castro Interiors include the Harp chair, Elea dining table and Teardrop suspension lamp (castrointeriors.com) This page, clockwise from top left: Jomo Tariku Ashanti stool/end table (jomofurniture.com) | Extruded Ribbon Console (2022) by Marc Newson and presented by Gagosian as part of Paris Design Week, is a work carved from a single piece of Azul Macaubas marble (marc-newson.com).| Designed by art director Antonio Citterio, and presented at Maison&Objet in Paris, Maxalto’s Lilum is designed specifically for convivial and intimate interactions (maxalto.com).| Tokasu is L’Objet’s newest collection, handmade and inspired by the Japanese technique of indigo dyeing ($325-$475; l-objet.com) | ISLABLANCA outdoor chair from GANDIABLASCO | Spinni is Division Twelve’s first product launch of 2023 and the brand’s first design collaboration with Canadian designer Thom Fougere. Available in 20+ powder-coated colors (division12.com) | The new Nooch modular outdoor seating system by Piero Lissoni for B& B Italia (bebitalia.com)

This page, clockwise from top left: A first for the brand, True Residential recently launched a 36” refrigerator with bottom freezer, available in both sold and glass door options and in several colors, including the company’s newest hue, Bluestone (true-residential.com) | Perlick debuted their brand-new Tobin Ellis Signature Series limited edition mobile bar, designed for homeowners to take entertaining to the next level. The ultimate bartending cockpit on wheels, it features luxury finishes such as eco-friendly “Toffee Crocodile” recycled leather on the exterior of the unit and a chic offwhite “Vanilla Sugar” solid surface bar top, and storage for everything from liquor bottles and garnishes to glassware and ice (perlick.com) | Forza’s 48-inch professional range top features eight full brass burners and is equipped with Forza’s continuous Infinito Grate System, the industry’s largest continuous usable cooking surface. Its fastback porcelain trim provides a seamless integration into a kitchen island while increasing the usable cooking surface even further for maximum efficiency ($4,199; forzacucina.com). | Fulgor Milano’s 48” Sofia professional induction range is now available for purchase in North America. Handcrafted in Italy and available with or without a griddle, the range’s premium technology delivers precise and responsive induction power using professional-style control knobs one might expect on a gas range. Available in six matte and glossy colors (fuller-milano.com). Opposite page: Häcker Kitchens, a leading German manufacturer of modern kitchen cabinetry recently introduced AV 6023 GL, an elaborately manufactured grooved front system available in oak, walnut and black oak. The intensity of the production process requires 129 square feet of veneer to create about 10 square feet of grooved front (hackerkitchens.us). | At KBIS Perlick launched their brand new Marine and Coastal Grade Undercounter Refrigeration with Perlick Armor, the first and only all-stainless marine-grade undercounted refrigeration line available today (perlick.com). | L’Atelier Paris has the ability to make an entire range that is electric or induction, without losing the perks of gas stoves. The double induction burner set consists of two 3.5 KW induction burners that excel in speed, control, safety, and energy efficiency. Other than the fun factor of cooking on an open flame, everything else is there for induction stoves (leatelierparis.com) | Skynest is Flos’ newest pendant made in collaboration with Marcel Wanders Studio. LED strips pass through recycled (and recyclable!) woven polyester fabric tubes creating a basket-like pattern. Micro-connectors keep each piece in place and make it possible for the pendant to easily be fully disassembled for repairs, replacements, and proper recycling. Available in four colors ($4,345; flos.com). | Users of the Miele CM6 MilkPerfection Coffee System can customize everything from the quantities of water, milk and even froth to suit their preferences. Further settings, such as the quantity of ground coffee or water, water temperature and pre-brewing option, can be stored (subject to the model) in four or eight custom user profiles ($2,799; mieleusa.com) | Top Knobs newly expanded range of more than 30 finish options aim to transform cabinetry and furniture into conversation pieces (priced from $9.90-$189.20; topknobs. com) | Kohler started its 150th year by showcasing its lineup of smart products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Among these was their Anthem Smart Showering Valves and Controls that can simultaneously deliver different temperatures, pressures, and spray settings for each water outlet with the touch of a button. Anthem digital smart showering systems control up to six water outlets and display how much water was used after each shower to help inform people about their consumption. Starting at $560 for valves and controls. Shown with Statement Showing Collection (kohler.com). | Robam R-Max-A678S range hood ($1,549; robamliving.com)

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Native Trail’s 48” Topanga Series vanity ($4,950) is crafted of solid walnut and offers full-extension drawers and soft-close doors. (nativetrailshome.com)

| FORIÙ matte ceramic rectangular basin and top with freestanding frame from Simas (simas.it/en) | Graham and Brown’s new Grizedale Dawn mural is inspired by Lakeland woodland often found in the UK ($7.50/foot; grahambrown.com) | Wabi bed by Alain Gilles for SABA ITALIA (sabaitalia.com). | Available in three widths, Primo II from Heat & Glo can seamlessly integrate into nearly any interior, with finishing materials able to be placed right up to the fireplace opening (starting at $10,912; heatnglo.com)This page, clockwise from top left: Pieces from Houston designer Benjamin Johnston’s debut furniture line for Chaddock, include the Titus cocktail table, Rocco stools, Ugo accent table, Terzo end table, Giacomo sofa, Dario dining chair and Benito drink table (chaddockhome.com). | The recipient of CES 2023 Innovation Awards in two categories, LG Electronics 97-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED M (model M3), is the world's first consumer TV with Zero Connect1 technology, a wireless solution capable of real-time video and audio transmission at up to 4K 120Hz. The M3 and its integrated bracket sit flush against the wall with no visible gap, presenting a chic, art gallery aesthetic that augments the TV's self-lit picture quality (lg.com).| Untethered is a new print from Phillip Jeffries, inspired by abstract expressionism (phillipjeffries.com).

