M Penner Spring Summer 2020 by Wainscot Media

M PENNER

SPRING FASHIONS

CLEARING YOUR CLOSTET

QUARANTINE SURVIVAL

EWAN MCGREGOR

THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

CONTENTS spring/ summer 2020

FEATURES Drop-top gorgeous | 20 When you discover the craftsmanship, engineering and sheer beauty of Bentley’s new Continental GT convertible, you just may be converted.

Suited for summer | 36 Look splendid in a suit during the warmest months and be comfortable too!

Thais to the past | 40 Founded in 1296, Chiang Mai has almost as many temples as the bigger Bangkok—and much more serenity.

Bros’ night in | 46 A no-girls-allowed party need not have a discardedpizza-box motif. It can be a bash with panache.

DEPARTMENTS Memo | 4 We can’t wait to see you again.

The M PENNER Guide | 7 Get running with On...elevate your look with M PENNER Tailored... bake perfect brownies...and more!

get organized | 10 There’s no better time than now to clean your closet and clear your mind.

spotlight | 12 Karen and Murry Penner discuss how they’ve managed to make it work for 37 years, and counting.

profile | 14 Meet fourth-generation Niccolò Fedeli, who brings to America a surname that has become a synonym for Italian sartorial excellence.

staying on top | 16 Ermenegildo Zegna has retained its leadership position in the fashion industry for 110 years. THE LEADING MAN

| M PENNER

ewan mcgregor | 18

Who combines a colorful acting history with a monochromatic look? Call him Obi-Wan Kenobi.

the sporting life | 52 Payne’s Valley, a new publicaccess course in the Ozarks, reflects the design genius of golf’s resurgent wunderkind.

grape | 54 The Santa Rita Hills near Santa Barbara are a farmer’s frustration—and a vintner’s delight.

designer showcase | 56 Peter Millar creates clothes for the life you live.

style pros | 58 Four superstar sellers at M PENNER reveal how they’re faring during the coronavirus shutdown.

Directory | 62 Your guide to the M PENNER experience.

Last Word | 64 A men’s fashion writer recalls fond memories of her dad.

On the bright side

M PENNER has the best spring/summer looks to brighten your day.

ON THE COVER: On her: Dress: TOCCIN Handbag: HAYDEN LASHER Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY Oh him: Sportcoat: ZEGNA Shirt: ETON Tie, pocket square: EDWARD ARMAH Pants: ISAIA Shoes: TRASK

ÂŠ2020 A Genesco Company

Trask_Andrisen_Morton_Forum_Ad_1_30_20.indd 1

1/29/20 3:12 PM

MEMO

1180-06 UPTOWN PARK BLVD. HOUSTON, TX 77056 713.527.8200 MPENNER.COM

On the Bright Side Let’s not sugarcoat things, friends: It’s been a really tough month and counting for most of us. Many businesses (like ours) are temporarily closed and most of us are working from home, if we still have jobs. Without training or experience, we’ve become chefs, bartenders, teachers, hair stylists, cheerleaders, and handymen. Some of us have spent days-on-end without shaving or dressing. A lot of us have added a few pounds. We’ve experienced a myriad of emotions, including sadness, loneliness, and grief. Some of us have gotten sick; hopefully, all are returning to health. But there’s always a silver lining. If you’re like us, you’ve slowed down a bit, taken long walks, played games together, spent more time talking on the phone with loved ones…stopped to smell the proverbial roses, so to speak. Though, for now, we’re staying in touch through texting and social media, dropping off style bags, virtual selling, and offering curbside pickup, we miss our clients and staff tremendously and can’t wait for the day the store reopens and we can see you here in person. In the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy our pandemic issue of M PENNER. We’ve included some tips on closet cleaning to help break up the boredom of being stuck at home, a tale about togetherness overdose, quarantine survival tips from our sales team, and a “Look On The Bright Side” fashion spread that we were able to shoot at The Color Factory before the world closed down. On a final note, we want to express our most sincere appreciation to all of you who have purchased gift cards, called, emailed, and texted with kind words of encouragement. Local businesses are going to need your support in order to survive this. And, most importantly, we want to thank everyone throughout the city, the country, and the world who has been there on the front lines, putting their lives at risk for us all. Together, we will get through this. With best wishes for health, wholeness, and seeing you again soon, — Murry & Karen Penner

| M PENNER

M PENNER Store Reopens May 1 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Curbside Pick Up Available 713.527.8200

STORE HOURS MONDAY TO SATURDAY: 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

Editor in chief RITA GUARNA creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS lifestyle editor HALEY LONGMAN art director MICHAEL FORTE Contributing Editors KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN, DONNA ROLANDO Contributing Photographer CODY BESS PUBLISHING STAFF group Publisher SHAE MARCUS director of sales MONICA DELLI SANTI Director of Production SUSAN WINDRUM Circulation manager KATHY WENZLER Advertising Services director JACQUELYNN FISCHER Production Art Assistant CHRIS FERRANTE graphic designer/ad services VIOLETA MULAJ Accounting AGNES ALVES, KASIE CARLETON, MEGAN FRANK, KATIE TORRE PUBLISHED BY Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN President & CEO MARK DOWDEN Senior Vice Presidents SHAE MARCUS, CARL OLSEN Vice Presidents THOMAS FLANNERY, NIGEL EDELSHAIN, RITA GUARNA, DIANE VOJCANIN M PENNER Magazine is published twice a year by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, in association with M PENNER. Copyright © 2020 by Wainscot Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Editorial Contributions: Write to Editor, M PENNER, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656; telephone 201.782.5730; email rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com. 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, M PENNER, Circulation Department, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656; telephone 201.573.5541; email kathy.wenzler@wainscotmedia.com. Advertising Inquiries: Contact Shae Marcus at 856.797.2227 or shae. marcus@wainscotmedia.com.

THE

M PENNER GUIDE M PENNER TAILORED: Elevate Your Look, and Your Outlook!

If you’ve not yet tried a made-to-measure suit or sportcoat, you don’t know what you’re missing! And with our newest custom option, it need not break the bank. Just arrived this season, our exclusive, made-in-North-America, M PENNER Tailored collection is both value-priced and comparable in quality and aesthetics to many designer and brand name collections. Crafted from the finest fabrics from top Italian mills (Loro Piana, Reda, Holland & Sherry, Dormeuil), these suits, sportcoats and trousers will make you feel like a million bucks. They’re available in classic, contemporary or slim fit with peak or notch lapels, constructed or soft shoulders. Choices also abound in buttons, linings, pockets and details. In fact, there are 18 changes to the garment that can be implemented as you wish. So, what should you select this season? We recommend a lightweight wool sportcoat in a subtle (or not so subtle) plaid to wear virtually year-round with jeans or trousers. Or try a silk/linen/wool blend that has the look of linen but without the wrinkles. Tailored to your exact measurements, an M PENNER Tailored suit or sportcoat (deliverable in 3–4 weeks) is guaranteed to turn heads and uplift spirits, something we all can use these days!

ON AND ON…

Forgive us if we continue to sing the praises of the world’s lightest, fully cushioned running shoe, but we can’t help ourselves. As so many of our customers will testify, nothing else comes close to the “running on clouds” feeling you get when wearing these incredible sneakers that look as great as they feel. Developed in 2010 by Olivier Bernhard, David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, three friends and former professional athletes, these shoes are now worn by more than 7 million runners in more than 50 countries. The combination of professional running experience and engineering expertise has resulted in multiple design and technical awards over the past decade and new innovations each season. Need more reasons to give them a try? The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology published a study asserting that test runners wearing On footwear run at significantly lower pulse rates and lower blood lactate levels than other runners. And recently Roger Federer joined the team as co-entrepreneur, focusing on product development, marketing, and nurturing the athlete spirit. Though our store is temporarily closed, our great partners at On have created an easy way for you to order from us through their online portal! Go to on-running.com/retailer/mpenner

START YOUR ENGINES!

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

In 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini dreamed of making the perfect car. More than a half century later, his creation evolved into one of the most celebrated automobile brands of all time. For anyone who has ever admired the unmistakable sports car, Lamborghini: Where Why Who When What (Rizzoli, $85) by Antonio Ghini will have you fantasizing about cruising the Italian coastline. This comprehensive guide provides a complete history of the brand. Stunning photography highlights the evolution of the Lamborghini, detailing its unmistakable lines and lavish design details. The book also includes a look at some designers who were responsible for creating the company’s most iconic models through the years, including Filippo Perini, Walter de Silva, Mitja Bokert and Marcello Gandini. One thing is for sure— all roads may lead to Rome, but there’s only one Lamborghini.

| 7

THE M PENNER GUIDE 5 SMALL BATCH RYES TO TRY There was a time in the not-too-distant past that rye got a reputation as an inferior spirit. Now that’s all changed and today, some of the country’s best distilleries are crafting their own versions of whiskey. Here are our picks to try: • KNOB CREEK: One of four premium bourbons distilled at Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky, this small-batch rye is known for its signature nuttiness. Made to embody the look, feel and taste of its pre-Prohibition ancestors, it offers a sweet, full-bodied flavor with notes of cocoa, maple syrup and spice. • PIKESVILLE: This rye got its start in Maryland in the 1890s (hence its moniker), but was squashed out by Prohibition. Today, it has been brought back to life by Kentucky’s Heaven Hill. This rye hits the palette with fruit and spice notes. It offers a nice balance and is great on its own or mixed in cocktails.

ASK MR. ETIQUETTE

PENNER BROWNIES These decadently delicious brownies have been served at every Penner family function for generations. When we moved to the Uptown Park location, we built a kitchen in the store so we could bake a fresh batch every Saturday and share them with our M PENNER family. Customers often stop in to say hi and grab a brownie. Since you can’t come by for one now, we thought you might enjoy baking a batch at home. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS: ■ 2 sticks butter ■ 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate ■ 4 large eggs ■ 1/8 tsp. salt ■ 1 tsp. vanilla ■ 1 cup flour ■ 2 cups sugar ■ 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil. Heat butter and unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler, stirring occasionally until melted. Remove from heat. While the chocolate and butter are melting, mix flour, sugar, salt, eggs and vanilla. Add melted chocolate and butter. Pour brownie mixture into prepared pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake for 27-30 minutes.

