fashion forward
ADVERTISING EVENTS PROMOTIONS
NeimaN marcus & Vegas rated celebrate WomeN oN the cusp Rock into fall with a special event September 18
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oast the fantastic women who are “making some noise� in Las Vegas. Neiman Marcus partners with Vegas Rated to honor Women on the CUSP. Join us for a stylish cocktail party at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 18, featuring an acoustic set by local singer-songwriter Jordan Mitchell. Sip cocktails, enjoy light bites and meet Mitchell after her performance. Take home a signed copy of her EP with any CUSP purchase made during the event. Plus, with any $350 or more regularly priced purchase in CUSP September 18-21, receive a three-bracelet gift while supplies last. The celebration continues from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 20. Enjoy sweet treats and DJ tunes while shopping. Plus, get your jeans distressed when you make any CUSP denim purchase that day. In Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com
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editor’s letter
What’s old is neW again In Vegas, there’s always a road that leads to a place that used to be. One of my favorites is Hacienda Avenue, so named because it was the street that led to the Hacienda Casino (now Mandalay Bay). Another favorite is Desert Inn Road, which for 50 years served as the entry point to one of Las Vegas’ grande dame resorts. And while those “once weres” are long gone, Sahara Avenue bridges a 62-year gap between old and new when SLS Las Vegas made its debut in August. Las Vegas lives for moments like this. We do new well. WHERE I BRUNCH to complement the cuisine of executive chef mark andelbradt—whose career I have been following since I moved to vegas seven years ago—Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio in Te venetian recently introduced a novel Build Your own Bloody mary bar, where guests receive a fask of vodka, gin or tequila (theirs to keep and refll). Ten it’s time to hit the bufet of accoutrements, including traditional Bloody mary mix and seasonal choices such as strawberry balsamic and roasted tomatillo. Finally, top it all of with exotic garnishes in the realm of candied bacon, popcorn shrimp or pickled Brussels sprouts. $19, every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., 702.796.1110; wolfgangpuck.com
WHAT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT London Sole x tokidoki is my favorite collaboration for fall. Te chic British footwear designer, known for its stylish fats, embarks on its frst-ever joint collection with a lifestyle brand. Luckily for me, they chose tokidoki by Simone Legno. I am completely obsessed with his whimsical Japanese-inspired designs. Buttery soft suede, bold graphics and emblems of tokidoki’s most recognizable characters (including SaNdy the cactus, donutella and adios) punctuate the seven styles of shoes for her. also coming this fall, look for tokidoki slot games! londonsole.com; tokidoki.it
In a stroke of madness, the editors of Vegas Rated decided it would be an exhilarating and challenging task to chronicle the first 36 hours of SLS Las Vegas, and since it opened to the public August 23 and this is the September issue, well, you do the math. As our cover proclaims, it truly is “all eyes” on the “bright lights” of the “big city.” Beyond SLS Las Vegas, this issue celebrates fall fashion, and what we’ve seen coming down the runways pays homage to the decadent past of our desert town: flamboyant furs, glitz, metallic leathers and opulent suedes. On the retail front, August and September have proven to be big for store openings, from Ted Baker at Fashion Show to AllSaints and Mulberry in The Forum Shops at Caesars (see page 42 for the exclusive scoop on AllSaints). If you love shopping, relish our 30-plus pages of glorious fall trends (starting on page 46), all available in Vegas, including some of the best new fragrances. Never one to downplay the importance of a birthday, Vegas Rated turns 3 this month. That odd little digit has always been a lucky one for me, and it hopefully will be for her. If I were you, I’d bet on red.
MeLINDA SHeCkeLLS Editor-in-Chief Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated
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contributors DEVIN HOWELL Writer Howell, a Las Vegas native, enjoyed showcasing this season’s standout accessories at the Phillips Collection showroom in “All That Glitters” (Page 46). “The embellished designs proved to be striking against the organic vibe of the collection,” she says. Howell looks forward to the wardrobe transition the fall season brings, and is excited to see this trend of ornamentation play out in the upcoming months.