CONFESSIONS OF A FINE ART PUBLISHER

Written by Robert Lococo / Photography of artworks by Paul Takeuchi courtesy of Lococo Fine Art Publisher

As auctions in the worlds of contemporary art and modern masters reach new heights of popularity and prices, it's starting to become hard for people - even those of means - to get into that market. However, I would argue that the most exciting part of the art world is one that has been around for centuries—prints—or more accurately described as the multiples market, as each image is typically printed in an edition of six to 100, giving more than one buyer a chance to own a piece of history.

For someone interested in owning an original Andy Warhol, prices run in the millions, with the most recent selling for $195 million in 2022. Even Warhol prints that sold for a few thousand dollars 20 years ago are fetching hundreds of thousands. For example, an edition print of Queen Elizabeth II fetched $855,600 at an auction this past November. But fear not, as there are still many opportunities to buy exceptional works that will appreciate over time as you appreciate them today on your wall.

The print market has been growing forever. Pieter Bruegel was making multiples during the Dutch and Flemish Renaissance. Rembrandt didn't carve the copper used to make his prints. Instead, there were master printers that worked with him under his supervision. As time passed, the print process changed from woodcut to lithography to silkscreen and digital printing. Many artists can work in any of these mediums and prefer to switch around from time to time.

Suppose you're a new collector. Where you start all depends on your financial ability. The fact is that most people buy art to decorate their homes. They want a picture that's 36 by 72 inches over the sofa. So when they're coming in, they're just thinking about what will look best. While this is a perfectly fine approach, considering that you can still buy a print in the $5,000 range from blue-chip artists like Andy Warhol, Alex Katz, Jim Dine, Robert Rauschenberg, or Jasper Johns, my decision would be based on more than just what matches the sofa.

For example, when we publish a print with Ugo Rondinone or Alex Katz, those prints go up in value as they sell out. And many of those prints are auctioned at Sotheby's and Christie's. So, that print in your living room has the potential to sell for more than you paid for it. In the meantime, even if you made your money back, you got to live with something beautiful for five years. Meanwhile, that sofa you were hoping to match likely didn't appreciate over the same period.

As a fine art publisher, I represent a group of 30 or so artists, and that artwork works together. Because of my design background, I have an innate sense of what will sell, and then I'll put the money into it. We finance our projects up front, and the artist is paid in full rather than as it sells, which is unique in the industry. If I believe in a project, I will go for it.

Some prints can take a year or longer from the artist's preliminary work to screen printing, proofing, and the final product. We don't do huge editions. It could be as small as six for

Donald Sultan, 2020. Poppies series. Large prints on 4-ply museum board.

a sculpture or as big as 100 to 150 for a print. If it's a real piece of 'candy,' meaning it's easy for people to digest, we'll print up to 150.

We recently did a portfolio by Alex Katz called Ada. It has ten prints in the portfolio. Eight of the prints are terrific. Two of the prints are tough, meaning that in my opinion, they might not be suitable for everyone. However, people who really know and follow Katz's work are the ones that will like them.

We like to publish a group of prints because often, like with the Ada prints, it's a canned exhibition for dealers worldwide. We're doing shows with this group of prints right now at galleries in Fort Lauderdale, Cologne, and Frankfurt, and because this is a brand-new release, we're just getting started. They'll be fighting for those prints before all those shows are over. In between these major projects, we'll maybe do a pair of prints, some woodcuts, linocuts, and a few digital prints, and then we'll go back to a silkscreen.

Sometimes an artist will give you a print that is a tough sell, but I never say no. That's the nature of the business. You take it, do it, and make the artist happy, then you're on to the next thing. If you're demanding and are slow at paying, artists can be hard to get on the phone. But, if you pay them fast to make a friend, have a good personal relationship, and don't complain, then you're okay.

Sometimes the prints are numbered, and sometimes it says AP for artist proof, which is exactly like the edition. In my opinion, having an artist proof instead of the main edition isn't a greater value because when these prints are made, you can't tell the first from the last.

Etchings can be a different story because they ink a plate each pass in an etching. So what happens with the etching at the beginning is that the plates are often darker. Then, as you go through the edition, the prints get lighter. A real pro etching collector who collects Picasso etchings from an edition of 50 usually wants to buy 24, 25, or 26 in that edition because they feel like that's its heart.

There are also monoprints, meaning an edition of one. For example, we did a woodcut project called Grace with Alex Katz of 50 prints. Katz added more cuts as the edition was printed, so each edition of 50 was slightly different. While these are not considered monoprints, if Katz were to take just one of these and add a colored background, then it would become a monoprint, and its uniqueness would make it more valuable.

When we had them, the Reigning Queen prints from Andy Warhol sold for $5,000 a piece and were tough to sell. The last one most recently sold for $450,000. Why? When it comes to buying prints from younger or older artists, it depends on how the artist has set up their estate. In the case of Andy Warhol, when he died, his career wasn't at the top but fluttering in the middle. So, for the first year after his death, his estate didn't sell anything, opting to figure out what they had in inventory, and then decide to whom they would sell. There were 4,000 prints in the estate, and they released them gradually. The Warhol Foundation spent 25 years selling prints, raising prices until they sold out, and never selling any themselves at auction.