THE A–Z LIST

At M PENNER you’ll find more than 70 designer brands under one roof. See if you don’t find your favorites in the list below. Then stop by the store for a shopping experience you’ll love. LEFT COAST TEE LIZA BETH JEWELRY M PENNER TAILORED MAGNANNI MARCOLIANI MARGO MORRISON MAUI JIM METALLI 925 MOORE & GILES MZ WALLACE NO. 21 ON RUNNING SHOES PANTHERELLA PAUL & SHARK PEDRO GARCIA PESERICO PETER MILLAR PT TORINO SAMANTHA SUNG SAMUELSOHN SANTONI SCOJO GELS SIMONOT-GODDARD SUZI ROHER TATEOSSIAN TINTORIA MATTEI TOCCIN TOD’S TRASK VERONICA BEARD VK NAGRANI W. KELINBERG WÜRKIN STIFFS Z ZEGNA

VERONICA BEARD

AG JEANS ANDERSON’S BELTS AUTUMN CASHMERE B BELT BOGLIOLI BRAX BRULI CANALI CARROT & GIBBS CHAN LUU CORNELIANI CREED DAVEK UMBRELLAS DI BIANCO EDWARD ARMAH ELEVENTY ERBARIO TOSCANO ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA ETTINGER ETON ETRO FABIANA FILIPPI FAHERTY FEDELI GIANNETTO PORTOFINO GOLDEN GOOSE GRAVATI HALSEY HAYDEN LASHER ISAIA JOHN ELLIOTT KITON L’AGENCE LA PRESTIC OUISTON

SPRING/SUMMER FALL/WINTER 2016 2020

Murry Penner explains how to sail through life without giving offense. I’ve had an easy time pairing a shirt with a solid navy or a gray jacket, but what shirts and ties can I wear with a plaid sportcoat? —Wondering in West U Mixing patterns tends to make guys nervous, but when done the right way it shows fashion sense and creativity. When your suit or sportcoat is a large plaid, scale the shirt down with a small check or stripe. On the check shirt wear a striped or paisley tie; on the striped shirt wear paisley or a small geometric print. Patterns that are too close in size will fight the sportcoat. Remember: Opposites attract. If you forgo a tie, the same rules apply to a pocket square.

• WHISTLEPIG: One hundred percent rye whiskey, WhistlePig is produced using rye organically grown on its namesake Vermont dairy farm. This results in the product having a raw taste of the grain, producing a more robust rye that would appeal to anyone who prefers a full-flavored spirit. • OLD OVERHOLT: Around since the 1800s, this brand has belonged to Jim Beam since 1987. A young rye, it is bottled at 80 proof with just enough rye in the mash bill to be categorized as one. It carries just enough spice to nicely counter the sweetness, making it a choice cocktail whiskey. • WILD TURKEY’S RUSSELL’S RESERVE: While Wild Turkey may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think about rye, Russell’s Reserve is artfully crafted in the Bluegrass State by Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have nearly 100 years of combined experience. It offers a rich toffee and vanilla flavor with a spicy finish.

GET ORGANIZED

CLEAN YOUR CLOSET, CLEAR YOUR MIND Turn off the news and organize your closet!

| M PENNER

Although none of us are dressing up for meetings, cocktail parties, graduations, galas, or weddings right now, the time will come again, the sooner the better, when we’re once again celebrating life. So imagine, if you can, a spacious and organized closet where you’ll be able to quickly locate exactly what you want to wear, without sifting through overstuffed racks of dated, worn-out, tired, or just plain unflattering clothes. We realize that closet cleaning is on no one’s list of favorite things to do, but it’s a perfect pastime to break up the monotony of being stuck at home. Yes, it can be painful to part with clothes you once loved, or clothes that have sentimental value (your Rockets sweatshirt, your Grateful Dead tees), or clothes that once fit and will surely fit again as soon as you lose those last five pounds. The reward for decluttering, however, is well worth the pain: a closet full of clothes you love, clothes that get compliments, clothes that make you feel fabulous each time you put them on. Here, a few tips to help you through the process: *First, empty your closet completely. Remove everything and lay it all on the bed. Grab some trash bags or laundry baskets and make four piles: Trash, Donate, Repair and Keep. (As long as the closet’s empty and before you put things back, why not give it a quick vacuuming?) *Some rules to guide you: If you haven’t worn it in a year and it’s still in good condition, it goes in the Donate bag. If it has holes or rips that can’t be repaired, throw it in the Trash pile. If it needs a button or has a hole a tailor can easily fix, put the item in the Repair pile and bring it to us once the store reopens. Javier, Jesús, and Rene will be happy to replace buttons, repair seams, and freshen it up. (Just be sure everything is cleaned before bringing it to the store for repair.) If it’s not your style, it goes in the Donate bag. If you like it but notice a stain, put it in the Repair pile and see if the cleaners can clean it;

if it has severe stains, toss it! If it doesn’t fit, donate it. (Trust us: If you’re buying the same collar size that you wore at your wedding, the shirts probably don’t fit!) If it’s in good condition but looks dated (big shoulders, baggy trousers, wide novelty ties), put it in the Donate pile for someone who could really use it. *Ask for help! For items you just aren’t sure about, call, email, or text your M PENNER stylist. Send images of items or selfies of you in questionable looks or hop on FaceTime and they will let you know whether to keep or toss! *Act quickly: Personal experience has proven that if you don’t act right away, your carefully divided piles will end up right back in the closet. Take the Trash pile to the garbage bin at once; no one should hang on to clothes that don’t bring you joy. Divide the Repair pile into two groups: items for the cleaners and items to take to M PENNER for repair. Label these and put on your to-do list for when these businesses reopen. Tag the Donate pile to take to a worthy charity—again, when they open back up. We recommend Dress for Success and Career Gear (for men). We’re also planning an M Penner trade-in event when we reopen so, if you prefer, you can park your donations in your coat closet for now and bring them to us at that time. Reorganize your nowspacious closet. We suggest by category, starting with what you wear most often. For now, that would likely mean put your work from home, com-

fort, and workout clothes front and center! So it might be, for men: loungewear, activewear, jeans, pants, shirts, sportcoats. For women: loungewear, activewear, jeans, shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, jackets, dresses. Within each category, group similar colors together. Knits should be folded rather than hung. Make a list of what needs to be replaced. Use what you removed as a guide—out-of-date suits, worn-out sneakers, too tight jeans, etc. Text or email your list to your stylist and he/ she can send you a Stylebox of options for you to select from now or have a perfect presentation ready for you when the store reopens.

HOUSTON’S QUALITY DRY CLEANER AND LAUNDRY SINCE 1954 SIX CONVENIENT HOUSTON LOCATIONS

• WWW.TWINOAKSCLEANERS.NET

SPOTLIGHT

TOGETHERNESS OVERDOSE?

Those of us now stuck at home with only our spouse/significant other for company are likely going a bit stir crazy. Imagine what it would be like to live and work with the same person, 24/7, year after year! Here, we chat with Karen and Murry Penner about how they’ve managed to make it work for 37 years, and counting. By Karen Alberg Grossman How did you two meet? Karen: Short answer: we met in 5th grade when the Penner family moved to Houston from San Antonio. (The long version would take way too much space and might be better presented as a novel or mini-series.) Murry: I remember walking into my new school homeroom and seeing all these strange kids … and Karen. I really think I fell in love, as it were for a 10-year-old. I remember her smile, and I remember that she turned me down when I asked her to go steady. Did you like him/her right away? What first attracted you to him/her? Karen: Ummm … We were ten … we were friends. Murry: Hmmmm… Yes! She would let me ride her motorcycle.

| M PENNER

Photo flashback: Karen and Murry as grade school friends, dating in college, their storybook wedding, and “Fabulous at Fifty” portrait by Gittings.

How would you describe each other as a spouse? As a merchant? What would you change? Karen: Murry’s a great husband. Every morning when I wake up he tells me, “Good morning, Beautiful.” So I get up every morning feeling special. He’s an amazing merchant – he has the skill set to balance buying, selling, and managing. In a small business, everyone wears many hats and he does that very well. We went to a therapist many years ago who asked me to state three things I love about Murry and three things I’d change about him. I don’t think it works that way. This is what I told the therapist: “I think if the average relationship is a 5, ours is an 8… or a 9. There are some magical moments, many wonderful times, and a few kind of shitty ones. We get through the shitty ones. If I were able to remove the bad moments, I think I might also

have to give up some of the magical and I don’t want to do that. So, no, I’m not going to point out little flaws and irritations; I shake those off and focus on what makes us work … what makes us great together.” Then I said, “I won’t tell you what I don’t like but I will tell you that if I were stranded on a desert island and could choose any one person to be there with me, it would be Murry. He’s my person. He completes me. We complete each other.” And then, as the therapist just sat with his mouth wide open, I told him that I didn’t think we were a good fit (the therapist and me) and I left. Murry: I would describe her as my strength. What I love most is that her love is unconditional. Mine too. Without this deep trust level, I don’t think we could do this. I’m sure most days there is something I would change, like sometimes I wish she were taller and a red head. Actually, if I could change one thing, I’d give her the gift of delegation. She isn’t great at that. How did it come about that you decided to work together? What was your earlier ambition? Karen: When my kids were young, I started helping out by designing mailers when they were in school. Then helping with events. Then we started collecting email addresses and I’d enter those. As the world of social media grew, so did my involvement. When we started producing a magazine, that was my project as well, along with opening our women’s boutique. Earlier goals and life ambitions? Well my life’s dream was to be a mom and my goal was to be a good one. You’ll have to ask my kids if I succeeded but if you ask me, they all turned out great! Along the journey, I worked in interior design and then had a 10-year stint in the educational toy business, which was a lot of fun! Murry: It seems I was destined to be in this business: all my grandparents were merchants. Their stores actually still exist – Penners in San Antonio (still family owned), and Hurwitz in Longview (long gone from family ownership). When my college career went off the tracks, this is what I knew. Besides, I had three children by the time I was 28, and I needed a job. I won’t lie and tell you it was easy working for my father. Skipping the sordid details, I needed someone on my side if I were to take the next steps, and I convinced my father to take Karen on in a marketing capacity. I think out of pure devotion, she said yes. Can’t think of another good reason. But we worked well together, bought the business in 2006 and moved to our current location. And if you’re wondering, my father and I became close long before he passed. To this day, it is one of my most satisfying “accomplishments.” I could not have done that without Karen. Describe the division of labor at home? At work? Each of your strengths and weaknesses? Karen: At home, I cook, Murry cleans. I do the grocery shopping and Murry manages the finances. Thank goodness we have Maria to help keep our apartment clean and tidy. She’s worked with us for almost 30 years! At work, I deal with the women’s boutique, marketing, social media and events. Murry handles the men’s business, HR, and he is our IT department.