DENNIS MARSHALL COOPER Hairstylist
BEN WARD Creative Director Vegas Rated’s creative director is a transplant from Los Angeles. Ward has contributed to publications such as Flaunt and Italian Vogue, and even designed for pop star Janet Jackson. After taking a break from Vegas Rated to work on Las Vegas luxury magazine Crystals, which highlights the pristine retailers of The Shops at Crystals, he transitions back to the magazine that brought him to Vegas. “I look forward to continuing to establish Las Vegas as a fashion capital through the pages of Rated, including in this issue, where we highlight the killer styles of the city. Really, look no further than our cover!”
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Cooper is a Las Vegas-based hairstylist at Square Colour Salon + Spa in Summerlin. His work has been recognized in some of the most acclaimed high-fashion magazines. Cooper has also worked with designers such as Alexander McQueen, Jason Wu and Zac Posen during Fashion Week in New York City. His inspiration for “From Vega$ with Love” (Page 56) is a modern interpretation of 1960s Natalie Wood.
LAURIE BROOKINS Writer
CASEY BRENNAN Writer
Brookins, who currently lives in NYC, is an award-winning fashion journalist whose work has appeared in publications such as Robb Report, Newsday and The Hollywood Reporter. “Interviewing Wil Beedle about AllSaints’ latest boutique in Las Vegas (‘AllSaints Comes Marching In,’ Page 42) was really pleasurable, largely because I could tell he really got into the spirit of Las Vegas. The brand is perfect for this city, with its nightlife focus and bit of edge. AllSaints turns 21 this year, and we agreed there isn’t a better place for its birthday party.”
Brennan is a NYC-based writer with a passion for eating and drinking and documenting it on her website, thirstyNYC.com. A former accountant, she enjoyed catching up with Jordan Kelley about his revolutionary company Robocoin (“New Money Man” Page 34). “It was fascinating to learn about how Robocoin and Bitcoin are taking over the world,” she says. Brennan was also impressed with Maile Pacheco’s new app-based beauty company beGlammed (“Glam Squad,” Page 33). “I love what she is doing. It’s going to totally change the way women get groomed in Vegas!”
miChael skenanDoRe puBlisheR assoCiaTe puBlisheR eDiToR-in-ChieF CReaTiVe DiReCToR
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VEGAS’ NEW FACE OF JAPANESE CUISINE THE DYNAMIC PAIRING OF MASTER SUSHI CHEF KATSUYA UECHI AND DESIGN IMPRESARIO PHILIPPE STARCK HAS ARRIVED ON THE STRIP.
RESERVATIONS: 702.761.7611 | SLSVEGAS.COM
the hit list
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PHOTOGRAPH BY AnTHOnY MAiR
1 Incognito and Trouble. Based on style names alone, we fgure Marc Jacobs’ fall 2014 handbag line will be a hit in Las Vegas. The shapes associated with these purses are familiar—conventional, even—but the devil is in the details. Incognito resembles a classic doctor’s bag and is available in three sizes. Options are (textured) Black, Mushroom and Peony, and (smooth) Black, Absinthe, Light Blue, Plum and Cashew. (Shown here.) Trouble has a sophisticated envelope silhouette and fnished with a polishednickel faceted chain. Its clasp is a work of art, comprised of seven pieces, engraved and fnished with mini studs. The circular face is hinged and hides the turn lock mechanism behind, giving a clean and refned look. It is a new signature amenity on MJ’s leather goods. Find Trouble in shades such as (box calf) Makeup, Sky and Black; (suede) Mud, Slate and Teal; (quilted) Cream, Nude and Black; and (ostrich) Dark Silver. This season signifes the return of Jacobs’ full attention to the eponymous brand after 15 years at the helm of Louis Vuitton. And his mantra is “understated to make a statement,” putting a fresh take on classic fashion, from ready-to-wear to accessories. In The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.369.2007; marcjacobs.com –MELINDA SHECKELLS
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The Scene
show support By Jessi C. Acuña
Vegas PBS’ cade cridland creates a new platform to showcase local talent
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Backyard Sessions offers them a noteworthy outlet that didn’t previously exist. Each episode includes three live recordings of the artist’s original music, anchored with a interview led by local poet and DJ Etchane. Creating this show was a natural step for the Rancho Cucamonga, California, native and UNLV graduate, who has merged his personal love of music with his passion for TV production. Cridland spends much of his week as an editor and videographer for various Vegas PBS projects and on-air shows such as the Clark County School District-produced Inside Education and the upcoming documentary series Makers: Women in Nevada History. But it was at the unlikeliest of places—his wedding—that inspiration struck for Backyard Sessions. After a private ceremony in Coronado, California, Cridland and his wife opted for a party at his in-laws’ Henderson Anthem Country Club