ACCENT • THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS • FALL/WINTER 2019/20
ACCENT: THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS
LMFJ.COM
finely
TAILORED METICULOUSLY CRAFTED JEWELS
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LEE MICHAELS
INSPIRED DESIGNER JEWELRY
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FALL/WINTER 2019/20 LEE MICHAELS 1
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CEO Lee Michael Berg
FALL/WINTER 2019/20
PRESIDENTS Ryan Berg Scott Berg Chad Berg VICE PRESIDENT Greg Johnson VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER M A L L O F LO U I S I A N A Johnny Tate
6 Welcome Letter 8 Social Scene
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Harrington
10 Curing Cancer Is Just a Matter of Time 12 Finely Tailored
A DV E RT I S I N G M A N AG E R Amy Graham Hughes
18 Rolex: Perpetual Excellence
C R E AT I V E D E PA R T M E N T Andrea Barbier Mariella Brochard James Osborne
20 Bocage Expansion 22 Inspired Pieces
E D I TO R- I N - C H I E F Rita Guarna
34 Patek Philippe: His & Hers 36 Collect ’Em Like Beckham
C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Stephen Vitarbo
38 The New ‘Bay Watch’
S E N I O R E D I TO R Daria Meoli
42 Beyond the Slopes
S E N I O R A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R Darius Amos
44 Gold Crush 46 Italy’s Showplace
L I F E S T Y L E E D I TO R Haley Longman
52 Have It Your Way
E D I T O R I A L A S S I S TA N T Gianna Barone
62 Insta-worthy
A RT D I R EC TO R Victoria Beall
64 Oh Happy Day!
CO N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R S Everett Potter, Donna Rolando
68 A Wedding for the Books 76 Bridal Bling
P U B L I S H I N G S TA F F
82 Tour Grandly
GROUP PUBLISHER Shae Marcus
88 Old World Style
ACCOUNT MANAGER Lisa Menghi D I R EC TO R O F P R O D U C T I O N A N D C I R C U L AT I O N Susan Windrum A DV E RT I S I N G S E R V I C E S D I R EC TO R Jacquelynn Fischer
LO CATIO N S
GRAPHIC DESIGNER, AD SERVICES Violeta Mulaj
BATO N RO UGE
7560 CORPORATE BOULEVARD 225.926.4644 MALL OF LOUISIANA 225.766.6000
P R O D U C T I O N A R T A S S O C I AT E Christopher Ferrante
NE W O RLE A NS
ACCOUNTING Agnes Alves, Megan Frank, Randy Tashjian
LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER 504.832.0000
S HRE VE PO RT 6605 YOUREE DRIVE 318.222.2929
L A FAYE T T E
PUBLISHED BY Wainscot Media
4235 AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PARKWAY 337.981.8071
JAC KSO N, MS
CHAIRMAN Carroll V. Dowden
RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK 601.957.6100
SAN ANTO NIO, T X NORTHSTAR MALL 210.541.9575 THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA 210.699.9494
ALBUQ UE RQ UE, NM ABQ UPTOWN 505.208.4500
Cover: 18K yellow gold cuff, $8,480; wide cuff, $15,590; yellow gold drop earrings, $2680.
Jewelry has been enlarged to show detail. Due to the fluctuating prices of diamonds, gold and platinum, prices are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on size, quality and availability. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, we are not responsible for errors or omissions. ACCENT is published by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, in association with Lee Michaels. Copyright © 2019 by Wainscot Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Editorial Contributions: Write to Editor, Lee Michaels, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. The magazine is not responsible for the return or loss of unsolicited submissions. Subscription Services: To change an address or request a subscription, write to Subscriptions, ACCENT, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge NJ 07656, or by telephone at 201.573.5541. Advertising Inquiries: Contact Shae Marcus at 856.797.2227 or shae.marcus@wainscotmedia.com Printed In The U.S.A. Volume 17, Issue 2. ©2019
PRESIDENT & CEO Mark Dowden SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS Shae Marcus, Carl Olsen VICE PRESIDENTS Nigel Edelshain, Thomas Flannery, Rita Guarna
dear friends AND LOYAL CUSTOMERS
W
ith Thanksgiving just around the corner, what better time to tell you, our friend and loyal customer, how much we appreciate your choosing Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry when celebrating life’s special events. Indeed, we celebrate YOU—the reason behind the Lee Michaels Extraordinary Experience. We are also celebrating a special occasion of our own—the renovation and expansion of our flagship Bocage store on Corporate Boulevard in Baton Rouge. This upgrade will bring the store from 6,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet of sumptuous shopping space—making it one of the largest jewelry stores in the southeast. Included in the plans are David Yurman and Rolex shops-in-shop, plus an expanded bridal department.
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During renovations, our Bocage store will be closed temporarily beginning in January, but you will still be able to find your favorite brands—as well as your favorite sales associates—at our Mall of Louisiana location. We anticipate the grand opening of our Bocage
store to take place in mid-spring of 2020. You can be sure that we’ll send you an announcement as the day approaches. While this upgrade is noteworthy, it is by no means unique. Over the past ten years, we have invested in updating all of our stores, making them even more inviting places to shop. While we know these changes are important, there are two things we will never change: our quest to offer you the finest, most beautiful jewelry from around the world and our pledge to employ the most knowledgeable, caring associates to assist you in choosing that perfect piece. At Lee Michaels, we believe our greatest asset is not the exquisite jewelry inside the showcases; it’s the wonderful people on either side of them. Our best wishes for a happy holiday season, THE BERG FAMILY Lee, Ryan, Scott and Chad
EVENTS 1.
social scene 2.
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6.
3.
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1. Shannon Holy and Cynthia Watson at the Ippolita personal appearance in Jackson 2. Diane Tate, Jacqui Vines-Wyatt, Timothy Muffet and Paula Pennington de la Bretonne at an Elizabeth Locke Dinner 3. Leanne Ford with Ippolita 4. Ippolita with our Jackson associates 5. The Bergs with Jean-Frederic Dufour, CEO of Rolex Worldwide, and other Rolex executives 6. Scott Berg with Karen and David Kiesel 7. Namisha Patel and Norisha Kirts Glover at the Annual Junior League and Lee Michaels event 8. Ginger Morrison, Kathryn Morris and DeEtte Burns with Ippolita
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FEATURE
curing cancer FOR LEE MICHAELS
IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME
Mike Cavendar, Cavendar’s Boot City; Mike Winningham, Tony Lama Boot Company; Ryan Berg, President of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Dr. Anthony Tolcher, Oncologist; Brett Emmons, Cavendar’s Boot City
BY KAREN B. GIBBS
W
hen Steven Poppoon was diagnosed with cancer, his daughter gave him a card that read:
Yesterday the devil whispered in my ear that I’m not strong enough to withstand the storm. Today I told the devil, I am the storm. “Cancer is a horrible disease,” says Ryan Berg, co-president of LMFJ and an avid supporter of the American Cancer Society. “I don’t know anyone who has not been affected by it, either directly or indirectly.” That’s why he and LMFJ are adamant in their support of the Society’s largest fundraiser in San Antonio, the Cattle Baron’s Gala. A laid-back party with a purpose, the Gala is held in October but festivities begin in September with the presentation of the Baron’s Award and the Ranch Chic Fashion Show.