Our strengths and weaknesses are probably the same at work and home. Murry reacts quickly and I think about things – these are both strengths and weaknesses, depending on the circumstance. I’m creative – that’s a strength, I suppose. Murry has a great mind for business. Weaknesses: I’m messy, Murry is impulsive. Murry: Yep. What do you most often argue about? How do you generally resolve arguments? Karen: We don’t really argue much. I’d have to say our biggest arguments happen when I get an idea and go into action mode (both at home and work) without discussing it first. When we do argue, it’s almost 100% because we look at things from our own point of view and don’t consider the other person. We resolve our issues because we love and care about each other more than the disagreement. We apologize to each other and move on. I’ve learned many life lessons about relationships from friends. Two that come to mind: 1) I don’t have to win; and 2) unconditional love is worthy of my best effort on a daily basis. Murry: Most arguments are due to a breakdown in communication. Work arguments don’t get that bad. I don’t remember what one particular family-related argument was about, but I vividly remember that suddenly out of nowhere, dishes were flying in my direction – hard. Fortunately, Karen throws like a girl (sorry) so I escaped bodily harm. She did, however, break much of our wedding crystal. She cries like a girl too, so she always wins. (I know, very non-PC, but it’s okay because I cry, too – and then I win…) What do you love to do together? What do you end up doing on your own (or with friends)? Karen: Together, we enjoy opera and theater. We like to binge watch TV shows. We like to take walks through Hermann Park or the Arboretum on Sunday mornings. (Actually, I jog and Murry walks – same pace.) We like to play games. We like to travel, take road trips, and vacation at the beach. We love to get together with friends. We love to spend time with our family. On our own, Murry goes fishing with his friend in Florida. I watch Law & Order. Murry: I used to like working in the yard, but we don’t have one anymore. How has this pandemic changed your relationship? What are you learning about each other? Karen: The pandemic hasn’t changed much, other than spending a lot more time at home and more time outside together since we’re not at the store 24/7. We have a lot of stress right now as small business owners but we’ve always known there are no guarantees in life. We’ve always said that we’d be happy living in a tent as long as we’re together. (Actually, running water and electricity are nice too!) Murry: The crisis has changed our relationship in one notable way: I don’t like watching TV anymore; I much prefer silence. Karen is the opposite. It can be stressful at times, but we manage it.

KAREN AND MURRY’S TOP TIPS FOR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING KAREN: n Complement/don’t compete n Remember where you came from. Remember what your goals are. Remember that you’re in this as a team. n You have to be all in to make it work. It’s never 50/50. Sometimes it’s 40/60, sometimes it’s 90/10. n In business, it can’t be 50/50. The buck must stop with one person. In our case, that’s Murry. We can discuss and disagree but the final word is always Murry’s. I’m good with that and firmly believe it couldn’t work any other way. My voice is always heard and respected. We’re partners and he makes final decisions. And I support that. n In your personal life: Don’t sweat the small stuff. And try not to sweat the big stuff. We’ve been married for 37 years; there have been many fights but honestly, I can’t remember what any of them was about. Well, actually, that time he borrowed my Firebird to go to work and came home with a station wagon (WTF?) … I do remember that one. He said he decided the Firebird wasn’t safe because I was pregnant. I was so mad I went to my rabbi; honestly, I didn’t know what I was going to do. He listened, paused, and said, “Karen, the question isn’t whether what he did was right or wrong. The only question you need to answer for yourself is whether this is something you’re willing to end your marriage over.” MURRY: n Don’t take work home – we always break that one. I actually hope we can use this time to work on that. Otherwise, sanity will become scarce. n Don’t forget to praise her good work. Sometimes I’m so wrapped up in doing this with our people, I forget that she needs it too.

| M PENNER

PROFILE

Chat With a Fedeli Meet fourth-generation Niccolò, who brings to America a surname that has become a synonym for Italian sartorial excellence. By Rita Guarna What will the Fedeli collection look like for fall 2020? Fedeli was established in 1934, and we were born as knitwear specialists so fall/winter is in our DNA. During this season we are able to fully express our heritage, knowledge and passion for the world of knitwear. For our fall 2020 collection, we focused on innovating but remaining true to our roots, introducing a wide variety of new yarns and also appealing to the theme of sustainability. One of the new projects for this season is a natural cashmere, which is dyed by the infusion of herbs, berries and roots without using any chemical products. With such an emphasis on sustainability, what changes are in store for Fedeli in terms of product development and operations? I strongly believe that the fashion industry will go in the direction of being sustainable, green and eco-friendly. The food and cosmetics industries have already embarked on this journey. The fashion industry is slightly behind, but it will catch up in the near future. At Fedeli we have been implementing this philosophy in our own products and in our own mono-brand stores. For example, in 2021 all of our swimwear will be made from recycled polyester. We want to play a role in this new era of sustainability, and every season we are improving our collection and factory with this goal in mind. Tell us something about you that people might not know. I love golf, and I am a two handicap. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? I have always received the best advice from my dad. He has underlined the importance of being a good person, giving without the intent of receiving something in return. When you’re not working, where can we find you? Playing golf and enjoying New York with my girlfriend, Melissa.

What are you most proud of, in business and personally? I am very proud about our success in the U.S., and being able to open our own showroom at 509 Madison Avenue in New York City last July was a dream come true. This journey started just four years ago for me. In January 2016, I came back from New York, where our agent at that time was showcasing the collection. I told my dad I would like the opportunity to develop our U.S. business without the aid of an agent. I was 24 with basically zero work experience, so don’t ask me where that confidence came from. But my dad agreed to give me a shot. Four years later we have more than 40 great partners in the U.S. and our own showroom! There is obviously a lot of hard work behind our success, but I have to give it out to our partners, who are truly incredible people and families. I am very honored to have the opportunity to work with them. Name a fashion icon you admire. It has to be Ralph Lauren. I am a big fan of RRL, which I think is one of the most authentic and sophisticated lines in the industry. Many luxury sportswear brands draw a lot of inspiration from Ralph Lauren and his aesthetic. What’s the best thing about working in a family business? My dad is my mentor and a person I aspire to be like. He is the hardest-working person I know, and everything he does is driven by sheer passion for this industry. Being able to share everything with him and walk in his footsteps has simply been incredible. I owe everything to my family. I am here today because of them. And the most challenging? Sharing the same vision of where you see the business going. But at the same time, multiple perspectives are crucial to the development of any business.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Beginning this fall, Fedeli will dye its cashmere using an infusion of herbs, berries and roots; Niccolò Fedeli, the fourth generation in the family business, works side-by-side with his father, Luigi; born as a knitwear specialist, the company regularly introduces new and more sustainable yarns; when he’s not working in the showroom, Niccolò can be found exploring the streets of New York; Niccolò describes his father as the “hardest-working person” he knows; under Niccolò’s leadership, Fedeli has expanded to more than 40 partners in the U.S. in just four years.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Talk about your close-knit families. When we encountered Niccolò Fedeli of the eponymous familyrun Italian clothing company built on knitwear—a member of the fourth generation in the business— we were filled with curiosity about his role in the famous tribe. And about sustainability, and success, and what we’ll all be wearing. Tell us about your position at the company. I am the vice president of Fedeli U.S.A., and I manage all specialty and department store business in the U.S. and Canada. I am also involved in developing the collection with my dad and the design team. What’s new for spring 2020? For this season we focused primarily on color, on creating new yarns and on the theme of sustainability. In the world of knitwear we developed a new, lightweight, one-ply cashmere that is perfect for the start of the season. We gave this concept fun colors that make you want to go on vacation. Also, driven by the theme of sustainability, we created a new organic jersey and pique. So all of our polos are made with 100-percent organic Egyptian cotton that we spin inside our factory in Monza. What will you be wearing? In summer my personal style becomes more casual, but always respectful of the occasion. I like to wear a blazer with washed chinos, a T-shirt and a pair of high-top All-Stars, rigorously white. I have always liked white pants; they are elegant and easy to match with any color story. What is new in swim trunks this season in terms of fabric and styling? Every season we redesign all of our prints and match every single one to the colors of our piques and jerseys. We want the retailer to be able to tell a story with our garments that is fresh, coherent and unique every season. We also developed a new model that folds into the back pocket. This is especially beneficial if you are traveling, because we can save you a lot of precious space.