home in place of a traditional reception. “We put up big wood pillars and bulb lights and strung them all the way across the backyard,” Cridland says. “We had a live blues rock band and a local barbecue place cater. I remember looking out over the backyard [that faces the Strip] right as the sun was starting to set, and everybody was enjoying [themselves]. It dawned on me that this would be a really interesting concept for a show, because it’s something that everyone relates to.” This all-American assemblage ultimately became the vision for the set of Backyard Sessions, which includes a grill, lounge chairs, mason jars, a Radio Flyer from Cridland’s in-laws and a mountain sunset outline from Red Rock. Now all he needed was the equipment to make it happen. Cridland had to include a sizzle reel in a grant submission for PBS’ Digital Entrepreneurs photography equipment. With help from Sabriel, American Cream and The Solid Suns, he produced a three-minute clip to send in for consideration. And it worked. He was awarded the camera kit, a
necessity for creating high-quality Web content, which includes a turnkey Canon 6D that, according to Cridland, “takes the show’s production to another level.” Even more importantly, the show will be considered for its own channel under the PBS Digital Studio YouTube umbrella through the grant, giving these bands an opportunity “to be showcased on a national level through a trusted brand.” Besides a push for Web content from PBS national to build more audience outreach, Cridland knew the roots of the show needed to be planted online “to reach digital natives or millennials, a generation used to second-screen viewing. They might be watching Nova on the air, but at the same time they’re updating social media or they’re watching something on YouTube.” He understands programming on the Web generates traffc through mobile devices, making it simple to share videos. And for the aforementioned eight bands that are hoping to fnd a future in the music industry, Cridland, an avid concertgoer, will be right there supporting them along the way. “What’s going to determine if we continue are a couple of different things,” Cridland says, noting that “community support is a big aspect of it.” This isn’t just about bolstering musicians, either. Cridland’s flm crew is made up of student staff and interns. Not only because “students really support the local music scene … so they get to be a little bit more creative with their camera movements,” Cridland says, but because he, too, got his start at Vegas PBS during his college years before taking time off to travel after graduation. It’s a system that continues today: “I’m around a lot of really great employees who helped facilitate my growth as a person here,” he says. And like a good big brother, he knows that once you’ve found your footing, it’s time to pass the torch. Just like those before him, he’s imparting valuable life lessons to the younger set while letting them discover a tune all their own. vegaspbs.org/backyardsessions
CADE CRIDLAND: JESSE J SUTHERLAND; STILLS COURTESy Of CADE CRIDLAND & VEgAS PBS
ade Cridland assumes the role of protective big brother to those who come on the set of Vegas PBS’ new Web series Backyard Sessions. He’s engaging the talent by walking them through the process, making sure they are comfortable and know what to expect. He’s sharply dressed but approachable. You can ask him questions, and he’s got the right advice. This isn’t part of his job description, but rather a refection of a man who’s willing to create a platform just so others can rise to the occasion. And in this case, it’s local musicians reaping the reward of a show he’s crafted from scratch. Backyard Sessions is a place for, Cridland says, “highlighting artists, performers, singers and songwriters.” The series, which includes eight 12- to 15-minute episodes to be released once a week starting October 1, showcases one local act per show. He emphasizes that it’s a niche to help musicians come into their own. The bands— American Cream, HaleAmanO, Jill and Julia, Jordan Mitchell, The Perks, Play for Keeps, Sabriel and The Solid Suns—have already inspired local followings in their own right, but
The Cellar
Meet the Makers hit the road and get to know two winemakers who have heavily influenced Vegas palates
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By Christopher Calicott Photography by elizabeth Beuhring