THE BARON’S AWARD
The Baron’s Award is given to a healthcare professional and to a business that have contributed greatly to fighting cancer. This year’s Baron’s Award was presented to Dr. Anthony Tolcher, oncologist, for his research in anticancer agents and molecular cancer therapies, and to Ryan Berg, co-president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, for his nine years of supporting the American Cancer Society (ACS) and, more recently, his 18-month tenure on the local ACS board. Lee Michaels was recognized for its generous donation of Rolex watches to the Gala raffle for the past nine years. “Because of these generous donations, the Rolex raffle has raised over $150,000,” says Lindsay McElwee, executive director of the ACS in South Texas. Plus, the raffle engages the entire community in the fundraiser. Those who may not attend the Gala can still purchase a ticket and contribute to the cause. “It’s a great honor to be recognized with such a prestigious award from an organization that affects so many people,” says Ryan, who will serve as chairman of the local ACS board in 2020.
The kick-off event for the Gala is the Ranch Chic Fashion Show. “In the fashion show, cancer survivors— men, women and children—and their caregivers walk
THE CATTLE BARON’S GALA
If the theme of this year’s Gala, “Dream as Big as Texas,” comes true, a cure for cancer will be found and people, like this year’s Ranch Chic models, will never have to suffer from this dread disease again. That’s the reason cowboys and cowgirls kicked up their boots at the Cattle Baron’s Gala at Estancia at Thunder Valley in Boerne where gourmet Texas cuisine, live and silent auctions, the Rolex raffle and great entertainment rounded out the evening of fun. While a net profit figure was not available at press time, the Gala is expected to bring in around a million dollars, as in years past.
THE BENEFITS
Thanks to fundraisers such as the Cattle Baron’s Gala, the ACS has been able to reduce the cancer death rate in the United States by 27% since 1991. That translates to 2.6 million lives saved nationwide! Locally, ACS San Antonio has provided 5,000 patients with support services and interactive emotional support, 6800 rides to and from treatment, more than 1,400 nights of lodging at hotels in and around Texas Medical Center, in addition to countless wigs, make-up lessons, exercise programs and courses in nutrition.
THE HOPE
Ryan Berg and the associates at Lee Michaels are proud to be part of the Cattle Baron’s Gala and the American Cancer Society in San Antonio. It is their hope that, one day soon, instead of having to weather the storm of this disease, people working together will be the storm that defeats it.
LEE MICHAELS
THE RANCH CHIC FASHION SHOW
the runway in their best ranch attire, including cowboy hats and boots,” says McElwee. “It’s an exciting event for us and keeps our purpose in focus.” “It’s a great feeling being in this style show,” says Terry Weilbacher, twelve-year breast cancer survivor and four-time model. “It’s our night to be out there on the runway, dancing and having the time of our lives—proud of where we’ve come from and where we’re going.” Terry is also on the Ranch Chic Fashion Show committee. “I wanted to give back. After you go through cancer, chemo, radiation and losing your hair, you want to reach out and help when you see someone else diagnosed with cancer. Being on the committee allows me to give suggestions about what would help cancer victims.” For Steven Poppoon, a three-year breast cancer survivor (yes, men do get breast cancer!) and three-time model, strutting his stuff on the runway is not so easy. “It’s way out of my comfort zone,” he laughs. “I was roped into this. My daughter, Julie, is the organizer. When she said it’s for cancer survivors and she’d be very proud if I’d do it, I had no choice.” Nevertheless, both models agree that, compared to the others, they’ve been blessed. “Some have been struck with cancer two or three times,” says Terry. “Some are on trial drugs. Yet they’re still smiling!”
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JEWELRY 12
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YOU’LL BE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH EXCITEMENT OVER THESE METICULOUSLY CRAFTED SPARKLERS.
18K yellow gold yellow and white diamond earrings, $48,500 18K yellow gold yellow and white diamond collar necklace, $67,500
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JEWELRY
18K white gold pear-shaped diamond drop earrings, $32,500 18K white gold sapphire and diamond earrings, $8,950
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18K white gold emerald and diamond earrings, $9,850
18K white gold pearl and diamond graduated drop earrings, $3,800 18K yellow gold pearl and diamond graduated drop earrings with Tahitian pearls, $2,950
18K white gold multi-colored South Sea pearl strand with diamond clasp, $12,500
LEE MICHAELS
18K white gold South Sea pearl and diamond bracelet, $50,000
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JEWELRY
18K white gold diamond flower drop necklace made of round, asscher and marquise cut diamonds, $45,000
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18K white gold three row asscher and marquise cut diamond bracelet, $80,000
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TIMEPIECES
THE DATEJUST IS A WATCH FOR THE AGES, REFLECTING ITS MAKER’S COMMITMENT TO LONGEVITY, RELIABILITY AND CONTINUITY. By Christen Fisher When you look in the mirror, what do you see? It seems like a silly question, but our reflection evolves over time, and we don’t always stop to think about how we’re changing. Rolex is a brand that perpetually checks its proverbial reflection, recognizing itself as it is, and asking what it can do better with regard to its product offerings—such as the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36. As a result, Rolex has pushed beyond the usual understanding of what it means to be a luxury company. First introduced in 1945 at a jubilee celebration of the company’s 40th anniversary, the Datejust was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to have an automatically changing date window at 3 o’clock on the dial. It was the culmination of every major innovation Rolex had contributed to the modern wristwatch until that time, but Rolex wasn’t satisfied. In 1953 it pushed the boundaries of innovation again by introducing a Cyclops magnifier over the date window in the crystal to increase readability. While the Datejust was first offered only in a yellow gold Oyster case with matching jubilee bracelet, Rolex continued to refine the Datejust’s classic aesthetic and superior engineering, offering this groundbreaking watch in myriad combinations and sizes for almost 75 years. The Datejust is a testament to the brand’s core values of longevity, reliability and continuity.
This year Rolex debuted two new variations of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, both in white Rolesor, a proprietary combination of Oystersteel and 18-karat white gold. The first version has a black sunray finish dial and fluted bezel, while the second combines a white mother-of-pearl dial with 10 diamond hour markers in 18-karat white gold settings and a bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds. Thanks to a patented Twinlock screwed-down crown, a hermetically screwed-down caseback and a middle case crafted from a solid block of corrosion-resistant Oystersteel, the Oyster case of the Datejust 36 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 meters. As it has since 1955, the watch’s sapphire crystal is still fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date. The latest versions of the Datejust 36 are equipped with the new, entirely in-house 3235 caliber movement and have a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Rolex and its products are built to last. They are, in a word, perpetual. Having registered for more than 500 patents throughout its history, Rolex perpetually pushes the boundaries of innovation, striving for excellence. When you look in the mirror, see yourself wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 and know you, too, can push beyond LEE MICHAELS
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 is not only built to last, it also has timeless style that will be appreciated for generations to come.
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RENOVATION
bocage expansion
T
he Lee Michaels family takes great pride in announcing the expansion of our spectacular Lee Michaels’ Bocage store. Exquisitely renovated by Spring 2020, this, our flagship store, will be more than a place to shop—it will be a 10,000-square-foot Extraordinary Experience.
An Extraordinary Experience of unparalleled assistance and thoughtful attention by our knowledgeable and caring associates—something that’s always in style at Lee Michaels. An Extraordinary Experience of fine jewelry, personally selected by the Berg family for quality, fashion and value. Every piece is specially chosen with you, our customers, in mind.
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An Extraordinary Experience of our elegant Rolex and stunning David Yurman shop-in-shops. No need to search the world. We bring the finest brands to you! We can’t wait for you to stop by next spring and indulge yourself with the Lee Michaels Extraordinary Experience. While it’s the trademark of every one of our stores, we must admit, we are working exceptionally hard to make it even more so at this, our flagship store.
The Corporate Boulevard store will be closed during January through early April, and all business will be conducted out of our Mall of Louisiana location. We plan to re-open in late spring and a grand opening will be announced in the early part of next year.
