yummy ice cream sandwich
I was always taught in life that you should never expect anything in return. Whether you give of your time, money or emotion, do so because you want to, not because you expect reciprocation. On the rare occasion when there is some payback, well … it sure is nice! Recently Vegas/ Rated received three prestigious Maggie Awards from the Western Publishing Association: Best Cover, Best Visitor’s Guide and Best New Publication. The many creative differences, passionate moments of discovery, thrilling gets, long nights and weekends lost were rewarded beyond our expectations with these honors. I can’t believe I am writing my 10th Vegas/Rated editor’s letter. Exactly one year ago we were conceptualizing the first issue, the look and feel, the layouts, the covers. Time flies when you are having fun—or too busy to look at the clock. With each issue the editorial and design team has honed its voice—forever a work in progress. We’re eager to see what the next 10 issues will bring. This month’s publication is one I have been waiting for all year: It’s all about toys! On the following pages lie the well-curated playthings that fill up the ultimate summer toy chest: fancy cars, dazzling jewels, even a jet pack. This issue also coincides with Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week, where many exotic sparkles wait to be discovered. Check out our special section this month for all that glitters. Whether it’s the obscure or the ostentatious that tickles your fancy, I hope you enjoy this decadent collection of the most outrageous stuff that a proverbial jackpot can buy.
Melinda SheckellS Editor-in-Chief Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated
from toP: best coVer/best Visitors guide and best new Publication
6 VRATEd.COM | juNE 2012
the way i Play
YUMMY BY HEIDI KENNEY FOR KIDROBOT I can’t live without these stuffed animals, which become a serious collector’s item once they are sold out. Recent additions to my Yummy family include a 24-inch Pizza slice, Blueberry Pie, Blackand-White Cookie and Lemon wedge. Kidrobot in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com MURAKAMI MONOFLAGE IN my world, a purse definitely qualifies as a toy, and I consider my Murakami Monoflage Louis Vuitton bag to be Optimus Prime. Circa 2008, this is the one I bring out only on the really fun playdates. Oh yeah, Takashi Murakami himself signed and drew on it. EVA AIR HELLO KITTY PILLOWS IF you were one of the 50 people who e-mailed me this spring about the new signature Hello Kitty-themed aircraft and accessories recently introduced by Taiwanese Eva Airways, I greatly appreciate the thought, but I beat you to it. I was the proud owner of two of the Kitty cabin pillows upon their debut in February. (My international sourcing capabilities shall remain a closely guarded secret.)
melinda PhotograPhy ryan reason; styling nicole chandler; hair marshall Vanierland; makeuP natasha chamberlin; dolce & gabbana dress, neiman marcus, fashion show
from the editor
contributors “What toy have you splurged on?”
reka nyari nyari started painting even before she could walk or talk, which led her to new york to study painting at the school of Visual arts at the age of 17. Her love for photography grew when she started modeling after graduation, and traveling to work in asia and europe. she works and plays in new york city, creating fashion editorials, artistic portraits and erotic photography. For this issue, nyari shot models covered in glow-in-the-dark makeup (“Positive charge,” Page 66), and the looks serve as inspiration for the electric Daisy carnival. What toy have you splurged on ... “I splurge on camera equipment all the time, but I would not call them ‘toys.’ I guess it would be my Chanel caviar handbag.”
tiFFany bosman bosman spent her teen years interning at clear channel in exchange for free concert tickets, running her college radio station and overseeing the Detroit promotion of releases from artists such as bjork and maroon 5. then she made the move to Las Vegas where she now balances her time between daylife and nightlife marketing at the Hard rock Hotel & casino, working for international DJ Paul oakenfold and, this month, writing about exciting new music releases (“Played in Vegas,” Page 89). What toy have you splurged on ... “I’ve always been one to splurge more on experiences than goods. Perhaps I’ll get inspired by something featured in this issue!”
sonDra scHneiDer schneider has covered the luxury world from cars to interiors as luxury editor of Ocean Drive. Her work has also appeared in numerous foreign publications, including Forbes Russia, Wallpaper*, Wohn!Design and Estilo Mexico. she is an expert on all things with many zeroes, which is why we tapped her to write about over-the-top watches (“time Lapse,” page 116) and aston martin’s sleek new ride (“need for speed,” Page 38). What toy have you splurged on ... “Writers can’t afford to splurge on toys, but if I could, it would be on my very own Aston Martin DBS Volante in a color called Hardly Green. Yummy!”
scott Lien Lien has been making magazines for a very long time, and along the way Vegas/Rated’s contributing art director has developed a distinctive philosophy for the medium. “Pictures and words must coexist perfectly in a symbiotic relationship. Letterforms are extremely sexy; the sensuality of paper is like that of skin, and an elegantly designed and executed grid system is divine.” in addition to working on publications, Lien runs a foundation for one of southern nevada’s largest nonprofit organizations. What toy have you splurged on ... “My Jeep Rubicon. It has a steel plate, under-body armor, locking differentials and full-length rock rails (like I know what any of that means). It’s very sexy, though.”
tomo born in switzerland, tomo attended art school in Zurich before moving to Los angeles. His work has appeared in such magazines as Time, Rolling Stone and Newsweek. though he resides in california, where he concentrates on celebrity photography, tomo travels often to Las Vegas, especially to shoot his photo essay Sin City Diaries (“beauty and the ink,” Page 74). What toy have you splurged on ... “I am a great cook, at least that’s what I’ve been told, and I recently bought myself a few pretty pricey, high-end German kitchen knives—actually they are Wüsthof Tridents— crafted in Solingen, Germany, since 1814.”
8 vrated.com | JUNe 2012
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RyAN T. DOHERTy | JUSTIN WENIGER PU B L IS H E R S
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Michael Skenandore Melinda SheckellS
ART DIRECTOR BenJaMin Ward
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COPy EDITOR Paul SzYdelko
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EDITORIAL INTERNS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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Scott lien JeSSe Sutherland heW BurneY, anthonY Mair, toMo (tomo.bz) andreW Sea JaMeS, erik kaBik, roBert John kleY, reka nYari, SaBin orr, al PoWerS, deniSe truScello, gaBe zaPata
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10 Vrated.coM | June 2012
VIP
LOOKS GOOD
ON YOU mlife.com
Experience M life–the ultimate way to earn rewards for virtually every dollar you spend. ARIA™ BELLAGIO® VDARA™ MGM GRAND® THE SIGNATURE AT MGM GRAND® MANDALAY BAY® THEhotel AT MANDALAY BAY® THE MIRAGE® MONTE CARLO™ NEW YORK-NEW YORK® LUXOR® EXCALIBUR® BEAU RIVAGE® GOLD STRIKE® TUNICA MGM GRAND® DETROIT
Contents
VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 10
66 Pulse V/Rated exclusiVes
shoP
in stoRe & on tRend
play 16 V-Rated 22 The Cosmo’s after-dark poolside The best places to buy jewelry party rocks summeR sweets 24 Relax 16 Ice cream cones and swimA flawless tan, sans sun, harsh inspired fashions chemicals and sticky formulas? Believe it toys of summeR 30 Cool playthings for the guy dine 17 who (thinks he) has it all sweet treat: las Vegas welcomes Pinkberry frozen yogurt Bytes 34 Tap into your inner DJ with discoVeR 17 a bevy of electronic gadgets Barbie and Ken come to life ... again autopia 38 hit the road in style with watch 18 two imports The fight of the century that seems destined to never happen cuRRent 40 step aside: sneakers that make a statement
DIne
RelAx
the culinaRy scene
V/Rated Quench your thirst with a summer cocktail (or two)
the Best places to get away fRom it all
48 V/Rated 62 Prepare to be pampered poolside
meet 50 A calm, cool and collected (no really!) Gordon Ramsay invades the strip fiRst cRush When it comes to sparkling wine at The Cosmopolitan, expect the unexpected
52
the cellaR A toast to Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour tasting
54
the scene 56 sommeliers duke it out at the saturday night Truck stop Back of the house Brawl
meet 42 calendaR The monthly guide to food Melissa Richardson Akkaway and drink in las Vegas shows off her spring/summer 2012 collection
58
spa day Around the Globe: A small downtown salon is a big hit
64
positiVe chaRge Blacklight-reactive makeup
66
74
110
Discover
waTcH
the city beyond the strip
V/rated Get to know vegas’ top ink artists
Must-see concerts & shows
72
sin city diaries 74 Beauties bare their tatted souls
V/rated This month’s entertainment happenings, from concerts to comedy to boxing Meet well-traveled sherry st. Germain was born to perform
on the coVer: Photography ROBERT JOHN KLEY rjkphoto.com Styling TODD HANSHAW Styling Assistant JIMI URQUIAGA Hair DENNIS COOPER Hair Assistant BRANDON HALL Makeup HOMA SAFAR Models BRITTNY Bella Agency; ANTHONY Wilhelmina
118 Play
on the list & on the lips
Jewels the treasure chest
86 V/rated 98 V/rated 114 DJ M!keattack reveals his nine all that glitters at couture in essential tracks for June wynn las vegas all access 88 electric Daisy carnival is back, and we’ve got your essential guide
100 tiMe lapse Diamonds to dazzle distinguished dames
116
spotlight 118 sounds electric 102 H.stern’s Brazilian gems Meet the DJs behind the decks at eDc current 122 Fashion tome recalls the libations 106 greatest balls of all The skinny on low-calorie poolside cocktails Meet 126 ivanka Trump opens up her Meet 108 jewelry box Nightlife veterans pay “Tribute” to untapped talent on a roll 128 sit and spin: a jackpot that will the scene 110 change your life Too cool: insomniac events and Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub join forces for a sunday summer splash
Vrated.coM | June 2012
13
pulse vegas/rated exclusives
A onesie for your bubbly Drinking sparkling wine has never been more patriotic with chandon’s limited-edition American summer Bottle in the familiar colors of Old Glory. Beginning June 1, the summery bottle gets even more fashionable when it’s sipped while wearing the fun and flirty Alice + Olivia by stacey Bendet limited-edition romper. This season’s must-have outfit is perfect for lounging by the pool, a day at the beach or with a fantastic meal—much like chandon. american summer bottle available at BJ’s restaurant locations. $22 (retail); alice + Olivia romper available at aliceandolivia.com, $352
vrated.com | JUNe 2012 15
Dip, Jive, Socialize
What happens when you combine the social jet-set of Las Vegas with live music? BLVD Social Club, a brand-new poolside nightlife experience at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Sip on drinks, go for a dip in the pool and rub shoulders with Vegas’ “in-the-know” crowd while getting down to some damn-good live music. We’re talking acclaimed acts such as Billboard charttoppers and R&B superstars Aloe Blacc and Ryan Leslie; Austin, Texas, rockers White Denim; and Band of Heathens, to name a few. Admission to all Thursday live performances is $20. –Craig Asher Nyman
Fun in THe Sun-LeSS
You no longer have to bake for hours under the desert sun to get a flawless tan in Vegas, where the chic way to get bronzed is a quick—and healthy—trip to the spa (no uV-protection required). The Sahra Spa & Hammam at The Cosmopolitan offers infinity Sun tanning treatments. infinity Sun features an anti-aging formula ripe with antioxidants and pure botanicals that result in a perfectly bronzed sheen (in other words, no more orange tints or stinky formulas). An application lasts up to 10 days, so your radiance will last beyond the weekend. if you’re eager to take a little bronze home, The Cosmopolitan carries a full line of infinity Sun maintenance products, including Glow on the Go ($50)—an aerosol of their formula for at-home touch-ups. $65 for a sunless tanning application 702.698.7171; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com –Elizabeth Sewell
/ exCLusiVes
Go Go Fro-Yo
How do we love frozen yogurt? Let us count the ways. Yummy toppings, an assortment of flavors, low calories … Pinkberry, credited with making frozen yogurt cool again, comes to Vegas in July. The yogurt brand populated California (beginning in West Hollywood in 2005) with tart, refreshing frozen treats in seasonal flavors such as blood orange, mango and pomegranate. Guests are encouraged to adorn their healthy indulgence with fresh fruit and premium toppings. Pinkberry joins forces with A5 Group as franchisees for Las Vegas stores, and the first will land at CityCenter, in the space adjacent to Kiton and Mandarin oriental, Las Vegas. –Grace Bascos
PhotograPhy Jana Cruder
BarBie aNd keN Go to BarNeys
Las Vegas photographer Jana Cruder’s series featuring a real-life Barbie and Ken is back. in conjunction with Barneys New York and Brett Wesley Gallery, Cruder showcases her What Lies Beneath collection, along with premiering three prints from her new installment, Great Expectations. An exclusive meet-and-greet with the artist is set for June 15, with a portion of sales that day benefiting Cruder’s pet project, “something to remember,” which offers families dealing with cancer the opportunity to have a portrait, complete with professional makeup and hair services, at no cost. June 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Barneys New York in The Palazzo, 702.629.4344 –GB
vrated.com | JUNe 2012 17
ExCLusIVEs / If Las Vegas sportsbooks are correct and 3½-to-1 favorite Manny Pacquiao defeats Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand on June 9, the boxing world will once again clamor for a super-fight between the Filipino sensation and undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. But after three years of on-again, off-again negotiations, any hopes of what would certainly be the richest and most-watched bout in boxing history seem all but dead. “The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is not going to happen,” says Mayweather, who earned a record $32 million for his unanimous-decision victory over Miguel Cotto on May 5. “It’s not my fault. Bob Arum is in the way,” Mayweather continued, referring to the Top Rank promoter who represents Pacquiao (and once promoted Mayweather). “He’s stopping the fans from getting what they want. Let’s give the fans what they want.” Of course, Arum offered a different perspective during a recent interview with a Las Vegas radio station. “You see, Mayweather is from the school of propaganda. The more you say things over and over again, the more people believe them,” says Arum, who reiterated that Pacquiao would agree to unlimited Olympic-style drug testing, a prerequisite Mayweather has long insisted on. Arum also suggests Pacquiao and Mayweather would split 90 percent of the purse, with the winner taking the remaining 10 percent. “Everything [Mayweather] says is an excuse. The fact is he knows it would be extremely difficult for him to beat Pacquiao, because Pacquiao is a fast left-hander who hits with tremendous power.” In other words, look for boxing’s pound-for-pound kings to keep sparring, but only in the verbal ring. –Andy Samuelson
18
vrated.com | june 2012
PhotograPhy anthony mair
He Said, He Said
Jumpsuit provided by Stella McCartney. Jewelry provided by de Grisogono.
shop in store & on trend
Big Boy Toys
From a hot tub that will break the bank to an iPad made of gold, summertime is the right time to show off all of your extravagant possessions. never thought a beach towel could cost three figures? Whether you’re getting bottle service in a ViP cabana or you’re catching some rays in your backyard, relax in style on this luxe Louis Vuitton Monogram stars beach towel ($625). it features the company’s famous LV logo on a backdrop of multicolor stripes. See Page 30 text by laura mier
Louis Vuitton Crystals at CityCenter, 702.590.9299; louisvuitton.com
vrated.com | june 2012
21
Standout JEWELERS ShoWcaSE thE BESt in PREciouS BiJoutERiE
BY MICHAEL SHULMAN
family Jewels
CRYSTALS CityCenter, 3720 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702.590.9299; crystalsatcitycenter.com —When it comes to gathering the most brand-name jewelers under one roof, it’s hard to top Crystals at CityCenter. The luxe-plus collection of retailers includes Harry Winston, de Grisogono, Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, H.Stern, Kiki de Montparnasse, Mikimoto and Tourbillon, as well as a ginormous Louis Vuitton with its own haute joaillerier floor.
storied french jewelry house has become a mainstay among the Las Vegas elite, courtesy of their lovely boutique at The Shoppes at The palazzo. The signature Alhambra necklace can be found around the taut necks of the social set, far and wide.
pRECiouS JEWELS SALon
Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com Manager Robert Kash greets customers by name and has his fingers on the pulse of what’s hot while steering you clear of what’s not. Kash displays younger lines such as Shamballa Jewels, Stephen Webster and GRAff Marco Bicego alongside more established brands Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.7000; wynnlasvegas.com When diamonds are the game, then Graff is the such as H.Stern, Roberto Coin and Judith Ripka (not name. So it’s no fluke that when Steve Wynn went to mention a comprehensive selection of timepieces looking for a top diamantaire to set up shop in Wynn by Chanel, Chopard and Bvlgari). Esplanade, he went to London’s Laurence Graff, whose eponymous boutiques contain such dazzling StEPhEn WEBStER PoiSon aPPLE Ring wares that one almost needs tinted glasses to keep from burning the retinas.