eorge Wines and Antica Terra produce some terrifc examples of California and Oregon wines. You can fnd George at between 60 and 70 restaurants in Las Vegas, including Marché Bacchus, Scarpetta and Le Cirque. Antica Terra is on offer at a number of restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck’s popular steakhouse Cut. George Levkoff, owner and winemaker at George Wine Company, comes from a very different background than working with grapes and soil: He is a former bond trader. He drastically changed his life more than a decade ago and moved into the Russian River Valley, working several harvests at famed Williams Selyem to learn the art of winemaking. Now with 12 vintages under his own label, Levkoff underscores his perspective on wine: It should marry well with food. In an effort to make these high-quality, moderate-alcohol, food-friendly wines, Levkoff works closely with fve farming families whose vineyards are “all in the heart of the Russian River Valley” in Sonoma County. He keeps winemaking simple and gentle, protecting the fruit, even de-stemming all the grapes by hand in his early winemaking years. Today, “the wine is [still] made primitively … like it was 100 years ago,” he notes. Although a small producer, Levkoff has a loyal and growing customer base, primarily in the Nevada, California, Massachusetts and Texas markets. He speaks earnestly about making wines that do not “disappoint the people,” which is at the heart of his winemaking approach. He refers to it as the “Goldilocks” method: not picking too early, getting vegetal aromas, and not picking too late, getting pruned, high-alcohol favors. “That’s my philosophy on wine—I want to make a
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balanced [one] rather than make wines for journalists; I make wine for food.” In all of Levkoff’s wines I have tasted this philosophy carried through, cultivating vineyard uniqueness that is still identifably George. Willamette Valley Oregon import winemaker Maggie Harrison is at the helm of two wine labels, Antica Terra and Lillian. Having worked as assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl, owner of California cult winery Sine Qua Non, Harrison made the jump north to Oregon a number of years ago, advancing her personal style in a new region with pinot noir and chardonnay, while also producing an incredible syrah from California—Lillian. Tasting at Antica Terra is a treat. Once you know you are at the right spot in Dundee, Oregon, a walk into an industrial warehouse reveals a hidden barrel room-cum-tasting salon with a centerpiece table—rough-hewn and massive—decorated with candles and an entire leg of Jamón Ibérico fxed on a stand, lit from just above with round, bare-glass bulbs. It sets a certain mood for the wines by challenging expectations of what a great tasting should be and where the wines might have been born. And it turns out to be a delightfully rewarding experience. My tasting was led by assistant winemaker Andrew Riechers, who shows a tremendous amount of knowledge of the region and its wines, and a ton of promise as a winemaker. As we departed, we watched skilled hands methodically sealing bottle corks with wax. Riechers grabbed a bottle and demonstrated his own technique, rather proudly. Harrison clearly fosters a culture of attention to detail in her winemaking team and staff, as must have been cultivated previously in her. And the caliber of her wines truly refects this seriousness.
MAGGiE HARRisON AND ANDREW RiECHERs
George Wine Company’s 2011 Leras Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir offers an interesting nose of cherry liqueur, tea leaves and underbrush. On the palate it finishes with licorice flavors. Made from fruit grown on a pure pinot noir clone (from Pommard), Levkoff describes it as somewhat darker and richer than its sibling pinot noir vines. One of Levkoff’s farmers also grows olives at the vineyard location, a fact he believes has an influence on the overall aromatic expression of the vineyard’s grapes.
Antica Terra’s 2011 Antikythera Pinot Noir comes from an estate vineyard located in the EolaAmity Hills region of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. This wine demonstrated a unique flavor profile, with tea and spice notes I attributed—wrongly— to winemaking that includes the stems. Harrison explains there is a unique soil in this vineyard matched with a somewhat unique Swiss pinot noir clone called Wädenswil. Only about 10 percent of the stems made it into this delicious wine.
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WINDOW SHOPPING
AllSAintS ComeS mArChing in The BriTish Brand Brings iTs chic London cooL To a dazzLing new sTore in The Forum shops aT caesars By Laurie Brookins
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il Beedle sounds not unlike your typical Las Vegas visitor when describing a recent weekend sojourn to check out his label’s new store in The Forum Shops at Caesars: “What lack of time I spent there I certainly made up for in intensity,” he jokes. Was he able to get a good sense of the city? “I don’t know if I grasped Las Vegas, or if Las Vegas grasped me.” As the creative director of London-based AllSaints, Beedle knows a thing or two about how the passion and favor of a city can be nothing less than infectious. He imbues AllSaints with the spirit of London in every collection, with the label’s East London roots playing a key role. “This is an area in which tech, music, fashion, art and corporate all collide, and those are all aspects that play a role in the brand,” he explains. “We feel like there’s very much a natural connection between what’s happening in East London and the rest of the world.”