320841 | Ad-Cooperation | 1858 Geosphere | | Lee Michaels Accent | 9x10.875 inch | Visual Area: 8.375x10.375 mm | US | en | t 0.125, b 0.125, r 0.125, l 0.125 inch | Size ratio: 1:1
39° 35’ 0.478” S 71° 32’ 23.564” W
Reconnect.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere
DESIGNERS
FROM ARCHITECTURE TO ONE’S OWN SIGNATURE, INSPIRATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE. THE JEWELRY DESIGNERS TOOK THAT TO HEART WHEN PLANNING THESE COLLECTIONS.
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MIKIMOTO A Parisian Icon The Les Pétales Place Vendôme Collection was inspired by a view of rose petals carried by the breeze and descending onto the Place Vendôme in Paris. The collection features petal shapes covered in diamonds that reflect the beauty of this iconic place, which houses the world’s top luxury brands. The backs of the fluttering petals are created by using the “umekomi” technique and mimics the flower pattern. While Les Pétales Place Vendôme was launched with the 2017 High Jewelry Collection, new items have been added this fall, making it a more comprehensive collection.
Clockwise from top left: All from the Les Pétales Place Vendôme Collection—white South Sea cultured pearl pendant with diamonds, set in 18K white gold; white South Sea cultured pearl station necklace with diamonds, set in 18K white gold; white South Sea cultured pearl ring with diamonds, set in 18K white gold; and white South Sea cultured pearl earrings with diamonds, set in 18K white gold.
PENNY PREVILLE Art Deco Architecture As a New Yorker, Penny Preville has always admired the elegance and sleekness of the Art Deco buildings in NYC, such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. She incorporates clean lines, smooth and polished surfaces and geometric shapes to infuse a similar aesthetic into chain designs in her Moderne Deco Collection. Preville designed the link chains to be worn in different lengths, divided into chokers and bracelets or a Y-type necklace to be worn with clip-ons and pendants. From left to right: long LINKS with baguette station, textured and diamond links on flat link chain 34"; short LINKS necklace with pavĂŠ link, baguette station and textured links 18"; oval amulet locket; long LINKS larger flat link necklace with toggle 24"; round amulet locket; 24" flat link chain; long LINKS necklace with pavĂŠ link, baguette station and textured links 35".
DESIGNERS
DAVID YURMAN Signatures
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The David Yurman Stax Collection was inspired by the idea of unity and language. “There’s a beauty in forming a design language,” says David Yurman. “Stax is a collage of those elements—a kind of artistic signature written over time.” In yellow or tri-color gold, the mobile and drop earrings play with scale while remaining lightweight. Multi-row rings have the look and movement of several bands in a single expression—a mix of cabled, smooth, faceted and pavé-set metal with citrine, tanzanite and pink tourmaline.
Clockwise from top left: Stax Full Pavé Pendant Necklace in 18K white gold; Stax Mobile Drop Earrings in 18K yellow gold with diamonds; Stax Cable and Pavé Ring in 18K yellow gold; Stax Three-Row Chain Link Bracelet in 18K yellow gold with diamonds.
MARCO BICEGO A Parent’s Love Marco Bicego’s Lucia Collection was inspired by the work of the designer’s father, a skilled goldsmith, and the tender embrace of his mother, Lucia. Artisans hand engrave each link with a traditional Bulino tool, creating a silky, textured finish.
From top: Lucia 18K yellow gold and diamond lariat necklace; Lucia 18K yellow gold and diamond kissing ring; Lucia 18K yellow gold modern teardrop earrings; Lucia 18K yellow gold small link bracelet; Lucia 18K yellow gold and diamond small hoop earrings.
DESIGNERS
IPPOLITA Fantasy
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Inspired by illusion, alchemy and fantasy, Ippolita’s new Chimera Collection is named for the mythological fire-breathing hybrid creature. The Chimera has become a symbol of things that are illusory, fantastic and hoped for but unattainable. Ippolita brings this inspiration to life by combining two precious metals within a single piece. Clockwise from top left: Chimera Jumbo Classico Jet Set earrings; Chimera 42.5" Classico Hammered Jet Set Link necklace; Chimera Small Classico Bypass ring; Chimera Cherish Snowman post earrings; Chimera Classico Super Thin Dual-texture bangle set.
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store locations CORPORATE AT BOCAGE
MALL OF LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge, LA
AMBASSADOR CAFFERY PARKWAY Lafayette, LA
LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER
YOUREE DRIVE AT EAST 70TH
RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK
Shreveport, LA
Jackson, MS
THE SHOPS AT LA CANTERA
NORTH STAR MALL
ABQ UPTOWN
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX
Albuquerque, NM
New Orleans, LA
THE RESERVE COLLECTION Our Reserve Collection brings beauty to life with select, unexpected pieces ranging from graduated diamond necklaces to fashion bracelets and from diamonds-by-the-yard necklaces to the extensive collection of earrings. The Reserve Collection represents iconic styles to wear for generations.
COLLECTIONS
FEATURED PIECES ALL IN 18K WHITE GOLD STARTING AT $28,500.
Where on Earth Did Your Diamond Come From?
Know with certainty. Introducing the GIA Diamond Origin Report. Learn more at 4Cs.GIA.edu/Origin
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Your Diamond Does Good in the World DIAMONDS, FORMED BILLIONS OF YEARS AGO, ARE IMPROVING THE PRESENT AND CREATING A SPARKLING FUTURE
B
efore there was life, there were diamonds. In ancient Greece, they were known as “tears of the gods.” Created by rare natural conditions billions of years ago, they are the oldest thing a person will touch or own.
However, diamonds are not simply a connection to the distant past. Today, modern diamond mining supports the livelihoods of 10 million people around the world. Through skilled jobs, improved access to healthcare, and direct investments in local communities, diamonds strengthen communities across the globe as they travel from mine to jewelry box.
Kesego Jarona is one of the millions of people for whom diamonds tell a very personal, life-changing story. The first female electrical apprentice at the Debswana company in Botswana, Jarona saw first-hand that modern diamond mining offers opportunities for personal and community growth. “Mining inspired me when I was a schoolkid growing up in the mining town of Selebi Phikwe,” she says. Mining jobs are often highly skilled and are supported by extensive investments in worker training and education. The industry provided Jarona with educational opportunities that gave her control over her future. “I rose from being an artisan in a male-dominated field to become a fully-fledged mining engineer,” she says. In addition to providing tens of thousands of safe, well-paying jobs that often become lifelong careers, modern diamond mining creates $292 million of benefits annually for social programs, such as funding local hospitals and education. And considering most diamonds are discovered in remote regions—from the edges of the Kalahari Desert to Canada’s far north—where sustainable development resources can be scarce, these opportunities are often vital to communities writing their next chapter. Supporting the future of these communities also means aiding their children today. Around the world, families from remote regions often have to travel long distances to obtain the care their children require.
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“The diamond industry is not just a fixture in our community. It is a part of our lives. Diamonds to me represent more than natural beauty. For us, they symbolize a future of possibilities.” DR. MOKGWEETSI E. K. MASISI, PRESIDENT OF BOTSWANA
In the Siberian city of Yakutsk, Russia’s ALROSA provided critical funding for the construction of a children’s rehabilitation center in 2014. The $12 million center now provides therapy for 3,000 children each year with a range of physical and psychiatric disorders. The center includes a hotel for those families that need to travel from other regions to receive care. For the mother of three-year-old Sasha, who has cerebral palsy and hardly walks or talks, the center is invaluable. “Today my son waved his hand to me for the first time in his life,” she said on a recent visit to the center. “The diamond industry is not just a fixture in our community. It is a part of our lives,” explains Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, president of Botswana. “Diamonds to me represent more than natural beauty. For us, they symbolize a future of possibilities.” For centuries, humanity has been captivated by diamonds. They connect us across centuries and nations; they communicate beyond language and between generations. Today, these links are stronger than ever, and are building a better future for all.