Kenny Scharf, Paradis Perdu, 2022, Archival pigment inks with high gloss varnish and diamond , 42x54”. Photo by Paul Takeuchi

Most museums aren't focused on editions; they want originals. One exception is the Albertina Museum in Vienna, primarily a print museum. Next month the entire museum will be given over to Alex Katz prints with the publication of a new catalog raisonné. Based on the requests we're getting, European dealers are capitalizing on this spotlight by showing Katz's work over the next 90 days. So, for Katz, who was often underrated, the value of his work continues to rise.

Some of the new hot artists are doing prints and objects, but it's not the easiest thing to get a publisher. They may self-publish, but the headache of logistics and red tape often leads them to give up some money to have somebody with a good reputation take care of it. Unfortunately, many dealers and publishers like to short-change artists, which is a bad idea because you're not going to be rich on two extra prints. So when we're splitting prints with artists, the artist always gets the extra if it's an odd number.

Only a few artists make sculptures in editions. Some, like Donald Sultan, have a terrific print and multiples market. Many people aren't familiar with his work but fall in love with it when they see it. It works in both traditional and contemporary interiors. You look at it and smile, and you don't have to think any further.

David Salle is one of the 80's boys becoming very popular again, along with Kenny Scharf, Keith Haring’s roommate. While everyone doesn't like contemporary art, that market is becoming more significant daily. Check out one of the big art shows in Venice, New York, Miami, or even Chicago for proof. If you don't get tickets early, you may not get in.

While our business primarily sells to dealers, please call us if you have any questions. Check out our website (lococofineart. com), and if you are interested in one of our new editions, put your name on the waiting list before it sells out. But most of all, enjoy the process of collecting. sl

Alex Katz, Straw Hat Vivien, 2021, silkscreen print, 79 x 44”

Photo by Paul Takeuchi

David Salle, Over Under (Red), 2021, Archival pigment inks with hand-varnish.

Photo by Paul Takeuchi

Ugo Rondinone, Sun 6, 2019, silkscreen print on museum board

Photo by Paul Takeuchi

FAMILY TIES

Interior designer Jacqueline Gilmore of Details brings her sister's dream home vision to life.

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Tony Bailey

Many of us have at least a general notion of what constitutes our dream home, either real or imagined; far fewer get to realize their powers of divination. So, when a realtor friend phoned the wife to say that a property she'd long pined for was on the market, she sprang into action. Boasting the exceptional bones of a Stratton Hammon design accentuated by a subsequent addition by architect Tim Winters, the homeowners had every intention of honoring both architects' work while infusing their own youthful perspective, a whimsical mix of classic, couture, and clever.

Having grown up as part of a family involved in the interior design and construction business, the wife has a robust understanding of both the process and her personal style. However, to get it just right she called on someone who knows her best, her sister Jacqueline Gilmore of Details, to create a cohesive home.

Reflective of their era, Stratton Hammon designs consist of segmented rooms for specific purposes. This "proper separation," as the wife calls it, is something she says appeals to her and that they've retained as the room-by-room renovation progresses. Also maintained are defining architectural elements, including transom windows and handsome trim work.

The mix of traditional and modern is introduced in the foyer, where a center hall tablescape incorporates classic blue and white porcelain and coffee table books covering myriad subjects. Surmounting an antique fauteuil armchair positioned near the entrance to the formal living room is a painting of a primate in posh attire, something the wife has owned for nearly two decades and shares in common with her sister's and parent's art collections.

The homeowners were married for a decade before their daughter was born, allowing them to travel frequently. As a result, art is a favorite souvenir, and an entire gallery-style wall is given over to their eclectic collection." It's a happy room," said the wife. Pale purple walls serve as the backdrop for furniture and accessories that are a beguiling mix of antique and modern, from the sculptural Cleo accent lamps by Kelly Wearstler atop the mantel to a pink shagreenupholstered ottoman cozied up to an antique chair passed down from the wife's grandmother, one of several family pieces in the home. Proof that high design needn't be haughty, look very closely at the room's sizeable white canvas hanging above a trestle table. Spurred on in small measure by liquid courage and using black lacquer paint and a mascara brush, the wife wrote, "You can't afford this" in one corner. Many years later, it still elicits smiles.

Two floor-to-ceiling summer windows separate the living room from a brick-floored sunporch. The porch's antique farmhouse table hails from the Paris flea market. Vintage Fortuny upholstery distinguishes French-style cane-back dining chairs. Kate Spade Leighton brass and glass sconces adorn the room's half pillars. Surrounding a vintage drum table procured from Arizona are comfy pieces upholstered in vintage tapestries.

Cheeky primate prints surmount a antique baronial-style chair in the foyer. Alberto two-tier gold leaf chandelier by Julie Neill.

An antique chair is made modern with abstract upholstery and paired with a pink shagreen-upholstery footstool. The homeowners acquired several artworks on the gallery wall during their travels.

The chic design of the nursery belies that this is the domain of a toddler. Custom ottoman with Christian LaCroix upholstery and Samuel & Sons trim.

The primary bedroom's custom canopy boasts Schumacher trim.

A second-floor study was converted into a closet offering a place for everything. AERIN pendant lamp.

Richard Buckler designed the reeded walnut double vanity in the primary bath. Brizo fixtures, custom mirror and Arteriors sconces.