WINDOW SHOPPING That energy has made its way to the label’s latest boutique, a 12,000-square-foot space within The Forum Shops. Dubbed AllSaints Caesars, this second location (you’ll fnd the other in The Cosmopolitan) offers up a vibe that’s undeniably Vegas, from the digital displays of content produced at AllSaints Studios to the collection itself—a palette that’s heavy on black, with great moto jackets for guys and chic little dresses and a satin tux for women— a rocker-chic mix that looks right at home in this night-intensive city. “Our silhouettes are iconic and provocative and sensual in such a way that allows people to defne themselves in a crowd,” Beedle says. “Everything has attitude, and yet these are also pieces in which people are meant to feel comfortable and confdent, even as the attitude and swagger come through.” Also making its debut in The Forum Shops’ boutique: the label’s frst handbag collection, a 17-piece grouping of Italian-made totes, shoulder bags, shopping bags, small leather goods and this season’s ubiquitous backpack, each evoking the spirit of one of the house’s signature items, the biker jacket. “Launching this debut bag collection has allowed us to take the attitude and craftsmanship so key to our iconic AllSaints biker jackets and translate that into the aspirational and essential accessories of our everyday lives,” Beedle says. As AllSaints prepares to celebrate its 21st birthday in 2015, Beedle notes that even as the line continues to mature, he remains eager to inject youthful energy in both the city he calls home and the city that’s becoming increasingly important to his brand’s bottom line. “I spent some time in Downtown Las Vegas and the cultural attitude that resonates there—that EDM-saturated revelry of the nighttime—kind of reminds me of the nights I’ve had here in London,” he says. “There’s an incredible cultural collision, and the infux of global interest and global money has accelerated those collisions. Perhaps that’s why we identify such a parallel between us and Las Vegas. We’re always in a celebratory mood, and I want AllSaints to always refect that.” Just a weekend? Sounds like Beedle has lived in Vegas his entire life. In The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.920.0745; us.allsaints.com LEFT: Wil Beedle BELOW: Rally Shoulder Pony
“This is an area in which tech, music, fashion, art and corporate all collide, and those are all aspects that play a role in the brand,” Beedle says.
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G All That
litters
This season’s musT-have accessories embrace ornamenTaTion from elaboraTe embroidery To sTud deTailing By Devin Howell Photography by Anthony Mair
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ireD Up Crazy Wire Dining Male This life-size human fgure is handcrafted from looped and layered zinc. Log Cocktail Table Cast in resin from an actual tree trunk, this piece is fnished in gold leaf. Designed by Jason Phillips. STELLA MCCARTNEY Cavendish faux-nappa black zipper Boston tote bag, $2,225, Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show.
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lock party Wood Pinart Sculpture Pieces of scrap wood are joined together to form this textured motif. VERSACE embroidered ponyskin nappa leather turquoise and amber gold shoulder bag, $2,575, Versace in The Shops at Crystals.
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ooted in stones Cast Root Wall Ball These teak wood root balls are modeled in resin and fnished in glossy white and silver leaf. MANOLO BLAHNIK BB sparkling satin pumps $1,875, Saks Fifth Avenue in Fashion Show.
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ubstratum Burled Bowl, Silver Leaf Cast from a wood burl bowl in resin, this piece is hand-fnished in silver leaf. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI crystalembellished velvet and leather belt, $750, Saks Fifth Avenue.
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n the rise UP Lamp This illuminating object is composed of scrap pieces of teak wood and is made to resemble smokestacks. MULBERRY Cara Delevingne limited-edition bag in taupe silky classic calf with lion rivets, $2,700, Mulberry in The Forum Shops at Caesars.
