THE STYLE SETTERS
MARCH APRIL 2018
Letter
from the
Digital Director
W
e all know her. When she walks into a room, for one inexplicable reason or another, her energy is magnetic and her authenticity is mesmerizing. Her presence suggests a certain mystery…an aura that whispers, something [wonderful] this way comes. What we’re all really wondering is if there is something she ever can’t do, because she seems to manage switching from high-powered career executive to high-powered household manager (and anything in between) with effortless ease. She’s savvy and she’s stylish, and a serious success…she’s what we call a Style Setter. When it comes to the elements of style, there is no doubt that Texan women are tastemakers. Often confident in their convictions and curated in their aesthetics throughout every aspect of their lives, the bold women in the business world who blaze a trail daily in their fields of expertise keep the industry engines a-hummin’ in this state, and we think it’s about time to start sharing their stories. From architecture and design to fashion and marketing, nonprofit and fine art to real estate and travel; public relations and events, and so much more...join us in celebrating women across the state who are leaders among their peers, and whose work has already created a legacy in their respected fields. We are profiling them in an original up-close-and-personal series in a new, special online only feature presented by The Society Diaries digital department. This feature would not have been possible without the tireless work of our team. My sincerest thanks to graphic designer, John Vigil, who brought this vision to life, and to our fearless Editor-In-Chief Lance Avery Morgan who has supported and mentored me for the past seven years. Welcome to The Style Setters...
Eleanora Morrison Digital Director ellie@thesocietydiaries.com @oh_eleanora
TABLE OF CONTENTS Anne Bluntzer......................... 1 Gigi Boothe............................. 3 Marshall Bush......................... 5 Elizabeth Fauerso................... 7 Georgie Ferrell........................ 9 Kristin Hefty.......................... 11 Whitney Kuhn Lawson........ 13 Elizabeth Barrera Lutz......... 15 Camille Mandigo.................. 17 Tim McDiarmid................... 19 Nicola McLaughlin............... 21 Nina Means........................... 23 Lucy Peveto........................... 25 Lisa Weller............................. 27 Jessica Zapatero.................... 29
A LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR
ANNE BLUNTZER
Photography by Robert Stanzione
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or professional world traveler Anne Bluntzer, there isn’t a corner of the world she’s hesitant to explore. Fearless to her core and impassioned by exotic nature, Bluntzer’s home-base of Houston serves as her business’s booking hub...but when she isn’t in her beloved Texas, she is leading Bluntzer Travel’s globetrotting excursions—guiding guests on crosscontinental adventures and curating experiences for families that will last a lifetime. An expert in African safaris, after almost two dozen roundtrips, she never tires of the day she gets to pack her bags again and return to the wild...
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Questions & Anwsers How many countries have you traveled to, and which one is your favorite? I have been to 48 countries, some countries several times. I really can’t choose a favorite and I haven’t been to a bad one.
In another life, where in the world would you live and why? In another life, I would stay right here in Texas. As a fifth generation Texan, I have found we are embraced all over the world.
On safari in Africa. Photos courtesy of Anne Bluntzer.
How do you curate the trips that you plan for others to ensure they are unique, and experiences of a lifetime? The more information I have from the client, the greater chance their expectations will be met. I picture myself at the time they arrive, how they will feel, is too much planned or is it not enough. Often times, less can be more.
What are you most excited about for the future of Bluntzer Travel, now that you are branching off to be your own brand and business? I love traveling so much that I have made it my life. Travel can be emotional, so I want my brand to be one that offers a thoughtful and caring experience, coupled with adventure and fun. Bluntzer Travel is an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel which has an outstanding reputation and is the oldest travel agency in the U.S. This affiliation allows me to offer tremendous benefits to my clients all over the world.
What is the type of adventure you plan often for Texans, and where do they go? I had the privilege of spending nine years at Ker & Downey. I specialize in African safaris and in fact, just returned from my twenty second trip there. So as you can imagine, safaris tend to be the adventure I plan most often. For first time clients, I usually recommend South Africa, Kenya or Tanzania. Most want to fit as much into an Africa trip as they can, thinking they will only go once to the continent. I always tell clients not to worry about seeing it all...because their first trip to Africa won’t be the last.
For more information, visit BluntzerTravel.com or connect with Anne personally at anne@bluntzertravel.com.
G COMPETITIVE EQUESTRIAN
GIGI BOOTHE
Photography by Bronkhorst Photography
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or international equestrian Gigi Boothe, horseback riding isn’t only a sport – it’s a calling. From humble beginnings learning the ropes at San Antonio’s beloved Brackenridge stables to being named Show Jumping and Dressage National Champion as a teenager, Boothe’s passion for promoting equestrian events in the Texas Hill Country has led her to launch a non-profit that will make horse ownership more accessible to a larger group of enthusiasts. There’s even a fashionable twist to her tale...
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Questions & Anwsers
What first inspired your love of horses, and how did that lead you on the path to making equestrianism your life’s work? My father used to take me to Brackenridge Park on the trail rides as a small child and when they closed the owners suggested that my parents put me in English riding lessons, and I began competing almost immediately. Growing up, it was always just about the competition, and in all of life, the struggle to be the best. It took developing a different philosophy of life for me to realize it was a calling and not simply an accolade to my character.