For more information on how your diamond does good, visit total-clarity.com.
8/15/19 10:24 AM
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TIME TRAVEL
his and hers: the gift of A PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA WATCH SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY ABOUT WHAT IS MOST PRECIOUS. By Christen Fisher “Time for each other” is the No. 1 item on most couple’s gift list this holiday season. But in today’s frenetically paced world, when our cups brim over with obligations to work, family, friends and causes close to our hearts, this simple wish can feel like asking for the moon. Fortunately, Patek Philippe, the world’s premier Swiss watch manufacturer, has a long history of miraculous innovations involving time and offers a solution: Give each other the gift of time, with a timepiece so extraordinary it makes an irresistible plea for the true priority on your calendar—love. Present the man in your life with a Calatrava 5227R. The Calatrava boasts an elegant ivory lacquered dial with gold-applied hour markers and features a center sweep second hand and a date aperture. The watch’s self-winding 324 S C caliber movement is housed in a 39mm rose gold case with a sapphire crystal caseback protected by an invisibly hinged dust cover on a shiny dark chestnut alligator strap with square scales on a prong buckle. With its pure lines, the Calatrava is recognized as the very essence of the round wristwatch and one of the finest symbols of the Patek Philippe style. Supremely elegant, it charms each new generation of watch lovers with its timeless understated perfection. Priced at $35,160. Reciprocate her generosity with a Ladies’ Calatrava 7200R. Equally elegant yet suited to her sensibilities, the 7200R has an ultra-thin, selfwinding mechanical movement, Caliber 240. In delicate rose gold on a
matte pearly beige alligator strap with square scales and prong buckle, the 7200R is a ladies’ wristwatch fully focused on hours and minutes. It indicates not seconds, nor the date, nor other extras—only the time in its most unhurried manifestation. Designed for women who methodically devote their attention to the essence of things, it epitomizes timelessness in classic, feminine perfection. Priced at $28,240. For the couple who feels pulled in a million different directions all over the world, consider the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, available as reference 5524R for gentlemen and 7234R for ladies. Both versions are powered by a caliber 324 S C FUS mechanical, self-winding movement, and feature a second time zone and local-time date to help the two of you connect even when you’re on opposite sides of the globe. Both have a brown sunburst, black gradated dial with gold applied numerals and luminescent coating and are housed in a rose gold case fitted to a vintage brown calfskin strap with clevis prong buckle. The 5524R is 42mm, while the 7234R is 37.5mm. In either size, the Calatrava Pilot Time Travel is an inimitable timepiece whose dashing aeronautical style is perfect for the couple deeply devoted to each other but always on the go. Priced at $49,560 and $44,790, respectively. If you love him to the moon and back and if she’s your happily ever after, let a treasure speak for you about the hours you treasure most. You don’t have forever, but you’ve got time.
LEE MICHAELS
Exchanging trinkets is a sweet holiday tradition, but truly discerning couples make a chic statement by gifting his and hers Patek Philippe Calatrava timepieces.
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SPOTLIGHT 36
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Style icon and watch collector Victoria Beckham wore a Rolex to the 2017 launch of her Victoria Beckham for Target collection, proving that luxury watches pair seamlessly with designer duds or more affordable ensembles.
IF WE HAD TO PICK THREE… Victoria Beckham’s Rolex watches, including these three standouts below, are among the ones true collectors really, really want: Though it’s typically classified as a men’s watch, Posh wears her Everose gold Cosmograph Daytona beautifully. In 2011 she even got shoe designer Brian Atwood to make her a custom pair of rose gold heels to match.
THIS SPICY CELEB’S FEELING ABOUT LUXURY WATCHES? YOU SIMPLY CAN’T HAVE TOO MANY. By Haley Longman in particular. She wears her 36MM 18K yellow gold Rolex Day-Date President almost as often as she wears her signature sky-high heels. Seriously, you’d be hardpressed to find a photo on her self-titled Instagram account in which this piece does not adorn her left wrist. Another gem from her jewelry box that she sports often is her gold Daytona with in-house automatic Caliber 4130, which adds a subtle burst of masculinity to her overall feminine, flirty style. Then there’s the yellow gold Rolex Datejust with a 36MM case size and a stunning stella green dial, a rare iteration of the Day-Date Presidential Rolex. This piece hails from the 1970s and is highly coveted—as are most of the Brit’s appurtenances. Two of Beckham’s more recent timepiece additions are from Patek Philippe, because doesn’t any legitimate collection require variety? There’s her rose gold Nautilus with a brown dial and another that’s silver with blue, watches she wears when hanging out with her children (the former) or at a fashion show at Paris Fashion Week (the latter). It’s no wonder Victoria’s vault, as well as her husband’s, is so expansive. Each member of the British power couple is worth a reported $450 million, which means plenty of discretionary income to spend on dozens of multi-thousand-dollar watches (and whatever else their hearts desire). Who knew a collecting hobby could be so…posh?
The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph in gold is one of Rolex’s—and Beckham’s— most classic and coveted timepieces.
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When it comes to arm candy, Victoria Beckham has the rest of us beat. Often seen on her arm is her husband of 20 years, David Beckham, Britain’s most famous “footballer” (that’s soccer star to us) and America’s favorite male underwear model. But perhaps the timepieces on her wrist have us even more envious. The woman formerly known as Posh Spice didn’t start out as a watch aficionado. She shot to fame as one-fifth of the iconic British ’90s pop group the Spice Girls, the best-selling female group of all time, before this most stylish Spice launched her eponymous luxury fashion line in 2008. In between and since that time Beckham married the love of her life, had three sons and then a daughter, befriended A-listers like Eva Longoria and Katie Holmes and built a fashion and lifestyle empire, not to mention her own personal closet. She’s an accessories enthusiast reputed to own more than 100 Birkin bags—and bags aren’t her only bag. “I’m quite obsessed with sunglasses,” Beckham has also said. “I collect vintage Guccis and Carreras—they can make virtually any outfit look cool.” Undoubtedly, the same can be said for her vintage watches. Like her husband, who’s been an ambassador for both Breitling and Rolex-owned Tudor, the 45-year-old has a penchant for men’s timepieces, Rolex
Many famous women are proud owners of the Rolex President Day-Date in 18K yellow gold. Beckham’s has a fashion-forward bezel.
TIMEPIECES
‘bay’ watch
the new
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TUDOR’S BLACK BAY P01 COMBINES TODAY’S SPORTY STYLE WITH A DEEP DIVE INTO THE INNOVATIONS OF THE PAST.
While countless watch wearers around the world value having a Tudor on their wrist, few know about Tudor’s long history with the U.S. Navy. Beginning in the 1950s, Tudor began supplying the Navy with divers’ watches, and it eventually found lasting success with the Oyster Prince Submariner 7928. However, in 1967, the company began to develop a new watch for the Navy—one that would meet the specifications decreed by the U.S. government and incorporate the results of the latest research into functionality and ergonomics carried out by the brand’s top-notch engineers. This ambitious project, code named “Commando,” never came to fruition, but many of its features can be found in the just-released Tudor Black Bay P01 model (The P01 stands for prototype 1). This cross between a diver’s watch and a navigator’s watch has been crafted in a contemporary sporty spirit, while harking back to innovations developed more than 50 years ago. For example, the Black Bay P01 model does not literally reproduce the prototype’s unusual hinged-link system, but borrows liberally from it, providing a stop system for the bidirectional rotating bezel via a mobile end-link at 12 o’clock. The Manufacture Caliber MT5612 that drives the Black Bay P01 meets Tudor’s high standards for robustness, longevity and reliability. It features an openwork rotor that is satin-brushed with sand-blasted details, and its bridges and plate have alternating polished sand-blasted surfaces and laser decorations. Moreover, the Caliber MT5612 is certified as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. And, as might be expected, the Black Bay P01 is waterproof to 200 meters. The watch is fitted with a domed matte-black dial with painted luminescent hour markers; it adopts the signature Tudor hands with their characteristic angular shape, known to collectors as “snowflake,” and the 42mm steel case is entirely satin-brushed for a matte finish. The watch’s special hybrid strap has a rubber base with the “snowflake” motif on the back, finished with a brown leather trim. Finally, with a 70-hour power reserve, a wearer can take off the watch on Friday evening and put it back on again Monday morning without having to reset and wind it. The result of subtle combinations of historical aesthetic codes and contemporary watch technology, the entire Black Bay line, especially the P01, brings together the best qualities of 60 years of Tudor divers’ watches, while remaining firmly anchored in the present.