VAn CLEEf & ARpELS The Shoppes at The Palazzo, 702.696.7139; palazzo.com A favorite of such dignitaries as Aga Khan, Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda, the Duchess of Windsor, princess Grace of Monaco and Barbara Hutton, this
22 vrated.com | JUNe 2012
Staying true to a philosophy of treating everyone who passes through its doors like family, the Jewelers of Las Vegas— started by Vicki and Mordechai yerushalmi in 1976—has carved out a niche of its own. in addition to serving a slew of a-list celebrities past and present—among them, Elvis Presley, Mike tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Britney Spears and Jenna Jameson—the Jewelers has provided the bling used in the television series VEGA$ and such films as Casino and Rush Hour 2. With such a star-studded clientele, you’d think the company would lose sight of locals—but that’s not the way the yerushalmis roll. and now that Vicki and Mordechi’s four children—Leor, Benny, Elad and natalie—have joined the family business, the Jewelers (along with other familyowned shops such as Venetzia, LeParadis, Vicci, Rocks and Leor) is where the locals continue to shop, whether it’s to buy an engagement ring or to change the battery in the watch—like the audemars Piguet Las Vegas Strip edition shown above. The Jewelers of Las Vegas, 2400 Western Ave., 702.382.1234; thejewelers.com –Michael Shulman
VEnEtZia at thE PaLaZZo
VEnEtZia PhotogRaPhy BRian BRoWn | BVLgaRi PhotogRaPhy aL PoWERS
V-RATED /
Shining StarS
ud cks
SWIM WITH THE FISH
ever ybody gets wet
palms place pool thursdays 7p resident dj Stephi K come early for SIMON happy hour #vegasduckparty
palmsplace.com | palms.com |
palmscasinoresort |
4381 West Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV
@palms |
palmstv
Summer PhotograPhy roBErt JohN KLEy
SweetS
NothiNg says warm weather like ice cream coNes aNd swim-iNspired fashioNs
CreamSiCle
Him: SUNDEK swim trunks shopsundek.com; WOLF CUFF bracelet wolfcuff.com Her: LULI FAMA bikini top The Hard Rock Store; JIMICTO skirt jimicto.tumblr.com; SEQUIN earrings and cuff sequin-nyc.com
Waffle Cone PULL-IN swim trunks Fashion Show
Strawberry Sundae CrunCh
AMERICAN APPAREL swimsuit and clutch Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood; PHILIP TREACY hat Bags, Belts & Baubles in Wynn Las Vegas; JIMICTO shoes jimicto.tumblr.com; SEQUIN necklace, bracelet and ring sequin-nyc.com
rocket pop
Her: LENNY swimsuit Swim in Encore Las Vegas; SEQUIN earrings and necklace sequin-nyc.com Him: PULL-IN swim trunks Fashion Show; WOLF CUFF bracelet wolfcuff.com
the Details
I scream, you scream—let’s face it we all scream for ice cream, especially on a scorching summer day in Las Vegas. Whether it’s the familiar melody calling down the street or just the simple pleasure of a sugary treat, the ice cream truck brings out the child in all of us. Makeup artist Homa Safar was lucky enough to grow up with that tantalizing sound, after her parents purchased one to sell cooling confections to the neighborhood. They lent their treat machine to Vegas/Rated for a photo shoot that invokes the memory of a casual (albeit glamorous) summer afternoon.
Photography ROBERT JOHN KLEY rjkphoto.com Styling TODD HANSHAW Styling Assistant JIMI URQUIAGA Hair DENNIS COOPER Hair Assistant BRANDON HALL Makeup HOMA SAFAR Models BRITTNY Bella Agency; ANTHONY Wilhelmina WHERE TO BUY AMERICAN APPAREL Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 702.369.7394; americanapparel.net BAGS, BELTS & BAUBLES Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.3555; wynnlasvegas.com HYDE BELLAGIO Bellagio, 702.693.8700; hydebellagio.com PULL-IN Fashion Show, 702.862.4226; pull-in.com SWIM Encore Las Vegas, 702.770.5461; wynnlasvegas.com THE HARD ROCK STORE Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5003; hardrockhotel.com
THE TOYS OF
Summer BY LAURA MIER ILLUstRAtIons jEssE sUthERLAnd
ever wonder how to spend your jackpot when you hit it big? Wonder no more. These outrageous goods and gadgets go beyond what any mere mortal needs. But in Las Vegas, the sky—or your credit line—is the limit.
JETLEv R200 JET Pack
Who says superheroes are the only ones with awesome gadgets? This summer, spend some time on Lake Mead with your very own water-propelled jet pack, which also comes with handy accessories such as a four-stroke boat unit, helmet radios, FRS radios, jetpack stand, remote-throttle-control transmitter and pilot certification. Upgrade to the premium package for a choice of six marine-grade paint colors. $103,000, jetlev.com
Leica M9-P ‘eDiTion HerMèS’ Série LiMiTée Jean-LouiS DuMaS
PerSoL VinTage raTTi 806 SungLaSSeS
Las Vegans know the power of a great pair of sunglasses: They can hide your hangover, shield you from the sun’s scorching rays and add an element of intrigue to your look—sometimes all at once. Become an international man of mystery— or at least dress the part—with this authentic pair of vintage italian sunglasses. These shades tout brown-glass lenses encircled by a tortoise blond frame, as well as a unique folding ability that swiftly makes them pocket-size (you know, in case danger strikes unexpectedly). espionage skills and sexual prowess not included. $5,670, sunglasshut.com
Sure, those nightlife photographers know how to get hot girls to pose, but their cameras don’t compare to this highly coveted, limited-edition piece. With only 100 sets available worldwide, this silver, chrome-finished camera is hand-wrapped in supple “Veau Swift” calfskin. The special set also includes three lenses (all finished in anodized silver), a handcrafted Hermès camera bag and a two-volume collection of black-and-white photographs taken by former Hermès chairman Jean-Louis Dumas. $50,000, leica-camera.com
billion dollar PoPcorn
WHEN Vegas’ sweltering summer heat gets the best of you, sometimes the best escape is in a dark, air-conditioned movie theater with a bucket of popcorn in hand—or in this case, the world’s most expensive popcorn. Meet Matt Bercovitz, the creator of Billion Dollar Popcorn: buttery, crunchy caramel corn sprinkled with real gold flakes. It beats anything you’ll find at the movie-theater concession stand. This sumptuous snack also happens to use the world’s most expensive salt, which comes from the Danish island of Læsø, where the gods of Norse mythology reportedly throw otherworldly dinner parties. $250 (1 gallon tin), 312.642.3726; bercospopcorn.com VEGAS/RATED: Who do you think enjoys eating real gold? Matt BerCoVitZ: Kings, queens, tycoons, fire-breathing dragons, the guy who invented paper clips and unicorns, that’s who. V/R: Why should people order Billion dollar popCorn? BerCoVitZ: It’s a great story to tell. It’s a way to have a unique life experience that you can share with other people.
Stuart HugHeS iPad 2 gold HiStory edition Some people practically camp out at town Square, the alfresco mall on the far south end of the Strip, to get the latest and greatest apple products. But when you buy this exquisite gadget, a courier delivers it right to your doorstep. With 12.5 carats of internally flawless diamonds as the apple logo, a front frame made of 75 million-year-old ammolite and 2,000 grams of 24-karat gold as the casing, this gilded iPad 2 sets a gold standard for extravagant technology. $8 million, stuarthughes.com
ZAFirro iridium rAZor High-rollers know that nothing gets you ready for a night on the Strip like a power suit and an impeccable shave, so before you don that suit, reach for the Zafirro iridium razor. it boasts a white-sapphire blade that’s been cut by ionized particles to a thickness of approximately 80 atoms, which pretty much redefines the notion of a “close shave.” not to mention, the corrosionproof handle is made from iridium (why yes, the same metal used in rocket engines!), meaning this luxury razor should last you a lifetime—or, according to their website, “at least” a decade. $100,000, zafirro.com
ZenVo St1 50S Zoom past vast stretches of desert landscape in this sexy super-car, which goes from zero to 60 in less than three seconds, thanks to its turbocharged, 7-liter, V-8 engine and sleek, angular design. true, driving at its max speed of 233 mph would probably land you an astronomical speeding ticket—but chances are, if you’re driving this car, you can afford it. $1.8 million, zenvoautomotive.com
SPAmbient LuxemA 8000 Hot tub Forget going to the resort pool on the Strip—if you have the Luxema 8000, the party’s at your place. this bi-level hot tub comes with a built-in stereo system, flat-screen tV and an exterior bar area. mingle with friends in the lower level, which has six seats outfitted with massaging water-jets. or, if you feel like swimming, head to the upper level, where powerful jets provide a currentlike effect. $26,000, spambient.si
over the top
MONEY might not buy you happiness, but it sure buys you a lot of options. Bring your friends along for the ride as you take part in these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
private poker Game Up the ante on guys’ night out with a private, high-limit poker game in The Ivey Room. Just make sure you (and your eight friends) bring along plenty of cash. $450,000, The Ivey Room, Aria Resort & Casino; arialasvegas.com
SuShi ClaSS by “top Chef maSter” riCk moonen Find out how Rick Moonen rolls—literally— when you book a private sushi-rolling class for you and up to 19 friends. After class, indulge in a sit-down, four-course dinner with beverage pairings. $12,000, RM Seafood, Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino; mandalaybay.com
sensory overload Gizmos, GadGets and Gear for technophiles by Katie Pegler digital imaging sherwin yumul
An absolute love of music is the inspiration behind this collection of progressive, functional and fun products for the DJ, aspiring bedroom producer or dance-culture af icionado.
m.150
The new m.150 projector transcends traditional home cinema with a visual innovation to also “video furnish” a space with light. As the world’s first 3-D- active LED-video interior-design system, the m.150’s cutting-edge projection technology delivers stunning visual pleasure. $28,000 m150.sim2.com
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iP4
Re-create the nostalgia with the iP4, an evolution of the classic portable stereo with iPhone or iPod integration. Featuring SRS TruBass digital signalprocessing technology and five-band eQ paired with amp-pumping 4-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters, sound quality is legit. it also features an FM radio and works with the ihome Radio app for access to thousands of internet radio stations. $200 ihomeaudio.com
Juice Pack ReSeRve & PoweRSTaTion
The super-compact Reserve, complete with key ring, is compatible with iPhones and iPods for grab-and-go salvation. The slightly larger Powerstation, which is still small enough to fit in a pocket, offers more battery juice for all iDevices, tablets and an array of smartphones. Reserve: $35; Powerstation: $80 mophie.com
Blu-Tech heli
Silverlit’s interactive Bluetooth R/c Blu-Tech heli offers hours of fun. This interactive Bluetooth threechannel helicopter pairs with an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch for immaculate control. $75 silverlit.com
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sPy
The spy radio walkie-talkie watch offers personal two-way communications with multiple channels and a transmission range of up to 4 miles—for when your cellphone inevitably can’t get a signal. $46 per pair agptek.com
The TiNg TiNgs AviATOR
For music aficionados who fancy a sleek headphone design with whimsical elements, skullcandy’s Ting Tings are the perfect fit. With all the attributes of the RocNation Aviator series, the limited-edition design is courtesy of the indie pop duo The Ting Tings. $180 skullcandy.com
iDJ PRO
Numark’s latest dual-platter DJ system just made mixing easier thanks to iPad integration. The system also offers hot cues, loop and effects controls, features retro-style volume knobs and is AirPlay-compatible for speakers. $500 numark.com
Iphone Boom mIc
The FIn
Designed especially for live sound, recording and broadcast, heil sound’s new microphone from the Deco series boasts a remarkable, natural and clear final product. $216 heilsound.com
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For those adament on capturing every performance via iphone video, this lightweight, 4-inchlong microphone gives videos professional sound and dulls background noise. It simply attaches to the headphone jack and adjusts to hold the back of the phone, and it is also compatible with the ipod Touch and ipad. $40 photojojo.com
Ks-1974
Leave it to smithsonmartin to create a state-of-the-art, multi-touch mIDI control surface. The cutting-edge DJ controller, which connects to a laptop or desktop, consists of a 22-inch surface with four simultaneous touch points. $2,499 smithsonmartin.com
TempesT
A performance-oriented drum machine for the pros, Dave smith Instruments’ latest invention offers an immaculate level of control to create, edit, arrange and manipulate beats in real time. Although optimized for drum sounds, it also doubles as a six-voice analog keyboard synth. $1,999 davesmithinstruments.com
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NEED FOR SPEED
Pull away (really fast!) in aston Martin’s 2012 DBs CarBon eDition volante In the ultra-luxury market car wars, Aston Martin’s secret weapon is producing vehicles of such exquisitely liquid design that they look as if they were poured rather than manufactured. The 2012 DBS Carbon Edition is the newest entry in Aston Martin’s campaign to beautify our highways. There are some new colors and features (such as a new navigation system), but without all the carbon-fiber frills and furbelows, it’s mostly an updated version of your basic sex-on-wheels DBS. For the roughly $300,000 you’ll shell out for either the coupe or the convertible (in Aston Martin speak, it’s called a Volante), you’ll get a hand-built V12 engine pumping out 510 horsepower that growls its way from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 mph, which will put you behind bars if you try it on those aforementioned highways. You’ll still have those wonderful buttons for gear changes operating a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automated transmission with an electronic shift-
by-wire control system. (Optional at this price? Seriously?) At least the carbon ceramic disc brakes are standard, and you’ll surely find them useful. The equally luxe interior is swathed—from the steering wheel to the quilted headliner in the coupe—in buttery Obsidian black or Maranello orange semi-aniline leather that takes more than 70 hours of labor to hand-stitch and finish. High-gloss carbon fiber on the dashboard, center console, door trims, pulls and control paddles—as well as a special engraved sill plate—matches the mirrorlike glass veneer finish of the exterior paint. Should that be just too much shine for you, a satin lacquer finish is available as an option, as are yellow, red, orange or gray brake calipers. And don’t forget that fabulous crystal ashtray— even if you don’t smoke, just use it to store loose change. Aston Martin Las Vegas, 5550 W. Sahara Ave., 702.932.7100; astonmartinlasvegas.net –Sondra Schneider
Fleeting Fairy tale Dazzle Me DBS the DBS commands a lot of envious attention, even when it’s standing still. Best keep a rag handy to wipe the drool off your street-side showstopper.