What has been your proudest accomplishment as an internationally recognized Show Jumping and Dressage competitor? It is probably still being National Champion by 14, not anymore because of the actual achievement, but because every year since it reminds me of my goals, and the demands I must make of myself. I am proud to have a tangible symbol for an event that proves what I am capable of, while holding me accountable to achieve something great again. While it may seem trite, I used to put that particular plaque in front of my mirror, so that every day I have to look 14-yearold me in the eye and confront the expectations she has of me.
Boothe competing in Show Jumping and Dressage. Photos courtesy of Gigi Boothe.
You are establishing a nonprofit for the advancement of the equestrian sport in San Antonio - what is the mission behind the organization? Our 501(c)(3) is structured in tiers, with Hill Country Eventing Foundation at the top. Their mission is to advance the sport of three-day eventing in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. The creators of this foundation then founded two additional non-profits: Reckless Rangers, an organization supporting veterans with PTSD through equine therapy, and The Foundation to Advance International Equestrian Athletes, whose mission is to support talented riders with their eye on the Olympics. The latter foundation has chosen to support and fundraise for my competition efforts, and in return I am building a training and education program for young riders. Currently, these organizations are operating out of Fine Print Farms until an additional facility for high-level training is built.
How will your new organization make horse ownership accessible to a larger group of equestrian enthusiasts in the future? I think building a program and facility that caters to a wider audience of supporters will help the sport will grow. Why should anyone have to drive hours to their friend’s ranch to experience riding horses? Why can’t the average person sit amongst friends and family, sip a glass of wine and watch horses jump and dance on a Sunday afternoon? If you want to invest in a high-level horse, it should be easy for you to experience its day-to-day progress in an elegant, yet relaxed environment. Hopefully, we can provide these solutions as well as uphold a commitment to performance and education of the sport.
For more information, visit FinePrintFarms.com/Support and connect with Fine Print Farms on social media @fineprintfarms.
EVENT SPECIALIST
MARSHALL BUSH
Photography by Tammy Graham
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n the tireless industry of (Texas-sized) event planning, learning the ropes and striving for excellence is not for the faint of heart. As long as Marshall Bush is with The Events Company and learning from the best in the business, her creative well will never run dry. From her beginnings managing her horse stables in Washington D.C. to working on the Host Committee of Super Bowl LI in Houston, this high-achieving go-getter will continue to make her family proud as she works to honor the Bush legacy of public service...
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Questions & Anwsers What inspired the pivot on your journey from your path as a horse trainer to a career as a major events coordinator? I went to school for sports, entertainment, and event management so I always knew I wanted to be in events. When I moved back home to D.C. after college, I started working for the barn and I was going to help them get through summer camp, but I ended up falling in love with the horses, the kids, and the work so I stayed until I got engaged to my husband and moved to Charlottesville. I was a bit of a horse girl growing up and to this day love every kind of animal, so it was a natural fit and something totally different than anything I have ever done. I knew I would leave eventually to get back into events, but it was a nice break and something I never would have predicted I would do. It’s a love I will always have thanks to those years.
From where do you source your creativity? I get my creativity from anything and anyone really. Working at The Events Company is like working in a big family. We all pull from each other and help one another, which is great since I am still learning the ropes of producing and designing major events. I am certainly in a place where I am learning from the best and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity.
What is the most challenging event you have ever worked on, and why? I would say I have two. The first was Super Bowl LI. I started with the host committee pretty late in the game and that whole world is very fast paced and different from anything I have ever worked on. It was an amazing learning experience, but by the time game day was over I was exhausted. The second was Museum of Fine Arts’ gala this year. It was an incredible event and one I will be endlessly proud to have been a tiny part. We had only 24 hours to completely flip the space – it was a long, tiring, night of delirium and bonding with all hands- on deck.
(ABOVE) Marshall Bush at Super Bowl LI as a member of the Host Committee. (BELOW) President George H. W. Bush and granddaughter, Marshall Bush, at her wedding.
Describe the experience of being behind the scenes of the Super Bowl in Houston last year, and how meaningful it was for you to be on the field when your grandfather flipped the coin to start the game... Working on the Super Bowl was a dream come true. I have loved football since I was little, so getting to be a part of something I’ve watched so intently since I was a child was inspiring. Being on the field with my grandparents at the start of the game was truly unbelievable. I was so proud of them as everyone stood and cheered them on. It was life-changing in many ways to see just how many people love them almost as much as I do; it was an emotional moment for sure, since it was both the culmination of months of hard work for everyone on the host committee, and also as a granddaughter watching my grandparents after their lifetimes of public service.
What was it like growing up in a family that was so devoted to public service, and how did it shape your world views? Everyone in my family was raised to know how to do the right thing and serve others however and whenever you can, so I can’t exactly say what it’s like growing up with them because it’s all I know. I do know that public service has always been a part of all of our lives, and though most of us won’t serve in the way my grandparents did, we all try and do our part to make them proud.
For more information, visit TheEventsCo.com and connect with The Events Company on social media @the_eventscompany.
E CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
ELIZABETH FAUERSO A Day In The Life
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ehind every legacy project that transforms a big city is an imaginative marketing genius crafting its narrative. In San Antonio, the brilliantly eccentric Elizabeth Fauerso is the creative mind who has given the historic Pearl its shine. As CMO of Pearl Brewery, Elizabeth’s tireless passion for the place she works has turned into a second home for not only her family, but almost every other family in the Alamo City. A typical day in Elizabeth’s life is a delicate balance of work and family, and her mastery at shadowing the lines in between both allows her to conquer it all and create a life she loves...
