THE team

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MODERNIST CABIN

CONTACT:

DOUG MAXWELL

Real Estate Broker, Upstate Modernist 212.518.3130 (mobile) info@UpstateModernist.com @UpstateModernist

MIKE RUIZ is a lot—as in a lot of impressive things at once. Of course, he’s an internationally in-demand celebrity photographer, but he’s also a philanthropist, a director, a reality television star and an animal rights activist and advocate, particularly his beloved pit bulls. He’s a lot-a lot—in the best possible way a tall, muscular, sensitive, creative genius is a lot. He’s also been working with several members of The Mountains’ creative team for decades, so there’s that comfort level as well.

Ruiz is that rarest of indefatigable success stories as he taught himself photography, film making, publishing, production, marketing and public relations. He’s one of the most prolific photographers of his generation. His massive list of captured celebrities include Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Prince, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Porter, Anne Hathaway,

Betty White, Queen Latifah, Jared Leto and literally thousands more. Ruiz has also directed dozens of music videos for the likes of Kelly Rowland, Vanessa Williams, Erika Jayne and RuPaul (he made his feature film directorial debut helming RuPaul’s uproarious comedy, StarrBooty).

Ruiz donates his time and platform advocating for The Ali Forney Center, GMHC, The Trevor Project, Housing Works, It Gets Better Campaign, Live Out Loud, Project Angel Food, GLAAD, Heritage of Pride and Pride Live as well as advocating for animal rights via PETA, Stand Up For Pits, FOUR PAWS INT and Bark Nation.

Of his experience with this issue’s cover subject, Ruiz says he was pleasantly surprised. “Photographing Matthew Modine was like spending the day with a warm, familiar old friend.”

ROBIN BARON is an award-winning celebrity interior designer and lifestyle expert. She debuts her new column, “The Fix,” in this issue. She’s been featured on HGTV and NBC as well as numerous magazines and newspapers, including Architectural Digest, Traditional Home and The Wall Street Journal “I’m inspired by the beauty of the Hudson Valley, the country homes and the creative people who live here. There’s almost nothing more exciting than breathing new life into an old Hudson Valley home.”

EDUARDO RODRÍGUEZ and HERMAN VEGA, the multifaceted owners of in-demand firm DSGNER, decided to flip the script after decades of Manhattan living and settle into their home in the bucolic Hudson Valley year-round, making NYC their part-time spot. With fashion, interior design and creative direction in their DNA, the couple joined forces to collaborate on a variety of design projects. “We’re beyond excited to join The Mountains’ amazing family as the magazine’s new design editors and in this issue explore what the New Country Modern aesthetic is all about.” for at least a solid halfdecade, I became fashion possessed. I would’ve said obsessed, but possessed feels more honest. And it cost me dearly.

In a tale as old as Cinderella, I found myself, in my personal Venn diagram, at the precise intersection of self-confidence and disposable income. A longawaited spot. A slimmer figure and coins in the bank meant that I was finally— finally!—able to experience my best sartorial life. And that journey began, as so many cautionary tales do, in Los Angeles, where dreams are supposed to come true. More specifically, I honed in on Beverly Hills, home to Rodeo Drive, America’s toniest retail drag, and Fred Segal, my preferred luxe shopping HQ.

Don’t get it twisted, I caused plenty of “damage” on Madison Avenue (hello, Barneys New York), Miami’s Bal Harbour Shops (Gucci! Gucci! Gucci!) and LA’s own N. Robertson emporiums (Lisa Kline Men credit card guzzlers). But, when it came to serious retail therapy/intoxication, nothing beat a solid five-hour afternoon on Rodeo Drive or Fred Segal. It’s ridiculous to think about now, but, in my deepest truth, I know I’ve never been happier than perusing the impossibly expensive racks of clothes, shoes and accessories at the world’s finest couture outposts. Oh, and those damn accessories were at the epicenter of my I-must-own-thisright-now coveting soul. The white leather weekender from Dolce & Gabbana; the insanely priced lion’s head belt buckle at Dior Men; the faux fur Chrome Hearts rock ’n’ roll sunglasses… but that all paled in comparison to the most beautiful sight I’d ever laid eyes on: a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti alligator, python and ostrich knee-high men’s boots at Fred Segal. For the first time in my life, I walked in to any high-end store, tried on the item and marched up to the register and paid without asking for or looking at the price. Possessed, I tell you. The fever had to break. as i arrived on-set to direct this issue’s cover shoot with movie star Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, Birdy, Stranger Things, Oppenheimer), celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz and I decided we wanted Modine to exude “fashion” on this cover to embody The Mountains’ “Style & Design” theme. When the mind-blowingly nice actor walked in, I became worried: the subject of our exclusive cover story was dressed—how do I say this?—randomly It was, in its own way, daring, but when the giraffe-tall thespian emerged from the changing room a few minutes later wearing the gorgeous wardrobe options we had selected for him, Modine was, in a word, transcendent. As much as the former Millbrook, NY resident clearly doesn’t concern himself with fashion’s fastidiousness, the talented man standing in front of me transformed into nothing less than a modern-day Cary Grant, Hollywood’s forever stylish king.

At a rollicking dinner at super-hot-that-verymoment-and-impossible-to-get-into-restaurant Koi (the celeb/paparazzi scene outside its doors on La Cienega Boulevard was zeitgeisty deliciousness personified), I hosted a dozen wellmoisturized friends to a long, celebratory evening. Late into the night, as someone was mentioning how much they liked my newly-acquired heavy silver double bracelet from Good Art HLYWD (similar to Chrome Hearts, but better thanks to Josh Warner’s genius), one of the revelers at the table, interior designer/hilarious OG Queer Eye standout Thom Filicia, shouted at me: “Richard, stop buying jewelry! Buy! A! Fucking! House!” His words hit me like a punch in the face because I knew he was right. Of course he was right.

The very next day, I quit the spending insanity cold turkey. A little later, I took Thom’s sage advice and did indeed buy a house (though I still wear my Good Art HLYWD wares for my recent—and decidedly more modest— nights out on the town).

Even as I write this, I realize I’m wearing a black PGA Tour-branded polo I bought at Marshalls for $14. What’s crazier, I ask you, spending $850 for a yummy Roberto Cavalli wear-it-once shirt or being seen at Marshalls clearance rack with a smile on your face? I finally have my answer: I’m possessed no more.

—Richard Pérez-Feria EDITOR IN CHIEF

Nothing But Love In NYC

it felt a bit like a homecoming for celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz when he arrived onset to shoot The Mountains’ exclusive cover subject, Matthew Modine, iconic Hollywood star of blockbusters including Full Metal Jacket, Married To The Mob, The Dark Knight Rises and, most recently, Oppenheimer He’s also known, of course, as Dr. Martin Brenner on Netflix’s smash series, Stranger Things For more than a quarter-century, Ruiz has collaborated on countless celebrity covers with Editor in Chief Richard Pérez-Feria and he’s worked with Photography Director Erika Phenner and Design Editor Herman Vega for years as well. The mood on the set was buoyant even before the magnanimous acting legend arrived, all smiles. The small, expert team assembled at Love Studios NYC that gorgeous summer day created nothing short of magic—none of us wanted it to end. Can you feel the love? We certainly did.

true blue The sidewalks of beautiful Rhinebeck are brimming with the easy style of its residents. For them, sartorial shouting is completely superfluous.

life, a little bit at a time