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ock steady Negotiation Table The shell is composed of concrete and resin with a lava stone fnish and is completed with stainless steel legs. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI leather and blue velvet backpack, $1,495, Saks Fifth Avenue.
tin man JP Planter, Silver Leaf This design by Julie Phillips is cast in resin and handfnished in silver leaf. DIESEL Kalling studded leather lace-ups, $495, Diesel in Fashion Show.
earthly creature Square Root Wall Art, Silver Leaf Winner of Interior Design magazine’s BOY Award, this wall art is cast from a teak wood root and hand-fnished in silver leaf. CHRISTIAN DIOR fower embroidered lambskin evening pouch, $3,400, Christian Dior in The Shops at Crystals.
JEWEL BOX Crazy Cut Coffee Table This table features hand-cut stainless steel that covers a resin shell. JIMMY CHOO Anouk glitter degrade pumps, $675, Saks Fifth Avenue.
WHERE TO BUY dIEsEl Fashion Show, 702.696.1055; diesel.com CHRIsTIAN dIOR The Shops at Crystals, 702.597.0941; dior.com MUlBERRY The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.382.0496; mulberry.com NEIMAN MARCUs Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com sAKs FIFTH AVENUE Fashion Show, 702.733.8300; saksffthavenue.com VERsACE The Shops at Crystals, 702.933.7951; versace.com
THE dETAIls Shot on location at PHIllIPs COllECTION showroom, in the Las Vegas Design Center. Home to extraordinary furnishings and accessories, this is one of four Phillips Collection showrooms around the country. With the tagline “every piece is a conversation,” the Phillips Collection exemplifes global style. Selling only to the trade, consumers have the opportunity to purchase the mid- to high-end products through a designer. Pairing innovative concepts with skilled artists and producers, each creation becomes the focal point of the room.
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ALEXANDER MCQUEEN scarf, Alexander McQueen in Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade. ETRO coat and GUCCI sunglasses Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show.
TK TK TK Photography by Robert John Kley Styling by Jimi Urquiaga
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From Vega$ with Love Fall’s vintage-inspired fashion palette draws its tone from Vegas’ 1960s and ’70s age of decadence
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EMILIO PUCCI dress and coat, Emilio Pucci in The Shops at Crystals. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO belt, Salvatore Ferragamo in The Forum Shops at Caesars.
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO coat Salvatore Ferragamo. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN belt Alexander McQueen.
TK TK TK HERVÉ LÉGER jacket Neiman Marcus. ROBERTO CAVALLI stole Roberto Cavalli in The Shops at Crystals.
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FENDI purse and GIVENCHY coat Neiman Marcus.
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HERVÉ LÉGER jacket Neiman Marcus.
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T he C enTer B ar Center bars are designed to be the focal point of a casino foor, where you can take in all the gaming action while enjoying drinks with friends. SLS’ Center Bar turns it up a notch—2.1 million pixels to be exact—with its LED cloud that transmits images every few seconds, from bubbles to hearts to fashing lights of every color of the spectrum. And you’ll know when someone hits it big on the slot machines—the lights will proclaim “jackpot” for all to see. At SLS, here’s hoping luck be LED tonight.
T he a rT of K aTsuya Sushi doesn’t get much sleeker than at Katsuya, a modern take on Japanese cuisine by master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi, with design elements by Philippe Starck. What appears on your plate is just as beautiful as what you’ll see on the walls, including these Lucite samurai swords, which make their U.S. debut. The only other places you’ll see the neon beauties are at the Katsuya outposts in Kuwait and Dubai.
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After a great night’s sleep in the Lux Tower, it’s time for breakfast in bed no matter the rising hour. Designer Philippe Starck cleverly uses draperies as wall coverings in these suites that also boast a French-Baroque infuence—look no further than the long, dramatic white couch. The Vegas touches? A peek-a-boo shower and a mirror above the bed, just in case you need a different angle on your makeup, of course. A shopping spree at the various Fred Segal boutiques within the resort yields great treasures, including an elegant Zimmermann dress for going out and Vince Camuto heels.
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T he M ediTerranean F easT
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Step into Cleo and you’ll feast like royalty. The scents emanating from the open kitchen, with the wood-burning oven as its centerpiece, invite you to sit down, stay awhile and partake in the bounty of chef Danny Elmaleh’s Mediterranean-inspired menu. Start with the mezzes—the hummus, babaganoush and dolmades are top-notch—then move on to the tagines and fatbreads. And save room for dessert: The sticky toffee pudding or the fg and almond panacotta ends your meal on a perfect note. Below: The tuna tartare is accompanied by tapenade, garlic aioli with pine nuts, avocado, harissa and orange segments.