The Tudor Black Bay P01, which stands for prototype 1, was inspired by a 1960s’ design for the U.S. Navy.
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THE HARMONY COLLECTION Our Harmony Collection is a modern take on classic diamond jewelry. These delicate designs are the perfect harmony of gold and diamonds. From layering necklaces to stackable bracelets and rings, each piece in this on-trend collection is the definition of effortless, chic style.
COLLECTIONS
14K GOLD AND DIAMOND NECKLACES STARTING AT $285.
18K YELLOW, WHITE, ROSE GOLD AND DIAMONDS 20190828_Accent_CK_GoldAd.indd 1
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TRAVEL
THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO IN THESE FIVE TOP NORTH AMERICAN WINTER RESORT COMMUNITIES, YOU MAY STRUGGLE TO FIND TIME TO SKI. By Everett Potter
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No matter where in the world you’ve skied or dreamed of skiing, this continent can hold its own with the best. But when you travel to a skiers’ mecca, the sport, of course, is only part of the experience. People drawn to the powdery slopes have other appetites as well— they’re hungry, thirsty, sleepy, curious and avid for company and fun, and it’s the job of a resort community to more than satisfy their needs. These five do it particularly well.
JACKSON, WYOMING
This ski town is a real town—a mix of outdoors lovers, powder hounds and ski bums along with a cadre of exceptionally well-heeled families with enormous second homes. What they have in common is a love of the Tetons, arguably the most dramatic mountains in the U.S. The town square is framed by arches fashioned from elk antlers, which are shed yearly by the vast elk herd that winters just outside the city limits. Jackson hosts the National Museum of Wildlife Art and has preserved its Old West storefronts, many of them now welcoming folks to pricey boutiques and outdoor wear shops. Yet the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar tells you that this town has not lost its roots. Dining spots Rendezvous Bistro and the Snake River Grill, which both serve inventive American classics, are my in-town favorites. But remember that while Jackson is the name of the town, a resort called Jackson Hole lies a few miles away, offering some of the most challenging slopes in the country. It has more shops and restaurants that I like such as Old Yellowstone Garage for Italian fare and Bar Enoteca for tapas-style dining. There’s also a great range of hotels, including Four Seasons Jackson Hole and the new all-suite Caldera House. Midway between town and mountain is Spring Creek Ranch, my pick for a taste of the Old West with views to match.
ASPEN, COLORADO
This former silver mining town morphed into a ski resort post-World War II. The brick architecture and wide streets set the template for a town that has been attracting the glitterati for decades. Hollywood started coming here in the 1960s. Now everyone comes to shop at Gucci and Prada, and to check into The Little Nell, the gold standard of luxury ski hotels in the U.S. There’s a St. Regis as well, the casually clubby Limelight, and this winter the town’s first W hotel opens, appealing to the millennial crowd. Aspen has long fostered some of the most cutting-edge chefs in the country, and the annual Aspen Food & Wine festival is proof positive of that. Restaurants such as Element 47 at The Little Nell offer fine dining and an astounding wine cellar that can be booked for a private dinner, but I also like the more casual Meat & Cheese as well as the Ajax Tavern for slopeside dining. There are four great mountains— Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk—and lots of après choices. My fave is the Western saloon themed J Bar at the Hotel Jerome. For night owls, clubbing at the Caribou Club is de rigueur. I’ve come to love Aspen’s quasi-LA vibe, which includes the Aspen Art Museum and its highly regarded exhibition as well as the Wheeler Opera House, for big-name performers in an intimate setting.
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB, PARK CITY, UTAH Another ski resort town that was born as a silver BRITISH COLUMBIA
mining town, Park City is in the catbird seat, with eye-pleasing low-rise condos and hotels, revamped miners’ houses, a bustling Main Street jammed with restaurants, bars and shops, and an energy that seems to be equal parts East and West Coasts. No other ski town can lay claim to hosting a major cinema event, which is what happens when the Sundance Film Festival, started by Robert Redford, comes to Park City every January. The locals’ secret is to ski during the festival, when the mountains are empty because everyone else is sitting in screening rooms. You can walk to the lifts of Park City Mountain, which connect by gondola to the massive area once called The Canyons. A mile away by shuttle bus is Deer Valley, the moneyed mountain that offers fine dining on the slopes and perfect grooming as well as the Stein Eriksen Lodge, the best luxury digs in the area. In town, Hotel Park City is my choice. As for dining, Riverhorse on Main is perfect for a big night out, Chef Bill White’s Chimayo is ideal for Tex-Mex fare, but I like High West Distillery, which bills itself as the only “ski-in, ski-out” distillery in the world, for micro tastes of whiskey and solid American comfort food.
You can never be bored at Squaw, not with the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe in view. Once upon a time, this place was called Squallywood, a nod to the denizens of LA who partied here. They still come, but so do tech types from the Bay Area and East Coasters who fly in for the snow, of which more than 700 inches fell this past season. Squaw is the capital of freestyle skiing, hence all those staggeringly fit 20-somethings doing aerial tricks on the mountain. But High Camp, set at 8,200 feet, is a mid-mountain resort that offers a vast pool, hot tub and bar complex that tempts non-skiers for a day way up on the slopes. Call it a bit of California beach life in the mountains. The car-free village is stylish but laid-back, with the Auld Dubliner and Le Chamois rivals for après. Plumpjack Café and Bar has long been a standard bearer for fine California cuisine, but I happen to love the mountain lodge feel of Graham’s Restaurant & Bar. The Resort at Squaw Creek has long been my favorite hotel on the mountain, from its walls of windows down to its private chairlift. The Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn is also a solid choice. The shopping is decent, but for more variety, the skibum town of Truckee is just 10 minutes away by car.
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Whistler Blackcomb—two mountains, one resort—is the big one. That’s “big” as in 5,000-plus feet of vertical, as every skier loves to brag. But it’s also an enormous complex of three ski villages—Whistler Village, Upper Village and Creekside—that are mostly car-free yet give it the feel of a small, civilized city. That’s civilized as in Four Seasons Resort Whistler and Fairmont Château Whistler, two of the finest ski hotels. You could spend an entire vacation in their spas. But then you’d miss out on après-ski energy and Irish music at Dubh Linn Gate, the fine dining at Araxi and Wildflower, the fresh sushi at Nagomi Sushi and nightlife that rivals the best in European ski resorts, at places like Tommy’s. A mix of guests from Japan, the U.S. West Coast and Europe gives this town an international flavor. But since it was bought by Vail in 2016, there’s even more focus on niceties in the village. For non-ski pastimes, check out the ice-skating rink, and up on the mountain the suspension bridge at Whistler Peak is ideal for those who just want to look. Not to mention the Audain Art Museum to tour on a day off, or a snowmobile excursion, while the city of Vancouver is just two hours away. If Whistler doesn’t have it all, it sure packs in a lot.