Grounding the light-filled dining room is a Leopard Rose 2 rug from Stark; the feline feel repeats via the cat-eye shadows cast by a pair of Currey & Co. sconces mounted above a mirrored buffet. The room's sideboard is a vintage piece from Ralph Lauren, and the chandelier is from Niermann Weeks.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the home, the built-ins of the study were refreshed with a coat of lacquered paint on the walls and ceiling, the color of which is perfectly suited to the equine-themed drapery from Osborne & Little. In addition, a reading nook was fashioned out of the room's closet, separated from one another via a full glass door to keep cozy from becoming claustrophobic. The study's Thomas O'Brien Osiris chandelier is a smaller version of the one in the family room.

Grounding the light-filled dining room is a Leopard Rose 2 rug from Stark; the feline feel repeats via the cat-eye shadows cast by a pair of Currey & Co. sconces mounted above a mirrored buffet. The room's sideboard is a vintage piece from Ralph Lauren, and the chandelier is from Niermann Weeks.

The hub of family life, Jacqueline complemented the existing warm hues of the wood-paneled, double-height family room by selecting upholstery in leather and velvet, anchored by a Deerfield rug from stark.

A study in serenity, the focal point of the second-floor primary bedroom is the mantle, given a facelift by Classic Finishes, who dubbed the sleek sculptural finish "The Primrose." The bed's custom canopy with Schumacher trim is a treatment that Jacqueline said she'd wanted to do for a long time. Intermingled with the room's wheaten hues are ever-so-slight touches of blush that add warmth without going too "girly."Jacqueline layered on texture in this largely monochromatic space, including contrast welt on the armchairs and fringe on accent pillows of hand-painted Schumacher fabric.

The primary bath, taken down to the studs, presents the most contemporary face in the home. A tall walnut-reeded double

vanity with brushed brass banding and a Carrara slab top is customdesigned and fabricated by Details to accommodate the husband's height. With an impermeable plaster treatment courtesy of Classic Finishes, the walls take on a sculptural quality and negate the need for tile on the shower walls, which would have cluttered the clean aesthetic. Leather-wrapped Arteriors sconces accentuate the custom mirrors. Brizo fixtures and heated floors add to the spa-like aura.

The previous closet allocated to the primary suite needed to be more robust for a more than 7,000-square-foot home. To maintain the original footprint, a den just down the hall from the primary bedroom was converted into a dream closet, designed by Richard Buckler, the wife's father, and custom-fabricated by the team at Details. Utilizing a mix of closed and glass-door cabinets, Richard created a place for everything, including a stacked washer and dryer, hampers, and drying racks to keep clutter at bay. "We like everything to look pretty," said Jacqueline. Illuminating the space above the antique mirror-topped island is a sculpted chandelier from AERIN, a piece Jacqueline had stashed away in her burgeoning idea file while she awaited the perfect placement.

Located near the primary suite, the nursery's design belies that this is the domain of a toddler. An acrylic crib visually floats beneath a celadon-colored ceiling. The room's oversized circular ottoman, sporting flocked velvet from Christian Lacroix for Osbourne & Little, and Samuel & Sons trim, is far superior to Miss Muffet's tuffet. Luxe details include drapery with tassels on each pleat and an on-trend accent pillow of Schumacher's Jokhang Tiger velvet. "I grew up knowing what great design means, and my daughter will too," said the wife. sl

The antique farmhouse table came from the Paris flea market. Vintage Fortuny on the seats of the cane back dining chairs. The vintage drum table hails from Arizona.

HATS ON FOR HEALING

Thursday, March 23 at The Olmsted

Join us for an evening of shopping, food, and fun to benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Fund at Kosair Charities. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as you and your friends bid on over 300 new and gently used hats and fascinators for the upcoming Derby season.

Thursday, March 23 5:30 – 8 p.m.

The Olmsted

Tickets: kosair.org/hats

$40 in advance or $50 at the door

Did you know that one in 61 Kentucky children is a victim of child abuse or neglect? That is nearly double the national average. Help us end this epidemic by supporting the Hats on for Healing silent auction.

'

Fascinator THG4613 from The Hat Girls (thehatgirls.com)

Vintage Dior travel bag, stylist’s own, vintage hat found at Fleur de Flea Vintage Market (thefleurdeflea.com); custom engraved flask from Seng Jewelers (sengjewelers.com)

Fascinator by The Hat Doctor (thehatdoctor.com)

Willow fascinator from The Hat Girls (thehatgirls.com)

Metallic starburst fascinator from The Hat Girls (thehatgirls.com)

Tomato fedora and Gold Ring fascinator from Forme Millinery (formemillinery.com)

The Alison from The Hat Girls (thehatgirls.com). Vintage Pucci handbag, stylist’s own.

SOPHISTICATED STARS

Written by Joy Yascone Elms MA

As we approach Derby season and our beautiful Bluegrass spring, we are officially entering eclipse season. Eclipses bring fast and sweeping change to a different area of life for each sign. Also, dear readers, I have recently launched my new book, The Power of Divine Timing, which forecasts ten-plus years into the future. I'll be hosting a book signing event and cocktail reception at Carmichael's Books on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville on March 3rd at 7:00 pm, where I'll expand on what the stars hold in store for 2023 and 2024. Please support this independent local bookstore by picking up a copy of the book in person or online: carmichaelsbookstore.com/book/9781958848265.

ARIES

March 21st – April 19th

What a delightful birthday gift from a loving Universe, with Jupiter the planet of blessings, still transiting Aries, and with the new moon solar eclipse in Aries —Aries has extraordinary favor with the Universe!