For more information, visit AtPearl.com. Connect with the Pearl Brewery on social media @historicpearl and with Elizabeth Fauerso on social media @elifauerso.
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Photography by Josh Huskin
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6:30 AM Everyone else in the house is
asleep including our two dogs and Josie (4) – I’m the only morning person in our crew – so I usually start out the day listening to NPR, catching up on news and social media. Our house is chaotic in the morning as we round up Josie for school (choosing an outfit, accessories and what stuffed animal is going to ride with us in the car can take over an hour). I have so much respect for parents with more than one child – I feel like every day we come screeching out of our driveway with lunchbox, briefcase and yogurt flying!
10:00 AM First things first – a latte
from Local Coffee – best way to start any day! On weekdays I’m at Pearl, and on weekends I’m usually at Pearl as well. It’s such an honor and an incredibly dynamic and creative endeavor to work at Pearl that the line between work life and personal life is blurred if not missing altogether. We are working on building a neighborhood that is a community gathering place and so my day can hold any number of surprises – connecting with a chef, a small business owner, a community leader, brainstorming with a group of parents about how to make our park spaces more inviting and usable, if there’s one place I’m usually NOT in, it’s my office.
12:30 PM At lunch I’m usually meeting
Elizabeth’s daughter Josie and husband Chris Senn at Pearl, wearing Dos Carolinas. Photography by Jason Risner.
someone at one of our amazing restaurants or at the Bottling Department Food Hall. It’s important for me to stay connected with what’s happening in our Pearl community and I find there’s no better way to do so than being a regular customer. On the weekends, we’re often at the Farmers Market. We bring Josie’s scooter and spend hours roaming around, doing some shopping, grab a picnic lunch from Larder and head down to the river to feed the ducks. We love the experience of just hanging out and letting the day unfold. That’s something special about Pearl – something almost old fashioned – it’s a neighborhood where you know you’ll either see people you know or meet new people because the environment encourages people just “being” together.
3:00 PM When my wonderful parents
Paul and Josie Fauerso aren’t picking up Josie from school, I try to clear my schedule a couple of days a week so I can pick her up and do something special. We love going to the Witte and the Doseum in the early afternoon. The Witte has made a Jr. Paleontologist of Josie and she never tires of immersing herself in the incredible exhibitions. The Doseum is a favorite as well - most recently we’re really into the Spy Room, sand pit and super high slide.
6:30 PM Dinner time! On a recent trip
Josie Senn (4). Photography by Rahm Carrington.
to Spain I struggled mightily with their very late dinner schedule (10:30 or later!) - Josie, Chris and I are on toddler time and are either having dinner at home, hanging out at the Food Hall or at La Fonda on Main where we have been going at least once a week for as long as I can remember. In the summer we’ll camp out on one of our favorite Pearl patios like Cured or La Gloria and settle in for a long leisurely dinner and hang out with grandparents, cousins and friends – we’re really lucky to have both sets of parents in town and my sister Joey and her family – so we’re usually in a pretty good-sized group.
G ARTIST | STYLIST | DIGITAL STRATEGIST
GEORGIE FERRELL
Photography by Jane Fischer
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darling digital dynamo whose larger-than-life persona can be adored and admired even from behind a computer screen, Georgie Ferrell-native San Antonian turned Houstonite-swipes left and right at warp speed between her daily duties of publishing content on The Queen Midas, her fabulously funky non-conventional style blog, and as Director of Digital Strategy & Operations for PaperCity magazine. In a line of work where individuality sets you apart in the best way, and through a medium in which her vivacious giggle can only be heard visually, Ferrell is blazing ahead with an authentic digital footprint that’s setting quite the pace, and leaving many of us wowed in her cloud of metallic pixie dust...
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Questions & Anwsers
Describe your personal aesthetic... I try to focus on pieces that are unexpected and eccentric, things that will stand out. I like to invest in what I feel I won’t see anywhere else but also have some quirkiness or character to them. These days, I gravitate towards bright color pallets, weirdly fun eye-catching accessories and bold contemporary art. Even if it’s not a crowd pleaser, it’s important to surround yourself with interesting pieces that have an edge or a story - it makes me feel more fun. I think I subconsciously always think about the shock and awe factor.
What inspired you to start your fashion website, The Queen Midas? My website, named after my love of all things gold, is a mix of style ideas that has evolved into a sort of collaboration of all of my digital, fashion and art worlds. It has ended up being my little dream world. It is fun to make collages of clothing, accessories and art that can be juxtaposed together in a way that isn’t possible in real life, yet still inspires one’s style. The goal is to be visually playful and entertaining yet still be a tool for fashion and shopping advice. I also needed an outlet to document all the clothing, accessories and art that I fell in love with but that my bank account was forbidding me to attain.
How do you source your creativity when you design your iconic collages? The thing with collages that I love so much is that you can break the rules (who says a camel can’t wear earrings?) I do try to keep it literal and make a collage based on what I find myself wanting to own or currently obsessed with. It’s almost cathartic to tie together art and fashion and real-life happenings in a non-conventional way. It may be a summer lake weekend that inspires an outfit mood board or I may be fixated on Asian prints or contemporary art from an art fair that inspires a group of outfits, or sometimes I’m just really dying for a pair of statement earrings and a fun pair of shoes on a Wednesday (hence my hump day camel posts). It really all stems from making an unpredictably ideal and curated, stylish world in one tiny digital square.