Want the world’s fastest pumpkin? Order your DBS Carbon edition in the new Maranello orange with matching interior and orange brake calipers. then drive Cinderella to the ball.
FAST AND FURIOUS Fiat’s 500C Convertible proves onCe and For all that size doesn’t matter
full SPectrum the fiat is available in 14 exterior colors, both metallic and nonmetallic, along with 14 unique seat colors.
However, the real fun comes when you’re cruising at 60 mph and decide it’s time to go topless—a push of a button deploys the Fiat’s soft-cloth retractable roof. Designed to zip around Europe, where gas prices are much higher, the Fiat’s 10.5-gallon tank averages 32 miles per gallon. The sticker price is also surprisingly reasonable. The Pop class starts at $19,500 and the Lounge at $23,500. For an additional $1,250, you can add the luxury leather package, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped shift knob, because, well, why not? Tack on an additional $700 for 15-inch premium painted aluminum wheels and a TomTom navigation system, and you’re still under $30,000 for a cheeky and charming ride that will keep you humming “Love don’t cost a thing”—or, in this case, very little. Fiat of Las Vegas, 2550 S. Jones Blvd., 702.932.7100; fiatusa.com –Sarah Kahi
GuccI anYone looking to kick it up a notch? fiat also offers a Gucci edition, combining the legacy of great Italian design.
turnKeY deSIGn
fiat Studios, rather than dealerships, offer more than 500,000 styling options, ensuring your auto is as unique as you are.
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/ AUToPiA
Piquing our curiosity with its sultry Super Bowl commercials—and introduced by none other than Jennifer Lopez—the Fiat 500C qualifies as our first crush since high school. Playful and spunky with lots of attitude, the Fiat makes an impression everywhere it goes—so much so that you’ll have to get used to strangers complimenting you at every turn and asking about your newest toy. Although a staple in Europe for more than 20 years, the Fiat—with its cool styling and compact body—is a vast change for our SUV-centric society. However, it does prove great things can come in small packages. The interior reveals a sophisticated and rich cabin with a minimalist feel, offering a surprising amount of headroom. Bose speakers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and Blue&Me hands-free communication system come standard, and all help in channeling your inner race-car driver.
CURRENT /
the best things in life are 3
PhotograPhy and Styling by benedetta Pignatelli LEFT: The AdidAs Y-3 bY Yohji YAmAmoTo oriah, preferred by Willow smith (spawn of the Pinkett-smiths), is a combo leathertextile with insert in the forefoot for cushioning and energy return. $690 RiGhT: The Athila offers a hightech polyurethane cushioning pod system in the midsole. $430 Y-3 in the forum shops at Caesars, 702.791.7012;Â y-3store.com
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Be surprised.
Be Bagatelle.
las vegas www.bagatellelasvegas.com
EAsy BrEEzy
The Beckley By Melissa collecTion is for The girl who siMPly loves sTylish cloThes By Laura J. Downey PhotograPhy anthony mair
“I love thIs jumpsuIt. I’m wearIng It wIth heels and I feel totally comfortable. there’s ways to dress up and stIll feel lIke yourself.”
summer 2012 collection, which can be found inside the 1,700-square-foot Beckley boutique in The Cosmopolitan, is about femininity. “I love blouses, I love having great blouses to wear with denim, black pants or a pencil skirt. We made a few shell blouses in yellow and white so they work with your wardrobe under your existing blazer or whatever you have,” she says. Other standout items? The apron dress. “The fit is really great, and because the Japanese cotton does have a bit of stiffness to it, it hits you really well and kind of just pokes out at the sides. It looks adorable on anyone. I love this dress, and you can
wear it by itself or layer it with a button-down— that looks really cool, too,” she says. And then there’s the shift dress. “The shift dress is just different; it’s not your classic white dress. It’s something that is ’60s-inspired with the way that it’s shaped, but it is a very modern take—you can either dress it up or dress it down.” And what’s for the Sin City girl? “Oh gosh,” Akkaway says, “we have a white pair of leather shorts that are great for the Vegas girl—it looks great with heels, and it’s an easy going-out piece.” Beckley boutique in The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7600; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
The DReSSING ROOM Melissa RichaRdson akkaway’s favoRite pieces “I am always drawing inspiration from my surroundings,” she says. “I love going to London and Paris and seeing the people and what they’re wearing. People are much more relaxed in how they dress there. I really love that. It’s nice to get out of your jeans. In life, if you can just open your eyes, you can see more. Just be present in the moment.” beckleyboutique.com
Lady Sings the Blues
“The ScaLLOP heM DReSS IS GORGeOuS. The DeTaIL IS uNIque—IT aDDS SOMe SPIce TO The DReSS.”
Sin City “Striped Hot” Shorts
Comfy Cool
“The GIRL whO’S weaRING My cLOTheS IS ReaLLy LOOkING fOR PIeceS TO aDD TO heR waRDRObe.”
“I LOve The STRIPeD cRew kNIT LONG-SLeeve SweaTeR aND The LITTLe ShORTS. ThaT’S JuST a ReaLLy eaSy PIece TO ThROw ON aND RuN aROuND.”
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/ MeeT
Growing up, some girls had moms who would pre-select their outfits for parties and other events. But Melissa Richardson Akkaway didn’t need that. She had an eye for style at a very young age. “I’ve always loved clothes. I think I was 6 or 7 years old and I had a birthday party at a miniature-golf place here in Las Vegas, and I remember saying, ‘OK, what am I going to wear?’ And so I wore an all hot-pink outfit—hot-pink tights, hot-pink skirt, hot-pink top, hot-pink shoes—like everything. I’ve just always loved fashion,” Akkaway says. Drawing inspiration from her 95-year-old grandmother, Akkaway, 33, says her spring/
Fashion Meets CoMpassion Designer ZaC posen lenDs his Creations to a Charity soiree By eliZaBeth sewell photography Denise trusCello
It was high fashion for a cause at the Dragon Ridge Country Club home of Diana Bennett. The president of Paragon Gaming lent her digs to a fundraiser for Three Square food bank. The affair managed to not only bring out the who’s who of the city, but also fashion designer Zac Posen. Models donning gowns from Posen’s spring and fall 2012 collections, courtesy of Neiman Marcus, greeted guests, while the designer mingled with the stylish partygoers. Guests noshed on sushi and appetizers prepared by chef Gustav Mauler and sipped bubbly courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits. The fundraiser brought in more than $500,000 for Southern Nevada’s only food bank.
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“So excited!! We raised over [$500,000] for @threesquareLV last night at our event with @neimanmarcus Las Vegas! threesquare.org” –@Zac_Posen
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DINE the CULINARY SCeNe
Winning never TasTed so good
PhotograPhy SaBIN orr
every other weekend, Strip chefs gather to compete at a special event called the Saturday Night truck Stop Back of the house Brawl, where a trophy is awarded to the person who prepares a priceless meal inside one of Vegas’ esteemed mobile eateries. On this special occasion, it was Battle Sommelier: Benito Martinez from Botero at encore Las Vegas versus harley Carbery (pictured) from JoÍl Robuchon at MGM Grand. See Page 56
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sTrawberry mule
One FOr My BaBy (and one more
Beat the heat The sizzling summer beckons fresh and fruiTy cockTails By Grace Bascos
this bubbly right. part of the poolside café’s brunch bottle service, the effervescent beverage is The Pool Café, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas studded with fresh berries and mint, and is meant 702.590.8888; mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas —the serene pool at Mandarin Oriental offers to be sipped over ice. $95 light bites and drinks to put guests in a state of Zen. From the cocktail menu, Spa Water is the StraWBerry MuLe Mastro’s Ocean Club, Crystals at CityCenter perfect blend of organic Crop cucumber vodka, 702.798.7115; mastrosrestaurants.com watermelon, cucumber, lemon and lime juice. $16 —the classic Moscow Mule is tailored to the summer season with hints of fresh basil and BergaMO tea strawberry f lavors. Fever-tree ginger Beer tops Valentino Las Vegas, The Venetian off this vodka citrus drink, which is perfect for the 702.414.3000; valentinorestaurants.com berry lover who’s ready to cool down. $14 —Named for the hometown of valentino executive chef Luciano pellegrini, this tea cocktail is made SprINg BuZZ with Ketel One Citroen, averna, black tea, lemon The Barrymore, The Royal Resort and sugar cubes. $12 702.407.5303; barrymorelv.com
Spa Water
—By June 1, most people in Las vegas are wondering what became of spring. the Overlook Grill, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Barrymore pays homage to the lost season with 702.698.7970; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com a combination of hangar One Maine Wild —as only one of seven properties in Las vegas Blueberry vodka, Kübler absinthe, bubbly ginger to serve Moët’s Imperial Ice, the Cosmo does beer, fresh lemon and blueberry syrup. $13
SeveN nights per week you can enjoy a great show along with dinner and drinks at mastro’s ocean club at citycenter. on five of those nights, sultry and dynamic vocalist-percussionist, Sina Foley, along with her partner-pianist dave Bruley, set the soundtrack to the evening with covers of everything from jazz standards to ella Fitzgerald to Lady Gaga. “We try to start each evening a little lower key, but it’s not atypical that we’ll get a lively crowd from the get-go, and ramp up the repertoire accordingly.” Bruley’s most asked for song is “Piano man,” but Foley is quick to accommodate unusual requests as well. they get requests from Bon Jovi to adele and there are very few that go unanswered. “We aim to please,” she says. Spending so much time performing at mastro’s, Foley has become wellacquainted with the bar’s creative cocktail list. Her favorite? “the dragon Fire,” she offers. “It’s based on tequila but has chipotle-pineapple syrup and a whole bunch of secret goodies. there’s even a floating slice of jalapeño that gives it a nice after-burn.” Foley and Bruley are represented by Steve Beyer Productions and Dave McElroy. stevebeyerproductions.com/artists/sina_ foley.htm
MOët & ChaNdON IMperIaL ICe
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sina foley
SINA FOLEY PhOtOgrAPhY ANdrEw SEA jAmES
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This is The Chef from hell? Gordon ramsay opens his VeGas steak house with more zen than fury By Joe Donnelly PhotograPhy erik kaBik anD anthony mair
Gordon Ramsay wades through the chaos of opening night at his steak house in Paris Las Vegas with the focus and deadeye calm of an Old West gunslinger. He seems shockingly calm—not the impression I expected from the famously infuriated top chef. After all, to go with his dozen Michelin stars, Ramsay has a persona that precedes him. Shows such as Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares anchor his television empire, and if that doesn’t get the message across, even the giant banners hanging outside the casino hype “A Fury for Flavor” that awaits you in the restaurant. But that’s not what I’m seeing. Flavor, yes, but fury … not so much. Rather, the Englishman is the proverbial eye of the hurricane, listening with equal measure and Zen-like calm to an army of associates who bend his ear with the bustle of final preparations before 250 first-timers walk through its replica Chunnel doors. Ramsay is either in some kind of jet-lagged state of nirvana, or he actually does, as he has suggested, thrive on pressure. As last-minute questions and concerns fly at him with the speed of a dicing knife, the impressively fit 45-year-old Ramsay sits in the back of the restaurant’s bar while a connoisseur’s playlist of Britpop (Bryan Ferry, The Jam, Yaz, The Style Council) fills the room, making it a little slice of London in the middle of Paris. The pub atmosphere suits Ramsay, and he happily answers questions about life and cooking. He seems easy to have a drink and a chat with—not at all like that guy on TV. Just don’t tell anyone …
VEGAS/RATED: How do you do it? you look like you’re actually in great sHape. gordon raMsay: The pressure on a chef today is far greater than before. I think of the horrific heart attacks, triple heart bypasses, chefs committing suicide, letting the job get on top of them. So I think I’m sort of blessed because of the sports background. I grew up with that sort of stigma in terms of keeping fit. I got fat once, at the age of 30, and I deeply regretted it. So I ran the London marathon two weeks ago, the L.A. marathon four weeks ago, I’ve got another one coming up. … Everywhere I go, I just bring my trainers.
Fish and chips
V/R: Do you ever think, how DiD it get this riDiculous, the whole pop-cultural aspect of it, the chef as hero? raMsay: Yeah, all the time. I certainly didn’t start for that. It’s all a bit daunting. But I never take anything for granted. I mean, I fucked up as well. I’ve made mistakes as well, but I get up off my ass, brush myself off and get on with it.
level. Every time I open a restaurant, it’s like my first restaurant, not my 25th. Every time we go back and over-scrutinize it.
V/R: is it a challenge to put your own iMpriMatur on this cuisine— steaks? raMsay: Yeah, you’re right, because it’s a staple that should never be tampered with; the actual integrity of the protein is second to none. That’s why we’re not going to get overly fussy with refining it. You need to have that kind of robust attitude. So that makes our lives a bit easier, to be honest, where we can be a little more elaborate with the extras and the add-ons. But, fundamentally, it’s a steak house. V/R: you seeM to have this innate coMpetitive Drive, alMost a fear of failure. where Does that coMe froM? raMsay: I suppose I had it taken away from an early age. I set my heart on playing for my country, and I had an extraordinary excitement from the age of 9 playing soccer, and so that was my first dream. When you get a second bite of a cherry and you grasp it, the fear of not having it channels everything.
at first bite
FOOD critic Max Jacobson weighs in on the hype ... Gordon Ramsay swept into town last month with a TV-star attitude, bodyguards and a swagger rarely seen from anyone in his profession. Two of the most famous chefs in the world, Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon, mentored him, as did the legendary English chef Marco Pierre White. So when a man like Ramsay opens a restaurant in your ’hood, he damn-well better deliver. And he does. Ramsay, along with his executive chef Kevin Hee, has peppered the menu with an irresistible array of English touches and pub dishes. Sometimes, these dishes can be staggeringly expensive, such as the $44 fish and chips, or Ramsay’s $17 British ale onion soup. Are they the best examples of these dishes? As a matter of fact, they are. Max’s Menu picks appetizer: Smoked beef tartare— delicious and served with grandiosity in a glass-domed bowl. entrée: Fish and chips. Ramsay uses sea bass (called loup de mer on his menu), and it is the lightest, crispiest version we’ve ever tasted, just like a first-rate tempura in Tokyo. Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding (below) with brown-butter ice cream.
V/R: your thirst for culinary knowleDge has leD you all over the worlD—france, the caribbean, a loss of a half-million dollars a month. You have southeast asia. what Do you want to make some serious, crucial decisions. So it’s about to learn now? raMsay: To slow down, really—learning to slow navigating your way out of that. down. I’m enjoying it now. V/R: has that been gooD for you Gordon Ramsay Steak in Paris Las Vegas, anD your career in soMe way? raMsay: A dream, an absolute dream. I stay 702.946.7000; parislasvegas.com
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V/R: what are the unique challenges anD aDvantages of opening in las vegas? raMsay: There’s no other city like it in the world that hosts so many top-chefs restaurants. So in a way, it makes you better because you have to V/R: what Mistakes? raMsay: Oh, I’ve opened up in the wrong areas. maintain a certain standard that’s way above meI’ve used too much of my own money, and I’ve taken diocre, and you have to compete with the best of control of areas that I never should have controlled. the best—there’s nearly a dozen top chefs. … When the shit hit the fan in 2008, and the recession came in, I was exposed in London, New York V/R: i’ve watcheD anD stuDieD anD and Paris with a huge investment. So you’re left hold- broken it Down, anD the stanDarDs ing the baby, and all off a sudden, where you were are high, very high. making a half-million dollars a month, that turns into raMsay: What goes against you are the numbers, being governed by those big numbers. And when you become a machine and the quality starts dipping because you’re focused purely on the revenue drive, that’s where you start cutting your longevity a lot shorter.