SQUAW VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
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FOR FIVE CENTURIES LAKE COMO HAS BEEN A PLAYGROUND OF THE UBER-FAMOUS, BUT ITS AZURE BEAUTY CAN STILL SURPRISE. By Everett Potter
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If Lake Como were nothing more than an exceptionally beautiful lake in northern Italy, it would still count as one of the country’s stellar attractions. In one of the most dramatic settings in the world, it’s a 29-mile-long inverted Y, flanked by steep, thickly wooded mountainsides. To the north lie the Alps, which are snow-dusted for much of the year, while along the lakeshore are palm trees next to ornate villas, some of which have origins as early as the 16th century. It is a
The village of Bellagio is referred to as “the pearl of Lake Como.” Visitors soak in the splendor as they stroll down the waterfront promenade or trek to the peninsula’s end at Punta Spartivento.
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veritable stage set of villas, hamlets and garden follies, on a 1,400-footdeep body of water that seems more a fjord than a lake. But Lake Como’s very name has come to mean much more in the 21st century—it’s a catchphrase that automatically connotes glamour and wealth. Part of that is due to the proximity of Milan, less than an hour away, and the patronage of the fashion crowd. But much of the buzz is because of George Clooney, who bought a lakeside villa here nearly two decades ago. He brought along Hollywood pals Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, who enhanced the glamour and myth of the lake with their comings and goings. But, truth be told, Como’s history long predates the latest iteration of an LA bro-pack. Celtic tribes once lived along these shores, until the Romans drove them away, and Julius Caesar ordered 5,000 of his men to literally drain the swamp at the end of the lake and set up a Roman town at what is now the city of Como. In time, it was the wealthy Lombards of nearby Milan who came in the 16th century, finding a place where imported Chinese silkworms thrived on the lake’s native mulberry trees. They built fortunes based on their silk empire, and the industry thrives to this day, as Versace, Hermés, Ralph Lauren and countless others continue to source their silk here. The wealthy Milanese merchants built villas, and then, in the fashion of the day, became patrons of the arts. You can’t visit Como without hearing a lot of cultural name-dropping: how Leonardo painted here, how Verdi composed part of La Traviata there, how Bellini worked on his opera Norma and how writers as diverse as Wordsworth, Longfellow
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Left: The medieval village of Torno has well-preserved architecture and luxury accommodations. Below: With the catch of the day on its way to the dinner plate, boats dock in the lake’s azure water.
Above: The lakeside botanical gardens at Villa Melzi are a must-see. Right: Enjoy house wine alfresco at Osteria del Beuc.
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and Hesse wrote poetry extolling the lake’s singular virtues. I am lucky to travel to Lake Como two or three times every summer. Every season is different, and every time I visit I see things I did not see before. The perfect time to go? I like early summer, when there are still waterfalls fed by the high mountain snows and a fringe of snow-capped peaks to the north. Regardless of the season, an ideal day on Lake Como is spent on the water, looking at the villas, stopping at those that can be visited, having lunch, taking a swim. If your budget allows, the boat trip should be in a sleek wooden Riva speedboat heading up the lake to meet friends for lunch in a restaurant on Isola Comacina, the lake’s only island. Or perhaps in Varenna, where a jumble of ochre-colored buildings form the backdrop for café life and the slow sipping of prosecco. For those who don’t have access to a private boat, the ferry system will do, as it crisscrosses that lake and provides access to the bustling waterfront and narrow, shop-filled lanes of Bellagio. It allows you to explore quiet fishing villages, such as Pescallo, and drops you at Tremezzo to see the gardens and artwork at one of the lake’s masterpieces, Villa Carlotta, a favorite of 19th-century writers Edith Wharton and Henry James. Indeed, as you travel the lake, there are many grand private villas, with names to match. Villa Fontanelle near Moltrasio, once owned by Gianni Versace, was sold after his death to Arkady Noviko, arguably Russia’s most successful restaurateur and a man known colloquially
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Above: Soak in the natural splendor while strolling through public gardens. Left: A statue of Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electrical battery and Como native son, stands in a square.
as “the blini king.” You can observe it from the water, as you can the nearby Villa Passalacqua, where Napoleon stayed, and Villa Le Rose, where Churchill retreated after World War II. Laglio is where Clooney and his wife Amal live at Villa Oleandra. Villa La Cassinella has long been rumored to be owned by Sir Richard Branson, who denies it. Then there is Villa del Balbianello, my personal favorite, which holds the most coveted place on the lake, a promontory close to the village of Lenno, topped by a fantastic stone compound. The building originated as a monastery, was then acquired by private hands and eventually became the home of Guido Monzino, heir to an Italian supermarket fortune and a self-styled explorer who led the first Italian expedition up Mt. Everest. It’s a museum now, and thankfully, Monzino’s quirky and sometimes wondrous collections from his trips to the four corners of the earth are still housed here, in what must be the most photographed villa on the lake. Filmmakers adore the place. It was here that Casino Royale was shot as well as A Month by the Lake and even Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones. It can get very crowded here, so go early in the morning and soak in the gardens and the statuary and the sheer elegance of the place. Villa Melzi is a 10-minute stroll from the busy docks at Bellagio, where silkmad shoppers and lunch-going day-trippers can make it a little too crowded. Here you can stroll acres of lakeside gardens planted with specimen trees from all over the globe. Alas, the interior of the villa, built for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice president of the Italian Republica, and the place where Franz Liszt composed his Dante Symphony, is private. The grounds, however, give you a real sense of tranquility and what Lake Como must have been like 150 years ago.
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The best part of Lake Como is the chance to stay in one of these historic villas. A few years ago, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, built in 1910, was redone from top to bottom, infusing serious chic into what had been an aging dowager. The champagne bar and the pool that literally floats in Lake Como are the essence of lakeside glamour. Villa d’Este in Cernobbio continues to reign as the queen of the lake, having originated in the 16th century as a residence for a cardinal before passing to the hands of British royalty and eventually becoming a hotel in the late 19th century. But the stakes have gotten even higher in the past couple of years. Il Sereno Lago Di Como opened in Torno, while the Vista Palazzo, an 18-room luxury lair in the city of Como, opened in 2018, as did the six-suite Villa Lário set on two lakeside acres in Pognana Lario. The latest entry to the Lake Como luxe sweepstakes is Mandarin Oriental, which took over a villa in Blevio. Sure, you can dine regally at some of these hotels, but I prefer the locals’ haunts. A couple of months ago, it was in a quiet café in Cernobbio, Osteria del Beuc, that I sat at an alfresco table 50 feet from the lake on a sultry night and drank the local white wine blend from the producer Sorsasso, situated above the lakeside village of Domaso, the same wine that Clooney requested be served at his wedding to Amal. It accompanied a lemon and Parmesan risotto served with a dramatic scoop of basil-flavored gelato in the middle, which slowly melted into the risotto. It was tradition married to the fashionable, a surprise and a revelation, a little like Lake Como itself.
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Above: The resort town of Lecco offers a dramatic Alpine backdrop with fewer crowds than some of the better-known villages. Left: Historic villas are a highlight of any trip to this part of the Lombardy region.
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The Italian culture and its artisans have celebrated fantastic design and quality of jewelry for hundreds of years. Lee Michaels has been traveling to Italy for over 30 years to find the best and most innovative designs, superior craftsmanship and values from our Italian partners and friends.
14K yellow gold polished hoops, $175 14K yellow gold double drop earrings, $285 18K yellow gold oval drop earrings, $425 14K yellow gold double drop necklace, $275
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14K yellow gold oval link earrings, $250 14K yellow gold oval link 18" necklace, $975 14K yellow gold open link station 30" necklace, $650 14K yellow gold oval link bracelet, $395 14K yellow gold elognated oval link bracelet, $325
your way TIRED OF SETTLING FOR GOOD ENOUGH? THESE EIGHT GREAT THINGS CAN BE EXACTLY AS YOU’D LIKE THEM.