The Queen Midas style collages. Photos courtesy of Georgie Ferrell.
You wear several hats as the Digital Strategy & Operations Director for Paper City magazine - what has been one of your favorite projects to work on, and why? It’s been an absolute dream to work on the digital team of such an illustrious lifestyle publication. We are able to deliver the latest and greatest in a much faster paced environment. The magazine has such a great emphasis on arts and culture and our goal is to translate that into a cutting edge, digital platform that goes beyond the magazine with more of the same great content for the cultivated eye. I recently got back from covering Art Basel and Design Miami/ in Miami Beach, it was surreal being surrounded by so much interesting art, culture and fascinating people…and then also being able to translate it into digital content that was engaging for our online audience.
What do you love most about your career in the digital space, and what excites you when you look 2-3 years in the future? As digital media becomes more and more relevant, it has been fascinating working on the constant growth and development of PaperCityMag.com and seeing how readers now rely primarily on getting their news on their phones and computers. The digital space for magazines is facing an emphasis on the experience the reader gets and allowing the same highly curated content to be enticing and readily available in a world of digital content overload. I think that it is going to be more and more important to establish a solid and reliable platform for an audience who wants to get their information in creative and efficient ways but that can still be aesthetically appealing and full of rich editorial content.
For more information, visit TheQueenMidas.com and PaperCityMag.com, and connect with Ferrell on social media @thequeenmidas. For her coverage of Art Basel click HERE, and to purchase her fashion collage prints on The Queen Midas click HERE.
ARCHITECT
KRISTIN HEFTY
Photography by Josh Huskin
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f you’re a foodie in San Antonio, chances are you’ve dined amongst the tastefully trendy work of the DADO Group. Partner and Project Architect behind the revered and favorited firm is Kristin Hefty. Focused on creating purposeful places and spaces such as Signature, High Street Wine, Rosella Coffee, The Granary and more, Hefty opens up her sketchbook to clue us in on her personal taste, designs she’s delved into and her favorite plans in the DADO queue...
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Questions & Anwsers
(ABOVE) Stanford Residence. Photography by Dror Baldinger. (BELOW) DADO Group. Photography by Josh Huskin.
Define your ideal architectural aesthetic... Authentic, and of its place, but also a little avant-garde and unexpected.
Where do you find your creative inspiration? Everywhere. I have a passion for beautiful objects and spaces and a respect for those who create them.
Which projects do you prefer: commercial or residential, and why? I like both, but I love how commercial projects have the potential to impact people on a greater scale. Residential projects I like because they feel more like a personal gift to the owners.
What has been your favorite project to design overall? I am super excited about the current design for our new DADO Group office and co-working space that we currently have under contract.
What excites you most about the Dado Group as you plan for the next few years? There are so many possibilities. San Antonio’s restaurant and hospitality scene has been exploding over the past few years. We are super excited to be a part of all the positive change happening here.
For more information, visit DADO-Group.com and connect with the DADO Group on social media @dadogroup.
W PUBLICIST
WHITNEY KUHN LAWSON A Day In The Life
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or publicist Whitney Kuhn Lawson, a life in the fast lane is where she prefers to stay. Raised in San Antonio, she cut her TV teeth in Washington D.C. and the Big Apple as a publicist for some of the nation’s most known and respected journalists and entertainers: George Stephanopoulos, Susan Zirinsky, Gayle King and Bette Midler (to name but a few). After a decade away, she has boomeranged back to her beloved home state and is now in Houston with Allied Integrated Marketing publicizing films and working with some of the top names in the industry: Netflix, 20th Century Fox and IFC. We asked Lawson to take us through a day in her life behind-thescenes in the business of the big screen...
For more information, visit AlliedIM.com and connect with Allied Integrated Marketing on social media @alliedimhouston.
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Photography by Jeanann Wilkinson
W 6:30 AM In the off chance my
Labrador Retriever (Bolo) or King Charles Cavalier Spaniel (Milo) haven’t pounced on top of me by this point, my phone alarm will sound a deafening pitch until I get up and turn it off. Regardless of outdoor temperature, I submerge my face in ice-cold water each morning before taking the dogs for a quick walk. I have a rotation of Matcha, Katz’ cold brew, or chilled lemon water on my drive to the office.
10:00 AM I’ll preface by saying every
day in PR is different, but for the most part by this time I’ve connected with each member of my team and gone over what the day looks like. If I have a screening or event that night, I have talked to the theater and/or venue to confirm we’re all set for that evening’s festivity. Additionally, I’ve gone through national, local, and trade publications to see if any of our studios or films are mentioned or what is new and trending within the industry. Knowledge is power!
12:30 PM A huge part of my job as a
Whitney Kuhn Lawson and George Stephanopoulos.
publicist is to have a good relationship with the media, so I truly enjoy going out and meeting with people one-on-one and learning how we can work together more efficiently. I have lunch often with local and state-wide publications to discuss ways in which we can collaborate. If I’m lucky, I’m chatting society and culture over saffron mussels and frites at Etoile Cuisine et Bar in Uptown Park.