SPARKLING INTEREST By XANIA WOODMAN phOtOgrAphy ANthONy MAIr
FIRST CRUSH /
When resort sommelier Bretton Lammi was called upon to select the house sparkling wine at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, he did what any well-trained wine professional would do and tested the property’s execs on a zippy little méthode Champenoise … from New Mexico. Not what you were expecting? That’s The Cosmo’s forte. So it follows that where sparkling wine—the official drink of naughty behavior—is concerned, the property was bound to go beyond the usual suspects. $12 glass, $60 bottle, $38 retail Available at all casino bars and Eat Drink in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
IT’S PRONOUNCED “GREW-AYY” From third-generation, family-owned vineyards just outside Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (yes, a real town), comes Gruet American sparkling wine. Lammi sold so much of the 2006 Gruet blanc de blancs, he bought nearly the entire 2007 vintage for the hotel.
BESPOKE BUBBLY When the 2007 began to run thin, Lammi visited Gruet’s Albuquerque winery and selected a private-label non-vintage blend, which he calls the Gruet Blanc de Blancs I.V.V. S.O.T. (“In Vino Veritas—Sip on This”).
WHAT’S INSIDE COUNTS Ten percent Washington state chardonnay adds a little body to the 90 percent estate chard from Gruet’s high-elevation vineyards. “Warm days and cool nights help preserve the acidity, and that’s crucial when making sparkling,” Lammi says.
POLISHED WITHOUT PRETENSE So fresh and so clean, this versatile, approachable sparkler offers a little yeastiness, and almonds and green apple on both the nose and palate, along with a silky, creamy mouthfeel and a medium finish.
PICNIC TIME Lammi recommends swinging by The Cosmo’s retail market, Eat Drink, for some of the milder cheeses and a bottle of the I.V.V. S.O.T., then head back to your room—preferably one with a wraparound terrace—for an urban picnic. Then just drink it all in—the bubbly and the view.
[ CAN’T FIND IT? ]
Pick up some of the remaining 2007 Gruet blanc de blancs at gruetwinery.com ($24), or the house’s flagship brut, known for its crisp, classic style, rich complexity and a fine mousse ($13.75).
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I’ll have another EvEry yEar, top producErs gathEr in Las vEgas for Wine Spectator’S grand tour. our winE ExpErt rEcaps thE standouts story and PhotograPhy ChristoPher CaliCott
In a city that frequently makes national news with its special events, there is one large-scale wine world fête that I never miss: Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour wine tasting. Apart from other wine-arounds that turn into big booze-ups with predominantly American wines, the Grand Tour is decidedly international. Of course, important American winemakers are represented, but from Australia to Argentina, Bordeaux to Barolo, highly rated and highly sought-after wines take center stage—more than 200, in fact.
TasTing noTes
The DeTails
Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour is hosted in only two other U.S. cities each year (Washington, D.C., and New York City). The Las Vegas stop is the fly-in choice for many, as the city makes a perfect pairing for world-class wines. For information on next year’s event, visit winespectator.com.
/ THE CELLAR
Moving quickly through the line, tasting glasses in hand, I went straight for some American pinot noir producers. One thing always striking here is the youth in the presented wines, and these pinots were no different. I stopped at Domaine Drouhin’s Laurène, an estate pinot noir from Dundee Hills, Oregon. This wine ($65 bottle) struck me as still quite young, but with balance and hints of aromas that might develop significantly with time. The cherry notes were lovely, but the underbrush and even a hint of truffle had my eyebrows raised. Having gotten my pinot fix (by the way, I intentionally started with it so the palate is not too bruised) I move on to the big boys. In years past, Bordeaux Grands Crus have been located on one aisle. More spread out this time, I spot a favorite across The Mirage’s huge ballroom. Château Margaux’s line was 40 deep. Estate director Thomas Do Chi Nam was pouring decanted 1999 Château Margaux. It is always a pleasure to taste a wine no longer in its infancy. With aromas of dried strawberry, black raspberry from a nice tartness and beautifully integrated oak, this Bordeaux (which retails for about $300 per bottle) still has lots of life. It is often difficult to find a quality Bordeaux for less than $50. I happened upon Lionel Tonnerieux, a friendly export director for Château Rollan de By, a Cru Bourgeois from the Médoc. Tonnerieux insists that his price point of $25 per bottle would remain the same, despite the incredible enthusiasm for the 2009 vintage in the wine community and a solid 91-point score from Spectator. Not coming from a famous appellation that can (sometimes undeservingly) command larger sums, Rollan de By was my find of the evening.
BesT Tip
2009 Château Rollan de By is a rich, full-bodied wine with balance and enough of that certain other in the glass to make you pay attention. lionel Tonnerieux tasted the wine with me. For Tonnerieux, this wine has lots of red berry. “so lush, the ‘09 ... with a little anise—not too much,” he said. i agree—an assortment of red berries with a bit of licorice. he further noted a “minty” aroma. The woody and highly extracted american style is not found here, but americans will love it for its richness and a touch of vanilla. i expected this bottle to cost much more than its $25 price tag. perfect!
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chefs (and sommeliers) throw down in a most unlikely place: trucks By Grace Bascos PHoToGraPHy saBIN orr
Late Saturday nights a fleet of Las Vegas’ gourmet food trucks—from Sausagefest and Haulin Balls to Roamin’ Dough and Ben’s BBQ—gathers in the parking lot of Tommy Rocker’s Cantina & Bar for the Saturday Night Truck Stop. Founder Jolene Mannina had the brilliant idea to challenge chefs who cook on the Strip to compete head to head—not in their wellappointed, state-of-the-art restaurant kitchens, but in the back of Vegas’ own food trucks, cooking with surprise ingredients in unfamiliar—and decidedly much more cramped—digs. The convivial affair kicks off about 8:30 p.m., but when a Back of House Brawl has been scheduled, the number of attendees swells at about midnight. That’s when crew and staff from major Strip restaurants arrive, having just finished work and ready to start their own evening. Past competitors include Steve Benjamin of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Geno Bernardo of Nove Italiano, Mathieu Chartron of Restaurant Guy Savoy and Brian Howard from Comme Ça, all high-caliber chefs who know how to keep cooking fun. Vegas/Rated’s night at the brawl featured a first: Battle Sommelier. Wine experts Harley Carbery of Joël Robuchon and Benito Martinez of Botero put their skills on the line. With the aid of trusty sous chefs, each sommelier presented dishes that included the evening’s ingredients: bacalao, harissa and baby Brussels sprouts. Then they let their expertise really shine with wine and beer pairings of their choosing. A panel of culinary-savvy judges carefully reviewed the proceedings, then declared Carbery the winner of the coveted Back of House Brawl trophy … by a mere two points. saturdaynighttruckstop.tumblr.com
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/ THe SCeNe
rumble in the neon Jungle
caLenDar
the monthly GUIDe to fooD anD DrInk In las VeGas
cuLinary caLenDar /
Farm to Strip June 1-2 First Food & Bar in The Palazzo 702.607.3478; firstfoodandbar.com —chef Sammy Demarco’s monthly dining experience is fueled by the fresh ingredients he finds on Fridays at the Downtown 3rd Farmers market. courses are not pre-planned as chef isn’t sure what fresh and fun things he’ll find at the market. each dinner is limited to six to eight people, and wine pairings are available. $42 per person
FieSta FiLipino June 2, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; June 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boulevard Mall, 3529 S. Maryland Parkway; facebook.com/ lasvegas4thannualfiestafilipinofestival —you don’t have to be Filipino to appreciate this two-day festival honoring the philippines’ independence Day. experience authentic pinoy fare, from marinated barbecue on a stick to the traditional cold-shaved iced dessert of halohalo, as well as live entertainment, including a popularity pageant, carnival rides and traditional Filipino cultural performances.
FooD truck BLock party June 9, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Suncoast Hotel & Casino suncoastcasino.com —more than 25 food trucks from Las Vegas, Los angeles, San Diego and orange county offer bites from their mobile kitchens. Gourmet trucks include local favorites Snow ono, Sin city Wings, Sausagefest and chi-town Hustler, as well as celebrity chef Ludovic Lefebvre’s Ludotruck. also in attendance: trucks featured on the Food network’s The Great Food Truck Race. all proceeds benefit the Special olympics of nevada. $5 admission 58
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GaStropuB monDayS
LUCkYRiCE FESTiVAL MAkES A STOP OUT WEST iN LAS VEGAS
June 11, 18, 25 Comme Ça in The Cosmopolitan 702.698.7910; cosmopolitanlasvegas. com —mondays just got tastier at the bar at comme Ça. the new menu, featuring bar food with a French twist, makes its debut June 11. indulge in dishes such as potted grits with blue cheese, bangers and mash, and our favorite, poutine made with duck-fat fries and oxtail gravy. cocktail specials by sponsor kilbeggan irish Whiskey and live music from the Whispering Giants make comme Ça the spot to be on mondays.
FatHer’S Day June 17 Public House in The Venetian 702.407.5310; publichouselv.com —the american gastropub features a special three-course prix-fixe menu that speaks directly to your dad’s appetite. there’s a scotch egg, short rib with sweet-potato puree and onion rings, and a chocolate stout cake, all with craft beer pairings. oh, and dads also get half off all drafts on their special day, because, really, all your dad wants for Father’s Day is a beer. $48 per person
ciGar & a cocktaiL June 17 Rhumbar in The Mirage Cigar & a Cocktail 702.792.7615; rhumbarlv.com —Fathers and sons should bond over a stiff drink and a good cigar every day, but especially on Father’s Day. Sit on rhumbar’s tropic-inspired patio, or stay inside and catch a baseball game or two on the many high-def tVs at the bar. pair your favorite cocktail— say, a Spanish trampoline?—with the house cigar blended by Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominica. $20
GettinG Lucky
THROUGHOUT Asia, the night market is a way of life. Rows upon rows of stalls and hawkers offer delectable street food and wares. On June 23, Las Vegas finally gets its own Asian night market with the pop-up LuckyRice Festival. The festival was born two years ago in New York, and this is the first time it’s headed west, bringing the jovial atmosphere and celebration of Asian culture and cuisine to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The Vegas night market features street food from 20 chefs, including esteemed Asian celebrity chefs Susur Lee, Eddie Huang and Jet Tila, as well as local chefs Saipin Chutima of Lotus of Siam, Mitsuo Endo of Raku, and Colin Fukunaga and Robert “Mags” Magsalin of Fukuburger. David Myers of Comme Ça and Shirley Chung of China Poblano will also represent. Wash down your Asian-inspired bites with Bombay Sapphire cocktails from The Cosmo’s resident mixologists, as well as master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. $88 general admission (8-11 p.m.); $125 VIP (7-11 p.m.) June 23, Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com, luckyrice.com –Grace Bascos
OPEN NIGHTLY 5PM-1AM | DAILY HAPPY HOUR 5PM-7PM $75 SMIRNOFF BOTTLE SPECIALS DAILY FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY SKIN & SCOTCH COMPLIMENTARY SCOTCH TASTINGS 6PM-8PM CIGAR & SCOTCH SPECIALS ALL NIGHT
$100 BOTTLES OF ULTIMAT $ 4 SMIRNOFF VODKA AND FLAVORED VODKA
SATURDAY LIVE DJ ROTATING LINEUP 8:30PM-11PM
2300 PASEO VERDE PARKWAY, HENDERSON, NV 89052 | greenvalleyranchresort.com | 617.7075 MANAGEMENT RESERVES ALL RIGHTS :: 21+ONLY. © 2012 STATION CASINOS LLC. LAS VEGAS, NV. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
relax
the best places to get away from it all
HAPPY FEET
ready to retire those flip-flops and give your weary feet a rest? head to cypress pool at bellagio and experience the Delizia del piede, which is italian for “foot delight.� relax in a comfy poolside lounge chair while a therapist exfoliates your feet with a sugar scrub. once the granules are removed with cool towels, pure fiji coconut oil is massaged into the skin in scents such as mango, milk and honey, and of course, coconut. the 50-minute treatment ($150) also includes a hand, neck and shoulder massage. feeling revitalized yet? See Page 62
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Poolside Perks From Body sCruBs to aloe masks, hit
the Pools For some heavy PamPerinG By Laura J. Downey
v-RATED /
CHILLED MARBLE STONES MASSAGE
facedown on a poolside cabana massage bed as the therapist applies coconut milk all over. After absorption, Dilo gel—known throughout the Fijian Islands for its replenishing properties—is applied to hydrate and give the derma a dose of vitamins A, B, C and E. And for the capper? A soothing foot massage leaves you in a state of ultimate relaxation. $120 for 30 minutes
Caesars Palace, 702.731.7110; caesarspalace.com —Before taking a dip in Jupiter Pool, enjoy this massage in a private cabana. First, Moroccan oil is applied all over the body and then hand-carved stones are centered on pulse points such as the nape of the neck, eyes, hands and feet to alleviate tension. When the treatment is SuN WORSHIPPER over, get blinged-out with Crystal ALOE TREATMENT Body Art for a finishing touch. If Trump International Hotel, you’re in the mood for more, à-la702.982.0000; trumplv.com carte upgrades such as a Nectar of the —Hanging out poolside means frolicking Gods Hair Conditioning and Body Scrub are available, each for an additional $10. $140 for 50 in the sun for hours. Don’t let your skin suffer. Rehydrate with the Sun Worshipper Aloe treatment. minutes; $175 for 75 minutes (upgrades included) Get spritzed with lavender and sea algae extracts before application of an aloe-glaze body mask DILO SkIN RESCuE that moisturizes the skin. As it soaks in, enjoy a Mandarin Oriental, 702.590.8888; mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas tranquilizing hand and foot massage before an —Spending too much time in the sun? No worries. aloe rehydrating lotion is rubbed over the entire The Dilo Skin Rescue treats sun-kissed skin. Start epidermis. Are you in heaven yet? $65 for 25 minutes JuPiter Pool at Caesars PalaCe
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LooseN Up
cLose your eyes, control your breathing and meditate. Welcome to the 6:30 a.m. poolside vinyasa yoga class near the Wynn Las vegas pool. Whether you’re a newcomer or seasoned yogi or yogini, doing the downward-facing dog or warrior pose has never been so easy —or peaceful—thanks to the well-trained instructor and angelic scenery. $20 for 60 minutes Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.7000; wynnlasvegas.com
[ BEST TIP ]
While lounging at Bellagio’s Cypress Pool, check out its breakfast menu, which offers light bites such as sliced fruit, melons and berries with natural yogurt. $20
Culture Coiffe By ElizaBEth SEwEll photography andrEw SEa jamES
At just 1,050 square feet, Globe Salon in downtown Las Vegas defines the concept of hairstyling in a boutique setting. “It’s prestigious, luxurious and intimate,” says Staci Linklater, salon director. But don’t be fooled by its measurements—Globe packs a punch. Elle magazine named Globe one of its top 100 salons in the country in both 2010 and 2011. Linklater opened Globe in 2000 with husband James Reza in a shopping center in west Las Vegas. The timing was right in 2008 to move to the base of Soho Lofts on Las Vegas Boulevard. While the new space is smaller, it’s an updated reflection of Linklater’s vision with a sleek, minimalist feel. Globe Salon, 900 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Suite 130, 702.938.4247; globesalon.com
Color Me Good The most sought-after hair treatment this year is Color Minded by Bumble & bumble, which is applied to just-colored hair to immediately seal tress follicles, which allows hues to last up to 40 washes.