STAYING ON TOP

How Zegna has retained its leadership position for 110 years By Karen Alberg Grossman It’s no secret that Ermenegildo Zegna, the venerable third-generation luxury clothing company founded in Trivero, Italy, in 1910, makes some of the best men’s suits, sportswear, footwear and accessories in the world. Not only do they weave magnificent fabrics in their own textile mills, but they also purchased a 6100-acre sheep farm in Australia, raising and nurturing 10,000 sheep that have been bred to produce the finest merino wool on earth. (These fibers measure at most 18.5 microns wide, or roughly four times thinner than a human hair.) A global luxury lifestyle brand sold in more than 100 countries, Zegna is most recognized for its beautiful suits, both off-the-rack and made-to-measure. But beyond producing exceptional men’s clothing and luxury fabric, Zegna continues to shake things up with its bold marketing initiatives and social commentary. Here, a few things you might not know about this amazing global brand: *Their constant mission to improve the world was inspired by their founder Ermenegildo Zegna: “To use resources for the good of others; to give back to people and to employees; to take care of the territory and communities from which the brand comes.” *Zegna was among the first apparel companies in the world to take a strong stand on sustainability (#UsetheExisting). Their fall 2020 runway show in Milan featured an immersive installation (a collaboration with American artist Anne Patterson) made of thousands of ribbons from leftover Zegna fabrics. For this collection, Zegna created several experimental fabrics, blending natural and synthetic fibers for maximum comfort and performance. They crafted an incredibly soft flannel made out of recycled cashmere and a suiting fabric crafted entirely from fine wool remnants. *Zegna virtually redefined masculinity with its spring 2020 ad campaign: “What does it mean to be a man today?” or “#WhatMakesAMan.” Featuring two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, the goal was to inspire men to express their principles through actions. The campaign urges men to reflect on the values they stand for (responsibility, respect, care, passion, purpose, hope) and act accordingly to create a better world. *As the COVID-19 pandemic escalated, Zegna was among the first group committed to minimizing its impact. “At Zegna we believe our actions today will shape our tomorrow,” said Zegna CEO Ermenegildo Zegna. “The pandemic we are all facing is a call for people around the world to take action. Each of us must do our part, in every way possible, to stop this global emergency.” The Zegna family, together with top management, has pledged personal donations totaling 3 million euros to support the nurses, doctors, scientists and volunteers across Italy. The company has also converted part of its production facilities in Italy & Switzerland to the manufacturing of medical masks and protective hospital gear. Kudos to an exceptional family whose top-quality fashion, superlative fabrics and innovative ideas are matched only by its generosity and compassion.

| M PENNER

“At Zegna, we believe our actions today will shape our tomorrow.”

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Murry and Karen Penner at Oasi Zegna, a nature preserve project in Biella, Italy, created by the Zegna family; a look from Zegna’s #UsetheExisting campaign; a view from Oasi Zegna; Alessandro Sartori of Zegna and Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God; a look from the #WhatMakesAMan campaign; Zegna CEO Ermenegildo Zegna; Zegna headquarters in Milan.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| M PENNER

THE LEADING MAN

The Force Is With Him

Who combines a colorful acting history with a monochromatic look? Call him Obi-Wan Kenobi. By Donna Rolando series may resurrect Obi-Wan for yet another McGregor hit. As one interviewer pointed out, Star Wars took McGregor outside his comfort zone: He and some friends had formed the short-lived British film and theater company Natural Nylon to produce films in the U.K. that shattered the Hollywood mold, and he was vocal about his aversion to conventional moviethink. But when asked about the big role, McGregor answered in a very few blunt syllables: “Hey! This is Star Wars.” Actually, the series permitted him to track the footsteps of his actor uncle, Denis Lawson, a huge inspiration in his life, who played Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy. Judging from McGregor’s rugged looks, you wouldn’t put a marathon motorbike trip past him. Indeed, he traveled that way from London to New York (give or take a few non-motorbike gaps and hops) over 115 days in 2004 for the documentary series The Long Way Round, one of two such miniseries spotlighting his motorcycle passion. He looks the part of biker in his full manicured beard, leather jacket and military boots. But does that make him a style icon? The answer seems to be yes—the blue-eyed McGregor made the top best-dressed list at the 75th Golden Globe Awards in 2017 for a monochromatic black suit, shirt and bow-tie combo, and fashion experts say there’s sense to his style. Though it breaks tradition, staying in the same color family maximizes his slight frame and 5-foot-8 height. And having a little fun with footwear, which he does from time to time, assures the individuality often lacking in formal wear. (Maybe some Obi-Wan wisdom has rubbed off!) Then, for

when it’s time to hit the road, a leather jacket, slim jeans, long flowing scarf and fashion sunglasses go the extra trendy mile. In fashion, film and life, McGregor shows a capacity for change. In his personal arena, he has quit smoking and drinking, and he’s recently divorced from his wife of almost 22 years, French production designer Eve Mavrakis. On the big screen, he’s opened himself up to the long-hated horror-movie genre with Doctor Sleep, a sequel to The Shining, in which he portrays a grownup Danny Torrance, now sober and back at the haunted Overlook Hotel, this time joined by a teen psychic. And he’s also embarking on another new wave of his career with his portrayal of the evil Black Mask in the recently released superhero flick Birds of Prey. The Scot thanks his parents for it all. They were teachers when he was young, and they saw that he was troubled and unhappy in school. So they made it possible for him to go take a drama course at the Kirkcaldy College of Technology and, as he says, “my whole world opened up.” Then came a move to London and study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama when he was 18. Later he was to get a doctorate—the honorary kind—from the University of Ulster in 2001, not to mention recognition from the Queen in 2013 for his dramas and charitable works. It may seem discordant with his biker demeanor, but this celebrated actor does have a soft side, especially with pets and children—for example, he aids a campaign to keep open the Perth Royal Infirmary maternity wing in Perth, Scotland, where he was born. After all, even this galaxy, from time to time, can use a helping hand.

Opposite page, from top: Forget what you’ve been told; style icon Ewan McGregor knows how to go from the Golden Globes to a motorcycle road trip without bidding adieu to fashion—or comfort. When it comes to pairing monochromatic dark colors in a formal look or a leather jacket and jeans for ready-to-ride apparel, he has a Jedi master’s sixth sense. Bottom: A well-tailored blue suit with striped tie can fit most any scene, while a long flowing scarf draped over the shoulder means style need not be sacrificed with a T-shirt ensemble.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Forty-nine-year-old Scottish actor Ewan McGregor admits it: He craves Hollywood, fast cars and blockbusters as much as the next star. But his more serious side frowns on such things—he even once said he’d pass on playing James Bond. Aren’t we all full of contradictions? Most fans have been happy with McGregor’s choices, from indie successes Shallow Grave (1994) and Trainspotting (1996) to his Golden Globe-winning dual performance on the TV series Fargo (2017) and the lead in Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep, which hit theaters last November. He also rode an elephant and sang (another of his talents) alongside Nicole Kidman in the 2001 movie Moulin Rouge!, learned to fire one serious weapon in Black Hawk Down (2001) and explored his love of nudity in the Japanese-inspired The Pillow Book (1996), which he recommends as a real eye-opener. Not that McGregor has anything against clothes—he’s signed to play fashion designer Halston in an upcoming Ryan Murphy miniseries for Netflix. Of course, it was Star Wars (a saga he grew up with and loved as a child) that really secured McGregor’s place with cinema A-listers. Not only did he master Obi-Wan Kenobi’s charismatic smile and witty one-liners in the prequel Star Wars trilogy—filling shoes once worn by the late, great Alec Guinness—but he was also ace at what matters most to kids: the lightsaber. (McGregor has four children of his own; he used to bring them along on photo shoots.) During scenes he’d imitate the saber’s classic sound effects, which were to be dubbed in later, because, as he explained, “I keep getting carried away.” And he’s not hanging up his saber yet—a new, still untitled, Disney+

DROP-TOP GORGEOUS

When you discover the craftsmanship, engineering and sheer beauty of Bentley’s new Continental GT convertible, you just may be converted. By Darius Amos

| M PENNER

Luxury automakers have lately engaged in years of one-upmanship, in a dramatic clash for market superiority that has produced memorable models for Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and even Audi. British manufacturer Bentley meanwhile has remained relatively quiet, releasing just two generations (the second nearly mirroring the first) of its Continental GT since 2004 to battle in the ever-escalating uber-luxury coupe war. But the historic brand just pulled an ace from its sleeve. The Continental GT convertible (GTC) is entirely new for 2020. Thanks to improvements to aluminum and steel, the car has seamless and stunning profile lines and is 20 percent lighter—with a lower center of gravity—than its predecessor. And when its tech is paired with an available twin turbocharged W12 engine and a variable all-wheel-drive system, the Continental GTC can top 207 miles per hour and go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds. (That’s McLaren territory, folks!) Of course, it’s not recommended that drivers put the top down at that speed, but engineers say you don’t have to stop to enjoy the open air—the soft top can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 30 mph. Starting at $221,000, the Continental GTC is truly masterpiece theater.

Yes, this Brit can fly with the best, but its stopping power is also nearly unmatched. The Continental boasts the second-largest brake rotors for a production vehicle, trailing only the Lamborghini Urus—a much larger super-SUV.

Interior door panels and plush leather seats feature diamond-indiamond embroidery. There are 712 stitches in each diamond and two miles of stitching in the vehicle.

Thanks to Bentley’s ahead-of-the-pack technology, a four-layer insulated soft top keeps the cabin as quiet as the previous version’s hardtop coupe. And Bentley didn’t sacrifice good looks: The droptop is tailored to the vehicle, while its tweed finish lets luxe get in its licks.

Engineers extended the wheelbase by nearly 5 inches, giving the third-gen Continental a lower center of gravity and improved acceleration. Result: The ride is silky-smooth for the driver.

The Continental’s matrix grille is 4.3 inches wider and sits 2 inches lower than the previous generation, giving today’s model more aggressive appeal.

Luxury lights the way in the Continental GTC, which is equipped with four LED matrix headlamps encased in a one-of-a-kind, crystalcut design housing.

Consider the Continental GTC a luxury supercar. It is powered by a twin turbocharged 12-cylinder that produces 626 horsepower and a top speed of 207 miles per hour. That’s faster and more powerful than a McLaren 570S.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

A three-sided rotating dashboard display allows the driver to flip to a 12.3-inch navigation/ infotainment display, three classic analog gauges or (for those who don’t want to see any tech) Bentley’s classic seamless dash design.

nd us.

ome is...