First, we open with the new moon in Aries on the spring Solstice on March 21st, which preludes a beautiful new season focused on very early-born Aries. Think about what you'd like to manifest now, and be very clear on your intent so you can bring it to fruition. Next, the full moon in Libra on April 5th may give way to an engagement or closing the deal on a business partnership. Then, the friendly and powerful new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th will lead the way to realizing your highest dreams and goals. This is the energy you've been asking the Universe for, Aries!

TAURUS

April 20th – May 20th

The full moon in Virgo on March 7th gives way to a romantic interlude with the full moon in your house of true love and children. You may hear fantastic news regarding your children, even if they are adults, or if you've wanted to conceive or adopt, you could get excellent information now. You may also be planning a romantic getaway with your true love. If you're a single Taurus, this new moon can bring an opportunity for a romantic interlude. Then at the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, you'll look to embark on a new journey towards wellness for mind, body, soul, and spirit. This powerful solar eclipse will light this new and fulfilling journey in your 12th house of healing and spirituality.

GEMINI

May 21st – June 20th

The full moon in Virgo on March 7th will find you either moving, renovating your current space, or having an offer on a new dream pad accepted. You may also be finalizing a deal on the sale of real estate. This full moon may also highlight a family goal coming to fruition. Then at the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, your social life is about to take off, leading to potentially life-changing new social connections that will stand the test of time and bring good fortune to your life. You may also have lots of luck with a social media campaign or post that goes viral! Also, a friend's introduction could be spot on if you've been looking for love or romance.

Aquamarine is March’s birthstone. Assael Angel Skin coral and aquamarine ring (assael.com).

CANCER

June 21st – July 22nd

Cancer, your career will be on fire in March and April with the upcoming eclipse in Aries on April 19th. On March 21st, the new moon in Aries will ask you to plant seeds for what you want to manifest in your career. This new moon is concurrent with Jupiter, the planet of blessings touring Aries in this same career house. The new moon solar eclipse will open a portal to realize at least one major career goal or dream. Cancer, you have the best stars for your career in over 12 years!

LEO

July 23rd – August 22nd

The full moon in Virgo on March 7th will culminate in an income-earning opportunity or job. You may leave one role to take on another or finally get word that you are getting a new position. If you asked for a raise, that could occur now as well. Then at the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, you will have the opportunity to travel or relocate overseas. Alternatively, you may opt to return to school for an advanced degree. Finally, if you've wanted to pursue a book or publishing deal, this is an excellent time to pursue this dream with excellent results.

VIRGO

August 23rd – September 22nd

The full moon in Virgo on March 7th is a very friendly full moon, yet anytime we have a full moon in our sign, we need to take precautions for our health and wellbeing. This full moon in Virgo may deliver excellent partnership news or bring a deeply meaningful goal to fruition. Then, plant seeds towards financial freedom at the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th and for ten days after. With this solar eclipse, you may garner a project investor, mortgage approval, or another financial boon. This new moon solar eclipse points to Virgo's exceptional financial gains in 2023 and beyond!

Diamond is April’s birthstone. ByStolie gold crown diamond ring ($5,000; bystolie.com)

Diamond is April’s birthstone. Evil Eye necklace from Aesthetics in Jewelry (aestheticsinjewelry.com)

LIBRA

September 23

The Universe seems particularly motivated to see Libra happily partnered up in love, marriage, and business, as Jupiter, the planet of blessings transiting Aries, ruling your house of marriage and partnerships, which occurs only once every 12 years. There will be a new moon in Aries on March 21st, highlighting early-born Libras, and a new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, impacting all Libras and remaining powerful for ten days after. This powerful eclipse will open a portal to bring single Libras a committed love partner. Attached Libras may take on a new exciting project or establish a mutual goal with their significant other. At the eclipse, or within ten days after, Libras in serious relationships may opt to forge a path to a permanent union. Then at the friendly full moon in Libra on April 5th, Libra could see something significant come to fruition. Guard your health at this full moon as even friendly full moons in one's sign can impact wellbeing.

on March 21st preludes a fresh start related to your health and wellness goals and a potential new job opportunity. The full moon in Libra on April 5th serves as a reminder from the Universe to prioritize your health and wellbeing. The new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th opens a fantastic opportunity to bring your health, fitness, and wellness goals to fruition. At this same time, Jupiter, the planet of healing and blessings, transits your 6th house of health, which only happens once every 12 years. Be sure to start within ten days of the new moon solar eclipse. This new moon solar eclipse will also help in a work-related situation so be sure to apply for that exciting new job you've had your eye on. If you already applied, you could get positive news. If you work for yourself, you'll find that "every task you undertake becomes a piece of cake." After May 16th, love and marriage will become a focus area, yielding blessings for you for the next 12 months. Nurture your wellbeing and prepare for that beautiful time ahead.

March 7th, ruling your 10th house of career status and fame, will bring a dearlyheld career dream or goal to fruition! You will earn the promotion, get the big contract, or win the new exciting career role of your dreams. With Jupiter in Aries, it might be a career goal that is highly creative or in a creative field. Then the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th will open a portal for ten days to bring romance and love into your life. If you've wanted to get pregnant or adopt, utilize the ten days after this eclipse for the best results.

April 5th will emphasize your career and bring to fulfillment a career dream or goal for Capricorns. Capricorn rules career for the entire zodiac, so this full moon will be your cup of tea. Then at the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, you may complete a renovation project, move, or purchase the home of your dreams. You may also finalize a family project or goal that will see you celebrating! Note that new moon solar eclipses are potent, so this new moon could see your living situation change drastically in a very good way, bringing happy life-changing family news to the forefront.

March 7th could bring a financial goal to fruition.