Wash Bowl Treat Globe features three reclining Shiatsu massaging chairs (the only ones of their kind in the city) in the shampooing station to give guests a little extra attention.
Operation Brazilian A Las Vegas Boulevard address gives Globe the distinction of being one of the few salons on the Strip that offers Brazilian bikini waxes.
/ all access
Slough It Off Yes, the hair is the main attraction, but don’t go to Globe just for its coloring capabilities. A hidden door (Hint: It’s in the wall behind the reception area) reveals a room dedicated to all things dermal. It’s the domain of skin-care specialist Diena Sullivan, who’s been doing facials and waxing at the salon since 2009. A signature service in the aesthetician’s room is microdermabrasion, using baking soda instead of the harsh chemical aluminum oxide as the exfoliate. It’s a gentler way to buff up your beauty. $125 for 60 minutes
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Positive Charge BlaCklight Beauty gives all that neon a run for its money PhotograPhy rEKa NyarI
PhosPho-Facetime Las Vegas glows both in the daylight and in the dark and now you can too with KryoLan’s blacklight-reactive makeup. Get the look: KryoLan supracolor UV day-glow wheel, aquacolor UV day-glow palette and UV day-glow eye-shadow palette kryolan.com
Go Go Glow Get the look: KRYOLAN supracolor UV day-glow wheel, aquacolor UV day-glow palette and UV day-glow eye-shadow palette kryolan.com; MAC sculpting powder in Shadster and kohl eye pencil in Smolder MAC Cosmetics in The Forum Shops at Caesars
Now See ThiS Get the look: KRYOLAN supracolor UV day-glow wheel, aquacolor UV day-glow palette and UV day-glow eye-shadow palette kryolan.com; MAC face and body foundation in C2 MAC Cosmetics in The Forum Shops at Caesars
Photography REKA NYARI rekanyari.com Styling GINO TAVERNARO Hair MESH SUBRA for Opus Beauty Makeup GEORGI SANDEV georgisandev.com Model HEATHER Muse Location BAYARD STUDIOS
When luxury is about quality of life, Mira Villa is an easy decision.
If you seek the freedom and convenience of condominium living, without having to sacrifice spaciousness, style and comfort, Mira Villa is the perfect fit. Just beyond Mira Villa’s gated entry, life is a refined celebration of the outdoors, as homeowners enjoy the best of resort-style living. You’ll find this new, artfully designed condominium community in the heart of Summerlin, just fifteen minutes from the renowned Las Vegas Strip.
MIRA VILLA. D E C I D E T O D AY.
702.254.4647 LiveMiraVilla.com 2 , 3 and 4-bedroom/penthouse condominiums. Starting in the low $400s.
9151 Canyon Run Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89144. Appointments encouraged.
The information provided in this advertisement does not constitute an offer or solicitation for sale in jurisdictions where Mira Villa is not registered to be sold. Mira Villa reserves the right to change any specifications, materials, terms, features, prices, availability, and sales procedures without notice. Variations in floorplans and elevations may exist and square footages are approximate. 2009 Nexus 30 Properties LLC, a licensed broker in the state of Nevada.
Discover The ciTy beyond The sTrip
all inked up
The buxom showgirl with a twist, sabina Kelley left her career as a dancer in shows such as Jubilee! and Moulin Rouge for the love of body art. Kelley’s pinup-model curves are now covered with ink, but she’s more in demand than ever posing for tattoo shows and running her own tattoo-removal company. she’s also one of the inked beauties who stripped down to give us a full view of her body art for Sin City Diaries: Beauty and the Ink. See Page 74
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Leave a Mark
meet the ink slingers who keep las vegas colorful
Very Vegas ink
three celeBritydriven tattoo Boutiques
and eugene ta’ase, who grew up in samoa, has been employing this style in one form or another since he was in the fourth grade. But don’t be 6020 W. Flamingo Road, 702.248.8762; afraid to offend if you’re not samoan and want studio21tattoo.com —a family affair since 2003, studio 21 tattoo Gallery a samoan-style tattoo; ta’ase says it makes him features father/son duo Charlie and austin spencer happy to see people sporting the traditional ink. manning the needles, while daughter/sister Courtney works the front and wife/mom Becki handles the kinG ruCk business end. the charismatic family has brought BlaCk spade tattoo the professionalism of the corporate world (through 124 S. Sixth St., Suite 130, 702.413.7076; Becki’s time in advertising) to the often-shadowy blackspadetattoo.com realm of tattoo parlors, making for a comfortable —the son of an artist, Josh Glover (a.k.a. king ruck) made his way to tattooing via a stint as a graffiti shop to get your ink. artist. the muralist has works in venues such as insert Coin(s) and the arts Factory, and he recently dirk Vermin opened Black spade tattoo shop downtown. king pussykat tattoo parlor ruck’s style is rooted in his love for both graffiti art 4972 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 12, and hip-hop, and he brings the flair to most of his 702.597.1549; pussykat-tattoos.com —tattooing in las Vegas for 13 years, Vermin’s cozy original drawings. shop features the artist’s childhood drawings. But don’t head to pussykat expecting to pick something king ruck off the wall; Vermin is one of the most respected artists in the Valley, and he’d rather innovate than imitate.
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Charlie & austin spenCer studio 21 tattoo Gallery
HarT & HunTingTon TaTToo motocross star (and las vegas native) carey hart turned his love for tattoos into his very own parlor at the hard rock hotel & casino. the shop has a roster of top artists, along with featured visiting tattooists and a full line of hart & huntington gear. 702.216.5360; hartandhuntington.com King inK mario Barth married his tattoo parlor with his nightclub at the mirage. the artist has been in the game since 1987, and is happy to bring what he calls the “art form that art history forgot” to the mainstream. 702.369.9567; kinginklasvegas.com
euGene ta’ase saCred Center tattoo 5025 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 6, 702.740.0589; sacredcentertattoo.com —tattooing has a storied history in polynesian culture, with legends putting the ancient art at 2,000 years old. sacred Center tattoo specializes in keeping the polynesian-vibe live in las Vegas,
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king ink
spencer family and king ruck photography anthony mair
spencer family
Club TaTToo the brainchild of linkin park singer chester Bennington, club tattoo has expanded to six locations in arizona and nevada. his vegas store, which is in the miracle mile shops at planet hollywood, features patented interactive tattoo touchscreens so you can create your own art. 702.363.2582; clubtattoo.com
BeAuTY And The InK
In ThIS InSTAllMenT OF Sin City DiarieS, phOTOGRApheR TOMO COMBIneS TwO ART FORMS: TATTOOInG And pORTRAITS OF GORGeOuS wOMen interviews by C. Moon reed
THE MODEL Name: Gerra Bella Age: 27 Hometown: San Francisco Occupation: A model who aspires to help support the arts community. First tattoo: A tiny hummingbird on my left ankle. As a child I always played in the garden and frequently saw hummingbirds there. It reminds me of my youth. Personal aesthetic: I choose my tattoos according to life events, and prefer to research my tattoos with tattoo artists I am a fan of. Visual revelations: My tattoos are my life expressed as art on my body. The tattoo that best represents me is my mermaid tattoo. She’s my fantasy version of me! Your tattoo artists: They come from Santa Cruz, California, and work at
Samuel O’Reilly’s Tattoo. Your tattoo idol: I’ve always admired the Japanese women who have their backs tattooed with traditional art. Out-of-style tattoos: That’s easy: tramp stamps and ’90s tribal tattoos. Place you’d never tattoo: I would never get my chest tattooed. I highly appreciate women’s breasts, as they symbolize feminine energy. Your next tattoo: A back piece dedicated to my mother, a tribute of great respect. Favorite tattoo: I tend to rediscover my tattoos, and my favorites change every time I study [them]. What you do for fun: Traveling and experiencing as many human connections as possible.
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THE STYLIST Name: Vicki Casciola Age: 28 Hometown: Las Vegas Occupation: Hairdresser. First tattoo: Out of respect for my parents, I waited till my career got started to get tattoos. I started with a full sleeve—go big or go home. Personal aesthetic: I am an artist at heart, and having ink is a way of expressing myself. I place my artwork based on women’s curves. I think a woman’s body is supposed to remain sexy and beautiful; my artwork complements a woman’s shape. Visual revelations: My goal with my ink is to tell my life story without any words. My tattoos reveal a great amount of dedication. Your tattoo artists: Justin at Black Wolf gets credit for my arm. Merdok at Poker’s Tattoo gets credit for my back and butt piece. They are both Las Vegas artists. Tattoo idol: Sabina Kelley is a great tattoo icon for women. She has a lot of
ink in all the right spots. Her artwork is flawless, oldschool pinup, which I love. Out-of-style tattoos: I don’t think any tattoo style is out. It’s all in the hands of who wears it. Next big thing in tattooing: Getting old art lasered off and starting over, since artwork changes so much. Place you’d never tattoo: My chest—it’s more of a masculine spot. Your next tattoo: It will be when I have kids. My left arm is blank to decorate with kids’ names and portraits. Tattoo regrets: I have no tattoo regrets, because I planned it out before committing. In fact, I walk through life with no regrets. It’s a firm saying I stand by: You learn from every mistake. Favorite tattoo: My lady dragon— she has my eyes and represents a powerful, fearless lady. What you do for fun: I am a very athletic person, so anything outdoors or extreme sports is what I love to do.
THE DANCER Name: Brianna Mckee Age: 27 Hometown: Las Vegas Occupation: Dancer and massage therapist. First tattoo: On my foot, when I was 19. It says “love” and “luck” around a rose. It means to follow my heart and trust my luck. Personal aesthetic: My tattoo ideas just keep coming; they are all starting to flow together. I can see myself mostly covered eventually. Visual revelations: My tattoos are affirmations. They remind me of whatever I was experiencing or needed to remember at that time. Your tattoo artists: Serene Temple, who works at Showroom Tattoo in Las Vegas. She’s one of my best friends, and she used to tattoo me in the kitchen over wine, collaborating on ideas and coming up with beautiful art. Next big thing in tattooing: Classic, traditional tattoos are still in style, and there are new styles being developed every year. It’s an amazing industry with artists pushing the envelope constantly. Place you’d never tattoo: Probably my face. Your next tattoo: I want my upper thigh and butt tattooed. I want a woman’s body becoming the ocean, kind of abstract and hidden. Tattoo regrets: No. Favorite tattoo: My throat. What you do for fun: Dance, yoga, cook, travel, party, hike, swim, watch movies, paint.
THE PINUP MODEL Name: Sabina Kelley Age: 34 Hometown: Las Vegas Occupation: International pinup model and star of Oxygen Network’s new show, Best Ink. First tattoos: A dead swallow in a horseshoe with flames and flowers, and the No. 13 on the back of my neck. I got it when I was 20. Personal aesthetic: I plan out all of my tattoos very well, and they are all laid out on my body. I don’t have random tattoos. Visual revelations: My tattoos reveal things I love and different parts of my life. Every tattoo has a meaning, and every tattoo is drawn up specially just for me. Your tattoo artists: Kent Kelley [Sabina’s husband],
Franco Vescovi, Mister Cartoon, Kat Von D, Mimsy and Horitomo. Tattoo idols: The artists whom I choose to tattoo me. I love their work enough to let them place a tattoo that will be on me for the rest of my life. Out-of-style tattoos: Tribal. Next big thing in tattooing: Tattoo removal. [Sabina does tattoo removal at bombshelltattooremoval.com]. Place you’d never tattoo: My chest. Your next tattoo: I am going to finish my back with a ’65 Impala in black and gray. Tattoo regrets: Nope. Favorite tattoo: Probably the tattooed geisha on my right arm. What you do for fun: Travel.
THE PERSONALITY Name: Lari’ Michelle Brown Age: Almost 81,760 days old in dog years Hometown: Las Vegas Occupation: Dancer, model, DJ, artist and personality. First tattoo: I had just turned 18, I was extremely impulsive and crazy-excited to make “adult decisions.” I walked into a random shop, looked on the board, saw red roses and got my first ink on my tailbone, i.e., a “tramp stamp.” Personal aesthetic: My tattoos are placed so they can be concealed when I model for conservative gigs. But when I’m exposed— performing or wearing a swimsuit—you can see all my ink. I’m a chameleon; I can adapt and morph myself to suit any environment. Visual revelations: They represent being a Leo, my passion for dancing, being a music lover and coming from a family of musicians. I got my largest piece, the peacock/phoenix, on a milestone birthday to symbolize my rebirth and renewal. Your tattoo artists: Big props to my tattoo artist, a Las Vegas local named Johnny Fever. He’s also a graffiti artist and DJ. Your tattoo idol: I admire anyone I see with tattoos— they made a commitment to have something etched into their skin for life.
Out-of-style tattoos: Tattoos, to me, are living art. When conservative people ask what happens when I get older, my response is: One day, I get to show my grandchildren pictures of how bad-ass I was in my youth. I strive to be my own individual and not listen to critics who don’t understand why I would ink my body. And that’s a view that goes beyond just having tattoos. Next big thing in tattooing: Getting tattoos in extreme locations—on the tongue, inside the mouth and on the actual whites of the eyeball. Place you’d never tattoo: I would never get my eyeballs tattooed. Your next tattoo: To get my first tattoo covered up. Tattoo regrets: My first tattoo. I wish I would’ve taken the time for a more creative approach. Thankfully, it can be reworked into something else. Favorite tattoo: My peacock/phoenix. I love the size and placement on my body. I’m petite, and the piece accentuates the little bit of curves my momma gave me. What you do for fun: Spin music; dance and perform at my jobs; create my own jewelry and clothing; personalize my shoes; shop at thrift stores; and add to my collection of wigs.
WATCH MUST-SEE CONCERTS & SHOWS
Cut Loose
You can always count on a few themes with a Scissor Sisters album, and the band’s fourth, Magic Hour, is no exception: writhing angst, overt sexuality and highly danceable tracks. Forays into technologies (both retro and cuttingedge) and collaborations with A-list producers (including Pharrell Williams, Calvin Harris, Diplo and Stuart Price) are featured as well. An inescapable undercurrent of hope pervades. Don’t miss: “Only the Horses” (anthemic and sweeping), “Inevitable” (funky mood-music for your candlelit boudoir) and “Somewhere” (New Romantic-inspired dance-floor realness). See Page 90
PhotograPhy Neil Krug | text by michael shulmaN vrated.com | JUNe 2012 85
ConCerts not to Miss
Stone, PePPer and PoiSon: Summer tourS blaze a trail through town By Craig asher NymaN
Allen Stone June 1-2 Book & Stage at The Cosmopolitan Free 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com —the 24-year-old soul singer from the state of Washington returns for his second gig at Book & Stage. Stone wooed the crowd in December and plans to do so again as one of the music industry’s rising stars.