3:00 PM Team meeting with the local
FOX (KRIV) affiliate at our office. This gives us a chance to have face-to-face time with the on-air talent and producers behind the entertainment packages. We go over our film and TV slate at length and vet ideas on what would work for their audience to help further promote our clients’ titles.
6:30 PM The majority of our advance
Whitney Kuhn Lawson and Bette Midler.
Susan Zirinsky and Whitney Kuhn Lawson.
screenings are at 7:00PM during the week, so generally I’m checking press and VIPs in beforehand and catching up with them. Our screenings conclude around 9:00PM. After collecting press comment cards I go home and input them in our database, which is then accessed via the studios so they can see how their films were received in each market. Despite having movie popcorn for dinner on a regular basis, it’s a special treat to have the opportunity to screen major blockbusters in advance.
E REALTOR
ELIZABETH BARRERA LUTZ A Day In The Life
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ith a latte in her left hand as she pushes her daughter Vivi’s stroller with her right, Southtown’s sweetheart Realtor Elizabeth Barrera Lutz is your go-to resource for creating a dream life in one of San Antonio’s most serene and historic neighborhoods. Her jam-packed days juggling a busy career with motherhood and marriage seem as breezy as a walk on the river for this social and savvy King William dweller. We’ve asked her to share a day in her life, and we know after reading this interview you’ll be ready to move right in and call her neighbor...
For more information, visit KingWMRealty.com, CedarStreetTownhomes.com and connect with King William Realty on social media @kingwilliamrealty.
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Photography by Siggi Ragnar
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6:30 AM REM Cycle. I sleep later in the
mornings because I’m up late. Early mornings are for snuggling with my eight-month-old daughter Vivi, my husband Gino, and Bill—our domestic longhair cat.
10:00 AM By this time I have responded
to calls, emails, texts, made breakfast, and dressed Vivi and myself for the day. We then stroll over to the King William Realty office to check the mail and catch up with Broker/ Developer and owner of King William Realty, Steve Yndo. Then I walk by to check on the Cedar St. Townhomes progress. If needed, mornings are also when I like to meet with sellers and photograph properties for new listings.
12:30 PM Vivi is cared for at home at
this point, so my lunches are spent out, usually with clients at Liberty Bar or La Frite. Clients who are new to the area usually request tours, which we take on foot or in a car if heading out toward Pearl to check out SoJo Crossings’ new townhome phase, SoJo Commons.
Gino and Elizabeth Lutz walking with daughter Vivi.
3:00 PM If a client is ready to make an offer on something we have seen, now is the time negotiating begins. The rest of the day is spent submitting and revising offers and working to get to escrow. Once under contract, I swing by Bolner’s Meat Company, South Flores Market HEB, or Central Market to grab groceries for dinner. Cooking is when I decompress and recharge for evening.
6:30 PM At this time, I’m entertaining
Overseeing construction at Cedar Street Townhomes.
Vivi while sprucing up the house (unless it is Wednesday, in which case I walk to Southtown Yoga Loft for Ashtanga Yoga class at 6:00). I serve dinner and once my family is taken care of, I’m back on my laptop uploading photos for new listings or drafting listing agreements. If the mood strikes, I perambulate along the river or through the neighborhood for a perfect end to the workday. King William is a lovely, lively neighborhood, so if I’m feeling social I can always meet with my sister, friends, and neighbors at any of the restaurants or bars that sit steps away from our house.
C ADVERTISING & MARKETING ENTREPRENEUR
CAMILLE MANDIGO
Photography by Siggi Ragnar
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nyone who has stepped through the doors of TradeCraft’s industrial-chic office in downtown San Antonio has seen firsthand the power Camille Mandigo possesses to build a brand’s aesthetic. She knows the tricks of the marketing trade...and is one of the best at her craft. Her tribe of women who make up the team at TradeCraft agency are tightknit, open-minded and high-performing, and Camille’s innovative approach to advertising continues to break barriers that toss them to the top of the industry list...
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Questions & Anwsers What makes a strong brand? A strong brand should be visually identifiable, results motivated, unique and consistent with personality, positioning and messaging. Ideally, a brand (over time) should evoke a positive human emotion, but this is only a result of consistency in quality of product, service and culture.
How is TradeCraft’s model different from traditional PR and marketing agencies? TradeCraft is a full-service, open-innovation advertising agency. The openinnovation model expands our resources and eliminates conceptual and executional boundaries by removing the limitations inherent in a traditional advertising agency with a large, static staff. Our approach allows us to optimize assets while controlling costs. We can then pass along the savings to our clients.
The women of TradeCraft agency. Photos courtesy of Camille Mandigo.
What has been your biggest lesson learned as an entrepreneur? Being ubiquitous and staying ahead of trend is critical. Always look to expand your talent pool. We have forged relationships with other agencies, and these collaborations have been massively beneficial. We are no longer concerned with “owning an idea,” we are focused on working with the best minds to problem solve for our clients.
What do you consider to be your favorite type of account (client) to work on, and why? My favorite type of client is one who has a specific business goal and needs help achieving it. Whether this is to start a new small business or to launch a multimillion-dollar development, realizing results for your client is the most fulfilling part of the job.