Where we decide to take root, even if for just a moment. Where we steel ourselves for the work ahead and retreat after a hard day’s work. Where we grow our roost, and where we watch them leave the nest. Where we plan for the next phase in life and hope to see a return on our hard-earned investment. Where we homestead, hunker down for hurricanes, and find a haven from the rapidly evolving world around us. With this year’s unprecedented pandemic and shelterin-place orders, our concept of home has taken on new meaning. This year, home has become where we work, where we wait it out, and where we feel safest. It is the gym, the office, the classroom, the wine bar, and the backdrop for a rediscovery of our quiet, inner life. Likewise, whereas our neighborhoods used to be simply how we come and go, this year our neighborhoods have come to represent each opportunity that awaits us just outside our doorstep.

Whatever else your home has been to you this year, we

hope that it was all you needed it to be. We hope it was enough living space, enough outdoor access, perfectly located, and aesthetically pleasing. We hope it was a santuary, allowing you a sense of calm amidst chaos. We hope that in it you felt happy, healthy, and provided for.

f that’s not what home was to you throughout these past few months, how we can help?

Know that we still excel at and take joy in being your trusted advisor on buying, selling, or leasing. Know that we still believe in the resilience of the housing market. Know that we still believe Houston has an exceptional quality of life, even when the world seems to stop turning. Know that we can always provide a sound economic outlook based on experience and the cyclical nature of the economy. Know that we have been here for 20+ years, come hell or high water, and will always be a steady hand to hold onto no matter what may come next.

R i c e V i l l a g e • H o u s t o n H e i g h t s • H i s t o r i c D o w n t o w n G a l ve s t o n 713.862.1600 • yourblvd.com

Realtor. Resource. Friend.

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Suit, pocket square: ZEGNA Shirt: KITON

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Who would have guessed that just after our photo shoot at the newly opened Color Factory — a crazy, fun, interactive art exhibit in Upper Kirby — they would close down, thanks to COVID-19?! As you’ll see, we had a blast and, when they open back up, we hope you’ll go check it out. In the meantime, we hope these spring/summer looks will brighten your day. All items are available for delivery or curbside pickup. Just holler and we’ll take care of the details!

| 23

From left to right: Flower jacket: NO. 21 Pants: FABIANA FILIPPI Sportcoat: CANALI Shirt, pocket square: ETRO Tie: KITON Jeans: AG Belt: ANDERSONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

| M PENNER

Jacket, top, pants, handbag: FABIANA FILIPPI Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY

From left to right: Cardigan: AUTUMN CASHMERE Cami: ONLY HEARTS Jeans: AG Belt: BBELT Shoes: PEDRO GARCIA Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY, MUSE and SPIVEY Jacket: LA PRESTIC OUISTON Jeans: VERONICA BEARD Shirt: TINTORIA MATTEI Shorts: HALSEY Belt: W. KLEINBERG Shoes: GRAVATI

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| 25

| M PENNER

Dinner jacket: CANALI Shirt, tie: ETON Pocket square: ETRO Tuxedo pants: ZEGNA Cufflinks: TATEOSSIAN

Dress: NO. 21 Shoes: PEDRO GARCIA Handbag: HAYDEN LASHER Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| 27

From left to right: Top, leggings: VERONICA BEARD Shoes: PEDRO GARCIA Necklace: MUSE COLLECTIVE

| M PENNER

Polo, sweater: FEDELI Shorts: HALSEY Shoes: ZEGNA

From left to right: Top, sweater: FAHERTY Jeans: AG Shoes: GRAVATI

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Top: VERONICA BEARD Shorts: PESERICO Shoes: PEDRO GARCIA Scarf: SUZI ROHER Tote: MZ WALLACE Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY

| 29

From left to right: Dress: LA PRESTIC OUISTON Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY

| M PENNER

Sportcoat: ELEVENTY Polo: Z ZEGNA Pants: ISAIA

Top: PESERICO Jeans: AG Necklace: MUSE COLLECTIVE Shoes: PEDRO GARCIA

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| 31

| M PENNER

Sportcoat: ISAIA Shirt: CANALI Tie, pocket square: EDWARD ARMAH Pants: BRAX

Seersucker suit: FABIANA FILIPPI T-shirt: Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Agence Belt: BBELT Backpack: CHRISTIANSEN Sandals: PEDRO GARCIA Jewelry: LIZA BETH JEWELRY and MUSE

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| 33

| M PENNER

Sneakers: ON RUNNING

Jacket, top: VERONICA BEARD Jeans: Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;AGENCE Handbag: HAYDEN LASHER Shoes: PEDRO GARCIA

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| 35

TROUSERS

COLORS Charcoal and navy suits are still the foundation of your wardrobe, but think lighter tints of gray and blue for summer. These shades work well with nearly any fabric and will reflect light better than their darker siblings. For a more casual look, try khaki, tan and stone hues—but save these colors for daytime parties and gatherings, as they run the risk of being too informal for the evening.

LINING Perhaps more important than material and weight (at least in summer) is the suit jacket’s interior. Unlined jackets increase breathability and comfort, and their soft appearance projects a cool, casual vibe. A half-lined jacket offers structure to the upper part of the garment, typically covering shoulders, upper back and sides. Sweat like an NBA player? No worries: The lining will add extra protection to the exterior cloth.

FABRICS Rather than create a personal sauna when heat and humidity rise, allow your body to breathe by choosing the right material. Linen, cotton, linen-cotton blends and worsted wool—aim for an open weave, with little gaps that allow air to circulate—should be your go-tos for the season. These fabrics allow maximum breathability and won’t weigh you down. With its crinkled and puckered texture, seersucker is a lightweight cotton that offers a modern, uber-casual look. Headed to a summer wedding or business meeting? Cambric (aka chambray) is another lightweight option that’s smart and stylish.

SUMMER SUITING

| M PENNER

SUITED FOR SUMMER Look splendid in the warmest months and be comfortable too!

Don’t sweat the thought of wearing a suit when it’s hot. Consider these tips for a look that’ll keep you cool and stylish even when the mercury’s way up:

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

ACCESSORIES You’d be forgiven for losing the tie in warmer weather—summer suiting is more casual, after all. Instead of a tie, wear a colorful linen pocket square to make a statement. For occasions that necessitate neckwear, a knitted tie in a rich color or strong texture can punctuate your outfit.

SHOES Your summer suit commands a similar style of footwear. Choose a leather sneaker (think Zegna not Nike!) or lightweight woven loafer in neutral brown, navy or beige to match the relaxed feel of the rest of your outfit. Need a shoe that’s a bit more formal? Slip into something suede.

SHIRTS Linen shirts as well as those made of 100 percent cotton or performance fabrics are your best bet—each type offers the breathability your skin needs, especially when layered beneath a suit jacket. Pastel colors or a shade just lighter than the suit can create a winning combo. Also consider polos: They’re a casual Friday staple and a great summer alternative to a button-up when a suit is still required at the office.

for the evening.

thais to the past

Founded in 1296, Chiang Mai has almost as many temples as the bigger Bangkok—and much more serenity. By Everett Potter

| M PENNER

There’s no denying the exotic allure of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, with its temples, street food and dense carnival of daily life. But the constant chaos of this city of eight million inhabitants and street-clogging traffic can easily overwhelm and exhaust even the most urbansavvy Western traveler. After a few days, the classic respite from bustling Bangkok is to head south to the beach resorts in Phuket or Ko Samui. But for all their sand, tranquil water and beauty, these spots are often overrun with hordes of European and Australian vacationers.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

| M PENNER 42

This page, clockwise from top left: have arguably the best food in this nation famed for its My sage advice: After a few days in Bangkok, don’t go Landmark pagodas Noppamethcuisine. It’s available in street stalls and night markets south with the bronzing crowds; head north instead to the anedol and Noppapol Phumsiri sit at the peak of Doi Inthanon mountain, and in a bevy of casual outdoor restaurants under colormountains and the rainforest and the city of Chiang Mai. a national park in Chiang Mai; ful lantern light. The intoxicating smell of spices and Here in the homeland of the Asian elephant, close to the teenage girls in traditional local fashion prepare for a cultural dance herbs permeates the air. borders with Myanmar and Laos, is a culturally rich and performance; Chiang Mai’s famed Lantern Festival, held every NovemWhen I returned to Chiang Mai in the mid-’90s, all of colorful city of 200,000, in a densely forested landscape ber, symbolizes new beginnings and these aspects of daily life remained powerful even as the ringed by mountains. good luck; a golden statue stands guard outside of Wat Pho, a Buddhist city had grown. There was also the new Four Seasons Chiang Mai is about an hour’s flight north of Bangtemple complex in Bangkok; khao Hotel Chiang Mai to explore then, an enchanting series kok and I first set foot here back in 1986, when it was a soi egg noodle soup is a spicy dish found throughout northern Thailand. of pavilions suspended over rice paddies and one of the sleepy provincial capital, a place where samlors—bicycleOpposite: A monk prays at a Buddha statue. most romantic and alluring hotels I had ever stayed at. powered rickshaws—and strolling were the best ways to The eatery’s Southeast Asian glamour was enhanced by get around. A couple of bland modern hotels stood out in a meeting David Bouley, the star New York chef, at a time when the concept cityscape still laden with hippie-infused guesthouses. It was a backpacker’s of star chef was nascent. He was doing a guest chef stint at the property for haven, and the main attractions were the nearby elephants, the astonisha couple of weeks, and over the smoke of his après-dinner cigar, we talked ingly beautiful golden-spired temples—nearly as many as in the far larger Bangkok—and interactions with the local tribespeople, such as the Hmong, food. Chiang Mai is one of the foodiest places on the planet, and Bouley made it clear that he was really there to learn. attired in their brightly colored tribal wear. Dozens of dishes use local herbs and spices, and foremost is larb, a This city is still ideally explored by foot and samlor and, given its mounground meat dish with mint and spices, som tam (raw papaya salad) and tainous surroundings, less oppressively hot than Bangkok. The fact that sua ue, a grilled sausage with lemongrass as well as the ubiquitous khao the old part is enclosed by a moat gives it a medieval feel (Chiang Mai was niao, or sticky rice. Go for gai yang (grilled chicken) with a spicy peanut founded in 1296), as do the monks who live at the many temples, such as sauce or the local barbecue chicken dish kai yang in tamarind sauce. On Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chiang Man, graciously accepting alms in their offer everywhere there’s also khao soi, a Chiang Mai coconut curry soup saffron-colored robes. I have returned on every visit to Wat Umong, which made with noodles and either chicken or beef broth, spiked with lime and is a park-like collection of temples set among lakes and semi-hidden Budas many chilis as you can tolerate. dhist statues in grottoes, which offers up a wonderful air of mystery. On my most recent visit, I discovered that the lodging choices had magThen there is the food of Chiang Mai. The city’s restaurants and markets