SciSSor SiSterS
JimmY cliff
June 15 House of Blues Tickets are $27 702.632.7600; houseofblues.com —Put on your most comfortable shoes because a dance party is coming to the House of Blues, where this glam-rock/pop/disco group performs their hits in what is sure to be an extravagant live performance.
June 21 Soundwaves Poolside Stage Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tickets are $35 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com —it’s not often you get to see a living legend perform poolside. As one of the ambassadors of reggae music and his home country of Jamaica, cliff spreads good vibes throughout his set. feel free to sing along … and see clearly now.
PePPer June 15 Soundwaves Poolside Stage Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tickets are $25 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com —Hawaii’s reggae rockers return to the Hard rock for their annual poolside concert. Always a good time, the trio of Kaleo Wassman, Yesod Williams and Bret Bollinger roll out the hits from their fiverecord catalog.
PrimuS June 22 The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tickets are $31 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com —to pigeonhole Primus in one specific genre is impossible, so let’s just say that the les claypoolled band is simply legendary. Approaching its third decade, Primus brings its experimental sounds to las Vegas in support of Green Naugahyde, its first album in 11 years.
as you can tell by the beads of sweat dripping down your face, summer is officially here—which means now is the time to chill out indoors and enjoy a cool show. Here’s a rundown of the hottest June happenings: three-time “Las Vegas entertainer of the Year” Clint Holmes kicks off the month by resuming his smith Center residency (June 1-2, Cabaret Jazz at the smith Center for the Performing arts), while on the same nights multiple emmy award-winner Wayne Brady promises to deliver with a big bang (the Mirage). another very funny guy, d.l. HugHley takes the stage at the Orleans (June 8-9), while around the corner Comedy Central fave daniel tosH brings his unique humor to town (June 9-10, the Mirage). If fisticuffs is more your style, world-champion boxer manny “PaCman” PaCquiao fights undefeated timotHy “desert storm” Bradley Jr. (June 9, MGM Grand Garden arena). Returning to the smith Center, idina menzel—the tonywinning star of Wicked and Rent, who’s also a regular on FOX’s Glee—proves that Las Vegas is indeed becoming a hub of culture (June 10). If you prefer your culture with a side of electric guitars and Marshall stacks, head to the MGM Grand Garden arena and take in niCkelBaCk, which headlines a concert that includes BusH, seetHer and my darkest days (June 16). Finally, scotch-swilling, cigarchomping, New York Times best-selling funnyman ron WHite tells it as he sees it (June 22-23, the Mirage). –Michael Shulman
Def lePPArD AnD PoiSon
allen Stone
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June 23 Red Rock Resort Amphitheatre Tickets are $25 702.797.7777; redrocklasvegas.com —call it hard rock, pop rock, glam rock—whatever the label, Def leppard and Poison rank among the most acclaimed rock bands of the ’80s. from singalong classics such as “Pour Some Sugar on me” and “unskinny Bop,” be prepared to lose your voice.
toSh PhotograPhy ian white
V-rAteD /
PrimuS
It’s a Date
daniel toSh
SEAL with special guest MACY GRAY SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
BECK
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
ROCK ‘N’ BLUES FEST
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5
YES with special guest PROCOL HARUM SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
PALMS CASINO RESORT
tickets at ticketmaster.com // pearl box office // 702.944.3200 // palmspearl.com palms.com |
palmspearl palmscasinoresort |
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Rock the WoRld Following her heart, music aFicionado sherry st. germain’s travels always end on a high note By danny axelrod
Sherry St. Germain is the quintessential journeyman (or journeywoman, if you will). Coming from Canadian musical royalty (her father is Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Ray St. Germain), the former Canadian Idol contestant grew up classically trained on the piano by her mother (who is the author of the worldwide bestselling instructional book Ultimate Music Theory) and falling asleep nightly to the sounds of jazz greats Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans playing on her Walkman. At 15, she left school and hit the road with her
musician brothers, touring across Canada. Her talent and work ethic convinced brother-in-law (and Loverboy frontman) Mike Reno to facilitate a publishing contract with EMI in 2003. That led to more travels stateside, as well as writing for top artists and learning from top producers such as Timbaland and the legendary Bob Power— experiences that culminated in her own eclectic 2009 album, Kick Out the Lights. Then Cirque du Soleil and the lights of Las Vegas came calling: She signed a contract to perform in Cirque’s Viva ELVIS. “Every job I’ve ever taken has been like
going to school for me,” she says. “Every gig I’ve taken has led to something even better afterward, like an expanding spiral.” St. Germain’s stint on the Strip ended in 2010, at which point she remained in Vegas and resumed her solo-artist ambitions. With a repertoire that moves seamlessly from samba to soul to kick-ass rock ’n’ roll, she can currently be seen performing with her band, The Lost Vanguards, at The Lounge at the Palms Casino Resort at 11 p.m. Saturdays ($5 cover at the door). But that’s hardly her only gig. Among her recent accomplishments,
PLAYED IN VEGAS DOWNLOADS TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD by tIffANy boSmAN
Bloom Beach House
St. Germain completed collaborations with fellow Canadian electro-popsters Dirty Radio, as well as with house DJs Megaman and Kid Quan, and rapper Cage (their song “The Void” landed on a Beatport Top 10 list late last year). “My goal is to travel and rock the world, collaborating with talented people whom I can also learn from,” St. Germain says of her career aspirations. “But I also want to give back and eventually open a music school for children who have the passion but might not have access to the resources and guidance.”
Blown Away carrie underwood Underwood has come a long way from the stage of American Idol. the Season 4 winner-turnedmultiplatinum country superstar showcases her ability to boldly belt fun-loving, feel-good tracks while displaying the depth and sweetness required for the more serious content in Blown Away. Underwood connects with her audience through sing-at-the-top-
Neck of the Woods Silversun Pickups the bomb-drill sirens that open the album on “Skin Graph” get your attention, as if to say, “Listen up, this isn’t going to turn out how you expect!” Neck of the Woods goes above and beyond expectations. frontman brian Aubert flexes his acquired-taste
vocals with a bit more definition, while the band as a whole gets on with making the move from pigeonholed revivalists to revitalizing the alternative rock genre that was begging for someone to take the lead. The Hits: “Skin Graph,” “Here We Are (Chancer),” “bloody mary (Nerve Endings)”
Go! Pop! Bang! rye rye three words: dance floor explosion. Rye Rye finally releases her debut album four years in the making, rising above the other female emcees who gained popularity during that waiting period. tyga, Porcelain black, Akon, Robyn and mentor m.I.A. all appear on tracks, but the production steals the show with Steve Angello, bangladesh, the Neptunes and Redone (among others) shaping the bass-heavy, body-moving album. The Hits: “Drop,” “Hotter,” “Shake It to the Ground”
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/ MeeT
Dream-pop duo beach House arrives on summer’s doorstep with their fourth studio effort, which stays true to their past while expanding to deliver the listener a start-to-finish album experience. A signature sliding guitar and illuminating vocals comprise transcendent melodies that pull the listener from song to song. Victoria Legrand and Alex Scully continue to set their own rules in this follow-up to 2010’s Teen Dream. The Hits: “myth,” “other People,” “troublemaker”
of-your-lungs road-trip songs such as “Good Girl” and “one Way ticket,” and during goose-bumpproducing emotional ballads such as “forever Changed” and the title track. The Hits: “two black Cadillacs,” “thank God for Hometowns,” “forever Changed”
On the Cutting edge LOse ‘seLf COntrOL’ with the sCissOr sisters, whO paCk a pOwerfuL pOp punCh
MEET /
by mosi reeves
Nearly a decade after forming amid the hothouse of New York’s early-2000s electro-clash scene, selling millions of records around the world and subsequently laying the groundwork for pop explosions like Lady Gaga (they appeared on her MONSTER Ball Tour), the Scissor Sisters remain as enthralling and provocative as ever. The group’s fourth album, Magic Hour, continues a tradition of blending sing-along pop gems inspired by ’70s AM radio legends such as the Bee Gees and Supertramp with propulsive house beats, from the Calvin Harris-produced, handsin-the-air dance anthem “Only the Horses” to the shaggy yacht-rock number “San Luis Obispo.” The sounds may vary from track to track, but the quality
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control in the songwriting of leader Jake Shears and instrumentalist Babydaddy is constant. Guitarist Del Marquis, who fills out the Scissor Sisters quartet with backing vocalist Ana Matronic, says the ascendant electronic-dance music scene and producers such as Azari & III and Tensnake heavily influenced the group. This is felt most strongly in “Let’s Have a Kiki,” a raging acid-house tribute to loft parties co-produced by Babydaddy and Boys Noize. “Usually the direction comes from Jake in terms of what is really inspiring him at that moment, and the band takes direction from that,” Marquis says. The heavy EDM production reduced Marquis’ guitar role on Magic Hour, but he doesn’t seem
to mind. Besides, he gets to stand out when the Scissor Sisters perform one of their acclaimed live shows. “We like classic showmanship. We’re conscious of relating to the crowd,” Marquis says. “I’ll end up reinterpreting [on guitar] some of the things that were synthesizers and keyboards [on the album], and return them to the liveband aspect. [‘Let’s Have a Kiki’] is actually my favorite song to perform, because I don’t even have to play guitar. I have a tambourine, and I’m like Bez from the Happy Mondays. It’s the most liberating thing.” Scissor Sisters perform at House of Blues Las Vegas on June 15 at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $27, 702.632.7600; houseofblues.com
a
John Polson
shoRT sToRy Aussie sensATion TRoPFesT mAkes
A BRieF sToP AT The CosmoPoliTAn It’s hard to avoid using puns when discussing the plight of short films in American culture. Rarely shown in mainstream theaters, they get shortchanged, should we say? Or, perhaps, that they draw the short straw at awards shows such as the Oscars, where this year’s presenters for shorts—the cast of Bridesmaids— compared them unfavorably to male genitalia? No matter. After Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, is done with Vegas, coming up short won’t seem like a bad thing. Founded in 1992 by Australian actor, writer, producer and director John Polson (Swimfan, Hide and Seek), Tropfest celebrates its 20th year when it takes over The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on June 1-3, culminating in a screening of 16 films in the (drained!) Boulevard Pool overlooking the Strip. “It’s our official birthday party,” Polson says, grinning. “It’s incredibly exciting. It’s our anniversary, and it’s our first real time in the States. This is Tropfest USA.” Already a huge event in its native Australia, where it’s live-streamed from Sydney before an audience of more than 100,000 people to cities across the continent, Tropfest takes its name from the Tropicana Cafe, a hangout of Polson’s that served as the set for one of his first short films. (The burgeoning director had so little cash
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at the time that in addition to hitting up friends for locations, he shot the footage he needed, then returned the video camera for a refund.) After receiving permission from the café’s owner to host a screening, Polson pushed a television into the corner, and to his shock, 200 people showed up. “I stood up on a chair at the end, buoyed by it all—there wasn’t even any alcohol involved—and said, ‘Everybody here has got to make a film,’” Polson remembers. Nine audience members obliged, and 20 years later, Polson estimates that he receives more than 800 annual entries, each film made specifically for the festival—something he ensures by requiring that each submission feature a “signature item” (past items have included a pickle and a sneeze). “It’s just a little nod,” he says. “It’s fun for the crowd.” Tropfest Las Vegas screens some of the best films from the festival’s past two decades, handpicked by Polson, in an “All-Star” competition that comedian Rob Corddry emcees. “At first I was looking at L.A. or New York—the big film towns,” Polson says of deciding where to start Tropfest’s U.S. tour. “But in the end I felt like Vegas was just a great place to have a party.” Reserve free general admission tickets or book a VIP package at tropfest.com/vegas.
THREE TO WATCH Lemonade Stand
DirecteD by AletheA Jones This whimsical, Wes Andersonesque comedy about a man and his grandfather who go up against a nosy, vindictive neighbor won Tropfest 2012 in Australia just a few months ago.
mankind iS no iSLand
DirecteD by JAson vAn GenDeren shoT entirely on a cellphone, cartoonist and cinematographer Jason van Genderen’s ode to street signage won both Best Film and People’s Choice at Tropfest 2008.
WiLfred
DirecteD by tony roGers The hit FX comedy starring elijah Wood was based on this Tropfest 2002 winner (which makes it the oldest film being screened at this year’s festival), starring Jason Gann as a dog who becomes hilariously suspicious of his female owner’s new boyfriend.
CosmoPoliTAn PhoToGRAPhy ThomAs hART shelBy
PREVIEw /
By unA lAmARChe
play
on the list & on the lips
SwediSh houSe RuleS
text by mosi reeves
since being discovered by sebastian ingrosso, newcomer Alesso has stormed the electronic-dance music scene. he collected several industry awards for his ecstatic remix of nadia Ali’s “pressure,” earned a spot on MtV’s “eDM Rookies to Watch in 2012” and landed his first ranking on DJ Mag’s influential top 100 DJs chart. not bad for the 20-year-old swedish upstart, who discovered house music when he was 16. his latest projects include a remix of his smash with ingrosso, “Calling (lose My Mind),” with new vocals from Ryan tedder of oneRepublic, a remix of Keane’s “silenced by the night” and, of course, touring the world. Catch Alesso at electric Daisy Carnival on June 8-10 at las Vegas Motor speedway. See Page 102
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DJ M!keAttAck shAres hIs nIne essentIAl trAcks for June
V-RATED /
By Craig asher NymaN photography eriC ita
The afro, the smile and the larger-than-life personality are among DJ M!keAttack’s most recognizable attributes. But undoubtedly his proudest endeavor is navigating a packed performance schedule that leaves most wondering when he sleeps. Recently, the lauded Las Vegan garnered his own night, Attack Fridays at Moon Nightclub, and he also keeps the beats bumping at Snitch Wednesdays at Ghostbar, both in the Palms Casino Resort. Add in summer stints at Encore Beach Club and Wet Republic—plus a residency at The Cosmopolitan’s new Thursday Night Social Club, a weekly gig at hotspot STK and an after-hours set at the sultry Artisan Hotel—and it’s easy to see why he moves through his days and nights at lightningspeed BPMs. All this didn’t just happen overnight. M!keAttack turned an impromptu set at Downtown’s Beauty
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Bar into his first Las Vegas residency, but it was his own party—Atomic Saturdays at the nowdefunct Red Room—that put him on the map and grabbed the attention of top nightlife impresarios. With energetic sets and a strong local following, he has become a name to know in the Vegas music scene. Plus, it’s impossible not to root for the hometown DJ. As for what’s in his summer queue, this track list preps eager partygoers for a smooth summertime groove.
tJr – “funky Vodka” Dyro – “Metaphor” calvin harris – “let’s Go” ft. ne-Yo the flexican & fs Green – “Bumaye” Bingo Players – “Mode” Madeon – “Icarus” Martin solveig – “the night out” Wijk & Mero – “June” David Guetta – “titanium” ft. sia
daylife dUds
Billed by co-owner Nick sakai as “designed with vegas nightlife as the theme, but vegas pool season as the setting,” local sneaker boutique crsvr has teamed with southern california brand the Hundreds for an exclusive collection. the store in the cosmoplitan, which sakai co-owns with dJ vice, is the only place to find the wares, which include men’s t-shirts, swim trunks, tank tops and sandals to be worn while exploring vegas’ ever-popular daylife.