How do you predict the marketing industry will evolve over the next few years, and what does that mean for brands? Technology will continue to enhance great creative work and enable the accuracy of message deliverability to consumers. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are complete game changers.
For more information, visit Trade-Craft.com and connect with TradeCraft agency on social media @tradecraftagency.
T CHEF | ENTREPRENEUR
TIM McDIARMID
Photography by Lané Pittard
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hen it comes to the San Antonio culinary scene, there are a handful of stand-out chefs who have been at the forefront of the food renaissance. Chef and entrepreneur Tim McDiarmid has been at the top of the heap for years, innovating and creating culinary experiences that have changed the local landscape for wholesome, clean eating. From her exclusive local pop-up dinners and her guided culinary trips to the Italian Riviera with her catering business Tim the Girl, to her new clean eats kiosk and meal delivery service The Good Kind housed out of Pearl’s Bottling Dept., we have a feeling that McDiarmid’s projects have only just begun to whet our appetites...
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Questions & Anwsers What is your philosophy on food? I think food should be simple, fun and approachable. Starting with quality ingredients is the most important part of creating any dish, no matter what you’re making. I strive to buy locally, using fruit, vegetables and meat from local Texas farmers in the recipes I create. You can truly taste the difference.
Where do you find your creative inspiration? From my life, my memories and my experiences. I grew up in the remote place of Tappen, Canada, with a population of just a few hundred. We had no fast food or restaurants near us, so eating fresh and local was not only a choice, but also a necessity. I also find endless inspiration annually when I run culinary trips to Italy. I’ve had the opportunity to eat at some of the most unbelievable restaurants and at local homes. Touring European markets, devouring the fresh ingredients, chatting with farmers and fishermen on the best preparations, cooking with my own flair and then sitting down to meals made with friends on the trips gives me great inspiration.
How did you develop the concepts behind your catering and meal delivery services? I moved here from New York and was a full-time single mother in a new town and had to figure out how to support us. I had worked in almost all of the facets of the culinary world in New York and saw a need for fresh farm-to-table catering in San Antonio with a unique perspective. I worked from home for a long time cooking for people and then started taking on bigger and bigger jobs, leading me to get a commercial space and hire a great team. The same can be said for The Good Kind. For some reason, the idea just felt right and I thought, you know what? It’s time. I wanted The Good Kind to bring a fresh perspective to people’s eating habits, showing them that food that is good for you can also taste amazing. The Good Kind also provided an outlet for our at-home meal delivery service, which has really caught on here, since most of the meal services people order are national. By the time the food arrives it’s already…well, not that fresh.
What are you most excited about for the futures of Tim the Girl catering and The Good Kind?
(ABOVE) Tim the Girl catering. Photography by Lucero Salinas. (BELOW) Tim McDiarmid, recently voted Best Chef in San Antonio. Photography by Lilliana Story.
There are so many cool new venues and great wedding and event planners in San Antonio. I look forward to collaborating with them, and our surrounding communities on big and exciting jobs. We have the capacity to do so much with the incredible team that we have, and there’s truly no limit as to what we can create. I am also excited about Tim the Girl being voted best caterer in 2016 and 2017. We are going to continue to listen to our clients and work with them collaboratively – and hopefully take home the award in years to come. Additionally, we just found out that The Good Kind took home four categories in San Antonio Magazine’s “Best of the City” awards in the healthy eats, sandwich, gluten-free and breakfast taco categories for our Paleo taco, and I won Best Chef.
What are a few examples of some events you have catered and what was your favorite private event? The 1200-person corporate event at the Grand Hyatt was an amazing experience. Thus far it is the biggest event we have done. The clients were a big event planning company from L.A. and said it was one of the best parties they’ve ever had. We love working with The Witte Museum too. They have so many excellent spaces with unlimited potential. We recently catered their VIP event, which was great fun. The feedback was really positive from so many people, which, of course, feels great. We once did an intimate private party up on an old bridge—it was really unique and breathtaking. I spearheaded a pop-up restaurant/art series when I first moved here and we did about 20 very different and very cool parties. (To see photos, you can go to TheSpecialProjectsSocial.com.)
For more information, visit TimtheGirl.com. Connect with Tim the Girl on social media @timthegirl and The Good Kind on social media @eatgoodkind.
JEWELRY | INTERIOR DESIGNER
NICOLA MCLAUGHLIN A Day In The Life
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or interior and jewelry designer Nicola McLaughlin, creativity comes easily. With her popular line of one-of-a-kind baubles and impeccable taste in home dĂŠcor, she has built quite the presence and following at a very young age landing her national attention among tastemakers. Her greatest accomplishment and joy to date, however? Motherhood. Here, McLaughlin takes us through a day in her life as she balances raising Sophia with running her bustling business between nap times...
For more information, visit NicolaBathie.com and McLaughlinInteriors.com and connect with Nicola Bathie McLaughlin on social media @nicolabathiedesigns.
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Photography by Raven Photography
6:30 AM Say goodbye to the night nanny,
and hello to our precious two-month-old ray of sunshine. I feed Sophia until she falls back to sleep and while she is eating, I make mental notes of what’s to do and to come of the day. She is normally back to sleep by 7:00AM, so I rush to the office (our back house) to get started. I always respond to emails first and I then try to make a few pieces of jewelry and leave interior design to-dos to the afternoon.
10:00 AM Play time and snack time.