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T he L oveLy S oundS
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Iggy Azalea, Kellan Lutz, Dita Von Teese, Samantha Ronson, Rita Ora, Philippe Starck, Sam Nazarian, Lenny Kravitz and José Andrés were only a handful of the famous faces frolicking around SLS Las Vegas during its debut weekend. Azalea and Ora headlined the entertainment for the grand opening, performing on a stage constructed at Foxtail Pool. Kravitz held a much more intimate session in The Sayers Club. And, true to the venue’s L.A. roots, it was a mob scene to gain entry, with socialites and infuencers clamoring to get behind the red ropes of the 250-person-capacity venue.
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The Guide DINE THREE SQUARES
A DAY With WolfgAng Puck The chef’s empire is expanding beyond the Strip this fall into Summerlin with his seventh Vegas restaurant. Here’s a primer on his classics.
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WOlfGAnG PUck’S POSTRIO
LOBSTER CORN DOG: JESSE J SUTHERLAND; LOBSICLE: SCOTT DORRANCE; CUT, POSTRIO: JEFF GREEN; PIZZERIA & CUCINA: MATT CHICHELLI; PORTERHOUSE STEAK: JOHN ORMOND; TOWNS END: ANTHONY MAIR
Tis Wolfgang Puck restaurant tucked into Te Grand Canal Shoppes has undergone a bit of a makeover with the arrival of new executive chef Mark Andlebradt and a return to the seasonal contemporary American menu it originally served. Weekend brunch is still a solid time to get the best of Postrio thanks to dishes such as the smoked lobster scramble, Nutella-stufed French toast and duck conft hash. Grab a seat on the patio for some excellent people watching on St. Mark’s Square while you work on bottomless Bloody Marys served from a fask. In Te Grand Canal Shoppes at Te Venetian and Te Palazzo, 702.796.1110; grandcanalshoppes.com
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WOlfGAnG PUck PIzzERIA & cUcInA
Puck essentially introduced California-style pizza to the rest of the world, using fine ingredients on thin Italian crusts for a more upscale, gourmet pie. The wood-fired oven puts out eight different pizzas at lunch, while bright salads, paninis and other starters such as beef carpaccio with crispy garlic round out the menu. Favorites include white pies topped with guanciale, potato, goat cheese and wild ramp pesto or mushrooms, béchamel sauce, Fontina cheese, thyme and arugula. In The Shops at Crystals, 702.238.1000; theshopsatcrystals.com
DINNEr
cUT
Tis modern steakhouse is one of the most popular in Las Vegas thanks to a meat program that has few rivals on the Strip. Not only does CUT have bona fde, 100 percent true Japanese Wagyu beef from Miyazaki Prefecture available as a rib eye or New York sirloin, but if you’re feeling like your palate is up for a challenge, you can do a tasting of New York sirloins that include American Wagyu, 35-day dry-aged and the aforementioned true Japanese Wagyu beef. In Te Palazzo, 702.607.6300; palazzo.com –GRACE BASCOS
A SIP TO GO WITH
THE KITCHEN SINK Downtown has a new cocktail star
THe TOwNS eNd
Te cocktail menu at Downtown’s newly opened Carson Kitchen is a delightful hodgepodge of craft liquors, culinary ingredients and spirit-forward notions. “Farmto-table” were the marching orders for Southern Wine & Spirits mixologist JR Starkus, who was tasked with putting together the menu, and who chose smaller, artisan brands over big names. Te result is a somethingfor-everyone lineup of nine cocktails that show of vermouth, beer, sparkling wine, preserves and some unlikely combinations. Te most complex is Te Towns End ($11), in which two bitter Italian amari from Vittone collide with sweet rock and rye. Te key is the ice sphere, which slowly melts, diluting the powerful mixture juuuust right. But don’t worry about over-dilution. Te idea that such a delicious drink would even sit long enough for that to happen? It doesn’t stand an ice ball’s chance in Vegas. –XANIA WOODMAN
THE TOWnS End As served at Carson Kitchen, $11 In a mixing glass, combine 1½ ounces Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock and Rye, ½ ounce Fernet Vittone, ½ ounce Amaro del Sole, 2 dashes Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6 and 1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters. Add ice, stir for at least 30 seconds and strain over an ice sphere into a double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a swath of fresh orange peel.