Uranus in your house of home, real estate, and family, warmly and excitingly communicating with the financial full moon for Aquarius, could elicit financial rewards. You may instead close on a big sale for a nice profit. The full moon in Libra on April 5th could see you finalizing exciting travel or temporary relocation plans. Then at the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, a portal will open, bringing you a life-changing contract and the opportunity to elevate your endeavors. You may also hear fantastic news regarding your siblings, who may now play a more prominent role in your life. This new moon may also see you taking on a new, broadly discussed, and visible project at work. No matter what occurs at this eclipse, you'll be happy with the news! If you are single and looking for love, have your sibling fix you up on a blind date within ten days of this eclipse.

February 19th - March 20th

The full moon in Virgo on March 7th in your house of marriage and partnership could see you deepening a commitment with your love. At this full moon, you may also take on a business partnership. At the new moon solar eclipse in Aries on April 19th, you'll have the opportunity to capitalize on at least one significant money-making opportunity. This powerful new moon solar eclipse will open a portal for two weeks to bring you more earned income than you've seen in the past 12 years.

Sophisticated Stars Astrologist Joy Yascone Elms MA is the author and founder of The Power of Divine Timing; an annual sign by sign guide based on astrological timing helping readers to find and nurture their blessings and starve their challenges! Joy also offers Divine Timing coaching programs that help clients stay accountable to manifesting their goals and dreams based on their personal divine timing. Visit www. thepowerofdivinetiming.com for more info or email Joy at thepowerofdivinetiming@gmail.com.

IT'S THE CLIMB

Free Solo, the 2018 edge-of-your-seat documentary chronicling Alex Honnold's climb of the 3,000+-foot sheer face of Yosemite's El Capitan sans ropes, minted him as the sport's standard bearer. However, Louisvillian Cat Runner is aiming to change that. Cat recently bested ten amateur climbers to win the top prize—a $100,000 cash payout and a $100k sponsorship from prAna— in The Climb , HBO's reality series focused on rock climbing produced by actor Jason Momoa and climbing veteran Chris Sharma.

As an avid consumer of any and all extreme sports programming, I was super pumped to sit down with Cat to discuss his ascent, both literally and figuratively, as a transgender male athlete on such a grand scale. After the finale aired this past January, Cat admits it's been a bit of a whirlwind. Still, he remains exceptionally grounded and humbled by the platform and the opportunity he earned.

Cat, who has been actively engaged in rock climbing for the past six years, specializing in single-pitch rope climbs, trains indoors at Louisville's Climb NULU a few times during the week and at the Red River Gorge and on the sandstone cliffs around Chattanooga on weekends. Word of the competition spread quickly through the climbing community, and Cat responded

to an open casting call after hearing about it from fellow athletes. Having already gone through a tryout for American Ninja Warrior, he was accustomed to the audition process and the varying directions his storyline could take.

Rock climbing is equal parts strength, finesse, mental toughness, and acuity, and Cat, who is twenty-four-years-old and just five feet tall, possesses a zen-like and almost analytical approach to the sport, in the hope of attaining what is called a "flow state," where body and mind work in harmony. During our lively conversation, Cat was gracious enough to entertain my barrage of questions about the particulars of the sport, from how climbs are rated to physical dangers, some with ominous-butintriguing names like "screaming barfies."

During the four months it took to film The Climb, competitors went on a whirlwind adventure that involved deep water soloing on rock faces above crashing waves on Mallorca, a desert valley in Jordan, and limestone cliffs in Catalonia. The participants quickly formed a tight bond, which made it that much more challenging as they were eliminated one-by-one. "We were a flavorful bunch, and the diversity represented in the finale meant something to a lot of people," he said. En route to the win, Cat cites his triumph in an immunity challenge—climbing a

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography courtesy Warner Media / HBO Max

Louisville climber earns the title of the world’s best amateur climber

65-foot ribbed Tufa in Wadi Rum, Jordan, on spent arms—as his proudest moment, if only because he prevailed in spite of what he called, “one-hundred-percent inefficient technique.”

Without giving away too much for those who haven't watched, the show unfolds with theatrical-style filming ranging from long-range perspectives on picturesque climb sites to up-close shots of competitors as they push their physical limits interspersed with athlete interviews and discussions as they reveal their personal stories. Cat, who says that his trans identity is "part of the package," is appreciative of how the show's producers allowed him to share his story and transition without the kind of "clickbait" sensationalism often baked into the reality genre. "I chose what would be brought to the conversation, and it was all handled in a beautiful and respectful way," he remarked.

Following a screening of The Climb finale in Boulder, CO, after which he received a standing ovation, Cat returned to Louisville and got right back to work as a commercial filmmaker and photographer. "I like structure in my life. It grounds you, reduces the chance of burnout, and makes the time I get to climb all the more special."

Cat is still working out the particulars of his prAna sponsorship, which he hopes to split between creating community

programming centered on increasing access for underrepresented climbers and engaging in self-directed climbing as a mental refresh so he can return refocused on the heavy lifting of community building. Taking full advantage of the networking opportunities the show has presented, in the coming months, Cat plans to grow the Queer Climber's Network, an Instagram group he founded in 2022; is leading a technical clinic at a Queer climbing festival; awarding a first-ever genderqueer film grant in partnership with Chronicle Cinema at the No Man's Land Film Festival in Denver, CO; and, filming the Flash Foxy Climbing Festival in Bishop, CA.