Sophia is awake again by now, so she eats, we play and as of a few weeks ago, she smiles. Apart from the giggles, kicking, and taking tons of pictures, I manage to work a little bit at this time, too. I have a play gym in my office so I can multitask while she is entertained.
12:30 PM Lunch time for me. I take this break to scroll through Instagram, catch up on the news, respond to more emails, and chat with friends. A pop-in from Sophia’s grandparents typically happens over lunch. Nicola McLaughlin’s home, by McLaughlin Interiors. Photos courtesy of Nicola McLaughlin.
3:00 PM It is nap time and back to
the office we go. I focus on interior design in the afternoon because the natural lighting is better in my office at this time of day. From fabric scheming and work orders, to floor plans and furniture and lighting specs, it’s always a productive time period.
6:30 PM Daddy is home and Sophia is
Nicola Bathie Designs.
Nicola McLaughlin’s home, by McLaughlin Interiors. Photos courtesy of Nicola McLaughlin.
ready to take her last nap of the day. We take a walk around our neighborhood together to get her to drift off to sleep and we talk about our days. We have dinner together, and after dinner and throughout the evening (and the middle of the night) I am remotely working off and on.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
NINA MEANS
Photography by Todd White
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or up-and-coming high-end contemporary women’s wear designer Nina Means, quality is key. With Austin as the headquarters for her collection, her clothes are designed in Texas and made in the USA. Means’ Italian training has set her apart from others in her space, earning her several local and regional awards and accolades, and her story is as authentic as it gets. A former public healthcare professional who took a leap of faith to pursue her passions and become a fashion designer, Means embodies the same effortless style, bold femininity and fearless power that her clothing celebrates in women...
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Questions & Anwsers What is the philosophy behind The Nina Means Collection?
I really stand behind three principles when it comes to my collection: superior fit, sustainability, and women empowering women. Regardless of size, my brand accommodates women’s curves; it’s really about proportions and flattering your best assets. The entire line is made-to-order for specialty stores, plus a little extra for e-commerce. We don’t create too much inventory, which can easily turn into waste. Lastly, it is very important to me that the clothes make women feel powerful and supported. We do this through the silhouettes of the collection and through partnerships with women-owned businesses.
When did you first become inspired by fashion? I first fell in love with fashion when I watched my grandmother make clothes for my aunts. The old photo albums of colorful sheath dresses, pant suits, and jackets had me infatuated at a young age. I kept sketchbooks for years dreaming of making my designs real one day.
The Nina Means Collection.
How did you transition from a career in public health to a career in design? I had worked in public health for about seven years before I decided to take a leap of faith, quit my job, rented my condo in Washington D.C. and moved to Italy to begin an International Fashion Design degree at Fashion Institute of Technology. Upon returning to New York, I was very persistent about landing an internship, and I found myself at Rebecca Taylor. They took good care of me and helped me land my next job designing the women’s collection at American Eagle Outfitters and later, H by Halston for QVC
What was the biggest takeaway you learned while studying with tailors and pattern makers in Italy, and how do those lessons inform the way you design today? My foundation was in Italy. I learned to listen to the fabric and what it wanted to become...like a sculptor does with a piece of wood or marble. I learned to listen to the customer and what they wanted in the fit of a garment. Lastly, I learned to trust my eye and the beauty it finds in the inspiration all around me.
What are your plans for the Nina Means brand over the next few years? I really want to focus on the Nina Means brand being a homegrown Texas business. So, I would love to focus on really building my brand locally first. However, because we live in very global and socially connected world, I would love to see my brand grow throughout the US and eventually sell in stores around the world.
For more information, visit NinaMeans.com and connect with Nina Means on social media @ninameansusa. To purchase pieces from The Nina Means Collection, click HERE and HERE.
ARTIST
LUCY PEVETO
Photography by Moxie Photography
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rom attorney to artist, Lucy Peveto has undergone a metamorphosis much like the subject of her work: the butterfly. Spreading her wings of creativity just as the butterflies who are the stars of her art, Peveto’s now-revered and iconic work once hung humbly in her home in San Antonio. It has since taken flight into galleries and shows all over the country. Utilizing mixed mediums, she celebrates the assurance that we can all be born again through grace and the beauty of natural transformation...
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Questions & Anwsers What caused you to explore a creative transformation from attorney to artist? I started creating art as a stress reliever while I was practicing law. I really enjoyed the creative outlet painting provided me on the weekends. I hung one of my pieces in my house and an artist friend encouraged me to pursue painting. I asked Ana Montoya, owner of AnArte Gallery, to look at a few of my creations and from that day, Ana has been selling my artwork.
Why the butterfly? Ultimately the butterfly represents change. We can learn so much from a butterfly’s metamorphosis. I love the idea that we are cocooning with every life experience and come out the other side (hopefully) a stronger, more radiant person. My butterfly specimens are ethically sourced from their natural habitats after living a full life. I frequently use damaged butterflies and repair them with gold leaf as a metaphor for God’s work in us.
Artwork photos courtesy of Lucy Peveto.
What materials do you work with, and how did you learn to use them? Other than the butterflies, I’m known for my use of epoxy resin, which results in a thick, high gloss finish. At first I was only using it as a finishing material, but years later I have started using it as a medium.