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The Guide Happenings
Sept. 18-19 Wu-Tang Clan
BIG HEAD TODD: DREW REYNOLDS
Sept. 12
LEFT: BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS; RIGHT: THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS
Sept. 20
The Guide PLAY
P L AY
OverlOOking it All Four nightspots with patios Drai’s Beach cluB & NightcluB When it opened Memorial Day weekend, Drai’s Beach Club & Nightclub gave us a view we’d never seen before. In The Cromwell’s past lives as Barbary Coast and Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, the roof was just a roof—now it’s Las Vegas’ frst rooftop pool club. Situated 11 stories above the Strip, the balcony offers a breathtaking vantage point of bustling Las Vegas Boulevard below—so long as you’re not blocked by one of the club’s 10 towering palm trees. But when you’re this close to the sun, it’s nice to seek a little shade, too. In The Cromwell, 702.777.3800; draisnightlife.com
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hyDe With beautiful views begging to be shared, there’s hardly a better location to watch the Bellagio Fountains—one of CNN’s Most Instagrammed Places in 2013—than from the patio at Hyde. And if you really want to show off, you can purchase what’s simply known as Hyde’s $250,000 package. That price tag includes the prime table on the terrace, a 30-liter bottle of Ace of Spades and a little gold box that lets you control the water show at the touch of a button. Don’t feel like splurging? No worries—it’s free to watch. In Bellagio, 702.693.8700; hydebellagio.com
FROM TOP: DRAI’S BEACh CluB & NIghTCluB, AND ghOSTBAR AT PAlMS
FouNDatioN room A semiprivate club, Foundation Room is an escape to an exotic realm—and a little diffcult to fnd. Perched on the 63rd foor of Mandalay Bay, it’s only accessible by one elevator. However, it is open to the public free of charge until 10 p.m., when the lounge transforms into a nightclub. Once inside, you’ll fnd rich red and brown fabrics, and statues draping the walls, complemented by the Vegas lights that peer in from the windows. From the balcony you can see the Strip and much of the twinkling Las Vegas Valley beyond it. It’s an ideal setting to impress a date. (Let’s just say jaws won’t be the only thing dropping.) In Mandalay Bay, 702.632.7631; houseofblues.com/lasvegas/fr –CAMILLE CANNON
DRAI’S: JON ESTRADA
ghostBar If you want a panoramic view of Las Vegas, head a couple of miles west and take in the vista from Ghostbar. The boutique nightclub sits on the 55th foor of Palms’ Ivory Tower. And like the hotel rooms below it, the venue underwent a major renovation last year—futuristic furnishings were
replaced with rich fuchsia carpets and sleek black sofas, but the space is still wrapped by 14-foot-tall windows. The terrace is occupied by two outward-facing booths and lined with see-through glass panels. There’s even a Plexiglas cutout in the foor for those who dare a peek of the world below. In Palms Casino Resort, 702.942.6862; palms.com
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The Guide PLAY
HOT STUFF
Elliott DEmlow
A Las Vegas resident for the past four years, Elliott Demlow calls himself “an avid surfer.” How’s that so, given the desert’s dusty landscape? When he’s not behind the bar at Downtown watering hole Velveteen Rabbit—where he’s worked since November 2013—he’s riding waves in Southern California, a pastime he acquired growing up in Florida. And surfng is just one of the many skills Demlow can claim: from carpentry to vintage motorcycle repair, he devotes much of his free time to experiential learning. And beyond that, he’s a freelance artist. You can catch him painting live at Light Nightclub during Baauer’s monthly residency. He’s currently assembling several additional exhibitions for the coming year. Saddle up to the bar and he’ll tell you all about it. As he says, he’s “an open book.” 1218 S. Main St., 702.685.9645 –CAMILLE CANNON
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PHOTOGRAPH by ANTHONy MAIR