[ the details] Portraits of tao Group’s beautiful cocktail servers form the cornerstone of crsVr’s collaboration with the hundreds. the playful photos appear on the garments and “bring a heavy dose of Vegas nightlife to the apparel,” sakai says. And with crsVr being located adjacent to the entrance of Marquee nightclub, it’s a perfect marriage. —Elizabeth Sewell
kArlA PhotoGrAPhY Al PoWers
Full-Scale aSSault
Let’s Party!
A sneAk peek At the sensory spectAcle thAt is electric DAisy cArnivAl 2012 By DaviD Morris photography Denise truscello Shattering records during its first year at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Electric Daisy Carnival attracted 230,000 revelers in 2011. This year, more than 100 electronic-dance music artists are on the program, part of an entertainment lineup that includes theatrical performers, pyrotechnic displays and art installations— in other words, EDC 2012 is bigger and better than ever. Not sure how to plan your adventure? Fear not, we’ve got you covered. Here are five can’t-miss experiences:
Awesome Art Past EDC installations have included 40-foot-tall steel dandelions (“Wish” by Robert James Buchholz) and flame-spitting blooming flower pods (“Mutopia” by the Flaming Lotus Girls). This year, Insomniac Events (producers of EDC) has commissioned a sculpture by Oakland-based artist Michael Christian, whose large metal figures have previously punctuated the landscape at Coachella and Burning Man. Be on the lookout for a nearly 30-foot-tall baby doll that weighs almost 4,000 pounds and will incorporate video imaging on a screen placed where the head would normally be.
Q-Dance A seventh stage called Q-Dance makes its debut at EDC 2012, representing the harder styles in dance music.
Steve Aoki and Blue Man Group, June 9 at Kinetic Field Blue Man Group founder Chris Wink explains: “Electric Daisy Carnival is the ultimate life force, a fully immersive audiovisual experience. An event of this nature is so much a part of Blue Man Group’s DNA, there really is no better place for us to be. Steve Aoki, whose performance is just as important as his music, presents the perfect partnership, as those qualities completely match our own artistic desires. It will be a night of outrageous color, humor, music and technology—all on one stage.”
VIP Experiences Want to arrive at EDC in style? Skip the traffic and book a seat on a Maverick Helicopter for $800 roundtrip. After touching down, you’ll be met by a golf cart that whisks you to Marquee Nightclub’s VIP stage, where special viewing areas, gift bags and bottle service await. For some less-wallet-busting luxury, VIP tickets for $500 afford priority entry, complimentary refreshments, separate restroom facilities and access to viewing decks that overlook multiple stages.
EDC Week The festival may last just three days, but with the number of / all access
attendees expected to rival New Year’s Eve, some major pre- and post events are in the works. The biggest is BassRush, slated for June 7 at The Orleans. Among those scheduled to appear are Knife Party and Bassnectar.
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ATB
KrisTinA sKy
SoundS ElEctric a quick guide to the djs performing at electric daisy carnival By Agent 21
In addition to experiencing the performers, rides and art at EDC 2012, make time to hear some music, too. Don’t miss these electronic-dance music superstars.
ATB oFTEN PERFoRMS AT ... Marquee Las Vegas IF hE wASN’T A DJ ... he’d be a photographer. whAT hE DoES IN VEgAS: Plays blackjack. whAT To ExPEcT AT EDc: New music from his latest compilation, Sunset Beach DJ Session 2, with a yet-to-be released single. KrisTinA sKy oFTEN PERFoRMS AT ... Marquee Las Vegas FIRST gIg: Underground sunrise set in the mountains of Southern California. hER SouND: Trance with a slice of melodic
FeLix CartaL
Ferry Corsten
progressive house and a touch of techno, electro and breaks. What to expect at eDc: A special vibe and a great set full of tracks that people will love. Ferry Corsten oFteN peRFoRMS at ... Marquee Las Vegas aliaSeS: He claims 24 different DJ names, including Moonman, The Nutter, Kinky Toys and A Jolly Good Fellow. FavoRite tRack Right NoW: Ferry Corsten feat. Aruna, “Live Forever.” What to expect at eDc: A lot of entertainment and great music.
FeLix CartaL oFteN peRFoRMS at ... Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
FiRSt gig: He had been DJing less than a month when he was booked at Richard’s on Richards, a famous live music venue in Vancouver, B.C. hiS SouND: Aggressive, energetic, memorable and catchy. FavoRite thiNg to Do iN vegaS: Lounge by a pool. What to expect at eDc: New visuals and tracks from his latest album. Morgan Page oFteN peRFoRMS at ... Wynn Las Vegas hoW he got hiS StaRt: As a high school student, he played for a college radio station at University of Vermont. he WoulD love to WoRk With ... Adele, Imogen Heap, James Mercer and Miike Snow. higheSt accolaDe: Grammy nomination. What to expect at eDc: Fan favorites from his new album, In the Air. CosMiC gate oFteN peRFoRM at ... Marquee Las Vegas hoW they becaMe coSMic gate: Both Nic Chagall and DJ Bossi were entrenched in the German music scene, releasing tracks for the same label, and by chance ended up in a studio together. What they Do iN vegaS: They plead the Fifth.
Morgan Page
ManuFaCtured suPerstars oFteN peRFoRM at ... Wynn Las Vegas theiR SouND: All forms of electronic-dance music—fun and unpredictable. SigNatuRe look: NASA spacesuits—which gained popularity during Paul Oakenfold’s “Perfecto” parties at Palms. they love laS vegaS: MS’ single “Silver Splits the Blue” was inspired by The Hangover and shot at XS Nightclub featuring model Arianny Celeste. What to expect at eDc: A new production, custom edits, a new set and a live broadcast on SiriusXM. CosMiC gate
ManUFaCtUred sUPerstars
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/ THE GUIDE
Chris Lake oFteN peRFoRMS at ... Wynn Las Vegas FiRSt gig: A gay club in Dundee, Scotland, at age 16 with his dad chaperoning. hiS SouND: House music fused with electro, a sense of purpose, emotion and free-spirited movement. What he DoeS iN vegaS: Gambling or filling his face at one of the many restaurants. What to expect at eDc: Electro, funk and tech with insane builds, moments of euphoria and the odd sing-along.
Chris Lake
Seeing the Lyte
PooLside CoCktAiLs thAt woN’t PACk oN the PouNds By Xania Woodman
SkinnY Dipping As served at Aria pool bars; 16 ounces, $16; 32 ounces, $24; 64-ounce party pitcher, $44 it’s about time that someone had the good sense to combine two tastes that positively scream summer: refreshing, ice-cold lemonade and fresh, ripe strawberries. this skinny poolside sipper comes in at just over 150 calories. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 ounces Voli lemon vodka, 2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 ounce house-made strawberry puree and ½ ounce agave nectar. Add ice, cover, shake and strain over fresh ice into a 16-ounce plastic cup. Top with Riondo Prosecco and garnish with a fresh strawberry.
LiBAtionS /
[ Best Bet ] mighty minis
Countless delightful, delectable ways can effectively put an end to your diet in Las Vegas. But recently— and we’re thinking it might have something to do with the raucous pool-party and daylife phenomena— plenty of hotspots are introducing ingenious ways to help you maintain your sexy fighting weight without entirely dampening your spirits. And Voli reduced-calorie vodka is the name on everyone’s lips. A 1½-ounce shot of original Voli Lyte vodka weighs in at just 74 calories, while the versatile
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lemon, orange-vanilla, pear-vanilla, espressovanilla and raspberry-cocoa flavors will set you back a mere 80 calories. Voli is made from just superior French wheat, pure spring water and natural fruit flavors that allow you to dramatically slash the calorie count in many of your favorite cocktails without sacrificing flavor. See? You can lose weight as well as your inhibitions. $24 Lyte and lemon, $27 other flavors, Total Wine & More; volispirits.com; totalwine.com
All eight flavors of New Zealand’s VnC premixed and ready-to-serve bottled cocktails fall below the 150 calorie-per-serving benchmark of skinny-dom, including the vodka mojito, margarita and pomegranate cosmo. Look for these petite, twoserving bottles that come complete with their own little plastic cup! $5 Available at MGM Resorts International retail stores, vnccocktails.com
Sound CheCk TribuTe recordings puTs iTs sTamp on The vegas music scene By Michael ShulMan PhotograPhy toMo
Over the last two decades, Las Vegas’ nightlife scene has undergone more face-lifts than Joan Rivers. It’s shifted from off-Strip nightclubs (Shark Club, Drink, Club Utopia and—for four spectacular months in 1995—The Roxbury) to the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard (first RA, now Surrender and Haze, the list goes on). And along the way, the music pendulum has swung from open format to electronicdance music and back again, with superstar DJs such as Deadmau5, Paul Oakenfold and Tiësto pocketing from $25,000 to $100,000 for each appearance while nudging novices off the decks. Through it all, nightlife veterans Eddie McDonald and Milo “Mighty Mi” Berger have been eyeing the movement—McDonald as program director for Angel Management Group and Berger as musical director and resident DJ for Surrender and Encore Beach Club. And as the EDM movement grew, one thing the duo realized was how a lot of local talent has gone unnoticed. In this era of digitized distribution, McDonald and Berger determined they could be doing more than warming up crowds for the headliners. So they formed Tribute Recordings and began recruiting acts, first from around the Las Vegas Valley, and then—as McDonald’s job with AMG required relocating to the East Coast—from around the country. The result? Well, if the May 22 release of their first label sampler, Tribute Recordings: A First Look, is any indication, these partners have got the touch. And it’s not just as producers of such artists as Lexy (a musical cousin of J.J. Fad and Lil’ Mama, whose “Bottle Rats” tells the tale of those women who scan VIP areas for free drinks) and Sherry St. Germain (whose vocals grace MegaMan’s—a.k.a. Michael Mayeda’s—“Bulletproof Heart” with a beautiful intensity, harkening to the sounds of the great female collaborators of Todd Terry). It’s also as musicians and collaborators. Under the names of Digital Milo and Eddie Mac, they truly excel. In fact, they more than hold their own on Tribute’s first album, alongside such sought-after acts as Mayeda, Shalvoy Music, Aaron Perez, WhiteNoize and Macaluso. The title of Tribute’s debut release is entirely appropriate, too, because it is just that: a first look, with much more to come. To that end, Berger and McDonald are constantly on the lookout for the next Lexy and Sherry. And it’s quite possible the spotlight could be shining on you. Think you’ve got the vocal chops to make it in today’s musical jungle? Send your submissions to music@tributerecordings.com, and let Milo and Eddie see if you’ve got “it” or not. Tribute Recordings, tributerecordings.com
VEGAS/RATED: Why the name “tribute”? eDDie mCDOnaLD: Tribute comes from a few different places. First, it represents a label composed of elements of all the different styles of music that have influenced milo and me throughout our lives—be they house, rap, reggae, soul, pop, electronic, dance, whatever. miLO berGer: In other words, every record we put out is a tribute to our musical influences in one way or another. V/R: DO yOu prefer COLLabOratinG, Or WOuLD yOu rather WOrk separateLy? berGer: Ideally, we like to collaborate, but for the moment [because of mcDonald’s move to the east Coast], it’s turning out to be more of an individual thing. V/R: nOW that yOu tWO are biCOastaL, hOW WiLL that affeCt yOur effOrts tO buiLD tribute? mCDOnaLD: Now that I’m back on the east Coast, we can lock down some new talent from both coasts—and everything in between!
[ InsIder Intel ]
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The famed-Sunset Boulevard Roxbury Nightclub from the ’80s and ’90s (and from the cult movie A Night at the Roxbury) did have a Las Vegas outpost for a short period of time in 1995. It was the predecessor to Club Utopia. Rolling back the clock, celebrities in attendance at its opening included Skeet Ulrich, Tia Carrere and Neve Campbell. Ahead of its time, it placed a heavy emphasis on exclusivity and bottle service.
Day Dream just add water for instant fun in the sun By DEANNA RILLING PhotoGRAPhy GABE ZAPAtA AND AL PoWERS
Imagine a mini Electric Daisy Carnival … with swimming pools. Insomniac Events— America’s undisputed producer of electronic-dance music events—has teamed with Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub for a series of Sunday summer parties. Wet Wonderland at the Dayclub takes the eclectic spectacle and costumed performers for which both Insomniac and Marquee are known and places them poolside. Add top DJ talent such as Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz and Avicii, and the festival-like atmosphere is certain to provide partygoers an unforgettable daytime experience.
“the only place 2 be on Sundays this summer (besides church!) is @marqueeLv for #WetWonderland!!” –@Jess5683
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JEWELs the treasure chest
RaRe Plumage
If “sophisticated savage” is your thing, check out h.stern’s Feather earrings and bracelet set for sale at its boutique in crystals at citycenter. cascades of gold, feather-shaped pieces fall from the earlobes, while the bracelet (pictured) offers hundreds of floating feathers that dance a samba every time you move your arm. See Page 118
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Treasure ChesT
Fine jewelers showcase color anD uniqueness at couture
By Michael ShulMan
From pink pavé diamonds to ethiopian opals, exhibitors show their best new baubles at couture in wynn las Vegas on June 1-4. This trade only event features more than 300 vendors. here are a few pieces to look forward to when they make their way to a jewelry boutique near you later this year. ity and greater versatility,” he says. To understand what he’s talking about, simply gaze upon his use of marcobicego.com —This italian artisan has always been a fan of color, aquamarine set in his signature hammered 22-karat and this year he goes even further with the Murano yellow gold. collection, drawing inspiration from the famed village that put glass-blowing on the map. Make no PaMela FroMaN mistake: No matter how swanky those glass-blown FiNe Jewelry beads you picked up the last time you were in Venice pamelafroman.com (or The Venetian) might be, they’re nothing com- —She may work with ethiopian opals and create pared with the vibrant amethysts and vivid garnets exotic pieces with the appearance of a crushed texset against the coiled 18-karat yellow gold for which ture, but Froman’s line is handmade entirely in los angeles. She describes her customer as “confident … Bicego is known. with a strong sense of personal style,” someone who wants to “be seen as a unique individual. if everyone’s ShaMBalla wearing it, [i’m] not interested.” shamballajewels.com —Variation on a theme is nothing new to Mads and Mikkel Kornerup, whose Shamballa Jewels produces K. BruNiNi JewelS those joyful macramé bracelets that contain precious kbrunini.com gemstones ranging from smooth colombian emerald —Katey Brunini has always been inspired to make spheres to peacock Tahitian pearls to balls of pavé jewelry that “will be worn and cherished by generations pink argyle diamonds set in 18-karat rose gold. This of unique individuals,” the San Diego-born designer season, the dynamic Danes are presenting their says. Signature pieces include an 18-karat gold hubracelets (as well as necklaces, anklets, earrings man spine and elegant bone drop-earrings. and cufflinks) with faceted moonstone (in both gray and peach), turquoise (from Tibet and arizona), yVel and coral found off the shores of Sardinia. They’re yvel.com also expanding the spectrum of their popular ce- —Known for spectacular creations with baroque pearls and multicolored sapphires, the israeli luxramic collection. ury brand yvel has expanded its rainbow collection to include natural aquamarine (of exceptional gurhaN hues, mined in africa) and quartz, shown above, gurhan.com —according to Turkish designer gurhan, today’s (both smoky and rutilated). Taking his cues from consumers are savvier than their predecessors. both land and sea, co-founder and designer isaac “They realize the importance of investing in a piece levy has simply taken “the yvel desire to produce of fine jewelry and the need to purchase judiciously, wearable works of art from Mother Nature’s greatinvesting in fewer pieces, but ones of higher qual- est treasures” to its next logical progression.