Where do you find your creative inspiration? I like to work organically. I let the painting take its own direction and I try to shape it along the way utilizing many resin and paint layers. I start with abstract, often large gestural movements that I can re-discover later as I better define what is speaking to me. For commissioned pieces, I meet with clients to discuss color and butterfly selections and try to capture their personalities in the art. .
Where has your art been displayed in the past, and where is it aimed in the future? My work is shown across the country and is currently in the following galleries: AnArte Gallery, San Antonio, TX; Corazon Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM; New River Fine Art, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Wertheim Contemporary Paia, Maui, HI. One of my favorite solo shows was hosted by Neiman Marcus where I was asked to create paintings inspired by their spring look book. I look forward to doing more pop-up shows in the future and already have plans for one in Austin, TX with AdINa Gallery.
For more information, visit LucyPeveto.com and connect with Lucy Peveto on social media @lucypeveto, or through her personal email at lmp@lucypeveto.com.
HAIR STYLIST | ENTREPRENEUR
LISA WELLER A Day In The Life
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f you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be part of any major fashion week show around the world, San Antonio is home to one hair stylist who has all of the insider’s insights. Lisa Weller, owner of and lead stylist at beloved Twirl Salon inside of Blue Star, not only has built a local beauty empire with the highestprofile clients who rely on her team year-round, but has also built an international styling career working backstage for a bevy of mega-brands and supermodels: Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Versace and more (just to name a few). Weller is packing us into her bags and taking us to Paris for a day in her life backstage at Paris Fashion Week...
For more information visit TwirlHair.com. Connect with Twirl Salon on social media @twirlsalon and with Lisa Weller on social media @lolatwirls.
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Photography by Leslie Rimkus
6:30 AM I have been up since 5:00AM...
no time for coffee. I wash my face, dab some cream under my tired eyes, perfect my brows, and that’s all I have time for. I catch an Uber to my first location: Hotel Montaigne (one of my favorites) to color and style a private client for a 10:00AM show. She is a magazine editor and I get her ready to attend events.
9:30 AM I finally grab coffee and meet up
with a friend for a quick bite to discuss Fashion Week plans, tips and tricks, gigs, etc. Any café in Paris is beautiful and inspiring, so it doesn’t matter where we meet. This time it’s near the Rue Saint-Honoré.
12:30 PM I arrive at my next location: The Grand Palais, for job number deux. I juggle between as many tasks as possible backstage to get models ready (and I drink as much water as I can to make it through).
6:30 PM It’s show time, which is
organized chaos. The bulk of my job is done once the show begins. Lisa Weller (center) and her “Twirl Girls,” the women of Twirl Salon.
7:00 PM
I arrive at my third location, the Mandarin Oriental hotel. I am there to get models ready for a Fashion Week party.
10:00 PM
I meet friends for some much-needed French wine and a relaxed dinner. It’s casual – often sushi or burgers; we can never make reservations during Fashion Week because we never know how our days will end up, and whether or not we will have to cancel.
Lisa Weller and supermodel Cara Delevigne.
Lisa Weller styling backstage for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week.
2:00 AM Bedtime. There is no time to sleep when you’re in the City of Lights doing what you love most.
J FASHION MARKETER
JESSICA ZAPATERO
Photography by Richard Gutierrez
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or this fashionista who has learned to love the outdoors, action sports are a lifestyle. Jessica Zapatero has launched a brand that combines function, fashion, and femininity for sports and recreation, and now the hunt is over for modern performance fashion outdoors. From her home base in San Antonio, Zapatero is empowering women through Taruca Outdoor, blending beauty with strength for the sake of sport. We know you’ll want more than a few pieces for your next weekend away at the ranch...
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Questions & Anwsers What is the philosophy behind the Taruca Outdoor lifestyle collection? Our philosophy is to honor the bravado of women who perform action sports and pursue adventure travel outdoors. We design for who love the wild as much as they do fashion. Our brand allows women to look and feel their best with performance fashion that delivers fit and function.
Why were you inspired to create a women’s outdoor lifestyle line? My husband is an avid outdoorsman, and I realized there was a void in the market for updated camouflage used commonly in the ranching, safari or shooting sports environment. No one has ‘Lululemon-ized’ this industry. We are the first brand to meet that need and it is very exciting.
Jessica Zapatero with her new line of clothing and lifestyle products for Taruca Outdoor.
What has been a challenge associated with launching a startup that you have been most proud to overcome? Finding the resources for designing and manufacturing apparel in Texas has been very challenging. Sadly, we see that much of the industry has withered away in the U.S. We are excited to work with other women owned factories in Texas that also parallel our values of creating a stronger economy in our local community by manufacturing locally.
How is Taruca Outdoor building women’s empowerment into the framework of its brand? Women are fearless and daring. It is evident in the annual average of the 11 % increase in female participation in action sports such as hunting, fishing, sailing, skydiving, trekking, mountain climbing, etc. Our mission is to empower women with apparel that allows them to feel beautiful while they connect with nature and the outdoors.
Where do you see Taruca Outdoor 2-3 years from now? We see Taruca Outdoor as a strong, feisty brand that will have a substantial e-commerce presence, as well as placement in luxury and sporting retailers, Safari lodges and boutiques. It’s our vision to be an iconic brand that consumers will associate with travel and wildlife adventures.
For more information, visit TarucaOutdoor.com and connect on social media with Taruca Outdoor @tarucaoutdoor.
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