By Donna Rolando
LIFE ITSELF CAN’T BE CUSTOM-FITTED for any of us, no matter how fortunate or discerning we may be. How splendid it is, then, that certain things we purchase can be personally crafted to meet our most precise demands and indulgent whims. Fast-food sloganmeisters have made millions with the suggestion that we can have something exactly the way we want it. But as these eight examples prove, the “bespoke” approach goes way beyond burgers.
FURNITURE BOURGEOIS BOHÉME ATELIER Looking for the unexpected in your home’s décor—a style that’s artsy and created just for you? The design company Bourgeois Bohéme Atelier agrees that in a diverse world there’s no reason to settle for ordinary, and proves it with its unique line of furniture, lighting, mirrors and vintage wares. Designs run the gamut from historic French to 20th-century modern and feature materials such as bronze, hand-blown glass and exotic woods—all custom and handcrafted by LA artisans. A tech armchair looks great with its clean, modern lines, but you also can dream up a custom fabric or leather look that’s totally your own. Don’t see your dream style online? Then leave it to the Bourgeois Bohéme Atelier design team. Cookiecutter is not in its vocabulary.
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GUITARS JAMES TRUSSART
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Want to play like a guitar hero? Follow the trail of Mick Jagger, Billy Squier and Ziggy Marley and enter the LA workshop of James Trussart, a native French fiddler for whom designing guitars is an art. These rock stars (and many more) got their custom guitars from Trussart, perhaps the world’s leading creator, who treats each instrument like a favorite child. Look for standout features such as a perforated steel body for a thick, unrivaled sound, and then the eye candy—engravings featuring everything from roses to tribal art. There’s even a guitar designed with alligator skin (perhaps to match your alligator shoes). And how does Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top describe his James Trussart 6-string? “Funky.”
BICYCLES SEVEN CYCLES No two journeys in life are ever the same, and neither are any two riders. That’s why at the heart of every Seven Cycles custom bike is individuality. Want a ride created by a pioneer in the industry well-versed in titanium, someone who can design a frame for the weekend rider and the Olympic competitor alike? A one-on-one interview with a bike designer from this innovative Watertown, Mass., firm leaves nothing to chance—taking your weight, riding style, intended use, age, riding terrain and more into consideration. You’ll find Seven Cycles at nearly 200 retailers in the U.S.—from New York to California—to get a better handle on your ideal ride. It can cost thousands for these high-end bikes but Seven Cycles has your back, with flexible design meant to grow and change with the rider. Time to hit the road as never before.
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FIREARMS PURDEY AND SONS
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It can take two years to handcraft a Purdey, but with every element designed just for you, this gun or rifle is born to be a collector’s piece. In fact, Purdey’s tradition of gun-making excellence goes back more than two centuries in London—even Queen Victoria just had to have one (or more), and in March of 1878 she granted the Royal Warrant to the business. Each piece is a work of art, with delicate engravings that boost the gun’s appeal, individualism and collectability. Although engravings are a matter of choice, the Purdey fine rose remains one of the most popular. It’s all worth the wait for the man or woman who appreciates the tradition started by founder James Purdey back in 1814.
SHOWCASES PINEL & PINEL
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The custom Watch Keeper is ready to protect your collection in a way that adds style to your décor. This bespoke storage center with protective glass façade and fiber-optic lighting displays 160 automatic winders, and if that won’t do it, the drawers can accommodate another 250 watches. Look for ebony and alligator to really stand out. For the at-home entertainer, there’s the Bar Trunk, which wows by the poolside, on the patio or in the living room. This wheeled wonder is dressed in fine leather and features a chrome champagne bowl large enough for six bottles or three magnums of bubbly and multiple drawers and compartments for glasses and bottles. It’s reminiscent of how designer Fred Pinel got started on this creative venture—with a cigar case collection inspired by his family’s Parisian attic, a treasure trove that included numerous suitcases. Each Pinel & Pinel storage companion is created by an artisan who knows his way with wood, leather and exotic hides. You won’t ever lose a thing again!
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SURFBOARDS KONA SURF CO. AND OTHERS
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You may hang ten with the best of them and conquer epic waves, but there comes a time in every surfer’s life when factory-made boards just won’t do. Fortunately, there are many surfer-inspired companies ready to get you to the next level. For more than 50 years, Kona Surf Co., a father-son team in Wildwood, N.J., has been shaping boards, but there’s nothing old-school about their approach, which relies on new technology and fine-precision equipment. Work with a shaper to build your board from scratch, or tweak a stock shape for just the right edge. On the West Coast, there’s surfer Cordell Miller’s custom boards tailored to you and the places you love to meet waves—there’s also Degree 33 Surfboards, which custom-builds in the San Diego area, and Driftwood Caravan Surfboard.
SADDLES BOB’S CUSTOM SADDLES
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You may spend most of your time priming your horse for that big show, but when you’re both in the thick of things, you’re going to appreciate a good saddle. Bob’s Custom Saddles has been at it since 1977, and its Western saddles are handcrafted by artisans with generations of expertise. The leather is top-grain Hermann Oak, the sheepskin is undoubtedly real, and what would a Western saddle be without engravings in sterling silver or silver overlay? Of course, a good saddle has a job to do, so each is built to the rider’s individual needs to achieve peak performance, comfort and longevity. Championship riders from around the world have gone to Bob’s, and they’re not sorry.
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BACKGAMMON BOARDS JESSICA GRIFFITH/NINE FAIR
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Why settle for a run-of-the-mill, machine-made backgammon board when you can be proud to gather friends around a solid wood, hand-painted set with a design unique to your family? Each Nine Fair backgammon board is made with—yes, we can say it—love, the passion of one who learned the game from her dad and has been playing all her life. It was on a family vacation on Harbour Island in 2016 that Griffith met her muse in a Bahamas-craftsman-made raffia board. She launched Nine Fair—with the help of a Danish woodworker from Bucks County, Penn.—and eventually left private equity to focus on this entirely custom company. Her “workshop”—where she hand-paints each board—is typically laid-back, on the front porch of the family’s historic Nantucket Island home. Water-resistant for generations of fun, game boards can bear a family crest, a school insignia, a whimsical design— you name it—and take three to five weeks to produce.
MIZUKI 14K yellow gold and three pearl necklace, $995 MIZUKI 14K yellow gold, pearl and diamond drop earrings, $1550
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JANE TAYLOR 14K yellow octagonal drop earrings available in citrine, amethyst and blue topaz, starting at $1070
FROM DELICATE PEARLS TO COLORFUL STACKS WE HAVE SELECTED ON-TREND PIECES THAT ARE INSTAGRAM WORTHY. 132
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14K yellow gold enamel stackable bands with three diamonds each, $550 each
MIMOSA HANDCRAFTED bronze river cuff, $155
w o n g n i d n e #tr
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MIZUKI 14K yellow gold open oval and pearl earrings, $1495 MIZUKI 14K yellow gold, diamond and baroque pearl earrings, $895 18K white gold diamond and semi-precious drop earrings with 11 interchangeable colored drops, $2750
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s e b i v w o b n i #ra JAN LESLIE Sterling silver & gold plated mother of pearl & enamel rings, $550 each
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LOVE STORIES LEE MICHAELS 64
LEE MICHAELS HAS BEEN HELPING COUPLES SAY “I DO” SINCE 1978.
MR. & MRS. KENDALL HALL (Savannah Douglas) July 19, 2019 | Amite, LA Emily Green Photo
MR. & MRS. JOSHUA AYMOND (Morgan Silvio) December 8, 2018 | Baton Rouge, LA
Chandra’s Collection Photography
MR. & MRS. ALEC LUCAS
MR. & MRS. RAMI PERLMAN
(Sydney Gardner) July 13, 2019 | Dripping Springs, TX
(Scarlett Rayner) August 18, 2018 | Santa Monica, CA
MR. & MRS. SAMUAL LETO
MR. & MRS. JUAN GARCIA JR.