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

This page, clockwise from top left: A Trekking companies have long had a place in nified, as had the city itself, but the essence of Chiang Mai blend of Colonial and Thai décor adorns Chiang Mai, but now there are more ethically remains as alluring as ever. I still got around on samlors, each room at the Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai Resort; sun shines through the morning minded ones, such as Green Trails, which can orgastill inhaled an intoxicating mix of spices and cooking, and mist in northern Thailand; a street artist paints an intricate pattern on an umbrella; nize rafting and ziplining tours as well as overnight still found the slow pace a welcome relief after Bangkok. lanterns are arranged for Chiang Mai’s visits with hill tribes. The rainforest and mountains While the Four Seasons remains an icon, it’s also annual festival; a trio of rescued elephants walks freely in Doi Inthanon National Park. mean that there are ample hiking opportunities, 30 minutes outside of the city. The temple-like Dhara Opposite: The grounds of the Dhara Dhevi with both short and long walks to see waterfalls Dhevi Chiang Mai and the boutique 137 Pillars House resort feature two outdoor swimming and Asian elephants. The Elephant Nature Park, are good choices. My newfound favorite, however, is An- pools, a spa and a shopping center. about an hour outside the city, was founded by Lek antara Chiang Mai Resort, overlooking the Ping River Chailert, a pioneering elephant conservationist. The 200-acre park has in the heart of the city. Housed in the former British consulate, it’s in a been rescuing elephants since the 1990s and is considered one of the modernist compound with reflecting pools. It feels like an oasis in the best examples of an ethical sanctuary in the country. city, just a few minutes’ walk from downtown. It also offers some of the One place that continues to draw me back is Wat Phra That Doi best high-end Thai food, refreshing cocktails and anticipatory service Suthep. This is the city’s main temple, on a lofty perch that is reached that I’ve ever experienced in Asia. Chiang Mai has long been the best place in Thailand to buy crafts and to by climbing the 309 steps of the so-called Naga Serpent Staircase. It can watch artisans at work. While they can be found throughout the city, nowa- be exhausting in the heat of the day, but you do feel virtuous on making the ascent, and there’s a bird’s-eye view of Chiang Mai and the steamy days dedicated connoisseurs head to the Baan Kang Wat artisan village, set jungle-clad mountains of the countryside. Even at this lofty perch, in a forest outside the city proper. There is so much art in newly opened you can smell the food in the air, marvel at the flowers and watch the galleries in the city that a free art map is an essential guide for scoping it saffron-robed monks going about their duties. More than three decades out. The Night Bazaar, which has been around for decades, is a shopping after I first went to Thailand for a taste of the exotic, it’s delightful to extravaganza of stalls where successful haggling is invariably followed with report that Chiang Mai is still enchanting. indulging in street food.

| 45

Bros’ night in | M PENNER

A no-girls-allowed party need not have a discarded-pizza-box motif. It can be a bash with panache.

One thing you probably don’t want is a guys-only party planned only by guys. So here comes hostess extraordinaire Stephanie Booth Shafran with just what a man-cave get-together needs: a woman’s touch. In her first book, You’re Invited: Classic, Elegant Entertaining (Rizzoli, $50), she documents a gentlemanly evening gathering at home that she staged for her lesser half and his buds. The event was complete with porterhouse steaks, “manly” flowers in shades of deep eggplant and a sommelier to teach guests about the red wines they were drinking. Booth Shafran left no stone unturned for this testosterone-filled occasion, from the sleek, Gilded-Age-inspired tablescape to the post-dinner whiskey tasting and cigar smoking.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Clockwise from top: A sommelier enlightened guests about the exquisite wines brought in from the Napa Valley vintners Bond; drinking whiskey and smoking cigars were made easy because the accoutrements—glasses, matches and the like—were laid out on silver platters; sleek gold and silver tableware and “masculine” hellebore flowers enlivened the ambience of the sit-down dinner.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

This page, clockwise from top: Sugar cookies shaped like playing-card suits, along with crackers with cut-outs of spades and clubs, got the guys jazzed for a few rounds of poker; a three-tier display of bite-sized desserts promised easy, elegant snacking; munchable blackberries and kumquats added a refreshing splash of color to the tablescape. Opposite: What carnivore could decline a dry-aged porterhouse accessorized with shallots and rosemary sprigs? You’re Invited: Classic, Elegant Entertaining © 2020 by Stephanie Booth Shafran, Rizzoli New York. Photographs © TheIngalls.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

THE SPORTING LIFE

Tee is for tiger

Payne’s Valley, a new public-access course in the Ozarks, reflects the design genius of golf’s resurgent wunderkind. By Josh Sens

| M PENNER

A second chance in golf is called a mulligan, and Tiger Woods has made the most of his. At 44, he has overcome multiple back surgeries and a tabloid scandal to reclaim his game and rebuild his reputation. He won the 2019 Masters, has jumped to No. 6 in the World Golf Rankings and has evolved a public image as a kinder, gentler veteran star. Gone are the icy aura and chilling nine-mile-stare of his younger days, replaced by the mien of an éminence grise, an elder statesman wearing many happy hats: devoted father, Presidents Cup captain, charity tournament host, practice round companion. And let’s not forget this one: architect. Woods’ resurgence has coincided with the growing prominence of his golf course design business, TGR Design. In recent years, his firm has stamped its name on prominent layouts in Texas and Mexico. It has projects underway in Dubai and Hawaii. Just last month, it completed a deal to renovate the Peter Hay Golf Course, the historic par-3 track at fabled Pebble Beach in California. Work on Peter Hay will soon begin. Meanwhile, though, another major job is drawing close to completion. Woods’ first public-access course in the U.S., Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge resort in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, now has 13 holes open for preview play. The entire layout is slated to

be ready at a still-to-be-determined date in 2020. Named for the late Payne Stewart, a Missouri native and three-time major golf championship winner, Payne’s Valley brings Woods into a collaboration with another looming figure in the world of outdoor sports: Big Cedar owner Johnny Morris, the billionaire founder of Bass Pro Shops. A keen golfer himself, Morris has spent a considerable fortune elevating Big Cedar into one of the country’s most glittery golf destinations. It is already home to two heralded 18-hole courses— Buffalo Ridge Springs by acclaimed architect Tom Fazio and Ozarks National by the dynamic duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who are regarded widely as the finest design pair in the world today. Big Cedar also boasts two headline par-3 three courses: nine-hole Top of the Rock by Jack Nicklaus, and 13-hole Mountain Top by Gary Player. As if there weren’t enough A-listers on the marquee, eight-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson has gotten into the mix as well with an 18-hole natural grass putting course. Now comes Tiger’s turn. True to its Ozarks surroundings, Payne’s Valley is a sprawling, scenic layout, stitched across a rollicking landscape defined by ridges, rock outcrops and piney swatches. A dramatic footbridge tra-

verses the fifth hole, and the course is ornamented by several striking water features, including natural lakes and waterfalls. Though Tiger in his prime cut a fearsome profile, his course is not intended to give golfers the frights. Its fairways are forgiving, with wide landing areas. Its greens, though rumpled and filled with intrigue, are also ample, with open fronts that will allow players to run the ball up toward the putting surface. Woods doesn’t want people to lose a lot of golf balls. Punishment is not the point. “I want to see a lot of birdies made here,” Woods told Golf magazine last fall during a site visit. “I have always felt that golf is about bringing people together, and this has served as my inspiration.” Not that the course will be a cakewalk either. Stretched to the tips, Payne’s Valley will play 7,300 yards, presenting a stout challenge to anyone who wants to test it from the back tees. To punctuate the point, the course will close with a bonus par-3 19th hole designed by Morris. Perfect for settling bets (or just for snapping selfies), the hole will play to an island green ringed by streams and backed by a waterfall weeping down a granite rock face. Big Cedar is currently accepting tee times for 13-hole preview play. For now, reservations are available over the phone only—to those who call 800.225.6343.

Opposite page, clockwise from top: Nestled within the Ozark Mountains, Payne’s Valley is the area’s third major golf destination—behind heralded Buffalo Ridge Springs and Ozarks National; the facility, the first public course created by Tiger Woods’ firm, TGR Design, has wide and forgiving fairways; a footbridge spans the water feature, creating a dramatic scene along the fifth hole; golfers are eagerly awaiting the official opening of Payne’s Valley, slated for later this year; though designed to be player friendly, the 7,300-yard course has plenty of challenges built into its landscape.