Few of us are immune to the ugliness of the internet, and Cat said while the predominance of messages he's received have been positive, he went into the competition prepared for the nastiness, going so far as to create a "cheat sheet" for his fellow finalists with fact-based responses. Eager to educate and engage, he welcomes a back-and-forth dialogue with someone open to a rational discussion, often keeping the threads on his Instagram posts active in the spirit of inspiring compassion and understanding. At his core, Cat says, "Being a transgender athlete is part of my story, but I have the same ambitions, goals, and dreams as any other person." sl

Cat Runner, Robyn Ragins, Dominique Terrill Barry, Chris Sharma, Meagan Martin.

Photo by Jose De Matos / HBO Max

Finalists Cat Runner, Dominique Terrill Barry, Robyn Ragins

Cat tackling the limestone cliffs in Spain’s Catalunya region.

Presented

March

2 Kentuckiana Business Hall of Fame, 6pm, Louisville Marriott Downtown; halloffame.jaky.org

2 American Advertising Awards, 6:30pm, PLAY Louisville; aaflouisville.org

3 Wine, Women & Shoes for Family Scholar House, 6pm, The Henry Clay

4 Speed Art Museum Ball, 6:30pm, Speed Art Museum; speedmuseum.org

11 Pack the Sack: Celebrity Chefs for Blessings in a Backpack, 6pm, The Olmsted; Louisville.blessingsinabackpack.org

11 Feathers & Friends Gala for Harbor House, 6pm, The Hyatt Regency; hhlou.org

11 Central Kentucky Wish Gala, 6:30pm, Ice House Louisville; wish.org/oki/2023-central-kentucky-wish-gala

16 KDF Festival Unveiled, 6pm, Mellwood Art Center; discover.kdf.org

23 Kosair Charities Hats for Healing, 5:30pm, The Olmsted; kosair.org/hats

25 Derby Hat Exchange for Dress for Success, 10am, HelloSpoke; louisville.dressforsuccess.org

26 American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb, Lynn Family Stadium; climblouisville.org

27 Passion & Perseverance Dinner for the Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council, 6pm, The Olmsted; lypc.org

April

13 Derby Divas, 7pm, Rodes For Him and For Her; nortonhealthcare.com

13 Republic Bank Kentucky Derby Festival BourbonVille, 6:30pm, Frazier History Museum; kdf.org

14 CASA Embrace a Child Breakfast, 7:30am, ICE House; casariverregion.org

15 Rescues & Roses, 11am, Nulu Marketplace; thedogshopky.com

15 The Fillies Derby Ball, 6pm, Louisville Marriott Downtown; kdf.org

15 KMAC Couture, Paristown; kmacmuseum.org/couture

20 Hard Hats with Heart, The Ice House; Emily.stevens@heart.org

21 Gallop Gala for Down Syndrome of Louisville, 6pm, The Galt House; downsyndromeoflouisville.networkforgood.com

22 Thunder Over Louisville

27 Yo-Yo Ma with Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra dinner and concert, 5pm, T he Kentucky Center; louisvilleorchestra.org

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WOMEN WHO WINE 4 A CAUSE

WWW4C kicked off 2023 with a dinner at Savor House, giving one final nod to their 2022 charity partner Hope Scarves, while announcing that St. Joseph Children’s Home is their designated charity for 2023. WWW4C is a social and networking organization comprised of executive and professional-level women who want to build strong relationships and be advocates for other women by giving back to the community.

Photos by Chad Henle

1) Dominique Hendren, Tracy Snow 2) Kim Demling, Joanna Craig 3) Lisa Pantoja, Cheryl Wimsatt 4) WWW4C Board members with Anna Laura Edwards, Executive Director of Hope Scarves 5) Carrie Fanelli, Tami Hartley 6) Anne Farmer, Jenny Armbrust 7) Heather Bennett, Robert Burns 8) WWW4C Board Members: Donna Probst, SiDonna Cox, Jesika Young, Carol Wade, Christi Kaiser, Amy DeRenzo-Hulbert, Wendy Hall, Alex Alsup

KMAC COUTURE LAUNCH

KMAC hosted a cocktail reception to unveil the theme of its 2023 KMAC Couture event: “One for the Books.” Event co-chairs Chris Welsh and Lee Middendorf also announced that there would be a venue change for the April 15th event, moving from Main Street to Paristown.

RESTAURATEUR’S GALA

Members of the Kentucky Restaurant Association gathered at Savor at River House to celebrate the Commonwealth’s culinary stars. Kentucky ProStart instructors Roger Ramsey, Garrett Sanborn, and Reid Coulston led a group of students who helped prepare the evening’s dinner.

Photos by Chad Henle

KMAC Couture Launch 1) Elizabeth Haigh, Mario Johnson 2) Ainsley & Meredith Alexander 3) KMAC Curatorial Director Joey Yates with artist Liora Kaplan 4) Tate Crenshaw, Chandler Kennerly. 5) Sarah Charmoli, Joy Wilson, Jessica Sharp Restaurateur’s Gala 1) John Colvin, Allan Rupp, Tom Enyeart 2) Max Harrison, Krista Hillyard 3) Myron Adams, Kaytie White 4) Rick Price, Caroline Knop 5) Rebecca Gonzales, Corey Waters

Photos by Bill Wine

GREEN & GOLD SOCIAL

Photos by Chad Henle

1) Allison Phelps, Melissa Campisano 2) Doug Brumleve, Jim Carli, Aaron Spaulding 3) Rob & Beth Bush, Meredith & Ryan Jones 4) Paul & Michelle Robinson 5) Teresa Kosse, Dee & Marty Ford 6) Michael Elgin, Jake Huges, Dylan Cole 7) Kathy & Brian Deprest 8) Cindy & Jim Jury 9) Karen & Hank Robinson

Taking on an 1980s theme this year, proceeds from St. X’s largest fundraising event support the Brother Paul Van Gerwen, C.F.X. Scholarship Fund.