(Christina Smith) March 9, 2019 | Amite, LA
(Lisa Ybarro) May 3, 2019 | San Antonio, TX
MR. & MRS. ROBERT WALTON
MR. & MRS. MYLES OSSWALD
(Madison Miller) April 26, 2019 | Crowley, LA
(Courtney Crouse) June 22, 2019 | Chilton, WI
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a wedding for the books
STARTING ON THE STEPS OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, THIS CEREMONY HERALDED A HAPPY MATCHUP—BETWEEN OPULENCE AND TASTE.
Upon their arrival at the wedding, this Beantown bride and groom’s guests walked the Boston Public Library’s marble staircase topped with glimmering candles and gorgeous greenery.
LEE MICHAELS
Much like painting a masterpiece or molding clay into a sculpture, planning the perfect party is an art. It requires time and patience, immaculate attention to detail and, of course, an eye for design and style. Nobody knows that better than Bryan Rafanelli, named by Vogue as one of the top party planners in the world, who was the event designer behind Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and a multitude of White House soirées during Obama’s terms. Rafanelli’s brand-new and first-ever book, A Great Party: Designing the Perfect Celebration (Rizzoli New York), features inspirational photos and secrets from some of the most fabulously artful fetes he’s orchestrated. The tome is also chock-full of tips should readers want to host their own Rafanelli-style nuptials, dinner party or holiday gettogether, one that’s unforgettably stunning and unique to its hosts. The following pages offer a glimpse of photos from a Boston wedding in Rafanelli’s vault, which took place at multiple iconic locations, beginning with the public library, and featured one spectacle after another.
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As a string quartet played from the balcony above, guests were ushered into the ceremony at the venue’s open-air courtyard. The chuppah was set up next to a picturesque fountain and a statue of a nude woman. The statue was controversial when it was placed there in 1896, but it made the perfect centerpiece for a 21st-century celebration.
LEE MICHAELS
An arched chuppah blooming with white larkspurs and stocks mirrored the architectural details of the neoclassical building.
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Ruby-backed chairs and a scarlet accent wall added vibrancy to the reception’s allwhite floral arrangements. Chandeliers of wisteria hanging from above flowed beautifully with the centerpieces comprised of calla lilies, lady’s slipper orchids and Veronica flowers, arranged in the Japanese ikebana style.
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After the ceremony, guests rode down to the Boston Harbor in classic white trolleys. Waiters presenting glasses of champagne under an awning of English ivy made for a dramatic arrival moment at the boat reception. Within guests’ line of vision was the six-tiered cake designed by Sylvia Weinstock and a wall of live roses, the entryway into the reception, the evening’s final stop.
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Partygoers danced the night away in the floating dining room on the barge with Boston’s skyline twinkling in the distance.
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THE BIG DAY
YOU FOUND THE DRESS. NOW CHOOSE JEWELS THAT WILL FLATTER YOUR GOWN.
Platinum oval sapphire and diamond ring, $85,000
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Mikimoto 18K white gold three strand Akoya pearl and diamond necklace, $56,870
Platinum double row diamond necklace, $110,000 18K white gold open pear diamond drop earrings, $25,000
THE BIG DAY
18K white gold graduated triple strand diamond necklace, $29,500
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18K white gold open oval drop diamond earrings, $38,500
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Lee Michaels is pleased to provide the LM Preferred Financing Program with the flexibility to help your dreams come true. Our convenient and fast approval process makes it easy and safe to apply online at LMFJ.com or in store. Let our extraordinary selections, service, quality and values earn your trust for a lasting relationship with us.
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FIELDFORCE CHRONO MAKERS OF THE ORIGINAL SWISS ARMY KNIFE | ESTABLISHED 1884
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WHETHER YOU’RE A JOY RIDER OR A ROAD TRIPPER, THE MCLAREN GT CONVEYS YOU IN UNMATCHED COMFORT AND STYLE. By Darius Amos
Many automakers—from everyman Ford to uber-luxury Bentley—create “GT” models, using the abbreviation for the Italian phrase Gran Turismo—literally, “great touring.” But few capture the essence of GT—a blend of luxurious details with high performance and elite styling. Count McLaren as one of those few. The British sportscar manufacturer boasts a lineup of 0-to-60 track stars and quarter-mile sprinters that’s second to none. And thanks to the McLaren GT, it quickly jumps to the head of the long-haul grand touring pack. Engineers consider this the brand’s most comfortable and spacious car ever, noting that it was designed to be roomier, lighter, faster and more responsive than others in its class. Oh, and it retains the exclusive supercar status thanks to a lightweight carbon fiber body and a twin-turbo V-8 engine that produces a roaring 620 horsepower and 0-to-62 time of 3.2 seconds. McLaren’s familiar dihedral doors? The GT has those too. So what distinguishes the GT from McLaren’s other cars, including the flagship 570 and the iconic 720S? For starters, it’s a practical supercar. No, it’s not a sedan, nor does it come with a second row of seating. But you
can pull up to the country club in a GT because hidden beneath the glass tailgate is a luggage compartment that’s large enough to fit three golf bags. It also has 5.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the front if you want to stash a few pairs of golf shoes. In total, the GT has more than 20 cubic feet of storage, the most ever in a McLaren. The GT can’t match the legroom of an SUV, but its interior is designed with road trips in mind. Cashmere upholstery is an option, and padded soft-grain leather seats are stitched with bespoke patterns and feature extra shoulder and back support, giving both driver and passenger an elegant and smooth ride. McLaren also filled the GT with modern luxuries such as its most sophisticated infotainment system (there’s a 12-speaker/carbon fiber subwoofer option available), ambient lighting and a front-to-back tinted-glass roof, among other details. Starting at approximately $210,000, the GT is the McLaren family’s in-between model bridging the 570 and 720S. But make no mistake: This grand tourer is already ahead in its class.
The McLaren GT is as fast and powerful as others in the supercar class. Its storage space and modern luxuries, however, are unrivaled.
M A KE THE SE A SO N LEGE N DA RY. The Aztecs had gold but traveled far and wide for Turquoise. For this knife we infused it with zinc, inlaid into a hand-carved sterling silver handle—and added a hand-forged damascus steel blade. Made by hand for self-made men.
C O R P O R AT E G I F T S & AWA R D S
SERVICE AWARD PROGRAMS | MILESTONE & RETIREMENT GIFTS | SALES RECOGNITION AWARDS SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS | DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT GIFTS Our competitive service and commitment to excellence guarantees that everyone will enjoy the reward, recognition and representation of your business. For customer service, please contact Lindsay Chustz Guerin at 225-368-3641 or lindsayg@lmfj.com.
An experience elevated in the San Antonio Hill Country for those seeking soulful reflection, joyful celebration, mindful movement and vibrant living. It’s an escape that’s yours and it’s all within reach. lomadevidaspa.com | 210.558.2252
LAST LOOK
14K yellow gold coin necklace, $1350 14K yellow gold and diamond coin necklace, $2850
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old world
STYLE
18K yellow gold and diamond Roman coin necklace with detachable chain so can also be worn by itself, $16500 Sterling silver and 24K yellow gold plated coin necklace, $800 Sterling silver and 24K yellow gold plated coin necklace, $750
A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION OF COIN JEWELRY FROM ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME. THESE UNIQUE HISTORIC COINS MAKE A GORGEOUS STATEMENT.
ROMAN BAROCCO COLLECTION
S:8.375”
T:9”
T:10.875” S:10.375”