GRAPE

the other california wine country

The Santa Rita Hills are a farmer’s frustration—and a vintner’s delight. By Josh Sens

| M PENNER

“I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing,” says Maya, a character in the movie Sideways. “How the sun was shining; if it rained. I like to think about all the people who tended and picked the grapes.” Maya is delivering a speech that is widely recognized by oenophiles and cinephiles alike. What those film buffs and wine lovers may not know is where that famous scene takes place. It was shot in a house on the Hilt Estate in the Santa Rita Hills, a distinctive appellation in Southern California, and it’s hard to picture a more apt locale. If you’re like Maya and you like to think of wine in its broader context, you’d be hard-pressed to find a region that produces vintages with a more vivid sense of place. Geography alone makes the Santa Rita Hills unique in California. Located northwest of the city of Santa Barbara, near the town of Lompoc and just a few miles from the coast, it is the only wine region in the Golden State situated in a valley that runs east to west. Morning fog off the Pacific rolls in obstructed, blanketing the vineyards in a cool, misty quilt before burning off in the midday sun. By afternoon, vigorous winds sweep across the landscape, buffeting vines that cling to steep, silica-rich slopes. It’s not a friendly place for grapes to

grow. Nor is it an easy place to farm. But it’s wonderful for winemakers, with all the elements in place for fruit that ripens slowly while maintaining its natural acidity. A number of varietals find beautiful expression in the Santa Rita Hills, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. “Our location allows us to have what we call ‘refrigerated sunshine,’” says Matt Dees, head winemaker at the Hilt. “The combination of cooling fog, sunshine and infertile maritime soil keeps the berries small, so you get that great combination of purity of fruit and freshness of flavor.” A Kansas City native, Dees studied soil science at the University of Vermont before embarking on a winemaking journey that took him around the globe, from New Zealand to Napa and, finally, Santa Barbara County, where he settled in 2004, just before Sideways hit the silver screen. In those days, Santa Barbara already enjoyed wine-world acclaim. But the Santa Rita Hills still lay under the radar—a sleepy region with a pioneering spirit and (relatively) affordable land that allowed vintners to plant the varietals that made sense in the setting rather than bending to meet the bottom line. Pinot Noir was one such grape, a varietal intensely attuned to its terroir. At the Hilt Estate, it grows on south-

facing slopes in the coolest reaches of the Santa Rita Hills. Eons ago, this land was covered by the ocean, which left behind a rich layer of marine silica. The soil is light, white and stingy. In its struggle to survive, Pinot Noir develops alluring traits. “When you look at it, you think it’s going to be this dark and brooding wine,” Dees says. “But there is also a phenomenal amount of structure. It’s a wonderful chameleon in the glass.” Much of the same praise could be said of Chardonnay, the other signature varietal of the Santa Rita Hills. Vintners treat it here with minimal interference, showing restraint in their use of oak. The result is wine of electric excitement, brimming with acidity but softened just so around its edges. You come across it at the Hilt and a number of other Santa Rita producers, including Longoria Wines, Melville Winery and Peake Ranch Winery, all of which also make enticing Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir, of course, enjoyed a star turn in Sideways, just as the Santa Rita Hills are enjoying one now. “We started out as a kind of Wild West region,” says Peake Ranch winemaker Wynne Solomon. “But with the resurgence of fresh winemaking, we’re starting to get much wider recognition for being the unique place that we are.”

Opposite page, clockwise from top: Pacific Ocean moisture covers the Sea Smoke Estate Vineyards every afternoon, creating ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir; Santa Rita Hills wineries like Ken Brown, Sanford Winery and Domaine de la Côte produce some of the region’s best wines; a look outside the Melville Winery; a peek at the barrels inside the Sanford Winery; vintner Bruce McGuire has been making wine at the Santa Barbara Winery since 1981.

TASTING NOTES 2017 The Hilt Estate Pinot Noir, $35 Currents of dark berries and black pepper mingle with soft tannins in a wine that balances fresh fruit with wonderful structure. Pastas, duck and beef stews make lovely matches. 2017 Peake Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay, $50 Hints of citrus, green papaya and pineapple skins give way to lush aromatics of toasted almonds, with a clean, bright finish. Enjoy with poultry and fresh seafood. 2017 The Hilt Estate Chardonnay, $45 This wine holds electric acidity with touches of honeysuckle and summer stone fruit. It’s a fresh, vibrant wine that works beautifully with everything from salmon to pork to vegetable casseroles.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

DESIGNER SHOWCASE

STYLE MEETS COMFORT

Clothes for the life you live. By Karen Alberg Grossman Men’s fashion is often considered a non-sequitur in the U.S., since few American men are obsessed with clothes. Of course, most guys want to dress well but few want their clothes to speak louder than they do. Whereas women will dress to get noticed, most men prefer to blend in. Peter Millar, a menswear brand founded in 2001 and favored by many professional golfers, understands how real guys like to dress: not boring but not outrageous, stylish but most of all comfortable. The brand is famous for its lifestyle collection featuring pants, shorts, polos, sportcoats, woven shirts, swimwear, sweaters, shoes and accessories, designed in a way that makes it easy to coordinate colors and patterns. More recently, they’ve come out with a luxury collection (Peter Millar Collection), taking an elevated and refined approach to both sportswear and sartorial tailoring. In addition to using innovative fabrics (many of them Italian), unique patterns and enriched colors, much attention is paid to details, trims, and hardware. This elevated collection fits in perfectly at M PENNER, where you’ll find many fabulous offerings from tops and bottoms to vests and sportcoats. And talk about comfort! Peter Millar was among the first brands to incorporate true performance fabrics into their collection. Water-resistance, four-way stretch, windproofing, quick-drying, and easy-care properties are used for both activewear and more tailored looks. They’ve also

“Our mission is to create clothing that adds possibility to every day.” Scott Ruerup, Peter Millar president

| M PENNER

added an amazing “Natural Touch” fabric that balances the technical properties of a performance fabric with a soft cotton-like hand. PGA golf pro Hudson Swafford was recently asked if what he wears affects how he plays. His response: “Absolutely! When I used to wear heavy cotton polos and bulky pants, you’d see me walking down the fairway drenched in sweat. Now, in Peter Millar’s performance fabrics, I’m always comfortable, even in uncomfortable situations on the course! I love their shirts and wear them on and off the course. I love the colors, the fit, the weight. These days, I especially love their five-pocket performance pants: I can wear them on the course and then out to dinner.”

Since it was founded in 2001, menswear brand Peter Millar has been popular among the world’s best golfers. Its most recent line, Peter Millar Collection, has elevated the designer’s looks with precise tailoring and innovative fabrics—and it’s available at M PENNER.

THE SK Y IS THE LIMIT. CELEBR ATING ETON BLUE.

QUARANTINE SURVIVAL

STYLE PROS

| M PENNER

By Karen Alberg Grossman

It’s no coincidence: The four superstar sellers at M PENNER were interviewed separately, yet all responded with the same reason they can’t wait to get back to work—YOU! More than the clothing, more than the paycheck, more than the routine, spending time with their customers is what inspires their dedication, commitment and passion. Here, the team tells us how they’re faring during the coronavirus shutdown.

BELINDA HILLHOUSE How are you spending your time now that you’re not in the store? I’m staying very busy! I must admit I’ve spent a lot of time on my phone or email connecting with friends and customers, checking on everyone. It’s a hard time for all of us, but it feels better to stay connected! We work out just about every morning. We have totally redone our garden and planted new plants, adding spring color to the flower beds! We all love to cook, so we’ve made some wonderful dishes. (I would be the one who lives to eat!) And, of course, we enjoy a few cocktails and wine: How else would we get through all this craziness? I’ve also watched a couple of movies, but I’m not a big TV binger. What are you enjoying most about this new reality? I’ve enjoyed getting caught up on a few projects, but I can’t say I’ve really enjoyed any of this new reality. It’s so scary, not only for ourselves and our loved ones, but for the whole country and the world, not to mention the economy! What do you miss most about being in the store? I actually love my job and what I

do. It’s like having my friends come visit, and I get to help pick out their wardrobes. So I miss my customers! I’d much rather be working than not. What have you learned about yourself from this quarantine experience? That maybe I’ve stayed a little calmer than I would have expected. Are you doing a personal closet cleanse? That’s the next project on my list! I’ll be giving away a lot: anything that I haven’t worn in a while, or that is stained or damaged. It was time for a good spring cleaning anyway! I have a couple of charities I like to give stuff to that I’m sure can benefit from donations, especially after this uncertainty settles. (I’ve already got my eye on a few new pieces from Veronica Beard!) What message do you most want to communicate to your customers? I just hope everyone has stayed healthy, happy and safe. I can’t wait to get back to some kind of normalcy, back to work, where I can hug my customers again!

BUTCH LAYNE How are you spending your time now that you’re not in the store? I’m definitely working out more, 45 minutes religiously at 8:15 in the morning. I used to play golf (I was a 9 handicap) but I’ve gotten tired of it. I’m often glued to the TV—both the news and some Netflix—I watch mostly animal shows. I’m reconnecting with buddies, by phone and by email, something I never before had time to do. I listen to oldies. I go to the car wash (but don’t get out of the car…) And I’m taking some time to do things I love like walking the Tanglewood Trail and watching the cheetahs at the zoo. I know this sounds strange but I’m actually an expert on cheetahs—they’re the most righteous creatures on earth. Our zoo has four of them, ages 12, 11 and two 2-year-olds, all males. Did you know cheetahs can’t breed in captivity? What about cooking: are you doing any of that? I thought ‘Cooking’ was a city in China. No, Houston restaurants have great take-out and I’ve got a freezer full of prepared food. What are you enjoying most about this new reality? What’s making you crazy? I’m a by-the-book person and I like things orderly,

so the change of rhythm is a bit unsettling. That said, I’m enjoying being lazy: just laying around in bed is kind of nice. It reminds me of hurricanes and tropical storms. I’ve worked fulltime since 1971 so I feel I’ve earned this break! What do you miss most about being in the store? Shaking hands and hugging. What have you learned about yourself from this experience? It’s reinforced the knowledge that I’m not an alarmist, that I can still enjoy life and tell jokes. (I’m an insatiable joke teller; I can’t help myself.) Are you doing a personal closet cleanse? As a matter of fact, I recently did a complete closet purge: I gave away 8 suits (too big, too long, too dated), 6 pairs of shoes, 15 dress shirts, and 2 dozen ties (too wide or too ugly). I had just moved into a beautiful one-bedroom Houston high rise so the purge was necessary. Belinda’s brother recommended some good charities for donating. What message do you most want to communicate to your customers? That I miss them and hope everyone’s well. And that when this is over, it will be the most glorious time of our lives.