/ V-raTeD
Marco Bicego
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peacock rinG
DiamonDs on the horizon
SINCE launching his eponymous collection 10 years ago, Sevan Biçakçi has always counted uniqueness and color as two of his most powerful partners; haute joaillerie made all the more modern for its masterful use of centuries-old techniques. This season’s pieces include the “Gryphon” cuff, a black leather strap set with a figural version of the mythological creature made from black diamonds; the “Otszintsi” pendant, featuring a snake coiled around one of the talented Turk’s signature locks, embedded with multicolored rough diamonds that hang from a chain of 24-karat gold and sterling silver; and the “Peacock” ring, with its intaglio hand-carved from a citrine, surrounded by white diamonds and set on a shank of vibrantly hued enamel, hand-painted on 24-karat gold and sterling silver. They’re all Sevan, through and through. sevanbicakci.com
Gryphon cuFF
ON DIAMOND TIME
THere’s a reason THese dazzling gems are alWays a girl’s BesT friend By Sondra Schneider
There was an era when only females glittered, but in recent years, the balance has shifted. Ever since men discovered there were testosterone points to be scored with fancy watches, they’ve been adorning their wrists with timepieces that, due to their complexity or weight of gemstones, cost as much as a large home. We think its catch-up time, ladies! Since we’re talking about diamond-dripping watches, what could be better than the quality of the gems used in the creations of the world’s top diamond merchants?
Peacocking
consider Harry Winston’s Ultimate adornment Timepiece, a breathtaking feathered pendant watch in platinum and 18-karat white gold that sports 36.15 carats of brilliant-cut, 10.31 carats of marquise-cut and 1.08 carats of pearcut diamonds on the case alone. The dial is peacock feather marquetry over white gold, and a detachable brooch attached to the case is set with marquise- and pear-cut diamonds with a flourish of duck and peacock feathers. The Ultimate adornment totals a whopping 62.35 carats, runs to more than $1.3 million and directs all eyes to your cleavage. Harry Winston in Crystals at CityCenter, 702.262.0001; harrywinston.com
everyday Bling
The enchantingly feminine Baby graffs are watches to wear every day. delicate and charming, the 21-millimeter case is mounted on a classic gemstone line bracelet or a stingray or lizard half-round padded strap. Baby graffs are available (by special order) in diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire, or any combination of white and colored stones your heart desires. The Baby graff one carat is awaiting your visit at the vegas boutique, but its name only means that the bracelet is composed of 1-carat stones. There’s actually a total of 22 carats in this pretty bauble, between the trapeze-cut case, the emerald hour markers and the line bracelet. Price upon request Graff Diamonds in Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.3494; graffdiamonds.com
Wrist Versatility
Harry Winston’s Premier ladies 36-millimeter watch is no slouch. in 18-karat white gold with a shimmering white mother-of-pearl dial or 18-karat rose gold with a rose mother-of-pearl dial, both have 12 brilliant-cut diamond hour markers and 1.33 carats of brilliant cuts set in the bezel. the watch is available in either automatic or quartz movements, and there’s a choice of three bracelet styles: satin or polished gold set with 1.6 carats, or an over-the-top 7-carat all-diamond strap. Price upon request Harry Winston in Crystals at CityCenter, 702.262.0001; harrywinston.com
suPersHine
time lapse /
When it comes to diamond-laden wrists, Graff’s hefty quartz movement 38-millimeter superstar in a limited edition of 30 pieces wins a top position. the only non-diamond items are the hands and the emerald hour markers. there are 216 trilliant-cut, invisibly set diamonds in the case, and 52 princess-cut, plus 52 brilliant-cut, diamonds in the four-row bracelet. even the buckle is composed of 20 fancy diamonds, for a grand total of 341 diamonds and 12 emeralds weighing in at 55 sparkling, flashing carats. Price upon request Graff Diamonds in Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.3494; graffdiamonds.com
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Stone Age Brazilian jewelry designer goes Bold with colorful gemstones (and caipirinhas!) By Sondra Schneider
When I lived in Rio, I spent an inordinate amount of time at H.Stern’s shop in fashionable Ipanema. It’s not that I had any intention of investing heavily in Brazilian gemstones, but I did find the endless stream of caipirinhas—with which H.Stern plied their prospective customers—irresistible. By midafternoon on any given day, the shop was filled with shit-faced tourists lolling about on the leather furniture, trying to focus their eyes on piles of gold and gems worth a king’s ransom. What I did note through my cachaça-induced haze was the sauvage boldness of the jewelry. these were new World gems, well-suited to an Amazon queen. that fiery boldness appealed to Americans, and it was probably tourists returning from Rio with their boozy afternoon’s prizes that helped introduce the jewels of H.Stern to a receptive American audience. H.Stern came into being through the vision and passion of one man for the mineral riches of his adopted country. When Hans Stern arrived in Rio from germany at the outbreak of World War II, he was 17 years old. He was only 23 when he became so fascinated by a mound of colored semi-precious stones he found on someone’s desk that it set his life’s path and eventually changed an entire industry. the first H.Stern shop opened in 1945, catering to the wealthy passengers of the luxurious cruise ships that visited Rio. At that time, the jewelry industry focused mainly on diamonds and what were known as “oriental” colored stones such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds. other stones like amethysts, aquamarines, topaz and tourmalines, were held in little regard. Almost single-handedly, Hans Stern built his business around these stones, creating a worldwide demand for what today are termed “Brazilian colored gemstones.” today there is an H.Stern in Las Vegas offering everything from watches and specially cut “Stern Star” diamonds to jewelry collections created by architects, sculptors, clothing and furniture designers, and film celebrities. there’s pretty much something for every taste, but what really stands out are those pieces whose over-scaled audacity make H.Stern jewelry look so different from anything else in the market. Maravilhosa! H.Stern, Crystals at CityCenter, 702.736.5829; crystalsatcitycenter.com
great rocks
the cobblestones collection, which may well have been inspired by the charming stone streets of Búzios or paratí, is quintessential h.stern. different shapes of faceted gemstones, ovals, squares, rectangles and rounds, are set cheek-by-jowl to create dazzling bracelets, rings and earrings. multicolored or all one tone, these are hefty jewels that demand attention, as do the many multicolored stone necklaces that are also h.stern signature pieces. the “important” stone pieces have an almost barbaric splendor. a bib of green tourmaline drops descends from a pavé diamond vine that curls around the base of the neck. a snaky matching chain holds a huge aquamarine framed in a massive gold-and-diamond setting. imperial topaz, a stone the color of aged sherry, is unique to Brazil and also used in major pieces.
HeAvy MetAl
In the world of H.stern, even gold is not just plain old gold. they have created something called “noble Gold,” a shimmery mixture of white and yellow gold whose exact proportions are a closely guarded secret. Jewelry made in 18-karat gold is often striated, matted or textured. the massive Celtic dune or Parabelo cuff bracelets are perfect examples of decoratively treated gold surfaces. Wear a pair, one on each wrist, and you can probably stop bullets just like Wonder Woman.
Br Brazil is the world’s largest producer of colored stones, and new variations are still being discovered. In 1989, a miner ne found a vein of what became known as Paraiba tourmaline, fou one of the rarest gems in the world. the incandescent, almost neon-blue stone commands astronomical prices, ranging as neo high as $60,000 per carat. And the best place to lay hands on o one is at H.stern.
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spotlight /
InsIder IIn nsIder Intel
Between the Lines recently released books uncover the best in balls, french fashion, interior design and wine By Sondra Schneider
andy warhol arrives at truman capote’s black and white ball in the plaza hotel, new york, 1966
three other stylish must-reads
All DresseD Up
a Hospitable environment DeFining Luxury: The Work and Life of HBA, text by Judith Nasatir ($65), is a lavishly illustrated hardcover volume of the architectural and interior design work of HBA, a firm that has specialized in high-end hotel design for almost 50 years. From the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in Abu Dhabi to Italy’s Castel Monastero, these elegant caravansaries are inspirations for your own private spaces. vinification IN The Wine Questionnaire ($45), Jay McInerney turns his novelist’s talents to interviewing a number of prominent oenophiles, such as Daniel Boulud and Sofia Coppola. He asks them every question about wine you might wish to ask, and the book features their handwritten answers. What a fantastic house gift!
cUrrent /
CApoTe pHoTogRApHy By BeRNARD goTFRyD/geTTy IMAgeS | DIoR pHoTogRApHy SopHIe CARRe
“This is not just a tale of high-society parties, but the story of a vanished way of life.” This quote, overlaying a photograph of Prince Rainier and a bejeweled Princess Grace dancing in close embrace, is the perfect opening for Assouline’s frothy confection of a book: Bals: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century by Nicholas Foulkes ($175). Nine grand extravaganzas are remembered in text, photographs and illustrations, starting with the incredibly lavish Romanov Ball presented by Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra Romanov at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in February 1903. With many stops in between, at galas such as Truman Capote’s famous Black and White Ball in New York to which he invited 500 friends and made 15,000 enemies, the book and the age of such wildly extravagant entertainments closes with the Proust Ball. Attended by everyone who was anyone, it was hosted by Baron Guy and Baroness Marie-Hélène de Rothschild at their French residence, Chateau de Ferrières, in December 1971. These pricey divertissements were the inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels, that most creatively whimsical and poetic of all Åne gem houses, to create a jewelry collection named Les Bals de Légende. They have chosen Åve balls: the Winter Palace, the Venetian Bal du Siècle, the Oriental, the Proust and the Black and White. Each has its own mini-collection featuring a panoply of necklaces, earrings, brooches and some of the most spectacularly breathtaking rings we’ve seen to date.
Ja Ja’dore Dior, featuring Dior Fashion by D Caroline Bongrand, and Dior Jewelry C and Dior Perfume by Jérôme Hanover a ($75), is a luxurious three-volume boxed ($ retrospective of one of the world’s re most famous fashion labels. These m books present a series of captivating b photographic images from each p trtriumphant decade of the House of Dior and are as chic as their subject. a
Assouline in Crystals at CityCenter, 702.795.0166; assouline.com
VAN CleeF & ARpelS BAlS De légeNDe ColleCTIoN
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a brilliant touch Ivanka Trump knows busIness lIke she knows her dIamonds By Laura Mier
Ivanka Trump, you may safely surmise, grew up in a household that values a sharp business sense and an eye for luxury goods. So launching Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry in 2007 was a natural progression. Over the past five years, her high-end accessories company has grown from a small shop on Madison Avenue to an international brand, and last year, Trump moved her New York flagship store to a larger, bi-level SoHo boutique with an upstairs bridal bar and weekly champagne parties. The success of Trump’s jewelry, even in a down economy, stems from her ability to anticipate the desires of her (largely female) clientele. Her boutique is welcoming, rather than intimidating; her jewelry is set at a range of price points. And Trump even relaunched her bridal collection using conflict-free diamonds and recycled platinum, tapping into the growing demand for sustainable jewelry. This year at JCK Las Vegas, Trump will unveil three collections, all of which align with her signature “heirloom chic” aesthetic, while drawing inspiration from historical time periods. The Belle Époque collection, named after the era, captures the optimism, peace and prosperity of late-19th-century Paris, featuring delicate bow details and a white-on-white color scheme. During that same period, the United States was in its opulent Gilded Age, which influenced Trump’s Gilded Cage collection: a lineup of modern pieces that evoke the extravagant, art-deco style for which the era was known. But perhaps the most significant of Trump’s new collections is the Lao Tong line, the brand’s first venture into colorful jewelry. Inspired by last year’s visually stunning period film Snow Flower and the Secret Fan—which was produced by Trump’s close friend Wendi Murdoch—the Lao Tong line integrates Asianinspired fans, mother-of-pearl, sparkling diamonds and dazzling emeralds set in 18-karat white gold. “[Emeralds] have always been one of my favorite gemstones, so I was incredibly excited to be able to incorporate them into one of my new collections,” Trump says. The film—and symbols within the jewelry line—nod to the significance of strong female characters and their friendships. A fitting choice for the dynamic entrepreneur.
Trump celebraTes her new collecTIons—a combo of hIsTorIc beauTy and colorful baubles
Three Questions for Ivanka VEGAS/RATED: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT YOUR JEWELRY PAYS HOMAGE TO THE PAST? TRUMP: Heirloom chic is the creative vision behind my jewelry line. [It] puts a modern twist on classic jewelry, capturing a sense of fine workmanship, tradition and off-hand elegance. V/R: WHY IS ROSE GOLD A TOP PERFORMER FOR YOUR LINE? TRUMP: I love the femininity, warmth and elegance of rose gold, which is what inspired me to use it. V/R: IF A WOMAN COULD OWN ONLY ONE PIECE OF YOUR JEWELRY, WHAT SHOULD IT BE? TRUMP: A fabulous pair of earrings that can go from the office to a night out are an absolute necessity. My favorites are the Medium Signature Oval Diamond Earrings from my collection. They really make a statement.
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on a roll /
WHO WANTS TO BE A (MULTI)MILLIONAIRE? By matt jacoB photography andrew sea james From baseball games to blackjack to bingo, there is no end to the number of ways you can, uh-um, supplement your income in the Silver State. about the only gambling that’s not available in nevada— but, ironically, is offered in 43 other states (plus the District of Columbia, Puerto rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)—is the lottery. That’s not to say you can’t hit a life-changing jackpot here. Just ask the 77 people who have turned $3 into millions by winning Megabucks, the statewide progressive slot machine that in the past 26 years has paid out more than $700 million. Will you be next? There’s only one way to find out (we recommend bringing along an empty suitcase … just in case).
MONEY TALKS
INTERNATIONAL Game Technology (IGT) created Megabucks in March 1986 as part of its MegaJackpots system of slots. Here’s how it works: More than 600 machines throughout the state are linked to one “progressive” jackpot that builds continuously until a lucky winner lines up three Megabucks symbols across the pay line. At that point, the jackpot is immediately reset to $10 million.
HISTORY LESSON
MEGABUCKS first hit on Feb. 1, 1987. Total jackpot: $4.9 million. Excalibur holds the distinction as the site of the largest jackpot: On March 21, 2003, someone collected a cool $39.7 million (and change). The greatest number of jackpots occurred in 1994, when Megabucks hit eight times.
BEATING THE ODDS
YOUR chances of winning Megabucks? About equal to hitting a hole-in-one, then immediately getting struck by lightning. That said, if you believe in trends, Megabucks averages one jackpot every 121 days (though the most recent was June 15, 2011). Also, since 2004, only one property has seen the jackpot hit three times: Palms Casino Resort, The Venetian and the Marquee Dayclub Pool Pit at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
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InSIder InteL
On Nov. 22, 1989, then 76-year-old Elmer Sherwin won a $4.6 million Megabucks jackpot at The Mirage on the day the resort opened. Fast-forward to Sept. 16, 2005, when Sherwin—at the ripe young age of 92— put $3 into a Megabucks machine at the Cannery Casino & Hotel in North Las Vegas … and won again, this time collecting $21.1 million. He’s the only person to ever see Megabucks lightning strike twice.