THE NEW RANGE ROVER SPORT

VISCERAL. DRAMATIC. UNCOMPROMISING

Where modernity and refinement meet visceral desire.

Starting at $83,000.

LAND ROVER LOUISVILLE

4700 BOWLING BLVD

LOUISVILLE, KY 40207

SALES (502) 429-8085

landroverlouisville.com

OVATION

Kentucky Opera’s 70th anniversary celebration was held at The Olmsted. The black tie optional event included performances by their Cinderella artists, a three-course dinner, a live auction, and an after-party with DJ Sam Sneed.

1) Samantha & Grant Fuller 2) Geri & Danail Kelisakiev 3) Cindy & Todd Magner 4) Eric & Lori Feldpausch 5) Heather OMara, Josette Mines 6) Michael & Amy Wasburn 7) Michael Gosney, Afton Yeager 8) Phoebe Wood, Patricia Willams 9) Von & Rick Purdy, Paula & Frank Harshaw

Photos by Chad Henle

WRAPPED IN RED GALA

Photos by Chad Henle

1) Tom & Lisa Benson 2) Sally Snavley, Mary McKinley, Susy Swift 3) Beck & Alie Lewellen, Anderew & Abi Bosworth 4) Jeff Gagie, Patti Swope 5) Rachel Hayes, Alicia Waldrab, Julie Jesse 6) Sarah Haynes, Tim & Sally Snavley, Steve & Deborah Reiss 7) Marseilles & Brittany Stewart 8) Robyn Karrer, Greg & Luly Reinhardt

Presented by Lexus of Louisville and Brown-Forman, the 13th annual Wrapped in Red Gala to benefit the Louisville chapter of the American Red Cross was held at the Louisville Marriott Downtown.

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FARNSLEY SOCIETY RECEPTION

Photos by Chad Henle

The Fund for the Arts held a reception for its Farnsley Society donors at Patrick O’Shea’s in downtown Louisville. Donors’ funds underwrite an arts series at a senior living facility.

1) Will Hollis, Chris Zelli 2) Janie Martin, John Weber 3) Phobe Wood, Paul & Pamela Thompson 4) Yamilca Rodriguez, Sarah Lindgren, Erica & Patience Fields 5) Andre Guess, Kathy Knotts 6) Maria Villares 7) Phobe Wood, Josh Anderson 8) Jennifer & Paul Fultz

A PEARL OF A PARTY

Tim Coury, owner and founder of Porcini, hosted a cocktail reception for friends and VIP patrons to herald the Frankfort Avenue restaurant’s 30th anniversary. During the event, he acknowledged the support of his wife Patti and several staff members who’ve been with him for decades, most notably chef John Plymale, who’s been in the kitchen from day one.

Photos by Chad Henle

1) Sandy & Joe Cantrell 2) Roy & Kathy Potts 3) Francis Shultz, Tim & Patti Coury 4) Ray Rhodes, Laura Unterberg 5) Andy Thomas, Kim Thomas, Lauren Coury 6) Jennifer Blair, Michael Russman 7) George & Deb Quill 8) Kimber D'Antoni, Sarah Tatum 9) Cindy & Ray Carcione

RED TIE GALA

Photos by Chad Henle

1) Kelsey & Chris Zelli 2) Jerry Knochelmann & Carrie Bay, Gretchen Hermanns & Eddie Gabriel 3) Terri Vilardo, Joann & Sonny Morgan, Greg Villardo 4) Catherine & Tom Harper 5) Andrea & Michael Tucker 6) Maddie Shaw, Casie Brown 7) Dewayne Dihel, Kristin Compton 8) Cori & Will Metcalf 9) Darren & Sherri Stephan

Presented by McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana, the event supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana mission to provide a home and support system free of charge for families of sick children at a critical time.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

2003 was a year marked by events including the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster (February), the completion of the Human Genome Project (April), Lance Armstrong winning his fifth Tour de France (July), Arnold Schwarzenegger being elected governor of California (November), the final Concorde flight (November), and the debut of Sophisticated Living magazine (November). The cover story of that issue, totaling a meager 48 pages, focused on the soon-to-open Frazier Historical Arms Museum and its founder and patron, the late Owsley Frazier.

Back then, we were still a few years away from going digital for photography, instead relying on a film camera and

slide film for the highest-resolution images. It was an expensive process where you didn’t know if you got “the shot” until the negatives returned from the lab. We delivered completed graphic design files to our printer on CDs, and they returned proofs as “bluelines,” a blue-print mock-up of the magazine’s pages made from the final plates. Needless to say, the digital age has been a boon for publishing in terms of maximizing efficacy and economy.

In the debut cover story, Mr. Frazier shared his vision for the soon-to-open Frazier Historical Arms Museum, remarking that his museum “has the potential to be one of the world’s great museums. We are building our base as big and as strong as we can to see that happen.” Today the Frazier History Museum is the anchor for a revitalized West Main Street, welcomes thousands of visitors annually, and serves as the official starting point for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We can’t help but think he’d be thrilled with the museum’s growth and evolution. sl

Kay Matton and Bridget Williams unveiling the cover at a 2003 cocktail reception at the Kentucky Center to celebrate the Sophisticated Living’s debut issue.