MARIOLA CHODKOWSKA

CODY SEVER How are you spending your time now that you’re not in the store? I’m staying busy with exercise, mostly running and cycling. I’m also doing little projects around the home. I’m reading a book by Corey Taylor, a musician/front man for Slipknot and Stonesour. It’s an interesting rock star perspective. I’m also watching Tiger King on NetFlix. What are you enjoying most about this new reality? What’s making you crazy? I’m enjoying the break in routine but what really makes me crazy is people who are not social distancing. What do you miss most about being in the store? I miss my customers and my team. What have you learned about yourself from this experience? I’m more appreciative than ever of the many great things I have in life. Are you doing a personal closet cleanse? Haven’t done a closet cleaning yet but I recently shaped up a little and it feels great so I look forward to buying a few new things! If I could buy whatever I wanted this season, I would love some double monk strap Santoni shoes, a new Z Zegna sportcoat, new PT trousers and some Isaia 5-pocket bottoms. What message do you most want to communicate to your customers? Appreciate what you have and treat others the way you’d like to be treated. Enjoy Life!

How are you spending your time now that you’re not in the store? Well I’m not a TV watcher; I don’t even own a TV. But I’m excited to finally have time in my life to read. I’m just finishing Michael Newton’s Journey of Souls and I look forward to reading a book I stole from my boyfriend: Good Habits Bad Habits by Wendy Wood. I’m also doing more cooking these days now that I have more time. I’m from Poland and I love making pierogi—it’s delicious but takes a long time to make everything from scratch. I’m also making Thai food: Belinda gave me an awesome Thai cookbook. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find some of the ingredients with so little on supermarket shelves. And staying home means I’m eating more: with the gyms closed, it’s not a good thing. What are you enjoying most about this new reality? What’s making you crazy? I have to admit I enjoy sleeping in! And since my family lives in Poland, I now have more time to catch up with them on the phone. It used to be hard to coordinate schedules with the time difference. What’s making me crazy? When I know I can’t do something, that’s when I really want to do it! Also, I finally have all this time to do all the errands that have been building up but none of the places I need are open! What do you miss most about being in the store? I miss my clients and my co-workers. My family lives in Europe so my clients and co-workers are like family to me. I also miss getting dressed up for work. I’m not a casual person—I don’t even own flat shoes; I wear heels everywhere, even to the grocery store!

What have you learned about yourself from this quarantine? That I need flat shoes! That I want a garden to grow vegetables. That I’m a workaholic and I’m happiest being busy. Are you doing a personal closet cleanse? If so, what are you giving away? What do you want to buy as replacements? I actually gave away a lot of clothes when I recently moved. So now I need to buy some easy-care basics, some blouses, jeans, dresses… I think what I really need most is to splurge on a Hayden Lasher purse! Buying

something new always makes me feel better! What message do you most want to communicate to your customers? That buying something new always makes you feel better! I hope everyone follows the rules and stays healthy so we can see everyone back at the store in the near future. All of us at M PENNER truly love and appreciate our customers!

Available at Garmany www.scarpedibianco.com

WELCOME TO OUR HOME Going above and beyond for our customers is the heart and soul of M PENNER. We believe great merchandise and great service are truly the best ways to exceed our clients’ expections.

AT YOUR SERVICE M PENNER PERSONAL SERVICE

EXPERTISE A central part of the M PENNER experience is superlative service. When you need expert, individualized attention, you’ll get it—instantly and for as long as you want. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in all of the brands we carry, the trends of the season and how to fit every body type. They stand ready to advise you on all matters of wardrobe and accessories.

As a family-owned business, we take a lot of pride in everything we do at M PENNER. We have the finest sales professionals that you will find anywhere, and our experienced tailoring staff works diligently to make sure that you look great. Our commitment to our customers goes beyond the sale. Service impacts every part of our business, and our goal is to give you the very best— and more. Here are some of the things we do to take care of you. Of course, special requests are always welcome!

ABUNDANT PARKING

MADE-TO-MEASURE

Houston’s a big city, and parking is often a challenge. At M PENNER we provide plenty of free parking, right at the front door.

Exceptional fit is essential to impeccable style. We have a whole room created for you to design your own suits, sportcoats, shirts and trousers, where we will take your measurements and help you select fabrics, styles, buttons, etc. from the finest companies in the world.

DELIVERY We understand that sometimes it’s a challenge to get to the store to pick up your alterations. Just let us know when and where, and we’ll be happy to deliver them to you.

THAT’S A WRAP! We’re here to make your life a little easier, remember? So, you pick the gift and we’ll take care of the wrapping on all non-sale purchases at M PENNER. Of course, all you have to do is ask and we’ll pick the gift out for you too!

CLOSET CLEANING Sometimes it’s hard to part with old friends. We can help. When you shop for your new seasonal wardrobe, our sales associates will come to your home and let you know which items are worn or out of style, and suggest how to coordinate your existing clothes with new additions. We’ll even take your old clothes and donate them to a local charity on your behalf.

PICTURE THIS Sure, all of your new clothes look great at the store, but sometimes, once you get home, it’s hard to remember what goes with what. Just ask and we’ll be happy to photograph your ensembles.

SPECIAL ORDERS Whether it’s a suit, sportcoat or a pair of shoes, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just let us know. We’ll do our best to find it from one of our many resources.

COMPLIMENTARY ALTERATIONS Our reputation is sewn into every garment we sell. To make sure you always look your absolute best, we provide complimentary alterations on non-sale items purchased at M PENNER. We even perform routine wardrobe maintenance: Should a button become loose or lost, we’ll be happy to replace it—and press your garment—while you wait.

SHOPPING BY BROWNIES ON SATURDAYS PENNER brownies, made from a recipe passed down APPOINTMENT M for generations, are required at all Penner family events. Just give us a call and we will pre-select clothing to meet your needs. Items will be ready to try on upon your arrival, during or after store hours. Can’t find the time to stop by? We’ll be happy to come by your home or office.

When we built the store in Uptown Park, we added a kitchen so we could make them fresh for you every Saturday.

GIFT CARDS M PENNER gift cards are available in any denomination and can be purchased at the store or over the phone. Just give us the word and we’ll be happy to send them to the recipient for you as well.

DINE

ARAYA CHOCOLATE

GIANT LEAP COFFEE* MERUS GRILL

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

EMBAJADORES FINE CIGARS

MENDOCINO FARMS

LEWIS JEWELERS REJUVENATION

TOP DRAWER LINGERIE

THE RUSTIC*

AND MORE COMING SOON

ELIZABETH ANTHONY

HIGH GLOSS M PENNER

FLOWER CHILD

SONGKRAN THAI KITCHEN

UPTOWN SUSHI

BILL WALKER CLOTHIER

LONGORIA COLLECTION

ETOILE CUISINE ET BAR

M&S SEAFOOD, STEAKS & OYSTERS

THE TASTING ROOM EXPERIENCE

CRAVE CUPCAKES

ETHAN ALLEN LOFT

LUCHO

REVOLUTION STUDIO

AND MORE

*OPENING SOON

UPTOWNPARK

UPTOWNPARKHOUSTON.COM

LAST WORD

CLOTHES AND THE MAN A men’s fashion writer remembers her dad.

| M PENNER

’m certain my passion for men’s clothing came from my dad Max Alberg, a gentle and caring man from humble beginnings who worked his way up to EVP at Macy’s. His parents were immigrants from Poland—his father a barber, his mother a talented seamstress—who settled in Middle Village, Queens, where Max was born. As a school boy, Max contributed to the family income by watering graves at a nearby cemetery and riding a pre-dawn truck route to deliver bottles of milk. With no money for college and three younger siblings to help support, Max enrolled in the U.S. Army just in time to join the Allied invasion of Normandy.

By Karen Alberg Grossman

Returning from the war, Max learned of a few rare job openings at Macy’s. Dressed in his only suit, he joined a long line that encircled Herald Square to submit his application. Years later, he confided that the only reason he got this highly coveted position (writing prices on price tags!) was because his interviewer happened to be a woman who admired his necktie. How distinctly I remember Max leaving for the bus each morning, dressed in a perfectly fitting suit, crisp white shirt, classic tie, and wool felt fedora; in winter, the outfit included a natural brown vicuña scarf, a gift from one of his vendors. I remember like yesterday all the frigid

mornings he’d walk me to my school bus, pulling off this scarf to wrap it around my neck. (I hope he never found out how quickly, as the bus pulled away, I’d unwind the scarf and stuff it into my book bag!) To me, my dad was Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, and Henry Fonda all rolled into Teaneck, New Jersey’s most dapper dad. In later years, I’d try to gift him a colorful cashmere scarf for his birthday. He never accepted it, preferring to wear the vicuña and insisting I return the cashmere and buy something for myself. At some family celebration, my dad left his vicuña scarf at a restaurant. My thoughtful brother-in-law offered to retrieve it, driving a half hour back to the restaurant to pick it up. “This is what we drove all the way back for?” he asked my sister, incredulously holding up the threadbare piece of fabric. For his 70th birthday, my siblings and I set out to buy Max a hand-crafted Italian suit, something he deserved but never owned. We dragged him to an upscale menswear store and made him try on a classic Canali, then $1,000 retail. He walked out of the fitting room and nearby shoppers gasped in admiration. We assured Max that with all five kids chipping in, this gift would hardly break the bank. But his Depression-era mentality prevailed and he told us that if we insisted on buying him the suit, we should wait until his burial; that way, he could wear it for all eternity without stressing about the price. Around this same time, a regime change at Macy’s had Max applying for a new job (which he got, and where he stayed for the next 20 years). Years later, I asked the owner of that company why he hired a merchant already in his 70s. “At our interview,” he told me, “I couldn’t get over the precise way he took off his coat, gently folding it over the back of the chair and meticulously positioning his scarf and hat on top, all done with such respect for the clothing. I never saw anything like it! This was a man who clearly loved clothes.” My dad died a few years ago at age 93. My most cherished possession: a very frayed and tattered dull brown vicuña scarf that I keep close to my heart.

CANALI_FORUM_SS20_USA.indd 1

17/01/20 18:14

forum sartorial.indd 1

20/01/20 14:50